The Simpler Life: An Inspirational Guide to Living Better with Less

by Deborah H. Deford

Book Overview

Deford offers thoughtful, inspiring advice on what can be done now and on a daily basis to create a simpler, more satisfying, and meaningful life. 80 color photos and illustrations. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0762100613
• ISBN13: 9780762100613
• Release Date: June 1998
• Publisher: Reader's Digest Association
• Length: 239 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 7.0" x 7.2"

Customer Reviews

A Book About a Life That Money Won't Buy...

This is a book about a life that money won't buy. It grew out of the authors and others experience. "The Simpler Life" talks about material things and how even with all the material things money can buy it doesn't buy happiness. Too busy, stressed out people who wanted a change in their lifestyle. The book tells the story of those people and their alternative styles of living. To quote from the book, "some people dream of a simplier life. Some people do more than dream. They make it their reality." The book discusses how some people make their dreams a reality, how they give up their status quo and changed their lives. "The Simpler Life" points out for each of us living a simple life is custom-made, it may not be the same for every person. A wonderful book to read as you contemplate a simplier life. Hopefully, the stories will inspire and motivate you to take the steps in simplifying your life. The book offers practical solutions and good ideas that you can implement.

Wise words

I admit upfront I was skeptical when I saw "Readers Digest" on this book, since I assumed it would be lightweight and lacking in much substance. Fact is, I couldn't have been more wrong. Not only is the book well written, but it contains wise advise that none of the other (dozens) books on simple living we own, have. Amongst the wise advise given by the author is, expect resistance when you decide to simplify your life and home. Family and friends may fear change. And recognize that the facts of life are, no one can have everything. And the more you own the more you have to take care of and repair. A lot of people have stuff they never use often because they cannot afford to take care of what they have. Know what you are willing to take care of and be honest about it. You may well want a Ferrari, but can you honestly afford the insurance and upkeep? And if you can, do you really want to spend that much money on a car, or would you rather buy a less expensive, fun sports car and take the money saved and invest it for the long-term?Do you hold onto things out of guilt? Or because they remind you of a good thing from the past, while you live a miserable life in the present? Does what you own hold you back from having a better life? A big home with a big house payment, may make you look rich from the outside, but if you cant afford to have the lights on because of the expense, maybe a less expensive home, with a smaller payment would reduce the stress as well as provide you with more savings for the future.Or how about thinking about whether you are a leader or a follower. A leader does what is best and wise. A follower does what everyone else is doing because they don't want to feel left out. A leader lives beneath their needs. A follower lives above their needs. One is an authentic while the other is a fraud. Are you the real deal or a phony?Do you know why you buy what you buy? Is it because you are bored, lonely, insecure? Or do you buy because you need the item, will use the item, and is the item a quality item? Are you willing to save for an item and buy a better quality item for a bit more money?Do you use credit cards as a means to keep yourself from drowning, or do you use a credit card and pay the bill off each week, month? These are just a few of the things the book covers and is well worth the price.