Dear Friends Of The Simple Living Network,
It is truly exciting to say, "Welcome to the 11th Anniversary Issue of our free, on-line Newsletter."
Wow, 11 years — 56 issues — over 200,000 subscribers — no advertising — and it has always been 100% free. That is quite an accomplishment.
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In short, to be successful long-term, we believe we must operate through self-funding — through sales and CyberAngel Contributions from those who use our Community Services.
Every year during January and February we ask all of our visitors to stop for just a moment and consider the value of The Simple Living Network. If this were a subscription service or membership organization, what would you consider a fair participation fee?
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Happy New Year! And, enjoy this edition of our free, on-line Newsletter,
Dave Wampler, Founder
Fred Ecks, Editor
Copyright © The Simple Living Network. All Rights Reserved.
- Introduction: A Letter From The Editors
- New Resources: The Latest Additions To Our Resource Directory
- My Simplicity Group: Report From A Participant
- Radio Paradise: Welcoming A New Partner
- Stop Junk Mail! The Center For A New American Dream
- Your War Doesn't Fit Into My Budget: Frugal Living As A Form Of Tax Resistance
- The Slow Life: Simple Living America
- Money/Life Balance In The New Millennium: A Modern Personal View Of Your Money Or Your Life
- Single, Expectant Mom: The Dollar Stretcher
- Holidays Can Still Be Merry Without All The Spending
- Simple Living For The Worn Out Woman, by Alice Gray, Dr. Steven Stephens & John Van Diest
- Celebrate Simply: NEW 2nd Edition, by Nancy Twigg
- Little House On A Small Planet: Simple Homes, Cozy Retreats & Energy Efficient Possibilities, by Shay Salomon
- Simply In Season: Recipes That Celebrate The Rhythm Of The Land In The Spirit Of The More-With-Less Cookbook, by Mary Beth Lind & Cathleen Hockman-Wert
- Simply In Season Children's Cookbook, by Mark Beach & Julie Kauffman
In the previous issue of our Newsletter we introduced new resources for Body, Mind & Spirit. They proved to be very popular. As such, we have further expanded this new category of resources with the items below....
- The Detox Box: A Program For Greater Health & Vitality, by Mark Hyman M.D.
- Dr. Andrew Weil's Mind-Body Tool Kit, by Dr. Andrew Weil
- The Ashtanga Yoga Collection, by Richard Freeman
- Guided Mindfulness Meditation (& Yoga), by Jon Kabat-Zinn
- Insight Meditation Kit: A Step-By-Step Course On How To Meditate, by Sharon Salzberg & Joseph Goldstein
- Mindfulness For Beginners, by Jon Kabat-Zinn
- Guided Mindfulness Meditation (& Yoga), by Jon Kabat-Zinn
- Dr. Andrew Weil's Mind-Body Tool Kit, by Dr. Andrew Weil
- Pema Chödrön Audio Collection, by Pema Chödrön
- The Biology Of Belief: How Your Beliefs Shape Your Health & Your Destiny, by Bruce H. Lipton, Ph. D.
- The Diamond In Your Pocket: Discovering Your True Radiance, by Gangaji
- The Way Of The Superior Man: A Spiritual Guide To Mastering The Challenges Of Women, Work & Sexual Desire, by David Deida
Copyright © 2006
Early in 2006, I co-founded a small simplicity group with a few willing, but skeptical neighbors. We met monthly at the local library in a largely impersonal conference room in the evenings after work. By outward appearances, we were quite different from each other. One member had a young daughter and a teenage stepson; she worked as an art director while her husband stayed home with the children. Two of the members were "empty-nesters." One was retired and did volunteer work. The other hoped to retire soon from an exhausting sales job. Our youngest member was single, enthusiastic and kept us laughing. We had a member who already practiced simple living and could share her experiences with us. Myself, I was married with no kids, but with two adorable cats. We decided to use The Simple Living Guide by Janet Luhrs as our textbook. Each week we read a new chapter and discussed ways to incorporate mindfulness into our daily lives. Our group of all women (not by choice, it just happened that way) rarely had long moments of silence. We found that in our day-to-day living, we often acted as overachievers, caregivers and sometimes martyrs, and didn't allow ourselves time to reflect. The simplicity group gave us the opportunity to talk about ourselves.
