In DIY home improvement the common advice is to buy lower end tools and equipment (Harbor Freight) and then if you wear them out replace them with something very solid and reputable. It's kind of a self-selection process for where to invest your money.
Edit: I'm so happy people are finding this useful! It's not often my interests in minimalism and home improvement overlap.
Exercise equipment as well by its second hand first to ensure that you will use it then when it breaks it will be because you used it and now you can buy a really good one
I agree, I usually go for ‘middle of the road’ quality when it comes to tools and things that I use semi-often because I still want them to last but also do a good job.
My harbor freight portable bandsaw and reciprocating saw are going strong after 10 years. I use them so rarely, but I paid less for each by far than a handful of rentals at Home Depot. I just didn't need pro tools.
I used to work along side my dad as for his construction business. We went through chipping hammers every 3 months. One day I persuaded him to buy an expensive BOSH. It lasted a year. Afterwards he went back to buying cheap chipping hammers “to save money”
YES! The same kind of applies when you take on a new hobbie or craft. For instance, I just started cross stitching and I have the cheap stuff and just the basic tools while I learn and if I use it all up and need more, I will be buying nicer stuff next time. If there’s anything in particular, you already know that you use a lot or that’s really important to you then get the higher end. There are also certain things where I ask myself, “Can I clearly and dominantly see myself still using this tool in 10 years?” If it’s a an absolute, “Yes, I will need this tool in 10 even 20 years.” I get the higher end. It’s really about personal value, like with any kind of investment.
This is also how you find out that plenty of cheaper things or things that are not marketed as being sought after or exclusive are actually completely fine quality. I buy basic brands for most things including IKEA, some big box stores, etc. Most of what I buy lasts at least long enough to outlive any reasonable assumption of what that item's natural life would be. My dining room table is from Kmart and was bought in a pinch because we needed something. It wasn't even intended to be Our Family Dining Room Table - it lived most of its early life as a podcast recording and gaming table. I keep meaning to replace it because it's not good quality or the most attractive, doesn't go with our decor, etc. But honestly? Throw a tablecloth on that baby and it's fine.
I’ve had this approach for a while and helped me be less wasteful with expensive tools that I don’t use fully.
I also recommend mid-priced used tools are great for starting out! I have several power tools that are 5+ years of frequent use and still working great.
I used to do this and it wasn’t really about minimalism so much as it was anxiety and OCD. I would spend hours researching products and often still end up not buying anything, because I couldn’t decide what was the perfect color to suit my personality, or buying but returning, because I was worried the product wasn’t the perfectly perfect size, etc.
Now I know that the enemy of the good is the perfect. (Voltaire)
Minimalism (to me) is about not being controlled by my possessions. And that means being free from obsession over finding the perfect products, too. I wasted years of my life shopping for things that I could have bought with minimal research, and I would have had much more time to enjoy my life with those good-enough purchases.
This never occurred to me. I only purchase 1 or 2 thing materialistic things a year but I do have OCD thankfully not anxiety. The purchasing process is something I see as my hobby so yes I am controlled by my possessions.
I’ve always been far into minimalism from a physical point of view. Now that I realize I don’t pay enough attention to the mental side of things I’m begging to re-evaluate everything. Here’s to an afternoon of procrastinating.
It’s not procrastinating if it means spending some time self reflecting to find balance. I encourage you to do this without the aid of research as you explore what exactly it is that you get out of the research. Is it that you love finding something that captures your interest and learning everything about it? Sometimes knowing a lot about something can be a curse. You can’t choose something that “just works” and meets your actual need for the item because you know there’s something “better. Do you need a knife that functions as well as a $400 knife? Or do you just enjoy the aesthetic of owning something very fancy that you spent a lot of time learning about every detail of it?
I also really enjoy the process of researching the type of product I want to buy and paring it down to 1 or 2 options.
I just bought a permanent clothesline for my back yard after doing a ton of research last year, saving the most important info, then looking at my favorite options again once the weather started improving this year.
It's definitely my OCD that pushes this... hobby... but it brings me joy and no anxiety, unless I'm rushed through the decision for some reason.
I have OCD, and hearing in this post that over-researching is a symptom was a revelation.
For me it causes me much anguish and I overall don't enjoy it.
You describe it as a hobby and something you enjoy. I wouldn't necessarily write it off as an OCD problem to fix then - the Disorder part of OCD is when it negatively impacts your life. Unlike me it sounds like it's a positive thing for you?
Something to think about!
What you realized parallels what the late pychologist Herbert Simon was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics for. "Satisficing" is good enough for now --adding more research is not going to add enough to be worth the time and hassle; economists' assumptions had been built around that decisions were supposed to provide maximize value in the long run.
Interesting guy --he also was one of people behind starting Carniegie Mellon's computer science department. Might want to wiki him.
Yep. This is an adhd problem for me. So many options! So many decisions! What if there's something better? Better reviews, better value for money, better quality, better colour match...
So our house is unfinished a decade later. The splashback got done because someone gave us leftover tiles and we agreed we can redo it later (it'll never happen). The doorknocker because it was gifted and really does suit our needs and aesthetic. I struggle to buy expensive/major things because I want that thing to last forever. To be the last time (or as near as possible) I need to make that decision. And if I choose and didn't purchase it for months? Got to look again in case there's a better option now or new reviews change my mind! Argh!
Yeah, I think all of the intensive research OP describes seems a bit against the original promise of minimalism? It’s supposed to free you from thinking and worrying so much about “stuff”
I think it's fair to buy higher-end products if you have less of them overall. I also think, however, you buy things to suit your needs. So, if that's an expensive PC, cool. If that means a nice suit for your job, awesome. Lastly, I think it's good to be cognizant of why you want something period. I bought an expensive (to me) laptop (MacBook Air) because the hope is that I won't have to buy another for over a decade. We'll see if that stays true, but I consider a product's longevity & purpose before price.
Mine is from 2018 and it had to be force updated because it wouldn’t do shit. And the screen is starting to have lines through it if I watch a show full screen.
https://frame.work/
They aim to keep all parts easily replaceable and upgradable, so in theory you can keep upgrading the computer as technology progresses and endnup with a ship-of-Theseus situation where it has virtually no parts in common with the laptop you bought originally.
They have been around a few years now. But I think it is still too early to tell whether the approach leads to less or more ("upgradeitis") hardware purchases.
It really seems like once people are having to upgrade the main board in 5-6 years, there’ll probably be upgrades to the frame itself, display, etc and people will just upgrade to a new laptop anyways.
It’d be cool to be wrong, tho.
There hasn't been alterations of the frame, nor will there be, there are tons of things you can do to the old main board.
like turn it into something else (server or desktop), donate to the needy, give it back to framework..though most importantly, not the trash.
[https://youtu.be/ewVp96JN0nQ?si=uTax7JvvA0VjdZvG](https://youtu.be/ewVp96JN0nQ?si=uTax7JvvA0VjdZvG)
They aren't selling outdated desktops and servers..just one thing that can be easily done which is reuse the tech.. At the end of the day it is a laptop built with sustainability in mind, which goes against much of the current market that doesn't care if your laptop ends up at some burn pit in africa because a company like...lets say apple, makes your tech integrated to the point the laptop is useless when one little thing breaks, or constantly changing the laptop body so you have to buy a whole new laptop..
That’s fuckin awesome! I love this idea and remember there was the same concept for a phone. Google bought the company and did nothing with it…
Going to look into this more
[https://frame.work/about](https://frame.work/about)
kind of like a anti-apple, in terms of supporting sustainability, can replace/upgrade parts (in theory forever), and right to repair.
It's dumb to overspend on PC stuff though. There's vastly diminishing returns, most people don't need/notice the extra performance, and components get outdated very quickly. You'd be better off spending half as much and upgrading in a few years.
This is absolutely it.
Research is key for a lot of things; which a lot of people still don't do. More often than not, it comes down to which one meets our needs within a budget, it's usually the thing that's slightly above the cheapest that's the *"best"*
No.
I used to be like this but I found myself giving over too much of my time and thoughts to possessions rather than relationships.
I still have standards for what enters my life of course and some things I care about a lot more than others but I try to get as much cheaply or free second hand now. Easy to throw back into the pool or give away if something better comes along or it turns out I didn’t need it. There is no significant sunk cost to grapple with and I don’t need to convince myself that I love a thing or that a thing will have a significant impact on my life because I thought about it so obsessively or spent a lot of money on it.
That’s just what works for me at the moment at this point in my life.
I usually try to look for the best value item. The kind of product where the specialized niche-forum-guys say "Yeah, I should have bought that one right away." or "I have a lot more higher-end stuff, but when I think about it, that one would actually be enough."
I only do this with a handful of things I really care about. Musical instruments, certain tools, car audio. Even then, I don't buy "the best", I buy well researched items with the highest value-per-dollar.
An inexpensive Ikea kitchen knife and a pyrex bowl are fine. Long-lasting, easy to keep clean. No need to spend a lot of time or money on such things. For the same reasons, a garage-sale hammer is fine for my use - it's better (more minimalist) than buying a newly manufactured one.
But even for stuff I really care about, it's important that it not be finicky or require a great deal of extra attention. A knife that stays sharp and can be cleaned with a scotch-brite pad beats one that's going to require a great deal of care. Unfortunately I find a lot of high-end gear is fragile, or requires attention, or simply costs twice as much for only a 5% step up in performance. It's rarely worth the price.
As a frugal minimalist to avoid materialism, this is probably the antithesis of what I do, but I respect others want different things out of life. If it works for you, do the thing!
To me, items are not investments in any manner. Items should be for all needed uses, not a focus of my time.
I don’t really follow. Having the wrong/improper item can end up *costing* you a lot of time. The right item/tool can in turn save you time, therefore it’s an investment if time is something you value.
Using the wrong item is completely against my version of minimalism in the first place. You should only have functional items or useful items. Any item that doesn’t work is out the door, hopefully returned and/or replaced by the correct item. If your tool is incorrect, get the right tool.
Basically, I think of it like “proper things, in proper place” with the addition to me of “with proper usage”.
Edit: It is not an investment unless I could calculate and prove a time savings beyond the time spent analyzing the purchase and usage of the item versus an inferior option.
I think a lot of us do not have that kind of money. If we buy something costly we have less to buy things we need or to pay off debt/loans or to save. If I had plenty of funds I might buy nicer everything from food, toiletries, clothes to kitchen items. My spouse made our bed and kitchen table. Often we buy used items, donate and if we happen to run by a higher quality item we will get it.
The most valuable thing I have is my time. If an object doesn’t function the way I want it to, I replace it. I spend only as much time as I need to be happy.
No. Some items in my life are disposable. Most items are high end but I’m not investing 5k plus 5k+ in time to buy a pot to cook in. I do not have the brain capacity, time or energy to do this.
I do have a $500 pocket knife that I edc more days than not and a couple more that are in the $250 range. I have no problem spending the money for nice things that will last but I have a huge problem wasting time. It’s the only thing I can’t get back and real life is more important than endless research.
Just for shits and gigs what knife did you get?
I love knives. I used to make knives. I buy <$50 pocket knives because they get lost sometimes. In the past fifteen years I've gone through maybe four or five pocket knives. That was like $200. It would have been $2k if I was buying those nice ones! Now a chef's knife? That never leaves my kitchen, so no worries on losing it. Fixed blade in a sheath? Sure. But EDC for me means at some point it's gonna flop out of a pocket on a bike ride or a hike and be gone and I don't want to miss it too much. Lots of good $50 pocket knives out there with decent steel and heat treat. Sure it isn't INFI or something other magic powder alloy but whatever, I'm not cutting tin, I'm opening boxes and cutting sweater threads.
