Back in 2004 Mrs. and I decided that we needed to live simpler. We were being pulled in many different directions and couldn't keep up. As we started reducing our commitments we began to realize that many of the things we depended on others for were very easy to do for ourselves. We just had to remember how to do them.
At the same time prices began to shoot through the roof. Several years and many thousands of dollars spent remodeling our 19th century home to increase efficiency was eaten up in price increases by the utility companies (we reduced consumption by 60% and had a 5% increase in month to month cost). As we started looking at reducing dependence on outside sources we started to see an area to keep money "in the bank".
Off like a shot we started with some simple baking ideas. Mrs and I spend a few weeks trying to learn to make good white bread and finding sources for "beef on the hoof". It wasn't until we needed to buy a loaf of bread that we noticed the "quality" impact of our decision. The store loaf was bland, unsatisfying (I think I ate 4 sandwiches), and easy to damage. We looked at the ingredients and realized that we had unconsciously started to eat healthy. That's when we really started to pay attention.
Several years later we find that our family is healthier, happier, and cheaper to manage then we could have imagined. I feel we have made enough mistakes and progress that we can start sharing our experiences with others. So here we are.
I am sure there will some cross over with my philosophy on life but my goal is to keep this site focused on
- Why living small is good
- Why self-sufficiency is not for everyone
- What the mind set needs to be
- What the mind set should not be
- How to get started
That is the goal anyway. Let's see how it goes.
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