Simplifying Life - Mark II

AllThatStuffIsJustStuff

Hi Lilykins,

It's really nice to read your posts. My wife and I are doing a very similar thing. I have for many years wanted a less cluttered home and for us to stop getting in to debt buying things we dont need. Last year we were quite hard pressed and we were forced to take stock of how we were living. It all just seemed to click at the start of this year. Since then we've only bought what we need and are doing it cheaply. We've nearly halved our credit card/overdraft debts and become ruthless bargain hunters.

We've also made nearly a grand selling stuff we don't use on eBay and are using the money to modify our house to fit our less material approach to life. We're doing our yard up to make it safe for our kids to play and for us to grow veg. We've also just got a wood burning stove off eBay, but need to raise over a grand again to get it installed though.

We also use dog walks for entertainment and are looking at expanding these into foraging expeditions in the summer.

All in all these changes have made us much happier - just like it seems it has for you. I hope it will continue to do so. We're keeping a diary in the DFW section if you're interested.

ginnyknit

I am seriously considering parting with some of my treasures mainly cos Dgs is into everything but also to earn some much needed cash and clear the junk/ things of great value *cough* I have done well simplifying the rest of my life but OH had an idea to buy a camper van and live in it so am going to see if there is a possibility of culling the carp and realising the dream.

[Deleted User]

AllThatStuffIsJustStuff wrote: »

Hi Lilykins,

It's really nice to read your posts. My wife and I are doing a very similar thing. I have for many years wanted a less cluttered home and for us to stop getting in to debt buying things we dont need. Last year we were quite hard pressed and we were forced to take stock of how we were living. It all just seemed to click at the start of this year. Since then we've only bought what we need and are doing it cheaply. We've nearly halved our credit card/overdraft debts and become ruthless bargain hunters.

We've also made nearly a grand selling stuff we don't use on eBay and are using the money to modify our house to fit our less material approach to life. We're doing our yard up to make it safe for our kids to play and for us to grow veg. We've also just got a wood burning stove off eBay, but need to raise over a grand again to get it installed though.

We also use dog walks for entertainment and are looking at expanding these into foraging expeditions in the summer.

All in all these changes have made us much happier - just like it seems it has for you. I hope it will continue to do so. We're keeping a diary in the DFW section if you're interested.

Well done both, its so inspiring to read about your journey and am so pleased life is happier for you- it has been so easy to be 'lulled' into todays concumer culture and has taken a while to realise it doesnt give a fullfilling lifestyle, have realised only I can do that.

Its so liberating freeing myself from 'stuff', am taking small steps but getting there, thanks for sharing your story, will definately be subscribing to your diary. Any further tips gratefully recieved. :T

[Deleted User]

ginnyknit wrote: »

I am seriously considering parting with some of my treasures mainly cos Dgs is into everything but also to earn some much needed cash and clear the junk/ things of great value *cough* I have done well simplifying the rest of my life but OH had an idea to buy a camper van and live in it so am going to see if there is a possibility of culling the carp and realising the dream.

Wow, living in a camper van- I am soooooo envious, thats exactly the thing I would love to do, but I have a ten year old so perhaps not poss at the moment, do have a fantasy of a static caravan somewhere quiet though, out of the rat-race. Have read entire simplifying threads and read about a lady who was planning on living in a yurt with her OH and young children, didnt discover if she did do it, would love to know.
would love to hear how things are going for you ginnyknit and the steps you take for your new life, keep in touch x

COOLTRIKERCHICK

Grey Queen is it possible to have some links to those sites please..

this thread might give me the boot up the butt to de-clutter my years of hoarding:cool::eek:

[Deleted User]

If you have been reading some of the blogs, you may know the first two at least.

http://mnmlist.com/

http://www.missminimalist.com/

http://www.bemorewithless.com/

http://www.alifesetfree.com/

Hope those are OK to post links for.[/QUOTE]

Hi cooltrikerchick,
These are the blogs- hope they are helpful x

goobergirl

Just found this thread last night and have been browsing the blogs posted above. Loving them. I think I have been wanting to live more simply for a long time and have definitely made a start. ( I know a large mortgage doesn't really fit this lifestyle but I love where I live.)

I have been decluttering for a few weeks now. Loads left to do but a little each day is making a big difference.

I am spending less money and not missing anything. Knowing I have a firm plan to have my mortgage paid early feels so good.

I don't feel the need to buy clothes regularly or things for the house that aren't needed. Kids don't need expensive things to be happy. spending time doing simple activities like going for a bicycle ride with a picnic are far more fun than a costly trip to the cinema etc.

I feel no pressure to have the latest gadgets, TV's, new cars.

I am enjoying cooking and baking again.

I have acquired a sewing machine and am learning to sew, after many years of wanting to learn but putting it off because I had 'no time'.

I could go on but won't bore anyone any more just now!:cheesy:

[Deleted User]

Well done goobergirl, looks like you're really on the right track. You've got a good plan and sounds as if you're enjoying the process.

I haven't managed to get much de-cluttering done this week, I work fulltime and evenings can be chaotic. I plan to finally sort wardrobe at weekend and leave in only the clothes I wear- have decided that I may want to keep some, just in case I lose weight (you never know!!), so I will use one of those vacum bags to keep the stuff compact and protected and I will put them in the loft, and set a one year limit- they go to charity shop then.

I can't wait to have a clear wardrobe!!

I am currently reading over earlier posts, its lovely that people share tips and experiences, I love to hear their plans.

Off to read more posts for inspiration x

silvasava

Hello everyone - as I'm stuffed up with a cold & couldn't be a***sed to do anything constructive so I found this thread today! I've just spent a couple of hours reading previous posts & realised that some of my 'friends' from other threads are posting here to (GQ etc) I think you have the right idea Lillykins - life is complicated enough without adding to it. I read somewhere that we read more in the Sunday papers on one day than someone in the 17th C would read in their lifetime (paperless society? I dont think so) DH & I are in a good situation (mortgage paid & no debt) but like everyone else our budget is limited so we try to get good value for what we have. I do help our budget by growing fruit & veg (not always successful though!) but I must admit I've been procrastinating over the clothes in my wardrobe. I retired 3 years ago but some of my clothes seem to look at me & say'you'll regret it if you get rid of us' even though I seem to live in jeans, T shirts & fleeces!! I keep thinking of taking them to a nearly new shop before they're out of date!
Thanks to all for the lovely posts - it does seem that there are many of us thinking along the same lines

goobergirl

Some thoughts I was having today, after reading previous posts and some of the minimalist / simplifying life blogs.

I have felt different for quite a long time. By that I mean that I haven't felt the need to spend to excess on meaningless things.

For instance, things like Sky TV. I have a colleague at work who is up to their eyes in debt, to the extent it keeps them awake some nights. They will not give up on Sky tv even though it will put over £50 back in their pocket each month.

When I said we haven't had Sky Tv for 10 years and never will again, I was looked at as though I had two heads. It didn't bother me, I had a chuckle inside, as I was obviously the 'weird' one.

I actually love saying I hate going shopping when some of the girls are discussing shopping trips and the 'excitement' of it all. I got another 'weirdo' look when a shop[ping trip to New York was mentioned! By the very one who won't give up on SKY tv.... I could think of nothing worse. I would love to go to NY, but with my OH and definitely not to shop!

So to get back to my title I am glad not to be normal!:j