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The Minimalist Mom started as a place for me to document my family’s journey to a minimalist lifestyle. Fed up with clutter stealing our dollars and time, I took the plunge in September of 2010 and donated, sold and recycled five car loads worth of house wares, electronics, clothing and furniture. Months later my husband was offered an overseas job opportunity. We sold all of our furniture and donated another car load of belongings before moving.
Scary? Yes. Rewarding? Yes! We love the freedom and time living with less gives us. It’s presented job opportunities we would have otherwise missed, allowed us to pursue passion projects and made it possible for me to stay at home while our son is young. Not to mention how much it has cut down on one of my least favourite tasks: housework.
Minimalism continues to be one of the greatest gifts I have given myself and my family.
What can Minimalism give you?
- Time: less time cleaning, tidying, shopping, fretting. More time living, connecting, pursuing dreams and sleeping.
- Money: we have paid off $80,000 CDN in debt in just under two years. By far the biggest thing that has helped us beat debt was embracing a simpler lifestyle.
- Space: you don’t always need to move into a bigger home to get more space. Once we reduced what we owned we had spacious closets and rooms. And we didn’t have to increase our mortgage to get it!
Want to know more?
Here are some posts to get you started.
- Minimalism for the Masses: why everyone can benefit from a little, or a lot, of minimalism in their life.
- Donating 80% of my wardrobe: I still don’t regret donating a single thing!
- A Minimalist Guide to Baby Essentials: one of the most popular posts on this blog. Great comments from readers.
- Taming the Toy Box: how many toys and books does a toddler really need? It fluctuates but we’re now at about half of what is shown in this post.
- Not married to a Minimalist: some strategies if you think you can’t pare down because of a spouse/roommate/partner/kids.
- Car-free living: in November of 2010 we sold our car. We walk, use public transport and rent cars when needed. It saves us money and stress. It’s not for everyone but we’ve made choices about where and how we live to support this car-free lifestyle.
Have a look through the archives here for more inspiration and how-to. And if you’re ready to take the plunge, but want more guidance, there are some great books on my Tools and Reading page. You’ll find 2-3 new posts a week here on my blog.
Thanks for stopping by and good luck with your minimizing efforts. I promise it’s worth it!
Cheers,
Rachel
Disclosure: some guides and books linked to on this website have affiliate codes in them. Should you purchase one of the guides I will receive a percentage of the sale price.
I am a mother, wife and writer from Vancouver, Canada, currently living in the 
Hi Rachel,
I just found your blog and absolutely love it; especially how minimalism has helped you pay off so much debt. Are you on Twitter?
Hi Cait – yes, I am. @racheljonat – see you there!
Hi Rachel,
Just stumbled across your blog via a link on the “Move to Portugal” blog. I’ve subscribed via Google Reader – Keep up the good work!
Thanks, MA.
Thanks for all your inspiration! I totally feel my live is bogged down with too much ‘stuff’ and it’s taking away from what really matters most. I’ll for sure be an avid reader of your blog =)
Hi Rachel,
I can’t wait to learn more about you! I’v been recommended to visit from a Facebook group- I too am an expat living on the Isle of Man. Winter hugs to you!
Samantha
xo
Hi Samantha – Nice to meet you. I’ll have to mosey over and check out your website.
What a small world it is in this digital age!
Hi Rachel,
I have recently found your blog and I love it! I am very inspired to make a change by having fewer possessions and buying less. I am having a tough time getting started because there are a few mental roadblocks. 1. The idea that at one time I paid good money for this “stuff” and 2. The idea that I might need it “some day”. Any tips? I am thinking in particular of my clothes, household items and kid’s stuff.
Thanks,
Janelle
Hi Janelle,
Thanks for the kind words.
