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Live Life to the Max:
Simplicity doesn't have to mean austerity.
While living on a tight budget will mean some belt-tightening, in the wise words of Luther Vandross and Janet Jackson, the best things in life are free.
The injunction to think big reminds us that there are hundreds of positive and proactive things that we can do which do not empty pockets but enrich our lives instead.
Taking time out for yourself or spending it with people you love, enjoying existing relationships or maybe building relationships with the people and projects you're giving your money to - none of it need cost a penny.
Below are the ideas we have so far of what you could do with the time you're not spending in restaurants or in the cinema this October, just select one of the categories...
We're sure you've got lots of ideas too, and we'd love to put them on the site - so fill in the form and we'll share them with the other Simplify-ers!
EnvironmentEnvironment
Environment
- Meet up with people in person and spend less time on Facebook/social networking sites – invest in positive and quality friendships.
- Check out groups like Freecycle (on Yahoo Groups), where people swap old stuff for free or ask people in your neighbourhood to trade or lend equipment, eg tools, rather than buying new stuff.
- Make use of DIY skills instead of hiring someone for simple jobs. Make use of sewing or even style skills and repair old or recreate new outfits for your next occasion. You could offer these skills to others – perhaps your church could have a skills and time swap.
- Unsubscribe from junk mail to save trees, or ask to be emailed updates instead. Cut down subscriptions and look online for news instead.
- Find free entertainment away from the shops and avoid recreational shopping. When you do go to a shop, have a purpose and a list – purchase the necessary item and leave.
- Find out about allotment plots in your area and begin to cultivate your own produce. In some places it costs as little as £8 a year to own one.
- Shop around your local farmers’ market, visit pick your own farms, grow your own herbs or even grow just a few tomatoes if you can.
- Instead of having your window boxes full of flowers: plant lettuces, radishes and strawberries. You can pick these up for no more than 50p in early summer and reap a harvest that lasts for weeks.
- Compost your left-overs (your local council should have cheap compost bins). This will mean you have free compost for your garden, saving you pounds.
- Continue to buy Fairtrade products so that the producers get a fair wage and no one 'pays the cost'. This will make it harder to Simplify but much more ethical
- Consider whether you can cut down your meat consumption, go veggie for a while or make sure you get organic / free range meat. This will give the animals a happier life
- Get a small solar panel and recharge rechargable batteries. Works even in winter when the sun shines.
- Car pool, share school runs, get to know neighbours, support them and they will help when you're in need. Take part in free exercise: walk, jog, do the garden. Enjoy the free things in life!
Body and SoulBody and Soul
Body and Soul
- Declutter your house and donate to a charity shop or organise a clothes swap event with others.
- Meet up with people in person and spend less time on Facebook/social networking sites – invest in positive and quality friendships.
- Make use of DIY skills instead of hiring someone for simple jobs. Make use of sewing or even style skills and repair old or recreate new outfits for your next occasion. You could offer these skills to others – perhaps your church could have a skills and time swap.
- Unsubscribe from junk mail to save trees, or ask to be emailed updates instead. Cut down subscriptions and look online for news instead.
- Find free entertainment away from the shops and avoid recreational shopping. When you do go to a shop, have a purpose and a list – purchase the necessary item and leave.
- Eating meals slowly means that you savour the taste and it is healthier for you, helping you digest and lose weight properly.
- Find out about allotment plots in your area and begin to cultivate your own produce. In some places it costs as little as £8 a year to own one.
- Think about whether there are any activities you do that wear you out or do not benefit yourself or serve others. These could be wasting your precious minutes.
- Make sure you spend quality time with people you love and with God and invest in quality rather than quantity of friendships. Why not try inviting a friend round for a cup of tea or having a phone conversation instead of spending that time on the internet or watching TV?
- Establish simple routines and try and stick to them as much as possible. Instead of complicating life, this can actually simplify it.
- Stop comparing your life with others around you. The key is letting God help you find satisfaction with who you are and what you have and recognising that all you have is from him.
- Ensure a work-life balance and look for opportunities to creatively engage your mind in something new, such as taking up crafts or photography, or playing sport.
- Reduce time when you passively absorb advertising or unhelpful TV programmes and choose a purposeful activity or take a rest.
- Get rid of the TV (or take out the receiver) then you save £142.50 because you don't need a TV license. Use the money saved to sponsor a child to go to school in India.
- Surround yourself with positive people.
- Continue to buy Fairtrade products so that the producers get a fair wage and no one 'pays the cost'. This will make it harder to Simplify but much more ethical
- Consider whether you can cut down your meat consumption, go veggie for a while or make sure you get organic / free range meat. This will give the animals a happier life
- Car pool, share school runs, get to know neighbours, support them and they will help when you're in need. Take part in free exercise: walk, jog, do the garden. Enjoy the free things in life!
- Choose to buy less complex: ipod nano instead of touch, fresh beans instead of canned, 32" TV instead of 42" 780 instead of 1080. Use the money difference to provide for your family and charities of your choice.
