- Introduction & Announcements: Thank You, Discussion Forum Maintenance & Summer Vacation, Study Group Update...
- New Resources: The Latest Additions To Our Resource Directory
- The Canine Gourmet: A Guide To Home Cooking For Fido
- The Happy Minimalist: Finding Health & Happiness
- Frugal (patient) Gardening: The Frugal Girl
- How I Became A Bicycle Superhero: YES! Magazine
- Credit Card Debt: The Simple Dollar Podcast
- Gems Of The Discussion Forums: The Pleasures Of Going Without
- How Do You Measure Wealth? My Year Without Spending
- Financial Independence: More Attainable Than Ever
Dear Friends of The Simple Living Network,
Just a couple of quick announcements... Summer is in full swing and the garden is in need of attention. Therefore, I'll keep it short this time around and let you get on with reading the 71st edition of our user supported Newsletter.
As always, thank you to all of the CyberAngels out there who, even in these tough economic times, have found a few extra dollars here and there to help support this web site and keep it commercial free. We're still behind on reaching our 2009 goal. So, if you are able, please help by making a contribution you feel is appropriate. Without your voluntary support this web site would not exist.
Our Discussion Forums will be closed for maintenance and summer vacation from July 18th through August 2nd. We are trying an extended closure this year to give our incredible volunteer Moderators a much deserved summer vacation. Thank you for your patience and understanding during the break.
We are excited to announce that the Study Guide for Groups or Individuals and our On-Line Study Groups for following the nine-step program in Your Money or Your Life have now been updated to coincide with both the 2nd and new 3rd edition of Your Money or Your Life.
The On-Line Study Group process is perfect for folks who do not have access to a local Study Group, find it difficult to attend face-to-face meetings on a regular basis, or for those who wish to maintain the anonymity provided by the Internet. If you are unfamiliar with this great on-line course for transforming the way you think about, earn and spend money, we invite you to take a free tour.
We hope you enjoy the Newsletter. Again, thank you CyberAngels. Thank you Fred Ecks and Ann Haebig who have once again assembled an impressive, wide-ranging collection of articles. Thank you to all of the authors who have contributed.
Dave Wampler
Founder
The Simple Living Network
Copyright © The Simple Living Network. All Rights Reserved.
- 10,001 Ways To Live Large On A Small Budget — Highly Recommended!
- The Carbon Buster's Home Energy Handbook: Slowing Climate Change & Saving Money
- Generation Green: The Ultimate Teen Guide To Living An Eco-Friendly Life
- The Happy Minimalist: Financial Independence, Good Health & A Better Planet For Us All — PDF eBook - Highly Recommended!
- How To Reduce Your Carbon Footprint: 365 Simple Ways To Save Energy, Resources, & Money
- The Sharing Solution: How To Save Money, Simplify Your Life & Build Community — Our New Favorite!
- Siesta Lane: One Cabin, No Running Water, & A Year Living Green
- The New 50 Simple Things Kids Can Do To Save The Earth
- Bringing Nature Home: Sustain Wildlife With Native Plants
- Cooking Know-How: Be A Better Cook...
- The Flavors Of Asia: Recipes From China, India, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Thailand & Vietnam
- Kneadlessly Simple: Fabulous, Fuss-Free, No-Knead Breads
- Landscaping With Fruit
- Memorable Recipes: To Share With Family & Friends
- The Modern Vegetarian: Food Adventures For the Contemporary Palate
- Preserved: Over 100 Delicious Recipes
- Real Cajun: Rustic Home Cooking...
- White House Vegetable Garden Poster
- White House Vegetable Garden Postcards
- Chakra Banner
- Divine Goddess Banner Pennants
- Dragon Magic Banner Pennants
- Rainbow Peace Flags Banner
- World Peace Flags Banner
- World Religions Flags Banner
Copyright © 2009
Processed food can be as detrimental to our companions as to us. This is how and why I made the switch to homemade food for my 13-year-old Brittany, Orion. Disclaimer: I'm a dog mom, not a veterinarian, and none of the information in here is intended to replace advice from a veterinarian or a qualified practitioner. Please get help from one if your dog has health concerns.
