I heard a great video this morning asking its customers what inspires and moves them. What is it about the simple living movement and downsizing, which inspires those who once lived in 2,500 – 3,500 square foot homes, 3-4 credit cards, 2 car payments, home equity loans, and student loans to change? What makes an executive want to give up corporate life to pursue a life of simplicity and gain back years of their life to enjoy things outside of work (family, friends, the world around us)? What makes a family give up cable, cell phones, and all the toys we are accustomed to seeing for the simple serenity of books, Trak phones, and the outdoors without all the mechanical toys (snowmobile, 4-wheeler, boat)?
A lot of great money managers make a great living telling you a basic message. I actually love the Saturday Night Live skit that plays on the debt free book. See the short clip below.
I mean really it is that simple. Do not spend money your family does not yet have. Save up for and then purchase the things we want and life becomes much more manageable. I listen to a few of the financial advisers so I am certainly not saying their message is not powerful and motivating, because it is. In fact we listen to Dave Ramsey and others, because it does motivate us to continue to move in the less stress direction.
In the past 4 years since we started our journey to being debt free and simplifying our lifestyle, I have heard several people talk about the “why”. The reasons actually vary more than I had thought and even my own views have changed over the years. Here are some of the reasons I have heard over the years for making the change to simplifying.
- Loss of a job
- Facing bankruptcy
- Falling into depression
- Not enjoying a job
- Living counter to ones beliefs
- Becoming a better steward to the world/environment
- Freedom
- Security
- Safety
- Choice
- Happiness
- Starting a family
