How simply do you live?
#1326
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: I'm in Helena Montana again.
Posts: 1,402
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 19 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Many of us have come to the conclusion that the obsession with the accumulation of objects often does not lead to happiness. In my case, this doesn't mean I don't derive pleasure from owning nice things (well-made bicycles and accessories are my weak spot), but it's being able to spend time with friends and family that's important.
One quality thing that I really enjoy is my bongo set. It isn't too big. It is made of pretty wood with shiny metal parts holding on the drum heads. It is about nine years old and could be mistaken for new. It is a high end instrument and the quality and expense has been worth the original purchase price. One thing I really like about it is bongos don't require a lot of peripheral things the way guitars do. I don't need to plug them in or add effects pedals. The heads last for years whereas my guitars needed new strings often. It is a very simple instrument. It contributes the fundamental part of music, rhythm, and it's fun to beat on something.
#1327
Been Around Awhile
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Burlington Iowa
Posts: 29,973
Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Liked 1,536 Times
in
1,045 Posts
Many of us have come to the conclusion that the obsession with the accumulation of objects often does not lead to happiness. In my case, this doesn't mean I don't derive pleasure from owning nice things (well-made bicycles and accessories are my weak spot), but it's being able to spend time with friends and family that's important.
#1329
What happened?
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Around here somewhere
Posts: 7,927
Bikes: 3 Rollfasts, 3 Schwinns, a Shelby and a Higgins Flightliner in a pear tree!
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1835 Post(s)
Liked 292 Times
in
255 Posts
Many of us have come to the conclusion that the obsession with the accumulation of objects often does not lead to happiness. In my case, this doesn't mean I don't derive pleasure from owning nice things (well-made bicycles and accessories are my weak spot), but it's being able to spend time with friends and family that's important.
For every Buddhist-like soul there must be the properly materislistic who engage what they own to create and change both their lives and society. One starts to perceive an attitude that it is a sin to pursue a dream and a comfortable lifestyle as they wish.
I have ONE working PC and chassis in wait to replace it. I think iThings are a bit ludicrous when I can ride a nice bike but I also cannot afford to drive anymore and this really hurt when my father was dying, but forty miles away. I wanted a (70 mpg at 70 mph) Honda Helix ~250 cc maxi-scooter to be able to travel on the highway and I would not dare to ride a bicycle down Interstate 84, it's far too dangerous. I have a pair of giant Honda Aspencade saddlebags to install on my Schwinn, for carrying groceries instead of paperboy baskets. They have lighting and reflective sections and hence they are useful and not merely vain.
If you want to live sparsely with a small phone that supposedly tells you all you need to know, fine. You are still going to look long and hard for recordings of music and sights you've never dreamed of or knew you loved, simply because 99% of life is not documented on a storage device and networked.
The experience of life is personal and must be met head on. Not every man is going to do this the same way. Please do not lump the truly curious as purveyors of sloth. Many of them have done as they pleased with next to no money (yours truly among them).
Everyone can admire your modest lifestyle but don't assume it is the true root of happiness and pleasure. Being human requires sharing and interaction and it can be sadly absent for many.
Live well and live as you need.
__________________
I don't know nothing, and I memorized it in school and got this here paper I'm proud of to show it.
Last edited by Rollfast; 12-31-12 at 09:18 AM.
#1330
What happened?
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Around here somewhere
Posts: 7,927
Bikes: 3 Rollfasts, 3 Schwinns, a Shelby and a Higgins Flightliner in a pear tree!
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1835 Post(s)
Liked 292 Times
in
255 Posts
Many of us have come to the conclusion that the obsession with the accumulation of objects often does not lead to happiness. In my case, this doesn't mean I don't derive pleasure from owning nice things (well-made bicycles and accessories are my weak spot), but it's being able to spend time with friends and family that's important.
__________________
I don't know nothing, and I memorized it in school and got this here paper I'm proud of to show it.
#1332
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: British Columbia, Canada
Posts: 2,206
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
For example, pursuing a career goal is fine, but would it still be worthwhile if one loses family or friends in the process? What if this goal came at the expense of one's health? The same could be true of the pursuit of a sports or fitness goal or the pursuit of an academic achievement. Any time a goal, no matter how noble, becomes the sole focus in life, things can go wrong.
I think we're on the same page here.
#1333
Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 28
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I've been car-less for over 6 months. I was involved in a car accident and after that, I sold my car. I got rid of the TV, Xboxes. I don't buy new clothes anymore, the old one looks just as good when I mix and match the styles. I use my Macbook at home for computer and also small side jobs (web design). I watch Netflix on my Kindle Fire, read books on my Kindle Fire, listen to audio books from audible. I cook at home and seldomly go out to eat. Man, that saves "a lot" of money. I donate stuffs to the Goodwill that I don't need anymore. But I also go to the Goodwill shop from time to time to see what interesting things I can get.
