Greetings from Alison Wiley here in Portland, Oregon. I'm a writer/doer/thinker who lives happily by putting people, nature and God ahead of accumulating more stuff. Read more →
It’s summertime, and sun, light and food are abundant. Abundance makes the world feel more safe and expansive. I love this about summer: it can send us back to simpler times, when the extension of trust was more common. I had trust extended to me yesterday, and it made me smile from my face down to my toes. Yesterday morning I was driving back from [...]
Tags: books
Earlier this week I posted my first ten tips for a simpler, happier life. This morning I got so enthused over my next five ideas (below) that I see they’re a long post by themselves. So, next week I’ll present Part III with my final five suggestions. Create no new debt. The most complicated my [...]
Tags: entertainment · lifestyle · money · simplicity · sustainability · transportation
“I’ll need to move. I’ve been laid off.” Our housemate Scott’s face was unusually sober. He had been happily working as a carpenter here in Portland for a company that did home remodels. “The work has dried up because nobody is signing new contracts. My boss cut me loose yesterday.” My eyes welled with tears. [...]
Tags: home & garden · lifestyle · simplicity · work
During a startling heat wave last May I advised slowing down as the best way to respond to it, both for happiness and to contain our carbon emissions. And now that my town (Portland, Oregon) is gripped with unusual amounts of snow and ice, I advise we slow down, snuggle in, and telework, walk or [...]
Tags: lifestyle · simplicity · transportation
Sometimes my posts address how to solve everyday life problems in ways that are a win-win for people and planet. These have proven popular, i.e. Top Five Tips On Breaking Free of Credit Cards, and How To Save Money On Gas, and The Very Best Diet. Lots of us would like to save money and [...]
Tags: community · health & well being
If you’re stressing over your taxes being due today, I empathize. I have SO been there (though not any more. Here are my tips on breaking free of credit card and consumer debt.) Now I am a tax non-begrudger. I willingly pay taxes because I want to live in the civilized kind of society they make possible.
I see roads and highways as
Tags: politics · sustainability
In my last post I talked about overspending with credit cards and overspending the earth’s resources needing a similar solution: live happily within our means. It feels so much better this way, believe me.
Here are my Top Five recommendations for how to break free of credit cards, based on how I did it. (Note: If your debt comes from medical expenses or not earning living wages
Tags: money · sustainability
Confession: I am a former credit-card addict. Many years ago I racked up huge debts, played all the games of transferring my balances, thought I was very smart, la la la.
Today I have zero debt, and am much happier. (Smarter, too.) I think many others could be happier in this area, as well. I suggest we all break free of credit cards and stop using them.
How do credit cards relate
Tags: money · simplicity · sustainability
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