- Introduction: Some Personal Thoughts From Founder, Dave Wampler
- New Resources: Highlights Of The Latest Additions To Our Resource Directory
- Backing Into Simplicity: A Natural Evolution
- The Secret To A Relaxed Holiday Dinner
- A Car Diet: The Three-Week Experiment
- Frugal & Green: Doing the Math
- Simple, Sustainable, Clutter-Free Gift Ideas: Simplifying The Holidays
- Recycling Is A Last Resort: Natural Living
- Gems Of The Discussion Forums: The Holidays
- Taking Refuge In Simplicity: Harmony In Everyday Life
- Simplicity In The City: Excerpts From Get Satisfied
- What's The Economy For, Anyway? Take Back Your Time
- Money/Life Balance In The New Millennium: Valuing Your Life Energy — Minimizing Spending
Greetings!
Autumn is in full swing, the leaves have fallen, the harvest is in, Halloween has come and gone, and winter is just around the corner. The nights are longer and it is the time of year to hunker down, build a warm fire and spend quiet evenings reading and contemplating life, the universe and everything.
As such, I have been thinking a lot about simple living lately, even more so than usual. My emphasis has been to learn about new tools and techniques that will help me focus on my life goals and the things that bring me joy and fulfillment in life (one of the best tools I've read lately is Eat That Frog! 21 Great Ways To Stop Procrastinating & Get More Done In Less Time).
As many of you know, I live on a modest income, in a modest home/office in a remote mountain community far away from the big city where I might be tempted to be a consumer. Besides my mortgage (which will be paid off in just a couple of years), I have no debt. With two exceptions, I do not spend money on anything beyond the necessities of life. I do not have much of a savings account yet, but I am consciously and consistently working on building my nest egg (reaching "Financial Independence" for fans of Your Money Or Your Life).
The two exceptions to my otherwise frugal spending habits are food and music (both in the form of entertaining others).
I like to cook and I have heard I am good at it. I do not hesitate to invite over 10 or so friends for a feast. Unfortunately, throwing dinner parties can sometimes be expensive. Recently, quite by chance, I came across an opportunity to take a part time job at a local coffee shop as lunch cook. I work two to three hours a day, three days a week. The owner of the establishment needed some extra help to move from a coffee shop to a full deli — creating new menus, redesigning and expanding the kitchen, etc. I've been granted full creative license. After two months, I can say that I truly love the experience. I am not making that much money at my new part-time job. However, every cent I have made is going directly into savings. What's more, I am regularly doing one of the things I love most in life without a negative impact on my income.
As for music, I have played keyboards since I was five years old. I often drive long distances to rehearsals and performances with the talented collection of other musicians I have met over the years. (The travel can be expensive, but I plan for it and know that I receive ample fulfillment in exchange.)
Earlier this year, a talented friend and fellow simple living advocate, Lincoln Crockett, began work on his first solo album, Angels & Devils Alike. Yes, I am biased, but I believe Lincoln has created a true work of art. It was an honor to perform on one of the tracks and provide input upon the mixing of the entire album. Congratulations Lincoln!
Well, enough about me. In short, life is full and good here in Trout Lake. I hope this edition of our free, on-line Newsletter finds you all well and continuing the pursuit of simple living — especially important at this time of year when the consumer-driven holiday season is just around the corner.
Finally, thank you to all of our CyberAngels. We are closing in on our 2007 goal of raising $14,000 to support this free Newsletter and the other free services on this web site. Keep up the good work gang!
Simplify, simplify,
Dave Wampler
Founder
The Simple Living Network
Copyright © The Simple Living Network. All Rights Reserved.
