FISH | Financial Independence Seeking Happiness

Screener Updated

Contender 0 Investing, Oil, Schiller PE10, Silver, stock screen, Wheat 14:12

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The Stock Screener and Market analysis spreadsheet has been updated and a few more analysis graphs have been added.<br />
<ul>
<li>PE10 and Real Commodity Prices have been updated</li>
<li>Historical Debt to GDP and population growth analysis has been added for the US and the UK</li>
<li>All sources of information are included in the spreadsheet </li>
</ul>
Future improvements will be made to give a bigger picture of asset class valuations e.g. supply and demand of a commodity which can then be looked at further. Further long term trend analysis is another interest<br />
<br />
<a href="https://sites.google.com/site/lifeplanltd/home/StockScreener.xlsm?attredirects=0&d=1" target="_blank">Click here</a> to download<span style="color: red;">*</span> - its introduction post can be <a href="http://getintheringwithme.blogspot.com/2013/11/screener-for-value-and-dividend-stocks.html" target="_blank">found here </a><br />
<br />
Peace, prosperity and happiness<br />
<br />
<b>THE.CONTENDER</b><br />
<br />
<b>Welcome New CONTENDER Readers!</b> Please take a look around.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://getintheringwithme.blogspot.co.uk/p/about-me.html" target="_blank">Here you can find out about </a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" target="_blank">THE.CONTENDER</a> and the purpose of the blog is or perhaps browse the <a href="http://getintheringwithme.blogspot.co.uk/p/all-posts-get-in-ring.html" target="_blank"><u>all posts list</u></a>, have a <a href="http://pinterest.com/gitrwm/contender-vs-the-future/" target="_blank">look at the pictures on the notice board</a><u><a href="http://getintheringwithme.blogspot.co.uk/p/about-me.html#random" rel="13"></a></u>. Please feel free to play with the <a href="http://getintheringwithme.blogspot.co.uk/p/muff-tools-and-check-lists.html" target="_blank">planning tools and checklists</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>Keep in Touch:</b>  <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/MuffFreeLifeAndExtremeFinancialFreedomPlanningTools" target="_new">RSS Feed</a>, follow <b>THE.CONTENDER</b> on <a href="https://twitter.com/The__Contender" target="_blank">Twitter</a> or<b> </b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Contender/368729006562792" target="_blank">Facebook </a>or subscribe to posts by email:<br />
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<span style="color: red;">* Like everything on this website the tools 
have been created for personal use / entertainment purposes. The 
information is as accurate as far as the author is aware (unfortunately 
he is human and is prone to mistakes from time to time - **** happens). <b>THE.CoNTeNDeR</b>
 is not a financial adviser just a guy who is on the cusp of financial 
independence for his little tribe through frugality and investing for <b>THE.FuTuRe</b>. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">Please read the disclaimer that comes with 
this website and always do your own due diligence and research. Seek 
professional advice as required.</span>

Screener Updated

The Stock Screener and Market analysis spreadsheet has been updated and a few more analysis graphs have been added. PE10 an...

Maintaining Wealth I - Bitcoins and Real Estate

Contender 2 Black Swan, Critical Thinking, Dividends, Finance, Financial Armageddon, Gold, Inflation, Investing, Saving 20:18

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<b>THE.FuTuRE</b>: <i>"Contender you wuss, what is all this talk about income, growth and protection investments. I will take it all from you eventually. I have time on my side"</i><br>
<br>
<b>TiMe</b>: <i>"Tick Tock, Tick Tock"</i><br>
<br>
<b>CoNTeNDeR:</b> <i>"Precisely <b>FuTuRe</b> I have no idea what you are really up to. Heck I had a guess at the outlook for the year and how did that come out.....so I need a bit of diversification because of all of your conniving, plotting and outright corruption!"</i><br>
<br>
<b>We are living in very interesting times especially with regards building and maintaining wealth.</b><br>
<br>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>In this post we cover the TRiBe's options for investments in currency, commodities real estate and bonds with examples and opinions on some of the pro's and con's?</b></span><br>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"> "You have much more opportunity 
to earn money than you do to 'not spend' money, and yet most people spend hours 
upon hours clipping coupons and perusing daily deal sites instead of 
brainstorming how </span><span style="font-size: 16px;">to earn more money and solve 
people's problems." - <b>Susan Fujii</b></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>In the second post we will be looking at other investment classes such as stocks and yourself followed by the TRiBe is current thinking.</b></span><br>
<br>
<span style="font-size: large;">Paper Money Supply - Blind Faith?</span><br>
<br>
Since 1970 when Nixon took the world off the gold standard there has been no anchor to excessive money / currency creation. Governments have control over the supply of their currencies and they can determine the ultimate value of the currency in circulation depending on the amount in circulation.<br>
<br>
Previously if people wanted to save their labour and future buying power through the means of a currency, they could chose a checking account. It earned interest that was enough to offset any excessive increase in the currency supply. This is certainly not the case at the moment, interest rates are artificially low and people are being 'guided' to <u>riskier</u> investments for a return. <br>
<br>
One may ask but why is the currency supply increasing above the increase in productive capacity of the economy. Unfortunately this is easy to attribute to governments' fiscal irresponsibility. Excessive overspending is used to buy votes from the electorate.<br>
<br>
Alternatively if a country has strong institutions, low spending and fiscal responsibility - holding that countries currency is less of a concern.<br>
<br>
<span style="color: blue;">Fiat Money is covered by <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B005GSYZRA/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=B005GSYZRA&linkCode=as2&tag=thecontfinain-21" id="static_txt_preview" target="_blank">Currency Wars: The Making of the Next Global Crisis</a> by James Rickards, and <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0718192141/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=0718192141&linkCode=as2&tag=thecontfinain-21" id="static_txt_preview" target="_blank">Paper Promises: Money, Debt and the New World Order</a> by Phillip Coggan. There is also a good video to watch by Warren Buffet highlights how <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DvuyvuHmJI" target="_blank">countries get into trouble in the first place</a>.</span><br>
<span style="color: blue;"><br></span>
<span style="color: blue;">See the video series <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyV0OfU3-FU" target="_blank">Hidden Secrets of Money</a> by Mike Maloney </span><br>
<br>
<span style="color: #990000;">Tribes opinion - it is so easy to transact in paper money and in the governments interest to keep them in place we will always keep some in our portfolio.</span><br>
<br>
<span style="font-size: large;">Electronic Currencies - How Many?</span><br>
<br>
We now have alternative currencies such as Bitcoin and Litecoin hitting the news wires for their massive gain in relative value to reference currencies such as the US dollar.<br>
<br>
Firstly there are many people in favour to the inbuilt scarcity of the digital coins. Secondly they are not issued by any government and they are scattered globally that make them uniquely difficult to manipulate.<br>
<br>
One thing that is a red flag to <b>THE.ConTENdER</b> is what stops an unlimited amount of new versions of electronic currencies being created?<br>
<br>
Will the herd just jump from e-currency to e-currency chasing gains - see a list of them <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cryptocurrencies" target="_blank">here (10 listed)</a>? <b>THE.CoNTeNDeR</b> thinks this is highly likely until the number of e-currency options goes to infinity or faith in them is destroyed. Their value will go the same way as fiat currencies trending towards their intrinsic production value of close to zero.<br>
<br>
What may save them is if the herd all commit to ONE e-currency.<br>
<br>
One thing preventing this e-currency utopia is ... human nature. We are opportunistic and after an easy meal / fast buck. Our prehistoric past moulded us that way. When we were being chased by sabre toothed tigers whilst eeking out an existence coming across a free lunch in the form of a dead Mammoth.<br>
<br>
Will everyone commit to one e-currency? I would like to think it could happen but who can tame  human nature. Will we have to live in a dystopian future where we all take the happy pill to keep us controlled?<br>
<br>
Zero hedge recently <a href="http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-11-27/presenting-bitkillers-these-are-richest-holders-bitcoin" target="_blank">reported that 100 people hold 20% </a>of the bitcoin currency - a new type of Ponzi scheme in the making? Create a new e-currency holding a large percentage of the issue then cash in and move on as the perceived value burns. Who is left holding the proverbial handbag - the new entrants - good luck or what a good SUCKER!- <b>THE.FuTuRe</b> would be impressed! <br>
<br>
See this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_hBhymFfm8" target="_blank">utube documentary on bitcoin</a><br>
<br>
<span style="color: #990000;">Tribes opinion - Speculative and almost impossible to value - <u>mine some coins by all means*</u> but only purchase if you have some spare gambling money :)</span><br>
<br>
<span style="color: #990000;">* THE.CoNTeNDeR has had a go at mining. The setup is a pain, it is geeky, based on lots of technical know how. To mine alot of coins and to really exceed requires specialise mining rigs - <b>a currency for the people - you must be joking!</b></span><br>
<br>
<span style="color: #990000;"><b><span style="color: black;">Next up commodities</span></b></span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b></b></span><br>

