Last week in my rant, I wrote about how some people who struggle with money bring on their own problems through ridiculous spending*. There is no shortage of folks who live like that here in the States. However, I recently read about the opposite; people who have gazillions of dollars, but pay loads of money in an effort to live like those who struggle.
I love living in modern times. A thought that I often have is that I’m very thankful to have been born in an era with airplanes, air conditioning, long lifespans, computers, safe drinking water and modern medicine.
The goal of this blog is early retirement through financial independence. Retiring only halfway through life is a fantastic thing and a very new concept. Think about it. If you were born in 1900, you couldn’t count on living to be 50. You worked, worked, worked your whole life and then you died. Game over. Do not buy golf clubs or a Cadillac. Do not pass the Florida state line. Go directly to the worm farm.
In the present day, most of us expect to retire. If we play our cards smart and right, we can even retire with a good part of our lives ahead of us. This is spectacular and the reason behind it is technology.
However, some people just don’t see it this way. Check out this article in the Wall Street Journal** about some pretentious people who want to live like it’s the 1700s. This lady spent $1,000,000 remodeling her old home and decided to forgo electricity in parts of the home so she could have a more authentic experience. What?!?
The thing that cracks me up about this article is how the homeowner picks and chooses which 1700s fun she wants to relive. Going without electricity is a nice little quaint, romantic notion. Awe, how cute; we get to light candles at night. I have some additional suggestions to further her experience of those not-so-wonderful days gone by.
Corn cobs and outhouses!
In the 1700s, there was no toilet paper. Instead, people used corn cobs or ferns or seashells (ouch!) or wood shavings (“Honey, I need help with a sliver…”). Also, most people did their business in outhouses. Lady, strive for authenticity: Do your business outside when it’s 10 degrees next to a bucket of corn cobs. No lights either; that would be cheating!
Leeches!
Most great medical advancements have happened in the past 100 years. In the 1700s, doctors used leeches to treat sickness. It was also not uncommon to die of diarrhea (this is really unpleasant when you combine it with the information I just gave you about corn cobs)! Next time the flu has you feeling down, forget the antibiotics and head out to the local swamp.
Horses!
I’ll bet this lady has a nice Lexus or BMW. However, the internal combustion engine was still over a century away. The rich got around with horses. Try getting to your vacation home in Florida, 1,000 miles away on a horse. Remember to stock up on that corn.
Not for me
I have no desire to live in the past. I love that I don’t have to worry about typhoid or cholera. I love having access to the information of the world in my pocket. I love the idea of early retirement.
However, maybe it’s the smaller (and softer) things that matter most; I’m not trading my Kirkland Bath Tissue rolls (“2 layers of softness and absorbency”) for corn cobs. Ever.
*I used the word “poor” which upon further thought, I do not like. “Poor” has all kinds of connotations. I know people who make 30K/year that live very rich lives. I know a person who makes 150K/year, but lives check to check. I’ll bet the latter person feels poorer.
**Bah! Sometimes, when I click this link, it wants me to be a WSJ subscriber to read. The lady in the story put $1,000,000 into a remodel and left some rooms without electricity so she could have more authentic 1700s experience. Another installed a 100+ year old toilet.
***When Mrs. 1500 finally gets fed up with my silly antics and tosses me out on the street, this picture**** will be the first thing the court sees: “Your honor, please view exhibit A. This man is clearly insane…”
****But look at the awesome hat I’m wearing. Yes, that is Warren Buffett.
Holy crap! Hell no! I will not use corn cobs for my behind. Sticking with Charmin. I grew up poor. And by poor, my dad made $18K on a good year and my mom never skimped on the toilet paper. Charmin has always been in the bathroom.
Savvy Financial Latina recently posted…Controlling the Budget- Castle Edition
SVL, don’t knock it unless you tried it! I hear that Charmin is coming out with a line of corn cob based products too.
This reminds me of my disdain for fanatic environmentalists who want society to resemble some more pristine, egalarian, all around wonderful time in the past.
Ugh I just want to punch these people in the face because thy seem to wholly forget how “nasty, brutish, and short” life was for most people in the past.
