Comments on: My Minimalism Manifesto http://www.jamesaltucher.com/2011/12/my-minimalism-manifesto/ Ideas for a World Out of Balance Tue, 17 Feb 2015 09:06:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=4.2.3 By: Brian Giles http://www.jamesaltucher.com/2011/12/my-minimalism-manifesto/#comment-30389 Fri, 17 Feb 2012 08:20:00 +0000 http://www.jamesaltucher.com/?p=4338#comment-30389 Very inspiring post. I have been trying to filter items out of my life since 2007. It seems to always be a daunting task (it’s like their is some little attachment demon in my head clinging to stuff. MAYBE ONE DAY I’LL NEED IT). One technique that seems to help me out is the ‘One Year Technique,’ that is if I’m not going to use an item within one years time, then I throw it out. What are some other mental techniques, or questions you ask yourself when deciding weather to throw or keep?
P.S. Here’s a nice product review for a keyboard case solution for the ipad. 
http://nerdgap.com/nerds-eye-view-zaggfolio-for-ipad/  

]]> By: Justin Holman http://www.jamesaltucher.com/2011/12/my-minimalism-manifesto/#comment-30369 Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:40:00 +0000 http://www.jamesaltucher.com/?p=4338#comment-30369 I’m working on my own version of this by “going virtual” (I hope to never again work at a regular office every day!) and relocating to a less expensive city with better weather.  Here’s my blog post on the topic: http://justinholman.com/2012/02/01/why-pueblo/

This a new blog and as a novice I welcome any feedback!  

]]> By: Haley http://www.jamesaltucher.com/2011/12/my-minimalism-manifesto/#comment-29029 Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:45:00 +0000 http://www.jamesaltucher.com/?p=4338#comment-29029 I love this, so inspiring! Hell, I’m doing the same, starting tonight!

]]> By: USBBH http://www.jamesaltucher.com/2011/12/my-minimalism-manifesto/#comment-28891 Wed, 18 Jan 2012 11:01:00 +0000 http://www.jamesaltucher.com/?p=4338#comment-28891 Hey MM, 

It’s great to learn about your decision. Good luck! :-)

Btw, I kind of like the idea of staying in an extended hotel and owning nothing. That way you can easily move from one country/city to another. One month in Bahama, another in the States, then off to Indonesia, etc. Can you imagine all the things you would experience, all the people you would meet, and all the things you would learn? 

That’s something I’m aiming for myself. In fact, I’d love nothing more than to never have to work again in my life. I’d like to quit this trading business (maybe keep a few investments for cash-flow purposes), and just move around. Kind of learn to socialize (I’m a lot like James when it comes to social life) and practice meditation. 

Being a 26-year-old, I’m not that financially insured yet (to survive for the next 40-50 years), but I guess that’s alright. 

All the best!

]]> By: Elias http://www.jamesaltucher.com/2011/12/my-minimalism-manifesto/#comment-28097 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 19:18:00 +0000 http://www.jamesaltucher.com/?p=4338#comment-28097 Great post, James.
Three years ago I moved to the US with two suitcases. Nothing more. It has been the most liberating experience, although I have to fight with my hoarder-tendency wife.
I currently live on a third of what I used to make (ok middle class salary for a mid 20s guy) and enjoy my freedom and time so much more than buying stuff.

This is the way we can resourcefully sustain living on this planet once we hit 8 billion people. Reduce to the essential.

Keep up the inspiring posts. Thank you.

]]> By: Lawrence http://www.jamesaltucher.com/2011/12/my-minimalism-manifesto/#comment-28096 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 19:00:00 +0000 http://www.jamesaltucher.com/?p=4338#comment-28096 A few years ago I found a pair of Adidas shoes that I like. I couldn’t find them here in South Africa and so I bought a pair on ebay. They are the only shoes I have and my $12 slops (sandals). And the Adidas that I like are released in new colours every season so I just buy a new pair every year. They’re the only shoes I want or will own ever again.

I’m also planning on reducing my clothes to a 2 pairs of jeans, 2 pairs of long pants, 2 pairs of shorts, 5 t-shirts and 5 button shirts. I have no interest in brands anymore.

I agree totally with the iPad. I too am waiting for an iPad that is like a laptop, then I never need buy a book again and I can get rid of the shelves and bookcases too!

Thanks James

]]> By: Waiwai http://www.jamesaltucher.com/2011/12/my-minimalism-manifesto/#comment-27981 Tue, 03 Jan 2012 04:16:00 +0000 http://www.jamesaltucher.com/?p=4338#comment-27981  James… what about the cost of health care? Doesn’t that scare you? If don’t work for some corporate giant or for the government, you will end up paying a lot for health care. I remember reading somewhere that health care cost is the #1 cause of bankruptcy for middle class folks… and when I read this, we still had a thriving middle class in this country

]]> By: MM http://www.jamesaltucher.com/2011/12/my-minimalism-manifesto/#comment-27942 Mon, 02 Jan 2012 17:38:00 +0000 http://www.jamesaltucher.com/?p=4338#comment-27942 Great article. I’m 42 years old, live in a 3000 sq. ft house on a golf course and was getting ready to finish the 1600 sq. ft full walk-out basement and instead, I’m selling the house and the 40k worth of furniture and moving into a tiny little ranch house that I’m going to rent. I’m just taking a few clothes, my computer and cats. If I didn’t have my cats, I’d move into an extended stay hotel and own nothing.

Nice to see others making similar changes.

]]> By: Jlcollinsnh http://www.jamesaltucher.com/2011/12/my-minimalism-manifesto/#comment-27917 Mon, 02 Jan 2012 13:37:00 +0000 http://www.jamesaltucher.com/?p=4338#comment-27917 what a wonderful lightness of being Edie.  Glad I got to be the 1st to hit the “like” tab!

]]> By: Edie Spencer http://www.jamesaltucher.com/2011/12/my-minimalism-manifesto/#comment-27906 Mon, 02 Jan 2012 07:07:00 +0000 http://www.jamesaltucher.com/?p=4338#comment-27906 Hey James! Happy New Year to you and yours!

This past 18 months  I got rid of a lot of attitudes and bullshit thinking. I stopped thinking about  “Well, isn’t an African American female scientist  supposed to do this and be this” and dug into into what I cared about and what I could do. I reinvented myself as a filmmaker, using my scientific processes and knowledge to construct a small documentary and a art show (happening in May in the PDX, baby!).

I have my filmmaking equipment ( and even that I really don’t need; this stuff can be rented out for less than buying) and my photography equipment (( the same) but honestly, every thing is stripped down, only owning what I truly need and truly desire.

Would I like more clothes? Not really; I buy a few key items and underwear each year and reuse the rest, and I am always told I look chic. Would I like to spend money to relax my hair or get extensions? What, and give up my Afro? Would I like to spend my on cosmetics? Why, when Olive Oil and Coconut oil can pretty much do every thing needed on the human body ( That is literally what you will find n my bathroom, along with perfume and soap And I have no wrinkles or cracks, except for the one I sit on). 

Would I like a house? Sure, if it means I get to own it forever; housing prices have plummeted and interest rate are down blah blah blah. But it is not a priority right now- maybe when I adopt my children, but not now.

So, I would say- get rid of attitudes, then unnecessary crap, and the rest will follow.

]]>