Living Simply – Finding What You Need

Cory’s bridge Ken built

We learned how to trade or barter.  A wonderful way to get what you need and help someone else as well.  A woman Ken worked for won a huge cast iron wood stove that the local high school shop class had made. She didn’t need it so Ken built a bridge for her in trade for the stove.  We each thought we got the best part of the deal. That old stove kept us toasty warm for many winters.

I found a pair of Lee jeans in our thrift shop for three dollars! I traded some typing for a pair of Nikes that a friend didn’t want. You don’t have to dress shabbily, you just have to shop smarter. Get into the habit of browsing second-hand stores, don’t buy until you find what you want there. It is only a matter of time and you’ll find it. Go to garage sales, flea markets.

Start. Start now. Today. Sell or give away what you don’t need. A generous attitude breeds generosity. Giving is so contagious and it feels good. Once those bills are paid off, you can cut back on the time you have to be out making money. You can work at making a life. That is so much more satisfying than making money.

©1999 Sharron R. McMillan