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The home decorating business is a billion-dollar industry. For many people, nothing makes a house feel like a home quite like photos, artwork, and soft pillows.

However, in recent years, the minimalist lifestyle has gained fans. From tiny houses to minimally decorated rooms, minimalists are spreading the word about the benefits of a simplified lifestyle.

Among having a less cluttered home, benefits also include mental and financial freedom. In some way, we could all benefit from acquiring less. Here are just a few for consideration…

1. Organization is great! But, not having to organize your clutter every month (or week, we don’t judge) is even better. When you don't have as much stuff to put away, you have more time to with your friends and family, or just time to focus on yourself.

2. You’ll save more money by not wasting it on items that don't serve a purpose. How many times do you find yourself buying something you never wear or use? Think about how much money you've wasted on unnecessary junk in your life. Once you tame your desire to buy, you have more money to spend on items and experiences that truly add value to your life. Saving money is not the primary goal of minimalism, but it is a rewarding result.

3. You feel happy and less stressed in your home environment. Does most of your cleaning involve finding places for all of your stuff? Are there drawers bursting with potholders, pens, and other odds and ends? Believe it or not, clutter can cause anxiety. Once you get rid of items you don't need, your home will feel lighter, spacious, and less stressful.

4. Enjoy the emotional freedom of not feeling defined by what you own. When you remove the emotional connection between buying things and status, you realize your enjoyment of life is not tethered to what you own or to what anyone thinks. As a result, your life can be designed in a more meaningful way, sans the stress to keep up with others.

5. You stop wasting time and effort in the sale section. Buying items on sale for the sake of them being on sale is usually a response to the feeling of scarcity, that you don’t have enough of something or you need to buy it just in case. Before purchasing something from the sale section, consider why you feel compelled to buy it and whether you truly need the item now. When in doubt, remember that buying something you don’t need because it’s on sale is not a good use of your time, money, and space.

You can still be on the lookout for a good bargain, but when you break the cycle of continuous bargain shopping, you’ll begin to value higher-quality items that last longer and need to be replaced less.

6. You begin to realize that contentment doesn't come from what you own but from how you feel about yourself. Money can buy you happiness to an extent, but if you’re spending much of it to impress others, you might end up feeling empty. A few cherished items can have infinitely more personal value than a room full of trending products and a suffering bank account.

Adopting a minimalist lifestyle doesn't have to mean making big changes in your life. But it does mean a commitment to ridding your life—and finances—of clutter. The best way to start is by reviewing your checking account statement and analyzing your monthly purchases. If everything you've purchased has enhanced your life, great! If not, become more aware of your spending habits and see how you can make mindful choices.

Happy minimizing!