I’ve been obsessing over the concept that if I live with less, I don’t have to make as much money. I’ve been looking at how much it would cost to rent a place and then slashing expenses for everything else.

TV: I always thought I couldn’t live without TV, but I’ve done a pretty good job ever since I got two jobs. This, combined with a lack of good summer programming, means I have hardly watched any TV at all. I can purchase what I want on the internet or on DVD. If I want to watch a sports event, such as football, I can go to a bar or restaurant and enjoy it with other people. I’ve always wanted to do this anyway, so it’d be worth it to trade ESPN for the chance to watch sports with a crowd. Maybe I’ll meet some new people. I might get a cheap TV on Craigslist, but this would pretty much only be more social events.

Food: After hearing that someone actually pulled off living on a dollar a day for food, and after hearing that Stevie’s friend Jenny lived on one dollar per meal, I’m inspired to think that with some smart shopping, I could live on less too!

Car: I don’t want a car. Sure, I’ll have to walk, but then I don’t have to go to the gym. I also get time alone for thinking. Win.

Air conditioning: I already live in a house without air conditioning!

Clothes: Okay, I need nice clothes. Not changing that.

So my super secret plan is to eventually stop working a real job. I’d do contract work, but the amount I need to live isn’t really that much. It’s so doable. I don’t need to be rich to get time; I just have to be willing to live with less.

I want more time to wander, more time to think, more time to create, more time to walk. And more time for civic engagement.