This afternoon I walked to Half Price Books to sell a few of my slightly used books. Of course, this is a part of my ongoing effort to de-clutter my life, but what a great way to get 2 hours of fun for free!
I walked about 10 blocks along a route that I regularly ride to work and occasionally drive as well, yet I was amazed at the number of interesting things I never knew were there. I saw a 10-bay VW auto shop, a boarded & burnt house being remodeled, an auto upholstery shop working on what looked like a 1930's Vauxhall (per my google images research), the outdoor sculpture garden of an art gallery, and the homeless couple living in the doorway of the closed business next to the Film Bookstore.
Walking alone gave me an opportunity to notice and comtemplate all these images which the speed of my other modes of transport prohibits.
Soon, I arrived at the bookstore which promptly offered me a paultry $3.00 for my two scantly thumbed books. I agreed and spent the better part of an hour doing to their books what I had not done to my own. Then I gave the clerk my $3 voucher and $2.45 of my own cash and left with 5 new books!
Yes, you might have noticed that I brought home more clutter than I removed. Well, to you I say moderation in all things, even de-cluttering, and I have a weakness for books.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Does a car really save time?
Another story of someone who has discovered a simpler, more fulfilling life. Read his brief article here.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Step 2 - Prioritize
I had been spending a lot of money trying to reward myself for working in a job that was not fulfilling. While it was a great job, which many of my friends envied, it was no longer fulfilling for me. It is difficult to give up a position like that when the entire world is telling you to stay, but I did. I was in an earn-to-spend cycle that was only getting worse.
When I stopped all the action to take an honest look at how I spent my time, I saw that I wanted to impact more people through my work than I had been. So I set out to find a job or career which would allow me to directly impact the quality of others' lives while doing something I enjoyed on a daily basis.
I cut out huge time sinks that I wasn't interested in, for instance, constantly learning how to fix my computer and watching the news on television.
I even prioritized my relationships spending more time with my wife and family, eventually cutting out some less-fulfilling relationships with needy-always-a-crisis types. This was particularly hard to do, but while I love those people, I had to draw a line to reduce the drama in my life.
I found a book at the used book store for $2 that helped me immensely with all this simplifying, aptly titled, "The Simple Living Guide," by Janet Luhrs. This book became my bible of simple living. Not only did this book give me insight into designing and living the life I wanted, but it offered a plethora of anecdotes giving me hope that others had succeeded on this path.
Step 2 - Prioritize your life. Authentically consider which parts are improving your quality of life. If that new bike will get you out riding more, weigh the cost against extra hours at work. If that new big screen will be a good excuse to invite friends over more often, get it. But, be sure that it is worth the cost of the time you've lost. Then trim the fat - ALL OF IT! If it's not moving you towards your goals or providing you sheer pleasure, it's most likely holding you back!
When I stopped all the action to take an honest look at how I spent my time, I saw that I wanted to impact more people through my work than I had been. So I set out to find a job or career which would allow me to directly impact the quality of others' lives while doing something I enjoyed on a daily basis.
I cut out huge time sinks that I wasn't interested in, for instance, constantly learning how to fix my computer and watching the news on television.
I even prioritized my relationships spending more time with my wife and family, eventually cutting out some less-fulfilling relationships with needy-always-a-crisis types. This was particularly hard to do, but while I love those people, I had to draw a line to reduce the drama in my life.
I found a book at the used book store for $2 that helped me immensely with all this simplifying, aptly titled, "The Simple Living Guide," by Janet Luhrs. This book became my bible of simple living. Not only did this book give me insight into designing and living the life I wanted, but it offered a plethora of anecdotes giving me hope that others had succeeded on this path.
Step 2 - Prioritize your life. Authentically consider which parts are improving your quality of life. If that new bike will get you out riding more, weigh the cost against extra hours at work. If that new big screen will be a good excuse to invite friends over more often, get it. But, be sure that it is worth the cost of the time you've lost. Then trim the fat - ALL OF IT! If it's not moving you towards your goals or providing you sheer pleasure, it's most likely holding you back!
Monday, February 16, 2009
On the Automobile
The question we should be asking ourselves is not "how can we make running all these cars more affordable?," but rather "how can we reshape our communities so that car ownership is not mandatory to meet the needs of daily life?"
Zach Vanderkooy in The Oregonian, May 9, 2007
Earn an Extra $4000/Year in Your Spare Time
Or how I earn an extra $4000 a year (results not typical) by working an extra 10 minutes a day.
I have been really glad I own a car, lately. I'm not proud of myself, but I have been driving to work 2-3 times a week for the last few weeks. I just have not wanted to spend the extra 10 minutes on getting ready to ride. I blame it mainly on the fact that I have been scheduled at 8am and my struggle with being "overworked." Yes, I have been working almost 40 hours for several weeks in a row now. In fact, two weeks ago I worked 49 hours between my 3 different jobs!!! Anyway, I have been somewhat indulgent and have enjoyed the comfort of heated air on my trip to work.
