January 13, 2001 VS Chicago Meeting Notes

 

Return to NOTES Page:

Return to HOME Page:
"Those encouraging voluntary simplicity ask us to think of all the freedom we could experience in our schedules, our holidays, with our families and friends were we not so devoted to the lure of conspicuous consumption, were our emotions somehow free of
Site hosted by Angelfire.com: Build your free website today!

"Those encouraging voluntary simplicity ask us to think of all the freedom we could experience in our schedules, our holidays, with our families and friends were we not so devoted to the lure of conspicuous consumption, were our emotions somehow free of the balm buying seems to give." Gordon Aeschliman

(from the Winter 2001 Center For A New American Dream Newsletter cover contribution, Saving the Earth, Saving Our Souls)

Julia, Jill, Mike, Vicki, Martha, Don, Dave, Jon, Gina, Elisa, Dennis, Louella, Lenny, Dick, Linda, Colin, Bob, Micky, Pam, Woodie, Elizabeth, and Ross, welcomed Mrs. Wirth to her first meeting.

After a brief round of introductions and explanation of the meeting format, the group listed items for open space discussion:

 

 The group reviewed and arranged the items, deciding to discuss three topics concurrently, in two separate sessions. Here are some highlights from the six open space discussions…

 

HOW & WHERE TO GET STUFF FIXED...
Where do you get something fixed these days? Small repair shops have all but disappeared, and most items seem to be made/priced to throw away rather than repair them. Woodie mentioned a shop that repairs shoes, canvas goods... stuff that needs sewing -- "Howard's Cobbler" on Roosevelt Road just 3 blocks west of Rt 83. Mike discussed doing your own repairs -- he recently resurrected a 16 year old VCR by taking it apart, learning how it worked, and learning where to get parts. For $3.95 +$4.95 S&H, the VCR was good as new (last time it was repaired at a shop that no longer exists, it cost $70). Web sites were discussed:

Sites for Learning...
http://www.howstuffworks.com/
http://www.repairclinic.com/

Appliance Parts...
http://www.theapplianceuniverse.com/
http://www.factoryoutletappliance.com/

Appliance Repair Shops...
http://www.stalkerelectric.com/contact.htm

VCR, TV and Electronic Repair Instruction...
http://www.homeelectronicsrepair.com/frame.htm

Electronic, TV & VCR Parts...
http://www.ued.net/catalog/vcr_aids.html

Instrument Amplifiers...
http://www.teleport.com/~vibroman/magnatone/M10A.html

 

If you have speakers that need repair and/or re-coning, or electronic equipment that needs attention, check out: Ed Knecht, 921 W. 193rd Place, Chicago Heights, IL, 708-755-6960

 

 

HOW TO AVOID TEMPTATIONS TOWARD COMPLEXITY/CONCEPTS OF MIND & TIME CLUTTER VS MATERIAL CLUTTER...
In order to rid yourself of clutter, find out what IS actually clutter in your life. Some techniques included using meditation and yoga to slow your thoughts down and allow you time to become aware. "Lower" your expectations of what to do and what others expect you to do. List only three items tops in a day of things to do -- if you carry over any item more than a day or two, that item is probably clutter so eliminate it.

 

INVESTING FOR EARLY RETIREMENT/HOW TO FIND COURAGE TO KNOW WHEN YOU HAVE ENOUGH $'s TO QUIT YOUR JOB...
Sources of assistance and methods of determining how much is enough were discussed. Woodie mentioned hiring a financial planner for advise rather than direct management of his investments. IRS Publication 590, "IRA's" was also discussed with regards to early withdraws without penalty. Courage to quit your job raised the issue of health care costs -- "I would quit my job, but I'm concerned about health insurance". Mike has been researching health care insurance and options. He noted study thus far indicates the price difference between monthly premiums for a co-pay/no deductible plan ($336/month for 2 people) and a plan with a $2500 deductible ($131/month for 2 people) was about the cost of the deductible. If one is in good health and can be somewhat "self-insured" (ie, carry a deductible), affordable health care solutions exist. The group also noted premiums do go up as you get older. "Why is health care provided by an employer anyway? They don't provide your auto/home insurance??" Most likely to keep you on the job -- if you're sick, you're not there...

 

NUTS & BERRIES - SIMPLE EATING / DO YOU START TAKING BETTER CARE OF YOURSELF WHEN YOU START PAYING FOR YOUR OWN HEALTH CARE ...
Simple food options and recipes were discussed. Gina and Jon make their own soy milk from a sack of organic soybeans. It costs pennies to make a quart, and they use the residual bean material for pancakes, to make cheese and for inclusion in other dishes. The taste and fulfillment of eating organic foods was discussed. There may be bio reasons for eating fruits and vegetables in season -- studies indicate that bountifully eating tomatoes at harvest time prepares the body for the months ahead. Discussion continued on the affects of the American lifestyle on our health. Gina observed while living in France for a year during college, how the French include leisure in their lives. They don't have the same hurried aspects to their lives that we have here -- they take time to just be. Perhaps that helps explain how the French stay so slim with a diet centered on cheese, eggs, ...fats. Perhaps a helper too is a glass of wine now and then...

Gardening and growing your own vegetables were discussed, including composting and organic composting. Ross offered use of some land in Northwest Indiana for a "VS Community Garden" -- anyone wishing to do some gardening there simply contact Ross (or let Mike L. know and he'll put you in contact with Ross).

Mike and Linda have been researching new health insurance and in doing so, noted a new awareness of better self care. The awareness seems spurred by money coming directly out of the pocket for health care, which in turn created new/renewed inspiration to take better care of themselves. When it comes out of your pocket, do you take better care of yourself? Ross noted in years past when the insurance companies were not between you and the doctor, it seemed that one on oneness created more responsibility for both parties. Linda noted a dentist recently told her a patient said, "Why floss? If I have a problem, I'll come and see you. Insurance will pay for it anyway." Ross mentioned George Burns' old line, "If I had known I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself."

 

 

FRUGAL FUN: DATES - IDEAS...
This item didn't get discussed at the meeting, however Dick, Linda, Gina, Jon and Mike talked about it afterwards on the ride home. Some ideas included going to local venues. For $3-5 in a tip basket and a cup or two of coffee, Park Forest has a great coffeehouse that features music and performers ever Friday and Saturday night (http://members.aol.com/Chngs/music.html). Front Porch music in Valporasio, Indiana features weekly top notch entertainment (http://www.laidbak.com/fpm/), as well as the Old Town School Of Folk Music in Chicago (http://www.oldtownschool.org/) at very reasonable prices.

 

 

FINDING YOUR VOCATION/CALLING / RESOLUTIONS FOR THE NEW YEAR...
Old St. Pat's Church has a wonderful Career Transition Center. Career counseling, aptitude/interest indicator instruments and job searches are available for $25 (just the cost of the program). Contact Old St. Pat's Church at 312-831-9351 for further information. With regards to finding your calling, it was mentioned that work is probably not the place to find it, ie, why do you think they pay you do it -- because it's work... Discussion of New Year resolutions centered on doing behavior changes rather than actual resolutions -- it seems resolutions don't get followed anyway. Better to work on improving your behaviors.

 

We closed the space and meeting at 11:55

(Posted by: Mike Lenich)