The Simple Life

Here are 20 questions to ask yourself:

1. are you happy, healthy and low stressed? If not, bust the blues

2. how financially and emotionally secure are you?

3. are you in touch with yourself and your surroundings?

4. what do you really need and what's just want or desire?

5. how important is keeping up with the Joneses (neighbors, colleagues, media-generated images, etc.)?

6. must you always get the most expensive (not necessarily the best!) goods & services?

7. do you take advantage of freebies, specials, coupons and comps?

8. are you wasting time doing things that have no real benefit? Maximize your time

9. do you really need a VCR, DVD, TV, stereo, computer, phone, Internet access, game station, and microwave in every room?

10. are 500 television channels, designer clothes, gourmet coffee, and fancy cars necessities?

11. do you need every movie, album, and video out there?

12. how many credit cards do you actually need? Do you know when is it appropriate to use them?

13. do you buy on time and pay steep interest payments? (too much debt)

14. must you dine out each meal, every day (or most days)?

15. must you buy a new car every three or five years?

16. do you need all the latest high tech gizmos, now?

17. do you check (closets, drawers, basement, attic, garage, etc.) to see if you already have an item before you shop?

18. what do you do with unwanted junk and leftovers? Go here for answers

19. what about things like pedicures, manicures and plastic surgery? Are they necessary?

20. do you think that living within your means is a sin?

Ask yourself: what do you actually need?

Take the Consumer Challenge now.

Having your own business is the way to set yourself financially free. Start yours now.

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YOU Can Do It!

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Here are 25 ways to start living a simple life:

1. become a champion cheapskate like the millionaire next door. Think simple

2. determine what is actually important to you

3. start eliminating unimportant things and activities, the nonessentials

4. ask yourself "how can I simplify my life?" then take steps to make it happen

5. have FUN and experience life

6. health is wealth
   • take care of yourself
   • think positive
   • eat right
   • exercise
   • get spiritual (pray, meditate, etc.). Explore your inner being

7. eliminate stressful and unproductive activities

8. avoid "toxic" people and places

9. invest in your future (save, invest, learn, plan, etc.), YOU
   • personal development
     • classes, books, tapes, etc.
   • MONEY
     • make some extra money money
     • invest wisely – retirement planning, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, bank accounts, etc.
   • save, save, save (that rainy day is just around the corner. Start here)
   • career development
     • training, degrees, certificates, licenses, professional membership, etc.
     • find a mentor or share your knowledge

10. start paying down your debt now, especially interest payments (interest often costs more than what you purchased)

11. avoid future debt

12. use the 5 R's instead of buying

13. cash in on unused and unwanted items

14. break bad habits and arrest vices (smoking, carousing, excess, etc.)

15. get only "need" items, the essentials

16. eliminate frivolous activities and watch what you spend on entertainment, fun and even gas

17. give creative gifts. Give from the heart

18. eliminate duplicates and those things that overlap, including errands and travel

19. avoid "want" and "wish list" items and conveniences

20. shop smart!

21. be frugal. Waste not, want not

22. eat smart. Use the Frugal Food Formula
    • eat out less often
    • have more "home cooked" meals
    • brown bag lunch

23. GIVE
    • donate, church, charities, volunteer, etc. (possibly tax deductible)

24. socialize
    • mingle, clubs, organizations, groups, etc.

25. continue asking yourself questions like "do I really need this?" and "will this make me happy?"

Yes, even our recent ancestors were able to lead happy simple lives, on little or no money.

But guess what, so can you! Even in the 21st century, with all its supercharged, high tech, point-and-click gimmicks.

Living a simple life is not as difficult as you think. And you don't need to move to a farm out in the middle of nowhere to do it, unless you want to.

Start thinking about the way you live, how you relate to people, how you handle money & finance and the best ways to combine everything together.

Look for ways to simplify your life then make it so. Also, use your time wisely.

Who says you can never go home! Think about it. . . a shaky economy filled with mass layoffs, dysfunctional families, a greying population. . . Face it, returning to the fold can make sense (dollars too!).

Today, one of the hottest cross-generational trends is repopulating the empty nest. GenX / GenYers, baby boomers and even grand- and great-grandparents are all in on the act.

As families reunite, a better world may result. There are also financial benefits too. The family home stays in-the-family and family money is recycled.

Aging parents, grandparents and even their property-owning kids can unlock the equity of the "family" home by selling or leasing it to family members who may reside with them.

Even those people who choose not to live together, can still enjoy the rewards. The cost of rent / mortgage, home owners' insurance and even groceries can be lowered by selling or willing the home to relatives.

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BUT before you jump on the family cohabitation band wagon, carefully consider the problems associated with this type of arrangement – my house / my rules, lack of privacy, the generation gap, parents unable to see their adult kids as adults, etc.

Keep this reunion a happy one by hammering out the details and rules before you make the move. If your family does not get along then this is probably not for you.

Also, realize that problems arise when you put people (even close families) and money together again.

YOU · Work · Want vs. Need · Less is More · Trust · Business
Freebies · Cheapskate Training · Quit Smoking · Organize · Old Days
Free Coupons · Gift Ideas · Easy Yard Sales & Auctions · Travel
Money · Time Management · Mood Lifters · Resources · Site Map

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"Less is more."

Freebies You Can Actually Use

Can you believe people were actually able to survive without clothes and with a horse and carriage, wood burning stove, bows, spears & arrows, and even typewriters?

