tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post8839142362885129957..comments2024-03-28T15:55:53.792+10:00Comments on down to earth: We are in this for lifeUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-75639527066379346822009-06-16T21:16:49.388+10:002009-06-16T21:16:49.388+10:00For me living a thoughtless, consumerist lifestyle...For me living a thoughtless, consumerist lifestyle is boring. I grew up with that. Meanwhile I always desparately wanted to learn "skills" but my parents would have none of that!<br /><br />I am in what I have taken to calling Phase 2 frugality. I am no longer interested in doing the same things everyone else does only more cheaply or frugally. No, I want to do things altogether differently in simple, time honored ways. You also do so many of those things. There are great secrets in the old ways.<br /><br />For me, living simply is a moral imperative, a spiritual necessity. It is the basis for a natural, devotional, service oriented way of life that is those things in perpetuity. The up's and down's of the manmade, secondary economy are irrelevant.<br /><br />I treasure learning with my children and knowing that they will surpass my husband and me in their accomplishments and understanding in this area. Living simply is our service to the future.<br /><br />LesliePocketsoftheFuturehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06951717980830820948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-3522333899217943262009-06-15T23:17:50.297+10:002009-06-15T23:17:50.297+10:00Good Morning Rhonda Jean -
We have always been pr...Good Morning Rhonda Jean - <br />We have always been pretty self-sufficient. We're both self-employed and have always lived a very rural lifestyle. For me, the biggest problem is deciding exactly how much to do - how much to prepare? Yes, we keep a pantry and we garden, but maybe we should grow ALL our own food....LOL! Debt is still an issue for us due to my husband's illness a few years ago, but otherwise we do very well with a great deal less that what most folks consider necessities. There are some things that just don't work well for me - I am not thrilled with homemade laundry soap and I don't make very good strawberry jam...but there are any other things that work extremely well that seem to make up the difference. We've always had this lifestyle, and I expect we probably always will, with modifications for age and state of the economy (read that, we'll do even more if/as the economy continues to spiral downward). <br /><br />Thank you for your blog, Rhonda Jean. I've been reading it daily for quite some time now. It is a nice, moderate and sane voice in wild & crazy times.Kristenhttp://www.stoneyhollow.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-15329504355468225942009-06-14T03:56:57.287+10:002009-06-14T03:56:57.287+10:00This was, is, and always has been my way of life. ...This was, is, and always has been my way of life. Save and conserve and preserve.<br />My husband and I will be married 34 years soon. We started out paying our way as we went through life. Don't borrow, if you can't afford it don't buy it as a way of life.<br />We build our houses ourselves. Paid for them as we build them.<br />Don't get me wrong, it wasn't an easy way but it definitely was worth it in the long run.<br />We have never bought a brand new car or truck but managed to get where we were going.<br />I have always had a garden and preserved our food. We raised animals and did without a lot of commercial products.<br />And...I have enjoyed every step down a long and bumpy road, hills and valleys.<br />Wouldn't have missed it for anything!<br />Have a great weekend.<br />PamAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-74291519125518065502009-06-14T02:54:39.821+10:002009-06-14T02:54:39.821+10:00Good Morning.
I have yet to read any of the other ...Good Morning.<br />I have yet to read any of the other comments however the question is a good on Rhonda. This is not a way of life for me...This is who I am. <br />I have longed to gain skill upon skill and that is now gaining such wonderful ground in our goals and dreams and desires. <br />One issue I think is an important one for me anyhow. I have overcome the use of the store as an emotional fix. YEP that's right . Frugality is one thing but dealing with issues that lead those to consume is another. <br />shopping in the emote or the absence of the love or whatever that leaves that gaping wound that many fill up with spending and getting...well that is another. <br />Nature arbores a vacuum It is evident where ever you gaze. <br />Gardening has filled the place where I can go and be still. Heal the wounds and refresh myself. Those tired mommy days were often relieved at the store just wandering refreshing the exhaustion. <br />I have set goals now. We are debt free except the house. We have set an emergency saving and now set for the future a few months worth of income. We also save for life ins on both of us. <br />I wound never go back or want too. Years I longed to learn to back bread. When you begin to understand your worth in what your able to do it propels you onward. I really find great joy in feeding my family good things. Now I really do not want to even go to the store. It is like walking in a field of snakes. Why bother if I don't need to.Donettahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13530145585581721795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-67921197862764298882009-06-14T01:05:23.044+10:002009-06-14T01:05:23.044+10:00First, I want to thank you for providing this blog...First, I want to thank you for providing this blog. I am relatively new to this- (about a month or two of following) and it is the only blog that I follow.