Simplifying Your Life

[1stLand]

Watched the Documentary "The Minimalists" on Netflix.
I've always been sort of a Minimalist. Partly due to being raised in a modest household and not being able to afford alot of things.

I am taking it to a whole other level and cutting as much 'filler and fat' out of my life as I can.


Ever since I have done that I have had more time to Hunt and Fish.

What are some of the ways you have simplified your life?

[bobtodrick]

For me:
-A modest house. 1100sqft, plenty big enough for me and our two sons.
Have never been able to figure out why someone needs 3500sqft for a family of three.
-We have four in our family...two cars.
-Our home entertainment system is in our living room and is probably worth a total of $2000 (a 32" TV and a Bose Wave radio, and an X-Box).
-We do our dishes (gasp)...in the sink...by hand.
And on and on. But...I have cash in the bank, don't owe anyone any money (both cars are paid for) and sleep well at night knowing that if we lost our jobs it would be months before we felt any stress.
And as the OP mentions...we have lots of time to spend on the pursuits we do enjoy...camping, shooting and after yesterday...maybe GoKart racing next year.

[huntinstuff]

Ive never understood the pursuit of "stuff"

Having things you need, and a few you want, has been how I do it.

I prefer the financial "I can if I want" situation.

skidoo? Sure. If I wanted one

Go to France? Sure.

Blah blah? Yup.

So I guess it depends on the definition of minimalist.

[Selkirk]

Food for thought . . .

Take three minutes and watch this trailer; https://vimeo.com/ondemand/minimalismfilm/153518223

Selkirk

[Roadhunter]

It is nice to buy something if you want it and not have to worry about if you can afford it. There has to be a balance between saving and enjoying yourself. How many people do you know that retired and 2 years later they pass away. Good for them to be scrimpers and not enjoy life while they can but there has to be a balance. I don't plan on leaving too much for the kids as I had to work for everything I have and will spend their inheritance as I see fit.

[brslk]

Originally Posted by Roadhunter

It is nice to buy something if you want it and not have to worry about if you can afford it. There has to be a balance between saving and enjoying yourself. How many people do you know that retired and 2 years later they pass away. Good for them to be scrimpers and not enjoy life while they can but there has to be a balance. I don't plan on leaving too much for the kids as I had to work for everything I have and will spend their inheritance as I see fit.

Exactly. I've seen people not enjoy the money they've worked hard for and do without so they have money for retirement or "later" and then end up dying.
Not for me. I don't spend my money as fast as I get it but I don't squirrel it away for "some day" either. It took me almost dying to decide to live for now.
I like things and stuff. I enjoy the things I own.
I don't live above my means but I'm certainly not about to live below them either.
Better to enjoy your money that you work hard for while you still have some semblance of health rather that wait till you can't use it.

[EZM]

As I get older (now in my mid 40's) the less "bling" I have the better.

I went through the cool car, giant house, cool toys thing for ten years or so. Maybe in some ways to "reward" myself for good hard work. It seemed "important" to me to "play the part" maybe ..... I dunno.

Over the last 4-5 years it's been less and less "stuff" but I still have the quality toys that I actually use - like my fishing boat. It's expensive, but it gets used.

I had a BMW M3 I bought new, and only drove a few days a week in the summer and sometimes on weekends ....... it was a waste. If I had to grab a gallon of milk, I jumped in the truck anyways. Sold it 2-3 years after I bought it with 10,000 km on it and just moved on.

Sometimes you just have to be pragmatic and practical. Have good stuff and toys - but use them !!!!! If you don't use them ..... you don't need them.

I sleep well every night living well within my means and have no debt. I'm done with that. I want to retire in the next 4-5 years and you need money to do that - so I can enjoy the simple good life yet still be able to help the kids, travel and have some nice quality toys I will use.

I will likely never own another sports sedan or house bigger or fancier than we need.

[The Elkster]

I think too many people have been convinced that spending money and bigger and better things mean a happier fuller life and if you don't spend you are wasting life. We don't do without by any means but we maintain "less fancy" items than many. That said I'm confident we do as much and have every bit the fun the others do and put a heck of a lot more away for an early retirement at the same time. An RV is a nice thing to have and we have one. But does the incremental benefits of a 35ft 5th wheel to the tune of 40k (VS a used 22' @15k) pay for itself after being used 2-3 weeks a year most of which is spent outside in summer. I personally do not go camping to sit inside so the answer is easy. Little value is truly gained from something that is little used.

I question the logic of everything I buy before I commit. I could afford a much bigger boat than I have and I use my boat a lot...but it makes no sense. My boat may not be the biggest or shiniest out there but it fits the perfect niche for the things I'd like to do today. Believe me I've been temped but not upgrading to what I could and would spend on an upgrade has saved me 30-50k. I drive second hand vehicles and generally buy after the big depreciation has happened *100k Kms. I never have the newest/best shiniest but I do my homework and have never had a problem with big maintenance and I figure in my car buying days to date Vs the same person buying new every 3-5 yrs. I've probably saved 250k! I get everywhere just like everyone else and have +5yrs early retirement dollars saved on top of that.