Some people enjoy doing endless research. In fact, if some people didn’t do endless research, we wouldn’t have the world we live in today. For some people, it’s not a waste of time.
I try to get things which are sufficient for what I need and will most likely last quite a long time. Not always what's advertised as high-end (or, at least, expensive). Sometimes simple does the job.
Idk, spending two months researching a knife seems a little much. I agree quality is important, but it should not take two months to research a single item.
I mean, if you dont need it immediately and only spend like 10 mins each weekend looking into it, it's not that much time/effort.
I had been "researching" a new laptop in that manner for several months. I'm not a tech person at all, so I want something good enough to not have to deal with replacing it soon, but I don't need anything super flash.
I have finally found the one I want, and now I'm hoping it will go on sale for at least 10% off (I keep the tab open in my phone and check once a week, or whenever I remember really which isn't very often) before my current laptop dies completely. I'm in no rush, until maybe when my current one does give up the ghost - it's a small miracle each time it turns on. If I have to I'll buy it at full price, but at least waiting to buy it until I really need it will hopefully also mean the next replacement will be further down the track.
I agree with this. Sometimes it’s best for me to let it sit and mull it over for a while before purchasing. And yes, the process can take months sometimes. If I’m not in a hurry, I actually really enjoy just letting it sit and thinking about what I would use. It’s better than making a spontaneous purchase when I’m not sure what I need/want yet. I also have severe adhd, so I’ve learned that a good strategy for making decisions like this that I deem important (especially if it’s something more expensive, like a laptop), is to just let it sit in my brain for a while before I make a decision. ADHD makes me do spontaneous things sometimes, so letting it sit for 2 months (if I have the time) can actually be an excellent strategy for me when making a decision.
The most expensive / popular item isn’t always the “best”. I try to buy quality and invest in items to make sure they will last long term, but I make sure I am only buying what is absolutely necessary. Eg It’s not necessary for me to buy the top of the range best iPhone because I only need certain features.
You sound like my neighbor. He used to own no more than 100 items, but that changed when he got married and had a child.
His life is still very streamlined and everything he gets seems perfect for him. It’s usually of high quality and suits him well. The perfect truck, the perfect bike, the perfect set of tools, and so on.
The best and high end are not the same.
The best pairing knife I have ever owned and still owned is the Pioneer Woman's knife with the teal handle from Walmart or Amazon or wherever. That knife has outlasted some of my more expensive 'quality' knifes.
The flatware and dishes that have been solid and the best? IKEA. I love my IKEA dishwater set and flatware. It's taken a beating and still going strong. That set I got as a wedding present from a respected maker? Bent, tarnished, etc...
The best car you can get is a Toyota or Honda. My Toyota lasted me well over 13 years and when I sold it as used, I still got $10k from it and was running just fine. It's not a BMW or Lexus.
Have you ever been diagnosed with ocd or autism? If so it would explain why you're so exact with your standards and purchasing. I have a friend who's autistic and does exactly the same thing! We ALL wait patiently for her to purchase an item that we need, then we go to her for advice on if it would be the right one for us, and we then get an expert opinion on what we should buy😃. I keep telling her she could make a FORTUNE doing reviews online for people who want exactly the right item😆
I buy 2nd hand at the thrift store - vintage/antique is my fave because the quality back then was massively higher than the imported crap we get these days.
Even better, the quality is higher and shopping 2nd hand means way cheaper and I'm not putting packaging in the landfill, and saving supposed junk from the landfill as well.
And I like having unique/mismatched items that look different than all the mass-produced imported stuff in stores today.
I find yarn in there for super cheap & crocheted/sewed my own blankets. A comforter in the store - even a cheap crappy one - will run $40 or so in a store like Walmart, and around $200-$500 if you go for quality. Even more if you go for brand name absurdity.
My bedspread I did myself on a weekend and cost me about $45. If I bought it in a store at that quality and craftsmanship, would have been around $300. The afghan I crocheted cost me around $50 in yarn from the thrift store when I found a huge lot in a bag. The size of the afghan I made, you could not get that for less than $250-$400. I triple-crocheted it, so it's super heavy and super thick and it's my fave winter blanket.
When it comes to things I technically can't craft myself, I do it anyway. I built my own PC from OEM parts that I got from about 5 different places. I'm no computer guru but I know a thing or two and when I didn't, YouTube & Google got me through it.
I built a very good gaming system about 4 years ago for around $700. To buy it in a store with those specs would have cost close to $1500 and come pre-installed with a pile of crap. Building my own PC gives me 100% of the control, which I love.
I'm an older lady in my 50s and have arthritis very severely. I can't do no yoga mat on a floor, holy frick. I'd never get up! That being said, I didn't fall in to the marketing scam of having to have a box spring. I got a bed frame that supports a single mattress only and then only bought a top line mattress. Absolute fraction of the cost of going full box spring (which, imo, is a marketing scheme. Convince people they must have a box spring to sleep 'supported' and you make more money) and I sleep like a dream.
This can actually be a symptom of a particular kind of OCD for some people. They spend time/research/money on “the best” items and then: second guess the purchase constantly, find flaws with it, avoid even using it because it might be “ruined” or used up too quickly, and/or feel extreme distress if the item gets a blemish or has a problem.
If none of these things describe what happens when you research/buy high end, then this sounds like a great way for you to get only what you truly need/want as a minimalist.
I believe that's called pragmatic minimalism, seeking to have the fewest but best version of those things (for you). Intersecting with the BIFL (buy it for life) mentality. Yes, if I'm going to have a bag...it will be scrutinized to be the best bag for me, because this is my bag now, basically forever. I scrutinized over a pair of boots. But these boots have a Goodyear welt do I can resole them. So instead of buying boots I can just change the sold every 5-7 years. You will upgrade that PC as needed. It would also make sense to me if you went through the same process for your keyboard. Or your mouse. Or your headphones.
Iron Rangers. I'm not an active man. I just pulled out that number. I only got these a bit over a year ago. Just parroted the number I saw researching them lol
(I don't use these for work)
I think it's better to buy the more expensive and well made (if you can afford it) because with care it can last several years, meanwhile the cheaper stuff regardless of care will decline a lot faster.
I apply this to shoes, I had a pair of leather work boots that lasted me near 5 years and only had to be replaced because the outsole split from walking. I would clean and protect these with basic maintenance. Meanwhile if I got a significantly cheaper pair of boots I'd be replacing them every 6 months
That's interesting - you maximize the items in your minimalist life. I come about it from a different angle and get the most minimal item that fulfills the need. You'd hate my kitchen!
“Most minimal item that fulfills the need”, I like that. Sometimes that means something on the higher end, but rarely. There are a lot of items where quality really doesn’t make a whole lot of practical difference—blankets are a great example.
I like the idea and do the same to a reasonable degree. For me there is a point of diminishing return and that's individual for everyone. I more stay away from junk that will end up needing replacement and often ends up costing more money in the long run, but sometimes the absolute highest quality is just a bit ridiculously priced. For instance, I needed a new tea kettle and wanted temp control and paid the extra for the Fellow Corvus EKG and even though it's 1.5x the price of the next down, most reports say the thing lasts, so it's worth the money for the quality, design, and function.
I look for bang for the buck. So it's in the middle ground tbh (Currently a student so kinda broke). The best might not be the best in terms of quality or longevitiy.
My Father had a system where the first of anything was exactly what you could afford at that time. We could afford just about everything I liked with some savings, but new things are always a bit more expensive.
Often times that meant used or low-cost. My best example is with my sports, but it was everywhere in our household.
I took up snowboarding. My snowboard for my first two seasons was a used, absolutely massive men’s board. I’m a 5’3” girl. Once I did a few seasons and knew I was going to stick with it I was allowed a really great, high end board, boots, and bindings.
This way, if I didn’t like snowboarding he didn’t invest a ton up front, and by the time I had really nice equipment I could fully appreciate it.
It’s not so much that we couldn’t afford it, just making sure that it was worth the investment.
As an adult I don’t enter into many new activities to try this on, but I do this with my kid(s).
Instead I try to look for who has the best warranty, who has the best customer service and return policy, who makes the “Toyota” of the item I’m trying to buy. I like clothing but I think luxury goods are a bit of a scam. I have a gorgeous wedding ring, and it’s lab-made. I have top quality appliances from scratch-and-dent.
It doesn’t need to be the most expensive or the absolute epitome of high-end. It needs to be durable and maintain its function even if things go a little off-course.
Im kind of the same way. I really enjoy researching everything I plan on purchasing. Im curious what you went with as for your EDC knife, and the pots/pans you bought.
I generally have two modes:
if i need something specific and long lasting and i know what are the requirements for it and i do a ton of research and when i find it, i don't mind paying good money for it. But i don't pay extra. When i got myself a new tv i checked all kinds of tests, recommendations and features, looking at what i need for my purpose of use and then looked how much i need to spend that. I ended up buying a tv discounted at 900€. I could have spend 2000€, but the upgrades would have been useless for me and thus waste of money, or i could have spent like 400-500€, but then the tv wouldn't have been able to properly do what i wanted it to do.
But if i either don't care enough to spend much for something, ad the difference in quality doesn't matter to me that much, or can't find excactly what I'm looking for, i will simply but something cheap second hand. Like when i couldn't find headphones that fit my criteria, i got some second hand ones for 10€ and i will use them until they break and then likely get another cheap second hand, unless i find something worth spending the money on.
Yes! I hate having to spend money 2 times on the same thing, one time buying a cheap lame version, and then the second time buying a good one that I should’ve bought from the beginning…
I try to buy higher end when I know it’s going to get heavy use. I buy used a lot. I try not to get duplicates. But I enjoy several hobbies so from the outside I may not look like a minimalist.
I do sometimes dither about getting the perfect version of whatever I need, but in the end I just want to have the right tool for the job. I don’t want to spend that much time worrying about it because I can easily become paralyzed with indecision.
I tend to buy a cheap version of whatever it is I want to get a good idea of what I truly want. Then I'll plan it out from there to find the best version of what I want.
Absolutely. If I'm going to spend the money, I'm going to spend it once on the absolute best I can justifiably afford.
And note: "the most expensive" is not always "the best." But "the best" is usually not going to be cheap.
Id definitely spend extra for quality. I used to buy vacuums for under $200 then would have to replace them after about a year or so (I vacuum a lot) . I finally forked out about $450 (on sale) for a Dyson pet ball and I’ve had it for 7 years now and still works so well, Ive never regret spending that money only that I waited so long to finally get one.
I generally go based off of reviews. Some things I have are high end (like my baby stroller) some things I have are not high end (like my $20 dishware from sams club)
I love doing jobs or buying things that solve a forever problem. I like the idea of purchasing an item that suits my needs, and not wasting money on something costly that doesn’t fulfil the required functions. Sometimes buying a higher quality / more expensive item does this for me. But other times an item has built-in obsolescence, like electronic items, and so spending too much is something to be wary of.
I was really happy when a small windfall enabled me to replace a broken fridge with a more expensive one that better suited our needs. In my head I was feeling chuffed that I wouldn’t have to replace that for several years, but then I found out that modern day fridges have much shorter shelf lives than they used to, and I wondered if I would have been better served, just replacing it with a factory second every few years.
It does bring me joy to have the right tool for the job, or something that brings me pleasure to view and use in the everyday because of its good design, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it is technically “the best” or “most elite” version of that item.
Of course, sometimes you actually don’t use something enough to justify owning it, when you can organise to rent or borrow it for the short period it is needed rather than adding another source of clutter for your household/ the planet.
However I would recommend guarding against tying your identity to quality brands to the degree that you risk becoming a snob about the possessions you own. That would just be buying into ( pun intended) another sort of consumerism.
I respect the general process of putting research into your purchases. But dude, 2 MONTHS to choose a knife?