Like other guardians, I thought that feeding Orion a "healthy" dry dog food was in his best interest. It wasn't. After a month of disturbing gastrointestinal symptoms two years ago, we started feeding him homemade food beginning with boiled rice, then adding cooked proteins and steamed vegetables. Since then, he's only made one trip to the vet other than for annual indignities.
If you've been considering feeding your dog homemade food, here are some things to keep in mind:
NEVER feed dogs chocolate, grapes or raisins, or onions. They all contain compounds that can be toxic to dogs. And watch the seasonings and fats. Other than that, anything's fair game.
Dogs don't need most of the ingredients listed on kibble packages and many canned products. Dogs are omnivores. Dogs need protein, vegetables (some prefer steamed) and some carbohydrate such as sweet potatoes too, but not as much as found in commercial foods.
Lower vet bills might offset the cost of the extra groceries. Amount of bill to be told by ex-vet that Orion's "old and eats stuff in the yard:" $140. Extra groceries for his meals: $10/month. New vet's face when I told her he loves cauliflower: priceless.
I do keep cans of salmon, tuna, and some 100% meat on hand as backup in case I'm out of cooked protein.
It's easy to tailor meals for preferences and nutritional needs. The basic breakdown for dog nutrition is 40% protein, 30% vegetables, and 30% carbs. Depending on health and age, one component or another may need to be adjusted. Please consult with a qualified practitioner to determine what's best for your pooch.
Most importantly, you know what Fido is eating. If you think what the FDA lets into the human food supply is scary, pet food (especially the cheap stuff) may contain:
- Ethoxyquin, a preservative originally used in tire production. It's toxic to kidneys.
- Flavor enhancers like salt and sugar, or dye and preservatives.
- Corn, wheat, and soy. All three are common allergens. Flax, too, can be a problem for some dogs.
- Meat from an animal that was dead, diseased, or dying at the time of processing.
- Contaminants such as the melamine used to pad the protein content of the wheat shipped from China and used in pet foods a couple of years ago. You also may not know what conditions the food was stored in.
Orion really likes his meals now, and I don't have to pour Parmesan on them to get him to eat. He's energetic and soft-coated, and I have peace of mind knowing he's really getting the best I can give him. I'll bet Julia Child never had a guest dance, sing and wash her face to say "thanks," either.
Resources:
- Dogfoodanalysis.com
- Whole-dog-journal.com
- Gillespie, Cooper. Throw Me A Bone, Simon & Schuster.
- Pitcairn, Daniel DVM. Dr. Pitcairn's Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats, Rodale.
- Twitchell, Donna Roberts. The Good Food Cookbook for Dogs, Quarry Books.
About The Author
Fran Jablway was adopted by Orion some eleven years ago. They went on to volunteer with frail elderly people while spreading the word that rescued dogs rock. Fran's email is fran@thejournalcoach.net. Her blog is accordingtofran.blogspot.com.
Related Resources
- Homemade Treats For Happy, Healthy Dogs
- 10 Herbs For Happy, Healthy Dogs
- 10 Herbs For Happy, Healthy Cats
- Animal, Vegetable, Miracle
- The Omnivore's Dilemma
- Trout Lake Valley Cookbook
Copyright © 2009
According to Greek philosopher Epicurus, the troubles entailed by maintaining an extravagant lifestyle tend to outweigh the pleasure of enjoying that lifestyle. He recommended that what was necessary for life and happiness be maintained at minimal cost, believing that anything beyond what is necessary should either be tempered by moderation or completely avoided.
Most people do not realize this simple truth. Over time, we have been brainwashed to think that "More is Better". It is this mindset that leads to a nation of resource guzzlers. We also harbor the misconception that a minimalist leads a deprived live, that he has to sacrifice many pleasures in life, etc. The truth is that a minimalist aims for the optimum point. A minimalist knows that too little can be inefficient and too much can be detrimental. Take your car, for example. If you drive too slowly, you are not maximizing fuel efficiency. If you drive too fast, you are not maximizing fuel efficiency either. In general, for most vehicles, the fuel efficiency is maximized at 55 mph. At this speed you get the most miles for each gallon of gas. This same notion applies to every resource we have. A minimalist is aware of this and hence maximizes whatever resources he has. A minimalist is thus a maximizer. Because he is fully aware of the disadvantages of too little and too much, he lives in moderation.
