The 90+ Minimalist Rule: How to Use This Guideline to Refine Your Stuff

Inside: Learn what the 90+ minimalist rule is and how you can use it to refine the stuff in your home and your life.

In the quest to achieve a simpler, more minimalist life, decision-making can often feel overwhelming.

Whether you’re trying to choose whether to bring something new into your home or part ways with an item you already own, it helps to have a clear guideline. That’s where the 90+ Minimalist Rule comes into play – and can make a difference in a major way.

This rule is more than just a strategy for organizing your physical space. It’s a mindset shift that encourages intentional living. It challenges you to prioritize quality over quantity and to focus on the things that truly matter.

By applying the 90+ Rule, you’ll not only reduce clutter but also find clarity in how you interact with your possessions and commitments.

Ready to learn more about the 90+ rule and see how you can use it to refine your stuff? I’ve got you covered.

Keep reading to learn about the 90+ minimalist rule and how it helps you embrace a “less is more” mentality. 

What Is the 90+ Minimalist Rule? 

This straightforward yet transformative rule empowers you to refine your belongings and priorities by asking one simple question: Does this item or decision score above 90 on a scale of 100? If the answer is no, it’s a pass.

While this might seem strict at first, it’s an incredibly effective tool for living with intention and avoiding clutter. 

The 90+ rule is a minimalist guideline to help you make intentional choices about what you own, buy, and prioritize.

The concept is simple. Assign a score between 1 and 100 based on how much value, joy, or utility it brings to your life. If the score isn’t above 90, seriously consider if it’s necessary.

This rule originated as a way to curb impulsive spending and reduce clutter. Instead of settling for items that are “good enough,” the 90+ Rule encourages you to aim higher and only bring things into your life that are high value.

And when it comes to decluttering, it’s a great way to identify what items to keep – and which ones can go. By focusing on keeping things in your space that are 90+, you can create a home that’s aligned with your values, supports your well-being, and brings you joy.

While the 90+ Rule is typically used to make choices around physical possessions, it can be applied to every area of your life.

You can use it to guide how you spend your time, which goals you prioritize, and how you manage your commitments. When applied holistically, this rule helps you focus on what’s truly essential – and teaches you to let go of the rest. 

What Are the Benefits of the 90+ Rule?

The 90+ Rule might sound simple, but there are many advantages to leveraging this rule for those seeking a more simple, intentional life. 

By embracing the 90+ Rule, you’ll…

1. Lower decision fatigue.

By giving yourself a simple rule to follow, you take the guesswork out of decision-making.

Instead of agonizing over whether you want to keep or buy something, you have a straightforward question – and answer – to guide you. 

Lowering decision fatigue will free up your time and energy to focus on other things.

2. Minimize your clutter.

Whether you’re actively decluttering your home or trying to avoid unneeded purchases, the 90+ Rule helps you keep clutter at a minimum by focusing on things that truly matter.

By following a few minimalist rules (even if you’re not a minimalist), you can prevent clutter from entering your home and save yourself money.

Choosing to live more simply offers you a variety of benefits including reducing stress and freeing yourself up for the things that matter most.

3. Save money.

Giving yourself strict guidelines around purchases will make you less likely to spend money on things you’ll later regret.

This approach encourages mindful spending and promotes financial discipline. 

As you become more intentional with shopping, you can save time, spend less, and free yourself up for more important things.

4. Focus on quality over quantity.

By focusing only on items that score above 90, you’ll naturally gravitate towards higher-quality possessions. 

When you focus on quality over quantity, you not only reduce clutter but also don’t need to replace things as often.

There are a number of places where you can buy cheap items online (I’m looking at you, Shein and Temu). However, these items are not well made and contribute to consumer waste often ending up in a landfill.

How to Apply the 90+ Minimalist Rule to Refine Your Stuff

As I mentioned, the 90+ Rule is most typically applied to physical belongings – whether that’s stuff you’re considering buying or trying to determine what you want to keep. 

The 90+ Rule is especially helpful when it comes to decluttering. Getting rid of things you own often involves emotional decision-making.

The 90+ Rule offers a practical framework to make this process easier. As you evaluate each item, ask yourself a simple question:

On a scale from 1 to 100, how much do I love or use this item?

This allows you to evaluate each item based on its functionality as well as its sentimental value. If an item scores below 90, it might not be worth the space it’s taking up.

As an example, a piece of clothing with a score of 75 might be decent, but if you don’t really like it and rarely wear it, seriously consider if it’s worth holding onto.

One quick caveat here though since I do practice frugal decluttering. I wouldn’t suggest getting rid of every item that doesn’t score over 90 if that means you will need to go replace them.

This is really about helping to clarify what your most loved and used items are. Finding the right balance of what enough is in your home is a great end goal.

You can also use the 90+ Rule when you’re considering new purchases. Impulse shopping is a huge culprit when it comes to accumulating clutter in your home, and thanks to the wonders of online shopping, it’s painfully easy to splurge on things you don’t actually need.

The next time you’re tempted to buy something, pause and apply the 90+ Rule. 

Does this item fulfill a genuine need or solve a problem in my life, or is it something I absolutely love?

If it doesn’t score above 90, leave it on the shelf (or delete it from your shopping cart). 

This approach not only prevents needless spending but ensures the things you bring into your home are intentional and meaningful. 

Now – the 90+ Rule might sound simple, but you might find it harder than you think to assign scores to every item you own or consider buying. After all, coming up with a numerical value to subjective feelings about an item is an unfamiliar concept for most of us. 

If you’re struggling, try to compare the item to something else you own or want to buy. By asking yourself if the item you’re considering brings you more joy or utility than its comparison, you can narrow in on a score to guide your decision-making process. 

The best way to prevent clutter is to not bring it into your home in the first place.

How can you benefit from using the 90+ Rule in your life? Leave a comment and let me know what you think!

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