Cheapskates vs. Conservationists

The Cheapskate books I'm reading by Jeff Yeager (see sidebar) bring up the question, are cheapskates people who are simply misers who take no joy in life? Yeager says no, cheapskates are really people who are thoughtful users of only what they need to live a life freed of rampant consumerism. I'm trying to decide where I fit on the spectrum. Does using a teabag twice count?

His chapter on the costs of healthy living was really interesting. He says that most people who hire other people to clean their homes, mow their lawns, make repairs around the house, etc., then have to pay additional money to health clubs, personal trainers, and the like to help them keep in shape because they don't use their bodies to do any physical work. A vicious circle. I admit I've been tempted to hire a cleaning service when I think I can't handle a full-time job and keeping up with an old two-story house. So far, I'm subscribing to cheaphood, but I feel myself weakening.

TED and Spirituality

I like TED a lot. And last week someone sent me a notice that a well-known writer (and former British nun) won one of their major prizes (like $100K) in 2008.

Karen Armstrong took part of her prize money and started the Charter for Compassion, "a cooperative effort to restore not only compassionate thinking but, more importantly, compassionate action to the center of religious, moral and political life." I love her idea - and I like how she describes herself as a "freelance monotheist." If I weren't committed to healing my own religion, I would be one, too.