Other than food, books and CDs don’t take up much space. I’ll read/listen and either keep it or pass it on. Better than a new kitchen gizmo.

thanks!

Thanks.

I know exactly where you are coming from. On the one hand my parents believe in consumerism (e.g. eating out occasionally, taking quality vacations), but on the other that’s also a mischaracterization. They don’t believe in stockpiling things, but in fixing things yourself and making what you have fulfill as many needs as possible. Don’t call a plumber out to fix your toilet when all that happened is your chain came unhooked.

On the subject of this post, though, they would probably argue that it is worth transgressing one’s values slightly and accepting gifts or other consumerist things all for the sake of not alienating others. One solution could be to have people donate money to a charity of your choice, as has been mentioned above I think.

I’m curious how you’d break this to your folks, e.g. “Mom, Dad … I’m going to quit working and live in a trailer park”. I wouldn’t expect my parents to be happy, and I am getting increasingly concerned about this future conversation.

So I just go on my way and don’t tell anyone that I keep my appliances unplugged when I’m not using them. No one seems to notice that I bring lunch to work with me everyday. That I’m otherwise engaged when everyone’s going out for beers. And that I compost with worms indoors?! (“It’s a science experiment”, ahem…)
Most peers ignore the fact that I don’t own a car. It’s just nutso. Ok for me but not for them.

I find all of this is working in my favor – it’s just too much for them to understand so they don’t ask me about my habits and I don’t have to explain.

That’s a pretty big assumption. In my example, my coworker is 71. She’s been there so many years that she is maxed out in terms of salary. She’s making the top of the range.

Just to be clear, I don’t think that older workers should be forced to retire or harassed until they quit. I think the individual should make a personal decision out of civic duty to quit a job that is unnecessary. And I’m also assuming all things are equal. That is, the person leaving the job and the replacement would be equal in terms of skill and whatnot.

Love your comments on gifts too.

In a way, you are describing a contemporary version of passing, where one “performs” conventional behavior.

@George – I had a section (a couple of pages) dedicated to this particular problem in a 30% done state.

@Marcy – I do not think anyone should feel obligated to give up their job to someone who needs. Let’s assume that those holding a job are those willing to do the best job for the least money. Then it would be irresponsible to the community to have more expensive people working as this would mean wasting money.

For birthdays; the older(on their own)kids and some of the older adults get a text message or phone call during the middle birthdays. On fifth birthdays (25,30,35,40,75 etc.)they get a party at the house. The 17 year old still living at home, gets her choice of dinner and a card with $20 until she is on her own. In return I expect the same from them. The grandchilden (under 13) get spoil, OH WELL!

Holidays – they know there are only two I believe in and celebrate (4th of July and Thanksgiving) and the rest are just another day in the life.

Not saying I don’t participate in the other holidays(at a bare minumim), just that they have no meaning to me like they do for others.

They want to keep the car, they don’t want to use public transportation or their own two feet. They don’t want to stop eating out. It’s all about want.

I have a friend/coworker who is 71 years old and she refuses to retire, saying that she can’t. But she is getting 1,000 dollars a month social security income, which I could totally live on. She’s a crazy spendthrift, and her hobby is shopping. She shops and eats out every single day that she isn’t working.

On a related note, what is your opinion of people who continue to work when they don’t have to when there are so many people out of work? I think it’s irresponsible on a community level to keep a job you don’t need because you’re an extravert who would be bored staying home, or because you’re not creative enough to find something to do to fill your days.

I’m not near your level of minimalism in practice yet, though there are some painfully obvious excesses I still enjoy.

I found the most difficult situation to be the pressure to give someone a gift after they gave you a gift anyway, even though we had previously agreed not to exchange gifts.

By other I mean the ones you haven’t told about your ERE lifestyle.

I agree on the gift-giving from both sides. Mostly though, both families have pared it down considerably – I only get presents from my parents and grandparents (usually money) on Christmas. We end up giving a bunch and it’s always a struggle to figure out what to get.