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.
If you downsized your unread book collection via paperbackswap, and find yourself with a lot of credits but nothing to order, you can donate unused credits to schools.
(If you have not joined, the idea is that you list your books on the site. Other people can then request them from you. When they receive them, you get a credit. This credit can be used to request another book. You only pay the cost to ship YOUR book. There are many such sites now, but I find paperbackswap to have the biggest selection of the kinds of books I read (fairly eclectic). You can join by clicking here. If you list 10 books, you get 2 free credits without having to send anything yet.)
Originally posted 2009-12-16 15:14:38.
Permaculture articles!