Over the past year, I've learned a lot from each of these women, although, one moment in particular stands out. In an early meeting, one of the "empty-nesters" asked us why we wanted to pursue a more simple life. Was simplicity itself the end goal-or was there more to it? We knew about the followers of voluntary simplicity who pushed the envelope in order to see how little one really needs to get by, but was their austere life the original reason they followed the path? Or, was there some other catalyst to the pursuit of a simple life? Did our group need a reason for wanting simplicity? Like many simple livers, we wanted to make our impact on the earth lighter, and we didn't want to use so much more of our share of the worlds' resources. These were noble reasons to follow voluntary simplicity but, they weren't our sole reasons. In my own situation, I recognized that I was tired of always wanting more and feeling like what I had was never enough. Unfortunately, even with my simplicity support group, I couldn't shake the feeling of wanting more. Maybe my desire for more stuff was masking the real thing that I craved. I began to think that I had been "wanting" the wrong things. I admitted my selfishness and realized why I wanted a simple life: I wanted more time.
This sentiment was echoed by all of the members in the group. We all wanted more time. We wanted a simpler life so that we could have more time for the things we wanted to do. Granted, the ways that we'd spend our time would be vastly different. One member wanted to garden more, one wanted to spend more time with her children, one wanted to be more meaningfully involved in her church and another wanted to help her daughter and son-in-law with their new child. I wanted to help my husband with his growing business and still have time to travel.
The group has gotten very good at pinpointing our time wasters. For some it's people who drain us emotionally, for others it's letting go of the guilt from saying "no" to another party/trip/project. Luhr's book helped us look at each facet of our lives for ways to cut back on the "unmeaningful stuff" and keep what we wanted. For instance, the chapter on "Holidays," (which serendipitously fell upon our November meeting) gave us inspiration going into a very challenging season for simple livers. One group member told us that she was making the choice not to participate in the usual lavish gift exchanges with her group of friends. She opted for planning a small dinner at her home, where everyone could relax and spend time together. We each agreed to carefully look at how we spent our time during the holidays. We made lists of the things we disliked and decided not to waste time on them.
Most of the group members are far from living an austere life with only those items absolutely necessary to existence, but each of us has reconsidered what we feel to be important. We know that each time we choose to bring a new gadget or another commitment into our lives, we are giving up a little bit of our time.
We'll continue to meet though 2007, although we are running out of chapters in Luhr's guide. We enjoy each other's company enough to find a way to keep the discussion and the support going. As far as living a simple life goes, even though our reasons for simplifying might be a bit selfish, we hope we are making a bit of a difference at the same time.
About The Author
Jennifer Gleissner co-founded a small simplicity group in her small Indiana town. She hopes that her group's actions will help inspire others to follow the voluntary simplicity path.
Related Resources
- To find a simplicity study group near you or start one yourself, please visit The Simple Living Network Study Groups & Circles information pages.
- The Simple Living Guide
- The Circle Of Simplicity
Welcome to the newest Simple Living Network Partner: Radio Paradise - Providing an eclectic DJ-mixed blend of modern and classic rock, electronica, world music, acoustic and more. 100% commercial free.
We really like Radio Paradise here at The Simple Living Network. It plays in our office daily. We admire their well orchestrated selection of music, their business model - which is similar to ours - and the fact that they, like us, are 100% commercial free and user supported.
Support Radio Paradise when you make a purchase from The Simple Living Network! It's easy. Just click here to re-enter The Simple Living Network (with a hidden "Support RP" code) and we will automatically contribute 5% of your purchases directly to Radio Paradise.
Copyright © 2006
Every four months, an area the size of the Rocky Mountain National Park is leveled in order to produce the 100 million trees worth of junk mail that invades the privacy of millions of Americans each year. Citizens have the right to post a ‘No Soliciting’ sign on their driveway, turn off the TV and radio when unwanted ads come on, and sign up for the popular DoNotCall.gov telemarketer registry. Shouldn't we have the right to opt out of junk mail with an easy-to-use Do Not Junk registry?
Help New American Dream generate support for state and federal Do Not Junk Opt-Out registries and teach other Americans how to opt-out of junk mail by organizing in your local community.
Request a free Junk Mail Organizer Kit (delivered electronically) with step-by-step instructions!
