Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.

-Epictetus

Great little Stoic exercise here that will help you get back to your priorities in life. Imagine you lose everything you have and that you have to live in a forest right outside your town. What are the first 10 things you will want to introduce to your life, and in what order? Think about that and make a list.

To give you an idea I'll give you my personal list:

  • 1) Running water
  • 2) Food
  • 3) Roof over my head
  • 4) Clothes
  • 5) Cooking and food storage facilities (a camping stove, food containers, water bottle etc.)
  • 6) Kitchen utensils (knives, forks, pans, pots)
  • 7) Toilet paper
  • 8) A bed
  • 9) Gym access (with shower and towels)
  • 10) Device that can access internet (charge at gym, use gym internet)

Chances are that you have access to all the things on your list. Be grateful of that. Now expand your list to include another 10 things. These are what I came up with:

  • 11) Electricity
  • 12) Heating device to keep me warm in winter (this might have been higher on the list if it wasn't summer atm)
  • 13) A fridge
  • 14) Lights
  • 15) Some means of transportation (bike, car, bus card etc.)
  • 16) Shoes (if gym doesn't allow barefooted training this is going to be higher)
  • 17) Internet at home
  • 18) A chair
  • 19) A desk
  • 20) Shower at home

Chances are you have all of the next 10 things, too. Save the list somewhere. Whenever you become unhappy or frustrated because you can't get some thing that you want, take a look at the list. Is that thing on the list? Probably not. So you probably don't need it that badly. Save your money instead.

Unhappy with being part of the corporate rat race? Stop buying shit you don't need. Financial independence is the only way to escape and financial independence starts with cutting out shit you don't need.

What is your list?