Simple Living Expert Claims Reducing Consumption will Improve Holiday Celebrations

AMHERST, N.Y. - Oct. 7, 2013 - PRLog -- The holidays are no doubt a celebrated time of year where music, decorations and scrumptious cookies abound. In fact, according to a poll conducted by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner, 78% of people reported feeling happiness often. Why? Because they especially look forward to spending time with loved ones during the holiday season. However, the same poll reported that 38% of people experience a significant increase in stress. The leading stressors include lack of money and time, and the pressures of commercial hype and gift giving.

"Retaining the happiness and reducing the negative stressors can be achieved by understanding the effects of consumption," advocates Cristin Frank, simple living expert and author of Living Simple, Free & Happy (http://www.amazon.com/Cristin-Frank/e/B00BAK56SU): How to Simplify, Declutter Your Home, and Reduce Stress, Debt & Waste. Consumption leads to huge sucks on our time, money and resources. During the holiday's, we become bombarded with commercials for expensive cars, electronics and toys. This subconsciously inflates our expectations for gift giving, causing us to spend more than we would. And to do so, we subject ourselves to time consuming decisions on what to buy, parking-lot clusters and waiting in long lines.

Stress is also felt on the side of the recipient by way of obligation. First, the obligation to reciprocate. Then in the form of respect to the gift-giver. The receiver, whether or not the gift is a hit, feels obligated to wear, display or use the gift.

Cristin Frank suggests shifting the focus to consuming good times, rather than costly gifts. Her blog, Eve of Reduction is a resource for saving money through creativity and resourcefulness, with an emphasis on a simple, frugal lifestyle. Below are tips for reducing consumption acquired from the Eve of Reduction blog. http://eveofreduction.com

·    •  Look for ways to upcycle old and obsolete household items. Take what you already have and breath new life into it. You’ll reduce waste in your home while fulfilling a need. You may even learn new skills that can be put to use improving other things in your life.

·     •  The only thing that can’t get taken away is our memories. How many of us agree that our best memories are with our friends. We don’t necessarily need to be climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, just hanging out. It’s free, fun and lasts a lifetime.

·     •  You have the talent to teach your kids or those around you things that you know how to do. This is putting your talents to work to share your inner gifts and spend quality time with the ones you love.

·     •  Shopping at second-hand stores is no longer repellant – it’s celebrated! Reuse, reduce recycle all while saving money and resources.

For additional information on Eve of Reduction or to schedule an interview, please contact Cristin Frank at Cristin@eveofreduction.com or call 716.880.4257.