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  • Not vetted for CNN

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    Posted October 8, 2008 by
    Minimalist |
    Location
    Santa Clara, California
    Assignment
    Assignment
    This iReport is part of an assignment:
    Are you a Millionaire in the Making?

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    The Happy Minimalist

    By Minimalist  |  Posted October 8, 2008  |  Santa Clara, California
     
    My principle is simple: If you lead a simple life, you can afford to retire young, it is good for your health and it is better for the planet. Based on these principles, I recently retired & am debt free. I am only 44. I also self published a book that lays out the rationale for living a simple live. Some of the strategies discussed in the book - The Happy Minimalist are: 1) Purchase the smallest home you can live in instead of purchasing the biggest home you can afford. 2) After maximizing your employer contribution for 401K, divert any extra $$ you have towards paying off the mortgage as soon as possible. 3) Cook your own food & eat at home most of the time. This not only saves money but is also healthier because you can choose the ingredients and the method you cook. 4) Prevention is better than cure! Educate yourself on basic health matters. Exercise and diet is important in preventing diseases. This saves not only $$ but a lot of grief too. I have not taken any sick leave in more than 10 years AND I don't depend on any medications. 5) Conserve energy. Simple steps such as removing phantom loads, replacing incandescent lamps with compact fluorescent lamps etc. These actions not only are environmentally friendly but save you money which you can invest. 6) Drive only when necessary. Walk or cycle whenever possible. www.TheHappyMinimalist.net

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