I too had a lot of the same roadblocks when I got rid of stuff. Particularly because we had a mountain of consumer debt at the time and it was sad to see things we may still owe money on walk out the door. My mantra was ‘the money is already gone’. This helped me get through the really tough first few months of decluttering. In the 1.5 years+ since then I haven’t missed any of those things I donated or sold but I have found more time and space for my family, health, sleep and hobbies. And we are finally out of consumer debt
Hope that helps and have a look through the archives to see my first posts if you need more visuals on what we got rid of.
Cheers,
Rachel
Thanks for the reply. This is tough! But so far I have unsubscribed to over 20 email commerce lists, rented a table at a baby swap to sell my unneeded items and gathered over 100 pieces of baby clothing and gear SO FAR, cleaned out 3 kitchen cupboards and 4 dresser drawers! Not too bad but my closets and cupboards are still over flowing so a little bit more tomorrow! Having a bit of trouble with kitchen items and What to do about items I use rarely but might need “if” we have that big party, and imagining potentional hypothetical situations where I would use that item. Thanks for the ongoing inspiration!
Janelle, do you have many friends and family close by? I’m also struggling with decisions on *stuff* in the kitchen, but it is helping me to say *if* I need that, I will borrow it from Mom! Or if it’s a BIG party, I will be better off just renting that many wine glasses or dishes, ha!
Just found your blog, and I am remined of a 90s punk song “Too Much Stuff” (by “The Want”). http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/too-much-stuff/id4920440
Super to find you via expats on Britmums – I’m inspired by your lovely blog! Thanks for sharing – matches my New Year Resolutions so beautifully – here’s to it!
Thanks, Menai.
Hi
I found your blog via the Expat Blog round-up on BritMums. I’m definitely coming back. I love the idea of a more minimalist approach to life, and I’ve got a lot to learn from you.
I am intrigued as to what opportunity took you from Vancouver to the Isle of Man. Something to do with TT Races? I have actually been to the Isle of Man. I bet you don’t meet many people who say that. I went as a child on holiday. I can’t remember a huge amount about it, but I do remember it rained a lot.
Hi! Actually, even crazier, my mom had been to the Isle of Man as a teenager (she is from Glasgow). She actually has a photo of her getting out of a plane on the Isle of Man when she was 16. But I have met very few other Brits that have been here. Even when I went to visit aunts, uncles and cousins in Scotland over the holidays, none of them had visited the IOM.
Nice to meet you
Not sure how to comment on a specific post… but here goes my thoughts on the “minimalist makeup” 1/25 post.
I have to say I excitedly read your post hoping for a pic of your version of minimal makeup and I know you don’t call yourself the “natural” minimalist mom but I was a bit disappointed to see chemical ie. zit-causing makeup. I guess I just associate minimal with natural too.
I too feel your pain trying to find a groove in makeup/no makeup/light makeup… but when I finally found confident ME who could go out of the house with just tinted moisturizer, lip gloss, and mascara and decided that a FEW good quality products was better than lots of CHEAP ones (LOVED your post about simpler livers can’t afford cheap!) I decided to fork out some $$$ for good quality, natural mineral makeup (and one not-so-natural foundation for those rare nights out– as I couldn’t find a natural one that really worked) that lasts a long time and honestly I don’t think it ever has to be thrown out as long as I care for it correctly (I don’t think) rather than chemicals that burn, itch, and have to be replaced every few months (not that I did replace them… that’s expensive… lol). So…. here’s my minimal makeup routine.
Daily: moisturizer (tinted if going to town all day), powder, light blush, mascara
Night out additions: loose powder, more blush, eye/brow liner, eye shadow, tinted lip shimmer
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2250284517032.83068.1845810405&type=1
Brands: Burt’s Bees (Dry KS air means 2 moisturizers), Physician’s Formula: tinted moisturizer, mineral correcting powder (AWESOME!), loose powder, eye liner, (3-in-1: bronzer, blush, eye shadow strip), Emani mineral blush (THE BEST!), and blue eyes enhancing blue/black mascara.
