Olivia M. reviewed Possum Living: How to Live Well Without a Job and with (Almost) No Money on + 13 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I got it, opened it, and read it in one sitting. It is in someways dated -- specifics all date from the late 1970s. It is extreme in its suggestions: raising/killing meat rabbits in your cellar, making your own moonshine. However, as inspiration it is superb. The main points remain true. The secret to living on almost no money is to reduce your needs to the bare minimum and own a place to live -- no matter how shabby or "undesirable" if you do not have to pay rent or mortgage and have even a small space to garden you can be largely self-sufficient. The new afterward by the author is also enlightening in that it reveals that this was for her only a stage of her life from which she went on to live much more conventionally.
Anne S. (tinyinkling) reviewed Possum Living: How to Live Well Without a Job and with (Almost) No Money on + 17 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
So many articles on living modestly are about maintaining your current lifestyle while using coupons and membership clubs to your advantage. Then there are classic books, such as the Tightwad Gazette, that challenge you to adjust your lifestyle -- while still being part of the greater society. And then there's this book.
From tips of how to raise and cycle a stock of rabbits for meat, dumpster diving, and brewing alcohol for fuel and fun this book is about completely dropping out of U.S. social norms in order to opt out of the financial obligations of it.
If your concerns are maximizing frugality or maximizing sustainability this book will push you into areas you probably haven't considered (although perhaps at the expense of relationships with anyone outside your immediate family). If you're not ready to go that far but are tired of the same old suggestions the glossy magazines reprint on an annual schedule, you'll probably find a couple good ideas, some things to laugh at, and a better sense of your own values.
From tips of how to raise and cycle a stock of rabbits for meat, dumpster diving, and brewing alcohol for fuel and fun this book is about completely dropping out of U.S. social norms in order to opt out of the financial obligations of it.
If your concerns are maximizing frugality or maximizing sustainability this book will push you into areas you probably haven't considered (although perhaps at the expense of relationships with anyone outside your immediate family). If you're not ready to go that far but are tired of the same old suggestions the glossy magazines reprint on an annual schedule, you'll probably find a couple good ideas, some things to laugh at, and a better sense of your own values.
Kathleen S. -
Helpful Score: 1
Possum living is not possible for everyone simply because most people simply deny the validity of the advice. However, using the tactics learned in this book has saved me a lot of money. Chicks, goslings, ducklings and turkey polts in the bathtub are a common occurrence in our house but our rabbits live in a custom built porch made entirely of scrounged materials.
Chris R. (Cantnever) reviewed Possum Living: How to Live Well Without a Job and with (Almost) No Money on + 161 more book reviews
This is a fascinating and unusual book. It is available free online (for downloading) possibly at the Gutenburg Project. (Checked on Gutenburg Project and it seems the copy has been removed. Probably the author -who likely is still alive- objected. Can't blame her!) It would be delightful to have a published copy.
danielledaydreamer1 -
Great Book! Mom got it for Dad after he was laid off but it wasn't what he wanted, so I took it. he wants a way to keep our current life style. However, I read it and I thought it was Great!
This book tells you step by step how to change your life style so you don't need to spend money. Mind you the medthods require more time and work but it's financial freedom, I'd like to try it after I move out.
This book tells you step by step how to change your life style so you don't need to spend money. Mind you the medthods require more time and work but it's financial freedom, I'd like to try it after I move out.
Alissa B. (minwagefairy) reviewed Possum Living: How to Live Well Without a Job and with (Almost) No Money on + 12 more book reviews
An entertaining read, told in the voice of a very practical 18-year-old. Timeless good advice, even if I don't agree with all of it. In this new edition, the last chapter brings us up-to-date on the 30 years of her life since this books was written.
