10 Big Minimalist Money Ideas That Helped Me Quit My Job

Over an eight-year simplicity journey, here are my favorite finance approaches.

In the past ten years, I’ve had financial roller coasters: earning well over six figures and also a waitress salary. Along the way, I’m proud of walking away from jobs and relationships that weren’t supporting me. Making choices based on inner fulfillment continues to bring greater freedom.

Being curious and creative empowered me to move across the country, quit a high-paying job, and take a full-year sabbatical. When I moved to California, I fit my things in two suitcases and left the rest behind. Working at big tech companies, I saved over half my income.

By tracking and reflecting on my spending, I turned inward. I realized I cared way more about paying off loans than living in a luxury apartment. I value my creativity and wellness much more than convenience or social status.

Though I’ll always be improving, I feel proud of my progress. By slowing down, embracing the journey, and cultivating presence, I choose abundance over scarcity. I believe the Universe supports me, and I have dreams for a reason.

With minimalism, I keep letting go of the unnecessary to make space for what matters most. These concepts and choices have seriously paid off in my financial journey. I hope they inspire your creativity and curiosity.

1. Track every dollar

Many years ago, I read “Your Money or Your Life” by Vicki Robin. That book helped me to shift my perspective on work and income. A few years ago I began tracking every dollar with a spreadsheet.

At first, I felt really overwhelmed and embarrassed about how much money I spent on convenience purchases. If your money is your “life energy,” as they say in the book, then I wasn’t using mine well.

As I tracked and reflected on my choices, I found opportunities and began to feel more aligned. Instead of rushing through life, I gave myself more space to enjoy things.

Plus, if you’re planning to take time off or start a business, you’ll know how much you need to pay yourself. Seeing how much I spent every month (and where I had wiggle room) gave me the confidence to quit my job because I saved more than enough money.

2. Determine your sense of “enough”

Like most people, I’ve often spent money to indirectly impress others. But with regular reflection, I felt grounded in my sense of “enough.”

I remember the bill for a night out with a friend, who I didn’t like that much, at a restaurant that wasn’t that great. It seemed gross that I’d use my money that way.

Seeing those realizations in black and white gave me clarity. By seeing where your money goes and holding yourself accountable, you’ll make more intuitive choices. Rather than trying to impress people, you’ll find your natural fulfillment yardstick.

3. Turn up your “money dials”

Once you know what resonates for you, start adjusting your spending to reflect that. You reduce purchases in areas that aren’t as meaningful, then turn up the resonant dials.

For example, I noticed how much I loved dance events and workshops. So I let myself spend more on self-improvement and relationship-building activities. Additionally, I greatly reduced convenience purchases, i.e., unnecessary Uber rides or guilt-based spending.

Figure out what lights you up and focus your life energy there.

4. Reassess your transportation needs

About five years ago I decided to sell my car and start biking to work. That meant six miles both ways in an uneven Nashville, TN terrain. Though the workout took some getting used to, I fell in love with my commute. Plus, I started saving a lot of money –think car insurance, gas, repairs, tickets, parking, etc.

Peter Adeney, Mr. Money Moustache, inspired me; if personal motorized vehicles take up a huge portion of our monthly bills, do we really need them? If yes, do we really need the latest version? Is that where you want to put your life energy?

Transportation takes up the second largest portion of our budget for most Americans. It’s worth getting curious and creative about your options. Public transit? Used car? Walkable city?

5. Explore DIY projects

Once you figure out what you need and value, you get to “shop around.” Or, maybe you could buy something used, or even do it yourself. Don’t forget the “do without” option, which can sometimes be a blessing in disguise.

Last year, in quarantine, I decided to address my hair’s split ends and finally give DIY hair cuts a try. I’ve had the same simple haircut for the past ten years, and the process ended up being easier and faster than I imagined. Plus, once I bought the scissors (~$20), all of my future haircuts became free.

Your money is your life energy, so use it wisely.

6. Consider housing priorities

Housing payments take up the greatest portion of our budget for most Americans. So what if you could make big changes here to meet other financial goals or priorities?

My housing costs have varied wildly by hundreds and thousands of dollars monthly. When I first moved to San Francisco, I stayed in a “hacker house” with bunk beds. When I got a job at Google, I decided it was time to live my downtown luxury apartment dream.

But I started feeling lonely and realized the monthly luxury studio cost wasn’t worth it to me. So I moved in with a group of like-minded people, cut my costs in half, paid off the student loans, and created a sabbatical fund.

When you know your priorities with money, it’s much easier to make tough choices.

7. Shape a capsule wardrobe

For many, buying new clothes can become part of our compulsive need to “keep up” or impress. I used to buy clothes all the time and wanted to have new outfits every single day. But for many reasons, I decided to declutter my clothes to create my capsule wardrobe.

Having a capsule wardrobe means wearing your favorites every day; your clothes support your lifestyle –not the other way around.

In addition to the many benefits –saving time, building confidence, and more space– simple wardrobes help you save money. I’m assuming fashion isn’t one of your personal values, but if it is then happy shopping! But as long as we have something to cover our bodies, we have enough clothes.

8. Cook meals at home

Though I resisted kitchen time for many years (I didn’t want to be a stay-at-home mom), I’ve discovered so much joy in working with food. In addition to saving money, I’m eating healthier foods, reducing waste, and using the portion sizes that support my body.

If you’re not thrilled about how much you spend at restaurants every month, cooking at home can be an easy trade-off. I struggled with feeling “poor” if I didn’t go out to eat. I worried that appearing to be “trying to save money” looked bad. But regularly reflecting on my spending choices helped me to tune in to my authentic emotions.

Plus, you’ll feel creative, resourceful, grounded, and get to learn about new foods.

9. Write a “wish list”

Minimalism isn’t about denying yourself; it’s about being intentional with your energy. Especially if you struggle with impulse buys, having a list can be really helpful.

Write down or “add to cart” all the things you want to buy. Then, you can prioritize the list and consider why you want these things. Usually, we want how something makes us feel more than the actual thing. So it’s worth considering how else you might elicit those feelings.

For example, if you’re looking at things that make you feel luxurious, you might try a hot bath with candles and a book, a massage trade, or a yoga session.

Rather than saying “I can’t have it.” or “It’s too expensive,” try: “It’s not a priority.” See how that feels. It’s a simple mindset that puts you back in the driver’s seat.

10. Bring awareness to addictions

Reflecting on my spending also helped me tune in to purchases I didn’t feel proud of. In the past ten years, I’ve had a variety of addictive behaviors, including drugs and alcohol. While many addictive things can be lovely in smaller doses, it’s worth bringing more awareness.

Now, it’s very rare that I have an alcoholic beverage and even more rare to take any drugs (read, marijuana). Well-being and creativity are my priorities and most of the time, those types of purchases don’t align.

Courtney Carver, the founder of Be More with Less, wrote a powerful piece on quitting alcohol. It doesn’t have to be a “problem” for you to take a break. Sometimes, you realize it was never worth it in the first place.

By discovering my values and getting curious about financial fulfillment, I made big changes. I’ve learned to tune in and prioritize my well-being.

Simplifying your finances can be an intense and emotional journey. Bringing awareness to our spending habits can illuminate parts of yourself you don’t like very much. So I encourage you to take small steps, release the judgment, and find pride in showing up for yourself.

What are your best minimalist finance approaches? Anything that surprised or challenged you?

I write inspiring, uplifting, and empowering content on transformative topics. Join the Weekly Love News on my website to receive free newsletters each Tuesday in your inbox.