<br /><br />I THINK I am at a point where I might be able to come back home to be a full-time homemaker again. We have worked hard to get our debt down to only our mortgage. But there is this fear of letting that income go and having faith that things will work out.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-54843974591093644412009-06-13T14:49:00.186+10:002009-06-13T14:49:00.186+10:00Thanks you for your thoughts, everyone. I have lo...Thanks you for your thoughts, everyone. I have loved reading these comments. <br /><br />Claudia, that is fabulous news! I hope it's a big hit.Rhonda Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00175785349529109084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-3013472148119028572009-06-13T14:17:39.037+10:002009-06-13T14:17:39.037+10:00Hi Rhonda Jean! I just had to comment and tell you...Hi Rhonda Jean! I just had to comment and tell you how excited I am today! I was talking to a co-worker who is trying very hard to bring in "green" cleaning products to our hardware to offer to our customers. I told her I thought there would be a group of customers who would also like to find that we have the ingredients to make their own soaps and household cleansers. I told her I knew where to get some recipes for such things and I am here getting the ingredient lists together. May I say she was excited that I took an interest in helping her turn her aisles to a greener place to be.<br />I also looked to see if the warehouse that we get our products from has some of the things that I knew we would need to add to our store for a greener community. I found we have Washing Soda! I ordered two boxes of it for myself and so that I could further "push" the store manager to let us bring these products in. I plan to make her some of the laundry soap so she can try it for herslf...then I know she will say yes.<br />Just wanted to let you know we are making progress here! (I am in California, U.S.)claudiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16572555442321120647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-29338988454162305712009-06-13T12:59:19.384+10:002009-06-13T12:59:19.384+10:00I'd like to think I'm committed to life, r...I'd like to think I'm committed to life, rather than living it one particular way over another. I'm glad you asked this question because balance is the hardest thing for humanity to maintain, yet it's vital to our survival.<br /><br />That's why I allow myself time for enjoying the excess and times for cutting back.<br /><br />I grew up in a forced impoverished background, so once I got hold of money, I felt it an obligation to finance my dreams. On the other hand I had a real phobia about money too. At times I didn't spend it when I should have - ie: replacing a car radiator before the head gasket blew.<br /><br />The only real way I learned to balance consumption, was to allow myself to spend in excess at times and cut back when warrantted.<br /><br />Money and consumption is what our society is made up of. If we don't understand that side of it, we'll always feel compelled into actions surrounding money. Things which are born out of desperation and necessity, won't always remain in a more forgiving environment<br /><br />When I spend in excess, I'm investing in public infrastructure for the future. When I'm saving, I'm investing in personal security.<br /><br />Each are very important roles and together, create a balance. The trick is to know when is enough so you still maintain control. It's hard to do when you abstain from spending all together, or spend beyond limitation.<br /><br />Balance ensures longevity, not willpower. It teaches us control in either extreme. :)Chris https://www.blogger.com/profile/13715819899708384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-76907925387751068442009-06-13T11:43:28.288+10:002009-06-13T11:43:28.288+10:00I ran across this quote today,
"If all the f...I ran across this quote today,<br /><br />"If all the folks in the United States would do the few simple things they know they ought to do, most of our big problems would take care of themselves."<br /> -Calvin Coolidge<br /><br />and it occurred to me that it applies to people all over the world, not just here in the USA. Just think if we ALL did what we know to do!Elaine/Muddling Throughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07542943000832182111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-91436656810374543562009-06-13T11:24:02.069+10:002009-06-13T11:24:02.069+10:00We're slowly learning to be more frugal - but ...We're slowly learning to be more frugal - but it has nothing to do with the "recession" and everything to do with personal hard times we've faced (which we continue to face). We're realizing new dreams (from beach condos to a small farmhouse) and working towards those new dreams. For us, we may begin buying more produce from locals than we do now and a few other small luxuries or entertaining at home, but we will never be able to spend the way we once did (or wanted to). Now, I couldn't imagine spending $80 on a pair of jeans...heck, spending more than 20 is hard for me! Same goes with other things!Ashleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05535762749666630776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-66338713487019892092009-06-13T10:12:26.097+10:002009-06-13T10:12:26.097+10:00Rhonda, the thing that gives me the greatest joy i...Rhonda, the thing that gives me the greatest joy is not what we are doing in our household but what we can teach our young folk. I have "introduced" my daughters and daughters-in-law to sites such as yours and Simple Savings and it feels so good when