Author: Anthony

All of our purchases are generally thrown into two categories: a product or a service. That is what we have been led to believe. But the truth is that everything in fact, is a service. Or at least, the products are used to provide a service. Either way we look at it, it’s the service that is the end result we are looking for. Much of the time, it is necessary (more cost effective and /or convenient) to own a particular product to get a service we require …… but not as often as we think (or they would have us believe).

As minimalists, we should keep in mind the services we require, and determine if the purchase of a particular product it really the best way to acquire the service. Or conversely: As minimalists, When interested in purchasing a product, we should be determining if there is a better (more efficient, convenient) way of acquiring the service it provides without having to purchase said product. To help illustrate the mindset I am speaking of, I have created the table below to show some examples of things we might own, what their service/function is, and potential alternatives of acquiring the same service that may be more efficient then owning the item ourselves (It all depends on our lifestyle).

Owned Item	Service/Function	Alternatives
House	Shelter/Storage	Rent
Automobile	Transportation	Public Transportation (bus, train, subway, taxi), Rent a car, Lease
Dish Washer	Sanitary eating	Do it yourself
Computer	(too many functions to mention)	Membership at a local public library. Internet cafe
A Yard	Outdoor Recreation	Local Public Park
Washing Machine & Dryer	Clean Clothes	Laundromat
Refrigerator	Food Preservation  and Storage	Shop and eat fresh every day
Stove and Range	Cook Food	Eat only living food

 

Example: It is usually significantly less expensive to rent ones residence, than to purchase ones residence (but not always). While home ownership more often times than not, yields far greater long term profit, it’s often not worth suffering a lesser quality of life now for potential profit in the future.

Example: For someone who may only require the use of transportation once a week to the grocery store (an elderly recluse perhaps), the purchase of a vehicle may be a completely unnecessary expense when considering loan payment, gas, insurance when for less than $30 a week they can have a taxi take them to and from their local grocery store.

Example: For a bachelor who’s entire flatware comprises of 2 forks, 2 knives, 2 spoons, 2 plates, 2 bowls, 2 glasses, and a cup, a dishwasher is completely unnecessary (I don’t think I have to explain why).

Example: To my surprise there is actually still people out there that don’t have much interest or use for a computer (I don’t get it), but maybe once a week they like to check their email to stay in touch with family that lives very far; they like to send digital pictures, poems, etc. Those people may have a public library very close and could use their computers. Expenses avoided: Computer purchase, anti-virus software, internet access, and potentially many others.

Example: A yard must be maintained which is both time and cost intensive. Unless we get some sorta joy in doing these maintenance activities (and many people do ….. not me), it makes far more sense to have outdoor recreation in a public park if there is one reasonably close. The grounds are already well maintained because our tax money is already taking care of that. We’re already dumping money in the parks, might as well use them.

There are three more items in the table , but I think we see where this is going now.   In a nutshell, minimalism is all about efficiency. So with all the services we require, we have to decide what the most efficient way to acquire those services is. Often times we will find that acquiring a new product is not the answer.

BTW: The attached picture is a photo of my brand new running sneakers ……. it has nothing to do with the subject of this post really. I just think they are fierce and wanna show them off. Running sneakers are an example of a product which offer a service that can’t be acquired by any other means. That is “optimum comfortable running.”

We minimalists use our time intentionally. That is one thing which separates us, in a world consumed by excess. Everything we do is a means toward an end. Rarely are we found just sitting idle, killing time. We choose not to spend excessive amounts of time on empty entertainment. Even our entertainment time is often educational, skillful, and/or supportive of our passions/goals.

So how does social media fall into this?

Just like the internet in general, social media outlets are an excellent channel for both friendly communication, and acquiring information. It’s a way to socialize with friends and family, share pictures, and share experiences. It is even a pretty reliable source to keep up on current events; “NEWS” both global and local. That being said, social media, be it Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, or whatever, can also be very harmful if used improperly.

For starters, these social media channels are a lot like television in the fact that we are being exposed to a lot of garbage while we are using them. A lot of advertisements, political propaganda, ridiculous meme’s, cat posts, coffee posts, gossip, and just fluff.

Also (still like TV), it’s loaded with lies and influence; just another outlet that the powers use to manipulate the masses.

I am not saying that we should drop using social media. Nothing can be further than the truth. I am saying that we should be scrutinizing what we allow ourselves to be exposed to while we use it. FB, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat are tools. Tools used as a means to communicate and acquire information. It is important that we keep that in mind when we are deciding what pages we “like” and who we are going to “friend.” We must reconsider what pages we “like” and who we “friend” very often. Just like we do with do in the physical world, it’s just as important that we de-clutter in our digital world too.

All things considered, using social media (and the internet as a whole) is a far better outlet for news and entertainment than television. Why, because WE CONTROL THE FLOW. We decide exactly what information we are exposed to. It’s a two way channel; interactive. It’s one of the reasons I am comfortable without cable. I am still informed. The most control we have with TV, is to change the channel.