8 Things to Cut out of Your Life Immediately
1. Painful clothing. Even if it looks fantastic, clothing that pinches, pulls, and gives you blisters is not your friend. Lose it as quickly as possible and never look back.
2. People who insult you with “jokes.” I have a neighbor who does this. Actually at this point, she doesn’t even bother with the jokes. She just says something rude and then laughs afterwards so that it seems like it was supposed to be a joke. Lame. Insulting. I help out when she needs it, but I limit our conversations as a result.
3. Bank fees. It’s getting harder to find quality banking with no fees, but it’s worth the search. Getting charged for small balances, too many transfers, or any other BS reason is not worth it. Bank fees slowly drain your account and suck your attention. Lose ‘em.
4. Bad purchases that make you feel guilty. You’re allowed to make mistakes. So the shirt didn’t work out or the candelabra is actually pretty ugly in the daylight. You don’t have to hang onto a purchase out of guilt. Find someone who can use the item, sell it, or return it if you haven’t used it. Get rid of the bad mojo.
5. Dangerous habits. There’s no better time to cut unhealthy habits out of your life. Even if you screw up every once in a while, you can always start over. It’s your choice.
6. Foods that suck your energy. Sugar, caffeine, and short-term energy boosters: they have their place in life, but if they’re affecting your energy flow on a daily basis, consider cutting back. This one is totally personal decision, but I personally hate the feeling of being controlled by what I eat.
7. Tchotchkes you don’t love (aka stuff that’s there to impress other folks). If you have to dust it, you’d better love it. That’s my rule. Anything else is a waste of time.
8. Contracts you don’t use. Gyms, second or third cars, cable, book clubs… Every once in a while, it’s worth a cancellation fee to get rid of the background noise, paperwork, and mindshare that comes with unused contract services and goods.
What would you recommend cutting out? Please offer your recommendations in the comments!
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This post has 28 comments
September 16th, 2009
I convinced my boyfriend to cut out his dry cleaning bill. He had been taking his clothes to the cleaners every week, and had expressed resentment at their horrible customer service (missing buttons, etc.) We bought him some wrinkle-free shirts and pants, and now he’s set to do hassle-free laundry at home.
Esmeralda ´s last blog ..Food for Thought: Wednesday Links
September 16th, 2009
Great post. One I can use immediately. Instead of additions, I think I had better get started. You have inspired me to get rid of a blouse that hurts to wear but that I was given (as a handmedown) by a dear friend. You have also inspired me to work harder on the sugar thing (yes THAT THING!) Thanks.
September 16th, 2009
Toxic Friends. These are the people who exist just to create drama in your life.
September 16th, 2009
These are are all GREAT things to cut out of your life. One thing I would add would be negativity. Get that out of your life ASAP!
Positively Present´s last blog ..how to diversify your life portfolio
September 16th, 2009
Sara,
Hey there! It has been awhile since I have commented, but I have been reading. I would like to add one on to that list that applies to my life currently. That is excessively eating out or buying little snacks.
Both are things that I love, but both are so expensive. Keep them as true occasions and you will enjoy your meals out that much more.
Glad to see that you are still blogging strong, take care!
September 16th, 2009
I cut cable TV and never looked back. If I want to watch TV, I have Netflix (where you can get just about anything you want to watch) and a modest collection of my absolute favorite movies on DVD. No more incessant yapping from the tube, commercials, crappy programming, and having to deal with our local cable company–they are overpriced and have horrible customer service and fees!
September 16th, 2009
About #2, the rude neighbor. Don’t just cut her out. Tell her it’s rude. Don’t tell her maliciously, but bring it to her attention that it’s not actually funny and some people could be hurt by her comments. Think of how many people she’s bringing down with her “humor.”
And I have to agree with painful shoes. I wear them once, find out they’re painful, and they sit in the back of my closet until I forget how painful they were and wear them again. Why do this to yourself?
September 16th, 2009
We call this “80/20-ing”. There’s a theory somewhere that 80% of your attention is taken up by 20% of your life – a single high-drama friend, for example, can eat days or weeks of your time that would have been better spent on many low-drama friends. It’s super-important to find those things in the 20% and cut them out!
I love your list, and I’d add stale friendships. All too often, we remain friends with people we no longer have anything in common with or, in some cases, don’t even like anymore, simply out of habit or because we’ve always been friends. But that takes up time and attention, and can prevent us from making friends with new people we actually want to be around! (:
Kyeli´s last blog ..Don’t go to the cheese factory
September 16th, 2009
Yes. yes. Yes yes. yes yes. yes yes.
Excellent list. Although foods that suck my energy will be a tad harder to remove completely.
The Everyday Minimalist´s last blog ..The Top 5 Benefits of Being a Minimalist
September 16th, 2009
Great list! I have/do use a lot of these suggestions. I’d add:
Perfectionism
Always saying Yes. (I love the word NO!!)
Judy´s last blog ..Drumroll Please……………………
September 16th, 2009
Great post Sara. I would like to add: buying newspaper. Why bother when you can read it online these days
Karlil´s last blog ..How To Get Past Self Doubt And Live Your Fullest
September 16th, 2009
How about getting rid of emotions that drain you of energy? Things like jealousy, envy, anger and fear.
