Sell your crap. Pay your debt. Do what you love.

[Curt James]

TEDxAsheville - Adam Baker - Sell your crap. Pay your debt. Do what you love.



In 2008, after the birth of his first child, Baker and his wife decided to sell everything they owned, pay off their consumer debt, and spend a year traveling abroad as a family. They began sharing their journey in early 2009 on the blog Man vs. Debt, now 15000 subscribers strong. In sharing their ups and downs in the areas of personal finance, consumerism, clutter, travel, minimalism, and passionate entrepreneurship, they realized they aren't alone in a desire to explore and grow.

[Ibarramedia]

Interesting. It may build up again over time and he will be repeating the same process (selling his crap).

[Drop 'Em]

Everything I own I can fit into a large suitcase/ bag.

I sold my stuff about 6-7 years ago.

I've never been happier.

"Things" are a pain.

[PeterCas]

I've considered this...and to a certain extent...I still do.

I took a huge leap of faith about 6 years ago when I moved to Asia. Got rid of all my crap, packed one large bag and moved to China. Fast forward six years- I bought a house in Hong Kong, bought all kinds of unnecessary crap (mostly expensive furniture and toys) and am starting to hate my job. My mood is very much reminisent of what I felt 6 years ago when I first left the States.

It's tough. Intelectually I know that "things" just tend to weigh you down and can even force you to work a job you hate...just so you can afford those "things." I still somehow get sucked into the same trap. Can't say I'm unhappy. I've been very forunate...but am not doing what I love and feel like if I was doing what I love...I might not miss those "things."

I feel like sometimes we buy things to fill a void. You kill yourself working 70 hour work weeks, weekends and holidays...and then say "hey, I deserve to treat myself for working so hard. I think I'll buy myself a gift." If we all did what we loved- would that void for unnecessary possesions still exist?

Can anyone else relate?