Great article I found (Ithaca, Miller Place: middle-class, sale, mortgage)

[KellyFG]

Interestingly Nassau is #10, suffolk isn't mentioned. The conspicuous consumption phenomenon is nationwide, not just here on LI.
I especially love the part about people practicing voluntary simplicity ARE happier....I know that is a fact.
Credit & Debt - Spending Is Hotter Than a Month in Summer - AOL Money & Finance

[ClarkStreetKid]

Originally Posted by KellyFG

I especially love the part about people practicing voluntary simplicity ARE happier....I know that is a fact.

One reason you are happier is the fact that you are doing what you want to do, not necessarily that you are living simply. My wife and I are also happy people because we can live how we want, but by your standards you probably wouldn't think we're living simply, though we live well within our means.

Originally Posted by USA Today

One group was leading a typical consumer-driven middle-class life. The other group — dubbed Voluntary Simplifiers — chose to downscale their lives, buying less and often working in lower-paying jobs.

I don't buy that definition because of part about working a lower-paying job. So can you define what you mean by living simply?

[KellyFG]

here on LI people that bought their homes in the last 5 years really couldn't take lower paying jobs unless they had a lump sum of money laying around.
However there are areas where home values are much less(and taxes & utilities) and perhaps some of these people sold the McMansion to take a less stressful job & live simply.
A couple of great books
"Better Off"
"I'm not buying it"

a link to a community that is filled with people that made this lifestyle choice.
Ecovillage at Ithaca

For me simplicity is growing as much of my own food as I can, supporting local farmers & merchants as opposed to big box stores whenever possible, "reduce, reuse, recycle" giving away or selling used items rather than adding them to our maxed out landfills(twenty years later & nobody remembers the LI garbage barge), recycling or buying products without excessive packaging, using our awesome public library system instead of buying books & DVDs, my cell phone is 4 years old-no extra features, my car is 7 yrs old...no car payments here, my windows are open-A/C is off, no flat screen TVs, no toxic chemicals on my grass or in my home, we eat home 99% of the time instead of waiting like cattle to be served microwaved food with all the obese people at cheesecake factory or whatever god forsaken food place people flock to, we hike in our local state park, we canoe/kayak instead of owning a power boat. We remodeled our kitchen soup to nuts for $5,000 4 yrs ago...not going to be paying an adjustable rate mortgage for 15 years because of my new kitchen, bringing great tasting coffee from home instead of supporting Starbucks record breaking profits. The list goes on & on really.
And by the way, I grew up in a pigishly affluent home....so I've lived both sides. I KNOW I'm happier like this.

[clamboy]

Originally Posted by KellyFG

here on LI people that bought their homes in the last 5 years really couldn't take lower paying jobs unless they had a lump sum of money laying around.
However there are areas where home values are much less(and taxes & utilities) and perhaps some of these people sold the McMansion to take a less stressful job & live simply.
A couple of great books
"Better Off"
"I'm not buying it"

a link to a community that is filled with people that made this lifestyle choice.
Ecovillage at Ithaca

For me simplicity is growing as much of my own food as I can, supporting local farmers & merchants as opposed to big box stores whenever possible, "reduce, reuse, recycle" giving away or selling used items rather than adding them to our maxed out landfills(twenty years later & nobody remembers the LI garbage barge), recycling or buying products without excessive packaging, using our awesome public library system instead of buying books & DVDs, my cell phone is 4 years old-no extra features, my car is 7 yrs old...no car payments here, my windows are open-A/C is off, no flat screen TVs, no toxic chemicals on my grass or in my home, we eat home 99% of the time instead of waiting like cattle to be served microwaved food with all the obese people at cheesecake factory or whatever god forsaken food place people flock to, we hike in our local state park, we canoe/kayak instead of owning a power boat. We remodeled our kitchen soup to nuts for $5,000 4 yrs ago...not going to be paying an adjustable rate mortgage for 15 years because of my new kitchen, bringing great tasting coffee from home instead of supporting Starbucks record breaking profits. The list goes on & on really.
And by the way, I grew up in a pigishly affluent home....so I've lived both sides. I KNOW I'm happier like this.

I couldnt agree with you more Kelly.

I do think we are beginning to see the McMansions getting dumped and people are downsizing/leaving.Im very glad we didnt live beyond our means through this insanity,we bought modest and lived modestly.

We couldve taken the Variable rate McMansion path in 2000 but we waited.Our decision to move to NE CT has more to do with the taxes/traffic/density and attitude of LI.We feel like its toxic now for our son and we doubt he will be able to lay down roots here in the future.

I know you live out east...do you rememeber ghost town Miller Place circa 1991?All the empty McMansions..it was grim.

I imagine Shoreham/Wading River will reseble it shortly....too much too soon.

I admire your" keep it simple" ethos.
I wish there were more of you here.

Just know that elsewhere in the country you wouldnt be the exception ...but the norm.NE CT. included.

Best

C

[wardlwag]

Clamboy, how is the sale of your house going?

[clamboy]

Originally Posted by wardlwag

Clamboy, how is the sale of your house going?

Weve had a few brokers through...very positive feedback
Its priced very well in relation to the competition.


First open house this weekend.
Will keep you posted.

C

[rocafeller05]

Originally Posted by clamboy

Weve had a few brokers through...very positive feedback
Its priced very well in relation to the competition.


First open house this weekend.
Will keep you posted.

C

Not to get off the subject or be to nosey, but where are you relocating to clamboy? You getting out of the Long Island rat race?

[clamboy]

Originally Posted by rocafeller05

Not to get off the subject or be to nosey, but where are you relocating to clamboy? You getting out of the Long Island rat race?

Central CT.

See other thread.
Best
C

[ClarkStreetKid]

Good for you Kelly that you found a lifestyle that you like, and interestingly my wife and I do many of the same things that you're doing but maybe for different reasons.