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The Minimalists
The Minimalists are Emmy-nominated Netflix stars and New York Times–bestselling authors Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus. Alongside their podcast cohost, T.K. Coleman, this simple-living trio helps millions of people eliminate clutter and live meaningfully with less. Learn More.

The 30/30 Rule

By Joshua Fields Millburn ·

To stave off impulse, I created a rule that helps me avoid unnecessary purchases.

If something I want costs more than $30, I ask myself whether I can get by without it for the next 30 hours. Hence, “the 30/30 Rule.” (If it’s $100 or more, I tend to wait 30 days.)

This extra time helps me assess whether or not this new thing will add value to my life. Often, after deliberating, I recognize my life will be better without the new widget, so I forgo the purchase.

If I do acquire the new item, though, I feel better about the acquisition because I brought it into my life with intention, not in the impulse of the moment.