Ever wish you had more time or money? Probably.
According to one study, 80% of working adults wish they had more time to spend with their friends and family. In a similar study, 60% of working parents “always” feel rushed.
And the New York Times, back in 2015, called the current American generation “stressed, tired, and rushed.” No doubt, many of us know that to be true.
What if there was a solution?
What if there was a way to have more time available in your life? AND more money as well?
There is a solution. And it is available right now, without spending a penny (literally).
The solution to this problem is: Shop less.
In fact, cccording to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American spent 22 minutes/day shopping in 2019.
That is the equivalent of 133 hours each year (or 10,400 hours over a lifetime) spent shopping.
And it should be noted that this survey is far more conservative than most. Some studies show the average number in many scenarios might actually be closer to 400 hours each year! That’s almost 8 hours per week.
Almost everybody I know would take more time or money if it was offered to them.
Here’s the good news: You can have more of both.
Shop less.
Some might argue, “Yeah, but I have to shop. My family needs food and toiletries and my house needs cleaning. Some of these shopping errands are non-negotiable.”
And you would be right.
To live is to consume and there is a certain level of “shopping” that will always need to be maintained. But according to the studies listed above, only 25% of our shopping is spent on necessities (groceries, toiletries, etc.). The rest is spent on nonessentials amounting to $18,000 per year for the average American.
Wouldn’t we all like an extra 25 hours and $1,500 every month?
A second argument might go as follows, “Yeah, but what am I going to do with extra money and extra time if I can’t spend it shopping?”
And the answer is, “Anything else in the world. Surely there are more important things in life than what is on sale at your local department store. All those things you want to do with your life? You should go do them.”
We are a generation struggling to find both time and money. Given that reality, it’s surprising how many of us choose to use the little free time and money we have to spend it shopping—whether going to the mall, browsing websites, or simply looking at the lives of others wishing we had the physical possessions they own.
Shopping depletes two of our most finite resources: time and money.
Now, I’m not naïve enough to assume everyone who reads this post is going to stop shopping entirely.
However, for those of us who’ve ever wished we had more time and money in our lives, take some time to seriously consider this week how shopping and buying less would provide both—now, and for the rest of your life.
Tracy Burton says
And it’s not just the actual act of shopping. Six weeks ago we bought a new sofa bed from a national (Portugal) store having decided it would work much better in the study that doubles as a ‘guest room’ than the existing double bed. We were promised delivery in 5-10 days and I’ve already made in excess of ten phone calls (all but one unanswered) and send numerous emails to the store to find out where it is. We’re starting to wish we hadn’t bothered! Making do with what you’ve already got definitely saves money and time!!
Athena says
Really goes to show that simplicity is key!
Amy says
Yes! Shopping is such a time sucker. I switched from grocery shopping weekly to every two weeks. It saves so much time. It also saves money. Even though I always take a list, inevitably the odd impulse buy takes place. So reducing the number of grocery shopping trips I make has reduced my spending also. Win, win.
Janet says
I don’t consider myself a shopper, but I’m going to log my time and spending to see how much I really am not aware of.
Jean says
“You can both save time and money” Yes.
Faith Leyva says
Thanks to all for good suggestions. This is something I can try.
Marliah says
I needed this, I’ve been spending $10 here $20 there on second hand items, alot of things I don’t particularly need but are a “good deal” sometimes I even spend time shopping in the middle of the night when I ought to be sleeping. I needed to hear this, I did some calculations in one of my shopping apps and realized I spent over 3k last year! Ouch. The thought of all the time I’ve used on that is even more convicting. I LOVED in you recent video that you talked about creating or consuming. I love to make things, to create and see that I’ve been giving away my time I could be doing that to consume. Its helped me put things in perspective. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Mikhael Harris-Thomason says
Absolutely dement indeed!
i am a jewelry designer and instrustor..with a dream having my own busines… i find them on Facebook and second hand sells.
…my overthinking brain works best at night !!…in the morning my drawing helps me keep them in safe for later. I have found websites have less stylish templates so I found those in books and posters
Your idea of using videos are good examples, I am hoping to find more inspiring ideas from these articles, and free like on YouTube.
As usual, Joshua posts always have great suggestions and list.
Hilda E. says
Belinda, Enjoy your crafting! Spend as much time & money as you can & want on your hobby. I don’t think that minimalism is supposed to make us feel guilty or anxious about the fulfillment we get from our hobbies and interests or to limit our creativity.
June says
I had just cancelled my Prime account, and then I read this. It reinforced my decision!
Ellen says
Nice achievement, June! Congratulations!
Belinda Parker says
As a mom with lots of littles at one time, shopping is my “free” time out of the house (though a lot of it is grocery shopping, which is exhausting). Also, I’ve had to penny-pinch for so long, that its already disheartening to consider not being able to shop (our annual income is what “the average American consumer” spends on nonessentials, which, for a large family, makes things rather tight, to say the least). I enjoy crafts and DIY, which, unfortunately, can be an expensive hobby, and I already must limit that most of the time. Apparently, I need to grow in minimalism skills so I can enjoy both minimalism, shopping and crafting…
Hilda E. says
Belinda, Enjoy your crafting! Spend as much time & money as you can & want on your hobby. I don’t think that minimalism is supposed to make us feel guilty or anxious about the fulfillment we get from our hobbies and interests or to limit our creativity.