來自祖父母的生活一課 How to Live Simply: Lessons I Learned from My Grandparents
My grandparents actively practiced simplicity. They both grew up in very large families and lived through the Great Depression. Saving for a rainy day and avoiding rampant consumerism was integral to their life philosophy. Rather than seeking fulfillment through material items they chose to spend quality time together, with family, and in nature.
我的祖父母一直過着簡樸的生活。他們都在大家族的環境下成長，並且都經歷了大蕭條的年代。未雨綢繆地儲蓄和杜絕無節制的消費是他們的人生信條之一。比起通過物質來尋求滿足，他們更願意和家人在一起共度珍貴時光，享受大自然。Over the years my grandparents noticed dramatic changes in their community. Every year more farmland was devoured to build larger and larger homes. As real estate prices rose many of their neighbors sold their little homes and lots. Soon they were the only small house on the block, surrounded by a sea of McMansions.
這些年來，我的祖父母注意到他們所在的社區發生了翻天覆地的變化。每年，越來越多的農田被吞噬，用以建造更大的房子，且愈演愈烈。由於房地產的價格節節攀升，他們的很多鄰居都賣掉了自己的小房子和土地。不久，他們所在街區就只剩下祖父母家的小房子，而周圍全是麥克樓。My grandparents built and lived in a small 600-square-foot cottage for most of their adult lives. Countless family members encouraged my grandparents to expand their home. But they didn’t want a bigger place. They loved their little home and were content with what they had. For instance: they gardened, repaired their own clothes, and drove the same car for over 15 years. I still remember riding around in their old, green Mercury beast and sleeping in their super tiny guest room.
我的祖父母建造了一間佔地600平方英尺的小屋，他們大部分的成年時間都住在這裏。很多家庭成員勸說我祖父母擴建他們的房子，但他們並不想要一個更大的地方。他們喜愛自己的小窩，也非常滿足於已有的一切。比方說，他們自己打理花園、縫補衣服，15年多來開着同一輛車。我依然記得自己開着他們那輛老舊的綠色水星牌轎車到處遊蕩，睡在他們家的超級小客房裏。
In many ways, I’ve modeled my life after my grandparents. Through their example I learned an important lesson: It is possible to live a small and fulfilling life. So let’s talk about those ideas…
在很多方面，我一直效仿我祖父母的生活。從他們身上我學到了重要的一課：我們可以過一種簡單而滿足的生活。我們就來談談這些理念吧……Save extra cash by living small. Home-ownership is one of the largest expenses in America. By living in a small home, you can save a lot of extra cash. Here’s what David Crook, a Wall Street Journal columnist, has to say about home-ownership: “You can easily end up spending three times the purchase price of a house. Today’s buyer of a typical $300,000 single-family home who takes out a 30-year loan will end up paying the price of the house again just in interest. Add 30 years of property taxes, homeowner’s insurance, regular maintenance and a couple of big-ticket repairs or improvements, and the total cost of buying the home could easily top out at well over $1 million.”
節約開銷，儲蓄餘錢。在美國，買房是其中一項最大的開銷。住小一點的房子，你可以節省很多額外的支出。關於買房，《華爾街日報》專欄作家大衛•克魯克這樣寫道：“買一套房子最終付出的錢往往是原本房價的三倍。如今，如果一個家庭以30年按揭貸款去買一套標價30萬美元的房子，僅其支付的貸款利息就足夠再買一套這樣的房子了。除此之外，還要支付30年的財產稅、房屋財產保險費、日常維護費，再加上幾次高價修葺或改建，你花在這個房子上的總價錢很可能就超過了100萬美元。”Plant a garden. My grandparents lived in a small home, but had a huge garden. They loved gardening because it reduced their grocery bill, improved their health, and gave them an excuse to be outside. Even if you live in a small home or apartment you don’t have to forgo gardening. Vertical gardening, community gardens, and window farming are all options to consider.
開闢自己的花園。我祖父母家的房子雖小，卻有一個大花園。他們熱愛園藝，因爲這不僅能減少鮮蔬雜貨開銷，改善他們的健康狀況，還提供了一個進行戶外活動的理由。就算你住在一個小房子或者小公寓裏，你也不必放棄園藝。垂直園藝、社區花園和窗臺種植都是可以考慮的選擇。Avoid lifestyle creep. Lifestyle creep is when we try to keep up with the mythical Joneses and end up unhappy and in debt. My grandparents avoided lifestyle creepy by paying for their own home in cash and building it themselves. They also reused and recycled everything. For instance, they drove the same car for over 15 years and didn’t buy anything new until their stuff was worn out.
避免生活方式的攀比。生活方式的攀比指的是我們試圖向那些顯貴人物的生活看齊，結果卻導致自己不開心並負債累累。我祖父母就避免了這種情況，他們沒有貸款買房，而是自己掏錢動手建房。他們還儘量重複使用和循環利用所有東西。例如，他們的車一開就是15年多，其他東西在沒有用壞之前絕不買新的。Living well on less isn’t about self-deprivation. My grandparents taught me that living a simple life isn’t about self-deprivation. Instead, it’s about giving yourself the time, freedom, and money to pursue your dreams. Becoming debt free, downsizing to a smaller home, and going car-lite are a few ways to take control of your life and start pursuing your dreams.
簡單生活並非虧待自己。我祖父母教育我說，過簡單的生活並不是虧待自己。相反，它能賦予你時間、自由和金錢去追求夢想。沒有負債，住小一點的房子，減少用車頻率，這些都有助於你掌控自己的生活，開始追尋你的夢想。Take action. If you’re thinking of living a simpler lifestyle, take action! Below are a few tips to get you started: Consider starting a vertical gardening project or join a community garden in your neighborhood. Add up the amount you spend on housing and transportation every month. Brainstorm ways you can cut those expenses. The next time you have the urge to go shopping ask yourself if you really “need” more stuff. Be mindful of your consumption choices and remember your priorities.
行動起來。如果你正考慮過更簡單的生活，那就行動起來！以下是一些小建議：考慮開始一個垂直花園項目，或者加入你附近的社區花園吧。計算出你每個月花在住房和交通上的支出。思考減少這些花銷的方法。下一次你急着去購物時，問問你自己是否真的“需要”更多的東西。慎重對待你的消費選擇，切記你的優先級
