The less you own, the more you have

[Elwar]

Minimalism + Bitcoin = happiness

I have been living this lifestyle for about 4 years. Everything I own can fit in a carry-on and a backpack (other than a box of childhood stuff at my mother's house). My expenses are about 10% of my monthly income having downsized to a small 35 sqm apartment. I bought a cheap/reliable car, paid in cash (my criteria was something that would last 2 years, good gas mileage and I wouldn't mind walking away from).

By doing this I can focus on the things in life that truly make me happy, last year I traveled to one new country a month. I don't worry about money like I used to. I will probably be able to quit my job in the next few years and do something I enjoy instead of just working for the money. And it has allowed me to accumulate bitcoins. Continuing this lifestyle will allow me to see the world and be independent/free instead of having to spend my life protecting my stuff.

Bitcoin does a lot to help with this lifestyle as I would not be able to be as mobile with gold, moving place to place carrying large amounts of gold across borders while I can carry my private key easily anywhere. I can always find a localbitcoins seller in whatever country I go to to get local currency.


The Less You Own, The More You Have (TED talk)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyKmpyYy14k

[Jet Cash]

I'm considering this. I fancy selling almost everything, and living in a campervan. I can carry on making money by building websites for the ad revenue.

[Elwar]

I'm considering this. I fancy selling almost everything, and living in a campervan. I can carry on making money by building websites for the ad revenue.

I looked into the campervan thing when I lived in the US. I would totally do that. I had two friends that did something like that.

The first guy just said "f$#% it" and instead of paying his rent, bought a cheap van. He pulled the back seats and turned it into a bed with storage underneath. He added 2 solar panels and he and his wife took off. He would go to national parks and just drive inland far enough and just call that his home for a while. Bathe and get water from a creek and just enjoy life. Sometimes he would house sit for people. It was ironic because his wife collected about $1,000 a month in disability from the military and he collected food stamps. When I ran my budget in my nice house with nice cars, he had more spending money than I did each month and my dumb ass was working 40+ hours a week while he got to chill at home doing whatever he wanted all day.

The second lady I worked with in Afghanistan. She was a DBA making good money in Afghanistan ($200k+). I think she got burnt out though. She quit her job and bought an Airstream trailer when she got back home and just took off to see the country. It's been 2 years and she's still out enjoying herself.

[af_newbie]

I think you on to something.  I have noticed the same thing.  The more you own the less freedom you have.

[bitcoinboy12]

I think you on to something.  I have noticed the same thing.  The more you own the less freedom you have.

Less is more indeed. Less money, the more you have time to worry about how to maintain your bankroll. Very true how everything really has a price to pay.

[Xenophoto]

I could notice in our country that most rich people are depressed/anxious. Teenagers are doing their best to pretend that they have all the nice things out there. They follow the trend and everything that is advertised on TV. I realized that these people aren't happy at all. They have a lot of things to manage in their life, and has to maintain their figure in the society.

On the other hand, me, a financially broke teenager, has none of these nice things. I do have a laptop because I need it for school and now I use it to earn money as well. Ironically, I seem to be more content than those people who have it all. I simply smile whenever I see someone with the same age as mine holding the most expensive phone because I know that he/she only asked his/her parents for that when I have a simple phone but I know in myself that I worked hard to buy my simple phone.

PS: I want to try that campervan thing one day when I migrate to another country. It was never a thing in my country so I think it would be awkward for me when people see me in that van.

[keystroke]

Wow, this is insane to read Elwar because I live the exact same way. I have totally downsized everything to one 25 liter bag which weighs at most 10kg. I read that nomads during historical times had about 10kg of items and it is possible to carry that much on your back all day. I've gradually optimized my possessions (wool is key and I have a small pharmacy with me at all times, plus a 20L bag inside my 25L bag which collapses down into nothing for daybag use) and now have just under 100 items using a conservative counting system. I actually have a cool Google Spreadsheet which has everything I own on it besides a few childhood things like you mentioned which I just have to photograph and destroy, old family VHS tapes/photos which really aren't "mine" but I will take responsibility for digitizing some of them, etc. Being able to list every single object I own off the top of my head is something I am proud of, and it feels like a huge burden lifted.

