Editor’s Note: This is a guest post from Brian Gardner of No Sidebar.
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Today’s world has many luxuries that are supposed to make life easier. At times they may, but other times, they make things more complicated.
Meanwhile, there are lots of people who dream of simple living. They picture spending their days sitting by a lake and enjoying nature. This dream is often interrupted by reality, but it does not have to be that way. There are things we can do to begin living a simple life.
When people hear “simplify your life“, they may think it means moving into a home in the middle of the woods and living off the land. But that is not necessarily a simpler life—and it may not be for everyone.
Instead, choose things that can keep you in the modern world, but still make life easier.
How to Live a Simple Life
- Get a basic cell phone.
It would be nice to say that a cell phone was not necessary at all, but pay phones have disappeared and if you need to call someone in an emergency, you will need a cell phone.
Instead of getting a smartphone with data and texting, opt for a basic cell phone that only makes or receives calls. There are plans that allow you to get a phone for less than $50 and offer free minutes to talk with every month.
- Cut the cable cord.
Many people are spending well in excess of $100 a month on cable television that gives them 500 different channels. Out of all those channels, most people watch 10 to 15.
Instead of having a cable bill, use over-the-air stations you receive for free. Add a streaming service and you will never miss cable. Without cable, you can go back to an old, reliable method of entertainment—talking to one another.
- Get rid of credit cards.
Credit cards are nice. They allow people to buy things they otherwise could not afford and pay for it over time. They also become a burden that drags many people down each month.
Instead of using credit cards, only buy what you can afford. Stick to that plan and the fear of not being able to pay the bills will quickly disappear.
- Declutter the home.
A search around the home will find many things that are not needed or are no longer used. Find different ways to declutter your life and get rid of the things that are no longer necessary. It is even possible to make some money selling these things that can be used to help in other areas, such as paying off credit card debt.
- Get rid of monthly expenses that are not needed.
Many people are paying for gym memberships, mobile internet service, and many other monthly services they barely use. They have often put the monthly payments on their credit card so they do not even realize how much they are spending and not using.
There are often ways to get the same things that you get from these pay services without having to pay. Gym memberships can be replaced with exercising at a local park or walking around the neighborhood. If you need internet service away from home, look for Wi-Fi hot spots. They are found at many restaurants, hotels, and coffee shops. It might take effort to do this at first, but once it becomes a habit, it is easy to do.
- Start to track your expenses.
One thing people will benefit from doing is tracking the money they spend. It is the best way to find out when you are spending money and what you are spending it on. It is possible you will find you are spending a lot of money you don’t need to. You may find that second car is an expense you may not need. You could take public transportation to work and get by without a second car and all of its headaches. When you realize that, it becomes possible to make changes.
- Track your time.
Pay attention to how much time you are spending doing things. Look for ways to cut down on time you think is being wasted on unnecessary things.
Time and money are two of the most valuable resources people have. When life gets simpler, the amount of these two things that a person has available will rise. That is the benefit of a simpler life in today’s world.
The great thing about this list is that people have choices. They can choose to do one of them, all of them, or some of them. They can start out with just one and then add some others later.
Life is about choices. Choosing simple living is something that is becoming a popular thing to do.
Simple Living FAQ
What’s the difference between minimalism and simple living?
Minimalism, most commonly, pertains to physical possessions. It means living with just the right amount of things and removing the excess. It means removing anything that distracts us from living with intentionality and freedom.
Simple living, on the other hand, is broader in scope and pertains to focus. A simple life is not filled with complications and distractions, it is a life that is lived focused on things that matter to the person. It can also have varying extremes. For some, it’s as simple as cutting their cable bills and getting rid of the TV, while others can go as far as living “off the grid.”
Minimalism and simple living have a lot in common and many aspects intersect.
What are the benefits of simple living?
Simplifying your life frees up more time, money, and mental bandwidth.
Will simple living save me money?
Lowering your expenses will save you money and put you in a better financial position, as long as those cut expenses aren’t replaced by something else.
Hi Brian and Joshua.
Brian, I can’t agree more in Point #7, and I would emphasise, that time is indeed our most valuable and precious resource. Making note of where it is spend (as you would with money) is an eye-opening and fruitful exercise that will certainly yield results (as it has for me).
I’d like to elaborate on that point and highlight it’s not only things that take up our time (activities, chores, objects, materialism etc.), it’s the people we chose to spend time with as well.
