When you hear the word hippie, chances are you think of the 1960’s, tie dye, long, free-flowing hair styles, no makeup and perhaps the Grateful Dead or Credence Clearwater Revival. You may even think of the “natural” clothing made of hemp, cotton or other natural fibers. The dictionary defines hippie as “one who doesn’t conform to society’s standards…”. In this day and age with prices so inflated and wages so deflated, there are many benefits to remaining a hippie.

Raised in the 1960’s and 1970’s when gas prices were barely 25 cents per gallon, you could go to the grocery store and buy six bags of groceries and pay less than $10 per bag of groceries. As the saying goes, “Less is more”, it can be concluded that this is definitely the way to go. It’s no longer about whether or not you have an incense burner, tie-dyed clothing or a bean bag chair. It’s not the music you listen to, nor is it the car you drive; it’s a lifestyle of simplicity.

Simplicity is making do with what you have. Simplicity is learning to do without (if you had relatives that lived through the depression ask them how it was).

Thus the following can be concluded: Clothing goes in and out of style so quickly that it won’t matter next week if you bought what was in style this week. Thus it is much simpler and less expensive to simply buy the basics and keep them year round. That tee shirt you have that goes so great with your jeans will look just as great with a long- sleeved tee shirt under it in the winter to keep you warmer. Not to mention those jeans. Why pay $60 or more for those trendy jeans when the basic styles are just fine and always in style? Those tie-dyed shirts of yesteryear? Hang on to them, when they rotate styles you won’t have to go out and buy new ones to be in style, just dig into your closet and pull them out.

Long skirts are always in style. If you choose a “bohemian” style and pair it with a classic top or tee shirt you will always be in style. Your own style or the current, trendy style. It isn’t really important to wear that trendy suit to church every Sunday or to work each weekday, set your own style. Easy and free-flowing.

That tank top you like so well, hang on to it, it will go great over a tee shirt or under it depending on the time of year, even alone it will stand well. Pair it with some trendy beads or jewelry that you find at a thrift store and you are right in style, and you are saving tons of money too. Add a belt or scarf for a new degree of interest.

The best part of these styles is that when those that think they have to have everything decide to change their wardrobes, they give the old stuff to the thrift stores. Thrift stores are a treasure trove for the hippie style. You can mix and match and find it all right there.

Make up? Come on gals, blush and mascara at the most for your style. If you have lots of freckles or uneven skin tone you might want a touch of foundation, but for the most part, you can do almost without the bother. A true hippie never wore makeup. Why spend the money?

Do you drive a fancy car? or do you make do with one that is held together with bailing twine, duct tape (a whole different article in the making) and pantyhose? Or, do you shun vehicles altogether and opt for walking or riding a bike? For some of you, perhaps its even a horse if you live in a rural area.

All those fancy electronic gadgets? Do you really need 4 VCR’s, 2 DVD players and five television sets? All of those game platforms? Or can you survive as your ancestors did using less?

Do you garden? In this writers household there are five gardens. The food is canned and/or frozen for the winter months. Some will call you hippies for that alone. Seriously though, have you priced veggies lately? When you can grow them in your own yard and know exactly what pesticides were or were not used they are so much healthier!

This writer recently went to a ’60’s party where everyone was all dressed up in ’60s style clothing and ate finger food. The 14-year-old son took one look at his mother and said he wouldn’t be seen in public with his mom if she were to dress like that daily. Interestingly, the husband was helping with the wardrobe that night and as he came out of the closet he commented that it didn’t matter what was worn, it was all from the 60’s in this writers side of the closet. It could be assumed this writer has been making a statement all along. It is suspect and rare that the 14-year-old son actually notices what is being worn since the husband tells her the entire wardrobe is 60’s style.

Everybody doesn’t need all of society’s “standards” to be happy. You can be happy with the basics and your family. So with that said, since this writer doesn’t conform to society’s standards, it is conceded, she is a hippie.

So, here is a fun quiz to find out if you are a hippie. This writer scored a 190 (to the 14-year-old son’s dismay) http://elitemrp.net/hippytest.shtml So, where do you fall in the equation?