Comments on: Live a Simpler Life: The Answer to Living Debt Free and Happy

By: Sacamano

Sacamano — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 11:01:01 +0000

Some of the happiest people I have met have lived in conditions that Americans would refer to as absolute poverty.

We are the cause of our current culture. 50 years ago, Americans were satisfied with comfort, I.E., modest home, cheap car, home cooked meals and recreational activities that did not require money.

Now, Americans are only interested in luxury. We went from desiring a middle class lifestyle, to desiring an upper middle class lifestyle. We all seem to want what Dr-what’s-his-face has. We are no longer content with having enough to get by (which in America is more that most people in this world will ever have).

We do nothing but work, eat and take antidepressants — which helps reduce the feeling of emptiness that comes naturally from having no purpose in life other than being a competitive-consumer and worker.

It doesn’t surprise me that some Americans idolize the living standards in many Western European countries. Countries that often put less emphasis on work, consumption, and status — while putting more emphasis on interpersonal relationships and personal health/well-being. Regardless of the GDP, they would rather have happy, healthy citizens as opposed to overworked, over-consuming, drones.

Most people in this world don’t own a fraction of what Americans own. Live simple.

To achieve this, one must first abandon the decade/s of materialism nonsense from which many of us have been indoctrinated.

By: bridesmaiddresses

bridesmaiddresses — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 09:46:58 +0000

Do not get your girls wear a plain white bridesmaid dress on stage in order to avoid distracting.

By: Réplika

Réplika — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 20:34:13 +0000

Good ideas. I want to be away from my debt too. I am searching for a way for this.

By: Speak Your Mind

Speak Your Mind — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 21:30:13 +0000

Excellent post! But living a simple life is not as “simple” (no pun intended) as just saying and doing it. It takes baby steps….but eventually you’ll get there, and love it! Living below your means is how many people get to have money later in life.

By: Bankruptcy Ben

Bankruptcy Ben — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 00:11:25 +0000

I’m really looking forward to spending time with my kids. The idea of working my ass off so someone else can raise my progeny is disgusting.

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Wednesday Trends in Credit Cards & Debt | Credit Karma Blog — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 18:30:53 +0000

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By: Good Reads: Being Outside : Domestic Cents

Good Reads: Being Outside : Domestic Cents — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 20:42:45 +0000

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By: Matt @ Dividend Monk

Matt @ Dividend Monk — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 16:12:25 +0000

Solid post. I think that living simply is the single most important thing one can do to improve one’s financial position (among other elements in life). Someone can be an expert investor or amazing business person, but if they can’t keep their personal expenses under control so that they can keep up a positive cash flow, then they’re likely not going to get very far.

By: Christina

Christina — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 08:53:20 +0000

Great post you have, it makes me want to reflect. I must admit, I no longer enjoy my life as before…work work work and no play at all…it’s time sit back and relax a bit.

By: Budget Gal Angie

Budget Gal Angie — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 01:10:11 +0000

With today’s economy it’s nearly impossible to keep up with the Joneses and quite frankly, who would want to? The Joneses are probably so consumed by debt but they’ll never admit it. I really like the idea of living a simpler life. Making a budget and sticking to it is how I’ve made my life simpler.