What Does "Less is More" Mean to You?

QM · 08-18-2011, 09:34 AM

A frugal friend of mine often uses this phrase. So it's been on my mind. I've tried explaining what I think it means to DD1 (who is 7 years old) but she doesn't "get" it. Maybe I don't "get it" either.

What does the phrase mean to you? Also, how would you explain it to a child and get them to see it's a good thing to declutter and purge the unnecessary stuff?

I don't want my daughters to grow up thinking they "need" things when they really don't. Any help in me teaching my daughters (and hubby) would be much appreciated!

**shoiji** · 08-18-2011, 09:59 AM

I suppose you could explain it as having a huge box of toys but the one that you play with the most is always on the bottom of the box. To get to that toy you need to constantly empty the box and put the other toys back in the box before you can play with the toy you want.

Now if you only had 1-4 toys in that box it would be easy to always play with your favorite toy and have more time to play with the toy.

You could also show her a picture of a really cluttered and stuffed room and ask her if she would want a room like that to play in and talk about how much easier it would be to play in a room without all the stuff.

Right now I am looking at all the stuff I currently have and what I am willing to get rid of.

**Menifeemom** · 08-18-2011, 10:07 AM

To me it means that you have more time to focus on what is truly important once you do some clearing out. My home use to have lots of stuff in it. Stuff that I had to devote time to dusting and caring for. By getting rid of lots of it I discovered more time to do what I truly enjoy. Along the same lines if you are determined to have lots of material possessions in life you may have to spend a lot more time away from family and friends working in order to have enough money. If you are satisfied with less stuff you may not have to spend as much time earning money and can enjoy just being with people.

**OOwl** · 08-18-2011, 10:12 AM

To me, that statement means I'd rather have LESS of a good quality than MORE of something substandard.

I find myself also telling my daughter, "Less is more," when she applies makeup.

**nuisance26** · 08-18-2011, 10:25 AM

~It means the things you have should be the things that matter most to you.
Keeping every greeting card anyone ever gave to you is more, keeping the ones with personal notes is "less is more".
Having 20 food options at your upcoming gathering is more, but 6 dishes made from your favorite, loved recipes is "less is more'.
It's discovering what things really improve your life and which ones are clutter. That goes for things, people, and activities.
'Less is more' means not getting so distracted with every thing that will keep you from focusing on living your values. When you truly embrace Less-is-more, it will be easy for others to see what you value the most.~

**Libby** · 08-18-2011, 10:31 AM

The less you do now = the more you have to do later (double the work)

Less clutter around = more enjoyable time spent wherever the clutter used to be. (less stuff to clean = more time to play / the less you keep = more room to move around)

Less spending = more in the bank

Less spent now = more that can be spent later (ie pacify yourself by impulse buying now to fill the void OR save up for the one thing that is really worth it to you)

Less worrying & stressing = more QT to spend with loved ones

QM · 08-18-2011, 10:37 AM

Awesome equations, Libby!

I'll have to write those down to show DD1.

**Libby** · 08-18-2011, 10:39 AM

Thanks QM - thats just how I've learned to interpret it.

**Sophiasmama** · 08-18-2011, 11:34 AM

Thanks for sharing these...

**Imarachne** · 08-18-2011, 06:33 PM

Libby--you're on target. Those are good examples !!

**frugalwarrior2** · 08-19-2011, 12:14 AM

My parents taught it to me this way.
The more stuff you have,the more time you need to take care of it. And the less time you can have enjoying it.
They lived their whole life this way. The cars were never fancy w/ options just point A to B vehicles,the fridge never had an icemaker so no ice maker to fix... on and on.
We never had more than we could nicely put away. My parents felt it was stressful to have clutter. We enjoyed each item like a prize. We knew they wasn't always more like kids are taught today. We never lost pieces or purposely damaged our things.
Nothing is special if you have too much. So,less is more.

**frugal is fun** · 08-19-2011, 08:24 AM

Originally Posted by nuisance26

~
It's discovering what things really improve your life and which ones are clutter. That goes for things, people, and activities.
'Less is more' means not getting so distracted with every thing that will keep you from focusing on living your values. When you truly embrace Less-is-more, it will be easy for others to see what you value the most.~

I love this!

**Ceashels** · 08-19-2011, 08:41 AM

Then there is:

Less food on my plate means more room in my clothes.

Less stuff on the floor means more floor to vacuum.

Less items in the pantry means more food to buy.

Less coffee on the shelf means .... WAAAAAH!

**bumplett** · 08-19-2011, 10:40 PM

Originally Posted by Ceashels

Then there is:

Less food on my plate means more room in my clothes.

Less stuff on the floor means more floor to vacuum.

Less items in the pantry means more food to buy.

Less coffee on the shelf means .... WAAAAAH!

ahhh, but could the flip side be:

the more room in your clothes = less doctor bills

the more floor to vacuum = less dust bunnies to make you sneeze/sick

the more food to buy = less worry of unfresh/stale food to eat