Money Fritters 'Enough Now' DFW Diary - Chapter 2

Money_Fritter

Well I have finished reading the moneyless man by Mark Boyle, and it has made me sit up and think how we consider money and the world in which we live in.

I have decided to try a few things myself, I can't live with no money like he does, but I can do certain things.

I have dug out my copy of John Seymour,s book 'The new book of complete self sufficency' I asm going to have a read through it and start to plan changes in my life, I will chart my progress on my green fingered blog. I don't know how far I will get, but I suppose if we can all make small changes the world will be a better place.

Christmas is not far now and did you know that the average Brit spends £655 pounds on gifts, food and drink. That is over £36 billion for the whole of the UK, and did you also know that 40% of that is on Credit.

This is one of the astonishing facts mentioned in the moneyless man.

Crazy

Money Fritter

beanielou

Crazy indeed.
Toddles off to see if library had said book.

Money_Fritter

Thoughts are racing through my head, to be fair I have not read a book from cover to cover in 1-2 days for a long time. I am of course referring to the moneyless man, by Mark Boyle.

As I was reading the book certain things came flooding into my head. I looked on youtube for a few of his videos. One stood out, which summed me up perfectly. The clip discussed going to work during the week to a job you hate, then at the weekend you come home and get drunk to forget about things, and then back to work on the monday. That is me, that is all I do.

As I read the book, I looked closely at my life. As I have said before, I have always believed that everybody has a purpose, but I did not know mine. However, this book has made me see things differently.

After reading the book I looked at my life and carried out a simple experiment. What makes me happy, what were the top three events in my life:-

1) I was 19, and I went camping in the yorkshire dales with my best friend, it was a bank holiday weekend, and it was an adventure. During and after the camping, I felt exhilarated, i felt alive.

2) I went backpacking across europe for 18 nights two years ago. It was one of the best things I have ever done. Not worrying, just a backpack and a train, and the glorious views.

3) My second date with my gf, we went to Wallington Hall, and walked along the river in the woods, it was wonderfull, then the snow arrived and I thought we would become trapped. However, it was picturesque and stunning, one of the best days.

Even though I have only finshed reading the book, I find myself looking at everything in a different way:-

What if I washed the dishes in half a sink of hot water, as opposed to a full one.

What if I cycled to the shops for my shopping.

What if made my own soap

What if I ate seasoanl food and grew my own food

What if......

I will quote the final chapter of his book:

"Were at a crucial point in history. We cannot have fast cars, computers the size of credit cards, and modern conveniences, whilst simultaneously having clean air, abundant rainforests, fresh drinking water and a stable climate. This generation can have one or the other but not both. Humanity must make a choice. Both have an opportunity cost. Gadgetry or nature? Pick the wrong one and the next generation may have neither."

Money Fritter

Money_Fritter

So I am going to try an experiment tomorrow. My gf is not back from work until 9pm. I get home around 5;30pm. So when I get home I am going to try and use no electric, frankly the tought scares the crap out of me. I will come home, use my battery latern and try and cook some food in the garden, using a fire, or if that fails, my small fuel stove. I will not watch tv, and I will only use a wind-up radio that I have.

Wish me luck

Money Fritter

Money_Fritter

Hi folks,

Well managed a £200 pound payment off my credit card today.

Money Fritter

beanielou

Great news on the £200 :j

MrsPorridge

MF its 6.45 and I have all my Christmas lights on, TV on and my computer on. You have certainly given me food for thought re using no electricity and you are very brave to do so. I am not sure I can be that drastic at the moment.

Please report back on how you get on.

From the 3 best things you listed it is obvious that you are an outdoors person who enjoys nature and being close to it. I know this is a scary suggestion (I don't think I could do it), but what about a career change? Could you re-train as an outward bound type instructor? Not easy when there is debt but maybe that is something to put into a 5 years from now plan?

Money_Fritter

Hi Folks,

Well today was a false start.

I had to work late, and when I got home I was starving so used my electric

:mad::mad::mad:

To be fair I think I was jumping in at the deep end, without thinking. I think I need to plan a few things first before I try my experiment.

For starters I need to build something called a rocket stove, this is easy to do, apparently from household equipment. This will be my starting point and I might try and look to make one at the weekend. Then after that I will look to make a Hay box, which is basically a non-electric slow cooker. Once I have these in hand I can think about cooking without electric and then maybe I can plan properly

Money Fritter

Money_Fritter

An interesting article here, coupled with an excellent flow diagram showing how inefficent our energy resources are.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2012/jul/06/energy-green-politics

Money Fritter

Money_Fritter

Check this out, inspiring!!!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2039719/Simon-Dale-How-I-built-hobbit-house-Wales-just-3-000.html

Money Fritter