It’s harsh (but I feel a necessary truth) to realise that the relationships you support are either for you, or against you. But how do you know which is which? Listen to your heart, recognise where your energy is flowing in their presence, recognise your feelings towards your engagement in the moment. As hard as it may be to realise it, not all relationships are equal, nor are they all worth having.
I’m not saying to go and scrutinise every relationship you’ve got. No, this deliberate act will likely have you make decisions based on a spontaneous moment. If you feel your relationships aren’t serving your personal development, I recommend taking on the role of passive observer and keeping your well-being in mind when you catch up with that friend over coffee, or the dinner invite to you and your partner. As the conversations leads on into the night, how much time are you able to spend engaged in thought provoking content? Are they self-indulging? Draining? Negative or speaking ill of others? These are some indicators (if recurring on a regular basis) that I personally question my continuing relationship with a person.
Another way to have a mutually beneficial relationship (not only in a business sense, but emotional sense too) is to have aligning or complimentary values and beliefs. This is more difficult to determine on the others part, but the process starts by having a better understanding of yourself – reaching a certain level of self-mastery persay. I’ve found that by understanding myself better, I’ve attracted the ‘right’ people into my life naturally. These people support my continual growth, my ideals, and my dreams.
Our modern world is indeed a complex place, however it is the fundamentals of relationships that keep us all connected to a single purpose – to grow and share. Practicing the art of selecting empowering relationships will surely help the cause to simplify your existence.
I hope your journey to a simpler life is a successful one. Thanks to you both.
Cheers,
Jason – http://www.kickstartacause.com
Talk to me about how to get high-speed internet service without automatically being bundled into cable service.
Cindy,
Call your internet provider and tell them you only want internet. Repeat as long as necessary during the bundling sales pitch to get them to comply with your wishes.
That’s what I did. I only have Internet with AT&T Uverse.
I can happily say our family does everything on this list! At first making these changes may seem impossible, yet you will enjoy the new found simplicity and awareness in your life. Having a basic cell phone is the most critical of these suggestions in my opinion (block texting and internet with the phone provider as they are sometimes offered on even the lowest plans), nothing has done more to damage society than the ubiquitous smart phone, luring people into The Matrix as the real world passes them by.
Keeping track of time is such a good point. We can all get rid of this and that, but if our time is still being wasted on things that don’t matter, then our decluttering doesn’t amount to much!
Time tracking is essential for identifying and eliminating time wasters. (I still have a lot of these…)
We haven’t given up our credit card (lots of frequent flyer miles and perks for international travel) but I have limited them and only spend money we already have.
Tracking your expenses and making a budget can eliminate a HUGE stress. Take a little time and start this today.
We’re focusing next on decluttering – it’s amazing how much you can accumulate in a studio apartment.
Reading this it occured to me that Simple Living is a lot like losing weight or getting out of debt. We all want it and it’s achievable, but it isn’t easy. It takes a certain amount of willpower to block out the noise and the timewasters. It’s hard to be thin when you walk past a donut shop every day. It’s hard to save money when your peer group spends wildly. It’s hard to live simply when you’re constantly being asked to do more, know more, and be more.
Great sentiment and some good ideas, but tracking my time, watching only network television, reverting to 1980 with my cell phone, and spending time trying to find free WiFi sounds like more work. There’s nothing wrong with having these conveniences if you’re mindful about how and how much you use them. Living a simpler life shouldn’t mean giving up on convenience or things that we enjoy. It’s a choice to be more connected and to focus on what’s more important, not a punishment.
I agree, I think that many of these people are also talking about the money aspect of it. If money is tight, then these are ways to have these things on the cheap.
If money is not a problem, there is nothing wrong with cable or an iPhone
I agree , and I think some modern conveniences actually help you have a simple life . paying bills online .. Buying online ..all these things are simpler and cheaper .. IE.. Not purchasing stamps..
Less time paying online ..etc
I’m well aware that credit cards can get you in a heap of trouble but with care they can be helpful. Our credit card is from an airline and the accrued points allows us to visit our son in a distant state. We pay the bill in full every month so we pay no interest and our last trip cost us $13 each, round trip.
Brian, these are all things I am working on. I really agree with cutting the cord, however unfortunately I have limited choices for my television.
I tried to run my tv on antenna first and I received no channels. I do not live in the country so I do not know what was the problem.
I had to get satellite just to have any type of entertainment besides dvds
I o not have the patient for any movies. I only go to theaters to be social.
