tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18774775.post2766862503292804797..comments2023-09-29T11:07:04.170-04:00Comments on Frugal Money Management: Voluntary Simplicity - My DefinitionAngiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05976386760874121184noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18774775.post-37072175928611521262009-02-11T13:22:00.000-05:002009-02-11T13:22:00.000-05:00Good for you, Angie. I've been reading a number o...Good for you, Angie. I've been reading a number of frugal living newsletters and they are so focused on things, shopping, money, etc., that I'm beginning to turn off. It's like all the magazines that have the "New Wonder Diet" headline with a big picture of a chocolate cake in the background. My definition of frugal definitely includes not having to agonize over every penny. <BR/><BR/>I'm feeling I've always known how to get the most out of my money, and even how to get more money if I need it, but I want to focus LESS on things and spending, not more. I'd like help doing less recreational shopping (at thrifts and yard sales), getting rid of clutter, and "spending" time doing tasks that are mere obligations rather than fulfilling activities. <BR/><BR/>For instance, I'm involved with several charity quilting groups. It's the quilting, the friendships and the giving that appeal, but out of (bad) habit, I end up on too many boards and organizational committees.<BR/><BR/>I have a spending mantra: "Did you need it before you left home?" Now I'm working on finding one that will help me hang on to my TIME so I'm free to spend that on what really matters. Maybe "Will the world stop spinning if I don't get out and push?"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18774775.post-49307826862789274022007-01-12T10:33:00.000-05:002007-01-12T10:33:00.000-05:00Marion, thank you for your comments. I see what yo...Marion, thank you for your comments. I see what you mean about us moving forward to the good <b>new days</b> rather than going back to the good old days.<br /><br />It does seem that VS, homesteading, and frugality seem to get so mushed together that it gets confusing, and nearly impossible to define.<br /><br />I used to think I wanted to homestead until I read enough about it to realize that homesteading is a lot of hard work. Like I said, I'm looking to make my life simpler, not more complicated.<br /><br />Whatever it's called, I am on a mission to stay in my down-sized lifestyle. Hopefully more people will realize just how silly it is to judge people based on what logo is on their clothing or how new their car is, and stop buying in to the greedy spiel of advertisers.Angiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05976386760874121184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18774775.post-6546050936664999072007-01-12T09:33:00.000-05:002007-01-12T09:33:00.000-05:00Angie, I like your definition. Please bear in mind...Angie, I like your definition. Please bear in mind that creating a life like the one you describe is not going back to the old days, it is going <i>forward</i> to the <i>new</i> days. Those are the new days and the new ways that we will get to once we manage to move beyond the current madness of corporate consumerism and rediscover sanity. We'll get to that sooner if more people like you set an example - and that's already happening. (And in any case, we'll have no choice but to live simply when the oil runs out. It is the only hope for survival of our species).<br />You're right - a lot of people confuse voluntary simplicity with homesteading and yet homesteading can often be energy-intensive and not simple at all. There are many different ways of living simply. That's what my book "The Lilypad List: 7 steps to the simple life" is all about -- choosing the way that works best for you.<br />Good luck and many blessings,<br />Marian Van Eyk McCainElderwomanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04530790093497478269noreply@blogger.com