How to Live Like You're Rich (Part 2)... Even If You Don't Have the Budget for It

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Being rich isn't just about having a large bank balance, rental real estate, or substantial investments.  And minimalism doesn't mean poverty.  Minimalism helps you recognize what's important, and lets you feel happy and confident with just enough.  Minimalism can improve your lifestyle without a huge income or endless purchases.


(By the way, if you missed Part 1, find it here.)


Notice the updated antiques?



30 ways to live a luxe life as a minimalist (Part 2)


11.  Give up junky food.

There's a strong link in people's minds between low income and obesity, and a bias against obese individuals for hiring, promotion, and earning potential.  Good looks, and more importantly thinness, are considered elegant.  The opposite is not.


From my own experience, I know how hard it is to change your body type, and even if you're successful, it won't happen overnight.  However, your food choices can still send a strong message.  Even a naturally thin person who scarfs down a package of Oreos will create a sloppy impression.  An overweight person who sips on iced tea and dines on lean proteins and lots of vegetables, followed by fresh fruit or a bit of very dark chocolate, will impress others as sophisticated and in control.


Look for my newest book, The Minimalist Diet: Simple Steps to Healthy Weight Loss, for lots of tips and inspiration.*


* This blog is supported by you, Dear Reader.  If you buy through my links, I may earn a small commission.


12.  Swap your belongings.

When you want to freshen your home and redecorate, try this strategy instead of shopping.  It might be an old trick you use with your children's toys:  Box up some of the things they don't play with as often and store them for a few months.  When you bring them out again, it feels like everyone got a bunch of new stuff.


Guess what – this works with adults too.  You know how when you put up the Christmas decorations everything feels a little new and different, even if they're the same ones you've been using for years?  Get that same feeling by swapping photos, wall art, lamps, throw pillows, and other small decorative items.  You can even swap chairs, side tables, and other small pieces of furniture.  Move things from the living room to your bedroom to the dining room, guest room, entry hall, or home office.


As you do this, you can handle and dust everything and make sure it's still something you really love and want to keep.  Then you can enjoy noticing your same belongings in different surroundings and different groupings.  It's a way to keep everything fresh and in the spotlight, because you got out of a rut and shook things up a little.


13.  Stop buying cheap stuff you don't need.

Trinkets, gadgets, souvenirs, dollar store deals, garage sale finds....  Throwing down a couple of dollars on that cute whatever-it-is seems like a quick and painless process.  What's the harm?  Except that those dollars add up, and the junk adds up to a lot of clutter in your house, too.  Save the dollars for something you really want or need, and keep your house looking classier than a flea market.


14.  Strengthen your relationships.

You can be rich in material things, yet miserable because you're alone.  If you put business interests before relationships, your spouse may leave you or your children despise you for neglecting them.  The only "friends" you have may be sycophants and leeches.  However, if you gain the love, loyalty, trust, and respect of the people in your life, you'll feel richly blessed.


15.  Drive one car.

Want to save $500 or more every month?  Drive just one car.  If you can't buy it with cash, take a low-interest loan and pay it off as soon as possible.  Keep it beautifully clean and well-maintained so you can drive it for at least a decade.


Think your family can't survive with one car?  My husband Jon and I have always owned just one car, except for about one year when our daughter, who was still living at home, got a used car for her 18th birthday (the car was about as old as she was).  Over the years, we've arranged our work schedules, used public transit, and ridden bicycles.


The money we've saved by keeping one car allowed me to be a stay-at-home mom for almost 15 years.  It paid for orthodontia and summer drama camp for our kids.  It helped put them through college without student loans.  It has paid for vacations and funded IRAs.  Today, it pays for monthly massages, theater tickets, and more.  All of those amenities have provided more value – a richer life – than owning, insuring, and maintaining a second vehicle.


16.  Always choose size small.

How can you enjoy a wide variety of good things while reducing cost, stress, and even calories?  Always choose size small.  Order the small latte, the small burger, or the small pizza.  Buy one entrée or dessert and split it with a friend.  Buy the smaller house, the smaller car, even the smaller refrigerator (unless you have four or more children).  Add the word "exquisite" to your vocabulary.  It means "fine, delicate, detailed, choice, of high quality and rare excellence."




17.  Stop rushing.

Do what you can to lose that harried and stressed-out look.  (It ages you!)  Arise a little earlier in the morning.  Even an extra 15-30 minutes can give you an easier start to your day, with time for prayer or yoga, personal care, and a small meal.  Then you can leave home five minutes earlier and drive like a sane, courteous person.  Create a bit of space between each appointment so you can arrive with grace and poise.


18.  Enjoy a hobby.

Since free time is a luxury, make the most of it.  Learn and practice a new skill and/or create something with your own two hands.  Not only is it incredibly fulfilling, practicing a hobby is also relaxing, fun, and improves your focus and your outlook.  Life satisfaction and self-confidence will make you feel wealthy.




19.  Own and maintain antiques.

History and patina don't have to belong only to those with large incomes.  You too can own things that carry stories of who acquired them and how they came to you.


I'm old enough that my parents' Early American maple dresser (which my husband and I use, and which I've been dusting for more than 55 years) is considered antique.  So is my favorite Blue Willow teapot, given to my mom as a wedding gift.


If you have no family antiques, you can purchase a piece or two and bring depth and variety to your decorating.  An old chair can be painted or re-covered, an old clock repaired (or not), and an old vase cleaned and reused.  Old books are easy to find, and a stack of them on your coffee table will spark the interest of everyone.  Add an antique-style crystal dish filled with wooden Scrabble tiles, and you'll be ready for an impromptu game.


20.  Think "less, but better."

Buy fewer items of higher quality.  This is especially workable in your wardrobe, but also in home furnishings, personal care products, food, tools, and more.


You'll feel far wealthier shopping in stores that sell quality items (which could include consignment or re-sale shops with a boutique feel) than you will shopping at Walmart or fast fashion outlets.





True riches


None of this is about actually having a high income.  It's about figuring out what matters to you and making time, space, money, and energy for it.  That's how to live like you're rich.


Coming Monday, Part 3.


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