Maintaining Wealth I - Bitcoins and Real Estate

THE.FuTuRE : "Contender you wuss, what is all this talk about income, growth and protection investments. I will take it all from you ...

Living With Little

Contender 1 Budget, downshifting, frugality, Habits, Happiness, Life 16:56

Living With Little

Living with less infographic from mnn While this site may not expose extreme very early financial independence by cutting expenses to no...

Financial Independence and Happiness Books

Contender Black Swan, book, downshifting, Early Retirement, Education, Finance, financial independence, Freedom, Investing, Planning, Saving 13:01

<b>SPEND.IT.NOW: </b><i>"You say Read Read Read - I haven't got time to read! TLTM (too long too much?). I've been fed snippets all my life. The news in 10 minutes is all you need don't you know? That's what I want concise, short, to the point, none of this 300 page novel stuff. Crikey, even your blog posts are too long CoNTeNDeR. I've gotta do other stuff you know. </i><br>
<br>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t8Jvc_oIscg/UpJAPlru4gI/AAAAAAAADC8/WHpH97fVVxk/s1600/Books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t8Jvc_oIscg/UpJAPlru4gI/AAAAAAAADC8/WHpH97fVVxk/s400/Books.jpg" width="400"></a><i>Short is all I want! Let's start by sorting this blog out.</i><br>
<br>
<i>Change it to "</i><i><i><b>SMBH</b>"<b> </b></i><b>S</b>ave <b>M</b>oney, <b>B</b>e <b>H</b>appy" -  that's it nice, simple and quick to read! Genius! </i><br>
<br>
<i>Delete everything on the blog and replace </i><i><i><i>the front page</i></i> with "</i><i><i><b>SMBH</b>". Job done. You will thank me </i>CoNTeNDer you can pack up the website as you have done your bit and have all that spare time to fill with fun"</i><br>
<i><br></i>
<b>CoNTeNDeR:</b><i> "<b>SMBH </b>to you too!"</i><br>
<br>
<b>Books are great, something to get lost in for a few hours, something to debate, something new to learn. A lot of what is discussed on this site has its starting point in a book or article. This post is all about the books we have relied upon for our financial independence and downshifting planning. </b><br>
<br>
<span style="font-size: large;">Reading, Why Bother?</span><br>
<br>
Books, Books, and More Books, so many to read and so long. When will one ever the the time to read them all?<br>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_literacy_rate" target="_blank"><br></a></div>
Aren't a lot of books just fiction such as graphic crime stories and romantic slush. Yes they may be great to retreat into a fantasy world unfortunately they will not help with gaining financial independence (although they may help on the happiness side).<br>
<br>
What we are really looking for are reference and how to books and essays.<br>
<br>
It is all too easy to say "<i>Come on, I had my share of serious books at university</i>" unfortunately the books in university were generally just on topic. Too specific and not everyday real world challenges. <br>
<br>
For example <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0141038225/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=0141038225&linkCode=as2&tag=thecontfinain-21" id="static_txt_preview" target="_blank">Antifragile</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0141034599/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=0141034599&linkCode=as2&tag=thecontfinain-21" id="static_txt_preview" target="_blank">The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable</a> by Nassim Taleb are the opposite of  "Don't worry about challenges, society will look after you, go to the pub, watch a movie or go to the shops instead. It is more fun". Taleb highlights how fragile some of our support systems actually are how unforeseen events will always exist and what we as individuals can do about it.<br>
<br>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/39/WorldMapLiteracy2011.png/400px-WorldMapLiteracy2011.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/39/WorldMapLiteracy2011.png/400px-WorldMapLiteracy2011.png" width="400"></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
 <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_literacy_rate" target="_blank">List of countries by literacy rate source: Wikipedia</a></div>
<br>

Financial Independence and Happiness Books

SPEND.IT.NOW: "You say Read Read Read - I haven't got time to read! TLTM (too long too much?). I've been fed snippets all my li...

