tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post7306932949347845127..comments2024-03-17T04:14:05.997-05:00Comments on Sam, Coffee, Money, & Thyme: My Definition of SimpleSAMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16485146123969622896noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-11729271851192198462016-02-19T03:21:05.648-06:002016-02-19T03:21:05.648-06:00Yes! I see that skit and it does remind me of tha...Yes! I see that skit and it does remind me of that.when we had less money, we tightened out of necessity, now, we watch spending where it is not part of our priorities ad values so we can put more there. Having visited some areas with decent public transit, and cramped, crowded roads and parking, I think owning a car would be more stressful than helpful. Another TV reference, Seinfeld and the car parking spot episode. SAMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16485146123969622896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-79237802492071185392016-02-19T03:00:03.082-06:002016-02-19T03:00:03.082-06:00I think that simplicity (and frugality) are relati...I think that simplicity (and frugality) are relative to each individual's starting point. We do what works for us, within our budget, and what makes us happy. I think it probably helps that we don't care what anyone else is doing or buying and that we don't feel the need to fit in with anyone. Life for us is simpler without a car. I doubt that would be the same for most people, but not having to worry about the cost of owning a car ( even though it was paid for and not on finance) is preferable to the odd occasion that we have missed it in the last 23 months. I do think that in some circles there is a degree of one-upmanship about simplicity/ frugality - it reminds me of the Monty Python ' Four Yorkshiremen' sketch.Scarlethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01729719876504930455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-65602862699166838232016-02-18T07:19:52.849-06:002016-02-18T07:19:52.849-06:00I really like your definition - the balance of res...I really like your definition - the balance of resource and reward, thank you. thrift deluxehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12267215022924475298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-54950507650215859582016-02-18T05:14:56.256-06:002016-02-18T05:14:56.256-06:00That would fit my view of simplicity as well. Jugg...That would fit my view of simplicity as well. Juggling funds to stay a step of the bills is not my idea of simple, which is why regardless of of our means at the time, I tried to stay living below them, which was really hard at times, and impossible others. Remembering though helps curb the impulse on purchases that we can't pay for out right-need or want. SAMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16485146123969622896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-45547590567004354082016-02-18T02:41:45.507-06:002016-02-18T02:41:45.507-06:00The best thing is watching the postman walk by my ...The best thing is watching the postman walk by my house and not come anywhere near my letterbox with a pile of bank statements and bills. Now all I get in the post is the odd bit of junk mail and birthday cards. I used to hate the post because of all the demands for money I used to get. Most of this was due to trying to look after 4 kids on my own and thinking I needed to keep buying unnecessary stuff etc. Now I don't owe anything oh the bliss of it. This is simplicity to me. Wendy @ The contented Cavernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12997397522566070661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-12953836378536449112016-02-17T18:25:26.044-06:002016-02-17T18:25:26.044-06:00I do love sun dried linens so I do take advantage ...I do love sun dried linens so I do take advantage of free dryers when the weather is nice. Lovely to budget to see your kids and grand daughter. Our splurge was paying for airplane ticket for son to be home for Christmas and seeing our daughter in London. Best spending yet!SAMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16485146123969622896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-76943269666071269722016-02-17T17:14:24.007-06:002016-02-17T17:14:24.007-06:00I no longer have kids at home so my life is much s...I no longer have kids at home so my life is much simpler than it was. I thank God my neighborhood has covenants banning clotheslines. I have a hanging rack in the laundry room for things that can't be dried and the rest of my laundry gets tossed in the dryer. If it costs 12 bucks monthly in power to dry me clothes that is something I will happily live with. Same thing with travel. 2 of my 3 kids live on opposite coasts and I am going to see each of them a couple of times a year (at least) I can do without new clothes and a new car and all kids of luxuries but I can't (or won't) live without seeing my sons and granddaughter (especially granddaughter) Life is a series of trade-offs and each of us gets to decide what we can and can't do without.<br /><br />Anne in the kitchenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01533249631969001657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-79646980649595279522016-02-17T12:09:59.405-06:002016-02-17T12:09:59.405-06:00That is the point the mother in the post was tryin...That is the point the mother in the post was trying to make, I think. Spending large amounts of money, to appear like something, but it really took away form her quality of life. I am impressed with how honest people can be with their finance life-I skirt the edges.For me, I'll spurge where it matters. I could case less if I am eating generic brand canned tomatoes in a pasta sauce, but am fine paying a bit more on a farm stand fresh tomato I'll be enjoying in natural state. SAMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16485146123969622896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-56214923156151374692016-02-17T11:57:25.003-06:002016-02-17T11:57:25.003-06:00I know what you mean. "We downsized from a Mc...I know what you mean. "We downsized from a McMansion, to a 3,000 square foot house." Quite a sacrifice, I'm sure. Bottom line, is we all need to do what works to keep us balanced and sane, and for some, giving up the weekly mani-pedi felt like a huge sacrifice. For me, it's wine. I'm sure ou wine club is terribly extravagant to some-but I'm not givin git up in th enear future. SAMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16485146123969622896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-13268322700943911542016-02-17T10:18:39.336-06:002016-02-17T10:18:39.336-06:00I'm with you - it's about a balance based ...I'm with you - it's about a balance based on your priorities. I've never needed to "feel like we're leading a simple life" to keep up with others. That's amusingly ironic. Instead, we are continually evaluating our own lives & spending to make sure they match our priorities. Sometimes that means we find areas to cut back. Sometimes not.Hawaii Plannerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04760426766801381563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-48247911427307828182016-02-17T09:28:25.262-06:002016-02-17T09:28:25.262-06:00I would be naked and die if I were left in the woo...I would be naked and die if I were left in the woods. That makes no sense to me but to each his own.<br />I've been reading a lot on how people paid off say $50k in 18 months or something like that and after reading it, I was just disgusted. One woman said how the weekly mani/pedis had to go. WTH!?!?!?! You really were just wasting terribly before and now you cut back a little. In my opinion, they really have nothing to teach and shouldn't be preaching. Ok rant over.Sonya Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01985227040902078422noreply@blogger.com