Stylo Share Discussion Threads

[m.t.glass] 20/1/2004 17:22

energyi - if you think downsizing may yet become a serious and widespread trend (rather than the path chosen by the few) there is one obvious way to profit - become a Downsizing Consultant, and franchise the operation!

Dhedra - not looking to swap mine. Just thought someone whose conscience is wracked by guilt and determined to turn their back on greed might be tempted to flog their Porsche and make me a silly offer for it ;-)

[energyi] 20/1/2004 17:13

The Church provides a decent lifestyle for the clergy,
many of whom are gay, or uninterested in facing the travails of everyday life.
Most could not expect to have the same type of life ouside the clerical life.

In return for offering a little tea and sympathy,
they get alot of material benefits

[m.t.glass] 20/1/2004 17:07

"Live simply, that others may simply live."

PS: For anyone feeling guilty about their gas-guzzling supercar - my 6yr old Polo might come available sometime ;-)

(with roofrack, for collecting firewood. You know it makes sense) (or probably doesn't in reducing mpg!)

[energyi] 20/1/2004 16:59

mre,
You should do an audit on yourself.
See where your spending goes, and compare it to what is enhancing
your life. Trim back the unnecessary and extravagant, if you can.

For me,
I looked at property ownership.
My expensive flat in Kensington, i decided to sell.
And I did so, freeing up quite alot of cash (which has gone into mining
shares - a highly profitable pasttime.)

I now rent.
And my monthly outgoings are similar to what i formerly paid in interest
on my mortgage, which was less than 30% of the value of the flat.
By selling, I freed up the 70% of property value which was my equity.

I have a slightly smaller flat (in Holland Park rather than Kensington),
but my lifestyle is not worse. In fact, the light in the flat is better, and
I no longer have to waste time looking after the garden that I hardly used.

IN EFFECT,
I have decided to Sell Short a luxurious lifestyle

[energyi] 20/1/2004 16:57

Enforced frugality is no party, I am sure.
I wish it on no one.

A MORE FRUGAL LIFESTYLE, by choice,
can actually be life-enhancing, particularly where it involves
a transformation of values, of health, of personal relationships.

This is what religion used to be about.
But frankly,it seems to me that the CofE has lost its way,
and adds little to life-enhancement.

Please tell me I am wrong... and give examples, if you can

[mre] 20/1/2004 12:47

I remember when I was a student (eons ago) I didn't have much money but I never seemed to have any financial problems. I smoked, went to the pub, went to parties, ate the food I wanted etc. etc.

Now if only I could remember how I achieved that!

[dhedra] 20/1/2004 11:57

Mr.MTG

Agree. It always brings a wry smile to my face when i hear young or ignorant people say "money doesn't matter".

Some of the things that give me pleasure, and you don't need money for are these ....the library (there are many times when i have been thankful for free books). Evening classes (costs very little) which are hugely rewarding, if nothing else as an insight into people. I can see where these sit-com writers get some of their material from. Walking, cycling .......swimming in the summer. Radio 4. I could go on and on .............:o)

[m.t.glass] 20/1/2004 11:43

Aye. Been there. Not funny.

[dhedra] 20/1/2004 11:36

I have been poor in the past ....it's very hard work, all your time and effort goes into survival mode. It's very easy to play at being frugal when you know there's money to pay the bills .....very different when it happens for real, worrying about where the next meal's coming from etc. Getting caught in the poverty trap is awful. Certainly you appreciate the little things in life more, but the stresses and strains of everyday survival outweigh many of those pleasures.

[chelle] 20/1/2004 10:54

"want" less

[martini] 20/1/2004 10:44

You're pulling my plonker energyi :)
M

[techair] 20/1/2004 10:43

Martini - LOL - think its panting is going to inhibit him/her too

[energyi] 20/1/2004 10:42

M.,
You need a dog trainer. Only £35 per hour

[quidzinn] 20/1/2004 10:40

Best way to downscale spending - don't get married !!

As the great rally driver Walter Rohl said " When you get married every Deutschmark is now worth 50 pfennigs"

Q

[martini] 20/1/2004 10:39

How do I get the dog into the lotus position?

[energyi] 20/1/2004 10:39

Try this...
Hang out with people who need less.

That is,
drink less, talk less about life's luxuries

Meantime,
Learn to appreciate music, and the pleasures that
can come from a healthy body & mind

I'm all for Life-enhancing Frugality

[energyi] 20/1/2004 10:34

Hmmm...
Maybe. Does sound just a tad extreme however

Martini,
Have you tried yoga.
Takes time, but you will be able to throw away the pills

[m.t.glass] 20/1/2004 10:10

Cooking cheaper? You seen the price of gas lately? Eat it cold - save energy. Turn off the heating and burn the furniture to keep warm - then you have to stand up and move around all the time - exercise is good.

Sponge off your friends - eat at their house - stay warm at their expense. When you run out of friends, go make some new ones. Repeat ad infinitum. (If you can time the friendships to end a few weeks before Xmas, that helps - you don't have to buy them Xmas cards).

Kill the cat. And the dog. Expensive luxury, pets. (Eat them if you like).
(PS: If you acquire a taste for cats and dogs, there is a useful supply of them just roaming the streets. Pick them up and pop them in the freezer. Except you don't have a freezer any more - so best just pick up a fresh one when hungry. They're always available. You can save the furs to make clothes - but be careful not to wear them in streets where the remains of Tiddles and Fido might be recognized.)

Having turned off the heating (or run out of furniture) spend as much of the winter as possible in heated libraries, shopping malls and warm pubs (just don't buy anything).

[energyi] 20/1/2004 09:07

Learn to cook.
It's satisfying, healthier and cheaper
to prepare your own food

[energyi] 20/1/2004 09:06

Brand Names-
If they are more expensive, who needs them?

[energyi] 20/1/2004 09:06

Is this GOOD ADVICE? Then, get with it...
JOIN the Society for Life-Enhancing Frugality ("SocLEF")

"THE GREAT LEVELING is An important, but virtually unreported trend...
With the existence of the internet, many jobs can be done almost anywhere.
WHY should... An Anerican or Northern European make:
4 times a Pole, or 5 times an Indian, or 10 times a Chinese, with the same education? Particularly when the job in question can be done over the Internet?



LONG TERM... Those differentials will shrink.
So get ready...
(If you are in Debt: You cannot afford your lifestyle,
and you are likely to get CRUSHED by this trend):

- Get out of Debt
- Downsize your lifestyle
- Find "real quality" of life at a lower cost
- Sell your expensive property
- Add special value in your job,
- Or move and beat the trend"

= = = = =
ABOVE is from the (on FBB).

BUT HOW DO YOU DO THAT... ?
Reduce your spending without hurting your Quality of Life?

This thread is to discuss ways you have discovered

[ursus] 16/10/2003 10:03

his own foot or a shapely saxone shod young lady's foot? i think we should be told

[argy2] 16/10/2003 10:00

Only when it's in his mouth!