tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post7304029708373630175..comments2024-03-28T15:55:53.792+10:00Comments on down to earth: Living well on lessUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-9261707617526236112009-05-09T12:26:00.000+10:002009-05-09T12:26:00.000+10:00I'm not a fan of the advertising either, sorry to ...I'm not a fan of the advertising either, sorry to say. I find it a bit conflicting with your wonderful messages. <br /><br />My dh and I live on a very modest U.S. income of about $25K, maybe a tad more. We live quite simply and honestly I am generally happy with that aspect of my life. When we need something, we have to save for it, so it becomes rewarding to do so. No, we don't have everything we want, nor every need, but our basic needs are met and that is what is important. Compared to so many others in this world I have so much. I don't want to be someone who is selfish and who hoards when others are in need.<br /><br />The funny thing is that I don't really feel life is all that much different for us during this recession. The reason for that is because we've been living like this since we've been married and basically my whole life (I've been sick with chronic illness for a long while now). We're used to denying ourselves and yet I feel I am blessed with more than enough "stuff" in life.<br /><br />I see many people give up their life for the sake of things. It's quite sad to me. Those things will never give anyone true fulfillment, and it often takes people many years to realize that. I'm just glad I realized it sooner rather than later. A great book to read is "Your Money Or Your Life". Definitely one for the frugal/simple living personal library.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-26259244217829586522009-05-07T00:48:00.000+10:002009-05-07T00:48:00.000+10:00Rhonda, thank you for this post. It was an encoura...Rhonda, thank you for this post. It was an encouragement that I needed - sometimes it's very hard to live in "the real world" and be "different". When you meet someone new, the common question is - so what do you do? and when they discover that you don't have a job outside the home, they always say: oh, you don't work! Nothing could be further from the truth, but these people (with this way of thinking) know nothing about it. Being a keeper of the home is a lot of hard work. Thanks again for this post!CJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01248317522327940983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-36479901513255458072009-05-07T00:07:00.000+10:002009-05-07T00:07:00.000+10:00hello! I think the thing is to strive to be happy...hello! I think the thing is to strive to be happy with what you have, to know the difference between need and want, to want what you need, not to need what you want. Finding beauty and feeling wonder in everything including the mundane is the key.<br />xJuliaBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08796157310429701087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-26509881270303333242009-05-06T23:55:00.000+10:002009-05-06T23:55:00.000+10:00Hi Rhoda,
Another thought provoking post! We've ...Hi Rhoda, <br /><br />Another thought provoking post! We've lived on one income our entire married lives and I take my role in the home seriously. We made sure we bought a home we could afford without stress and I've tried to make it a haven for my family. I've planted fruit trees and bushes, we have a large veggie garden and rain barrels, we hang out our laundry, we repurpose what we can, make our own cleaners, but there's tons more to learn and do! Your blog is such a great resource and I thank you for being willing to explain HOW you do things. It's so very helpful!<br /><br />I'm a bit disappointed about the advertising but it's your blog to do with as you see fit.<br /><br />Manuelathe pleasures of homemakinghttp://thepleasuresofhomemaking.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-86862048388211504352009-05-06T22:17:00.000+10:002009-05-06T22:17:00.000+10:00Felt I had to comment on this but needed to think ...Felt I had to comment on this but needed to think a bit more about it. Blogged today about how I feel that it's the focus of that sense of entitlement that's wrong -- feeling entitled to good things can push us in the right direction. It did when I realised I wanted better eggs than I could get...Chookiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07230973711859964063noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-21640269984337330242009-05-06T16:08:00.000+10:002009-05-06T16:08:00.000+10:00Thank you for your wonderful blog! Your comments ...Thank you for your wonderful blog! Your comments struck a chord with me as well.... I have been moving toward the simple life for a few years now, but sometimes get tripped up with the desires for "the best" equipment to cook, clean, etc. It is kind of ironic when you think of making your own laundry detergent and then wanting the most expensive washing machine :) <br />I have been making my own cleaners, baking my own bread, cooking and recently making my own soap. I live in the U.S. and have had no problems finding Lye... it is right there on the shelf of the large home improvement store... not sure where Breanna lives, but lye is very easy to find here in Minnesota. Since making my own soap, I will never go back to buying it... the difference in my skin (and my son who has eczema's skin) is amazing. If you have considered trying to learn this skill, I would encourage you to go for it. It is very rewarding!