Simplify your life

[Ludi]

Inspired by a quote from Lore:

"The reality is we all could all live much simpler lives and be just, if not more so, as happy."

Describe how you have simplified your life and how it has made you happier.

[hillsidedigger]

Even though I am a self-employed professional, I do not have a cell-phone, never have. Sometimes, it might help to have one but it's the principle.

Even though I am a fair sized gardener, I do not use a 'tiller. A 'tiller or tractor would never be worth the trouble.

I also don't own a riding lawnmower, 4-wheeler, powerboat, jet-ski, pressure-washer, golf clubs or any of a number of other toys that it seems many of my neighbors blow their money and time with, no horses, cows or pigs either.

[Hawkcreek]

I gave everything to my second wife. And it was worth it.
Everything is simpler now.

[eastbay]

Mid 2004 through mid 2006 were two years of sudden and profound transformation for us.

My wife and I each quit driving 50,000 miles per year and went to 10,000 miles each per year. This means more time at home, less money spent on fuel and upkeep, which makes us happier. Soon I will reduce my driving to around 200 miles per month, but hers will remain at 800 miles/month indefinitely.

We dumped a $275,000 mortgage with a $2500/mo house payment (including $500/mo tax) and went to a paid off smaller house and no house payment. This means less need to work on survival now and instead wisely saving for survival later. The growing nest egg makes us feel safer and happier.

No more house phone. Cell only.

No AC. Open windows only.

Quit eating meat. That one move makes me live cheaper and thus much happier.

Kicked up the aerobic exercise. Healthier and happier at 195 lbs instead of 225 lbs.

Learned to grow food. Prior to having PO in my consciousness we never did. Knowing the fundamentals of vegetable and fruit growing makes us safer and healthier and thus happier.

Instead of buying clothes for fashion we now do so for durability. It's now denim, Dockers, and Danners. Saving the cash makes us feel safer long-term and thus happier.

We hardly gave the concept of 'impermanence' a second thought prior to learning about King Hubbert. Now we study impermanence (along with other Dharma teachings) regularly which, as we all know, reduces desires and craving, simplifies everything, and leads to long-term happiness.

[eastbay]

I gave everything to my second wife. And it was worth it.
Everything is simpler now.

Seriously, give tiny homes a look. Simpler really does mean happier.

As soon as the kids are out of the nest (fairly soon!) we're buying or building a 400 sq ft pure efficiency house on an acre or two and raising food on most of the rest. I can't wait!

[Unconventional Ideas]

To Eastbay,

I would keep the landline and get rid of the cellphone. The EMFs from cellphones and other similar technologies are hazardous to human health. You may have heard of the documentary "Full Signal."

[Ibon]

Sold my business in 2004, traveled around the world with my two daughters for one year homeschooling, bought 400 acres in Panama and am now a resident of that county stewarding this land and building cabins for guests.

[EnergyUnlimited]

I have scrapped my career in Big Pharma in UK, withheld all the proceeds and bought nice property with some land in Poland.
All in ecologically sound surroundings (at the seaside on the outskirts of National Park)

So I have to work only for 2 months per year (that long tourist season last here), I rent my land to local farmer (he pays in barter, so I have for free good food, not the sh*t which one can buy in supermarket).

Essentially I have retired at 36 (now I am 42).

I have nothing to do with my free time, no worries, so I volunteer for National Park Rangers.
As a hobby I try some semi-permaculture in my garden.

This cost me about 75% of my UK earnings cut.
Yet it is more than enough, can take another 75% cut and still remain above water, if need be.

I would keep the landline and get rid of the cellphone.

That is what I have done, once I jacked my job.
I only have a landline.
Cellphone was ritually burned.
Entire family is banned from owning one. My wife is Asian, so she didn't make any troubles.
TV is also banned at my home albeit in rooms rented for tourists we have to keep it.
Doesn't matter. We don't watch it more than few times a year.
I only communicate by Internet.

[Pops]

Good!

We cashed out in the latest California land bubble ('04) and paid cash for a small farm in SW Missouri. This made a HUGE difference in my outlook as I had needed somewhere around $3k/mo After tax just to make the nut on the house.

We diversified our income to include some farm income and some telecommute freelance graphics work and the odd "handiman" job. This is also huge in that although I don't have a big income, it would be pretty hard to lose all my income.

