Review: √ Please Send a Copy to my Wife!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 9, 2014
I am delighted to be the very first reviewer of this fine book.  Although I am not a minimalist, I think the ideas expressed are excellent as well as practical. The author asks us to confront a stark reality:  Why do we have ALL THAT STUFF in our house?  Especially since we never use it.  This book provides guidance so that in 21 days, you can clear-out the junk, simplify your life, and begin focusing on important parts of life, not THINGS.In practical terms, try to get your possessions in your house down to 100. The method is, "Keep, throw away or Give."  I think most readers will find this tough--our family would definitely struggle with that.  I'm sure we have 100 times that many just in my wife's closet.  But the idea is good.  Stop spending your time getting stressed out by a bunch of unneeded things!  For instance, do you really need to keep all those photos that you never look at?  Why not take digital copies and clear them out?Try to organize your life to eliminate all the fluff that you don't really use.  How 'bout that spare bedroom that you never use?  And the gym membership?  (Wait, this is hitting too close to home!)  Do you really use 20 pairs of shoes?  These things are all examples of what the author calls, "Worldly Noise."  Why not lose the noise and start spending time on relationships?  It should be obvious that happiness is not found in the greed of acquiring more and more possessions.As you simplify your life, you can turn your attention to budgeting.  Use the "50/20/30" rule.  I admit I had never heard of such a rule.  Is it a tax loophole, or a savings plan like a 401-k plan?  No, it's a recommended percentage to spend on Necessities/financial obligations/personal choices.  Stop using those credit cards and raking up more debt!  Consider walking in the park as a simple way to exercise and see some other humans. We are "designed to be social beings."The very end of this gem really surprised me. The author does something that I don't recall seeing in other books.  There is a summary, reminding you of the "takeaways" you should keep in mind.  Wow!  Excellent idea.  Why don't other ideas do this same thing?  It's like having an outline of the book already done for you.  Immediately following, there is a summary of the steps that are recommended: "How to Put this Information into Action."  There are also a abundance of links to other, similar topics, such as YouTube videos.All in all, a really excellent Book. Lots of excellent ideas. Recommend!