Three little beings I definitely can't live without!

A friend of mine recently forwarded a blog post to me from a site called Inside Higher Ed. It’s a great post called  5 Things I No Longer Wish to Own. I love it that simplifying and paring down is a topic that seems to be on more and more peoples’ radars these days.

Blogger Joshua Kim says, Is this desire to shed ownership of things a life cycle story, a digital story, or something else? Do you share my desire for life as a service? Has owning stuff also lost its appeal to you? The five things he no longer wishes to own are: software, hardware, books, a car, and a house.

What about you? Has owning stuff lost its appeal to you? I know it has for me. What are some things you could live without? Below are some things I either have no desire to own or wish I could rent or share with others.

Land-line: I have no desire for a land line. I’ve been “cell phone only” for many years now and it’s been a great decision. It’s been one less gadget or service I have to upkeep. Occasionally someone says to me, “But what if an earthquake hits and all the cell towers go down? How would you call anyone?” Sorry to disappoint but I was in the “94 Northridge quake in California. The first thing to go was my land-line. I refuse to live my life in fear of what “might” happen. I’ll take my chances.

House: Even though house prices are going down I have very little desire to own. The idea that I can pick up at any time and move anywhere I want is very appealing to me. Another thought that occurs to me often is real estate appreciation might seriously slow down for quite some time. If I ever do buy it will be because I love the place and it’s affordable, not because I think I will one day get a great return on my investment.

Car: We are a one car household but I really long for the day when we have adequate public transportation and I don’t have to own anything with wheels. Well maybe a bicycle because I love to bike. For those times I would need a car, I would rather just rent and let maintenance and vehicle wear and tear be the car rental company’s headache.

Appliances like vacuum cleaners, lawn mowers, etc.. Wouldn’t it be cool to have a center in every community where you could borrow these items? Or maybe people could go in together on purchasing them for everyone to share. This way no one person would bear the financial and maintenance burden. The community would take care of everything together which would save money and precious living spaces in our homes.

Jewelry: I have a few nice pieces and quite frankly I have no desire for anymore. I’m a fairly small person and I look ridiculous with too much jewelry on. Most jewelry is incredibly over-priced in my opinion and I’d rather spend the money on experiences that I can treasure in my heart.

Cable TV, magazines and newspapers: I can get all of the shows, news, and articles I want on-line. Isn’t the internet great?

I’d like to take this topic of things I can do without one step further so below are some  non-material things that I can live without:

Debt:  Being debt free is true liberation. I’m not tied down to a job I don’t want to have nor do I wake up in the middle of the night worrying about who and what I owe. Letting go of the idea of having to own so much stuff makes it easier to be debt free and life is so much more enjoyable.

Cable News or any kind of mainstream news that goes for shock value: My mother thinks it odd my husband and I don’t have cable or watch local or cable news channels. But where do you get your news she asks me. Plenty of places and I think I’m probably more informed than the average American. Corporate owned news conglomerates are not the only game in town although they would want you to believe so.

People who suck the life force out of me. We all know those people who take, take, and take and then some. Fortunatley, I don’t have to many of these people in my life but when they do show up, I try to set up my boundaries with them as quick as possible.

Worry: There’s lots going on in the world today and change is on the horizon. What that change will be is still unknown. I’m done with worrying about money, retirement, and whether or not I will have enough money to pay next month’s rent. I still do worry from time to time but the less I do the easier life gets.

(If you’d like to read more about living simply and changing the way you think about wealth please consider reading my book which is available in paperback or Kindle: REDEFINING THE MEANING OF WEALTH: DISCOVERING PROSPERITY AND FORTUNE IN THE UNEMPLOYMENT LINE.

Pippy: the little lady of leisure!

I have been downsizing for many years now. A great lavish lifestyle where all of the sudden I sold the Mcmansion and started taking the bus to work is not my story. I’ve been living somewhat simply since the late 90s when I began the process of getting rid of things that I no longer needed and searching for ways to make everything in my life from managing my work and social schedule to doing the grocery shopping as simple as possible. Below I list and reflect on some of those changes that have made the most difference and others that I aspire to in the future.

Our One Car Household: It’s been well over six years now that my husband I have gotten by with one car. We live in Los Angeles and cars are a big deal in this town. I’ve never been much of a car person nor been very impressed by anything that anyone drives. As a matter of fact, I react oppositely to how many people react when they see an expensive car. Instead of automatically thinking that person is loaded and successful, I immediately wonder whether or not they are in a lot of debt or if they got a really bad deal on a lease.

Being a one car household has saved us more money that I could ever have imagined. Another plus is not having a car payment and of course I feel like we are doing our part to help the environment in our own small way. I can’t say how long we will continue to be a one car household. We tell ourselves we will do it until it doesn’t make sense for us anymore. So far it’s made sense. There’s a certain amount of finagling of schedules and compromise but the benefits have definitely paid off.