The first few months living simple is hard. I tend to have a lot of obsessions to hoard electronic (phones) stuffs. But I fought it and came out winning. I try to not buy a lot of things nowadays. And if I find something that I really want to get, I will sit on that thought for several weeks, only to see if the want comes to a need, and if that need is a necessity or not. If it is not, then Yea I win again! Gas sucks man, car insurance sucks, car maintenance sucks, car accident sucks, added with the superficial society of Los Angeles, there are temptations to be like everybody everywhere.
The first few months living simple is hard. I tend to have a lot of obsessions to hoard electronic (phones) stuffs. But I fought it and came out winning. I try to not buy a lot of things nowadays. And if I find something that I really want to get, I will sit on that thought for several weeks, only to see if the want comes to a need, and if that need is a necessity or not. If it is not, then Yea I win again! Gas sucks man, car insurance sucks, car maintenance sucks, car accident sucks, added with the superficial society of Los Angeles, there are temptations to be like everybody everywhere.
#1334
In the right lane
MrVo... welcome to Living Car Free. Sounds like you have learned a lesson that many have yet to discover.
#1335
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Seville, Spain
Posts: 4,403
Bikes: Brompton M6R, mountain bikes, Circe Omnis+ tandem
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 146 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
5 Posts
I've been car-less for over 6 months. I was involved in a car accident and after that, I sold my car. I got rid of the TV, Xboxes. I don't buy new clothes anymore, the old one looks just as good when I mix and match the styles. I use my Macbook at home for computer and also small side jobs (web design). I watch Netflix on my Kindle Fire, read books on my Kindle Fire, listen to audio books from audible. I cook at home and seldomly go out to eat. Man, that saves "a lot" of money. I donate stuffs to the Goodwill that I don't need anymore. But I also go to the Goodwill shop from time to time to see what interesting things I can get.
The first few months living simple is hard. I tend to have a lot of obsessions to hoard electronic (phones) stuffs. But I fought it and came out winning. I try to not buy a lot of things nowadays. And if I find something that I really want to get, I will sit on that thought for several weeks, only to see if the want comes to a need, and if that need is a necessity or not. If it is not, then Yea I win again! Gas sucks man, car insurance sucks, car maintenance sucks, car accident sucks, added with the superficial society of Los Angeles, there are temptations to be like everybody everywhere.
The first few months living simple is hard. I tend to have a lot of obsessions to hoard electronic (phones) stuffs. But I fought it and came out winning. I try to not buy a lot of things nowadays. And if I find something that I really want to get, I will sit on that thought for several weeks, only to see if the want comes to a need, and if that need is a necessity or not. If it is not, then Yea I win again! Gas sucks man, car insurance sucks, car maintenance sucks, car accident sucks, added with the superficial society of Los Angeles, there are temptations to be like everybody everywhere.
Oh, and welcome to the forum!
Last edited by Ekdog; 01-05-13 at 03:59 AM.
#1336
Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 28
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#1337
Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 28
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Mr. Ekdog, thanks for the cautious note. From time to time, I will come back and read the comments on this post to help keeps me motivated.
Thanks for the testimonial, MrVo. Getting a grip on one's obsessions, avoiding the traps laid for us by an overly materialistic, wasteful, polluting society and daring to be different are the keys to happiness for more and more people. But beware! Marching to the beat of a different drummer will cause consternation amongst some. Be prepared to be called lazy, shiftless, a navel gazer, a good for nothing...
Oh, and welcome to the forum!
Oh, and welcome to the forum!
#1338
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Sarasota, Florida
Posts: 66
Bikes: Gary Fisher Simple City 3; 1989 Bianchi Sport SX; 1970 Schwinn Twinn in need of work; other project bikes in various states of disrepair.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have five bicycles ranging from borderline to fully rideable, plus four or five future projects/not-yet-donateds in the shed.
This tendency can also be observed with my turntables of varying functionality, CD/record/cassette collection, clothing that I'm not wearing lately for whatever reason ...
Suffice to say bicycles aren't the only thing I accumulate, or find myself loath to get rid of.
So no, I don't live all that simply. OTOH, I don't have cable, or a modern TV/stereo (1970s component all the way). I despise clothing shopping, for the most part (band T-shirts still make up a large part of my wardrobe. I'm 34). I spend my disposable income on quality food, drink, kitchenware, recorded/live music, experiences and ... bicycles.
I do aspire to de-clutter certain aspects of my life at some point. I really don't need years' worth of accumulated paper bills and such, for example. Maybe reading more of this thread will inspire me.
This tendency can also be observed with my turntables of varying functionality, CD/record/cassette collection, clothing that I'm not wearing lately for whatever reason ...
Suffice to say bicycles aren't the only thing I accumulate, or find myself loath to get rid of.
So no, I don't live all that simply. OTOH, I don't have cable, or a modern TV/stereo (1970s component all the way). I despise clothing shopping, for the most part (band T-shirts still make up a large part of my wardrobe. I'm 34). I spend my disposable income on quality food, drink, kitchenware, recorded/live music, experiences and ... bicycles.
I do aspire to de-clutter certain aspects of my life at some point. I really don't need years' worth of accumulated paper bills and such, for example. Maybe reading more of this thread will inspire me.
#1339
Pedaled too far.
