FISH | Financial Independence Seeking Happiness

Phi, Hero and Forecast

Contender 2 Black Swan, Critical Thinking, downshifting, Early Retirement, financial freedom, financial independence, Investing 19:50

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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What's THE.FuTuRe Forecast?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
 
THE.FuTuRe: "I took you to the cleaners last year. I ran circles around you, give up, give in. It's a slaves life for you my lad. Live for today your past is gone and forget about tomorrow." THE.PReSeNT "Just let me look after you!" 
 
THE.CoNTeNDeR: "You're a happy bunch aren't you? Bog off! I can learn from the past to prevent mistakes in the future. I actually know of a few useful guys that can help me out." 
 
Forecasting is an inherently difficult and thankless task. Accepting that you will be wrong to a degree is the first step. Secondly you need to refer to the past to help to predict the future. Finally add in knowledge you know today and plans for THE.FuTuRe. 
 
Being partially right is better than being completely wrong. 
 
THE.CoNTeNDeR had a go at product sales #forecasting and can attest to the fact, through the use of clever mathematics and experience you can gain superior results. We want to think bigger though - what could happen in real life? Thankfully there are some people out there that specialise in the big picture in particular investment cycles and geopolitical events. 
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“Plan too far ahead and nature will seem to resist.” - Ancient Chinese proverb  </blockquote>
We live in a mind boggling, complex, constantly changing world and our understanding of it is still in its infancy. In this post we are going to look at  
<ul>
<li>How we humans are using patterns and cycles to forecast THE.FuTuRe. In particular Martin Armstrong's Confidence, Model, Nicolai Krondratieff's inter-generational cycles and Gerald Celente's Trend Journal.</li>
<li>Contemplate inter-generational impacts for the Boomer, Nomad, Hero and Artist generations. </li>
<li>A look at an investing approach, for the aspiring Financial Independent Person that is built to ride the waves of time....Harry Brownes Permanent Portfolio. </li>
</ul>
Phi, Cycles and the Nano Second Investing World we Live in 
 
Phi is represented throughout nature and is very evident in the cycle of time, plant structures and even human nature. Number patterns are everywhere have a look at the <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/190426347X/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=190426347X&linkCode=as2&tag=thecontfinain-21" id="static_txt_preview" target="_blank">Golden Section</a> for instance. We cannot ultimately fight nature - fundamentals win out eventually. We still believe we can geo-engineer our climate yet we cannot even get a weather forecast right! 
 
If nature does not have enough on its plate here comes MAN. We have introduced our logic to the real world which has huge implications on how we interact with the world. 
 
Just have a look at technical trading and the adornment of <a href="http://moneyweek.com/spread-betting-video-tutorial-elliott-wave-theory-13701/" target="_blank">Fibonacci levels Tramline analysis and Elliot Wave Theory</a>. With so many people using these "tools" the herd follow numerical trends against all reality for the underlining investment. Wall street has the power to wipe out entire industries. Often shipping them abroad where human rights and environmental controls are less strict. These beliefs are powerful forces that cannot be overlooked. 
 
We now have added HFT algorithms into the mix. Computers bash the price up or down based on more man logic to make huge profits on the smallest differences in price. MAN LOGIC is prone to herd mentality and emotions so these HFT can all feed on each other and cause ridiculous price distortions. 
 
How long until we introduce artificial intelligence to the computers to make the situation even worse. What common sense we do have will be removed. Perhaps we will have a Terminator Esq Financial Judgement Day. Computers deciding that destroying the entire financial system will lead to the most profit taking the real world with it? It is very strange that HFT is allowed......

Phi, Hero and Forecast

What's THE.FuTuRe Forecast? THE.FuTuRe: " I took you to the cleaners last year. I ran circles around you, give up, give in. It...

Learning from THE.PaST

Contender 0 Black Swan, Critical Thinking, Dividends, downshifting, Early Retirement, frugality, Gold, health, Oil, Silver, stock screen, Wheat 19:37

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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A cold start to the year?</td></tr>
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THE.FuTuRe: "CHUMP you still there? Learn from me and THE.NoW forget THE.PaST he is a has been, now look forward he can't teach you anything. THE.FuTuRe is mine all mine and it WILL be different than THE.PaST" 
 
CoNTeNDeR: "You are preaching to the converted, mate, but you forget one thing THE.FuTuRE may be different but it rhymes with THE.PaST and.....we are not having you mess up our enjoyment in THE.NoW" 
*CHUMP - Fool, loser, muppet, victim of THE.FuTuRe, loner, weirdo, odd, strange, picked on OR WINNER - Happy, healthy and challenged. 
 