That being said, I will now, yet again, expound on the glorious superiority of the bicycle over the automobile, specifically cost of ownership. While, I enjoyed my car rides to work, I am overjoyed by the fact that I haven't bought gasoline for my car in over a month and my bicycle has made that possible.
To purchase a NEW bicycle, off the floor, in 2009 in Seattle can cost anywhere from $150 (on sale) to upwards of $5000. With my focus on sustainability, I believe it's important to purchase quality goods, so we will focus on the $1000-$2000 price point. With some exceptions, purchasing far below that range is false economy. On the other hand, purchasing far above that price is paying for decreased weight much more than increased quality, which although fun to purchase, is unnecessary and unnoticeable to most.
At this point, there are likely many of you thinking, "Wow, I would NEVER pay $1500 for a bicycle." While I know at least half a dozen of you are thinking, "$1500 wouldn't buy me a new wheelset!" So let's get into some eye-opening figures.
In 2007, the last year we car commuted regularly, it cost approximately $4000 to own our car. We own a Honda Accord, lauded as the lowest cost of ownership vehicle available at the time. Our second car, when we still had one, cost an additional $3000. Those numbers are for vehicles that were paid-off. Those costs include insurance, gas, oil, car washes, registration, inspection and maintenance. Apples to apples, the bicycles I owned during 2007 cost me literally $0. I put off much maintenance that should have been done, about $200 each, but I had been putting that off for a couple of years.
Costs of Ownership
*Assumes 10% increase in food consumed for fuel.
**Can you imagine trying to return your new car after the "3 day period" just because you didn't like it. Auto manufacturers are laughing at us!
To calculate how much you could save by reducing your car ownership, click here. Remember to add associated costs like car accessories (car seat for children, luggage racks, MP3 player connections, extra sunglasses that stay in the car, etc.) Some states even charge property tax on your car, so include that as well.
Now, what could you do with an extra $4000 a year. I could take a month off work and go visit family and friends!
Happy riding!
I have been really glad I own a car, lately. I'm not proud of myself, but I have been driving to work 2-3 times a week for the last few weeks. I just have not wanted to spend the extra 10 minutes on getting ready to ride. I blame it mainly on the fact that I have been scheduled at 8am and my struggle with being "overworked." Yes, I have been working almost 40 hours for several weeks in a row now. In fact, two weeks ago I worked 49 hours between my 3 different jobs!!! Anyway, I have been somewhat indulgent and have enjoyed the comfort of heated air on my trip to work.
That being said, I will now, yet again, expound on the glorious superiority of the bicycle over the automobile, specifically cost of ownership. While, I enjoyed my car rides to work, I am overjoyed by the fact that I haven't bought gasoline for my car in over a month and my bicycle has made that possible.
To purchase a NEW bicycle, off the floor, in 2009 in Seattle can cost anywhere from $150 (on sale) to upwards of $5000. With my focus on sustainability, I believe it's important to purchase quality goods, so we will focus on the $1000-$2000 price point. With some exceptions, purchasing far below that range is false economy. On the other hand, purchasing far above that price is paying for decreased weight much more than increased quality, which although fun to purchase, is unnecessary and unnoticeable to most.
At this point, there are likely many of you thinking, "Wow, I would NEVER pay $1500 for a bicycle." While I know at least half a dozen of you are thinking, "$1500 wouldn't buy me a new wheelset!" So let's get into some eye-opening figures.
In 2007, the last year we car commuted regularly, it cost approximately $4000 to own our car. We own a Honda Accord, lauded as the lowest cost of ownership vehicle available at the time. Our second car, when we still had one, cost an additional $3000. Those numbers are for vehicles that were paid-off. Those costs include insurance, gas, oil, car washes, registration, inspection and maintenance. Apples to apples, the bicycles I owned during 2007 cost me literally $0. I put off much maintenance that should have been done, about $200 each, but I had been putting that off for a couple of years.
Costs of Ownership
| Auto | Bicycle | |
| Purchase | $14,000 | $1,500 |
| Insurance | $1100 | $0 |
| Fuel | $1550 | $250* |
| Maintenance | $1200 | $100 |
| Registration | $68 | $0 |
| Happiness Quotient | RAGE! | peace |
| Satisfaction Guaranteed** | HUH? | Yes! |
| Exercise Included | HUH? | Yes! |
| Nature Included | HUH? | Yes! |
| Human Connection | Shut up, I'm multi tasking! | Hey, what's up? |
*Assumes 10% increase in food consumed for fuel.