I hear them swapping ideas and recipes. One of my d-in-law rang me the other day to tell me she had made sausage rolls "from scratch". Now this is a girl ,not so long ago,who thought things like sausage rolls only came in plastic packs..in cardboard boxes...from the grocery store.!blossomvichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13677184278471003048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-83593297241839173602009-06-13T10:03:07.715+10:002009-06-13T10:03:07.715+10:00It is good to hear everyones thoughs on this subje...It is good to hear everyones thoughs on this subject. We always lived simply and very frugally. Like others said, we keep emproving and refining our skills and adding new ones. This life is never dull. Our children grew up like this and are following the same lifestyle now that they are grown. I think this life is full of surprises and fun. Yes there is physical work...why go to a gym when you can get muscles working on projects for your family at home! We have time and money for fun and family and the things that are important to us in life. We have time to grow, enjoy, and smell the roses and pick them for a neighbor too! Our family would not change anything about this way of life except to do more and go even deeper in it. JodyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-16627515694719599922009-06-13T10:02:04.001+10:002009-06-13T10:02:04.001+10:00Rhonda,
We live simply because we want to....at o...Rhonda,<br /><br />We live simply because we want to....at one time we had over 30,000.00 plus credit card debt and believe me that was the hardest thing to pay off. We still have a very hard time saving because we don't make very much but we have enough to pay..... our bills and eat....and have a little fun each month. <br /><br />I wish I was able to make a budget that we could stick to...we are going to try the envelope system again...we just can't find anything that works for us?<br /><br />I also try to stock-pile but that is sometimes hard if the sales don't match our pay check.<br /><br />I don't ever want to have large debts ever again...we do have a house payment and we are looking to buy a used "newer" car. ...even while you are trying to save "life" still happens. <br /><br />I thought our budget was on track until I had to go into the hospital with a kidney stone...that is when you are thrown for a loop:)<br /><br /><br />Much Love and Great Post!!!<br /><br />Renee<br /><br />Gardendesk.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-46327009976211246902009-06-13T08:11:10.521+10:002009-06-13T08:11:10.521+10:00I know that even if I didn't have to, I would ...I know that even if I didn't have to, I would still live simply. I regularly find things that I can do to make my life more simpler, and well, down to earth. I like it this way I feel more industrious, satisfied that I have done something on my own without relying on the store. There's always room for improvement but compared to the way I lived just a few years ago, I've grown by leaps and bounds. I love your word-kerfuffle-fun!DarcyLeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14721821786563546087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-30326656398508723222009-06-13T03:55:52.002+10:002009-06-13T03:55:52.002+10:00We, too, are on this path for life - and I have to...We, too, are on this path for life - and I have to say that I am quite enjoying it - - - life is simple, but rich and happy - and there is less pressure to constantly buy the next new thing (because there is no money to buy it!) It also feels right for the planet, and right for our kids to grow up understanding the concept of "enough" in a culture of excess. These issues will not change with the state of the economy. <br /><br />I have to admit that the only real pleasure that I look forward to having again one day is eating out with the family at restaurants! I miss that - as much for the uninterrupted family time as for the joy of having the night off! <br /><br />kateKate in NYnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-13251363609666487862009-06-13T03:11:02.095+10:002009-06-13T03:11:02.095+10:00to those USA readers... where do i look for the in...to those USA readers... where do i look for the ingredients for Rhonda's bar soap? Not finding it in the craft section and several other spots I've looked. A little help please!!<br />Thanks<br />KarenKaren Suehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18189370281390432351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-61409462403987893842009-06-13T02:53:35.814+10:002009-06-13T02:53:35.814+10:00My family are in the process of buliding a new hom...My family are in the process of buliding a new home. We will have rain water tanks, solar panels, vegie gardens, fruit trees, chooks, worms and compost. This is a way of life for us, and while we live in the middle of the mcmansion suburbss, our home will be a little homestead in the midst of all. We will be mortgage free before I am 50, and will then ramp up our simple living to include working less outside the home. My childeren think it is normal to grow their own fruit & veg and collect eggs, their friends think it is a novelty. We eat dinner each night at the dining table and consume our home made home growen food. <br />I am 'crunchy' and unapologetic :)If I can make my own, or make it simple I will. I want to walk slowly and enjoy my life, each day is a gift that I will not be able to savor again.Ambrosiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08445663484497405629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-49201796590539860742009-06-13T02:40:45.903+10:002009-06-13T02:40:45.903+10:00I'm in it for life.