<br />Thank you Rhonda for the reminder of wants vs. needs.... we all need to be reminded of this every so often. Blessings to you!Jodinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-85091953763291996142009-05-06T12:58:00.000+10:002009-05-06T12:58:00.000+10:00I've been away and just found this post.. I am 63 ...I've been away and just found this post.. I am 63 and what you said about life growing up is what I saw too. What your relatives did not know how to do they bartared the skills they had with another to get a job done. People worked and played together. Picnics, hay rides, pot luck dinners, berry picking, building, canning and on and on. When new neighbors moved in someone always brought them dinner for those first nights and maybe a map of the area and such. You introduced yourselfs to one another and offered sincerely to help where ever and when ever you could. The neighborhood kids knew each other too and you were treated warmly in their homes. You didn't just know the families you knew their grandparents and cousins who visited or lived with them. So many have told me life like you described never happened. Well we know it did and I feel sorry for those who never lived it. It felt good to see it spelled out by you in print! I always have stayed home too and so do my daughters now that they have married. I only wish more of the people still lived like we knew...maybe more of them will turn back to the simple ways and get to know their neighbors again. We used to have to depend on each other and I guess that helped us stay close and not bicker and backbite etc. You had to take the time to know each other...and it was well worth any time it took. One of my favorite times as a teen was when a relative cleaned out their closet. Wow! We then had things we could tear apart and sew and reinvent for us! Up until then we had 2 skirts and only a few blouses for the year. We felt like millionairs! God sure gave you the gift of writing Rhonda. I am so thankful you have used it. JodyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-64572976170780008082009-05-06T12:55:00.000+10:002009-05-06T12:55:00.000+10:00What you said about 'more stuff' rings so true. H...What you said about 'more stuff' rings so true. Have you been to www.howstuffworks.com? The video presentation crystallised a lot of what I have been thinking in the last few years. I'm still in my 30s but my grandmothers' (and parents') values are what sit well with me now ... during my 20s I felt the need to have 'more', the 'best' etc. Now I simply aspire to BE more - more educated, more aware, more self-sufficient, more skilled. Thanks for a great blog.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-20088660368777772092009-05-06T12:38:00.000+10:002009-05-06T12:38:00.000+10:00Rhonda,
Thank you for your wonderful blog. This is...Rhonda,<br />Thank you for your wonderful blog. This is my first comment but have been reading for several weeks now. Your wisdom and advise is very valuable and appreciated. <br /><br />My wife, two sons and I have been living on my income for over three years and I make around 40K a year. Living on this much money can be done. My family is very happy and we still have more than we could hope for. <br /><br />I think you have hit the point perfectly. I am not sure about the rest of the world but I see how materialistic we Americans can be and to break this cycle is amazing and liberating. I hope to enlighten others and keep striving to become more independent in the coming months and years. I hope to be able to continue reading and sharing in your wonderful blog and advice. Thanks again.scorderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12623937412611791528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-52204152205456636962009-05-06T10:28:00.000+10:002009-05-06T10:28:00.000+10:00Hi Rhonda,
Thank you for sharing your time, energ...Hi Rhonda,<br />Thank you for sharing your time, energy, thoughts and experience with us.<br />I must admit I usually have a feeling of disappointment when I buy something new from the shops. It rarely lives up to expectations and the clothes are overpriced and poorly made.<br />I love buying things I need 2nd hand and knowing the money is going to help charity.<br />I also find things worked hard for, saved for, and a budget kept is so much more rewarding and feels like a more wholesome, honest way of living.<br />Looking forward to your future posts.reamyjnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-70113480455904421892009-05-06T07:39:00.000+10:002009-05-06T07:39:00.000+10:00Hi Rhonda, as a new but avid reader of your blog, ...Hi Rhonda, as a new but avid reader of your blog, may I say how much I'm enjoying reading about your simple life. As a child born in the 50s we never had much money; my father was disabled and so from an early age we learnt that we couldn't have everything that we wanted, and hand me down clothes, shoes and toys were the norm. As I grew up and later married and had three wonderful daughters, I stayed at home and loved every minute of the cooking, cleaning and dress making that I enjoyed so much. When the girls were older I went back to work, we never seemed to be any better off with my wage as we just spent more on things that we didn't really need. For the past three years I have been retired, the stress of work became to much and I longed for the days when I could go back to my simple life. I am eventually getting back into the swing of things though for a while I felt adrift as losing my income was hard on us both. I love reading your blog and it is giving me hope that although I am nearly sixty, it's never too late to change, so many thanks from a grateful reader.Suehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01409280961451143340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-71628509473795979232009-05-06T07:28:00.000+10:002009-05-06T07:28:00.000+10:00As to allowing ads on your blog ...
