What Do Minimalists Spend Their Money On?

1. Things that add value to my life

When I was making a list of what I buy, I realized these things all have one thing in common: they all add a lot of value to my life.

Some might say that these expenses are not necessary or that this is not how minimalists spend money. But for me, I minimize the other parts of my life so that I can enjoy buying these things.

After all, my goal was not to spend money but to spend it more intentionally so that I can direct my money towards things to enhance my life.

2. Small moments of joy

Most days, I make my coffee or matcha at home, but sometimes, I like going to the cafe. I know this is breaking every financial guru's advice, but for me, it's not just about the coffee. It's about the simplest little joy doing this gives to me.

It's a chance to take a break from my day and have a moment of face -to -face interaction. I also love hearing the conversations around me, which often spark an interest or an idea for my work. All of this for a few dollars is so very worth it to me.

I don’t think of this as just a habit. I try to think of it as a treat for myself every single time so I leave room in my budget for it. This further proves that it's not what we spend our money on, but how we spend it that truly matters.

3. Investment pieces and shoes

I am naturally quite frugal, so in the past, if I had $100 to spend, I would have always bought five pieces of clothing instead of just one quality piece.

But those lesser-quality items would wear out much quicker and some would just disintegrate after a couple of washes.

I ended up spending more money over time to replace everything. Now when I need to buy a staple piece for my closet, I absolutely prioritize quality over quantity.

I take my time to research the material, how it's made, and how to take care of it. That means I may spend a little more money on one item, but I think of it as an investment.

4. Frequently used items

My biggest purchase in the past couple of months has been my stand-up paddle board. I was contemplating this purchase for such a long time, but I'm so happy that I went for it. I thought about two key things when making this purchase: cost per use and the resale value.

Even in the short time that I've had this board, I've used it so much already that the cost per use has been lower than if I had rented one.

In doing a little bit of research, I also knew going in that this was going to be very easy to resell, if necessary. That gives me added peace of mind.

It’s been our weekly routine to go out to the ocean and explore the island since buying the paddle board and I get a great workout, too.

5. Enhancing my routine

I love the simplicity of yoga. For the longest time, I was doing it by myself at home. About a month ago, in my quest to get to know my neighborhood, I went to check out a yoga studio and instantly fell in love with the venue.

It's an outdoor-indoor studio looking over the mountains, and the best part is that it's only five minutes away from my house. And while I still love doing yoga at home on my own, I can't really put into words how awesome it felt to do it as a group in a collaborative space.

Something about the movements and our breath being in sync made me become even more present in the moment.

And it's about $80 a month, and if I go three times a week, it turns out to be $6 to $7 for each class which really isn't that much compared to how good I feel at the end of each session.

6. Enriching hobbies

I love to read but I always try to go to the library first. If they don't have the book I want and they can't order it for some reason, I don't mind paying for an audiobook or just going to the bookstore for a physical copy.

I have a rule that if I'm going to buy a book, it has to be something I've enjoyed or I can't get on Audible or I don't mind adding it to my limited bookshelf.

Also, if I'm buying the physical copy, I usually finish it within a couple of days and if I don't think it's worth the money, I know that I can return it.

7. Inspiring experiences

There are infinite ways to spend money in the city, from the coolest restaurants and bars to concerts, shows, movies, and entertainment. It can be really expensive.

Something that's always worth it to me is checking out art exhibitions, festivals, and the amazing museums here, such as the inspiring Honolulu Art Museum. It was $10 well spent.

What do minimalists spend their money on?

Those are my minimalist spending habits. But I urge you not to worry too much about regretting your purchases or always getting it right.

Minimalism is a journey that’s all about discovering what we like and what we don't like while honoring the changes within us.

Let me know in the comments what is one thing that you think is worth spending your hard-earned money on?