There’s no doubt that the longer inflation lingers, the further decline people will feel in their standard of living. As it stands now, inflation is here to stay with us for at least the next two years. So, unless you can pull a genie out of your top hat, your lifestyle will be headed in a downward spiral. Just when I started to feel my shoulders slump from all this negative news, I came across a statement recently chanted by renown author, editor and founder of Minimalism, Joshua Becker.
“It is better to live cheap under budget than luxuriously in debt.”
According to Becker, there are only two ways a person can live their life: The first being, living below their means, saving money and using cash to pay for those expenses that pop up unexpectantly. The second way is to live above your means by living luxuriously thus placing yourself into debt. There is a third way, which is the one I’ve been living, and that is to live within one’s means. This third group happily pays its bills on time and has an affordable lifestyle. However, when an unexpected expense pops up, people like that have to put themselves into debt in order to make ends meet. So, eventually these people (like myself) get themselves into debt (even if it’s at zero percent) just to keep up a lifestyle that doesn’t much matter anymore. This is not the place you want to find yourself in.

Becker’s solution to this complexity is to always place yourself in position #1, which is to live below your means and the way that you do that is to live cheaper. Imagine that? I’m getting the go-ahead that’s it’s OK to be cheap. I’m not quite sure how I feel about that BUT in these inflationary times, perhaps becoming a cheapskate is a way to survive. No longer being conditioned to buy only the best, perhaps buying the cheaper percale sheets or 50% cotton/50% polyester towels or generic food brands might be a better option. There certainly isn’t anyone around anymore to impress. At least, not in my life circle. What good would it do me to get my hair professionally cut and wear a better brand of jeans if getting food on the table might be a struggle?
Becker recommends that by becoming a minimalist, which means only to have what you need and use (no clutter!) you can achieve a life of self-confidence, self-satisfaction, enjoyment and restful calm simply by going cheap! The point of minimalism is simple:
It is marked by clarity, purpose, and intentionality. At its core, being a minimalist means intentionally promoting the things we most value and removing everything that distracts us from it. It is a life that forces intentionality upon us. As a result, it forces improvements in almost all aspects of your life.
I’ve always prided myself on procuring the best of everything for myself and my family BUT I always got whatever I needed or wanted for less. A lot less. Perhaps if I buy cheaper and pay the cheaper prices, I might find a more sustainable lifestyle for myself in these inflationary times? I don’t know the answer to that question BUT I am going to give it a try going forward into 2022. I’m shopping cheap. I’m buying cheap and I’m going to live a cheaper lifestyle.
Side Note: I agree with Joshua Becker’s minimalist outlook so much so, that I have made it my mantra on my blog site’s opening page, under my profile.
Here’s what Joshua Becker has to say about living the cheaper life. View the video and let me know what you think. Do you agree or disagree?
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Hi Cindi, this is Chris. I was thinking about what you wrote. I have read some pieces by Mr Becker. I am not really a minimalist, but do try to not buy a lot of extra stuff, even in my food and h/ba stockpile. I try to buy what we will use before things go bad. Thinking about my philosophy, the biggest thing I try to do is be a good steward of the income God has given us. I was thinking about the plain, classic things I bought for hubby when he started out on his first job in the mid 1980s. Like his black dress shoes that have been resoled more than once and his LLBean parka that he still uses on the coldest days and it is still in style. I also thought about the used furniture we bought that is quality, yet I don’t have to worry about it. And I don’t really care that “brown furniture” is not in style anymore. Our children are now able to buy the high quality Ethan Allen stuff I could never afford for great prices, up cycle it, and have something that will last. Things like this are being a good steward to me. I hope you and your family had a Merry Christmas. On Sun, Dec 26, 2021 at 4:11 AM Ciphers From Cindi wrote:
> Cindi posted: ” There’s no doubt that the longer inflation lingers, the > further decline people will feel in their standard of living. As it stands > now, inflation is here to stay with us for at least the next two years. So, > unless you can pull a genie out of your top hat” >
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Chris, both DH and I have winter coats from L.L. Bean and Land End. They were bought in the ‘before time’ and have lasted many, many seasons for us. If we had to do it again now? I don’t think I would buy them again. I’d buy something less expensive. With the new technology in clothing, I’m certain the coats will do a good job. They just might not last as long.
I too try my darnedest to be a good Stewart of the funds the Good Lord sends us. I know how to save money. I just never mastered how to make money. Hopefully it will all even out in the end. Thanks for your comment.
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Cindi, I remember when you purchased those LL Bean coats years ago and I gifted you a code to get $25 dollars off of yours. When you divide the years you use high quality items and don’t need to replace them they are then the better deal. It’s all about selecting – I especially like when quality is on sale and that beats going cheap hands down. Sincerely, Lara
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I just contacted LL Bean, sent them photos and they are looking into sending us a replacement as per their guarantee.
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Sweet! Let us know if they replace it. I know my daughter has gotten a backpack replacement.
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Lara, DH’s jacket was purchased in 2006, 15 years ago. I didn’t start blogging till 2007. I think I used your coupons recently when I bought myself a new coat (5 years ago?) Anyway, first LL. Bean said they would replace the jacket. Then they said they had to inspect and review it. If it was their fault I would get a refund of the coats’ 2006 cost, $59. If I wanted a coat replacement I would have to cough up $40 to match the 2021 price, $99 (plus tax and shipping). If it was just normal wear and tear, I’d get nothing and be billed for the coat’s return. So. Not. Worth. It. I think with inflation, retail companies can’t stick to any guarantee nor can they disperse free replacements anymore. Needless to say, DH is keeping the jacket(coat) for when he works out in the barn. Perfect! (PS: never buying L.L. Bean again)
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Spot on post as always! I am working on ways to cut back. DH is a spender and a clutter bug so we have separate accounts. He has all the vehicle debt and I just have my car paying triple payments on it. We have a friend renting a room from us and it goes directly to savings, we sold our too big house and rent a barn apt from my mother in law so he’s got a 4000sf garage below us for his clutter. We have no CC or other debt except for his, truck, motorcycle, RV and skid steer. If it wasn’t for his toys he could quit working. But it’s his choice….
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Interesting. Our barn has been storing a 2000 broken down keep for 20 years. Hubby thinks he can fix it one day. Dream on. Clutter!!
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I’ve spent my whole adult life living cheaply and under budget. We moved many times during my husband’s career and each time the realtor tried to get us to buy as much as we could afford. We preferred buying a house using only my husband’s salary so that if the need arose for me to be at home I could comfortably quit my job for a few years. Our girls and their adjustments to the moves always came first.
We’ve never dressed to impress or chosen the most expensive model on the car lot. It’s just not in my DNA. My mom was thrifty and I guess I inherited her trait. I doubt if my lifestyle would change much even if I won the lottery.
I know it’s not that easy for everyone, though. Sometimes the spending is all about low self-esteem or other insecurities. Sometimes it’s all about a sense of entitlement. As the Great Depression was a real eye-opener for many used to a lavish lifestyle, maybe our current economic situation will be a reality check to our present generation.
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Glenda, lots of household changes coming to lots of unsuspecting people. Thanks for your comments.
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Cindi, thanks for the link to Joshua Becker YouTube channel. He’s got some great videos I love so many of them. Sincerely, Lara
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He’s great. I love him!
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