Comments on: Choking on Too Much Stuff?

By: Tanya

Tanya — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 21:54:06 +0000

It reminds me of my friend Earline who said, “The best way to conserve is just to buy less STUFF”!

By: April

April — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 14:32:01 +0000

I benefit from frequent reminders like Susan’s that working and earning less can indeed lead to a more fulfilling life. And I too recommend the book YOUR MONEY OR YOUR LIFE.

By: Susan Donohoe

Susan Donohoe — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 10:33:56 +0000

Thanks so much for your post, April. We really appreciate it when people help us spread the word about voluntary simplicity. I will also look up the book Jim mentions, and add it to the resource list on our website. I would also recommend “Your Money or Your Life” by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez for people are looking to put the relationship between time and money in perspective. When you work and earn less, you have time (and inspiration) to build community relationships, grow some of your own food, and enjoy life more. And especially in economic times like these, it’s really important to remember that “happiness is not having what you want; it’s wanting what you have.”

By: April

April — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 16:45:29 +0000

I will look for this book that Jim recommends. Sounds good. Thanks, Jim, for the reminder that being destitute is far from the only alternative to an all-consuming (so to speak!) job!

By: Jim Z.

Jim Z. — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 02:15:20 +0000

Some years ago I discovered a great book by Charles Long, “How to Survive Without a Salary.” ISBN-10: 1895629683. I recommend it not so much to advocate anyone quitting their jobs (although that is what Long says is feasible), but because it is so full of real ideas that anyone can use to begin to move away from the consumer syndrome that ConsciousConsuming.org references. It also opens one’s eyes to alternatives somewhere in between the extremes of (a) an all-consuming job or profession that provides the means to buy all the stuff that anyone could ever desire, but leaves the individual/family with little of human value, and (b) being flat broke. There are so many other options!