Do you live a simple life?

**pearlieq** · 12-13-2006, 06:55 AM

Re: Do you live a simple life?

I don't think I'd qualify my life as simple.

To me "simple living" brings up kind of a Tightwad Gazette-ish world of never going out, growing my own food, and knitting my own socks. That world is not attractive to me at all. My financial security is a priority, but I also want to enjoy the world and the experiences and conveniences it has to offer.

I make efforts to simplify my life, but simple living is not really my goal.

**genmed** · 12-13-2006, 07:02 AM

Re: Do you live a simple life?

Great questions. This is something I've been trying to figure out for a while. Simple for me has meant spending only the time and money on things needed to make me happy. Steps I've taken to live a "simpler life" include going back to school to do my dream job, eliminating anything extra that I don't want or use (usually by giving it away), convincing family members I really don't "need" anything for holidays/birthdays, giving myself permission to spend time on things I enjoy, spending lots of time hiking and biking.
Is it cheaper to be simple -- yes in some ways as I've really cut down on spending money on anything that was not making me happy:
Running around and giving gifts to every relative for the holidays,
Going out to dinner with friends
At the same time I've also spent some additional money
I've always wanted a dog!
Hiring people to do things that in terms of my time and hassle factor aren't worth it (installing windows, putting up drywall) Yes we can do these things, but if it takes less time to work for the cost (overtime) and I really hate doing it..

**dossin1** · 12-13-2006, 07:07 AM

Re: Do you live a simple life?

I wouldn't call myself a "simple lifer" but I have pared down a few things. One principle I always read about in simplicity books is the idea that we are so overwhelmed with stuff in our society that we can't accomplish what we really want to do. But as far as the back to basics making all your own stuff, I'm not into that.

**mom-from-missouri** · 12-13-2006, 07:07 AM

Re: Do you live a simple life?

I'd say we are getting there. My new husband shares the same goals I do and that is a huge help as we both are going in the same direction. Its nice that he supports me in being a SAHM (except for the 2 hours a day I work at the school), and in our plans for home schooling next year. Hopefully, this will also encourage our kids to see what is important in life. Having a nitendo, or learning how to garden and budget. While I think living the "simple life" may not be for everyone, I think everyone should be exposed to it, and learn some basics, as you never know when you may need to fall back on some of those skills and things you learned.
I think it is easier and cheaper to be 'simple'
We farm 2 farms. One is all paid for, the other almost paid for. If we were to loose our jobs, have a recession, depression, stock market crash-we would not starve. We have our meet, our garden, fruit in the orchard, the knowledge & abilibty to perserve our food, we have our own wood to burn-even fireplaces and woodstove to cook and heat with. We have fish in the pond, cows we could milk....I can sew our clothes--in a pinch we could ride a horse to town if need be. We have not gone all the way simple, as we still use fuel, but if needed, we could plow with the horses, or make our own fuel. We help educate our children. We don't spend big money on electronic gagets-we can live without them. Our entertainment is sometimes the TV, but it is also often a board game or reading a book as well.

**Thrifty Ray** · 12-13-2006, 07:30 AM

Re: Do you live a simple life?

I have a simpler life than I had 2 years ago and beyond.

I now work from home, spend an amazing amount of time with my family (parents, kids, grandkids) I cook and bake alot more. Much of my home decor is handmade. I knit. The library is my favorite place to browse. We heat our home solely with our wood stove, since our wood is basically free.

But I am still a work in progress. I have too much stuff from my work-outside-the-home days. Those little trinkets that I thought were the 'it' I needed to feel fulfilled. So I am working on whittling down. My goal is to have many less things by the end of 2007.

We are not so simple that we dont enjoy taking a vacation (although, vacation usually means camping--which we love), going to dinner or lunch once in a while, buying a designer coffee occasionally. My spluge now is usually a wonderful smelling candle...I LOVE burning candles.

We rarely rent or buy movies. We spend alot of time working in our wood-yard processing firewood.

Simple to me means slowing down, paring down, so you have more time to enjoy the people and activities you love. Finding joy in lifes 'freebies' (sunsets, wild animals, rain, etc. ) so that you dont have to spend (and consequently MAKE) money for entertainment.