I just spent 8 months in South America and got back to the US in early June. Prior to that I lived in Asia for 9+ months, England for a few months, and a few other places. Later this year I will be renouncing my US citizenship to close that out. I just sold my small car here which I bought used (2 years old seems to be the ideal point, never had a problem with it for the six year I owned it). I've been staying with my family here in the US and the US lifestyle seems to be destroying them as well as many of the people that I know. Hoarding, excessive debts, cultural disease. Trading the hours of one's life for money is just a horrible slow suicide and anyone with a decent income should be able to retire early if they really want to. But spending near one's limits makes this impossible. The manufacture of desire. Hedonic treadmill and all that.

I could never go back to my old way of life, although I have always been a minimalist during my adult years. It's funny because I feel people would often dismiss me as eccentric, which I certainly am, but now people seem to admire me and often say they are envious for my life which I know they could easily have but they won't. I actually transitioned to this system just during the earlier days of bitcoin so to many it seems as though bitcoin savings are necessary to be free, and it certainly helps, but the core idea has to do with not having much stuff. In fact the more money you have perhaps the closer you should guard it because it seems to easily slip through people's hands.

It sounds like you aren't a Yankee given your use of m^2 so perhaps your society is not as bad as this one but I have no intention of returning here. The entire world is mad and of course it takes a long time to see the differing insanity of each society, and common strains run through all of them. But the key is we can take the benefits of the societies and escape from the rest. For instance, American grocery stores are fucking amazing. Nobody here seems to realize this. But then again not many people are just eating fresh produce all of the time. I just can't believe how many good fruits and vegetables are available in the aisles of this country. But this comes with downsides as well. Anyway, not to be hard on the US, ignorance is found everywhere, I just understand this culture best and despite the fact that I soon won't be a US citizen I will still always be an American culturally.

Only problem is it is hard to find similar people. Everywhere you go you just have people living their lives and the world is focused on this economic machine. Gotta feel for people in less prosperous societies for which the above is all nonsense. But for people reading this and in rich countries, there are certainly alternative ways of life. Anyway, not my intention to criticize, just writing up some thoughts as those reading this thread are hopefully interested!

[Jet Cash]

You don't have to buy food from the supermarkets. I bought a slow juicer, and I'm experimenting with drinking things like juiced stinging nettles.

[Elwar]

Wow, this is insane to read this Elwar because I live the exact same way. I have totally downsized everything to one 25 liter bag which weighs at most 10kg. I read that nomads during historical times had about 10kg of items and it is possible to carry that much on your back all day. I've gradually optimized my possessions (wool is key and I have a small pharmacy with me at all times, plus a 20L bag inside my 25L bag which collapses down into nothing for daybag use) and now have just under 100 items using a conservative counting system. I actually have a cool Google Spreadsheet which has everything I own on it besides a few childhood things like you mentioned which I just have to photograph and destroy, old family VHS tapes/photos which really aren't "mine" but I will take responsibility for digitizing some of them, etc. Being able to list every single object I own off the top of my head is something I am proud of, and it feels like a huge burden lifted.

I just spent 8 months in South America and got back to the US in early June. Prior to that I lived in Asia for 9+ months, England for a few months, and a few other places. Later this year I will be renouncing my US citizenship to close that out. I just sold my small car here which I bought used (2 years old seems to be the ideal point, never had a problem with it for the six year I owned it). I've been staying with my family here in the US and the US lifestyle seems to be destroying them as well as many of the people that I know. Hoarding, excessive debts, cultural disease. Trading the hours of one's life for money is just a horrible slow suicide and anyone with a decent income should be able to retire early if they really want to. But spending near one's limits makes this impossible. The manufacture of desire. Hedonic treadmill and all that.

I could never go back to my old way of life, although I have always been a minimalist during my adult years. It's funny because I feel people would often dismiss me as eccentric, which I certainly am, but now people seem to admire me and often say they are envious for my life which I know they could easily have but they won't. I actually transitioned to this system just during the earlier days of bitcoin so to many it seems as though bitcoin savings are necessary to be free, and it certainly helps, but the core idea has to do with not having much stuff. In fact the more money you have perhaps the closer you should guard it because it seems to easily slip through people's hands.