Approximately 20% of Americans have contacted the credit bureaus to opt-out of their solicitations. You can opt-out too by using these forms. The rest of us can expect junk mail to continue invading the privacy of our homes, wasting our time, and destroying our natural resources — until we get a national Do Not Junk Opt-Out registry.
Before Congress created the national Do Not Call registry, over 30 states led the effort by passing state level registries. Urge your state officials to create a Do Not Junk registry and help your fellow citizens remove themselves from mailing lists by requesting a free junk mail activist kit to be delivered to you electronically!
Copyright © 2006
Since I adopted a frugal lifestyle four years ago, of all the dumb, harmful, and worthless things I don't miss wasting my money on, I don't miss the war on Iraq the most.
When the war on Iraq started, I quit my job and deliberately reduced my income to the point where I no longer owe federal income tax. I transformed my life, concentrating on what really matters, so that I can live within my means without paying federal income tax - honestly, peacefully, and legally.
American households have, on average, spent more than $4,000 apiece on the Iraq war (so far), and that's just the extra costs of that war above and beyond what they spend to keep the military going year after year (another $5,000 per year per household).
By and large, these households spend this money whether they want to or not, because they don't think they have a choice. At most, they grumble about "death and taxes" and they wish the politicians were nobler and wiser while they watch their paychecks get whittled down by the I.R.S.
But the times call for more than complaining and wishful thinking. We have to put as much of our effort as we can on the side of our values, instead of allowing so much of our effort to be stolen by the tax man and used to promote the values of politicians and the military/industrial complex.
As it says in Your Money Or Your Life, "when we go to our jobs we are trading our life energy for money." When we pay taxes, the government is taking our life energy from us. If you live frugally on a low income, the I.R.S. takes less from you — so you can dedicate more to your own priorities.
In fact, when it comes to the personal income tax, about two-in-five American households live "under the tax line" and pay nothing at all. Opponents of the Iraq war and other government priorities would be wise to ask if they should endeavor to become part of this two-in-five.
There's a long history of frugality being used in the arsenal of groups opposed to government policy — including the American "Founding Fathers". During the first Continental Congress in 1774, John Adams wrote home to his wife, "Frugality, my Dear, Frugality, Œconomy, Parcimony must be our Refuge. I hope the Ladies are every day diminishing their ornaments, and the Gentlemen too. Let us Eat Potatoes and drink Water. Let us wear Canvass, and undressed Sheepskins, rather than submit to the unrighteous, and ignominious Domination that is prepared for Us."
Maybe it's not time for another American Revolution just yet, but it's certainly time for more Americans to put their money and their life energy where their hearts are.
About The Author
David Gross is a writer from San Francisco, California. He blogs about tax resistance and frugal living at The Picket Line (David Gross is a writer from San Francisco, California. He blogs about tax resistance and frugal living at The Picket Line (http://sniggle.net/Experiment).
Related Resources
- Your Money Or Your Life
- The National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee (http://nwtrcc.org) publishes a pamphlet on "Low Income / Simple Living as War Tax Resistance" that is available through their web site.
By Cecile Andrews
Copyright © 2006
A crucial part of Simple Living is the Slow Life, a concept I explore in my new book, Slow is Beautiful: New Visions of Community, Leisure, and Joie de Vivre. The Slow Life is a way of life that supports the well-being of people and the planet. It’s a movement that is spreading around the world as a reaction to loss of happiness, declining health, and the devastation of the environment.
The main culprit is our time poverty. We’re overworked, overbooked, and stressed and pressured to the max. The term I keep hearing is "slammed."
Our time poverty is affecting our health, our happiness, our democracy, and the environment. And we don’t even have enough time to figure out what to do!
Our lack of time may be the main culprit, but the underlying cause of our problems is a belief system — a belief system that says the main goal in life is earning more money and gaining more status. It’s a belief system that profit is more important than the well-being of people and the planet. It’s a belief system that is expressed in greed.
Greed underlies almost all the problems we have in our society. It was greed that made Enron cheat thousands of people. It is greed that makes the drug companies sell unsuspecting victims drugs that do more harm than good. It’s greed that has driven us into war.