Unfortunately, humans were tempted from the garden of Eden.

Ask yourself: Exactly what do you actually need to live?

Food, clothing, shelter, transportation, entertainment. But does it have to be expensive, designer, or trendy? I think not!

In simpler times needs were less. People lived off the "fat of the land." There was far less to buy, fewer places to buy it and not as many ways to pay for it. Living simple like this can really improve your life.

Think about it. . . if people only bought what they needed, they would have far fewer items, less to keep track of, and more money!

Not so long ago, most of today's conveniences- malls, the Internet (fast, cheap Internet access), fast food, superstores, grocery stores, 800 numbers, computers, cell and Internet phones, e-commerce, ATMs, specialty catalogs, cable/satellite TV, home shopping networks, infomercials, designer clothes, etc., were not available. Even credit cards and convenience stores were scarce.

Obviously, times have changed. But many of the same principles used back in the "olden" days can be adapted for use today.

Start by asking yourself why you need all of today's ultra-conveniences and luxuries. Question the need to go into debt to get them. You will be surprised at what you actually don't need. Make life simple.

The simple life awaits you. Enjoy life more by requiring less. The need to buy diminishes when you eliminate extravagances and redundancies. Save $1000s by keeping things simple.

Recapture the days (and dollars!) of old. Make money by not spending it then save and invest (wisely) that for even more money and simplicity. . . spend wisely.

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So you want to be a Cheapskate about it! Get your local public library to order the books for their collection (it's FREE!). Or pool your money with family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, businesses, groups, etc.

YOU · Work · Want vs. Need · Less is More · Trust · Business
Freebies · Cheapskate Training · Quit Smoking · Organize · Old Days
Free Coupons · Gift Ideas · Easy Yard Sales & Auctions · Travel
Money · Time Management · Mood Lifters · Resources · Site Map

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Who Do You Trust?

Watchdogs & Consumer Advocates

Should you implicitly trust the advice of salespeople? In a word, NO! But just who are salespeople?

• your friends, relatives, neighbors, colleagues, associates, etc. That's right, anyone can sell – goods, services, ideas, causes, themselves

• anyone who derives part of their compensation from products, services or advice sold:
  • (real estate, insurance) agents, stock brokers, financial planners, consultants, telemarketers, clerks, waiter/waitresses, some doctors & lawyers, etc.

• those involved with repair or maintenance:
  • automotive, home, high tech, construction, interior design, etc.

• and you can't forget about traditional salespeople, commercials, ads, infomercials, promo "imprint" items, etc.

WARNING: "impartial" advisors and "ad" actors may be commissioned salespeople in drag, pushing specific products and services for their own personal gain. Remember this the next time a fast food clerk asks you "can I super-size that for you. . . would you like fries with that. . . how about an apple pie, salad, fruit. . ." It's written in the script.

Here are 15 "trust" issues concerning salespeople:

First of all, it may not be their fault. Never forget that sellers are not necessarily knowledgeable about what they sell, may have their own interests and motives and are human. It could be:

1. they are interested only in selling and their own commissions, bonuses and promotions

2. their first day on the job

3. they are careless and pass on bad information (prices, product selection, warranty, etc.)

4. a bad day

5. their mind is somewhere else

6. they push only company-sponsored products & services

7. they must sell from a short-list of products & services

8. clearing out overstock and poor selling products & services is their goal

9. they want to appear to be an expert, especially when they're unsure

10. they are trying to show off and impress you

11. getting rid of you is their goal – quitting time, busy, bad time, bad mood, lunch, etc.

12. they either hate or dislike you

13. they deliberately want to mislead or cheat you

14. they are poorly trained or untrained

15. an honest mistake

Take the consumer challenge. Do your own homework. Know what you buy and why you need it. Have at least a general idea of how much things cost (compare prices).

Don't be sold a bill of goods. But remember that salespeople can be invaluable in providing information, demonstrations and discounts. Just make sure you are informed before dealing with them or buying something. Buyer Beware.

You have the power! Know all your options and use them-

• the people and places you buy:
  • Internet, mail order, auctions, resellers, refurbishers, warehouses, classifieds, 800 numbers, stores, etc.

• payment options:
  • buy, rent, lease, borrow (needed item, money), barter, swap & exchange, credit, online bill paying, Western Union, the new wave like PayPal.com, etc.

• negotiate:
  • prices, terms, options, financing, service, support, etc.

• follow up. Make sure everything is in order:
  • investigate the company, products, services, etc.
  • use trusted publications & web sites
  • ask family, friends and associates, for recommendations

• get it in writing:
  • have proof of all claims, guarantees, warranties, etc.

• and if all else fails just walk away. There are plenty of other sellers who would be happy to do business with you

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Here are some questions to ask yourself:

• What are your motives for buying? Just what are you buying? How much should you pay? Should you buy? Can you trust what salespeople, commercials and ads say? What do you actually need?. . .

• What are the seller's motives? Is making the sale their goal, (blank) the customer? Or are they interested in creating a long term relationship with their clients? Will they cut a deal with you or slam and cram you to death?. . .

Know this and your shopping experience becomes a lot more fun and cheaper too. Become a Champion Cheapskate like the millionaire next door. Shop smart.

© Copyright by Arthur A. Hawkins II All rights reserved.