To practice voluntary simplicity is to deliberately choose
to use our planet's resources in the most efficient and least
destructive manner possible, while at the same time making
the most of one's own life, and the lives of others. If you're a
skinflint by nature, so much the better.

In practical, operational terms, this means squeezing
every penny 'til it screams, or making do without using any
cash at all. Its not for nothing that we call our dollar the
loonie; taking money too seriously is for the birds, and
those who do so are all wet.

A great deal has already been written describing how to
eat on $3.29 a week, or live under a large spruce tree
without disturbing the squirrels that live above. I, however,
in my somewhat hidebound and moderately crabbit negativity,
prefer to give advice on what not to do, and how to at least
begin to not do it!

Minimize the interest that you pay! Why spend your life
lining the pockets of some silly bank in Hogtown? Avoid
borrowing money, or paying the interest on someone else's
borrowed money. Interest paid to another will gain you
absolutely nothing in the long run. Remember that most
purchases that require a loan are in themselves bad
investments, even without the interest involved. The only
time that money should be borrowed is when the purchase
actually saves money in the long run, interest included.

Avoid asset depreciation! That $2,500 computer will be
worth $400 in 5 years. That shiny new auto will one day end
up in a crusher. Most often, the very best consumer
investments are those that involve maximizing the use-value
of an object while minimizing the costs. Cars, for instance,
depreciate by the year, but wear out by the kilometer, at
least within reasonable limits. Computers may be written off
as business expenses at 33% of the original cost per annum,
but may live on for decades. Let someone else take the
financial hit, while you accrue the enjoyment; learn the fine
art of second-hand shopping. However, don't buy used facial
tissue.

Pay as little rent as possible! All that you are doing by
renting is putting money into someone else's investment. If
you need to rent, live in the simplest possible type of
accommodation that suits your basic needs. If others can
tolerate living with you, share a modest apartment in a
reasonable part of town. If you like or need to live alone,
perhaps a basic little studio suite is all that you need.
If you have a family and choose not to purchase, find the
simplest dwelling that suits your needs. There isn't much
use in coming home half-dead to a palace that you are too
tired to enjoy.

Don't pay any more taxes than you absolutely have to! The
less money that you need to live your life to the fullest,
the less time that you will spend working for Revenue Canada
etc. Buy things second-hand from private individuals. (Used
automobiles, for instance, are GST free purchased from
someone other than a dealer.) Keep your municipal taxes under
control by living in the simplest dwelling possible. Make the
best possible use of RSPs or other available tax shelters.
From a purely personal perspective, money paid out in taxes
is no better spent than $100 dollar bills used to light
cigars. (For those concerned about the social benefits paid
for with tax dollars, remember that its practically
impossible to completely avoid paying some taxes, esp. GST
and municipal levies.) Do stay out of jail!

And, of course, avoid foolishness! Don't eat in a
restaurant for $8.00 when you can eat at home for 80 cents.
Remember that tobacco and alcohol are taxed to the absolute
limit, as well as being incredibly destructive. Never buy
anything new that can be readily purchased second-hand.
Read the slightly older newspapers and magazines that are
lying around everywhere, free for the perusal.

Most of the real fun in life is best experienced without
time constraints. By practicing voluntary simplicity, the
time no longer needed for the pursuit of money will be freed
up for the huge range of pastimes that are both pleasurable
and free, or at least quite inexpensive. Compare the time
quality and cost of a rushed taxi trip of about 4 miles,
compared to the time quality and cost of a leisurely walk
over the same distance. A person with some real time on their
hands might even write a funny little article like this,
if they're feeling sadistic.

The old adage that "the best things in life are free"
is as meaningful as ever, advertising to the contrary.

If all of this sounds hard-nosed and mercenary, remember
that none of the above precludes living a life of charity and
giving. By practicing voluntary simplicity, it is much easier
to give what we want, however we want to, rather than having
personal resources taken by large and impersonal institutions
as a matter of course, and used by them in whatever way that
they see fit.

Most of all, voluntary simplicity is about self
empowerment!

Main