Funny I’m the exact opposite! I love movies but not with friends. I feel like when I go to the movies with a group of buddies we don’t socialize nearly as much as if we had gone bowling or to dinner etc.
I try to keep movie groups as small as possible :)
I went to a movie recently by myself and my wife thought it was weird. I said “I am watching a movie, I don’t want to socialize during it”…. she disagrees.. she still thinks I am weird
We have one credit card that accumulates points that we use toward groceries. We use the card and then immediately go home and pay that amount from our savings. when you use it to pay large items like a car (yep, did…..) or taxes, it adds up quickly and we have hundreds of dollars toward groceries at the supermarket where we applied for the card. I also always use my AirMiles card when possible and because we are not big on traveling those points also get saved and translate into groceries at Christmas when relatives invade…lol. Make your efforts a creative past time instead of a duty.
Between using Airvoice’s $10/month cell phone plan, Frontier Internet access ($30/month) instead of Comcast, and Netflix ($8.75/month) instead of cable, I estimate I’m spending $150/month less (while getting similar service) compared to most of my acquaintances.
You can save a lot if you just shop around…
Great points Brian! I feel like the older I get, the more I realize how time is my single most precious resource. Unlike money, there is never going to be a way to get or make more of it. I feel like I really safeguard my time now as a result. It helps me prioritize what is important to me and what I deem worthy of using it on.
I absolutely agree with 6 of your points Joshua, but have yet to figure out how to watch live sports without cable. We are a BIG sports watching family. It’s something that we all enjoy doing together. Do you know of any way around this dilemma?
You can attend local games…college, high school, etc.
No tv for 15 years. $7.99/mo. for Netflix. I stream in the winter and have DVD’s shipped in the summer. I listen to NPR when I am in the car. No newspaper or magazine subscriptions. Many people use the library for those. I decided that I really DON’T want to hear about everything going on in the entire world. Someone always seems to want to inform me anyway. So I guess I get my news on a one on one verbal level.
If you are watching sports together as a family, having a great time and creating good memories, keep the cable! Design your own life as you pick up good ideas from others. Dropping cable was an easy one for us (now that we’re just a couple again) but I have fond memories of a period when I watched college basketball on cable with my teenage son. It wasn’t really my thing, but it was a great way to bond with him.
I think the key is eliminating the things that take away from the quality of your life, making more room for the things that matter most. I come from a sports-loving family myself, and sports are one of the main reasons I hold on to cable… that works for some, and not for others. I certainly don’t think there’s a one-size-fits-all way of living simply!
You would be amazed at how much FREE sports there are from your computer. We simply cast them to our flat screen via Chromecast. My husband just watched the Masters for 4 days from his laptop to the big screen. Google it!
firstrowsportseu streams everything from boxing to soccer to the superbowl. just have a good internet connection. I have watched a whole NFL season from there.
Look at sling. We got rid of cable and got that. It’s over the net tv service. They offer a sports package. It’s cheap, and most channels offer on demans5 for the past several days so no dvr or extra equipment.
I love living a simple life. This world has gotten so complicated. I live in a house that was built in 1861. One day, as a test, I decided to live a day as if I was in 1861 (well almost) . No TV–no radio–no internet–no phone–etc. I worked around the home and sang songs from that era, like “Jimmy Crack Corn”…don’t laugh!!! It was really a peaceful day and I found I prayed more and spent more time with God. Because I wasn’t able to pick up a phone and say “Hi” to my sister for example, I thought about her and remembered her in prayers. I was so in touch with my surroundings and my animals, rather than just coasting through my day. Technology is great and we need it, especially for the medical field, but in our personal lives, we’ve lost something that our ancestors had. I wonder what the future holds. How will life be 300 years from now??? What will be??? @@
I’m afraid for the future generations.
I appreciate the reminder that we don’t have to leave behind everything we know in order to simplify our lives.
I notice that when I take temporary breaks from my daily life, I’m more aware of the unnecessary clutter (physical, mental, digital) I could subtract from my life. I’m often inspired to declutter and simplify after returning home from a vacation. It’s a wonderful feeling.
The phone topic is of particular interest to me. I’ve contemplated downgrading to a basic flip phone on many occasions, but the truth of the matter is that the smartphone isn’t the distraction – it’s how I use it. I try to avoid downloading useless apps, and I do an “app sweep” every so often to delete anything I’m not using (or that I’m using too much). My iPhone allows me to carry a phone, camera, radio, e-reader, and calendar all in one, reducing what I need to carry with me daily and allowing me to travel lighter.