SUPER minimal compared to the 3 bags of CRAP I used to have. Thanks for your awesome POSTS– keep ‘em coming!
AND… it all fits in that cute little bag behind it.
THANKS for sharing your life, your pics (great ie. post-flu, maybe i’m weird but I like to see really real.
, and your journey to SIMPLE REAL LIVING. 
~Mom in KS, USA
Forgot to list the unnatural (only on special nights out) one: Almay clear complexion (if someone knows of something more natural that can cover well TELL ME!) — has Salicylic Acid (bleh), but it covers so well for those 4hrs out.
Thanks!!
Hi there,I stumbled on your blog as I was searching for ideas how to move as a minimalist…thanks for sharing. I am still in ‘kindergarten’ when it comes to minimalism.
Thanks for stopping by and hope you find some of my posts helpful.
I love your writing style and your message. You have helped me move toward a simplified life. Hard to do in America with young kids but so far, so good. If you could share which tv
Program you’ll be on, I don’t want to miss it. Thanks for sharing.
I will definitely share the tv program info when it has an air date. Probably not for a few months yet as we haven’t finished filming yet.
I have been following your blog for almost a year…it has been so inspirational. Can you give any tips on minimalist food shopping and minimalist entertaining…I seem to go a bit overboard in these categories. Thanks!
One thing that has helped me in the day to day is meal planning. It’s tedious but I’m on auto-pilot now. I plan 5 dinners for the week and then breakfast foods. We eat leftovers for lunch and there is usually enough for another dinner. At least one night a week we are out with friends or get takeout.
I’m also guilty of blowing a lot of $ when I entertain. A few things I like that are easy and can be inexpensive:
dessert: fresh fruit and a bar of good dark chocolate broken into pieces. It’s refreshing yet also a bit fancy.
dinner: lately I’ve been serving simple dishes like Thai curries when people come over. I’m a bit tired of making roasts or spending a fortune on bottles of ingredients, like capers, that I’ll only use once and then they go bad in the fridge.
This is a great idea for a post so expect more on this subject soon.
Cheers,
Rachel
Thank you! You really inspire me!
Hello Rachel!
My name is Eni and i am a brazilian mamy who is seeking a simple life.
I just know your blog now and I admire your decision. Hugs and success!
Thanks, Eni
Hi All …
Love this site but even more so I love to d-clutter! I’ve found it fairly easy to let go by putting a lot of things on EBAY and turning my clutter into cash. My husband has even asked me recently if there is anything I am sentimental about! Truth is I am sentimental about a lot of things but I realize that my girls are not necessarily sentimental to the same things. So that said it makes sense to clean out and turn my things into cash while my kids are actually helping point me in the direction I need to go. I have to admit though it was a little hard to part with some of my Mom’s jewelry but they were things that my girls just wouldn’t wear if it was left to them, so better it gets turned into cash for them which I’m sure my Mom would be happy about too. They picked out things of mine and my Mom’s that they want to keep. The rings need to be sized up the money I earn by selling the other things that they don’t want will pay for that endeavor. I believe in the end … less is definitely more!!!!
OMG, I am right in the middle of of “right sizing” my family of 4. I have been struggling trying to find a blog that I could actually relate to the blogger! Mom! Yeah, if I was single or just married minimalism would be a million times easier. I made up a GoogleDoc to share with friends and family about what we are actually doing and the basic steps we have taken to get where we are now. I will be reading every single one of your articles with all of my new found time. Heck! I just got done cleaning ALL ONE of my bathrooms. It took 15min and it is super clean all of the time. So much easier then 4 toilets, 6 sinks, 4 showers, 1 whirlpool tub and miles of mirrors!!! I spend most of my days now reading, going for walks & spending time with the kids. I dont even have to have a job anymore.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/14W1NQv7o_NNEbT5Vs5w_fG_WAzelIzKGw8uKnAOHTCI/edit
Lovely! Came from “Do More with Less,” enjoyed your post over there. I can tell you, as a migraine sufferer and insomniac, it isn’t just you who feels better without a screen before bed — the screens actually interfere with our natural circadian rhythms. I am still coming out of a severe and chronic depression during which time I acquired much stuff that I am slowly going through so as not to throw out the baby with the bath water – complicated with my mother’s death in January… but slow and steady wins the race!