I’m all for conservation and environmental stewardship but when people forget that you once had to wipe your ass with corn cobs and infant and maternal mortality was a regular everyday occurance, good god I weep at the stupidity!
To truly live in an authentic past is something very few people would ever want to experience!
Steve recently posted…The Money Book Giveaway
This comment (and others) convinces me that I must meet you in person someday. You hit the nail on the head! Wait, forget hammers, you drove the nail in with the air powered nail-gun perfectly. Oh yeah!
I have family members who claim to hate science. Among other things, they campaign against modern medicine. That doesn’t stop them from owning iPhones and fancy cars. People, where do you think the processor in that phone and the fancy fuel injection mapping came from?
Science.
My husband likes to say he was born in the wrong century, although less often now that I’ve pointed out he would have died as an infant or young child because of severe asthma. It’s so easy to romanticize the past. You can go camping instead of ripping out the electricity.
Hi 1500, I was randomly reading this yesterday:
http://edge.org/conversation/infinite-stupidity-edge-conversation-with-mark-pagel
Which rings a bell with your comment: Most people are followers and not inovators. Your friends claim to hate science because they clearly have little understanding of it, yet are happy to copy what other people are doing (buying iPhones, etc)
The rest is not so relevant but it’s a good read if you have time anyway.
As regards to the “authentic experience” – what a load of nonsense! What will they think of next, “caverooms”? “single cell life experience?”
theFIREstarter recently posted…1001 tips on Buying in bulk
We too are Kirkland TP devotees. And I share your enthusiasm for modern amenities. Much as Mr. FW and I strive to simplify our lives, there’s a point at which one must reflect that things were invented for a reason… life was straight-up bad before antibiotics. P.S. Frugalsaurus looks like he’s living large in the Barbie mansion.
Mrs. Frugalwoods recently posted…Frugal Hound Sniffs: Free To Pursue
And vaccines! Our neighbor is a polio survivor, but was one of the lucky ones in those pre-vaccine days…
Mrs. Pop @ Planting Our Pennies recently posted…Drawing and Dreaming Our Dream Kitchen
My grandfather survived polio too, although he limped for the rest of his life. We live in amazing times. I just hope this isn’t the peak, but I don’t think so. Science will find a way.
Frugalsaurus would like to point out that he does not in fact live in the Barbie mansion. That would be Spendosaurus who is severely underwater and will be foreclosed on very soon.
Funny how many of us FI/PF blogger love Costco. Also add computer programming, good beer and manual transmissions*.
*both cars are sticks!!
Had my appendix removed at 30. They weren’t common until the early 1900’s (and even then still a bit dangerous). I’m pretty sure that would have been it for me had i been born 100 years ago.
Yeah, back then, an infected cut could kill. Scary! Who the heck would want to go back to that crap? I like paved roads, radio and modern insulation.
You people with your Costcos! Talk about living luxuriously! You get these awesome, affordable pizzas (from what I’ve heard), cheap bulk products, and even two-ply toilet paper???
Try living in the frozen tundra where the closest Costco is 4 1/2 hours away, air temperatures reach -40, and just 3 years ago switched from corn cob wiping because of a rash of… diaper rashes….
Of course I’m kidding, but seriously I do want to visit a Costco some day. I also think it’s funny that just because we live where we live (North Dakota), that people wonder what we do for fun, or if we have the same modern amenities.
I had no idea that people did this – selectively pick and choose which modern conveniences to replace while in the same dwelling having lavish areas packed with modern technology. To each his own I guess.
Big Guy Money recently posted…YOLO – Live Your Best Life Today
If you only knew. You can get a massive hotdog and a cinnamon churo for like 3 dollars. I ate there a lot more than i should have when i was right next door to one. And that was before you even tried to go shopping!
Hell yeah Zol! $1.50 for the hot dog + drink. And they even have sauerkraut!
You’re making me want to drive 9 hours total for a meal!
Big Guy Money recently posted…Live In The Moment, Not A Decade In The Future
Costco pizza is overrated, but I’m from Chicago, so I’m a pizza snob.
“Try living in the frozen tundra where the closest Costco is 4 1/2 hours away, air temperatures reach -40, and just 3 years ago switched from corn cob wiping because of a rash of… diaper rashes….”
