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Choosing Voluntary Simplicity  Small Appliances — Extravagant Or Necessary?Reader question… “I wonder if you would share your feelings about small appliances. Do you think they are extravagances or necessary and useful? And if you wouldn’t mind, what small appliances do you own or use on a regular basis?” –NepaI think it really depends on the small appliances and your own lifestyle. Some small appliances are probably extravagances if you’re not going to be using them very often… others are probably not necessary, but they definitely make certain jobs much easier. I have made a list of some of the small appliances that I have and use… and why. Perhaps that will help to answer your question.Continue reading... Real Poison Ivy ReliefI just read an article that ridicules the claim that jewelweed is effective against the intense itching of poison ivy. Supposedly research has proven that jewelweed has no anti-itch properties at all. Maybe so… but the stuff really works!Continue reading... Organizing, Decluttering, And PurgingI believe strongly in organizing and decluttering and (to a certain extent) purging… but I also believe that not all clutter is material possessions or “stuff.” Clutter in your emotional life… bad habits, too many commitments, or a job you hate, to name just a few… can sap your energy and cause more stress than a disorganized house with overflowing closets ever will. That is why I believe that any purging or decluttering effort should always target emotional baggage as well as material possessions.Continue reading... Lost On The SchoolbusEach night lately I’ve been sorting through photographs. Hopefully someday I’ll have them all in books, but meanwhile — what memories these old photos bring back. Last night it was photos of my oldest son, including some taken the morning of his first day of kindergarten when he was just under five years old. That first day of school is one none of us will never forget.Continue reading... Why Bumblebees Buzz I always thought the loud bumblebee buzz was the sound of the bee’s wings beating. Not so! I looked it up and discovered that the buzz is created by the vibration of the bee’s flight muscles, and that the flight muscles can vibrate even when the wings aren’t moving. The flight muscles serve another purpose too… on cooler days bees can’t fly until they vibrate their flight muscles enough to warm up their bodies.Continue reading... Why We Chose Voluntary Simplicity: Sometimes There Is No TomorrowTen years ago my husband and I were spending most of our time at work. Financially everything was great... the store we owned and operated was in a wonderful location, it was a spacious, attractive and newly renovated space, and the extra large office meant that our children could always be there with us. To all of us our store was like a home away from home, and the only down side was that we were spending so much time there that we never had any time or energy left for our real home or the other things we felt were more important. As the years went by, we began to realize that we never were going to have that time as long as we had the store. Still, letting go of the store was almost unthinkable because we had worked so hard to get to where we were.Continue reading...Our Journey To A Debt Free LifeOn our wedding day, my husband and I were both just out of school. Neither of us had any savings or anything of any value to bring to our marriage, but I don't remember ever worrying about finances then. My husband had just started a new job and we had rented a small furnished cottage. We had student loans to pay off, and a car payment to make. We bought a bookcase and a sofa bed and signed up for monthly payments on them. And almost every cent of every paycheck had a place to go even before the check was cashed.Continue reading...How We Are Living A Simpler LifeAlthough living simply is second nature to us, we do not live a spartan lifestyle. Neatness and order are very important to me and I do declutter and organize on a regular basis, but I am not a fan of extreme purging, and I do not like the minimalist look. We have many family antiques and a few collections and other "things" scattered throughout the house, and I believe these homey touches add character to a room. We also have books... and more books. We are all voracious readers and over the years we have gathered together a large library of books that we go back to again and again. I do not believe that purging any of these items from my life would make me a freer or happier person... quite the contrary, in fact. But that's me (us).Continue reading...Our Simpler Country LifestyleMany of you have asked how our lifestyle has been shaped by the core ideas of frugality and voluntary simplicity. Actually, we had been living that type of lifestyle for years before either concept became popular. Frugality comes naturally to native New Englanders, I think, and most of us already have a strong streak of individuality and an inclination to do things just a little bit differently than the rest of the world. We have always practiced some degree of frugality, always believed in "living green" and conserving. The voluntary simplicity part came later, nearly ten years ago now... but that's another story!Continue reading...Save Money By Doing It YourselfOne of the biggest ways we have saved money through the years is to do things ourselves. Any time we can make, repair, or do something ourselves, instead of paying someone else to do it for us, we can save big. Our most recent project, for example, was installing hardwood floors in all of the bedrooms in