Today Tammy and Logan pointed out how Oprah is experimenting with uncluttering her life.

Do you remember the last time you were in a hotel room? They’re usually about 300 square feet and perfectly organized to meet your more simplified needs.

I think you can look back at a time when you have stayed in a small space like this. And you probably loved it and wished you could find a place like this to live in.

Small and Simple Hotel Room, Photo Credit to Bobbie on Flickr

But what does Oprah talking about simplifying her life mean for us?

• More minimalists
• Over flooded landfills
• More “get rid of your stuff” blogs
• Rise in the purchase/inventory of second hand goods

I’m exaggerating, but you get the picture. Obviously the word is getting around. The momentum is there. People now know that they don’t need their stuff to make them happy.

The next few years look very interesting. Especially with the acceleration of technology and how we’re all using it to make our lives better/different.

If that last sentence interests you, go have a read at EvBogue.com.

Do you remember back when you were a teenager and you were just starting your own life out? I remember it perfectly well…

I loved cars back then (as I did most of my childhood) so the number one priority on my list was to replace my 1988 Nissan Pathfinder (it was the early 2000s).

So I did. I got a 5 year car payment along with a slightly used 2001 Ford Explorer. I’m sure you have done the same thing at some point in your life…

I’ve always wondered where I’d be today if I’d been a simple teen back then. How about you?

photo credit daniel rodriguez

Simple versus Material Teenager

Here, let’s make this fun…

Material Mike

• Drives a 2010 Mustang and pays about $400/mo for the privilege
• Works 30 hours per week at a retail store
• Takes 3 classes at University

Simple Mark

• Drives a paid off 1998 Toyota Celica and pays $70/mo for insurance
• Works 10-15 hours per week providing computer training, one of his passions
• Takes 4 classes at University

Mark’s instantly got more free time to spend interacting with other people, to put towards his own future career, and to think about his life.

One day Mark is reading and he decides that he can build an entire business out of teaching others how to use all kinds of computer software which he is already involved in and passionate about. So he decides he’ll offer more classes and goes up to 20-25 hours per week of working.

He still keeps his car, only he starts saving all of that extra money for his future.

5 Years Later

Material Mike…

• Upgrades to a newer Mustang and now pays $500/mo in car payments
• He’s working 40-50 hours to pay for all his stuff
• He’s not sure why he’s working at a rental car agency
• He’s got a passion for basketball but never thought he could make anything out of it and hasn’t played in the last 2 years

Simple Mark…

• Still has his paid off Celica (it’s visited the mechanic a few times but still no car payment)
• Is working 30 hours per week and has built a $30,000 savings account

If you’re like Mark you have freedom. You can pick what you want to do in life, even if that means a new career because if you’re Mark, you can live off of your $30,000 savings for years.

Giving you more than enough time to change careers, take a break, travel, or anything else – including helping out loved ones. After all, Mark’s happy with his life and career.

If you’re Mike, and I’m sure you have acted like him before (I have) you have a lot of work to do!

If you enjoyed subscribe and let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

After you simplify your life there are a lot of benefits to enjoy like more free time, money, and new found freedoms.

But here are the top four reasons that I minimized my life. And who knows, maybe you can take an idea or two and put to use in your own life?

Leave Job

My job was pretty cool but let’s be real, I didn’t like it. So a huge motivation for me at first was to get out of it so that I could…

Build An Online Business

If you want to quit your job to do nothing you’re lazy. I had already started an online business (web sites) but I wanted to be able to spend more time on them. At my old job, I was already in front of a computer for 7-10 hours a day. I wanted to clear up those hours so that I can build a future for myself (without a job). So I needed to…

Reduce Expenses, Increase Savings

In order to leave my job I needed to save enough money. Enough so that I’d be financially okay for at least one year while I built up my business and that’s exactly what I did… So that I could:

Enjoy Life More

For everyone it’s different but for me enjoying life means having the time to spend with the people I love, time to read at least a book a week, and to enjoy the freedom that an Internet based business offers you.

What were the reasons that made you initially simplify your life?

Photo credit fotoVoyager istockphoto #10121311