No way, corn is too cold to grow up there! I’m sure ya’ll subside on turnips and sticks.
Do you have indoor plumbing and electricity in ND? Horse and buggy? 🙂
They just discovered copper up here, so we decided to wire our house for this electricity thing? Turns out electricity can run a furnace, which heats our home in the winter a heck of a lot better than the bonfire we used to have in the basement!
As recently as 10 years ago I worked retail, and we continually had customers surprised that our products released the same day as the rest of the nation…
Big Guy Money recently posted…Live In The Moment, Not A Decade In The Future
No. Way. Next thing, you’re going to tell me that you have tapes or CDs (you still use gramophones, no?) and aeroplanes (new fangled machines that allow humans to take flight like the noble eagle). Oh man, I crack my silly self up.
I laughed 😉
Big Guy Money recently posted…Live In The Moment, Not A Decade In The Future
We have to retire for the economy to work. If you stay in a job forever there is no job for someone new out of college, plus you marketable skills decrease over time especially in this age of technology.
It is funny how sometimes leaving on the cheap ends up costing you more in the long run in our modern society. One thing I learned growing up was watching my parents constantly spend money on car repairs. We could only afford cheap cars and they were constantly breaking down. So the first chance I had I spent a little extra to get a quality used car. I have hardly ever had a repair so in the long run paying a little more upfront will save me more in the long run.
Lance @ Healthy Wealthy Income recently posted…Paying Off Debt Is Not Goal Number One
Cars now our amazing. Our Honda Element has 140,000 miles on it. The only issue it ever had was a seized caliper which was easy to fix. The crazy thing is still on its original clutch too.
I see your point though. It’s not only money, it’s time too. My parents had crap cars too (Chevy Citation anyone?) and my dad would spend half the weekends of the month underneath the hood of that bucket of worthless bolts.
“We have to retire for the economy to work. If you stay in a job forever there is no job for someone new out of college, plus you marketable skills decrease over time especially in this age of technology.”
Right on. I’m in technology and the thought of being 60 and trying to complete with 22 year old brains scares me.
If she wants to live like the 1700s she should just torn down the house and live in a tent or something. 🙂
Costco love is awesome, we use the same toilet paper brand at home.
Tawcan recently posted…5 Ways to Frugal Living
Costco is the best. Going there is an experience. Great company too that treats their employees right.
1mm to live like it’s the 1700’s, some people have too much money and just don’t know what crazy thing to spend it on. Why not make your home into a replica of Lambeau Field, bleacher seating, locker rooms for sleeping, goal posts, TV is the jumbotron, who knows somebody probably already did it…….America
Even Steven recently posted…Starting an Ebay Business on a Credit Card
Ha, a neighbor in place where I used to live had an indoor, half basketball court in his home. Funny thing was that it wasn’t even an expensive neighborhood. I have no idea how much it cost this dude, but it was pretty awesome to look at.
Ya and why can’t they give their money to charities instead. I’m sure they do give to charity, but if you can afford to do this, why not just give more. And at the same time unplug the lights and sit in the dark with your candles. Sheesh!
debt debs recently posted…Misplaced Faith
This phenomenon is nothing new. Every summer, to my utter bewilderment, people leave their spring mattresses and indoor plumbing to go sleep in a tent, cook over an open fire, and get eaten by Mosquitos. They insist it is fun.
@Lara, what you describe is being closer to nature at a camp ground for a weekend. If one starts designing their everyday house around it i’d get worried. If you ever really attempted to rough it long term see the corn cob’s and ferns referenced *shudder/whimper*. To each their own =P
I admit that I love camping too, but a camping spot up near beautiful Fort Collins costs a measly $20/night. It’s worth it for the quality time I get to spend with the children alone. I love being away from all of the electronic distractions of normal life.
Even Kirkland TP isn’t good enough for us! Charmin or Northern all the way. My mom *insists* on Scott’s at her house – we promptly went to Costco for the Costco size Charmin. She continues to use the single-ply Scott’s. If I have to use that crap at work, I’m certainly not going to be using it at home (excuse the pun)!
