Yesterday, my partner and I sat down for a "money talk." That's always a little scary. We grew up with very different ideas about money and have sometimes resided in opposing camps when it comes to spending and saving. Bill was a tightwad. I was a spendthrift. However, we found a way to come together around the idea of simplicity.
As I see it, simple living is about making careful choices about what I buy and consume. We love books and coffee shops so a significant portion of our discretionary income is spent in those places and on those things. I enjoy treasure hunting in thrift stores and almost never buy "new" clothes. It's fun to make use of things that other people discard. We still go out to eat but almost never travel. We live in a "mobile home" that is outdated but comfortable. We have far more room than two people really need but appreciate our private spaces and the fact that we are a mile from downtown. Most importantly, the lifestyle we have chosen means that we don't have to earn much money. Our time is our own, for the most part. Is there any greater luxury than this? The choices we have made reflect our values. This kind of alignment brings me a lot of joy.
Our money talk ended in celebration. We came to the conclusion that, in terms of spending, we live just above the poverty line. Poverty is so often associated with misery. However, when it is voluntary it can be cause for celebration.
No comments:
Post a Comment