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Pam, Woody, Lenny, Ross, Jill, Dick, Ron, Mike, JR, Linda, Elizabeth, Don, and Mike welcomed Vicki to her first meeting.

After a brief round of introductions, the group listed items for open space discussion:

• How to deal with the majority who do not value frugality -- how to resist adopting their norms, even if subtly
• When you detest thinking about money - how do you get started on the program?
• Health care options and costs post-employment
• How to plan for a rainy day during a drought
• California is struggling through electrical brownouts. What are the implications? How can we avoid that from occurring here?

The group reviewed and arranged the items, creating three discussion spaces. The group then decided to discuss two spaces concurrently, then reconvene as a whole to discuss the third. Here are some highlights from the three open space discussions…

How to deal with the majority, resist adopting their norms, even if subtly…
Always a great topic. Lots of discussion, not only of valuing frugality, but of valuing a person for who they are, not by external means (ie, what they wear, how expensive a present they bring, ...). What do you do when your only measure of value to a relative is the size of the check you give their kids? How do you avoid participating in/adopting their norms?? The discussion group thought Jill summed up the conversation with, "Frugality is not being cheap. You can live a materially free lifestyle while maintaining a generosity of spirit. Living cheap is living in a world where you don't feel you have enough."

California electrical supply problems, implications and avoidances...
Affects of electrical industry deregulation were discussed, leading to conclusions that some government regulation is necessary for standardization and assurance of adequate supply, but not enough to discourage efficient operation. Ross brought up conservation as a means of alleviating the current crisis, as well as a partial future solution. Install a florescent light to reduce consumption of one 100 watt light bulb to 15 watts. (Note from Mike: Having worked in the power industry, I saw efforts from a 1998 company conservation program reduce electrical demand enough to eliminate the need for a new generation facility). Renewable sources such as solar are also becoming more viable.

• How does one find balance between proper health care and affordability? Some thoughts included;

• Health costs when you're young are mostly from accidents. When you're older, things simply wear out and costs are higher => as you get older, health care insurance premiums increase to reflect this.
• When you live "simpler", you seem to automatically take better care of yourself (better food selection, less stress, time to rest when your body indicates the need) hence your heath care costs can be less
• Groups can be a source of reasonable Group Coverage (AARP, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ...)
• Just like auto insurance, carrying a higher deductible tells the insurance company you won't be bothering them for the "little things" (you'll take care of those), just the major ones when/if they occur. Good health care can then be reasonably priced
• Fear can be a distraction and source of creating a sense one does not have enough. When you don't know all the facts, you can live in fear of what the losses can be (which like a shadow, usually appear bigger than they actually are)
• What are the true costs of medical care and medication? What would the cash price for an office visit, exam, or test be?? Sometimes the charges to insurance companies are more than what you might pay directly out of your pocket. Mike found this recently with a prescription -- as he was about to make the $8 copay, he asked the pharmacist what the actual cost would have been without insurance. He was told, "$3.29". He would have automatically paid the $8 had he not asked.
• Can the cost of monthly premiums be greater than actual services? Costs may not be as high as Fear suggests. Mike also found another drug was cash priced at $15 -- sure the $8 copay was cheaper, but $15 was not unreasonable. Might it be cheaper to just pay for medication instead of having prescription coverage? Depends on one's situation.
• Sometimes it is cheaper to have a low deductible/copay. If you have chronic illness, carrying the higher deductible may be cheaper than paying out of pocket.

When you detest thinking about money, how do you get started...
Suggestions included, read the book, The Razor's Edge. Start doing the Steps in Your Money Or Your Life slowly. Start where you feel most comfortable and/or where you have the most interest/energy. Let each thing you do energize and motivate you on to the next. Remember YMOYL's mantra, "No Shame, No Blame".

Other ideas...
· Magazines and articles were exchanged
· Elizabeth brought a bag of items free for the taking
· At a future VS meeting, have a CD and/or book exchange

Some web site resources…

· http://www.the-mrea.org

Correction from July notes -- Minnesota Rural Electric Association (energy ideas and resources)

· http://www.vschicago.intranets.com/login.asp

VSChicago Intranet Page -- view & post upcoming VS Chicago/Simplicity events

 

Books…
The Razor's Edge, (helpful especially when you detest thinking about money...)

 

 

(Posted by: Mike Lenich)

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E-mail Mike Lenich at: vschicago@juno.com