BOOK REVIEW: The Minimalist Budget: A Practical Guide on How to Save Money, Spend Less and Live More with a Minimalist Lifestyle by Simeon Lindstrom.
Overview of the Book
• Title: The Minimalist Budget: A Practical Guide on How to Save Money, Spend Less and Live More with a Minimalist Lifestyle by Simeon Lindstrom.
• Length & Style: Short read (around 98 pages / Kindle version ~81 pages). It’s straightforward, not overly technical. The author blends financial advice with reflections on values, time, and how we live.
Core Concepts & Breakdowns
Here are the main ideas Lindstrom presents, with details and how they apply:
1. Budgeting Aligned with Values
• Instead of simply tracking every expense or cutting costs arbitrarily, Lindstrom urges you to first clarify what matters to you. What are your priorities, passions, and goals?
• Once you know your values, spend in ways that support those. This makes budgeting more meaningful, not just “giving up things” but choosing to invest in what gives you satisfaction.
2. Time Budgeting
• Money is not the only limited resource; time is finite. Lindstrom talks about budgeting your time—how you spend your days, your hours—just as you budget money. If you spend tons of time stressed about money, or chasing stuff, that also has a cost.
• Evaluate whether purchases are “worth it” not just in dollars but in time (driving to shop, maintenance, cleaning, etc.). Sometimes a more expensive item with less hassle is more “minimalist-budget friendly.”
3. Conscious Spending
• Avoid impulse purchases. Lindstrom suggests being mindful when we’re emotional, bored, or influenced by marketing. Pause and ask: “Do I really need this? Does it align with my values?”
• Evaluate recurring costs: subscriptions, memberships, etc. Some may seem small but add up, especially if they don’t align with your priorities.
4. Living Within Means Without Deprivation
• Minimalism doesn’t mean poverty. It means enough. Lindstrom emphasizes the importance of “having exactly enough” to live well, rather than always chasing more or being overwhelmed by excess.
• He warns that being overly frugal or punishing yourself for every expense can backfire—budgeting should support life, not be life.
5. Practical, Real-World Tips
Lindstrom doesn’t just talk theory; there are many actionable steps:
• Use measures like SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-based) for your financial objectives.
• Track expenses for a time to understand where money is going. Then categorize them and identify little leaks.
• Make decisions in spending by balancing cost vs value, including sometimes paying a bit more for convenience if it saves time or stress.
• Simplify finances wherever possible: fewer bank accounts, fewer credit cards, simpler billing, etc., so there’s less mental overhead.
6. Mindset & Psychological Aspect
• Recognizing that having more stuff or doing more doesn’t necessarily yield more happiness. It’s about satisfaction, meaning, not just accumulation.
• Budgeting not as punishing oneself but as making intentional trade-offs. The cost of an item shouldn’t just be its price tag but the time, effort, regret, or clutter it might bring.
7. Decluttering / Eliminating Excess
• Not just physical things but financial clutter: unused subscriptions, memberships, etc. Also emotional clutter: comparing yourself, keeping up appearances, buying things to impress others. These cost more than money sometimes.
✅ Strengths of the Book
• Very accessible and quick to read — good if you want something digestible.
• Blends values, time, and finance — gives a more holistic view rather than just numbers. Many people say this part hits home.
• Practical tips that are doable; little “life hacks” that feel realistic (not just theory).
⚠️ Weaknesses / What’s Less Strong
• Because it’s short, some chapters or ideas aren’t deeply explored. For someone wanting detailed budgeting systems, big numbers, advanced investing, it may feel light.
• Some advice could feel obvious to those who are already disciplined with money. So if you’re quite advanced, there may not be many “new tricks.”
• A few reviewers find some tips too generic or insufficiently adapted to different economic contexts. What is “minimalism” or “conscious spending” might vary a lot depending on income, locale, priorities.
Lessons You Can Apply from The Minimalist Budget
1. Before budgeting in detail, define what matters most in your life — your values, your priorities. Let that guide where you spend.
2. Track not just money but your time. If something is costing you more time or stress than joy, that cost is real.
3. Regularly review your recurring costs and subscriptions. Eliminate or reduce what doesn’t bring value.
4. Set SMART financial goals so you have clarity and motivation.
5. Avoid impulse buying; pause and reflect on whether it aligns with your values.
Verdict
This is an excellent book for anyone starting or rethinking their money habits, especially if you want budgeting to feel less restrictive and more aligned with your purpose. It may not satisfy someone already using advanced tools or investing heavily, but its power is in clarity, mindset, and small daily choices. I would recommend reading this as a reminder every year. It’s the kind of book you revisit when you need to reset your mindset, not just your budget.