Hi, I just found your blog today!
The link for Taming The Toybox does not work. 
I’ve tried searching the site for the article and cannot find it. Please direct me to this much needed source!!! 
I am SOOOO glad to have stumbled on this blog this week- it’s everything we’ve been trying to do this year.
Being a Mummy since January we have been given soooooooo much clothing and toys we can’t fit it all in our tiny 2 bedroom apartment- I’m now regifting to my friends who are pregnant.
Also, I lost so much weight post-pregnancy my pre-baby clothes don’t fit or are impractical for feeding. I am now down to bare bones in the wardrobe and LOVING it. Husband is slowly catching on… his wardrobe is next!
Even though we’re down to one income we’re still able to save money, even if it’s a few dollars a week- this has Never happened before and it feels soooo good! We should have enough for our first holiday in 6 years years by next January.
We are unlikely to be able to go car free though the ‘shedding of stuff’ has made me question every car trip we make and the financial, environmental and health impact leaving the car at home makes.
We’ve given away much of our belongings already AND your blog has inspired me to change further. Thanks for sharing your story- You’re Amazing!
Hi Rachel,
Your writing inspire me… thank you for sharing.
Cahya
I read your story (http://www.businessinsider.com/how-rachel-jonat-paid-off-82000-of-debt-2012-5) on Business Insider which is truly inspirational. I too like minimalism.
Wow, it looks like I have a new blog addiction! It’s hard to find good, practical ideas for living simply with a little one. There is so much pressure in our society to shower children with possessions, even if we ourselves choose to live minimalisticly. My family (of 3) lives on a 29-foot sailboat in the summer, and we’ve learned a lot from living only with what will comfortably fit into 200 square feet.
Hi!
I came across your site about a month and a half ago when your write up on the diva cup was brought up on my facebook feed.. I don’t blog or read anyones blog but I have been back to yours a number of times now and I am forever changed! Thank you for taking the time to share your life and your journey with others like me! My husband and two girls ages 2 (almost 3) and 7 weeks are in the midst of packing to move (from vancouver island to Calgary). We have never lived extravegently but I have always struggled with “stuff’”, my mother is an insane packrat (she keeps anything and everything, literally) and it has always turned me off but i feel some of it in my bones so it has been a struggle. But through finding your blog i have been reminded that life is not about having it “all” and I have been inspired to change the way I ‘naturaly’ am for the kind of house and life I want for me and my family (simple, loving, tidy, good quality but much less clutter). I know this will take time as it is a process but I am excited for it, it is so so freeing!!
Thanks again for inspiring people like me, you have encouraged me in a way no one else has and I look forward to my less-cluttered, less stressful life as I continue down this path of de-junking my home and life!
Since I’m not an expirenced blog reader, I have a question: is there a way I can read your blog from the very begining? I would love to read your journey right from the start.
thank you so so much!
Kerry
Thanks for you wise advice.
Thank you MM (Minimalist Mom)- you always have such great ideas and you are an inspiration. I subscribe to you emails and always look forward to getting them. Thank you.
I’ve been getting your weekly emails and really enjoy them. We are a family of 5 in 950 square ft, no garage or basement. I’m always looking for ideas, thanks for your wealth of them!
I really enjoy your weekly emails they sure inspire me especially since my husband and I are downsizing. Would love to win the Verselette, it loos fashionable and versatile. Blessings to you and your family
Hey I just found this blog, and you’re from Vancouver as well~! Very cool! My biggest pet peeve about “stuff” is “free stuff,” gifts I get that I don’t want, that’s why I try to convince people not to do gift exchanges during holidays and birthdays because most of it ends up in the garbage or junk you don’t want.
