by Stephanie Brail

Here in America, we live in a consumerist society that depends on people spending money to keep the economy going. And with a recession looming, it's often portrayed as downright anti-American not to spend.

Yet, with concerns over global warming building, many Americans are calling for a new kind of patriotism: voluntary simplicity.

The movement for voluntary simplicity (or simple living) is still somewhat under the radar, but it is growing in strength. The basic philosophy is to “downshift” from a high-pressure, high-cost lifestyle to one that is more spiritual, humble, and less materialistic.

I sometimes read The Housing Bubble Blog to keep up with what's been going on with the housing market. I am continually amazed at how often the "tale of woe" shared by people going into foreclosure is often due to greed rather than need. Consider the following story:

“In 2005, Jenni and Ryan Kroon traded the 1,100-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-bath home in Boise they shared with their two children for a 3,500-square-foot, seven-bedroom, four-bath home in Nampa that cost $200,000*. Although financed with a 30-year, fixed-rate loan, the move still tripled their monthly mortgage payment to about $2,100.”