Simplify Your Life: A Comprehensive Guide!
Posted on by Forest in Debt, General, Minimalism, Saving Money & Finances
Simple living, minimalism or whatever you want to call is becoming pretty popular these days. It used to be that the simple life was though to be for simple folk but now all kinds of people from all walks of life are giving it a try in one way or another.
I have been thinking a lot recently about slimming everything down from debt, bills, spending to objects, routines and even my thought processes. Simplifying your life just makes things easier and more focused towards the right things as far as I can tell. So I thought it would be good to offer a simple and straightforward post with my ideas on how to simplify your life.
I plan to write more about a lot of these points in the future and will link to the articles from this post. So feel free to bookmark it and come back every week or so….
So here goes….
How to simplify your life in easy steps….
Most importantly when you approach any kind of change is that you take it slowly. Baby steps are key to implementing new ways of doing things and keeping yourself in the right frame of mind. Any big change will bring difficulties but I am sure you will find that simplifying almost all aspects of your life will leave you feeling fresh and invigorated.
So let’s tackle each aspect one at a time in this post for simplicity. You may find in real life it’s easier to do that too!
Simplify your home
I think having a clear space around you helps give you a clear mind. A clear mind is essential to tackle some of the harder aspects of your life so I think the home is a great place to start with.
1. Take stock. If you have ever worked in retail then you are fully aware of what stock taking is…. Yes it’s boring to sit there and write down every single item in your home but it really will be worth it in the long run. I would advise you list things room by room and literally list every last thing you can find. This may take a while or be done over a few weeks even but it’s not worth getting stressed over and just take your time to do it right.
2. Get some highlighters and start sorting the lists. Go through your lists room by room and literally mark everything with a color for different destinies of each item. Simply items should be marked in categories like this: Keeping, selling, giving away, recycling, trash, storage, re-purposing. Leave a space and add individual notes for each item if you like or do this as you go along at the next stage.
3. Work through the lists. This is the step where you will see progress. Gather everything that needs recycling and take it to the recycle stations. Next anything that absolutely has to be trashed can be taken to the dump in bulk. Then you can attack the items you need to sell. Ebay and Craigslist are excellent places to quickly get rid of things. Items you want to give away can be given to friends and family first and then after that you can try websites like freecycle or craigslist so people can come and pick the stuff up. Find somewhere appropriate to put your storage items. These may be treasures such as photographs or family heirlooms.
4. Re-purpose. Re-purposing projects can take some time. An old wardrobe may become a compost box or old clothes a patchwork quilt. Just get a new list together and work through these projects one small bit at a time.
5. Re-assess. It’s likely this whole process may have to be done 2 or 3 times before you achieve a really minimal space around you that you feel free and comfortable in. At the end of each process just re-assess and see how you feel.
1. Digitize and go paperless. This is an extra tip that may just help a little more. Paperwork causes an unbelievable amount of clutter. In most cases no more than 7 years of paperwork will ever be needed but many of us can’t part with it for fear of needing it for something. I would suggest all old paperwork is digitzed (scanned into the computer) and stored on hard drives to save large amounts of space. New paperwork can also cause a massive build up so take the opportunities to go paperless with all your banks, utilities and anything else. Just make sure you keep records backed up if it makes you paranoid having all this imporant stuff in digital form! This post How Long To Keep Financial Records may be useful. You may also benefit from digitizing things like old photo albums. They can then be neatly packed away for storage and you will have instant cataloged access to all your memories!
Simplify your wardrobe
You may not have correctly tackled your clothing situation in the home part of your simplifying so often this needs to be tackled separately. Especially if you are a show addict or feel you need 20 t-shirts all in similar colors. If you don’t wear a certain item more than once a month and it’s not for special occasions (cocktail dresses, tuxedo’s etc etc) then put it in a big bag and arrange to give it away.
