Are You A Senior Who Enjoys The Simple Life?

SeaBreeze

SeaBreeze

Endlessly Groovin'
Location
USA
We have always enjoyed the simple life. I was never one to want "designer" jeans, handbags, shoes, etc. Never had the need to drive a flashy car either, bought new ones that were good for our driving needs. Our home is modest, more important to us was a larger back yard, and an open natural area behind the house.

I don't care for getting all dolled up and going to fancy events either. More comfortable in Levi jeans, a t-shirt, and sneakers or hiking boots. Camping, occasional fishing, and hiking in nature are the things we enjoy most. Nothing beats the smell of real fresh air, and watching wildlife and nature away from all the hustle and bustle of the city.

How about you? Do you enjoy a simple life? Or do you go for the bling, nightlights, and fancy restaurants or clubs? :topsy_turvy:
 

SeaBreeze, you nailed it. Having grown up in the country enjoying nature, my wife, also a country girl, live a very simple life. We are not very social folks and totally enjoy our simple home. Don't get me wrong. We enjoy company and going out with our friends for breakfast on Sundays. During the week, a simple drive to the beach with our coffee is a nice day for us.
We don't have a lot of extra cash but our house has everything we need and want. We have a couple of very rich friends and they seem to be under so much pressure to do things even though they are retired. Big, beautiful house on the River but lots of tension there.
Life is what you make it and as long as I can crack a joke and keep Mama happy, we got it made.:sentimental:
 
Pretty simple here too. I do play a lot of golf, but not a well to do club my any means. Mostly a jeans kind of guy during the winter and shorts during the rest of the year.
 

I, too enjoy the simple life. Having said that, if my life was any more simple than it is, I'd be in solitary confinement.
 
SeaBreeze said:
We have always enjoyed the simple life. I was never one to want "designer" jeans, handbags, shoes, etc. Never had the need to drive a flashy car either, bought new ones that were good for our driving needs. Our home is modest, more important to us was a larger back yard, and an open natural area behind the house.

I don't care for getting all dolled up and going to fancy events either. More comfortable in Levi jeans, a t-shirt, and sneakers or hiking boots. Camping, occasional fishing, and hiking in nature are the things we enjoy most. Nothing beats the smell of real fresh air, and watching wildlife and nature away from all the hustle and bustle of the city.

How about you? Do you enjoy a simple life? Or do you go for the bling, nightlights, and fancy restaurants or clubs? :topsy_turvy:
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I think more and more folks are beginning to see that the great American dream got a little outa hand. They are starting to realize how much more peace of mind comes from actually have less. Like CeeCee mentioned, nothing wrong with a little bling, but so much to be said for keeping things simpler. I would go as far as "off the grid" I want my internet, and cell reception when I want/need it, LOL! But yes Seabreeze, you and I are very much on the same page.

To be honest, I learned this by being broke, I learned it by having a lot at one time too. I learned that I was happier with less, not too much less, like a roof over my head and indoor plumbing. But I am so much easier to please, and I mean more about pleasing myself. But if I ever have a mate again, he won't have to do much to impress me, not with "stuff". He better lift the lid though, LOL!! Or he will be on bathroom detail, :gettowork:
 
nwlady said:
I think more and more folks are beginning to see that the great American dream got a little outa hand. They are starting to realize how much more peace of mind comes from actually have less. Like CeeCee mentioned, nothing wrong with a little bling, but so much to be said for keeping things simpler. I would go as far as "off the grid" I want my internet, and cell reception when I want/need it, LOL! But yes Seabreeze, you and I are very much on the same page.

To be honest, I learned this by being broke, I learned it by having a lot at one time too. I learned that I was happier with less, not too much less, like a roof over my head and indoor plumbing. But I am so much easier to please, and I mean more about pleasing myself. But if I ever have a mate again, he won't have to do much to impress me, not with "stuff". He better lift the lid though, LOL!! Or he will be on bathroom detail, :gettowork:
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About the same here. When were both working, we did it all. Shot archery all over the state, snowmobiled, motorcycles, bowled and owned three large boats. As I look back, it was exciting at the time but I sure don't miss any of it now.
 
I agree Seabreeze, & Denise, Having little most of our lives help us focus on each other for 47 years. It got to be fun to see just how far we could get with the little we had. When we got to where we had money and stuff, we were so busy trying to handle it and all the suddenly found family, that we were missing out on each other. :notfair: I knew there had to be a good reason we lost it all. Now, we still have each other, the best part of us. :cart:
 
oh yeah, it's as simple as say, not having cable/dish. What do we do?? Well, back in the day, you play a game with your significant other;) Actually spend time interacting, now that's what makes a relationship prosper;)
 
"Stopped to smell the roses and decided to stay.":)

I like your turn of the phrase, as it were, That Guy.
 
nwlady said:
oh yeah, it's as simple as say, not having cable/dish. What do we do?? Well, back in the day, you play a game with your significant other;) Actually spend time interacting, now that's what makes a relationship prosper;)
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Sad to say,the cell phone changed all that.
Wasnt much of a game player unless I won all the time.;)
 
nwlady said:
But yes Seabreeze, you and I are very much on the same page.

