30 Days to a Simpler Life (Paperback)

by Cris Evatt (Author), Connie Cox (Author) "Today, gather up a bagful of things you no longer love and use..." (more)
Key Phrases: ambivalent items, red check mark, sheet protectors, Recycle Pile, Ambivalence Center, Errand Runner (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Connie Cox and Cris Evatt, the authors of Simply Organized have teamed up once again and created a new step-by-step guide to simplifying your life in only thirty days. Organized in a day-by-day format, the book offers simple steps which take in an hour or less to cut down on clutter. Each section is followed by instructions for more in-depth simplifying each area (one's workplace, closets, vacation, or errand routines, a cluttered mind, and more), and a tip checklist is included for readers interested in "maximum simplification." Written in an inspirational style and a clear, down-to-earth format, 30 Days To A Simpler Life contains adages, anecdotes, and quotes from philosophers, designers, psychologists, financial planners, and other experts. The authors also include a guide to related books, newsletters, and websites to further assist readers in reaching their goal of simpler living

From the Publisher
In their new book, 30 Days To A Simpler Life, co-authors Connie Cox and Cris Evatt share their ideas on simplifying your closet, your bedroom, your bathroom, your drawers, your furniture, your knickknacks_your life! Their incredibly resourceful and detailed guide will show you the way to a simpler and more organized lifestyle. And scattered throughout are helpful hints on small details that make large impacts on our lives. For example:

How to customize simple living techniques to suit your lifestyle Easy ways to organize your office, garage, and literally every room in your house Ways to simplify and organize parties, meals, diets and recipes (simple recipes included!) How to deal with junk mail, unwanted phone calls and information overload Excellent financial organization, from bills to taxes No-stress flying and traveling light and organized What to do with mementos, memorabilia, and souvenirs How to have a garage sale (and how not to) Low-maintenance gardening How to arrange your home so it is non-cluttered and soothing to the soul

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Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Plume (October 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0452280133
• ISBN-13: 978-0452280137
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #156,409 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars OK book- but not for Your Money or Your Lifers, December 14, 2002

By A Customer

In the introduction to this book, the authors describe the five types of simplifiers: the Serene Simplifier, The Comfort-Seeking Simplifier, The Downshifted Simplifier, the Elegant Simplifier, and the Organized Simplifier.

I consider myself in alignment the most with the Downshifted Simplifier: "...she was inspired to downscale by the bestseller Your Money Or Your Life by Joe Dominguez and Vicky Robin. 'I read it and then cut up six credit cards,' she said, 'and I no longer watch the shopping channel.'

"The downshifter takes good care of the few things she owns. Her tactics for saving money include bartering, buying foods in bulk, and making her own skin care products." etc. There is more to this description, including reference to the Tightwad Gazette. So the authors DO recognize this type of simplifier in the introduction- but much of the rest of the book seems to be in opposition to this type of simplifier. There is a lot of pressure on the reader to BUY BUY BUY their way to 'simplification'. They tell you to hire someone to hook up your new VCR for you. Hire housecleaners and errand runners. Install state-of-the-art closet organization systems. Install more built-in cabinets. What about just getting rid of stuff so you don't need those built in cabinets? What about taking the time to learn how to hook up your own VCR? "Consider a television in your kitchen." To their merit, they do tell you to take the TV out of the bedroom.

I realize that this kind of advice will appeal to some people and that's fine, but it was not the kind of simplification advice I was looking for. There was some good advice peppered throughout, but I'd say that I only found six out of thirty chapters of the book helpful or inspirational, because much of the rest just had lists of new ways for you to spend your hard-earned cash.

40 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Standout in a Crowded Field. . ., December 10, 2000

By	J Keistler "[e-mail]" (Lake Jackson, Texas USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This book breaks simplification of one's life into literally thirty days, almost like a diet book. That is its greatest merit. It appears to be guided more toward women, and toward women with families, than the rest of us. Perhaps those women buy most of these books!

Having said that, the information contained is applicable to all of us. I found myself gleaning ideas and concepts from the book, rather than following it verbatim. However, I loaned it to my sister (who is a working mom) and she followed the steps to her satisfaction! So, this book is useful on more than one level.

Don't purchase this book expecting some deep philosophical or religious discussion of simplification. That is for others to do (see my review of "Choosing Simplicity" by Linda Pierce. This is for someone who may not have the time or inclination for that type of writing, but simply wants some practical help cleaning up the messy corners of their daily life.

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent motivator!, February 28, 1999

By A Customer

I thought this book was fabulous. The ideas and suggestions seemed written just for me. After I read the chapter on kitchens to my husband, we totally cleaned out and reorganized our kitchen the same day. One of my favorite themes from this book is: Surround yourself with things (clothes, furniture, dishes) that you love. If you don't love something, let it go. Sounds simple, but it's very powerful!

In the book, they mention that if you're looking for a better method of cleaning your house, a good book to try is Speed Cleaning. I purchased it (through Amazon.com, of course!!) and I don't think my house has ever been cleaner.

I've read similar books (i.e. How To Avoid Housework by Paula Jung - which was also great) but this one has really motivated me to change. With their easy suggestions and helpful ideas, it has been SIMPLE to do little things every day to simplify my life. Thanks, Connie and Cris!!