Can practicing ‘Minimalism’ Improve Your Financial Health?

April 2, 2019 by Eric Braund, CFP®

https://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/saving-and-budgeting/articles/can-practicing-minimalism-improve-your-financial-health?fbclid=IwAR27tj9cHntkDjr_f66W38VrCB0TbLXzyfPI8IWA74bPaCK7IEVG2XLqPAI

Would Your Financial Plan Still Work for One?

This article was originally published in the October 2026 edition of the Traverse City Business News. Most financial plans are ...

September 2026 Insights: With Fall Approaching, Begin Preparing for Year-End

Fall marks the beginning of a busy planning season at Black Walnut, as we prepare for year-end decisions any personal ...

Does Your Spouse Know the Financial Plan as Well as You Do?

In many households, one spouse naturally takes the lead on financial matters. They may be the person who talks with ...

August 2026 Insights: As Summer Winds Down, a Few Things Worth Reviewing

As summer begins to wind down across Northern Michigan, the pace starts to shift. Visitors head home, students return to ...

Is Too Much of Your Wealth Riding on One Asset?

This article was originally featured in the August 2026 edition of the Traverse City Business News. For many successful families ...

img:is([sizes=auto i],[sizes^="auto," i]){contain-intrinsic-size:3000px 1500px}img.wp-smiley,img.emoji{display:inline !important;border:none !important;box-shadow:none !important;height:1em !important;width:1em !important;margin:0 .07em !important;vertical-align:-.1em !important;background:none !important;padding:0 !important}:root{--wp-block-synced-color:#7a00df;--wp-block-synced-color--rgb:122,0,223;--wp-bound-block-color:var(--wp-block-synced-color);--wp-editor-canvas-background:#ddd;--wp-admin-theme-color:#007cba;--wp-admin-theme-color--rgb:0,124,186;--wp-admin-theme-color-darker-10:#006ba1;--wp-admin-theme-color-darker-10--rgb:0,107,160.5;--wp-admin-theme-color-darker-20:#005a87;--wp-admin-theme-color-darker-20--rgb:0,90,135;--wp-admin-border-width-focus:2px}@media (min-resolution:192dpi){:root{--wp-admin-border-width-focus:1.5px}}.wp-element-button{cursor:pointer}:root .has-very-light-gray-background-color{background-color:#eee}:root .has-very-dark-gray-background-color{background-color:#313131}:root .has-very-light-gray-color{color:#eee}:root .has-very-dark-gray-color{color:#313131}:root .has-vivid-green-cyan-to-vivid-cyan-blue-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#00d084,#0693e3)}:root .has-purple-crush-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#34e2e4,#4721fb 50%,#ab1dfe)}:root .has-hazy-dawn-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#faaca8,#dad0ec)}:root .has-subdued-olive-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#fafae1,#67a671)}:root .has-atomic-cream-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#fdd79a,#004a59)}:root .has-nightshade-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#330968,#31cdcf)}:root .has-midnight-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#020381,#2874fc)}:root{--wp--preset--font-size--normal:16px;--wp--preset--font-size--huge:42px}.has-regular-font-size{font-size:1em}.has-larger-font-size{font-size:2.625em}.has-normal-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--normal)}.has-huge-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--huge)}:root .has-text-align-center{text-align:center}:root .has-text-align-left{text-align:left}:root .has-text-align-right{text-align:right}.has-fit-text{white-space:nowrap !important}#end-resizable-editor-section{display:none}.aligncenter{clear:both}.items-justified-left{justify-content:flex-start}.items-justified-center{justify-content:center}.items-justified-right{justify-content:flex-end}.items-justified-space-between{justify-content:space-between}.screen-reader-text{word-wrap:normal !important;border:0;clip-path:inset(50%);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px}.screen-reader-text:focus{background-color:#ddd;clip-path:none;color:#444;display:block;font-size:1em;height:auto;left:5px;line-height:normal;padding:15px 23px 14px;text-decoration:none;top:5px;width:auto;z-index:100000}html :where(.has-border-color){border-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-color]){border-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-top-color]){border-top-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-right-color]){border-right-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-bottom-color]){border-bottom-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-left-color]){border-left-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-width]){border-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-top-width]){border-top-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-right-width]){border-right-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-bottom-width]){border-bottom-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-left-width]){border-left-style:solid}html :where(img[class*=wp-image-]){height:auto;max-width:100%}:where(figure){margin:0 0 1em}html :where(.is-position-sticky){--wp-admin--admin-bar--position-offset:var(--wp-admin--admin-bar--height,0px)}@media screen and (max-width:600px){html :where(.is-position-sticky){--wp-admin--admin-bar--position-offset:0px}}.wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none}:root{--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--square:1;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--4-3:4/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-4:3/4;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-2:3/2;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--2-3:2/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--16-9:16/9;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--9-16:9/16;--wp--preset--color--black:#000;--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray:#abb8c3;--wp--preset--color--white:#fff;--wp--preset--color--pale-pink:#f78da7;--wp--preset--color--vivid-red:#cf2e2e;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange:#ff6900;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber:#fcb900;--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan:#7bdcb5;--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan:#00d084;--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue:#8ed1fc;--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue:#0693e3;--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple:#9b51e0;--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple:linear-gradient(135deg,#0693e3 0%,#9b51e0 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan:linear-gradient(135deg,#7adcb4 0%,#00d082 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange:linear-gradient(135deg,#fcb900 0%,#ff6900 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red:linear-gradient(135deg,#ff6900 0%,#cf2e2e 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray:linear-gradient(135deg,#eee 0%,#a9b8c3 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum:linear-gradient(135deg,#4aeadc 0%,#9778d1 20%,#cf2aba 40%,#ee2c82 60%,#fb6962 80%,#fef84c 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple:linear-gradient(135deg,#ffceec 0%,#9896f0 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux:linear-gradient(135deg,#fecda5 0%,#fe2d2d 50%,#6b003e 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk:linear-gradient(135deg,#ffcb70 0%,#c751c0 50%,#4158d0 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean:linear-gradient(135deg,#fff5cb 0%,#b6e3d4 50%,#33a7b5 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass:linear-gradient(135deg,#caf880 0%,#71ce7e 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--midnight:linear-gradient(135deg,#020381 0%,#2874fc 100%);--wp--preset--font-size--small:13px;--wp--preset--font-size--medium:20px;--wp--preset--font-size--large:36px;--wp--preset--font-size--x-large:42px;--wp--preset--spacing--20:.44rem;--wp--preset--spacing--30:.67rem;--wp--preset--spacing--40:1rem;--wp--preset--spacing--50:1.5rem;--wp--preset--spacing--60:2.25rem;--wp--preset--spacing--70:3.38rem;--wp--preset--spacing--80:5.06rem;--wp--preset--shadow--natural:6px 6px 9px rgba(0,0,0,.2);--wp--preset--shadow--deep:12px 12px 50px rgba(0,0,0,.4);--wp--preset--shadow--sharp:6px 6px 0px rgba(0,0,0,.2);--wp--preset--shadow--outlined:6px 6px 0px -3px #fff,6px 6px #000;--wp--preset--shadow--crisp:6px 6px 0px #000}:where(body){margin:0}:where(.is-layout-flex){gap:.5em}:where(.is-layout-grid){gap:.5em}body .is-layout-flex{display:flex}.is-layout-flex{flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center}.is-layout-flex>:is(*, div){margin:0}body .is-layout-grid{display:grid}.is-layout-grid>:is(*, div){margin:0}body{padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px}:root :where(.wp-element-button, .wp-block-button__link){background-color:#32373c;border-width:0;color:#fff;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;letter-spacing:inherit;line-height:inherit;padding-top:calc(.667em + 2px);padding-right:calc(1.333em + 2px);padding-bottom:calc(.667em + 2px);padding-left:calc(1.333em + 2px);text-decoration:none;text-transform:inherit}.has-black-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important}.has-white-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important}.has-pale-pink-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important}.has-vivid-red-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important}.has-light-green-cyan-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important}.has-vivid-green-cyan-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important}.has-pale-cyan-blue-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important}.has-vivid-purple-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important}.has-black-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important}.has-white-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important}.has-pale-pink-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important}.has-vivid-red-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important}.has-light-green-cyan-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important}.has-vivid-green-cyan-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important}.has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important}.has-vivid-purple-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important}.has-black-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important}.has-white-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important}.has-pale-pink-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important}.has-vivid-red-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important}.has-light-green-cyan-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important}.has-vivid-green-cyan-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important}.has-pale-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important}.has-vivid-purple-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple) !important}.has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan) !important}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange) !important}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red) !important}.has-very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray) !important}.has-cool-to-warm-spectrum-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum) !important}.has-blush-light-purple-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple) !important}.has-blush-bordeaux-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux) !important}.has-luminous-dusk-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk) !important}.has-pale-ocean-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean) !important}.has-electric-grass-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass) !important}.has-midnight-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--midnight) !important}.has-small-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--small) !important}.has-medium-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--medium) !important}.has-large-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--large) !important}.has-x-large-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--x-large) !important}[data-cky-tag]{visibility:hidden}.admin-bar .top-bar{top:0}.tagcloud a{display:block;font-size:15px !important;font-family:"DM Sans",sans-serif;line-height:1.2;color:#333;text-decoration:none;padding:4px 0;transition:color .2s ease}.tagcloud a:hover{color:#0eb28b;text-decoration:none}.entry-footer{display:none}.sidebar .widget-title,.widget-area .widget-title{font-family:"Sorts Mill Goudy",serif;font-size:18px;font-weight:600;line-height:1.3;text-transform:none;color:#141933;margin-bottom:12px}body.blog .site-inner,body.archive .site-inner{margin-top:0 !important;padding-top:70px !important;padding-bottom:70px !important;clear:both}.single .widget_recent_entries{display:none !important}.page-id-36 .hero-section.universal-hero-section .wrap{max-width:1100px;margin:0 auto;padding:0 200px;box-sizing:border-box}.page-id-36 .hero-section.universal-hero-section h1.entry-title{margin-left:0;text-align:left}@media only screen and (min-width: 981px){.blog .inner-hero-section .siteorigin-widget-tinymce,.archive .inner-hero-section .siteorigin-widget-tinymce{width:100%;position:absolute;max-width:1170px;margin-left:10px;transform:translate(-50%,-50%);left:50%}.blog .inner-hero-section .siteorigin-widget-tinymce h1,.archive .inner-hero-section .siteorigin-widget-tinymce h1{max-width:400px}}@media only screen and (max-width: 600px){.team-popup-row .member-item{width:280px}.team-popup-row .members-container{width:100%}}#pgc-w672c766816766-0-0,#pgc-w672c766816766-1-0{width:100%;width:calc(100% - ( 0 * 30px ))}#pg-w672c766816766-0,#pl-w672c766816766 .so-panel,#pl-w672c766816766 .so-panel:last-of-type{margin-bottom:0px}#pg-w672c766816766-0.panel-has-style>.panel-row-style,#pg-w672c766816766-0.panel-no-style{-webkit-align-items:flex-start;align-items:flex-start}@media (max-width:980px){#pg-w672c766816766-0.panel-no-style,#pg-w672c766816766-0.panel-has-style>.panel-row-style,#pg-w672c766816766-0,#pg-w672c766816766-1.panel-no-style,#pg-w672c766816766-1.panel-has-style>.panel-row-style,#pg-w672c766816766-1{-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column}#pg-w672c766816766-0>.panel-grid-cell,#pg-w672c766816766-0>.panel-row-style>.panel-grid-cell,#pg-w672c766816766-1>.panel-grid-cell,#pg-w672c766816766-1>.panel-row-style>.panel-grid-cell{width:100%;margin-right:0}#pl-w672c766816766 .panel-grid-cell{padding:0}#pg-w672c766816766-0 .panel-grid-cell-empty,#pg-w672c766816766-1 .panel-grid-cell-empty{display:none}#pl-w672c766816766 .panel-grid .panel-grid-cell-mobile-last{margin-bottom:0px}}#pgc-w682c782863169-0-0,#pgc-w682c782863169-1-0{width:100%;width:calc(100% - ( 0 * 30px ))}#pg-w682c782863169-0,#pl-w682c782863169 .so-panel,#pl-w682c782863169 .so-panel:last-of-type{margin-bottom:0px}#pg-w682c782863169-0.panel-has-style>.panel-row-style,#pg-w682c782863169-0.panel-no-style,#pg-w682c782863169-1.panel-has-style>.panel-row-style,#pg-w682c782863169-1.panel-no-style{-webkit-align-items:flex-start;align-items:flex-start}@media (max-width:980px){#pg-w682c782863169-0.panel-no-style,#pg-w682c782863169-0.panel-has-style>.panel-row-style,#pg-w682c782863169-0,#pg-w682c782863169-1.panel-no-style,#pg-w682c782863169-1.panel-has-style>.panel-row-style,#pg-w682c782863169-1{-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column}#pg-w682c782863169-0>.panel-grid-cell,#pg-w682c782863169-0>.panel-row-style>.panel-grid-cell,#pg-w682c782863169-1>.panel-grid-cell,#pg-w682c782863169-1>.panel-row-style>.panel-grid-cell{width:100%;margin-right:0}#pl-w682c782863169 .panel-grid-cell{padding:0}#pg-w682c782863169-0 .panel-grid-cell-empty,#pg-w682c782863169-1 .panel-grid-cell-empty{display:none}#pl-w682c782863169 .panel-grid .panel-grid-cell-mobile-last{margin-bottom:0px}}#pgc-w6a6d0baa45666-0-0{width:37.013%;width:calc(37.013% - ( .62987012987 * 30px ))}#pgc-w6a6d0baa45666-0-1{width:25%;width:calc(25% - ( .75 * 30px ))}#pgc-w6a6d0baa45666-0-2{width:17.013%;width:calc(17.013% - ( .82987012987 * 30px ))}#pgc-w6a6d0baa45666-0-3{width:20.974%;width:calc(20.974% - ( .79025974026 * 30px ))}#pg-w6a6d0baa45666-0,#pl-w6a6d0baa45666 .so-panel,#pl-w6a6d0baa45666 .so-panel:last-of-type{margin-bottom:0px}#pgc-w6a6d0baa45666-1-0{width:100%;width:calc(100% - ( 0 * 30px ))}#pg-w6a6d0baa45666-0.panel-has-style>.panel-row-style,#pg-w6a6d0baa45666-0.panel-no-style,#pg-w6a6d0baa45666-1.panel-has-style>.panel-row-style,#pg-w6a6d0baa45666-1.panel-no-style{-webkit-align-items:flex-start;align-items:flex-start}@media (max-width:980px){#pg-w6a6d0baa45666-0.panel-no-style,#pg-w6a6d0baa45666-0.panel-has-style>.panel-row-style,#pg-w6a6d0baa45666-0,#pg-w6a6d0baa45666-1.panel-no-style,#pg-w6a6d0baa45666-1.panel-has-style>.panel-row-style,#pg-w6a6d0baa45666-1{-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column}#pg-w6a6d0baa45666-0>.panel-grid-cell,#pg-w6a6d0baa45666-0>.panel-row-style>.panel-grid-cell,#pg-w6a6d0baa45666-1>.panel-grid-cell,#pg-w6a6d0baa45666-1>.panel-row-style>.panel-grid-cell{width:100%;margin-right:0}#pgc-w6a6d0baa45666-0-0,#pgc-w6a6d0baa45666-0-1,#pgc-w6a6d0baa45666-0-2{margin-bottom:30px}#pl-w6a6d0baa45666 .panel-grid-cell{padding:0}#pg-w6a6d0baa45666-0 .panel-grid-cell-empty,#pg-w6a6d0baa45666-1 .panel-grid-cell-empty{display:none}#pl-w6a6d0baa45666 .panel-grid .panel-grid-cell-mobile-last{margin-bottom:0px}}

