Author Topic: Blog: Money, Freedom and the art of happy living  (Read 13752 times)

woodpecker

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    • Money, Freedom and the Art of Happy Living
Blog: Money, Freedom and the art of happy living
« on: June 20, 2012, 06:19:37 AM »
Hi there,

inspired by MMM and others around the world, I started a little blog on Downshifting, Freedom and Happy Living in General.
The approach of that blog is a bit less extreme and tries to add some European aspects as well (as I am from Germany).

If you are interested, have a look:

www.gooddaytolive.net

Cheers,
Woodpecker

arebelspy

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Re: Blog: Money, Freedom and the art of happy living
« Reply #1 on: June 20, 2012, 02:04:37 PM »
Looks interesting from a quick glance. 

I'll add it to my RSS reader and go back to the first post and read all of the previous posts and see if it's worth keeping.

Thanks for the recommendation!
I am a former teacher who accumulated a bunch of real estate, retired at 29, spent some time traveling the world full time and am now settled with three kids.
If you want to know more about me, this Business Insider profile tells the story pretty well.
I (rarely) blog at AdventuringAlong.com. Check out the Now page to see what I'm up to currently.

darkelenchus

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Re: Blog: Money, Freedom and the art of happy living
« Reply #2 on: June 20, 2012, 03:16:38 PM »
Cool, thanks for sharing!

One minor recommendation: the dark grey text on black background is kind of hard to read for me. I suspect it'll be hard for others, too. You might want to change the colors so it's easier to read the content.

Jamesqf

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Re: Blog: Money, Freedom and the art of happy living
« Reply #3 on: June 21, 2012, 04:49:00 PM »
One minor recommendation: the dark grey text on black background is kind of hard to read for me. I suspect it'll be hard for others, too. You might want to change the colors so it's easier to read the content.

You might even want to think about not hard-coding colors at all, since that is something some users prefer to do on their end.  I prefer (ok, stronger than that - seldom bother with anything that doesn't show up as) white text on a black background.  Unfortunately, there are some few who only hard-code their text color to black (or dark blue), expecting the user to have set a white background as default.  This is not readable.

woodpecker

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Re: Blog: Money, Freedom and the art of happy living
« Reply #4 on: July 10, 2012, 12:46:42 PM »
Thanks for the feedback, I will have a look if I find a better layout.
On my computer it is quite good to read, but maybe most people indeed prefere black on white.

Cheers,
Woodpecker

arebelspy

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Re: Blog: Money, Freedom and the art of happy living
« Reply #5 on: July 10, 2012, 01:24:41 PM »
I linked to one of your posts in the footnotes of a blog post MMM and I collaborated on recently, so hopefully you'll see some increased traffic from that.
I am a former teacher who accumulated a bunch of real estate, retired at 29, spent some time traveling the world full time and am now settled with three kids.
If you want to know more about me, this Business Insider profile tells the story pretty well.
I (rarely) blog at AdventuringAlong.com. Check out the Now page to see what I'm up to currently.

woodpecker

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Re: Blog: Money, Freedom and the art of happy living
« Reply #6 on: July 11, 2012, 09:13:31 AM »
Hi arebelspy,
yes I noticed indeed, thanks, it's alway good to connect!

Btw. changed the layout, I'd be happy about comments, I think it is much more readable now.

Cheers,
Woodpecker
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grantmeaname

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Re: Blog: Money, Freedom and the art of happy living
« Reply #7 on: July 11, 2012, 09:21:16 AM »
I think the readability is tons better!

darkelenchus

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Re: Blog: Money, Freedom and the art of happy living
« Reply #8 on: July 11, 2012, 10:41:39 AM »
Yes, a nice improvement!

gooki

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Re: Blog: Money, Freedom and the art of happy living
« Reply #9 on: July 11, 2012, 04:49:57 PM »
Much better.

woodpecker

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Re: Blog: Money, Freedom and the art of happy living
« Reply #10 on: July 12, 2012, 02:36:50 PM »
Jep, should have changed the layout earlier...

Thanks, and let me know if you have any other feedback.

PS. Really good inspiration here and in the MMM blog, keep up the great work!

Cheers,
Woodpecker

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woodpecker

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Re: Blog: Money, Freedom and the art of happy living
« Reply #11 on: August 22, 2012, 04:37:56 AM »
Added some posts on:

- alternative concepts of working less and less stressfull
- travelling Germany frugally
- Peegroup pressure
- Where does all the money from increased productivity go to?!

I also tried to bring in some European circumstances, as most interesting blogs currently in place on this issue are US based.
(Although obviously to a very large part the arguments, hurdles and reasons for downshifting are not so different in the US and EU)

(Link in Signature)

I would be interested in the Mustachian community's view...

Keep on going and Cheers,
Woodpecker

arebelspy

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Re: Blog: Money, Freedom and the art of happy living
« Reply #12 on: August 22, 2012, 07:09:43 AM »
I have it in my RSS reader and have been reading new posts as they go up. 

Like you said, more European centric, but I've enjoyed it.

