Living Well on Less and Loving It
Joan Sprain
Family Living Agent
UW-Extension-St. Croix Co.
Topics we’ll talk about…
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Simple living
principles
Money values
Tracking spending
Money saving tips
Un-shopping guide
Activity 1
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Share a money
saving tip
What is simple living?
Living a life that is deeply
satisfying, fulfilling, and appealing
because
it is socially, environmentally, and
economically responsible.
Simple Living is…
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clearing away the clutter that detracts
from the true purpose of life.
taking a fresh look at values & aligning
time, energy & money to support
important goals.
Source: Sustainable Living Project, Oregon State University Extension
Service
Principles of Simple Living
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Creating balance
Often initiated by a wake-up call
Need vs. greed
Clearing away clutter
Making a fresh start
Living with a universal shopping list
Principles of Simple Living
Continued…
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Using intuition to
simplify decision
making
Reducing time
eaters
Doing what you love
Pausing to enjoy
What simple living is not:
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Living in poverty
Bare bones budgeting
or being a miser
Shunning technology
Living entirely back to
nature or in the
backwoods
So how do you live more
simply?
1. Assess values. (Color of Money)
2. Keep Track of spending. (worksheet)
3. Find money saving tips.
4. Use a universal shopping list
Step 1- Assess values
Color of Money
Step-2- Keep track of
spending
Step 3- Find money saving
tips and ideas
Saving money on everything…
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Home
Transportation
Food
Clothing & Personal
Fun
Home
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Utilities-Use energy saving lights, shut lights of
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Heating & Cooling-Change furnace filter, adjust thermostat
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Upkeep-Barter, do simple repairs
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Phone-Compare cell plans, buy calling cards
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TV-Choose a basic plan
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Home furnishings-Use what you have, sell or give away what
you don’t need,look for clearance items & sales.
Transportation
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Combine trips
Carpool
Do routine maintenance
Correct tire inflation
Review insurance policies
Buy used
Food
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Go shopping as few times as possible
Eat before shopping
Shop alone
Make a list & check store specials
Limit eating out
Buy in quantity, purchase together
Clothing & Personal
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Inventory your wardrobe, sell or give
away what you no longer wear
Never pay retail price
Look for sales & clearance aisles
Buy washable items
Checkout consignment, thrift & garage
sales.
Fun
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Use the library for books, videos, DVDs
magazines, & newspapers
Attend matinee of new movies
Trade magazines & DVDs with others
Look for free local activities
4. Use a universal shopping
list: un-shopping card
When shopping ask yourself…
 Do I really need this?
 Will this item bring enjoyment & beauty
into my life?
 Will it benefit others?
 Will this item help me engage in life
more fully?
Universal Shopping List:Unshopping card Continued…
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Is the cost of the item worth the time it
takes to earn the money to buy it?
Could I buy used? Rent? Share the
purchase with someone else?
How will this purchase affect the
environment?
Example 1
Example 2
Remember the 3 steps to
Simple Living…
1. Identifying values.
2. Realigning spending with values.
3. Find everyday money saving ideas.
4. Use a Universal Shopping List