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The FIRE Path to Freedom – Part 2 FIRE or FREE?

Michael Hoag

In part 1, we discussed how changing our relationship with money and work is one of the key leverage points for transforming our lives, our society and the world. We explained that designing our interaction with money is a leverage point for creating viral change, because it has a huge “payback” for individuals, can help us fund our dreams, has a huge impact on the success of our projects, and it can be a fun adventure, too.  “Hey, wait – sure it can help us invest in successful community organizing and regenerative projects, but money? An adventure?”  Yes! Once we … Continue reading The FIRE Path to Freedom – Part 2 FIRE or FREE?

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The FIRE Path to Financial Freedom (and The Most Important thing We’ve Learned about Permaculture)

Michael Hoag

The FIRE Path to Freedom? (The Most Important thing We’ve Learned about Permaculture) Well now that’s quite a loaded headline! Clearly, we’re going to talk about money and the current popular “FIRE” (Financial Independence Retire Early) movement – but first! – what is the most important thing we’ve ever learned about Permaculture, homesteading and living with the land? What single concept has had the biggest positive impact on transforming our lives since we first heard the “P word” on WEFT Community Radio back in 2001? Leverage. The whole point of the Lillie House project as we originally envisioned it, was … Continue reading The FIRE Path to Financial Freedom (and The Most Important thing We’ve Learned about Permaculture)

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Only a Bowl of Rice – Permaculture/Homesteading Edition

Michael Hoag

Being on FB homesteading, farming and Permaculture groups, one thing I see constantly are complaints about money and work. A major reason people pursue farming in particular is to escape “the rat race.” But they never re-design their ideas about money, so either they take the leap and end up just as stressed as before, or they never figure out how to finance their dreams in the first place, and never even get started.  There’s an ancient Chinese story Kim and I have often told ourselves when we’re stressed about money and work, to put it all in perspective. ———————————– … Continue reading Only a Bowl of Rice – Permaculture/Homesteading Edition

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I Wish I Understood this Before I Started Farming! (Why Permaculture ≠ Farming)

Michael Hoag

“The opposite of a bad idea is rarely a good idea, it’s usually just another bad idea.”  In America’s frantic and polarized culture, this axiom is one of my favorite thinking tools. It’s an oldie-but-goodie that’s being re-popularized by John Michael Greer. Lately, I’ve been sharing a lot of negative-sounding research and perspectives on the current “profitable farming” craze, but it’s NOT that I want to discourage people. I want people to succeed gloriously in creating beautiful, rich lives with greater connection to the land – living WITH the land, not OFF it like some beast of burden. And I … Continue reading I Wish I Understood this Before I Started Farming! (Why Permaculture ≠ Farming)