TRiBe 2013 - Happiness and Investing...! 
 
We understand that money isn't everything but it alows us to do things that we want that give us..... happiness. It is damn nice but what is it how do we know? 
To help appreciate it (happiness) don't you need to experience its opposite as well? Can being rich in money mask real happiness by shielding you from real life
 experiences. 
 
So did the TRiBE have a rounded year.....with rich experiences both good and bad - even if we did not set out on that course - lets take a look:  
 
We really did have a roller coaster of a year. The sadness of a bereavement in the family. Lots of family illness 
in the form of all kinds of nasty bugs. Scarlet Fever, Schingles, 
Bronchitis, Chicken Pox and topped off with a nice bout of Gastro. That sure made us un-happy. Can we just mark that one down as couldn't do anything about due to the joys of having young kids and living in a large city. 
 
MRS.C
 left work followed with the normal withdrawal symptoms. From personal 
experience I actually think it is nicer to be sacked / made redundant than resign. It 
gets rid of the what in the hell am I resigning for / doing question. 
 
Bang! Suddenly the lack of work 
(job) = an empty void that you feel the need to fill back up OR was it too filled in the first place? 
 
We 
were very fortunate to be able to make these choices. At least our 
actions left a job behind for someone else to take up the financial 
independence mantra. 
 
So we packed up our belongings and 
gave away the rest then moved to another country. Fun, exciting and 
exhausting. 
 
This place is so different. How do you settle into a completely different culture as well as adapting to a complete change to family life (both parents at home and we have managed not to divorce yet). 
 
Yes family life. No more "shift 
family member from A to B refill on the way then into bed to recharge the 
batteries". THE.FuTuRe: "Fill the void! Do it now you must be busy all that free time together would drive you mad" 
 
Is he right what are we doing to fill the void - please read on for an investment review and some key learning's around our downshifting move to France from the year that was 2013

Learning from THE.PaST

A cold start to the year? THE.FuTuRe : "CHUMP you still there? Learn from me and THE.NoW forget THE.PaST he is a has been, now l...

The Ride of a Lifetime

Contender 0 Black Swan, Critical Thinking, Dividends, Gold, Inflation, Oil, Saving 18:10

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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Fire - A warm fuzzy feeling what about 2013?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
*CHUMP - Fool, loser, muppet, victim of THE.FuTuRe, loner, weirdo, odd, strange, picked on. 
 
*WINNER - Happy, healthy and challenged. 
 
THE.FuTuRe: "Hey CoNTeNDeR you CHUMP, Did 2013 work out as you planned it? Of course it did not. Why did you even try? You know I have lots of unpredictable surprises for you so don't try to hide. Come out of the woodwork and GetInTheRingWithMe!" 
 
CoNTeNDeR: "You fight dirty! Sure I am up for it just like every year. Our TRiBe has a plan for you.... we know you will mess some of it up just look at some of last years silliness. Some people WON" 
 
Everyone has his/her own agenda. The rich want to stay rich, the poor want to get ahead, the politicians want to stay in power, the greens want to save the planet.... Every butterfly flap of a wing could cause a hurricane. 
 
There is no knowing what THE.FuTuRe holds, let alone the complexities of an individual in a specific place at a specific time - ain't it great! 
 
Rich and lose it all, poor and win the lottery, a survivalist without a match, a capitalist going long in a bear market, the gift of a new borne child. 
 
Today a brief look at 2013 which will have a follow up post on what, if anything, THE.TRiBe has learnt from it. 
 
Unique, unfathomable, awesome 2013 
 
Well, what a year 2013 was, just like THE.PaST. Unpredictable. Perhaps more unpredictable than ever. 
 
Great gains in US stocks with modest gains in the UK and Europe. Why amazing well company earnings are not exactly up 28% like the stock market. I wish I could have a business that gains 28% a year. 
 
Energy did ok - if you were invested in the US shale oil boom. As for how long the drilling of vast acres of the US will yield results is another question? Be pessimistic for 2020 or oil forever see <a href="http://srsroccoreport.com/" target="_blank">SRSrocco.com</a> for some analysis. 
 
Defensive stocks in the UK were on a blinder at the start of the year and lost out to risk on stocks later. Twitter, Facebook, Bitcoin get on the free money gravy train of the cyber economy. dot.com boom and prosperity is coming back. 
 