What is the solution? There are two areas of research that can give us some guidance. First, in the last few years there has been a great deal of work done on the subject of happiness. The researchers have tested our cultural belief that if you’re rich you’ll be happy. What they have found, time and again, is that after a certain point, more money does not bring happiness. What makes people happy is not money, but warm, supportive relationships with others, and sometimes money gets in the way of that.
That is research that looks at the micro level of people’s individual lives. There is another area of research that is testing our belief system on a macro level. This research finds that an egalitarian society works better than one with a lot of rich people. What this research has found is that the best indicator for the health of a nation, as measured in longevity, is the wealth gap in a country. As the gap between the rich and the rest of us gets wider, our health goes down! Thus, in the Fifties, when the US had a broad middle class, we were the healthiest in the world. Out of 26 nations, we were number one. Now that we have the largest gap in the industrialized world, our health is at the bottom.
This gap continues to widen so quickly it seems foolish to even quote statistics. But I saw an analogy the other day that said if all Americans were set on a ladder with ten rungs, the gap between the wages of those on the ninth rung and those on the first has risen by a third since 1980. We’re back in the wealth gap of the Twenties.
Why has this happened? In part because we’ve allowed it to happen: almost everyone believes that they could be rich some day, so they don’t mind tax cuts for the rich. Eight out of ten, more than any other country, believe that though you may start poor, if you work hard, you can make loads of money.
Why does a wealth gap affect the health of a nation? It’s not just that the poor people bring down the average. When there’s a gap, it creates a society in which the rich have more power and they use that power to undermine the common good. They pressure the government to keep cutting back on the safety net. In their zeal to boost stock prices for their companies and raise wages for themselves, corporation CEOs lay people off with impunity. Since our cultural belief is that everyone is out to get what they can for themselves and collective bargaining is weak, there is no cry of outrage. As a result, our system is cutthroat and inequality and fear grow. "Fear of falling" motivates everyone, even those at the top, to work faster and faster and no one does anything to fight longer and longer work hours.
When I speak to people about this, I ask them if they see any hope, and they reply, "no." Isn’t it strange that in the most powerful country in the world its citizens are so powerless.
It is clear that if we care about human happiness, we need an egalitarian, caring society that supports warm human relationships. But getting the policies in place for that will take a long time and a lot of work. What can we do in the meantime? Working to create more community is one thing we can do.
But community needs leisure and joie de vivre. Leisure is not just more time, but a different experience of time. It’s time in which you are relaxed and calm and can pay attention and be free of distractions. It’s time to savor life.
Joie de vivre is the recognition that we’re supposed to be enjoying ourselves, not just working to get ahead. It’s a form of energy that brings people and cultures a sense of aliveness. It’s the central ingredient in happiness.
When people live slower and more simply, they consume less so they can work less and have more time for community. In working for social change, there are several levels of change:
- Policy Change: We need laws that give us shorter work hours and a strong middle class.
- Institutional Change: Responsible companies develop flex time polices, encourage people to take their vacations, help out with child care and parental leaves.
- Social Inventions: We need "experiments" that bring people together in a cooperative, caring way, ways of conducting life that resist the cutthroat competitiveness of our consumer society that destroys the planet. For example, people are getting involved in things like farmers markets, ecovillages, co-housing, and flex car ventures.
- Personal Change: And of course, we always need personal change in which people consciously slow down, multi-task less, get more involved with nature, and find time for creativity, caring, and celebration. Without personal change, there is no energy to work for policy change.
The Slow Life involves all of these levels of change and is an important part of the age-old philosophy of Voluntary Simplicity, a philosophy that continues to inspire and challenge us.
About The Author
Cecile Andrews is a community educator, author of Slow Is Beautiful, The Circle Of Simplicity and contributor to several books on living more simply and taking back our time. She and her husband are founders of Seattle's Phinney Ecovillage, a neighborhood-based sustainable community.
Related Resources
Copyright © 2006
Back in 1994, I was hanging out in a coffeehouse one day, when I happened upon a short article in the local free paper. The article claimed that a big trend at the time was "frugality", based on the best-selling book Your Money Or Your Life, by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin. I thought that was a strange trend, so I wandered to the bookstore next door and bought the book (I'm more frugal now, and would find it at the library). Over the next few days, I devoured that book! It spoke to me, directly addressing the frustrations I had in my life. Using the book as a guide, I managed to transform my financial life over the following seven years. At the end of 2001, I stopped working for money.
