Post: #1

Anyone else here fed up with materialism and just want to live a relaxed lifestyle? I've decided its the best road for me... sure, I'll have only enough money for food and an apartment just like everyone else here, but I'll have peace of mind.

There still are places in the world where its possible and I'm not the only one who choses slower paced locations. Whether its rural America, provincial Latin America, or small town Africa, there are still places that value a simple life. Anyone else here make the lifestyle choice to avoid capitalism and materialism?

Post: #2

I had this though in my early twenties when I was broke, i thought about becoming a hippy, but then I took a look at hippy girls and decided this wasn't the path for me.

I will make the money first then embark on a more relaxed lifestyle.

Post: #3

Yes I'm also fed up with materialism and all the BS of living in NA. I'm going to work very hard here in the oil fields in AB starting this fall for 4-6 years, save as much as possible, build a capital, sell my place here and with the $, live off interest and just relax and enjoy life and an endless supply of fresh girls from Asia to South America with EE thrown in the mix.

I'm really sick and tired of all this BS here. I pay or rather, waste a lot of money on useless shit such as maintenance fees and property taxes each month here that that alone would allow me to get a PIMP place in BKK or the Phils or in EE or South America. I'm sick and tired of paying extortionate amounts for everything here after having lived the good life in Asia for a fraction of what it costs here to live a miserably uber boring life.

Post: #4

What do you want?

If what you want does not cost a lot, then live frugally and get a job that leaves you plenty of time to do what you want. Self-employment is the ideal. Hard word is the virtue of the uninspired and unimaginative.

Post: #5

I would say work on getting a lump sum as soon as possible. Shame we have to dedicate our lifes to chasing the carrott, when we should be living.

Post: #6

(07-02-2012 03:31 PM)Spartan Wrote:  Anyone else here fed up with materialism and just want to live a relaxed lifestyle? I've decided its the best road for me... sure, I'll have only enough money for food and an apartment just like everyone else here, but I'll have peace of mind.

There still are places in the world where its possible and I'm not the only one who choses slower paced locations. Whether its rural America, provincial Latin America, or small town Africa, there are still places that value a simple life. Anyone else here make the lifestyle choice to avoid capitalism and materialism?

Giving up material things doesn't have to mean being broke. Last fall I sold all my shit (truck, dirt bike, furniture, etc), rented out my condo and put my clothes and a few other things in storage and then went and travelled for four months. The people I work with think I'm retarded and ask "how to you do it?", well I think that they're retarded for being in debt up to their eye balls and trying to keep up with the Joneses!

I still don't have anything, not even a smart phone, but for now my employer provides me with accommodation and a vehicule, so its not too bad. I have zero debt and quite a bit of cash in the bank, at any given moment I could say "fuck it" and basically go wherever in the world I want, I like having that liberty and not being tied down. This is all part of my plan to never work more than 4-6 months per year, especially during winter.

Post: #7

Yep spot on! Problem is this is all vague... "lump sum, enough to say fuck it" because it is entirely dependent on the lifestyle you are accustomed to.

What goes up must come....

(07-02-2012 04:50 PM)scotian Wrote:  

(07-02-2012 03:31 PM)Spartan Wrote:  Anyone else here fed up with materialism and just want to live a relaxed lifestyle? I've decided its the best road for me... sure, I'll have only enough money for food and an apartment just like everyone else here, but I'll have peace of mind.

There still are places in the world where its possible and I'm not the only one who choses slower paced locations. Whether its rural America, provincial Latin America, or small town Africa, there are still places that value a simple life. Anyone else here make the lifestyle choice to avoid capitalism and materialism?

Giving up material things doesn't have to mean being broke. Last fall I sold all my shit (truck, dirt bike, furniture, etc), rented out my condo and put my clothes and a few other things in storage and then went and travelled for four months. The people I work with think I'm retarded and ask "how to you do it?", well I think that they're retarded for being in debt up to their eye balls and trying to keep up with the Joneses!

I still don't have anything, not even a smart phone, but for now my employer provides me with accommodation and a vehicule, so its not too bad. I have zero debt and quite a bit of cash in the bank, at any given moment I could say "fuck it" and basically go wherever in the world I want, I like having that liberty and not being tied down. This is all part of my plan to never work more than 4-6 months per year, especially during winter.

Post: #8

While I do agree with you in priciple Spartan, examine what is material to you.

