Chapter 1: Before I decide to become minimalist
Well, it all started with accumulated debts (in this case, my 5 figures student debt) that has triggered me to look intensively on my financial budgeting. I am not in total mess in financial, but I need to improve! I realized that for the pass 5 years since I’ve started working, paying debts every month doesn’t help much on reducing the accumulated outstanding debts that has been there while I was unemployed about a year plus, maybe 2 years with 3% of interest (what a painful). Looking at the loan statement with nearly RM 7k of outstanding debt hurts so bad. I start to feel this huge burden because that is not the only loan I am facing with. I do have car loan as well. Its like never ending story. How much more money, how many years for me to sattle all these debt? So, I start to look for a solutions..and I did some research
My goal is to be happy with what I own, debt free and own a comfortable house (as well as “own” affordable house loan only) by the age of 32. No study loan, no car loan, no credit card. And I personally know if I really putting it up, I can achieve this goal.
My problem was my emotional spending, buying things to reduce stress or upsets. My problem was my impulse spending, spending my money on things I shouldn’t bought - because they look cute or because that damn thing was on sale and it is a bargain to have them, because it buy 1 free 1 or buy 1 pay RM 1 on next purchase (damn it)...literally call it happiness but all it does was just collecting dust over time. At the end of the month, I knew I shouldn’t bought those stuffs and it will be great if I put the money I spend earlier into my saving account (or, pay my debt). Was this a happiness?
I used to have 3 feet x 7 feet wardrobe and in few years all my belongings couldn’t fit in them. So, I bought a bigger wardrobe that I customized them (interior and exterior design because I was drown into mirror wardrobe) of 6 feet x 8 feet wardrobe that cost me RM 2k+. And having that idea of “Bitch, I am an adult now and I can do whatever I want with my money. I have to look good.” doesn’t help. At that time, I felt so excited to have this massive wardrobe that can solve my over-accumulated-stuff and eventually having more space for me to buy more and more stuff. I felt contented because I have things I ever wanted - to have more.
While I am telling you this, there is a punch in the stomach because I realized that I shouldn’t be wasting my money on things that are not permanently makes me feel contented/valued. I knew I have enough shirts, blouse, pants, shoes, bags, makeup, accessories, beauty products etc. I have more than enough. But why am I keeping buying all these stuff again and again? Just to fill the void I have inside me. But the truth is, when I look at all the things I own in that wardrobe and in my room, isn’t really filling the void. Some of the stuff just stay in there, rotting and waiting to be in the garbage. There still some stuff with price tag on it, some that I only use once for party/wedding etc. Some stuff that I just don’t use anymore but couldn’t afford to throw them away because it brings memories to me. All of these junk I am living with doesn’t make me happy anymore, doesn’t fit into my lifestyle, doesn’t give me excitement, doesn’t fill the void. The worse about it is it taking over large amount of space and clarity, too much distraction and messy. Eventually, the things that I did to de-stressing, now is stressing me. Jeopardizing my financial.
So I pause. Look around and observe.
Asking myself why am I doing this?
Thats when I found the minimalist and the financial diet. These are my two most reference in improving my financial and lifestyle habits.
Thats where I found an interesting phrase: minimalist. Don’t get me wrong. I am not turning myself to become a monk, throw away my stuff, having a nomad life, disconnect from the world or even leaving my 9-5 job and owning only single pair of clothe and call myself minimalist.
...to be continue: Chapter 2: What is it like to be minimalist?
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