Voluntary Simplicity Books

With a generous dose of humor and practical advice, this book outlines how to declutter our homes and why we clutter up in the first place. While other how-to manuals explain technically what to do, this book explains in a very simple, straight-forward manner how to unclutter our homes and how to stay uncluttered. With several stories of her own comical initial efforts to unclutter her home, this author provides inspiration, hope and optimism no matter how little or how much your home is plagued by runaway collections of things. Highly recommended!

Cynthia Friedlob helps us to relate to her cluttered life and her attempts to overcome clutter and become more organized in a delightfully funny way. You will be laughing out loud and thinking, "Oh good, I am not the only one who does that!" Get some great ideas on how to de-clutter and un-stuff your life.

Reviewed by Joanne Benham for Reader Views (7/06)

American people have a great deal of difficulty throwing away useless stuff. If we get too much stuff to keep in our house, we rent a storage unit. And if, heaven forbid, we get even more stuff, well, we can always rent another unit. As silly as this statement sounds, it's the truth. We make all sorts of excuses for keeping stuff; I need to clip out that recipe, it's only a little nick in this cup and I can sand it out, etc, etc.

The truth is, most of us could probably fill a good sized dumpster with stuff we have lying around, unused, in our homes.

Cynthia Friedlob tackles the monumental job of helping us see this stuff as...stuff. Stuff cluttering up our lives, causing anxiety and stress as we sort through all the useless stuff looking for something we need. Why do we have six pairs of pantyhose with runs? Do we really need to fill up the living room with wall-to-wall furniture so that we have somewhere for everyone to sit when the holidays arrive?

Sprinkled through this book are little tidbits: little extra nudges to encourage you to de-stuff your life.

There are also True Confessions: fact-based horror stories. I can guarantee that most people have experienced one of these stories in their lives.

Behind the humor, however, is some sound advice. Without getting preachy, Friedlob shows us how to decide what to keep and what can go, along with several options for disposing of our stuff.

I know that I myself cannot throw away a book unless it's a paperback and even then it has to be damaged. Otherwise, if it won't fit on the bookshelf, it goes into a plastic container that I pile in the basement. After reading this book, I called my sister, who can throw away anything, and we cleared out fourteen 35-gallon plastic containers of books. Most we gave away, some we sold in an on-line auction and some that we couldn't even give away, were pitched. It was one of my proudest moments. Thank you, Cynthia.

Written by self-confessed clutter sufferer Cynthia Friedlob, Sorting It Out: One Disorganized Woman Solves the Problem of Too Much Stuff is part memoir but mostly a self-help guide drawn from personal life experience to expunging excess clutter from one's life. Chapters address how to free oneself from the trap of identifying oneself through one's possessions, how to exercise appropriate restraint when buying new stuff, means of disposing or even profiting from extraneous stuff, humorous anecdotes, and much more. A wonderfully friendly, down-to-earth, and much-needed antidote to the clutter indigestion induced by too much consumption.

"When you clear out your plentiful assortment of excess stuff and things, you not only straighten up your home, you also clear out space in your head." ~ pg. 149

If you feel that excess "stuff" around your house is distracting you from your life goals, many traditions promote organization as a way to also declutter the mind and clean out the cobwebs of your daily existence.

Many people, especially artists, can live in chaos and function on a normal level, but most of us want to be able to find things so we spend less time searching for our keys, looking for the ingredient we just know is in the kitchen someplace and living in fear of looking under the bed. I create very well in chaos, but then I have to take a break and organize myself for the next creative impulse.

Organizing can seem intimidating at first, but with "Sorting It Out" you will let go of old possessions in exchange for new ideas, a less complex lifestyle and a renewed spirit.

`It turns out that the less stuff you carry with you, the less you have to think about." ~ pg. 107

Do you feel overwhelmed by your possessions?

Do you dread coming home from work to find the house is still not how you'd like it to be, so you can relax?

Are you constantly looking for items you know exists but are buried someplace in a pile on the desk?

Do you have time for a garage sale or would it make you feel good to donate your items to a charity?

What do you do about items with sentimental value? Some tricky questions...

Don't give up yet! Help has arrived because Cynthia Friedlob has been there and decided that all that "stuff" was limiting her existence and standing in the way of the life she envisioned. Through her witty advice and humorous tales you can take on household clutter with flair. She also has advice for how to save time by setting up your bank account to automatically pay bills. This has worked very well for me over the past few months. She addresses the issue of "paper" in regards to bills, magazines, catalogues and newspapers.

I now have five big black garbage bags full of stuff to donate to charity and I will say someone is going to find a few good books to read! It really comes down to the decision to buy more bookshelves or help the books I've read find new homes. This year I had spring and autumn organizing and without so much stuff around the house, it is even easier to clean the carpets.