Fighting Fear - Part 2

Contender 0 Black Swan, community, Critical Thinking, fear, financial independence, Freedom, health, stress, survival 14:51

<br>
<b><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKPOoFuA0i0/UlZxUHcDxZI/AAAAAAAAC54/sHCc0aieD6M/s1600/FeaR.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKPOoFuA0i0/UlZxUHcDxZI/AAAAAAAAC54/sHCc0aieD6M/s1600/FeaR.jpg"></a>THE.PasT</b>: <i>"</i><i><b>FeaR</b></i><i>! I gave <b>THE.CoNTeNDeR</b> a few cure balls in THE.PasT for you. I told him what to do and where to do it. Since then he has gone off the rails a bit. He is not with the system. His choice to stop working - how dare he! </i><br>
<br>
<i><i>He needs a bit of re-educating don't you think? I need to re-introduce him to </i><b>THE.FuTuRe</b>. He has lots of ideas on how to mess things up, surprise and misdirect this misfit.</i><br>
<br>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>THE.FeaR</b>: <i>"He sure can't cross <b>THE.FuTuRe</b>. It is about time <b>THE.CoNTeNDeR</b> realised this and feels <b>THE.FeaR</b>. He needs reminding of what is on the road in front of him. I will rough him up a bit, I like doing that, I am just the man for the job! "</i></div>
<br>
<br>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>This is the follow up post post to</b><a href="http://getintheringwithme.blogspot.fr/2013/10/feeling-fear-part-1.html"><b> </b>Feeling Fear - Part 1</a><b> which covered FeaR's rampage in THE.CoNTeNDeRs past. Now it is is all about THE.CoNTeNDeRS top 3 FEAR's in THE.FuTuRe and 
what the TRiBe is doing about them on our road to <i>financial independence</i>
 and hopefully a contented life.</b></div>
<br>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Fear 1 - fear of lack of purpose </b></span><br>
<br>
What is the point in gaining very early retirement? Just look at Jacob from ERE (Early Retirement Extreme) he went back to work for a challenge, not because he needed the money. Our TRiBE want to be useful to society not just sit in the sun in the French countryside - how sad.<br>
<br>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41z1VU67aAL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_SX385_SY500_CR,0,0,385,500_SH20_OU02_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41z1VU67aAL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_SX385_SY500_CR,0,0,385,500_SH20_OU02_.jpg" width="153"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Praise-Slow-Worldwide-Movement-Challenging/dp/0752864149/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1381995073&sr=1-1&keywords=in+praise+of+slow" target="_blank">Go Slow</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
First off sometimes some idleness /
a sabbatical / being bored / having time for reflection and to think is a REALLY GOOD THING.<br>
<br>
We are still de-toxing from the city, its noise, bright lights, pollution and overall speed of everyday life. Time is a great healer and in the last four weeks we needed the time to slow down. </div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br>
We only used to get 5 weeks
holiday a year. Typically this would be split into one two week
holiday preferably abroad followed by two one week holidays somewhere in
the UK. Our spare five days were taken as odd days off. NONE of these
holidays was long enough to completely recuperate / switch off / relax. Is that the point on only allowing five weeks holiday a year?<br>
<br>
What really speaks volumes is that in the UK if you are ill whilst on holiday you can
actually claim the time back from work. Perhaps it has become so common
for people to get ill in the first week off as the body
tries to let down the stress defences the government had to do do something about it?</div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br>
In the CoNTeNDeRs opinion we
should all have the ability to have 3 months + off each and every
year. Time to reflect, think, re-charge our batteries and de-stress ourselves.<br>
<br>
Will this ever be allowed - all that time to actually think deeply about want is going on around us. It is 
well documented how the mainstream media and education system is dumbing
 us down. Forbid us free time to think and read as adults in case we don't get with the system right? Would literacy 
rates jump and the system change because the public at large would demand it?<br>
<br>
Fortunately for the TRiBe we have time no what are we going to do with it.  Here are some current activities:<br>
<ul>
<li>Thinking and reading time is still be very important for us</li>
<li>This blog and the tools associated with it can be very time consuming and very enjoyable. </li>
<li>The children are getting lots of attention. We are able to be idle outside walking and playing with them in the garden, fields, hedgerows and local play dates and groups.</li>
<li>We are making lots of new friends. Such a diverse group all working hard to get ahead in their own little ways. The number of people with practical skills around us has multiplied ten fold. although they have similar problems with making ends meet they seem un-stressed and have time to talk. Going <i>slow</i>.</li>
<li>We are looking for somewhere to call home. Something ours to do with as we wish. We are finding that the housing market here is expensive as the area is highly desirable due to the local picturesque town and its facilities. </li>
</ul>
<b>FeaR</b>: "<i>Ah but <b>CoNTeNDeR </b>you will soon be bored! What a waste of your training, your conditioning, you are a corporate greyhound - fast, nimble and loyal. Don't waste it! If you stay out of the workforce too long and you will be toast. Won't it be a shame <b>R.I.P CoNTeNDeR </b>that guy who really didn't do much.</i>"<br>
<br>
<b>CoNTeNDeR</b>: "<i>What a lack of imagination old bloke! Yes we have skills to be put to use but on other pursuits. Corporate skills are transferable don't you know. Look at this blog would it ever have existed if it it was not for my work?"  </i><br>
<br>
So should this <b>FeaR </b>- a lack of purpose put us off? We have been given the gift of time to find our real passion, our contribution to society, we must not waste it. It may take some time to land on our feet but we believe it will happen.<br>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div data-canvas-width="517.7965686054229" data-font-name="g_font_90_0" dir="ltr" style="left: 156px; top: 836px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.13598, 1);">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">"I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little - death that <br>brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass <br>over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the <br>inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. <br>Only I will remain." - Frank Herbert</span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><b>THE.FeaR wins this round with a clip around the ear - what are you doing CoNTeNDeR </b></b><br>
<b>FeaR 1 TRiBe 0</b> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><b>Fear 2 - fear of lack of income / high</b> inflation destroying our savings</b></span> </div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br>
<span class="style">“The outcome (of all of this) will be more
 debt, more printed money, and more misery for the masses.  Remember 
that US debt was $10 trillion in 2008 when the crisis began and now it’s
 $17 trillion.  And the Fed’s balance sheet was $900 billion in 2008 -- 
it’s now at $3.6 trillion....</span><span class="style_2" style="line-height: 22px;">On top of that, 
personal credit (in the form of) car loans and student loans is growing 
exponentially.  Every year now the US debt is going up by at least $1 
trillion.  In addition to that the Fed is expanding its balance sheet by
 another $1 trillion each year.  This means that the US government is 
currently printing $2 trillion per year. " - </span><a href="http://kingworldnews.com/kingworldnews/KWN_DailyWeb/Entries/2013/10/9_Governments_Will_Start_Panicking_As_Chaos_%26_Crisis_Accelerates.html" target="_blank">Egon von Greyerz - KWN Oct 2013</a><br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://atomictoasters.com/wp-content/gallery/random-information/1trillion.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://atomictoasters.com/wp-content/gallery/random-information/1trillion.png" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: <a href="http://atomictoasters.com/2012/04/trillion/" target="_blank">AtomicToasters</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Incredible debt numbers are being talked about almost daily. Whether it be company, personal or government the numbers are hard to comprehend as the above graphic tries to portray.<br>
<br>
What is debt? Just paper promises, electrons on a computer. The problem is that governments and central banks are very good at creating it (currency) and paying for it by typing some numbers into a computer. The result is more inflation in everyday goods. Here is a video on the process from Mike Maloney:<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="266" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iFDe5kUUyT0?feature=player_embedded" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br>
In the past money used to be tied to a hard asset such as a tradeable commodity. What we do know is that paper money has been <a href="http://www.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/pubs/pdf/hanke-krus-hyperinflation-table-may-2013.pdf" target="_blank">destroyed several times in the past</a> due to the abuse of the ruling class.<br>
<br>
In the current era debt has generally been serviced and living standards have risen but <a href="http://srsroccoreport.com/guest-post-bad-advice-why-the-future-will-be-like-the-past/guest-post-bad-advice-why-the-future-will-be-like-the-past/" target="_blank">what if THE.FuTuRe is not like THE.PAST</a> what if the can cannot be kicked any further any longer? What may hold its real value in <b>THE.FuTuRe</b>?<br>
</div>