I love my 42"tv because I love watching movies especially with a girl. But I don't have cable or internet for that matter

No matter how hard I try getting rid of my car, its still handy. I havent touched it since Friday, but when I do need it, I'm glad I have it. But, I look at 'materialism' as that you HAVE to have a BMW or Lexus. You HAVE to have bottled water when the fucking tap is perfectly fine.

ANd I guess it comes down to exactly what WestCoast said "it is entirely dependent on the lifestyle you are accustomed to."

Post: #9

(07-02-2012 04:52 PM)WestCoast Wrote:  Yep spot on! Problem is this is all vague... "lump sum, enough to say fuck it" because it is entirely dependent on the lifestyle you are accustomed to.

What goes up must come....

(07-02-2012 04:50 PM)scotian Wrote:  

(07-02-2012 03:31 PM)Spartan Wrote:  Anyone else here fed up with materialism and just want to live a relaxed lifestyle? I've decided its the best road for me... sure, I'll have only enough money for food and an apartment just like everyone else here, but I'll have peace of mind.

There still are places in the world where its possible and I'm not the only one who choses slower paced locations. Whether its rural America, provincial Latin America, or small town Africa, there are still places that value a simple life. Anyone else here make the lifestyle choice to avoid capitalism and materialism?

Giving up material things doesn't have to mean being broke. Last fall I sold all my shit (truck, dirt bike, furniture, etc), rented out my condo and put my clothes and a few other things in storage and then went and travelled for four months. The people I work with think I'm retarded and ask "how to you do it?", well I think that they're retarded for being in debt up to their eye balls and trying to keep up with the Joneses!

I still don't have anything, not even a smart phone, but for now my employer provides me with accommodation and a vehicule, so its not too bad. I have zero debt and quite a bit of cash in the bank, at any given moment I could say "fuck it" and basically go wherever in the world I want, I like having that liberty and not being tied down. This is all part of my plan to never work more than 4-6 months per year, especially during winter.

In my case saying "fuck it" means giving my employer 2-4 weeks notice before I leave the company, as I did last year, so as not to burn any bridges. Then I just pack my shit up and go travel and once I'm ready to go back to work, I fly home and start working again at any of the several companies that will hire me, providing of course that its busy and companies are hiring. Based on the past few years and long term outlook, I should be able to do this for many years to come, its certainly not a lifestyle for everyone, but it works for me.

Post: #10

I think the best way to approach it is to establish a base level of creature comforts that you can live with and ignore the of the stuff, like keeping up with the joneses. an exmaple would be buying a triplex, rent out 2 units and your living unit when you're gone, so you can still have the big screen TV when you get back. The main difference I think is that you can return to your base level.

Post: #11

(07-02-2012 03:31 PM)Spartan Wrote:  Anyone else here fed up with materialism and just want to live a relaxed lifestyle? I've decided its the best road for me... sure, I'll have only enough money for food and an apartment just like everyone else here, but I'll have peace of mind.

There still are places in the world where its possible and I'm not the only one who choses slower paced locations. Whether its rural America, provincial Latin America, or small town Africa, there are still places that value a simple life. Anyone else here make the lifestyle choice to avoid capitalism and materialism?

Wouldn't it be relaxing if you decided to do things you enjoyed and made money doing it?

Chasing wealth won't make you happy.

Post: #12

Back when I first started University, my dream was finishing a Phd/MD at a top school, then making big money.

Now, I see that a simple life is best. With the income I can make here, I can afford to pay rent and food. Also, there are no temptations: no good restaurants in the whole city, few food processed foods in stores, few electronics stores and gadgets are way more expensive due to taxes, clothing is expensive- 40 dollars for a pair of jeans and that is several
days salary.

The pluses:
public transport-no stress of a commute plus it gets you walking exercise
healthy food-peas, eggs, in season veggies. Plus food is expensive enough that you are forced to limit calories- no obesity and you'll live longer
no competition on clothing, gadgets- everyone dressed casually
beautiful girls, friendly and simple people.
good pro-family atmosphere in a calm, clean city

Post: #13

(07-03-2012 12:55 AM)Spartan Wrote:  Now, I see that a simple life is best. With the income I can make here, I can afford to pay rent and food. Also, there are no temptations: no good restaurants in the whole city, few food processed foods in stores, few electronics stores and gadgets are way more expensive due to taxes, clothing is expensive- 40 dollars for a pair of jeans and that is several
days salary.

