[September 30, 2012] This notion of 'living simply' is something that I have been mulling over for the better part of this year. I have found that as I graduated from college and James and I decided to move in together and start a new chapter in our lives - I found that what was perfectly fine for my home in college was no longer acceptable to me. Since then, we have made the mistake of making purchases for new couches, dining room tables, and cars -- in pursuit of the 'american dream' I suppose. Well, since then, I have had the dream furniture, new shiny car, etc and I've found that it's all just STUFF. In fact, this new shiny stuff doesn't always stay new and shiny. For example, my cream colored modern couch loses its luster after 3 straight moves, I have a one inch ding in our solid wood bedroom dresser, and the fancy new car....well I traded it in for a used one in an effort to lower my payments.
This was an excerpt from a blogger than I have followed, and she shares some interesting and oh so true perspectives on really living simply....
When we got married we had very little, and it was weird to see our hand-me-down/thrift furnishings mixed with brand new wedding gifts. What was good enough for college didn’t seem so nice anymore.
Doug and I didn’t like each other’s stuff as we tried to combine it all. My old couch was older than me, but it held my memories of sitting on it while watching Family Ties and the Cosby show, feeling sick with chicken pox, and making forts with the cushions. Doug thought it was too small, and it was. We got rid of that one and kept his couch which had been in someone’s garage before he owned it. It was shabby, not shabby-chic. I think we kept it a year before we decided that having no couch at all was better than owning that one; it was dreadful.
The really nice thing we had was a soft new mattress and bedding, plus new kitchen stuff that wouldn’t fit into our tiny rental kitchen.
That first year we were married, we paid off all our debt. We went gung-ho about it, not stopping to buy a throw pillow or a lamp, but I did buy $21 worth of curtains. It was a couple of years into our marriage before we added nicer furniture and decorations, and we did so a little at a time. Anyone can buy a room full of matching furniture all at once down to the matching lamps, but I don’t think that would have solved anything for us.
It takes time to develop the lived-in character of a home that feels comfortable and suits both people.
Yes, we put up with an ugly couch, but that was temporary. Paying off debt soon in our marriage had a deep impact, and it set the standard for how we make our decisions. By waiting we realized something more important…we don’t really want a house full of furniture after all. I’m not sure what we want, exactly. We’re still deciding. But I could care less about granite countertops.
The last thing I want new couples to be saddled with are big monthly payments for new cars and furniture. Don’t limit your options that way, especially if your cash is limited from buying a home. It’s much easier to add extras later if you want them.
I think that these statements suit James and I to a tee. Even though I true life's dreams, desires, and goals have nothing to do with household items, or even owning our own home at this point - and everything to do with travel, culture, family and friends. And yet, I continue to habitually clutter my life with material things (a new throw pillow here, nifty garlic press there...) that only further cloud the path to financial freedom - which will ultimately allow for the TRAVEL, culture, and simple PEACE of MIND! THESE are the things that we want for ourselves more than anything. So why do I continue to subconciously deny myself these amazing goals that we have in place for ourselves? Is it that I'm a sucker for marketing/consumer ploys? Do I have this underlying belief that we'll never reach the true end-goal - so I might at well fill my life with uselessness? What gives? Well enough is enough. No more random Target trips when I'm feeling bored. Next bordom bang!? -- Go for a hike, bike the trails, go to yoga....do what makes me really happy and fullfilled. I'm happy to report that James and I are the right path to being debt (i.e. student loan) free in the next few years -- we just have to stick to the plan and keep our eyes on the prize! So, with the New Year upon us I'm making a vow to keep things in great perspective this year -- and to KEEP IT SIMPLE, HAPPY, AND HEALTHY!
Cheers,
jen
I think that these statements suit James and I to a tee. Even though I true life's dreams, desires, and goals have nothing to do with household items, or even owning our own home at this point - and everything to do with travel, culture, family and friends. And yet, I continue to habitually clutter my life with material things (a new throw pillow here, nifty garlic press there...) that only further cloud the path to financial freedom - which will ultimately allow for the TRAVEL, culture, and simple PEACE of MIND! THESE are the things that we want for ourselves more than anything. So why do I continue to subconciously deny myself these amazing goals that we have in place for ourselves? Is it that I'm a sucker for marketing/consumer ploys? Do I have this underlying belief that we'll never reach the true end-goal - so I might at well fill my life with uselessness? What gives? Well enough is enough. No more random Target trips when I'm feeling bored. Next bordom bang!? -- Go for a hike, bike the trails, go to yoga....do what makes me really happy and fullfilled. I'm happy to report that James and I are the right path to being debt (i.e. student loan) free in the next few years -- we just have to stick to the plan and keep our eyes on the prize! So, with the New Year upon us I'm making a vow to keep things in great perspective this year -- and to KEEP IT SIMPLE, HAPPY, AND HEALTHY!
Cheers,
jen
