10 Ways to Cultivate Financial Simplicity
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I’ll be the first to admit that simplicity isn’t always simple. When it comes to finances, it can often feel downright complicated—especially when juggling the realities of modern life. Let’s face it: sometimes, it’s easier (and faster) to call a repair person than to spend hours watching YouTube videos to figure out how to fix something yourself. Spending money can save time, and when you’re time-poor, that trade-off feels worth it.
But financial simplicity isn’t about depriving yourself or taking on every DIY task to save a buck. For me, it’s about stepping off autopilot, making intentional choices, and aligning my spending with the life I want to build—both now and in the long term. It's about cultivating a sense of purpose and control in a world that often pushes us toward mindless consumption.
Here are ten ways I’ve found to cultivate financial simplicity and live more intentionally.
1. Start with Your Values
Before you make any financial changes, get clear on what matters most to you. For me, the Wheel of the Year offers a natural framework for reflection. Each season invites me to consider what I want to nurture, let go of, or bring into balance. Aligning my financial choices with these cycles—like saving during times of abundance or cutting back when I feel overstretched—helps me stay grounded.
2. Embrace Mindful Spending
Mindful spending means pausing to ask, Do I really need this? or Does this align with my values? It’s not about never buying something—it’s about making purchases that truly add value to my life. Whether it’s a handmade item that supports a small business or an investment in a tool I’ll use for years, I aim to spend in a way that feels intentional.
3. Simplify Your Subscriptions
One of the easiest ways to simplify your finances is to audit your recurring expenses. I recently canceled a few streaming services I rarely use and redirected that money toward something I value more—a local CSA (community-supported agriculture) share that brings fresh, seasonal produce into my home.
4. Learn a Few DIY Skills
I’m not saying you have to tackle every home repair or sew your own clothes, but learning a few basic skills can save money and foster independence. I’ve learned to mend small tears in my clothes and even patch a flat bike tire—both of which saved me time and money.
5. Prioritize Quality Over Quantity
This principle has been life-changing for me. I’d rather own fewer, well-made items that last than fill my home with cheap products that need constant replacing. Whether it’s a sturdy winter coat or a high-quality cast-iron skillet, choosing quality helps simplify my finances in the long run.
6. Create a Seasonal Budget
Just as the Wheel of the Year cycles through different seasons, our financial needs can shift throughout the year. I’ve started creating seasonal budgets to reflect those changes. For example, I save more during the quieter winter months so I can spend freely on travel or outdoor activities in the summer.
7. Focus on Gratitude and Contentment
One of the simplest ways to cultivate financial simplicity is to appreciate what you already have. I often spend a few minutes each day journaling about things I’m grateful for—my cozy home, my favorite mug, or the time I spent in nature. Gratitude shifts my focus from what I want to what I have.
8. Practice Low-Spend Months
Every now and then, I’ll commit to a low-spend month. During this time, I focus on using what I already have—whether that’s food in the pantry, books on my shelf, or craft supplies I’ve been meaning to dig into. It’s a reset that reminds me how much abundance I already have in my life.
9. Tend to Your Space
Financial simplicity isn’t just about dollars and cents—it’s about creating a life that feels intentional and aligned. I find that when my space is clutter-free and organized, I make better financial choices. Regularly tending to my home—decluttering, cleaning, and repairing—brings a sense of calm that ripples into other areas of my life.
10. Invest in Joyful, Free Activities
Not everything that brings joy requires spending money. I love activities that align with the rhythms of nature—like walking through the woods during autumn, gardening in spring, or stargazing on a summer night. These moments of connection and joy are priceless.
Recommended Books on Simple and Intentional Living
If you’re looking to dive deeper into financial simplicity and intentional living, here are some books that have inspired me:
Cultivating Simplicity as an Ongoing Practice
As I reflect on the Wheel of the Year and its seasonal lessons, I’m reminded that simplicity isn’t a one-time goal—it’s an ongoing practice. Some seasons of life will naturally feel busier or more complex, and that’s okay. Financial simplicity isn’t about perfection. It’s about making thoughtful choices that support the life you want to live.
What steps can you take today to cultivate financial simplicity? Maybe it’s canceling a subscription, mending a favorite shirt, or simply pausing before your next purchase to ask, Does this align with the life I want to create?
One small step at a time, we can move closer to a life that feels rich in all the ways that matter most.
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10 Ways to Simplify in a Fast World
This post may include affiliate links and I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. Mabon House only features products that I believe in and use myself or that I believe my readers would enjoy. Thank you!
Living simply in a fast-paced world often feels like swimming upstream. We’re surrounded by endless to-do lists, the constant pull of consumerism, and the pressure to be everything to everyone. For me, simplifying isn’t about slowing down to the point of stagnation—it’s about moving off autopilot, tuning into the rhythms of life, and creating space for what truly matters.
Even when I am in a busy season, I actively look for ways to simplify my life. Some days this works, other days I feel overwhelmed and exhausted. When that happens, I remind myself that it is just one day, not every day. And I think about ways I can make tomorrow better.