My aspiration is to one day be completely car free but until Los Angeles gets its act together in the public transportation dept, I don’t know if being a no car household would work for us. Yes, it’s probably an excuse and we could do it now if we were really committed but the truth is we’re not ready for that drastic of a step just yet. Also, my husband doesn’t share this goal with me and anyone who is partnered up with someone knows the name of the game is compromise!

Going from Full Time to Part Time Work: Taking a part time job (even though it often ends up being full time) has given me the gift of control over my schedule. I love my job because I get to help animals and I love being able to set my own hours. There are of course some things I have to show up for at a particular time but much of what I do can be done at any hour of the day as long as I meet my deadlines.

I consider having control over my time a form of wealth. When I was stuck in an office, if I needed to visit the dentist or go home to let the plumber in, I had to get everything ok’d with my boss and make sure I had co-workers to cover me. The decrease in pay has taken some getting used to but I find I can make up for the loss of income by cooking more at home and having the time to shop around for better deals when we do need to purchase something.

My goal is to manage my time even better going forward so I can work fewer hours on the administrative part of my job and more hours doing the work that involves direct contact with the cats. I would also like to start a small vegetable garden in our front yard but I am having a hard time finding the extra time to make this a reality at the present time. I also have an idea for another book in my head and the more free time I can gather the more time I have to write.

A Smaller Wardrobe: Once upon a time my clothes closet was so full I barely had room for everything. Now I open my closet and it’s hard to believe an American (especially a girl from the south) would own so little! However I love it! I may not have as much as I used to but what I have is quality and I love wearing everything I own. I’ve also thrown out most of my jewelry and accessories that I don’t want.

Clothes are no longer a way for me to look good. I now concentrate more on exercising and eating well. I figure this is the best way to look healthy and attractive. Not the mainstream media’s idea of attractive but my own idea of what’s attractive. My wardrobe consists mainly of neutral colors and classic pieces. Most of the time I wear yoga clothes because they are comfortable and I go to a class almost every day.

As little as I have, I’m still looking to downsize my wardrobe even more. I mean really how many clothes do we need? Fashion will probably always interest me as I consider it a form of art but I’m learning how to enjoy clothes without having to buy everything I like. I now buy only a few pieces of that “art” and enjoy the rest from afar.

 Buying Very Few So Called Beauty Products:  I still wear make-up but not like I used to. A little bit of eye makeup and some light colored lip gloss is pretty much it for me these days. I also wear sun block every day. All of those miracle wrinkle cures and stay young forever creams no longer interest me. I think the day that I realized if money could buy you youth then women of great monetary means like Nancy Reagan and Queen Elizabeth would still look 35. And of course the men would to!

The vanity part of me also says that the older I get the better I look with the least amount of crap on my face as possible. I no longer have a lavish skin regimen and my skin actually looks better than it did when was in my 20s. Most of my life I have suffered with severe breakouts but now that I put very little on my skin I rarely break out anymore. Too bad I didn’t figure this out when I was younger and gave a hoot about what I looked like.

It’s not that I don’t care now what I look like now that I’m in my 40s because I do. I want to look presentable but I’m totally accepting of what I was given in the looks department. What you see is what you get and there are way too many interesting things to do and explore than to waste my time trying to coif my hair perfectly and find the perfect shade of lipstick.

I hope to one day be brave enough to say no more make-up but not because I think make-up is evil. Making up takes time and I think that one day I will want that time back even if it’s just 10 minutes a day.

Almost 13 years later, I’m still downsizing and looking for that balance that allows me to live life peacefully yet with just enough excitement to keep the journey interesting. The one amazing thing I can report is that I have never made a change that made me feel deprived or less than because it didn’t conform to societal norms. If anything, each time I have downsized I have felt more light and free.

(If you’d like to read more about living simply and changing the way you think about wealth please consider reading my book which is available in paperback or Kindle: REDEFINING THE MEANING OF WEALTH: DISCOVERING PROSPERITY AND FORTUNE IN THE UNEMPLOYMENT LINE.

Plane waiting to leave from a hassle-free Costa Rica Airport

Airline travel is anything but simple these days. Between having to arrive at the airport hours ahead of time and waiting in line to be photographed nude by the TSA, flying is enough to make one yearn for the days of the horse and buggy. Disclaimer: I’m not against taking precautions to make air travel safe, but intrusive X- ray machines and TSA agents patting down three year olds and little old ladies in wheelchairs personally does not make me feel any safer. But that’s a different rant so I’ll spare you my politics on the subject.

While making an airline reservation this past week I realized I was about to embark on Flight Number 4 for the year with another three more trips on the horizon before 2012. Although I don’t consider myself a frequent traveler I do travel on average 5-6 times a year. Always on the quest to make my journeys as simple as possible, I get better at it the more I do it.

A few weeks ago my boss and I traveled to Washington D. C. for a conference. We set out to travel as simply as possible and I’m happy to report that our mission was accomplished. Our experience was hassle free as we floated through the airport smoothly and comfortably. Our trip was so easy that she suggested I write a blog post about travelling minimally. I decided to follow her suggestion. Below is a recap of what we did to simplify the flying experience and actually enjoy it in the process.