The ads are b...As to allowing ads on your blog ...<br /><br />The ads are blinking, flashing or blinding. They're really quite unobtrusive. Should I see something I'm interested in I'll be sure to click and will be encouraged that it's helping you just a bit. <br /><br />jAne<br />http://tickleberryfarm.blogspot.comsherryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01869744622519612793noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-60776604242234367882009-05-06T07:24:00.000+10:002009-05-06T07:24:00.000+10:00Excellent subject and thoughts, Rhonda. Thank you....Excellent subject and thoughts, Rhonda. Thank you. You zoned in on the heart of the matter and offered timeless solutions to consider.<br /><br />Years ago my husband was out of a job (7+ months). During night-time prayers my 6 year old daughter (she's 19 now) said it best, "Thank you God for everything we have, and thank you God for everything we don't have." She was a wise wee cookie even back then for she saw beyond the plight of no job and no money. She zoned in on the blessing of having little because it made us aware of simple abundance..namely, our family. We learned to really cleave at that time in our lives and it hasn't been forgotten. We still speak of it from time to time, as reliving those moments remind us of gentle provision and *real* life. <br /><br />jAne<br />http://tickleberryfarm.blogspot.comsherryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01869744622519612793noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-80947289690341758642009-05-06T06:37:00.000+10:002009-05-06T06:37:00.000+10:00P.S.--it's hard to make soap in the US, as the sal...P.S.--it's hard to make soap in the US, as the sale of lye is very regulated. But you can drip lye-- you get a good amount of wood ash and put it in a hopper. (Sort of a V-shaped container of wood with a hole in the bottom.) Then you pour water through the ashes and it drips slowly out the hole into a container you set there, overnight, leaching the lye out of the ash. You can then use that lye to make soap. I've never done it, but it's supposed to be the way the settlers here did it. Just thought I'd pass it on.Breannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02110975474648725024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-4843075656804955652009-05-06T06:35:00.000+10:002009-05-06T06:35:00.000+10:00I usually lurk on your blog, being as I'm in a muc...I usually lurk on your blog, being as I'm in a much different climate on the other side of the world and don't have a lot to add sometimes. :) But about this-- I think folks have more resources than they know. You can learn to do anything these days if you have an internet connection; in the US you don't even have to pay for it, as most libraries have internet access. Not knowing how to repair clothing, shoes, etc. need not stop us.<br /><br />However I suspect there is still much abundance in the US that a lot of folks won't or don't see. For instance, baby clothes. New baby outfits can run as much as $20 for a simple little pair of pajamas, but at my local thrift store they sell the same things, barely used, for 25 cents. This tells me there are a lot of extra baby clothes floating around out there. Why would I pay 10 times as much for an outfit for my son that's "new" and support sweatshop labor in the process?<br /><br />So in other words, I think people have more ways of making do than they know of. I think the biggest thing is not to panic, and there surely are a lot of people around me panicking right now. My great-grandmother got married at 17 and shortly thereafter, with 4 kids, was cooking for a ranch crew on a woodstove while my great-grandfather worked as a cowboy for $1 a day. Whenever I get anxious (or whiny!) I think about her and thank God that at least I can bake bread in an electric oven, not a wood range, and at least my walls are wood and not tar paper. We don't have it so bad if you look at it that way. :)Breannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02110975474648725024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-31335347589423841242009-05-06T06:30:00.000+10:002009-05-06T06:30:00.000+10:00You said the trought; don't try to impress the wor...You said the trought; don't try to impress the world but think about your own money!atelierlemlemhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07875811058820124227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-72486198593328585872009-05-06T05:33:00.000+10:002009-05-06T05:33:00.000+10:00Wow!
