Simple Living?

[brianj]

I recently finish reading a book given to me from a co-worker called Your Money or Your Life: 9 Steps to Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Independence .

From the book:

"Our life energy is our allotment of time here on earth, the hours of precious life available to us. When we go to our jobs we are trading our life energy for money. This truth, while simple, is profound. Less obvious but equally true, when we go to the welfare office, we are trading our life energy for money."


I can especially relate to this after growing up on welfare in the Detroit projects. In it were principles similar to Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover and others. Principles like - pay off your debts, spend less and save more were found throughout the book. The only major difference I found in this book was the emphasis is on simplifying your lifestyle.

My wife found the overall tone of the book too extreme. While I felt some parts were somewhat extreme I found the information in this book valuable enough to continue reading. It appears that they espouse living simple permanently. I asked my colleague to clarify what the concept of "simple living" was all about and all he could tell me was that it has to do with downsizing my life. This did not clear up much for me.Other than the "Simple Living Thing" I think it is one of the best personal finance books that I have read.

I would sincerely appreciate it if anyone could explain what "Simple Living" is all about.

Over 40 Overweight and In Debt

[maat55]

I view simple living as fewer responsibilities. Smaller house payment, cheaper transportation, no cable, cells etc. A job that is low stress. Fewer reasons for deadlines. Less toys.

To many, simple would mean boring. To some, it would be peaceful.

[GREENBACK]

Simple living is the ability to enjoy the true treasures that life can provide at no more cost than opening your eyes and appreciating what is around you. Do you truly appreciate sunrise and sunset or the beauty of nature in general? Do you really appreciate being of sound mind and body? Do you know the joy of not being under the stranglehold of debt? Does it take spending a lot of money to bring a temporary smile to your face If you can answer yes to the first 3 and no to the 4th you're living the simple life from my perspective anyway

[boosami]

Sorry, you lost me at "life energy."

[swaymonae]

I view simple living as busting my ass now in my 20's to be comfortable in my elder years..


My retirement is going to be incredible..

[MangoMomOf4]

I think it is simplifying- living "below your means"- free of clutter and items you don't NEED

[Cassandra]

I've always associated simple living with having fewer items, but of better quality, so in the long run you don't have to repair/replace it as many times. Less clutter and less hassle overall.

Do I follow it? Nope, not really.

[DebbieL]

I think it may be one of those phrases that means something different to everyone. And that isn't necessarily a bad thing. My view of simple living is being happy with what I have and living beneath my means. It eliminates the stress of trying to live a lifestyle that you cannot afford. I think I accomplish this for the most part.

[whitestripe]

Originally Posted by boosami

Sorry, you lost me at "life energy."

it's pretty self explanatory - i don't know if you're being sarcastic or not - but it means the amount of time/energy/life you trade for money.

[creditoria]

I can't agree more. Job is really a deal of money against your lifetime.
I love my job but I would be doing less if I had a choice.

[DFrancis]

I know of the book, but have not read it yet. I head it was very good. Living a simple life is the only way to live for me. I see the people who drive luxury cars, live in McMansions, and have all the other frills to go with it. I have a honda with over 180k miles, a 1200 sq foot house, and a nice six figure portfolio. I can buy all of that stuff, but I know it would just take away from the simple life that I enjoy. The more things I acquire the more layers of complication are added to my life. The simpler I keep my life the more I enjoy it.

DF

[DayByDay]

I came across a blog yesterday that had a simple living title. It was chock full of photographs that I couldn't help but notice must have been made with an expensive camera. Instead of focusing on the subjects of the pictures (mainly things that were baked, knitted, or grown), I instead noticed the backgrounds that showed they had a large, perfect-looking home on lots of land, very expensive furniture, cabinets, flooring, and tons of decor that looked like it was straight out of a home decorating magazine. Then there were the pictures showing all the expensive hobby items they bought.

I guess the definition for some people is just having the ability to be able to bake, cook, stitch, and grow a garden. I thought it meant not having a lot of things.