Comments on: Spare Change: Contrary Farmer Edition http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/06/22/spare-change-contrary-farmer-edition/ Common sense advice on money saving tips, how to get out of debt, high interest savings accounts, cd rates, money market accounts, mortgage rates, money management and more. Tue, 21 May 2013 02:58:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Tricia http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/06/22/spare-change-contrary-farmer-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1517132 Tricia Sat, 25 Jun 2011 11:16:16 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=89682#comment-1517132 I can so relate to the suggestion that when we 'turn our gaze outward...we drain money from our bank accounts'. I recently accepted a second job and we quickly discovered it was the wrong decision for our family. All of a sudden we are spending money on things we wouldn't have needed when I wasn't working so much. So we've decided that once this contract ends in a few months I will invest in our home and our family for a while. I'm going to work only one day a week (for at least a year) and spend time expanding our food garden and nurturing our home and our health. I honestly believe that at the end of a year of me working only 1 day instead of 5, that we will be financially better off than if i'd continued working full-time. I've just discovered your blog via Rowdy Kittens and am so glad I have. I'm looking forward to following. I can so relate to the suggestion that when we ‘turn our gaze outward…we drain money from our bank accounts’. I recently accepted a second job and we quickly discovered it was the wrong decision for our family. All of a sudden we are spending money on things we wouldn’t have needed when I wasn’t working so much. So we’ve decided that once this contract ends in a few months I will invest in our home and our family for a while. I’m going to work only one day a week (for at least a year) and spend time expanding our food garden and nurturing our home and our health. I honestly believe that at the end of a year of me working only 1 day instead of 5, that we will be financially better off than if i’d continued working full-time.

I’ve just discovered your blog via Rowdy Kittens and am so glad I have. I’m looking forward to following.

loading....

]]> By: Jaime http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/06/22/spare-change-contrary-farmer-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1516382 Jaime Sat, 25 Jun 2011 00:46:53 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=89682#comment-1516382 oh Thanks Lindsay :) oh Thanks Lindsay :)

loading....

]]> By: Sara http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/06/22/spare-change-contrary-farmer-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1515602 Sara Fri, 24 Jun 2011 17:25:09 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=89682#comment-1515602 Wow! Congratulations on making the list in Time! You deserve it. Wow! Congratulations on making the list in Time! You deserve it.

loading....

]]> By: Jacq http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/06/22/spare-change-contrary-farmer-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1513522 Jacq Thu, 23 Jun 2011 21:53:23 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=89682#comment-1513522 Yay on the Time best of blogs thingy! I got rid of the last of my books on frugality etc. (even YMoYL and ERE) ;-) through a blog giveaway. I keep the investment books around though since I actually do re-read them occasionally. Yay on the Time best of blogs thingy! I got rid of the last of my books on frugality etc. (even YMoYL and ERE) ;-) through a blog giveaway. I keep the investment books around though since I actually do re-read them occasionally.

loading....

]]> By: Debbie M http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/06/22/spare-change-contrary-farmer-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1513502 Debbie M Thu, 23 Jun 2011 21:37:02 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=89682#comment-1513502 Sleeping bags are easy to transport. And if you're feeling a little creaky, you could put an exercise mat under it. Sleeping bags are easy to transport. And if you’re feeling a little creaky, you could put an exercise mat under it.

loading....

]]> By: Kristen E http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/06/22/spare-change-contrary-farmer-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1513422 Kristen E Thu, 23 Jun 2011 20:55:16 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=89682#comment-1513422 Thanks, Rosa! That's really interesting. My husband and I live in northern Indiana but we're from Michigan. We honestly aren't quite ready yet anyway - we're not sure where we want to "settle" yet, whether that's here where we're at or heading closer to family. I'm definitely going to be looking into programs like this, though! Thank you so much! Thanks, Rosa! That’s really interesting. My husband and I live in northern Indiana but we’re from Michigan. We honestly aren’t quite ready yet anyway – we’re not sure where we want to “settle” yet, whether that’s here where we’re at or heading closer to family. I’m definitely going to be looking into programs like this, though! Thank you so much!

loading....

