Raising Children in the Minimalist and FIRE Lifestyle

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Minimalism and FIRE have become popular lifestyle choices in recent years, but can they be applied to raising children? I’d say – choose your battles, move on.

AM KIDDING!!!

I actually think it’s an uphill battle that requires intentional effort and education, however our experiments with the young coconuts are still underway so this post is largely theoretical on how we are attempting to impart minimalism and FIRE principles to children, why it matters, and what specific actions parents can take to raise children in this lifestyle.

Why Does Minimalism and FIRE Matter for Children?

I actually don’t see why it matters to them directly. It matters to us as parents more – I want less clutter, I want aligned values, I was to stop having that constant conversation why I can’t buy the world for you.

However, if I were to argue why it should matter then I’d say minimalism and FIRE can provide children with a strong foundation for a healthy relationship with money and possessions. Children who grow up in a minimalist household hopefully learn to appreciate the value of experiences over material possessions. They learn to live with less, appreciate what they have, and develop a sense of contentment that doesn’t come from material possessions. This is a valuable life skill that will serve them well in the long run.

FIRE also provides children with a strong financial foundation. They learn about budgeting, saving, and investing from an early age, which will set them up for financial success in the future.

How to Teach Minimalism and FIRE to Children?

  1. Start with education: Children learn by example and through conversation. Start by having a conversation with your children about what minimalism and FIRE are and why they matter. Use age-appropriate language and help them understand how these lifestyle choices can benefit them in the long run. I often ask the kids when they want something “Do you think you’ll still play with this in a week’s time?” or “Is there something else that you really want, that we can save up for instead of buying this?”. This works with the 9 year old, the 6 year old is a hit and miss. With the 6 year old, I suggest we save instead 😀
  2. Set an example: Children learn from what they see, not what they hear. We set an example by living a minimalist and FIRE lifestyle ourselves as best as we can. We show them how to live with less, how to budget, save, and invest, and how to prioritize experiences over possessions. Some examples:
    • Borrowing library books over buying books, unless it’s Coco#1’s prized Harry Potter collection
    • Saving money to spend on an experience (such as wall-climbing) vs a silly toy bought on a whim (not to be confused with a toy they really, really want)
    • Our broken laptop – this we’ve taken a bit far, perhaps. Maybe not! We brought this gorgeous red lean-mean machine with us even when we travelled, am quite sentimental about it. Then one day two years ago, the screen hinge broke. Boo – Hoo. We took it to the shop, had it glue-ed back and about a month ago – it broke again. We still used it in it’s current condition, I am typing on it now!! I wish we could just salvage it, it works great still! But we did consider the cost of getting the hinge fixed and the amazing offer we found on Lazada especially on the birthday sale now. A new lappy was the way to go this time, albeit reluctantly! Pic below!
    • Have I ever told you about my phone???? I feel like I must have! If I haven’t, well I have the sleekest looking crappy phone there is to have 🙂 A much coveted title! I won’t name & shame it, cos I love it. It cost about ~$250 back when we bought it, say 3 years ago, and does everything I need it to do (calls, sms, whatsapp, all apps I need). The only drawback – it’s got a crappy camera. I’ve been asked by friends and kids the same question again and again – whyyyy? Why don’t I just get a phone with a better camera? Well the answer is – there’s always going to be others around me with a better phone and they can take the pics and share them. I don’t care for taking the good pics, I love having them though. AND THIS HAS WORKED ALL THE TIME. I don’t need to keep getting the latest and the greatest, I am genuinely content with my ‘ol trusty.
  3. Involve them in the process:
    • Involve the children in the decluttering and simplifying process. We ask them to help us go through their toys and clothes, and teach them about the importance of donating items they no longer need or use.
    • When it comes to FIRE, we involve them in the budgeting and saving process. We show them how much a meal cost if we got it at a restaurant, and how much we spent making it at home.
    • We show them how to save money for a goal, and let them choose what they want to save for sometimes.
    • We talk about how a Business Card ticket isn’t worth it, that we rather put that money to get us more trips to other places and have a fabulous experience while there. Like when we went to New York, mountain lodges and dining experiences all made possible by not spending a bomb to sit further up front on the same flight.
  4. Encourage creative play: Children who grow up in a minimalist household often have fewer toys and possessions, which can lead to more creative play. Encourage your children to use their imagination, create their own games, and play with what they have. Our kids have made zip lines and re-imagined their Lego pieces to be Bear Grylls rappelling down a dangerous mountain with a grappling hook among other scenarios I can’t keep up with!
  5. Make it fun: Learning about minimalism and FIRE doesn’t have to be boring. We keep it bite-sized. We give them occasional treats and are sure to weave in the teachings quickly – like this airport lounge experience costs a lot of money if you pay to get it, but we have unlimited access due to a credit card. So there are deals out there, look for it. We aren’t spending frivolously. Then we move on 🙂 Sure let’s have ice-cream out today, the next few rounds will be at home where we have a tub and cones – a whole lot cheaper.

So it is possible? Teaching kids to tame their desires for everything in the world? We hope so, to some extent! We are still a work-in-progress so only time will tell! Now, the promised picture 🙂

This was a week ago. It’s looking a lot worse for wear now, eeks!

Author: Ms.K

Ms.K is everything that Mr.C is, without the natural interest in investing and company financials! The activity planner for the family, the driver of random ideas and soon to be ‘retiring’ in to full time motherhood – Ms.K has no idea what she’s in for but remains super excited!
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