I completely agree, Jess. I carried this a step farther and did away with my purse. My phone case has a place for 3 cards: my drivers license, debit card, and medical insurance card. All store loyalty cards are stored in a phone app, so my phone in my pocket and keys in my hand mean I am ready to be out the door, hands free, in a moments notice.
Another way of decluttering is by using the items you already have.
Pull out some of those lotions under your bathroom sink, put them on the counter and use them each day, until they are gone.
Take out that rice cooker, use it and see if that’s how you want to make your rice (I did, and found a pot on the stove was just as easy) so I donated it. These are just a couple of examples, but,
You get the idea! It becomes easier to get rid of stuff once you
see first hand how it is working in your life.
I do the same thing! :)
I’ve used this method and it worked! Funny, i got rid of many items using them off and did with my rice cooker exactly the same you did. Also went from a drip coffee pot to a french press to a cone directly over my cup using an organic reusable filter. Best coffee ever! Simplifying is easy and awesome!
I use my rice cooker for steaming vegetables. I’ve never cooked rice in it. lol
Yes I have done exactly that too with lotions etc and my rice cooker.
I declutter my pantry in the same way every now and then by putting packets, tins etc on the kitchen bench and using up items. It leads to more creative cooking
It’s reassuring to see that most of these we as a family have done and are in the process of doing. Our efforts are being focused now on decluttering but money tracking is the next step! Thanks for the encouragement that we can take steps to simplify where we are right now in our lives
These are great suggestions. I carry a 10+ year old flip phone. People tease me for it constantly, but it does what I need it to do. Also, people who know me know that I don’t ever keep my cell phone turned on — I only use it for emergencies. So no one expects to be able to reach me all the time. I see other people tethered to their phones and feeling compelled to answer immediately, and I feel relieved that’s not my life.
I would take the cutting cable one step further. I would vote to get rid of your television. We got rid of ours several years ago and haven’t looked back. Not only is it better for kids (there are lots of studies that kids are more imaginative and do better in school when they watch less TV), but it also makes it easier to be present with the people in the room with you (mostly your family!) if there’s no television playing in the background.
I am the same way with my phone. If I hear, “the 90s called, they want their phone back,” one more time I’ll bop that person with a Nerf baseball bat! Seriously, I tell them I will get a smartphone when they buy it for me and pay for the plan too!
I recently had to make the decision whether or not to get a new (read: used) TV after my ex moved out and took his. I decided to get one, and it’s hooked up to my cable connection but only gets the approx 15 channels that you get for free. I wouldn’t even know how many, I watch about 2 or 3 of them occasionally, otherwise I watch series or movies from DVDs or hard disk. I don’t do random channel flipping. It does NOT run in the background when I have people over – it would drive me nuts.
@Credit cards, I only have one that I have to pay off every month anyway, and I hardly ever use it, it’s mainly for traveling.
I am debt free, but I don’t have a mortgage – it’s good old “paying rent”. A mortgage would be pretty much the only debt I’d accept to have. Can’t buy any place in Munich (Germany) though, unless you’re a millionaire…
I have become a bit of a smart phone addict, but then I hardly ever boot up my laptop anymore when I’m home, because I can check mails and facebook on my phone. I just need to learn NOT to pick it up every couple of minutes. It works on some days…
@money tracking: I have started it since my ex moved out and I have to be more careful how much I spend, since I’m now paying the rent on my own…
@time tracking: I have a paper calendar in which I put all my appointments and regular activities, but I don’t track EVERYTHING.
We have credit cards with cash back (one for 3% on gas, another for 2% on everything else). We got these after we figured out our spending plan which we’ve followed for several years. We don’t buy more than we can afford and we pay the cards off in full every month. We’ll save the cash back for Christmas presents or something for us at the end of the year
I was about to say much the same. Credit cards aren’t bad; just be smart about using them !
Agreed. I hate when people make blanket statements about getting rid of credit cards. Sure, if you can’t use it responsibly, then it’s probably best not to have one. However, if you can, it makes way more sense to have one and use it. Like many people do, I get cash back on mine, and then pay the balance off in full every month. Instead of getting “nothing” for money I would be spending anyway, I’ve gotten tons of other purchases for “free” with my rewards. Why not take advantage?
You’re a credit card company’s worst nightmare! lol
We use a cash back credit card just for gasoline purchases, then pay it off each month like we would the electric or gas bill. We also use it to pay large bills or make more expensive purchases for which we could have paid with cash on hand, then pay it immediately online as if we had paid for these things with a debit card or cash. The cash back is worth it with the right card.