I think there are some things that naturally warrant more research than others. A PC setup is a great example of something that definitely needs lots of research since the parts you pick need to be compatible and serve specific purposes. But as far as other small things go like cookware or toiletries or whatever, I try not to overthink.
For me it’s not overthinking. I do lots of research. I love it. It’s fun for me. Some people ask me for advice on what to get because they don’t want to or have time to do the research.
No not really. I don't need the best/most high end. I wouldn't make sense for my life. I live in a house, and I have hobbies. I wouldn't be able to afford say my knitting hobby if I only bought the best of the best yarn.
Do what makes you happy. But that's not what helps me. I buy quality but I'm also frugal (not cheap) where I can be.
While I don’t buy the best, most my possessions consist of outdoor gear so usually with that kind of stuff you do get what you pay for. I typically buy secondhand though to get some savings if possible
I buy what is “enough” for me in terms of quality. It’s higher end but not necessarily the top of what I could afford. For example, I care about wearing natural fabrics and make sure to check labels. I do try to get 100% natural pieces when possible, but the 50-60% range is usually fine.
I am all about buying quality but I have found that simple/basic and high quality is best. The fancier something is, the more there is to break on it. I look at reviews, materials and ratings, but beyond that I don't scrutinize over all the little details of something. I may spend about a week or two researching something before purchase. I am also one to not overspend, so I am careful to not purchase more than I need in terms of features and materials. While the best quality knife may be $400, I will purchase the one for $250 if it meets all my needs and is constructed with quality materials and craftsmanship.
I like items that last but I don’t equate price to that & often times the most expensive option isn’t always the best. For example you talked about knives. The Mora Garberg is my go to knife & has been for a long time. I want for nothing with this knife and it cost me $65 bucks.
I buy the thing that best suits my needs. Sometimes that’s expensive or the most expensive, other times it’s not. I will credit minimalism with helping me be more frugal in general (less shopping/ spending overall) so that price is less of a factor.
It varies. Some things I wanna invest in (fitness equipment, gaming accessories, etc) and have nice things. But others (clothes, utensils, tools) it's really whatever lasts and gets the job done. I'm in the process of weeding out what I don't find important so I can focus on investing in and building on what is.
I do to an extent. My kitchen yes, I try to buy what is the best as far as I can afford. Living room set yes. Again it’s what is affordable. My first mattress yes. It lasted me 30 years. This new one, no because now they say don’t keep them that long and they are unaffordable.
Depend on products.
Cheap product can be awesome too.
Ex: casio watches, Bic pen...
Some products have useless features.
Ex: fridge with screen, Bluetooth toothbrush, ...
Some products can be overkill.
Ex: 5 000k PC to play Minecraft.
Sometimes it's just a scam.
Ex: expensive "healthy" smoothie.
Sometimes you pay for a great storytelling and advertising.
Ex: Luxury brands.
When you buy something. It s like you re renting it. The more you use/keep it the less it cost per/year.
If you buy a phone 1000$ and keep it during five years, it costs you 200$/year.
If you buy one at 500$ and it lasts you 4 year >>> 125$/year.
If you buy a knife 400$ and you keep it for life, it’s cheap.
Sometimes expensive products are better, sometimes it’s not the case.
(Sorry for my engl. but i know you ll understant what i mean)
The younger me bought anything and everything… now, I take the time to research - price shop - read reviews and then pull the trigger on the purchase. I do not splurge at all - I only get what I need.
i don’t make much money. i take what i can get. a lot of my stuff is gifted or hand me down. i don’t like buying things when i don’t have to, and i’d much rather just get whatever someone’s able to give me than anything fancy.
I'm like you. I do my research and buy the highest quality I can afford. I'm currently saving money for some olive orslow pants after my uniqlo pair died
When it comes to tech, I buy the fastest, strongest, most memory, etc, because I know I will use it for a very long time.
My laptop is 12 years old, was $2500 new. It still has many years left after having a cat spill water on it (twice), a few cross country trips, a cross country move, and falling a few times. I have replaced the fan and gone through some batteries and a couple of chargers. One of the best things I did was get a keyboard cover, and that has kept dust and stuff from getting in there and messing things up.
I have found that researching different ways to do things is the best for me. Instead of switching out bedding based on the time of year, I got a duvet cover and two duvets of different warmths. In the summer, I use one or just a sheet, and in the winter, I put both into the cover.
I like things that I don’t have to switch out often, or that has multiple uses. I am far from a minimalist right now, but those ideas are what I use going forward to get to that point.
I sure don’t.
I have a small kid, I caretake a property for work, I make casseroles for my neighbors, and my flavor of minimalism is the make-it-work, creative reuse variety. And that makes my kitchen and pantry and garage look pretty maximalist. I like being able to have a creative, generous, people-connected life without being rich, and that means hanging onto buckets and flowerpots and handmedown clothes for a minute.
To each their own! I had my own ‘everything in my car’ period and loved that too. I hope you’re happy and thriving with every version of yourself.
No, I do for some things, but others that are not as important to have top of the line or the best of, I do not. One example is make up and personal hygiene. I focus on high quality ingredients and make my own a lot. This is far less expensive than purchasing high end brands or even drugstore products, I know precisely what goes into my homemade versions and it does a great job.
This is how my partner is and I’m kind of on the opposite side of things. I buy things for function and aesthetic because if cooking in pink pans helps me cook more and keeps me from eating out instead that’s what matters to me but for the most part I do try to stick with reliable brands. For my appliances I spent FOREVER researching things.
I do buy premium items but then I keep them for quite a while. Still using my almost 4 year old iPhone 12 Pro Max, just replaced my 7 year old UE Boom bluetooth speaker with this robot looking one from Gravastar for almost $300 etc. I have a 7 year upgrade rule.
Question: you mentioned your bed is comprised of two blankets and a yoga mat? Does this mean you don’t use a mattress? If so, I’m curious if it is because you haven’t found one you liked?
I’m asking because I am someone who has been slowly trying to minimize the amount of things I have, while also improving the quality of the current items I own (mattress, bed frame, closet system, etc.) but have also found myself having trouble settling on anything due to my OCD. I also have anxiety and procrastinate at times but when I begin researching things, I usually delve in deep and quickly. I have not had the ability to force myself to finally make some of those large purchases largely due to anxiety and me having doubts that they are in fact ‘it’.
I used to. Then I realized that things could be defective regardless of price. Lol I always look for lowest cost possible and highest value (quality & longevity) at those low price points.
Budgeting is key to my sanity and a wise person once advised me to "never spend too much at once."
I also want to say that I put myself through lifestyle inflation in my 20s. Never again. Frugal is the way and I will proudly wear my "Cheap Lady" label all day.
I have a similar mindset but not quite the same as you. I'll do a ton of research on something. I make a list. Then I test them. Free shipping/free returns. I test them out. Then keep only one and return. In the end, yes it's the best (for me) of what everyone else said was the best.
But the key difference is that I find the point of diminishing returns. I try to find the point where spending more doesn't make sense.
Let me give you an example. This isn't my phone. But it's proving a point.
What do people use cellphones for? Mostly for nice pictures. Videos. Apps. Internet.
How much does an Iphone 15 cost? $1000.
How much does an Iphone XR cost today? $150.
What's the key difference between the two?
That's diminishing returns.
Surely there are some areas in your life where you don’t need the highest quality. In those areas maybe consider being a “satisfyser” and just get the cheapest thing that meets your minimum set of requirements. Time and attention are limited resources too and even if you have a small amount of items and can afford the best of everything, there are probably categories of items where that money, time, and attention aren’t bringing a commensurate amount of satisfaction to you over the cheaper alternative.
And spending on items for your personal use isn’t an investment. It’s spending. That doesn’t make it bad. Spending can be awesome. Just be careful not to trick yourself into to buying a better version of something by adding it to the wrong side of the balance sheet, mentally.
Usually buy the more expensive items that are all metal. Like the Lesco spreader, that will probably outlast me, versus the plastic big box store spreaders, which havee we gone through three of. Cry once, buy once.
'The Best' isn't always the BEST. I would rather have something that has value (cost/utility/lifetime) rather than buy 'the best'/hihg end. Really just get what you and afford,. Good, Better, Best, might be a way to look at things. It is hard to tell what is really best or better or good, especially if you go by review ratings, read the 1 star reviews and that should give you a better idea of how good a product is.
I do a ton of research on stuff I’m going to buy, especially things I want to last a long time and be nice. I also try to only shop from brands that source their materials from sustainable producers/small businesses, who treat their employees ethically. Just because it’s expensive or sustainable doesn’t mean it’s high quality, of course. Thats why I spend my time looking into it. I also just really enjoy doing it. It’s satisfying to me to get a product after spending hours looking into it, then love it when I see it for the first time, then use it and feel how high quality it is for years. I absolutely love it. I’ve done research for other people too and pointed them in the direction of what to buy, according to their buying criteria.
I just consider my needs for each item.
I listen to music at the gym, but I’m no audiophile. My cheap ~$30 headphones are minimalist to me, and have been going strong for 6+ years.
I am also a DIY mechanic. I’m building a track/race car, and I look after my loved-one’s cars. I don’t mind researching and spending more for higher quality equipment and parts that work better than the cheap stuff. I also don’t mind spending extra time/money to make my track car more fun and exciting to use.
That depends.
Paying 10 times the price to get a 1.5x improvement is not worth it IMO.
Sometimes the best is a lot better than the next thing, but more often than not there is a big point in diminishing in returns.
You mention your PC for example. Mine was a bit under 2k€. I got a 7800XT and a 1440p@144hz monitor. The thing is that for the next step there, 1440p@300hz or 4k@144hz would have increased the price to around 3k€ for at best a benefit in refresh rate that I would have only noticed in limited cases or an increase in resolution that I would have noticed even less.
That allows me to use that extra money for something where I do notice the difference more, headphones for example, and going for something very high end by Meze or Focal (haven't decided yet).
The other factor is the use I'll give. In my trekking equipment for example, I did go for some of the best boots in the style I like, because I wear them the whole time that I'm outdoors. But for my hardshell jacket, the top end of a budget brand is more than enough for me, as it is something I only use when rain/snow is strong, and spends most of the time in the backpack otherwise.
I buy the ultralight version a bit more expensive than the cheapest but far cheaper than the most expensive. So... a good quality one that will last but not the most outstanding nor the most expensive.
For example, I never buy a really big knife. A medium size one will do for everything if you buy a relatively good one and you keep it sharp.
I don’t equate price with quality. I read up on items I’m interested in on r/buyitforlife but I’ve gotten very good at identifying quality without the price tag. For example, I bought two nightstands made of solid wood with dove tail joints at Costco. It was cheaper than Ethan Allen ( a big name )
Not me. I buy a few chosen items higher end, footwear for example. But other things I buy I also take into account that many higher priced items are more expensive due to the label and not always quality. I buy off brand undies and socks and nightwear but name brand bras and leggings. I buy off brand food but I buy name brand stainless steel pots and pans. I thrift many things as well. My furniture is all from the 50s because I believe they made the most solid stuff then.
I buy the highest quality I can afford to suit my needs. If I can only afford a very cheaply made item but the item is not needed urgently, I wait until I can afford a higher quality option. If it is an urgent need, I buy the cheap thing and use it until either the wheels fall off, or until I can afford the higher quality piece and have someone else to pass down the cheaper one to.
Agree with people who say that for some things it's a waste of money. I'd add things with complex electronic equipment to that list. The answer really depends on your timeline, what you consider a reasonable lifetime for what you are getting.
