This piece is part of my 2016–2026 archive migration. Some original formatting, content, and external links may be missing, changed, or not be optimized.
Personal Finance
Are Those The Only Jeans You Have?
What kept me out of consumer debt until college graduation
I managed a music teaching business and some other entrepreneurial ventures from kid to college graduate. I also worked regular jobs in retail and fast food. I did it all; I even cleaned toilets at Chick-Fil-A. Still, things and accumulation didn’t hold my interest despite my not being broke.
My Date Prioritized Appearance Over Finance
After several months of dating, my date asked me: Are those the only jeans you have? At the time, I felt embarrassed and a little awkward about the question since the person was all about appearance and fashion, but not embarrassed enough to go out and buy another pair of jeans…
While my date prioritized their appearance, I prioritized my financial well-being and minimalistic practices. I could have bought another pair of jeans, but I didn’t need to because I already had my favorite jeans. Why get more? Who do I need to impress? No one – especially not my date.
To this day, I’m in a significantly better financial position than the person I used to date, and here’s why:
They still live with their parents (Not knocking anyone who does this, but it’s better to live with your parents because you want to, not because you have to. Be aware of the difference. Financial independence is priceless.)
They invested in their college education with thousands of dollars. Yet, with only a few classes left to complete, they didn’t finish, which is one of the greatest wastes of resources. If you see the finish line, cross it; you’ve already made it.
They’re reliant on menial hourly wages.
Their closet is overstuffed with fashionable clothes.
When it comes to personal finance and investing, they’re small-minded.
Side Note: Investing in fashion is nice if you have the money, but you’ll look good in anything if you invest in your physical exercise and diet. Looking strong, fit, and healthy naked is underrated.
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Consumer Debt’s Easy To Accumulate In College
My first credit card didn’t happen until I graduated college, and I can count the number of times I went shopping on my hands during college because I barely shopped; all I spent my money on was food and travel.
I already had student loans; there was no need to exasperate my debt with credit cards and personal loans. As I watched my friends and acquaintances swipe and apply for credit cards. I used only a debit card or cash. Somehow, I never gave a second thought to credit cards in college. I never thought: I need a credit card to buy more things!
Maybe Dave Ramsey had influenced my life too much at that point, but I was safe from the credit card trap.
Minimalism Is The Key To A Successful Life
I wrote an article called: Desirs Make You A Servant: Are you free or enslaved? The goal of the article is to explore the truths behind our desires. Ultimately, we are slaves to whatever desires we relentlessly pursue. The more things we fervently desire, the more things become our masters.
Materialism is nice, but it’s an empty achievement; that’s something I learned early in life by adopting minimalistic principles:
My closet is bare.
I still drive my 13-year-old car.
I maintain few desires at all times.
I do not feel pressure to impress others with my appearance.
I’m not trying to keep up financially or materially with anyone.
As I’ve accumulated more resources, I remain a hybrid minimalist.
I complete consistent purges of my things to ensure I’m not collecting.
As you age, things should mean less and less. To depict what I mean, imagine your age on the x-axis of this graph and the value of things on the y-axis of this graph. If you’re doing things right, as your age increases, the value of materialistic things should decrease.
Source: Majestic Blog // The negative correlation between age and materialism
Moral of the Story
I still have the second pair of jeans I wore less; the other ones got so busted up with holes the size of basketballs I had to finally say goodbye.
You don’t need to look poor or never go shopping, but you should never prioritize your appearance over your financial and physical well-being. I have more jeans now, but I still have my favorite two pairs. Some habits never die.
Last Thoughts
I no longer date that person. I found someone who not only makes fun of my decades-old clothes but appreciates and loves my relic and minimalistic lifestyle-cheers to that.
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Hey, I’m Destiny, and I give away my books for free daily. Read more of my finance articles here.
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This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.