tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post2204682983394333283..comments2024-03-29T19:22:11.409+10:00Comments on down to earth: Generation S - simple, smart, satisfiedUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-30759255740439315512011-06-23T23:09:11.655+10:002011-06-23T23:09:11.655+10:00and are we not quilty??by let it happening?
We do ...and are we not quilty??by let it happening?<br />We do choose our own gouverments dont we?<br />i agree it is a terrible idea...silliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09113805157596590592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-90053505522829140622011-06-23T08:01:29.606+10:002011-06-23T08:01:29.606+10:00absolutely love this post, thank you :)absolutely love this post, thank you :)Ianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00237535505835764126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-57935904195607680782011-06-23T03:18:51.753+10:002011-06-23T03:18:51.753+10:00A lovely, thoughtful and though-provoting post. I...A lovely, thoughtful and though-provoting post. I must admit that I, like Suzanne, had a "huh?" moment when I first read the line "being supported by our governments...". Thanks for clarifying :-) <br /><br />As for me and what I hope to be showing my daughters by the way I do things...hopefully they will see that hard work and self-reliance is what will see them through most anything. It would be a wonderful thing to have this principle guide and develop the character of the generation-sometimes-otherwise-known-as-A. They should understand that not being able to do a darn thing for themselves perpetuates true dependence. It's dangerous and in my opinion just plain wrong.Marniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17755933519396572020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-87417414773609206072011-06-23T02:12:30.220+10:002011-06-23T02:12:30.220+10:00A Greata Amen to everything you said, Rhonda! Espe...A Greata Amen to everything you said, Rhonda! Especially agree with you that, although there are some who may CHOOSE to work into their 70s and beyond, that IS their choice. Others should be able to choose to live otherwise.<br /><br />I certainly hope to. Good on you for aspiring to share your values with your grandchildren, as well. That is our obligation, I believe, as elders...to pass on what we've learned to the young ones.Kay_R_in_WAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08866536044867983881noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-67608206848485252762011-06-22T23:20:33.872+10:002011-06-22T23:20:33.872+10:00Rhonda: I absolutely love your blog. I'm a 33-...Rhonda: I absolutely love your blog. I'm a 33-year old single girl living in North Carolina, USA. I'm a lawyer by trade, and I run a pay-what-you-can law practice. I don't have time at the moment to grow a big vegetable garden, so I buy most of my fruits/veggies from the local farmer's market. I wanted to thank you for your tips and perspective on life and simplicity. I look forward to many more future posts! <3Amy Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14308154112611051043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-6499039744896197272011-06-22T09:35:50.051+10:002011-06-22T09:35:50.051+10:00HI Rhonda,
great post, excellent post,rings all th...HI Rhonda,<br />great post, excellent post,rings all the right bells for me!<br />Interesting what you said about economic growth and how our Govt needs understand we don't all have to consume like mad for economic growth. Yesterday Margaret Throsby interviewed Dick Smith on classic fm. They talked about the population debate (what happened to that?) Dick said it died a quick death because Rupert Murdoch believes in growth at all cost and he squashed the debate in the news with the threat of ruin for those who would speak up about it.<br />How can we convince the world of what you say when those who have the power of the media control it?<br />I know how! it's the slow road but its our road. It's the Down To Earth Road and I love it and am spreading it as far as my little world reaches.<br />thanks Rhonda for putting the obvious into perspective for those still locked into the brainwashed society that is consumerism.<br />DaylaDaylahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04544561530618570093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-76881228537686843212011-06-22T03:39:20.645+10:002011-06-22T03:39:20.645+10:00I just heard a statistic recently that it will tak...I just heard a statistic recently that it will take at least $220,000 to raise each child in the United States.<br /><br />I'd say that makes Generation A spoiled! I asked my daughter, who has five children, how that can be and she said they assume everything is purchased brand new for the children as well as sending them to the high cost universities.<br /><br />Sheesh...Brenda@CoffeeTeaBookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02719695370857675146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-80860469037259024862011-06-21T23:05:35.002+10:002011-06-21T23:05:35.002+10:00Rhonda what a great post. I am known as a boomer w...Rhonda what a great post. I am known as a boomer we have worked hard and I mean very hard all our lives and look forward to the day when we can slow down a little and do what we want. We do enjoy the days off we make ourselves take now. I think people are not machines and should have something to look forward to.<br /> I think that article makes no sense I think that generation will be smarter than us. You are going to teach your Grandchildren the true meaning of life. Happiness and caring, and hard work to get to the happiness part. BButtons Thoughtshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05029439906543077861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-91689631619619583082011-06-21T21:52:09.711+10:002011-06-21T21:52:09.711+10:00You are so right Rhonda Jean. There is much more t...You are so right Rhonda Jean. There is much more to life than paid work.<br />It would be very useful to learn children all kinds of skills that will help them be more self sufficient and give them the chance to live simple, and frugally, without having to run in the rat race !!