Living Well on Less and Loving It

Joan SprainFamily Living Agent

UW-Extension-St. Croix Co.

Topics we’ll talk about… Simple living

principles Money values Tracking spending Money saving tips Un-shopping

guide

Activity 1 Share a money

saving tip

What is simple living?

Living a life that is deeply satisfying, fulfilling, and appealing

becauseit is socially, environmentally, and

economically responsible.

Simple Living is…

clearing away the clutter that detracts from the true purpose of life.

taking a fresh look at values & aligning time, energy & money to support important goals.

Source: Sustainable Living Project, Oregon State University Extension Service

Principles of Simple Living

Creating balance Often initiated by a wake-up call Need vs. greed Clearing away clutter Making a fresh start Living with a universal shopping

list

Principles of Simple Living Continued…

Using intuition to simplify decision making

Reducing time eaters

Doing what you love

Pausing to enjoy

What simple living is not:

Living in poverty

Bare bones budgeting or being a miser

Shunning technology

Living entirely back to nature or in the backwoods

So how do you live more simply?

1. Assess values. (Color of Money)

2. Keep Track of spending. (worksheet)

3. Find money saving tips.

4. Use a universal shopping list

Step 1- Assess valuesColor of Money

Step-2- Keep track of spending

Step 3- Find money saving tips and ideas

Saving money on everything…

Home Transportation Food Clothing & Personal Fun

Home Utilities-Use energy saving lights, shut lights of

Heating & Cooling-Change furnace filter, adjust thermostat

Upkeep-Barter, do simple repairs

Phone-Compare cell plans, buy calling cards

TV-Choose a basic plan

Home furnishings-Use what you have, sell or give away what you don’t need,look for clearance items & sales.

Transportation Combine trips Carpool Do routine maintenance Correct tire inflation Review insurance policies Buy used

Food

Go shopping as few times as possible

Eat before shopping Shop alone Make a list & check store specials Limit eating out Buy in quantity, purchase together

Clothing & Personal

Inventory your wardrobe, sell or give away what you no longer wear

Never pay retail price Look for sales & clearance aisles Buy washable items Checkout consignment, thrift &

garage sales.

Fun

Use the library for books, videos, DVDs magazines, & newspapers

Attend matinee of new movies Trade magazines & DVDs with

others Look for free local activities

4. Use a universal shopping list: un-shopping card

When shopping ask yourself… Do I really need this? Will this item bring enjoyment &

beauty into my life? Will it benefit others? Will this item help me engage in

life more fully?

Universal Shopping List:Un-shopping card Continued…

Is the cost of the item worth the time it takes to earn the money to buy it?

Could I buy used? Rent? Share the purchase with someone else?

How will this purchase affect the environment?

Example 1

Example 2

Remember the 3 steps to Simple Living…

1. Identifying values.

2. Realigning spending with values.

3. Find everyday money saving ideas.

4. Use a Universal Shopping List