When you know better you d...I'm in it for life.<br />When you know better you do better, simple as that.sswlkthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06345454472552582282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-12657807548092391342009-06-13T02:11:00.357+10:002009-06-13T02:11:00.357+10:00I was this way before the rest of the world had an...I was this way before the rest of the world had an economic downturn and will remain this way for life. It's just part of me! My biggest concern is for my adult and soon-to-be-adult children. Have they learned? Are they open? Do they have the tools to do things differently than the mainstream? <br /><br />Thanks for your inspiring blog. I will be making lemon curd one of these days!Lorraine Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10950114673663812192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-28176894226450636662009-06-13T02:07:01.248+10:002009-06-13T02:07:01.248+10:00I think most of the people in my rural Texas area ...I think most of the people in my rural Texas area have been living this way for so long, all our lives, that when we research how other people are cutting back, we wind up thinking "but I've been doing that all along".<br /><br />When my kids see people in huge houses with a brand new car every other year, I tend to point out that those people are probably drowning in debt with no hope in sight. They don't own a house, their house owns them. Even when the economy is "good".Cherylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02679690067714566620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-12258783432505249942009-06-13T01:47:02.556+10:002009-06-13T01:47:02.556+10:00I grew up on a hardscrabble farm and living simply...I grew up on a hardscrabble farm and living simply seems natural to me. I flirted with living more extravagantly for a while, when I started earning more money -- it makes me anxious and feels empty to me. I can't imagine going back to consuming as a life style.Lisa Carroll-Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10273095136947961386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-85565557668736078032009-06-13T01:29:19.525+10:002009-06-13T01:29:19.525+10:00Thanks Rhonda for your thoughts..as for me and hub...Thanks Rhonda for your thoughts..as for me and hubby I think we will continue to live within our means and conserve, save and reuse..we've always done this so I don't think it will change much for us. And the older we get the less material needs we have.<br />Now to encourage our children to simplify..Bettyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18214584150711242076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-15744710077395995362009-06-13T01:16:22.401+10:002009-06-13T01:16:22.401+10:00Rhonda, really enjoying your blog and your thought...Rhonda, really enjoying your blog and your thought-provoking questions. <br /><br />My Beloved Husband and I are in this for the rest of our lives. We work together to make the necessary changes and then keep them up. We work together to find more economical, ecologically responsible solutions. We put in a garden the first year in our home and are working diligently to make it as productive as possible, as organically as possible. He never recycled/repurposed items much, but he is very open and willing to learn and do. This is a great step for him!<br /><br />Meanwhile as I am still employed full time, we are saving as much $ as we can while still obtaining the needed supplies to help us be more self sufficient in the future.<br /><br />Keep up the wonderful work, Rhonda. It's great to see the answers posted to your good question. <br /><br />And YES, how about a recipe for fairy cakes? They do look wonder. I miss the "button" to your recipes.<br /><br />Kathleen in IL (USA)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-39390545031737815082009-06-13T00:56:50.845+10:002009-06-13T00:56:50.845+10:00I try to be as frugal as possible -- not because I...I try to be as frugal as possible -- not because I'm cheap but because I hate waste and our money is hard to come by so why spend more when I don't need to?? We grow most of our own food including a huge garden and our own beef, pork, and poultry. We are blessed as we live on a farm and have the capacity to raise the larger livestock. <br /><br />As Wendy stated I, too, try to make one change every month or so, do it until it is a habit and then try something else. We do all of the obvious things -- hang out laundry, raise our own food, watch the electricity consumption, etc. Every little thing helps.<br /><br />KristinaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-7648207762375213832009-06-13T00:29:56.335+10:002009-06-13T00:29:56.335+10:00I've lived this way off and on since the 70...I've lived this way off and on since the 70's. Mostly on, except during some of life's turbulances (I guess those would qualify as life's kerfuffles -love that word!-). When my children were small I made my own yogurt, mayonaise, baby food, used cloth diapers for my young ones, recycled, refinished and reused furniture, etc. and tried to eat healthy. Like me, the process has matured depending on my family's needs. But I have recently learned to can fruits and veggies and begun to bake my own bread again. I've been fortunate to live most of my life near my Mother, who always had more time to do the canning and baking and so provided it for us. Now that she is older and not able to do so much, I am returning the favor and glad to be able to do so.<br />Now that we are living in the country we have chickens for eggs (can't bring myself to process them for meat yet), we have a small lake full of fish that we eat occassionally and have started a compost pile to use in the future veggie garden (it was put off this year because we had to build a new chicken coop). <br />My Mother taught me to sew when I was in elementary school so I've always sewn for the house and made clothes for myself and my family and quilted. I learned to knit a few years ago and have made all sorts of fun things. But, I don't have much time for these things right now and look forward to a time when I do-I really enjoy working with my hands.<br />So, yes, I plan on continuing. DH will be retiring in about 2 years and me shortly after, so money will be tight still, but we will have more time to garden and do around the house.Kathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17212997946377206763noreply@blogger.com