This deceptively simple concept is not only relevant for individuals, but it is also appropriate at a national level. Just look at the financial crisis we are in and the statement: "Too big to fail!" If they had only adhered to the principles of a minimalist and not grown beyond the optimum point! At an individual level, this then begs the question: How do you determine the optimum point? What is too little and what is too much? Here is where a more personal introspection is needed. We need to reflect on this with full understanding of how our ancestors actually lived and how other cultures live today. If they all can live happily while utilizing fewer resources, aren't they by definition more efficient? Being efficient and hence utilizing fewer resources not only hastens one's financial independence; it is also good for one's own health and the planet. Here are some facts to mull over:
- You reach financial independence when your passive income is greater than your expenses. Most people focus only on increasing their income while not paying attention to their expenses. As one's income rises, expenses do not have to rise in tandem. Consider what Henry David Thoreau said: "With respect to luxuries and comforts, the wisest have even lived a more simple and meager life than the poor."
- Studies find that a millionaire is no more likely to be happy than someone earning one-twentieth as much. Once you reach the median level of income, roughly $50,000 a year, there is no longer any correlation between higher income and happiness.
- Anhedonia refers to the reduced ability to experience pleasure. In the book Thrilled to Death, Dr. Hart laments the fact that our continuous pursuit of high stimulation is snuffing out our ability to experience genuine pleasure in simple things.
- In the book The Longevity Diet, the author shows that calorie restriction is the only proven way to slow the aging process and maintain peak vitality.
- If everyone in the world consumed like the average American, we'd need about six Earths to sustain ourselves.
Finally, I wear glasses. I need glasses because I have poor eyesight. Similarly, someone who is hard of hearing needs hearing aids. A drug addict needs drugs and an alcoholic needs his booze. We usually need something, because we lack something or at least we think we lack it. The reverse of this is, if you have few needs, you are probably healthier, happier, etc. With that in mind, which would you rather be: A minimalist, or someone who needs all kinds of "toys"?
We are happy in proportion to the things we can do without.Henry David Thoreau
About The Author
Peter Lawrence was born and raised in Singapore and currently lives in Santa Clara, California. Peter holds a Bachelor in Information Technology from an Australian University and an Executive MBA from an American University. Peter is the author of The Happy Minimalist, and maintains a website at www.TheHappyMinimalist.net. Peter can be reached by email at peterhasretired@yahoo.com.
Related Resources
- The Happy Minimalist
- Unleashing The Soul Of Money
- Dream. Invest. Live.
- Get Satisfied!
- $imply Enough
- Simple Living 101
Copyright © 2009
Editor's Note: This article is an excerpt from Kristen Krause's "The Frugal Girl" weblog at www.thefrugalgirl.com, reprinted with permission.
I'm not a big gardener, partially because I really hate getting dirt on my fingers, and partially because my parents have an enormous garden nearby that I get to mooch off of each summer. However, I do plant a few things here and there, and I've decided that really frugal gardening requires a lot of patience.
If I had loads of money, I would probably go buy nice bushes and flowers to plant in my yard, and I'd buy vegetable and herb plants. However, I don't have loads of money, so I have to take the slow route.
For instance, about six weeks ago Aldi had some plants for sale. I bought a Hydrangea plant for $2.99, which is a great deal for a bush that will be around for years. However, for $2.99 all you get is a stick with roots and a little bit of dirt. I planted it in a pot, watered it, and for a long time, all I had was a pot with a stick in it.
Finally, though, there are signs of life!
I don't know how much this bud will grow this year, but at the rate we're going, I think it's going to be a long time before I have an impressive plant. For $2.99, though, I can be patient.
As another example, last year I bought a $.10 package of Basil seeds from Walgreens (what's that you say? Real gardeners don't buy their seeds in a drugstore??) I planted half of them last year and ended up with something like ten enormous Basil plants (I even gave some away on Freecycle!). I wasn't sure the seeds would still be good this year, but I figured I should at least give them a shot, so I planted them, watered them, and now, weeks later, I have a little pot of healthy Basil seedlings.
