tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718743594504287977.post7008892436966557788..comments2024-02-02T04:26:58.941-08:00Comments on My Year Without Spending: Are you happier?Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16599239118658166008noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718743594504287977.post-42507389663227621452009-12-04T12:33:16.495-08:002009-12-04T12:33:16.495-08:00Your blog needs a "like" button, like fa...Your blog needs a "like" button, like facebook. Great column!Ellenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06577914443944550903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718743594504287977.post-72279744838011029822009-12-03T20:48:11.100-08:002009-12-03T20:48:11.100-08:00I'm happier for sure. I'm saving more, wor...I'm happier for sure. I'm saving more, working less and having fun. I love being a non-consumer!<br /><br />When the economy improves, my wages will probably increase, but my lifestyle will stay the same.Katehttp://becheap.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718743594504287977.post-54684163859901363332009-12-03T13:30:11.542-08:002009-12-03T13:30:11.542-08:00I am happier having fewer possessions, less income...I am happier having fewer possessions, less income and more time. Although as I am legally blind my situation is different to most other consumers. In my case I think what the eyes can't see the mind doesn't desire.Johttp://5percentvision.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718743594504287977.post-13548898561830759442009-12-03T09:09:42.085-08:002009-12-03T09:09:42.085-08:00Definitely happier! We started our downsizing proj...Definitely happier! We started our downsizing project just before everything in the economy went to hell, so I guess for us it has been easier because it was voluntary. And since all our friends were cutting back as well (out of necessity or out of caution), we've all bonded over finding out how to be together and support each other in different ways than we used to. I feel closer to the people in my life now than I did 2 years ago.<br /><br />I think we can all get distracted from happiness or sadness by shiny, sparkly things - whether that is a new outfit or a new house - but eventually you run out of money or things to buy and have to face facts. We've just had a collective realization of this, and whether we're happy or sad we now have the space to notice it (and do something about it if we want).<br /><br />While I'm not happy about the economy either, the silver lining is that people are learning that possessions have a cost of ownership, and basing your happiness on that is a risky business.Betsy Talbothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01567850058897989530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718743594504287977.post-90727732802200213892009-12-02T17:52:59.956-08:002009-12-02T17:52:59.956-08:00I used to use words like "treat myself" ...I used to use words like "treat myself" and "splurge" to justify buying an expensive clothing item, and feel so much more empowered since I've started consuming less and dedicated myself to shopping thrift as much as possible. Money is power in our society, and everytime we spend it foolishly, we are taking away our security, our savings for the future, and our choices. Missing from our economic debate is can we really substain an economic engine based on personal consumption, which makes up 70 percent of the GDP? I don't think consumers, or our planet, can handle it.Catherinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06488301404397970300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718743594504287977.post-71633477315848144542009-12-02T13:55:50.559-08:002009-12-02T13:55:50.559-08:00I'm SO much happier! Like Lisa, I consider mys...I'm SO much happier! Like Lisa, I consider myself to fall somewhere in between nonconsumer and conscious consumer...I put a lot of thought into the purchases I make, or don't make them at all. I think blogging about my frugality is definitely helping me to be happier with my choices, too. It's nice to know that there's a whole community of likeminded people who don't feel the need to get more, more, more. I'm much less materialistic than I used to be, and that gives me more time to spend with my family.Catehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16264419866877407201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718743594504287977.post-91614197198344431102009-12-02T10:46:19.963-08:002009-12-02T10:46:19.963-08:00I definitely agree that lowering expectations and ...I definitely agree that lowering expectations and forgetting about the Joneses is a key to our happiness. And when we put away the uncomfortable clothes, the expensive toys, and the manic shopping trips that are *supposed* to make us happy, room in our life opens up for what *truly* makes us happy, and we finally have the time to discover what exactly that is.This Thrifted Lifehttp://thisthriftedlife.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718743594504287977.post-40926900102039041832009-12-02T10:32:10.515-08:002009-12-02T10:32:10.515-08:00I consider myself to be a mixture of non consumer ...I consider myself to be a mixture of non consumer and conscious consumer. Except for personal care items and food, nearly all of my belongings are second-hand or homemade. When I shop for food and the like, I try to get the best bang for my buck. I've lived this way for quite a few years and am content. My personal challenge has never been to keep up with the Jones'. It has been to learn how to become more self-sufficient so that I can live well with less. Since the recession hit, I've often felt sorry for the people who've lost jobs and homes, etc. I'm sure that once having had big incomes, they're at a loss when it comes to dealing with little or no income. I'm sure that some people are relieved by not feeling a need to compete but also sure that others are stressed to their limit because of not knowing how to manage with less.Lisanoreply@blogger.com