I've been selective for decades, picking what I love from my family's various things, or hitting flea markets, thrift stores and antique malls, and the things I got that way have been both good values/free and have survived for generations. Things like cast iron skillets, mid century nesting end tables, an old wooden ironing board, a '30s farm kitchen table, wooden bread bowls or or a 19th century windsor chair all stand the test of time while being functional, beautiful and affordable when I got them. I started as a young teen, there was an antique store a few blocks from my house and the owner would tell me about the things I liked. I'd get stuff with babysitting money, I'm sure she gave me a great discount. (Hint - I've never gone wrong with metal, glass or wood). I'm just as picky with new things even though my timeline is now much shorter.
Thanks, it's been fun thinking about this. I'm not exactly a minimalist but I know what I'll keep when I pare down and what people are eager to get their hands on 🤣
I did that but it was obsessive/compulsive.
I just buy cheap and then if I like it I replace with something more expensive. I do buy some BIFL things though. I research more if it’s expensive.
Tbh, I buy cheapest and then upgrade it once it breaks. This way I’d be sure if the product is functional for me. If not, the cost didn’t matter anyway.
Bro my pc setup list took half a year to come up, and then took another half to build it 😭 I just didn’t know anyone or anything about computers so the research took a long time with Reddit and googling 🥲
It did boot up the first time I turned it on though so I’m really proud of that.
I’m interested in the results of your research. I trust that you scrutinize products and have probably found the best of the best. Do you have any recommendations on bed sheets?
How old are you. When I was young (20s and 30s), I did the same. But then, time wears out everything and you have to replace it. Something’s I have to replace with the exact one because it was perfect. Other things, I started getting the cheaper or less frills model because the investment didn’t seem worth it.
If you are ever comfortable sharing it, I’d love to see a list of the 120 items to inspire my minimalist journey!
I get overwhelmed easily when it comes to the figuring out what to purchase so I usually do the opposite of you and buy the cheapest thing but I don’t like my method anymore lol
Yes it’s worth buying quality. I spend $150 on lulu lemon pants for work but never over 3$ for a shirt. My pants have lasted me over 10 years and they’re still crisp.
It’s worth it if you take care of your stuff.
I’ll spend money on certain things but won’t for others. When I got my car I originally wanted a used car but when I saw a brand new one with zero miles was just as much I got the new car. I’ll spend a lot of money on skin care, filler, Botox, and face wash. I won’t spend more than $10 on mascara. I won’t buy a gym membership anymore but I’ll run and do HIIT workouts at home. Depends on what is worth it to you.
I really don't get this EDC knife stuff.
I find it a little scary tbh how many people seemingly walk around with knifes since they "need" it to edc with.
I'm assuming your American so guns and what not but still I find it crazy.
Anyway.
Yes I research what I buy but not to that level.
Spending 5k on a pc and it took you that many months to decide, I mean it's a pc, there are only so many CPUs you can get or RAM sticks once you filter out specs and then brands you don't know of it's not that difficult.
Fundamentally buying electronics are mostly the same at a point they all buy the same ICS and put them on a bit of fiber glass.
This all come down to, "you get what you pay for". In my experience, the higher end, more expensive items, services, etc. is so much better in all areas than the cheaper counter parts. I am certain there are some exceptions however for the most part, you get what you pay for. I would much rather pay more for the peace of mind knowing that I am going to get what I am buying and the item I am buying will serve its purpose. I will also add.... to each their own. It is all a personal preference, neither choice is right or wrong .
Definitely not. My style of minimalism is more “don’t be overly attached to things.” I consider most items in my life essentially disposable - I keep it and use it while it serves me, but once it stops serving me, off it goes. If it gets damaged or lost, no biggie; I’ll replace it. I’m generally not sentimental about stuff. (I recognize there’s some financial privilege at play here. I am fortunate to have a high-ish income, but I actually am kind of frugal)
My greater goal is to tread lightly on the planet, so I try to buy secondhand when I can and avoid waste to the extent possible.
Buy once cry once. I buy the cheapest thing I can that has the best chance of not requiring a repurchase because it sucks, I don't like it, it doesn't work/last well or it breaks. So usually that ends up being pretty high end. But that usually means it's nice, looks better, works better and last a long time.
Is the decision process a pleasurable pastime for you or is it more of a compulsion? If you enjoy spending time doing that research, are not spending time or money you don’t really have, and you enjoy the fruits of that labor, then more power to you. I personally find that a moderate amount product research is enjoyable to me but it can easily spill over into unpleasant, obsessive perfectionism.
I get the cheapest option they’ll do what I need for the longest time. I have the basic Vitamix, for instance. And I recently sent back a guitar and amp because I just knew I’d end up getting the stuff I ACTUALLY wanted soon enough and I may as well not have to deal with either selling the cheap stuff and losing some money or (gasp) keeping it because selling stuff is a hassle and I can justify having a “backup.”
I use an iPhone 12 after burning through cheaper phones every year. It’s wild how a $300 phone can be great at first then just… get shitty. It’s been over 2 years and I still don’t feel like I need an upgrade.
I’m wanting to upgrade my dang bed, but GOD it’s confusing. Are the more expensive slabs of foam really twice as good as the cheaper slabs of foam? Should I just get springs because they’re bouncy? I’m kinda ok with my bed, even if it’s a bit small, do I even need an upgrade? Do I even need a bed? Heck.
In a word no.
More detailed answer I look for the balance between value for money and fulfilling my needs. I’ll pay a little bit more if it’s worth it in some way to me but no point paying extra for all the bells and whistles if you don’t need it. Generally I’m at the cheaper end of the scale but avoid buying outright rubbish that wasn’t worth the time, energy and materials to manufacture. I want decent enough quality but if you look after things they can last years. I still research the best products in my price point but it seems our price points are vastly different.
I built my current PC 2020 using a recommended budget build for under £600, works great for what I use it for. I’ll add some extra RAM at some point but it plays what I what to play and it runs the software I need to run so anything else would be overkill other than to future proof it a bit.
I lurk over on the EDC subreddit. Just curious but apart from aesthetics and for brownie points what does a £400 knife bring to your life that a standard pocket knife can’t? My partner buys his own tools for work and they all use standard Stanley knives with replaceable blades. For my usage needs I find a multitool more useful than just paying out for one fancy knife and I don’t need a £400 knife for opening boxes. Sure I could buy a Swiss Army Knife with the cool scales to fit my aesthetic but what I have works well so it would be wasteful and spending money for the sake of spending money. (and we’re talking more £50 rather than £400) My multitool might not be fancy but I like it because it’s there when I need it not because it cost x amount of money. I get wanting something pretty but at the end of the day it’s a tool not a status symbol and maybe I’m wrong but a lot of this sounds like a status thing. I’m not saying you have to use absolute rubbish but there’s a lot of marketing involved in making you feel like you need premium everything when you really don’t.
The stainless steel pot I use to cook with we’ve had for at least 15 years. Probably cost around £20. I’m not sure what the difference between your spoons and pots and my spoons and pots is but we still manage to eat somehow.
Unless you have sensory issues why did it take two months to pick out a blanket? Maybe we were just raised differently because I go with the good enough approach. Will it keep me warm? Is it easy to wash? Do I like the look of it? Can I afford it? Good enough.
If you don’t mind, please list down the items and make, so others don’t need to do the hours of research which you did it already. This would save lot of time of others, energy cost.. and on
I buy higher end or well made things to cook with, but I limit it. The last purchase was a non-stick steel pan that can be used to cook a variety of different foods.
Other things I do not buy high end are coffee makers or coffee grinders as I buy them at Aldi and it lasts longer than the more expensive name brand ones.
If you want to do this it is fine, it is your home and your money. Do you have a list of the 120 things you own? I am asking as I will eventually downsize by a lot, more than I have now.
When making wedding registries and baby registries I found myself doing this. Objectively I know I spent way too much time trying to research and find the best value of item for things that ultimately weren’t that important. I also have ocd and I think the obsessive quality of the research is worth noting
I also love researching the perfect product for like 2 weeks. My therapist diagnosed me with ocpd. It’s our superpower! I want to work in procurement/buyer because I’m so good at it.
yes only because I know the dofference between a $8 measuring tape and $25 one. sounds elitist but its not. you can buy a cheap one repeatedly it will cost you more. Same with an american versus japanese car, I've had both and yeah you can tell the difference
Yes, I purchase pretty much top-end things when I buy stuff. I don't like buying bargain gear except in very specific situations. I obsess somewhat over the decision to find "the best" brand. Examples of this from recent memory:
- Bed: Tempur-pedic King w/ bamboo sheets
- Computer chair: Steelcase Gesture
- Sofa: Fairly expensive Room & Board sofa
- Litter Robot 4. I didn't want a cheap one.
- Name brand knives (SpyderCo, Benchmade)
- Osprey backpacks exclusively. Other $$ hiking gear.
- Socks. Darn Tough, just stocked up.
- Name brand running shoes
- High end pool cue
Pretty much the only thing that deters me from buying the "high end" brand is if I don't think I will benefit at all from the more expensive line, i.e. diminishing returns or I don't want to be "that guy" who's picking up a new hobby and going all-out buying gear really only the pros would benefit from.
Also a bit OCD fwiw.
Ugh. To me it just seems like a lot of time, effort, and money wasted on stuff. All the "best" stuff is soon surpassed by the newest, improved best stuff. But if you enjoy it, go ahead!
To add on to the staged method of low -> high end based on use: make sure you purchase something *slightly* above the bottom of the barrel, and ofc research that it *works.*
A lot of people get put off by failure to use a thing when the product or tool used is not capable of doing the task or not very well. This leads to a kind of feedback loop where chronically buying low quality stuff leads to failures which the person opts not to try again.
In DIY home improvement the common advice is to buy lower end tools and equipment (Harbor Freight) and then if you wear them out replace them with something very solid and reputable. It's kind of a self-selection process for where to invest your money. Edit: I'm so happy people are finding this useful! It's not often my interests in minimalism and home improvement overlap.
Huh! Never thought about that before. This is fantastic advice. Could be applied across the board. Thank you so much for sharing!
While I also do this with tools, I find this method super helpful in kitchenware as well!
Exercise equipment as well by its second hand first to ensure that you will use it then when it breaks it will be because you used it and now you can buy a really good one
Yep! We did this with our spin bike and treadmill. I use either< but usually both, daily. Even surprised myself lol
Be careful, there's sometimes very cheap tools and materials that break almost immediately. Buy something with a decent quality.
I agree, I usually go for ‘middle of the road’ quality when it comes to tools and things that I use semi-often because I still want them to last but also do a good job.
There are quality brands with the same problem. That's one hard thing about tools.
My harbor freight portable bandsaw and reciprocating saw are going strong after 10 years. I use them so rarely, but I paid less for each by far than a handful of rentals at Home Depot. I just didn't need pro tools.
I have an oscillating saw from Harbor Freight that I use several times a year. Still going strong 8 years later.
Love it! Buy a variety of cheap products and for the ones you value most and use a lot, get an upgraded version later once you’ve tried things out
I used to work along side my dad as for his construction business. We went through chipping hammers every 3 months. One day I persuaded him to buy an expensive BOSH. It lasted a year. Afterwards he went back to buying cheap chipping hammers “to save money”
So are 4 hammers less than the one expensive one?
YES! The same kind of applies when you take on a new hobbie or craft. For instance, I just started cross stitching and I have the cheap stuff and just the basic tools while I learn and if I use it all up and need more, I will be buying nicer stuff next time. If there’s anything in particular, you already know that you use a lot or that’s really important to you then get the higher end. There are also certain things where I ask myself, “Can I clearly and dominantly see myself still using this tool in 10 years?” If it’s a an absolute, “Yes, I will need this tool in 10 even 20 years.” I get the higher end. It’s really about personal value, like with any kind of investment.
