A Simpler Life

[wired]

Sounds like youv'e got it together, Moho. my wife and I have been blessed to spend some time in Italy on a few occasions and what we have noticed (and like)is that the pace is definitely slower there than it is here - especially in the smaller cities and towns. There, they work to live, not live to work, and family and friends are extremely important. They open their shops around 8 or 9am, close up a couple (oe more) hours for lunch, then reopen around 3 and then stay open later. Their evening meals can be 2-3 hour affairs - as much about connecting with friends and family as about the food. No Taco Bell, Jack in the Box, and very few (if any) McDonalds.
We would love to retire somewhere like that.

[campmaster-k]

I hate my cellphone so much. It feels like it shocks me everytime it rings. The problem is if I stop answering it the money stops. Its a Pavlov thing now ring - money - ring - money - ring - money. I am terrrified not to answer it.

[Drbob31]

It's tough. And depending on your line of work, possibly impossible. I just try not to be a slave to it.

[droid_ca]

would it be possible to live in a trailer maybe not a td but ttt might be more pleasant

[mkitchen]

Mo and I got married in the early 70's and for many, us included, it was characteristic for folks to attempt to live simply. Many of those folks were swayed by the yuppie movement that was all money based. For some reason we never fell into that. We moved from the Bay Area of CA to a small log cabin in eastern OR where money was tight but life was rich. We gardened, bartered, hunted, canned, and provided our own heat via fire wood.

Now we live in AZ and we are more mainstream. We own a regular house, I work a regular job and we are enjoying life just as much. I am probably preaching to the choir here; anyone who chooses a teardrop trailer over a 30 foot fifth wheel is more than likely someone who chooses the simpler life style. How you choose to live is up to you but be forwarned, being poor is not the same as living simple. It is easier when it is done by choice rather than by need. I like keeping it simple but I do want to be able to take care of needs when they arrise, as they surely will.
Mikey

[robfisher]

Read the first 10 or 15 issues of Mother Earth News. It published beginning in 1970 and was all about the simple life. It will stoke the fire with plenty of ideas.

[droid_ca]

some really good suggestions on here just thought I'd give this thread a bump as its the holidays and a lot of people are probably thinking that wouldn't it be nice if things were a little bit easier this time of year

[mikeschn]

I'm a little late to this thread, but my first thought is "declutter" your life.

Many of us have more stuff than we really need. And I am guilty of that as well. So it's time to declutter.

Decide what your priorities are, keep those items, and get rid of the stuff that distracts from your priorities.

Easier said than done though. Anyone have a good declutter URL?

Mike...

[starleen2]

I'm a little late to this thread, but my first thought is "declutter" your life.

Many of us have more stuff than we really need. And I am guilty of that as well. So it's time to declutter.

Decide what your priorities are, keep those items, and get rid of the stuff that distracts from your priorities.

Easier said than done though. Anyone have a good declutter URL?

Mike...

I had one "older" person share this wisdom with me: why are you keeping all your stuff - Dontcha' know your children will throw it all away when you die?

The closer I get to retirement – the more and more we are looking at downsizing and being a bit more resourceful. Our plans include a small home – two bedroom max with manageable living spaces . Not a micro home – but not a standard home either – something in between. We plan on using a septic system for the sewer and cistern system for the non potable water usage. Drinking water will be bottled – that way we will not have the expense of water bills. For lighting we plan on a combo of solar and light tubes (instead of skylights) that will light the interior for low energy usage during the day. We would love to be as independent and off the grid as possible since it will be only the two f us.

[droid_ca]

I heard this expression the other day and it seems fitting
You can't drive your house, But you can sleep in your car

[droid_ca]

so now that the holidays are half over how many of you did a declutter I was thinking about it but it is so difficult. On another note I talked to a lady who lives out of town with her husband on there little farm and they have no phone no TV no power and they are doing a good job of it the hard part she said is starting the truck when its really cold out ....so if you have any ideas on how to achieve happiness with a simpler life please post

[mikeschn]

We decluttered the garage this week. Anything that we haven't used in a few years, and see no immediate need for went into the garbage.

It's amazing the things we found out there!!!

Mike...

[bonnie]

Easier said than done though. Anyone have a good declutter URL?

Mike...

Don't laugh too much-- read this site. It's done wonders for my organizational skills.

http://www.flylady.com

[droid_ca]

What about multifunctional items....... things that serve more then one purpose for trailers and home life:thumbsup::thumbsup:....i think this really interests me as I'd like to be able to have a traveling home a tiny house or something similar to it...thanks for the interesting link.... So Mike any treasures to be found that you could use for your foam standy

[mikeschn]

What about multifunctional items....... things that serve more then one purpose for trailers and home life:thumbsup::thumbsup:....i think this really interests me as I'd like to be able to have a traveling home a tiny house or something similar to it...thanks for the interesting link.... So Mike any treasures to be found that you could use for your foam standy

No nothing out there for the foam standie.

We found old kindling that has been out there for 13 years. We found tools in a briefcase that have been out there for almost 13 years. The kindling got tossed. The tools are now hanging on the pegboard. Most of the other stuff just got tossed.

Mike...

P.S. If there is anything in the house for the foamie, it would be downstairs!