Simplify your work life
If your job is draining on you this could be causing any number of complexities in other parts of your life. The drudgery of 9-5 could be responsible for you hitting the bar 3 or 4 nights a week. Working late nights may mean the Pizza Joint has a photo of you above the tips box. A stressful job may be costing you more than it’s worth. Likewise your job may only be hard because of the way you handle it!
1. Ask yourself questions about your job. Get a piece of paper and write down as many questions that you can think of about your job. Answer them as honestly as possible. If you want keep this paper from everyone else so you can really write some truths down. Questions could include: Do I like my job? Do they appreciate the extra hours I work? Am I getting paid enough? Can I easily get another job? Is my procrastination the cause of my work stress? etc etc…
2. Try making your job work better for you. Before going through the stress of finding a new job it’s always worth trying to make your current job better to see if it’s worth sticking out. Much like the home simplifying steps, simplify your work space. Get rid of those silly office toys, gagets or any distractions. I’m not saying drop the pics of your family but just have a really good clean up. When you arrive at work every morning sit down and write a list. Put the most boring or hardest tasks at the top and then work through them hardest to easiest / most boring to most fun. Schedule your breaks and be strict with these. It may amaze you how early you find yourself getting work done. If the bosses start putting more work on you, ask for a pay rise or refuse…. You can take control here.
3. If it really is the job, look for a new one. You may want to have some other things sorted here before you really go on the stressful path of looking for a new job. But if your job really is the culprit for your cluttered home, over-spending and depressing demeanor then it has to go! Really consider this long and hard but ultimately you have to think about you and your life in the long term.
Simplify your relationships
Relationships are also often a factor in how you live your life. This section is not a simple one for anyone to address but I really think it’s important to enjoy your relationships and address / iron out any issues that are making matters complicated.
1. Friends. Look at the people you spend your time with. Are they good for you? If the answer is no then I am not saying you purge them from your life forever (they may be old friends) but seriously consider finding ways to get some new friends that will positively impact on your life. If they are always borrowing money and never paying back or doing things that hurt your personally then they may just need to be put at distance from you.
2. Family. They say you can’t choose your family! For that reason this section of your life is impossible to fully address but like friends, if family are dragging you down and your help and advice falls on deaf ears then it really is time to put them at distance. Just realize that you can’t help everyone and just give the best help you can without creating too much more stress for yourself.
3. Partners. Many people stay in relationships for years for no particular reason. To get through life in best shape I think your partner needs to be your rock, and you need to be theirs. If they have issues, it’s your job to help but you need that solidarity in return. If your partner is dragging you down and making you miserable it may be time to cut the line! If you have kids and you are staying together for them, I always say… Don’t! As a child from a family with unhappy parents I really believe that happy and split is more constructive for everyone!
Simply your finances
This is the one area that most people genuinely feel they need to simplify. I really believe that going minimal in other parts of your life will help you tackle finances head on and get on the straight and narrow. For example, just think of the debt you could clear by selling all your old junk. So let’s address some key areas of finance.
1. Create a budget. I have to be honest. I don’t have a budget yet! So it’s a bit cheeky of me to be giving such advice but I know this is important for most people. I do need to create a budget but my life is so simple right now that I get by doing it mentally. Actually writing everything down will really help me hone my financial objectives.
2. Write an outgoings list and cut the fat. When you do your budget you will be able to sit there and see where all your money is going. Often you will notice a plethora of bills and expenses that go to here, there and everywhere. It could be that you subscribe to 3 or 4 magazines that you never read fully. You may be paying subscriptions for things you forgot about and many of your household expenses may able to be moved, consolidated with other bills or cut all together. Once you have a list it’s easy to purge and re-arrange things. Often you can find a much better mobile phone plan. You may find that a prepaid phone plans suit you better than your current contract. I use prepaid because I can’t owe any money at the end of the month and I know exactly how much I have spent. You can get your cable, telephone and internet on one bill from one company and likewise with gas and electric too. The goal is to cut expenses and simplify as much as possible, this makes future tracking much easier.