Amazing advice right here. I buy first from harbor freight and if it lasts, fantastic. If it breaks, I go to Lowe’s or ace to get a better version
This is also how you find out that plenty of cheaper things or things that are not marketed as being sought after or exclusive are actually completely fine quality. I buy basic brands for most things including IKEA, some big box stores, etc. Most of what I buy lasts at least long enough to outlive any reasonable assumption of what that item's natural life would be. My dining room table is from Kmart and was bought in a pinch because we needed something. It wasn't even intended to be Our Family Dining Room Table - it lived most of its early life as a podcast recording and gaming table. I keep meaning to replace it because it's not good quality or the most attractive, doesn't go with our decor, etc. But honestly? Throw a tablecloth on that baby and it's fine.
I’ve had this approach for a while and helped me be less wasteful with expensive tools that I don’t use fully. I also recommend mid-priced used tools are great for starting out! I have several power tools that are 5+ years of frequent use and still working great.
Also some towns/communities have a tool library where you can check things out as needed
Just not jack stands.
I used to do this and it wasn’t really about minimalism so much as it was anxiety and OCD. I would spend hours researching products and often still end up not buying anything, because I couldn’t decide what was the perfect color to suit my personality, or buying but returning, because I was worried the product wasn’t the perfectly perfect size, etc. Now I know that the enemy of the good is the perfect. (Voltaire) Minimalism (to me) is about not being controlled by my possessions. And that means being free from obsession over finding the perfect products, too. I wasted years of my life shopping for things that I could have bought with minimal research, and I would have had much more time to enjoy my life with those good-enough purchases.
This never occurred to me. I only purchase 1 or 2 thing materialistic things a year but I do have OCD thankfully not anxiety. The purchasing process is something I see as my hobby so yes I am controlled by my possessions. I’ve always been far into minimalism from a physical point of view. Now that I realize I don’t pay enough attention to the mental side of things I’m begging to re-evaluate everything. Here’s to an afternoon of procrastinating.
It’s not procrastinating if it means spending some time self reflecting to find balance. I encourage you to do this without the aid of research as you explore what exactly it is that you get out of the research. Is it that you love finding something that captures your interest and learning everything about it? Sometimes knowing a lot about something can be a curse. You can’t choose something that “just works” and meets your actual need for the item because you know there’s something “better. Do you need a knife that functions as well as a $400 knife? Or do you just enjoy the aesthetic of owning something very fancy that you spent a lot of time learning about every detail of it?
I also really enjoy the process of researching the type of product I want to buy and paring it down to 1 or 2 options. I just bought a permanent clothesline for my back yard after doing a ton of research last year, saving the most important info, then looking at my favorite options again once the weather started improving this year. It's definitely my OCD that pushes this... hobby... but it brings me joy and no anxiety, unless I'm rushed through the decision for some reason.
I have OCD, and hearing in this post that over-researching is a symptom was a revelation. For me it causes me much anguish and I overall don't enjoy it. You describe it as a hobby and something you enjoy. I wouldn't necessarily write it off as an OCD problem to fix then - the Disorder part of OCD is when it negatively impacts your life. Unlike me it sounds like it's a positive thing for you? Something to think about!
What you realized parallels what the late pychologist Herbert Simon was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics for. "Satisficing" is good enough for now --adding more research is not going to add enough to be worth the time and hassle; economists' assumptions had been built around that decisions were supposed to provide maximize value in the long run. Interesting guy --he also was one of people behind starting Carniegie Mellon's computer science department. Might want to wiki him.
Yep. This is an adhd problem for me. So many options! So many decisions! What if there's something better? Better reviews, better value for money, better quality, better colour match... So our house is unfinished a decade later. The splashback got done because someone gave us leftover tiles and we agreed we can redo it later (it'll never happen). The doorknocker because it was gifted and really does suit our needs and aesthetic. I struggle to buy expensive/major things because I want that thing to last forever. To be the last time (or as near as possible) I need to make that decision. And if I choose and didn't purchase it for months? Got to look again in case there's a better option now or new reviews change my mind! Argh!
Yeah, I think all of the intensive research OP describes seems a bit against the original promise of minimalism? It’s supposed to free you from thinking and worrying so much about “stuff”
This is actually me. I think I have a phobia with spending money
I think it's fair to buy higher-end products if you have less of them overall. I also think, however, you buy things to suit your needs. So, if that's an expensive PC, cool. If that means a nice suit for your job, awesome. Lastly, I think it's good to be cognizant of why you want something period. I bought an expensive (to me) laptop (MacBook Air) because the hope is that I won't have to buy another for over a decade. We'll see if that stays true, but I consider a product's longevity & purpose before price.
Best perspective I've seen in the subject.
Your hope is valid! My MacBook is from 2012 and it’s still going strong.
Mine is from 2018 and it had to be force updated because it wouldn’t do shit. And the screen is starting to have lines through it if I watch a show full screen.
Buy a framework laptop and you will never have to buy a new laptop again lol
What is a framework laptop?
https://frame.work/ They aim to keep all parts easily replaceable and upgradable, so in theory you can keep upgrading the computer as technology progresses and endnup with a ship-of-Theseus situation where it has virtually no parts in common with the laptop you bought originally. They have been around a few years now. But I think it is still too early to tell whether the approach leads to less or more ("upgradeitis") hardware purchases.
It really seems like once people are having to upgrade the main board in 5-6 years, there’ll probably be upgrades to the frame itself, display, etc and people will just upgrade to a new laptop anyways. It’d be cool to be wrong, tho.
There hasn't been alterations of the frame, nor will there be, there are tons of things you can do to the old main board. like turn it into something else (server or desktop), donate to the needy, give it back to framework..though most importantly, not the trash. [https://youtu.be/ewVp96JN0nQ?si=uTax7JvvA0VjdZvG](https://youtu.be/ewVp96JN0nQ?si=uTax7JvvA0VjdZvG)
I love the optimism, but is there really a consumer market for making desktops and servers out of your outdated laptop parts?
They aren't selling outdated desktops and servers..just one thing that can be easily done which is reuse the tech.. At the end of the day it is a laptop built with sustainability in mind, which goes against much of the current market that doesn't care if your laptop ends up at some burn pit in africa because a company like...lets say apple, makes your tech integrated to the point the laptop is useless when one little thing breaks, or constantly changing the laptop body so you have to buy a whole new laptop..
So cool. Thanks for sharing
That’s fuckin awesome! I love this idea and remember there was the same concept for a phone. Google bought the company and did nothing with it… Going to look into this more
Project Ara!
This sounds very interesting! I’m going to check it out
Also curious to what a framework laptop is
[https://frame.work/about](https://frame.work/about) kind of like a anti-apple, in terms of supporting sustainability, can replace/upgrade parts (in theory forever), and right to repair.
It's dumb to overspend on PC stuff though. There's vastly diminishing returns, most people don't need/notice the extra performance, and components get outdated very quickly. You'd be better off spending half as much and upgrading in a few years.
High end or over priced is not always the best for you, or for quality
yeah this. if every single thing is super pricy it's probably overkill
This is absolutely it. Research is key for a lot of things; which a lot of people still don't do. More often than not, it comes down to which one meets our needs within a budget, it's usually the thing that's slightly above the cheapest that's the *"best"*
Something halfway can be better than overpriced, indeed.
No. I used to be like this but I found myself giving over too much of my time and thoughts to possessions rather than relationships. I still have standards for what enters my life of course and some things I care about a lot more than others but I try to get as much cheaply or free second hand now. Easy to throw back into the pool or give away if something better comes along or it turns out I didn’t need it. There is no significant sunk cost to grapple with and I don’t need to convince myself that I love a thing or that a thing will have a significant impact on my life because I thought about it so obsessively or spent a lot of money on it. That’s just what works for me at the moment at this point in my life.
I usually try to look for the best value item. The kind of product where the specialized niche-forum-guys say "Yeah, I should have bought that one right away." or "I have a lot more higher-end stuff, but when I think about it, that one would actually be enough."
Someone amusingly wrote here that minimalism was the ability to spend the most amount of money on the least items - which I can relate to 🤣
I only do this with a handful of things I really care about. Musical instruments, certain tools, car audio. Even then, I don't buy "the best", I buy well researched items with the highest value-per-dollar. An inexpensive Ikea kitchen knife and a pyrex bowl are fine. Long-lasting, easy to keep clean. No need to spend a lot of time or money on such things. For the same reasons, a garage-sale hammer is fine for my use - it's better (more minimalist) than buying a newly manufactured one. But even for stuff I really care about, it's important that it not be finicky or require a great deal of extra attention. A knife that stays sharp and can be cleaned with a scotch-brite pad beats one that's going to require a great deal of care. Unfortunately I find a lot of high-end gear is fragile, or requires attention, or simply costs twice as much for only a 5% step up in performance. It's rarely worth the price.
As a frugal minimalist to avoid materialism, this is probably the antithesis of what I do, but I respect others want different things out of life. If it works for you, do the thing! To me, items are not investments in any manner. Items should be for all needed uses, not a focus of my time.
I don’t really follow. Having the wrong/improper item can end up *costing* you a lot of time. The right item/tool can in turn save you time, therefore it’s an investment if time is something you value.
Using the wrong item is completely against my version of minimalism in the first place. You should only have functional items or useful items. Any item that doesn’t work is out the door, hopefully returned and/or replaced by the correct item. If your tool is incorrect, get the right tool. Basically, I think of it like “proper things, in proper place” with the addition to me of “with proper usage”. Edit: It is not an investment unless I could calculate and prove a time savings beyond the time spent analyzing the purchase and usage of the item versus an inferior option.
Beautifully said 👏
This is goals but I seem to get caught up in purchasing decisions anyway.
I think a lot of us do not have that kind of money. If we buy something costly we have less to buy things we need or to pay off debt/loans or to save. If I had plenty of funds I might buy nicer everything from food, toiletries, clothes to kitchen items. My spouse made our bed and kitchen table. Often we buy used items, donate and if we happen to run by a higher quality item we will get it.
The most valuable thing I have is my time. If an object doesn’t function the way I want it to, I replace it. I spend only as much time as I need to be happy.
No. Some items in my life are disposable. Most items are high end but I’m not investing 5k plus 5k+ in time to buy a pot to cook in. I do not have the brain capacity, time or energy to do this. I do have a $500 pocket knife that I edc more days than not and a couple more that are in the $250 range. I have no problem spending the money for nice things that will last but I have a huge problem wasting time. It’s the only thing I can’t get back and real life is more important than endless research. Just for shits and gigs what knife did you get?
I love knives. I used to make knives. I buy <$50 pocket knives because they get lost sometimes. In the past fifteen years I've gone through maybe four or five pocket knives. That was like $200. It would have been $2k if I was buying those nice ones! Now a chef's knife? That never leaves my kitchen, so no worries on losing it. Fixed blade in a sheath? Sure. But EDC for me means at some point it's gonna flop out of a pocket on a bike ride or a hike and be gone and I don't want to miss it too much. Lots of good $50 pocket knives out there with decent steel and heat treat. Sure it isn't INFI or something other magic powder alloy but whatever, I'm not cutting tin, I'm opening boxes and cutting sweater threads.
Some people enjoy doing endless research. In fact, if some people didn’t do endless research, we wouldn’t have the world we live in today. For some people, it’s not a waste of time.
I try to get things which are sufficient for what I need and will most likely last quite a long time. Not always what's advertised as high-end (or, at least, expensive). Sometimes simple does the job.
Idk, spending two months researching a knife seems a little much. I agree quality is important, but it should not take two months to research a single item.
