Debt can feel suffocating. The weight of it—always looming, always lingering—made us feel like we were running in circles with no way out. When we took a hard look at our lives, we realized that the things we were spending money on weren’t making us happier, nor were they adding value to our family. And that’s where minimalism came in.
Minimalism isn’t about having less; it’s about having only what truly matters. It’s about choosing quality over quantity and focusing on the things that enrich your life. When we decided to get serious about paying off our debt, we embraced minimalism as a tool to help us cut costs, simplify our lives, and reallocate our energy and resources into paying off our $98,000 in debt.
Here are 13 things we gave up—and how minimalism helped us make those tough choices.
1. Vacations
Taking a vacation sounded like a distant dream. But when you’re focused on paying down debt, every dollar counts. We decided to skip vacations for several years. Instead of spending hundreds or even thousands on plane tickets, hotels, and meals out, we focused on more affordable alternatives, like day trips or staying with family. Minimalism helped us see that experiences, not destinations, bring the most joy.
Alternative Idea: If skipping vacations isn’t something you want to do, consider a “staycation”—explore your local area or create fun family activities at home. You don’t need to travel far to make lasting memories.
2. Extracurricular Activities for the Kids
Our kids were young and starting to explore extracurriculars, but we realized that a lot of those activities came with hefty price tags. Instead of enrolling them in expensive after-school programs, we embraced a minimalist mindset: the idea that the best experiences don’t always require money. We decided to teach them at home—focusing on outdoor play, arts and crafts, and free community events.
Alternative Idea: If extracurriculars are important to you, look for low-cost or volunteer-run programs. Many community centers offer free or affordable classes that give kids great experiences without the high cost.
3. Shortened Preschool Time
When our twins were at the age where preschool seemed like the natural next step, we made the decision to cut it short. I became their primary teacher at home, even though it wasn’t ideal and definitely took more of my time and energy.
Alternative Idea: If you can’t cut preschool entirely, consider opting for a more affordable part-time program or homeschool preschool with resources available online or at your local library.
4. Non-Emergent Home Repairs
We all want our homes to be perfect, but when you’re on a debt repayment mission, certain repairs can be put off. Instead of worrying about every little thing, we practiced minimalism by focusing on what was necessary. If something didn’t impact our safety or daily life, it went on the back burner. We lived with chipped paint, outdated light fixtures, and even broken appliances.
Alternative Idea: For smaller, non-emergent repairs, consider DIY solutions or look for tutorials on YouTube. There are plenty of inexpensive ways to give your home a facelift without hiring professionals.
5. The Dishwasher Dilemma
When our dishwasher door broke, instead of immediately replacing it or getting a repairman, we used a broom handle to hold the door shut. Sounds crazy, right? But it worked, and it was a small way to stretch our money. This is a perfect example of how minimalism helped us think outside the box: we didn’t need a brand-new dishwasher, we just needed a solution to make it work for now.
Alternative Idea: Instead of replacing appliances right away, consider repurposing or using them in creative ways. A broken dishwasher might not work perfectly, but it can still get the job done.
6. The Deer Incident (Van Bumper)
One of the more bizarre sacrifices came after a deer jumped into our van and cracked the bumper. Instead of paying for an expensive repair, we used tape to hold it together. It wasn’t pretty, but it got the job done, and it was a perfect example of prioritizing what matters over perfection. Minimalism helped us stop worrying about appearances and focus on getting things done without spending more than we needed to.
Alternative Idea: If you’re facing car repairs, try to find a local mechanic who might offer a cheaper solution or look for used car parts. Sometimes a little DIY can save you a lot of money.
7. Dining Out
We rarely ate out during our debt repayment years. Dining at home became a reward in itself. Minimalism helped us focus on the joy of creating meals together, rather than the fleeting satisfaction of takeout. We planned simple, budget-friendly meals and saved hundreds (if not thousands) in the process.
Alternative Idea: If you love eating out, try cooking restaurant-inspired meals at home! There are plenty of recipes online for making your favorite dishes for a fraction of the price.
