Today I read a rather refreshing article called “Casting off life’s cares” on the LA Times. Basically it tells the story of an ordained pastor named Dave Dixon who gave away pretty much all of his possessions and started to live on a boat and sing songs in a restaurant a few hours a week. His expenses are $565 per month, and he says that “time, not money, is the real commodity in life”. He says that his lifestyle is divinely inspired and “sees himself living out God’s message that faith and people, not possessions, are what is of true value.”
Interestingly enough, I wrote about Chinese proverbs today on Wise Bread and this article reflects the first proverb I wrote about, “an inch of time is worth an inch of gold; but it is hard to buy one inch of time with one inch of gold”. Time is definitely more precious than money, and Dave Dixon has that figured out. Additionally, I think it’s great to see that someone realizes that you really don’t need much to survive in this world. My friend the Retirement Hobo said that in South East Asia he was able to eat well on $1 a day, and $10000 is a good retirement fund there. He might be exaggerating a bit, but I really think that if we are able to let go of a lot of luxury that we have we can live well on very little money.
I think it is awesome that this pastor Dixon seems to trust God so much with his lifestyle. Though, it’s funny that the author of the article describes Dave as “quixotic” multiple times in the article. Obviously, some people might think that Dave is a fool for trusting God with his health and not having health insurance, but apparently God provided for him when he had a kidney stone. He may seem like a stupid bum living on a rickety boat, but I know so many people with huge houses that they slave over and complain about. Can these people with so many more possessions than Dave Dixon say that they are really truly free and happy? Dave said in the article, “my possessions made me work harder and stole my time”, and I agree with that sentiment. We all have an extremely ephemeral existence on this earth, and for us to devote so much time and effort to acquire things we can’t bring with us to the next life is quite pointless.
Now, would I sell everything and go live on a boat? Probably not because I don’t like boats very much, but I wouldn’t mind living in a faraway city in Asia where rent is less than $100 a month. I could even have a little piece of land where I can plant some tomatoes, peas, and corn, and raise a few chickens and ducks. These are all things I had when I was a kid in China, and really that’s all I need to be happy. It is a dream lifestyle that is so far removed from my current daily grind in a glass tower, and maybe one day I can convince the hubby to go there.
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12 comments ↓
seems a good idea.
It’s inspiring. Check out an article at Can I Get Rich On A Salary about attaining a standard of living beyond our parents. Essentially, it’s not how much money you make or your investments but how well you save.
I couldn’t live on a boat either. I get seasick!
interesting fellow. i do know some people who don’t have health insurance, but i think it’s very risky. one accident or undiagnosed disease may put you in debt for the rest of your life. that, and soon there may be mandatory health insurance.
Thank you for this post.
I often see criticism of people like Dave Dixon. Our society is geared toward earning inches of gold, not inches of time. People who pursue the latter tend to be ridiculed.
Like you and most other people, I work. I also don’t plan on retiring for a while. How can a person who works earn time? Also, how can a person avoid becoming, as you mention, enslaved by their possessions?
For me at least, I avoid buying anything for status. You mention people slaving over houses. I know a lot of people who buy a house for social status, at least partly.
But also, I try to focus on doing what I enjoy today. I enjoy writing. I’m sure you can relate to me. So, before I go to work I write. That way at least I can say I did something I liked, no matter how stressful my day of work is. I even get up early just so I can have some time to write.
In general, if I see an opportunity to spend some time doing something I like, I do it now. That thing could be riding a motorcycle, getting Raiders season tickets or going to Vegas yet again. Of course, those things cost money that I could be saving. Some people would consider buying those things wasteful or even reckless. But in life there is never a certainty about being able to wake up tomorrow with the same opportunity to do something enjoyable. Some people spend their entire life saving and acquiring possessions with the thought of using them tomorrow, and tomorrow never comes. That is worse than being wasteful or reckless.
Yes Ian, I’m well aware of your REAL BIKER LIFESTYLE. j/k
Haha!
Well, that’s what counts.
[...] How A Man Retired Early On $565 Per Month from The Baglady [...]
Nice article. I like it because it illustrates how someone doesn’t really need $2 million or whatever AARP thinks we need to retire “comfortably” with a middle class lifestyle. Cheers to Dave Dixon!
Just a quick note to let you know your article will be included in the 66th Money Stories Carnival.
The post will go live midnightish PST at http://mygoodcents.net
Thanks!
[...] The Bag Lady shares How A Man Retired Early On $565 A Month [...]
Wow! I love this – this is really encouraging to me as God has been dealing with me about the same type of thing: What do we really actually NEED in life? hmm… I am finding that answer is actually a whole lot less than I had previously thought…
thanks for sharing this – I got encouraged!!
Wow! Times have changed……
I found a pile of Time magazines from the 50s and 60s and this ad was in a 1965 issue. I think I am going to give Honda a call and take them up on their offer
How about you?
…The IRS is going to be increasing the mileage rates A few t…
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