It sounds like you aren't a Yankee given your use of m^2 so perhaps your society is not as bad as this one but I have no intention of returning here. The entire world is mad and of course it takes a long time to see the differing insanity of each society, and common strains run through all of them. But the key is we can take the benefits of the societies and escape from the rest. For instance, American grocery stores are fucking amazing. Nobody here seems to realize this. But then again not many people are just eating fresh produce all of the time. I just can't believe how many good fruits and vegetables are available in the aisles of this country. But this comes with downsides as well. Anyway, not to be hard on the US, ignorance is found everywhere, I just understand this culture best and despite the fact that I soon won't be a US citizen I will still always be an American culturally.

Only problem is it is hard to find similar people. Everywhere you go you just have people living their lives and the world is focused on this economic machine. Gotta feel for people in less prosperous societies for which the above is all nonsense. But for people reading this and in rich countries, there are certainly alternative ways of life. Anyway, not my intention to criticize, just writing up some thoughts as those reading this thread are hopefully interested!

I am American but I live and work in Germany. I agree about going back to America and seeing how the lifestyle is destroying people. The big thing I noticed when I stopped in about a month ago was the constant barrage of advertising. From the airport to getting in the car and after 2 songs some advertisement comes on, to all of the big signs as you drive through a city to the TV ads nonstop when watching TV. Maybe it's just because I don't speak German and ignore all of the radio ads (turning the channel) and they don't have as obnoxious signs for their businesses, and I use Kodi for TV so I never see ads. But I can see why people are so driven to buy stuff. As the youtube video says, you are told by advertisers that buying their product will make you happy. While it might bring a temporary thrill, it is not long term happiness and actually contributes to your sadness in the long term.

I'm not a nomad yet, I have a 6 figure income so I have a price point where I will stand up at work and walk out. Most likely I will buy a sailboat and go that route. But my work allows me to choose different parts of the world to live in. I took this job in Germany because I knew it would be easy and I could also see Europe while I'm here. I have my sights on a job in South Korea or Japan next so I can explore Asia.

[Jet Cash]

Have a look at England. Brexit will make us stronger. The only question is - Will the gov. expand the economy, or just push up house prices and bond values?

[Hirose UK]

Minimalism + Bitcoin = happiness

I have been living this lifestyle for about 4 years. Everything I own can fit in a carry-on and a backpack (other than a box of childhood stuff at my mother's house). My expenses are about 10% of my monthly income having downsized to a small 35 sqm apartment. I bought a cheap/reliable car, paid in cash (my criteria was something that would last 2 years, good gas mileage and I wouldn't mind walking away from).

By doing this I can focus on the things in life that truly make me happy, last year I traveled to one new country a month. I don't worry about money like I used to. I will probably be able to quit my job in the next few years and do something I enjoy instead of just working for the money. And it has allowed me to accumulate bitcoins. Continuing this lifestyle will allow me to see the world and be independent/free instead of having to spend my life protecting my stuff.

Bitcoin does a lot to help with this lifestyle as I would not be able to be as mobile with gold, moving place to place carrying large amounts of gold across borders while I can carry my private key easily anywhere. I can always find a localbitcoins seller in whatever country I go to to get local currency.


The Less You Own, The More You Have (TED talk)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyKmpyYy14k

I agree. if we don't have too much things, we don't need to think much either, but if we have many cars for instance, we will think them all and how to keep them safe.

[Seansky]

I could notice in our country that most rich people are depressed/anxious. Teenagers are doing their best to pretend that they have all the nice things out there. They follow the trend and everything that is advertised on TV. I realized that these people aren't happy at all. They have a lot of things to manage in their life, and has to maintain their figure in the society.

On the other hand, me, a financially broke teenager, has none of these nice things. I do have a laptop because I need it for school and now I use it to earn money as well. Ironically, I seem to be more content than those people who have it all. I simply smile whenever I see someone with the same age as mine holding the most expensive phone because I know that he/she only asked his/her parents for that when I have a simple phone but I know in myself that I worked hard to buy my simple phone.

