Live Simple: A Free eBook About Simplifying Your Life

Hi, it looks like there’s a free sample, but the e-book is $4. Just thought I’d point that out, unless I’m missing something?

Oh, exciting! I often have free periods at work, so I’ll try to start it then. I prefer bound books when at home–something simpler about them. And yet it’s also “simple” to read a free book through a medium I already pay for. Ah the nuances….

Very cool that the author wrote back, I like what he had to say. Makes the book seem more inviting.

I love the idea of simple living, and this book seems like a great resource. From how it’s described in this post, the principles sound a lot like what I do or try to do in my own life.

I have never really thought of it as being a part of the simplicity “movement” but am more interested now in learning more tips and methods to work more toward simplicity in a conscious manner. What I’ve done so far has just been out of natural desire, and tendencies–in other words simply the way I like to live.

Some of what I’ve been doing that fits in with the points covered in the post: Live in a city/metro area where access to daily needs are nearby, free and low cost activities are plentiful, public transportation is available and fairly reliable, lower cost and smaller housing is available (as compared with suburbs that often do not offer much in the way of small units), jobs typically pay better, you can often get by without using a car much or having one at all, etc. Rely on cheap, free activities for entertainment and development, such as books from the library, lectures, arts, nature, parks, etc.

But I do think a simple lifestyle could be worked toward no matter where you live. For me, I know how to do it in a more urban environment; someone else may have the familiarity and skills to do it more successfully in the country.

Regardless of where you call home, a dedication to reducing material possessions, avoiding unnecessary spending on both material goods and experiences, reducing your need for travel to obtain the necessities for daily life, reducing waste, excess, having less and doing more, and simplifying, simplifying, and simplifying some more are key.

Our society is very focused on living independently, each individual having his or her own everything (house, car, lawnmower, etc. etc.) but there are other societies and cultures that actually promote simplicity by being more community oriented, living together with extended family, etc.

I think forming simplicity groups (where resources are shared), and living with family or friends for example (an ex. is roommates, which are common in many cities, even for those past the age and stage in life typically associated with having roommates) are great ways to not only reduce environmental impact, but also create community and social support, and simplify life.

It seems those who live with their parents as adults for example are often derided in our culture, even if they do so due to economic reality, cultural norms, or other reasons that have nothing to do with being lazy, or immature.

For many young people, not only is living on their own expensive and a potential detriment to their future finances (for ex. living at home can allow one to save a down payment he/she may not be able to save living on their own on entry level salaries) but living with family can also be a plus for all parties.

Elder family members can have company, help at home, some financial contribution, and young family members have emotional support, a chance to save money while getting established in the job market, and less resources are wasted altogether and resources used are better utilized (for example time spent in one area as a family requires heat, light, etc for that area rather than for two separate homes altogether).

Even those living on their own can pool together with neighbors and share resources to help the environment, save money, and simplify their lives. People can use community resources instead of having everything of their own, for example use the library, parks, community pools and fitness centers, instead of having those items for yourself (look at how popular shared cars and bikes, carpools, etc. are when they are introduced into communities).

Of course, that may eat up some of your time–using public rather than private resources–but it also means less items to buy, maintain, pay for, keep track of, insure, worry about, etc. Isn’t that part of what simple living is about?

Of course dealing with others is never simple, so that factor must be taken into account as well, but I think using community/shared resources and considering alternative living options, reevaluating the amount of space and items we need, etc. are all beneficial in so many ways in the long run, and working with one another and sharing and negotiating, though sometimes difficult, does ultimately benefit communities as well as individuals.

I may have gone on a tangent here, not sure really, but either way I intend to check out that book, and love your coverage of this topic, JD. I don’t think I will ever tire of posts you decide to write on simplifying and simple living and the many ways those of us who are interested can work toward that in today’s society.

JD, I hope I haven’t already posted about this organization in the past: you’ve got an amazing resource in downtown Portland called the Northwest Earth Institute (nwei.org). They provide reading materials for discussion groups: you get some people together, then buy the discussion materials (yes, people can share). Some of the courses available are: Voluntary Simplicity, Sense of Place, Globalization, Deep Ecology, and Healthy Children, Healthy Planet.

NWEI has had discussion courses in every state and in some other countries, so readers should check to see if they have an affiliate in their area.