Thought of you yesterday while listening to NPR’s Diane Rehm show on your local public radio station. Interviewed an author who wrote the book WAIT. What made me think of you was the topic of being busy…and generally busy for no good reason. Interesting.
Thanks, Michele. I’ll have to have a look at the book. Sounds like a great read.
I really prefer to buy products made in the USA, Canada, or Europe. I am hoping that the people are paid better wages, and that the items, particularly toys, are made responsibly and with better quality materials. We’ve been able to do this fairly often with food, with cloth diapers, and we’ve been able to find SOME toys (Tag Toys and Green Toys, some things on Etsy). But clothes..man that is a whole other story. It is HARD to find stuff made here. Of course there’s Frye, like you said. I bought some of their boots used and they are in great shape. And I have found one children’s brand that is 100% made in the USA (Brooklyn to be specific) right down to the thread, it’s called Winter Water Factory. Great stuff. You have to pay more but honestly the clothes last SO much longer and are way better quality. If you find other good brands I hope you’ll post them, as I really have searched and have not found much.
I just found your blog, thanks to Miss Minimalist, I think, and I love it! I am a middle-aged stay-at-home mom of a teen and a tween. After years of being a wannabe minimalist, I am slowly taking the plunge. I think I really needed my husbands’ buy-in, and now I think he finally gets it! Our situation is unique, too, in that we are Henry’s (High Earners Not Rich Yet) and we’ve purchased ourselves into oblivion. and we’re drowning in stuff. But little by little, we dragging stuff to the curb in the way of donations, recycling, Freecyclig, any way we can get rid of all that stuff and just enjoy being with each other. This is hard, so hard, but you are an inspirational hero to me. Thank you.
Never heard of ‘Henrys’ but I like the term. We’re Henrys too but have turned things around and are starting to save like mad.
Hi, just wanted to share a link you may find interseting. I’m an American living in Germany and also mom, also clearing out the junk, also focusing on buying handmade, ethically produced, long-lasting, etc. etc.
I came across this site while looking for vegan shoes (am also reducing our dependency on meat since it’s such a strain on our world). They seem to have larger sizes on sale right now. Italians are short folks! (big laugh)
Have a great night. Link for Noah Italian Vegan Shoes is below.
: http://www.noah-shop.com/
I think it’s wise to wait on the double stroller. My sister bought one and, even at 3 kids now, rarely uses it. She’s found an ergo for the baby in the basket is enough. Baby starts in the stroller and if someone else needs a ride they switch it up. I also know she’s popped her 3 year old in the ergo on her back occasionally if the baby was asleep in the stroller (obviously this only works for shorter distances!). I only have one kiddo but I’ve noticed in my neighborhood a lot of the older siblings seem to use scooters to get around. Another commenter suggested a balance bike, which is the same idea. Either of those might be the ideal option, especially if you can find something small enough to stow in the Bob basket.
Just wanted to forward this link in case anyone hasn’t yet seen it? The 5 best toys of all time:
http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2011/01/the-5-best-toys-of-all-time/all/
Love your blog. just subscribed. i will be reading every post (past and future)bin my attempt to minimalize and declutter my life.