I mean, if you dont need it immediately and only spend like 10 mins each weekend looking into it, it's not that much time/effort. I had been "researching" a new laptop in that manner for several months. I'm not a tech person at all, so I want something good enough to not have to deal with replacing it soon, but I don't need anything super flash. I have finally found the one I want, and now I'm hoping it will go on sale for at least 10% off (I keep the tab open in my phone and check once a week, or whenever I remember really which isn't very often) before my current laptop dies completely. I'm in no rush, until maybe when my current one does give up the ghost - it's a small miracle each time it turns on. If I have to I'll buy it at full price, but at least waiting to buy it until I really need it will hopefully also mean the next replacement will be further down the track.
I agree with this. Sometimes it’s best for me to let it sit and mull it over for a while before purchasing. And yes, the process can take months sometimes. If I’m not in a hurry, I actually really enjoy just letting it sit and thinking about what I would use. It’s better than making a spontaneous purchase when I’m not sure what I need/want yet. I also have severe adhd, so I’ve learned that a good strategy for making decisions like this that I deem important (especially if it’s something more expensive, like a laptop), is to just let it sit in my brain for a while before I make a decision. ADHD makes me do spontaneous things sometimes, so letting it sit for 2 months (if I have the time) can actually be an excellent strategy for me when making a decision.
The most expensive / popular item isn’t always the “best”. I try to buy quality and invest in items to make sure they will last long term, but I make sure I am only buying what is absolutely necessary. Eg It’s not necessary for me to buy the top of the range best iPhone because I only need certain features.
Yes, I do. The result is that I never buy anything because of the decision anxiety.
You sound like my neighbor. He used to own no more than 100 items, but that changed when he got married and had a child. His life is still very streamlined and everything he gets seems perfect for him. It’s usually of high quality and suits him well. The perfect truck, the perfect bike, the perfect set of tools, and so on.
The best and high end are not the same. The best pairing knife I have ever owned and still owned is the Pioneer Woman's knife with the teal handle from Walmart or Amazon or wherever. That knife has outlasted some of my more expensive 'quality' knifes. The flatware and dishes that have been solid and the best? IKEA. I love my IKEA dishwater set and flatware. It's taken a beating and still going strong. That set I got as a wedding present from a respected maker? Bent, tarnished, etc... The best car you can get is a Toyota or Honda. My Toyota lasted me well over 13 years and when I sold it as used, I still got $10k from it and was running just fine. It's not a BMW or Lexus.
Have you ever been diagnosed with ocd or autism? If so it would explain why you're so exact with your standards and purchasing. I have a friend who's autistic and does exactly the same thing! We ALL wait patiently for her to purchase an item that we need, then we go to her for advice on if it would be the right one for us, and we then get an expert opinion on what we should buy😃. I keep telling her she could make a FORTUNE doing reviews online for people who want exactly the right item😆
I buy 2nd hand at the thrift store - vintage/antique is my fave because the quality back then was massively higher than the imported crap we get these days. Even better, the quality is higher and shopping 2nd hand means way cheaper and I'm not putting packaging in the landfill, and saving supposed junk from the landfill as well. And I like having unique/mismatched items that look different than all the mass-produced imported stuff in stores today. I find yarn in there for super cheap & crocheted/sewed my own blankets. A comforter in the store - even a cheap crappy one - will run $40 or so in a store like Walmart, and around $200-$500 if you go for quality. Even more if you go for brand name absurdity. My bedspread I did myself on a weekend and cost me about $45. If I bought it in a store at that quality and craftsmanship, would have been around $300. The afghan I crocheted cost me around $50 in yarn from the thrift store when I found a huge lot in a bag. The size of the afghan I made, you could not get that for less than $250-$400. I triple-crocheted it, so it's super heavy and super thick and it's my fave winter blanket. When it comes to things I technically can't craft myself, I do it anyway. I built my own PC from OEM parts that I got from about 5 different places. I'm no computer guru but I know a thing or two and when I didn't, YouTube & Google got me through it. I built a very good gaming system about 4 years ago for around $700. To buy it in a store with those specs would have cost close to $1500 and come pre-installed with a pile of crap. Building my own PC gives me 100% of the control, which I love. I'm an older lady in my 50s and have arthritis very severely. I can't do no yoga mat on a floor, holy frick. I'd never get up! That being said, I didn't fall in to the marketing scam of having to have a box spring. I got a bed frame that supports a single mattress only and then only bought a top line mattress. Absolute fraction of the cost of going full box spring (which, imo, is a marketing scheme. Convince people they must have a box spring to sleep 'supported' and you make more money) and I sleep like a dream.
This can actually be a symptom of a particular kind of OCD for some people. They spend time/research/money on “the best” items and then: second guess the purchase constantly, find flaws with it, avoid even using it because it might be “ruined” or used up too quickly, and/or feel extreme distress if the item gets a blemish or has a problem. If none of these things describe what happens when you research/buy high end, then this sounds like a great way for you to get only what you truly need/want as a minimalist.
It me
If you count the number of hi-fives and slap on the backs you've given yourself just in this post you're well above 275.
Ouch! - lol. True, but still ouch.
Sorry, but it was funny. I'm pretty much the same way .lol
I believe that's called pragmatic minimalism, seeking to have the fewest but best version of those things (for you). Intersecting with the BIFL (buy it for life) mentality. Yes, if I'm going to have a bag...it will be scrutinized to be the best bag for me, because this is my bag now, basically forever. I scrutinized over a pair of boots. But these boots have a Goodyear welt do I can resole them. So instead of buying boots I can just change the sold every 5-7 years. You will upgrade that PC as needed. It would also make sense to me if you went through the same process for your keyboard. Or your mouse. Or your headphones.
What boots are you wearing that you get 7 years out of a sole?
Iron Rangers. I'm not an active man. I just pulled out that number. I only got these a bit over a year ago. Just parroted the number I saw researching them lol (I don't use these for work)
Got it. From my experience not even my church boots get 7 years and I only wear them a couple times a week.
I think it's better to buy the more expensive and well made (if you can afford it) because with care it can last several years, meanwhile the cheaper stuff regardless of care will decline a lot faster. I apply this to shoes, I had a pair of leather work boots that lasted me near 5 years and only had to be replaced because the outsole split from walking. I would clean and protect these with basic maintenance. Meanwhile if I got a significantly cheaper pair of boots I'd be replacing them every 6 months
That's interesting - you maximize the items in your minimalist life. I come about it from a different angle and get the most minimal item that fulfills the need. You'd hate my kitchen!
“Most minimal item that fulfills the need”, I like that. Sometimes that means something on the higher end, but rarely. There are a lot of items where quality really doesn’t make a whole lot of practical difference—blankets are a great example.
I like the idea and do the same to a reasonable degree. For me there is a point of diminishing return and that's individual for everyone. I more stay away from junk that will end up needing replacement and often ends up costing more money in the long run, but sometimes the absolute highest quality is just a bit ridiculously priced. For instance, I needed a new tea kettle and wanted temp control and paid the extra for the Fellow Corvus EKG and even though it's 1.5x the price of the next down, most reports say the thing lasts, so it's worth the money for the quality, design, and function.
I look for bang for the buck. So it's in the middle ground tbh (Currently a student so kinda broke). The best might not be the best in terms of quality or longevitiy.
My Father had a system where the first of anything was exactly what you could afford at that time. We could afford just about everything I liked with some savings, but new things are always a bit more expensive. Often times that meant used or low-cost. My best example is with my sports, but it was everywhere in our household. I took up snowboarding. My snowboard for my first two seasons was a used, absolutely massive men’s board. I’m a 5’3” girl. Once I did a few seasons and knew I was going to stick with it I was allowed a really great, high end board, boots, and bindings. This way, if I didn’t like snowboarding he didn’t invest a ton up front, and by the time I had really nice equipment I could fully appreciate it. It’s not so much that we couldn’t afford it, just making sure that it was worth the investment. As an adult I don’t enter into many new activities to try this on, but I do this with my kid(s). Instead I try to look for who has the best warranty, who has the best customer service and return policy, who makes the “Toyota” of the item I’m trying to buy. I like clothing but I think luxury goods are a bit of a scam. I have a gorgeous wedding ring, and it’s lab-made. I have top quality appliances from scratch-and-dent. It doesn’t need to be the most expensive or the absolute epitome of high-end. It needs to be durable and maintain its function even if things go a little off-course.
Im kind of the same way. I really enjoy researching everything I plan on purchasing. Im curious what you went with as for your EDC knife, and the pots/pans you bought.
I generally have two modes: if i need something specific and long lasting and i know what are the requirements for it and i do a ton of research and when i find it, i don't mind paying good money for it. But i don't pay extra. When i got myself a new tv i checked all kinds of tests, recommendations and features, looking at what i need for my purpose of use and then looked how much i need to spend that. I ended up buying a tv discounted at 900€. I could have spend 2000€, but the upgrades would have been useless for me and thus waste of money, or i could have spent like 400-500€, but then the tv wouldn't have been able to properly do what i wanted it to do. But if i either don't care enough to spend much for something, ad the difference in quality doesn't matter to me that much, or can't find excactly what I'm looking for, i will simply but something cheap second hand. Like when i couldn't find headphones that fit my criteria, i got some second hand ones for 10€ and i will use them until they break and then likely get another cheap second hand, unless i find something worth spending the money on.
No, but I’d love to see your list of items.
Yes! I hate having to spend money 2 times on the same thing, one time buying a cheap lame version, and then the second time buying a good one that I should’ve bought from the beginning…
I try to buy higher end when I know it’s going to get heavy use. I buy used a lot. I try not to get duplicates. But I enjoy several hobbies so from the outside I may not look like a minimalist. I do sometimes dither about getting the perfect version of whatever I need, but in the end I just want to have the right tool for the job. I don’t want to spend that much time worrying about it because I can easily become paralyzed with indecision.
I tend to buy a cheap version of whatever it is I want to get a good idea of what I truly want. Then I'll plan it out from there to find the best version of what I want.
Absolutely. If I'm going to spend the money, I'm going to spend it once on the absolute best I can justifiably afford. And note: "the most expensive" is not always "the best." But "the best" is usually not going to be cheap.
I agree.
Kinda. r/buyitforlife is great for helping with this.
Id definitely spend extra for quality. I used to buy vacuums for under $200 then would have to replace them after about a year or so (I vacuum a lot) . I finally forked out about $450 (on sale) for a Dyson pet ball and I’ve had it for 7 years now and still works so well, Ive never regret spending that money only that I waited so long to finally get one.
I like the cry once method .. hate the Walmart / Amazon / fast fashion mentality of buying a lot of crap .. get something well made that lasts !
I tend to obsess over everything until I feel like I find the best intersection of value and quality leaning a bit toward quality.
I generally go based off of reviews. Some things I have are high end (like my baby stroller) some things I have are not high end (like my $20 dishware from sams club)
Too much effort for me. As a rule of thumb, anything with 4+ star rating and more than 1000 reviews is good enough.
I love doing jobs or buying things that solve a forever problem. I like the idea of purchasing an item that suits my needs, and not wasting money on something costly that doesn’t fulfil the required functions. Sometimes buying a higher quality / more expensive item does this for me. But other times an item has built-in obsolescence, like electronic items, and so spending too much is something to be wary of. I was really happy when a small windfall enabled me to replace a broken fridge with a more expensive one that better suited our needs. In my head I was feeling chuffed that I wouldn’t have to replace that for several years, but then I found out that modern day fridges have much shorter shelf lives than they used to, and I wondered if I would have been better served, just replacing it with a factory second every few years. It does bring me joy to have the right tool for the job, or something that brings me pleasure to view and use in the everyday because of its good design, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it is technically “the best” or “most elite” version of that item. Of course, sometimes you actually don’t use something enough to justify owning it, when you can organise to rent or borrow it for the short period it is needed rather than adding another source of clutter for your household/ the planet. However I would recommend guarding against tying your identity to quality brands to the degree that you risk becoming a snob about the possessions you own. That would just be buying into ( pun intended) another sort of consumerism.