One thing that helps me enormously is slowing down when I drive. I see a connection between my stress level and how fast I drive. When I take my time, my stress level doesn’t rise and I’m more patient with drivers who make mistakes.
Fergie´s last blog ..Some Pretty Things
September 16th, 2009
Here’s some of my observations:
Instead of banks, check out credit unions. You may qualify for memebership just by living in a certain area. No bank fees, lower interest rates on loans and credit cards, and higher interest on savings. They’re non-profit, and all earnings go back to the members. Great deal.
Another thing to get rid of: Software that someone else thinks is cool but doesn’t work for you. Helps keep your hard drive clean.
September 16th, 2009
Dining out. Eating out is a drain on finances and generally speaking, horrible for the waistline.
Greg´s last blog ..Conquer Bias To Reach Your Goals
September 16th, 2009
Get rid off worrying thoughts.
As soon as I notice them I am deliberately distracting them and that distracting method is the same I used for my children when I wanted to distract them.
If I can I go and clean something or if I am in bed for eample I deliberately think of birthday presents I need to buy.
Works every time.
Wilma Ham´s last blog ..My daughter and I on ‘why should you?’.
September 16th, 2009
Right along with clothes, I would say painful shoes and cheap, breakable things including clothes and household items.
Carla´s last blog ..Eco-Friendly Alternative to Paper Towels: SKOY Cloths – Giveaway Winner
September 17th, 2009
no matter, if i go grocery shopping or other stores. i have my own fabric bags with me. every time i pay my stuff i say: would you please be so kind and put it here in my bag.
i’m sick of all the plastic bags you get everywhere. i used to have tons of them at home. i got rid of them. and it’s better for our environment!
Sanja ´s last blog ..natürlich nähe ich noch
September 17th, 2009
I would eliminate toxic relationships, family, friends, coworkers whoever.
I personally need to do no. 1.
Tess The Bold Life´s last blog ..It’s All About You
September 18th, 2009
#2 and #7 are biggies for me – I no longer keep tchotchkes in the house and I get rid of people/friends who don’t add value to my life. Makes living much more enjoyable
David´s last blog ..Consolidating Down To A Single Laptop Computer.
September 19th, 2009
Just found this site through Twitter – and am SO glad I did. Mine is somewhat related to the people who insult with jokes – but I’m trying to eliminate “toxic” people. I need more energy for the people and things that I love!
September 19th, 2009
Traditions that have lost their meaning.
Toxic relatives.
Trying not to respond with rudeness to other people’s rude behaviour.
(hmmm…..perhaps a little theme going here. Thanks for letting me get this out.)
September 20th, 2009
Guilt…
Bad thoughts…
“skinny” clothes….
I just switched our bank account, by taking the “green” option, skipping paper statements, they pay me 2% or more a month…I like that.
Dawn´s last blog ..Fitness update
September 20th, 2009
Jobs we’ve come to hate. Hobbies, charities, and relationships we keep up simply because we have time, emotion, or resources tied up in them.
It’s amazing how we imprison and impoverish ourselves out of habit.
Thanks for getting us thinking.
Chris´s last blog ..Five Reasons Why We Cling to Our Stuff
September 22nd, 2009
#9. Grasping for something better
#10. Trying to be perfect
#11. Worrying about what someone else thinks
September 22nd, 2009
Great post! It is really very important to be mindful and vigilant towards these apparently “small” things in life, that have the potential to be very “destructive”. As has been said “A stitch in time saves nine”. It is necessary to look deeply into our various activities and follow the right principles of safety and simplicity.
Vijay – Meditation Techniques Guide´s last blog ..Related Links & Resources
September 29th, 2009
4 and 7 are big for me. I started the 100 Thing Challenge about 6 months ago and it’s been an amazing experience. I don’t have a crazy amount of clutter anymore and I don’t make impulse purchases. Plus items I’m not happy with, I return to the store. Great post!
RowdyKittens´s last blog ..Today’s Home Buyers Think Small
October 6th, 2009
Delete “friends” from your IM, email and cellphone contacts whom you haven’t even met or are not really your friends. Focus on persons who have made an impact on your life, with whom you can share important lessons and ideas with.
Less clutter. Empty your closets of unused clothes, bags and shoes and give to charity.
My Well Of wealth
Peter´s last blog ..“Courage is the discovery that you may not win, and trying when you know you can lose.”
October 14th, 2009
Great post! I’d recommend cutting back on eating out at restaurants. You’ll save money by cooking the meals yourself.
Weed through your closets. Get rid of the clothes you don’t wear because they no longer fit, are out of style, or you just don’t want them anymore. Donate the clothes to a charity like Amvet, Purple Heart or Goodwill.
Old magazines: Throw them out, recycle them or donate them to the library.
Dishes, plastic containers, old lamps, nick nacks, etc. – donate them to a thrift store.
Books: swap them or donate them to a library. Buy a Kindle (Amazon’s electronic book reader). This will free up space so you don’t have books overflowing all over the house. I hear buying books through the Kindle is also cheaper. I plan on buying myself one soon.
Anita´s last blog ..Say YES to Life
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