8. Brand-New Clothes
I’ll admit it: I used to love buying new clothes. But once we embraced minimalism, I started buying only the essentials—and even those were second-hand. The clothes I owned were still functional, stylish, and perfectly fine, and this mindset shift helped me stop overspending on things I didn’t truly need.
Alternative Idea: Consider buying clothes from thrift stores or swapping with friends and family. Not only does it save money, but it’s also eco-friendly!
9. Excessive Subscriptions
We cut down on streaming services, magazine subscriptions, and anything else that didn’t serve an immediate purpose. Minimalism encouraged us to take inventory of our life and eliminate anything that wasn’t adding value. If it wasn’t something we truly enjoyed or used regularly, it was out the door.
Alternative Idea: Look for free or low-cost alternatives to subscriptions. For example, use your library card to borrow books, movies, or audiobooks instead of paying for services.
10. Impulse Purchases
One of the biggest changes we made was getting rid of our habit of impulse buying. By focusing on intentional spending, we learned to be more mindful of our purchases and prioritize our debt over things that didn’t serve a purpose. The best part? It felt like a weight was lifted every time we avoided an impulse purchase.
Alternative Idea: Implement a 24-hour rule for purchases. If you’re tempted to buy something, wait a day and see if you still want it. This practice helped us avoid unnecessary spending.
11. Decorating for Decor’s Sake
We used to buy random decor items, just to fill space. But minimalism helped us realize that fewer, meaningful pieces made a bigger impact than a cluttered space. We focused on pieces we truly loved, like family heirlooms or items that had a personal meaning.
Alternative Idea: If you want to refresh your space, try decluttering and repurposing what you already own. Rearranging furniture or adding a few plants can change the feel of a room without spending a dime.
12. Unnecessary Convenience Items
We stopped buying things like pre-packaged meals, bottled water, and disposable products. Instead, we focused on frugal alternatives like cooking from scratch, using reusable water bottles, and cutting down on waste. These small changes added up to big savings.
Alternative Idea: Switch to reusable items like cloth napkins, washable food storage bags, or bulk pantry items. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also reduce your environmental footprint.
13. Seasonal Decorations
We realized we didn’t need to buy new decorations for every holiday or season. Minimalism helped us appreciate the beauty of simplicity and repurpose items we already had. Letting go of this habit saved us money and storage space, while also reducing stress.
Alternative Idea: Instead of buying new decor, embrace DIY projects or natural elements like flowers and greenery that add charm without the cost.
14. Endless Gadgets
We stopped chasing the latest kitchen gadgets and tech tools. Minimalism taught us to value multipurpose items and only keep what truly added value to our lives. This mindset shift saved us hundreds of dollars and made our spaces feel less cluttered.
Alternative Idea: Borrow or rent rarely used items instead of buying them. This way, you can enjoy the benefits without the cost or long-term commitment.
15. Chasing “Perfection”
Lastly, we let go of the pressure to live a perfect life. Minimalism taught us that imperfection is okay—and that’s how we made it through this tough season. It wasn’t about having everything in order; it was about focusing on the goal: a debt-free future.
Alternative Idea: Focus on progress, not perfection. Celebrate the small wins along the way—every step forward, no matter how small, brings you closer to your debt-free goal.
Overcoming the Sacrifices: The Minimalism Mindset
As difficult as these sacrifices were, minimalism helped us reframe our thinking. Rather than feeling deprived, we felt empowered. We were actively choosing what was most important to us—our family’s future—and letting go of the distractions that were holding us back.
Minimalism helped us realize that we don’t need more things to be happy. The less we had, the more we appreciated what truly mattered. And by embracing this mindset, we didn’t just pay off debt—we transformed our lives.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by debt, know that it’s possible to make these changes too. It might take time, but with intentionality, minimalism, and focus, you can build a debt-free life. You’ll be amazed at how much freedom comes when you let go of the things you don’t need—and how much room opens up for the things that truly bring you joy.
Conclusion: A Debt-Free Future Awaits
Minimalism isn’t just about what you give up—it’s about the freedom you gain. By embracing less, we gained so much more. If you’re struggling with debt, I encourage you to explore the power of minimalism. It might just be the mindset shift you need to create a debt-free future.
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