In the mean time we thought staying at home on the computer was a safe place to be. Yet this year we are told we are being watched and they have software to turn on your web camera to see what you are up to. Orwellian indeed.

The Ride of a Lifetime

Our Fire - A warm fuzzy feeling what about 2013? *CHUMP - Fool, loser, muppet, victim of THE.FuTuRe, loner, weirdo, odd, strange, picked...

6 Happy Time Ideas

Contender 0 downshifting, financial freedom, financial independence, Happiness 23:14

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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simple timeless pleasure - a free walk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
THE.PaST: "Happiness is doing well in school, getting a god job yadda yadda......"   
THE.PReSeNT: "Happiness is having lots of fun. Party hard, party on......"   
THE.FuTuRe: "Happiness is having power, status, wealth, a legacy....."   
CoNTeNDeR: "Fu**ed if I know, but I am not listening to you guys." 
 
<a href="http://www.getintheringwithme.blogspot.com/2013/04/10-happiness-guidelines.html" target="_blank">10 happiness guidelines</a> was posted earlier in the year which looked at a few topics around the happiness of the mind such as being positive and putting things into perspective.  
 
Here are a few ideas on actions on how the Tribe i sseeking achievement of personal happiness. 
 
What is personal happiness anyway?  
 
Whilst it is impossible to define happiness, after all it is a word that means a million different things. We can consider it a key part of our journey through life. We want to enjoy and extend ourselves to live our precious hours on this planet to the max. 
 
There are a few things that can be done to help seeking happiness such as avoiding distractions. Shopping and superfluous entertainment media such as soap operas come to mind. They waste time that could be spent with our friends, family and the great outdoors. Some free personal time allows you to reflect on what is really important to you and how lucky you are for what you have - there is always someone worse off (as for better off that is a matter of opinion). 
 
Most distractions incur a monetary cost and MONEY IS TIME. So avoiding frivolous distractions will reduce / eliminate unneeded spending. Keep your money and your time instead of selling it on the open market to someone else for their benefit. 
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"It's not a question of enough, pal. It's a zero sum game, somebody wins,
 somebody loses. Money itself isn't lost or made, it's simply 
transferred from one perception to another." - Gordon Gekko</blockquote>
Time Ideas for a Happy Life 
<ol>
<li>Meet your friends and family as much as possible  </li>
<ol>
<li>A meal, kids running around, bottle of wine and table talk. What a great way to relax, switch off and just go with the flow.  </li>
<li>Building strong relationships, helping out (when asked might I add) and giving are all simple pleasures in life and are free.  Have a look at the posts <a href="http://getintheringwithme.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/community-help-part-1-10-amazing.html">Community HELP! Part 1 - 10 Amazing Blessings</a> and <a href="http://getintheringwithme.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/early-retirement-at-36-charity-time-r6.html">Early Retirement at 36 - Charity Time?</a> </li></ol></ol>

6 Happy Time Ideas

Simple timeless pleasure - a free walk THE.PaST : "Happiness is doing well in school, getting a god job yadda yadda......" ...

Maintaining Wealth II - We are all Investors Now

Contender 0 Black Swan, Critical Thinking, Dividends, Finance, Financial Armageddon, Gold, Inflation, Investing, Saving 16:03

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMT2LXXCUY23luSE5CxLn1XbS9-pqgbFpdkGkAGC9f6iS6tV8ZfI1oRSjy5P8pziPUudmLQ4mba0y1X5t_Cu7Z8fCibTcuEB86odvzRID7Uge_aI4-iLlTjqEswajXX2b_pWMvk9CVdDl6/s1600/InvestmentChoice.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMT2LXXCUY23luSE5CxLn1XbS9-pqgbFpdkGkAGC9f6iS6tV8ZfI1oRSjy5P8pziPUudmLQ4mba0y1X5t_Cu7Z8fCibTcuEB86odvzRID7Uge_aI4-iLlTjqEswajXX2b_pWMvk9CVdDl6/s320/InvestmentChoice.png" width="320"></a> 
TiMe: "Dring, Dring, TiMe to wake up sheeple" 
 
THE.FuTuRE: "Shussssh! They are sleep walking towards a cliff. We are providing wonderful <strike>distractions</strike> entertainment for them. Just look at all of their happy faces. Everything is great. There is no need to think just enjoy! Until I am ready to claim my pound of flesh MurrrGH HA HA HA" 
 
CoNTeNDeR: "Oi you evil B****** we the people will not stand for your bull****. We are waking up in our droves, turning off the entertainment and thinking about what you are up to. Financial freedom from your tyranny.  We are  lemmings no more and are turning away from the cliff - watch out below FuTuRE" 
 
In <a href="http://getintheringwithme.blogspot.com/2013/12/maintaining-wealth-i-bitcoins-and-real.html" target="_blank">Part 1</a> of this post we had a look at Paper Money, E-currency, Commodities, Real Estate and bonds. Today we are looking at Stocks, Land and investing in oneself as additional wealth preservation options worth considering. 
 
