Two books on Independence I Found Inspiring…
This blog in not focused solely on Consulting, but also in achieving Independence (Occupational, Financial, and/or Locational).
Consulting is but one way to achieve any or all. It has worked well for me, and why I share my personal experiences in hopes it may help others.
Here are two books I recently read — memoirs that describe how two young couples broke free from the rat race and pursued their independence. Neither are consultants, but both work from home. I found the stories inspiring and refreshing.
Meet the Frugalwoods – Achieving Financial Independence Through Simple Living – Elizabeth Willard Thames – Harper Collins (2018)
A personal memoir by a finance blogger, describing her transition from an uneasy yuppie (young urban professional) in Cambridge MA to a happy homesteader in Vermont, achieving financial independence at age 32. It reminded me of my journey to independence, which started at 32 with a part time consulting practice.
In 2014, Liz and her husband Nate were on the young urban fast track. But the prospect of being on the corporate hamster wheel for the next thirty years was depressing. (I remember that feeling.) Rather than moping about it as so many do, they made a plan, took action, and began to save bunches of money — eventually over 70% of their take home pay. Their dream was to retire to a homestead in the woods.
Already blogging, Liz documented their journey of unconventional frugality in her blog, the Frugalwoods. By 2017 they reached their goal, and are now living their dream on a sixty-six acre homestead in rural Vermont with their two young daughters. Liz continues with her blog, sharing their adventures in frugality and living the “good life.”
Personal note – We lived a frugal life and even did “urban homesteading” in our 20s, but never moved to the woods. (Gardened, canned, Mother Earth News and more.) Our route to independence was via a JumpToConsulting (see EMIGURU.COM)
If You Lived Here You Would Be Home By Now: Why We Traded Commuting Life for a Little House on the Prairie – Christopher Ingraham – Harper Collins (2019)
Another personal memoir by a journalist, describing his transition from a frustrated East Coast commuter in Maryland to contented small town life in rural Minnesota. It reminded me of growing up in rural Nebraska, although I am happy living an urban life.
In 2015, Christopher ran across an obscure study as a data reporter for the Washington Post. In the 1990s, the USDA ranked all the counties in the US by scenery and climate. Sensing the chance for a fun article, he chose to write about the “ugliest county in the country” – Red Lake County, MN. Almost on the Canadian border, the frigid winters and the plainness of the prairie (no lakes or forest) earned it the bottom slot on the list.
When the story went viral, the residents of Red Lake County invited him to visit. Expecting to be excoriated, he was treated to classic “Minnesota Nice,” including a marching band on his arrival. Impressed by the warmth of the people and disgruntled with his commute and the East Coast cost of living, he eventually decided to move there. The book highlights his many humorous adventures adapting to life in the frozen north. He still writes remotely for WaPo.
Personal note – “Minnesota Nice” is real. My wife was born and raised there, and I spent 25 years there. It it where we started the consulting business, and where we regularly return for several months each year (in the summer — not the winter) to see grandkids and more.
Both books are quick reads, and both lend proof to the idea that you can follow your own path to independence and a better life. More here:
- Consulting as a Path to Financial Independence
- Small Town Living – A Path To Financial Independence
- Location Independent Consulting
- Top Ten Reasons to Become an Independent Consultant
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Love this. As I look around town I see a lot of new shiny cars. I think its mostly boredom, and family travel budgets perhaps being re-deployed.
I keep trying to resist the urge to upgrade my lifestyle and be happy with what we have. It takes work, but the reward is significant.
When I told my wife about how our tax situation is likely changing, she said “glad we didn’t buy that big COVID house!” Our 5-year-old was driving us nuts, so we thought we needed a bigger house for a while.
Yes, I agree (no surprise, right?) It is hard, thought, as we are constantly bombarded by advertising and even peer pressure aimed at making us unhappy with what we have. One reason I found these two books so refreshing. Happiness is within.
Thanks for all you have done for us. And remember Bill Kimmel’s advice as a swimmer, “Just keep on splashing…” 🙂
One of the best perks about owning your own consulting biz is the ability to travel and have it all paid for. My consulting biz took us (our whole family) to England and Europe for a couple years, and now that I’m “retired” we are just vagabonds, spending time in Korea, Japan, Taiwan and Malaysia. The worst thing about living in Asia though is those pesky time zones put us from 12 to 14 hours away from US Eastern time. We like Taiwan so much we’re thinking of settling permanently there. Nice weather all year round, great food, and cost of living is half what it is in the USA. Can’t beat it, even with that sword of Damocles hanging over their heads courtesy of the CCP. 😉
Great story! If I had it to over, one change I would make is spending a year or more overseas with the kids. What a great opportunity to learn about other cultures and other opportunities. Thanks for sharing.