I volunteered for NWEI for five years until I moved away. They are amazing.

That book was one of my major resources when I started simplifying a few years ago. It’s funny — was I was reading your post earlier on “Voluntary Simplicity”, I thought I should point you to “Live Simple”. However, I was reading via RSS on my mobile phone, so I didn’t have a chance to email you or comment. Glad you found it!

Brilliant post! Got through some of the first few topics; many great tips and real-life examples. Thanks for the great link!

BoggyWoggy, St James had a high income – is that “wealth”? Maybe I know too many folks who got rich at Microsoft/Amazon/etal, but I don’t think so.

A big house, car, etc eats money. If all your friends and family live the same way, then giving it up can mean giving up the friends too. Some people will think you’re a failure. This can make it harder to find jobs. This can be hard.

I realize that people with low incomes don’t want to think about how many high income people spend it all to look rich. OTOH, The Millionaire Next Door is a best seller, so maybe they do.

Anyway, St James doesn’t pretend to be writing about living cheap. Or about building wealth. Her books are about paring down so your life makes more sense. This /can/ save money, but not always.

As a very experienced bartender and former waiter at several restaurants in several different cities (Boston, New York, Miami), I would like to clear some things up for people about the restaurant industry in America.

1.) No matter what you say or how you justify it, waiters/bartenders are paid next to nothing as an hourly wage. At corporate (“chain”) restaurants, most do not receive a paycheck at all (because they’re paying taxes, which apparently nobody thinks we do. I personally pay 25% of what I make towards taxes.) You might think that it’s not your fault; the restaurant should pay their servers more per hour. They usually can’t afford to, financially; they’d have to drastically reduce their staff, meaning there would be less servers and worse service and you’d be tipping poorly anyway. It’s not easy to make money in America as a restauranteur, especially in the first five years. Think about how many restaurants in your community open up and shut down within 1 to 2 years. The overhead of running a restaurant is very high without having to account for server wages.

2.) Never think you know how much your waiter/bartender is making. There are a lot of variables on any given night, therefore pay attention to your own bill and your own tip. Let’s take the commenter who was commenting that they’ll “never leave a $60 tip on a $300 (apparently average table of 4) bill; that there should be a “cutoff” for the 20% rule. First of all, if you’re spending $300 dollars for a table of four without staying and “chatting”, etc., you’re probably at a fairly nice restaurant, which means you’re drastically overpaying (according to cost) for what’s on your plate and what’s in your glass. So you, big shot, can afford to drastically overpay for that glorified meat and potatoes and bottle of wine, but can’t afford to (what you may think as drastically overpaying) tip your server accordingly? Please.

3.) Most bartenders and servers only work for 4-5 hours a shift; it’s not that we don’t want to work more, it’s just the way shifts are in the industry. Sometimes it’s only 2 hours. So if you think an “adequate” hour for a server is $20, then you think “making great money” is pulling in $40-100 a day. When was the last time you made a living off of $200-500 a week?

4.) If you absolutely must give a server no tip, do just that. Leaving $0.50 or $1 just makes you look like a prick. Look, if we gave you bad service we’ll know it and not be too upset about it. But if it wasn’t our fault and you left nothing, at least we can pretend you didn’t know any better.

5.) As a bartender, do what others have suggested, and leave your best tip on the first round. For starters, you’ll get better and faster service the rest of the night and maybe (after a couple rounds of good to decent tipping) a free drink or two. Don’t leave no tip and expect me to run up to serve you first next time. And don’t whistle. You whistle or yell, you always lose. Trust me. Second, if you tip well to begin with and then leave for some reason, we’ll remember you next time, unless we really suck at our job. Also, it’s ok (somewhat) to tip according to the type of drink ordered; a bottle of beer should command less than a margarita, etc. — however, most of this could be solved by using a rough percentage (beers are usually cheaper than margaritas anyway).

I did most of the stuff on this list about two years ago, and it worked out really well. Life is much easier the less clutter you have in your home and your brain. I have more money, more time, and more energy. It’s great.

DO NOT SAY THE EBOOK IS FREE WHEN YOU DON’T DON’T INTEND TO GIVE IT FREELY. JUST BECAUSE IT COSTS LITTLE DOES NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE, FREE IS FREE AND $4 IS $4!!