8 Rules for Decent Living

 

1. Living off the land is one of the most mature professions an adult can

pursue. Why? It is what people have done for thousands of years—long 

before the advent of the web. It is a vocation with a long and solid 

history. Yet, few dream of it, as everyone realizes it requires grueling 

hard work. Consider this: today, many people work a 40-hour week. In 

early 19th-century USA, however, a 60- to 80-hour workweek was the 

norm, and many toiled without taking Sundays off.

 

2. A solid path to your first 100K involves working and saving—perhaps starting a side hustle or even taking on a second job, like an employee at a local grocery store told me he had done. Once you reach that first 100K, if the mood strikes, you have the option to take a few years off. Perhaps you dream of buying a tiny cabin where you will relax or traveling the length and breadth of the country?

 

3. I never want to retire... at least not the kind of retiree who sits alone under a cork tree, just drinking beer, eating, watching TV, and surfing the web—while most of the friends are at work. Since I have a lower income now, I recently decided to cut back on the green tea. On the other end, if I were earning millions a year, I’d probably have a belly of 100 pounds. A massive paunch, like that of a big blue catfish!

 

4. So, what level of passive income is required to retire early? For some parents who retire early, it involves a passive income of 100,000 USD a month, as the couple wants to continue enjoying luxury vacations, boating, golf, and the occasional equestrian intructions for the children. There is no set figure for retirement, really. Personally, as a single person without children, I would be satisfied securing a net income of 3,000 USD a month—provided that the income is also adjusted for inflation. Money is not the goal, but the means.

 

5. We are all different. Some people have an immense amount of energy. My grandmother lived to a very old age. She didn’t write down lists of what to cook for dinner every day or anything like that, because it came naturally to her. I don’t dwell on things as much anymore and mostly live in the moment. If you tend to overthink things, you might want to watch this video. One tool that has changed lives is ChatGPT.

 

6. Of course, life isn't about being the "ultimate money-making machine" and stacking up 100-dollar notes until the pile reaches outer space. And is being successful overrated? Still, I think the best approach is not to live beyond your means, and I have more respect for people who respect the value of money. But it feels silly to be a cheapskate.

 

7. Social media is teeming with comment bots. Reddit and YouTube are absolute disasters these days. Discussing topics there is something adults should ideally do less of; however, many have developed an internet addiction.

 

8. Nowadays, no one needs to live a monotonous, regimented life devoid of social interactions. You can simply take classes based on your interests or get involved in clubs and associations—it’s as easy as that. Alternatively, you can play video games online with others using a headset and let out a victory roar, feeling like you own the world after defeating an opponent!

 

Should people live like misers and die rich, yet curious?