Somehow the number of pages it took to construct this textbook doesn't really register as simple to me. There were many aspects of it that I found useful though, and I learned a lot about planning for buying a house and managing my finances.

An excellent resource, more something to skim and use as reference than to read straight through

I don't know that I'll be building my own earth house any time soon, but I enjoyed how Luhrs highlights dozens of real people following their dream of what simplicity means to them. An inspiration...perhaps I'll start by considering a housemate...other than the cats :)

This book was pretty solid, although somewhat repetitive and simple. As always, it was a bit lacking on the more actionable content that I am looking for. It did have some great resources listed in an annotated bibliography style that could serve as a useful reference.

In general, I think the book would serve well as a starting point if I am looking to embark on some changes in some area of my life, or trying to figure what to change.

I just finished the intro and thus, I'm on page one. I REALLY like this book. OK I read Chapter 2 and skimmed 3 (on Money). Good stuff

This slightly tattered book stood out to me while browsing a Goodwill store; I am so thankful I bought this little thing I didn't necessarily "need!"

This book, written in 1997, is the perfect wake-up to all of us who are bogged down by the speed of life. Janet Luhrs is a steadfast believer in "voluntary simplicity" and believes each of us should put away our cell phones and take time to smell the roses. Simplicity is not about depriving yourself but fostering an appreciation for the world and people around you.

Luhrs draws inspiration from real-life stories and even from meditation techniques. She gives hearty advice that is both uplifting and practical. She discusses everything from relationships to money to food.

This Simple Living Guide is a great read for a Sunday afternoon, a beach trip, a plane ride, or any time you need to be brought back down to Earth. You will wish you would've read it sooner!

Arranged into chapters on different aspects of simple living, from values to clutter, budgeting to gardening, a reminder to focus on what matters to you most and deciding to live in such a way that you can attain your goals. I read this book in small chunks every morning with a cup of tea - in itself a simple pleasure.

Second time around. Read in the 90's and read again now with pleasure. In many instances, the helpful information has been outdated, but the general message resonates loud and clear - don't try to keep up with "The Jonses".

Was written in the early 90's so some technology mentioned is a little dated. (Pagers, VCR's, answering machines..) but the simplicity principles hold true. A good read for aspiring minimalists or those looking to live a simpler life..

I give this 4 stars no so much for the book alone but for the conversation and consideration it has engendered in my little book group. And not only that! My friend Kate (the sister I never had), is going to come over and help me de-clutter my kitchen during the Christmas break! And woe to you cynics who already are thinking, "I'll believe that when I see it!"

I picked this up because I wanted a guide to lowering stress and balancing work, family and health. Instead I found anti-vaccine ideas and the most offensive statement I have ever read regarding breastfeeding. On page 271 the author is describing an isolated community in northern India with a record of good health. She writes that in this community, babies who can not breastfeed die and are thus "spared the future gastro-intestinal miseries" that she claims accompany bottle feeding. What a horrible, malicious thing to say - what kind of deranged person thinks it's better for a baby to starve than receive formula? I was appalled beyond words.

I did not finish this book. I got about 25% of the way through before I had to just put it down. There are a few good basic tips but much of the discussion focuses on the importance of being debt free and saving for the future. These two points are very good practices but, when I stopped, there weren't many points of how to get that way or practices to change. Also this book was published in the late 1990s and much of the emphasis in the discussion points have changed.

An example of this is that much of the discussion is based on if you just put $X into savings at an X% interest rate in X Years you'll have X. Since this book was published, the economy has tanked and interest rates at even 10% of what they were in the 1990s are non-existent in 2013. The emphasis on this point has really dated the book.

Also, some of the "solutions" or stories provided are unrealistic for the masses. There was one story near the point I had to stop reading about an office manager for an LA law firm that got tired of living in LA. She apparently worked out that she could telecommute from her new home in New Mexico (or something like that) and only come to LA once in a while. I am a big fan of "it doesn't hurt to ask" but this seems like an outlier event and not something that everyone can do.

Due to some of these reasons, I just had to stop reading because I was getting mad. Overall I think I have healthy household/life management skills. So I was reading this more for some additional tips and tricks. I do some of the things suggested, like know the importance of saving for the future and working on having that be even more in the future. This book did not help me but it might help those looking for a starting point. I may try to finish the book in the future but I think there are more current and relevant books that have been published and don't revolve around impractical solutions.