- Get Satisfied: How Twenty People Like You Found The Satisfaction Of Enough
Hot Off The Press! - Eat That Frog! 21 Great Ways To Stop Procrastinating & Get More Done In Less Time
Printed Edition - Highly Recommended! - Eat That Frog! 21 Great Ways To Stop Procrastinating & Get More Done In Less Time
CD, Book On Tape Edition - Highly Recommended! - The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan For Financial Fitness. Revised & Updated. New York Times Bestseller
Also available as an Audiobook CD and supporting Workbook. - The Power Of Purpose: Creating Meaning In Your Life & Work
- Gifts From The Mountain: Simple Truths For Life's Complexities
- The Prairie Girl's Guide To Life: How To Sew A Sampler Quilt & 49 Other Pioneer Projects For The Modern Girl
- Angels & Devils Alike: A new music CD by Lincoln Crockett
- 2008 Calendars
A selection of 2008 calendars, including the popular "Out Of Office Countdown." - Coexist: Note Cards
- Coexist: Poster
- Earth Pledge: Poster
- Make Art Not War: Note Cards
- Make Art Not War: Poster
- Make Art Not War: T-Shirt
- Tree Hugger, Dirt Worshiper: T-Shirt
Copyright © 2007
Reading the Newsletter, which speaks directly to my needs nowadays, I realized that in my case the Simple Living ethic didn't come from any sudden insights or long-held philosophies, it just evolved as I got older and lived through certain cycles. Perhaps it does for many people, and the way to persuade some others in the public to consider this lifestyle is not to portray ourselves simply as followers of a movement, which would just make us look like off-putting extremists. Some of us are only those who have shed former values as thay have evolved; it occurred to us gradually, and perhaps a gentle nudge into re-evaluation would yield results.
I'm in a very different place now than I was thirty years ago. At age 60, I feel an enormous deja vu watching certain patterns of culture: the latest movie star whose fame only lasts through two or three films, and who looks a lot like last year's Flavor of the Month; the latest corrupt politician whose excesses resemble those of a generation ago, and of a few before that; and the latest war in Iraq, which looked from the beginning a lot like Vietnam (which should have given many who were grownups when Vietnam happened wiser judgment, but didn't).
Similarly, around age 50 I began behaving the opposite of the way I had before. I started unloading "stuff" – the things you don't really need. A major example is that I stopped shopping for clothes, having previously been an Olympic shopper. On a Saturday afternoon nothing had been more fun than the thrill of the chase, hopefully getting a great bargain by 4 o'clock. Suddenly, when I walked into a store everything started to look like items I already had or had thrown out a few years ago. Nothing is really new in fashion, and it's no mystery why fashion marketers target 18-to-34-year-olds who still believe that there are styles they haven't seen before. Even the articles in fashion magazines are recycled: compare this month's issues with those of five years ago. Also, off-price shops have goods that are just as high quality; you can't see the defects, and the only difference really is that the label isn't Mr. Big Designer. You get the same fabrics and styles without the enormous markups. In addition, being my age I find myself feeling motherly toward the undernourished and teenaged-looking models. I want to exhort them to "eat, already!" I still like looking nice, but find myself declared fashionable with a lot less effort. I've even had the experience of label-conscious friends admiring articles of clothing I know cost very little and from a most unfashionable label (and I gleefully think "If they only knew").
I have my own business, work from home (no overhead) and make enough to survive with a bit left over, which amounts to what would be shockingly little in New York City. I don't have children and aggressively stay out of debt, and feel a lot of freedom. I've never enjoyed just going for the money. I wouldn't turn it down, but work has to have meaning. And if you have enough – well, to me a major equation is Enough = Freedom. After that, money is simply paper and metal.
I've realized, at this point in life, that my only desired luxury is travel. I say "luxury" because travel does involve some money – not a fortune, but airline flights aren't free as yet. I've always loved going new places; there's nothing quite like the thrill of discovering another culture, or even street. I can get just as excited by something new in New Jersey as in a foreign country. Over the past year I've traveled to India, Mexico, Canada, London, Paris, and domestically to Cape Cod and Virginia, and will go to Turkey this fall. And everything is paid for.