Whether you are taking on one room or one drawer or closet at a time, this book can help you clear out the chaos and find out what is truly valuable.

"Don't get caught up buying storage containers to organize your stuff until you've tossed out everything that you don't need." ~ pg. 38

~The Rebecca Review

Having read many books of the simplicity genre you will find that this book is unique. It has challenged me to deeply reflect upon my life and how I can further shed unecessary burdens. Before reading this book I already lived simple. After reading this book it shined the light in areas I was still attached to. This book will have an impact on my life forever. It exposes the emptiness of a life based solely on money, career, possessions, and the daily grind. Awakening the dormant spiritual giant within us that longs for depth and meaning in a society gone mad with superficiality. "Less is More" can help guide one toward the path of freedom, beauty, simplicty and adventure.

vagabondsteve@yahoo.com

I bought my copy circa 1978 at age 35 and shared it with my wife. Even though we were already instinctively thinking along these lines this book impressed us greatly. It's title became something of a household quip and we found ourselves frequently dipping into it and finding something applicable to the rat race. It became so dog-eared that we had it custom bound as a family treasure. Its wisdom has seen us into a early, modest, and satisfactory retirement.

Lots of products claim that they will change your life. This one does...

'Less is More' is a collection of quotes and very short essays from a multitude of sources on the value of simplicity. Some of those quoted lived and wrote many centuries ago, while others are from the near present, and of course, there are many in between. Some of the more recognizable people quoted include Ghandi, Thomas Hobbes, Socrates, Thoreau, Shakespeare, St. Francis, Pascal, Adam Smith, Benjamin Franklin, John Kenneth Galbraith, Muhammad, Arthur Miller, and H.G. Wells. Some of the sources used are the Bible, the Bhagavad-Gita, the Dhammapada, and the Tao Te Ching.

The quotes are grouped according to the various facets of this subject, although some of them are more obviously related to living simply than others. Most of the quotes range from a few sentences to a paragraph or two. The excerpt from the first chapter is not representative of the overall book. I have owned an earlier edition of this book for many years and continue to find it inspiring. I only wish that there were a hardcover edition available as my paperback copy is becoming rather worn from being read and re-read by myself and the people I have lent it to.

great and wonderful........reverse the title and it still comes out the same.

From its definition of money--life energy--to its activities, Joe Dominquez and Vicki Robin's Your Money or Your Life is the book that puts things in perspective, so that anyone who picks it up knows what he or she can to do create a powerful life. My son balked when he first picked up the book because it is labeled "Self help." After reading a few pages, he decided the book was much more. The exercises reinforce the overall theme--because it is a theme that permeates the book--you have to know what it means to live to have a life! In addition, the book introduces its readers to a list of organizations with an abundance of resources, including a variety of study guides created for use with students, associates, and church groups. I recommend reading Your Money or Your Life several times and sharing it with family and friends.

This book is life altering! It is hands down the best book I have ever read on how to get out of the daily grind and do something with your life. What's more amazing is that Joe & Vicki had this wisdom decades ago and it is still applicable today. It was thrilling to discover that the life of my dreams is not only possible, but only nine simple steps away. Value yourself enough to get this book (whether you buy it or borrow it is up to you) and discover how you can start making the life you want for yourself today.

Excellent book-the book expresses my philosophy on money more than any that I have every read. I reread my copy often and have given many, many copies as gifts-great for the new graduate and your married couple especially. Not difficult to read and grasp compared to many books of this type.
I recommend it highly.

I'm not one to leave reviews for books, but I read through the reviews that gave 1-star and now feel that its my duty to counteract them. While the book is not 100% flawless, it has had very profound and positive influences on my life. I read it two years ago and it has opened my eyes to countless truths which I simply could not see before. Many of these truths are not financial in nature.

People with negative reviews of this book claim that following the program and tracking every penny in your life is unrealistic. This is a lame excuse for laziness or lack of motivation. I've been able to track every cent of my money very easily and only tend to computations at the end of every month. Learn how to use electronic spreadsheets -- it's not hard. All you have to do is keep your receipts in a bucket and read through them once a month.

Another thing that people like to harp on is the dated financial advice in the last few chapters. The book was probably written in the 70s and the financial picture has obviously changed. So, when the authors tell you all the reasons to invest in high-yield treasury bonds, take those reasons and find a different means to the same end. Read a "Personal Finance for Dummies" book written in the last year and it will spell out the modern equivalent. Personally, I'd recommend looking into tax law 72(t), also known as the Substantially Equal Periodic Payment (SEPP). The SEPP program lets you withdrawal from retirement accounts before age 59 1/2 without penalty or having a special financial circumstance.