]]> By: Rosa http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/06/22/spare-change-contrary-farmer-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1513252 Rosa Thu, 23 Jun 2011 20:26:05 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=89682#comment-1513252 Kristen, depending where you are, you might be able to get some startup help, especially with financing, choosing a site and putting together a business plan for the farm. In the upper Midwest we have a program called Farm Beginnings for new farmers and farmers transitioning to organic/pasture practices. http://www.landstewardshipproject.org/programs.html#farm_beginnings Kristen, depending where you are, you might be able to get some startup help, especially with financing, choosing a site and putting together a business plan for the farm.

In the upper Midwest we have a program called Farm Beginnings for new farmers and farmers transitioning to organic/pasture practices. http://www.landstewardshipproject.org/programs.html#farm_beginnings

loading....

]]> By: Amber http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/06/22/spare-change-contrary-farmer-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1512792 Amber Thu, 23 Jun 2011 16:08:26 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=89682#comment-1512792 I think you can do it Ru. Ikea packages some of their mattresses in a roll form, so the aren't too unwieldy. I bought one and it easily fit inside the trunk of a small car but in one giant ikea bag it could probably also travel on the tube. Very comfortable as a guest bed too. I think you can do it Ru. Ikea packages some of their mattresses in a roll form, so the aren’t too unwieldy. I bought one and it easily fit inside the trunk of a small car but in one giant ikea bag it could probably also travel on the tube.
Very comfortable as a guest bed too.

loading....

]]> By: No Debt MBA http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/06/22/spare-change-contrary-farmer-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1512582 No Debt MBA Thu, 23 Jun 2011 14:21:36 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=89682#comment-1512582 It is amazing how much more valuable saving money can be compared to earning it when you consider taxes. I always find it kind of funny that those who can benefit the most (on a dollar to dollar basis) from cutting spending are the ones who make the most. Congrats on the Time feature! What an honor :) It is amazing how much more valuable saving money can be compared to earning it when you consider taxes. I always find it kind of funny that those who can benefit the most (on a dollar to dollar basis) from cutting spending are the ones who make the most.

Congrats on the Time feature! What an honor :)

loading....

]]> By: Kristen E http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/06/22/spare-change-contrary-farmer-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1512542 Kristen E Thu, 23 Jun 2011 14:05:13 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=89682#comment-1512542 I'm a fairly new reader (about a month) and I just wanted to thank you for posting this! My husband and I are trying to save for a small farm, and looking at Logsdon's page, I think he has a similar idea about things as my husband and I do. We're a long way off from buying our farm - at least 5 years in my calculations, because our finances are a mess, but we're working on it. Thanks for everything! I’m a fairly new reader (about a month) and I just wanted to thank you for posting this! My husband and I are trying to save for a small farm, and looking at Logsdon’s page, I think he has a similar idea about things as my husband and I do. We’re a long way off from buying our farm – at least 5 years in my calculations, because our finances are a mess, but we’re working on it. Thanks for everything!

loading....

]]> By: Sheila http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/06/22/spare-change-contrary-farmer-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1512412 Sheila Thu, 23 Jun 2011 13:09:06 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=89682#comment-1512412 Congratulations on the TIME mention and thank you for introducing me to both Wendell Berry and Gene Logsden. I'd never heard of either, but after sampling the links, I'll be reading more. Congratulations on the TIME mention and thank you for introducing me to both Wendell Berry and Gene Logsden. I’d never heard of either, but after sampling the links, I’ll be reading more.

loading....

]]> By: Megan http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/06/22/spare-change-contrary-farmer-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1512392 Megan Thu, 23 Jun 2011 13:01:50 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=89682#comment-1512392 It's about "TIME" they recognized you! (Sorry for the pun.) It’s about “TIME” they recognized you! (Sorry for the pun.)

loading....