TimeTime
Time
- Find free entertainment away from the shops and avoid recreational shopping. When you do go to a shop, have a purpose and a list – purchase the necessary item and leave.
- Think about whether there are any activities you do that wear you out or do not benefit yourself or serve others. These could be wasting your precious minutes.
- Make sure you spend quality time with people you love and with God and invest in quality rather than quantity of friendships. Why not try inviting a friend round for a cup of tea or having a phone conversation instead of spending that time on the internet or watching TV?
- Establish simple routines and try and stick to them as much as possible. Instead of complicating life, this can actually simplify it.
- Reduce time when you passively absorb advertising or unhelpful TV programmes and choose a purposeful activity or take a rest.
- Budget and plan your spending and then tally up your actual spending alongside.
- Get rid of the TV (or take out the receiver) then you save £142.50 because you don't need a TV license. Use the money saved to sponsor a child to go to school in India.
- Barter. If you have tomatoes and your neighbour has apples, swap.
- Car pool, share school runs, get to know neighbours, support them and they will help when you're in need. Take part in free exercise: walk, jog, do the garden. Enjoy the free things in life!
RelationshipsRelationships
Relationships
- Make cards and gifts for your friends and loved ones or offer your time for an act of service or a lesson, instead of buying them presents.
- Declutter your house and donate to a charity shop or organise a clothes swap event with others.
- Meet up with people in person and spend less time on Facebook/social networking sites – invest in positive and quality friendships.
- Check out groups like Freecycle (on Yahoo Groups), where people swap old stuff for free or ask people in your neighbourhood to trade or lend equipment, eg tools, rather than buying new stuff.
- Make use of DIY skills instead of hiring someone for simple jobs. Make use of sewing or even style skills and repair old or recreate new outfits for your next occasion. You could offer these skills to others – perhaps your church could have a skills and time swap.
- Find free entertainment away from the shops and avoid recreational shopping. When you do go to a shop, have a purpose and a list – purchase the necessary item and leave.
- Make sure you spend quality time with people you love and with God and invest in quality rather than quantity of friendships. Why not try inviting a friend round for a cup of tea or having a phone conversation instead of spending that time on the internet or watching TV?
- Ensure a work-life balance and look for opportunities to creatively engage your mind in something new, such as taking up crafts or photography, or playing sport.
- Get rid of the TV (or take out the receiver) then you save £142.50 because you don't need a TV license. Use the money saved to sponsor a child to go to school in India.
- Surround yourself with positive people.
- Barter. If you have tomatoes and your neighbour has apples, swap.
- Continue to buy Fairtrade products so that the producers get a fair wage and no one 'pays the cost'. This will make it harder to Simplify but much more ethical
- Consider whether you can cut down your meat consumption, go veggie for a while or make sure you get organic / free range meat. This will give the animals a happier life
- Car pool, share school runs, get to know neighbours, support them and they will help when you're in need. Take part in free exercise: walk, jog, do the garden. Enjoy the free things in life!
PursePurse
Purse
- Make cards and gifts for your friends and loved ones or offer your time for an act of service or a lesson, instead of buying them presents.
- Declutter your house and donate to a charity shop or organise a clothes swap event with others.
- Check out groups like Freecycle (on Yahoo Groups), where people swap old stuff for free or ask people in your neighbourhood to trade or lend equipment, eg tools, rather than buying new stuff.
- Make use of DIY skills instead of hiring someone for simple jobs. Make use of sewing or even style skills and repair old or recreate new outfits for your next occasion. You could offer these skills to others – perhaps your church could have a skills and time swap.
- Find free entertainment away from the shops and avoid recreational shopping. When you do go to a shop, have a purpose and a list – purchase the necessary item and leave.
- Find out about allotment plots in your area and begin to cultivate your own produce. In some places it costs as little as £8 a year to own one.
- Get rid of the TV (or take out the receiver) then you save £142.50 because you don't need a TV license. Use the money saved to sponsor a child to go to school in India.
- Shop around your local farmers’ market, visit pick your own farms, grow your own herbs or even grow just a few tomatoes if you can.
- Instead of having your window boxes full of flowers: plant lettuces, radishes and strawberries. You can pick these up for no more than 50p in early summer and reap a harvest that lasts for weeks.
- Compost your left-overs (your local council should have cheap compost bins). This will mean you have free compost for your garden, saving you pounds.
- Barter. If you have tomatoes and your neighbour has apples, swap.
- Get a small solar panel and recharge rechargable batteries. Works even in winter when the sun shines.
- Car pool, share school runs, get to know neighbours, support them and they will help when you're in need. Take part in free exercise: walk, jog, do the garden. Enjoy the free things in life!
- Choose to buy less complex: ipod nano instead of touch, fresh beans instead of canned, 32" TV instead of 42" 780 instead of 1080. Use the money difference to provide for your family and charities of your choice.
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