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Results of The Wardrobe Mission

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As an exercise in simple living, back in November of 2010 I wore one outfit for a month.  Here is how it affected my life…

Simple living revisited

From the original article:

“The purpose of this short term mission is to reduce my clothing from what I want to what I need. At the end of the 30 days, I will pare my wardrobe down to the essentials and will either sell the rest to repay debt, will give the excess to those in need, or some combination of both.”

As presupposed, occupying just one outfit for a month radically changed the make up of my wardrobe; and, how I view clothing.  It opened my eyes to what I actually need and taught me that I greatly prefer a simple wardrobe.  In fact, over the last four months I have happily worn just a handful of outfits.

So what did I do with all my excess clothing?  In a nutshell, I gave most of it away rather than trying to sell it to repay debt.  Betsy and I took approximately 85% to Goodwill – which filled 3, 30 gallon garbage bags.

It felt really, really good to give it away and get it out of my house!

My new wardrobe

Nowadays I buy limited amounts of high quality, high functioning clothing and typically wear an outfit for nearly a week before making a change.  I change into fresh unders daily while wearing the same shell outfit.  Sound gross?  It’s not at all.  If you think it is then I encourage you to try it before commenting contrariwise.

When faced with buying a new article of clothing I stop to think about what purpose it serves.  If the purpose is fashion, I keep my money in my wallet.  If the purpose is function, I carefully consider whether I already own something that can fill the need.

What about colors?  I remember going through my closet in college and saying to myself, “Everything I own is blue or gray!”  Turns out that was a good thing.  Darker, neutral colors like black, gray, and blue are easy to pair into multiples of outfits – which is precisely what I do now.

This isn’t for everyone

If you were forced into a situation where you only had a handful of outfits, I’m confident you would get along just fine.  That doesn’t mean you have to, or even should, I simply pointing out that you could.

Some people need a lot of clothing for their careers.  Others may find fashion enriches their lives and value their robust wardrobes.  All these things are fine… always remember that what is good for one person isn’t necessarily good for another.

If you have been thinking of paring down your wardrobe then I’m happy to encourage you by sharing my experience.

Results of the mission?

Mission accomplished!

I’m very happy with my new lease on clothing and view the Wardrobe Mission as a successful personal endeavor.

For more on this topic, check out DFA Missions.

The Bible Mission Reading Schedule

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Prelude info to The Bible Mission

Tomorrow I will publish a post describing The Bible Mission in greater detail, but wanted to get the reading schedule out to you today so those who wish to join can get started today and stay on schedule.

Beginning today – December 1st, 2010 – I will begin reading through the bible 7 times each year.  To accomplish this, approximately 23 chapters will need to be read each day.  To mix it up I have decided to split the reading into 3 daily chunks – Old Testament in the morning, Psalms in the afternoon, and New Testament in the evening.

Psalm 1:1-3 reads, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.  But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”

I think it’s high time I took the Lord seriously, took Him at His Word, and turned my desire toward Him by spending a good portion of my days reading His Word.  If we do so, the Lord promises to prosper us… and that is the relation to personal finance, although the prospering should not be your desire, a pure desire is a hunger for God’s Word alone.

The Bible Mission reading schedule

Download the reading plan.

Following this reading schedule will allow you to read through the bible seven times per year.  God bless.

Old Testament daily reading (morning)

Dec 01: Genesis 1-16
Dec 02: Genesis 17-28
Dec 03: Genesis 29-40
Dec 04: Genesis 41-Exodus 2
Dec 05: Exodus 3-16
Dec 06: Exodus 17-29
Dec 07: Exodus 30-Leviticus 2
Dec 08: Leviticus 3-14
Dec 09: Leviticus 15-26
Dec 10: Leviticus 27-Numbers 8
Dec 11: Numbers 9-21
Dec 12: Numbers 22-32
Dec 13: Numbers 33-Deuteronomy 8
Dec 14: Deuteronomy 9-24
Dec 15: Deuteronomy 25-Joshua 5
Dec 16: Joshua 6-18
Dec 17: Joshua 19-Judges 8
Dec 18: Judges 9-21
Dec 19: Ruth 1-1 Samuel 13
Dec 20: 1 Samuel 14-26
Dec 21: 1 Samuel 27-2 Samuel 12
Dec 22: 2 Samuel 13-24
Dec 23: 1 Kings 1-10
Dec 24: 1 Kings 11-22
Dec 25: 2 Kings 1-13
Dec 26: 2 Kings 14-1 Chronicles 1
Dec 27: 1 Chronicles 2-11
Dec 28: 1 Chronicles 12-26
Dec 29: 1 Chronicles 27-2 Chronicles 14
Dec 30: 2 Chronicles 15-31
Dec 31: 2 Chronicles 32-Ezra 10
Jan 01: Nehemiah 1-12
Jan 02: Nehemiah 13-Job 10
Jan 03: Job 11-27
Jan 04: Job 28-41
Jan 05: Job 42-Proverbs 13
Jan 06: Proverbs 14-26
Jan 07: Proverbs 27-Song of Solomon 1
Jan 08: Song of Solomon 2-Isaiah 14
Jan 09: Isaiah 15-36
Jan 10: Isaiah 37-55
Jan 11: Isaiah 56-Jeremiah 7
Jan 12: Jeremiah 8-24
Jan 13: Jeremiah 25-39
Jan 14: Jeremiah 40-Lamentations 1
Jan 15: Lamentations 2-Ezekiel 13
Jan 16: Ezekiel 14-26
Jan 17: Ezekiel 27-40
Jan 18: Ezekiel 41-Daniel 6
Jan 19: Daniel 7-Joel 2
Jan 20: Joel 3-Nahum 3
Jan 21: Habakkuk 1-Malachi 4