Fighting Fear - Part 2

THE.PasT : " FeaR ! I gave THE.CoNTeNDeR a few cure balls in THE.PasT for you. I told him what to do and where to do it. Since then h...

Who are you?

Contender 0 Blog, community, Conformity, downshifting, financial freedom, financial independence, Happiness, Mid Life Crisis, Naive, Writing 11:12

<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pd0wUzU5Wtk/UmOsMqsbFpI/AAAAAAAAC6o/kVlHTSF4_kE/s1600/RomeSept2004+057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pd0wUzU5Wtk/UmOsMqsbFpI/AAAAAAAAC6o/kVlHTSF4_kE/s320/RomeSept2004+057.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who is this guy?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>THE.FuTuRE</b>:
<i>"<b>CoNTeNDeR</b> who are you and what right do you have to
talk about real life issues? </i><br />
<br />
<i>Are you a qualified life coach,
psychologist, philosopher? No. You are just a guy from the UK who's downshifted to rural France. </i><br />
<br />
<i>Be a
good boy, don't upset every one with your provocative thoughts and keep your conversation to the weather"</i></div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Who </b><b>a</b><b>m I
</b><b>t</b><b>o</b>..... blog about real life challenges? Mainly these are the
challenges the author has dealt with down the years and continues to
struggle with. These are unique challenges to <b>THE.CoNTeNDeR</b> so what
is the point in sharing them through a blog? Please read on and make your own opinion.</div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Who am I </b><b>t</b><b>o</b>.....talk
about what has worked for the <b>TriBe</b>. We have been very fortunate to
have had good university educations and good jobs. This is not
"normal" says some our incomes were above normal. Did we squander
a lot of money – yes. Did we ride the housing bubble – no. Have we
inherited wealth – no. We have two kids. How many other people are
like us / comparable? So is this blog only for the few and only some
of the few would find it of any interest whatsoever? 
</div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Who am I to</b>...... talk about financial independence. <b>THE.CoNTeNDeR</b> reads a lot,
collates a lot of information and tries to convey opportunities and
concerns on this site. If <b>THE.CoNTeNDeR</b> wearing rose tinted
glasses, is he only seeing what he is looking for? Does everyone have
their own "filter glasses"? How can this site ever be
un-biased as its goal is talking about financial independence as fast
as possible. Is this reckless? 
</div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Who am I to</b>...talk
about seeking happiness. Does anyone know what happiness is for a
starter? From reading around the subject many have commented. It is
even mentioned famously in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life,_liberty_and_the_pursuit_of_happiness" target="_blank">US constitution</a>? but does not say what
it is. Writing about what makes us happy will have absolutely no
bearing on the MAJORITY of readers so what is the point?</div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Who are you</b>...... all
<b>THE.</b><b>CoNTeNDeR</b> knows is that each of us is a unique individual
with unique talents, ideas, opinions and personal circumstances.
Perhaps you have stumbled onto this blog and are now moving on
because the topic is of no interest. Perhaps you are someone reading
about ideas for a different life and what that looks like. Perhaps 
</div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
So as <b>THE.FuTuRe</b> says
(on this blog at least :) "<i>Who </i><i>are you <b>CoNTeNDeR </b></i><i>to
write THIS blog on THIS topic</i>". Is this just a good way to
lose friends and alienate people. Who really wants to know too much
about a friend through a blog? Will this just destroy the
relationship as <b>THE.CoNTeNDeR </b>has chosen a different path and is
writing all about it? 
</div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>THE.FuTuRe</b>: "You
know what you want <b>CoNTeNDeR </b>so why not keep your gob shut!"</div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>THECoNTeNDeR</b>:
"Perhaps this is my way of rebelling against social norms, a way
of justifying our plans and philosophising on the outcome of our
choices. Perhaps some of the insights found along the way will be of
use to someone else. It would be nice to share thoughts with people either thinking of changing their life around or those who have already downshifted / changed their life balance. Perhaps it is completely the wrong thing to do.
Who knows? One thing that has been learnt is you only know by trying
and doing." 
</div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>THE.CoNTeNDeR</b> is
trying this blog. Time will tell if this was a wise thing to do.
Perhaps it will be of some use. If it does cause harm / offence will
it be time to go dark? Change the topic to some other hobby or just
talk about the weather!</div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Peace Prosperity and
Happiness</div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Who is that bloke? That
bloke is <b>THE.CoNTeNDeR</b>.</div>
<br />
<b>Welcome New CoNTeNDeR Readers!</b> Please take a look around.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://getintheringwithme.blogspot.co.uk/p/about-me.html" target="_blank">Here you can find out about </a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" target="_blank">THE.CONTENDER</a> and the purpose of the blog is or perhaps browse the <a href="http://getintheringwithme.blogspot.co.uk/p/all-posts-get-in-ring.html" target="_blank"><u>all posts list</u></a>, have a <a href="http://pinterest.com/gitrwm/contender-vs-the-future/" target="_blank">look at the pictures on the notice board</a><u><a href="http://getintheringwithme.blogspot.co.uk/p/about-me.html#random" rel="13"></a></u>. Please feel free to play with the <a href="http://getintheringwithme.blogspot.co.uk/p/muff-tools-and-check-lists.html" target="_blank">planning tools and checklists</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>Keep in Touch:</b>  <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/MuffFreeLifeAndExtremeFinancialFreedomPlanningTools" target="_new">RSS Feed</a>, follow <b>THE.CoNTeNDeR</b> on <a href="https://twitter.com/The__Contender" target="_blank">Twitter</a> or<b> </b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Contender/368729006562792" target="_blank">Facebook </a>or subscribe to posts by email:<br />
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Who are you?

Who is this guy? THE.FuTuRE : " CoNTeNDeR who are you and what right do you have to talk about real life issues? Are you a...

