Live Well On Less

The advantages of learning to live by the less-is-more tenet are many. Contemporary lifestyles and habits have a way of blinding us to those benefits, in part by keeping us so busy that we seldom stop long enough to carefully consider what we’re doing. We “move with the groove,” but that groove may be depleting us of precious funds, health, and happiness. A few ways to “move your groove” are:

Self-propel. A lot of people are so used to getting behind the wheel to go anywhere that they don’t realize how fun, eco-friendly, and healthy it is to walk the few blocks to the gym (that can double as your warm-up, saving time overall) or anywhere else within comfortable walking distance. Or do errands by bicycle. Besides getting exercise and fresh air, you can significantly reduce your carbon footprint, “experience life” along the way, and save money. Exercise also produces a healthy natural high and increases energy levels. Public transport and carpooling are also relatively economical and eco-friendly options.

Go natural. Drinking plenty of water and eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, including nutrition-dense yet inexpensive seasonal ones, will boost your resistance and thus lower your medical expenses.

Local fruits and vegetables often have nutritional benefits that rival expensive, exotic supplements like spirulina or Tibetan leh berries. Depending on what is available and affordable in your area, some of the best cosmetics and health products may be among the cheapest, and you may already have them in your kitchen. A salt-soap-and-loofah scrub can give the same smooth, polished-body effect as an expensive body scrub made from exotic ingredients. Mashed papaya can give you a quick peel that is cheaper than a glycolic peel. (Don’t leave it on for more than 10 minutes, though!) Olive oil makes great lip gloss and is harmless if accidentally ingested or kissed off. Research the benefits and possible adverse effects of any homemade health or beauty aid before trying. Moderation is usually advisable.

You probably don’t have a lot of time to make your own potions and lotions. However, eating healthfully and living well is possible even on a tight budget, and it can be fairly simple. Form good habits, and you can splurge once in a while on a special treat like a foot spa or special meal.

Recycle. Shop for an exciting “new” outfit in your own wardrobe by finding things you haven’t worn for a while and giving them a fresh look by making alterations or pairing them with something new. Or have a discards-and-treasures party with friends, where you get together little-worn clothing and other items and offer them to each other before donating the rest to charity.

Repair rather than replace worn or broken but salvageable items, or pass them on to someone else who will.

Limit paper clutter and the associated waste by doing as much as you can electronically, like keeping records on computer and using email.

Do it yourself. Learn to do some of the things you’ve been paying others to do for you. You’ll save money, learn new skills, and perhaps even pick up a new hobby in the process.

Be values oriented. Trying to keep up with the Joneses costs in more ways than one. Jesus taught “One’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” Jesus also pointed the way to God’s blessing and happiness and fulfillment in life when He said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things”—everything you really need—“shall be added to you.”

Co-op. Living or doing things cooperatively with extended family or like-minded friends is more cost- and labor-efficient than private living, and it gives a sense of community. It’s also a step toward learning to “love your neighbor as yourself,” which is another key to God’s blessing and true happiness.
God is a great life coach. When we follow Him and His spiritual laws, we find that it can actually be easier and more fun to live on less.

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1 Corinthians 6:12 ESV / “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be enslaved by anything.

Romans 5:8 ESV / But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Acts 4:12 ESV / And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”