To Live Within Our Means

I touched on some financial matters in the previous post. To expand on the subject of the "mortgage nightmare" or what should be a nightmare I will encourage you NOT to have one. This is the best way. However some of us need one to fit into "normal society" to feel good. If the latter is you, listen up.

Let me start by saying that KC and I have a mortgage, albeit a very reasonable and comfortable payment. We had to adopt a lifestyle that at first can be intimidating to grasp. I can assure you that if you're reading and wondering then perhaps you can use at least a portion of this information to build a sweet pile of money or even better-use the time off to do cool shit. 

The solution is... to spend as little money as possible while saving as much as you can. 

1. Live as simple as possible. You will find fun and challenging times that increase daily happiness. 

Usually, the biggest expense incurred is a home. By downsizing your piles of crap around the house to the few things you use the most would be a great starting point. Take your time, read some articles and rise to the challenge. I have never heard anyone on their deathbed complain of not having enough stuff. But I have heard people mention a few things they wish they would have done. Like traveling places, visiting friends and relatives more often, spending time with children, working on hobbies. Insert your wish list here.

When you pile all the stuff you have not used in the last year in the middle of a big room you barely go in the answer becomes clear. Small house, less stuff, way less. Keep the items you use frequently, everything else is sold or donated. Now we have space in our heads and home to focus on the stuff we use the most. In our house these things are mostly kept in the garage. Bikes, running shoes, backpacks, yep, they are consumer items but they bring us happiness and most importantly we use them, lots. 

Now that you are on your way and your house is mostly empty you can get rid of it and get something small. A small home will cost less to buy, operate, maintain, repair, clean, and not suck up your two days off on the weekends vacuuming, buying groceries, and mowing a big ass yard that you rarely enjoy. If you choose a condo that may be even better because now you can leave it for weeks at a time with little concern. You will appreciate that in the near future when you start working less. Shoot maybe even an RV to live in. Maybe??? These moves take time and thought, but probably not as much as you'd think. It can be difficult to wrap your head around a huge move like this. We have done it and it has been wonderful beyond expectation from every standpoint. That is why we spend time sharing information. 

I could write endless ideas to help. There are not very many situations that we couldn't figure out an answer to. Let's keep in mind that we do this because we like to travel, we enjoy adventure in the outdoors, we like to sit and read without feeling guilty about not doing chores or earning more money to pay bills for stuff that doesn't bring us happiness. The further along we get, the more freedom we have. Every year this grows exponentially. For example: we save about 50% of our income. In a couple of years that number will increase to 75%. Our income is not high by any means. The numbers are relative, debt vs. income. The more money you make the better. Just make good choices! 

I would like to help and answer any questions as well as hear your thoughts. I will continue to elaborate on a simple lifestyle in regular posts. Thanks for reading.