The world has been plagued with a rash of natural disasters, and the United States is still reeling from an economic crisis. With the turmoil and stress that the majority of people are under, we have to ask ourselves if living with the bigger is better motto really better for us? In 1973 there was a huge shortage of petroleum which crippled the world’s economy and sent oil prices through the roof. During this time E. F. Schumacher, an economist in Britain published a book of essays called Small is Beautiful: Economic As If People Mattered.

While this book was published years ago, it encapsulates principles and key important factors within the economy that are still very relevant today. The book explains that by minimizing your existence you will in turn create a more wealthy and healthy lifestyle. It teaches that when individuals plan and prioritize their resources they will reduce waste, and spending. In addition the book greatly advocates recycling, and presents strategies for generating larger future investments. Finally it encourages individual residents and citizens to contribute to the overall greater good in order to establish a better future for themselves and society as a whole. Maybe we need to follow the belief the small really is beautiful.