our house. Somehow that project escalated to include repainting the walls and the ceilings, and of course since we've done all the work ourselves, it has taken a longer time than if we had hired someone. But because we saved so much money on the installation we were able to choose a much higher quality of hardwood than if the installation had to be included in the cost. Like all of our projects, installing these hardwood floors was a learning experience. Before we began, we studied all the information and how-to's we could find on the subject, and then we just jumped in. We "practiced" until we were happy with our results, and then we did our first floor. Now that we have so many great looking finished floors behind us, we're already thinking about a possible next project.Continue reading...Green Living And Our Simpler LifeWe strongly believe in doing what is good for the environment and the concept of living green, conserving, and recycling. Sometimes it's difficult to do all we should, but here are some of the things we do on a regular basis...Continue reading...What Is Voluntary Simplicity?Voluntary simplicity is a philosophy. Often called compassionate living, it is a conscious choice to simplify your life and a deliberate downshifting to create the life and home environment that fit you and your family.Some people think that voluntary simplicity means frugality, but voluntary simplicity and frugality are actually two different things. Although frugality is an important part of voluntary simplicity, frugality is a tool that makes the simpler lifestyle possible... not the goal. Voluntary simplicity does not mean you have to live in poverty or practice a lifestyle of self-denial. It means quite the opposite, in fact, because once you develop the habit of being frugal where it really counts, you will be able to enjoy a happier and more meaningful lifestyle, with more discretionary money and time, plus the freedom of being able to decide what to do with both.Continue reading...Downshifting To A Simpler LifeDownshifting means working towards simple living by making conscious choices to leave materialism behind and move on to more sustainable living. It does not mean simply cutting back and trying to live the same life only with less money. Downshifting requires prioritizing, an adjustment in values, and a totally different mindset... not just a change to a more frugal way of living.People decide to downshift for a variety of reasons. Many want to get away from "living competitively"... job stress, consumerism, and feeling they have to live up to someone else's expectations. Other people downshift because of a life changing experience, health reasons, or a crisis in the family. Often downshifting comes out of a wish to conserve natural resources. Whatever the reason, downshifting isn't limited to any age or income level.Continue reading...How To Be Happy In A Mostly Unhappy WorldEverybody wants to be happy, but many people don't realize that happiness has to come from within. If you're not content with your life and at peace with yourself, no amount of money or possessions will make you truly happy. True happiness comes from learning to enjoy the life you are living now and learning to appreciate the things you have at this moment. Living for a future time and yearning for the things you don't have will never make you happy.Continue reading...Accepting Responsibility For Your LifeIf you've done much reading about accepting responsibility, you have probably come across the statement that everything that happens to you in your life is the result of choices you have made and that with properly-focused thoughts you can control your life, your success, your health, and your future. I have trouble buying into this viewpoint. However, I do strongly believe that even though you may not have control over everything that happens to you, you do have control over how you react to situations and events.Continue reading...How To Stop ProcrastinatingThe dictionary defines procrastinating as "postponing doing something, especially as a regular practice." Procrastinating is a habit, nothing more. In order to stop procrastinating, you must replace the habit of putting things off with the healthy habit of getting things done... and the first step is to understand WHY you are procrastinating.Continue reading...Decluttering And PurgingLike most other concepts, voluntary simplicity means different things to different people, but I have to agree that for a lot of people, simplicity seems to be centered around purging and decluttering, and these people do advise going through your house and ruthlessly getting rid of everything that "you don't need". This practice often starts with children's toys, then snowballs on to include other items throughout the house. Very little is considered off limits with the sole guideline being that if you're not using an item on a regular basis RIGHT NOW then you should get rid of it... and somehow these people believe that this purging will create a simpler life.Continue reading... Subscribe in a readerHostasGrowing HostasHarvesting Hosta SeedsCherry BerryChristmas TreeFire and IceGold StandardGolden TiaraGreat ExpectationsGround MasterGuacamoleHalcyonHoneybellsJuneJune And Its SeedlingKrossa RegalLancifoliaPatriotQueen JosephineRegal SplendorShade FanfareSo SweetSum and SubstanceSummer JoyTattooTokudama AureonebulosaTwilightUndulata AlbomarginataUndulata UnivittataWildflowersWild GingerRed TrilliumFoam FlowerBloodrootHepatica americanaBlack-Eyed SusanJack-in-the-PulpitJoe Pye WeedRed Wild ColumbineCountry GardenSpring Blooms — PrimrosePulmonaria — LungwortBleeding Heart Seeds?Primroses