There is so much insight packed into the first few pages alone that the book pays for itself instantly. The vast majority of Americans are going through life in a quiet desperation and not knowing why. Few people realize their own potential to live without boundaries but are convinced through fear, anxiety and social norms not to do so. This book lays out the exact reasons too many of us feel unfulfilled and helpless, then it frees you. For the negative reviewers of this book to overlook this point is folly.

I will say, however, that there is one section that is dead wrong in its analysis; the part that tries to dismiss inflation as insignificant, practically non-existent. How the authors came to this conclusion is a puzzle, because if you track the worth of a dollar through the last 100 years, it's pretty obvious that it loses its purchasing power. I wish they could rewrite this section and point out that the Federal Reserve is a giant cash printing press that pays for wasteful government programs, but I guess it's too late for that. As the Fed prints more money, the dollars become more abundant and consequently less valuable. Try as it might, the book cannot escape this reality.

So, that's my only reservation about this book. Had I never read it, I'd still be sitting in my lifeless cubicle at work hoping that the world would soon end. Now, I have complete control over my life, am living my dreams and liberating my peers to do the same. It's been absolutely invaluable to me.

I would also recommend the book entitled, "You CAN Retire Young".

At thirty-three years of age, I was unemployed, way deep in debt, and living in the basement apartment of my brother's house. My brother was letting me live there, rent-free, until I got my act together. It took awhile (Thanks, Jack!)...but a few books made the trip back a lot easier.

This was one of them along with "The Millionaire Next Door," "Die Broke," and "How to Get What You Want with the Money You Already Have." There were many more, too many to mention them all here, but YMOYL was, for me, the biggest piece of the puzzle!

Why? Because before I read YMOYL I had never even considered financial independence (FI) a possibility! Was not, in fact, really even aware of the concept or that I did not have to work for living forever and ever (Amen!) The other book I owe a debt in this regard is, "Cashing In On the American Dream." (Long out of print, unfortunately.)

Since my days in that basement apartment, I have gone on to teach personal financial management at the college level and coach others on the topic. I recommend this book to all my coaching clients for the simple message that, with a plan and the desire to work towards that end, it is possible to achieve financial independence.

Helping my clients to develop a plan to achieve FI is the central goal of my coaching practice. And, in fact, a few years back I achieved FI (although I do live a fairly modest lifestyle). That being said, what I enjoy most about being FI is that I have moved beyond the daily grind of having to work for a living: It is that same freedom that I wish for all my clients!

This book is showing its age in some regards and the investment strategy it advocates is an issue for some readers. Not so much for me as I invest in only cash or equivalents. So, if you are likewise conservative, it probably won't be an issue for you either.

Also, the book does make the case that inflation is not an important factor in personal financial planning; and it was not for a long time, for me, personally. But lately, with gas and food prices spiking, I have seen the affect of rising prices on my budget. So, when/if you read the book, this aspect of its message might cause you to think twice about the value of the book, in general. I say look beyond its few flaws for the larger message that it delivers.

If you are looking for an alternative viewpoint to the predominant financial mores of modern America, this is it.

-----------------------------------------------------------

WR Curiel, author, The Debt Whisperer: "How to Get Out of Debt and Stay Out of Debt Without Wrecking Your Life, Your Credit, or Your Future" and Money Well Spent: "Seven Steps Towards Greater Financial Peace of Mind"

This book was laugh out loud funny in several places, but also has some interesting ideas about how to live one's life in an enjoyable, but far less expensive way. Much of it I had heard before, but never seen in such an easily accessible and funny/easy to read format. As simple as much of the ideas here are...and ANYONE can use them...living the "conserver" lifestyle is not for those already living at or below the poverty line...as his "method" points out you need to be out of debt and have savings and investments set up to live this way practically. So, really...like several other books I've read recently (most notably The Joy of Not Working) this is really a book for people making 30,000-60,000 (or more) and are tired of the rat race and looking for a new and "better" way to live and enjoy life.

I also think it's important to point out that How to Survive Without a Salary is NOT about living with out a job or some other form of income, it's really about taking a few steps away from the strangle hold of corporate America and living for one's self and one's family...this book isn't so much about dropping out as it is about opting out to another type of job that is more conducive to living a good family life and comes with a lot of funny anecdotes if you do it "right." I think maybe the average person working at poverty level MIGHT able to do this, but it would most likely take 5x as long as he predicts and would be a serious hardship for families (not so much for single people or married without kids couples).

What I think this book does best is demonstrate an alternate way of thinking about how we live and how we spend our money. Some of the best advice here is the logical and oft repeated, don't buy it on credit...but also he admonishes us not to run out and buy things RIGHT when the need arises (if at all possible), because often, an alternative solution will arise (sale, used item given, ect...) that winds up saving the person a great deal of money. Also a warning...the author is Canadian and this book does not deal with the health care dilemma that most of us in the US are faced with, so from that perspective, this book would require some serious thinking for the average American working class family to undertake...because we don't get health care for free. That said, I would definitely add this to my library...but as I am currently living at poverty level, I am at a place where I have to figure out extra income to make this type of life a reality for myself, at least the parts that I would like to incorporate into *my* plan.