<br />On that note, during the Summer, I'm going to teach my daughter how to cook ; )Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-12079267768648063152011-06-21T21:42:51.389+10:002011-06-21T21:42:51.389+10:00Couldn't agree with you more, Rhonda. The thou...Couldn't agree with you more, Rhonda. The thought of anyone having to work on to that age is positively inhumane. But personally, I don't think it will ever happen. Long before then all the wheels will have fallen off the world economic wagon and the whole thing will have ground to a halt. The present system is unsustainable and mankind has to come up with some new ideas as a matter of urgency.<br />Maybe our way of simple living will then be a viable alternative.Stellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11528862706641857167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-24229878084560534022011-06-21T21:25:41.548+10:002011-06-21T21:25:41.548+10:00This is a very interesting post as are the comment...This is a very interesting post as are the comments. I would like to say I see change happening. In the USA the big big problem we middle class aging workers face is healthcare. For example, my policy at work (single family and married couple doubles and triples) costs me and my employer over $400 a month with a $2000 a year deductible before insurance pays anything. Without employer sponsored insurance it would be higher. "Retiring" before 67 or so is risky because to bear the full burden of healthcare would be financially crippling. <br /><br />I am encouraged by many changes I see around me. More people are growing food, buying locally, and are concerned for the environment. Change is slow, but it is coming and we older folks need to set an example to follow by living a life that is harmonious with the earth and all its peoples.Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15032479084775154076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-69969563348430694642011-06-21T20:50:32.725+10:002011-06-21T20:50:32.725+10:00I hope that you are right Rhonda, but it will have...I hope that you are right Rhonda, but it will have to start with the parents - and the majority seem to be actively training their children for the treadmill for fear that they won't 'get on' in life.<br /><br />I think that that is my biggest concern - to bring my children up to be able to resist the vagaries of 'the markets', politicians and financiers and anyone else who looks to turn a profit from human misery. Hopefully I have a long enough stretch of life ahead of me to fully achieve that for myself too.Aurorahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17431550733615696691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-34242006965681629062011-06-21T20:09:17.346+10:002011-06-21T20:09:17.346+10:00Rhonda, another thought provoking post. REferring ...Rhonda, another thought provoking post. REferring to your comment "I'd vote for a government that encouraged a simple, frugal life (or words to that effect)". I'm afraid you'll die waiting for that one! Even though John Maynard Keynes is not fashionable, government all buy into his notion of the Paradox of Thrift - ie. the less we consume, the less we produce, the less we earn, the less taxes we pay. No government would ever promote that! <br />You only have to listen to the dismay in the voices of the commentators at the moment, when they mention that Australia's savings rate is the highest in long time at the moment. Less does not equal more in these people's minds. <br />Luckily we have the freedom to ignore the common wisdom and make our own way.Paolahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14472129226320589172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-18219735607173531822011-06-21T19:19:06.796+10:002011-06-21T19:19:06.796+10:00Well said Rhonda, yet again.Well said Rhonda, yet again.Dartford Warblerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04352965211143836326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-18761678346241463612011-06-21T17:44:20.386+10:002011-06-21T17:44:20.386+10:00I'm 54 and have no expectations of my husband ...I'm 54 and have no expectations of my husband and I being able to retire. My parents, born just before WW2, have been retired for 20 years now, fit healthy, travelling the world, enjoying good pensions. This will not be the life for my husband and I. The world is a completely different place.<br /><br />It's not down to their attitudes being different to ours. We've been just as frugal. They got a lot of help from their parents to get started in life, we didn't. They built up huge company pensions. They didn't exist for us. They managed to buy a buuse in their 30's and pay it off in their 50's. We couldn't even get started until our late 40's and will still be paying it off in our 70's. The final difference is that we have had to raise a child with autism, now an adult dependent on us, with no help from our parents, and with a great financial sacrifice.<br /><br />My parents have had a great life and are enjoying a wonderful retuiirement. Our life has been one of struggle and our future is one of poverty in old age.<br /><br />That generation tend to think it's all down to their hard work and frugality. But it isn't. Our hard work and frugality has not reaped the same rewards.<br /><br />We all just do the best we can.Romanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01725826881848148814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-11634586021676384972011-06-21T15:07:57.509+10:002011-06-21T15:07:57.509+10:00It's wonderful to live this kind of live and e...It's wonderful to live this kind of live and everyone should be able to. Once you are self-sufficient and have paid off your house you shouldn't have to work fulltime outside of home anymore.<br /><br />Unfortunately the government doesn't like it when we aren't blind consumers and polluters. I am trying to buy some property and I was told and i quote "The government is trying to discourage alternative type lifestyles". There is red tape everywhere you turn. It a way it was easier a generation ago, because there wasn't so many silly laws. You can't live in a shack without electricity, but you can live on the streets. I see more and more people giving up because being alternative means fighting every turn, especially for the younger generation.