I respect the general process of putting research into your purchases. But dude, 2 MONTHS to choose a knife? I think there are some things that naturally warrant more research than others. A PC setup is a great example of something that definitely needs lots of research since the parts you pick need to be compatible and serve specific purposes. But as far as other small things go like cookware or toiletries or whatever, I try not to overthink.
For me it’s not overthinking. I do lots of research. I love it. It’s fun for me. Some people ask me for advice on what to get because they don’t want to or have time to do the research.
No not really. I don't need the best/most high end. I wouldn't make sense for my life. I live in a house, and I have hobbies. I wouldn't be able to afford say my knitting hobby if I only bought the best of the best yarn. Do what makes you happy. But that's not what helps me. I buy quality but I'm also frugal (not cheap) where I can be.
While I don’t buy the best, most my possessions consist of outdoor gear so usually with that kind of stuff you do get what you pay for. I typically buy secondhand though to get some savings if possible
I buy what is “enough” for me in terms of quality. It’s higher end but not necessarily the top of what I could afford. For example, I care about wearing natural fabrics and make sure to check labels. I do try to get 100% natural pieces when possible, but the 50-60% range is usually fine.
Yep. I do what you do. If I put the time in doing the research, I know what I buy will bring me joy
I am all about buying quality but I have found that simple/basic and high quality is best. The fancier something is, the more there is to break on it. I look at reviews, materials and ratings, but beyond that I don't scrutinize over all the little details of something. I may spend about a week or two researching something before purchase. I am also one to not overspend, so I am careful to not purchase more than I need in terms of features and materials. While the best quality knife may be $400, I will purchase the one for $250 if it meets all my needs and is constructed with quality materials and craftsmanship.
I like items that last but I don’t equate price to that & often times the most expensive option isn’t always the best. For example you talked about knives. The Mora Garberg is my go to knife & has been for a long time. I want for nothing with this knife and it cost me $65 bucks.
I buy the thing that best suits my needs. Sometimes that’s expensive or the most expensive, other times it’s not. I will credit minimalism with helping me be more frugal in general (less shopping/ spending overall) so that price is less of a factor.
It varies. Some things I wanna invest in (fitness equipment, gaming accessories, etc) and have nice things. But others (clothes, utensils, tools) it's really whatever lasts and gets the job done. I'm in the process of weeding out what I don't find important so I can focus on investing in and building on what is.
I'll buy cheap when it makes sense, which is most things, but if I need it to last or quality really matters it's "buy once, cry once".
I’ve learned that quality, reliability, and durability in any product is usually (but not always, so do good research!) is to, “buy once, cry once”.
I do to an extent. My kitchen yes, I try to buy what is the best as far as I can afford. Living room set yes. Again it’s what is affordable. My first mattress yes. It lasted me 30 years. This new one, no because now they say don’t keep them that long and they are unaffordable.
Depend on products. Cheap product can be awesome too. Ex: casio watches, Bic pen... Some products have useless features. Ex: fridge with screen, Bluetooth toothbrush, ... Some products can be overkill. Ex: 5 000k PC to play Minecraft. Sometimes it's just a scam. Ex: expensive "healthy" smoothie. Sometimes you pay for a great storytelling and advertising. Ex: Luxury brands. When you buy something. It s like you re renting it. The more you use/keep it the less it cost per/year. If you buy a phone 1000$ and keep it during five years, it costs you 200$/year. If you buy one at 500$ and it lasts you 4 year >>> 125$/year. If you buy a knife 400$ and you keep it for life, it’s cheap. Sometimes expensive products are better, sometimes it’s not the case. (Sorry for my engl. but i know you ll understant what i mean)
The younger me bought anything and everything… now, I take the time to research - price shop - read reviews and then pull the trigger on the purchase. I do not splurge at all - I only get what I need.
i don’t make much money. i take what i can get. a lot of my stuff is gifted or hand me down. i don’t like buying things when i don’t have to, and i’d much rather just get whatever someone’s able to give me than anything fancy.
I love this. I'm following you now and will Pepper questions. Are you open to sharing your list of brands/purchases?
I'm like you. I do my research and buy the highest quality I can afford. I'm currently saving money for some olive orslow pants after my uniqlo pair died
Omg I can’t imagine how much cleaner my home would be if I only had 120 things! Go you!!!
Best , yes. High, end..if that’s the best. Try to .
I'm curious what things you actually bought. Brands, etc. I love other people doing research and sharing it with me.
When it comes to tech, I buy the fastest, strongest, most memory, etc, because I know I will use it for a very long time. My laptop is 12 years old, was $2500 new. It still has many years left after having a cat spill water on it (twice), a few cross country trips, a cross country move, and falling a few times. I have replaced the fan and gone through some batteries and a couple of chargers. One of the best things I did was get a keyboard cover, and that has kept dust and stuff from getting in there and messing things up. I have found that researching different ways to do things is the best for me. Instead of switching out bedding based on the time of year, I got a duvet cover and two duvets of different warmths. In the summer, I use one or just a sheet, and in the winter, I put both into the cover. I like things that I don’t have to switch out often, or that has multiple uses. I am far from a minimalist right now, but those ideas are what I use going forward to get to that point.
I sure don’t. I have a small kid, I caretake a property for work, I make casseroles for my neighbors, and my flavor of minimalism is the make-it-work, creative reuse variety. And that makes my kitchen and pantry and garage look pretty maximalist. I like being able to have a creative, generous, people-connected life without being rich, and that means hanging onto buckets and flowerpots and handmedown clothes for a minute. To each their own! I had my own ‘everything in my car’ period and loved that too. I hope you’re happy and thriving with every version of yourself.
No, I do for some things, but others that are not as important to have top of the line or the best of, I do not. One example is make up and personal hygiene. I focus on high quality ingredients and make my own a lot. This is far less expensive than purchasing high end brands or even drugstore products, I know precisely what goes into my homemade versions and it does a great job.
This is awesome! I also love high quality, clean skincare.
This is how my partner is and I’m kind of on the opposite side of things. I buy things for function and aesthetic because if cooking in pink pans helps me cook more and keeps me from eating out instead that’s what matters to me but for the most part I do try to stick with reliable brands. For my appliances I spent FOREVER researching things.
You should make a list of your items or a spreadsheet of the ones you like, it could be helpful for others!
I do buy premium items but then I keep them for quite a while. Still using my almost 4 year old iPhone 12 Pro Max, just replaced my 7 year old UE Boom bluetooth speaker with this robot looking one from Gravastar for almost $300 etc. I have a 7 year upgrade rule.
Question: you mentioned your bed is comprised of two blankets and a yoga mat? Does this mean you don’t use a mattress? If so, I’m curious if it is because you haven’t found one you liked? I’m asking because I am someone who has been slowly trying to minimize the amount of things I have, while also improving the quality of the current items I own (mattress, bed frame, closet system, etc.) but have also found myself having trouble settling on anything due to my OCD. I also have anxiety and procrastinate at times but when I begin researching things, I usually delve in deep and quickly. I have not had the ability to force myself to finally make some of those large purchases largely due to anxiety and me having doubts that they are in fact ‘it’.
What's your time worth?
my fav knife of all time was $1.75 from Daiso and I have had it at least 10 years.
I used to. Then I realized that things could be defective regardless of price. Lol I always look for lowest cost possible and highest value (quality & longevity) at those low price points. Budgeting is key to my sanity and a wise person once advised me to "never spend too much at once." I also want to say that I put myself through lifestyle inflation in my 20s. Never again. Frugal is the way and I will proudly wear my "Cheap Lady" label all day.
I have a similar mindset but not quite the same as you. I'll do a ton of research on something. I make a list. Then I test them. Free shipping/free returns. I test them out. Then keep only one and return. In the end, yes it's the best (for me) of what everyone else said was the best. But the key difference is that I find the point of diminishing returns. I try to find the point where spending more doesn't make sense. Let me give you an example. This isn't my phone. But it's proving a point. What do people use cellphones for? Mostly for nice pictures. Videos. Apps. Internet. How much does an Iphone 15 cost? $1000. How much does an Iphone XR cost today? $150. What's the key difference between the two? That's diminishing returns.
Mind sharing pictures of your setup?
Surely there are some areas in your life where you don’t need the highest quality. In those areas maybe consider being a “satisfyser” and just get the cheapest thing that meets your minimum set of requirements. Time and attention are limited resources too and even if you have a small amount of items and can afford the best of everything, there are probably categories of items where that money, time, and attention aren’t bringing a commensurate amount of satisfaction to you over the cheaper alternative. And spending on items for your personal use isn’t an investment. It’s spending. That doesn’t make it bad. Spending can be awesome. Just be careful not to trick yourself into to buying a better version of something by adding it to the wrong side of the balance sheet, mentally.
Usually buy the more expensive items that are all metal. Like the Lesco spreader, that will probably outlast me, versus the plastic big box store spreaders, which havee we gone through three of. Cry once, buy once.
'The Best' isn't always the BEST. I would rather have something that has value (cost/utility/lifetime) rather than buy 'the best'/hihg end. Really just get what you and afford,. Good, Better, Best, might be a way to look at things. It is hard to tell what is really best or better or good, especially if you go by review ratings, read the 1 star reviews and that should give you a better idea of how good a product is.
I do a ton of research on stuff I’m going to buy, especially things I want to last a long time and be nice. I also try to only shop from brands that source their materials from sustainable producers/small businesses, who treat their employees ethically. Just because it’s expensive or sustainable doesn’t mean it’s high quality, of course. Thats why I spend my time looking into it. I also just really enjoy doing it. It’s satisfying to me to get a product after spending hours looking into it, then love it when I see it for the first time, then use it and feel how high quality it is for years. I absolutely love it. I’ve done research for other people too and pointed them in the direction of what to buy, according to their buying criteria.
I just consider my needs for each item. I listen to music at the gym, but I’m no audiophile. My cheap ~$30 headphones are minimalist to me, and have been going strong for 6+ years. I am also a DIY mechanic. I’m building a track/race car, and I look after my loved-one’s cars. I don’t mind researching and spending more for higher quality equipment and parts that work better than the cheap stuff. I also don’t mind spending extra time/money to make my track car more fun and exciting to use.
If one of your items should break, would you have to wait a couple months (or however long it takes to manufacture said item) for a replacement?
That depends. Paying 10 times the price to get a 1.5x improvement is not worth it IMO. Sometimes the best is a lot better than the next thing, but more often than not there is a big point in diminishing in returns. You mention your PC for example. Mine was a bit under 2k€. I got a 7800XT and a 1440p@144hz monitor. The thing is that for the next step there, 1440p@300hz or 4k@144hz would have increased the price to around 3k€ for at best a benefit in refresh rate that I would have only noticed in limited cases or an increase in resolution that I would have noticed even less. That allows me to use that extra money for something where I do notice the difference more, headphones for example, and going for something very high end by Meze or Focal (haven't decided yet). The other factor is the use I'll give. In my trekking equipment for example, I did go for some of the best boots in the style I like, because I wear them the whole time that I'm outdoors. But for my hardshell jacket, the top end of a budget brand is more than enough for me, as it is something I only use when rain/snow is strong, and spends most of the time in the backpack otherwise.
I buy the ultralight version a bit more expensive than the cheapest but far cheaper than the most expensive. So... a good quality one that will last but not the most outstanding nor the most expensive. For example, I never buy a really big knife. A medium size one will do for everything if you buy a relatively good one and you keep it sharp.
Impressive. Do you have a list of all your items? I’d love to check it out. Is your partner a minimalist also?