While it wouldn't break the bank for me to buy a Basil plant each year, by exercising some patience, I get more Basil than I can possibly use for $.05.
This kind of reminds me of our backyard. While it would have been far more instantly gratifying to plunk down a thousand dollars for sod, by combining seed, water, and some sweat, we have a yard that looks almost as good as sod for a fraction of the price.
Really, when you think about it, a lot of frugal living depends upon your ability to deal with delayed gratification. People who are patient enough to wait for seeds to sprout will probably also be patient enough to save up before they buy something, patient enough to wait to buy a new electronics item until the price falls, patient enough to wait for something to go on sale or clearance, patient enough to wait for laundry to dry in the sun, and patient enough to wait until they can find a desired item in a thrift store or on Craig's List (or even better, on Freecycle!).
I'd love to hear your thoughts on how delaying gratification helps you to live a more frugal life, so I'd be thrilled if you dropped by The Frugal Girl website to leave a comment.
About the Author
Kristen Krause has been married for 12 years and is a stay-at-home / work-at-home / homeschooling mom to four children, ranging in age from 3 to 9 years old. In addition to managing her home, she teaches piano lessons, plays the piano, and works as a photographer. She also writes The Frugal Girl weblog, which is about practical, frugal, green, simple living, with special weekly features on food waste and home baking. Kristen can be reached by email at thefrugalgirl@gmail.com.
Related Resources
- The Organic Gardening Bible
- All New Square Foot Gardening
- Tips For Dirt-Cheap Gardening
- Lasagna Gardening
- Don't Throw It, Grow It!
Copyright © 2009
Editor's Note: This article is an excerpt from YES! Magazine's Bike To Work weblog, reprinted with permission.
I married into a cycling family. In 1973, David, the man who is now my father-in-law, began commuting by bicycle. He's kept up the habit almost daily, even as the distance grew from a round-trip of two miles in Oberlin, Ohio, to 15 miles when he started teaching in Washington, DC. He's now 66, and will finish his last ride to work this summer, but only because he's retiring.
David inspired his sons to the same bicycle devotion. In the 1980s, his teenage son Joel (now my husband) often biked the length of the W&OD pedestrian trail, a converted former rail line that runs for 45 miles from Arlington, Virginia to almost the West Virginia border. At 16 he got his license and started driving to school, but the bicycle was already the more powerful symbol of independence and freedom for him — it was muscle-driven, liberated from gasoline, with nothing between him and the air and the experience. By the time he had finished high school, he had spent two summer vacations on his bicycle — a pedal-powered trip through Cape Cod, and another following the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California. The summer before he began college, Joel, his father, and his younger brother (then 15 years old) embarked on an epic ride across the country from Arlington, Virginia to Portland, Oregon. They traveled in 90 to 100-mile-a-day segments, bought food along the way, and hauled their shelter (a pair of tents) with them. The take-away lesson for the younger brother was that cars are superfluous. Joel's brother refused to get his license the next year, or share the costs of car insurance, a household requirement for anyone using the family car. Now 35 years old, my brother-in-law has lived in three states and traveled to nearly all 50, along with the Philippines, Paraguay, Vietnam, Spain, Morocco, and host of other countries. But he's never driven a car.
When I met Joel, I was by comparison a cycling neophyte. Sure, I had done several long day-rides and commuted between my graduate school campus and my house — a mile — but nothing that measured up to his cycling feats. I finished my degree and moved to Arlington, Virginia. We'd been dating less than a year. His parents offered me a room in their house for a month while I worked a temporary administrative job in Alexandria, 12 miles away, and searched for an apartment and a more permanent source of income.
Joel pulled out the bicycle maps and looked at my commute. "I think you could ride to work," he said. I was both petrified and thrilled by the idea. The route was 11 miles. I was certain I would get lost, be struck by a car, or at least be late to work. "We'll ride it together," he said.
