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These days, you probably read a lot about the benefits of minimalism. Minimalism has become a major trend in architecture, interior design, organizing and lifestyle. It is true that minimalism has a number of advantages, and for some people, it is a great fit. But it does have its limitations.

In this article, I would like to discuss why minimalism is for the rich, and what you can do if it is outside of your financial means. Here are a few of the disadvantages of minimalism if you are poor:

1. You may not be able to afford the high up-front costs associated with the highest quality products.

One of the keys to successful minimalism usually involves purchasing high-end luxury goods which can stand the test of time and/or fulfill multiple functions. If you cannot afford to pay for those items, you are stuck purchasing substandard merchandise, and (ironically) often more of it (see the point below on “two of everything”).

2. Objects may provide you with more value than “experiences.”

Another tenant of minimalism these days is the concept that “experiences” provide more value than possessions, and one should prioritize the former over the latter. These “experiences” are fleeting in nature, but if you are rich, you can afford them. If you are not, they represent a short-term payoff disproportionate to their cost.

Investing in items which can provide long-term value simply makes more financial sense. Plus, there is a reason that I keep putting the word “experiences” in quotation marks. An experience does not necessarily have to be fleeting in nature. Having a possession which you do value and take joy in is an experience of a long-term nature.

3. You may need two of everything.

Going back to poverty forcing you to purchase substandard goods, those goods are prone to failing. As such, they regularly need to be replaced (so they cost less in the short term, but often more in the long term, which plays into why poverty is a vicious cycle).

So if you’re lucky enough to have an extra pair of sneakers or an extra appliance, even if it is a duplicate, it is wise to keep it. You simply cannot afford to “declutter” it, even if it annoys you from a minimalist standpoint to have all these extras laying around. The day you toss those extra sneakers, the soles may wear out on the pair you are wearing, and suddenly you find yourself with a needless upcoming expense.

This is not to say that you should allow clutter to take over your home, but it does mean that you cannot define “clutter” the same way that a wealthy minimalist would. Because you have less money, objects have more practical value to you.

So what can you do if minimalism is not an option? In When Minimalism Isn’t an Option, Part 2, I will give you some ideas for adjusting your mindset, home organizing techniques, and your lifestyle to accommodate the needs of your budget.