• We printed out our boarding passes ahead of time. This is nothing new to most people but it’s a great time saver especially if you aren’t checking luggage. We walked into the airport and went straight to security and then to our gate. We also found out that most airlines now allow you to download your boarding pass to your smart phone. Talk about clutter free. We said we’ll both be doing that on future trips so we don’t have to keep up with yet another piece of paper.
• Get to the airport as early as possible. It’s better to have extra time hanging out in the waiting room than to be stuck in the security line hyperventilating because your flight might leave without you.
• We each brought one small bag on wheels. In my opinion bringing as little luggage as possible is the most liberating thing you can do for yourself when you travel. Feeling bogged down with a bunch of luggage is complicated and makes you edgy.
• Pack less than you think you will need. I know it’s scary to set out on your journey with so few items but try it. See if you don’t prefer traveling light as opposed to bringing all those “just in case” items.
• Don’t bring duplicate items if you can avoid it especially if you have a traveling companion. For example, we knew we wouldn’t be spending that much time on the computer but did want to bring one so we packed one laptop between the two of us and shared it. Both of our phones have internet access so we were able to check email and look up anything we might need to on the web.
• Unless you are flying an airline that you know provides good food, buy something in the airport before you board the plane. We both knew that although we were about to embark on a five hour flight, American Airlines would not provide as much as a small bag of pretzels and would charge for all food items. Since we could potentially be at the mercy of a menu we didn’t like, we purchased something simple that we could share before we boarded the plane. In our case, we chose a vegetarian bowl with rice, beans, salsa, lettuce, guacamole and corn chips. Much better than the snack pack full of processed food for $12.00! We also saved money by sharing. Most restaurant portions are so huge that it makes sense from a health and cost perspective to share.
• Wear comfortable shoes that are easy to slip on and slip off. I’m all about comfortable shoes and you will not find any stiletto heels in my closet. Traveling in flat comfortable shoes makes it easy to remove your shoes while going through security and you can slip them off on the plane and give your feet a rest.
• We didn’t bring stacks of reading material in hopes that we would get around to reading it. I know many times in the past I have brought several books with me while traveling thinking that I would get to them all. I now bring one book and focus on that. Reading books on an electronic reader is another way to save space especially if you do want to bring multiple reading materials.
• Enjoy being unplugged. My boss and I mentioned several times to each other how great it was to have several hours where we didn’t feel like we had to be checking our cell phones or email.
• Don’t be afraid of boredom on long flights. You don’t have to watch the movie, you don’t have to read your novel, and you don’t have to converse with any of the other passengers. Maybe you will want to nap or listen to soothing music on your headset. Or maybe you’ll decide to do nothing at all because sitting there and simply being with yourself can be quite profound.

(If you’d like to read more about living simply and changing the way you think about wealth please consider reading my book REDEFINING THE MEANING OF WEALTH: DISCOVERING PROSPERITY AND FORTUNE IN THE UNEMPLOYMENT LINE.)

Beautiful Lake in Orlando, FL

The world seems to keep spinning faster and faster and sometimes I just can’t keep up. Often, I don’t even want to keep up. Do any of us ever keep up anyway and if so is the prize worth it? My head  starts to oscillate when the world is coming at me from all directions. Is the world moving faster or is it just my imagination?

Here’s a fun scientific tidbit to contemplate. According to Mark Reid of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, “It turns out that our solar system is moving nearly 100,000 m.p.h. faster than previously thought — revolving around the center of the Milky Way at 568,000 m.p.h.” I’m no scientific expert but this does make sense. If you’re like me and you’re fascinated by science, you can read more about this at: Time.com.

As one who has worked for years to simply my life, I have to admit 2011 and my new part time job (which I do love by the way) has given me a run for my money. When life gets to be too much I have to consciously step back and ask myself what can I do to simplify further? I obviously can’t control others but I can control my reactions to what’s going on around me and I can make changes. Below is a list of some things I’m working on to bring my life back into balance and simplify even further.

Prioritizing my day: I’m learning that not everything on my “to do” list needs to be done every day. I get done what absolutely has to be done and everything else can wait if need be. The reality is I can’t do it all contrary to what the expectations of those around me may be. I am not “Super Woman” and that’s ok.

Turning off my cell phone when I need a break: I love cell phones and how they can make communication easier.  What I don’t love is being expected to call or text someone back 10 seconds later just because someone decided to contact me. Maybe I’m in the shower or as unfathomable as it may seem, I decided to go for a walk on the beach sans my little Star Trek gadget.

Tossing out the excess: Getting rid of paper and electronic clutter as soon as it makes its way to me makes my work and home environment more peaceful and manageable. The info on business cards can be quickly entered into my computer address book and then thrown out. Junk mail and spam is obviously thrown out right away. Ditto for any other physical or electronic documents that I don’t need to keep.