Overview of the Book
• Title: The Minimalist Budget: A Practical Guide on How to Save Money, Spend Less and Live More with a Minimalist Lifestyle by Simeon Lindstrom.
• Length & Style: Short read (around 98 pages / Kindle version ~81 pages). It’s straightforward, not overly technical. The author blends financial advice with reflections on values, time, and how we live.
Core Concepts & Breakdowns
Here are the main ideas Lindstrom presents, with details and how they apply:
1. Budgeting Aligned with Values
• Instead of simply tracking every expense or cutting costs arbitrarily, Lindstrom urges you to first clarify what matters to you. What are your priorities, passions, and goals?
• Once you know your values, spend in ways that support those. This makes budgeting more meaningful, not just “giving up things” but choosing to invest in what gives you satisfaction.
2. Time Budgeting
• Money is not the only limited resource; time is finite. Lindstrom talks about budgeting your time—how you spend your days, your hours—just as you budget money. If you spend tons of time stressed about money, or chasing stuff, that also has a cost.
• Evaluate whether purchases are “worth it” not just in dollars but in time (driving to shop, maintenance, cleaning, etc.). Sometimes a more expensive item with less hassle is more “minimalist-budget friendly.”
3. Conscious Spending
• Avoid impulse purchases. Lindstrom suggests being mindful when we’re emotional, bored, or influenced by marketing. Pause and ask: “Do I really need this? Does it align with my values?”
• Evaluate recurring costs: subscriptions, memberships, etc. Some may seem small but add up, especially if they don’t align with your priorities.
4. Living Within Means Without Deprivation
• Minimalism doesn’t mean poverty. It means enough. Lindstrom emphasizes the importance of “having exactly enough” to live well, rather than always chasing more or being overwhelmed by excess.
• He warns that being overly frugal or punishing yourself for every expense can backfire—budgeting should support life, not be life.
5. Practical, Real-World Tips
Lindstrom doesn’t just talk theory; there are many actionable steps:
• Use measures like SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-based) for your financial objectives.
• Track expenses for a time to understand where money is going. Then categorize them and identify little leaks.
• Make decisions in spending by balancing cost vs value, including sometimes paying a bit more for convenience if it saves time or stress.
• Simplify finances wherever possible: fewer bank accounts, fewer credit cards, simpler billing, etc., so there’s less mental overhead.
6. Mindset & Psychological Aspect
• Recognizing that having more stuff or doing more doesn’t necessarily yield more happiness. It’s about satisfaction, meaning, not just accumulation.
• Budgeting not as punishing oneself but as making intentional trade-offs. The cost of an item shouldn’t just be its price tag but the time, effort, regret, or clutter it might bring.
7. Decluttering / Eliminating Excess
• Not just physical things but financial clutter: unused subscriptions, memberships, etc. Also emotional clutter: comparing yourself, keeping up appearances, buying things to impress others. These cost more than money sometimes.
✅ Strengths of the Book
• Very accessible and quick to read — good if you want something digestible.
• Blends values, time, and finance — gives a more holistic view rather than just numbers. Many people say this part hits home.
• Practical tips that are doable; little “life hacks” that feel realistic (not just theory).
⚠️ Weaknesses / What’s Less Strong
• Because it’s short, some chapters or ideas aren’t deeply explored. For someone wanting detailed budgeting systems, big numbers, advanced investing, it may feel light.
• Some advice could feel obvious to those who are already disciplined with money. So if you’re quite advanced, there may not be many “new tricks.”
• A few reviewers find some tips too generic or insufficiently adapted to different economic contexts. What is “minimalism” or “conscious spending” might vary a lot depending on income, locale, priorities.
Lessons You Can Apply from The Minimalist Budget
1. Before budgeting in detail, define what matters most in your life — your values, your priorities. Let that guide where you spend.
2. Track not just money but your time. If something is costing you more time or stress than joy, that cost is real.
3. Regularly review your recurring costs and subscriptions. Eliminate or reduce what doesn’t bring value.
4. Set SMART financial goals so you have clarity and motivation.
5. Avoid impulse buying; pause and reflect on whether it aligns with your values.
Verdict
This is an excellent book for anyone starting or rethinking their money habits, especially if you want budgeting to feel less restrictive and more aligned with your purpose. It may not satisfy someone already using advanced tools or investing heavily, but its power is in clarity, mindset, and small daily choices. I would recommend reading this as a reminder every year. It’s the kind of book you revisit when you need to reset your mindset, not just your budget.
