If you are going to focus on how people are trying to live more with less, then you need to take a look at one of the mothers of the more with less movement--Doris Janzen Longacre. She literally wrote the book on the subject, publishing the More-with-Less Cookbook in 1976 (over 900,000 sold). This was long before being green and living more simply and sustainably became popular. She followed it up with Living More with Less, a book that she tragically couldn't finish--she died of cancer in 1979, just a few months before the book was published.

Living More with Less: 30th Anniversary Edition has just been published this week by Herald Press. It's a way to honour Longacre Janzen, and to pass her vision to a new generation. Find out more about the book, and about Longacre Janzen, at www.mpn.net/livingmorewithless

If you are going to focus on living more with less, you might want to include the woman who literally wrote the book about it back in 1980--Doris Janzen Longacre.

Janzen Longacre first wrote the popular and much-loved More-with-Less Cookbook in 1976 (Herald Press; over 900,000 sold). She followed it up with Living More with Less (also published by Herald Press), a book she tragically couldn't finish. She died of cancer on November 10, 1979; the book was published in 1980.

This week, Herald Press is releasing Living More with Less: 30th Anniversary edition, a revised and updated book that honours Longacre Janzen and passes her vision on to a new generation.

You can find out more about the book, and Longacre Janzen, at www.mpn.net/livingmorewithless

Mayor Bloomberg is one slick polition as he knows the ignorant Law Makers will do nothing for 2 years. Most of the candidates are talking like their Presidents not representatives from their States. Listening to the comments made by Law Makers it's clear they really aren't intelligent and know very little. Look at Oklahoma law makers and citizens demand the 10 Commandments be posted then passed a law that violates the posting of the 10 Commandments. All this because citizens and Law Makers had no idea what the major religions are and how the Founding Fathers clearly understood why we seperate Religion from Government. One woud have thought some had read the Bible at lease as it was clear what position Religion has with man.

As I read this article it was interesting to hear how Law Makers are now looking to increase the Social Security age. Americans are cutting back and making ends meet but what Law Makers spend billions to buy votes. Here in Califonia Meg Whitman spent 150 million of her own money to win the Governorship. It didn't work but at lease we see who has money to spend. We saw States with high unemployment and even millions of foreclosures while the Law Makers are busy getting as much for themselves from Banks/Corporations for themselves with giving no thought to the citizens suffering.

I read Iraq now wants the US to come back and give them money because they now wish we never left. One man is selling flip flops with Obama's face on them. I can't blame the Iraq citizens as we saw the US waste 7 trillion dollars with nothing to show for it and it seems much was given to Iraqies. Feed off America was great while it lasted. Now Senator Graham wants to invade and bomb Iran, so War Profiteers can get back to getting tax payers money. We thought our Law Makers had learned a lesson with the illegal invasion of Iraq and now even the United Nations is investigating the US for War Crimes committed.

Pelosi showed she isn't a leader and so did Harry Reid. Both should step down and allow someone else to take the job. The GOP are having fun as they used Pelosi to get votes and now they will use her weakness to pass the bills for Corporations. Pelosi made a deal with the Devil when she announced Impeachment is off the Table.

Many are looking forward to George W. Bush's book with some answers to the questions of the worse 8 years in America. It's to bad he admitted publicly to the War Crimes and Torture done to innocent people. Now with the documents and the President's admittion, it will be much easier for the United Nations to start the trial and even for Spain and Brazil to charge those who developed the illegal law that violated the International Law. But the funniest thing was Bush trying to convince Kanye West that he's not prejudice and his comment that Sarah Palin isn't qualified to be President. Well he can't have a do over as he did nothing while thousands of Americans begged for help and he did nothing as many died. We're the USA and if the Hamptons had that problem no lives would have been lost as the White House would act quickly. George W. had 8 years to show how well he was qualified as President and he got an F or failing grade. Yes Sarah isn't qualified either but he should first think of his mess.

The Sunday Talk shows allowed voters to know each Law Makers is going in different directions and mission. Notice how all are talking about how they will run the country and acting like they were elected President. Rep. Cantor is funny as he thinks he can become acting President by refusing Obama his rights as current President. Americans just can't help from buying that snake oil the Law Makers are selling. I wish more Americans would read how the United States Government works and what the job discription is of Law Makers. It does get sicking to hear our Law Makers talk stupid as if they never had an education.

