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thanks. and I don't bother listening to people who snicker; if I did, my children wouldn't receive a God-centered education and I wouldn't have bothered to post my comment! :)
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Sometimes things get a little slow on Foo, and FXjohn patrolls the other forums. He sends his kids to a devil-centered school where they learn about evolution, global warming, Harry Potter and other sorcery. ;)
I'm just glad some of our interesting newcomers are enjoying this great old thread! :) |
easy now
I was cool with cristy, and I have never really discussed evolution vs. creationism with someone before so I really don;t know what to say how do you not like harry potter books I bet you never read one but if you did-thats cool to have an opinion with backing reason devil sin BIKES |
Originally Posted by MACinRWC
(Post 5050600)
easy now
I was cool with cristy, and I have never really discussed evolution vs. creationism with someone before so I really don;t know what to say how do you not like harry potter books I bet you never read one but if you did-thats cool to have an opinion with backing reason devil sin BIKES |
Originally Posted by cristy
(Post 5050062)
I need to learn to stop falling prey to commercialism and making impulse purchases.
Most of us don't realize how influential TV commercials are. Plus most of the entertainment on TV is garbage anyway. |
Originally Posted by iBarna
(Post 1993387)
This topic came up in the 'lurkers' thread, and so I'm making it into its own topic.
I have always (well, ever since I wasn't a teenager anymore) liked simple living. I always strive to reduce the number of things I own. Currently I think that apart from a few pieces of furniture (mattress, three comfy chairs in the living room, a rug and the cat tree) I could fit my life into three moving boxes. Otherwise, my lifestyle WAS pretty much as yours, except I owned no less than three bikes, and rented all of my furniture. Sometimes I would rent an empty apartment and buy a folding card table with two folding chairs from Wally World. I would sleep on a Therma-Rest mat on the floor. I would buy a nice skillet, and cook in my camping pots. Then when it was time for the next bike trip, lean the table and chairs against the apartment dumpster, load the bike, and hit the road. That lasted from age 30 through 37. Then I got married to an awesome woman. She owns a house. I am now 49 and still pretty much junk-free, but not nearly so as before. If I thought of everything in that house as "ours" I would have lots of junk. But most of the "stuff" we own I believe is HERS! She owns a car, I still do not. She owns fifty pieces of cookware, I use three. She owns twenty window dressings (curtains), I look out of the windows. She picked and paid for all of the furniture, I have one favorite spot on the sofa. I do look at the bed as ours. I own 4 bikes, all of which I ride, she owns one bike that she never rides. I own five pairs of shoes that I wear, she owns fifty pairs of which she wears five. So I guess I am now sort of a closet Thoreauvian. I still take off and hit the road with just four panniers every couple of years! Keeps me aware of what I REALLY need. |
Originally Posted by FXjohn
(Post 5050092)
:rolleyes: <snicker>
Sarcasm. I thank you sir, because up until now, I thought I was the biggest jerk here. |
I am the complete opposite!
I don't even know how it would be possible to "live simple" If you live in the country, you cant rent, you need to own a home. If you own a home you need basic tools.... Does "living simple" leave less of an impact on the earth? I think it must be more of a "mental cleansing" thing. If you rent it really doesn't cut down on material items. Someone still needs to own tools and such to maintain that property. Maybe I am way of track. But unless you live off the land, how can you only have a few boxes worth of items? I hope this post makes me sound only uneducated on the subject and not just plain dumb. |
Originally Posted by girona
(Post 5051699)
Get rid off your TV. That's a start, after all TV is just a method of piping in advertisements with bits of entertainment throwed in to keep us watching it. And advertisements are there to make you buy things.
Most of us don't realize how influential TV commercials are. Plus most of the entertainment on TV is garbage anyway. I live simply - simply - compared to paris hilton and her sidekick! I can't remember the last time I bought something because I saw it on TV. Now if you'll all excuse me, I have to get over to the Cadillacforums web site to talk about FEDs (Fleetwoods, ElDorados and DeVilles - oh yes and the CTS) |
When I was widowed four years ago, I made an effort to simplify my life and remove the clutter.
