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I have scaled back years ago: ditched the car ( does away with a whole class of problems/bills ). When I had a job no more than 32hrs. No TV, no cable. Do my gr

I have scaled back years ago: ditched the car ( does away with a whole class of problems/bills ). When I had a job no more than 32hrs. No TV, no cable. Do my groceries in combination with going the postal office, while biking/walking. I rent, do not own. Try to own as little as possible. I call it the 'small life'. Lots of people in town know me, I know them, build a pretty social life. I am not going back.

ianai 10y ago
I'd love that life style but I have to work.
- ghaff 10y ago
  If I weren't working, I'm sure I would drive far more as I'd be regularly traveling places--probably including places where I would fly today.
- allendoerfer 10y ago
  You would love less, but you have to work, because you have more?
justinlardinois 10y ago
You're very lucky that you - Found a job and dwelling that are reasonably near each other and the other amenities you need in your life, all in an area that's easily navigable by bicycle and foot - Found a job that allows you to work only 32 hours while still paying enough to pay the bills
- the-dude 10y ago
  I agree there is luck involved. But it is choices too: I chose to move back to my medium size European city ( < 200k ). The other choices have radically lowered or removed the bills I am getting. I hardly get any mail anymore.
dominotw 10y ago
> No TV, no cable. > Lots of people in town know me, I know them, build a pretty social life. I love TV( youtube, Netflix, amazon etc). I grew up with state TV and there is no stopping me now. There are all kinds of amazing stuff on TV, there is no limit to how much you can explore the world. Eg: This week, I time traveled back to soviet union in the 50's got to look their communal houses, social classes, dress codes, social norms ect all while being entertained [1]. I would rather be emotionally dependent on TV than a bunch of unpredictable random strangers. 'Small life' to me not less stuff ( stuff is cheap), its having predictable emotional dependencies. I don't understand the minimalism movement, people are somehow emotionally tied to their couch so getting rid of it makes them free? >ditched the car ( does away with a whole class of problems/bills ). I never got into an actual car till I was 19 yrs old. Now I own a cheap new car that bought for around 20k from my savings. Only bill I pay is insurance of ~$100, and there is routine maintenance once every couple of months. I don't consider that 'whole class of problems'. I love owning a car, so much freedom and less dependence on random unpredictable human beings. Small life. 1. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GU8CN0K/ref=dv_web_wtls_list_pr_4 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GU8CN0K/ref=dv_web_wtls_list_pr...
- the-dude 10y ago
  That is really great for you. Maybe you should also get a radio so you can become a good listener too.
  - porkloin 10y ago
    What an incredibly rude comment.
    - the-dude 10y ago
      Yeah sorry about that. It must have been the sun, just came back from 3 hours 'scaling back': bike ride, sunbathing and reading Kundera.

ianai 10y ago

I'd love that life style but I have to work.

ghaff 10y ago
If I weren't working, I'm sure I would drive far more as I'd be regularly traveling places--probably including places where I would fly today.
allendoerfer 10y ago
You would love less, but you have to work, because you have more?

justinlardinois 10y ago

You're very lucky that you - Found a job and dwelling that are reasonably near each other and the other amenities you need in your life, all in an area that's easily navigable by bicycle and foot - Found a job that allows you to work only 32 hours while still paying enough to pay the bills

the-dude 10y ago
I agree there is luck involved. But it is choices too: I chose to move back to my medium size European city ( < 200k ). The other choices have radically lowered or removed the bills I am getting. I hardly get any mail anymore.

dominotw 10y ago

> No TV, no cable. > Lots of people in town know me, I know them, build a pretty social life. I love TV( youtube, Netflix, amazon etc). I grew up with state TV and there is no stopping me now. There are all kinds of amazing stuff on TV, there is no limit to how much you can explore the world. Eg: This week, I time traveled back to soviet union in the 50's got to look their communal houses, social classes, dress codes, social norms ect all while being entertained [1]. I would rather be emotionally dependent on TV than a bunch of unpredictable random strangers. 'Small life' to me not less stuff ( stuff is cheap), its having predictable emotional dependencies. I don't understand the minimalism movement, people are somehow emotionally tied to their couch so getting rid of it makes them free? >ditched the car ( does away with a whole class of problems/bills ). I never got into an actual car till I was 19 yrs old. Now I own a cheap new car that bought for around 20k from my savings. Only bill I pay is insurance of ~$100, and there is routine maintenance once every couple of months. I don't consider that 'whole class of problems'. I love owning a car, so much freedom and less dependence on random unpredictable human beings. Small life. 1. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GU8CN0K/ref=dv_web_wtls_list_pr_4 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GU8CN0K/ref=dv_web_wtls_list_pr...

the-dude 10y ago
That is really great for you. Maybe you should also get a radio so you can become a good listener too.
- porkloin 10y ago
  What an incredibly rude comment.
  - the-dude 10y ago
    Yeah sorry about that. It must have been the sun, just came back from 3 hours 'scaling back': bike ride, sunbathing and reading Kundera.