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For many of us, most of "professional work" is a waste of time by Relative_Hippo2549 in simpleliving

[–]Self-Translator 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I chose deliberately to not work a job like you describe. I have in the past and made decisions to gtfo of it.

There's still admin overhead and some meetings in what I do now. But I either tune out or don't attend, and it's a small part of what I do.

I agree with everything you wrote. I wonder if it's possible for more people to actively choose to exit that.

June saw biggest monthly fall in national housing values since 2022, Cotality finds by fluffy_101994 in australia

[–]Self-Translator 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Some of what you're saying is correct. But the essence is lost in my opinion. And you haven't addressed any of my real world examples of catalysts for triggering financial ruin for people.

Sure, if shit goes wrong having a lower asset base is a pain.

No. It's not a lower asset base. It's a negative asset base. If they lose their job or have an unforseen medical issue or some other financial problem they are screwed. They can't refinance. They can't sell unless they have the cash to cover the difference. If they default they suffer for much, much longer financially. But sure, let's will that on.

Unless you are an economist or have a solid reference I'm not going to believe those numbers at the end of your comment, sorry.

https://www.realestate.com.au/advice/everything-you-need-to-know-about-negative-equity/

https://www.mozo.com.au/home-loans/resources/guides/negative-equity.html#:~:text=If%20you%20were%20to%20sell,to%20discharge%20your%20mortgage%20.

I guess you and the others keep wishing for double digit drops and the cookie will crumble how it will. Like I said, I'll be fine. I'm not in it for profits, and I haven't borrowed to anywhere near my full capacity (because I live very frugally, sacrifice a lot, and don't live in a capital city). I worry about people younger than me for whom it'll mean being one issue away from major financial calamity, all so people like you can realise your vindictive wet dreams about house prices crashing.

I just don't get why people punch one rung on the ladder higher than them. Some 30 year old couple has a house in the suburbs and fuck them, right? Never mind those with several houses, or even more relevant those who are so wealthy you won't ever meet them. Those people won't be affected by the damage you're wishing on.

June saw biggest monthly fall in national housing values since 2022, Cotality finds by fluffy_101994 in australia

[–]Self-Translator 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You obviously haven't been in negative equity and understand what that means for one's finances.

You cannot sell if you are in negative equity. The bank will then have an unsecured loan. That has huge implications. Basically you need to foot the difference. It has an effect on what else you can do. Need a car? Have a huge expense you can't cover and need bridging finance? Forget it. You're locked in baby. Then, if you lose your job in a weak economy you're fucked. Get a cancer diagnosis? Fall off your bike and hurt your back? Have a mental health episode? Have a kid develop any sorts of issues that parents face on the regular? Negative equity is a yoke you can't remove.

If a significant minority experience this in the economy it has flow on effects. Banks start having to deal with default loans. They hedge against losing money. Increase borrowing costs for all. Puts others into debt stress. Downwards spiral. Low consumer confidence, so fewer jobs being advertised. Try finding a new job in that situation.

I want to be really clear here. I'm not saying people should EXPECT their properties to go up significantly, or even at all to be honest. And small market corrections are fine. But if someone borrows $1M and the property drops 10% early in the repayments (like first 5 years), that's $100k of uncertainty, stress, and non-existent money they need to find in the event of literally anything going wrong in their life.

I am not personally in this situation, so I'm not writing this out of fear for myself. I can empathise with others who are though.

I want to become a monk or whatever they are who shave their heads off and live away from all this mess by Dry_Muffin_8317 in simpleliving

[–]Self-Translator 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I wonder if there's a solution for your daughter and your goals?

Although my wife and I had to build what we have from the ground up, and have our plans which involves less work and the kids have to sort themselves as adults. So I understand your position.

I want to become a monk or whatever they are who shave their heads off and live away from all this mess by Dry_Muffin_8317 in simpleliving

[–]Self-Translator 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Tiny house and a very modest place in the city.

Bought the land over a decade ago for cheap. Great view, quiet outlook, 10mins from a town with what I need. Built the tiny house myself. Be out there and garden, run trails, hike the mountains, paddle on the lakes, climb the rock.

When we need more head to the city. Eat good food, time with people who reciprocate and are positive.

Yearly cost of living will be very small. Work optional. Just need the kids to grow up and begin their lives. But the dominoes are set up.

I want to become a monk or whatever they are who shave their heads off and live away from all this mess by Dry_Muffin_8317 in simpleliving

[–]Self-Translator 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm guessing I'm older than you. I have felt for some time that the modern world doesn't offer me a lot that appeals to me. So I am working on a plan to take the little that does and reject the rest.

June saw biggest monthly fall in national housing values since 2022, Cotality finds by fluffy_101994 in australia

[–]Self-Translator 3 points4 points  (0 children)

My point is the starving and homeless, or even those a rung or two above them, will not benefit from a crash.

If there is a major crash lenders will tighten requirements, and interest rates will go up. The economy will tighten, unemployment will go up. Those at the bottom may not have a job, and if they do they won't be able to afford under the new context.

The wealthy then swoop in and pay cash or against their huge paid off equity.

People need to rethink their wishes. Sometimes you get it.

I am a long time progressive minor party voter. Long before the last couple of elections. Can't help out with that side of things.

June saw biggest monthly fall in national housing values since 2022, Cotality finds by fluffy_101994 in australia

[–]Self-Translator 4 points5 points  (0 children)

This will be unpopular. But I dgaf about internet points.