I plan for this to be the first in a series of nine articles discussing the steps of the Your Money Or Your Life program. In each article, I'll address the common concerns about the dated feel of the book, and I'll talk about my own experiences in applying the steps.
I'd like to dedicate this project to Joe Dominguez, who passed away ten years ago, on January 11, 1997. Thank you, Joe. You and Vicki helped me to create a life of freedom and delight.
In my opinion, the first chapter begins by laying out a grim picture of most people's financial lives. It talks about how we find ourselves locked into our jobs, spending our lives just working to pay the bills. It's all true, but there's definitely something to the claim that the book is inaccurate and dated. Absolutely, the figures are out of date.
For example, on page 6, the authors state that "consumer debt exceeded $735 billion in 1990", and "that's $3,000 for every man, woman, and child in this country." Oh, come on! Those figures are so ancient! Let's give them an update: Consumer debt now exceeds $2.4 trillion, or $8,000 per capita. That's excluding mortgages, and those all-too-common home equity lines of credit. This is according to the report of Federal Reserve consumer credit statistics released November 7, 2006.
Here's another one: The book mentions "9 to 5" work over and over. How quaint! Even when I worked full-time, I never had a "9 to 5" job. They were always 8 to 5, with a theoretical lunch break. But now it's more like "8 to 7". A 2003 study by Expedia found that 63% of Americans work more than 40 hours per week, while 40% exceed 50 hours.
It would be one thing if we really loved the way we're living. But the thing is, it's not working out that way. Consider the book's introduction of the "Fulfillment Curve", showing the way our satisfaction actually drops when we've gone too far down the road of buying more and more stuff. Sure enough, we see a correlation in the use of antidepressant medications today in the United States. According to the CDC, over 10% of Americans now take antidepressants, which is more than double just eight years ago. Those big-screen TVs just don't seem to be making us any happier!
For me, the appeal of the book was that the description the authors laid out matched my own experience. I was working full-time at a job I enjoyed but didn't love. I was commuting about 1.5 hours per day. I never had enough time for all the outdoor activities I cherished. I wanted to be outside more, instead of spending the best part of each day in a cubicle. I spent a lot of money on new things which brought momentary happiness, only to end up with a cluttered garage. I had a wonderful dog, but not enough time to spend with her. I was always tired, drinking soft drinks and munching sugary snacks at work to stay awake. I was nearly 100 pounds overweight.
The first step the authors present is to look at our financial history, consider what we've done, and accept it. The idea is to give us a clean slate. What's past is now history. We're moving on. For me, it was embarrassing. I didn't want to look at what I had done. In reviewing it, I came to accept it. By now it's a sort of novelty. I look back and smile at the way I used to live.
The first part of Step 1 is to calculate how much we have earned in our lives. The authors say to do this meticulously. While many people do, I confess that I didn't. I figured out a reasonable estimate, which was about $276,000. At the time, I was 28 years old. I was a software engineer, generating a good income.
The second part of Step 1 is to calculate what we've got to show for it. In short, we create a personal balance sheet. In my case, I was over $12,000 in credit card debt, but I owned a home with about $10,000 in equity. I guessed the total value of my possessions to be about $5,000. The result was that I had a financial "net worth" of about $3,000. That's it, after earning $276,000!
I think the most important message the authors give us is, "No shame, no blame." Emotions such as guilt and regret don't help us at all. We can't change the past. The key is to know how we have been living, so we can make a conscious change toward a better way of life. We come to know our tendencies. We know what we want to change! We recognize our own dissatisfaction. We have no one to impress, and we have nothing to be embarrassed about. That was all before. Now we don't live that way. Now we live the way we want to. Our choices become conscious.
In the next Newsletter, I'll talk about Chapter 2 and Step 2. In my opinion, this is where things get interesting. The authors talk frankly about money, and give some concrete tasks to be done in our lives. At this point, we start collecting some hard data that is the key to recognizing what we're doing. It's some simple left-brained thinking that's coming up, using clear numbers and statements in an effort to create lives which match our personal values. Hang in there, this is just starting to get good!