I borrowed this book from the library and laughed so hard when the author tipped the reader who borrowed rather than bought his book. I haven't been able to quit my salaried job--yet--but I've learned to practice frugality thanks to my student days. I'm also an environmentalist -- no plastic shopping bag please! and am appalled by the garbage we all produce. This is why I love this book -- save money, save the world, save your sanity.

Charles Long has helped me appreciate that I don't have to be a slave to my job all the days of my healthy-enough-to-work life, and even gave me a few tips I hadn't thought of for furthering the conserver lifestyle. It's great to know that I'm on track and it helps to save scarce resources, even if I'm not as cheap as he is. (I would have put down a piece of plywood on that hole in his floor long before he scrounged up that grate.) Folks, the best things in life (like family time) are FREE. So is all the *stuff* you can get for free (or nearly so) from this throwaway society....!

I have followed Charles Long's two books on living outside of the "normal" suburban grind for years and have purchased the latest editions as they are printed. He is an extremely well-written author, a pleasure to read, with thoughtful and incisive comments on living a life without a salary (NOT without money). Quite a few people you know are living without a salary: those self-employed tradespeople, lawyers, doctors, etc. count on their own skills to bring in the money, not a salary from a company. These books give me many new ideas, no matter how many times I've read them. I've heard variations on his past themes from countless other sources. A very good read, indeed.

This book is an introduction to living well while living cheaply. Long uses the term "conserver" to denote a person whose philosophy of life is to live better by spending less money. The book outlines how one can become a conserver and ideas for ways to manage well with less money. A conserver who achieves some measure of success at cutting expenses will soon find that needs for income are also reduced, hence a salary is no longer necessary. At that point, the conserver can quit working for a living since "casual income" will suffice. Long also provides some ideas of how to gain a casual income. Thus, the way to live without a salary is first to cut expenses, then eliminate debt, and with the new low expense lifestyle, many people will find that they no longer need a full-time job to get by.

The structure of the book is as follows: introduction to the conserver lifestyle, budgeting, needs, identifying the time when a salary is no longer necessary, casual income, buying secondhand goods, buying at auctions, alternatives to buying, taxes, insurance and retirement, and the macro-economics of the conserver lifestyle. The book does not include a list of references or an index. There are no illustrations.

Long makes some points that are well worth writing on the family bulletin board. "There is more to be gained more easily by reducing costs than increasing income," he argues in the first chapter. When sorting out needs from wants, Long notes that we must consider the maintenance and storage costs as well as additional effort required to use the item when adding up the true cost of an item that we purchase. "Given all the aggravation, do I really want it?" he has us consider before we make a purchase. Some of his soundest advice about purchasing items is to simply procrastinate. Quite often, if you put off the purchase for a while instead of going out and buying something when the need first arises, you may stumble across an equally good alternative solution that doesn't require a purchase after all, or perhaps a slightly used second-hand item at a fraction of the original price. Long has another great rule of thumb that applies to debt: "Borrow to buy resalable things whose value is inflating faster than the rate of interest on the debt." By this measure, taking out a loan to go on vacation is a ridiculous idea. So is putting a stereo system or computer on a credit card. Car loans also don't make the cut. Real estate, however, is another story. Long cites several examples of people living without salaries whose income comes entirely from real estate investments.

For me, most of the useful ideas in this book were in the first half of the book. I found the chapter on auctions a bit strange. In this chapter, Long goes into great detail about how auctions are run, how to inspect items before the sale, and how to make bids. I expected that he would mention how a person could make a casual income by going to auctions, buying items cheaply, and then reselling them later for profit. He tells us that you often end up having to buy a whole pile of items at an auction just to get the one or two things that you need from the pile, but he doesn't include suggestions of how to get rid of the things you don't need. With an emphasis on acquiring items cheaply through auctions, yard sales, and free shelves at the transfer stations, but no mention of how to get rid of unwanted stuff, there's a danger of filling your house to overflowing with cheap stuff. There's a fine line between being a conserver and being a packrat, and from his descriptions, it doesn't sound like Long keeps that idea prominent with his own family. Also, in several places, he mentions getting used appliances cheaply, but he doesn't note how this can be counter-productive for minimizing expenses, since new appliances are so much more energy efficient than old ones. In fact, conservation of energy and natural resources is one topic that doesn't receive much attention in this book. A true conserver would seek to save money by reducing energy consumption even if it requires some additional initial investment.

