5 ways to simplify (and save money)

A quick post to show a few ways to simplify and save the environment, while saving money at the same time.

1. When brushing your teeth try to reduce the water you use - you could just put enough water in a cup or stop running the water while you are brushing. Over the course of a year that's a lot of water.
2. Try walking the couple blocks to the store....it is good for your health, and you will feel good about it. You will not save time driving (by the time you get the car ready, start it, drive it, stop, park it etc.) and you will save the emissions and your gas money each time you do it...a lot of gas and toxins each month.
3. Buy your own coffee mug and take it with you everywhere. Not only do you get a discount from many of the coffee stores, but your coffee is generally warmer (and you often get more) but you also save the cup, cup protector, lid etc.
4. Don't rake your leaves...let them decompose and fertilize your garden (plus they offer a really good mulch/protection for certain plants in the winter)
5. If you forgot to pack your healthy lunch, try to go to a grocery store or a market if you have one nearby for a few simple items, it is almost certainly cheaper, healthier and you can get some of your grocery shopping done instead of eating away at your valuable private time.

These are just a few simple things. If you think long and hard about it there are thousands of ways you can change your habits with a positive impact on the earth and a more simple approach to your lifestyle, while saving a ton.

Cost of Living - Be Simple

The cost of living is an issue that has always been with us. The bottom line...be simple. The more we spend, the more money we need to earn and the harder we need to work. In order to find the time to enjoy life we need to work less....SO, is it not obvious that we need to minimize our lifestyle. This has two positive impacts on the world. Firstly, we reduce our consumption and lessen the environmental destruction of consumption & pollution. The second impact is that we clearly take back our lives and have the time (not money) to do the things we enjoy. If you need to spend less, then you need to spend less time earning.

One of the major costs of living, especially in big cities like Toronto, is the cost of maintaining a home. Good jobs are hard to come by and even a job three (3) times the minimum wage will only earn a salary in the mid forties (40K), which after taxes leaves about $2500 a month. With rent at the low end covering a third of that, the remaining money doesn't go far for food and the other necessities. This means we are putting ourselves further and further into debt, a trap that many will never get out of. If you are able to keep your job, since layoffs are a predominant part of our workforce now, then you may be able to hold fast, that is based on the premise that you have the stamina to deal with the politics and troubles in the office and on the voyage to work. Many people can't!!! The red tape of offices and governments may also provide too many obstacles for some.

As a writer, with many diverse skills, I've witnessed this phenomenon and have researched affordable and sustainable options for housing and living for over a decade. In the city this is harder to achieve, but can be done. I am working on a large scale solution for affordable urban housing that will have a built in economy, self & community sponsored funding, sustainable power and food, locally focused, socially diverse and is community oriented.

Simply Stephen, has therefore gone more simple and is simplifying the cost of living by living in my car, camping, traveling and visiting. I've reduced my belongings...even more. As a minimalist I could usually make myself pretty mobile, but have almost got it down to a science. Here is the simple list of things remaining:

• guitar (I've sold all my other instruments)
• laptop
• cellphone
  
• tool box
• backpack with clothes
• Knapsack with basics such as battery charger, clock
  
• cooler & "kitchen in a bag"
• CAR - small gas conscious Toyota Tercel
  

In order to start this journey, I need to raise awareness and start reducing my cost. Here's what I'm doing. I'm teaching people the value of life and showing them the cost of living. I've started reducing my impact on the world by stopping the rental trap. I'm networking with people when I ride share places and visit cafes to pick up email for free. If you would like to learn more about this experiment please visit www.besimple.info to discover the step by step process, tips and tricks and refinement of the minimizing process. I am hoping to share each aspect of this journey and show everyone, not just minimalists, how they can take back some aspect of their life.

Your support, both financial and moral would be appreciated. It is time to change the planet and offer solutions for not just a few people that meet the criteria on an application, but for all those that are interested in a prosperous and fulfilling life. Please take the time to review my network of sites and all the friends and sponsors to help them in their dreams and goals.

Simplify your bookshelf

I used to have over 2000 books, some only reference and hardly used, but mostly a functional library of books with a large collection of escape stories. I also lived in a FOUR bedroom farmhouse with TWO living rooms and only one other room mate. In this house I had furniture and a large collection of things. Over a decade ago I started moving quite a bit and this was one of the catalysts that helped me to simplify my life....but today, I just want to start with your bookshelf.

Books, music, files, gadgets and sentimental things seem to be the hardest to let go. But let's look at the reality of it. If you move a lot and have a large book collection there are a number of downsides.

1. They are heavy (quick moving tip use a wine box, it is about the right size and weight)
2. They take up a lot of space
3. The cost to move and ship them is expensive
4. They often stay in the box for months or go into storage (hint - this means you don't need or use them)
5. They will get damaged over time with many moves

Here's a few ways to reduce your book collection.

1. Look at the books that are getting worn - get rid of them.
2. Ask yourself the question could someone else enjoy this?
3. Reference books that are dated are no longer needed
4. Can you use the Internet as a source for info instead
5. Do you really need to keep your University text books that you last looked at in 1987
6. Is there a rummage sale that would benefit a good cause?
7. When you read a book, start a pile of "trade-ins" and get replacements only when you get rid of the pile (this saves money as you don't need the space on a bookshelf, therefore you may even get rid of a bookshelf and have a "bigger room" and you are getting money back for your book)
8. Go to the library - they have books there, you can return them
9. Do you really need the book or can it wait (how many books do you have unread in your house)
10. Remember - you can always buy the book again later (and they are really cheap on Amazon, Ebay, Used Bookstores and at Garage Sales)

This is just a start. Each time I move or go for an adventure somewhere, this summer it was the Yukon, I go through my books and reduce them. It is down to about 75 now and I will reduce that by another 10-20 by year end. Some of these are yearbooks & some are green, writing or web reference books that I do use but otherwise I only keep a few favourites and even some of them I have removed because I know that I can buy them again for a couple dollars.

It's time to rethink your bookshelf. You can apply this rule to so many other items and if you do it slowly over time you will eventually get yourself to a more simple, peaceful and decluttered world. Try it - you just might like it.