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This week I’ve started to read a book called Getting A Life after it was recommended by Tony. The book is about real lives transformed by the nine steps of Your Money of Your Life. So far it’s great; it really sums up how we feel about escaping the rat race and simplifying our lives. The title of the book couldn’t be more appropriate.
We still have such a long way to go on the nine steps of the programme to reach Financial Independence, but we have made a start. We’ve banished consumerism and we live frugally, now we just have to save, save and save.
The steps in YMOYL recommend doing what you gotta do for a ‘finite period of time’ to achieve FI and we’ve adapted this slightly to fit our lives. We put a definite timeline on our move to Portugal because we didn’t want to keep drifting along, doing what we’re doing, with no end in sight. We also know that when you have a good salary it can be difficult to walk away into the unknown and not to keep thinking that one more year won’t hurt. We made a decision jointly that when July 2012 comes, we are going to Portugal.
Financial Independence will come later than 2012, but we plan on living very simply in Portugal and continuing towards it.
{photo credit: sousagraphy}
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Good to see you are enjoying the book!
Not a lot else to say other than all the best with your plan – I’ve no doubt you’ll get there!
Oh, sounds like just the book I need. As soon as I am done reading the other 2 books on my shelf I will check this one out! You’ve got a great plan – don’t give up on your dreams (I think I need to practice what I preach)!
Money Funk’s last blog post..Understanding The Basics of Saving and Investing
Thanks Tony; so will you
Thanks Christine, the book is quite old but the ideas are still good
I would like to read that book so will look for it in the library. I really admire your goals and the efforts you are making to reach them! My husband and I can’t seem to get on the same page as to what goals we need and want to work towards. I guess at least we are trying to work towards something that will be better than the financial mess we are in now! Why did we do this to ourselves??? Grrrr. Anyway, thanks for writing the blog and inspiring me.
@kristina: given what you have said in your comment with regards getting on the same page as your husband, I think you should read the book ASAP – your husband too! There are some very useful tips specifically for the case where spouses don’t necessarily see eye to eye on such matters.
Thanks, Tony! I will find the book ASAP!
I’ve just stumbled upon your blog (as you do) and it just so happens we are on the same journey as you or even a few steps ahead. In fact it is scary how similar our plans are. Like many others, me and my partner wanted to escape the rat race and move into a more sustainable lifestyle in the country. Like many others we thought it would never happen. However last May we went on holiday to Portugal, found the perfect property and in another month we will be there living the dream (we hope)! We’ve been quite lucky in that a) we’ve never been encumbered with a property or mortgage and have a small pot of savings b) my partner Jackie works from home and so moving is not a problem and C) we found a great and cheap place.
Of course our little adventure needs to be blogged and so a bit of the background and what happens next (the big move!) will be chronicled here: http://www.globalwanderings.co.uk/test. I’ve only just started the blog but I hope you take a butchers and would love to see what you think.