Living with Less: The Upside of Downsizing Your Life

by Mark A. Tabb

Book Overview

Mark Tabb won't ignore the facts about the hectic pace of modern life that we are, ironically, often too tired to acknowledge and change. In his candid and spiritually insightful Living with Less, he declares, "The only way to get more out of life is to choose less. Less stuff. Less activity. Less wanting more. . . . May God give us the courage to choose less stress in order that we might experience more of the life he has planned for us."

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0805432965
• ISBN13: 9780805432961
• Release Date: January 2006
• Publisher: B&H Books
• Length: 185 Pages
• Weight: 0.56 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.8" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Dumbstruck

I am really dumbstruck by the poor reviews about this book. I read this book about 2 years ago and it was one of the best and most life-changing books I've ever read. I totally disagree with the review that said it was light on application. The author weaves application throughout the entire book and even gives a thorough top ten list of ways to financially/materially simplify. He also gives ideas for simplifying the way we spend time. I thought he does a remarkable job of balancing the two major aspects of the book- those being: 1. why we should simplify and 2.how to go about it. The tone of the book is great, it's easy to read. I never write in books, but I found myself underlining line after line in this book. I found many of his thoughts to be profound and could study them and chew them over in my mind for days or weeks! I loved the book so much that I offered to teach a class on simplicity at church. I presented many of the ideas from this book and recommended that everyone pick up a copy to read.

Christian Priorities

You need to know that this is a book about Christianity, which I did not realize when I bought it. No problem, as I am a Christian, but I was surprised by the content once I started reading. It was a good thing. I was looking for advice on reining in our materialistic lives, and I found it here. He does not make the reader feel bad if they are not dirt poor, but makes very lucid suggestions for how to live your life with or without financial means. This is a great follow-up to Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life (still the best Christian life guide I have ever read).

What I needed to know and when I needed to hear it!

The day I opened up the book "Living With Less..." I was not in the mood to review or read any book much less a book talking about living with less! BUT after I began reading... from the very first page I was a captive audience member! This book was talking about me and so many other folks like me. As I read my spirit began to lift, a smile slowly took over my face, and a light-bulb went on in my head or over my head, I don't know which, but I got it! It all made perfect sense! Did I need or does anyone need all the clutter we have in our lives? Did owning more stuff mean I was successful? I learned from this well-written, thought provoking book that the answer was a resounding 'NO' to both of these questions! This is a must read! Reading it just makes you feel so darn good about what you already have in your life! Good Job! H. Renay Anderson Author of "The After Party - Why Women Wear Shoes They Know Will Eventually Hurt Their Feet", Mystery Book Editor for Bella Online, BBW Reviewer, and EuroReviewer

Spiritual side of scaling back

Because this book's title, Living with Less: The Upside of Downsizing Your Life, implies it will provide specific help for readers who want to "cut back," it is only fair to begin a review of it by pointing out what the book does not give readers. There are no financial budgeting systems by which to earn less money while still meeting expenses for daily life; there are no time management plans by which to add hours to your day for leisure time and cultural activities while still living up to your family and job responsibilities; and there are no magic formulas by which you can relax more while still staying faithful to an exercise regime for good health. This book doesn't cover pragmatic solutions for today's world. Instead, Tabb explores how to enhance one's personal character by developing humility, cutting back to a slower pace, and enhancing a sense of servitude to others. The value of this book is that it causes individuals to question what is of genuine merit in their lives. Tabb makes some good points about how we need to listen more to other people, share more, teach more, love more, and appreciate more. He quotes everyone from Solomon to Dave Barry in making the point that accumulating "stuff" is not the secret of happiness. My recommendation is not to read the book in one or two sittings, as I did, because of its repetition of theme and examples. However, reading one chapter every week or so can provide perspective regarding the need to pull back a bit from the hectic antics of our break-neck-speed world. Even the Bible tells us to "be temperate in all things." -- Dr. Dennis E. Hensley, Christian Book Previews.com

Easy Read

In Living with Less, Mark Tabb gives his reader a chiropractic priority adjustment. It is a guide for how to invest your most precious resource: life. As a mid-lifer, I found it helpful to evaluate some past decisions in light of current priorities and to consider some mid course corrections. But I also found some chapters that I want my young adult sons to read. Tabb writes, with a friendly, comfortable tone. The book reads like a conversation between friends. And like a friend, Tabb gets direct at times. Not drill sergeant direct, but he doesn't pull any punches either. I found the book did a great job of organizing things I knew to be true, but hadn't necessarily thought through. Thanks Mark, for connecting the dots for me.