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.
Jeremy Macauley says
The thing that I really love about trying to revert back to our natural humanity is that it sounds so Zen-full and can lead to a much more fulfilled life. It is tough to live in today’s world without some of these objects, considering how people really do not enjoy face to face interactions as much as staring into a white screen. Although the best a part for me at least about being a minimalist is all that moo-la.
Alyssa says
Thanks for the encouragement and tips! My husband and I used to share a tracphone for the first 2 years of our marriage, have never had cable, and still have yet to get a credit card. We have stuck with the no cable and credit cards, but upgraded to contracted smart phones. I loved the first 2 years because life seemed so simple. I had so few distractions and we spent so much time just enjoying each other’s company. I will be honest, since getting the smart phones, there have been a lot of times we are sitting together but not really together. It kinda drives me nuts sometimes and makes we reevaluate. I definitely want a simple life and I know the sacrifices are worth it to achieve simplicity.
KJ says
We’ve been moving toward a simpler life for the past two years, and it has been rewarding and complicated. ;) (My husband and I both work, and we have three kids in grade school). We’ve followed a lot of the typical guidance – eliminating clutter, scheduling family time, cutting cable, eating dinner together at home at night (or as much as possible). But I often feel like I have a “cluttered” mind. To help ease that feeling of overstimulation, I made a few changes. I stopped listening to any radio in the car, which makes my kids’ chatter less noisy, and when I’m alone, gives me time to reflect. I also leave my cell phone at home a lot when our family is out together. If the five of us are together, there is no need to allow interruptions. (We live in a small town, so we don’t need a cell phone everywhere we go). I feel so much more relaxed when I’m not sneaking a peak in the car, etc. When I get overwhelmed, I stop watching TV or using the Internet after 8 p.m. to encourage more reading and quiet time before bed. Little things have helped me a lot… Thanks for the blog and the comments!
Sunny says
I feel like I’ve done so many if not all of these things and my life is still overwhelming and my finances too small. I think it’s my mortgage and daycare. I’m a single parent and have to pay child support to the ex even though with share the parenting time equally. I live within walking distance of my work and have amazing neighbors that help when I need it. I’m very much underwater on the mortgage and have perfect credit. I can’t imagine I would make my life any more simple by taking a loss or going into foreclosure but damn it feels like there is no extra right now :(
InsiderAccountant says
I think tracking your time is a good one – I used to spend at least an hour each day reading pointless newspapers full of celebrity gossip. Since giving up newspapers entirely I have freed up an hour of every day and I am no worse off!
Jason - KAC says
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
Cindy says
Talk to me about how to get high-speed internet service without automatically being bundled into cable service.
Lolly says
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.
Rain San Martin says
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.
Daisy @ Simplicity Relished says
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!
Quinn says
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.