My husband and I live in a now-expensive area of Brooklyn - we could sell our coop, which was low-priced when we bought it, for almost three times the original cost. That's a nice thought, but we're staying put and certainly don't live rich. We could have bought a grander, more expensive place, but didn't want to be house-poor. There's just the two of us; we have enough room. We also have enough money left over for our passions.
The big benefit? Jerry and I emphatically do what we want to. And we don't do what we don't want to.
About The Author
Since 1980, Reva Cooper has marketed and publicized music, dance, theater, visual arts, films and arts education, on Broadway and Off-Broadway and for resident arts organizations. Reva currently has her own business, which also includes consulting and teaching. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, and is married, with no children. She can be reached at revacooper@earthlink.net.
Related Resources
Copyright © Deborah Taylor-Hough. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
Can you imagine a relaxed holiday dinner without needing to actually cook your turkey on the big day? You'd be able to enjoy the festivities as much as your friends and family!
Believe it or not, it's possible to roast your turkey ahead of time and store the cooked meat in the freezer to reheat and serve on the big day. If this sounds a bit too much like eating leftovers, let me assure you that by following these simple freezing and reheating instructions, you'll have moist, delicious turkey — and not one of your guests will suspect you didn't spend the entire holiday slaving away in the kitchen keeping watch over a hot oven.
Feel free to use your own favorite turkey recipe if you prefer, and then follow the freezing/reheating instructions at the end of this article (but I personally don't think you'll find a tastier turkey recipe!).
TO PREPARE TURKEY:
- 3 onions, quartered
- 6 celery stalks, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 2 medium carrots, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 1/2 cups white wine (or water)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons pepper
- 2 teaspoons sage
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 3 cups chicken broth, canned (reserve for freezing process)
In bottom of a deep roasting pan, place two quartered onions, four celery stalks, the carrots, bay leaves and white wine (or water). Remove turkey giblets, rinse bird inside and out. Pat dry with paper towels. Stuff turkey loosely with remaining quartered onion and celery stalks. Brush turkey with olive oil mixed with salt, pepper, sage, and thyme. Cover turkey loosely with a large sheet of foil coated lightly with olive oil, crimping foil on to edges of roasting pan. Cook according to chart below. During last 45 minutes, cut band of skin or string between legs and tail. Uncover and continue roasting until done. Baste, if desired.
TURKEY ROASTING CHART
(loosely wrapped with foil)
- 12-16 pounds / 325 degrees F / 4 - 5 hours
- 16-20 pounds / 325 degrees F / 5 - 6 hours
- 20-24 pounds / 325 degrees F / 6 - 7 hours
TESTING FOR DONENES
About 20 minutes before roasting time is completed, test bird. Flesh on thickest part of drumstick should feel soft when squeezed between fingers, drumstick should move up an down easily, and meat thermometer inserted into thickest part of leg should read 185 degrees F. (Or follow manufacturer's instructions.)
FREEZING INSTRUCTIONS
DRIPPINGS: Pour liquid and drippings from roasting pan into a bowl. Remove vegetables. Allow bowl of liquid to cool in refrigerator until fat congeals on top. Scoop off fat with a spoon and pour drippings into a labeled freezer bag. Thaw to use for making gravy on serving day.
TURKEY: Allow turkey to cool in pan for 1/2 hour; then place turkey and its roasting pan into refrigerator. Allow to cool completely (several hours). When fully chilled, slice turkey as usual. Remove all meat from bones. Place breast and dark meat slices into labeled freezer bags. Pour canned chicken broth into bags over meat. Freeze.
SERVING INSTRUCTIONS
Thaw bag of meat and broth, and place into a covered baking dish for 30 minutes at 350 degrees F. Or place turkey and broth into a microwave-safe dish, cover with plastic wrap, and heat until hot (the time will vary with different microwaves, so check manufacturer's instructions). Drain off broth (reserve to make more gravy, if needed). Arrange the heated turkey slices attractively on a serving platter. Serve hot.