]]> By: Coley http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/06/22/spare-change-contrary-farmer-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1512222 Coley Thu, 23 Jun 2011 11:26:16 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=89682#comment-1512222 Congrats on the TIME mention. You wouldn't know how much I enjoy this site based on my often-sarcastic comments, but I do. Congrats on the TIME mention. You wouldn’t know how much I enjoy this site based on my often-sarcastic comments, but I do.

loading....

]]> By: Pamela http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/06/22/spare-change-contrary-farmer-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1512202 Pamela Thu, 23 Jun 2011 11:18:51 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=89682#comment-1512202 Gene Logsdon is a new name to me. Thanks for sharing. I'm going to check him out. I think we can look outward and inward at the same time--nurturing our home lives and connecting with the wider world. I have friends who don't travel much but are very global in their outlook. They participate in couchsurfing.org, a social media site that hooks up travelers with folks willing to share their homes with short term visitors. The whole idea is to make connections. My friends have hosted visitors from all over the world. And they recently vacationed by couchsurfing with folks living along the shore. As you're contemplating your desire to travel and your questions about your home, you might find couchsurfing a fun way to connect with people from around the world--even when you're not traveling. Finally, I add my congratulations to everyone else's about Time's selection of your blog. I saw the Time article online before you posted the badge on your site and was thrilled to see it. It's really great to see a blog that's so human and real have such great success. You really deserve the kudos for creating not only a blog, but a community. Gene Logsdon is a new name to me. Thanks for sharing. I’m going to check him out.

I think we can look outward and inward at the same time–nurturing our home lives and connecting with the wider world.

I have friends who don’t travel much but are very global in their outlook. They participate in couchsurfing.org, a social media site that hooks up travelers with folks willing to share their homes with short term visitors. The whole idea is to make connections.

My friends have hosted visitors from all over the world. And they recently vacationed by couchsurfing with folks living along the shore.

As you’re contemplating your desire to travel and your questions about your home, you might find couchsurfing a fun way to connect with people from around the world–even when you’re not traveling.

Finally, I add my congratulations to everyone else’s about Time’s selection of your blog. I saw the Time article online before you posted the badge on your site and was thrilled to see it.

It’s really great to see a blog that’s so human and real have such great success. You really deserve the kudos for creating not only a blog, but a community.

loading....

]]> By: Lindsay http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/06/22/spare-change-contrary-farmer-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1512122 Lindsay Thu, 23 Jun 2011 11:04:33 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=89682#comment-1512122 That was JD editing. At first that paragraph had no lines through it. The first commenter stated, with a reference, that the facts where false. So JD updated with lines through it. This will let people know that statement is not true but still let people read the original post. That was JD editing. At first that paragraph had no lines through it. The first commenter stated, with a reference, that the facts where false. So JD updated with lines through it. This will let people know that statement is not true but still let people read the original post.

loading....

]]> By: Jaime http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/06/22/spare-change-contrary-farmer-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1512082 Jaime Thu, 23 Jun 2011 09:46:14 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=89682#comment-1512082 I don't understand the lines in the paragraph, why would you post a paragraph with lines running through it? I don’t understand the lines in the paragraph, why would you post a paragraph with lines running through it?

loading....

]]> By: fetu http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/06/22/spare-change-contrary-farmer-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1511952 fetu Thu, 23 Jun 2011 07:54:53 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=89682#comment-1511952 What a relief to hear that it was false facts. I early retired and it had me concerned when I hear these statistics a few weeks ago. What a relief to hear that it was false facts. I early retired and it had me concerned when I hear these statistics a few weeks ago.

loading....

]]> By: rail http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/06/22/spare-change-contrary-farmer-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1511812 rail Thu, 23 Jun 2011 05:28:56 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=89682#comment-1511812 JD,congrats on the mention in TIME! I'm not much of a computer guy, but this site is outstanding. The only time I have ever writen anything to be publicly published has been on this site. You and your contibutors make this site a wealth of information. THANK YOU! JD,congrats on the mention in TIME! I’m not much of a computer guy, but this site is outstanding. The only time I have ever writen anything to be publicly published has been on this site. You and your contibutors make this site a wealth of information. THANK YOU!

loading....

