Choosing Voluntary Simplicity » Simple Living

Keeping a Photograph… Purging the Item

Shirley — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:10:03 +0000

Reader question... "I read in a book about decluttering and purging that a photograph of an item is a good substitute for actually having the item in your possession. Would you share your thoughts about purging sentimental items and and what you think about the idea of keeping only the photograph and not the item." --Susannah H.

How Much Does It Cost to Feed YOUR Family?

Shirley — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 12:57:19 +0000

Have you seen the most recent government estimates (released October 2011) for how much it costs to feed a family these days? The figures in these charts represent the government's idea of the cost of a nutritious diet, with all meals and snacks prepared at home. I wonder how much of that "nutritious diet" involves processed food.

A Challenge That Can Change Your Life

Shirley — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 14:22:30 +0000

I heard on the radio this morning that every year most people make the same three New Years' resolutions... to go on a diet, to stop smoking, and to spend less money. Supposedly, despite the original good intentions, more than eighty percent of these resolutions have been broken and forgotten by mid-February. Overeating, smoking, and spending too much money are all habits that people use to make themselves feel better... to fill an emptiness in their lives... so it's not surprising that these resolutions routinely fail when taking away the "comfort indulgence" is the only lifestyle change.

What True Frugality Is… and What It Is Not

Shirley — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:20:18 +0000

Have you ever noticed how many of the same people who are trying to promote a simple lifestyle make frugality into a negative concept... or how they routinely equate frugality with being cheap or miserly? Somehow frugality has become almost synonymous with deprivation and denial, and understandably, this kind of negative frugality turns most people off. It turns me off too...

What Voluntary Simplicity Is NOT

Shirley — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 12:53:18 +0000

We had been living a simple life for many years before I discovered there was a name... voluntary simplicity... for the way we have chosen to live. Obviously, our version of voluntary simplicity... living debt-free, living close to nature, working from home, living green and without chemicals, cooking from scratch... is based on OUR personal choices, so I wouldn't expect it to be exactly like anyone else's version of the lifestyle.

Cooking & Baking with a Wood Stove

Shirley — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 11:48:42 +0000

Reader question... "I loved your post about your wood burning cook stove because I have a stove that's kind of like yours. I thought I could learn to cook and bake with it but everything is coming out either undercooked or burned. I know there is a way to do this. Do you have any hints or suggestions that would help me?" --Corrinne L.

I have found that it's really a continual learning process, because cooking or baking with wood requires a different rhythm and a different timing than cooking with gas or electricity. Most importantly, it requires learning how to adjust to the peculiarities of each individual stove... and that can be quite a challenge.

There Is No One Way To Do Simple Living Right

Shirley — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 15:19:34 +0000

I think the most wonderful thing about voluntary simplicity is that it means different things to different people. There is no one way to do simple living right. Everyone has a different concept of how they want to live, what is most important to them, and what they need to make them happy. Trying to live someone else's idea of simplicity will never work.

Accomplishing What Needs To Be Done… Efficiently, Quickly, and With As Little Stress As Possible

Shirley — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 12:11:54 +0000

Eventually just about everybody comes to the realization that housework is never ending and involves drudgery, tedium, and getting your hands dirty. It's a fact of life that if we want to live like civilized people in clean houses there will always be chores that need to be done.

Some Thoughts About Grocery Shopping & Sensible Frugality

Shirley — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 13:23:51 +0000

Grocery shopping is one area where big savings are possible, but I don't think that frugality should ever be the only consideration. I definitely try to keep our grocery bill as low as possible, but I also want the foods I serve my family to be nutritious and healthy, and I want our meals to be appealing and taste good... with portions large enough to satisfy everyone's hunger. That's not as easy as it used to be, but here are a few ideas I use that help keep our grocery bills under control.

Does Frugality Mean You Shouldn’t Have Nice Things?

Shirley — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 13:14:37 +0000

It's important to save for retirement.

It's sensible to have an emergency fund.

It's essential to live within your income and not go into debt.

But where did the idea come from that people who are frugal and live simply... can't... or shouldn't... have nice things? Or that they should feel guilty if they buy something new?