Is "Simple Living" Just Another Term for "Giving Up"? - Page 3

redsoxmaniac · 08-11-2008, 08:34 AM

I've done both, had the "American Dream" yeah right....you end up with a boatload of things that you don't use. When I moved a year or so ago to downsize and pay cash for a house, I had to get rid of so many things I'd bought for our family in the ten years and stuff I didn't immediately get rid of from a previous downsizing move, including, toys, gadgets etc.
Now every time I go to buy something I remind myself about the 'junk that was in the garage'. What you want in the now is usually something that you'll grow tired of, unless it is something that you need to achieve a long term goal or something that will allow you to actually save money. I agree with the posters that say that the simple life is a conscientious decision. I believe the reasons vary from person to person. But I think it is less about being able to "cut it" in a high pressure world.
The poster that mentioned the spiritual aspect of living simply has it right also. It just 'feels' better to be mindful and not wasteful. I used to eat out a lot (and not because I didn't love to cook) because of the convenience of it in the high paced lifestyle I'd set up for myself. Talk about racking up bills and nothing to show for it. That's the worst. Dining out on credit and paying for a meal 16 months later. Now THAT is insanity. So today, I work in a job I enjoy, with people I enjoy, have a little business on the side, grow some of my food and cook most of my food. I research all purchases and try and instill things that I've learned in this journey to my college aged kids. Read "The Millionaire Next Door" if you haven't. Many wealthy people live very simply and that is why they are wealthy (but not only monatarily).

lamar5292 · 08-25-2008, 01:16 PM

I was a high school teacher, Red cross volunteer, and college instructor. I gave all that up and dropped out of society because of the stress and burned out. Now I live in a 14x14 foor cabin I designed and built myself. I use solar for power, a solar composting toilet, solar water heater, grow a garden and raise rabbits and chickens.

I have no house payments or utility bills and I only work when I want as I want. I now have the time to pursue my hobbies of writing books and composing songs. Life is good!

LaMar
http://www.freewebs.com/simplesolarhomesteading

Glue · 09-01-2008, 06:43 AM

Thanks for the link Lamar. Your cabin is a perfect size for what I have been wanting. I'd like to put up a house like that. Have you heard about the Small House Society? http://www.resourcesforlife.com/small-house-society

amandajane · 09-01-2008, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lamar5292

I was a high school teacher, Red cross volunteer, and college instructor. I gave all that up and dropped out of society because of the stress and burned out. Now I live in a 14x14 foor cabin I designed and built myself. I use solar for power, a solar composting toilet, solar water heater, grow a garden and raise rabbits and chickens.

I have no house payments or utility bills and I only work when I want as I want. I now have the time to pursue my hobbies of writing books and composing songs. Life is good!

LaMar
http://www.freewebs.com/simplesolarhomesteading

I would LOVE to live like that! I'm so envious :0)

Linsey Knerl · 09-11-2008, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amyschiff

I think there's a misconception that a "simple, frugal" lifestyle == easy. I personally don't believe this is the case. Being frugal takes work and ambition.

Amen. We live a simple lifestyle because it is healthier for us and our children than the ways we lived in the past. We choose to live rural, grow our own, be self-employed and have less. But we work harder than we have EVER imagined. The work reaps rewards that we could never have guessed.

Think of small family-farmers. They life simpler lives (generally) but work harder than anyone I know. Giving up? Not usually. Giving more of oneself? Totally.

Great discussion!

lucille · 09-16-2008, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Linsey Knerl

Amen. We live a simple lifestyle because it is healthier for us and our children than the ways we lived in the past. We choose to live rural, grow our own, be self-employed and have less. But we work harder than we have EVER imagined. The work reaps rewards that we could never have guessed.

Think of small family-farmers. They life simpler lives (generally) but work harder than anyone I know. Giving up? Not usually. Giving more of oneself? Totally.

Great discussion!

It also matters where your efforts are going. Working yourself to death because someone above you on the corporate ladder has an ego battle with someone else above you on the corporate ladder is a rather hollow reason to work long hours and have no social life. Putting the same effort into something you value or that benefits you tends to reap more reward.

Official_Soundtrack · 09-16-2008, 10:50 AM

Maybe for some that is very much the case.

I myself have a past that has involved some pretty hedonisitc behaviour (secretly I want to relive those days once my daughter has gotten a little older) but now enjoy the simple things in life and choose quality over quantity readily.

I guess at heart I am something of a hippy and had parents who were also, eating organic and free range food and recycling before it became trendy!

I left London a few years back ( HUZZAH!) and now live in the glorious countryside in the South East of England. I live a relaxed life of walks thorugh local woodland and fields, grow herbs and fruit in the garden and love quiet lazy lunches in traditional Country pubs.

We shop at local farm shops which means we are not paying through the nose for our food.

I have worked as a Pre-School teacher in the past, also for Social Services with children and teenagers who have ADHD And currently work in Nursing and Healthcare.

My dream is to make a living out of selling my artwork, if my scribblings merit such a title!?

We are looking to move to NewZealand in the next couple of years where we dream offgrowing every fruit, vegetable and herb we possibly can.

As a child I watched the gentle comedy 'The Good Life' and loved the idea of self sufficent living. Hopefully, that will become a reality for us.

ConcreteDoll · 09-17-2008, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amyschiff

I think there's a misconception that a "simple, frugal" lifestyle == easy. I personally don't believe this is the case. Being frugal takes work and ambition.

I agree as well. It's hard to not go to the mall and buy a lot of stuff. Or to go out to dinner all the time. It's easier to go out than to make dinner (for me anyway).

