You buy furniture.  You tell yourself, this is the last sofa I will ever need in my life.  Buy the sofa, then for a couple years you’re satisfied that no matter what goes wrong, at least you’ve got your sofa issue handled.  Then the right set of dishes.  Then the perfect bed.  The drapes.  The rug.  Then you’re trapped in your lovely nest, and the things you used to own, now they own you.

~ Chuck Palahniuk, Fight Club

Things have their own network effect.  Do you want a car?  Well you’ll also need to get winter tires, cleaning supplies, and insurance.

Now, think of the time, effort, and money required for each one.

I’m not saying I’m going to get rid of my car.  I love the thrill of going 200kph into a corner on the track.  I don’t think anything could replace it.  But I’ve started thinking about the network effect of having more.  Specifically, I’ve been looking at how I can replace complex things with those that are simple.

Kitchen Knives

I had to buy new kitchen knives.  That’s right, kitchen knives.  So what do I buy?  Most people buy a knife block full of knives they’ll never use.  It turns out that you only need three knives:

1. A chef’s knife
2. A paring knife
3. A serrated knife

I bought them.  Was it the right move?  I have no idea.  They’re only knives right? It’s true, but that argument can be used for everything.

A Series Of Questions

According to most “fashion people”, you should buy a few core, high quality, versatile pieces of clothing.  I think they’re onto something and I’ve been extending it to the rest of my life.

I’ve started asking:

1. Do I want it or need it?
2. What can I get rid of to make room for it?
3. Will it hold it’s value, or is it disposable?
4. Is there a simple alternative?

Only invest in the things worth investing in.  Remember, simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.  Don’t let all the things you own own you.