This article got me thinking on a different type of life

**creditcardfree** · 08-27-2009, 09:53 AM

It is intriguing and I'm sure highly possible.

**Broken Arrow** · 08-27-2009, 11:34 AM

Second link is packed with a lot of interesting ideas in there. From the practical to the radical, but always thought-provoking.

**irmanator** · 08-27-2009, 07:58 PM

I read that article in mother earth news. I am working on some of the things in there but it takes time to implement. I certainly don't wanna work forever. I love my mother earth news subscription best 10 i ever spent.

**Radiance** · 08-28-2009, 04:52 AM

Well, I am very behind on the game, so my very first steps are really commom sense everybody should do regardless of desired retirement age:

1) Get out of debt and stay that way (only exception is a mortgage, or business startup). Have the money first and then buy.

1.a) What things do you really need to buy "in advance"? Nothing! No furniture, no vacations, no electronics, nothing, nada. Instant gratification is your enemy!

2) Have a super emergency fund of 12 months (based on bare bones). With this you are covered for the unexpected and feel free to try new things like moving or changing to work at home, etc.

If my calculations are correct, if I rent for two years on a 1 bed I'll be there. All other things staying equal.

Then I would work on the other stuff.

**PetMom** · 09-05-2009, 01:03 PM

I have always enjoyed reading how others are making it and you might want to check out the following title:
Your Money or Your Life - this book got quite a following and has a forum with people who network. A lot of them do shared housing, public transportation, shared childcare and have other ways to cut costs and live cheaply.

The simple living movement still has a few followers that tend to gather in resources and tips and the best places to live.

I also have several copies of Mother Earth News and love all the articles.

A few other titles of interest:

Living Well On Practically Nothing (a favorite of the Amy Dacyzyn)
The Tightwad Gazette
How to Surivive Without a Salary

anything by Helen and Scott Nearing

and I even have an old book titled: "Wealth On Minimum Wage"

Lot of interesting reading and don't forget to use a free (paid with your taxes though) resource: your reference librarian - get copies of books from interlibrary loan for a nominal fee usually under a dollar.

I like the Las Vegas tip. Even some sociologists did not pick up on this - so called unskilled laborers (maids, busboys, waitresses) were raking it in in the service industry. In this economy I don't know how well they are doing but a maid had made enough to own a very nice home. Might have been they were unionized and Las Vegas is a service based/gambling economy.

**Radiance** · 09-08-2009, 08:28 AM

Wow, I visited the Your money or your life site. Will try to get my hands on a copy.
If "unskilled" workers can make it that way, No reason some of us "skilled" can make it too.

This, I believe, is the key:... "resolve inner conflicts between values and lifestyle".
Stay tuned.

**Goldy1** · 09-19-2009, 12:04 PM

I just had my first child at 33. I will say by being savy I have not spent too much at all on him despite diapers etc. He has more stuff than he needs, but most importent is the attention of having me there. I am in a moms group and MOST the time is spent talking on what we bought or will buy. $30 teethers (yes before tax) and $500 jogging strollers are the norm in one of my circles. I almost wish my group was in a more lower middle class area at times, but I like the moms.
My baby's favorite thing is being put in his soft carrier and walked around the block and playing with me.
Yea he has all the crap like the $110 exercauser as a gift but he cries when I try to put him in it lately? Why? He knows it means mom will not be in contact with him and might go to check e mail etc

I am frugal but I don't want to be on the fringe either. I think if I had a second child it would be harder to be frugla b/c franlky being frugal does take time and kids need time.
I remember when in college one of my sorority sisters was touting all her designer purchases (she worked a lot of hours to buy clothes) I told her I like that stuff but want to enjoy college and having to work a lot now wasn't worth it for me so I was waiting til I got my real job to buy more of that later. I never lacked a date due to my cheaper clothes either. )Guys like pretty girls in jc penny clearance clothes just fine, thank you. ( No I didn't say this) lol She looked at my like I sprouted 2 heads. Not wanting stuff now couldnt' even enter her brain to register.
I treat myself here and there, but I more often realize I don't want or need it.
I bought an expensive designer purse and didn't like it depsite the oohs and ahhhs it got. I sold it on e bay to get it out of my life. The thing was no better than a $30 bag from a discounter to me.

This article got me thinking on a different type of life