That Saturday we wound our bicycles through residential neighborhoods to the Potomac River, past Reagan National Airport, through the swamps and parkways to my office door and back home again. The route was twisty and circuitous. I said I would never find it again, but that Monday I loaded up a bag with maps, a change of clothes, and water, and ventured into the morning sunlight. The muscle memory carried me through turns and twists to the river. I never once unfolded the map. The ride was far more pleasant than the stifling, body-packed trip on the DC Metro train. There were bird calls. There was light on the river. Some of the cherries were still shedding blooms.
The job was one of the dullest I've ever held — hour after hour of monotonous data entry and filing. But high on endorphins and fresh air, I glowed all day. I beamed at my boss and announced I was going to lunch. "Still jazzed from the bike commute, huh?" she said. She looked amused. I simply nodded.
I've been biking to work, on and off, for about eight years. Now I live in Seattle and pedal five and half miles across a bridge, along a road, and onto a ferry boat that takes me to the YES! offices on Bainbridge Island. I could probably name a hundred environmental and health reasons to commute by bicycle. It's carbon-free and cardiovascular. It can burn fat, clear your skin, and tone your muscles. But the real reason I bike to work is pure enjoyment. I'm happier when I'm riding. My neighbors wave to me. On a clear day, I take in long gazes of Mount Rainier as I cross the bridge. I notice the change of seasons more — the trees leafing out in March and April and turning golden in October; geese, gulls, and the occasional bald eagle crossing Puget Sound; the plums, rhododendrons, and lilacs in bloom. I don't even mind the rain so much.
I ride in a neon yellow jacket and black cycling pants. My husband calls it my "superhero outfit." Several summers ago, he and I biked the coast of Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia. I've never felt more powerful than when I loaded my bike with food, clothing, and a sleeping bag and pumped my way to the top of a mountain from sea level. Tourists on the side of the road paused to applaud and cheer.
It's true — there's something heroic about conquering miles of road on muscle power alone.
Discover Your Bike Superpowers
May is National Bicycle Month, and the perfect time to connect with your own hidden inner cyclist. Here are some tips for getting started on your bicycle commute:
- Plan your route. Many cities and counties publish free bicycle maps showing bike lanes or low-traffic streets that are easy to ride. Consider doing a test run of the route on the weekend with a friend. It's much easier to try out the ride when there's no pressure to arrive on time.
- Be visible. The easiest way to stay safe is to make sure that drivers can see you. Wear bright clothing. Make sure your bike has reflectors and lights.
- Wear a helmet. A good helmet dramatically reduces the risk of fatal injuries.
- Depending on the dress code at your office, you may want a change of clothes. I like to bring clothes that are wrinkle-proof, or keep an extra change of clothes and shoes at the office.
- Stay safe. Be familiar with the cycling rules of the road, and learn basic tips for bicycle safety. Follow a straight and predictable path instead of weaving in and out of parked cars. Ride a few feet left of the edge of the road, so drivers will see you and won't cut you off.
- Take a cycling skills class. [Editor's note: I've taken the liberty to add this one] You can find classes and instructors in your area through the League of American Bicyclists: http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/education/course_schedule.php
You can find more tips in Bicycling Street Smarts by John S. Allen, published by Rodale and Bicycling Magazine. Cautious, commonsense cycling practices can keep you safe on the road. In fact, cycling may actually be safer than walking down the street, according to at least one study.
For more commuting tips and information, visit these websites: Commute by Bike, featuring commuting articles for beginners, including The Slacker's Guide to Bike Commuting.
Paul Dorn's Bike Commuting Tips.
The Pennsylvania Bicycle Driver's Manual (from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation), useful to riders in any state.
The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center, a national clearinghouse of information about cycling and walking, funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration: Learn how to promote cycling infrastructure, prevent bike crashes, and promote bike-friendly policies in your city.
Sightline Institute's "Bicycle Neglect Series", a collection of personal and political articles on bicycles, bike infrastructure, bike safety, and bike culture.
Related Resources
- "My Other Car Is A Bicycle" — sticker
- How To Live Well Without Owning A Car
- Biking To Work
- Divorce Your Car!
- Energy: Use Less - Save More
- The Post-Petroleum Survival Guide & Cookbook
Copyright © 2009
Editor's Note: This article is an excerpt from Trent Hamm's The Simple Dollar weblog at www.thesimpledollar.com, reprinted with permission.
