Why the Simple and Cheaper Lifestyle is Better

Life has become busier than we could possibly imagine. Now we have all sorts of gadgets to keep up with just about everything. We have cellphones to keep in touch no matter where we are, laptops to be even more connected,digital photo albums, electronic devices for keeping memos....you name the application, there is a device for it!

There are appliances to do all the steaming, chopping, dicing, frying, toasting. Cleaning can be done with another assortment of appliances. Beauty involves still another assortment of supplies and appliances...the list is never ending.

Not only does it take time to put away all these gadgets, not to mention the space they occupy in your home...but they also take a considerable chunk out of your budget.

Now. I know we need our smart phones and our tablets, but there is so much in our lives that just ends up cluttering corners and cupboards after the novelty has worn off. Tossed away they clutter landfills...because they really are not necessary and once they become "yesterday's" hot item and no one wants them. 

Shopping is a national pastime! However, it could be a lot less stressful and maybe a lot less cluttered, not to mention less expensive, if we watch what we buy and decide if the current "must have" object of today might just be the "dust collecting" closet clutter...item in the landfill of tomorrow and refrain from buying mindlessly.

Take a "time out" before you purchase...think of how useful that item will be. Will it stand the test of time...once the novelty has worn off?

If you don't buy that $100 dollar, "soon to be useless item", then you will have $100 dollars still in your pocket for something that is actually needed! Sweet!

The biggest and cheapest container of powdered laundry detergent may not be what you really want to take home.

Those huge containers of laundry detergent contain "filler" that is meant to add bulk to the laundry detergent while doing very little for your wash. The actual "cleaning" ingredients are a small fraction of the total weight of most laundry detergents ( same goes for most products)

A smaller package of concentrated powder ( same goes for liquids) will do the same job "and" as many washes. Your wash will be just as clean, if not cleaner!

Manufacturers know we love big containers. Laundry detergents do not have to be that way. Filler is added to "bulk up" the main ingredients to give us those big containers. Because the filler isn't necessary, they use the cheapest material they can get. Salt is one material that is cheap (does your salt cost much?) and it dissolves easily. Help the environment and save space; use concentrated laundry products.

We all know salt rusts cars...so what about your washing machine? Is that cheap big container of detergent really cheap if it rusts out your washing machine sooner than a better quality detergent? Do we need to add the extra salt to our waterways and then spend billions removing it?

Let's keep our fresh waters as clean as we possibly can!

Look at the list of materials on the side of your laundry detergent container next time you shop. The further down the list salt (sodium chloride) is the better for the environment! The efforts of many individuals can have a huge impact on the environment!

That smaller concentrated product will go just as far as the bigger package...use the correct amount as specified on the packaging!

Then, hopefully, manufactures will not have to buy tons of material they don't need and their systems will be more efficient...hey it could even help the economy. Think about that!

I have now moved north to be closer to nature. I also plan to simplify my life and live on less. Part of that will be out of necessity, but also because I see that what I have been living, although necessary, has also been eating up a good portion of my life. You know, the "rat race".... Fifty hours of the week were spent at work and commuting, add preparation to go to work and I am certain it is 55 hours. There is very little precious time for personal relationship let alone friendships.

As I get older, I see the futility of it. Half of that income goes to paying for shelter and travel. I am fortunate to own an old home far from the big city life. Sure finding employment will be tougher, that is why I stayed in the big city so long! However, there comes a time one has to take a leap of faith with some planning just in case! So I will need far less disposable income...hopefully that will translate into less working hours needed to maintain my lifestyle.

Perhaps I can finally concentrate on writing and being with loved ones and friends and best of all... living in the moment. I will have time to listen to the rustle of the poplar trees in the wind!

What is your simple life action plan?