A Simpler Life

[droid_ca]

So could this be a possible New Years resolution for some people

[Aaron Coffee]

Don't know if it exactly qualifies as downsizing but I have kept my cell phone( a flip phone) and have resisted upgrading to a smart phone, if I didn't have 3 other phones on my account I would just drop to a prepaid cell for emergencies. I used to own a small video taping business(taped stock car races and sold copies)I let that go by the waysaide as I got tired of chasing the technology and trying to keep up, started out selling vhs, then people started wanting dvd's, I quit before HD came out.
I have thought about setting one day a week aside that I don' use any technology, no tv, cell phone, interenet, but have never really followed up. Winter is the toughest for me as I don't have heat in the garage, so I find myself spending alot of time in front of the TV, come summer I spend alot of time in the garage sometimes not being on the net or tv for 2 or three days straight.

[jstrubberg]

I think a lot of folks confuse technology with complication. An LED is a marvel of technology, yet very simple.

Modern storage techniques can simplify your life, if that's what you decide to do with them.

My life isn't as simple as I would like it to be. Doesn't have a thing to do with a device, it's my unwillingness to stop reaching.

[droid_ca]

So I just had a visit from a friend that had moved away 5 years ago. He was all so when you going to move closer to me and visit, so I preceded to tell him about this Tiny House, and he starts thinking that I'm all crazy and what not. So I googled a few pictures to show him and then I think the ball starts rolling next thing you know he's spouting out ideas left right and center. I start explaining to him that I want to be able to have a simpler way of doing things and to be able to get out more into nature. So then come the quizzes what about refrigeration and cooking I tell him propane stoves and three way fridges what about laundry I show him portable washers that could run off of an inverter or a generator. Then what about Tv and music and videos for that sort of entertainment so I proceed to explain that the in car Dvd player as well as the laptops and what not could be installed.So now my friend is thinking that he has all the wrong stuff cause it has him trapped in his house... So that brings me to this question,

Are we trapped ? Is our stuff controlling us? Who's in charge?

[jstrubberg]

Now THAT point I agree with 100 percent!

See my sig line.

[droid_ca]

I'm learning that I have too much stuff I have been going through all of it and I catch my self justifying why I own something.....ok ok .....so this is a problem atleast I'm admiring it. my new puppy should be here in less then a week andI have room after room to go through but I guess it is a good of excuse as any if I throw out something that I truly needed that I can go out and buy a brand new one .... So I hope this down sizing that many of us are trying to do works out for the rest of you and if you have an experience please share your story as I could reallt learn from others mistakes

[droid_ca]

bump

[Dan & Julie CO]

In the last couple years we closed our business not enough of it.We work for somebody, got rid of DTV , we rarely eat out, and to this date I physically lost 92 lbs.
We went through closet and draws this morning pulled 20 items of clothing including a suit, and will only buy what we need to replace still losing weight Oh yeah we only eat what we need we try not to over eat.

[Dan & Julie CO]

Don't tell Me

[droid_ca]

I'm in the beginning stages of simplifying my life, go through all the stuff I have and deciding what I truly need. I keep asking myself if it burned down tonight what would you go out and buy tomorrow?

[campmaster-k]

"All I need is this Lamp and this thermos -- thats all I need. And this rug and thats all I need, and this mug and that is all I NEED!" - Steve Martin - The Jerk.

[mikeschn]

In the last couple years we closed our business not enough of it.We work for somebody, got rid of DTV , we rarely eat out, and to this date I physically lost 92 lbs.
We went through closet and draws this morning pulled 20 items of clothing including a suit, and will only buy what we need to replace still losing weight Oh yeah we only eat what we need we try not to over eat.

Dan,

I'm impressed.

Mike...

[Dan & Julie CO]

Thank you Mike.
Julie and I went into the garage and laid down in the camper. I we fit better My goal is to get down to 180-175lbs
Going from self employed to a new occupation was a trip but a necessary one. We have had to choose Our financial battles through sacrifice but really we don't miss the things we have parted with
Now we seem to be gaining ground. Funny thing is if you don't know what your gonna make you can't budget your finances

[droid_ca]

So I have been debating on what to do I'm in a small town (er um village..population just over 500) that I like lots I could probably get away with a tiny house in the backyard as long as I keep the existing house (money pit) there
I have discussed it with a few people and we all think it would be a good step in the right direction for possible ideas to transpire about town as long as its positive.
but then to be able to transport my tiny house as I like to go on extended road trips and camping at lakes and would like to go coastal camping some times in the near future
I have been thinking that a boat might be the ideal set up for me I love being on the water and a way to have the best of both worlds would be great
I have been looking at narrow boats for a while now Anyone have experience with living on the water??? ...The thing with a narrow boat compared to a tiny house is I can make the boat longer as compered to taller a little differnt shape on the outside but then I can have an upper deck for entertaining on I had a few ideas of a catwalk that when in transport can fold up on the sides ....still not sure of my plans as of yet...starting to feel like a kid in a candy store with ADD..ooh look a kite..
So if you have any knowledge on living aboard or ways to make life a little more simpler I'd love to hear from you and your ideas...thanks

[niget2002]

The wife and I are doing this to an extent.

We dropped the satellite over a year ago and don't miss it one bit.

I'm in IT, so we still have the computers and the smartphones.

We did go through the kitchen and clean out a bunch of stuff we literally have not used since we got married.

The two things we don't touch are the tools in the garage, and her shoes/purses in the closet.

We're in the process of selling/buying a new house closer to work, and we're using this as a good time to go through everything to help clean out more junk. We have garage sales every now and then with what we've gathered, then at the garage sale, whatever doesn't sale goes to the thrift store and gets donated.

It's a long process going through years of stuff, but so far so good. As the house gets emptier, I find it's easier to breathe.