About The Author
Fred Ecks is the volunteer Newsletter Editor for The Simple Living Network. He's a dedicated follower of the 9-step program detailed in Your Money Or Your Life. He uses the time freed up in his life for writing, volunteering, sailing, and trail running. He maintains a Web Log at http://fredx.livejournal.com.
Related Resources
- Your Money Or Your Life
- Transforming Your Relationship With Money — Audio CD/Workbook Course
Copyright © 2006
Dear Gary,
I am having a baby and I am single. There is no father coming to the plate and I am not getting any help from family. I am happy to be pregnant. I am 37 years old. This is what I've always wanted. However, I did not plan for this financially. I always imagined I'd have a husband to go with the baby, but it didn't happen. I need ideas on how to raise a baby without spending so much money. I am selling the stuff out of my house to pay doctor bills and co-payments and such at the moment. I was thinking of getting a roommate, but that could be good or bad. I work full time, live in a small house with a mortgage and drive an old car that is paid off. I am frugal. But at this point I need all the advice I can get.
Although Amy may feel alone, she has plenty of company. There are approximately 13 million single parents. And, while it would have been better to begin saving years ago, let's see what Amy can do now to stay afloat financially.
A budget is essential, not only to help control spending, but also to give her the security of knowing that all the month's bills can be paid. She'll find a good budget worksheet from Bankrate at http://www.bankrate.com/dls/news/debt/debtguide2004/home-budget-tool1.asp.
The first part of assembling a budget is for Amy to estimate her income. Her three main sources will be her pay, child support and any government or charitable aid.
Amy will want to maximize her earnings. That may mean going back to school or taking courses related to your work.
She indicates that she doesn't expect the father to step up. Amy might want to pursue legal means. Child support could add about $6,000 to her annual income.
Check out the variety of organizations created to help single parents. Her phone book can help her find the state 'info' number. She can also find it by calling the U.S. info center (800-688-9889 or www.firstgov.gov) and asking for the correct state information center.
Also investigate charitable and private organizations. Churches and the United Way will know what's available locally. Some groups like the Share food program are available to all income levels. Try doing a web search for "share" and the name of your state.
After estimating income, Amy needs to determine what her expenses will be after the baby is born.
According to the Consumer Expenditure Survey 83% of single parents will have an annual income of less than $43,200. Those parents will spend $131,730 raising a child to age 18. That includes housing, food, transportation, clothing, health care, child care, education and miscellaneous. That works out to $7,318 per year.
There are regional difference. The urban Midwest and rural areas are the cheapest for a single mom if Amy is interested in moving.
Housing and childcare are the biggest expenses and the ones most likely to bust her budget.
Depending on where Amy lives and the type of care provided, day care costs range from $3,000 to $15,000 a year. To get a realistic number she'll need to call and visit some local day care centers.
Housing is a relatively fixed expense. Once she's investigated refinancing her mortgage and shopped for cheaper insurance, other changes, while helpful, will have a smaller effect on expenses.
Amy pointed out one idea that could have a major impact on both her housing and childcare expenses. That's taking in a roommate. Obviously, selecting the right person is critical. But bringing in another mother with children could provide a number of significant benefits.
First, it would reduce her housing expense. Perhaps by as much as one third.
Second, if Amy found someone who worked a different shift than she does, each one could be providing childcare while the other roommate worked. They might need some babysitting for a few 'overlap' hours each day, but daycare expenses would largely be eliminated. This is a major plus in a single parent budget.
Once the bigger pieces of Amy's financial plan are set, it's time to look for the smaller areas of saving. A web search will turn up many sites that discuss various ways to save on baby items. Everything from food and clothing to furniture.
Amy will need to look beyond her budget. Any extra money at the end of the month should be put into an emergency fund. Unanticipated expenses (aka "emergencies") are a big threat to the single mom. Often a credit card is used and then paying it off becomes a problem.
Many unexpected expenses really can be predicted. Most families will face auto or home repairs every year. We just don't know when they'll occur. So including some money for "emergencies" in your budget each month is a good idea.
And even though Amy's budget will be tight, she should still consider long-term disability insurance. About one in three adults will be disabled. As the only source of family income that could be devastating. Start by finding out what's available through your employer.
One other thing will change for Amy. She'll need to be prepared in case she dies. That means having enough life insurance and a will.
She'll need between 6 and 10 times her annual salary in life insurance. That should provide food and shelter for her child.
