How to live like a king for very little by Thor Harris | Hacker News Reader

How to live like a king for very little by Thor Harris

monofonuspress.com

13 pointsjdmoreira14 comments

Putting aside the hip cussing, it's actually a pretty good list, though I take issue with the call to not have children. For me, raising children is absolutely the biggest contribution one can make to the future of the world, if one is mindful and responsible.

Anyways, over the last three years we have gone from living on 3000€ to 2000€ (mainly by moving to Europe), and now plan on going down to 1000€ (by buying or own house in the countryside). And we're a family of 4.

That's a very impressive budget for a family of four. Where are you living in Europe? I'm Portuguese but living in Stockholm (super expensive city! More than 1000€ just for rent)

Have you seen Mr. Money Mustache's blog? I believe you will like it.

I objected to the children thing as well, but for slightly different reasons.

He says find meaning in some other way. But what's wrong with finding meaning through children? Is it any worse than finding meaning through frugality?

To take it to an extreme, if none of us had children, then everything else would have no meaning because we'd all be gone in about 75 years.

Children give everything else meaning.

Someone always has children. Your legacy will not be wasted.

"DON’T BUY SHIT ON CREDIT, REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED TO AMERICA? CASH ONLY, FUCKERS. CAN’T AFFORD IT? DON’T FUCKING BUY IT!"

This is almost right. Yes, never buy something you can't afford. However, your credit rating makes or breaks you in this world. Get a credit card, make a point of using it at least once every month, never keep it at more than 20% capacity, and ALWAYS pay it off (never carry a balance).

Credit ratings take YEARS to build. Start early.

why do americans use credit cards so much? why not just use money you have? (genuinely curious)

Because we don't have money, it all goes to paying our credit cards.

I'm curious markyc. Do you have no plans for home ownership? Is home ownership rare in your society? In most of the U.S. home ownership is still possible for many, even those not wealthy. However it will require a mortgage for the vast majority and without a credit history you will not get a mortgage on reasonable terms.

got it, so it's about the credit history mainly

In Eastern Europe over 90% of people own their homes, but that's another story.

In the USA, there is literally no advantage to using debit cards. Provided you can keep up on your payments, not using a credit card is usually a bad financial decision.

I second you so much cashback is an awesome thing :)

I don't think it is possible to disagree more.

I'm planning (plotting?) my Tiny House.

When I hear I need to build a credit rating I'm strongly reminded of the gamblers who claim they have a system.

If you don't buy things on credit you don't need a credit rating.

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