3. Cut the credit cards into pieces! If you use credit cards to supplement your income, stop now! You may have to work hard but most people can cut their outgoings down to less than they earn. Once this is achieved it’s important to start paying off the credit cards one by one and close the accounts. If you are responsible it may be worth keeping one for convenience but these days I have found my Visa Debt to be just as adequate as a credit card.
4. Get some savings / emergency fund. One way to really ease some stress with your finances is to build a cash reserve that can help you if any emergencies pop up. The main point here is to avoid using your credit cards for such things as they just re-enters you into the debt cycle. I recently started my savings / emergency fund with $1000. Dave Ramsey would be proud! Obviously though the more cash reserve you have the better.
5. Deal with debt! If you don’t have any debt then great! I would concentrate on savings. If you do have debt and it’s a little out of control then you may need help! I would suggest you avoid all commercial companies you see on the TV and look for government approved organizations. My debt was high and ended up getting it wrapped up in a debt management plan. This was arranged in co-operation with the UK government pushed program National Debt Helpline. I cannot sing my praises for them enough! For people in the US, the FTC provide a little info about debt management plans here.
6. Simply spend less by being aware. In your general day to day it’s important to be aware of what you are spending. An extra coffee each morning and lunch could be stopped by bring a Themos of coffee to work. Your health and wealth could be increased simply by not eating candy bars and chips anymore. Cutting out soda and replacing with tap water also does wonders for the wallet. Just be aware and question every expense.
Simplify your mind
A clear head is important for really acheiving all your goals in life. I think clearing out your tangible touchable life can go someway towards making this happen but to obtain real clarity I think you have to work on your own thoughts and mind.
1. Think about stress. Really think hard about what causes you stress. I often find when you analyze them most of the reasons for stress are no reason to be stressed at all (almost a tongue twister there!). Living in Cairo has really helped me learn the art of patience and not worrying when things don’t quite go to plan. I try and use the attitude of “Oh Well” to address most situations that would otherwise stress me out!
2. Exercise and eat well. I really think keeping your body in working order keeps the mind working well. I know, I know this thought is hardly revolutionary but I subscribe to it 100%! Look at your diet and really work on bringing in fresh foods and less of the junk that we often eat these days. Just replacing a TV dinner with a good quality home cooked meal once or twice a week can really start you in the right directions. As for exercise even just walking everyday is great. Personally I exercise quite hard and I am currently going through the Insanity Home Workout program.
3. Focus. For me the real aspect of all this minimalism and simplifying is to achieve focus on the things that matter. Once you start to feel free from the constraints of everyday life you will suddenly find time for things you really want to do. It could be something like a vegetable garden or something like reading all the major holy books (2 things I am aiming to do!).
I simply want your input?
This post is already pretty long but I want to make it better. I would love to know what you think, what I missed out on and if you have any articles that go into any subjects mentioned in a deeper way then please let me know. I would love to link to them.
As mentioned I plan to expand on many of these subjects in future blog posts so please subscribe in the sidebar and look out for new posts if you are not already a reader.
Thanks for reading.
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70 Responses to “Simplify Your Life: A Comprehensive Guide!”
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September 12, 2010
[...] How to simplify your life – By me and with some great info in the comments too! [...]
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October 19, 2010
[...] simple, work on your relationships and push towards your own personal level of zen. My post on how to simplify your life goes over the logistics of this much more.Always ask whySo you just read a tip “kill your [...]
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June 15, 2011
[...] talks about jar budgeting. (It is a September post, but I really liked it.) Frugal Zeitgeist how to simplify your life, every aspect of your life – home, work, relationships etc… Something we could all do with. [...]
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July 5, 2011
[...] and ultimately energy that can be used for positive things. I go through a lot of steps in my post How To Simplify Your Life. Minimalism is about minimalising the mind as well as real world [...]