]]> By: imelda http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/06/22/spare-change-contrary-farmer-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1511642 imelda Thu, 23 Jun 2011 03:22:22 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=89682#comment-1511642 JD, the TIME recognition is beyond well-deserved. I am consistently astounded by the high quality of this blog. There is something interesting and insightful to read every day - especially if it's a post written by you. I don't know how you do it, but please don't stop. I was so happy to see the TIME accolade, and I hope you get more!!! JD, the TIME recognition is beyond well-deserved. I am consistently astounded by the high quality of this blog. There is something interesting and insightful to read every day – especially if it’s a post written by you.

I don’t know how you do it, but please don’t stop. I was so happy to see the TIME accolade, and I hope you get more!!!

loading....

]]> By: Tara@riceandbeanslife http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/06/22/spare-change-contrary-farmer-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1511632 Tara@riceandbeanslife Thu, 23 Jun 2011 03:07:40 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=89682#comment-1511632 I like your quotes by Jonathan Fields. Seems to be so often the case. I don't like stuff for the sake of stuff either. I call it "stuff-itis." Congratulations on being named by Time! Excellent job! I like your quotes by Jonathan Fields. Seems to be so often the case. I don’t like stuff for the sake of stuff either. I call it “stuff-itis.” Congratulations on being named by Time! Excellent job!

loading....

]]> By: DJ Wetzel http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/06/22/spare-change-contrary-farmer-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1511502 DJ Wetzel Thu, 23 Jun 2011 01:14:22 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=89682#comment-1511502 You know there is a lot to be said for staying at home to save money. I often wonder if I would be better served to stay at home and pursue my online writing business rather than commute back and forth to work and spend money on those expenses, as well as clothing, office parties, and lose out on the time it takes me to travel back and forth (2 hours per day). Even as I am writing this, I am convincing myself that I am crazy for not staying home and earning money that way! You know there is a lot to be said for staying at home to save money. I often wonder if I would be better served to stay at home and pursue my online writing business rather than commute back and forth to work and spend money on those expenses, as well as clothing, office parties, and lose out on the time it takes me to travel back and forth (2 hours per day).

Even as I am writing this, I am convincing myself that I am crazy for not staying home and earning money that way!

loading....

]]> By: Lindsay http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/06/22/spare-change-contrary-farmer-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1511472 Lindsay Thu, 23 Jun 2011 00:51:43 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=89682#comment-1511472 WAY TO GO JD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Glad TIME sees how great GRS is! I know,personally, GRS is my favorite blog and the comments are a large part of it. But without you JD it would be nothing! WAY TO GO JD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Glad TIME sees how great GRS is! I know,personally, GRS is my favorite blog and the comments are a large part of it. But without you JD it would be nothing!

loading....

]]> By: SB (One cent at a time) http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/06/22/spare-change-contrary-farmer-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1511442 SB (One cent at a time) Thu, 23 Jun 2011 00:21:20 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=89682#comment-1511442 Let me understand, You work hard, you earn money, then you work harder, earn more money. Again at the same time, you live frugal you save money, you down size further you save more money. Living below means, downsizing are good thoughts, but, not always practical. What is practical is..spending money on things you enjoy and saving money to enjoy your life till you live. If we can achieve that, I think we are covered! Let me understand, You work hard, you earn money, then you work harder, earn more money. Again at the same time, you live frugal you save money, you down size further you save more money.

Living below means, downsizing are good thoughts, but, not always practical. What is practical is..spending money on things you enjoy and saving money to enjoy your life till you live. If we can achieve that, I think we are covered!

loading....

]]> By: Tyler Karaszewski http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/06/22/spare-change-contrary-farmer-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1511412 Tyler Karaszewski Wed, 22 Jun 2011 23:46:40 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=89682#comment-1511412 Hahaha, good (albeit late) fact checking J.D. Hahaha, good (albeit late) fact checking J.D.

loading....