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: La Petite Roche
Posts: 12,851
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
7 Posts
Everyone talking about self-sufficient living should read about this family, the Lykovs. The were off the grid completely for 40 years. But it also shows how you need to be prepared and lay up some basic technology in your experience. Their lack of metal-making and other skills seriously hurt their quality of life.
__________________
"He who serves all, best serves himself" Jack London
Last edited by Artkansas; 01-30-13 at 11:14 PM.
#1340
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Michigan
Posts: 111
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Everyone talking about self-sufficient living should read about this family, the Lykovs. The were off the grid completely for 40 years. But it also shows how you need to be prepared and lay up some basic technology in your experience. Their lack of metal-making and other skills seriously hurt their quality of life.
#1341
Pedaled too far.
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: La Petite Roche
Posts: 12,851
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
7 Posts
Yeah, No trade, no metal working, no bow and arrow, no pottery. Though the did appear to be weavers and took that into the wilderness with them.
__________________
"He who serves all, best serves himself" Jack London
#1342
Membership Not Required
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: On the road-USA
Posts: 16,855
Bikes: Giant Excursion, Raleigh Sports, Raleigh R.S.W. Compact, Motobecane? and about 20 more! OMG
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 70 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 15 Times
in
14 Posts
Everyone talking about self-sufficient living should read about this family, the Lykovs. The were off the grid completely for 40 years. But it also shows how you need to be prepared and lay up some basic technology in your experience. Their lack of metal-making and other skills seriously hurt their quality of life.
Aaron
__________________
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
#1343
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Posts: 1,345
Bikes: 2014 Specialized Dolce Triple, 1987 Schwinn Tempo, 2012 Windsor Kensington 8
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Everyone talking about self-sufficient living should read about this family, the Lykovs. The were off the grid completely for 40 years. But it also shows how you need to be prepared and lay up some basic technology in your experience. Their lack of metal-making and other skills seriously hurt their quality of life.
ETA wtf censor, that's a legit scientific word
#1344
Pedaled too far.
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: La Petite Roche
Posts: 12,851
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
7 Posts
Yeah, and some other hunting techniques like digging pits with punji sticks never occurred to them. Nor did the atlatl, or apparently stone age knife making. This story really puts a bottom line to technology. It show how smart and persistent our ancestors were.
__________________
"He who serves all, best serves himself" Jack London
#1345
In the right lane
Everyone talking about self-sufficient living should read about this family, the Lykovs. The were off the grid completely for 40 years. But it also shows how you need to be prepared and lay up some basic technology in your experience. Their lack of metal-making and other skills seriously hurt their quality of life.
#1346
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Posts: 8,721
Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4227 Post(s)
Liked 2,488 Times
in
1,286 Posts
Everyone talking about self-sufficient living should read about this family, the Lykovs. The were off the grid completely for 40 years. But it also shows how you need to be prepared and lay up some basic technology in your experience. Their lack of metal-making and other skills seriously hurt their quality of life.
#1347
Sophomoric Member
I recently got an iPad--my splurge for 2012. I am reading free books on it, which will defray the cost of the iPad a little.
__________________
"Think Outside the Cage"
#1348
In the right lane
iPad? I don't have a tablet because I spend too much time in front of computer screens and a tablet would let me check my email every 10 minutes. One nice thing about reading a book it that it's more difficult to multi-task.
Roody, be interested to hear what you think about your tablet in a couple of months.
Roody, be interested to hear what you think about your tablet in a couple of months.
#1349
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: I'm in Helena Montana again.
Posts: 1,402
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 19 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I found a solution. This does take work and it does cost a lot of money in the short term. There is a product made by Fujitsu called the Scan Snap iX500. It will scan twenty-five double sided pages in sixty seconds. This is at 150 dots per inch. It costs $449.99 at Amazon. With this machine one could purchase books for $2.50 and run the pages through the machine to put them directly onto an e-reader or tablet computer. It would take sixty books at $2.50 instead of $9.99 to pay for the device. There is a fast way to cut up a book but you'll need a power paper cutter or be very skillful with a band saw. A box of razor blades would do the trick too. It would just take longer. Feeding a three-hundred page book into the machine would only take seven minutes. Then the book could be read on the e-reader and stored there with hundreds of other books.
If I were a voracious reader I would do this. I would rather have a library on an SD card than covering a wall in my home.
#1350
Been Around Awhile
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Burlington Iowa
Posts: 29,973
Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Liked 1,536 Times
in
1,045 Posts
I found a solution. This does take work and it does cost a lot of money in the short term. There is a product made by Fujitsu called the Scan Snap iX500...
If I were a voracious reader I would do this. I would rather have a library on an SD card than covering a wall in my home.
If I were a voracious reader I would do this. I would rather have a library on an SD card than covering a wall in my home.
Luckily, I do, and use it frequently for free books in hardback and Kindle download format, including recent releases that are not available for $2.50 as paperbacks. The library has an extensive audio book library which can be downloaded and borrowed on-line for free.
The free library also has music CDs and movie DVD's to borrow. The library staff will order or borrow any book, CD, or DVD that I request.
Only downside is for those wishing to fill a bookcase or crates on the wall with books to dust off every so often.