Well, here it is, finally - The Simple Dollar Podcast. This will be a weekly endeavor - I hope you enjoy it!
The first episode of The Simple Dollar Podcast focuses on credit card debt. I tell my own story of escaping from a pile of credit cards and relate some very specific advice on how to extract yourself from such debt. Also discussed: Rocky IV, Douglas Coupland novels, Steve Bartman, Twittering while drinking your third glass of wine, snarky librarians, and Dave Ramsey's connection to Star Trek. Total length: 12:12
Listen In!
Other options for enjoying The Simple Dollar Podcast include:
Listen to this episode on a separate page
Subscribe via iTunes
Download this episode (right-click and save)
Subscribe in the media player of your choice
Though I hope you do subscribe using one of the above methods, don't worry - each episode will be featured in its own post, much like this one, on Tuesday afternoons.
Episode Notes
Here are some additional notes that go alongside the comments in the podcast. Approximate times for the corresponding links and notes are listed.
0:00 - The theme song is a public domain recording of a Camper van Beethoven concert on October 25, 1986. Listen to the concert in its entirety.
0:24 - Background reading - my financial biography, particularly the part about our meltdown.
0:50 - The World's Strongest Man competition is held annually, pitting competitors against each other in a wide variety of feats of strength.
0:58 - I talked about that "sunny April afternoon" in a post called The Longest Night.
1:06 - Rocky IV! Ivan Drago whips Apollo Creed!
2:18 - My public library of choice.
2:39 - Your Money or Your Life is a must-read. Here's how it really impacted my life.
2:54 - Detailed notes on The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey.
4:14 - And I'm still reading; here's a peek at that mountain.
4:43 - Which one of these three is the manliest?
5:09 - Here are the only budgeting techniques that ever worked for me.
6:25 - I highly recommend White Oak Vineyards in central Iowa.
6:28 - If they're sold out of Prairie Rose, blame me.
6:45 - Here's my Twitter feed ... I promise, no more meandering discussions of North by Northwest!
7:17 - Redbox is cheap because there are tons of codes out there for free DVD rentals.
7:31 - PaperBackSwap is the best! But you probably already knew that...
7:49 - The three best novels on modern careers that I've yet read were all by Douglas Coupland - Generation X, Microserfs, and JPod.
8:12 - Here's a startup guide for cooking at home if you have no idea what you're doing in the kitchen.
8:14 - Restaurants.com can be a good money saver.
9:05 - Here's a startup guide for your emergency fund.
9:23 - Steve Bartman, oh, Steve Bartman. Relive the moment.
9:44 - Proof that Steve needed a bodyguard.
10:18 - Some details on the debt snowball and a mathematically superior (though psychologically inferior) alternative.
11:29 - Your homework, class!
11:46 - For any of this to work, you have to overcome lying to yourself about money.
12:02 - A preview of next week.
One thing I'd like to do in a future episode is have an audio reader's mailbag. If you have a microphone on your computer and can record an MP3 of a simple, short question you might have on personal finance, careers, pop culture, or anything else you'd like me to answer, record it as an MP3 and send it to me. Keep the total recording under 15 seconds, please.
Comments and suggestions welcome.
About The Author
In April 2006, Trent Hamm went through a complete financial meltdown (read his "financial biography" here). He threw himself head first into trying to figure out every nuance of fixing his financial situation, and after a few months he began to get the picture. Within eight months, he had paid off all of his credit card debt, paid off his vehicle, and also established an emergency fund. Since he has a passion for writing and he had learned so much about how personal finance really works, he established The Simple Dollar near the end of 2006 to tell the world about what he had learned and to help people who were struggling with the same things.
