Is "Simple Living" Just Another Term for "Giving Up"?

[sweetdixie]

I googled "simple living" and was directed to this blog! When I read all its comments, I joined so I could chime in.

I am a 54 yo female who had always tried to live frugally. I used to work 2-3 jobs and spent weekends making more money buying from yard sales and selling at flea markets.......I have no idea where all the money went... I did raise one daughter that I spoiled with STUFF...all the latest trends were hers for the asking... she is now grown and college educated with her own stressful corporate job.

I guess what I would like to add to this discussion is this: spend more time with your child/children.... don't spoil them with stuff......teach them the value of a $.

I am now still living frugally out of necessity as I am poor......I didn't save any of the money I made. (no pity please!) I did this to myself by not managing the money.

Some of the things I do: I go to health clinics for medical care, they order my meds for me free from the manufacture, I use food banks for about 30% of my food-I grow some and shop sales; I live in a 25 year old mobile home that is paid for in a trailer park where the rent is $165 per month. I don't buy anything at retail, shop Goodwill for clothes. Eating out is limited to a fast food chain once a month.... I don't have T.V., telephone, microwave, computer or even an electric can opener!

My husband and I live on his disability and small retirement TOTAL $2500 per month.... The money would go further but HE had to have a newer vehicle???

I count my blessings because I have learned over the years how to live on next to nothing...I am a pro at it.

Our only entertainment is the public library, where we use the computers.

My advice to all is to SAVE some of the money, trust me you will need it one day!

[MsMakingIt]

Does it really matter? I work in the disability field, which is shockingly poorly paid, but I truly love what I do, and a couple of the 'perks' of my job are that all my meals are included.... what the clients eat, I eat too.... there is a generous grocery budget, and since I do the shopping, I also get to choose what we eat when Im on duty.... we eat very well. Another perk is the flexibility of it all..... Im able to take of personal business when Im on duty, shopping etc.... if I take a client along with me.... that's priceless. I truly enjoy making something out of nothing and getting thrift store bargains. Im single, live alone, have several pets and im paying off a mortgage, granted at the end of the week theres not much left in my purse....but if i wanted to work an extra shift in order to have the cash for a bill or luxury treat....I could. Id rather have the day off and spend $5 on a home hair colour than work 8 hours to pay for a salon style! I recently did myself a rather serious injury, and was forced into an even more austere lifestyle for several weeks..... and Im managing just fine. To life a stress free lifestyle is more important to me than accumulaitng more 'stuff' .

[moon02]

I don't think of it as having anything to do with being poor. I have started focusing on frugality more as a way of being rich and enjoying the things I really want. I realized by overloading my life with things I lose time for what i truly desire. I also make it harder to make the money I desire. "To want for nothing is to be free" they say. I used to not understand, but now I realize it much more.

[lamar5292]

You may notice the title of this website is "living large on a small budget". This implies having everything you need by finding ways to reduce extra expenses.

I worked and retired from the state of Utah a few years back. I made good money and had the big house, expensive car, and big bills that went with that life.

After retiring I sold the house and built a small solar cabin. I now have no house payments and no monthly utility bills. While I make less money than before I actually have more money by reducing my bills and I do not go without anything I need.

LaMar
www.simplesolarhomesteading.com

[J. Neal Urbanski]

I'm really troubled with the comparison you make between "Simple Living" and "Giving Up". Giving up what exactly? Property? A thriving business? Because you can live simply and still have these things. (Try organic farming.)
Or perhaps you mean excess? Shopping or running up the credit card bill on stuff you don't need?
It is not only a bigwig or mogul that has "ambition, drive, smarts, energy, tenacity, charisma" in order "to be [an] accomplished". Anybody living today needs all these qualities. (Start cutting coupons and handing them over at the grocery store by the handful and see how much tenacity you need.) The reason the older generations "turn green" or try to simplify now is because we are sensitive to the artificial environment that we have created, and the fact that it is unsustainable. We're trying to reverse the damage. Moreover, we are also taking this current economic recession and using it to our advantage. US Consumers spent less again in July because we have a massive hangover after finally having woken up from our consumer-driven binge the quarter-century before. In fact, those who live the simple life are the smartest out of all of us. And we do have moguls and bigwigs who live simply all over the place and they aren't told they're "giving up". I just saw someone pay $10 here in NYC for a biodegradable sponge, so they're around trust me!