]]> By: Ru http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/06/22/spare-change-contrary-farmer-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1511382 Ru Wed, 22 Jun 2011 23:21:17 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=89682#comment-1511382 Thanks for the link to the guy who lives without furniture. I am looking for somewhere to live for my next year at university, and with London rents so crippling have been entertaining the idea of renting an unfurnished apartment to save a bit of cash. Getting a mattress home from IKEA on the tube could be a challenge, but there are loads of wooden pallets, plastic milk crates and pieces of office furniture left out on the street everyday that I'm sure, with a little imagination, I could turn into something amazing... Thanks for the link to the guy who lives without furniture. I am looking for somewhere to live for my next year at university, and with London rents so crippling have been entertaining the idea of renting an unfurnished apartment to save a bit of cash. Getting a mattress home from IKEA on the tube could be a challenge, but there are loads of wooden pallets, plastic milk crates and pieces of office furniture left out on the street everyday that I’m sure, with a little imagination, I could turn into something amazing…

loading....

]]> By: Ginny http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/06/22/spare-change-contrary-farmer-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1511342 Ginny Wed, 22 Jun 2011 22:34:16 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=89682#comment-1511342 JD, You had it coming! TIME knows a good thing when they see it. Even in my advanced senior years with hardly any income at all, I find much on the GRS site to help me. Keep up the good work. A fellow Oregonian JD, You had it coming! TIME knows a good thing when they see it.
Even in my advanced senior years with hardly any income at all, I find much on the GRS site to help me.
Keep up the good work.
A fellow Oregonian

loading....

]]> By: J.D. Roth http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/06/22/spare-change-contrary-farmer-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1511302 J.D. Roth Wed, 22 Jun 2011 22:27:05 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=89682#comment-1511302 Thank you, Jim. You rock! Thank you, Jim. You rock!

loading....

]]> By: KS http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/06/22/spare-change-contrary-farmer-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1511292 KS Wed, 22 Jun 2011 22:23:20 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=89682#comment-1511292 I must be contrary to the contrary farmer. I find that I need a balance to spend less: focusing on things outside (my friends, community, etc) and inward (house and garden). I'm just a more engaged person and don't spend to fill a void. To each his/her own. I must be contrary to the contrary farmer. I find that I need a balance to spend less: focusing on things outside (my friends, community, etc) and inward (house and garden). I’m just a more engaged person and don’t spend to fill a void. To each his/her own.

loading....

]]> By: Beth http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/06/22/spare-change-contrary-farmer-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1511242 Beth Wed, 22 Jun 2011 22:13:05 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=89682#comment-1511242 Ooh, ooh, The Contrary Farmer is one of my all-time fave books too! Logsdon is a fabulous read. He knows his stuff through and through -- he lives it, and has been writing about it for decades with his no-nonsense, but plenty-of-fun style. And his sense of humor is delightful! He's written other books over the years, some very useful but out of print (Practical Skills is one that comes to mind), some more recent (Holy Shit [I'm serious, that's the title], and Living at Nature's Pace). So glad you mentioned him here. His writing is all about getting rich slowly...I never thought of it as GRS material before, though. Ooh, ooh, The Contrary Farmer is one of my all-time fave books too!

Logsdon is a fabulous read. He knows his stuff through and through — he lives it, and has been writing about it for decades with his no-nonsense, but plenty-of-fun style. And his sense of humor is delightful!

He’s written other books over the years, some very useful but out of print (Practical Skills is one that comes to mind), some more recent (Holy Shit [I'm serious, that's the title], and Living at Nature’s Pace).

So glad you mentioned him here. His writing is all about getting rich slowly…I never thought of it as GRS material before, though.

loading....

]]> By: J.D. Roth http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/06/22/spare-change-contrary-farmer-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1511182 J.D. Roth Wed, 22 Jun 2011 21:30:54 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=89682#comment-1511182 Tyler, you are a contrary EVERYTHING! :) Tyler, you are a contrary EVERYTHING! :)

loading....

]]>