Wearing comfortable shoes: I like a cute sandal or dress shoe as much as the next gal but what I like more is comfort. Wearing shoes that I barely notice are on my feet make life so much easier. Better yet, going barefoot feels even better. So many things in life are out of our control but we can make sure our feet feel good which in turn makes us feel good.

Spending more time with my animals: My cats always make me feel better. Whether it’s petting them or watching them play with their favorite toys, being with my felines never fails to put me in a good mood. My turtle Speed is also fascinating to watch.

Eating light: Eating too much or too heavily makes me feel weighted down and tired. Eating light gives me more energy. I also make sure I eat what I love. If you hate a particular food don’t feel you have to eat it just because it’s healthy. Eat only those healthy foods you love because what we eat should be a pleasurable experience.

Opting out of text messaging conversations:  I don’t mind if someone texts me to communicate a simple message but long drawn out text conversations are anything but simple for me. I now give the person texting me a call and tell them I would prefer we resolve the issue via email or phone, because I can type or talk faster than I can text.

Declining social invitations when they don’t work for me: I have some friends who invite me to get together socially only when it works for their job schedule or that of their children. Although I don’t blame people for asking to get together when it works for them (we all do this), I am learning that I don’t need to feel guilty if the time doesn’t work for me. Just because someone has a demanding job or chose to have children does not mean I have to always be the one to accommodate and compromise. My schedule is equally important.

Doing something fun: Sometimes I get so busy with working and taking care of life’s daily chores that I forget to have fun and do something for me. This might mean working a crossword puzzle or reading a mystery novel. It may be an impromptu coffee date with a friend or better yet – it may be doing absolutely nothing at all!

(If you’d like to read more about changing the way you think about wealth please consider reading my book REDEFINING THE MEANING OF WEALTH: DISCOVERING PROSPERITY AND FORTUNE IN THE UNEMPLOYMENT LINE.)

Topanga Canyon, CA

Technology rocks! Without technology we’d all still be sitting in caves figuring out who in the clan was responsible for hunting that evening. Technology has brought us everything from the pencil, to the washer and dryer, to the fancy cell phones currently on the market.

In the last several decades we have seen technological advancements that our ancestors would no doubt label miraculous. Technology has made my life easier and wealthier in great many ways. I can keep up with family and friends in faraway places on a daily basis and I’m never more than 24 hours  away from pretty much anywhere on the planet if I need to get somewhere in a hurry.

Technology covers a wide variety of advances but let’s talk specifically about those of the communication persuasion. You know the e-mails, text messages, voice mails, Facebook postings, tweets, and anything else that often demands your immediate attention and quick response. If you’re like me, you may at times feel overwhelmed by all the stimuli coming at you. I think we’re still in the early stages of learning how to deal with our new found toys and at some point we’ll mature and learn how to use technology as opposed to letting it use us.

For the time being however, it’s up to each of us to set our own boundaries and rules and make sure we don’t overwhelm ourselves to the point of constantly being in a technological tizzy. Who wants to spend their entire day juggling all the instant communications coming at you? There’s nothing simple about texting and tweeting all day. The physical clutter we have worked so hard to get rid of is then replaced with technological clutter which is equally if not more overwhelming.

I interviewed for a job several months ago and was asked if I had a problem being available on blackberry 24/7. This was for an art non-profit mind you not an organization that performed life saving kidney transplants. Right then and there I knew that our culture was headed down a slippery slope when employees are expected to never have a break.

I don’t claim to have all the answers and I know some people do have jobs where they are expected to be constantly available. I’m fortunate because I had the choice not to take one of those jobs but I do struggle with other areas of my life where I feel I have to constantly be available. Feel is the operative word because I don’t really have to make myself available all the time I just feel I must.

Here’s what I’m doing to slow down and put myself back in the driver’s seat and not be a slave to my phone or computer.

I attend a yoga class most days and the rule is you must turn off your cell phone. Needless to say, I don’t bring my computer to class. It’s great to spend a couple of hours without checking my email or voice mail. We can turn off our phone in other venues as well. We can turn it off while attending religious services or exercising or taking a nature hike. Don’t just put your phone on silence, turn the dang thing off and don’t touch it until you are done with your activity.

I’m about to put a stop to chatting on the phone while I drive. This will be difficult but I’m realizing I often forget half of what is discussed because I’m too busy trying to navigate where I’m going. Driving is a great time to listen to calming music or just be with your own thoughts.

I no longer pick up the phone if I don’t’ know who is calling. If it’s important the caller will leave a message and I can call back when it’s convenient for me. Chances are the person called me because it was convenient for them so why not call back when it’s convenient for me. I always do my best to try to leave the best time to reach me and answer any questions they may have left on my v/m. This saves time for everyone.

I’ve let people know that I’m not that crazy about texting so if they want to reach me quickly, their best bet is to leave a voice mail. I’m just as apt to listen to a  voice mail as I am to read a text. People are welcomed to text me but they may receive a verbal phone message back. Unless it’s a simple communication, texting is difficult for me because the keyboard on my phone is so tiny and it’s often more stressful to type out my reply. I prefer to answer complicated messages by either voice mail or emailing the person back.

