Giving it all up for a simpler life

Follow your heart!

This is not a dress rehearsal!

Jeff Kent wrote: Ben Dover, I'm surprised you can light your meth pipe without catching your back hair on fire you neanderthal.

Whats coming

I doubt they'll differentiate between you and me

If you're looking for advice about how to live a simple life on the internet your FUKT! Try reading some books from adventures that lived the simple life. The real answer has been stated already by Olaf Mitchell... Best advice yet.

Ben Dover et al. are you effin serious? Do you really believe the drivel that you're spewing? Give me a damn break. Romney, Obama, my sister, your dog. It really doesn't matter who is in charge. Americans are dumb shits that will do whatever the media wants us too. Apple, Halliburton, Microsoft, B of A, and Exxon are in charge. Change that by not being an ignorant shit head, and use your anger toward changing the capitalist model in the country.

Ben Dover wrote: I doubt they'll differentiate between you and me

I apologize, I should have looked at your profile first. Gary is the man! I just assumed the worst with the anti Dem. talk.

Haha, there go the "conservatives" blaming their problems on the government.

Back Country, what kind of simple life do you want to live?

Ryan Williams wrote:I guess what I'm saying is to make a plan for yourself and always have an "exit strategy."

Good advice.

This.

And this.

And this too.

Those two links are in the ballpark but not the one I was thinking of. The thread I remember had a couple guys offering their real experiences giving up successful careers... with associated pros and cons. It may just be me, but it seems like this site's forum threads used to be a lot more informative and civil too. A lot of what I've seen lately (e.g. this thread) is drivel.

I guess what I was really after is advice from someone that has given it all up for a simpler life, and any unintended fallout. I'm decently successful, work 40-50hrs/week, live in a mid-size city with ol' lady & child, own property, invest in my future, etc., but would like to cash out and settle in a small town before I get too old.

EDIT: Along with the drivel there are some good suggestions and links. Thanks for that!

Ah, the simple life of being a free-spirit dirtbag climber.

But I like showering everyday, sometimes twice in a day. I like heat and central air. I like my fridge and freezer being stocked with delicous cuts of beef. I like being able to take out my wallet to pay and not worry about my bank account having a negative balance. I like taking vacations where I stay in swanky hotels that have swim-up bars. I like having a new and reliable car. I like being able to see a good doctor and dentist. I like being able to afford the good life.

Do I hate my job? Yep. Do I hate commuting on the train everyday? Yep. Do I get bored. Yep. Could I give it all up? Eh, I doubt it. Maybe for a month or two, but I lived my entire life in reasonable middle-class American comfort. It's a hard thing to give up. Plus I got a family to support. Kids and a spouse will likely kill any plan to drastically alter your lifestyle.

Still, it's fun to think about anyway.

Randy W. wrote:Ben Dover et al. are you effin serious? Do you really believe the drivel that you're spewing? Give me a damn break. Romney, Obama, my sister, your dog. It really doesn't matter who is in charge. Americans are dumb shits that will do whatever the media wants us too. Apple, Halliburton, Microsoft, B of A, and Exxon are in charge. Change that by not being an ignorant shit head, and use your anger toward changing the capitalist model in the country.

And how do you propose to do that, bucky? All those outfits you mention take advantage of big government for unfair advantages, crony capitalism and flat out theft. Squash the govt, reduce the incest. I'm agreeing with you. A Romney win means we'd be buying the squirrel meat. Its just more fun to flame obama in here

To the op, don't get married or even have a gf is a good start

Here's the meat and potatoes of what we do.

Nice work AJS!

The stories that I hear of people giving up careers for a simpler life (not dirtbagging in a car) generally have been highly successful in industries that place incredible demands on time but pay exceptionally well, i.e. when these folks decide to make the major lifestyle change they have their long term assets/nest egg sorted out and can therefore afford a serious drop in income. Maybe you're one of those folks. Otherwise, it seems you (and your family) just have to be willing to make whatever sacrifices are necessary to pursue that "simple" life - whatever that is.

+ 1 to Olaf.

Bob Dobalina wrote:Feeling it necessary to participate in the "rat-race" is only for those that lack creativity in life!

Do what works for you and don't judge others that are doing what works for them.

I work full-time and am career minded. But, I continue to have plenty of adventures, love my job, and am really happy with my life. How is that a negative thing?

youtube.com/watch?v=BSgCM0F…

Everybody's talking about the good ol days...

Jake Jones wrote:Whatever you do, don't knock anyone up. Having a rugrat is the antithesis to living simply.

Perhaps, but without a doubt, it has been the best thing that's ever happened, or that I can imagine happening, to my life.

simply

or perhaps

simply?

I have the simple life now. I sold all of my possessions and moved tor the Philippines. I don't have a water bill but I do have to pump my water to drink, cook, shower, laundyy, clean. I don't have any vehicle but I am able to walk everhwere provided I can carry it in my backpack--there is public transportation motorcycles+sidecar, jeepneys, buses--if you dont mind standing sometimes. Lots of things we take for granted are missing here--reliable trash service for example. I cook on a small mini fire pit using wood I have to chop. Did I mention it costs me and my wife $1 total to go climbing for a day! No campground but a kickass limestone cliff...wanna see pics :)

Eric Coffman wrote:I have the simple life now. I sold all of my possessions and moved tor the Philippines. I don't have a water bill but I do have to pump my water to drink, cook, shower, laundyy, clean. I don't have any vehicle but I am able to walk everhwere provided I can carry it in my backpack--there is public transportation motorcycles+sidecar, jeepneys, buses--if you dont mind standing sometimes. Lots of things we take for granted are missing here--reliable trash service for example. I cook on a small mini fire pit using wood I have to chop. Did I mention it costs me and my wife $1 total to go climbing for a day! No campground but a kickass limestone cliff...wanna see pics :)

You forgot to mention WHY you sold all your possessions. You couldnt hack it in the real world. Since when is running away from lifes problems the answer?