tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4755505160205388934.post7093623712507537525..comments2012-11-26T19:16:44.836-08:00Comments on Occupied: Idea #2: Need LessACJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16775234285253834486noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4755505160205388934.post-5120503203593396112011-10-19T21:04:25.687-07:002011-10-19T21:04:25.687-07:00Mamabear, I'd love it if you wrote more about ...Mamabear, I'd love it if you wrote more about that decision - a friend just mentioned in an email that she and her family are wondering if it's the right move for them. What real difference did it make in your financial situation? Do you feel displaced or less secure now that you don't own your home? I'd love to hear an update and am planning a post about affordable housing soon that would be well-informed by you and your experience.ACJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16775234285253834486noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4755505160205388934.post-61694956811730821612011-10-19T18:13:30.423-07:002011-10-19T18:13:30.423-07:00Giving up the idea that moving up is not always be...Giving up the idea that moving up is not always best for our families. Not saying our path of selling and becoming renters works for everyone, but I think the journey and reasoning behind it for us made sense. Though you already know that since you were part of that journey.Nadiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15807025451043797353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4755505160205388934.post-36289719619422355202011-10-19T15:25:30.810-07:002011-10-19T15:25:30.810-07:00@Christine, thank you for your comment. If you do ...@Christine, thank you for your comment. If you do go to cash, let us know what it's like. I hope to post update posts for these ideas where we can hear how/if these adjustments lead to any kind of difference.<br /><br />I can't help but think that if the entirety of North America said No More Plastic, those banks that have foreclosed on so many and done all kinds of bad (and good - I know banks do good) would have to rethink how they do business because they'd suddenly be down a LOT of revenue.ACJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16775234285253834486noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4755505160205388934.post-34899499602312868822011-10-19T08:14:40.888-07:002011-10-19T08:14:40.888-07:00Thanks for sharing your thoughts... I've been ...Thanks for sharing your thoughts... I've been unconsciously doing something similar for the past 5 - 10 years. My husband and I have lived in Ontario, France, England and BC during our married life and thus moving abroad makes you realise how much stuff you have. <br /><br />Because of the housing situation in Vancouver we live in a pretty small condo and so I can't just store stuff easily. Every time something comes in the condo, I try to get rid of something else and when I shop, I no longer ask myself, do I want this, but rather do I need it. It's amazing how many items you actually don't need...<br /><br />TV, hairdryer, perfume, alarm clock, radio, stereo, big fancy car... I have none of this clutter and it feels great.<br /><br />The idea of using cash more is new to me. I might have to make it part of my life spending.christinehttp://www.bluelimemedia.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4755505160205388934.post-7384205294964252452011-10-18T22:30:10.697-07:002011-10-18T22:30:10.697-07:00@Anonymous 1, I don't know what the fees are, ...@Anonymous 1, I don't know what the fees are, but I'm pretty sure merchants pay a fee no matter what card is used. So if you want to stop sending money to the bank instead of to the merchant, then yes, you probably do need to start using real life money. But if you think of another way, pay it on! As for the Airmiles, I find it tricky because maybe there's wisdom there, but then I wonder if the cost of the lie is greater than the cost of buying my airplane tickets...<br /><br />@Anonymous 2, "Noticing without judging" needs to be on my list somehow. I'm going to live with that one more.<br /><br />@Darren, why haven't those countries bought into our plastic-based economic system?ACJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16775234285253834486noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4755505160205388934.post-31832921596668708372011-10-18T20:57:56.430-07:002011-10-18T20:57:56.430-07:00I've lived in countries where cash remains kin...I've lived in countries where cash remains king, and it definitely helps to curtail your spending.Darrenhttp://www.darrenbarefoot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4755505160205388934.post-57331764627397852322011-10-18T17:21:51.687-07:002011-10-18T17:21:51.687-07:00I starting using cash 2 months ago. Everything I ...I starting using cash 2 months ago. Everything I buy in a week, groceries, gas, clothes, gifts, cat food, medicine, library late fees, etc....etc....etc.... is cash. It is VERY hard but something about it feels very good and right. It forces me to be aware and conscious of every in and out. I feel like I have been living unconsciously in almost every aspect of my life. I think as a society we live unconsciously. As a result we are not well. In our minds and hearts. I believe that being aware and noticing is the first step to getting well. I go easy on myself though because I cannot fully get there. Noticing without judging. And, cash makes me notice.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4755505160205388934.post-55878279784065461962011-10-18T11:37:11.926-07:002011-10-18T11:37:11.926-07:00Thank you, I have just realized the absurdity of p...Thank you, I have just realized the absurdity of putting EVERYTHING on my credit card to get the air miles. When I actually think we should all try to fly less. What about debit cards, Alison, are they the same? Costs the vendor a fortune to use that system? Do I actually need to carry MONEY around again???Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com