Excerpted and adapted from the 10-Day Holiday Meal Plan in the popular book, Frozen Assets: How To Cook For A Day & Eat For A Month.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Deborah Taylor-Hough (mother of three) is the author of several popular books including Frugal Living For Dummies(r); Frozen Assets: How To Cook For A Day & Eat For A Month; and A Simple Choice: A Practical Guide For Saving Your Time, Money & Sanity. For more tips and ideas on cooking, parenting, saving money, and homemaking, visit Debi online and subscribe to one of her free email newsletters at: thesimplemom.wordpress.com.
Copyright © 2007
I recently read a book that has changed my life: Material World: A Global Portrait by Peter Menzel gives an inside glimpse into the lives of a number of families around the world. Reading about the alternative forms of transportation people use worldwide was a real eye opener.
My husband Serge and I work full-time. We have two vehicles - a necessity, I've come to believe, in this rural area of Vermont. Yet I kept thinking back to the book I read. If entire families go without a car, some without even a bicycle, would it be such a hardship for my husband and I to try to cut back to one vehicle? And so I decided to try an experiment: Two people for three weeks with one car in rural Vermont. As part of the experiment, I decided to use my small scooter as well. A scooter puts off much less carbon waste and costs much less than our V8 pickup.
We live approximately seven miles from the nearest shopping area, about ten from my husband's job and eighteen from mine. However, if this experiment were a success, it could make a difference in our health, the health of the planet and our finances. Long-term it could mean a different way of life for us. Gulp! Let the experiment begin...
Week One
As fate would have it, our truck decided to get a head start on our experiment and died while we were running errands on Saturday. It was fortuitous that we already had a plan in place for getting around sans one vehicle.
By midweek I can't help but wonder if this will get easier. Making the morning transition is hard. When using the bus I need to be ready forty minutes early, but still have to finish breakfast in the car some mornings. I also discovered that while I enjoy a peaceful, silent drive to work my husband likes to listen to a talk show. Loudly. I felt a little irritated having to fork over the three-dollar fare for a nine-mile bus trip. Walking from the bus stop to my job was nice though; I enjoyed the cool air and listening to the birds. Later in the week, stranded at work and desperate to be alone at lunchtime, I walked to a gas station about a mile away and got a cup of coffee. It was a cool day and a nice one for a walk. Friday's commute was nice and because it was my turn to drive, we enjoyed a quiet ride!
Week Two
This week seems easier. I know now that if we don't leave the house by 6:20 AM, I have a good chance of missing the bus. The bus itself is large and comfortable and uses biodiesel fuel, so I feel even better about using it. Though riding my scooter is a nice change and allows me more independence during the workday, it's a cold drive in. I bundle up with three or four layers but I'm still chilled through; after the thirty-five minute ride I'm ready to get to my desk and thaw out.
I went on a couple more lunch break walks and noticed something interesting: No one walks around here! I used to work in Burlington, Vermont's largest city, and people walked and biked all over the place. But in the small town where I work, I get stares and worried looks from people who seem to think my car must have broken down. An interesting observation...
Week Three
People who know about the experiment are asking how it's going. "Better!" I say, and it's true. The first week was definitely the hardest. Though I still miss my early morning alone time and the slow morning pace, it's getting easier as time goes on.
Financial/Environmental Impact
How Much Money and CO2 Did We Save?
Normally, I spend between $25.00-$35.00 a week in gas, Serge about $30.00. Some of my cost is for non-work related trips like going to the grocery store or to visit family. Approximately $20.00 is used for work travel. So that's $50.00 a week, or $10.00 a day that we spend on gas. It hardly seems possible! I re-check my math.
Using the bus we spend $3.00 on fare, plus about $4.00 in gas (Serge picks me up after work). The total trip cost for a bus day then, is $7.00. Using my scooter is a real savings though. I can go to work and back home twice on about one gallon of gas - about $1.40 per trip. Cheap!