I like the analytical posts more than the vacation type posts, but that's just my brain, I'm sure a mix is good for readers of all types.
I am a former teacher who accumulated a bunch of real estate, retired at 29, spent some time traveling the world full time and am now settled with three kids.
If you want to know more about me, this Business Insider profile tells the story pretty well.
I (rarely) blog at AdventuringAlong.com. Check out the Now page to see what I'm up to currently.

woodpecker

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Re: Blog: Money, Freedom and the art of happy living
« Reply #13 on: October 08, 2012, 11:48:21 AM »
Hi arebelspy,

hope I can still add new insights, given that your blog is covering an impressively vast area already.

Recently the holiday-posts were in the majority I have to admit, but I guess thats just because travelling and photography are two of the major "happiness bringers" for me personnally (actually the main goal of my downshifting and frugal living otherwise), and I try to share this with those readers intersted.

Anyway, the trip has ended and I am back at home in good old (unfortunatelly rather cold) Germany. And good news is we managed to miss out a great potential annual cash-sucker here in Munich, the Octoberfest!

So more posts on the analytical side are likely to follow soon! ;)

All the best and keep up your great work,

Woodpecker

arebelspy

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Re: Blog: Money, Freedom and the art of happy living
« Reply #14 on: October 08, 2012, 12:05:01 PM »
I don't have a blog, but I've recently beenthinking about starting something.. similar.  A fusion of a book and blog.  We'll see.

Looking forward to your posts!
I am a former teacher who accumulated a bunch of real estate, retired at 29, spent some time traveling the world full time and am now settled with three kids.
If you want to know more about me, this Business Insider profile tells the story pretty well.
I (rarely) blog at AdventuringAlong.com. Check out the Now page to see what I'm up to currently.

gooki

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Re: Blog: Money, Freedom and the art of happy living
« Reply #15 on: October 08, 2012, 04:25:15 PM »
I'm glad to see you pre booked your train tickets when travelling in Germany.

woodpecker

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Re: Blog: Money, Freedom and the art of happy living
« Reply #16 on: October 09, 2012, 04:29:29 AM »
@gooki:
indeed recommended, prices here differ more than 50% if you book well in advance. Flexibiliy is very expensive with Deutsche Bahn (German Rail) these days and I never understand why people cannot just stick to their planning.
Have you been over here?

@arebelspy:
Go ahead, it's good fun (if you like writing) for low costs! And let me know...

Today was the last post on Italy travels, so chances are for more of the serious stuff soon ;)
However, I like the mixing of serious or even philosophical stuff and travel docu or even book reviews (I will start with that soon)

Woodpecker
« Last Edit: October 09, 2012, 04:31:24 AM by woodpecker »

gooki

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Re: Blog: Money, Freedom and the art of happy living
« Reply #17 on: October 09, 2012, 02:57:44 PM »
@gooki:
indeed recommended, prices here differ more than 50% if you book well in advance. Flexibiliy is very expensive with Deutsche Bahn (German Rail) these days and I never understand why people cannot just stick to their planning.
Have you been over here?

Yes I've travelled through Germany three times (Love the city of Münster, and thoroughly enjoyed staying in Cologne and Munich).

First time my wife and I didn't book train travel in advance, and were mildly shocked with train prices (especially as neither of us had jobs to go back to at home).

Second time it was just myself (I had to be in Stockholm for business) visiting family in Koln and Holland, and I booked my Train travel in advance, and as you say, you can easily save 50% of the normal rate.

Third time I was travelling with my wife, we booked all our train travel in advance. Again saved about 50% in Germany, 40% in Holland, and in the UK it was closer to 70% which was awesome for us.

woodpecker

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Re: Blog: Money, Freedom and the art of happy living
« Reply #18 on: October 10, 2012, 04:55:44 AM »
Quote
Yes I've travelled through Germany three times (Love the city of Münster, and thoroughly enjoyed staying in Cologne and Munich).

First time my wife and I didn't book train travel in advance, and were mildly shocked with train prices (especially as neither of us had jobs to go back to at home).

Second time it was just myself (I had to be in Stockholm for business) visiting family in Koln and Holland, and I booked my Train travel in advance, and as you say, you can easily save 50% of the normal rate.

Third time I was travelling with my wife, we booked all our train travel in advance. Again saved about 50% in Germany, 40% in Holland, and in the UK it was closer to 70% which was awesome for us.
Wow, so you know quite something about Germany. Münster indeed is a nice city, I studied in Osnabrück (30km away only), we often went to Münster, great for going out as well.
Good to know that rail in UK works the same, if I even happen to travel there by train...

wp

woodpecker

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Best wishes from Germany!
« Reply #19 on: December 25, 2012, 11:47:31 AM »
Hi there,

merry christmas, a happy new year, or - if you prefere - a happy festive season to all of you and greetings from good old Europe!

I hope the Mustachian Community is doing fine and sucessfully continues it's fight against the rat-race in 2013!