Obama is proving to be a smart learner while overseas and it's nice for a change to see countries welcome a US President instead of protest. A leader makes friends and agrees to disagree without making it personal. Most of the people on this post understand each person has a different opinion but we are adults and respect each other. Let's hope the inter fighting between Law Makers doesn't destroy Democracy. As for Obama dancing which was funny, I remembered Bush dancing in Africa. Funny how the reporters opinon differ with each President.

Have a great evening Go Giants

Very interesting observation that the most sentimental objects come from when the reporter was most broke. I look forward to the rest of the series.

This is exactly what we're doing as we approach retirement - with some anxiety but loads of excitement. We are trying to get down from a medium/large house down to an apartment, or, even just a few suitcases. We are hoping to perhaps even move to South America to do some community service work - both an adventure for us as well as (more importantly) bringing real meaning to these later years.

Yes, there is the stuff of my own life to thin out. And, I also have inherited furniture and things from my parents and my in-laws.

In addition, most difficult for me - I have been the family archivist, holding on to the articles from generations past, such as wedding invitations from my great-grandmother, my grandfather's microscope, a newspaper article about my great-grandfather. My mother's and father's high school annuals and scrapbooks. Love letters written by my grandfather to my grandfather during WWI. I have large tubs filled with these articles, a physical connection to my forebears. I can scan some of these things in, but I just can no longer be the Holder of the Memories. I have apportioned these things into tubs for the next generation, and I only ask that, if the kids don't want them, they dispose of them outside my view. I want to have these next years be about my future, not about the past.

With each room that I start to clear out, I feel myself breathing easier, and realizing what is really valuable - life itself. Thrilling. It's like the first day of spring when you walk outside without long sleeves - fresh and free. I can't wait to see what comes next.

My son a walk-in closet that was completely filled with his toys from childhood. Since he is now twenty years old, I cleaned out the closet, and now it is being used as was initially intended, a walk-in closet. I call it his Man's closet.

My wife and I cut back 3 years ago we sold our home and 20 acres and built a 800 sf cabin on 6 acres. We got rid of most of our cloths and junk. No more renting a storage building and our electric bills and other utility bills are under a $100 dollars a month. Our home is paid for and we do not use credit cards except to purchase something that we can pay off in a month. Our total bills are now less than $600 a month this includes property taxes and home owners insurance. Our home is a small 2 bedroom 2 bath home that is very cheap to heat and cool and very comfortable to live in.

Hey,

Thanks for the story about downsizing. A couple of years ago I moved from a 1200 sq foot house into a 400 sq foot mother-in-law cottage. My tiny cottage is in the rear while there is another larger (800 sq foot) house in front. I purchase almost everything I need other than food at thrift stores and have so much more freedom since I don't have so much "stuff" to take care of.

Luckily for me, my wonderful son and daughter-in-law rent the house in front from me. My downsizing came with many benefits including closer contact with my family. We are two families who share a yard and we're here to watch each other's home when either me or my kids travel and if either of us needs help there's a hand to lend.

I highly recommend downsizing to anyone. Having so much space seems like a good idea... if it would stay space...but most folks somehow cannot allow space and continue to collect and fill that space with more and more stuff. I found that lifestyle empty. Although I am older now I feel much happier and my life is indeed, fuller.

Plus...I get the benefit of having a dog without having to take care of her...I refer to her as my grand-dog. : )

It's ironic that you would choose to focus on the very subject that we have been studying for the past month in our church. Our series is called "Enough". The focus is simplicity and generosity. When we really understand how to streamline our lives and care about others it leads to contentment. And we can be content with much less than we ever thought we could. I'm looking forward to the remainder of your series.

Two years ago I left my husband. He withheld all my personal things (my china, clothes that I wanted to come back for, my plants) things like that. What I didn't realize at the time was that I didn't really NEED those things to survive. Yes, I was upset but it's taken me almost two years to realize I didn't really care.

He actually he did me a favor. I have minimum clutter and I am just living a simple life now. I'll never tell him that though! ;)

We got a quick lesson in living more with less when we faced complete devastation of our home due to a pending hurricane. While most of our neighbors had trucks and trailers, it was me and my two sons and one bird in a cage in our grand prix. What to take in a mandatory evacuation? I allowed each son to choose one special item while I loaded the car with tax documents, receipts, clothes and picture albums. I was pretty upset that one son chose to bring his football shoulder pads - they took up quite a bit of space.

In 2007, my husband and I sold almost everything in our large suburban house, (including a grand piano), our cars AND our house and moved to Spain, where we stayed for 13 months. It was life changing. In Europe, most folks live in smaller space so they carefully consider everything they bring in. AND, they go out more to meet friends and gather for festivals and such. Wonderful sense of community you can't get when you come home, open the garage door and then run into your house before any neighbor can see you. Now, we live in the middle of a US city, smaller place than our old house and we love it.

