As our journey towards a simpler life continues we now realize that simplicity makes living frugal easy. We started our journey of voluntary simplicity to a simple life with the following definition in mind: Simplicity is wanting less, Frugal is living with less

Our simplified lifestyle has resulted in us wanting less, but not going without! We now work at the things we love to do, reducing our stress levels dramatically. Our income has decreased substantially but yet we live comfortably. We went from a 6-digit income to a low 5-digit income, a major change financially. We now think of being frugal in relation to our money…getting more for less.

Before we make a purchase we now stop and think how many hours do we have to work to pay for this purchase? We question is there better ways to obtain this particular purchase. Our time is more valuable to us than money! Working for ourselves is worth more than money.

Being frugal is looking at ways to save money by implementing simple things: making rather than buying, purchasing second hand rather than new, being creative.

Living simply has resulted in us becoming more aware of the environment and the impact we have on it. We have learned more about the three R's - Reduce, Recycle, and Reuse and implemented them in our daily living. Amazingly, we have found that by implementing the three R's we are saving money! So we are helping the environment and helping ourselves save money at the same time!

We have now changed our definition of voluntary simplicity to the following: Simplicity is wanting less but not doing without by being frugal - getting more for less with our money; implementing the 3 R's, reduce, reuse, recycle; spending our time doing want we want to do rather than being doing what others want us to do.

Catherine Pulsifer is one of the editors of Stress Relief by a Simple Life Where you will find stories, thoughts, poems and inspirational quotes on simplicity, frugal living, free craft projects, stress and more.

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