The home decorating business is a billion-dollar industry, and for good reason. For many people, nothing makes a house feel like a home quite like photos, artwork, and soft pillows. Before you know it, you’re buying more odds and ends from your Pinterest board so your home can look like it belongs on HGTV.

However, in recent years, the minimalist lifestyle has gained fans. From tiny houses to spare, clean bedrooms, minimalists are proving they have really good design taste. But the truth is they’ve readjusted their mindset to appreciate the things they have and purge the things that don’t bring joy.

Adopting a minimalist lifestyle can help you emotionally and financially. How?

1. Organizing is great! But not having to organize your clutter every week (or month, we don’t judge) is even better. Simply put, when you don’t have as much “stuff” to put away, you’ll have more time to enjoy with your friends and family.
2. You stop wasting money on items that don’t serve any purpose. How many times do you find yourself buying something you never wear, eat, or use? Think about how much money you’ve wasted on unnecessary junk in your life. Once you rid yourself of those purchases, you have more money to spend on items and experiences that are make life more enjoyable. Saving money is not the primary goal of minimalism, but it is a nice side effect.
3. You feel happy and less stressed in your home environment. Is most of your cleaning simply hiding messes in drawers? Are there drawers bursting with potholders, pens, and other odds and ends? That can cause anxiety! Once you get rid of items you don’t need, your home will feel lighter, spacious, and less stressful.
4. You realize you’re not defined by what you own, or by what others think of you. In the end, it doesn’t matter if your coworkers or friends are impressed by the car you drive. You can’t pay your bills with someone’s opinion.
5. You stop wasting time and effort in the sale section. Okay, this is only half true. You can still try to find a good bargain, but when you realize you don’t need as much, you will save enough to afford items of higher quality and that last longer. Buying something you don’t really need simply because it’s on sale is a waste of time and money.
6. You begin to realize that contentment doesn’t come from what you own, but from how you feel about yourself. Money can buy you happiness to an extent, but if you’re spending much of it to impress others, you might end up feeling empty. A few cherished items can have infinitely more personal value than a room full of trending products.

Adopting a minimalist lifestyle doesn’t have to mean making big changes in your life. But it does mean a commitment to ridding your life—and finances—of clutter. The best way to start is by reviewing your checking account statement and analyzing your monthly purchases. If everything you’ve purchased has enhanced your life, great! If not, become more aware of your spending habits and see how you can make mindful choices. Happy minimizing!