How Much Is Enough? | Financial Minimalism
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- čas přidán 5. 03. 2023
- How much is enough?
Ads and social media impress this image on us that being successful means being rich beyond your wildest dreams, always looking picture perfect, owning a mansion, wearing the latest fashion, and driving an expensive car.
But that is a never-ending pursuit. When you compare yourself to others, you will never have enough. And the things you own can start to own you.
Minimalism has shaped my thinking when it comes to how much I need. There’s a big difference between what we want and what we need. And I don’t need that much to be happy.
How much is enough for you?
I think it’s different for everyone. Whatever your situation, it’s helpful to take a moment and reflect on what you need to be happy, versus what you want, or think you want.
The reason why this is important is that happiness becomes more attainable when you need less. Especially when you realize that things can’t make us happy.
- WHAT TO WATCH NEXT -
Why I Quit My 6-Figure Job as a Lawyer to Live More Slowly: • Why I Quit My 6-Figure...
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📚 Interesting books to read:
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• Minimalism 101: a.co/d/bJkA6Lt
• Declutter Your Life: a.co/d/carqttB
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What does having enough mean to you?
Knowing that i don't need to rely on an income to live comfortably and in a minimalistic way for the next 10 years.
I like watching all your videos
Thank You so much
Today was my last day of paid employment after handing in my notice at Christmas and working my 12-week notice period. I’m looking forward to decompressing then acclimatising to what will be for me a much slower pace of life, albeit without a monthly income. A cup of tea or coffee enjoyed in a sunny spot, walking in nature, working in my sketchbook, just sitting in a shaft of sunlight or listening to the rain, enjoying a full moon or a stimulating book; time to create, contemplate, to visit a museum. Inexpensive pleasures that feed my soul.
That's a big life change. I love the things you intend to do more, now that you have freed up your time.
I checked out a few of your videos, your sketches look great. Perhaps you will have more time to create new videos about sketching for your channel? I wish you all the best! ✨
@@IAmPeterCook thank you! Sketchbooking is my hobby. I’m just going to ‘be’ for a few weeks and then make my way gently into the next phase of my life.
Here is a suggestion... I've been keeping a journal since the 1970s. You can learn a lot about yourself by going back and reviewing your life, what was important, what were your hopes and dreams? Are there any repeated mistakes? As long as you have good health, friends, food and shelter that is enough for me!
Good suggestion, Neil, thanks for sharing! 🙌🏻
I enjoy your videos. Great information that makes me think. As for my enough, I quit work at 52 so I can go biking, hiking, and spend more quality time with family/friends. I am lucky I did a lot of travelling in my youth and through my work as I have little desire to get on a plane, rent a car, and go to crowded tourist traps. My hobbies (hiking and biking) are relatively cheap, once you have the gear, and the enjoyment is immeasurable. I prefer to be out in the wilderness where there are no camping fees, no people, and lots of quiet with beautiful views. It is enough for me and others can try to impress each other with fancy, cars, houses, cell phones, vacations, etc.
That sounds like a lovely way to spend your time, Patrick! I envy you a little that you were able to quit work at 52 😉. And I agree with you, hiking and biking is way more fulfilling and worthwhile than trying to impressing others with material goods. Take care!
During the 1980's there was a recession in the UK. I had 3 young children and a husband that found himself unemployed and needed to retrain in another profession to find work. We were on a very low income with a mortgage to pay. I made our budget stretch and so we had enough for day to day living but no treats such as cakes, biscuits and new clothes at the drop of a hat. This taught me well, our fortunes changed as the years went on and we were able to enjoy a holiday or two. Even now when we have more money I budget and have no desire for the flashy car, large house and other unnecessary things. I watch my family and friends who's goal it is to impress, their lives are busy becoming asset rich but time poor. They do worry so much about losing their material things, they don't see that they have lost something more precious , their free will to own their lives.
Thanks for such a profound comment! Powerful. That must have been difficult, not sure if you were going to be able to make ends meet, not even being able to buy treats at times. I'm happy to hear you and your family are doing better now, and that that experience has taught you what matters most in life and appreciate (control of our time; free will to own our lives). ✨
it's always refreshing to hear thoughts like this. i used to buy into the idea that i need such & such a home or car & am grateful that after transition to a slower lifestyle i am sure that i'd much rather not have a car, live in the smallest home which is comfortable, & use my excess income for real life experiences like travel. great work peter! wishing you well.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Using excess income to travel instead of spending it on a (expensive) car or big house is a great decision. A decade ago, I had saved up enough to travel for a year. But then I had an accident with my car, it was beyond repair (it was a cheap second hand to begin with). For a while, I was tempted to use my travel funds to buy a new car, a fancy one this time. I'm slo glad I didn't though and went ahead with my travel plans! ✨
Enough for me is having (most of) the practical things that practically make sense in my life to have, including some redundancy (25+ gray and black T-shirts, but I want 40+).