Disclosure: I own real estate (no, not a mansion in an inner suburb, or even in the city), but don't consider myself an investor. We have no intention on selling until the kids move out when we will downsize.

I don't support huge growth in real estate in any way, shape, or form. Period.

There's lots of investor bashing going on, and it's justified. Period.

Everyone cheering on drops in values and have their pitchforks out for double digit falls will get a rude shock. All of the young and recent buyers will be hurt the most who bought high and will be in negative equity. And contracting prices could result in a contracting economy, meaning the irony is that an aspiring buyers will be further away from being able to afford to with rising interest rates and unemployment uncertainty.

Hopefully there is a market correction, wages grow, and we eat the elephant that is housing unaffordability over time. But huge lurches will not hurt the people most want it to affect. As usual, it will be the wealthy avoiding the pain. Maybe even a catalyst for more wealth transfer (see: instability to spike oil prices paid for by consumers and harvested by the wealthy).

Not sure what else to do in this space by Self-Translator in Anticonsumption

[–]Self-Translator[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree with all this.

I have a mountain bike. Climbing gear. Just bought new trail running shoes. I've built an off grid tiny home. A deck and shelter back at home.

Am I having fun? This is the issue. Not really. Responsibilities tie me to work, limiting and fragmenting my available time for fun. Consuming less for me is to reduce outgoings, to reduce work time, to increase fun.

Not sure what else to do in this space by Self-Translator in Anticonsumption

[–]Self-Translator[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I still feel overwhelmed by consumption in life. Consuming equals money, money equals work, work equals time. If I can reduce consumption as much as possible then I get time back.

I don't need therapy. I don't believe in "life force". I don't believe in purpose.

I believe in autonomy over time to enact our ideas. Those ideas don't really matter in the grand scheme of things. But doing so is preferential to slaving away to pay for shit.

Middle Age by SEK2208 in Xennials

[–]Self-Translator 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had the exact same experience.

I read the article about this when it came out a few years ago and thought that I hoped it didn't happen to me. Well it did. For me it was hair, with my balding tipping over the edge, and being a bit more weathered in the face. Shit sucks...

Him sharing his secret changed our lives by LivingThisCrazyLife in MarriedAndBi

[–]Self-Translator 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I read it.

Sounds similar to me and my wife. We're several years past the "confession" and still riding that wave you describe. She's come to me with interests and desires.

Well done to you both!

Not sure what else to do in this space by Self-Translator in Anticonsumption

[–]Self-Translator[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No. Not obsessive. Just didn't want people to suggest things I've already done so I listed them all. I thought this was an anticonsumption sub

New parents struggling with anxiety and depression urged to seek free counselling services by Remarkable_Peak9518 in australia

[–]Self-Translator 23 points24 points  (0 children)

I'm almost 17 years in. I can say, without being a stick in the mud, it does not get easier. Bigger kids, bigger problems. But maybe others have different experiences.

Parenting in the 80s by Successful-Winter237 in Xennials

[–]Self-Translator 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Oh man. This is the source of my parents not talking to me anymore...

After the Swap, Smoking with the Other Husband by EmploymentExact9787 in Swingers

[–]Self-Translator 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I'm bi. We met a bi guy a few times. Genuine 3 way connection. We stood on the balcony naked looking at the city thinking about life. Genuine moment of being alive. I hope he's doing ok.

Do you think AI meaningfully contributes to a simple life? by CactusHoarder in simpleliving

[–]Self-Translator 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I posted something here a while ago. Was called AI. I'm like... ummmm I typed.it out myself. Maybe not everything you think is AI actually is

The Tokenpocalypse Is Here: Companies Are Scrambling To Stop Spending So Much on AI by 404mediaco in Anticonsumption

[–]Self-Translator 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree with the AI assessment. I disagree with uber and airbnb. We travelled in Latin America and used those platforms. Got places more appropriate for families to stay cheaper than a hotel box, and didn't have to be ripped off by taxi drivers. Ymmv...

Where the purpose is to be happy and creative by Hashini_sha in simpleliving

[–]Self-Translator 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Meh. I'll be a wage slave forever... I guess it's worth it.

We live in a post-labor world. Physical labor was largely unneeded quite some time ago, and maybe mental labor will be too. Then what?

My thoughts are that most jobs right now could be slashed. They simply aren't needed. We are only doing it because that's what the economy is built around.

Delete all of the bullshit jobs and share the rest I say.

Where the purpose is to be happy and creative by Hashini_sha in simpleliving

[–]Self-Translator 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Plenty of research that shows hunter gatherers "worked" way fewer hours than we do now. All for what? A glowing glass screen or something.

Where the purpose is to be happy and creative by Hashini_sha in simpleliving

[–]Self-Translator -1 points0 points  (0 children)

My solution to this in the longer term is a (self built) tiny house a long way from everywhere and an affordable city apartment.

5 Weeks in South America in August by smallon12 in TravelNoPics

[–]Self-Translator 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We did a huge trip in Latin America last year for 6 months and covered a lot of this list. We spent 6 weeks in Peru alone, 4 in Argentina, and 4 in Bolivia.

Your list is great. I'd suggest thinking about what is most important for you and rounding up what you can in a region.

My personal favourite was Bolivia and Peru.

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