Overall, I found parts of the book interesting. Since there is more of an emphasis on acquiring things cheaply than not acquiring things or getting rid of unwanted things, this book takes a different approach than books about the simplicity lifestyle. Nevertheless, most of the overall suggestions and ideas will be useful for those seeking to live a better life by switching to the slow lane.

+++++

This humorous but practical and easy to comprehend book or guide, by Canadian journalist and writer, Charles Long, is about being a conserver. A conserver is a person who learns how to get by with less and make do with what he/she has. A person who lives as a conserver lives "the conserver lifestyle."

Despite the book's title, it is actually a book for everyone: for those employed, for those without a salary, city dwellers, and country dwellers. Or to put it another way this is a book for everyone "concerned with the diminishing purchase power of their dollar."

Long practices what he preaches! All the philosophy and economic theory behind the conserver lifestyle came from him (and his family) living and surviving without a salary.

This eleven chapter book, as the author states, revolves around three key premises:

(I) Control expenditures and save money. The author shows you how in his four chapters entitled:

1. The Secondhand Market
2. Auction Buying
3. Alternatives to Buying
4. Cheap Tips

(II) Income of some sort is still required (for those who decide to survive without a salary). This income does not have to be made through employment. The author has a full chapter entitled:

5. Casual Income

(III) Preparing yourself for the conserver lifestyle takes time (especially for those deciding to survive without a salary). The chapters covering this are entitled:

6. Assessing Yourself
7. Needs
8. Getting Ready

There is even a chapter on how to answer questions if you decide to live the conserver lifestyle without a salary. It's entitled:

9. What Do You Do For a Living? (and other difficult questions).

So far I have mentioned nine chapters. Even though all chapters mention this, one chapter is devoted exclusively to the philosophy of the conserver lifestyle. (This chapter also discusses other relevant topics.) It's entitled:

10. What's the Catch?

Another chapter discusses taxes & insurance and how to save on them. It's entitled:

11. Caesar's Due.

There are three problems I had with this book:

First, there are no (foot)notes (or hardly any). True the book profiles the author's personal experiences but I did notice some numbers and statistics given that were not given credit.
Second, the author sidesteps the issue of health care. Perhaps it is because he is Canadian and they have universal health coverage. However, countries like the United States do not have this and since health care is expensive, it would be difficult for most Americans to leave a salaried position. They, however, still could be conservers and live the conserver lifestyle but with a salary.
Third, although this is not absolutely essential, it would have been helpful to have a brief summary in the form of a list at the end of each chapter.

Note that this book has no index but since its table of contents is so comprehensive, an index is not really needed.

Finally, there is another book that that gives a slightly different and perhaps a more comprehensive spin on this subject. It's called "Your Money or Your Life" by Dominguez and Robin. Another useful book is "The Joy of Not Working" by Zelinski.

In conclusion, this is a book that outlines an alternative lifestyle called the conserver lifestyle. Discover for yourself why "[t]he greatest security is not in having the most, but in needing the least!"

(revised edition first published 1996; preface; 11 chapters; main narrative 200 pages)

+++++

Elkin's Simplicity and Success expands a great deal upon concepts developed through his work with Robert Fritz, weaving in applicable ideas from a number of thinkers in the voluntary simplicity movement. The explanations of the concepts flow in a logical progression, and are accompanied by a range of very helpful illustrations.

After reading Elkin's book, I found the ideas so inspiring that I hired him as a coach to gain practice with the concepts. Additionally, I utilized Simplicity and Success as a text for a graduate leadership and self-development course I designed and taught. The students, many of whom were seasoned professionals, reported that the book was tremendously helpful--and I largely credit Elkin's approach for the process I followed in designing the class, and for the great reviews that the class later received.

The book emphasizes a "learn as you do" approach, which may not be the most comfortable fit for readers who feel they first need to step back and clarify elements such as life purpose, values and strengths before jumping into things. However, Elkin gives very focused and in-depth attention to each step in the process he covers.

When I later authored a self-empowerment book, I was sure to reference Elkin's work, hoping that many more people discover his powerful contribution. Having backgrounds in counseling psychology, public policy/management, and life coaching, I appreciate the value of Simplicity and Success. This book has helped me to integrate several areas of my life and increase my focus upon what's most important to me.

I have ready any number of self-help and do-it-yourself books in my quest to be the best "me" I could. However, over and over again I found myself falling back into habits and behaviors I didn't particularly like, and still wasn't hitting the bullseye in accomplishing what I did want to do. Well, sometimes I got there, but not as often as I would have wanted. Now I know why.

I love this book because it answered the question of why I was trying so hard to achieve and not doing so. This is a book that you could read, and re-read over and over again, and probably get more each time. I can relate to the people in it; the anguish Bruce felt while finding his best work choices; and feel as if I truly have the right road to walk down now.

