Escaping the Rat Race

Why is that? Are we scared? The unknown can be a bit intimidating, but the rewards of escaping are so much better than staying on the fast-track most of us travel each and every day.

How do you escape?

How do you escape the rate race and find more meaning in life?

1) Track all of your expenses for one month. Keep track of where you're spending money each month. Escaping the rat race means eliminating all unnecessary spending. At the end of the month, determine what your new monthly budget will be and begin working within those parameters right away. Be reasonable - you want to stick with this plan, long-term.

2) Change your mindset. Begin to think about living on less and make changes accordingly. Escaping the rat race also means leaving behind some of the 'trappings' that go with a fast-paced (and costly) lifestyle. Make use of free resources, such as your local library. Go for a walk instead of sitting in a dark movie theatre. Cook at home with frugal recipes instead of eating out. Cut those coupons and hit the thrift stores. It takes some time, but nearly everything can be purchased for much less than you're currently spending, or obtained for free!

3) Move if it will save you money in the long run. The cost of living in your current location may be more expensive than moving to a less popular or less populated area of the country. This is not to say you should move into an unsafe area, simply one that lends itself to a simpler lifestyle. Rural areas typically offer lower cost of living than a big city or a suburban area. You'll save money on housing, taxes, and much more... and escaping the rat race in more ways than one.

4) Be a work from home parent if possible. There are many opportunities available today that allow people to work from the comfort of home. You'll save money on clothing, food, travel, and impulse purchases if you're working and living at home most of the time. If you're not spending an hour commuting to work each day, you'll have more time to shop and cook sensibly, which will save you more money.

5) Save, save, save. Be a penny pincher. Make sure to put money away into savings and toward retirement every month if possible. You'll be thankful you scrimped and saved during those early years, especially as you enter your "golden years".

6) Eliminate debt. It's tough and it will take some time and some discipline. But, once you've eliminated your debt, everything else falls into place much easier. No debt translates into a simpler life, period.

Enjoy the journey. It's rather fun and interesting to see how you can live on less and really want for nothing. It's a transition and it won't always be easy, but the rewards are a more simple lifestyle, no debt, possibly early retirement, more time with loved ones, and less stress. Escaping the rat race really is possible. Start planning today!

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