This is my first visit to your blog and I'm ...Wow!<br /><br />This is my first visit to your blog and I'm so inspired. I'm totally new to all of this and I'm very excited about learning more! I look forward to stopping back by and gaining some much needed knowledge!<br /><br />Thanks so much!<br /><br />Blessings,<br />Kate :)JottinMamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15510635521273373323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-28862291841623464062009-05-06T04:39:00.000+10:002009-05-06T04:39:00.000+10:00How right you are! I grew up in the 50's and we h...How right you are! I grew up in the 50's and we had to save for things. I remember getting an allowance and if I didn't do my jobs, I didn't get paid. We had a Christmas club at the bank so I could save up money to give gifts. Nothing was handed to me.<br /><br />Although in the last 10 years, I've probably had more than I ever did materially, I'm also learning how easily it can go away!!!!<br /><br />I've tried to get back to the basics and learn ways to save. I've been doing more cooking from scratch and using coupons and other ways to stretch the dollar. <br /><br />I want to thank you for your tips and advice. It is so helpful. It's refreshing to learn that there still are people in this world who aren't caught up in "instant everything." <br /><br />Now, one thing I don't want to give up is my internet because it has certainly opened up a whole world of people to me. And I love people! Thank you so much from thet bottom of my heart.Debbie Petrashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08235978883396499354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-10104144366753427792009-05-06T04:17:00.000+10:002009-05-06T04:17:00.000+10:00I've just found your blog and enjoyed your post to...I've just found your blog and enjoyed your post today. I'll be going back and reading others. I am in total agreement with you...it's difficult to get out of old spending habits but I'm working on it. I'm making my own laundry detergent and my own bread and enjoying every minute of it. blessings, marleneStitchinByTheLakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04501479854150315011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-85840484100055260672009-05-06T02:50:00.000+10:002009-05-06T02:50:00.000+10:00I appreciate this challenge, and I support you in ...I appreciate this challenge, and I support you in your decision to bring in more outside income via advertising. <br /><br />People underestimate the amount of time it takes to maintain a blog of this size and quality. It becomes less a ministry and more a job, in that it can take time away from the sustaining activities of your household.<br /><br />I have long resisted sponsorship on my own frugal blog, feeling that selling something is at odds with the message of not buying. However, I may be making a similar decision myself. I think your readers will understand that the money you earn will be used with as much conscience as you give to the rest of your budget.Meredithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08455517419708043340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-20004373232011528692009-05-06T01:43:00.000+10:002009-05-06T01:43:00.000+10:00Hi Rhonda
I am just a few years younger than you a...Hi Rhonda<br />I am just a few years younger than you and my upbringing was very similar. The skills my Mother taught me have been so useful throughout my life and I find it a challenge to mend, make my own, and generally live a frugal life.<br />Over the years, a growing awareness of environmental issues has added to my wish to live in that way. <br />It's very difficult to get that feeling across to other people who have been taken in by the fallacy that happiness is to be found in material things, when there is so much contentment to be found in living simply.<br />Personally, I feel that I am now coming into my own and that the situation we all find ourselves in, is a challenge that I want to meet head on!<br />Your blog is a great inspiration and contains so much practical advice.<br />Keep up the good work.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-9722524549190001662009-05-06T00:11:00.000+10:002009-05-06T00:11:00.000+10:00This post is outstanding, Rhonda. And the comment...This post is outstanding, Rhonda. And the comments are fantastic as well.<br />My husband lost his job due to downsizing in February, and I have always stayed at home, so things have gotten very tight for us!<br />He did start a new job yesterday, but the pay is significantly less than he used to make.<br />We have been tracking our spending since December (for the most part. Buying a house and having a baby sort of threw us for a bit of a loop), and I have finally done up a real budget. Things are a LOT tighter than I had imagined! <br />I'm in the process of trying to distinguish our wants from our needs. I think we're going to bite the bullet and get rid of our cell phone, and TV, and downsize our home phone and internet packages. Right now, it doesn't sound very fun, but I'm CERTAIN we won't miss it once it's gone. I'm 23 and grew up without a TV, or a cell phone, or the internet...so I'm sure we'll handle it, and I think our kids will be better off without it!<br />Not only is this post wonderful, but I have learned a lot about budgeting and cutting back from your other posts, so thanks :)<br /><br />Another thing I am attempting to do is not use the clothes dryer until it's too cold to hang clothes on the line. I've been doing well so far, but have to pay attention to the weather, and hang stuff inside once in a while (I have 2 little ones in cloth diapers, so some days, laundry is a necessity!)<br /><br />Melanie in CanadaMelaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08321634357908771759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-67096866270662149262009-05-05T21:50:00.000+10:002009-05-05T21:50:00.000+10:00Thank you for such a beautiful post, for reminding...Thank you for such a beautiful post, for reminding us of what is truly important.AJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03212012045900798974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-26257758919978448202009-05-05T21:44:00.000+10:002009-05-05T21:44:00.000+10:00Thank you for the post. It is everything I've bee...Thank you for the post. It is everything I've been trying to say to my friends and children for years. Hope this will get better for your son. Mine's in the same situation.Janehttp://thethriftycountrywoman.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-17977287665152542912009-05-05T21:40:00.000+10:002009-05-05T21:40:00.000+10:00As I have been trying to simplify, I am finding th...As I have been trying to simplify, I am finding the mindset to be the first thing too! It's challenging to go against the culture. Thank you for this post!suburbanmomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17361989533747425810noreply@blogger.com