I have unhesitantly recommended it to many of my friends - all of whom were in the same boat as I was -- how to get what you want without melting down in the process. Bruce's book makes it simple to conceive actually finally doing so. From Heart's Haven Manor

a good book , but is a complete rip off of robert fritz material.
he has some original stories of clients, but other than that nothing original that i found. read robert fritz's books to get a more accurate and concise application of the creative process.

Simplicity and Success is a great guide to creating a simple and successful life. Many of us in a fast-paced world crave simplicity - but don't know how to achieve it. Others chase after the world's definition of success and find it equally as elusive. Bruce Elkin offers an elegant vision of a rich life based on sustainable values. A must-read for those of us who care about creating meaningful and moral lives.

What immediately caught my attention about this book was that it supported values that are important to me. I feel like those of us who believe the modern life is lacking and would like to live in a manner which supports something other than the great accumulation of money and things are told, "It can't be done! Get with it, and join the real world."
What is most exciting about this book, is that it tells you how to create the life you want based upon things which are most important to you. Wow, what a concept. You don't have to try to fit in, or hang around on the fringes to avoid being gobbled up, compromise, lead a double life, or any of the strategies which I or others I know have tried.
The basis for leading this "dream life" is to exterminate either/or thinking, or problem solving, as it is named in the book. This book guides you through the process of inclusive thinking, goal setting, and honoring your values in a super-concrete manner. I never found myself thinking, yeah, that's a good idea, but it won't work. Many books are founded on lofty ideals with no practical on the ground action steps. Not so with this book. It leaves the ideals to you and leads you through the action steps. Revolutionary.
The author has a lot of experience with this process and it shows. The stories and examples are inspirational. Read it. Do it.

Get Satisfied is a very satisfying read! I plan to share this book with friends and family. It's enlightening to know the life changes people have been able to make!

Very refreshing book on the simple life, proving to our society that we all can get by with less and to review our daily lives with more simplicity. This book was a culmination of personal stories very real and to the heart
warming soul of many people who are on a treadmill, with bigger homes,racing to get ahead.My compliments
to the author for coming up with this journal of real life stories and to those who took time out to contribute.

What I really appreciate about this book is that it allows people to see the many different definitions of simplicity. There is no one correct way to live "simply." If you are on a journey of being satisfied with fewer things or with a less busy schedule and would like to hear the stories of others, check this book out.

I read a first edition (2001) from the library and while the book is good it is very dated. Newer edition may improve the suggestions part as that was where i feel the book was weakest. Excellent history of consumption in the US.

Odds are you're infected with affluenza but, don't worry, there is a cure. You'll just need to take the medicine. This book is both entertaining and thought provoking.

Take an honest look at the degree of your illness, make some changes to how you think and the results could amaze you. They say the best things in life are free but some of us had to buy this book (the book's not free) to really appreciate that.

The premise of this book is great; discussing the over-consumption by many Americans. It really does a good job of making you think about all of the junk that you have accumulated during your life, and asking yourself "Why?" It really makes you want to simplify your life. Unfortunately, the book is ruined by all of the liberalism it promotes. At one point, there is discussion of Marxism in a positive light. It is hard for me to wrap my arms around a book that would promote such a thing. The book seems to suggest that the government should be involved in reducing Americans consumption. I am in agreement that we must reduce our waste and over-consumption, but it must be a personal choice. That is what is known as freedom. The book loses me as I am sure that it will other readers when it encourages socialist, or even communist views.

This book is a lively, sharp and at times even whimsical (in a cynical sort of way) look at the problem of over-consumption that plagues America. The authors meticulously dissect and expose each facet of the problem, relying on studies and expert opinion, and overall construct a good synopsis of the issues. In fact, one could argue that they belabor point after point, until midway through the book I was ready to put it down, depressed -- particularly since I had read much of the same material in other books, such as "The Overspent American" by Schor.

However, I kept plodding through, since the authors promise at the beginning of the book that in the end they will detail some solutions to the problem. But therein lies the disappointment -- Just when you expect a denoument, a satisfactory end that tells you how to cure this disease, or better yet how to avoid it altogether, there are no workable solutions put forth, no cures or treatments. Rather than explaining workable solutions that any of us can implement, the last third of the book is dedicated to describing radical steps taken by a few -- a CEO who quit his/her job to open a pottery stuido/grow flax in the garden/weave hemp hammocks/insert low-impact activity here; a couple who moves/sells their house/buys very small living quarters/reduces amount of trash produced to one garbage bag per year buy growing all of their food and "making own packaging"; or someone who writes a book, constructs an intentional community, or starts a not-for-profit pro-simplicity organization. What happens to us other poor souls, who enjoy our jobs and neighborhoods but want to simplify in other, baby-step ways? Alas, we are forgotten by this book. Much more practical may be some of the books by Elaine St. James.

