My husband and I have always lived a simple life. We never bought what we couldn't afford; rarely did we use our one and only credit card. We raised three children, who pretty much were raised with second hand clothes, no fancy electronics and they paid for their ontinued education. I always felt we needed to save for our future, let the kids pay for theirs. Only twice in our 31 years of marriage have we had a car payment, which we budgeted nicely. Currently we own two vehicles with no car payments, and owe less than $30,000 on our home. My husband retired at 62, and I'm still working mostly because of the medical benefits. We have two annuities which are 401K rollovers; we never spent any of those funds; they were earmarked for retirement. The great thing is we're happy living this simple life.
Linda
of ID
@
Sep 29, 2008 07:39:09 AM
Simple living
I have really enjoyed this article. I myself have, over the past few years, bugun embracing a simpler lifesyle. I find it both fulfilling and challenging. My husband and I have found that sometimes when we are the most broke we are happier and more creative with our spending and our time. Most recently I have taken up foraging for wild edible plants and fruits and making things I would otherwize buy in the store. This is not only rewarding but very enjoyable. I sit with a quiet satisfaction as I sip tea that I have brewed from clover and rose hips and raspberry leaves or chamomile that I have collected and dried. I am also noticing that I am getting more
annoyed being around too much gadgety technology all the time. I'd much rather read a book by candle light in the bathtub. There are so many things that consumers buy that we really don't need, and I'm finally figuring out I like simplicity.
Janeen Cook
of MI
@
Sep 29, 2008 04:52:32 AM
THANK YOU!!
This article was such a find. It's everything I've been feeling perfectly articulated for me. Coming from a very materialistic background and having a lot of "stuff", I've found my own pursuit of happiness to contradict my background and upbringing. It hasn't always been easy making the shift...very confusing at times, but it's definitely been worthwhile, peace-bringing and very fulfilling. "Balance" is a key word he used, and thankfully we're finding more of it all the time!
Lisa
@
Sep 05, 2008 12:13:04 PM
I think what he had said is something that we all know deep down but we are so wrapped up in living life out of guilt and how others judge us that we get to wrapped up in the materialistic world. I have seen so many of my friends and family go into debt and are miserable in there lives but do not know how to quit shopping because they feel like there kids deserve all the things the other kids are getting in life. But yet they are not teaching them to work for it. So the children are learning from the adults that they can have what they want because of plastic cards. It is so sad. I wish people would see the world through a happy debt free setting. Which means they would have to give up things in order to be with there kids. They are wanting the good parents award right now so therfore they buy their love, verses waiting it out for the good parents award in the future when the children grow up and really appreciate the parents for raising them
of
@
Aug 31, 2008 12:48:19 PM
As far as i can see,people in diffent nature would prefer diffent kinds of life. The kind of life mentioned in the passage is similar to the one went for by chinese ideologist ZhuangZi,who described a kind of life that neighbors do not conmunicate with each other However,there are also many other famous ideologists whose thought have been affecting chinese for a long time and may vary from the ones of others a lot. because a particular thought is only for a group people,not for everyone. It is the desiration for money that promotes the civilization of human Besides,age may be a factor Mostly,the idea may be popular with the old. While, the youth mostly prefer exiting life
wang xiao lei
@
Aug 16, 2008 12:33:22 PM
A SMILE GIVE EXCELLENT RESULT
A SMILE GIVE EXCELLENT RESULT
A SMILE IS THE LIGHTING SYSTEM OF THE FACE AND HEATING SYSTEM OF HEART.
IF YOU ARE NOT USING YOUR SMILE , YOU ARE LIKE A MAN WITH A MILLION DOLLERS IN THE BANK AND WITH NO CHEQUE BOOK.
MOST SMILE ARE STRATED BY ANOTHER SMILE.
WHEN YOU SMILE AT SOMEONE, NINE TIMES OUT OF TEN THE OTHER PERSON WILL
SMILE BACK AND YOU MADE TWO PEOPLE'S DAY BRIGHTER AND BETTER
THERE ARE HUNDRED OF LANGUAGES IN THE WORLD BUT A SMILE SPEAK THEM ALL.
SMILE ARE THE LANGUAGES OF THE LOVE.
A SMILE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS.
WEAR A HAPPY FACE IT IS YOUR DISPLAY COUNTER YOUR SHOW WINDOW , YOUR BEST ADVERTISEMENT.
WRINKLE SHOULD MERELY INDICATE WHERE SMILES HAVE BEEN.
BRAHM PARKASH GAUR
of IN
@
Aug 14, 2008 06:03:20 AM
Life is an echo
Life is an echo, all comes back ;
the good, the bad, the false, & the true.
So, give the world the best u have
& the best will come back to u.
BRAHM PARKASH GAUR
of IN
@
Aug 14, 2008 06:01:39 AM
thoughts on living the simple life
I am retired and am one of those who really enjoys it.
Living simply has always appealed to me since adulthood. It is a
good thing, due to the state of our economy and of the world as it
now exists.
I enjoy the free things more as I get older. Reading and walking
are two of my favorite things. It is lots less stressful to be
retired and have the freedom to do for others and do what I want.
It is a sad state of affairs that so many in our world do not
this, especially the young.
Thom Adams
of SC
@
Aug 13, 2008 19:49:46 PM
Yesterday while watching television I had the pleasure of watching my dog who's 15 years old play with my 6 month old puppy. My senior dog was running around and tackling my puppy for about 1/2 an hour. Watching her being so active gave me joy. This is my definition of "simple living". Enjoying the moment.
Veee
of UT
@
Aug 13, 2008 18:15:53 PM
Living simply but eating well
I enjoyed this article very much. One of the things I enjoy doing is cooking. Cooking everyday can take a lot of time though, especially when a person has a full-time job. One way to simplify this is to cook like I did when all five of my children were at home. I especially like to make stews, soups, and chili in large quantities and have it left over for the next day or two. That simplifies my life a great deal and gives me time to do other things whether they are with my family, my pets, or just some additional leisure time for myself. I get to enjoy cooking but then have free time later in the week. It works well for us.
Kimberly Palmer, senior editor for U.S. News & World Report, writes about how to save money, avoid scams, manage debt, and be a savvy shopper. Send your personal finance questions to her for expert money advice.
Linda of ID @ Sep 29, 2008 07:39:09 AM
Janeen Cook of MI @ Sep 29, 2008 04:52:32 AM
Lisa @ Sep 05, 2008 12:13:04 PM
of @ Aug 31, 2008 12:48:19 PM
wang xiao lei @ Aug 16, 2008 12:33:22 PM
BRAHM PARKASH GAUR of IN @ Aug 14, 2008 06:03:20 AM
BRAHM PARKASH GAUR of IN @ Aug 14, 2008 06:01:39 AM
Thom Adams of SC @ Aug 13, 2008 19:49:46 PM
Veee of UT @ Aug 13, 2008 18:15:53 PM
Nancy of AL @ Aug 13, 2008 15:14:39 PM
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