3rd & 4th Questions - Simple Living Guide

[jd]

I'll start the next thread from this book ....

What chapter was most impactful for you and why?
What chapter was least impactful for you and why?

For me, the most impactful chapter was the first one because it has now drilled into my head that how I spend my time is my choice - not someone else's requirement. I try to remember that I don't 'have' to do something, I've 'chosen' to do it. I still need to remember to do this but it is coming more often and more quickly.

The least impactful chapter was gardening. I have never had an interest and know that a short spurt of interest can lead to a full season of gardening. I do have planters of herbs but that's enough to interest me. The statement that sticks out the most and makes me laugh is "... for those that love to garden and those that don't, there are ways to create beautiful landscapes ... by spending less money and less time." If I don't like/love to garden why do I care about less money or time??!!

Looking forward to your comments!

[jane]

For me the chapter with the most impact was the chapter about finances. After reading the book I realized that much of my life was already simplified (it helps being single and only able to afford a small apt-just no room for extra stuff) although it was nice to hear some validation regarding the unnecessity (is that actually a word?!?) of a lot of the material things the media is telling us we have to get.

Right now my main goal is to pay off my debt. Between school loans and credit card debt it's pretty high and all I keep thinking is how much I could do-travel, etc. If I didn't have to pay these debts. So, I had already made a conscious decision to stop using my credit cards and pay cash for everything (which after 6 months was/is working pretty well.) Yesterday, however, I got an email from Quicken.com where they sent me a debt reduction planner which was really eyeopening. By just paying an extra $100 a month, I could pay off my debt by '04 rather than '08 (Which I of course thought was fantastic). I also followed the author's advice and am keeping track of all my expenses on an Excel spreadsheet (with a graph I am very proud of!). I'm hoping that will help show me where I can get this extra $100 to help pay off the debt. Anyway... enough rambling.

[kirkbyky]

Jane--That chapter helped me too (along with some other things I've read). Seeing it in black and white really can hit home, sometimes. I just realized the other day, that by paying $100 extra a month on my mortgage will save me over $90,000 in intrest. wow. I used to live very simply when I was single. It's amazing how much stuff a married couple can accumulate when they own a house. I feel as if I'm constantly trying to get rid of stuff & relatives are constantly giving me crap they don't want anymore!:rolleyes: Why would I want, I already have too much junk as it is! And really we don't have alot compared to what our society/media would like us too.

Kyle

[SusieO]

I was most impacted by the chapter on clutter. It really helped me understand my emotional attachment to things that are, after all, just things. So I'm learning to let go of a few of them.

The chapters I liked least were the ones on nutrition and exercise. Maybe because these are the areas in my life that are a little out of balance. But I thought her advice was a little over the top. Five hours between meals?!? I would pass out. Or go postal. Or both.

[BevP]

I read the book a while back and can't remember exact chapters but did find it helpful about the 'things' and clutter. We too own a house and it just seems that 'things' expand to fill space. We may be moving to a small apartment in a year and I'm really trying to get DH and myself to prune. Maybe I should re-read the book and get DH to read it too.

I'm coming to hate knick-knacks. They need to be placed on something. Then they collect dust and you have to dust them. Then they may get broken and you have to keep the pieces since you may fix it. Then you feel guilty that you tossed out the broken pieces instead of fixing it. Then a year later you say, what knick-knack. Now, I don't want a new knick-knack unless it has strong personal meaning. And I want to detach myself from non-personal things in the house and find a new home for them.

I'm starting to hate any gift giving time since that's a reason to give and get "things".

[SusanMac]

I totally agree on getting more "stuff" at every holiday or birthday. The author had several good ideas about reducing that (they were somewhat obvious, but I needed a big reminder!) We're considering giving a contribution to my SIL's favorite non-profit organization for her upcoming birthday. I know that I'd love it if someone did that for me. DH and I will either give each other a vacation or some home remodeling project for Christmas this year. This was one of my favorite "tips" from the book.

I thought the book spent an inordinate amount of time on families/kids. Her ideas were good, but the whole section seemed somewhat repetitive with the other sections, IMHO.

[jane]

Well, having moved 4 times in 2 years right after graduating from college, I have managed to get rid of a lot of stuff. Anything that I didn't even look at between moves suddenly found itself in the trash, or given to someone else who actually said they wanted it. Having a small space definitely helps keep down the clutter and knicknacks.

One idea that my family recently implemented was to stop giving actual "things" as birthday presents (unless there was something somebody really wanted) and instead, we all get together and go out to a nice restaurant for dinner. Also for Christmas, when my mom's whole family gets together, rather than having a $10-15 Pollyanna (which nobody really liked anyway) we have been taking a voluntary donation from everyone in the family (they already bring the donation in an envelope so no one knows exactly who gave how much), and then we donate it to a charity that we have all decided on earlier. One year we gave to the local homeless shelter and another year we gave to a residential program for orphaned and troubled children. There is a lot more satisfaction in knowing that you have helped someone else than there is in one more cinnamon scented candle or $10 Blockbuster Video Gift Card!

[lisas3575]

Wow... I agree with what I've read here. The chapters that impacted my life the most were the ones about finances, time and clutter. I really enjoyed the chapter about housing, however. It was fascinating to read about all those other options (Cob houses! How cool!) and how people are making them work. It was very inspiring, and at the same time, not for me. Traditional housing is the right choice for me right now.

I loved the chapter on time. It gave me a perspective I was lacking, and I'm now aware of choices that I have that I didn't know about before. I loved the part about buying expensive presents which meant that you have to work more to pay for it which takes away time you could be spending with the person you gifted (what a concept!). I also loved the part about how much you really make per hour when you factor in the time to get ready, the time to commute, the cost of your wardrobe, lunches out, office parties, gifts for co-workers, etc, etc, etc. I'd never looked at it that way!

[lisas3575]

Originally posted by jane
Well, having moved 4 times in 2 years right after graduating from college, I have managed to get rid of a lot of stuff. Anything that I didn't even look at between moves suddenly found itself in the trash, or given to someone else who actually said they wanted it.

Ooooo! I glommed onto Janet's rule of thumb: If you haven't looked at it, worn it, used it, thought about it in a year, GET RID OF IT. I went on a massive clutter blitzkrieg after I read that and realized how draining all this junk was to my mental energy! I feel really good about that.

[lisas3575]

Originally posted by jane
we have been taking a voluntary donation from everyone in the family (they already bring the donation in an envelope so no one knows exactly who gave how much), and then we donate it to a charity that we have all decided on earlier.

Hooray! I liked this idea so much I proposed it to my family yesterday, and they've all gone for it! Thanks for the idea, it's much more in the true meaning of Christmas for me.