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Red
05. Aug, 2010
Wow! What a wealth of information you’ve created here! All great tips! I’d love to help you out, but it looks like you have everything pretty well covered!
When it comes to going paperless, I’ve gone COMPLETELY paperless. I scanned all medical records, tax receipts, tax returns. The only important paper I have left is my original birth certificate. I even lost my Social Security Card a couple years ago and decided not to get another copy until I need it. I don’t like this whole idea of keeping paper copies “just in case.” And most utility/service provider companies keep up to a years’ worth of your bills on their website. My coworker says she’s kept every paycheck stub she’s ever received “just in case.” When do you EVER need paycheck stubs? (Unless you’re on government benefits…)
Another “simplifying” tip I learned from Everyday Minimalist (I’m pretty sure…) was to only do three important things in a day. You can divide that up to be three things at work, three things for school, three chores at home, whatever suits you. But instead of having a laundry list of things to do, make practical goals for your day. That tip really helped my work life.
Red recently posted..Julys debt wrap-up
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Forest
05. Aug, 2010
wow 100% paperless… That is awesome!
I think the 3 important things a day is a great idea. I will have to check out Everyday Minimalist.
Thanks very much for the compliments.
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Suba @ Wealth Informatics
05. Aug, 2010
Great information, Forest!
We have gone paperless too (well almost)… It was getting totally out of control. We are one of those folks that need to keep everything… yes even every single pay stub, due to immigration reason. Sick of providing copies after copies of documentation, I decided to scan everything. It took me good 4 weekend working on this full time. But now everything is filed digitally, I just have to take a print out when asked for documentation.
The only other paper we have are receipts. I don’t keep all the receipts, but just the ones that we need for tax purpose or for warranty. Recently started trying shoeboxed. So if it works out we will be completely paperless.
Suba @ Wealth Informatics recently posted..How to get your FICO & FAKO credit scores for free
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Forest
08. Aug, 2010
Hey Suba, I may have to immigrate somewhere next year and am worried that I may not have kept enough paperwork to satisfy certain visa requirements….. We shall see!
I have heard abut Shoeboxed so will be checking it out soon.
Congrats on your hard month long scanning job
. Sounds like t would have lifted a huge weight off your life.
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Financial Samurai
05. Aug, 2010
Fantastic list of tips!
One of the great things is to simply your desires and wants. Once that happens, everything is so much easier.
Financial Samurai recently posted..Is It Better To Rent To Males Or Females
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Forest
06. Aug, 2010
Thanks Sam, absolutely that’s a great tip too
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Ruth - Web Career Girl
06. Aug, 2010
Great post Forest, I especially liked your strategy for getting rid of clutter in the home. I do think, though, that sometimes we think we’re becoming more minimalist in certain areas when we really aren’t. For example, I might not buy so many books anymore, but I have loads of blogs in my RSS reader. Just because it isn’t stuff filling up my flat doesn’t mean it doesn’t clutter my brain. I think it’s important to declutter online as well as everywhere else.
Ruth – Web Career Girl recently posted..Other Backlinking Strategies- Guest Blogging and Press Releases
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Forest
08. Aug, 2010
Cheers Ruth, I think the biggest thing about our growing digital world is organisation. No doubt because it’s less in physical space we will collect more stuff so we have to make sure to constantly catalog it…. As long as it’s catalogued I think the worry aspect and weight on the mind goes away.
I have cut down on a hell of a lot of blogs I read but somehow every time I do this it does grow back to normal again!
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Victoria@Free Freebies
06. Aug, 2010
Exercise and eat wells a problem for me that I’m working on. This is a great article I enjoyed reading it very much.
Victoria@Free Freebies recently posted..FREE Cheetos Mighty Zingers Coupon
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Forest
08. Aug, 2010
Hey Victoria, these are two things that are hard to do but once you crack it you wonder why you never did! I feel great when I am exercising hard and often and when I eat good fresh food.