1. Align Your Life with the Seasons
One of the reasons I love the Wheel of the Year offers a framework for simplifying your life by tuning into nature’s cycles. In spring, I focus on renewal—clearing clutter and planting new ideas. Summer invites me to embrace abundance and joy, while autumn is a time to let go of what no longer serves me. Winter reminds me to rest and reflect.
Aligning my actions with these seasonal energies brings a natural sort of flow and purpose to my life. For example, during the quieter months of winter, I take on low-spend challenges or reflect on my long-term financial goals. It is not a time that I bust out big house projects.
2. Start with Your Priorities
Simplifying isn’t about doing less—it’s about doing what matters most. Take time to identify your top priorities, whether it’s nurturing your health, spending more time with family, or pursuing a creative passion. Let these priorities guide your decisions, both big and small. And acknowledge that priorities can shift. For example, my priority right now is nursing school. As much as I’d love to tackle some bigger projects in my house, I know that now is not the time. Nursing school will be done in one year, and I know once it is finished I will have the bandwidth to do more things.
3. Simplify Your Spending
Mindful spending has been a game-changer for me. Before making a purchase, I ask myself, Does this align with the life I’m building? This mindset has helped me move away from impulse buys and focus on quality over quantity.
If you’re looking to simplify your spending, I recommend trying a low-spend month or auditing your subscriptions. You’d be surprised how freeing it feels to cancel services you don’t truly need.
[Looking at you, Netflix.]
4. Invest in Tools, Not Clutter
When I do spend money, I aim to invest in tools that simplify my life, like my trusty cast-iron skillet or a well-made journal that helps me unwind and clear my head.
5. Tend to Your Space
A cluttered home often leads to a cluttered mind. At least, that’s how it is for me. I’ve found that taking time to tend to my space—whether it’s organizing a drawer, mending a favorite sweater, or repurposing items I already have—creates a sense of calm and clarity.
6. Embrace DIY Where It Makes Sense
Simplifying doesn’t mean you have to do everything yourself, but learning a few DIY skills can be helpful. I’ve taught myself to mend clothes and tackle small home repairs, which not only saves money but also deepens my connection to my belongings.
That said, it’s okay to call in help when you need it. Simplifying isn’t about martyrdom—it’s about making choices that serve your life as a whole.
7. Create Time for Rest and Reflection
In our fast-paced world, rest often feels like a luxury. But the Wheel of the Year reminds us that rest is essential for growth. Winter is my favorite season for reflection—I journal about what worked, what didn’t, and how I want to move forward.
Two weeks into my nursing program I had to have one-on-one with myself and acknowledge that the pace of life wasn’t working. I HAD to figure out a way to slow down and have some down time between work and school. I bought a three month membership to my local gym and my walking buddy and I resumed our weekly walks, using the gym’s indoor track. When I’m working from home, I try to hop on my treadmill a couple of times a day for 10 - 15 minutes, to get my blood moving and improve my mood.
Consider carving out small moments of rest each day. It could be as simple as enjoying a cup of tea without distractions or taking a walk in nature to clear your mind.
8. Make Space for Joyful, Free Activities
Not everything that brings joy requires money. Some of my favorite moments are those spent stargazing, journaling, or walking in the woods during autumn. These activities not only simplify my life but also help me feel more connected to the world around me.
9. Reframe “Simplicity” as Intentionality
Sometimes, simplifying means spending money or outsourcing tasks to create space for what truly matters. For instance, hiring a repair person might save you hours of frustration, allowing you to spend that time with loved ones or tending to your health. Simplicity doesn’t always look like minimalism—it’s about living with intention.
10. Use the Wheel of the Year to Check In
Each season, I take time to reflect on where I am and where I’m going. Am I living in alignment with my values? Are my daily choices supporting the life I want to create? These seasonal check-ins help me stay grounded and ensure that I’m simplifying in ways that truly matter.
Books to Inspire Intentional Living
Here are a few books and authors that have inspired me:
The Year of Less by Cait Flanders
Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach
The Art of Frugal Hedonism by Annie Raser-Rowland and Adam Grubb
Meet the Frugalwoods by Elizabeth Thames (I have listened to this on audible multiple times)
The Minimalist Home by Joshua Becker (The Minimalist documentary is also excellent)
Each of these books offers unique perspectives on how to slow down, simplify, and align your life with your values.
Simplicity Is a Journey, Not a Destination
Living simply in a fast world isn’t about achieving perfection—it’s about making intentional choices that bring you closer to the life you want to live. Some seasons will feel busy or chaotic, and that’s okay. What matters is that you keep coming back to your values, adjusting as needed, and creating space for what truly matters.
How can you simplify your life today? Maybe it’s canceling a subscription, taking a walk in nature, or reflecting on the season’s lessons. Wherever you are on your journey, remember: simplicity isn’t about doing less—it’s about living more.
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