Can practicing ‘Minimalism’ Improve Your Financial Health?

Explore Additional Tips & Insights

Would Your Financial Plan Still Work for One?

September 2026 Insights: With Fall Approaching, Begin Preparing for Year-End

Does Your Spouse Know the Financial Plan as Well as You Do?

August 2026 Insights: As Summer Winds Down, a Few Things Worth Reviewing

Is Too Much of Your Wealth Riding on One Asset?

Would You Like to Have a
Conversation?

We're committed to your financial well-being, taking the time to
get to know you and guide you toward financial security.

Click here for Black Walnut Wealth Management's Form CRS (Client Relationship Summary). For additional information click here.

Explore Additional Tips & Insights

Would Your Financial Plan Still Work for One?

September 2026 Insights: With Fall Approaching, Begin Preparing for Year-End

Does Your Spouse Know the Financial Plan as Well as You Do?

August 2026 Insights: As Summer Winds Down, a Few Things Worth Reviewing

Is Too Much of Your Wealth Riding on One Asset?

Would You Like to Have a Conversation?

We're committed to your financial well-being, taking the time to get to know you and guide you toward financial security.

Click here for Black Walnut Wealth Management's Form CRS (Client Relationship Summary). For additional information click here.

Would You Like to Have a
Conversation?

We're committed to your financial well-being, taking the time to
get to know you and guide you toward financial security.