Originally Posted by
Yppej
In the past UL's extensive international travels whilst he has significant debts have led some here to question his commitment to simple living as most define it.
Simple living is defined in many ways, and people have different simple living goals: From Wikipedia:
Simple living encompasses a number of different voluntary practices to simplify one's lifestyle. These may include, for example, reducing one's possessions, generally referred to as minimalism, or increasing self-sufficiency. Simple living may be characterized by individuals being satisfied with what they have rather than want.[1][2] Although asceticism generally promotes living simply and refraining from luxury and indulgence, not all proponents of simple living are ascetics.[3] Simple living is distinct from those living in forced poverty, as it is a voluntary lifestyle choice.
Adherents may choose simple living for a variety of personal reasons, such as spirituality, health, increase in quality time for family and friends, work–life balance, personal taste, financial sustainability, frugality, or reducing stress. Simple living can also be a reaction to materialism and conspicuous consumption. Some cite socio-political goals aligned with the environmentalist, anti-consumerist or anti-war movements, including conservation, degrowth, social justice, and tax resistance.[4]
So, I believe that reducing debt is one good way to live a simple life, but not necessarily the definitive one. We know that UL is a devout minimalist--while others here may have no debt but many possessions. Many of us pursue simple living for other reasons. Personally, I have debt, but I am interested in the environmental and spiritual aspects of simple living.
To each his own.