Can you convince me, a suburban housewife who lives in one of the wealthiest counties in the nation, that I can be relevant to the people around me while living MUCH simpler than I do? What should that LOOK like? I grew up believing that it was important to be frugal and not overly wasteful- but this was primarily driven by my mom's desire to be financially responsible.
When we first moved here, I was enthralled with how wealthy everyone was and completely consumed with matching their lifestyles. I wanted it all! I went to the mall all the time and I shopped at Ann Taylor and Nordstroms. We couldn't support the lifestyle, just as I assume many others around here can't either, but credit cards were my friend.
5 years in, Jason left corporate America and went to work for our church- and took a significant cut in pay to do so. I wasn't ready to give up my lifestyle so I kept swiping the cards. Lots more debt.
Then came the call to adopt and well, that's not exactly free, but God was faithful to provide in spite of me. With the adoption my heart and mind were awakened to the reality of how the vast majority of the world lives. I had 'heard' about reality, but hadn't ever decided to think about it, ponder it, allow it to matter to me. Somewhere along the way I read Shane Claiborne's book, 'The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical.' That further awakened me to MY responsibility- to how, if I want to be like Jesus, I need to be about the things he was about.
Then my efforts and time were taken over by the adoption process and parenting kids with attachment issues and, while I was definitely more aware, I didn't ever make any drastic changes. I think I might be ready now.
Lately I've been reading about living simpler in order to have more to share and give away and in order to use less so as to leave more for those who come after me. I just finished a book called 'enough: Contentment in an Age of Excess' by Will Samson and it was really good, but I need more practical stuff to dive into. I need to pull Claiborne's book back out and look at how he did things, but I remember feeling a little overwhelmed by that book. I am not single and I don't live in the inner city. Someday I may live in a community that 'needs' much more from me- but the vast majority of people around me, well, they live a lifestyle that is several steps above mine.
I want to know how I can practically live a simpler way- right where I am. And, how can I model it attractively for those around me? I don't want to become an extremist who is no longer relevent to where I actually live. Am I making any sense?
I'm willing to go somewhere else, should God lead us there someday- but this is where we are right now. Tell me what you do- how do you live a conscientious lifestyle? What are some things that you do differently than others specifically to be more socially and environmentally conscience? And, can you tell me how it really looks as you walk thru your day. Can you tell me how to do it? This is so silly, but I start to think about simple things like washing my hair less often and I get stuck (go ahead and laugh- but tell me what to do!) Are there 'dry' shampoos that I can brush thru my hair? How can I look clean and put together AND use less water, shampoo, etc? THAT is how basic I need you to get with me. Your advice should be presented as if you were writing for 'Living Simply for Dummies.' And if you know some good books or websites- point me in the right direction!
I'm a total newbie.
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Mostly, I got nothin', but your comment on washing hair reminded me of how I lived in Japan (exchange student). In Japan you don't get in the shower and leave the water running. You get in the shower, turn the water on, get wet, turn the water off. Then you use soap and shampoo. Then you turn the water back on and rinse. It makes sense. After all, when we're soaping up we're trying to stay OUT of the water so the soap has a chance to get on our skin/in our hair. At first I thought this would be awful, how cold to be wet and just sitting there!, but it really was no hardship. Perfectly comfortable once I got used to it.
That said I don't do it anymore....
But I do know exactly what you're asking, and will be interested to see the comments you get!
You know this post is only ASKING Christine to nag is to buy RV's and become her park b.....s. Just sayin'.
Nag us. Not is. At least I wasn't trying to say we needed to pitch tents... hmmm, wonder if we could move to her trailer park and live in tents?
I am very curious to hear what others say! One step to simplicity (and saving money) that we have taken is really paring back our meals. We eat black beans and rice for lunch every day. I can feed four of us lunch for about $5 a day. I make up a huge batch in the crockpot overnight and we eat it all week. Now that we have a routine it is sooo easy.