Last year I was forced to sell my townhouse after losing my second job (which I had for 4 years) and also lost the remaining of my child support. I moved into a one bedroom apt with my daughter (19 years) my son (18 years) and his girlfriend (20 years)...the biggest concern was bathroom time....I created a schedule...and come to find out it worked out very well. The apt complex has a pool....which made living in tight quarters very rewarding....It almost feels like every weekend we have gone to a resort.

I totally enjoy my one bedroom apt....it gets cleaned in less time, the repairs are taken care by the complex!! It is my intention to be here for a long time...."with less stuff".

We are working on this at our house. One thing I keep in mind is how much less my children will have to do someday down the road when we are gone. It is nice to reminisce as you turn the pages of a family photo album, but it becomes a burden when you leave behind 100 boxes of "stuff" that no one has looked at in 20 years. That's when it becomes trash. Chances are if it doesn't mean anything to you, it certainly won't mean anything to your kids after you're gone.

I look forward to the rest of this series.

Hooray for the weekend Lawn and Garage Sales! Give/sell good stuff to folks need and can use it.

My only concern with this manner of cutting back is that we might be "spreading around."

The lesson is a visual presentation of too much spending and too much stuff that we don't and didn't need.

My husband and I have been practicing the downsize and simplify life strategy for about 15 years now. We think about every financial decision we make very carefully. When planning to purchase a home we think about the affect not only on our wallet but on our life. Will it cause us less stress and make life calmer and easier? We rarely have clutter because we don't buy what we don't need. If we aren't shopping for something specific we don't go to the mall and just wander around looking to spend money on something. Advertisements from the paper go straight to the trash. Why look if you don't NEED. Having a calm life with few posessions to worry about is truly a blessing. We have more time to relax with friends and spend time together as a couple because we're not working ourselves to death to pay for a lifestyle.

Earlier this year, my husband and I lived in a 3,000 sq foot 4 bedroom/3 bath house with oversized 4 car garage. Keep in mind, we don't have any kids so just having a house this size was beyond excessive for two people - we had a whole "wing" of the house we never even used. The kitchen cabinets were filled with things I hadn't used in years. Everywhere you looked there was excess. We realized that we couldn't keep living this way - so we put our house on the market, sold off almost everything we owned (or donated it to charity) and decided to live in a Class A Motorhome and live simply and experience life. Having the freedom to move around the country and see things, look for a good job opportunity or just experience different things is fantastic. You really learn to get back to basics when all you have is about 350 square feet of space. But somehow, we're happier than we were when we lived in our big house.

My name is Nina Yau, and I'm one of the leaders of the minimalist revolution. My blog, Castles in the Air (http://castlesintheair.org), is about changing the way we think and view the world through minimalism and reaches thousands of people everyday who want to change for the better.

My minimalist story begun over 2 years ago, when during a fit of emotional instability due to increasing pressure at my day job, I started to overhaul all the things in my closet. From selling all my books, DVDs, CDs and more on Amazon and Craigslist, I then transitioned to getting rid of all my furniture (I now sleep on a mattress on the floor and it is as comfortable as ever), reduced my clothing to the bare minimum, got rid of all paper, and have been living a simple, minimalist lifestyle.

I share with others how to live a radically minimalist life in my new ebook, The Radical Minimalist. Not everyone will want to be a minimalist, and not everyone will want radical change in their lives. My ebook and my blog helps empower others to change the way they've always thought things "should" be (i.e., go to a decent college, get a good-paying-and-sounding job, get married, buy a house, minivan, save for retirement by working 40 years in a job you dislike, die) to what it could be (a simple, unconventional life filled with meaning and not stuff).

I now own less than 60 things, have quit my day job, will be traveling the world, and am living my dreams of being a full-time writer and artist. It can be done, and it all started with minimalism.

I enjoyed the first of the series "Back to Basics" last night, 11/8/10. My family has had to downsize, sell and have many garage sales in order to earn money for our basic needs. At the same time it has been a freeing experience. How much do we really need? We have a four year old and even he has had to let go of some of his toys.

First, I was unemployed for three years and thankfully I have a part-time job. My husband is unemployed now. It has been a very difficult 4 years for us. Our lifestyle has changed dramatically. I am grateful for the lessons learned, especially when it comes to managing money; which I was never good at. I have learned to live with less and enjoy life more.