Not a must, but a bonus: modest amount of extra: a painting, small amount of decorative items, some luxury coffee table books, random stuff that's just nice.
Phone for podcasts mainly.
Thanks for sharing. I can relate to using the phone primarily for podcasts, I do that too! There isn't enough time in the day to listen all the shows I like...🎙
Having enough to me is to be satisfied and enjoy what I really have in my life! Things that is important to me but others may think loosers level... But if it's good to me then I'm satisfied!
Thanks for sharing! ✨
Have you ever considered doing a podcast? I'd love to listen to more lengthy/specific/in depth takes on minimalism. I'm sure youtube is already a handful though, and the information you're sharing now is already more than appreciated!
Great suggestion, Domenik! It is something that I could see myself do in the future. I ❤️ podcasts, I listen to them all the time. But as you pointed out, CZcams is already a handful. Hopefully, in the future, I will be in a position to hire help. That would free up time to create more videos or a podcast. Glad to hear you're enjoying the videos! 🙌🏻
Keep it coming Peter!
Will do!
Well said! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and ideas. Always inspiring! 🌻
Thanks Penny! ✨
Thank you for this... Good job
You're welcome, Editha 😀
So inspiring Thanks
Glad you enjoyed the video 🙌🏻
Thank You for sharing this... so inspiring all you videos
Glad you enjoy watching them, Alexandra! 🙌🏻
Security guard for the taycan😂 stressful
Very stressful indeed! 😉
Interesting question Peter, this topic gives rise to a lot of debate and different ways of looking at each one. Many times we don't even realize the things that really make us happy, the moments that make us happy, because we believe that they are things and moments that They are given to us, that they belong to us and only when we lack them do we realize that we were really happy, right?. As always, thanks for your videos and experiences, they help me, greetings from Barcelona👍😊
Well said, Beatriz 😀
Loved to se you behind the cam! Ehm... Phone... And see how you plan your vid! Keep on your good deed!
Thank you! 🙏🏻
Peter, I applaud you in sharing your ambition to be a full time You Tube producer. I notice below @domenik makes a helpful suggestion. I enjoy you video's as they do offer strategies that you use and keep things light-hearted. I follow other folks on You Tube and two in particular cover the subject of the highs and lows of their experiences. Lee Harris said that he used to read all the comments personally and would find that even if he had 50 helpful and positive ones he was often thrown by the one or two nitpickers or downright negative. Lee was able to find a way through this using his mindfulness techniques. I hope as you increase your audience you take heart that people are uplifted by your words. Many thanks.
Thanks for the kind words 😊. That's a great tip from Lee Harris. I find that most people that most comments on my videos are nice and thoughtful. The occasional negative comment I don't pay much attention to (although I'm always open to constructive feedback 😉). Take care!
like your channel! :-)- I'm in a similar situation. Would be interesting to hear about budgeting, what you spend a month as a minimalist in an european country (I'm in Sweden)). Regards
Thanks David! Glad you're liking the channel. I'll add it to my video idea brainstorm list. ✨
Cute mistake: @1:05 „I had a Porsche Taycan on my vision board… I could hear the engine Wrmm wrmm…“. The Porsche Taycan is an electric car, sorry no engine sounds. Also the picture you showed does not look like a Taycan, it looks like a 911 Carrera. Now that model has an actual engine, so there you could here engine.
Ha, good spot. Me and this car were just not meant to be! 😉
@@IAmPeterCook Haha, you are not a car guy and that's ok. Serious question: I was surprised about you mentioned a vision board. Is this a tool you really use? Because for me that is way more in the field of materialism / hedonism / esoteric (the universe gives you shit when you ask for it...). Is a more stoic approach to life compatible with a vision board, especially if there are "things" on this board? Maybe a good topic for a video.
@@mattchannel7075 I no longer have a vision board, it was years ago that I had it on my phone. I don't buy into the whole law of attraction methodology, where if you just think it hard enough, you will attract it. There are so many people who deeply want things in life (health for their loved ones; peace; food; better opportunities in life). If they don't get that, is that because they don't want it badly enough? I think it's way more complicated than that.
So I don't have a vision board right now. But I do like a vision board as a marker, a north star on where you would want to go in life. Like goal setting, to inform the actions you can take on daily/weekly basis. I'm OK with having things on there, but I learned with the car that it's important to only put something up there that you actually deeply care about. 😉
Peter... love your videos... curious about dating as a minimalist... is that a part of your life or are you content being single?
It is part of my life 😉
@@IAmPeterCook I know there are many "alternate" relationship arrangements these days. After getting divorced and being a celebrated introvert, he met someone around his age - early 40s. Both with established careers, lives, etc. They live separately, spend time at each other's houses....are perfectly content.
*you'll own nothing and you'll be happy*
Thanks for sharing, Anabell! ✨
Thanks, a great video on how samsara is never satisfied. But, do you really need 2 plants?😉
Working on that, Lee 😉
@@IAmPeterCook It's ok. I have about 60. They are part of nature, so win win.