Loving this thread. It does remind me of the "old days" of the simple living forums and it is fresh to actually be talking about "simple living" again.

DH and I had practiced, (in our way. I know everyone is different), simple living principles for several years. Then, in 2015 my husband passed away unexpectedly in the space of a few seconds/minutes one morning from a massive, massive heart attack and I was left totally alone. I remember a panic-y feeling in those early days, realizing I was going to be living on 1/2 the income but with basically all the same bills! Now, it has been just over 4 1/2 years and I am still here living in our home and taking care of bills, repairs and whatever comes my way. I think the SL ideas of getting out of debt, paying off something large (mortgage) and living below our means really paid off in that way. We still enjoyed many things together, not feeling that we were depriving ourselves at all but being responsible where our money went and being able to save for the future. Which sadly now is this. So, having said all that, I look forward to reading this thread and fresh ideas of simple living. Hello to those who have returned under new names!