Psalms daily reading (afternoon)

Dec 01: Psalm 1-5
Dec 02: Psalm 6-8
Dec 03: Psalm 9-13
Dec 04: Psalm 14-17
Dec 05: Psalm 18
Dec 06: Psalm 19-21
Dec 07: Psalm 22-25
Dec 08: Psalm 26-29
Dec 09: Psalm 30-32
Dec 10: Psalm 33-34
Dec 11: Psalm 35-36
Dec 12: Psalm 37-38
Dec 13: Psalm 39-41
Dec 14: Psalm 42-44
Dec 15: Psalm 45-48
Dec 16: Psalm 49-50
Dec 17: Psalm 51-54
Dec 18: Psalm 55-57
Dec 19: Psalm 58-60
Dec 20: Psalm 61-64
Dec 21: Psalm 65-67
Dec 22: Psalm 68-69
Dec 23: Psalm 70-71
Dec 24: Psalm 72-73
Dec 25: Psalm 74-76
Dec 26: Psalm 77-78
Dec 27: Psalm 79
Dec 28: Psalm 80-82
Dec 29: Psalm 83-85
Dec 30: Psalm 86-88
Dec 31: Psalm 89
Jan 01: Psalm 90-93
Jan 02: Psalm 94-96
Jan 03: Psalm 97-101
Jan 04: Psalm 102-103
Jan 05: Psalm 104
Jan 06: Psalm 105-106
Jan 07: Psalm 107
Jan 08: Psalm 108-109
Jan 09: Psalm 110-113
Jan 10: Psalm 114-117
Jan 11: Psalm 118
Jan 12: Psalm 119
Jan 13: Psalm 120
Jan 14: Psalm 121
Jan 15: Psalm 122-124
Jan 16: Psalm 125-132
Jan 17: Psalm 133-135
Jan 18: Psalm 136-139
Jan 19: Psalm 140-143
Jan 20: Psalm 144-146
Jan 21: Psalm 147-150

New Testament daily reading (evening)

Dec 01: Matthew 1-5
Dec 02: Matthew 6-10
Dec 03: Matthew 11-13
Dec 04: Matthew 14-18
Dec 05: Matthew 19-22
Dec 06: Matthew 23-25
Dec 07: Matthew 26-28
Dec 08: Mark 1-4
Dec 09: Mark 5-8
Dec 10: Mark 9-11
Dec 11: Mark 12-14
Dec 12: Mark 15-Luke 1
Dec 13: Luke 2-5
Dec 14: Luke 6-8
Dec 15: Luke 9-11
Dec 16: Luke 12-14
Dec 17: Luke 15-18
Dec 18: Luke 19-21
Dec 19: Luke 22-24
Dec 20: John 1-4
Dec 21: John 5-7
Dec 22: John 8-10
Dec 23: John 11-13
Dec 24: John 14-18
Dec 25: John 19-Acts 1
Dec 26: Acts 2-6
Dec 27: Acts 7-9
Dec 28: Acts 10-14
Dec 29: Acts 15-18
Dec 30: Acts 19-22
Dec 31: Acts 23-27
Jan 01: Acts 28-Romans 4
Jan 02: Romans 5-9
Jan 03: Romans 10-15
Jan 04: Romans 16-1 Corinthians 6
Jan 05: 1 Corinthians 7-12
Jan 06: 1 Corinthians 13-16
Jan 07: 2 Corinthians 1-8
Jan 08: 2 Corinthians 9-Galatians 2
Jan 09: Galatians 3-Ephesians 3
Jan 10: Ephesians 4-Philippians 2
Jan 11: Philippians 3-1 Thessalonians 1
Jan 12: 1 Thessalonians 2-1 Timothy 2
Jan 13: 1 Timothy 3-2 Timothy 3
Jan 14: 2 Timothy 4-Hebrews 4
Jan 15: Hebrews 5-10
Jan 16: Hebrews 11-James 3
Jan 17: James 4-2 Peter 1
Jan 18: 2 Peter 2-1 John 5
Jan 19: 2 John 1-Revelation 5
Jan 20: Revelation 6-14
Jan 21: Revelation 15-22

Download the reading plan.

