There are many reasons that you might want to learn how to live with less. From saving money to improving your lifestyle, living with less comes with many benefits.
Looking to get started on your living with less journey? These tips are applicable to anyone and are easy to implement into your day-to-day life. With a little practice, you’ll soon be living a much simpler and stress-free lifestyle!
1. Declutter Your Living Space
Decluttering your living space is a simple, cost-effective way to live with less. Get rid of things you don’t need or use anymore for a fresher, lesser space. You’ll also save money by having fewer things in your home: you won’t lose stuff as often and you won’t spend money on storage containers.
Feeling overwhelmed by clutter? Join the 30 Bags in 30 Days Declutter Challenge and take the first step toward a more organized home! This free printable makes it easy to stay on track with one simple goal each day—no stress, just steady progress. Download it now and start clearing space for what truly matters.
2. Limit Impulse Buying
Limiting your impulse buying can prevent you from purchasing things you don’t need and won’t use. Don’t buy stuff you don’t need. Don’t go shopping for fun or as a stress-relief; choose something else productive or calming to do instead. Buy only what you need to reduce waste and naturally live with less.
3. Practice Minimalism
Minimalism is the practice of only owning things that hold value to you. Following this practice is a therapeutic way to live with less.
4. Downsize Your Home
When downsizing your home, you’ll learn to do away with items you don’t need or want any longer.
5. Avoid Unnecessary Gadgets
Unnecessary gadgets can be fun, but oftentimes they just end up unused, taking up space.
Not all kitchen gadgets are essential, and many can be eliminated or replaced. Sometimes, a good knife set can replace several different gadgets.
Limit tech accessories, like phone cases or gadgets, to ones that you actually use.
6. Use Less Clothes
Trying to start living with less? Why not go through your clothes and donate or sell anything you don’t wear anymore? Having fewer things in your closet means you’ll actually wear the clothes you have.
7. Limit Entertainment Subscriptions
There are so many subscription services out there these days, and it can be tempting to have them all. But do you really need every single one? Try limiting your entertainment subscriptions to grow comfortable living with less.
8. Use a Smaller Vehicle
Using a smaller vehicle is eco-friendly, cost-effective, and takes up less space! It’s a win-win.
9. Borrow Instead of Buying
Try borrowing items from friends, family, or neighbors before buying them. You never know who might be willing to lend you what you’re looking for!
10. Cut Down Takeout
Fast food might be convenient, but it often comes with more negative effects than positive ones. Cutting down on fast food can help you to minimize unnecessary eating habits and choose something that’s more nourishing. Cooking at home can help anyone begin to lead a simpler, more stress-free lifestyle.
11. Reduce Screen Time
Spending too much time on screens is a source of nonstop, often mindless entertainment. Give your brain time to itself by reducing screen time. Cut back on your overall social media usage and prepare to feel less brain fog and stress throughout the day. You’ll also be less influenced to always be buying the next new thing.
12. Limit Credit Card Usage
Credit cards can make it all easy to shop till you drop! Ignore this urge by limiting your credit card usage. It’s good for you financially, too.
13. Avoid Single-Use Products
Single-use products are cheap items you buy that can only be used once. Instead, buy products that you can and will reuse a number of times.
14. Cancel Unused Memberships
Cancel any unused memberships and clear up clutter in your everyday life.
15. Simplify Your Daily Routine
Simplifying your daily routine is essential when you’re learning to live with less. A simpler routine prioritizes what’s important and can eliminate anything that’s unnecessary.
16. Sell or Donate Unused Items
Still have unused items lying around the house? Why not sell or donate them to make some money and clear up space?
17. Use Public Transportation
Using public transportation is a great way to start driving your own personal vehicle less often. And it’ll help you adjust to a simpler, slower lifestyle.
18. Repair Instead of Replacing
Try repairing household items that break before just going out and buying a new one!
19. Share Resources with Neighbors
Sharing resources with your neighbors doesn’t just grow your neighborly bond. It can also help you and your community live with less by sharing common resources.
20. Reduce Water Usage
Cut down on household water usage by taking shorter showers and never leaving the water running!
21. Cut Down on Processed Foods
Processed foods can be quick and easy, but they don’t have great nutritional value. Oftentimes, you need to eat more than you’re supposed to in order to get adequate nutrients. Make the switch to more wholesome foods when you can.
22. Practice Energy Conservation
Practice energy conversion at home and while out by always unplugging and shutting things off when not in use. Not being constantly “plugged in” is a great way for you to live with less.
23. Buy Second-Hand Items
You don’t always need the nicest and newest things to live a rich, satisfying life. Try to buy second-hand whenever you can and be okay with less.
24. Consolidate Errands
Do all your errands in one handy trip instead of spreading them out throughout the week!
25. Reduce Paper Usage
Reduce your paper usage whenever you can, in the home and at work. There are many ways to do this, such as printing on both sides of the paper instead of one.
26. Limit Online Shopping
Online shopping makes it all too easy to live with excess, so limit yourself when trying to live with less.
27. Make Homemade Gifts
Homemade gifts are more personal than store-bought ones. Plus, they help you make more out of less.
28. Reduce Food Waste
Reduce food waste by limiting your portion sizes and always eating leftovers! This can help you not need to buy new food as often.
29. Buy Used Furniture
Trying to live with less? Make a habit of buying used instead of new, especially with high-expense items like furniture.
30. Use a Reusable Water Bottle
Constantly buying bottled water can get expensive and take up a lot of space, so why not cut down? Using a reusable water bottle is a great way to reduce bottled water waste while staying hydrated.