Cutting cable, almost 6 years ago, was the best thing we did. When we had cable, at times, I wouldn’t even watch anything. I would just surf and bounce from channel to channel. It was almost exhausting. But, since then, coupling that with removing the TV from our main living space all together has had such a tremendous impact on our family. Highly recommend. I would love to try a basic phone. But, with the work I do I feel like I need it. Nice recommendations Brian!
No tv for 15 years. $7.99/mo. for Netflix. I stream in the winter and have DVD’s shipped in the summer. I listen to NPR when I am in the car. No newspaper or magazine subscriptions. Many people use the library for those. I decided that I really DON’T want to hear about everything going on in the entire world. Someone always seems to want to inform me anyway. So I guess I get my news on a one on one verbal level.
Six months ago, when my contract was finally completed with my carrier, I cancelled my plan. My phone has sat in a drawer ever since. I thought going phone free would be a difficult change to make. I was so wrong! I can honestly say that I don’t miss it. My lifestyle is simple enough that for me, having a phone was just a luxury item.
One of the ways I start off my day simply is by sitting in a quiet, dark place for an hour when I wake up. As soon as I wake up in the morning (using a really quiet easy-on-the-system alarm), I sit up straight in my bed, close my eyes, and contemplate my dreams, my day, my thoughts, my to-do list. I just sit and think about my life. I let gratitude pour deep into my heart, and let it seep into every pore of my body. I sit and reflect on how lucky I am to have the family I have, the job, the friends, the condo, the stuff, the health, and whatever else.
By the time, I am done with this quiet hour of solitude and quiet, I have set up my day to be on the right path. I feel good starting off. I feel quiet and happy and content starting off.
What a terrific idea!
What a wonderful way to start the day! Sooo much better than checking Facebook, emails, etc.
…And your probably unemployed
you’re even!
Try adding some bible reading to that hour (Psalms and Proverbs) and you’ll be amazed at the fruit it yields.
Great suggestion Justine!
An HOUR??? At my age, its a mad dash to the bathroom as soon as I am conscious. Would sitting in the bathroom for that hour count?
I agree Terri! I am a middle school who wakes up super late! I do not have time for that!!
But other than that, this is a fantastic list. I have convinced my parents to do almost everything on here, and life is so much nicer!
Love it!
Me, too. (Terri, I have that same set of bears — one girl and two boys, different names, of course.) I’m feeling a kinship with you.
Time is the resource that everyone seems to forget about!
Great list.
Tracking our time – so simple, yet so often forgotten (by me at least)
mmm … my phone’s slowly but surely become an appendage growing out of my hand. It’s not doing much to make my life less complex.
But I love the convenience.
Now what?
On point no. 1: I highly recommend hecking out Tracphones (and no, they don’t pay me to say this). I’ve had Tracphones from the very beginning but they are really upping their game lately.
I have an Android LG2 that I can text, phone, and browse from just like the more expensive phones. I buy minutes and they triple them – triple them for texts, for phone calls, for browsing – everything. I spend on average $10 a month to have this phone and can’t understand why more people aren’t moving in this direction. It is a huge cost savings over what all my friends are paying for their high-end phones and expensive phone plans.
I also have a Tracphone that just makes calls and texts. I loved that phone. Well, I HAD one….
Then my husband decided to upgrade me to the LG2. I hate it because it’s not as simple as my older phone. However, if you’re used to a smartphone, I’d think the LG2 would be a great option for a lower-priced smartphone.
We have Tracfones too. Absolutely love ours!
People are moving away from Two-year Contracts and expensive phones. Tracfone, Simple Mobile, Consumer Cellular are just a few. There are many plans out there to choose from.
Regardless of the plan or phone, it is important to just put the phone away sometimes. I left my phone at home recently and was out and about for 3 hours without it and it was liberating!! We all need to unplug more often..
BTW.. I am using two cell phones LG4 and iPhone 6+.. one work and one personal… but I am still a Minimalist in training..
Tracfone. Walmart. 2 styles. Cheaper than cheap.
You are right.Smart phones are drainers.If we have a computer at home no need for 1 on a phone.A cheep call only phone 4 me now.Humans have been chasing a non existing tail for way too long.Its exhausting and futile.The simple life for me.Im happier just thougjts of getting there.Peace to all ????????????????????☁????????????