I've gotten rid of a lot of stuff from my house. With each load I took to the thrift shops or the landfill, I felt a weight lifted from my shoulders. There were things I simply didn't need or want. There had been a reason for acquiring them, but the reasons were no longer valid. My life has changed and with it, my needs have changed. There are also things I've picked up during this period, but in each case, I was careful to ask myself if a purchase was needed and if I was getting good value. I've never been a big spender, but I'm now saving more money than ever before. I've also simplified my calendar and my schedule. I've gotten involved with some things and I've dropped out of others. I believe in getting involved in my community, but I also need to have time for myself and time with the people I care about. I won't get involved with any organization, no matter how noble it may sound, if it's not a passion for me. This is not to put down any worthwhile cause or organization, but unless I'm truly interested, I won't give it the attention it deserves. I rejected one group partly because their meetings were on my busiest work day and partly because I didn't have the enthusiasm for their goals, as worthwhile as they are. During this process, I've had to accept that there are things I won't be able to accomplish during my lifetime. I simply don't have time for everything I'd like to do. Again, this is about determining what is important to me. The freedom to abandon some projects has been extremely liberating. My life, my time and my money are gifts from God. With these gifts comes the responsibility to use them responsibly. If I can do that, I can begin to achieve simplicity. |
Originally Posted by hero419
(Post 5167246)
I am the complete opposite!
I don't even know how it would be possible to "live simple" If you live in the country, you cant rent, you need to own a home. If you own a home you need basic tools.... Does "living simple" leave less of an impact on the earth? I think it must be more of a "mental cleansing" thing. If you rent it really doesn't cut down on material items. Someone still needs to own tools and such to maintain that property. Maybe I am way of track. But unless you live off the land, how can you only have a few boxes worth of items? I hope this post makes me sound only uneducated on the subject and not just plain dumb. |
I think "living simply" boils down in most cases to being debt free.
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Originally Posted by Newspaperguy
(Post 5192475)
When I was widowed four years ago, I made an effort to simplify my life and remove the clutter.
I've gotten rid of a lot of stuff from my house. With each load I took to the thrift shops or the landfill, I felt a weight lifted from my shoulders. There were things I simply didn't need or want. There had been a reason for acquiring them, but the reasons were no longer valid. My life has changed and with it, my needs have changed. There are also things I've picked up during this period, but in each case, I was careful to ask myself if a purchase was needed and if I was getting good value. I've never been a big spender, but I'm now saving more money than ever before. My life, my time and my money are gifts from God. With these gifts comes the responsibility to use them responsibly. If I can do that, I can begin to achieve simplicity. |
Originally Posted by girona
(Post 5051699)
Get rid off your TV. That's a start, after all TV is just a method of piping in advertisements with bits of entertainment throwed in to keep us watching it. And advertisements are there to make you buy things.
Most of us don't realize how influential TV commercials are. Plus most of the entertainment on TV is garbage anyway. |
I have way too much stuff, but I also have a family of four and that makes it difficult to manage the clutter sometimes. My Wife and I do our best to keep it to a minimum but the kids sure like having lots of stuff.
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Originally Posted by hero419
(Post 5167246)
I am the complete opposite!
I don't even know how it would be possible to "live simple" If you live in the country, you cant rent, you need to own a home. If you own a home you need basic tools.... Does "living simple" leave less of an impact on the earth? I think it must be more of a "mental cleansing" thing. If you rent it really doesn't cut down on material items. Someone still needs to own tools and such to maintain that property. Maybe I am way of track. But unless you live off the land, how can you only have a few boxes worth of items? I hope this post makes me sound only uneducated on the subject and not just plain dumb. |
Originally Posted by Specialized fan
(Post 5339254)
I also am on the opposite end of the simple living scale. I have lived simply much of my life, and it sucks. I now have 2 cars one big SUV, a flat screen TV plus 3 other tvs through out the house an 3 computers and will add more. I am now addicted to comfort and don't want to give it up.
We do have a house, and 2 cars (cars paid for, house is not) and all of the wonderful things that come along with kids (toys, toys, and more toys). We are slowly getting down to 2 TV's 1 in the guest room and one in the 'game' room, the wife doesn't want to give it up completely. ~fatBoy http://trifatboy.com |
My Dad died this past spring and cleaning out his house really brought home how much stuff we collect over the years. I admire your philsophy and though I am not anywhere near as frugal, I have never owned a car or even had a license for one. However, the big limitation for me in leading a more frugal life is the spouse and teenager. They love to spend and collect things. So I was just wondering, how many of you have spouses and/or kids living with you?
