A long time coming

I have finally decided that to commit fully to minimalist lifestyle. I have always lived below my means and tried to save as much as I could for emergencies, but in all reality I have only done slightly better than my peers. I still would succumb to the occasional unnecessary luxuries. So what changed? Like with most major decisions I have made in my life it came as an epiphany.

I have decided to live as minimalistically and cheaply as humanly possible. Which should be easier than most for me due to my service in the military. Both food and shelter are provided as of right now so that takes care for a large portion of most peoples budget, so that alleviates most financial stress. Not to mention that I always know what I'm going to wear. That then leaves me with communication, transportation, and the occasional miscellaneous expenses.

I also realize that I'm not entitled to anything, and even though I can "afford" to live more lavishly I choose to live more minimalistically in order to reach retirement that much sooner. I know this isn't the norm. Most people believe that buying things is the way to improve things, or that buying more things and making more money is the way to greater happiness. I have never seen things that way. I do understand that money can solve problems, but they are usually problems that could have been avoided with a little effort in the first place.

"Spending more money on yourself can spare you from hardships. But hardship is just an unpleasant way of writing “effort”, and effort is really the only thing getting you out of bed in the morning. Effort is the spice of life. If you smooth over all possible difficulties with Benjamin Franklin Wallpaper, you end up with your enormous jello-like form sprawled in a hovering cruise-ship deck chair staring at an LCD screen while soft-spoken robots bring you drinks." - Mr. Money Mustache

Financial independence/early retirement is freedom. Although I haven't experienced it first hand, I love the idea of being free to do whatever, whenever and however I want. I can't imagine having to work for the rest of my life in order to be able to live. It simply doesn't make sense to me. And all that is required for this freedom is a source of income, frugal/minimalist lifestyle and sensible investments.

Therein lies the whole reason why I made this choice. To spend less money in order save in order to build a small fortune, in order to eventually gain freedom form forced labor later in life. What if I fail or die before I reach my finical goals? Would it have all been a waste? I doubt it. I don't find comfort in material things. I do however believe in having new and exciting experiences unconstrained by the limits that would be set forth by having to maintain a job.

So I will choose to live a minimalist lifestyle, not only because I want to gain finical freedom but it is a lifestyle that have always held close but never fully embraced.