Stocks - Growing Profits? 
 
What
 value can you give to a company, let alone picking the winners in the 
stock market? This issue has flummoxed investors for years. 
 
Owning
 part of a company gives you an interest in that company's profits. 
Provided the profits keep rolling in due to a competitive advantage, the
 company should have some longevity. 
 
Perhaps looking 
for companies that have a distinct brand, product or advantage such as 
extremely difficult barrier to entry are the place to be. Those 
companies will grow in value along with their sales and / or return some
 of that profit back to shareholders through buybacks or dividends. 
 
Companies generate wealth - can you pick the right ones? THE.ConTeNDeR is trying see the <a href="http://getintheringwithme.blogspot.fr/2013/11/screener-for-value-and-dividend-stocks.html">Screener for Value and Dividend Stocks Here</a> 
 
For a seasoned professionals take on stocks for the long term, check out some articles by <a href="http://www.investmentu.com/2013/October/a-near-perfect-portfolio.html" target="_blank">Alex green from InvestmentU</a> and I am a fan of his book <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0470598204/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=0470598204&linkCode=as2&tag=thecontfinain-21" id="static_txt_preview" target="_blank">The Secret of Shelter Island: Money and What Matters</a> 
Warren Buffet even has a <a href="http://www.ivillage.com/warren-buffett-teaches-money-lessons-kids-cartoon/6-a-533797" target="_blank">cartoon series for kids on investing</a>. 
 
Tribe's opinion - Stocks allow the building of a diversified set of businesses. If stocks were not available it would probably be difficult to invest in diverse ideas such as graphene, new drugs and technology companies such as Google. Core holding. 
 
Arable Land 
 
An interesting investment class in THE.CoNTeNDeR's
 opinion. Precious renewable resources can be harvested from arable land
 year after year making it a very profitable investment class.  
 
Invest
 in woodland and you get free winter fuel and can sell the excess. 
Farmland can be planted for delicious fresh vegetables to be sold down 
the market. 
 
THE.ConTeNDeR likes the idea of some
 arable land next to his house. From a purely financial independence 
perspective 'free' heating, vegetables and eggs would reduce our living 
costs substantially. 
 
The <a href="http://www.transitionnetwork.org/" target="_blank">Transition network</a>
 are keen on this concept to help preserve the planet and combat 
resource depletion. They do a good bit on supporting communities as 
well. 
 
Tribe's opinion - We really think owing a bit of land even if it is used by someone else is a good idea and something we are looking at for THE.FuTuRe

Maintaining Wealth II - We are all Investors Now

TiMe : "Dring, Dring, TiMe to wake up sheeple" THE.FuTuRE : "Shussssh! They are sleep walking towards a cliff. We are pro...

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. 
<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 
 
<a href="https://sites.google.com/site/lifeplanltd/home/StockScreener.xlsm?attredirects=0&d=1" target="_blank">Click here</a> to download* - 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> 
 
Peace, prosperity and happiness 
 
THE.CONTENDER 
 
Welcome New CONTENDER Readers! Please take a look around. 
 
<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">all posts list</a>, have a <a href="http://pinterest.com/gitrwm/contender-vs-the-future/" target="_blank">look at the pictures on the notice board</a><a href="http://getintheringwithme.blogspot.co.uk/p/about-me.html#random" rel="13"></a>. 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>. 
 
Keep in Touch:  <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/MuffFreeLifeAndExtremeFinancialFreedomPlanningTools" target="_new">RSS Feed</a>, follow THE.CONTENDER on <a href="https://twitter.com/The__Contender" target="_blank">Twitter</a> or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Contender/368729006562792" target="_blank">Facebook </a>or subscribe to posts by email: 
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* 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). THE.CoNTeNDeR
 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 THE.FuTuRe.  
 
Please read the disclaimer that comes with 
this website and always do your own due diligence and research. Seek 
professional advice as required.

