Early Retirement Extreme Forums

<t>I'm in the same boat as karim. But I've been a homeowner for a few years now, and I have friends who are good at home repair/remodeling/maintenance. I finally got embarrassed at how little I'm really able to do for myself. So I've recently started to do as much as possible on my own. There's just...

There are lots of videos on Youtube for home and car repair. I've found them helpful more than once.

<t>I've used this method on blue jeans but never on my skin. I use a double-blade disposable. One blade typically lasts about a month. I don't shave every day, and when I do I shave against the grain. What I've found is that after about a month, my shaves get rougher and rougher no matter how much I...

<t>People who work for a living don't usually look out the office window and think, "Gee, I wish I could go shopping today instead of working!" They're thinking about how much fun it would be to go for a walk outside, go to the beach, take in a ball game, have a leisurely meal, enjoy the sunshine, p...

<t>How old were you when ER/ERE became a goal? I'm 35, but I knew five years ago. It seems there are common goals for twenty-somethings, like get a job, start a family, buy things. After 10 years or so of the daily grind, many decide to pursue retirement or take the opposite view that they'll always...

Don't worry. If you save 10% of your salary, your job will pay for itself in 40 years, give or take.

<t>What's wrong with CD's? If you can find one that pays a better rate than a high-yield savings account, I believe you can specify that the interest be mailed to you each quarter. That means only the principle needs to be locked up for the full term. And if there's no emergency, then there's no pro...

<t>@ Surio,<br/> Thanks for mentioning the hypothalamus response. I never realized that it acts as the body's thermostat. Seems that people in cold climates have an increased thyroid hormone level, which increases metabolic rate, which makes you feel warmer. I've been taking cold showers since Janua...

<t>My wife has no problem responding to criticism. She went along shopping with my sister & a friend. Sister spent like $150 or so on clothes. Wife spent $20-30, if anything. Sister remarked how we were so cheap. Wife answered that we would have a paid off house in a couple of years. I think tha...

<t>My wife beat me to the punch. We were both working full-time until a couple of months ago. I actually wanted her to keep working so we could accomplish our goals faster, but it wasn't happening. I was getting into hard-core saving mode, and initially I was disappointed, but I'm okay with it now. ...

I'd be worthless for the day after all that. I'm assuming that's just a warm-up for the rest of his daily workout.

<t>I don't know about changing attitudes. I think people are just really good at adapting to their circumstances. I have friends and family who have recently bought or are considering buying more or bigger tv's, new cars, new(expensive) clothes. If I had as much consumer debt as they had, those woul...

<t>Same attitude that makes people want to pay their car or home insurance monthly instead of annually or bi-annually. Even if it doesn't save me a penny, I'd rather only pay once or twice a year and not have to think about it again. But, some people can't bear to drain that much cash and would rath...

<t>I won't comment on the breakdown of civilization, but as far as work is concerned...I have nothing against it in principle. It's just that there's more to life than earning a paycheck. And since money won't buy more life, I'd like to live the one I've got doing the work I want to do. Problem is, ...

"They buy some food at discounted prices through their church, but are proud they have remained current on their mortgage, home-equity loan, insurance and property taxes."
59 years old, and they still have a mortgage AND a HELOC.

<t>I didn't even know about ERE until a few years after we bought our house(2 bd/2 bth ranch). I'm taking steps now to reduce expenses and pay off the house within the next two years. After that, capital restoration and investment. But right now, we're throwing everything at the house. It helps that...

34 male
@Bakari: Could you post your SSN and checking account # as well? If so, I'll split a $1.5 million windfall with you. It seems I've won the Nigerian national lottery. Again.

@Kevin M - Dude, that's hilarious! Very good. You too, rePete.

You know, Jacob could probably reach a wider audience if he posted videos of himself dancing while espousing the virtues of ERE. Just a twirl every now and then to hold the attention.

@methix: If this recession really can't change behavior of our society, what would it take... ?
A depression.