PS: I want to try that campervan thing one day when I migrate to another country. It was never a thing in my country so I think it would be awkward for me when people see me in that van.

I agree with you man. I am a teenager too that don't have the most expensive phone that I only buy using my earnings. I only have a simple phone and own a little but im content with it and im happy. I think that most of the rich kids have many things to worry about and I see it everyday they are worrying about those pointless things that they don't really need in life.

[RealityTruth]

In pictures: Less is more, minimalism in Japan

http://www.bbc.com/news/in-pictures-36574697

[European Central Bank]

I think it depends. If you own alot and you can make it work for you then that's perfect. I wouldn't want a pile of stuff lying around doing nothing.

People either above or wilfully below the average rut seem happiest to me. Too many get stuck in it hoping to get to the higher level that never arrives.

[Jmild1]

I think you on to something.  I have noticed the same thing.  The more you own the less freedom you have.

Less is more indeed. Less money, the more you have time to worry about how to maintain your bankroll. Very true how everything really has a price to pay.

I don't know but what I observe from homeless people. The less they have the more they know what's the people of a person being empty.

[Daniel91]

Minimalism + Bitcoin = happiness

I have been living this lifestyle for about 4 years. Everything I own can fit in a carry-on and a backpack (other than a box of childhood stuff at my mother's house). My expenses are about 10% of my monthly income having downsized to a small 35 sqm apartment. I bought a cheap/reliable car, paid in cash (my criteria was something that would last 2 years, good gas mileage and I wouldn't mind walking away from).

By doing this I can focus on the things in life that truly make me happy, last year I traveled to one new country a month. I don't worry about money like I used to. I will probably be able to quit my job in the next few years and do something I enjoy instead of just working for the money. And it has allowed me to accumulate bitcoins. Continuing this lifestyle will allow me to see the world and be independent/free instead of having to spend my life protecting my stuff.

Bitcoin does a lot to help with this lifestyle as I would not be able to be as mobile with gold, moving place to place carrying large amounts of gold across borders while I can carry my private key easily anywhere. I can always find a localbitcoins seller in whatever country I go to to get local currency.


The Less You Own, The More You Have (TED talk)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyKmpyYy14k

Great testimony, thank you for sharing!
I really hope I will be able to quit my job to and live freely, as I want, without everyday pressure and stress on work.
I also have great hope that bitcoin will help me to achieve this dream but also I'm trying to develop my own online busoness as well.
If successful, all my financial worries will disappear
Hoping the best.

[Cresciuanto]

i think i have a lot of work to do but having scarcity of time. i think the more opportunities we have to get the bitoicn. but the balance we have very little. we cannot utilize the opportunities.

[BADecker]

I kinda agree.

Once I was walking through Phoenix (Arizona) because my bicycle was broke down. I worked my way past the chain-link fences next to one of the highways, down under a bridge where a couple of railroad tracks ran under the highway. There I came upon a treasure trove of all kinds of various (mostly broken) items of just about anything you can think of.

Then I noticed this scruffy looking guy watching me from a ways away. He was wearing military fatigues, so I thought he might be ex-military. But who knows.

This guy walked slowly towards me until he was about 10 feet away as I was visually cataloging the junk. Then he spoke in a gruff, barely understandable voice. He made it known in no uncertain terms that the several hundred square feet of trash belonged to him.

Did it really belong to him? Naw. It was just junk, lying around on the ground... although he might have had a hand in retrieving it from who-knows-where all around Phoenix.

I didn't bother the guy, and when I had gone about a hundred feet away from him, back over the fence, I wrapped up a $20 in a scrap of hose that was lying there, and threw it over the fence to him. He understood what I had done, and acknowledged me for it.

The point? You can have everything in the world that you need without owning any of it.

 

[criptix]

So do you people really believe it?

Less bitcoins equals more bitcoins... wanna send me some btc? :S

Was that the same though behind brexit? Less economical and political powers equals actually to more of it? 

[Jet Cash]

Was that the same though behind brexit? Less economical and political powers equals actually to more of it? 

Please don't trot out that rubbish. Our economy and assets tanked under the EU, and we had less power for it. Once we are free, we can start to rebuild our assets and our economy.