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

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2011-12-16に共有

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.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

コメント (21)

@solarcabin 10年前

15 ears ago after a divorce and career ending illness I lost everything and I had no crap because I was homeless and broke. Now I own a 14x14 off-grid cabin and sustainable homestead. No house payment, no utility bills, no debt and FREEDOM!
@robp5227 4年前

For those of us who don't want the backpacking life: 1. Do what you love (at all costs). 2. Don't spend more than you earn. 3. Don't hang out with people you don't like. 4. Surround yourself with people that are better than you. 5. Define what's important for you in life and work towards that. Source: personal opinion
@Bholaday44 1年前

I really needed to hear this. Thank you Adam. I've recently retired and now have a little income, own my home, have some savings, and have all this FREEDOM - and am stuck! Stuck trying to figure out what I want. My life has been 'have to' and 'need to' and about survival - and now it can be about play! And I do not know where to start...decided I would by clearing out the house I've lived in for 26 years - which when I got to the end of your TedTalk is exactly where I need to start! Freeing myself of things and going from there ~
@jay-rus4437 5年前

Absolutely 100% correct. Everything said is what my wife and I experienced 5 years ago. Simplified our lives....sold nearly all we owned with the exception of basic furniture and reasonable clothing. We bought used cars, older smaller home, and then started a business. Everything we sold, even when owned, lifted a weight off of us. Today no credit cards or consumer debt at all. Life is much more enjoyable. We work 3-1/2 days per week, and enjoy the rest of our time
@cerebralprince1146 10年前

What is freedom? Freedom is not having to know what time it is.
@Dannyhorgan81 9年前

This dude and his wife seem like a great team. So many people associate marriage with a loss of freedom, but they obviously proved that notion wrong.
@lennardkahn6379 9年前

My wife daughter and I 40 years ago chose this lifestyle sharing these values accumulating amazing experiences and travelling extensively. On our return home we always enjoyed The Tiny House Nation concept now 65 years young and still happily married to my best friend we have no regrets. Loved your talk and thanks for inspiring the younger generation.
@aerozg 7年前

Freedom to me means financial freedom. No debt, no mortgages, and a steady income from a job i enjoy doing and am passionate about.
@Videooogaaaamsh 11年前

"Working jobs we hate, so we can buy shit we don't need." - Tyler Durden
@TorbenRudgaard 9年前

I decided to NOT buy any crap, to live a simple frugal life and instead buy condos and houses and rent them out. Today I have $30,000 a month after taxes and I travel the world currently living at Wong Amat Beach in Thailand. I LOVE MY LIFE :)
@GadeaOne 8年前

22 years old...... 1 month away from graduation and i have ZERO DEBT. Small car paid for and a BA in Business Finance. It's possible. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
@KodeLiMe 4年前

"When you don't have debt, you know what you have? Money!" — Dave Ramsey "He who buys what he does not need, will someday need what he cannot buy." — Unknown
@meshakvb6431 9年前

I used to work in auto factories 60-84 hours a week. I once worked 12 hours every single day for 3.5 months. One week I did over 90 hours. I am 27 years old, and I was working like that from 19-26. My body is irreparably damaged in places, and I'm still young. I tried to work faster and harder than everyone else. Now I won't do it. I realized I was being used in so many ways. Money isn't worth your dignity, your health, or your soul. I paid off all my debts when I was 21, and never took out any more debt except student debt, which I still owe. Once that is paid off, I will be free, and never live beyond my means, and always strive to be in a 'fuck you' position. Where I am my own, dignified man, who has no job lorded over me, and nobody pretending to be my abusive 'daddy' at work. I will live as well as I can afford to and never long for the pain of living beyond my means.
@jeremyh8446 5年前

I was fortunate to learn this at a young age... the never ending cycle of debt. I noticed very early on when I was 27 that I was entering into this cycle. So I immediately came up with a plan to get out of it and out of debt. I paid off my credit card, student loan, then the car and when I turned 34 I lastly paid off my house. I just turned 35 a few weeks ago and have absolutely 0 debt. Unfortunately, they do not teach this stuff in HS. People start unconsciously digging their “debt hole” early in life, and for years and years they continue to dig deeper and deeper. I work for a bank... but as a Financial Advisor. I take pride in helping others build financial stability.
@MatthewDeGrand 9年前

Love this. Collect experiences - not things. Perfect!
@SoulSurvivorX2 10年前

We've been debt free for almost 4 years now..... it's freakin awesome :)
@lilyjameson5156 9年前

I had the same situation with a packed storage unit. I paid for it every month for a few years and then lost my job. Eventually, I had to stop paying for the unit and I lost it to auction. Although I did everything I could to avoid that day and suffered a lot of anxiety about it...the day came and went. The funny part is that except for one painting that my mom (who's now passed away) gave me....I don't miss any of the stuff. And although I initially felt very sad about that one painting, over time, I've realized that my mom will always be with me...in my heart...not in any "thing." So I'm now ok with it and working on further decluttering my life of most of the "stuff" I've accumulated over the years. It feels great!
@junk5354 8年前

Freedom is being married to myself. Since no one wants me - I'll just settle for being in love with myself. I don't even need a ring or wedding. I just look in the mirror everyday and give a little half smile. I then ask myself, Do you have any kids? So far I've replied, NO. Then I pat myself on my back and start my day...
@bluewaters3100 4年前

When I was in my 20's and 30's I had an adventurous life. I camped on beaches, went traveling, and worked a lot to do it. I could put all my stuff into a van and car. Every time we moved I sold my stuff and plants. Now that I am 67 I wish I had bought a house...the rent in my apartment is higher than my daughter's home mortgage. My arthritis has really slowed me down. I own nothing, but am in debt because I use my credit card just to exist...gas, electricity, water, and the rental increases. I live in a part of the country where the income disparity is unbelievable. But you can not go back. Divorce also causes alot of issues for people financially. It is sad.
@Its_like_the_T-Rex 4年前

I saw this video 8 years ago, It inspired me to pay off my debts. It's taken years of discipline and a 180 degree shift in thinking. In 2018-2019 I sold most of my stuff (put some in storage) and set off on a 12 month sabatical and travelled the world. While I don't recommend full minimalism, simplification makes room for new things in life.