This all started with The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.

It sounds like the most ridiculous thing to say, but I’m dead serious that it changed my life, as promised in the title.

I tore through the book in a few hours, and promptly allocated a Saturday evening to get rid of 75% of my clothing. Four hours and five giant garbage bags destined for Value Village later, I realized something: I have way more stuff than I need.

And honestly, way more stuff than I even really like.

So maybe, just maybe, I don’t need to buy all of those things I thought I needed to buy?

I took a quick look at my Google Keep wishlist from a few months ago, and 9 out of 10 of the items I had written down as must-have “eventually” purchases were things I didn’t want or prioritize anymore.

Hmm. Maybe I’m right about this not-needing-stuff thing.

If I’m right about that, maybe it means I could save more? Or manage my finances better? Maybe reach a few financial goals ahead of time?

And down the rabbit hole of personal finance blogs and sub-reddits I went. Eventually, after spending way too much time devouring r/personalfinance, r/frugal, r/financialindependence, Blonde on a Budget, Mr. Money Mustache, Frugalwoods (they have a dog too!) and other such blogs, I realized two final things.

1. I am nowhere near as good with money as I thought I was.
2. I’m a hell of a lot better than I used to be.

I have more to learn in order to reach my goals, and I’m excited to do it in public and share what I’m learning – and the progress I’m making in correcting past mistakes. If I can help inspire just one person as much as the aforementioned people have inspired me, I’ll be happy.

First up: getting my financial house in order.