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Khaleef @ KNS Financial
06. Aug, 2010
This is an excellent article! You have covered so many areas, that I’m going to bookmark this and go over these things with my wife.
Khaleef @ KNS Financial recently posted..How to Create a Budget – Setting Goals
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Forest
08. Aug, 2010
Thanks Khaleef
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Financial Samurai
07. Aug, 2010
Most excellent post! Will highlight in my wrap this weekend. Cheers.
Financial Samurai recently posted..Is It Better To Rent To Males Or Females
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Fred @ ExtraIncomeDaily.com
07. Aug, 2010
Wow, what a great post. The peace of mind that someone would get from just implementing a couple of these things would be awesome.
Fred @ ExtraIncomeDaily.com recently posted..Earning Extra Income Daily
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Forest
08. Aug, 2010
Thanks Fred, I agree even if you don’t go the whole hog, just a few things will help.
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the Success Ladder
07. Aug, 2010
Thank you very much for sharing this. Please keep up the good work.
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Forest
08. Aug, 2010
Thank you for reading Mr/Ms Success Ladder
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Financial Samurai
07. Aug, 2010
Have included this post in my latest wrap. Cheers
Financial Samurai recently posted..The Katana- Deflation Is Out Of The Question
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Forest
08. Aug, 2010
Thanks you very much Sam, I’ll be over to comment and retweet shortly
.
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Barb Friedberg
08. Aug, 2010
I like the simplicity concept- it’s kind of like a mindset- keep it in the forefront of your mind, make it a goal/priority. Cheers
Barb Friedberg recently posted..3 Amazing Career Tips
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Forest
08. Aug, 2010
Thank you barb, it’s all in the mindset at the end of the day I think!
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Danny @ Frugal Quack
08. Aug, 2010
Hey, Forest:
I just recently had a MAJOR change in my life and although it was extremely hard, it was necessary.
A massive weight has been lifted and I feel 1000 pounds lighter, sometimes in life we need to live with less – to live with more.
Great article! Appreciate the tips and tricks.
Cheers,
Danny
The Frugal Quack
Danny @ Frugal Quack recently posted..Freebie Friday- Lotion- Pet Stickers- Cheetos and More
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Forest
08. Aug, 2010
Hi Danny,
I’m really glad you got through the change and t dramatically improved things.
Look forward to seeing you around more often here
.
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Dr Dean
08. Aug, 2010
Great summary of a difficult topic.
It may be an oxymoron, but simplifying, is complicated, unless you start life that way.
And for those of us, who haven’t, the thought of ridding our life of all our stuff, even if useless is scary!
Dr Dean recently posted..Organize Your Finances- The Quicken Way!
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Forest
08. Aug, 2010
Hey Dr Dean, I wasn’t always very simple in all aspects of my life and I am still on the journey to get where I want to be. It’s been hard but every weight lifted really helps the momentum.
They say the hardest thing is starting…. I think that is especially true with simplifying your life
.
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Suri
08. Aug, 2010
SUPERB! article – simple living = quality of life, you experience then that the simple things mean allot and there’s a purity about it, and you then start to appreciate the simple pleasures like walking in a garden, silence, listening to the birds,relaxing in the sun with your pets and partner, etc.
I have had to cut down on debts drastically in order to save so I got rid of my land line phone, it even paid me to cancel my cell phone contract and bought a prepaid Samsung T101G Tracfone for $9.99 & free with it comes double minutes for life, it works great, I don’t need any bells or whistles, has perfect reception, and I buy the 200 minutes for 90 days which doubles to 400 minutes and I used the promocode 92920 which gave me an extra 50 minutes.
So to sum the cost up : For 250 minutes over 90 days – my calls cost 15c/min and I get 83 min/month which is enough for a short call a day.
This has saved me hundreds of dollars over the last few months.