I no longer spend as much time on Facebook as I used to. It’s a fun outlet but I just don’t have time to catch everything that goes out on the newsfeed. I now visit Facebook when I have the time and I send specific messages to friends if I haven’t heard from them in a while. Facebook is like one big party and sometimes I simply don’t have time to go. I no longer feel guilty about not responding to peoples’ posting and I don’t expect people to respond to everything I post either.

Let’s talk Twitter. I do not receive tweets on my phone. That would be disastrous. I go to my Twitter account via the website on a daily basis and look at what’s been tweeted. I enjoy it more this way.

E-mail: you can have more than one email account. I have one that I give close friends and family, one for my work related items, and one I give out to businesses and charities that want to include me on their email list. Although I can access my emails on my phone, I don’t have my phone set to alert me every time I get one. I usually prefer to check my email on the computer at home when I have the time to do so.

I follow several blogs but I don’t often have the time to comment on all of them. If the spirit moves me I may post my thoughts but I can enjoy someone’s writing without always chiming in with my two cents. Feeling I have to comment on everything I read can sometimes take the joy out of reading other people’s work. Some people love commenting and I think that’s great. It’s just not something I have time to always do.

The best thing we can do for ourselves to avoid technological overload is to designate a period of time or better yet a whole day to unplugging completely. We all need a day of rest. At first these types of breaks seem scary because we are so used to being available but eventually we find out they actually rejuvenate us. They also prevent major burnout and when we return to our regular routines we are more alert and present for all that comes our way.

(If you’d like to read more about changing the way you think about wealth please consider reading my book REDEFINING THE MEANING OF WEALTH: DISCOVERING PROSPERITY AND FORTUNE IN THE UNEMPLOYMENT LINE.)

Those of us in countries with more developed economies (the U.S. in particular) have just about “consumed” ourselves silly! Our homes are overflowing with junk we don’t need and many people are up to their eyeballs in debt. We’re craving simpler lives but sometimes the mere prospect of changing our lives in even the smallest ways seems like a huge overwhelming project.

After all most of us are busy trying to make a living and at the same time carve out time for our family and friends. Many people don’t have the capacity for a major de-cluttering project. Finding time to sit down and reflect on ways we can simplify or save money is challenging enough because our days our scheduled to the hilt.

Everyone has to start somewhere and I can assure you that no one turns their life around in one weekend. It’s all a process and an experiment of hit and miss. Cheer up though! There are some simple things you can do right away that can make you feel empowered and give you a sense of accomplishment. Then you can build on these accomplishments and before you know it your life is less complicated, you are saving money, and you’ve streamlined your possessions.

Let’s re-cap what simple living, minimalism, and frugality mean and discuss some quick ways we can put these practices into place today.

The simple living movement (when I say movement, it’s a philosophical movement not an organized movement) has its roots in frugality, environmentalism, social justice, and spirituality. Simple living is a lifestyle choice that allows a richer inner life through a simpler outer life. Like wealth, simple living can have many definitions as well. There are no rules when it comes to living simply. One person’s idea of simple living might be to pare down to as few possessions as possible while another person’s definition might be selling one of their three homes.
Five things you can do right now to live more simply:

• Ask yourself what is most important to you in this life? What do you value and what is your passion? Cut out anything in your life that you can and start focusing more on what you value. Maybe you enjoy painting but don’t have time to pursue this interest because you are a member of too many committees and too many volunteer groups. Decide what you need to give up so you can give more of your time to what’s important to you.

• Mind your own business. People love to gossip not only about the people they know but the people they don’t know! You have enough to take care of for yourself without barging into someone else’s affairs. Author Katie Byron says it well: “I can find three kinds of business in the universe: yours, Gods, and mine. When I think, I want you to get a job, I want you to be happy, you should be on time, you need to take better care of yourself, I am in your business. When I am worried about earthquakes, floods, war, or when I will die, I am in God’s business. If I am mentally in your business or God’s business, the effect is separation.”

• Be yourself. Trying to be something that we are not is exhausting and doesn’t feel right. Don’t try to pretend with others that you are something you are not. Be proud of who you are and celebrate your own uniqueness. Trying to be something other than who we are so we can fit in disturbs our peace of mind and there’s nothing simple about that!

• •As soon as you get the mail, immediately discard all junk mail into the recycling bin. You’re not going to need whatever it is they are advertising and getting rid of this type of mail is one less thing you have to waste valuable time going over. You also lessen the clutter in your house. Go a step further and Google “getting off junk mail lists” and make a plan to end junk mail once and for all.

• Spend some time in nature each day. Nature connects us back with the divine and calms us down. What could be more simple and joyful? You don’t have to live in the mountains or on the beach to enjoy nature. A simple walk around your neighborhood can provide fresh air and a chance to take in the sky and the sun and all the plants around you.

