Simplicity is a desired state - Frugal Luxuries

**homesteadmamma** · 10-04-2002, 06:33 PM

True simplicity is much more than a trend or a swing of fashion. True simplcity is eliminating both material and intangible excess and conserving time, energy, money and thoughts. It is using resources you possess in a way that will take you towards your dreams, your goals - your desired furutre. Genuine simplicity will help you become the person you long to be.

The joys of simplicity were long in coming to me. I was so busy accumulating things that when I first read this book along with The Simple Living Guide, I began to realize that I wanted a life of simplicity. I wanted to change my thoughts, things around me and began to be the person that I truly was.

When I first started on this path, it was a struggle and very scary. I thought that I was a nut case because no one else was doing it and no one even wanted to discuss it. But I kept on the path and am happy I did. My life, my home, my thoughts are all so much simpler and its the absolute best place to be.

I love the simple life.

Any thoughts on this chapter in the book Frugal Luxuries.

**KathiS** · 10-05-2002, 03:44 AM

CJ, we seemed to have both followed the same path. Everyone thought I was crazy when I retired early. They thought I would really miss the money. I haven't. I just came to the point in my life where my family, friends and peace of mind was more important that money. Teaching was my life and I realized that I needed to refocus. I am so much happier now. I love being able to slow down. Simple living is better.

**Patchworkgirl** · 10-05-2002, 06:05 AM

Cj, I haven't read this book (although I'm thinking I should pick it up at the library), but at age 45, I find myself evaluating my life, where I have been and what I would like for the future, realizing that I really would like a much simpler life also. I've started to think a lot about money, especially how much we will need in our retirement if we don't live more simply. Instead of accumulating more money and things, I think it would be mush easier to just choose to live more simply.

**simplemom** · 10-05-2002, 08:03 AM

Homesteadmama,

What you quoted is so profound and true. I have been in search of simplicity for a few years now and although I have chosen a different path than many woman my age by staying home from the start to raise my kids and in many ways, I have never chosen to spend time on material things, I question myself this morning if my life is as simple as I want to?

I do many activities to save money and spend less, but this requires times and energy from my part. For example, I am not the queen of coupons, but I am very much into couponing and rebates to save money, so we can continue to have a traditional family life as much as possible.

With 4 children and an handicapped aunt to care for, I am still finding my life not simple enough. I find I work hard and I have so many details to look upon, sometimes I wish life was simpler.

Do you do couponing? Do you do many frugal things to save money, but are time consuming? It's like baking bread, I stopped for a while, I have no time, but I would wish dearly to bake my own...That is just one example, there are many others.

What I am trying to say is that I feel still far away from a simple life. I have so much to think of and to do. I wish I had time to slow down, but I always feel stressed inside with all the family obligations I have everyday.

I have been desperately trying to figure out and organize my life so I can find more peace in my soul and less time running around.
I know we live a simple life, but that life is not easy on me. I don't think working full time would be easier, but I am wondering...maybe, true simplicity, is harder to attain when we have a bigger family?

Homesteadmama, I love to share on simplicity.

**Patchworkgirl** · 10-05-2002, 09:19 AM

Lucie,

I hope you don't mind me jumping in here- I have much the same questions as you, and I'm hoping the people on this board who have frugality and simplicity down to a science can help us all who are struggling with this.

I recently (about 3 months ago) started couponing quite heavily in order to reduce our grocery bill. I am making myself crazy with this- every weekend I'm running around to about 5 stores to try and get the best price on every little thing. Does everyone feel this way when they start out couponing, or just trying to reduce their grocery bill? Does it get better as your stockpile grows? Maybe I should just throw the coupons out the window and shop one store that has consistantly low prices? I'm really open to suggestions here.

I guess the basic question is how do you have frugality and simplicity at the same time??

**homesteadmamma** · 10-05-2002, 11:32 AM

I'm going to start a new thread under inner simplicity on this cause I have a number of things to share okay.

**homesteadmamma** · 10-05-2002, 12:36 PM

Simplemom and Patchworkgirl - I started 3 threads under the forum Chosen Path. Hope you enjoy them and that it helps in your quest of inner simplicity!!

**Patchworkgirl** · 10-05-2002, 02:09 PM

Thanks Cj!

**simplemom** · 10-05-2002, 09:15 PM

Thanks Homesteadmama...

Patchworkgirl, I feel the same with couponing sometimes. I feel like that with other things too, I do it to save money. I exhaust myself, because I want to do everything to save as much money possible so we can try to reach financial freedom. But I also want the simple life and my life is simple, but it's the inner simplicity, that Homesteadmama is talking about that I realize I am far from.

Well, I'll go check out the others threads you started Homesteadmama...

**Patchworkgirl** · 10-06-2002, 07:15 AM

I'm right there with you Lucie. I wish there was a magic answer to this. But, I think if anyone can help, it's mamma and all the other wonderful people in this forum!

**simplemom** · 10-06-2002, 02:00 PM

Yes, we are very lucky to be here and be able to share together, Patchworkgirl.

I don't get to share like this with many people in my life...everyone is running around.

**nealy** · 10-12-2002, 09:40 AM

I really love the frugal luxuries book, it was simple and easy to read (which helps with a one year old. LOL) and the format was great. What really appealed to me was the mindset of Tracy Bride. To me frugality and simplicity didn't go hand in hand. I felt like a chicken with it's head cut off. I was running around from store to store trying to find the best deals. This is a trip of about five stores in one day. (I am a once a week shopper) I struggled to cook things from scratch. I am just now learning after nearly a year at home how to cook most of my own food. My first attempts were almost inedible

But I find that practice makes perfect.

In the beginning we also deprived ourselves of some of the joys in our lives. We began to feel resentful and I longed for the days when money would return to our lives. After reading this book as well as others I discovered that I wasn't being frugal I was being Miserly. I had no joy or love for anything. Now, we do things we enjoy, like reading but we get the books from the library. We also get DVD's there. It isn't very frugal but we also go out to lunch once a week. We were once compulsive restaurant diners but we have struck a happy medium. I am now frugal in some area's to afford some luxury in others. I find that to be frugal luxury and this is a principal I found to be helpful to me in the wonderful book.

Nealy