Being single and following frugal blogs has made me think that a bachelor is more attractive when he doesn’t flash his cash, but wears an old decent shirt, needs as little equipment possible when adventuring and surviving out doors instead of having to have all the latest hi-tech gear and scientifically breathable clothing etc. When you get away outdoors you realize just how little you really need to survive , your life becomes simple and your senses find pleasure in the sounds and sights of nature
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Forest
08. Aug, 2010
Hey Suri,
It’s funny how even attraction to the opposite sex changes when you change your own priorities!
As for what you worked out with the phone, that is masterful!! If you would like to write a guest post writing about that i would love to publish it?
Thanks so much for your comment.
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Suri
08. Aug, 2010
I must say Forest I am so impressed with the way you interact with your bloggers, personally responding to each message, its like you are nurturing everyone in your own home. Not only is your website very interesting but one feels that you are always appreciated and welcome. You are a great host!!
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Forest
08. Aug, 2010
Wow Suri, thanks a million! It means a lot to me to get great compliments like that!
I look forward to seeing you around in the comments hopefully on new posts
.
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Almond Best
09. Aug, 2010
It is difficult for me to get rid of clutter, it seems like I hang on to a lot of useless stuff that I won’t use. I will be moving homes soon, and will try to have a minimalist and simple home. Thanks for sharing.
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Forest
09. Aug, 2010
Fingers crossed you get it right with this move! Thanks a lot for commenting.
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Bucksome
09. Aug, 2010
Forest, I’ve always been interested in simple living but haven’t made it a priority.
I don’t have a tip to add to your list but can’t wait to read your next article.
Bucksome recently posted..Blogher 2010- Day Three
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Forest
09. Aug, 2010
Thanks very very much, your nice comments mean so much to me
.
I’ve actually published two articles since this one if you are interested:
http://frugalzeitgeist.com/cleaning-your-teeth-the-essential-money-saving-guide/
http://frugalzeitgeist.com/pickled-red-cabbage-recipe/
I’ll run by and see what you have been up to over at your blog when I get up tomorrow…. Off to bed for me right now
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Ramblings of a Woman
10. Aug, 2010
Hello! This is my first time here and I am glad I came! I went thru a spurt of ‘simplicity’ a couple of years back and it was som much easier! I ended up taking a job that wooed me into a much different lifestyle and unfortunately it ended up taking its toll on me in many ways.
Now I feel I am back to square one with beginning to pare down my life and belongings again. My hubby and I have a goal of intentional vagabonding in a few years so I better get moving!
You can read about my recent personal meltdown at my blog! http://bernicewood.wordpress.com/2010/07/18/is-your-brain-on-overload/
Thanks and I’ll be following!
Ramblings of a Woman recently posted..Give your energy level a jumpstart
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Forest
10. Aug, 2010
Hey Ramblings of a Woman,
I’m glad you are working back to simplicity, the journey back will be half the fun as weight is lifted off your shoulders little by little.
Thanks so much for your comment, I am running over to visit your site now.
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simply stephen
19. Aug, 2010
Forest…I’ve been meaning to comment on this one for a few days now. A very well laid out article with some good ideas.
When simplifying debt, it is important to realize that the starting point is having a manageable or realistic income. If your income does not meet your current monthlies….you got a problem.
That’s when you got to really look at how you spend and how much you earn. Eliminating all those pesky service charges and little extras in your bills can add up to an amazing sum.
So the thing I would say about simplifying is to Dig Deep and get creative.
simply stephen recently posted..pay attention to your surroundings- don’t be a zombie
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Forest
19. Aug, 2010
Hey Stephen, thanks very much. Always good to have you come by and comment.
Yes you are right… Sadly money you earn does factor in quite heavily and sometimes you just can’t make ends meet in your current situation. I would say anyone on min wage with any debt will be in this situation!!