Customize your reading

Feel free to read the OT, Psalms, and NT readings all in one sitting if you prefer – or – read the daily chapters in whatever order and/or time of day you wish… the most important thing – and the underlying point – is simply to immerse yourself in the Word of God every day.  Let us bring the meaning of Psalm 1:1-3 to life!

Psalm 1:1-3 reads, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.  But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”

Again, the Lord promises to prosper us in this endeavor… and that is the relation to personal finance, although the prospering should not be your desire, a pure desire is a hunger for God’s Word alone.  God bless.

The Wardrobe Mission

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Welcome to the first DFA Mission!

Starting today – and over the course of the next 12 months – I will embark on month long missions designed to retrain myself to live a mission minded life.

For a thorough explanation of the purpose of the missions, go read the DFA Missions page and meet me back here.

What is the wardrobe mission?

“And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” – Luke 12:15

I have way too many clothes.  At this point in my life, my stuff has become a hindrance for the mission minded life God is calling me to live.  So I am making a change. You can too.

For the entire month of November 2010, I will wear just one outfit.  The video below also describes the mission, shows my wardrobe as it exists now, and shows the single outfit I’ll be wearing… if you’d rather watch than read you can scroll down and check it out.

The purpose of this short term mission is to reduce my clothing from what I want to what I need. At the end of the 30 days, I will pare my wardrobe down to the essentials and will either sell the rest to repay debt, will give the excess to those in need, or some combination of both.

The reason I’m wearing just 1 outfit for 30 days is to help clear the fuzzy boundaries of wants vs. needs so I can reduce my wardrobe the essentials.  The wardrobe mission is the first in a long line of short term missions to simplify my life so I can better serve God and others.  Up till now, a lot unnecessary time and resources have been spent acquiring and maintaining unnecessary stuff, and it’s time for a change.  I believe we are all here for a purpose, and that nearly all of us are bogged down by excessive debt and possession.  Because I see it as a problem in my life, I am taking steps of obedience to “take heed, and beware of covetousness.” I am excited to have others join me so we can make positive changes in our lives and the lives of others.

Encouragement from leaders around the web

Chris Guillebeau of The Art of Non-Conformity…

“It’s hard to say where these missions will take Matt, or anyone else who joins the ranks, but rethinking past decisions to live a life of pointed purpose can never hurt… I say go for it!” – Chris

Bob Lotich of Christian PF…

“I believe that the most exciting, joyful, and fulfilling life comes from diligently obeying God’s plan for our lives. As we take the plunge to give all we have to the Lord, we will find that all of our needs are met, people’s lives will be changed for the better, and God will be glorified. I appreciate what Matt is doing with DFA Missions and encourage you to get involved in any way you can!” – Bob

JD Roth of Get Rich Slowly…

“Living with purpose is the best way to get more out of life. When you have a goal or a mission, it makes every decision easier. Matt’s missions are a great way to bring focus and clarity to your finances — and your life.” – JD

Adam Baker of Man Vs Debt…

“I love the idea of Matt’s ‘Wardrobe Challenge’. Courtney and I are always looking for tips and strategies to raise the consciousness in our lives – especially when it comes to consumerism (and wants vs. needs). And this first “mission” is the perfect way to start things. I’ll be taking part at the 3 outfits level – for the month of November, I’ll only be wearing three different outfits. I’m excited about this challenge and it already has me brainstorming ways to apply this to my daily  life. Come join us!” – Adam

Participation is encouraged

The wardrobe mission begins today and will last all 30 days of November 2010.  If you have been wanting to simplify life or live more of a mission minded life… why not be a part of something bigger than yourself?  Join the mission.

I am setting rules for myself, and if you join, you’re encouraged to do the same.  In saying that, I still wanted to outline a few suggested levels of participation below.  Do not hesitate to customize any level to make it fit in with your job or what have you.

One outfit (what I’ll be wearing – see video below)

  • 1 coat, hat, pair of gloves, pair of shoes
  • 1 over shirt, pair of pants
  • 3 undershirts, socks, and underwear, handkerchiefs

Three outfits

  • 3 coats, 1 hats, 1 pair of gloves, 3 pair of shoes
  • 3 over shirts, 3 pair of pants
  • 3 undershirts,  socks, and underwear, handkerchiefs
  • add/remove any customizations you like

Five outfits

  • 3 coats, 1 hats, 1 pair of gloves, 3 pair of shoes
  • 5 over shirts, 5 pair of pants
  • 5 undershirts,  socks, and underwear, handkerchiefs
  • add/remove any customizations you like

Video explaining the wardrobe mission

Apologies for the “shakiness” of this video, I’ll do better next time. 🙂

Join and or commnt below

What do you think?  Are you ready to simplify your life, reduce your wardrobe, repay more debt, and help others?

Join us and define your plans in the comments below.  I am really excited to get started!