[.uk] Complete Idiot's Guide to Simple Living (ISBN 0028639073)

Amazon.com Review:
When you tell your friends you're thinking of ditching your cellphone and cutting up your Visa, they may think you're nuts. Be strong and read the Ten Principles of Simple Living, which include Consume less; Love people, not things; Put people before things; and Live from your vision. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Simple Living is about evaluating your consumer-choked life and learning to live happily with what you need--not what you think you need or just plain want. Cutting back and reconsidering your time, relationships, and especially spending isn't going to be easy. "Simple living is about making choices that put you in the position of being more in control of how you choose to spend your money," says author Georgene Lockwood, "not shunning money altogether." Focusing on what you like to do, rather than on what you have to do (or think you have to do), is a way to simplify. The book is divided into five sections: What is Simple Living?; Your Money IS Your Life; Simple Living Basics: Food, Clothing, Shelter; Family, Friends, and Community; and What if Everybody Did It? The sections are broken down into chapters that question and challenge you to reduce, reuse, and reflect. Convincingly written, this book is very practical and encouraging. "It's for people who want to have more time for relationships and for doing things they really enjoy," says Lockwood. "It's for those who are looking to go beyond simply organizing and decluttering ... to a lifestyle that's more sustainable for the future of this planet and our civilization." --Dana Van Nest

Simply NOT the best "idiot" book:
I love the idiot books. I have over a dozen of them. This one;however, is my least favorite. I was hoping for a some understanding of cultural perspectives about the importance of living simply. I was hoping for a book that would serve as a guide towards "appreciation" and "contentment" in Western society. I was hoping for a sociological perspective of how cultures, subcultures, and people have successfully obtained satisfaction without excess want. I was hoping for a foundational philosophical perspective of those people who have mastered living simply in mind and deeds (whether you are a millionaire or pennyless.) This book is little more than a "how to" book on Penny Pinching. If you feel "living simply" means "penny pinching", then buy this book. For me, living simply has little to do with money, and more to do with mind, body, and soul. To me, "simple living" is about appreciation, satisfaction, and contentment... regardless of your financial situation. To the author of this book "simple Living" means penny pinching advice, such as "drive 55 mph on the interstate to save on gas money." ...not so much about appreiating the kindness of a stranger who might let you get in front of him interstate. Perhaps my real problem with this book is the misguided title. An appropriate title would be "A Complete Idiots Guide to Penny Pinching".

Simple isn't a four letter word!:
Simple doesn't have to be a bad thing.This is a great read and you don't have to move to Walden Pond to enjoy it. As all of the Idiots books you don't have to have any in depth knowledge on the subject to be able to take things from it.Its not about being deprived, its about values, what's important to you in life and what makes you happy.Simple doesn't mean being deprived.This book covers money, food and clthes and also community. There are choices to make. Do you want more stuff or do you want time to play. If you liked this book try the classic "You're Money or your Life" which takes their theories to a whole new level.

Not the best:
Waste of time; just a rehash of alot of other books with nothing new.

Complete Idiot's Guide to Simple Living:
It helped us to find ways to a simple life so... we gave the book to our kids for Christmas! We are waiting to see the results. :)

VERY helpful!:
I bought this book because I started becoming very interested in living a simple life. This book is filled with great advice and will encourage you to get started! The author is very balanced and writes from experience. There is indeed joy in simplicity...and this book guides you in that direction. As soon as you read this book you will want to start getting rid of all the clutter, physical & mental clutter! If you're curious about simplicity, get this book!