In the end, the book was unsatisfying. The authors cut away to expose the problem, but offer no real-world solution -- as if a surgeon were to cut and dissect to expose the tumor, but then walk away from the patient on the operating table, without removing the diseased tissue and closing the wound he made.

This book quite literally changed my life in a great way. Upon reading the introductory chapters, it was clear to me that I surely had Affluenza. Continuing through the book, I realized how dire it was that our whole country was "infected" and how deeply. Finally, it offered real solutions to combating the disease.

I know the analogy of Affluenza as a disease seems a little cheesy, but it was effective in getting the point across. After reading the book, it became so clear to me that my time is so valuable and that careers that don't allow you to have your personal time (to explore your hobbies) in lieu of a fat paycheck just aren't worth it. I have made so many adjustments in my life to create less waste. But more than anything learning to "want less" is such an important lesson that so very many people in our materialistic culture just will never understand. And they aren't fully to blame because our culture promotes it and its essentially brainwashed into us.

If you're already thinking that you you spend too much, that you always want more and new things, that you're in a job that you don't feel in any way is your calling, that you waste too much, and ultimately that you want to be a better person, READ THIS BOOK. It will inspire you in ways you never imagined....

A very good read for anyone who dreams of ditching the rat race and living a more relaxed life that is in harmony with nature.

From what I've been able to piece together Helen and Scott must have been a couple of outcast university professors that were scorned for their anti-establishment (socialist?) teachings. I think they must have been what would later become beatniks (and later hippies).

Throughout their book (actually 2 books) they forecast the social disintegration of the US.

They believe people should only work 4 hours a day and play the rest of the day. To me they actually seem lazy.

They say that when they feel a cold coming on they do as the neighborhood dogs and cats do, they quit eating until they feel fit again. To me, that's a very silly way of treating a cold. When animals quit eating it's because they don't feel like eating. They don't say, "I must be sick so I shouldn't eat." Ridiculous.

They preach about not using animals for food or labor. They also refer to milk as a food not for adults but for baby animals and talk about being vegetarians. Then in one chapter they talk about 3 girls down the road that regularly deliver milk to their house (contrary to their teachings). There is also a photo of them using horses to plow a field and another photo of Helen driving a pair of horses (two more examples of them not following their own teachings) on a snow covered road while she's riding in the wagon or sled (can't tell which since the picture is taken from in front of the horses). ??? Were they hypocrites? Did they eat shrimp cocktail and prime rib on Sunday afternoons?

There is a lot of information that is repeated in the book.

This book is way overrated. It's more of a 'do as I say, not as I do' book. I got very annoyed at the often repeated refences to America's 'disintegrating society'. (Here were are fifty years after the first of the 2 books were written.)

I felt that they may have been frustrated by not being able to establish a large following (as prophets?) so they could create a large commune. Instead, people seemed to come and go from their homesteads.

It seems to be more of a treatise against capitalism and self motivation than for homesteading and self sufficiency. They simply wanted to barely get by. Were they lazy? (People that visited were talked out of working more than 4 hours a day.)

I'm reading it for the 3rd time in 25 years and it is enjoyable to read. There are much better books out there for those considering homesteading. If you are considering homesteading then read some books that are more up to date and don't have such political influences.

This is a fairly well written and somewhat entertaining book (actually 2 books in one) but it's worthless as a reference book for homesteaders.

I am profoundly grateful that the Nearings took the time and trouble to write this book. I am trying something similar in North Central Florida, and while their conditions in New England were quite different in some ways (a shorter growing season, and the availablity of stone are examples), their advice, enthusiasm and encouragement across the years are a great comfort, as well as a good read (by oil lamp!). This is an American Classic, and should never be forgotten.

They didnt fit in urban society and when they moved to the vermont woods the natives thought they were whacko's .Okay so they were communists/marxists but they were very interesting people,learned, avante guarde and diverse, helen was even into UFO research.In this book you will see there experiment was basicaly a failure even they admit it at one point.the mistake i believe they made was there constant building projects and basicaly what became makework in my view. they brought into the woods there modern urban assumptions such as the view of work for works sake ,they even buy a rock quarry and start mining so they can get more rocks.Hauling stones around and garden food did keep them in shape but they were terribly dependend on trucks ,draft horses and had constant maintanance work[something early on they vowed never to do}. Seems like alot of work for subsistance living,very engrossing read though.

I read this book as a freshman in college. At the time, I had never read anything like it. Leaving the big city, the Nearings set out to live a self-subsistant life. Part how-to manual and part philosophical treatise, the two books in this volume paint a picture of good old American independence. Over a lifetime, the Nearings try to live a life unemcumbered by the burdens piled on the average laborer in the twentieth century--and they succeed!

The quotes that introduce each chapter can get tedious, but they can also be ignored without missing the meat of the writing. From their experiments with farming to their commentary on living a simple life, it's a hard book to put down once you've been sucked in.