Reduced "personal overhead" (not including farm or graphics expense) to about $500/month plus food:
phones/'net/Netflix - $100
Electricity/propane/firewood - $100+
farm/fire/car insurance $100-
property/personal tax $100-
Fuel/repairs/misc $100-

We are "able" to provide a good portion of our own food (beans and potatoes and beef!) but mostly we just "practice". So the upshot is if we make $1k/month we live pretty good, more than that and we're fat.

Our hobbies have always been mostly "Making" type hobbies and that's what we still do, woodworking gardening, sewing, "fixing". Now when we work on our old house (when we have money) and around the place (mending fence, building the green house, etc) the idea in the back of our minds is how to make things fun now and useful in whatever situation comes next.

I get a kick out of "recycling" - you can read that "scrounging" if you like. Right now we are building a small paddock from field fence and slightly bent T-posts that I got for the taking from one neighbor. The side of the pen facing the house will be built from 2x6s I am rescuing from a shed that blew down on another farm - I'll only spend cash for some treated posts. I'd say this is a thousand dollar project I'll bring home the materials for in maybe 8 hours of work - of course it isn't brand new but it ain't bad.

The best part about wanting less is you can have what you want.

[Ludi]

So far I have found it simpler to buy food at the store than to grow it. I envy you-all who find it easier to raise food than buy it.

The main simplification in my life was moving away from the big city and the commute. Working at home makes just about everything else easier. Other things we do to be frugal aren't "simpler." It is much simpler to turn on the electric furnace than to cut wood and manage a wood-stove, in my experience, though less pleasant.

[Serial_Worrier]

Actually on a serious note I totally agree with this. Wherever I can I simplify by reducing the amount of things I own. So my condo becomes more spartan overall. I'm not really into this whole "reducing my carbon footprint" as I think it's a bogus issue. But limited landfills space and not polluting groundwater are important issues for me and I've long since abandoned using non-organic household cleaners. I recycle ALOT, usually my recycle bin is 3/4 to full every time.

Items I'm trying to do better:

* I'm trying to reduce my plastic usage. One thing I'm going to do is buy a metal water container so that I can stop using as much bottled water for my bedroom. I'm still gonna wipe it clean every now and then with paper towels, but that's alot less wasteful then continuing to buy plastic water bottles. Also I just threw away a wastebasket that I didn't really need and consumed a plastic bag a week.

* food wastage - I'm more careful in the amount of food I buy so as not to waste

* I reduced my Netflix DVD to from 3 to 1, I watch WAY more now on streaming then DVD

* I have eliminated all paper billing that I could. Unfortunately medical offices still bill via paper. Almost all bill paying now is done electronically.

* During summer I don't wash my car more then once every 2 weeks unless bird poop gets it. During the rainy season I hardly have to wash the car at all. Even then I do the quick automated car wash.

* I try to use as little heating as possible during the cold season. I don't have A/C at all.

So I'm doing my bit for the planet, stop hating me because I'm a Republican!

[pstarr]

Actually on a serious note I totally agree with this. Wherever I can I simplify by reducing the amount of things I own. So my condo becomes more spartan overall. I'm not really into this whole "reducing my carbon footprint" as I think it's a bogus issue. But limited landfills space and not polluting groundwater are important issues for me and I've long since abandoned using non-organic household cleaners. I recycle ALOT, usually my recycle bin is 3/4 to full every time.

You kind of have the recycling thing backwards. The point is to use less stuff in the beginning. So remember --- "Reduce, reuse, recycle" in that order. Because a lot of what you "recycle" ultimately does end up in (Chinese and Indian) landfills anyway and can never be used again.

Items I'm trying to do better:

* I'm trying to reduce my plastic usage. One thing I'm going to do is buy a metal water container so that I can stop using as much bottled water for my bedroom. I'm still gonna wipe it clean every now and then with paper towels, but that's alot less wasteful then continuing to buy plastic water bottles. Also I just threw away a wastebasket that I didn't really need and consumed a plastic bag a week.

* food wastage - I'm more careful in the amount of food I buy so as not to waste

* I reduced my Netflix DVD to from 3 to 1, I watch WAY more now on streaming then DVD

* I have eliminated all paper billing that I could. Unfortunately medical offices still bill via paper. Almost all bill paying now is done electronically.

* During summer I don't wash my car more then once every 2 weeks unless bird poop gets it. During the rainy season I hardly have to wash the car at all. Even then I do the quick automated car wash.