I’m a huge fan of our modern conveniences, but at the same time, I think our (great-) grandparents had some good ideas – good wholesome food, lots of exercise, and more simplicity.
Mom @ Three is Plenty recently posted…Decisions, Decisions, Decisions
Oh, aren’t you a fancy pants! 🙂
Now I agree that Scott’s is just plain wrong. I didn’t think anyone used that except for owners of gas stations. That stuff is so thin, one roll could probably span half of America.
I like your last point too. We don’t have to work as hard, so we don’t. We have had like the Great Depression or a world war happen. Spoiled we are.
Am I the only one here wondering why people were silly enough to use the corn cob when clearly the corn husk would make so much more sense? Or am I just not understanding the dynamics of the situation… okay, thinking about this too much. =)
I think there’s a middle ground somewhere because everything new isn’t exactly an advancement that’s great for humanity. Electricity + oven to bake a cake from “scratch” (flours preground, etc) = amazing. Twinkies shrink wrapped and available for purchase at every corner store = not so amazing.
Mrs. Pop @ Planting Our Pennies recently posted…Drawing and Dreaming Our Dream Kitchen
LOL!!!!!! Dunno Mrs. PoP. those husks can be sharp. I have some terrible imagery going through my mind right now. One thing is for sure though, I’m never going to find out.
I share your Twinkie disdain. However, that is just misuse of technology and industrial advancement. Nukes too. Some forms of nuclear energy are great (come on Congress, start funding fusion). Enriched plutonium warheads, not so great.
Costco Kirkland TP here too 😀
debt debs recently posted…Misplaced Faith
Why stop with leeches?! Let’s kick it back to bloodletting to balance out the humors!
Reading this only makes me think, “people be cray.” Not crazy, just straight up cray.
Broke Millennial recently posted…Frugal Find Friday: Paperless Post
I recently read a biography of Tasha Tudor, and she very much lived in the past, including wearing only antique dresses. It was an interesting read, but I could never live that way. Heck, I don’t even like camping!
I can understand the yearning for simplicity, though. With so much information at my fingertips, it is sometimes difficult to focus on the important things in life. We tend to look at the past with rose-colored glasses, but I don’t think there ever was a time when life was perfect.
Jen @ Jen Spends recently posted…What Lies Beneath: Old House Plumbing Problems
You do know about the environmentalists that use “family cloth” right? I can forgo paper products everywhere (paper napkins, paper plates, paper towels) except the bathroom.
Elisabeth recently posted…Tips to Save Money on Children’s Activities
Corn cobs….challenge accepted!
Let me know how it works out! Please don’t include pictures.
I’ll admit that I enjoy many of the technological advances we have in our world today. My mom, after seeing me at age 29 with my first iPhone, commented that she so wished I’d had one as a child. “You never know just how dumb you are until a four year old starts asking you questions,” she warned, “but, had you had one of those as a child, I feel certain you’d had all the answers you needed right in the palm of your hands.” It’s certainly different than my grandparents, who thought they were fancy with a telephone in the house AND one on the same line in Grandpa’s shop (with a fancy doorbell, nonetheless, that Grandma could ring when Grandpa received a phone call. Now, we don’t even have a landline.
But, I will add that I often wish for simpler, more self-sufficient times. I won’t necessarily CHOOSE to replace our modern luxuries with ancient alternatives, but I don’t want to become super reliant on them either. All things in moderation. For example, one of our biggest luxuries in this country is food. My belief is that you’re flirting with disaster if you’re not capable of producing it yourself. Now there’s an ancient practice I can stand fully behind. Our modern world says we can rely on someone else to provide it for us – a la electricity, medicine, iPhones, etc. – but our ability to satisfy our own necessities may indeed secure our future. Frankly, I don’t want to wipe with corn cobs, but I’m more confident knowing I can if I must.
Mr. Maroon recently posted…Everything Must Change
I like the idea of simplicity. Everything is a balance and its all about control. Just because there are smart phones and 1000 channels, it doesn’t mean we have to buy one or turn on the TV for 5 hours/day.
It is a battle. A part of me tells me to get rid of the smart phone, but it is too dang convenient.