Simplifying your life - ideas?

JohnB · Post by **JohnB** » 31 Jan 2012, 13:53

the_lyniezian wrote:if you lready have a hectic and stresed life

That's the bit that most benefits from simplifying.

RenewableCandy · Post by **RenewableCandy** » 31 Jan 2012, 17:29

Well I have just acquired some more "stuff"...a book on winemaking, £1.99 from the bookshop where I volunteer

Now all I need is some kit (there's already a bucket and demijohns here, so I just need the small stuff).

the_lyniezian · Post by **the_lyniezian** » 31 Jan 2012, 23:39

mikepepler wrote:
featherstick wrote:
mikepepler wrote:Also a good point made on budgeting - we went on a money management course back in May, as I was interested in running the course myself, and putting it into practice has helped us step up our mortgage overpayments. We also use cash as far as possible now, and rarely use the credit card (even though it's paid in full at the end of each month anyway). I've done the training and am running the course for others now...
Can you share? Sounds great.
It's this one: https://www.capmoney.org/

Runs nationally, hosted by local churches. CAP also does free debt counselling (including negotiating with creditors) for those who need more help than the money course can give them.

I have a friend who works for CAP.

Post by **mikepepler** » 03 Feb 2012, 18:08

the_lyniezian wrote:
mikepepler wrote:
featherstick wrote: Can you share? Sounds great.
It's this one: https://www.capmoney.org/

Runs nationally, hosted by local churches. CAP also does free debt counselling (including negotiating with creditors) for those who need more help than the money course can give them.
I have a friend who works for CAP.

Cool! I've enjoyed being involved with them, it can be hard work (emotionally!) at times, but it really helps people.

Standuble · Post by **Standuble** » 05 Feb 2012, 17:55

These have probably already been suggested. Mine revolve around asthetics.

-Get rid of your television or cancel subscriptions to it so its used solely for DVDs or video games. If you want to watch any television watch via iplayer or Megavideo etc. on the computer. This eliminates background noise when focusing on other things or allows you IMO to better relax.

- If you go out a lot (partying with the communist party) try and have more fun at home, it saves money and lowers the complexity formed from maintaining a social life.

- Download or buy e-books/ books if you don't want to keep going to the libray every week to avoid late fees.

- Assess what else you don't need in your life. IMO we keep a lot in our lives we don't need out of a subconscious fear of having an empty life. But a lot of these end up having a hold over us and in turn dominates us. If you don't feel something benefits or adds value to it then try and get rid of it. It's often hard but if you feel free and you don't miss it you've made the correct call.

energy-village · Post by **energy-village** » 05 Feb 2012, 20:47

Standuble wrote:- Download or buy e-books/ books if you don't want to keep going to the libray every week to avoid late fees.

Or avoid paying for e-books/books by using the local libraries.

featherstick · Post by **featherstick** » 06 Feb 2012, 08:52

energy-village wrote:
Standuble wrote:- Download or buy e-books/ books if you don't want to keep going to the libray every week to avoid late fees.
Or avoid paying for e-books/books by using the local libraries.

And keeping a local community resource alive, so that when the empty solipsism of an atomised life solely validated by the illusions of intimacy and autonomy fostered by internet forums and e-commerce respectively become too much, you can at least talk to the librarian about why your books are late.

woodpecker · Post by **woodpecker** » 06 Feb 2012, 09:40

If you already own a computer - which if you are on PS is likely - you can download thousands of free e-books of 'classics' - ie the books often no longer stocked by local libraries - from the DODGY TAX AVOIDERS website, to read on your computer. Homer, Aristophanes, Dante, Conrad, Cervantes, Lear, Wilde etc. etc.

mobbsey · Post by **mobbsey** » 06 Feb 2012, 10:03

woodpecker wrote:If you already own a computer - which if you are on PS is likely - you can download thousands of free e-books of 'classics'

...or download the latest titles via Bittorrent.

energy-village · Post by **energy-village** » 07 Feb 2012, 02:52

featherstick wrote:
energy-village wrote:
Standuble wrote:- Download or buy e-books/ books if you don't want to keep going to the libray every week to avoid late fees.
Or avoid paying for e-books/books by using the local libraries.
And keeping a local community resource alive, so that when the empty solipsism of an atomised life solely validated by the illusions of intimacy and autonomy fostered by internet forums and e-commerce respectively become too much, you can at least talk to the librarian about why your books are late.

Very good

.

Kentucky Fried Panda · Post by **Kentucky Fried Panda** » 11 Feb 2012, 14:11

Standuble wrote: If you want to watch any television watch via iplayer or Megavideo etc. on the computer.

I understand you're trying to lead a simplified life, but least keep up with the news.

the_lyniezian · Post by **the_lyniezian** » 12 Feb 2012, 09:15

woodpecker wrote:If you already own a computer - which if you are on PS is likely - you can download thousands of free e-books of 'classics' - ie the books often no longer stocked by local libraries - from the DODGY TAX AVOIDERS website, to read on your computer. Homer, Aristophanes, Dante, Conrad, Cervantes, Lear, Wilde etc. etc.

Or Project Gutenberg, which does them in a whole variety of formats (including Kindle) and doesn't bind you to one particular component of the corporate machine.