I was fed up with how much conditioner we were using because I have medium length, thick hair, and my husbands hair is longer. I bought large pumps and when they were empty I refilled them. It's easier to be more conscientious about how much you use when you have to physically keep pumping rather than squirting a blog. Do it with shampoo too.
I also got tired of the melting soap bar on the bathroom sink, and didn't want to spend the cash on buying a new pump bottle of hand soap so I bought one bottle, then when it was done started refilling with diluted dish soap. If the dish soap is good enough to clean the plates you eat off, it's good enough to clean your hands.
I go through my closet regularly too and give away stuff I'm not using/wearing anymore. I've stopped letting myself keep stuff for the day I might lose weight again or in case I *might* wear it again.
I've been reading an organizing blog and have been thinking about one point that was made recently - the less you have, the less you have to control and keep clean. When I think about it, it makes me want to go through the entire hours and "dung out" as my mom used to say, and get rid of all that not used stuff.
Hi Laura
I am a fellow Haiti adoptive mom and I love this. We have been trying to do this for years. We are weird to all around us. Just a random example of things I say no to, and seem weird to some for doing so, but they are things I don't really care about but don't want to spend money on just because. No to- school pictures, yearbooks until high school, all fundraisers, random toys just because, cell phones for kids, new clothes for the kids (for the most part), car payments, nice furniture, random kitchen appliances (bread maker, waffle maker, super blender etc), buying music (love internet radio), expensive landscaping/ lawn furniture, bath and body works (so nice but soo expensive), going to the mall, overdoing holidays, pull-ups...
But we love traveling and spend money on that, love going to Haiti and helping the people there and would not trade any of the other stuff for that chance, ever! Would love to live more simply though... dream about getting rid of everything and moving to a little townhouse!
I did the same thing - read the book, loved it, felt the need to change, and...life happened. Now reading it again. Interesting that this time I am getting some different things out of it.
Recently we have been trying to "spend less and give more". It is our new family mantra. First thing to go was direct tv. Next will be menu planning to avoid those last minute dinners out when you have nothing ready. so far, that's all. Sad, but ...baby steps!
I did the same thing - read the book, loved it, felt the need to change, and...life happened. Now reading it again. Interesting that this time I am getting some different things out of it.
Recently we have been trying to "spend less and give more". It is our new family mantra. First thing to go was direct tv. Next will be menu planning to avoid those last minute dinners out when you have nothing ready. so far, that's all. Sad, but ...baby steps!
-No cable
-no newspaper
-no magazine subscriptions
-turn off water while brushing teeth
-fill sink with water to clean off/rinse dishes instead of running water
-buy used ANYTHING when can
-share w/friend when buying bulk at sams. meaning you and a friend buy in bulk and split cost and goods. You get discount and don't have ffod waiting on your shelf forever.
-walk @ in a store for at least 15mins with desired object in hands. you'd be amazed how much less "gotta have " shopping occurs. I almost always talk myself out of needing desired object.
-ALWAYS take 24 hrs to pray discuss a major purchase. (ie car, house, furniture,etc)
-Yard sale Yard sale Yard sales!!!
Just came across your blog via Christine. Then I followed your link to this post. Here's a website you may find handy: http://thefrugalgirls.com/
Some things I do:
- Turn things off (or even unplug) while not using them (tv, water, lights, etc.)
- Use cloth instead of disposable stuff (diapers if applicable, napkins, paper towels, tissues, etc.)
- Use vinegar for cleaning.
- Make stuff from scratch (fun & healthier)
- Shop at dollar stores, discount stores, look for sales online or in papers, clip and print coupons.
- Meal plan with what you have in your house at the moment. See how many meals you can come up with without having to go to the store again.
- Have in-house dates instead of going out (Netflix, internet shows, cooking together, reading a book, etc.)
- Invite people over rather than going out to eat with them
- Invest in a good coffee maker & buy good coffee on sale instead of being tempted to get Starbucks, etc.
- If you're interested in more, please email me. I also follow some great blogs that help w/the couponing, etc.
Kudos for you for doing this!
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