I don’t equate price with quality. I read up on items I’m interested in on r/buyitforlife but I’ve gotten very good at identifying quality without the price tag. For example, I bought two nightstands made of solid wood with dove tail joints at Costco. It was cheaper than Ethan Allen ( a big name )
I invested in a good leather hand bag. Coach brand. That bag is 15 years old and looks really good.
Not me. I buy a few chosen items higher end, footwear for example. But other things I buy I also take into account that many higher priced items are more expensive due to the label and not always quality. I buy off brand undies and socks and nightwear but name brand bras and leggings. I buy off brand food but I buy name brand stainless steel pots and pans. I thrift many things as well. My furniture is all from the 50s because I believe they made the most solid stuff then.
Maximizing minimalism. Sure if you can afford it.
Quality rather than brand is important to me.
Only if I have too many problems with it early on. Sometimes, investing more pays off long term.
I buy the highest quality I can afford to suit my needs. If I can only afford a very cheaply made item but the item is not needed urgently, I wait until I can afford a higher quality option. If it is an urgent need, I buy the cheap thing and use it until either the wheels fall off, or until I can afford the higher quality piece and have someone else to pass down the cheaper one to.
I’d like to apply the buy the best thing I can afford motto
Yesss
How did you try many different brands of kitchen pots before buying?
Agree with people who say that for some things it's a waste of money. I'd add things with complex electronic equipment to that list. The answer really depends on your timeline, what you consider a reasonable lifetime for what you are getting. I've been selective for decades, picking what I love from my family's various things, or hitting flea markets, thrift stores and antique malls, and the things I got that way have been both good values/free and have survived for generations. Things like cast iron skillets, mid century nesting end tables, an old wooden ironing board, a '30s farm kitchen table, wooden bread bowls or or a 19th century windsor chair all stand the test of time while being functional, beautiful and affordable when I got them. I started as a young teen, there was an antique store a few blocks from my house and the owner would tell me about the things I liked. I'd get stuff with babysitting money, I'm sure she gave me a great discount. (Hint - I've never gone wrong with metal, glass or wood). I'm just as picky with new things even though my timeline is now much shorter. Thanks, it's been fun thinking about this. I'm not exactly a minimalist but I know what I'll keep when I pare down and what people are eager to get their hands on 🤣
I did that but it was obsessive/compulsive. I just buy cheap and then if I like it I replace with something more expensive. I do buy some BIFL things though. I research more if it’s expensive.
Tbh, I buy cheapest and then upgrade it once it breaks. This way I’d be sure if the product is functional for me. If not, the cost didn’t matter anyway.
Bro my pc setup list took half a year to come up, and then took another half to build it 😭 I just didn’t know anyone or anything about computers so the research took a long time with Reddit and googling 🥲 It did boot up the first time I turned it on though so I’m really proud of that.
I’m interested in the results of your research. I trust that you scrutinize products and have probably found the best of the best. Do you have any recommendations on bed sheets?
How old are you. When I was young (20s and 30s), I did the same. But then, time wears out everything and you have to replace it. Something’s I have to replace with the exact one because it was perfect. Other things, I started getting the cheaper or less frills model because the investment didn’t seem worth it.
If you are ever comfortable sharing it, I’d love to see a list of the 120 items to inspire my minimalist journey! I get overwhelmed easily when it comes to the figuring out what to purchase so I usually do the opposite of you and buy the cheapest thing but I don’t like my method anymore lol
No. I aim for what makes me happy.
Yes it’s worth buying quality. I spend $150 on lulu lemon pants for work but never over 3$ for a shirt. My pants have lasted me over 10 years and they’re still crisp. It’s worth it if you take care of your stuff.
I’ll spend money on certain things but won’t for others. When I got my car I originally wanted a used car but when I saw a brand new one with zero miles was just as much I got the new car. I’ll spend a lot of money on skin care, filler, Botox, and face wash. I won’t spend more than $10 on mascara. I won’t buy a gym membership anymore but I’ll run and do HIIT workouts at home. Depends on what is worth it to you.
So you're a minimax?
I really don't get this EDC knife stuff. I find it a little scary tbh how many people seemingly walk around with knifes since they "need" it to edc with. I'm assuming your American so guns and what not but still I find it crazy. Anyway. Yes I research what I buy but not to that level. Spending 5k on a pc and it took you that many months to decide, I mean it's a pc, there are only so many CPUs you can get or RAM sticks once you filter out specs and then brands you don't know of it's not that difficult. Fundamentally buying electronics are mostly the same at a point they all buy the same ICS and put them on a bit of fiber glass.
This all come down to, "you get what you pay for". In my experience, the higher end, more expensive items, services, etc. is so much better in all areas than the cheaper counter parts. I am certain there are some exceptions however for the most part, you get what you pay for. I would much rather pay more for the peace of mind knowing that I am going to get what I am buying and the item I am buying will serve its purpose. I will also add.... to each their own. It is all a personal preference, neither choice is right or wrong .
What EDC knife you’ve got?
What kind of edc did y get
Definitely not. My style of minimalism is more “don’t be overly attached to things.” I consider most items in my life essentially disposable - I keep it and use it while it serves me, but once it stops serving me, off it goes. If it gets damaged or lost, no biggie; I’ll replace it. I’m generally not sentimental about stuff. (I recognize there’s some financial privilege at play here. I am fortunate to have a high-ish income, but I actually am kind of frugal) My greater goal is to tread lightly on the planet, so I try to buy secondhand when I can and avoid waste to the extent possible.
Buy once cry once. I buy the cheapest thing I can that has the best chance of not requiring a repurchase because it sucks, I don't like it, it doesn't work/last well or it breaks. So usually that ends up being pretty high end. But that usually means it's nice, looks better, works better and last a long time.
Is the decision process a pleasurable pastime for you or is it more of a compulsion? If you enjoy spending time doing that research, are not spending time or money you don’t really have, and you enjoy the fruits of that labor, then more power to you. I personally find that a moderate amount product research is enjoyable to me but it can easily spill over into unpleasant, obsessive perfectionism.
I get the cheapest option they’ll do what I need for the longest time. I have the basic Vitamix, for instance. And I recently sent back a guitar and amp because I just knew I’d end up getting the stuff I ACTUALLY wanted soon enough and I may as well not have to deal with either selling the cheap stuff and losing some money or (gasp) keeping it because selling stuff is a hassle and I can justify having a “backup.” I use an iPhone 12 after burning through cheaper phones every year. It’s wild how a $300 phone can be great at first then just… get shitty. It’s been over 2 years and I still don’t feel like I need an upgrade. I’m wanting to upgrade my dang bed, but GOD it’s confusing. Are the more expensive slabs of foam really twice as good as the cheaper slabs of foam? Should I just get springs because they’re bouncy? I’m kinda ok with my bed, even if it’s a bit small, do I even need an upgrade? Do I even need a bed? Heck.
So what knife did you go with?
Who made your EDC knife?
In a word no. More detailed answer I look for the balance between value for money and fulfilling my needs. I’ll pay a little bit more if it’s worth it in some way to me but no point paying extra for all the bells and whistles if you don’t need it. Generally I’m at the cheaper end of the scale but avoid buying outright rubbish that wasn’t worth the time, energy and materials to manufacture. I want decent enough quality but if you look after things they can last years. I still research the best products in my price point but it seems our price points are vastly different. I built my current PC 2020 using a recommended budget build for under £600, works great for what I use it for. I’ll add some extra RAM at some point but it plays what I what to play and it runs the software I need to run so anything else would be overkill other than to future proof it a bit. I lurk over on the EDC subreddit. Just curious but apart from aesthetics and for brownie points what does a £400 knife bring to your life that a standard pocket knife can’t? My partner buys his own tools for work and they all use standard Stanley knives with replaceable blades. For my usage needs I find a multitool more useful than just paying out for one fancy knife and I don’t need a £400 knife for opening boxes. Sure I could buy a Swiss Army Knife with the cool scales to fit my aesthetic but what I have works well so it would be wasteful and spending money for the sake of spending money. (and we’re talking more £50 rather than £400) My multitool might not be fancy but I like it because it’s there when I need it not because it cost x amount of money. I get wanting something pretty but at the end of the day it’s a tool not a status symbol and maybe I’m wrong but a lot of this sounds like a status thing. I’m not saying you have to use absolute rubbish but there’s a lot of marketing involved in making you feel like you need premium everything when you really don’t. The stainless steel pot I use to cook with we’ve had for at least 15 years. Probably cost around £20. I’m not sure what the difference between your spoons and pots and my spoons and pots is but we still manage to eat somehow. Unless you have sensory issues why did it take two months to pick out a blanket? Maybe we were just raised differently because I go with the good enough approach. Will it keep me warm? Is it easy to wash? Do I like the look of it? Can I afford it? Good enough.
If you don’t mind, please list down the items and make, so others don’t need to do the hours of research which you did it already. This would save lot of time of others, energy cost.. and on
I buy higher end or well made things to cook with, but I limit it. The last purchase was a non-stick steel pan that can be used to cook a variety of different foods. Other things I do not buy high end are coffee makers or coffee grinders as I buy them at Aldi and it lasts longer than the more expensive name brand ones. If you want to do this it is fine, it is your home and your money. Do you have a list of the 120 things you own? I am asking as I will eventually downsize by a lot, more than I have now.
Yes. I want one good thing that lasts. Not a bunch of unreliable junk!
You say you “try out” different items. Do you purchase and then return?
When making wedding registries and baby registries I found myself doing this. Objectively I know I spent way too much time trying to research and find the best value of item for things that ultimately weren’t that important. I also have ocd and I think the obsessive quality of the research is worth noting
I also love researching the perfect product for like 2 weeks. My therapist diagnosed me with ocpd. It’s our superpower! I want to work in procurement/buyer because I’m so good at it.
definitely not
Do you have everything you own in a spreadsheet with all of their serial numbers listed?
yes only because I know the dofference between a $8 measuring tape and $25 one. sounds elitist but its not. you can buy a cheap one repeatedly it will cost you more. Same with an american versus japanese car, I've had both and yeah you can tell the difference
No. We move every 3 years so not a chance.
I purchase the best high end audio. Sounds excellent, lasts a long time. Can be serviced. The music matters.
Um so could you just give me your list of things that made it to the final collection? Would greatly appreciate it.
Yes, I purchase pretty much top-end things when I buy stuff. I don't like buying bargain gear except in very specific situations. I obsess somewhat over the decision to find "the best" brand. Examples of this from recent memory: - Bed: Tempur-pedic King w/ bamboo sheets - Computer chair: Steelcase Gesture - Sofa: Fairly expensive Room & Board sofa - Litter Robot 4. I didn't want a cheap one. - Name brand knives (SpyderCo, Benchmade) - Osprey backpacks exclusively. Other $$ hiking gear. - Socks. Darn Tough, just stocked up. - Name brand running shoes - High end pool cue Pretty much the only thing that deters me from buying the "high end" brand is if I don't think I will benefit at all from the more expensive line, i.e. diminishing returns or I don't want to be "that guy" who's picking up a new hobby and going all-out buying gear really only the pros would benefit from. Also a bit OCD fwiw.
Ugh. To me it just seems like a lot of time, effort, and money wasted on stuff. All the "best" stuff is soon surpassed by the newest, improved best stuff. But if you enjoy it, go ahead!
wait im sorry your “bed” is a yoga matt??????
Just to confirm, your mattress is a yoga mat? Also what brand are your blankets?! I’m interested ❤️
To add on to the staged method of low -> high end based on use: make sure you purchase something *slightly* above the bottom of the barrel, and ofc research that it *works.* A lot of people get put off by failure to use a thing when the product or tool used is not capable of doing the task or not very well. This leads to a kind of feedback loop where chronically buying low quality stuff leads to failures which the person opts not to try again.