Stuck Generation

Contender 0 Black Swan, Conformity, Education 07:17

<span style="font-size: large;">Stuck, spoilt, lost, directionless, manipulated...? </span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://jobacle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/trapped_cube.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://jobacle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/trapped_cube.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="center"><td class="tr-caption">Source: <a href="http://jobacle.com/blog/does-work-suck-9-tips-to-break-out-of-the-funk.html" target="_blank">jobacle.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I am now at the grand old age of 37. I have been fortunate to receive a good education at a low cost (well I got a small bursary to help me through). The generation before had it for free but places were limited and more of the generation following me have had access to higher education but had to pay through the nose for it.<br />
<br />
Our hard working 'frugal' Granddad's and Grandma's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strauss_and_Howe" target="_blank">silent / artist generation</a> (80+) used to war and service left behind a strong economy and institutions.  Fortunate was the next generation, the baby boomers,  to inherit, exploit, enjoy and ultimately abuse such strong economy and well accepted institutions.<br />
<i></i><br />
<br />
'<b>Prophet - Baby Boomers</b>' now covert and hoard the managerial positions in work. This leaves my generation <b>Generation X</b>, <b>or Nomads - The Lost Generation</b>, as '<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Willing-Slaves-Overwork-Culture-Ruling/dp/000716372X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1381660997&sr=8-1&keywords=willing+slaves" target="_blank">willing slaves</a>' chasing the dangling carrot of a managerial job at much lower pay and benefits before us - <a href="http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20130710-the-forgotten-generation" target="_blank">Click here for an interesting BBC article</a>.<br />
<br />
We are voting with our feet and leaving the workforce in droves disenchanted by all of the 'old' hanger on  managers that believe they deserve their holidays in the sun. Just happens their search for sun is the other side of the planet. The cost of getting there would feed numerous families in poverty for several years. A $ a day living cost versus a $6,000 holiday - bull****! And what about the generation after the nomads, <b> <a href="http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-10-01/millennials-devastated-american-dream-becomes-nightmare-most?page=5" target="_blank">Gen Y, or Millennial</a></b><a href="http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-10-01/millennials-devastated-american-dream-becomes-nightmare-most?page=5" target="_blank"> </a>(HERO generation!).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.instituteofcustomerservice.com/files/generation-cycle.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://www.instituteofcustomerservice.com/files/generation-cycle.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We have failed them even further. Debt, Debt, Debt. Having got the university education after they have been told - you must go, even if it is completely the wrong thing to do. Perhaps different skills were better for a large number of students. It is the right thing to do.<br />
<br />
As for those who were suited to the high education 1. They had to pay an awful lot for it and 2. Good luck in getting a high paying job afterwards. Let's not forget you are last in the queue for a promotion, you are lucky to have a job and you are learning on the job to be the next leader. No pay rises for you then! You are one of the lucky ones. <br />
<br />
Now you want a car, house even a family. That is not allowed until you pay your debts. Actually let's forget that get some more debt - interest free for 3 months then 30% from there on - bargain! 8 x your earnings for a shoe box - we are not building housing quick enough you know. Buy now sign on the dotted line.<br />
<br />
Please do not forget to pay for the debt of the generations before you turn out the lights. <br />
<br />
Is it me or are things f***-ed up or what? Why is a 2-bed flat sold for $500,000? Why does it cost $50,000 to get a 3 year degree when books are available on the internet at almost no cost. Why consume, consume, consume, because there is nothing else to do, is there? At least that is what we are being told - it is for the good of the economy.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">What world for the kids?</span><br />
<br />
Our children? The ARTIST generation. Can they help to create a fairer society? Are they going to have to endure hardships, frugality and servitude like the previous artist generation (born around the 1930's)? All we can do as parents is help them thrive as human beings by exposing them to experience and helping them to learn as many life skills as possible.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.theresilientfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Fourth-Turning.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.theresilientfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Fourth-Turning.gif" width="132" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: <a href="http://www.theresilientfamily.com/2013/03/prophets-nomads-heroes-and-artists/" target="_blank">TheResilientFamily</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We want to make sure they have some sort of inheritance to help them along the way. Can we teach thrift and saving as a virtue in their mindsets - should we even interfere? Ideally we will provide them with a modest income from some investments help provide a financial education and hopefully some knowledge to use it to fulfill their dreams.<br />
<br />
Alternatively will 'pampering' be the completely wrong approach. The gift of knowledge and wisdom is often given through hardship.....leave them alone, we f***** it up so why would we know best?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>What type of world are we building for THE.FuTuRe? What will they think of us? Corporate ladders, fiat money, greed is good. What have we done? </b></div>
<br />
Peace, prosperity and happiness<br />
<br />
<b>THE.CONTENDER</b><br />
<br />
<b>Welcome New CONTENDER Readers!</b> Please take a look around.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://getintheringwithme.blogspot.co.uk/p/about-me.html" target="_blank">Here you can find out about </a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" target="_blank">THE.CONTENDER</a> and the purpose of the blog is or perhaps browse the <a href="http://getintheringwithme.blogspot.co.uk/p/all-posts-get-in-ring.html" target="_blank"><u>all posts list</u></a>, have a <a href="http://pinterest.com/gitrwm/contender-vs-the-future/" target="_blank">look at the pictures on the notice board</a><u><a href="http://getintheringwithme.blogspot.co.uk/p/about-me.html#random" rel="13"></a></u>. Please feel free to play with the <a href="http://getintheringwithme.blogspot.co.uk/p/muff-tools-and-check-lists.html" target="_blank">planning tools and checklists</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>Keep in Touch:</b>  <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/MuffFreeLifeAndExtremeFinancialFreedomPlanningTools" target="_new">RSS Feed</a>, follow <b>THE.CONTENDER</b> on <a href="https://twitter.com/The__Contender" target="_blank">Twitter</a> or<b> </b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Contender/368729006562792" target="_blank">Facebook </a>or subscribe to posts by email:<br />
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Stuck Generation

Stuck, spoilt, lost, directionless, manipulated...? Source: jobacle.com I am now at the grand old age of 37. I have been fortunate to ...

