Can you think of a way without changing jobs or increasing your current income, which you could afford to work for a 6 months less each year? The answer is simple really. And adopting the solution can open many doors for you professionally and personally. It’s called living frugally, and below your means.
Most people respond to the idea of living below their means in one of two ways. Or they’ll say “I know, I know I should save more”, or they just make fun of the concept. Both these are both unhealthy responses.
Think about this: all teachers tend to be frugal and live on less during 3 months of the year. Fortunately for them, they are only paid 75% of their salary so they can afford to spend 3 months of vacation each year. If they are paid their full salary most people probably spend your entire salary and then be forced to work every summer. Too many of you may simply be caught in the cogwheel of consumerism. It’s a horrible problem that if you realize, and free yourself from then you can truly have freedom and luxury.
Do you really need an apartment or house that they now have, or will something smaller and cheaper work ?
Imagine freeing yourself from consumerism and focussing on just living below your means but having more free time to do things that make you come alive. That’s what it means to truly live luxuriously. It’s not about WHAT you have, its about HOW much time you have.
You can live well below your means and you can take an extended vacation. It also means you can leave work to pursue your dreams. Whether starting a business, go back to school, becoming an artist or anything else you can dream, living below your means will give you the freedom to do so.
For those of you who have jobs which can not take vacation time months at a time, here is another option. Live on 2/3rds of their income for three years. At the end of that period, you will have saved enough to live for a year without worry. So quit your job and pursue their dreams for 9 months, leaving a three-month cushion to find your next income opportunity.
Good luck and live large.
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Being a minimalist makes life living in Mexico, so much more enjoyable. The Art of Being Minimalist explains how.
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi David,
This is brilliant! You have voiced what I have always believed : There are two ways to get rich i.e either earn more or spend less. As simple as it is, the second option is rarely exercised with the majority toiling away at their jobs caught in the cycle of consumerist karma. I’m looking forward to more such posts. I for one believe in taking more vacations (one month of vacation for every three months of work) and working freelance to afford flexibility of time and effort.
Absolutely Ritesh, the freedom of working for oneself and spending less is so key to living a fuller more enjoyable life. Thanks for stopping by.