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Richard @ Debt Assistance Guru
20. Aug, 2010
Wow now that’s a chunky article with a lot of points to mull over. I am a big fan of simplification and have been slowly carrying out a number tasks like simplifying my finances and belongings bt you’ve given me plenty more food for thought here!
Richard @ Debt Assistance Guru recently posted..How To Smooth The Peaks And Troughs In Your Personal Finances
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Forest
22. Aug, 2010
Thanks Richard, I tried to fit in a lot of info without it being overload here!
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FrugalGuy
05. Sep, 2010
Great Information with a ton of detail! I especially like the idea of simplifying the mind while keeping the body fit by exercising. I think they are all connected in on way or another.
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Forest
06. Sep, 2010
Hey Frugal Guy, glad you enjoyed the post. Exercise is very important I think
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Summer
06. Sep, 2010
Your statement on marriage relationship is oversimplified. While you may have had a bad experience, there is a large body of research based on empirical data that divorce is far more harmful than parents that fight. See books like: The Unexpected Legacy of Divorce or “The Love They Lost: Living With the Legacy of Our Parents’ Divorce.”
Myth 1. If parents are happier after divorce, the children will be too.
In fact, children of divorce become more aggressive than those in intact homes, suffer more depression, have more learning difficulties, are more promiscuous, bear more children born out of wedlock, are less likely to marry and more likely to divorce.
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Forest
07. Sep, 2010
Hey Summer,
It would be interesting to read that article.
From my experience and the experience of my friends it’s almost unanimous that a split with separate happy parents is better than feuding parents. Even if the research says otherwise I don’t think it would be easy to sway my opinion from that.
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steve
13. Oct, 2010
Have you good source for this statement -
“..children of divorce become more aggressive than those in intact homes, suffer more depression, have more learning difficulties, are more promiscuous, bear more children born out of wedlock, are less likely to marry and more likely to divorce.”
It certainly contradicts other high quality research.
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Forest
17. Oct, 2010
Agreed Steve, not known any children who have come out better by feuding parents staying together.
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Annie
09. Sep, 2010
Just retweeted this!
Full of so much info, but I need a simper shift.
Will save and tackle a few things each week.
Am also receiving ZenHabits daily e-mails which address the same type of info from the inside as well.
thank you!!
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Forest
12. Sep, 2010
Thanks for the RT
. I know it can seem daunting but it really is just a case of small steps…. Little by little. Zen Habits is an amazing blog.
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Charlotte Hodges
29. Sep, 2010
Some great tips in there, even if your whole world doesn’t need to be slimmed down in one hit it can be done bit by bit. It is essential for the environment that any unwanted items are either reused or recycled, gone are the days of a throw away society I hope, even mobile phone recycling (rprecycle.com) seems to have taken off in a big way which is excellant considering how many of us change our phones as soon as the new models become available
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Forest
29. Sep, 2010
Hi Charlotte, yes mobile phone recycling is a great option for getting rid of old phones.
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Robert Hickman
13. Oct, 2010
Cool post. Your list is pretty comprehensive, though I would add: Evaluate all of your ‘needs’, a lot of the things people believe they need are just desires created by peer pressure. For example I do not own a mobile phone and have no need for one.
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Forest
17. Oct, 2010
Absolutely Robert, you always need to look from the outside and not let peer pressure break you down.
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Ken K
11. Nov, 2010
Hello Forest,
Great article. I totally agree with you on the need to simplify ones life. I am currently selling a lot of extra stuff I have collected over the years and this spring hope to sell my house. Owning a home is truly a nitemare these days.
I also agree that working out each day even for 15-25 minutes really helps with feeling good and having a better attitude towards things.
My blog is a bit different then the minimalist genre as it focuses on generating cash flow using Forex as well as adjusting your lifestyle to suit.
http://www.ForexLifestyleGuide.com
Thanks!
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Forest
13. Nov, 2010
Thanks Ken for taking the time to comment. If you can generate cash with Forex that is great. Personally I am not quite yet but may not into it in the future.
