Like the illusion of Wall Street, with its vast and powerful investment banks, now shuttered, China too is an illusion perpetuated by the Globalists that gave us the 15,000 mile Caesar salad, poisoned cat food and lead based paint on babies' pacifiers. Like the illusion that money would come from thin air to always push housing prices higher, China has spent a generation pursuing its illusion. Pursuing an unattainable dream to be like the West, while 6000 years of its carefully shepherded top soil blows into the sea.
Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2008 5:31 pm Post subject: Have you made any changes in your way of living?
I've been thinking of maybe going to live to an island or at least get my own place to live and try to use all the eco-tec I can.
But, I wonder, do you think in quitting your job and taking some long vacations while you still can? Maybe later it will all be too expensive to do.
For example, I hate working 5 days a week from 8 am to 7pm, I feel my whole life is wasted in working for a future that may not even exist. And I would like to be able to enjoy more of the world while I still can.
What changes do you want to do with your life now that you know about PO?
Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2008 6:01 pm Post subject: Re: Have you made any changes in your way of living?
natts wrote:
What changes do you want to do with your life now that you know about PO?
1. Changed my diet. I have never been a big meat eater, but now i reduced meat consumption to the very minimum, and i increased my consumption of beans, veggies, fruits etc.
2. I started to go to gym twice a week. My work is very sedentary, so i go to gym 2 times a week and i usually go for LONG hikes 2 times a month.
3. Although i now work in software, i studied electronics in my early years. I resumed that back (very slowly ) and i was going to build myself a solar system, but i had a bad accident few months ago, so that has been postponed.
4. I built a simple but efficient solar oven to heat up whatever.
Things i did not change:
1. My car - i had my Civic for 8 years, and i already get 41 mpg.
2. I still visit my home country twice a year. Not for fun, believe, but because i feel i have a moral obligation to visit my parents as much as i can.
I made some other minor change, but not too much because i have always been a frugal person.
I am thinking to buy some farmland somewhere ... i come from a family of farmers but last time i spent serious time in a farm was 25 years ago or more ... and there is more to farming than just land!
Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2008 9:14 pm Post subject: Re: Have you made any changes in your way of living?
In two months time I'm expecting to take a hiatus from Art school, with only a year left until completion (not for lack of ability being a 4.0 student) to move back to my home town in an attempt to pick up information on subsistance living and put it into practice. At the moment though I haven't made many changes as I already live 20 blocks away from school so that I am able to walk there most days and can take the bus if needed. I have big plans that I'll begin working on once I'm able to get enough capital to invest in them. _________________ "Life sure is funny sometimes." "Yeah... and sometimes it's not."
Joined: Feb 23, 2007 Posts: 11 Location: Republic of Texas
Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2008 9:20 pm Post subject: Re: Have you made any changes in your way of living?
Got rid of a truck I loved (in 2006, Nissan Frontier 4x4) for a Toyota Matrix.
Am in the process of building an extremely "green home" for North Central Texas, that is, (http://realpeoplehomes.com/) after owning a mobile home
Utilizing a grey water system in the new home
Carpooling - started in June
Vegetable garden
Have ultitimate goal of going completely solar for electric power. I think I would probably be the only one in my county to do it.
Was a vegetarian for 10 years until I got pregnant in 2003 - slipped a little since baby's been here. However, am going back to vegetarian ways. Yes, it can happen, even to those mired in CowTown (Ft. Worth).
Last edited by Valkyrie on Fri Aug 15, 2008 9:33 pm; edited 1 time in total
Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2008 9:27 pm Post subject: Re: Have you made any changes in your way of living?
Before I found peak oil I took early retirement at age 53. That put an end to 100 plus mile commutes to work. I used to drive 40,000 per year on average for 31 years. I figured commuting was costing me at least $500 a month and that would now be $600. Last summer I took took a ten week job that lasted eight months. Less driving and more money but more of the same. This year that work has petered out and I have been working in the garden and on my house. Much better and I have lost ten pounds or so.
Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2008 9:49 pm Post subject: Re: Have you made any changes in your way of living?
Buying as many non perishable necessities as possible & not saving money. Have 1000 less of those silly monopoly notes since April despite earning many more thousands of them. Turn the funny money into stuff as fast as U can. _________________ People first, then things, then dollars.
There will be enslavement, cannibalism, & zombie invasions.
Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 1:18 am Post subject: Re: Have you made any changes in your way of living?
I am 27, working in the software industry (I own a small development studio).
I decided that I will leave the big city I live in (I currently rent), and build a nice house next to my parents (they have a decently large property in the village near the city I grow up in).
