The fact that my kids don't know what the latest fad is in toys and would much rather hang out outside with us throwing a ball, going to a park, playing in the sandbox, blowing bubbles, or playing chutes and ladders, go fish or hide and seek, all day long!

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For me it is getting rid of excess. I hold on to things so that I won't have to spend the money later (and I pat myself on the back for saving money!), but it comes at a cost. My home was definitely NOT peaceful. I was finding every reason in the world not to be home. Finally my husband told me how he felt smothered by our stuff (he grew up with only bare necessities). That was exactly how I felt too. I had a massive yard sale and the only pupose was to declutter. I charged bare minimum and everything that didn't sell went on a truck to goodwill right then. (and yes, I wanted to take it back in the house and try to sell it on Craigslist). Even with just charging minimum prices we made close to $300. But the best part was my house. It feels so open and peaceful now! I decided to only bring in things that I absolutely love, and when something comes in something else must go!

Having a positive attitude, not caring what others think, and limiting our kids' activities. With three boys, it was a conscious decision to let them know they can only do two activities (sports, Boy Scouts, etc) at any given moment in time.

Living in a smaller house. We went from renting a four bedroom, two living room farm house to a two bed/one bath ranch. Gardening and canning simplifies my spring/summer schedule - the routine of it keeps me home and spending less money.

My amish girlfriend helps alot too - there is a lot they live without, and have a nice life.

Knowing what it's like to live on the 'other' side. I lived/worked in New England for almost 15 years before moving out to Pennsylvania farmland. I worked a high stress/high paying software job, had a blast spending money, and was so lonely and bored, overtired and wired. I also went to a boarding school for high school and will never forget how UNHAPPY and MISERABLE all those rich kids/families were....

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Blessings,
Amethyst72

Staying home instead of mindlessly running errands to get me out of the house which usually leads to bringing more stuff into the house. Recyling newspapers at my son's school, plastic bags at the grocery store and cardboard boxes at the recycling center but only on a schedule not a special trip. Eating out of the cupboard for as long as I can without going to the grocery store. Using the craft items I have currently rather than accumulating more stuff. Finding a place to store my stuff so that everything has a place and everything is in its place (still working on this one).

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Peace be with you,

Sunflower

Ditto. Luckily, both of our older boys practice at the gym at the same time and our neighbor's son does as well so she takes them and we pick them up.

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Amie

Mom and personal chauffer to a 12yo, 8yo, 4yo & 2yo boys.

Beware of gymnasts--may flip without notice.

Activities are limited to one thing at a time. Decluttering (constant necessity) helps too.

We live on a highly populated animal farm. If I didn't have to milk 48+ cows at 4:30am I think that would be really simplifing things for me. That being said I don't know what I would be doing at 4:30 am everyday?

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Neleh

I was raised on a dairy farm. It isn't a very simple life! Especially when the cows get out the night before and still expected to be milked at 4 a.m.!

I am going to have to learn how to say this more often. Decluttering has been a major eye opener in more ways than one for me.

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