MINIMALIST HABITS _ Christina Mychas is an author, content creator and expert on minimalism. Here are her eight practical minimalist habits designed to help anyone simplify their life and save money.
• Buy nice or buy twice: Focus on quality over quantity. Strive to purchase the best quality you can afford, and think in terms of cost per use rather than just the initial price.
• The “Hell Yes” rule: When making a purchase or decluttering, if it is not a “hell yes,” then it is a “no.” This helps eliminate self-doubt and ensures only meaningful items enter your life.
• The No. 2 rule: When deciding whether to keep an item, ask yourself: “If this had poop on it, would I be willing to clean it off?” If the answer is no, it’s not worth keeping.
• Make room before you need room: Never buy storage bins or organizers before you have finished decluttering the space; otherwise, you are just practicing “organized hoarding.”
• Focus on curation over acquisition: You don’t need to get rid of everything you enjoy, but you should curate your belongings and set constraints (like a limited number of hangers) so they don’t overwhelm you.
• Keep a wish list: When you see something you want, add it to a wish list instead of buying it immediately. This provides “breathing room” and helps you distinguish between genuine needs and impulse buys.
• Don’t buy a problem: Consider the hidden costs of every purchase, such as your time, maintenance, and the eventual effort required to get rid of the item later.
• If you can’t pay in full, you can’t afford it: Avoid using debt for discretionary spending. Learning to pay in full for non-essential items is a key skill for intentional living.
FALL FOLIAGE MAP 2026 _ It’s not too early for a pumpkin spice latte, but it is a bit early for fall foliage. Go ahead and bookmark ExploreFall.com’s fall foliage map to explore daily fall color estimates, peak timing, and recent foliage reports across the Lower 48. Search a place, drag the date slider, and plan where color should be best. • LINK
WHY OLD PEOPLE ARE SO HONEST _ Apparently as your ability to control impulses declines with age so does your ability to smooth over other people’s feelings by using white lies and omissions. The upside to this: advice from old people is more likely to be honest — if a little on the painful side. Scientific American reported on a study that’s showed how dwindling impulse control can simultaneously impair your social graces and improve your advice skills.