To be honest, I learned this by being broke, I learned it by having a lot at one time too. I learned that I was happier with less, not too much less, like a roof over my head and indoor plumbing. But I am so much easier to please, and I mean more about pleasing myself. But if I ever have a mate again, he won't have to do much to impress me, not with "stuff". He better lift the lid though, LOL!! Or he will be on bathroom detail, :gettowork:
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I'm lucky, hubby was raised to be very considerate of others, and he always raises the lid, and lowers it when he's done. And although I have a second bath in the basement, it's rarely used...don't want the double-duty as you mentioned with the deep cleaning either, LOL! :no:
 
I started off a city boy
Had tons of golden bling
I had more money than Croesus,
That ancient Grecian king.

My ride was rad, and in my pad
My decor was Victorian
Had so much plush it makes me blush
That I was so stentorian.

Now 'round when I was twenty-four
I got tired of keeping score
Of being just another guy
Who's always drunk and always high

I sold off all my little toys
I gave a few away
That's when I finally saw the start
Of a bright, brand-new day.

These days I call myself a monk
Have few material things
But if I listen really hard
I hear my soul - it sings.
 
I grew up poor then struggled financially raising my own family. It's only been recently that things have turned completely around for me. However, I still prefer a simple life to being extravagant. I have NO credit card debt. Why? Because if I don't have the cash to buy something, I do without it. My car was built in 1991. Why haven't I bought a newer model? Because the old thing still runs. Waste not, want not.
 
The simple life is hard to define. I think hubby and I live simply but we live rather differently to our parents generation.

We have lived in the same smallish house that we built and moved into in 1966. Over the years we have made some improvements but it is still a rather plain but comfortable home. I enjoy the appliances we have - washing machine, dishwasher, refrigerator and freezer, TVs and computers. And two cars. When I was a child there were none of these in my mother's house except a gas powered refrigerator. My grandfather's house didn't even have that. He had an ice chest and ice was delivered daily to the front door step.

Our lifestyle is fairly simple and revolves around family and friends. Every Sunday we have lunch at a local club with some members of our church and I seldom have any need for fancy clothes or bling. I've never had an engagement ring but after 50 years of marriage I now wear a sapphire ring with half a dozen diamond chips that looks very nice. It has more sentimental than monetary value.

On the other hand, I live in a suburb of a very cosmopolitan city, and when I want to, I can attend plays and symphony concerts, eat at excellent restaurants and have my pick of movies, all of which we have done over the years. Is this living the simple life? An Australian might think so but someone from a third world country will be envious of my luxurious lifestyle.

Over the years we have always taken holidays (vacations to Americans) and have seen a lot of Australia with the children and later we have toured quite a few foreign countries as well. Now we are happy to take the occasional cruise where life is anything but Spartan.

So, do we live the simple life? Not really, but neither do we live as the rich and famous do. Somewhere in between because we are fortunate enough to have choice in the matter.

PS While typing this response I have just seen a mouse in my house. Now I am torn. He cannot be allowed to stay because I don't want to live in a mouse infested house but I quite like the little creatures and don't want to kill him.

But I will set traps.

This is my dilemma for today. A simple problem? Is it relevant to this thread?
 
Warrigal said:
While typing this response I have just seen a mouse in my house. Now I am torn. He cannot be allowed to stay because I don't want to live in a mouse infested house but I quite like the little creatures and don't want to kill him.

But I will set traps.

This is my dilemma for today. A simple problem? Is it relevant to this thread?
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Mickey and his pals are fine outside where they belong. Once they've come through the wire, it's a full on battle to the death. Little buggers!
 
Absolutely Seabreeze, after many years working for the 'Big Blue' computer company, living out of a suitcase, only seeing my family at weekends - now I've taken early retirement and live in a small village in N.Scotland. This is the sort of place where people know each other and some folks don't even feel the need to lock doors.
There are fields to the front and back, I can get some of the best food that money can buy, and quite often, I can get it for free. Life is good here and I don't miss work.

I do wish that the internet was faster here - when you're more isolated, you rely on it for a lot of things.
 
I agree entirely with you Warrigal; down to the mouse!
mine are usually brought in by the cats, so if I can get them out alive, I will!
i live in my own house; with most mod-cons built in; on the edge of a town.
i have most things within easy reach, and I don't buy expensive clothes; except for weddings!
i too, like good holidays...but not on my own, so I don't go so much now.
not a 'simple' life; but not a bling life either.
 
Warrigal said:
PS While typing this response I have just seen a mouse in my house. Now I am torn. He cannot be allowed to stay because I don't want to live in a mouse infested house but I quite like the little creatures and don't want to kill him.

But I will set traps.

This is my dilemma for today. A simple problem? Is it relevant to this thread?
Click to expand...

I quit trying to keep up with traps that I have to set - now I have Tin Cat mouse traps -

http://www.victorpest.com/store/mouse-control/m310

which are very effective -

and for the mice that avoid the trap - it's poison.

only problem with the Tin Cat is if they don't die by cannibalism, I have to dunk 'em. But dunk 'em I'll do. I don't mess around - it's them or me.
 
Ina said:
Jr., I live where there are a lot of fields. No mice, but some pretty big rats. I looked at those trap, but couldn't tell if they would work on the larger ones. What do you think? :hit:
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no, those traps work for mice only. Poison for rats and ground squirrels. I make sure the dogs can't get to the poison. I live in an area where war is declared between the rodents and me. Last rat I caught in a regular rat trap was 4" wide. (flattened). Nasty things!
 

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