The author's goal is to show that simplicity varies by person -- it is living life in harmony with our souls. It can be done anywhere. It can be done by making small lifestyle changes or radical ones such as living in a homeless shelter. No specific roadmaps are provided since what is right and the process of finding it is unique to each person.

The book includes the author's personal experience as well as experiences of others who have made lifestyle changes to make their lives more meaningful. Some people were successful with their first change, some had to make several attempts before finding the right life.

There is a strong resource guide that includes books, seminars, newsletters and organizations that encourage simplicity.

There is a lot of food for thought in this book. I have recommended it to several friends and expect to use it repeatedly.

The first thing you have to know is that this is not a series of deep, interesting stories of people who chose to live simply. This is the by-product of an amateur survey that the author conducted some time ago.
The author tried to squeeze so many testimonies in the book, that all of them end up being superficial. You are presented with stories of people who live on US$ 1000 a month, but you never see a budget, for example, just to know how such a wonder is possible. It would be nice to see an example of normal people who tried to ease their lives, and an effective explanation of how they did it, with numbers, explanations, etc.
Neither the book is poetic, since there is a lack of a literary tone (remember, this comes from a survey report). This way, it is hard to swallow all the stories of Zen and new age people. It seems that everybody in the book meditates and does tai chi. Sounds more like religious propaganda than anything else, since simplicity and oriental religions are very different things. Same thing with weird characters like one who calls himself officially "Q" and a couple who think we living on this Earth are like flies on a dog.
The breaks the author makes in the text, in the form of boxes where she puts her thoughts, are the worst part. They are a kind of "Seven Habits for Effective People" texts on a simple life, like planning to wake up one hour earlier so you can meditate and spend an afternoon recycling trash. This would be for me the opposite of simple living. It would be better to join a Buddhist monastery, with a vow of poverty and fixed hours for everything.
The bottom line is: if you are a person who lives a normal life, has kids, works, and just wants to simplify your life because you are too stressed and not enjoying the rat race, you will not get much inspiration or practical advice from this book.

The classic book on this topic is "Your Life or Your Money." This book on "Choosing Simplicity" is a more current publication on how to revise your lifestyle to make it more meaningful and less stressfull and save money. It does not have the radical cost cutting measures as living in an old school bus as described in the "Tightwad Gazette." It is more of a middle class way to trim costs and live in a modest home in the suburbs.

It has given me some things to think about. A lot of repetition tho..

I find Linda's book very interesting and informative. The book is predominantly stories of people who have made changes towards a simpler (and hopefully more HAPPY) life.

The only thing I found sometimes quite frustrating is that often her examples are those who are from high-paying jobs to start with. For many of us who are less than doctors, lawyers, etc... it is hard to identify with those examples that Linda presents. The book is more about extremes - a highly paid doctor making the decision to cut back... etc....

I would have liked to see more stories of those who are customer service reps, retail workers, waiters/waitresses, etc who made the transition to a more simple and less material lifestyle.

Otherwise, the book is great! Lots of encouraging words to those of us who are realizing that life is not about the car you drive, the title of your job position, or the square footage of our McMansions....

Wonderfully informative, if a bit too hung up on corporate America and hating of money. It still had some great advice and also some great reference books.

Apparently I should have read Your Money or Your Life instead. I was annoyed by the tenth reference in the the first 15 pages. I know it's a bit of an exaggeration but seriously it became ridiculous. In addition, I felt left short by her sampling of families that had "downshifted" She wrote that she was confident that there were families living off the grid ,involved in green building, etc. but she wasn't able to find them. What? She lives in Oregon, how far does one have to look? Lastly,despite all the resources (which were more halpful than the cumulative info in the book)at the end of each chapter the book was underdeveloped and a bit superficial.

Thanks, Marie. What a wonderful book and gentle reminder of the most important things in life -- too many children are over consumers by the time they've even hit double digits. Your book is a welcome voice with helpful information for those of us interested in turning the tide against all of the consumer hype and the noise.

after all, it seems to be quoted multiple times in almost every chapter in this book. No wonder the co-author of YMOYL wrote the introduction! Honestly, this is a solid introduction to simplicity; unfortunately, it is hindered by too many references and quotes from Your Money or Your Life. There must be a better way to get across a point other than simply referencing another book (over and over and over). Amazon states that this book cites 72 other books within its pages -- I believe it.

In addition to purchasing several more philosophical texts on child-rearing, I bought this book hoping to get some basic ideas to promote simplicity in our family's life. This is a quick-read full of excellent ideas to pare down the influence of consumerism for our families. I plan to utilize a lot of the ideas in the book and to contact several of the resources listed. I give this 4 stars because it is VERY basic, but excellently written.