<br /><br />JanelleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-2219319458440495452011-06-21T14:29:25.444+10:002011-06-21T14:29:25.444+10:00Hilde, when the retirement age of 65 years was int...Hilde, when the retirement age of 65 years was introduced, the average life expectancy was around 61 and there were 16 working people for every one person on the aged pension. That ratio is now three working people for every person on the pension and in the next year or so it will be two working people for every one person retired and living on a pension. Clearly, the old age pension is not sustainable.rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-8393522860904921342011-06-21T14:14:04.717+10:002011-06-21T14:14:04.717+10:00The whole concept of retirement is a relatively ne...The whole concept of retirement is a relatively new one. before the industrialization, people started helping on the farm or in the workshop at the age of five or six and even after they had handed over the farm or the family business to their oldest son (usually), they continued working as long as they could. This changed only when people started to work at factories, because there you could not work a shorter time or more slowly, but only full time or not at all. So the old age pension was for people too ill to earn their living. Furthermore, the life expectancy was much lower than the pension age! So, the thought of a period of 20 or more years of retirement is relatively new.<br />The historians used to say that before the industrialization, the pace of work was much more slowly than today. But now, not all of them agree to this. Of course, work was more self-determinated and less alienated than it is now, but even this doesn´t seem so sure anymore.Hildenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-35508044649101970542011-06-21T13:03:56.163+10:002011-06-21T13:03:56.163+10:00I'm in agreement with all that's been said...I'm in agreement with all that's been said. I resigned from fulltime off farm work to work at our business here growing food for ourselves and others and educating on ways to live more simply and sustainably.It's not something you can just stop it's more than that -it's a way of life!My hope is that our grandkids will see that this is a desirable way to live and choose this rather than the future others may expect of them.purplepearhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17599216333749480560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-22118095009142793252011-06-21T11:13:43.617+10:002011-06-21T11:13:43.617+10:00This is such a big debate. Trying to find all the ...This is such a big debate. Trying to find all the balances for each individual is such a hard thing to do. As a working mother the constant pull between the paid work and the work around the home which could save us money is one which I find exhausting. I'm trying to set things up to free up time for saving but it does take constant effort and reminders such as yours are greatly appreciated.thisbloominglifehttp://www.thisbloominglife.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-6872293012671750022011-06-21T10:51:30.281+10:002011-06-21T10:51:30.281+10:00Amen! I'd love to retire but it doesn't l...Amen! I'd love to retire but it doesn't look promising. However, we are trying to be more self sufficient and our garden is growing well in spite of the cold weather that we called Spring. I enjoy your insight.Conniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00140268328645099689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-78469735737311972472011-06-21T10:28:24.662+10:002011-06-21T10:28:24.662+10:00Maybe the secret is to "work" doing some...Maybe the secret is to "work" doing something that you love?<br />I know I will be encouraging my children to follow a career that engages them and gives them joy then there is no really need to "retire"?<br /><br />My Father has never retired because he loves what he does! I think I will be like that too.<br /><br />The trouble with looking forward to enjoying life after you finish work and retire is you may not get there! It is better to enjoy everyday of your journey and design your life with care so you can.<br /><br />I believe you have a valid point regarding consumerism though, it can keep us trapped "earning" when a lot of the time it doesn't really have to. Your blog provides a valuable perspective to balance consumerism.<br /><br />But I know it is honestly possible to work and be happy and fulfilled. Not everybody needs 20 years to potter! <br /><br />As you often wisely say, everybody just needs to choose the personal path that gives them joy, and no path is more valuable than another as it is all subjective. <br /> <br />Your path is obviously a wonderful fit for you and I applaud you for that :)Kate Kinghttp://www.katekingandcole.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-79329474053027499892011-06-21T09:55:39.908+10:002011-06-21T09:55:39.908+10:00Hi Suzanne, I'd rather post it because if you ...Hi Suzanne, I'd rather post it because if you misunderstood it, others might have too. Now I see your point. By writing "being supported by our governments to retire early if that is what we choose to do" I didn't mean financial support. I meant the government setting up systems to support the people who want to do this - so allowing them to claim their superannuation when they decide to retire around 60 - 65, promoting simple living options to people who don't know there is an alternative, that sort of thing. The grey tsunami post holds my thoughts on the pension, which I expect to cease, if not in my lifetime, then soon after. So when our government prepares the population for life post-pension, one of the options they should promote and support is early retirement for those people who have lived frugally, who have no debt, have a home and are willing to produce at home what they used to work to pay for.<br /><br />Good luck with the sour dough. :- )rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-179508452514785042011-06-21T09:47:28.977+10:002011-06-21T09:47:28.977+10:00The way our country is heading and it's attitu...The way our country is heading and it's attitude to pensioners saddens me. Those who want to retire after 60 or so should have that choice of rest after paying taxes for most of their lives. "Participating in the work force" (as the government likes to put it) till 70 or 80 is not something I want for my parents, us or my kid's. There is a serious moral factor missing these days in the higher places.Taniahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00123593037593548003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-4190616215278636172011-06-21T09:35:31.364+10:002011-06-21T09:35:31.364+10:00Here Here, I'm all for getting that message ou...Here Here, I'm all for getting that message out to generation X,Y and Z, and maybe even little cat 'c' (LOL)Cherylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07900993246451486017noreply@blogger.com