Feeling Fear - Part 1

Contender 0 Black Swan, community, Critical Thinking, fear, financial independence, Freedom, health, stress, survival 08:16

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKPOoFuA0i0/UlZxUHcDxZI/AAAAAAAAC54/sHCc0aieD6M/s1600/FeaR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKPOoFuA0i0/UlZxUHcDxZI/AAAAAAAAC54/sHCc0aieD6M/s200/FeaR.jpg" width="183"></a></div>
<b>THE.FuTuRe</b>: <i>"Hey
</i><i><b>FeaR</b></i><i>! Get over here we need to talk. Contender
is getting ahead of himself he needs to feel THE.FeaR! Spar with him
for a few rounds – probe his weaknesses. Get under his skin and
into his psyche"</i>
<br>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br></div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>THE.FeaR</b>: <i>"Anything
for an old buddy of mine. Doubt – I'm your guy, Hesitation – got
it covered, Hope – destroyed, Confidence – history bring it on!"</i></div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br></div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>In this post we are going to have a look at how FeaR has impacted THE.CoNTeNDeR in THE.PAST, what has been done about him and what he has learnt.</b> <b> </b><br>
<br>
<b>As for THE.FuTuRe? What are</b> <b>the top 3 FeaR's the TRiBe has for financial independence and  downshifting and hopefully leading a contented life and what are we doing about them now - all to come in part two.</b><br>
<ol>
</ol>
<ol>
</ol>
<span style="font-size: large;">THE.CoNTeNDeR's Introduction to FeaR</span></div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br></div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I penned a post in April called <a href="http://getintheringwithme.blogspot.fr/2013/04/10-happiness-guidelines.html">10 Happiness Guidelines</a> in the post I covered the premise of learn from <b>THE.PaST</b> enjoying
<b>THE.NOW</b> but planning for <b>THE.FuTuRe</b>. All three have been followed by <b>THE.FeaR</b> starting at a young age.</div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br></div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Being Welsh I come from a
Protestant work ethic background. You must sow the seeds of success today (advertised as hard work
until 65...) and then you can reap the rewards (retirement / scrap heap) in the future. Make sure you save enough though and to get a state pension you must work for at least 25 years.<br>
<br>
In the
west we have given ample bread (government funded backstops) and circuses
(TV and media) to keep
us happy, entertained, docile, conformist and obedient. </div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br></div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
All is sweet as long as we go with the system right? Don't think about any real world problems out there work hard for your pension and watch TV!<br>
<br>
Was this FeaR talking? Work hard or else. Shut up learn to get with the system. We have everything in hand. So CoNTeDeR got on with the system and buckled down for the long haul...OR ELSE! </div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br></div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Feeling <b>THE.FeaR</b> - not so nice </span></div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br></div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>THE.CoNTeNDeR</b> is a little older and a tiny bit wiser and now realises that one cannot live in <b>FeaR</b> of
<b>THE.FuTuRe.</b> He will always be there.<br>
<br>
In the past <b>THE.CoNTeNDeR</b> hunkered down and <b>let FeaR </b>into his life. Mainly driven by too much News and Newspapers! This had some very bad consequences physical stress and mentally holding <b>CoNTeNDeR </b>back :</div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br>
<b>Stress</b> - <b>FeaR</b>'s were allowed to sit there festering. In particular - 'I must buy a house or I will be left behind, I must work really hard or I will never get a promotion, I must look good and buy designer labels or I will never find a wife'.<br>
<br>
This a nagging voice in the background contributed to unhappiness that was being remedied by a high consumption lifestyle of partying and holidays. Admittedly this is not all bad...why was I dong it though. Everyone around me was as well. It must be normal. Keep with the system. Keep with the system.<br>
<br>
The partying kept me docile in a semi happy / drunken state preventing me from really getting on with life - fighting the <b>FeaR</b>'s the main problem was work.<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://filmnerds.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/superman3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="184" src="http://filmnerds.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/superman3.jpg" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://filmnerds.com/2012/01/13/the-great-scenes-clark-kent-vs-superman-from-superman-iii/" target="_blank">Click here for source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
Overwork, under appreciation, no rapid career progress caused insomnia, weight gain. THE.CoNTeNDeR was one of these people:<br>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #3f3f3f;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">“There are thousands 
and thousands of people out there leading lives of quiet, screaming desperation, 
where they work long, hard hours at jobs they hate to enable them to buy things 
they don’t need to impress people they don’t like.”</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #3f3f3f; display: inline !important; float: none; font: 12px/16px helvetica, arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: -4px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></span><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0.3em 0px 0px; outline-color: invert; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: -4px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">— 
Nigel Marsh</i></blockquote>
<br>
The cure to this? Tackling the problem straight on. Accepting that the situation was my own doing. Knowing that I could do something about it. Building up the guts to do something about it. Working out a plan to get out of the wage slavery, be financially free, be different.<br>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br></div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<b>Please
 Read on for more impacts of feeling THE.FeaR in THE.PaST </b></div>
</div>

Feeling Fear - Part 1

THE.FuTuRe : "Hey FeaR ! Get over here we need to talk. Contender is getting ahead of himself he needs to feel THE.FeaR! Spar with hi...

French Living – Quelle Difference?

Contender 0 Blog, downshifting, Early Retirement, Happiness, Inflation, Mortgage, Renting 13:22