In The SnowBee BalmBleeding HeartCommon FoxgloveCommon PrimroseFeverfewHeucheras From SeedHens and ChickensHeucheraHollyhocksLamb's EarLeopard's BaneLooking For BloomsMoney PlantOrange Day LilyOriental PoppySpiderwortSweet CicelyWhat's Flowering Now?Favorite Family RecipesShaping Crescent RollsHomemade Egg NoodlesVegetable Stir FryOatmeal Apple CrispBlueberry Snack CakeIce Box Butter BunsMolasses Drop CookiesApplesauce Spice CakeEasy Pickled CarrotsChampion Sponge CakeWheat Banana BreadWhole Wheat Raisin BreadStreusel-Filled Coffee CakeSticky BunsCheesy Herb Potato SticksQuick Pasta SaladAmerican Chop SueyDill Refrigerator PicklesFreezing Apples For PiesFrozen Cookie BallsSites & Blogs Linking Here  Copyright InformationAll the written material and photographs on this site are copyrighted by me. Although I am happy to have you quote a few lines from an article with a link back to Choosing Voluntary Simplicity, please do not copy my articles or use my photographs without specific written permission from me.This Week's PostsSmall Appliances — Extravagant or...?Real Poison Ivy ReliefOrganizing, Decluttering & PurgingLast Week's PostsLost On The SchoolbusWhy Bumblebees BuzzEffortless Way To Clean Oven RacksBreakfast Fruit SmoothieLearning To Slow DownRecent PostsOur Uninvited Midnight VisitorI'm So Glad Today Is FridaySometimes You Should ComplainQuick & Easy Homemade Ice CreamAll Creatures Great And SmallMaple Syrup From PotatoesHow I Divide A HostaStore Brands Or National Brands?Our Favorite Homemade YogurtHow We Make CompostEgg Free, Milk Free, Vegan CakesDigging A Pond — Progress ReportA Mother's ThoughtfulnessPure Food Sanitary Cooking WareNature's Free MulchDon't Touch That Shopping Cart!It Just Doesn't Stop Growing...How Much For Groceries?All Natural Watermelon PopsiclesThe Mystery Of Duck Duck GoosePineapple Banana Chicken SaladA Cold Salad For Another Hot DayOrange Banana Strawberry SmoothieA Sense Of BalanceRose Petal BeadsHomemade Laundry DetergentGiving The Gift Of A SmileI'm Interviewed About This BlogGrowing Hostas From SeedFirewood — Saving $250+ Per CordFarewell, Old HouseHow Can I Stay Motivated?A Broken Bread MachineOur Hand Dug Backyard PondHas The Bread Dough Risen Enough?Hostas I Have Grown From SeedGetting Back To NormalOur Handmade SoapHow To Make Natural Body PowderCredit Cards Aren't The EnemyGetting Out Of DebtKnow Why You BuyGetting More For Your Money4 Tips For Buying ProduceNothing Is ImpossibleRemoving An Enormous Tree StumpOr How We Saved $576Sensible FrugalityNew England's Dark DayTurn One Stick Of Butter Into TwoFirst Toads Of The SpringAre Buyer's Clubs A Frugal Choice?My Brush With PoliticsVoluntary Simplicity/Simple LivingWhat Is Voluntary Simplicity?Why We Chose Voluntary SimplicitySometimes There Is No TomorrowDownshifting To A Simpler LifeBeing Happy In An Unhappy WorldAccepting Responsibility For Your LifeHow To Stop ProcrastinatingSave Money By Doing It YourselfGreen Living And Our Simpler LifeOur Journey To A Debt Free LifeHow We Are Living A Simpler LifeOur Simpler Country LifestyleIt's The Simple Things That CountDecluttering and PurgingMultitasking & Finding Quality TimeWhy I Don't Play The Coupon GameGetting OrganizedHow To Get OrganizedGetting Organized: No Magic BulletQuick Cleaning The Living RoomWaking Up To A Clean KitchenWashing Dishes Made EasySoy AllergyLiving With A Soy AllergyWhy I Avoid SoyCan You Trust Allergen Labels?Make Your Own Soy-Free MayonnaiseMaking Soy-Free Soft Butter SpreadReaders' Favorite Food PostsBest Ever Oatmeal Raisin Nut CookiesMaking Hamburger & Hot Dog BunsMaking Bread: Kneading The DoughHearty, Delicious & Frugal SpaghettiMix In The Pan Chocolate CakeMaking Onion Rings From ScratchWhat's In Your Pantry?Pantry Inventory — Things I ForgotWhat's In Your Refrigerator?Making Your Own Cake MixQuick One-Dish Dinner... Spanish RiceAmerican Chop SueyEasy To Peel Hard Boiled EggsHomemade Egg NoodlesEasy Gingerbread Cake MixTips For Baking Perfect CookiesOther FavoritesProduce, E. Coli, Bacteria & YouAre Your Hands Clean Enough?Natural Tarnish RemoversComparison Shopping Makes SenseEnergy Efficient Countertop OvensProven Squirrel Proof Bird FeederSave Money On YeastCleaning With VinegarMy 1881 "Cookbook"When Should You Get Involved?Enjoying NatureBlazing Autumn FoliageMushroomsBullfrog — Male or Female?Northern Green FrogHow Bees Collect PollenWhy Bumblebees BuzzBee & FoxglovesWild Turkeys In Our YardRemembering SummerBullfrogTiny ToadsFrog, Bullfrog, or Toad?Eastern American ToadComplete Article Archive ListSearch Recent Comments Grace: I would say to get the waffle iron! Our kids have grown up on Dad’s... Niki: I have so many appliances but to be honest I use them all. #1 is my coffee pot,... Alissa: I like this list! The small appliances I use most frequently are: Toaster Oven... Brittany: I like lentils in anything you put beans in! Chilis, stews, burritos. Mashed... MamaPyratekk: Our store has disinfectant wipes, but honestly my husband and I never go... MamaPyratekk: I have found that many of the store or generic brands at the grocer I... Lani: Way back when, I made this type cake in Home Eco, it was called Crazy cake! and... donkittre: I have come to own several of these pieces. I had always thought that they... Beth Pederson: This is information I wish I had known about when raising my 5 children.... TheCrone: OMG I would have been ropable! My daugher is five and is on the Autism... Contact meLord, help me to remember that nothing is going to happen to me today that you and I together can't handle.Copyright © 2007-2008 by ChoosingVoluntarySimplicity.com |
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