So, totaling things up: We averaged use of the scooter twice a week for three weeks and the bus the other three weeks. The total for our per week commuting: $24.00, compared to our total cost not commuting: $50.00. Holy smokes! I didn't realize how much money we saved!
Now the environmental savings: Per week we saved one hundred miles of driving. Our truck, the vehicle we chose not to use for commuting, gets about 16 miles per gallon. There are approximately 25 lbs. of CO2 per gallon of gasoline. Because we didn't use the truck to commute to work, we saved 6.25 gallons of gas per week. That's a savings of 156 pounds of CO2!
Summary
Pros: I enjoyed commuting with my husband, despite the radio programs first thing in the morning, and riding the bus as well. Though it wasn't a lengthy trip, it did give me some extra time to read or knit before starting my workday. I also enjoyed the extra walking incorporated into my day.
Cons: A $3.00 bus fare for 9 miles still seems expensive to me. Losing nearly forty minutes of "me time" in the morning hurt! The scooter, while a nice option, could only be used about 5 months out of the year.
Final Synopsis: Though I don't think switching to one car is anything we will want to do in the immediate future, it was an eye-opening experiment, and one I'm glad we tried. We are planning to continue using the bus to commute two or three days a week. We are also looking into other forms of transportation for long trips out of town, like using Greyhound or Amtrak, as well as researching a more fuel-efficient vehicle to replace my husband's truck in the near future. I'd also like to continue some of the more healthful transportation options such as walking on my lunch break instead of being constantly dependent on my car.
About The Author
Joy Perrino is a freelance writer who lives in Vermont with her husband and pets. She enjoys creating altered art, reading voraciously, baking, yoga, and trying to help save the world, in whatever small way she can. She maintains a weblog online at http://achickwithaconscience.blogspot.com/.
Related Resources
Copyright © 2007
When I first read Your Money Or Your Life, the book's message sank into place in my mind like the last piece of a jigsaw puzzle. This was what I'd been trying to get at for many years; frugality comes naturally to me. I was one of those irritating kids whose birthday money gathered dust in a piggy bank because I just didn't have anything I wanted to spend it on. My take-home messages from the book were that standard of living is not the same thing as quality of life, and that it is possible to put my money to work for me so that I don't have to work for money.
For over thirty years I've also been strongly attracted to the ideal of living lightly and being green. For a couple of years after reading Your Money Or Your Life, the ideals of living simple and living green seemed to be in conflict. It looked as if I had to choose: "green" seemed the difficult, expensive route whilst "simple" looked at first as if was also easy. "Simple" meant that I could still have anything I wanted as long as I could find it cheap enough. "Green" meant in the back of my mind, personal deprivation, and having to cut down on the number of dollars I could invest for my future freedom.
It's like the choice between nipping into Safeway to pick up a dozen generic eggs on a buy one, get one free special, or schlepping via bicycle to an organic cooperative to seek out a dozen brown shelled beauties from cruelty-free hens, at three times the price for one dozen of the Safeway two-for-one. I was uncomfortably aware that I was deliberately closing my eyes to the impact of my lifestyle in my pursuit of what I saw as living simply. Where I went wrong was in equating "simple" with "cheap," as well as in not applying the principle of cost-effectiveness.
The turning point came when our friends Pat and Rose showed us their video of Affluenza. Two distinct images have stayed with me from this film: one of piles of trash spewing into a landfill, and one of piles of sliced up credit cards pouring out of consumer counseling agencies. I realized that these are expressions of the delusion of MORE. People imagine that there'll always be MORE "away" to throw rejected stuff into, and there'll always be MORE where that came from. I was skimming off the cream from this affluent society, buying never-worn cashmere sweaters for $20 at garage sales, eagerly seeking out food bargains, and stashing my savings into CDs and bond funds.
Now I could no longer reconcile it with my conscience to continue being part of the problem. The time had come to bite the bullet and stop spending LESS - even if it meant delaying our crossover point into Financial Independence.
But a funny thing happened al