Toe the line carefully.... If you have a health scare you'll be very unhappy. If you are talented use your talents. Just don't use your talents doing something you hate. Max out your potential chasing something you enjoy, I have never seen a lazy man living a life with living, nor enjoyable.

Post: #14

I'm the same boat as Scotian I basically own nothing, everything I own fits in two bags and that's it. I'm also in the same situation that I can head anywhere in the world at the drop of a hat.

Post: #15

The happiest I've ever been was working part time, living on a friend's couch, no girlfriend, shit I wasn't even getting laid at all at the time, absolutely nothing tying me down. This was when I was 23 or so.

More recently, my car got totalled, and I've been going months without it. I don't own a TV or anything fancy. I've got a shit ton of books, a stereo, and some cooking equipment. I made the mistake of getting sucked into the iPhone shit with tons of apps and the appeal has worn off. When my contract is up next year I'm going barebones, just something to call and text with.

The matrix is powerful. The allure of wordly possessions is incredibly strong, and what it comes down to for lots of men is sex. We're very forcefully led to believe that owning all this shit is requisite for banging hotties, which is completely false.

My pussy floods always come when I'm unemployed and going out 5 nights a week, packing a flask, working out a ton, getting sun. They happen when I've got like 500 bucks in my checking account and I'm living off of rice, beans, and chicken wings. They most certainly don't happen when I'm working fulltime and making decent coin (like I am now).

Don't let shit tie you down, a man's greatest source of happiness is his freedom.

Post: #16

Having an expensive lifestyle and your earnings aren't really mutually exclusive.

My living expenses after rent (Which changes as I move around) are never more than $300 (or so.)
This is the same now as it was when I had a lot less money.

For the most part, it is a case of wasting less money and filling your time more (and keeping a budget.) Examples which you may want to apply or not:

Get a decent library membership card and you'll have thousands of books at your disposal for free. Learn to cook for yourself, eat out once a week at most. Stop your gym membership, buy some weights/do bodyweight exercises. Go on ebay and only bid a 1/4 of something's value until you get it from someone. Downgrade your living accomodation from a house to an apartment. Ride a bicycle/walk instead of using your car.

As far as girls go; most of them don't need expensive, they need interesting. Find places to isolate which are free (Museums, art galleries, beaches, quiet bars/cafe's, etc.) As far as sex, just make sure your apartment looks minimalist as opposed to empty. Girls don't care about mega-tv's and the tech-goodies which sap most guys money, so just have a nice tv, a nice rug a nice bed and some dimmer switches. If you drink/smoke, cut the cost by only doing it socially.

Post: #17

This guy gets it. 33% to live 33% for fun 33% in the bank. If you see a opportunity to make it big bet as much as you can afford to lose. Never more.

(07-03-2012 11:36 AM)Kitsune Wrote:  Having an expensive lifestyle and your earnings aren't really mutually exclusive.

My living expenses after rent (Which changes as I move around) are never more than $300 (or so.)
This is the same now as it was when I had a lot less money.

For the most part, it is a case of wasting less money and filling your time more (and keeping a budget.) Examples which you may want to apply or not:

Get a decent library membership card and you'll have thousands of books at your disposal for free. Learn to cook for yourself, eat out once a week at most. Stop your gym membership, buy some weights/do bodyweight exercises. Go on ebay and only bid a 1/4 of something's value until you get it from someone. Downgrade your living accomodation from a house to an apartment. Ride a bicycle/walk instead of using your car.

As far as girls go; most of them don't need expensive, they need interesting. Find places to isolate which are free (Museums, art galleries, beaches, quiet bars/cafe's, etc.) As far as sex, just make sure your apartment looks minimalist as opposed to empty. Girls don't care about mega-tv's and the tech-goodies which sap most guys money, so just have a nice tv, a nice rug a nice bed and some dimmer switches. If you drink/smoke, cut the cost by only doing it socially.

Post: #18

(07-03-2012 11:36 AM)Kitsune Wrote:  Having an expensive lifestyle and your earnings aren't really mutually exclusive.

My living expenses after rent (Which changes as I move around) are never more than $300 (or so.)
This is the same now as it was when I had a lot less money.

