If you're new here, this blog will give you the tools to become financially independent in 5 years. Here's how I did it and here's a few dozen online journals from other people who are currently doing it. This is not some stupid get rich quick scheme. The method is robust and replicable (no need to win the lottery, sell your business, or win at real estate), but not easy; much in the same way that a diet results in weight loss but is hard to follow persistently unless you set your mind to it.
The key is to save 75%+ of your net income and invest it in income producing assets (bonds and dividend stocks). This is done by running your personal finances much like a business, thinking about assets and inventory and focusing on efficiency and value for money. See this post on how to enjoy a middle class lifestyle on $7,000/year (Please read it, especially the part about the lentils!). There is a "21 day" step-by-step plan for how to get beyond 75% in the left side bar. Also, check out my answers to Frequently Asked Questions which also covers common misconceptions regarding my personal budget, blog income, retirement, marriage, children, health care, etc. I also suggest reading About ERE in the top menu bar.
Some people have asked me what they can do to compensate me for all my rants on this site. Usually I tell them that while I won’t accept any tangibles — mostly because I got enough stuff as it is but mainly because I don’t want the IRS to get a cut — they can do me a favor by ranting about this site on other sites.
However, if someone has a lot of time on his/her hands (like 15 minutes) a week and would like to contribute more effectively towards “spreading the word”, I got a job that basically entails submitting relevant articles I write to the appropriate blog carnivals (something I’ve been neglecting for the past couple of months) and keeping track of where they go (no double submissions, etc.). If you’re a regular reader and think that would be fun, write me at jacob earlyretirement extreme com.
Permaculture articles!