Frugality is not just about spending as little money as possible or being cheap. Frugality is about being as resourceful and creative as possible with our money and what we already own. Frugality is not about stiffing the waiter, or trying to rip someone off so you get a better price.
Five things you can do right now to live more frugally:

• Cancel any services you aren’t using or that don’t enhance your life. Either eliminate them or shop around for better deals. Some examples are cable tv, magazine and newspaper subscriptions, portions of your car insurance that may not be necessary especially if your car is older, and checking accounts that charge too high a fee.

• If you eat out a lot, cut back one day a week and prepare your food at home. Not only will you save money but you will eat more healthfully .You don’t have to be a gourmet cook. Baked potatoes, simple salads, and quesadillas are some of the simple things you can make at home.

• Be mindful of the food you already have in the house. Use it up and don’t let any of it go to waste. It’s amazing how much food Americans waste. Each time we throw out something we didn’t get around to using before its expiration date or something we let ruin, it’s tantamount to throwing money down the drain.

• Pay your bills on time. Late fees to the credit card company, power company, etc. can easily be avoided with a little planning. Make sure you pay these bills on time or try to negotiate an alternative payment due date if need be but put an end to those late fees. You work hard for your money and should be able to keep as much of it as possible.

• Quit using shopping as a way to entertain yourself. If going to the mall is your idea of entertainment but you want to cut back on what you spend then by all means find something else to do and quick. Go to the library or check around to see who’s offering a free concert or lecture. Go do some volunteer work for those less fortunate. Take a hike or go to the museum on their free day.

Minimalism is about scaling down your possessions to only those items that give you pleasure and enhance your life. It’s about getting rid of the excess and making room for a life of what you enjoy and love. The whole idea is not to have a whole lot of “stuff” weighing you down.
Five things you can do right now to live more minimally:

• If you have too much stuff in your house and need to downsize but don’t have time right now consider putting a moratorium on buying anything at all unless it’s a consumable. At least you won’t be bringing in anything new and adding to your already existing problem. When you do schedule time for throwing out what you no longer need you can take comfort in the fact that you don’t have a bunch of new stuff to go through as well.

• Practice living without it: If you can’t bear to throw things away right now, fill a shopping bag with things you aren’t using and in a few months, open it back up and re-evaluate your need for what’s in the bag. Better yet, be brave and throw it out if you can’t remember what’s in the bag or you haven’t missed anything.

• Keep your surfaces as clear as possible. Do you really need multiple knickknacks on the tables and counters around you? Do you need magazines and paper work cluttering up your living room? Even if you can’t part with it right now, hide it out of sight and notice how much more serene your living environment becomes.

• Expired food, pharmaceuticals, household and beauty products are no brainers. You certainly don’t need to be keeping any of this stuff around. Get a trash bag and go through your home and throw all this stuff away. There’s nothing to think about since it’s old and expired, so just toss into your bag and dispose of properly. You’ll see a big difference in how much clutter you got rid of without any of the emotional issues that come with throwing sentimental items out.

• We all have books on our bookshelves that we will never read again or don’t even want anymore. They just sit there because bookshelves are such convenient places to store them and we forget about them. Go through your books and find the ones you can either pass along to a friend or donate to the library. You might even make a little extra money by selling them online.

(If you’d like to read more about changing the way you think about wealth please consider reading my book REDEFINING THE MEANING OF WEALTH: DISCOVERING PROSPERITY AND FORTUNE IN THE UNEMPLOYMENT LINE.)

Every Friday is “Friday Fun Day” and I post a website, quote, recipe, or story that relates to simple and minimalist living. Sometimes I just post something fun and inspiring!

Live simply that others might simply live.  ~Elizabeth Ann Seton

A while back I blogged about the Simple Living Network and how this website had provided great support for me over the years. The articles, book recommendations, and links to other simple living resources played a big part in my simple living journey and where I am  today. The discussion forums were particularly valuable as they provided a great community where I could hook up with other like-minded people.

I was sad when Dave Wampler, the founder of The Simple Living Network announced on December 31, 2010 that he was shutting down shop and moving on to pursue other endeavors. Every since I can remember being online, I have always had the Simple Living network as one of my favorite sites to visit. But like all things in life, change is the only constant and everything runs its course and comes to an end at some point. I have resisted taking this site off my “favorite sites” sections because I somehow could just not imagine life without this old friend.

Today, I’m finally taking it off but I’m replacing it with a site sponsored by the New Road Map Foundation. They have generously agreed to host the Simple Living Discussion forums. You can finding them by clicking here. It’s still a great board for finding community with others who are on the simple living path and the variety of topics are always informative and interesting.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Louisiana Bayou in the Winter

Everywhere we look there are advertisers convincing us that their product or service is desperately needed in our lives. Many of the “needs” that we are told we absolutely must have are usually not needs at all but wants. Wants are tricky because if not careful they sneak up on us and convince us we can’t live without them!

There are many products and services of course that make our lives easier and give us great advantages. Dental Floss and utility services are a couple that come to mind. On the flip side, there are many goods and services that we habitually continue to purchase without question.

