New things will not solve old problems.

I continue to translate Leo Babauta's articles on minimalism. Last time was considered the real price of things . In the comments were questions what to do, in part the answers below.

What do we do when we want to solve a problem? Or change our lives? We buy a new thing:

• If we want to become organized, then we will buy shelves, or folders for papers, or an organizer.
• If you want to lose weight, buy a diet meal, or a simulator, or a gym membership.
• To protect the environment, we buy environmentally friendly products.
• To get rid of debt, we hire a specialist or start a financial planning program.
• To save on gasoline, buy an economical car.
• For the new hobby we buy materials and tools first.
• For almost everything, we buy new clothes (work clothes, yoga clothes, formal clothes, stylish clothes).
• If we want to improve something at home, then we buy new furniture or decorations.
• If you want to look cooler, then buy a new gadget. Or a t-shirt.
• To improve the life of buying a new book.

I can continue, but you get the idea, I hope.

New things do not solve old problems. At least not often.
Buy less instead. Stop yourself before you buy. See which one you can use. Maybe someone you know has something you can borrow or exchange? Maybe the problem can be solved without new things?
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A few examples:

• To help nature, consume less . Live easier.
• To lose weight, eat less. Eat a simple meal .
• For a good figure, try a minimalist approach - go for walks, or jogging, or swim in natural waters. Exercise for weight loss.
• To get rid of debt, spend less. Pay debts.
• To make the house look better, restore order.
• To save on gasoline, drive less.
• To become organized, throw out too much .
• To improve your life, read free articles on the Internet. Start changing your life small.

Well, you understand. Sometimes, of course, to solve a problem, we need things. But once again, look what you already have, what you can borrow or exchange. Or, in extreme cases, buy something second-hand.