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1u8qIAHiY9A/UkvN6RBalNI/AAAAAAAAC5A/-EuBRcYVxq0/s1600/ViewFromTheGarden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1u8qIAHiY9A/UkvN6RBalNI/AAAAAAAAC5A/-EuBRcYVxq0/s400/ViewFromTheGarden.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>View of the local Cathedral from our Garden</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.25cm;">
<b>Monsieur
l'ail</b>: <i>"Bienvenue la France!"</i></div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.25cm;">
<br /></div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.25cm;">
<b>CoNTeNDeR</b>:
<i>"ail ail ail what is this guy saying? Can I get some garlic,
cheese, a baguette and </i><strike><i>beer</i></strike><i> une
bouteille de vin please? </i>
</div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.25cm;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>In this post we are going
to have a look at the short term implications </b><b><b>our downshifting: </b></b></div>
<ol>
<li><b><b>Media Blackout - being offline for several weeks.</b></b></li>
<li><b><b>Settling in our new house and surroundings</b></b></li>
<li><b>Financial Independence Implications - French budget vs London Budget</b></li>
<li><b>A look at
the garden and some of the wildlife - saving money by growing some of our own food?</b></li>
</ol>
<span style="font-size: large;">Media Blackout</span><br />
<br />
Our
little tribe is now settled in our rental property in France and have Internet access.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Having been offline for several weeks we have avoided all the mass media's doom, gloom, death, celebrity behaving badly and sport related distractions. This has been refreshing to really focus our minds on what is important and real in our lives. What is within our circle of influence - home, family, community and friends.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">It may be nice to disconnect however this could be dangerous - being ignorant of the wider world around us. There are BIG world problems that can easily come knocking (for instance a US default on its debt and the European austerity drive causing large unemployment in its youth population) on our door that we need to pay attention to. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Now we are able to keep tags on the 'real' news from the blogs and websites we follow the 'blackout' we have had is a reminder that taking everything in moderation is important to us. Perhaps less time reading (read browsing not real reading of a novel for instance) and more time spent doing is the order of the day. </span><br />
<br />
<i>Why not trying to turn off the TV and internet for a whole week (we have now ditched our TV completely).</i> <i>What important information and from what source was really missed over this time? </i><br />
<br />
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Settling in</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<br />
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Our rental property is
much bigger than the terraced box we had in London. In addition it has a massive garden with
lots and lots of fruit and nut trees, two rows of vines and a large
vegetable patch.<br />
<br />
We have some very nice
neighbours. All very polite, keen to make friends. All hard working
Gascon families that have to survive the high taxation French system whilst enjoying the benefits of excellent facilities and health care. 
</div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We have already participated
in Rugby training. Our eldest daughter took a little while to get
going but we could not hold back our just turned two year old. She
was awesome. 
</div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
As ever in France the
facilities are exceptional.</div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RB2-aw9fZDA/UkvOE9rQWFI/AAAAAAAAC5I/0MhOSuUvOnk/s1600/RugbyTraining.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RB2-aw9fZDA/UkvOE9rQWFI/AAAAAAAAC5I/0MhOSuUvOnk/s400/RugbyTraining.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The French Countryside
Budget vs The London Budget</span></div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.25cm;">
<br /></div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Over the past couple of
weeks we have been updating our French budget based on real utility
costs, food and fuel bills. Here a a few initial observations:</div>
<ul>
<li><div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The house only needs
 wood heating in the winter months as it has double glazing
 throughout.</div>
</li>
<li><div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
It will have a utility
 bill that is comparable to London. We are hoping it will be less. The numbers below are an estimation based on previous tennants who apparently used alot of electricity (perhaps using the electric heating). We also have some 'free' wood from the garden and are cutting a deal with a local farmer for some more.</div>
</li>
<li>We can easily grow a lot
 of food to reduce our shopping bill further. French food is
 generally fresher as you get it from the local market instead of the
 food that is transported over vast distances to the supermarket</li>
<li>The rent is half the price from what we paid in London </li>
</ul>
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cols="5">
 <colgroup width="120"></colgroup>
 <colgroup span="2" width="85"></colgroup>
 <colgroup width="95"></colgroup>
 <colgroup width="101"></colgroup>
 <tbody>
<tr>
  <td align="LEFT" height="49"><br /></td>
  <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><b><span style="font-size: small;">UK</span></b></td>
  <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><b><span style="font-size: small;">France</span></b></td>
  <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Diff To UK</span></b></td>
  <td align="LEFT" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><b><span style="font-size: small;">% Diff to UK Total</span></b></td>
 </tr>
<tr>
  <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><b>Electricity</b></td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;">$48</td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;">$79</td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;">$31</td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;">0.91%</td>
 </tr>
<tr>
  <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><b>Gas / Wood</b></td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;">$88</td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;">$84</td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;">-$4</td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;">-0.11%</td>
 </tr>
<tr>
  <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><b>Water</b></td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;">$51</td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;">$27</td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;">-$23</td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;">-0.69%</td>
 </tr>
<tr>
  <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><b><br /></b></td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><br /></td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><br /></td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><br /></td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><br /></td>
 </tr>
<tr>
  <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><b>Local Tax</b></td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;">$181</td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;">$136</td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;">-$45</td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;">-1.32%</td>
 </tr>
<tr>
  <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><b><br /></b></td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><br /></td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><br /></td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><br /></td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><br /></td>
 </tr>
<tr>
  <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><b>Rent</b></td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;">$2,160</td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;">$917</td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;">-$1,243</td>
  <td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFFF00" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;">-36.59%</td>
 </tr>
<tr>
  <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><b><br /></b></td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><br /></td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><br /></td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><br /></td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><br /></td>
 </tr>
<tr>
  <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><b>Internet</b></td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;">$40</td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;">$37</td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;">-$3</td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;">-0.10%</td>
 </tr>
<tr>
  <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><b><br /></b></td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><br /></td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><br /></td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><br /></td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><br /></td>
 </tr>
<tr>
  <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><b>Education Fees</b></td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;">$0</td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;">$87</td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;">$87</td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;">2.56%</td>
 </tr>
<tr>
  <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><b><br /></b></td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><br /></td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><br /></td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><br /></td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><br /></td>
 </tr>
<tr>
  <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><b>Car Insurance</b></td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;">$53</td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;">$54</td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;">$1</td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;">0.03%</td>
 </tr>
<tr>
  <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><b>Fuel / Train</b></td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;">$138</td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;">$239</td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;">$102</td>
  <td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFFF00" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;">2.99%</td>
 </tr>
<tr>
  <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><b><br /></b></td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><br /></td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><br /></td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><br /></td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><br /></td>
 </tr>
<tr>
  <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><b>Food</b></td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;">$592</td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;">$544</td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;">-$48</td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;">-1.41%</td>
 </tr>
<tr>
  <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><b><br /></b></td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><br /></td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><br /></td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><br /></td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><br /></td>
 </tr>
<tr>
  <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><b>Miscellaneous</b></td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;">$48</td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;">$41</td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;">-$7</td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;">-0.21%</td>
 </tr>
<tr>
  <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><b><br /></b></td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><br /></td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><br /></td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><br /></td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><br /></td>
 </tr>
<tr>
  <td align="LEFT" height="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><b>Totals</b></td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;">$3,398</td>
  <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;">$2,245</td>
  <td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFFF00" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;">-$1,153</td>
  <td align="LEFT"><br /></td>
 </tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Note 1</b>: The difference in the cost of housing from the city to the countryside is astounding considering the country house is bigger and more comfortable. We will be spending more on transport and education.<br />
<br />
<b>Note 2</b>: This is a look at the spending side of living in France. What has not been looked at is the taxation side when we have had a chance to get our head around it. Social tax payable on income is 15.5%. Income tax is paid above certain thresholds. This will be looked at in more detail in a later post to consider the full picture of expenditure and taxation.<br />
<br />
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;">So far so good –
any downsides?</span></div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N0iG0Q1kKxI/UkvOXGdsz_I/AAAAAAAAC5Q/sJTWiLIcopc/s1600/VegGarden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N0iG0Q1kKxI/UkvOXGdsz_I/AAAAAAAAC5Q/sJTWiLIcopc/s400/VegGarden.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li>The significant cost of changing country has reduced our savings by $7,880. One off costs are: </li>
<ul>
<li>Removals </li>
<li>New Washing Machine</li>
<li>Garden Tools  </li>
<li>New Utility Contracts</li>
<li>New plugs, water filters etc</li>
</ul>
<li>We no longer have a salary to rely on - time will tell if this is freedom or a dumb idea :) </li>
<li>More work to maintain
 the garden – fortunately for us we perceive this as a good thing
 as we will have work hard outdoors.</li>
<li>Driving to the shops
 and the school. These used to be on foot and now we have a short
 car ride (3 km) to the supermarket and local town. </li>
<li>Our outgoings are higher than our current income <u>due to the rent</u>! We are on the lookout for a property to buy in the next 6-12 months which will tilt the monthly budget in our favour. </li>
</ul>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Renting the house </span></div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We are still renting. This
is still a significant cost compared to owning our own home outright.
$916 per month is flowing out of our bank account. We don't like this but it is a necessary step.<br />
<br />
It is easy to gather from this blog that our little Tribe is not big fan of renting.<br />
<br />
We believe house prices have been manipulated higher than "normal" historical levels
of affordability. We again believe this is an aberration of our times because of the monetarisation of the
western economies. We used to make stuff and people were workers and producers now we rely on financial services AKA theft. This is truly for the benefit of the few real 'owners' of the financial system.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sophismata.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/median-house-price-median-income.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="http://sophismata.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/median-house-price-median-income.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Financial Liberation? Source: <a href="http://sophismata.files.wordpress.com/">http://sophismata.files.wordpress.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Would the average man want to be able to by the average house for two times his earnings to leave lots of disposable income or just hand it over to the banks? They are the entities that really gain from  from high house prices.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://monevator.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/house-price-earnings-graph.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://monevator.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/house-price-earnings-graph.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Original Source Nationwide - Note the long run average includes the bubbles!<br />
Taken From <a href="http://monevator.com/house-price-to-earnings-ratio-2012/" target="_blank">2012 Monevator Article</a> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Sure if you own your house it goes up in value. What about the next generation? Will our generation have to take out home equity loans to help them become mortgage slaves because house prices are kept artificially high? THE.CoNTeNDeR is not happy!<br />
<br />
He does not want his children to be come one of the millions of mortgage slaves paying
for the excessive living costs of the 'owners'. </div>
<br />
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Here are a couple of spreadsheets from this blog to look at the costs of buying a property and the effects it can have on Financial Independence goals:</div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="http://www.getintheringwithme.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/round-5-157s-mortgage-or-rent-and-save.html">Early Retirement with a Mortgage?</a> Analysis of buying versus renting - Free Tool!</div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://getintheringwithme.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/you-cant-take-it-with-you.html">You Can't Take It With You</a> - Free Tool! – Financial time line planner</span> </div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
To whit we are still caught
with the problem of "overpriced housing" or "renting".
Although we are dealing with the pain of renting we are hoping it
will give us more leverage for a better price when buying a property.</div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Working the garden</b></span></div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Hornets and Wasps in the Fig
Trees and two big nests to boot! Us poor city folk who do not have to
contend with hornets. These flying battle ships are something to
marvel at and definitely something we do not want to annoy.</div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f8f-VfhE_dU/UkvOyMkxgFI/AAAAAAAAC5Y/UAL-47WjaYI/s1600/WaspOnFig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f8f-VfhE_dU/UkvOyMkxgFI/AAAAAAAAC5Y/UAL-47WjaYI/s400/WaspOnFig.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The great thing about
renting is that we are getting free guidance and demonstrations by the landlord on
how to deal with these pests. Something new every day.</div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TWe9cX4Dj6A/UkvPA7H6z5I/AAAAAAAAC5g/Qvq4aJCZppo/s1600/WaspClearance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TWe9cX4Dj6A/UkvPA7H6z5I/AAAAAAAAC5g/Qvq4aJCZppo/s400/WaspClearance.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clearing Those Pesky Wasps</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5jIVHB84exM/UkvPG0IlvHI/AAAAAAAAC5o/YuCzqdkIIgE/s1600/HappyCat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5jIVHB84exM/UkvPG0IlvHI/AAAAAAAAC5o/YuCzqdkIIgE/s400/HappyCat.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Our Happy Cat - Space!</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Our Downshifting Challenge</span><br />
<br />
We did not need all the the consumer products to be happy. Sure we had fun down the years but the distractions were expensive. They were creating consumer habits and guiding us away from producer habits, locking us into an expensive way of life that kept us on the treadmill.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>If we all downshift a little we would still be able to have fun and have more time to enjoy the fun. Work a little and live a lot. We are less rushed as we would have time to complete day to day activities.</i></div>
<br />
We now use a manual lawnmower - harder work, slower but some exercise, time to reflect and not wasting the world precious energy resources and polluting the environment.<br />
<br />
We can enjoy more long sociable lunches instead of re-fuelling at the sandwich and coffee bar.<br />
<br />
Time and slowing down, simplifying our lives - will this make us happier? <b>THE.CoNTeNDeR </b>would like to think so ;)<br />
<br />
Peace, prosperity and happiness<br />
<br />
<b>THE.CoNTeNDeR </b><br />
<br />
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<br />
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French Living – Quelle Difference?