[lovely09]

I would say no,it doesn't mean living simple is giving up.You still work and continue your career even you live simply like having enough money to support the needs of your family.A simple life for me indicates a contentment.The most important thing is being with your love ones happy and content with what you have.

[FinanciallySMART]

Some persons get tired of being in the rat race and so turn to living a simple life. Maybe they have been burnt so many times that they become weary and worn out. Living simple is not as how the name specified but after being in the rat race then one is able to manage it better. If you are one that never been in the rat race then you have to draw on all the skills you possess in order to accomplish living a simple life and so I wouldn't say that it is giving up.

[japhy]

Originally Posted by kav122

To me, frugality and simplicity are a spiritual journey. Not going to the mall, not watching tv, not gorging on McD's, not buying too many clothes, too many things, not one-upping the neighbors---to me, all of that is a disconnect between spirituality and your soul. My family didn't take a vow of poverty or anything, but you know, we do what we can to find appreciation in the little things.

I've been reading these forums for a while but this thread, and this comment in particular spurred me into joining. This is EXACTLY what it is to me. The economics of simplicity are secondary to the inner peace it brings. If in some parallel universe it costs more to live a simple life, you can bet you'd find me there, paying the price. Thank you so much for putting it so well.

japhy

[lamar5292]

I find it quite funny that people still have the stereotypical hillbilly image of people living simple lives.

I live in a 400 sqft solar cabin I built myself for under $2000. I grow a garden. Raise rabbits and chickens and hunt and fish for most of our food.

I use a composting toilet of my own design and drilled my own water well.

I was raised by homesteading parents and grandparents and it is the life I prefer and feel most comfortable living.

However, for many years I lived in a large city home with a pool and 3 car garage. I retired from the state of Utah and have traveled extensively. I have a masters degree in education. I am a Health education Specialist and have published 3 books and music CD that have done very well.

I own 2 businesses that provide a very lucrative income and could easily afford a big expensive home and the luxuries that go with that lifestyle.

Instead I choose a simple life with no house payment and no utility bills which allows me to spend my money on helping my kids go to college and starting their businesses and affording nice vacations and enjoy my retirement.

I am only 45 years old so my life is probably not typical of most homesteaders but my point is by choosing to live a simple lifestyle you have more time and money to pursue the things you really want in life.

LaMar
www.simplesolarhomesteading.com

[lizzy_09]

Originally Posted by indieretailer

I am 46 years old and I'm finally comfortable in my own skin, so to speak. My life evolved from being a hedonistic child of the 80's to being very content with what I have and truly appreciating who I am.

This is just something I thought while I was with my kids at the park today---

I was wondering if there are those people who have decided to lead a "sustainable-frugal-simple-green life" only because they didn't have the ambition, drive, smarts, energy, tenacity, charisma to be an accomplished mogul or bigwig? Do they say "oh yeah, I'm into simplicity now", when what they always craved is a prestige,luxury laden life.

Are there people giving up going up to greater heights in their careers only because they don't have what it takes and are now "simplicity poseurs".

I hope no one takes offense at my question. It's not directed at anyone. I know that there are so many accomplished, brilliantl, well-educated, and articulate people on this forum who choose quality of life over quantitiy. I just thought I'd throw this out there...

There are a lot of factors that drives, influence and motivates us in the way we see life and the way we want to live it. Those factors are: how we were brought up and how we have experienced it. My grandmother spoiled me rotten but my grandfather taught me the value of simplicity. Having all the money doesn't necessary give one a sustaining happiness. It might for a start but once you've come to attaining certain goals, we tend to seek for another challenge. It's like life itself is a never ending search for true happiness. In my own perception, happiness can be found on the simplest of things. The effort one makes to make other people's lives better. I'm not here to challenge anyone's views but this is how perceive life.