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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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMT2LXXCUY23luSE5CxLn1XbS9-pqgbFpdkGkAGC9f6iS6tV8ZfI1oRSjy5P8pziPUudmLQ4mba0y1X5t_Cu7Z8fCibTcuEB86odvzRID7Uge_aI4-iLlTjqEswajXX2b_pWMvk9CVdDl6/s1600/InvestmentChoice.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMT2LXXCUY23luSE5CxLn1XbS9-pqgbFpdkGkAGC9f6iS6tV8ZfI1oRSjy5P8pziPUudmLQ4mba0y1X5t_Cu7Z8fCibTcuEB86odvzRID7Uge_aI4-iLlTjqEswajXX2b_pWMvk9CVdDl6/s320/InvestmentChoice.png" width="320"></a></div>
THE.FuTuRE: "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" 
 
TiMe: "Tick Tock, Tick Tock" 
 
CoNTeNDeR: "Precisely FuTuRe 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!" 
 
We are living in very interesting times especially with regards building and maintaining wealth. 
 
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? 
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
 "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 to earn more money and solve 
people's problems." - Susan Fujii</blockquote>
In the second post we will be looking at other investment classes such as stocks and yourself followed by the TRiBe is current thinking. 
 
Paper Money Supply - Blind Faith? 
 
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. 
 
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 riskier investments for a return. 
 
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. 
 
Alternatively if a country has strong institutions, low spending and fiscal responsibility - holding that countries currency is less of a concern. 
 
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>. 
 
See the video series <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyV0OfU3-FU" target="_blank">Hidden Secrets of Money</a> by Mike Maloney 
 
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. 
 
Electronic Currencies - How Many? 
 
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. 
 
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. 
 
One thing that is a red flag to THE.ConTENdER is what stops an unlimited amount of new versions of electronic currencies being created? 
 
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>? THE.CoNTeNDeR 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. 
 
What may save them is if the herd all commit to ONE e-currency. 
 
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. 
 
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? 
 
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!- THE.FuTuRe would be impressed! 
 
See this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_hBhymFfm8" target="_blank">utube documentary on bitcoin</a> 
 
Tribes opinion - Speculative and almost impossible to value - mine some coins by all means* but only purchase if you have some spare gambling money :) 
 
* 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 - a currency for the people - you must be joking! 
 
Next up commodities

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

<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUnnVwcONyDyEOL3H3HvLWwni8puP8mgU6DpBC2qWOwRtlCtYtzyIbvNLOwpcO_uFYdVS_AnD5LXqigNWoC5kbVQmj_Lyg8Yi0eYz6q7uwYAfhAoC1FGZoP9D3g2hcYhXsUZpzpTLl2bvS/s1600/Living+with+less.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUnnVwcONyDyEOL3H3HvLWwni8puP8mgU6DpBC2qWOwRtlCtYtzyIbvNLOwpcO_uFYdVS_AnD5LXqigNWoC5kbVQmj_Lyg8Yi0eYz6q7uwYAfhAoC1FGZoP9D3g2hcYhXsUZpzpTLl2bvS/s320/Living+with+less.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/responsible-living/stories/why-we-need-to-live-with-less-infographic" target="_blank">Living with less infographic from mnn</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
While this site may not expose extreme very early financial independence by cutting expenses to nothing, bartering and being generally addicted to the end goal there are some really extreme examples of what you can achieve out there. 
 
One article that recently caught the CoNTeNDeRs eye was <a href="http://www.mnn.com/your-home/at-home/stories/6-fascinating-people-who-own-almost-nothing" target="_blank">6 fascinating people who own almost nothing</a>. Owning almost nothing -  very impressive try that one with two kids! Here are just a few of the benefits of this. 
 
<ol>
<li>No need for an oversized house to keep the stuff in and any moving costs</li>
<li>No need to heat a huge house the list of savings apart from energy are daunting</li>
<li>No consumer tendencies to waste money on stuff - you have nowhere to put it and you don't need it</li>
<li>As you are no longer a hostage to your stuff you need to have activities that are physically or mentally stimulation to keep you 'entertained'</li>
</ol>
<div>
All of these points are a dream for extreme financial independence and getting to know oneself. At the same time it doesn't cost the earth to do it <span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="http://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/responsible-living/stories/why-we-need-to-live-with-less-infographic" target="_blank">Why we need to live with less infographic. </a></div>
<div>
 How extreme could you go? 
 </div>
Peace, prosperity and happiness 
 
THE.CONTENDER 
 
Welcome New CONTENDER Readers! Please take a look around. 
 
