Don't live according to what ifs

Recently, I was having a conversation with my mom about minimalism. Yes, I do go around preaching the word of minimalism to all those who seek the truth. I was telling her to not live according to "what ifs", because all you end up with is more stuff and more problems. What if is the phrase you say in your head when you see that cute lime green jacket in the store (that matches nothing in your closet) or when you are planning to buy a house to have thanksgiving dinners in and fill up with those 7 kids you've planned for. People rarely ever shop for what they need, instead they shop for those just in case moments...and the same concept applies with the items you already own. I think I was reading something about this being hard wired into our brains or something, the tendency to collect things or prepare for something in the future. Like squirrels and nuts (except they need it!). This is especially true with Americans today when they buy houses, cars, clothes, and even food. I was telling my mother about the extra rooms that she has in her house, that barely have anything in them and are never used...and the reply I get with that is "what if company comes over?" or "what if I want to do crafts?"...smacks head! Most of the time company never stays long enough to use the Four Seasons suite you setup and the scrap booking time you've been meaning to set aside for the last 10 yrs is replaced by nighttime dramas on NBC. Now what did cost? An extra 20k on the mortgage + the furniture you had to buy and the upkeep. The same goes for all the stuff in your attic that you are saving for your 3yr old's children and the 1974 beater RV you never use...what ifs cost you! Whether it is time or money it is costing you something. Live your life based on what you need at that point in time, not what you think you might need. Sometimes you have to take a step back and ask yourself do you really need this or is it being saved for someone or something in the future...try it!