**PRICEPLUS** · 12-13-2006, 07:44 AM

Re: Do you live a simple life?

My life is not particularly simple at this time although I would like it to be so. I am buying less and less and I am divesting myself of things!

**PrincessPerky** · 12-13-2006, 07:45 AM

Re: Do you live a simple life?

simpler than many..but not as simple as some.

less stuff than many, more than some.

less 'todo' outside the home, more todo options inside.

slower pace than many, faster than some.

One day I thought about that wife swap, where someone lives your life for a couple days, that would entail writing it down..anyway while my todo list is long..but most of it is optional, I don't have to bake for sunday school, I want to...I don't have to make beds daily, I like the clean look better. I don't have to teach as much or as often (really they can learn without me, or even wait a year) but I like to. I don't have to cook 'with trimmings' but I like the trimmings...I don't have to embroider..I like to.

so simply put I have simple (few) obligations, but lots of optional work.

**fairy74** · 12-13-2006, 07:47 AM

Re: Do you live a simple life?

It's simpler than it used to be, DH and I have pared down a lot but we still enjoy some indulgences. I think if we had a lot of land where we could grow things, raise things that it would get simpler, but there are always trade offs.

**Fern** · 12-13-2006, 07:51 AM

Re: Do you live a simple life?

I think i lead a very simple life, mainly because I do not have children. My time really is my own; there are pros and cons to that.

Working in my hometown means no need to travel much. So i work locally, shop locally and really don't stray too far from home except for weekend recreational activities. I also try not to be a big consumer, and living in a relatively small house also simplifies things.

**Aleta** · 12-13-2006, 07:56 AM

Re: Do you live a simple life?

I started my simplfying with a friend who is a decorator helping me with color on the walls and rearranging my furniture, paintings, and yes the nicknacks. I REALLY knew that I needed to get rid of stuff, so she was instrumental. I took everything our that she said to go and put it in a box. Only things I really loved stayed. Next, I had a party with my friends and gave away some things. I also donated. I feel so less stressed with all of this stuff. Little by litlle, I'm getting rid of stuff. I ask myself, "if I move would I take this with me". I'm a paper junkie so I'm working on that. Now, for the holidays, I took some furniture out of my living room/dining room and discovered how spacious it could really look and be. Even for dusting and cleaning - it's easier.

As for renting movies, I rented one yesterday for the first time in a long time. It was a treat. I don't think that it is about doing without; it's about making better choices and curtailing your spending habits.

Vacations are a must. I need the down time away from my home. I always come back with a different perspective.

**Broken Arrow** · 12-13-2006, 08:08 AM

Re: Do you live a simple life?

I don't technically qualify for what others would see as "simple living". For example, I still have one video game machine, and I like my MP3. Still, I do think that I would qualify as "simpler living". In that, I mean everything I own has a place or purpose. Nothing is clutter.

**tinapbeana** · 12-13-2006, 08:09 AM

Re: Do you live a simple life?

all4money had a great line in one of her blog entries (where her husband ebay'd off one of his collectibles). basically, he realized that even though it was something he treasured, it wasn't something that would become an heirloom in his family so why hold onto it? i like this way of thinking. combine it with the 'take a picture and get rid of it' trick, this might work.

**poundwise** · 12-13-2006, 08:13 AM

Re: Do you live a simple life?

I think the definitions that could applied to 'simple life' are wide and varied.

In one manner of speaking, I do not want a simple life. I want to be involved in many things both for my own satisfaction and to contribute to the well-being of others. I like always having something going on or, at least, something in the planning stages.

Even in this, though, I strive for a life less-cluttered and more ordered.

**Aleta** · 12-13-2006, 08:19 AM

Re: Do you live a simple life?

I agree with poundwise that there are many different definitions. I say that because I subscribe to Simple Living by Janet Ruhrs and she by no means lives wihout doing without. Her simplicity meant getting away from a job that was hectic and a busy life in the city. To me, it's about taking those things out of your life that stresses you. Sometimes things that we do are habits handed down to us, not things of our choice. So, simplifying is making your life less hectic and a peaceful invironment that you can function in.

Do you live a simple life?