Related Resources
- Your Money Or Your Life
- Your Money Or Your Life - 2nd Edition
- Transforming Your Relationship With Money
- The Ultimate Cheapskate's Road Map To True Riches
- The Ultimate Cheapskate's Road Map To True Riches (Audio CDs)
- Gener@tion Debt
- How To Get Out Of Debt, Stay Out Of Debt, & Live Prosperously
Copyright © 2009
When I talk about simple living with folks unfamiliar with the concept, I spend a lot of time explaining that it's not about deprivation. It's my choice to live this way and I enjoy it. This month several topics discuss how to "go without" and what benefits are found in living simply. First, two participants are interested in reducing their use of technology, whether that be internet time or watching tv. Several people found their lives simplified for them just by not buying a converter to receive the new digital TV signal. Now that's simple!
Other folks are discussing how to avoid eating out and how to comfortably go without air conditioning. They share helpful advice that's good for your pocketbook, your health, and the planet. How can such a triple win be seen as deprivation?
Another common theme in my conversations about simplicity is a lack of time. People want more time for themselves and less time at jobs that aren't meaningful to them. In the Workplace forum, participants share ways to push back on unreasonable demands at work and discuss the meaning and method of fulfilling an entreprenurial dream.
In other news, forum moderators renamed the "Money" forum to "Personal Finance", and the "Enough" forum to "Success Stories". The new names better reflect the intention of these two forums.
The Personal Finance forum is the place to go with questions about your financial situation. Brave people share their own situations and in return receive respectful advice from those who've been there before. This month there are topics from those wondering what to do about an impending layoff, looking for direction after a divorce, and searching for a place to put freed-up income after paying off debt.
The Success Stories forum provides a spot to share one's victories. This month the stories include discovering that one can be happier by accepting not fitting society's prescribed "cultural script", choosing and realizing new goals, or unexpectedly being granted a long time desire for a summer off.
Do you have questions you'd like answered? A story to share? Come join the fun!
CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THE INTRODUCTION to our on-line community. Then join the fun!
About The Author
Ann Haebig is a part-time geek, part-time bicycle advocate, and dedicated follower and promoter of the Your Money Or Your Life program. She lives in Boulder, Colorado with her partner, cat and guitar. Ann can be reached at ahaebig@pobox.com.
Related Resources
- Anytime Game
- Living Simply With Children
- Consumer Guide To Home Energy Savings
- Green Living Handbook
- Take Back Your Time
- Work Less, Live More
- Work Less, Live More Workbook & CD
- Unplugged
- Community
Copyright © 2009
Editor's Note: This article is an excerpt from Angela Barton's "My Year Without Spending" weblog at myyearwithoutspending.blogspot.com, reprinted with permission.
When I joined The Compact on January 1st of this year, I was focused on what I'd be giving up. Designer jeans, expensive gifts, and a particular brand of catalog skirts sprung to mind.
But I dug in my heels: after all, I'd been through worse deprivations in the past — graduate school, living in Manhattan on $1500 a month, and long stretches of unemployment. Bring it on, I thought. I can handle it.
It's interesting that not buying things has made me focus more on what I do have. As I get rid of the junk, it's like lifting a curtain or coming out of a fog. I'm really starting to see how stuff has kept me busy and distracted, and disconnected from the things that really matter.
Because even though I'm trying to live on less income, not buying anything new, and getting rid of things I no longer need or use, instead of feeling deprived, I'm feeling rich.
I'm rich in love and friendships.
I'm rich in health and well-being.
I'm rich in time to design my own schedule.
Some of my wealth is a little more tangible, and adds to my level of happiness. For example, we planted a lemon tree last weekend, and when it starts producing fruit, we'll be rich in lemons. I'm already rich in citrus because along my walking route I have asked and been given permission to pick as much grapefruit as I like from one neighbor and as many kumquats as I want from another. They both seemed happy to be able to share their bounty.
This recession is making people question a lot about their values, lifestyles, and behavior. I think it will have a silver lining if it makes us question our relationship to the planet and the other people living on it, and if it causes us to use a different yardstick to determine how we feel about ourselves.
So how can we measure wealth? Does it only refer to our bank account? Or is it about other intangibles like love, happiness, friendship, health, and time?
How do you measure wealth? Please share your thoughts in the comments section of the My Year Without Spending website.
About The Author
Angela Barton writes a weblog about living a non-consumer lifestyle without giving up fun or style, or otherwise feeling deprived, at www.myyearwithoutspending.blogspot.com. She lives with her husband in Los Angeles, CA. She loves to receive email at ABarton62@yahoo.com.
