Simple Living with Wanda Urbanska

Wanda's Diary Entries

January 7, 2009

On Monday night, a friend and I planned to meet in Winston-Salem, NC for dinner at the Celtic Cafe, a restaurant that enjoys a reputation for delicious food served in ample portions, at reasonable prices (sometimes accompanied by live Celtic music!). Earlier in the day, I’d checked the cafe’s website (so did he) for directions. Only problem is, when I pulled up to the curb, a huge “For Lease” sign stood ominously in the window. Peering inside, I saw that the place had not a prayer of reopening. Not a stick of furniture remained, nary a tray, glass, or menu (though the website was still active, grrrrr).

I arrived early (remember that recommended cushion of time?), so I had time enough to scout out an alternate location and call my friend on his cell phone to alert him to the change. Over dinner, among numerous topics, the question of the economy reared its ugly head. What changes would this economic downturn bring about? Was it a “Great Recession” we were experiencing, or were we heading into something worse? We both knew people who had lost their jobs, and neither of us wanted to lay off or cut back anyone in our employ. Then in comes today’s Winston-Salem Journal with its lead headline telling us that the jobless rate in North Carolina in November soared to 8 percent — nearly double of a year earlier. And the December number, the experts quoted in the piece predicted, would likely climb higher, not enjoying the usual bump from temporary holiday hires.

The economy is giving us grim signals everywhere. It’s enough to make everyone — rich, poor, middle class and even simple livers — nervous. My thought is, why not use this time of economic crisis as a wakeup call to reevaluate our lives. If we use the current crisis as a time to rethink, retool and plan our lives, perhaps the grey skies will carry the proverbial silver lining.

Instead of reacting to what we see around us and read in the headlines with fear, why not resolve this year to advance on faith and try the following:

1. Start living within — or even below — your means. If can do it, stash some cash in a bank account (after you’ve paid off debts, especially high-interest credit cards).

2. Trim your overhead. Be creative in thinking of ways you can do this. It might mean cutting off your cable this year and reading more, writing more. It might mean moving to a smaller space (though this is not a great time to put a house on the market). Consider lowering your thermostat in the cold months and putting on more clothes. Look for bargains in monthly bills. Can you find less expensive insurance policies for your car, your home, your health insurance?

3. Increase your cash flow. Look for new revenue opportunities. Part-time work. Rent out a spare bedroom to a single person. Go treasure hunting in your home for valuables you no longer need and consign them or sell on Ebay.

4. Wean yourself from restaurant food. (See, my friend and I wouldn’t have had the trouble with the Celtic Cafe if we’d done potluck instead!) Buy in bulk and cook the same way. Don’t cut down on entertaining, but throw a potluck instead. When times are tough, people need the empowering force of friendship more than ever.

5. Slow down. Walk more. Pray more. Try meditating. Devote more time to introspection. Where are you going with your life? Are you doing what you want to do, what you feel called to do?

6. Help out. So many people are in need today. Giving to a food bank, volunteering for Habitat, helping out good causes will make a tangible impact on others and boost your spirits more than you can imagine. This is no time for withdrawing from community; it’s the best time ever for engaging in it.

7. Become a thoughtful consumer. Carefully consider purchases before making them. Ask yourself: If this is something I really need? Will it last for my lifetime? Is it environmentally friendly? Give preference to locally made or sold items and purchases that will help you lower your carbon footprint.