31. Limit Home Decor Purchases
Decorating is a great way to make a house feel more like a home. However, it’s important to limit your decorations when you’re trying to live with less. Try only choosing decor that feels right and fits the vibe of your home.
32. Cut Down on Parties
Over-the-top celebrations can be fun, but they use up a lot of excess resources. Avoid these celebrations whenever you can, and save over-the-top events for the really important moments.
Planning a birthday party or anniversary? Cut down on excess party supplies that will just be thrown away when the big day is over. Do you constantly buy new decorations every time you throw a celebration? Why not store and reuse decorations for future get-togethers? Limit party favors when throwing a get-together, and focus on making the actual party more memorable.
33. Buy Multipurpose Items
Multipurpose items are items that serve several needs, such as glass jars or a fold-out sofa. Buying multipurpose items can reduce the overall amount of things you need to purchase.
34. Avoid Trendy Clothing
Trendy clothing might seem appealing, but it often goes quickly out of trend, and you won’t wear it any longer. Instead, invest in wardrobe staples that you will wear for years to come.
35. Eliminate Excess Beauty Products
Are your cabinets still full of beauty products that you don’t use anymore? Donate them and clear up space in your cabinets and your life. It’s okay to use cosmetics to look and feel confident. However, cutting down can actually help you to be happier and healthier, both inside and out.
36. Limit Electronic Devices
Do you really need a phone, tablet, watch, and laptop? Decide what you really need, and sell or donate what you don’t. Pay for a limited phone plan and grow accustomed to a simpler, more freeing lifestyle.
37. Reduce Lawn Maintenance
Many people love having highly maintained lawns, but it’s not always necessary. Sometimes, letting grasses and flowers grow freely is actually more aesthetically pleasing.
38. Share Tools with Neighbors
Need a specific tool for a household project that you don’t already own? Check with friends and neighbors to borrow theirs before buying your own.
39. Buy Fewer Toys for Children
If you have kids, it can be tempting to buy them every toy they see and want. However, quality is often more important than quantity. Buy them toys that they’ll use all the time instead of ones they’ll grow out of!
40. Avoid Excessive Gift-Giving
Gift-giving is kind and generous, but there’s no need to go overboard. Sometimes spending quality time with the people in your life is the best gift, anyway.
41. Reduce Holiday Decorations
Who doesn’t love getting into the holiday season by decorating their home? However, a little can go a long way when it comes to festive decorations.
42. Limit Hobby Spending
It’s good to invest in your hobbies, but try not to spend your whole paycheck on your hobbies. Instead, make use of what you already have before you buy anything new.
43. Reduce Vehicle Maintenance Costs
Reduce constant vehicle maintenance costs by driving responsibly and cutting back on driving whenever you can.
44. Use Cloth Napkins
Replace paper towels with reusable cloth napkins. They’ll last longer and will reduce the number of shopping trips you have to take.
45. Reduce Gardening Expenses
Reduce gardening expenses by composting, storing rainwater, and growing plants in places where they can thrive.
46. Limit Pet Toys
Limit pet toys and let your pet play with household scraps or outdoor materials, like sticks and branches.
47. Avoid Impulse Travel
Impulse travel can be fun, but it’s important to be content and happy at home, too.
48. Limit Outdoor Gear Purchases
If you’re into outdoor recreational activities, you likely know how much space outdoor gear can take up. Try limiting your gear purchases to things that you know when and how you’ll use.
49. Cut Down on Art Supplies
It’s easy to buy and store art supplies that you don’t actually end up using, then forget about them. Make a point to sort through your supplies on a regular basis and donate ones you don’t need. Limit your collection of craft supplies to those that you actually need or use!
50. Stay Away From Baby Gear
It can be tempting to buy one of everything if you’re expecting a baby in the family. However, you’ll quickly learn that you don’t really need all of it. Reduce anything you don’t use and donate or sell it.
51. Use Less Kitchen Appliances
Some kitchen appliances take up unnecessary space and don’t even get used often! Try to declutter your kitchen and sell or donate appliances you no longer need.
52. Limit Disposable Baby Products
Disposable diapers and wipes can be replaced easily with reusable alternatives. Not only are these choices more eco-friendly, they also encourage a more minimalist lifestyle.
53. Don’t Buy Outdoor Furniture
Reduce outdoor furniture that doesn’t really get used, and invest in quality pieces that you’ll use regularly instead.
54. Limit Gardening Tools
Many gardening tools are multipurpose, so try cutting down on what you can. You might not really need one of everything.
55. Avoid Trendy Home Decor
Home decor trends come and go, and oftentimes these pieces grow old or get disposed of. Avoid these decor trends and invest in pieces you’ll use for years to come. For example, candles can definitely enhance a home space with an alluring scent and appearance. However, you don’t need an unlimited amount to choose from! Decide on a few candle scents and rotate between them.
56. Cut Down on Travel Souvenirs
Travel souvenirs can be a fun way to remember a good trip or vacation. However, one souvenir per trip can definitely serve your intended purpose. No need to go crazy with souvenir shopping!
57. Use Reusable Food Containers
Reusable food containers are more practical than disposable bags, and they can help you live with less.
58. Avoid Excess Workout Gear
Working out is important, but that doesn’t mean you need every type of workout gear out there. Try to only purchase workout gear that you’ll actually use in your day-to-day routines.
59. Eliminate Excess Collectibles
If you’re into collectibles, you likely understand how much space they can take up! Limit any excess collectibles that don’t actually hold great value in your life. Who knows, you might discover that you don’t really need them at all.
There are a number of ways that you can adjust your lifestyle and learn to live with less. Some of them may take more work than others, but they are all very achievable.
Why not get started today and begin reaping the benefits of living with less?
