I know that you can’t all move to Claresholm and that is too bad. There are so many benefits to living in a small town. Here are seven good reasons that I can think of right now.
- You will know all the kids that are your own children’s age and who their families are. In a small town there is only one elementary school, one middle school and one high school and when you go there you will meet the kids and their friends which is a good thing.
- You can get anywhere in town in 5 minutes or less. The grocery store, the bank and the drug store – all are almost within walking distance.
- You will always meet someone you know when you go ‘downtown’, it is a comfortable feeling knowing the people in your community and to be known by them.
- There is no crazy traffic, only one set of lights (and it seems to be most often green in my direction). Although there is quite a traffic jam at the post office around noon it is only for an hour or so.
- It is always quiet after 10 p.m.
- If you are lucky enough to work in town your commute is over before the hourly news bulletin is.
- Where else can you live on the golf course for $375,000.00?
To live more cheaply and to spend less means that maybe one person can quit their job or can work less for awhile. This is a valuable goal and would be a marker on the road to a simpler lifestyle.
Start by SPENDING LESS – the first step is to reduce debt and money needed for living every month. In order for you to be able to do whatever it is you want: to quit work; to relocate; to go back to school; to travel – you will need money. If you had to cut back drastically, what expenses could you eliminate?
Here is the budget for Vivienne and Robert who used the equity in their home to finance a new career path for Robert. They sold their home in Discovery Ridge in Calgary and bought a house for $375,000.00. This left them with a mortgage payment of $1500 per month which they felt they could manage on Vivienne’s wage as a full time teacher in an elementary school. Robert went back to school to get a teaching degree at age 37 as he had finally figured out that he wanted to work with people instead of numbers.
| Item | Amount | Comment |
| Mortgage Payment | $ 1,500.00 | |
| Property Tax | $ 300.00 | |
| Utilities | $ 400.00 | |
| Phone | $ 100.00 | |
| Misc | $ 400.00 | Toiletries, paper, Pet food |
| Food | $ 600.00 | Family of four |
| House Ins. | $ 100.00 | |
| Gasoline | $ 200.00 | |
| Car Ins. | $ 160.00 | |
| Car Maint. | $ 100.00 | |
| Savings | $ 200.00 | |
| Gifts | $ 100.00 | |
| Entertainment | $ 100.00 | |
| RESP for 2 kids | $ 100.00 | 2 kids x $50 |
| Clothing - Shoes | $ 200.00 | |
| Kids Activities | $ 100.00 | |
| $ 4,660.00 |
As you can see this is a very basic budget. Compare it to your existing budget and have a look at what you would be willing to give up or delay purchasing. This should not be a sacrifice for you: it should be an easy choice on your journey to a simpler lifestyle and should generate a huge sigh of relief.
This couple realizes that they may not be able to do this without incurring some extra debt during Robert’s studies but they feel they should be able to pay it off within one year once he starts working.
Vivienne’s parents were so proud of them and helped wherever they could with babysitting and would usually drop off a prepared meal during the week. Robert’s parents helped them paint the interior of the house and gave them hardwood floors for Christmas which they installed with the help of a friend. Vivienne and Robert did not feel deprived and gratefully accepted their parents help at this time.
With both Vivienne and Robert being teachers and having the summer months off they plan on spending two months every year in Italy in a rented house. This is a huge priority for them as this is something they want to be able to do as a family while the children are still young.
Please contact me at greaterlivinginstitute@gmail.com
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