View of the local Cathedral from our Garden Monsieur l'ail : "Bienvenue la France!" CoNTeNDeR : "ail ail ail wha...

CoNTeNDiNG with RiSK

Contender 0 Conformity, Early Retirement, financial independence, Planning, Risk 10:28

CoNTeNDiNG with RiSK

A Risky Move? RISK: "Contender get.in.the.ring.with.me come on let's see what you've got. I am everywhere you have no way o...

Welcome to FISH !
You have come here looking for answers. How to get out of debt? How to save and invest? How to retire early and how you want to live in retirement.

Well this is the right place for you as out tribe has been through all of these steps. We no longer work for a corporate employer and have saved enough to retire early. How we did this is shared here on this site for you.

Our little tribe found out these secrets to financial independence in our late 20’s. Since then we have taken early retirement, in our late 30's, in just 7 years. We now live in the South West of France with our two young children.

Along the way I decided to share everything I learnt. My articles and tips on aggressive saving and compound investing are there to help you meet your financial goals fast. I discuss ways to help you decide what you want by building a life plan. This helps to work out how to get where you want to be whilst avoiding the pitfalls along the way.

My expertise was built up working in blue chip corporate jobs, extensive reading and putting it into practice. I have condensed this knowledge into simple strategies to help you meet your goals and not those of the bank or the place you work.

There are free planning tools on this site that help you make a life plan. A plan for your future. The tools calculate how to reach your financial goals in a timeline that suits you. The tools help set out your life goals, make them happen and how to exceed them.

There are tips on how to simplifying your life to remove day to day headaches. These include ways to pay off debt fast buy eliminating wasteful spending habits. How to reduce your monthly bills through choices that actually improve your health and wellbeing. Identifying things you don’t need that sap your time and wallet.

There are little sustainability projects to reduce your dependence on shops and utilities whilst saving money to spend on things you want.

All of these little steps will show you how save 50%+ of your salary so you can meet your goal whatever it is. This huge saving rate can be compounded for very early retirement. I am sure you will find something here for you.

Darren Lee (A.K.A the Contender as in my blog)