To sum it up. Is my life in any way compromised because I don't have a +60K vehicle...hell no. Is my life happier and more stress free knowing early retirement is firmly in sight....HELL YES!

[^v^Tinda wolf^v^]

Technology has simplified my life quite a lot. My home is all automated and ran through my smart phone. It's also nice not having to load cd's or going way back in time having to fast forward cassette tapes to the next song while driving.

Besides that, getting married and having a kid has simplified my life. I was rather free spirited when I was younger.

[Dean2]

Completely disagree. As long as I can afford it, more Horsepower, more speed, more toys, great holidays, hunting and fishing in the remote parts of the world, great food, quality drink and bigger whatever all in the company of great friends seems like the better option. If I run short of money I can always cut back but in the mean time, I am going to spend it and have fun.

[ESOXangler]

Originally Posted by Dean2

Completely disagree. As long as I can afford it, more Horsepower, more speed, more toys, great holidays, hunting and fishing in the remote parts of the world, great food, quality drink and bigger whatever all in the company of great friends seems like the better option. If I run short of money I can always cut back but in the mean time, I am going to spend it and have fun.

Damn rights!

[hayseed]

I'm kinda like EZM. Worked damn hard, left home at 16 and never looked back.
Had kids young, saved, bought and moved three or 4 times, made some coin, kept movin up.

I have everything I would want in life. Mid forties, debt free, great wife and kids, kids are graduated and working but still living at home, which is great.. For now.

We have what we have for toys, and that's all. All was acquired through a lot of never being home, the rat race, up and down oil patch, but now I do think I/ or wife and I are toning it back a lot. Lake by ourselves on boat, quadding same.
Kids still come out when they can, but I really am noticing quieter and simpler times in my life.
I can really see by 50 cutting back to half time in the workforce. I would really like to do a lot of things I have missed out earlier on in my life, to see and do.

I have never known a simpler life, but I am looking forward to it.

[Red Bullets]

I look at the people that "have it all" and wonder why they chase it so much.
There is a saying that says... 'to focus on money so much shows a lack of ambition.'

[ETOWNCANUCK]

You can't take anything with you when you die.
If you have everything or nothing does not matter
Why not enjoy things while you're alive?

[wags]

Originally Posted by Red Bullets

I look at the people that "have it all" and wonder why they chase it so much.
There is a saying that says... 'to focus on money so much shows a lack of ambition.'

Hard to say that if money, or what money gets you, is the ambition!

[sarahfaye]

Moved from bigger ,better ,more ( Alberta) 5 years ago. Was self employed and worked hard. Was successful and bought stuff. Bigger ,better , more stuff. Spent more time working and not enough time on marriage. Divorce happened, business went into the dumpster( literally,40 tons).
Shut the doors on a 20 year business. Kept the small place in tiny town BC.
Moved so much stuff. Way too much. Post divorce/move sanity eventually came.
Small town BC people are mostly happy people, rarely if ever talk about stuff, money, bigger better more never comes up. It is amazing. Better.
Most have very little in comparison. But happier. We talk about fishing, hunting, the garden etc.
5 years in I am disgusted with all my "stuff" almost embarrassed. A lot is not even unpacked. Don't need it ,don't want it. Stuff does not mean happy. In my case the opposite. My neighbors and friends get lots of gifts.

Now work very little at a "job", but work hard on the garden, firewood pile and keeping the freezer full. Have time for relationships and hobbies ,have enough money, a kick ass boat, nice guns and a happy smiley girl that loves to hunt and fish.

I used to charge 100.00 an hour. Last week I worked 3 hours on my neighbors boat , he mowed my lawn and then we had a few beers. Excellent deal I thought. Still smiling about how much better this life is. Today, mounted a light bar for a six pack and a bunch of garden vegetables.
No more bigger better more for me ever. Its a disease, you don't see it until your out of it and can look back.
Take it easy.

[58thecat]

Your life should always be simple, in control for the most part, focused on what you can control and manage the rest...it's really not that complicated but certain people make it so...look where we live, it's not that complicated.

[Trochu]

Lots and lots of people have so much stuff thats not worth keeping in the house that they store in the garage so one of the most expensive items they own sits outside.

[sav_edge_308]

Originally Posted by sarahfaye

Moved from bigger ,better ,more ( Alberta) 5 years ago. Was self employed and worked hard. Was successful and bought stuff. Bigger ,better , more stuff. Spent more time working and not enough time on marriage. Divorce happened, business went into the dumpster( literally,40 tons).
Shut the doors on a 20 year business. Kept the small place in tiny town BC.
Moved so much stuff. Way too much. Post divorce/move sanity eventually came.
Small town BC people are mostly happy people, rarely if ever talk about stuff, money, bigger better more never comes up. It is amazing. Better.
Most have very little in comparison. But happier. We talk about fishing, hunting, the garden etc.
5 years in I am disgusted with all my "stuff" almost embarrassed. A lot is not even unpacked. Don't need it ,don't want it. Stuff does not mean happy. In my case the opposite. My neighbors and friends get lots of gifts.