I work at home so I don't commute and I can work from anywhere.
The place is very quiet and nice, with great views.
Once the house is built, I will invest in some solar and wind power. My first goal is to power all things in my office from solar and wind. _________________ capitalism *is* fun | crude oil price
Joined: May 23, 2006 Posts: 31 Location: Kingston, TN
Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 1:31 am Post subject: Re: Have you made any changes in your way of living?
heroineworshipper wrote:
Buying as many non perishable necessities as possible & not saving money. Have 1000 less of those silly monopoly notes since April despite earning many more thousands of them. Turn the funny money into stuff as fast as U can.
I'm doing similar, although not everything is a necessity - a lot of it is stuff I just figure I won't be able to get at an affordable price in the future - primarily music, CDs, eventually instruments, to support my ever growing love of Irish traditional music.
I'm also trying to get myself to live with less food, which has been semi successful in the sense that I just have a terrible time giving up the incredible amount of milk I love to drink.
Reducing my energy use is another thing. I find that I can function perfectly fine with minimal lighting, and less heating/ac - the other residents of my house apparently cannot.
I drive FAR less than I used to; now around 10000mi/yr. I've also incorporated some hypermiling into my daily driving.
Last edited by Syeer on Sat Aug 16, 2008 2:30 pm; edited 1 time in total
Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 5:03 am Post subject: Re: Have you made any changes in your way of living?
1. Driving a lot less.
2. Planted my first garden in 20 years.
3. Converted one of my generators to run on propane.
4. Bought a night scope for my Ak.
5. Being real careful to keep my job.
Joined: Aug 19, 2004 Posts: 86 Location: Austin (but moving east soon)
Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 8:21 am Post subject: Re: Have you made any changes in your way of living?
I am collecting DVDs that I'd like the have in the future - one per paycheck. My home theatre is the one true creature comfort that I plan on taking with me into the future, even if I need extra solar panels and spare electrical parts to support this hobby.
My family is taking one last vacation to New York City. I've never been, and I want to see for myself one of the world's largest/greatest cities at its height. NYC (and many other cities) will never again attain such stature or capacity, and I want to witness it for myself before it's too late.
Driving a lot less. I used to fill-up about once every two weeks; now, it's once every 6 weeks.
I've striven to make myself totally indispensable at my job, and have largely succeeded. Now in management, I'm the one sends people home when business is slow.. but due to my technical prowess I'm never the person sent home, which keeps my paycheck intact. (Before finding-out about the Peak, I've never, ever been so professionally ambitious.)
Finalizing the sale of 20 acres of woodland within one month. My architect (Dad) is drawing-up plans for an off-the-grid home.
Most my debts are paid-off. Zero balance on credit cards. Now, huge chunks of my extra money go towards mortgage and student loans.
My partner and I have an incredible garden on the 1/4th acre we own now. Tons of okra and lima beans, corn, peppers, onions, lettuce (in the winter), etc etc. The skills we learn now will be very helpful for when we move to a larger garden on our new land.
Last, but not least.. I'm trying to kick my caffeine addiction. Slow and steady she goes. This one's difficult.
Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 5:08 pm Post subject: Re: Have you made any changes in your way of living?
I've got enough coffee stashed to last as long as I do. Will not give that up. Made a lot of other changes, though.
I've known about the oil problem since 1974, but only heard it called Peak Oil last year. We have lived in a rural area since 1978, and dug in pretty well in many ways, toward the economic debacle that i see as the leading edge of a low energy future. Before the auto industry started its' recent death spiral, I quit my job in automotive tooling and started our own machine/welding/repair shop in 2003. It is established now, with a good customner base, mainly agricultural.
Being at retirement age, being out of debt is no big feat, but facing dwindling earning ability in old age can be a problem. We had saved and had money in 401k's, etc., but pulled all that out over a year ago, and just beat the stock drop this January with the last of it. Our savings are now in US Treasuries, cash, and hard assets. We have credit cards, but hardly ever use them, having converted to cash for expenses. We keep minimum amounts in both personal and business accounts, to minimize losses in the event of bank failures.
We are installing a solar PV system as a backup that can run lights, freezer, fridge, phones and computers. Have put in an LP gas stove in a new summer kitchen (reduces cooling needs) and a 500 gal. tank for it. We're going to wood heat this year, and have started a solar water heater project. Have a gasoline powered welder for the shop (bring your own gas if you want something welded), a lot of manual powered tools, a stash of coal for our blacksmith shop, and a good stock of metals, fasteners, cutting tools, etc..