**Can you imagine trying to return your new car after the "3 day period" just because you didn't like it. Auto manufacturers are laughing at us!
To calculate how much you could save by reducing your car ownership, click here. Remember to add associated costs like car accessories (car seat for children, luggage racks, MP3 player connections, extra sunglasses that stay in the car, etc.) Some states even charge property tax on your car, so include that as well.
Now, what could you do with an extra $4000 a year. I could take a month off work and go visit family and friends!
Happy riding!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Buy from friends - Reuse
The second R of the 3 R's: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
To me reuse is like compound interest. Reusing things causes exponential, not algebraic results. Think about it this way. It's a word problem:
To me reuse is like compound interest. Reusing things causes exponential, not algebraic results. Think about it this way. It's a word problem:
When I buy a NEW "thneed," I am holding approximately 1% of the natural resources used took to produce my "thneed," while 99% is used in extraction, production and transport. If you then buy a new thneed, the process is duplicated with another 99% waste.
Let's say my thneed weighs one pound. After three years, I realize I only need one thneed and I have two. As know we thneeds have a half-life of 100 years, so my extra still has 97 years to go. I decide instead of recycling it, I should try to sell it.
If we both buy NEW thneeds, the waste is 99 times 2 or 198. Now if you buy my "gently loved thneed," the waste is 99 times 1 plus 99 times 0,((99x1)+(99x0))=99Now, we divide by 2 purchases and get 45 pounds of waste per purchase. Now I am only responsible for 45 lbs of waste being created.
Here's where it gets exciting:What if I had bought it used?((99x0)+(99x0))=0!!!!
Can it be that both of us enjoyed a fine "thneed" without any waste?
Well, sort of. No waste was created for our enjoyment, but if we take a moment to realize that our thneed was created for our friend Bob that changes things a little.((99x1)+(99x0)+(99x0))/3=33
Well, I would certainly rather carry around my share of the waste, 33 lbs, than buying new and having to carry the burden of 99 lbs of waste.
I once had a friend tell me that he doesn't feel comfortable involving money in his friendships, so it is more comfortable for him to purchase from a store. Many people feel this way, maybe feeling awkward about paying more than they want so as to not offend their friend. This is ridiculous. It's a marketing trick. Don't be fooled. Buying from your friends is loving them!
The moral of this word problem: Buy gently used items from friends and neighbors and save a little money while practicing Reuse!
I once had a friend tell me that he doesn't feel comfortable involving money in his friendships, so it is more comfortable for him to purchase from a store. Many people feel this way, maybe feeling awkward about paying more than they want so as to not offend their friend. This is ridiculous. It's a marketing trick. Don't be fooled. Buying from your friends is loving them!
The moral of this word problem: Buy gently used items from friends and neighbors and save a little money while practicing Reuse!
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Step 1 - Awareness
In 2004, I went on a 19 day rafting trip down the Colorado River. I had only 3 bags of personal gear including shelter. I used approximately half of those things. I learned many things about the real world and what a person needs.
When loading on the van to return to the artificial world, I realized how the "things" I owned actually decreased my quality of life. I was returning to a 2000 sq ft home with 3 bedrooms full of stuff, where my wife and I lived alone. I realized how much of my time was spent buying, maintaining, and organizing stuff.
At that moment I became a conscious consumer. We re-evaluated our lives, selling approximately a third of our belongings and giving away another third. We kept only the things that we loved.
We became very careful about purchasing only things that would increase our quality of life equal to or greater than the cost. I stopped buying things that were "too good of a deal to pass up." Free stopped being my favorite word. Free things often aren't what I want. I would now rather pay for exactly what I want or need rather than settle for something that's almost right because its free.
Step 1 - Become aware of how and why you spend. Become aware of how much time you trade (at work) for things that you don't need, or don't improve your quality of life significantly. Become aware of how much you buy that you won't want after a few months.
When loading on the van to return to the artificial world, I realized how the "things" I owned actually decreased my quality of life. I was returning to a 2000 sq ft home with 3 bedrooms full of stuff, where my wife and I lived alone. I realized how much of my time was spent buying, maintaining, and organizing stuff.
At that moment I became a conscious consumer. We re-evaluated our lives, selling approximately a third of our belongings and giving away another third. We kept only the things that we loved.
We became very careful about purchasing only things that would increase our quality of life equal to or greater than the cost. I stopped buying things that were "too good of a deal to pass up." Free stopped being my favorite word. Free things often aren't what I want. I would now rather pay for exactly what I want or need rather than settle for something that's almost right because its free.
Step 1 - Become aware of how and why you spend. Become aware of how much time you trade (at work) for things that you don't need, or don't improve your quality of life significantly. Become aware of how much you buy that you won't want after a few months.
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