How to create an ecosystem that minimizes waste?
If you have ever experienced lean days, months, or years, you learn how to be resourceful. Effectively making a variety of great meals from one source of protein is a boss skill.
The biggest lesson during lean moments is that you must eliminate what is unnecessary. For some, it’s the realization that a big house is no longer necessary because of the maintenance and high mortgage payments.
It suddenly dawns on you like the first ray of sunshine to simplify everything. A community around you becomes more important than material possessions. A place where there’s peace becomes more important than a place where there’s opulence, chaos, or clutter.
Effective minimization is a trial-and-error journey. You have to pay attention to details. It’s like using a savings account as a checking account, only to realize that you have been using the wrong account after you have paid a hefty price for the mistake.
Human beings sometimes instinctively ignore instructions. Even if there’s knowledge about the uses of different products or services, ignoring information is a common flaw. Some use multiple bank accounts that do the same thing, just to add more admin and bank charges at the end.
Sometimes life goes so fast that it feels like it’s on autopilot. There’s no time to look carefully at what is happening around us. And the things on autopilot are often automated and ignored.
Being on autopilot without a human being can be dangerous if a situation requires immediate attention. As the pilot of your life, you have to be aware of the requirements.
Some of the dangers of being on autopilot:
Subscriptions- Go on quietly in the background as small amounts that get paid monthly or yearly. But over the course of years, it adds up to huge amounts. Multiple streaming services, AI tools, and security management tools have been added over the years. Some are justified for the safety and security of assets. But it can be a steep hill to climb if you have a camera system that charges you a subscription for cloud storage without the option to use your own server.
Bank Fees– Over the years, checking accounts have become expensive and varied. Some features and benefits are hidden or accessible only to those with certain accounts. Some accounts limit international transactions, and the additional fees charged are not worthwhile if the amount being transferred is small.
Takeaways were seen as convenient meals for when there is no time to cook. Nowadays, it’s easier to buy food at unhealthy establishments for convenience. But it becomes a huge problem when it’s part of one’s lifestyle.
Restaurants can be seen as a necessity when you want something different. Sometimes, it’s heartbreaking when the food served doesn’t match the price, especially at some high-end restaurants. If you leave with the feeling that I can replicate the same meal for less money at home, then you have been robbed.
Upgrades- when it’s not broken, “but the newer version is better”, so they say. But the improvements are hardly noticeable. Unless the company does something to improve the quality of your photos, you feel the need to get a new phone that costs more than a decent compact camera. The expensive airline ticket upgrade, so that there’s an empty seat next to you without being in first-class for a one or two-hour flight, might not be worthwhile.
All-in-one services and products– this is a controversial one. Some all-in-one appliances can do everything equally great. Sometimes, dealing with one insurance company for everything can put you at a disadvantage if everything happens at once. Being stuck with a massive amount to pay on your own can hurt you when you need it the most. However, other tech devices scatter your focus in multiple directions to the point that you can’t get anything done. Sometimes bundling everything has its advantages and disadvantages.
There’s a correlation between spatial minimalism and financial minimalism.
When you live in a space that meets your needs, it doesn’t burn a hole in your pockets. Traveling light doesn’t just lessen the load but also minimizes the cost. The financial cost becomes minimal or affordable. Moving from one place to another is less expensive when you have less stuff and fewer fixed obligations.
How to lessen the burden and the benefits of having less or more?
| How to lessen the financial burden? | The benefits of less or more. |
| Subscriptions: Evaluate what you need; get one or two streaming services. Cancel subscription and pay only when you want to watch something specific. | Consider using free streaming services like YouTube and Rumble. Some of the content shown on paid streaming services is not family-friendly. |
| Bank Fees: Review your financial needs and consolidate accounts to get one account that lets you open other online accounts. Unless you are leveraging savings and investment opportunities by diversifying. | Only open multiple accounts when you are earning more money by accessing different financial services to earn higher interest rates through numerous financial institutions. |
| Takeaways: Make better choices and save money by making it yourself. You can still enjoy a homemade burger and chips without paying too much. | Eating healthy helps with longevity. The financial benefits will be huge when the money saved is invested. One of the best ways to avoid sickness is to eat healthily. |
| Restaurants– not all restaurants are created equal. Cutting out on restaurants saves you money. Avoid spending thousands for something that can be prepared for less at home, especially for a large group or family. | Avoid the 10% or 20% mandatory tips for bad service and food. Be selective when you choose to go out to a restaurant. It’s much more enjoyable when it’s an experience than the norm. Consider an affordable buffet for a large group or family instead of an expensive option. |
| Upgrades- only buy something new when the function is compromised. Use your phone until it’s broken or when software upgrades are no longer available. | Effective gadgets can save you time by being faster. Security upgrades are important for gadgets, especially when you have financial apps or sensitive information. |
| All-in-one services and products– the 3-1 toaster, which makes waffles and different sandwiches is great. Review different insurance companies for specific insurance needs. | Save space by not having a separate machine for waffles and sandwiches. Save money by using different insurers for different needs. A cell phone can function as a multipurpose device for some. |
However, a big mansion is not a bad thing for a multi-generational family of ten. Consolidating and sharing expenses helps a big family. Lessening the financial burden should not be about rigid rules, but about how each person can find ways to save. In some instances, all-in-one devices can also diminish your focus. Some writers might need dedicated devices with fewer distractions, like Supernote or reMarkable.
Traveling with less can be beneficial when situations of adversity or risk are prevalent. Just like apostle Paul and the 276 people were spared by God during the shipwreck by lessening the load (Acts 27).
“The rest were to get there on planks or on other pieces of the ship. In this way everyone reached land safely.” Acts 27:44
Sometimes one needs to know how to listen to God to avoid carrying the load so that life can be restful. Jonah ran from his mission to warn Nineveh, but God sent a strong wind.
‘Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him, “Why hast thou done this?” For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them.’ Jonah 1:10
Sometimes, the hurdle of waste is not about stuff, but about being misaligned with the mission one has in this lifetime.
Disclaimer: Upper Ground is not liable for any financial decisions you make. Consult a certified financial professional for financial services.