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I have a wife and two little girls living with me. A few weeks ago, I went on a rant about how we have too much junk. (Specifically cheap toys from China. They get scattered all over the house, and more and more keep sneaking in.) The next day while I was at work, my wife (bless her) bagged up nearly all of the kids' toys and put them in the closet. Our whole house is much tidier now, and the kids are just as happy with only a few toys. (Or happier! I think they get as overwhelmed by the mess as I do.)
My wife didn't like the idea of putting all the toys into storage, but she appreciates it now. The kids hardly noticed. All they really need to have a great time is two dolls and some couch cushions. Outside, all they need is gravel and buckets. Despite having so much stuff given to them, they still know how to live simply. I'd like to keep it that way. (It would make life much easier in ten years.) |
I have spent the last few hours just perusing through this thread and I have to say I find it very interesting. I myself am not one to criticize the way someone else lives and I have found myself interested in finding out how others in society go about on a day to day basis.
For me I am actually considering becoming a bum for a year. I am 27 now and it is something that I have thought about. I guess you could call it a study in modern civilization. I wouldnt be truly a bum but lving on no more than 60 dollars a week. If anything just walking everywhere and not having anything that I couldnt carry with me. It seems the greater part of society is infatuated with "keeping up with the Jonses" and living a life on easy street. I guess for me I want to better understand things and I am actually wanting to do this in search of enlightenment. I guess in order to best understand the man you would have to be the man. |
Originally Posted by Versa2nr
(Post 5515465)
I have spent the last few hours just perusing through this thread and I have to say I find it very interesting. I myself am not one to criticize the way someone else lives and I have found myself interested in finding out how others in society go about on a day to day basis.
For me I am actually considering becoming a bum for a year. I am 27 now and it is something that I have thought about. I guess you could call it a study in modern civilization. I wouldnt be truly a bum but lving on no more than 60 dollars a week. If anything just walking everywhere and not having anything that I couldnt carry with me. It seems the greater part of society is infatuated with "keeping up with the Jonses" and living a life on easy street. I guess for me I want to better understand things and I am actually wanting to do this in search of enlightenment. I guess in order to best understand the man you would have to be the man. |
Originally Posted by Specialized fan
(Post 5515528)
I have been there and done that too and it sucks! I'll take easy street any day!
Aaron:) |
Originally Posted by WriteABike
(Post 5484016)
I have a wife and two little girls living with me. A few weeks ago, I went on a rant about how we have too much junk. (Specifically cheap toys from China. They get scattered all over the house, and more and more keep sneaking in.) The next day while I was at work, my wife (bless her) bagged up nearly all of the kids' toys and put them in the closet. Our whole house is much tidier now, and the kids are just as happy with only a few toys. (Or happier! I think they get as overwhelmed by the mess as I do.)
My wife didn't like the idea of putting all the toys into storage, but she appreciates it now. The kids hardly noticed. All they really need to have a great time is two dolls and some couch cushions. Outside, all they need is gravel and buckets. Despite having so much stuff given to them, they still know how to live simply. I'd like to keep it that way. (It would make life much easier in ten years.) Aaron:) |
Originally Posted by wahoonc
(Post 5515853)
And how will you adapt when "easy street" goes away? I think those of us that chose to live simply and below our means are going to be way ahead of the game come economic/environmental disaster (which ever gets here first) FWIW I could lose my job today and not have to really worry about it for quite some time. I have plenty of creature comforts, and have never gone hungry. What more do you really need other than shelter and food? The rest is all just window dressing.
Aaron:) |
Originally Posted by Specialized fan
(Post 5516961)
Easy street will not go away as I have many investments in a diversified portfolio.
Preparation work can get you through a lot of bad scenarios, but the best investment portfolio is not a guarantee of a perpetual Easy Street. Wars, revolution, disease, widespread market collapse and other factors can penetrate the strongest investment plans. There are far too many stories, just from the past century, of refugees who were once wealthy but escaped their homes with just the clothes on their backs. It could happen again. |
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