Several years ago, it occurred to me that every time I went to the drugstore to pick up an item like shampoo or toothpaste I would come out with at least 5-6 other items that I had little need for. Usually this included some type of new eye shadow color or over the counter miracle drug that promised to rid me of my allergies once and for all! Like everyone else who over consumes, I was lured in by clever marketing and fancy packaging.

So many of the things we pay for are the result of a lifetime of being conditioned to think we must do so. I’m a big believer that we are all different and what works for one person may not automatically be the best option for another. We all have different lifestyles and budgets and each individual has to figure out what’s right for them. I can only share what I’ve done and what works for me.

My husband and I pay for very few services. We do pay for the obvious services that you might suspect such as water, power and internet service. Not being big TV watchers, we don’t have cable. When we get the urge to watch something we stream shows through internet sites like Hulu. I recently discovered Red Box through my friendly neighborhood convenience store. You can’t beat $1.00 for a movie, can you?

We don’t have the newspaper delivered because we prefer to get our news on-line. Very few magazines are delivered to our home because we now go online for those as well. The exceptions are a subscription to a computer magazine my husband receives and Guideposts magazine which is a gift from my dad each year.

My fantasy is to one day have a house cleaner but for the time being we scrub our own floors! We also wash and vacuum our own car. The last time I took our car to the car-wash I figured that the time I spent waiting for the car to be washed I could have just done it myself. It’s also good exercise.

Many people in Southern California buy bottled water or have it delivered to their homes. We do neither but we do have three 3 gallon jugs that we fill up for 30 cents a gallon at the local spring water store.

I don’t buy a lot of cleaning products. I have a few that I use for cleaning the bathroom and kitchen but I mainly use very simple products. Dusting is done with a damp cloth and a mild soap detergent and water is used for most other cleaning tasks. Baking soda and vinegar are other great products for cleaning and they are cheaper and better for the environment than what you find in your grocery store cleaning products aisle.

I don’t pay for services like pedicures and manicures but I do get my hair highlighted and cut every 4 months. Massages, facials, and spas are not my thing. I prefer yoga classes and hiking in the beautiful California mountains.

Very few beauty products are in my arsenal these days but they sure used to be! It finally dawned on me that if any of these products really delivered on their promises of the fountain of youth, wouldn’t some of the world’s wealthiest people look 30 years old forever? Last I checked these individuals have continued to age like the rest of us whether they have $30 billion or $30 dollars. And besides, what’s wrong with looking older?

My collection of beatify supplies now includes a gentle cleanser, soap, moisturizer for sensitive skin, eye cream, and sun block. I also have staples likes shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, and dental floss.  I also keep some facial powder and eye makeup on hand. Occasionally if the spirt really moves me, I’ll put on some lipstick. Most days I don’t even wear make up anymore. The world will just have to accept me as I am!

Beautiful Fall Day in Japan

A hug is a great gift – one size fits all, and it’s easy to exchange.  ~Author Unknown

Time flies! Can you believe it’s almost Thanksgiving? Black Friday, that day following Thanksgiving when US shoppers officially begin their Christmas shopping is also just around the corner. Shopping the day after Thanksgiving has never been my scene not to mention getting up at 5am to stand in line for a deal on a flat screen TV is not my idea of a day off. Plus I really don’t think Christmas is about shopping till you drop.

There’s nothing simple about shopping for the sake of shopping. Just because advertisers tell us this is the day to shop doesn’t mean we have to. We can create our own traditions that have nothing to do with excessive consumerism and spending money on items we or our loved ones don’t really want or need. For those of you like me who prefer to do something a little more creative, a little more fun, and a little more relaxing, check out my 21 Black Friday alternatives below. And of course please feel free to add any others you might have as well.

1. Volunteer. Although most of us don’t have to work the Friday following Thanksgiving there are many places that are open such as hospitals, homeless shelters, animal shelters, etc… and they would welcome your help.
2. Sleep In. Most of us have the day off so why not sleep in a few extra hours. What luxury, huh?
3. Make Friday a movie day and watch some movies you’ve wanted to see. If you plan ahead you can check out some DVDs from your local library or rent from Netflix or your local Redbox.
4. If the weather in your area allows it get out and enjoy the great outdoors. Take a hike or a bike ride.
5. Clean out a closet or drawer. Get rid of things you no longer need and start the holiday season feeling lighter and less burdened by material possessions.
6. Get out your holiday decorations and throw out any you no longer like or use. Keep those decorations you really love and begin your holiday decorating early. Make a special hot drink to enjoy while you “deck the halls.”
7. Read a book. Is there a book you’ve been dying to read but haven’t had the time? My favorites are mysteries and this is the perfect weekend for a “whodunit?”
8. Have a friend over for coffee and have a long leisurely visit. Catch up and laugh a lot.
9. Black Friday is a great day to start or finish an arts project. Do you like to knit, paint, or sew?
10. Get out the holiday music and start enjoying it. Before you know it the holidays will be over so why not enjoy all that beautiful music as much as you can. My favorite song is “Do you Hear What I Hear?”  and I can’t wait to start hearing it nonstop for 5 weeks straight. You think I’m kidding but I’m not. I love Christmas music!
11. Play board games with your family and/or friends.
12. Bake some more goodies. Tis the season for sweets and this time of year is a great excuse to indulge.
13. Write a letter to someone. There are still people out there who would love to receive a handwritten letter in the mail. I bet you know just the perfect person in your life who would appreciate this.
14. Play with your kids.
15. Play with your pets.
16. Write. Most of us have the writing bug at some time or another. Start that short story, poem, or novel that is just aching to be put down on paper.
17. Take a long soak in the bathtub.
18. Call a friend long distance and shoot the breeze.
19. Go introduce yourself to your neighbors if you’ve never met them.
20. Clean your house. Enjoy the rest of the weekend knowing your cleaning is done for the week.
21. Do nothing. Be spontaneous and enjoy not having to be anywhere.