The Zoo · 09-19-2008, 08:00 AM

I worked for over 6 years in what could be considered a glamorous, high paced financial career and did the over-spending to keep up with the purchases of the people I worked with. I was miserable and caught in a merry go round I couldn't get off of. So I left. I still work in finance, doing the same thing but the jealousy and one upmanship isn't there any more. My husband and I are practicing frugalists and are learning to enjoy the simple things in life and I've never been happier.

I do sometimes wonder though, if I'd be as content as I am if I didn't have the house that I do, the full closets that I do, etc. It's easy for me to say I don't need anything or desire anything else since I literally cannot think of anything I need. If there were things like furniture or suits or shoes that I needed would I be as happy? I don't know. Maybe those years of spending to keep up allowed me to be happy with what I have now.

jmarti22 · 09-21-2008, 04:13 AM

I think you have to have a balance between the simple life and the life of luxury. One cannot have it all, all the time! I was an 80's child and spoiled by my parents but you know what they say money doesn't buy happiness. I find that I am more happy keeping things simple yet not letting my finances or spending habits get out of control.

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08-11-2008, 08:34 AM	#21
redsoxmaniac Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 132 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (13)	I've done both, had the "American Dream" yeah right....you end up with a boatload of things that you don't use. When I moved a year or so ago to downsize and pay cash for a house, I had to get rid of so many things I'd bought for our family in the ten years and stuff I didn't immediately get rid of from a previous downsizing move, including, toys, gadgets etc. Now every time I go to buy something I remind myself about the 'junk that was in the garage'. What you want in the now is usually something that you'll grow tired of, unless it is something that you need to achieve a long term goal or something that will allow you to actually save money. I agree with the posters that say that the simple life is a conscientious decision. I believe the reasons vary from person to person. But I think it is less about being able to "cut it" in a high pressure world. The poster that mentioned the spiritual aspect of living simply has it right also. It just 'feels' better to be mindful and not wasteful. I used to eat out a lot (and not because I didn't love to cook) because of the convenience of it in the high paced lifestyle I'd set up for myself. Talk about racking up bills and nothing to show for it. That's the worst. Dining out on credit and paying for a meal 16 months later. Now THAT is insanity. So today, I work in a job I enjoy, with people I enjoy, have a little business on the side, grow some of my food and cook most of my food. I research all purchases and try and instill things that I've learned in this journey to my college aged kids. Read "The Millionaire Next Door" if you haven't. Many wealthy people live very simply and that is why they are wealthy (but not only monatarily).

08-25-2008, 01:16 PM	#22
lamar5292 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (12)	I was a high school teacher, Red cross volunteer, and college instructor. I gave all that up and dropped out of society because of the stress and burned out. Now I live in a 14x14 foor cabin I designed and built myself. I use solar for power, a solar composting toilet, solar water heater, grow a garden and raise rabbits and chickens. I have no house payments or utility bills and I only work when I want as I want. I now have the time to pursue my hobbies of writing books and composing songs. Life is good! LaMar http://www.freewebs.com/simplesolarhomesteading

09-01-2008, 06:43 AM	#23
Glue Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Sweet Springs, MO Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (10)	Thanks for the link Lamar. Your cabin is a perfect size for what I have been wanting. I'd like to put up a house like that. Have you heard about the Small House Society? http://www.resourcesforlife.com/small-house-society

09-16-2008, 10:50 AM	#27
Official_Soundtrack Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Glorious English Countryside. Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (10)	Maybe for some that is very much the case. I myself have a past that has involved some pretty hedonisitc behaviour (secretly I want to relive those days once my daughter has gotten a little older) but now enjoy the simple things in life and choose quality over quantity readily. I guess at heart I am something of a hippy and had parents who were also, eating organic and free range food and recycling before it became trendy! I left London a few years back ( HUZZAH!) and now live in the glorious countryside in the South East of England. I live a relaxed life of walks thorugh local woodland and fields, grow herbs and fruit in the garden and love quiet lazy lunches in traditional Country pubs. We shop at local farm shops which means we are not paying through the nose for our food. I have worked as a Pre-School teacher in the past, also for Social Services with children and teenagers who have ADHD And currently work in Nursing and Healthcare. My dream is to make a living out of selling my artwork, if my scribblings merit such a title!? We are looking to move to NewZealand in the next couple of years where we dream offgrowing every fruit, vegetable and herb we possibly can. As a child I watched the gentle comedy 'The Good Life' and loved the idea of self sufficent living. Hopefully, that will become a reality for us.

09-19-2008, 08:00 AM	#29
The Zoo Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 25 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (10)	I worked for over 6 years in what could be considered a glamorous, high paced financial career and did the over-spending to keep up with the purchases of the people I worked with. I was miserable and caught in a merry go round I couldn't get off of. So I left. I still work in finance, doing the same thing but the jealousy and one upmanship isn't there any more. My husband and I are practicing frugalists and are learning to enjoy the simple things in life and I've never been happier. I do sometimes wonder though, if I'd be as content as I am if I didn't have the house that I do, the full closets that I do, etc. It's easy for me to say I don't need anything or desire anything else since I literally cannot think of anything I need. If there were things like furniture or suits or shoes that I needed would I be as happy? I don't know. Maybe those years of spending to keep up allowed me to be happy with what I have now.

09-21-2008, 04:13 AM	#30
jmarti22 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Houston Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (10)	I think you have to have a balance between the simple life and the life of luxury. One cannot have it all, all the time! I was an 80's child and spoiled by my parents but you know what they say money doesn't buy happiness. I find that I am more happy keeping things simple yet not letting my finances or spending habits get out of control.