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Original discussion thread: http://www.fastseduction.com/discussion/fs?action=9&boardid=2&read=79632&fid=136]
In the past 12 months I decided to study money, so I bought a massive heap of books, did some courses, got some coaching and advice, and listened to a wide variety of opinions and viewpoints. I really wanted to "understand" money.
It was a fairly amazing process.
I think what really stabbed me was how as humans we invented this tool of trade, and it has pretty much become more powerful than us. Kind of like the matrix where they invent artificial intelligence and then it rules them, money in a way rules us in our lives, it gives us purpose, changes our behaviour, can change our mood, becomes a method of rating and judging people, and can be the difference between life and death, and country to country. All that is seemingly quite obvious.
Anyways, along in my study I came across a movement where people refuse to give money and its pursuit a large chunk of their life and time. Content to live on bare essentials, avoid being tied down by debts and commitments, and choosing alignments, partnerships and joint-ventures rather than saving money, collecting it or attempting to get lots of it. It interested me. There was also a strong description of the poverty of the soul many rich people have.
I'm not really into the No Money Lifestyle myself, but I did my best to open my eyes and understand it, and keep an open mind.
My personal viewpoint at this point in time is in limbo, much of the stuff I like to do like hobbies, travel and being social require money, and at the same time I'm kind of sick of working long hours, being worried about money, and having the goal of accumulating money as being the most important thing in my life by default.
Something weird happened when reading all this stuff and challenging my existing beliefs, I had a wave of incongruence and a total feeling of freedom at times. As I removed the idea of accumulation with having enough for survival, life all of a sudden seemed so much easier. I realized how much time in a week I could really have to myself, how much I'd trade physical possessions for freedom, and how I had become trapped into this get rich mindset at the expense of my other goals.
In saying that I'm no hippy I want to have enough money to lead a really enjoyable lifestyle, and be good with my money so that I'm never broke or starving, and would like a passive income involving helping people. I'd also like to be able to travel, and be free to follow my dreams, and not really think about money all the time.
Its weird how when I shifted my focus somewhat I started meeting more genuine women. Like I could be called in many ways "successful" and I was a bit naive to how much money was such a major influence in people's behaviors, and having dropped it as being more important to me I really have started dating more honest, sweet and genuine women. Its quite amazing, and I tend to date these type of women anyways.
Anyways, I'd like to hear what you think. Some people out there live an almost non money lifestyle, they do everything on the cheap, and it shocked me the lengths to which they take it...
The Soul of Money: Reclaiming the Wealth of Our Inner Resources (Paperback)
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
Cracking the Millionaire Code: Your Key to Enlightened Wealth by Mark Victor Hansen and Robert Allen
The Cheap Bastard's Guide to New York City, 4th: A Native New Yorker's Secrets of Living the Good Life--for Free! (Cheap Bastard) by Rob Grader
Some key books:
by Lynne Twist