We keep a freezer full of meat, and a pantry stocked with canned goods, mostly home-canned. Just got some 5 and 10 gallon crocks to make sauerkraut and pickles. Have a good supply of jars and lids, and pressure canners. I just got a crank corn sheller, and have a burr mill for flour and chicken feed, and 40 bushels of wheat. We plan to buy some corn this fall at harvest time, and get a few chickens next spring.
The back yard is partly terraced for gardening and has been made fertile with organic means. More terraces are on the way, along with an irrigation tank for the garden, and repairing the cistern for the house, with an added hand pump. Last year we put on a new metal roof to allow cleaner water collection.
With a bit of luck and a lot of work, all the necessary systems will be up and running by the time we need them.
edit: When my wife retires at the end of this year, our driving mileage will drop from 20,000+/yr. to about 2,000 miles/year, or less. Our vehicles all get 25 to 32 mpg, but I have a new bicycle that will improve that a lot. _________________ Local fix-it guy..
Joined: May 18, 2006 Posts: 4867 Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 5:34 pm Post subject: Re: Have you made any changes in your way of living?
patience wrote:
I've got enough coffee stashed to last as long as I do. Will not give that up. Made a lot of other changes, though.
I've known about the oil problem since 1974, but only heard it called Peak Oil last year. We have lived in a rural area since 1978, and dug in pretty well in many ways, toward the economic debacle that i see as the leading edge of a low energy future. Before the auto industry started its' recent death spiral, I quit my job in automotive tooling and started our own machine/welding/repair shop in 2003. It is established now, with a good customner base, mainly agricultural.
Being at retirement age, being out of debt is no big feat, but facing dwindling earning ability in old age can be a problem. We had saved and had money in 401k's, etc., but pulled all that out over a year ago, and just beat the stock drop this January with the last of it. Our savings are now in US Treasuries, cash, and hard assets. We have credit cards, but hardly ever use them, having converted to cash for expenses. We keep minimum amounts in both personal and business accounts, to minimize losses in the event of bank failures.
We are installing a solar PV system as a backup that can run lights, freezer, fridge, phones and computers. Have put in an LP gas stove in a new summer kitchen (reduces cooling needs) and a 500 gal. tank for it. We're going to wood heat this year, and have started a solar water heater project. Have a gasoline powered welder for the shop (bring your own gas if you want something welded), a lot of manual powered tools, a stash of coal for our blacksmith shop, and a good stock of metals, fasteners, cutting tools, etc..
We keep a freezer full of meat, and a pantry stocked with canned goods, mostly home-canned. Just got some 5 and 10 gallon crocks to make sauerkraut and pickles. Have a good supply of jars and lids, and pressure canners. I just got a crank corn sheller, and have a burr mill for flour and chicken feed, and 40 bushels of wheat. We plan to buy some corn this fall at harvest time, and get a few chickens next spring.
The back yard is partly terraced for gardening and has been made fertile with organic means. More terraces are on the way, along with an irrigation tank for the garden, and repairing the cistern for the house, with an added hand pump. Last year we put on a new metal roof to allow cleaner water collection.
With a bit of luck and a lot of work, all the necessary systems will be up and running by the time we need them.
edit: When my wife retires at the end of this year, our driving mileage will drop from 20,000+/yr. to about 2,000 miles/year, or less. Our vehicles all get 25 to 32 mpg, but I have a new bicycle that will improve that a lot.
If you can't make it, nobody can.
I'm stuck in the big city until the time comes when Mum dies. She's 89 and running strong yet. _________________ Believe those who are seeking the truth. Doubt those who find it.
Joined: May 28, 2008 Posts: 104 Location: Leon, Gto. Mexico
Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2008 1:56 pm Post subject: Re: Have you made any changes in your way of living?
Hola amiga!! It's great to finally have you on this forums!
I'm still somewhat at a loss as to how to best prepare. Sometimes I think "is there really anything I can do to weather this storm?"
I'm in the process of figuring out how to best adequate my home for the future (stuff as simple as having a place to store food, or some water tanks to store rain water for example); I wish I had the money to get solar panels and stuff like that, but I don't; so for now I can only buy some non-perishable items and food (canned goods) and hope for the best.
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) and i was going to build myself a solar system, but i had a bad accident few months ago, so that has been postponed.
Before I found peak oil I took early retirement at age 53. That put an end to 100 plus mile commutes to work. I used to drive 40,000 per year on average for 31 years. I figured commuting was costing me at least $500 a month and that would now be $600. Last summer I took took a ten week job that lasted eight months. Less driving and more money but more of the same. This year that work has petered out and I have been working in the garden and on my house. Much better and I have lost ten pounds or so.
