Recently I read in the “O at Home” magazine about a Manhattan event planner that owned furniture that he would not let people sit on!!  He also had a a pair of 17th century tapestry pillows that he would not let his housekeeper touch. (“OUCH”).  Anyway, as I read further, the article states that he just got a new puppy.  Now I can start to feel the anger setting in.  What is he thinking?  A puppy, I thought the poor little thing is going to have a miserable existence for the first few months of his little life, and then off to the shelter he will go.  As the story continues, lo and behold, he comes home to find his new puppy all nestled in snug amongst the valuable tapestry pillows.  I thought to myself, it must have been the musty old smell that attracted the little guy.  So I am thinking that it is curtains for the pup now, but instead the guy takes a picture of him because he looks so cute and obviously has good taste.  His housekeeper witnesses all this and she says to him,  “This is the day your life has changed.”  I love that story because the man finally realizes what is important in life.  Friends, family , pets, love and compassion.  Not a bunch of “stuff”.

When was the last time you looked at the clouds?  Or even thought about clouds?  Taking time to notice the clouds is what “simple wealth” is all about.  It is taking time to relax and let your mind wander, forget about all the obligations of our ridiculous lives, and be in a moment.  And, it’s free!

Do you frequent dollar stores and/or warehouse clubs such as Sam’s?  These types of shopping venues have their place, but unless you are an extremely disciplined, stick to the list, buy only what you need kind of person, these stores spell disaster to your finances.  The dollar store mind set is, “well it’s only a dollar” , so you buy things that you do not need just because its cheap.  Many people go there during the holiday season for stocking stuffers and spend twenty dollars on junk that only clutters up someone’s life.  Stop this madness.  Your hard-earned money is being wasted and you don’t get it. 

Same deal for warehouse clubs.  You over-buy in bulk, products that you do not need or cannot use up before the expiration date.  You also wander the aisles and buy things not on your list because you have convinced yourself that it is a fantastic deal.  Stop lying to yourself.  You are giving up your freedom to this kind of spending.  Stop and analyze your shopping habits before it’s too late.

s.t.u.f.f.  stops you from fun.

s.t.u.f.f. stifles you from freedom.

Sit down and take some time to calculate how much of your precious time is spent on stuff.  You spend time to research buying it.  You spend time shopping for it.  You spend time maintaining it.  You spend time storing it.  Are you starting to see a theme here?  Do you have any time left to enjoy your stuff, your family, your life?  Now all you have is a bunch of “stuff” consuming your life, and no money to enjoy your life.  Get off the buying treadmill and start paying attention to what really matters in your life.  Family, friends, pets.  Isn’t that what you would save first in the event of a fire or flood?  Start making small changes in your life today, cut back on your consumerism, and really think about what matters most.

When you hear the term simple wealth, you may think of the horror stories that you hear from “tightwads” that rinse and re-use their dental floss. EWE-GROSS!  Simple wealth is not about that at all.  Yes, being conservative and sensible about your finances is a part of it, living in misery is not. I don’t call rinsing dental floss a very enjoyable and wealthy (let alone healthy) way to live.  Simple wealth is also not a get rich quick idea.  Other than a lottery win or the publishers clearing house van in your driveway, there really is no such thing.  Simple wealth is more about a healthy balance in all areas of your life. No unpleasant frugalness and no excess consumerism.  If the idea of living a lifestyle of more freedom of your time and assets appeals to you, join us for the exciting journey called “Simple Wealth”.

Simple wealth is really about a lifestyle choice.  It is having a wealthy life without stress.  It is having the freedom of choices.  This is a committment to yourself to live your life in a peaceful, simple manner.  This can be achieved by learning to change your thinking about what you have been taught to believe. Join us on this journey to change your life and start by paying yourself first.  Yes, you probably have heard this many times before, and already are starting with the excuses. “I can’t even pay all my bills, how am I going to pay myself, are you crazy lady?”

Can you be wealthy and live a simplified life?  For most people, these two subjects are as far apart as black and white.  The title of this post may sound like double talk to you, but if you really ponder what it says, you will have an AH-HA! moment.  This blog is about a lifestyle choice.  I will cover many facets of our lives from earning a living to decorating a mobile home. You will see that you can become wealthy (as in financial) simply, and that living simply is a wealthy choice.  Join the fun.