What bothers me the most is people's attitudes. I feel like people have less humanity and are much more difficult, less willing to work with you. I do not have the sense that there is a common bond or thread if you will that we are all on the same boat and we need to work together. That is the one thing that I would love to see change.

I know this is a difficult time; I have not been immune to it. My family survives on food stamps now. I do not feel that it is hard to be kind and understanding either.

A smile would be nice every now and then.

Thank you for your great programming and I hope that you would consider doing a piece on how this economy has affected people's emotional state.

One of the interesting issues raised by your series - Back to Basics – is the irony that when we start living within our means, and stop buying stuff we don't need and can't afford, it slows economic growth and recovery.

Our previous booming economy was largely based upon unfettered, unsustainable levels of spending. And this spending was encouraged at every level of government, business, and society.

One of the biggest challenges our nation currently faces is how to build a robust, resilient economy, while at the same time Americans buy less and save more - very prudent and wise practices. I would appreciate seeing NBC Nightly News address this seeming contradiction - how to grow a vibrant global economy while consuming less. Maybe some expert commentary at the end of the Back to Basics series.

Loved the Back To Basics piece.

There is some crazy kind of fulfillment found in simplifying and living on less as well as doing more for ourselves. Thoreau tried to tell us. I gave up my garbage service about 6 years ago and it taught me to be a more responsible consumer and to recycle. Two years ago I gave up my air conditioning in the SC heat, learning that I CAN survive without it. Last year I began cutting and splitting my own wood to heat with (it's an energy-efficient stove) :)

Maybe I'll give up taxes next ;)

I took up Feng Shui in an effort to study how the effects of moving our stuff, clearing our clutter, and creating space in our environment would affect our lives and have been astounded by the way things have unfolded!

Anything unused, unloved or unfinished is an energetic drain on our lives and just by removing these items, we create an opening for life to bring us what we do want.

Sometimes, the easiest way to approach clearing clutter - in order to get through the emotional attachment - is to keep in mind what it is that we are clearing space FOR in our lives. Want a new job, a new love life, a new sense of wealth??? Clear out the elements in your environment that are psychologically reminding you of the old one and watch what happens!

Would love to see this show feature a look at back to the basics with Feng Shui!

I'm a recent college grad. When faced with the prospect of sitting on my parents couch browsing Monster.com for months on end, I decided to start a business with a friend.

We're loving "Back to the Basics" because essentially, it's the mission of our new business venture. We're designing a line of clothing (8 pieces, to be exact) that can be worn over 100 different ways. The idea is that minimalism doesn't mean not buying, it means buying thoughtfully. We are going to prove that you can have more options with less.

We write about our experiences being twenty-something who know nothing of the garment industry, attempting success in a huge market. We're in Guatemala right now, researching the process of producing fair trade, organic clothing. It's a lofty goal, but we won't have it any other way.

We're glad that this issue is getting attention, because it's true -- less is more.

Thank again for this piece. Looking forward to more; let the revolution begin!

Kristin, at www.allofusrevolution.com

Dear Brian, I wasn't really looking for a job but when I got an e-mail about a position for a Catholic lay chaplain, I thought I could do that. I am 69 and have been retired since 2006 when I moved to Austin. I apllied for the job only to find I did not have all of the qualifications but was asked to volunteer as a part-time lay chaplain until i could get my qualifications, one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education. I have been volunteering for 3 months now and really love it and find it very fulfilling. Otherwise my life is simple unless you count the 1000 books i have collected ( not rare editions).

I have been living cheap & frugal since the 1970's. While everyone around me was spending money like it grew on trees on big expensive homes, new cars, designer clothing for the their family, expensive jewelry, furs, endless vacations, every new gadget that came out, private schools, expensive hobbies, dining out at expensive restaurants and whatever else that was frilly, fluffy and expensive, I was saving my money and living in a quaint 1350 sq ft 3 bedroom house with a $650.00 a month morgage. I also was shopping at thrift stores, cooking home cooked meals, sewing clothes, taking frugal vacations in a used tent trailer, driving used cars and not buyin my kids everything under the sun. As as a result, I am now able to fullfil my lifes dream of going to nursing school full time without having to work. Too bad it took this recession to get people to wake up and realize that "MATERIALISTIC THINGS ARE NOT IMPORTANT!...because when we leave this earth, the universe is not going to care what you owned, wore or had in the bank. What will matter is did you make a difference on Earth and for those around you. Oh by the way, all those people I knew who spent money like it grew on trees...well they are all still working and wish they were in my shoes. Stay on the cheap & narrow path of less. :-)