Early Retirement Extreme

Financial independence, frugality, self-sufficiency, ecology, capitalism, and voluntary simplicity

With record oil prices is it time to buy winter clothes?

Published in July 16th, 2008

If you’re new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!The reason our utilities are so low is due to a) We live in CA and b) We keep the thermostat set really low or really high. Last winter, we did our first season together without any heating(*). It [...]

Don’t wash your clothes every day

Published in April 24th, 2008

Posted by Jacob in clothing

2 Comments

When my mom was a kid, they had something called school clothes and play clothes. School clothes had to be kept clean and play clothes was something one changed into after school. The washing machine is sometimes said to be the factor of the 20th century that liberated women. I do think though, that the [...]

How I’m now getting books, CDs, and DVDs without paying for them

Published in April 12th, 2008

Posted by Jacob in books, clothing, consumerism, household

7 Comments

One measure of financial independence is not to have to worry about having money to pay for goods. This is usually accomplished by having lots of money, but with the internet a second method is emerging. I’m talking about swap sites, freebie sites, etc. where computers match up people who then trade their stuff for [...]

Bicycle commuting: Needs vs wants.

Published in February 15th, 2008

Posted by Jacob in anticonsumerism, clothing, fitness, transport

No Comments

Lately I have been lusting for some winter/fall season cycling clothes so I have been trying to invent all sorts of excuses to justify my sudden need(*). I need a jacket because my tex jacket has this thick collar that makes it hard to see around, also it flaps a bit in the wind. I [...]

Making socks last

Published in January 11th, 2008

Posted by Jacob in DIY, clothing, frugal, recycling, voluntary simplicity

3 Comments

Get identical socks. First of all, they are easier to pair up after doing the laundry. More importantly though, if one sock fails you don’t have to throw out the pair or wear mismatched socks like Pippi Longstockings. Simply pair it with another sock. I don’t think you have to be a mathematician to appreciate [...]

Walking in the rain

Published in January 5th, 2008

Posted by Jacob in clothing, ecological footprint, fitness

5 Comments

Currently a little windy drizzlemajor storm is moving a few leaveswrecking havoc on the bay area. Alright, I haven’t checked out the entire bay area, but in my opinion around here it’s just rainy and windy. Weather is to a large extend all about perception and the right clothes and I grew up in a [...]

How I became financially independent in 5 years - Part II

Published in December 27th, 2007

Posted by Jacob in assets, budgeting, clothing, cooking, cost of living, spending, standard of living

13 Comments

I posit that most people can attain financial independence in less than 10 years and in less than 5 if they are truly determined. I also submit that many people not are willing to make the necessary changes.

Read part I here
One thing I noticed early on was that small expenditures could quickly add up. [...]

Clotheslines

Published in December 26th, 2007

Posted by Jacob in clothing, frugal, voluntary simplicity

9 Comments

A clothesline is not just a wrestling move on WWE Monday Night Raw, it also used to be a place where people hung their wet clothes out to dry. The concept is uniquely simple. When the washing cycle is done, clothes are hung up on a taught string until they are dry. Sometimes pegs are [...]