Fall Leaves in Nikko, Japan

Reduce the complexity of life by eliminating the needless wants of life, and the labors of life reduce themselves.  ~Edwin Way Teale

No matter how much we simplify our outer lives what good is it if we don’t have inner simplicity? All of the physical steps we take to simplify our lives are important but they don’t automatically guarantee inner solitude.  A de-cluttered home and debt free finances are great but if we feel all chaotic inside then we are missing out on peace and tranquility which is the main reason most of us simplify in the first place.

Achieving inner simplicity takes work but it’s enjoyable work if you do it right. I don’t claim to be an expert on achieving inner peace but I can offer a few suggestions on some things that are working for me. I hope you find them helpful and share any suggestions you may have as well.

Spend some time each day in prayer and/or meditation. Countless studies have shown that people who pray and mediate on a daily basis have better health, lower stress levels and experience more happiness. I do yoga almost every day and I consider it to be mediation in motion. This works great for my very busy mind because I have not yet mastered meditating by sitting still. I also have several prayers that I say throughout the day that give me comfort and peace.

Engage in exercise you enjoy. You won’t ever find me in a gym or lifting weights. It’s simply not my thing. Where you will find me is in a yoga studio or on a hiking trail. I now only participate in exercise that I like and that makes me feel good about myself. The byproduct is I feel great and I’m healthier than ever. Just because I don’t dig gyms or weights doesn’t mean they are not valid. The point is to do what you enjoy. Exercise is important to our inner and outer well being so your chances of sticking with it are better if you like what you’re doing.

Take a walk. I try to take a walk almost every day. Getting out in the fresh air even if only for 15 minutes does me a world of good. Some people argue that they don’t have time to take a walk each day but I challenge you to find a few minutes each day to go outside and enjoy the outdoors. Give up watching the news when you get home or use the last 10 minutes of your lunch hour to stroll around your office park. Don’t set yourself up for failure with an overly ambitious time schedule. Start small and then go from there.

Get plenty of sleep. Each of us has different needs. I feel best with 7-8 hours per night. Any less and I can really start to drag. Find the right amount for you and do your best to get that time each and every night. The quality of your life will drastically improve.

Quit worrying excessively about money. There’s nothing that interferes more with our inner peace of mind than worrying about money. If you are paying your bills and are out of debt or working on a plan to get out of debt then let go a little. If you study the history of banking and fiat currencies, you will discover that unless you are a member of the banking elite much about money is out of our control anyway. Even if every currency in the world fell tomorrow, there would still be natural resources, knowledge, labor, and new ideas. Money is just an idea and an idea that we sometimes give way too much power to. Concentrate on inner abundance and not how many zeros are on your bank ledger.

Limit your media intake. I like to keep up with current events as much as the next person but there are so many media outlets completing for my attention that it makes my head spin. Much of journalism today is not really journalism nor is it investigative in any way. Sadly, too many of the mainstream media outlets first priority is to their shareholders and not their viewers. They meet their monetary obligations to their shareholders by having good ratings.  Fear and sensationalism help them to accomplish this. Keep this in mind the next time you get all worked up about some story that has absolutely no effect on your life at all.

Quit engaging in non-productive political arguments. I used to love to discuss politics until I had the enormous epiphany that I would never change anyone’s mind. I can’t speak for other countries but politics in the US has become like a sporting event and a very bad event at that! Very few people are interested in meaningful dialogue because so many just want to win an argument at any cost. I now carefully choose who I discuss this volatile subject with and make sure the person is interested in a civil exchange of ideas and not a reenactment of a Fox News or MSNBC roundtable showdown whose only goal is to bring in money for their corporate sponsors.

Give yourself a set period of time to do nothing each week. Ideally, I would love to give myself one day a week to do nothing but often I have to settle for a half-day on the weekends. When I say do nothing I don’t mean I sit on my couch staring into space. Nothing for me means not having any set plans. I take it as it comes and do what suits my fancy. Sometimes I’ll read a book or watch a documentary. Other times I will play with my cats.