(Whoever is interested, there are some new posts on my blog, see signature: On the Optimal Level of Consumption, The absurdity of Abercrombie&Fitch, German cities, An interview with a Non-Downshifter, Facts from Happiness Research and many more)

Cheers,
Woodpecker
« Last Edit: December 25, 2012, 11:49:21 AM by woodpecker »

k9

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Re: Blog: Money, Freedom and the art of happy living
« Reply #20 on: December 25, 2012, 05:58:32 PM »
Woodpecker, your blog is very intersting. It's quite rare to have a European rather than USA opinion on these subjects (I'm from France, so a more local point of vue is interesting).

Jamesqf

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Re: Best wishes from Germany!
« Reply #21 on: December 25, 2012, 08:22:58 PM »
(Whoever is interested, there are some new posts on my blog, see signature:

Much nicer than the original!  This version is easily readable.  Only had time for a quick skim of the home page, but I do like the pictures.  One suggestion would be to add a post date to each article.  I hate finding something, for instance from a search, then discovering that it's years out of date.

Ozstache

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Re: Blog: Money, Freedom and the art of happy living
« Reply #22 on: December 25, 2012, 09:23:32 PM »
Good blog. I particularly liked the "Eight Principles to improve your Buying Decisions" article. Added to my ER favourites list. Thanks

woodpecker

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Re: Blog: Money, Freedom and the art of happy living
« Reply #23 on: January 03, 2013, 03:14:18 PM »
Hi,
thanks everybody for the comments!

Actually, the post dates DO appear in the little bubbles next to the title of a post - at least they should do so...

Cheers,
Woodpecker

Kriegsspiel

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Re: Blog: Money, Freedom and the art of happy living
« Reply #24 on: January 03, 2013, 06:13:21 PM »
I used to live in Franconia when I was in Germany, loved it!

woodpecker

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Re: Blog: Money, Freedom and the art of happy living
« Reply #25 on: January 16, 2013, 07:39:21 AM »
I used to live in Franconia when I was in Germany, loved it!
Hey, that's great!
Where about did you live?

And I hope you enjoyed the great and cheap food and local beer - my favorits when @home!

Cheers,
Woodpecker

Kriegsspiel

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Re: Blog: Money, Freedom and the art of happy living
« Reply #26 on: January 16, 2013, 05:25:39 PM »
I lived in Schweinfurt and Bamberg.  Have you had the beer from the breweries in Bamberg?  Fassla, Spezial Kellerbier, Schlenkerla, man those were some good beers.

woodpecker

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Re: Blog: Money, Freedom and the art of happy living
« Reply #27 on: January 17, 2013, 03:09:24 AM »
Sure I know those beers, Bamberg is my home town!
I used to live next to the Spezi-Keller (the beergarden on the hill) and probably had some bathtubs full of this stuff during my time there.
Maybe you recognise the building in this post on Franconia, if you have not seen it yet. Actually I should add some more pics of the town... 

Glad to hear you had a good time there!

Kriegsspiel

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Re: Blog: Money, Freedom and the art of happy living
« Reply #28 on: January 17, 2013, 11:22:04 AM »
HAH, that's awesome, small world!  I lived right by the Bahnhof, near the Norma!  Rock on man :)  I spent many afternoons at the Spezi-Keller, always a great time!  That's really cool :)

woodpecker

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Re: Blog: Money, Freedom and the art of happy living
« Reply #29 on: May 14, 2013, 01:31:48 PM »
Hi MMM community,

in case you are interested, added some more posts to my blog (www.gooddaytolive.net). Among them:

- Take Time for your Passion and Happiness will follow!
- Vienna – a top Downshifter’s venue!
- The joy of a Father&Son trip: Vienna
- Refurbishments for Free?! Team up with neighbors and Landy…
- Some Guidelines to successful Investing
- Anyone fears a Crisis? Woodpecker not, and tell you why…
- Talking to a Board Member of a Global Corporate

Cheers and keep on rocking!
Woodpecker

woodpecker

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Re: Blog: Money, Freedom and the art of happy living
« Reply #30 on: September 17, 2013, 04:19:26 AM »
Hi everyone,

a lot of new post were added at my European downshifting blog:

- on car running costs in Germany
- Adventure, Kids and Frugality, by the example of a Familiy sailing trip with a boy and a baby
- Housing: Renting vs. Buying decision
- Intentionally deciding against a career opportunity
- Visiting Poland, Germanys eastern neighbour
- The power of being a latecomer instead of an early adopter

and many more.

If you are interested have a look at
A Good Day to Live.

Cheers,
Woodpecker

woodpecker

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Re: Blog: Money, Freedom and the art of happy living
« Reply #31 on: April 23, 2014, 10:15:24 AM »
Hi guys,

for all who are interested, there are some new posts on this blog.

E.g.

- Exchanging freedom for money careerwise - good or bad idea?
- A couple of tipps on frugal trips in Europe / Germany (e.g. Verona, Passau)
- Is there a price to be paid for early retirement?
- Why idling is a great thing

If you are interested have a look at
A Good Day to Live.

Cheers,
Woodpecker


k9

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Re: Blog: Money, Freedom and the art of happy living
« Reply #32 on: June 18, 2014, 02:23:49 AM »
Still a nice blog, dude !

 

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