Related Resources
- Not Buying It: My Year Without Shopping
- To Buy Or Not To Buy
- Agenda For A New Economy
- Confessions Of An Eco-Sinner
- Affluenza (Book)
- Affluenza (DVD)
- Escape From Affluenza (DVD)
Copyright © 2009
If you believe you can do something, or if you believe you can't, in either case you're probably right.Henry Ford, founder of Ford Motor Company
Reaching a frugal state of Financial Independence some years ago was one of the biggest transitional stages of my life. Becoming completely free opened me up to new adventures and possibilities and enabled me to truly be myself without concern for any impact on my career. In the ensuing years, I traveled the world, backpacked the John Muir Trail, sailed the oceans, lost nearly 100 pounds, became an ultramarathon trail runner, and have begun to learn the saxophone and chromatic harmonica. Above all, I used this space in my life to grow as a person, taking the time to find my own balance between creativity, exploration, and contribution to a better world. All this was possible because I reached a comfortable level of Financial Independence.
In recent years, I've often heard the claim that Financial Independence is less achievable now than it was back in 1990, when the Financial Integrity program was being developed and eventually published in Your Money Or Your Life. This claim always seemed false to me, in the same way I've had folks tell me they could never go sail the oceans in a small boat, or backpack a few hundred miles alone on a high mountain trail. So being a left-brained "numbers guy", I decided to check it out.
For the purposes of this topic, let's define Financial Independence as the ability to consistently generate enough investment income to meet one's living expenses. This means the keys to Financial Independence are amassing enough capital while minimizing living expenses. After all, a Financially Independent person spending $5000/month needs ten times as much capital as someone spending $500/month.
Looking At The Numbers
Can we save money now the way we used to be able to? Well, let's take a look... According to the Social Security Administration's Average Wage Index, the average wage of a worker in the United States in 1990 was $20,172. The average wage of a worker in the United States in 2007 (the latest data available) was $38,761. This shows an average wage increase of more than 92%.
Now let's look at living expenses. The most commonly accepted measure of the cost of living (including food, housing, health care, etc.) is the Consumer Price Index. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index data, the average Consumer Price Index in 1990 was 130.7. In 2007, it was 207.3. This shows a CPI increase of less than 59% during these same 17 years.
Let's say that a person in 1990 earning an average wage was able to save 25% of his/her income. That person would have been earning $20,172, spending $15,129, and saving $5,043 per year. Another person in 2007 earning an average wage would have been earning $38,761. But instead of spending 75% of their income, this person would spend $23,996 for the same standard of living (according to the Consumer Price Index). This person would save $14,765 per year — more than 38% of their income! Because they would be able to save at a much faster rate relative to their expenses, the person in 2007 would achieve Financial Independence much sooner than the person in 1990.
This analysis assumes that a person's expenses will rise in accordance with the Consumer Price Index, while their standard of living remains constant. As documented in a 1996 report by a commission headed by former Whitehouse Council of Economic Advisers chairman Michael Boskin, the CPI overstates inflation by approximately 1.1% per year. What this demonstrates is that my analysis is conservative; the reality is that a person seeking Financial Independence now will reach their goal even faster than my analysis would indicate.
Conclusion: What's Your Goal?
After many years of hearing people say that Financial Independence isn't the possibility it once was, I've come to wonder why people claim any such thing. The facts and figures clearly document that Financial Independence is more achievable now than at any other time in recent history. I'm left to conclude that like any other major long term goal in life, it's easier to claim that it's difficult or impossible to achieve than it is to follow through for years of hard work to reach the destination.
Financial Independence is achievable by average people in average situations. The only above-average requirements are a long term vision of their future, and a consistent dedication to create that future. What's your dream? How badly do you want it? Go get it!
About The Author
Fred Ecks is the volunteer Newsletter Editor for The Simple Living Network. He's a dedicated follower of the 9-step program detailed in Your Money or Your Life and the Financial Integrity website. He uses the time freed up in his life for writing, volunteering, and ultramarathon trail running. He can be reached at fredx@pobox.com.
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