A Simple Life: How to Live Well with Less

As it turns out, I’m not alone on this quest. Many other people are also thinking about quiting the rat race, to find more peace, harmony, and fulfillment in their lives. 

In my Google search, I found many articles sharing tips from people who live “well” on $10-20,000 a year in the U.S.

How do they do it? The secret is to simply your life, stripping it down to the bare essentials.

Here are some practical tips:

1. Reduce rent or mortgage.

Rent or mortgage is the biggest expense for most people. Those who live with less find ways to reduce how much they spend on putting a roof over their heads.

Some live in a RV. Some share a room with others. And some move to the low-rent district.

2. Eliminate car payment.

The second biggest expense for most people is car lease payment. Those who live with less cut down their car expenses by riding bikes, taking public transit, or owning a cheap car outright without monthly lease or loan payments.

3. Stay healthy.

The thrid biggest expense for many is health insurance – and medical expenses. People who live with less do their best to stay healthy, and many opt to purchase a high-deductible/low premium health insurance policy.

4. Eat well.

People who live well with less are not stringent on foods. Eating healthy foods gives them a sense of abundance and a feeling of living well.

Many of them shop at farmers’ markets and health food stores. And they learn to cook yummy, nutritious meals at home. This is perhaps the biggest expense for people who live well with less.

5. Cut down distractions and unnecessary spending.

We may not realize how much we spend on dining out, barhopping, shopping for clothes, or buying things that we don’t really need. They all add up.

Living with the bare minimum really forces you to get your priorities straight – put your money where your mouth is and cut out the rest.

6. Save for the future.

What amazes me is that many people who live with less than $20,000 a year still manage to save and put money away in their savings or retirement accounts.

Many put 10-20% of their income into savings and investments to prepare for their future – rainning days, education, and financial independence.

Again, this is another conscious choice: do you rather spend your money where it matters most and in the long run, or in things that only bring you short-term gratification?

7. Enjoy what you have.

By simplifying their life, many people who live with less also seem to enjoy life more. They have more time to do things that bring them joy. And they learn to appreciate the simple pleasures in life – those things money can’t buy.

It’s encouraging to know that it’s possible to live well with less, and that many people have done it – or are doing it. A simple life may just be the answer to following your passion, and living a content and happy life.

I thought I’d already been living a simple life. But perhaps there are ways to simply it even further. I’m going to try. And I’ll let you know if my hypothesis is true.

Postscript

I wrote this article years ago when I just started out on my journey. Now looking back, I can tell you that these tips have worked well for me. 

By choosing to live simply, I’ve been able to design a life that is true to my heart: do what I love, spend more time with my family, and experience more joy and fulfillment every day. 

And guess what? With less clutter, stress and internal conflicts, my cycles are also more harmonious — no more horrific PMS anger outbursts and bad menstrual cramps.

I hope this article inspires you to examine your relationship with money and find a way to make it work for you – use it to support and nourish you rather than enslave and deplete you.

Tip: Keep track of your expenses every month and see how much money flow out of your life without your conscious awareness. Examine each expense and see if you can live without it. Calculate just how much money you REALLY need to live well with less. This can change your life – and your menstrual cycles.

Please share your questions, thoughts and experiences. I’d love to hear from you.