This was the first book I picked up on voluntary simplicity and it gave me lots to think about - enough, in fact, that I needed to check it out again. This time I was more taken with the chapter on meditation. The first time it was about money, food, holidays. I would say that this has book has made a strong impact on my life by setting me on the road I'm on.

Life frustrates you on some level, possibly more deeply than conscious knowing. You frustrate yourself. Your stuff and your money and your time are all enemies. Something needs to change. You pick up this book and get to the business of reading it.

After two chapters you really begin to like Janet Luhrs, and if you persist, you settle in. You read stories about people who have done much to overcome the frustrations you are feeling, or frustrations not unlike them. Change becomes possible perhaps; in any case, the realm of possibility opens up. There is hope, and by the end of the book you feel peculiarly excited. I felt a little giddy.

But you must persist. This is a book that will make you feel good, but you must then make the (possibly enormous) extra effort to act. If you do not, you will find yourself re-reading the book a year or two later, maybe with the same frustrations still nagging. If you pick up this book, vow to yourself that you will take an action or two suggested in the text, and you will be much happier you read it. Suggestions are generally indirect, not in your face, so there's no direct pressure to do it "right."

I personally did not do so, and I'm looking at my third read coming up sometime. It's a great book, and I'll be inspired once again.

Promised alot

I didn't find this book relevant to my life in many ways there are a few Good. Suggestions. I think this book is based more for the Upper Middle Class

I read this book a few years ago but I'd like to read it again. I could use a few reminders about living more simply again!

Life-changing.

One of my top "go-to" books. Divided by chapters into categories such as holidays, work, food and wardrobe, "The Simple Living Guide" is full of down-to-earth ideas and easy-to-relate-to anecdotes from people who have simplified in these realms. Some ideas do seem a bit austere, but this doesn't detract from the book's value -- I've culled much usable advice over the years.

A great resource in its own right with lots of references for further reading. I want to sit down and read it again. It's full of ideas to help make deliberate decisions about how you live your life, how you spend your money, how you choose a living space, how you celebrate holidays, etc.

I enjoy referring to this book when I need a reminder about making time for what's really important. Instead of hammering away with "actionable items," the author uses stories about how others have simplified their lives in different ways. Using stories rather than checklists, which can be stressful in their own right, makes for a longer book.

I particularly like the chapter on simplifying the holidays.

Practical - lots of ideas on how to apply voluntary simplicity ideas gradually to your life. I would read the Korten book first though!!

self righteous? maybe a little. but still kind of inspiring: how not to work for your living, etc. how to live on less.

This book changed my life. It teaches how to live simply and each chapter has other books to read to help in this endeavor.

Found this on a 99 cent book rack at Goodwill, and the title drew me in. Now don't get me wrong, the book shows it's age, especially in the financial section, but the basic tenements hold true. Don't want to work? Don't spend money. Don't want to deal with stuff? Don't accumulate it. Etc. I found myself taking copious notes in the wide margins, and re-evaluating my life. Happy I found it.

That said: I did skip over one section relating to "simplifying" health, mainly avoiding doctors/vaccines/western medicine. I happen to think that if you're sick --> go to the doctor who trained for YEARS, but I understand that's not the only view out there. If that stuff also wrankles you, you may appreciate that it's grouped together in one section, easily skipped.