2025 is seeing a return to form. People are realizing all the “stuff” they thought they needed aren’t making them happy. And if you’re not there yet, let this list of six ways to live simply and save money convince you that some of the best things in life can’t be bought.
People, Not Things
You might already be adopting a people-first approach to life. But if you aren’t, this is the year to start. Focusing on people and experiences over material things is the goal of living simply. And fortunately, it also means you’ll be saving money. You and your friend don’t have to have a fancy dinner every week. Instead, invite them over for tea and a snack and just talk person-to-person. You’ll be glad you did.
Be a Mindful Spender
Are you the kind of person to spend first and ask questions later? If so, you probably have way too many things lying around that you don’t need. This is the year to put an end to it; practice mindful spending by taking a few deep breaths and asking yourself hard-hitting questions before you buy something on impulse.
Cut Where You Can (Without Lowering Your Quality of Life)
There are many approaches to saving money. Unfortunately, the idea of going full “scorched earth” and cutting everything out is gaining popularity. It doesn’t have to be that black and white; there are many things you can do, like remembering to switch off the lights or investing in a programmable thermostat, that can save you significantly without you needing to compromise on your current life situation.
Limit Digital Distractions
Have you noticed that social media feels like a string of ads lately? That’s no accident — that’s the algorithm taking precious time out of your day to sell you a solution to a problem you don’t have. Funnily enough, limiting your screen time will likely help you do everything on this list: you’ll be more in the moment, more mindful of your spending, and automatically stop spending on things you don’t need. So do yourself a favor and unplug now and then to save money!
Simplify Your Wardrobe
Most of us have closets stuffed to the gills with clothes that we’ll wear “eventually” or are meant for “special occasions.” But we realistically only wear about 20% of what we own — a staggering number when you consider how much money and effort we spend on finding the right clothes. Make things simpler and opt for a handful of versatile pieces and maybe one or two statement pieces. Investing in the basics can help you find your personal style and keep you from feeling like you need anything new just to make an outfit work.
Cook More at Home
Eating at restaurants or ordering carryout is a nice way to spend time with friends or celebrate a special occasion. Unfortunately, both have become substitutes for grocery shopping, meaning we’re spending an astronomical amount on food you could likely make at home for cents on the dollar. If you aren’t confident in your cooking ability, start with a few easy recipes and see just how much money you save when you make an entire lasagna for a quarter of what you’d pay for one slice.