In September, after hearing a cute little rhyme, I decided to get my kids just four things for Christmas this year (Something they want, something they need, something to wear, something to read). It is by far the most minimalist things I have ever (half-assed) committed to doing. I shared my idea with no one, to be honest I didn’t think I could do it, I just liked the idea of it: With less, they would appreciate more. Then, in late September, my husband got a fantastic & unexpected promotion. Suddenly the commitment I made, to buy my deserving family less for Christmas seemed harder. With money in the bank I hit the malls, this would be the first Christmas where the purchases would be made with cash (and not financed on credit cards for the next couple of months). Fast forward 2 months and here I am reading your blog. Not only did I not buy anything that day at the mall, but with only a month to go, I have stuck to my guns and followed my new sing-songy little Christmas shopping mantra. I came across your blog today & suddenly 2 hours of my life are gone. But not wasted. Thank you so much for all the inspiration. While my challenge may seem paltry to some, I am bursting at the seams. I am so proud of how it has played out & seeped into my (our) everyday life. I am so excited to have discovered your blog at this point on my journey (I was googling ‘Ethical clothing’ for a completely different journey). Thank you!!!
Thanks, Haley. And well done. I love hearing from other families that are working to live with a bit less.
Hello! I’m a young mom of one little girl (hoping to add more asap!) and have never really lived on my own. I’ve been a live-in nanny for over a year, and lived at home most of the time prior, but I’ve finally found the live of my life and we’re moving into an apartment in February! In November I paired down my and my daughters belongings so we don’t have much. We’ll need to purchase a lot because between my fiancée and I we don’t have much household items.
I’m wondering if you have a post, or know of any resources for STARTING out as a minimalist household? There are so many for getting rid of stuff/de-cluttering but I haven’t found any for ny situation! I don’t want to get wrapped up in buying too much, etc. Or am I going to be fine going at it in my own way?
Any advice or info is much appreciated!!!
Love the site- keep up the encouragement :0)
Wow, love your blog. I’m excited to try some of your ideas. I’m currently getting organized, simplifying, finding ways for my twins grow up with “less” and more. Thanks for the inspiration!
Hi! I’m from Ottawa and I found your blog while googling “decluttering”.
I love your blog! Right now, my house is full of kids toys and un-filed bills and mail (that is the worst thing for me). I feel crazy for asking people to “not” buy my kids toys for their bday (they are only 2 and 1 yrs old). They have no idea what’s going on anyways. But your blog makes me feel better about that. When Link turns 3, I will ask family to buy only outside toys (if they must).
I also can’t believe how much debt you’ve paid off, congrats! Also, congrats on the new arrival!
You’ve found a fan forever in me!
Stephanie
P.S.: Canada is still really cold.
I love your blog! I have always been once to “purge” as I can’t stand clutter, but do save things of meaning from my ancestors which I have organized in photo (CD) boxes with the person’s name on it………..grandkids love looking at these.
But……..to the frig point. I love a non cluttered clean frig and am trying right now to empty my freezer by eating all of it and starting over. I think this was your idea. The one thing that came to mind reading this was my feeling that we need to be prepared for disasters and that does take up 2 closets in our garage. I have enough food for at least 6 months in case that day ever comes. It is one of my most important goals………..I would never want my children (now grown) to have gone hungry or not have water to drink. If they day were to come we would gladly feed our wonderful neighbors. (formula and diapers for babies……..sanitary products for women also)
We have always paid off credit cards in full………….or we wouldn’t sleep at night! We also give 10% of our income to charities we feel close to and know all our money is going to the cause. I just wanted to mention how important I thought using space to take care of our family in the event of a disaster is so important. Here in California if we have an earthquake that closes roads the grocery stores would be empty in hours. No grocery stores carry stock in their back rooms anymore. Having food and water is a great comfort to our family. Thank you for all your wonderful thoughts.
Im so inspired by you! We moved to Canada from California and I joined a co-op so I wouldn’t have to go to the store with the baby in the snow so much. I was always so proud of my “stash” which we purchased in bulk. Now that the kids are older, and I am trying so desperately to declutter the home and simplify many times over, it’s interesting to think about the pantry and fridge this way. I never considered that hoarding food also complicates things and may lead to clutter or waste. I like what the other reader said about having a back up for emergencies, but I’m going to try to use up the extra of what we have and keep the fridge more simple with better meal planning. thank you!
I just wanted to let you know that I love your blog and I like that you also live in Canada like me.