Now work very little at a "job", but work hard on the garden, firewood pile and keeping the freezer full. Have time for relationships and hobbies ,have enough money, a kick ass boat, nice guns and a happy smiley girl that loves to hunt and fish.

I used to charge 100.00 an hour. Last week I worked 3 hours on my neighbors boat , he mowed my lawn and then we had a few beers. Excellent deal I thought. Still smiling about how much better this life is. Today, mounted a light bar for a six pack and a bunch of garden vegetables.
No more bigger better more for me ever. Its a disease, you don't see it until your out of it and can look back.
Take it easy.

I've never been married but I have gone through a similar scenario in the last few years.

I absolutely cannot agree more with the last paragraph.

[bobtodrick]

Does remind me of joke:

Money may not buy you happiness, but I'd rather be crying in a Mercedes than a Toyota.

[CMichaud]

I wrestle with this daily. I am always thinking of what worldly goods I have and how they bog me down.

When I was a kid I dreamed of living with my worldly possessions in a shipping trunk. Then marriage and kids came along...

[Dean2]

Originally Posted by CMichaud

I wrestle with this daily. I am always thinking of what worldly goods I have and how they bog me down.

When I was a kid I dreamed of living with my worldly possessions in a shipping trunk. Then marriage and kids came along...

When I was young I lived off grid in a little cabin with next to no possessions that didn't aid survival. Was lots of fun at the time. Now that I am the other side of 60, glad I had the adventure when I did but NO urge to do it again at this stage of my life.

Money may not buy happiness but it beats the hell out of being poor. Like I said above, nothing wrong with enjoying the material benefits of the great world we live in. You are only around so long and have only so much time to enjoy friends and family. Don't let the pursuit of money stop you from having fun and making a difference but if you have money, for sure enjoy it.

[Gray Wolf]

But it didn't take long for the "Bigger Is Better & More Is Gooder" Crowd to show up!
.

[whitetail Junkie]

its an addiction for a lot of people.I see/know a couple people in my maternal family that live pay cheque to pay cheque because they are addicted to shopping and buying luxurious items that they don't need but buy because they can afford it with either cash or credit.These type of people get the same high from making that purchase that a gambler gets from going to a casino....while on the other side of the fence some people can float because the are as tight as a ducks arse

[Don_Parsons]

Less is More.

I've been on this path for 17 years now, best simple living life ever.

Lots of traveling now that there is nill to look after.

Don

[CMichaud]

The reality is that we do need things.

Tools, a fridge, a dresser for kids clothing etc

The issue isnt necessarily whether you have an expensive boat and all the gear to go with it - it is whether you need the boat at all.

For me it isnt about the money and debt, it is about living simpler with less crap

The irony is that we are discussing this sitting on computers or smart phones we probably do not need.

[bsmitty27]

I try to live a simple life. I have 4 kids, live on one income, I love my job, but I don't work any more than I need to. wife stays home with kids, we save where ever we can. We make a big garden spend lots of time outside on the property. I have a house I am proud of and we have a few toys but are very modest, Mainly tools which includes rifles, older trailer and boat (I mean OLDER older), reliable but older vehicles. Put enough money aside for kids school, and sports. We watch our money and enjoy our time as a family. I try not to waste anything everything gets used and if its broken it gets repaired. Each to their own but I wouldn't trade what I have for anything!
Brad

[bobtodrick]

Although I try to live modestly, I have no issue with people who like their 'toys' as long as it isn't the driving force behind their lives...and you live within your means.
The last couple of years has borne this out in Alberta. Too many people that five years ago had every conceivable 'toy' and then some all on credit.
The well paying oilfield job goes away and two months later they can't make their mortgage payment...but man they got 'toys'.

[Gray Wolf]

Originally Posted by whitetail Junkie

its an addiction for a lot of people . . .

So true, and it's not just the addicted guys! How many women do we know that spend hours on end, trying to "buy" happiness at the mall?!

Originally Posted by bobtodrick

. . . The well paying oilfield job goes away and two months later they can't make their mortgage payment...but man they got 'toys'.

And then a month after that, they have to sell all those toys to put food on the table.

Every time a Bust comes to Alberta, there are thousands of stories like this. People living way beyond their means (sold their souls to the bank), totally convinced that the boom they were living in was different than all the others, and would last forever. And then when the next Bust finally comes, they blame everyone but themselves.
.

[Stinky Buffalo]

Yesterday I simplified my setup, if only to see if it could be done.

I went directly from my Tele copy to the house board, with only this in-between:


It actually worked really well! Even had people coming up to check to see what I was using.

In general, definitely trying to pare things down, simplify a bit more... But like what others said, with all the hobbies, tools, kids etc. it's not all that easy. But it's something I'm working towards!