For the most part, it is a case of wasting less money and filling your time more (and keeping a budget.) Examples which you may want to apply or not:

Get a decent library membership card and you'll have thousands of books at your disposal for free. Learn to cook for yourself, eat out once a week at most. Stop your gym membership, buy some weights/do bodyweight exercises. Go on ebay and only bid a 1/4 of something's value until you get it from someone. Downgrade your living accomodation from a house to an apartment. Ride a bicycle/walk instead of using your car.

As far as girls go; most of them don't need expensive, they need interesting. Find places to isolate which are free (Museums, art galleries, beaches, quiet bars/cafe's, etc.) As far as sex, just make sure your apartment looks minimalist as opposed to empty. Girls don't care about mega-tv's and the tech-goodies which sap most guys money, so just have a nice tv, a nice rug a nice bed and some dimmer switches. If you drink/smoke, cut the cost by only doing it socially.

Yes, exactly what I am doing.

Post: #19

Im going through the minimalist phase myself and came to the realization "stuff" is overrated. The days of wanting a house like they had on "Cribs" and a garage full of exotics is over rated. Home ownership is over rated, I am tired of all the maintenance and HOA bullshit that comes along with it. My goal is to rent a decent 2br condo, some nice toys , basic furnishings, minimal clothing and a clear conscious. From my experience , the big house and all the toys does not bring happiness.

There are a few good websites on the subject, I particularly like http://theminimalists.com/

Post: #20

I think a big help is minimizing the number of choices and options available. People think that freesom of choice is good, but its actually the enemy of internally generated happiness. (Google the TED talk vid of Harvard psychologist Dan Gilbert).

Also, focusing on friends, family, and women is better than working overtime. Spending money on other brings more happiness than spending it on oneself.

Post: #21

This thread is refreshing. Its great to see like minded men seeing past the bullshit that is modern western life. A mans duty is to provide (for himself or a family) and build capital. Saving and accumulate real wealth.

The 33 rule is brilliant and holds true. Today we are being duped into the 133% rule where we take on debts to over extended are living, entertainment, "assets" with no real value like cars and gizmos, etc. Leaving no room to save or invest. I am 100$ committed to living simple lifestyle. I always have though as a grew up in a humble home and never had much stuff I am happy with a minimal amount of things and just the ability to eat some good food and have some drinks now and then. But I need more as I needed to up quality and independence of my lifestyle. School has made me dependent as I was living off the Govt dole via loans and I got lazy off it. Now I want to put in myself in a position to accumulate that 33% and chip away at my debt.

I'll add that I want to upward and mobile by 33. I keep stressing about age and how I am starting things late I don't have my degree yet and I am turned off by being a cubicle rat and bottom feeder into my early 30's trying to get up that "ladder". Its all bullshit. In my field I would like to be independent and do consulting abroad but I still feel lost in how to get to that step.

Post: #22

I don't own a house, car, TV, ipad, ipod, smart phone (in fact my trusty Nokia just stopped working so I've no phone at all right now which isn't good) or really much in the way of possessions. I never buy gadgets and gizmo's or the latest technology. I have a few debts from my time at uni (those interest free overdrafts, loans and credit cards seemed like a good idea at the time) but it's manageable.

For past 5 years I've spent 5-6 months of the year travelling. Right now I'm working on internet businesses in the hope that I can spend almost all of the year abroad / travelling.

Post: #23

(07-04-2012 02:21 AM)kali Wrote:  There are a few good websites on the subject, I particularly like http://theminimalists.com/

I'm going to check that site out a little more. I frequently read The Simple Dollar, Zen Habits, and mnmlist.

Post: #24

Its so much I could say about this thread.

I just believe that keeping up with the Jones kills personal individuality. Those new Jordans on TV you want? Your whole block is going to get the same pair tomorrow. I now see that saying as a good business model though. Sell trendsetting products so then everyone fights to get it. Let them keep up with what you have given to them and you'll be wiping your ass with their money.

As of now I'm getting into IM as well. I want to start making money in a way that supports the things I want to do in life. Cause I know DAMN well working as a post grad cubicle boy is the average lifestyle for a college student after that "prestigious" school gives them that "prestigious" degree.

I unno what else to say, but being free is possibly what makes a man more than whatever he posesses.

Post: #25

Again, be careful here.

"I unno what else to say, but being free is possibly what makes a man more than whatever he posesses."

Cash SAVINGS = freedom.

If you constantly spend that cash you're fucked. If you live with no money... Well you're fucked later in life as well.