<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">all posts list</a>, have a <a href="http://pinterest.com/gitrwm/contender-vs-the-future/" target="_blank">look at the pictures on the notice board</a><a href="http://getintheringwithme.blogspot.co.uk/p/about-me.html#random" rel="13"></a>. 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>. 
 
Keep in Touch:  <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/MuffFreeLifeAndExtremeFinancialFreedomPlanningTools" target="_new">RSS Feed</a>, follow THE.CONTENDER on <a href="https://twitter.com/The__Contender" target="_blank">Twitter</a> or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Contender/368729006562792" target="_blank">Facebook </a>or subscribe to posts by email: 
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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

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 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.  
 
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLclnDc3bXXYAUmvcIIV65Huqfz40tG-nnwbaOQPANt2qyOCbi_jC09RI-qo197YlNwdBfHgCYwX2Qfn5HybPpLJF1Q1ry1sTecjsrGqoTxqkUHeLWvcoXcnEvJzffOFEifW8aUWl5yXXP/s1600/Books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLclnDc3bXXYAUmvcIIV65Huqfz40tG-nnwbaOQPANt2qyOCbi_jC09RI-qo197YlNwdBfHgCYwX2Qfn5HybPpLJF1Q1ry1sTecjsrGqoTxqkUHeLWvcoXcnEvJzffOFEifW8aUWl5yXXP/s400/Books.jpg" width="400"></a>Short is all I want! Let's start by sorting this blog out. 
 
Change it to "SMBH" Save Money, Be Happy" -  that's it nice, simple and quick to read! Genius!  
 
Delete everything on the blog and replace the front page with "SMBH". Job done. You will thank me CoNTeNDer you can pack up the website as you have done your bit and have all that spare time to fill with fun" 
 
CoNTeNDeR: "SMBH to you too!" 
 
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. 
 
Reading, Why Bother? 
 
Books, Books, and More Books, so many to read and so long. When will one ever the the time to read them all? 
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_literacy_rate" target="_blank"> </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). 
 
What we are really looking for are reference and how to books and essays. 
 
It is all too easy to say "Come on, I had my share of serious books at university" unfortunately the books in university were generally just on topic. Too specific and not everyday real world challenges. 
 
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. 
 
<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>

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

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmc1_nBDd9JFeBRs31GT_XCS8KniWcJRWk_QN8nIuj0WREcsqxBvURpOR_ucI5SMkxRCPRTs2RoZvNhn0M9epqrLxFObct4MxCvNlcNY_mirxr2Josc14Uj-Z5H-0__pwN4wGuwHjjos0/s1600/FeaR.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmc1_nBDd9JFeBRs31GT_XCS8KniWcJRWk_QN8nIuj0WREcsqxBvURpOR_ucI5SMkxRCPRTs2RoZvNhn0M9epqrLxFObct4MxCvNlcNY_mirxr2Josc14Uj-Z5H-0__pwN4wGuwHjjos0/s1600/FeaR.jpg"></a>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 he has gone off the rails a bit. He is not with the system. His choice to stop working - how dare he!  
 
He needs a bit of re-educating don't you think? I need to re-introduce him to THE.FuTuRe. He has lots of ideas on how to mess things up, surprise and misdirect this misfit. 
 
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
THE.FeaR: "He sure can't cross THE.FuTuRe. It is about time THE.CoNTeNDeR realised this and feels THE.FeaR. 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! "</div>
 
 
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
This is the follow up post post to<a href="http://getintheringwithme.blogspot.fr/2013/10/feeling-fear-part-1.html"> Feeling Fear - Part 1</a> 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 financial independence
 and hopefully a contented life.</div>
 
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Fear 1 - fear of lack of purpose 
 
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. 
 
<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. 
 
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;">
 
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? 
 
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;">
 
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. 
 
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? 
 
Fortunately for the TRiBe we have time no what are we going to do with it.  Here are some current activities: 
<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 slow.</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>
FeaR: "Ah but CoNTeNDeR 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 R.I.P CoNTeNDeR that guy who really didn't do much." 
 
CoNTeNDeR: "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?"  
 
So should this FeaR - 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. 
<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);">
"I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little - death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain." - Frank Herbert</div>
</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
THE.FeaR wins this round with a clip around the ear - what are you doing CoNTeNDeR  
FeaR 1 TRiBe 0 </div>
</div>
</div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
 
Fear 2 - fear of lack of income / high inflation destroying our savings </div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
 
“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....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. " - <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> 
 
<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. 
 
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: 
 
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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. 
 
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 THE.FuTuRe? 
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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...

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)