Around since 2012, Value of Simple delivers useful and actionable tools to people who need to simplify, organize, and be money wise.
With all the big questions we face – like how to handle relationships, why you achieve some goals but struggle with others, or how to declare you want more of less – wouldn’t it be better to put all the little questions to rest?
Little questions like how to best manage your day-to-day finances. Or how to convert a never ending schedule of craziness into a consistently calm environment. And maybe even where to get the skills to best organize your documents and information? All these little questions add stress…but they all have the same answer.
Simplify.
Value of Simple (VoS) starts with the understanding that we’re all seeking the same basic things:
- More time to spend with family, friends and by ourselves
- More money to ensure a better future
- More respect for the things we do from the greater community and people close to us
- Less stress from the fears and problems that trouble us before we fall asleep
The simplifying tools, organized direction, and personal finance playbook here will help you get those ‘basics.’ By answering life’s little questions, the inspiration and knowledge at VoS will give you the space to focus on the bigger questions. And maybe even answer some of them too.
I’m Joel Zaslofsky, the brains behind this operation. I live in Edina, Minnesota and my humble origins allow us to focus on a uniquely unconventional – but powerful – toolbox of skills and resources. This comes verbally with the Smart and Simple Matters show, in your online sanctuary called the Refuge of Simplicity, and many other forms.
If I can’t help you with simplifying, organizing, becoming more money wise, or finding why you want to make positive changes, the insanely helpful community here can (and they’re a lot more clever than I am).
If you’re new around here, hundreds of people like you have taken a great first step by signing up for instant access to the free newsletter. This also unlocks the Refuge of Simplicity where The Personal User Guide, Spreadsheet Spotlights, The Value of Simple Declaration bonus images, and other grooviness resides.
Some people like to learn new skills and better strategies through text, pictures, audio, or video. So I give you a great mix of them all.
And through a set of guiding principles, you get a fresh and distinctive view into removing the barriers holding you back from revealing your full awesomeness. Although I don’t address problems with personal development or productivity in mind, you might pick up a thing or two about them as well. Like how to easily subscribe to the site’s RSS feed.
If you’re looking for a typical simplicity, organization, or personal finance website, it’s not here. Success at Value of Simple isn’t found in shortcuts, tricks or hacks. I’d rather help you develop the mindset to prepare for anything life throws your way instead.
Cranking Out Value Without Overwhelming
Getting awesome at stripping away the excess of life, managing your money, or organizing your world is hard…and can take a frickin’ long time. But we can speed up the process by deeply understanding simplicity and absorbing principles that adapt to any situation. And because making positive change can be rough, I focus just on the aspects I know about and teach the best.
For Personal Finance This Means:
- Daily Money Management
- Investing (with as little as $100)
- Reducing financial related stress
- Bringing sanity to our relationship with money
For Organizing This Means:
- Reducing possessions and
clutterchaos - Experiencing curating
- Putting your existence in spreadsheets (seriously)
- Getting some help from the pros if you need it
That’s not all of course. If it’s in The Value of Simple Declaration, it gets covered at Value of Simple.
More About Joel
Believe it or not, I have a story to tell. And not the ones about my dessert stealing spree in kindergarten or forging my mom’s signature on a report card.
I met my wife Melinda in college and moved back to Minnesota after graduating. I worked at a large financial firm for ten plus years which gave me some useful skills you’ll see flashed here. Various roles helped me develop my analytical side (I’m a numbers nerd with a Communications degree) and a creative side I didn’t know I had.
In April 2010, I started a personal renaissance the day Melinda told me “I’m pregnant”. I’ve since radically changed the way I eat, exercise, work, prioritize, organize and think about the world.
Check out the brief welcome video if you want to know more about me and the origins of Value of Simple.
Believe me though. This website isn’t about me. It’s about helping you learn the value of simple and all the benefits that come with it.
Keep in mind I’m just a regular guy without formal credentials. I tried to get a certificate in simplicity but I couldn’t find a program that offered it. But I sure as heck know what I’m talking about. If you want to know more about my accomplishments and reasons for telling you I can help, read my story.
I’ve struggled with a lot in life. But the frequency and intensity of my struggles falls as the amount of simplicity grows.
One last note about me. My borderline obsession with learning puts me in a great position to teach. And if you already have the knowledge but don’t act on it, I’ll help you find the strength and motivation to take action.
I seriously want nothing more than to see you liberate your time, money, and talent.
Take the jump with me.
Pillar Principles
There are nine pillar principles that guide just about everything at VoS. To get a sense of what this visually looks like, The Value of Simple Declaration leads the way.
With these principles and creating a shared declaration with the community here, I’ve accomplished more than I ever thought I could. As much as the principles work for me, you should experiment with how they might work best for you.
You’ll see how they allow me to go beyond simple “how-to” stuff or abstract strategies. As you learn how and when to apply them, you’ll develop flexible skills and a creative mindset to overcome bigger and bigger obstacles.
Where Do I Start?
The “Start Here” page is the perfect place for first time visitors or for people in the community needing a road map. This will answer many questions and quickly help you know what’s valuable based on your interest and needs.
Let’s Connect
As much as I love connecting with people on Value of Simple, I also dig connecting in other places on the web. Places like:
Pro tip: some of my best stuff is shared with the exclusive community subscribed to the free newsletter. You can join the crew in seconds and get instant access to the Refuge of Simplicity with just a couple simple pieces of information.
If that’s not enough, head over to the Contact Me page for more about connecting with me. Or check out my featured work on other websites like Becoming Minimalist, The Huffington Post, ProBlogger, and Lifehack.
Enjoy Value of Simple and poke around. There’s some schweet schtuff just waiting to be uncovered.
Your partner in simplifying,
Joel
