Living Simple, Free & Happy: How to Simplify, Declutter Your Home, and Reduce Stress, Debt & Waste

This book contains many tidbits of useful information with little exercises along the way. The author discusses creating a smaller footprint and learning to say no to excess obligations--the same basics covered by many authors. She then goes into detail about how she and her husband furnished their home with freebies from garbage piles.A number of how-to pictures are included, ie. reupholstering the padded seat of a dining chair, sewing curtains, "painting" furniture with patterned duct tape (hideous), making a coffee table from a scrap door and a bench from a headboard, building corner shelves for knick knacks, etc, etc. It's sound and potentially helpful information--and I'm forever thankful to individuals who save useful items from landfills. This book is likely ideal for the middle-ground person who wants to downsize some, and who seeks introduction to learning more do-it-yourself skills.However, fellow students on the path of minimalism may find a number of books more helpful than this one. The author lives in a 1900 sq. ft. house that is visually cluttered. The livingroom photo on page 157 shows only two walls of the room, yet squeezed into that space are 13 pieces of furniture and 4 table lamps. And while thumbing through pages of recycled furniture creations, I kept thinking, "I wouldn't want all that junk in my house. Leave it at the curbside for someone else to scavage." The title, at least for me, was a bit misleading. Had I better understood ahead of time the book's content, I would have passed on this one.I give her three stars for all the helpful information she packed into this volume. My goal is not to discourage anyone from buying this book. If it calls to you, or if the above description sounds like what you're seeking, then by all means, check it out. Perhaps, however, I can spare someone else out there the disappointment that I felt.

Although I am not quite finished with this book, it has wonderful ideas and suggestion of how to declutter your home. I am going through this process right now. Wonderfully written and the cover alone is beautiful. Can't wait to put some of these ideas into my very busy life. Thank you Amazon for offering this at a great price.

This was a quick read for me. It was nice to know I have done some things right already, but it was also nice to see another perspective.

Very helpful with planning and organizing.

More on how to make stuff than keeping life free and happy.

This book has motivated me to clean out my closets and get rid of clutter everywhere! I love it!Fantastic advice and ideas given.

I haven't entirely finished book yet, but thus far have found many helpful suggestions in my quest to declutter my home.

Mostly a glorification of the author's salvage and renovate skills. Not what I expected or wanted. Misled by the title.

This is book is straight forward and does have some practical information on simpler living. However, its main focus is on upcycling and crafting - page after page on it. In fact, this a large portion of the book and from the description, this was unexpected. I assume this is a passion for the author and this a great book if you share it. I was expecting more lifestyle and less stuffcycle, which is why I feel it is somewhat missed titled. 5 stars if you are crafter/maker, 3 stars for the rest of us.

This book has gone straight onto my keep pile. Fantastic and inspiring worth the read for anyone considering or on their journey to a simpler more fulfilling life!

Good book great ideas. This book is something you can go to again and again for inspiration as you embark on your journey to give up the stress of acquiring and look for ways to simplify your life in your environment, your time and your finances.

thanks

okay