5 Ways Minimalism Costs You More

If you have ever wanted to live a simpler lifestyle you may have considered becoming a minimalist. Minimalism embraces the idea of “less is more,” focusing on decluttering everything from your apartment to your mind. A quick internet search churns up thousands of sites dedicated to how minimalism can save you money , offering people struggling with money challenges or even just wanting to get ahead the idea that maybe by adopting a minimalist lifestyle they can break free of whatever is stopping them from achieving financial freedom.

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And while the idea of minimalism may sound like the perfect solution for those hoping to save more and spend less, it can actually be quite costly. Becoming a minimalist, in fact, can be somewhat expensive, particularly if you follow the advice of many self-proclaimed decluttering gurus who hope to not only sell you on the idea but also on their ready-to-ship organizing bins. Here are five ways that minimalism may cost you more than you think.

And here are 25 creative ways that can help you save money instead of practicing minimalism.

Money mistakes the super wealthy never make - that you might be doing now.

Decluttering Isn’t Always Cheap

Almost every minimalist will tell you they started on their journey to a “less is more” lifestyle by decluttering their homes. The idea is to get rid of stuff that you don’t need. It seems like a solid principle, but when put into practice it can become surprisingly costly.

If you are a natural DIYer and decide to declutter you may head to a big box store or have organizing bins shipped to your home. Getting your house tidy requires work and the right equipment — all of which cost money. It is even more expensive to hire someone to do it for you. Before you decide to revamp every room in your home, make sure you know how much you will be spending to make it Instagram worthy.

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You Might Have To Rebuy

Another problem with minimalism is that it encourages you to get rid of as much as possible. If you aren’t using the thing right now, why store it? Unfortunately, this may mean that you end up tossing something that you need down the road. The cost to rebuy the item may have gone up significantly or, even if it is the same price, it is still an added expense.

Unless you are careful, you could wind up rebuying all sorts of things that you previously owned. So, while getting rid of stuff that you will never use is a wise idea, clearing out your cabinets of useful items may cost you in the long run.

You’ll Pay More for Less

Minimalism is often presented through pictures of a pristine house with high-end furnishings and pricey products. Afterall, in order to buy less you will need things that last. These higher-quality items often cost significantly more than their less-worthy counterparts. For someone without a lot of disposable income, costly things may be out of the question.

Embracing Experiences Can Be Pricey

Living like a minimalist is more than just getting rid of the things in your closet, it is also about embracing experiences. Minimalism, for some people, means not buying materialistic items and instead getting out into the world. Unfortunately, these adventures may break the bank. Many people simply can’t afford to embrace experiences because they are too pricey.

DIY Isn’t Always Cost Effective

A final hidden cost of minimalism is the potential price of DIY. Perhaps, for you minimalism is about making things from scratch instead of buying a premade item. Unless you are truly adept at saving money on materials, then DIYing may end up being more expensive than the fabricated product itself.

Anything from making a new recipe that calls for an infrequently used ingredient to trying to hand make your little sister’s baby blanket can be much less cost effective when you don’t know what you are doing. Make sure to factor in all of the costs associated with the project, including materials and your time. While convenience isn’t everything, it can prevent a lot of headaches and stress when used in the right way.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com : 5 Ways Minimalism Costs You More