A few years ago, I was drowning in receipts, subscriptions, and stuff I barely used. My bank statements were a mess of impulse buys and forgotten monthly charges.

Sound familiar? The turning point came when I realized that spending less wasn’t about deprivation. It was about clarity.

Since embracing a more minimalist approach to spending, I’ve saved thousands of dollars without feeling like I’m missing out on anything. In fact, I feel richer than ever. Not just financially, but in terms of time, space, and mental energy too.

These aren’t complicated financial strategies that require spreadsheets or apps. They’re simple shifts in how you think about and interact with money. And the best part? You can start using them today.

1) The 30-day pause rule

Here’s a question for you: How many things have you bought on impulse that are now collecting dust somewhere in your home?

I used to be terrible with this. See something cool online at 11 PM? Click, buy, done. A cute plant holder at the farmer’s market? Into the bag it goes.

But then I started implementing what I call the 30-day pause rule.

Whenever I want to buy something that isn’t essential (groceries, medication, basic necessities don’t count), I write it down in a little notebook I keep in my bag. Then I wait 30 days. If I still want it after a month, and I can clearly articulate why it would improve my life, I consider buying it.

You’d be amazed at how many things I never think about again after writing them down. That vintage leather jacket I was obsessed with? Forgot about it within a week. The fancy juicer that was going to revolutionize my mornings? Never crossed my mind after day three.

This single trick has probably saved me at least $1,000 a year. That’s real money that can go toward experiences, savings, or things that truly matter.

2) One in, two out

Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh once wrote, “Letting go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness.”

Perhaps surprisingly, this sort of thinking completely changed how I approach new purchases.

Now, whenever I bring something new into my life, I remove two similar items. Buy a new sweater? Two old ones go to donation. New book? Time to pass along two I’ve already read.

This does two powerful things. First, it makes me incredibly selective about what I buy because I know I’ll have to part with things I already own. Second, it keeps my space clear and my possessions meaningful.

3) The weekly money date

Do you know exactly how much you spent last week? Most of us don’t, and that’s where money silently slips away.

Every Sunday morning, while sipping my coffee, I have what I call a “money date” with myself. For 15 minutes, I review every transaction from the past week. No judgment, no stress, just awareness. I look at my bank app, check my credit card transactions, and note any patterns.

This simple practice has revealed so many hidden money drains. Like the streaming service I forgot I was paying for (goodbye, $15 a month). Or the fact that my “occasional” coffee shop visits were happening four times a week.

The beauty of this practice is that it’s not about restriction. It’s about consciousness. When you see where your money actually goes versus where you think it goes, you naturally start making better choices.

Since starting this practice, I’ve cut my miscellaneous spending by about 40% without feeling deprived at all.

4) Batch and freeze everything

Coming from someone who loves fresh food and farmers’ markets, this might sound surprising. But hear me out.

I used to buy ingredients for specific meals throughout the week. A little here, a little there. Not only was this time-consuming, but I’d often buy duplicate items or let produce go bad because I didn’t have a plan.

The financial waste was significant, probably $30-50 per week.

Now, I dedicate some Sunday afternoons to batch cooking. I make huge portions of soups, grain bowls, and sauces, then freeze them in individual containers. My freezer is like a personal restaurant where I can “order” whatever I’m in the mood for.

This approach has cut my food spending by more than half. Instead of spending $600 a month on food (including groceries and the inevitable “I’m too tired to cook” takeout), I now spend around $250. Plus, I eat better, waste less, and never have to worry about what’s for dinner.

5) The uniform approach

Steve Jobs had his black turtlenecks. Mark Zuckerberg has his gray t-shirts. Me? I have my variations of the same basic outfit formula.

After my financial analyst days ended and I started writing full-time, I realized my closet was full of clothes I never wore. Business suits gathering dust, trendy pieces worn once, shoes for occasions that never came.

So I created my own version of a uniform: well-fitting jeans, simple solid-color tops, one great jacket, and comfortable shoes that work for both trail running and casual wear.

Having a uniform doesn’t mean wearing the exact same thing every day. It means having a consistent style that works for your life. I have multiples of the basics I love in a few different colors. Everything matches everything else. Getting dressed takes two minutes, and I never feel the urge to shop for clothes because I already have exactly what I need.

6) Question the “per month” mentality

“Just $9.99 per month!” “Only $4.99 monthly!” These small amounts seem harmless, right?

Wrong.

I once did an audit of all my subscriptions and nearly fell off my chair. Music streaming, video streaming, cloud storage, apps, a wine club I’d forgotten about, a meditation app I never used. It added up to $187 per month. That’s $2,244 per year on mostly digital services I barely touched.

Now, I run every subscription through a simple test: Would I pay for this annually in one lump sum? A $10 monthly charge sounds like nothing, but would you hand over $120 right now for that same service? This mental shift completely changed how I view recurring charges.

I kept only three subscriptions that truly add value to my life. Everything else got cut. Just like that, I freed up over $1,500 per year. That’s a vacation, several months of groceries, or a nice emergency fund contribution.

7) Master the art of the creative constraint

Here’s something counterintuitive I learned: Limitations often lead to more satisfaction, not less.

Instead of having infinite options for entertainment, I give myself creative constraints. One month, I might challenge myself to only do free activities. Another month, I’ll explore everything within walking distance of my home. Or I’ll spend a month using up every single ingredient in my pantry before buying more groceries.

These constraints have led to some of my favorite discoveries. The free activity month introduced me to incredible hiking trails I’d never noticed before, free concerts in the park, and a volunteer opportunity at the farmers’ market that’s become a highlight of my week. The pantry challenge month forced me to get creative with recipes and reduced my food spending to almost zero while I used up forgotten ingredients.

Final thoughts 

Minimalist spending isn’t about living a smaller life. It’s about living a more intentional one.

Every dollar you don’t spend on things that don’t matter is a dollar you can put toward what does. Whether that’s travel, early retirement, supporting causes you care about, or simply having the peace of mind that comes with financial security.

Start with just one of these tricks. See how it feels. Notice what changes. You might be surprised to find that spending less actually gives you more of everything that counts. After all, the best things in life aren’t things at all.