A will is also necessary. A lawyer can create one affordably. Make sure that it includes your preference for a guardian should one be needed.
Amy has a challenging road ahead. But, like most journeys, the better your planning and preparation, the easier the travel. Here's to a wonderful life for Amy and her child.
About The Author
Gary Foreman is a former financial planner who currently edits The Dollar Stretcher www.stretcher.com website and newsletters. If you'd like to stretch your day or your dollar, visit today! You'll find thousands of articles to help you live better... for less!
Copyright © 2006
Editor's Note: The following article arrived too late for inclusion in our holiday Newsletter. We're including it here, since it also applies to other gift giving beyond the holidays. Enjoy!
The other day I heard something that surprised me. A recent nationwide study showed that 70% of those polled planned to spend the same amount or even more this Christmas than they did last year. When I read this, I couldn't help but wonder who the pollsters talked to when they did their poll.
They must not have talked to my friends, Chuck and Melinda, who were both downsized from their jobs a few months ago. They couldn't have contacted Mike and Faye, a single-income family struggling since Mike lost his job. The survey surely didn't include input from my friends Sarah or Rachel, both of whom have been laid off for close to a year. Maybe someone, somewhere is planning to spend more at Christmas, but certainly not anyone I know.
The truth is that many Americans are facing the challenge of celebrating the holidays this year on limited budgets due to cutbacks and downsizing. This prospect can be both discouraging and unnerving for those who have always done Christmas in a big way. Even families who normally celebrate rather simply are looking to simplify even more during these tight economic times.
Unfortunately, most Christmas traditions involve spending. Just think about all the dollars each year that go for gifts, wrapping paper, live trees, decorations, greeting cards and traditional meals with all the trimmings. But for those experiencing layoffs this year, spending a small fortune or charging up the credit cards for these things is not a prudent option.
Are there ways to enjoy the holiday season without all the spending? Thankfully the answer to this question is, "Yes." Here are some ideas for keeping the celebration simple, yet meaningful for your family.
- Handcrafted gifts and decorations — Experience the joy of giving something made with your own two hands. Handmade gifts are not only unique but they also show you care enough to invest time and energy into your giving. Check out library books containing homemade gift ideas or use Yahoo.com or Google.com to do an Internet search. The same goes for decorating your home. Instead of buying decorations, use your creative abilities plus things you already have on hand to give your home a festive look and feel.
- Electronic Season's Greetings — Sending Christmas cards instead of gifts is a great way to save money, but the cost of store-bought cards adds up quickly. Even if you make your own, the cost of postage can be restrictive for those on a tight budget. For friends and relatives who use email, consider sending electronic Christmas cards instead. Many websites send e-cards for free, and they offer a wide variety of cards from which to choose. Visit Gcards.com or 123greetings.com or do an Internet search for other free greeting card sites.
- Free family activities — When cutting corners, don't cut out all the fun. Look for ways your family can enjoy quality time together without spending. Check your newspaper's community calendar for free church programs, musicals or community events. Just driving around looking at Christmas lights while sipping homemade hot cocoa can be great fun when you do it together.
- Focus on giving rather than receiving — Instead of moaning about what you can't afford this year, why not focus on how you can give of yourself? Many non-profit organizations need extra helping hands during the holiday season. Contact your local Volunteer Center or United Way office to inquire about opportunities for service in your area. Volunteering together allows family members to experience the joy of giving without expecting anything in return.
- Low-cost or no-cost gift giving — Rather than exchanging gifts with extended family members and friends, plan a special evening together with each family during the holiday season. Enjoy a simple meal and then watch a favorite holiday movie or do a giant jigsaw puzzle together while munching on popcorn and snacks. Another option is to give gifts of time or service such as free babysitting, housecleaning, cooking, etc., to those on your gift list. Look for ways to give meaningfully instead of materially.
About The Author
Nancy Twigg is the author of newly revised book, Celebrate Simply: Your Guide to Simpler, More Meaningful Holidays and Special Occasions (www.celebratesimply.com). Celebrate Simply is filled with ideas and insights to make all your holidays and special occasions what you really want them to be.
Resources By This Author
Celebrate Simply: Celebrations The Way They Were Meant To Be — NEW 2nd Edition!