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CJ
12. Nov, 2010
I agree with most of your tips, but I take issue with one.
I see you have recommended cutting up credit cards. If you have a dozen cards, then by all means pay off the ones with the highest interest rates first & after paying off all your cc debt, get rid of most of them, but almost everyone needs credit cards these days. For one thing, if you have credit cards, you will get lower rates on things like homeowners’ or car insurance. I highly recommend an emergency fund, but a credit card might be necessary in a pinch. My transmission died while I was on vacation. I doubt the repair shop would have taken an out-of-state check. I was able to pay with a credit card & then pay off the credit card when the bill arrived, accruing no finance charges. I have several cards, but I use AMEX most of the time. It gives me cash back for nearly everything I buy, so I get back several hundred dollars each year for paying for utility bills, gasoline, insurance, and groceries —things I would buy anyway. I pay my credit card bills in full each month so I haven’t had a finance charge for decades. I don’t travel often, but if I buy an airline ticket or reserve a hotel room or rental car, I need a credit card. I need more than one card because some places don’t accept AMEX, but I also have a VISA and a MC that pay cash back but not as much as AMEX. Card companies are starting to charge fees if you don’t use cards. I try to make a few small purchases a month on the other 2 —again for things I would buy anyway. If someone can’t control their spending as long as a credit card in available, then certainly it would be best to cut up one’s cards. But if you use them only for things you need (not for things you want) & pay off your bills in full monthly, you can actually save money with your credit cards. As for simplifying your life, having most of your purchases listed on one online bill is great, too.
CJ recently posted..GRANDMA & AUNT MILLIE
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Forest
13. Nov, 2010
Hi CJ, if you can keep paying Credit Cards on time and never get charged any interest then I agree get one but it is another thing to think about and all the greta rewards and everything can be good but sometimes not having access to debt is better for the more simple minded of us. I use a VISA Debit card and it has been able to be used in every situation where a Credit card has been needed, so far…. Thanks for your thoughtful comment. If you have cut down on many other things managing a card is maybe not a big deal.
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SavingMentor
15. Nov, 2010
I really like how you structured this post. It is very easy to read and incredibly informative. It is also quite comprehensive. Not everything you mention is for everyone but there is definitely something everyone can take away from reading this.
Thanks for the great read!
SavingMentor recently posted..How To Eliminate Your Home Phone Bill And Long Distance Charges!
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Forest
21. Nov, 2010
Thanks SavingMentor, I actually think this is quite a short post on the matter
. Simplifying can be quite a complicated task, ha ha.
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Name (required)
20. Jan, 2011
Thanks for the info. People forget that making small changes can make a huge difference.
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Forest
21. Jan, 2011
Absolutely Name, it’s all about small changes for big gains.
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Credit Card Processing
13. Jul, 2011
Wow, what a great post. The peace of mind that someone would get from just implementing a couple of these things would be awesome.
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Forest
19. Jul, 2011
Thanks CC Pro
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MARTY
30. Dec, 2011
GREAT ARTICLE
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Forest
30. Dec, 2011
Thank you Marty.
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American Debt Project
08. Mar, 2012
This is one of those posts I email myself to reread later. It’s an excellent guide and I just wanted to comment on the part about your partner being a rock and you being theirs. I love that. It’s hard at times, and I know I have a tendency to get down, but it helps to have a partner who is so very much on the same team as me and is my biggest supporter and I am his. Growing older and seeing couples who I thought were perfect together now getting divorced, I realize that I can’t take anything for granted nor can I expect things to stay as they are. But all I can do is be willing to grow and change together and hopefully always have that same respect for each other and things will work out.
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Kim@How To Manage Stress
18. Mar, 2012
Very informative article. I agree 100% with “A clear head is important for really achieving all your goals in life.” Decluttered mind is really a great stress buster.
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Forest
19. Mar, 2012
Thanks Kim
.
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