Because I’ve chosen not to own a car, I want my bike to replace as many car functions as possible. Cargo capacity is a huge issue for tasks like grocery shopping and laundry. When I bought my Brompton folding bicycle, I bought a giant front bag for it. This bag holds an enormous amount of…
I wonder often about my place in the world. I’ve shared the fact that I don’t feel like a consumer. I’m also a terribly generous and honest business owner, which, as you might imagine, doesn’t pay as well as being cutthroat. Being a generous and honest business owner means that I like to help people –…
My world is changing. After so many years of being under a spell, I no longer identify myself as a consumer. I buy next to nothing except food and a regular coffee (for which I bring my own container). I am not feeding the demand for more manufacturing. Sometimes when I walk down the street and don’t…
My world is expanding. Why? Because my electric bicycle has arrived from Vermont, and I’m going to be riding it for the summer instead of my regular bike. What does that mean for me? With my regular bike, I don’t usually ride more than 5 miles away. This makes my effective range of activities at…
Many people try to approach the new trend of downsizing with frenzied exuberance, making huge piles of things to throw out or give away. They’re trying to quit materialism cold turkey. But you don’t have to get rid of everything you own, and you don’t have to downsize in one day. It’s better to take your time…
If you’re my Facebook friend and don’t know me well, you might think I don’t have a job. I’m on there a lot, and I’m not a lurker. I’m posting and commenting at a rapid pace. In reality, I’m usually only there for a few minutes while something on my computer is uploading or I’m eating lunch.…
So, you’ve decided to live without a car. Congratulations! What freedom, right? Consequently, unless your income has decreased, you also have more money. Awesome! So, what are the expenses related to living car-free? You’ve got lots of choices of what you can spend that extra money on. First, you might consider saving some of it…
I have an uncanny ability to talk to anyone. From farmer to lawyer, from student to teacher, from mechanic to millionaire – I can have an interesting conversation with just about anyone. Conversations are a great way to learn about the world and foster a sense of community with those around you. That is why I have honed…
Just like technology, money is a tool. It is not something to be worshiped. It’s not something that should break up marriages and cause stress and sometimes suicide. Money is a means by which to achieve our goals and live a life of happiness. Happiness is the end goal, or should be. I attended a women’s…
There are many disadvantages to being in a hurry. For one, being in a hurry implies that you are under stress and you are not thinking about the present moment. Instead, you are thinking about the moments ahead and the time at which you would like to arrive at your destination – whether in a…