* I try to use as little heating as possible during the cold season. I don't have A/C at all.

So I'm doing my bit for the planet, stop hating me because I'm a Republican!

So do all Republican deny global warming?

[vtsnowedin]

I haven't washed a car in thirty years. Being five miles from the nearest pavement makes it a waste of time. They last just as long dirty. I heat my house with wood I cut off my land and nothing else.I can't leave it in the winter without a house sitter or draining the pipes. Snowed in with a full wood shed and a pantry and freezer full of food is a good feeling.

[pstarr]

Snowed in with a full wood shed and a pantry and freezer full of food is a good feeling.

Let the good times roll. The leaves are turning brown and winter is coming! Lucky you. [snark ]

Oh right. You live in Vermont and don't have to deal with any of that. I do ya one better. I don't have snow or traffic

[IslandCrow]

Good questions. I grew up in the era where "The Simple Life" was a British comedy show! I have found that in many cases 'The Simple Life' is far from simple.

As I have worked on getting my own situation in line for possible consiquences of PO, I have found that I have gone for a mixture of high-tech and low-tech.

Eg. our main heating is via a ground-heat exchange system. This has a complicated computer setting system, that measures outside temperature, the heat of water returning from the radiators, and the desired temperature and then kicks in or not...I have found that I do not have to make any adjustments, so in that way it is very simple to use. For back up heat (and when it is very cold) we have a wood-burning range in the kitchen, which needs cleaning, wood carried in, wood cut up etc. In some ways the whole wood process is very satisfying but it is a lot of work, and while mechanically it is simpler for me it is more complicated to use! The same with cooking, and especially baking where a self-regulating electric oven is much simpler to use.

In both cases (heating and cooking) I enjoy both systems in different ways, but I am dreading getting into a situation where I would be totally reliant on wood (dreading that all the work involved would become a drudge). It is fun to play the Simple Life, but I am not sure it would be so much fun when play turns to necessity.

On the positive side, I have a lot less worry knowing that I have 'low tech' solutions in place for a number of areas (food growing is still an area of worry).

[vtsnowedin]

[
Oh right. You live in Vermont and don't have to deal with any of that. I do ya one better. I don't have snow or traffic

Snow keeps the riff raff out and now that leaf peepah season is over the only traffic I have is some deer hunters and the UPS truck. I do have to finish up the wood pile though and some other fall chores before first snow around Halloween.

[Serial_Worrier]

So do all Republican deny global warming?

there is no such thing as "global warming". Another myth by liberals.

[jdmartin]

^

Anyway, what have I done?

Started growing some of my own vegetables.
Planted a lot of fruit trees & bushes.
Purchased a stripped down standard transmission old-school pickup for ease of keeping going long term.

Actually, now that I think about it, I'm not so sure those things have "simplified" my life as much as prepared it for a possible austere future. It's probably simpler to buy fruit in the store than grow it myself. But mostly everything I've done to "simplify" has been things I've thoroughly enjoyed, so if things stay rosy all I've done is found some neat hobbies

[Roy]

Actually, now that I think about it, I'm not so sure those things have "simplified" my life as much as prepared it for a possible austere future. It's probably simpler to buy fruit in the store than grow it myself. But mostly everything I've done to "simplify" has been things I've thoroughly enjoyed, so if things stay rosy all I've done is found some neat hobbies

What he said!

We downsized our lives big time. Paid off all debt except mortgage, smaller house, paid off cars, dumped expensive non-useful hobbies, built raised beds, grow food, planted lots of fruit trees/bushes, raised a flock of free=range layers, insulated the house, started heating with wood, burn approximately 40% of the gasoline/diesel per year compared to 2004 and before. I've (as a result of learning about PO) learned how to do many things I used to pay other people to do for me.

Those things are satisfying.

Still got a shitty job that wears my ass out (although its much closer to my house), but I'm making the mortgage and keeping the family covered with health insurance while trying to live as frugally as possible and put away for a rainy day.

The challenge is to remain optimistic and cheerful in the face of non-positive events and news, and around other people who don't understand the concept of limits, which is just about everyone I know in the meat world.

I like challenges.

[Lore]

So do all Republican deny global warming?

there is no such thing as "global warming". Another myth by liberals.

I wonder what liberals belong to the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Russian Academy of Sciences? Maybe it's also a communist plot within a liberal myth brought on by those seeking a one world government.