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I NSIDE THIS I SSUE Free Yourself From Consumer Culture by Buying Lasting, Quality Items www.waldenpublishing.com Crying “Halt” to the Madness of Debt By Joel Bowman Vol. 1, No. 6 August 2016 INDEPENDENCE MONTHLY 4 7 9 12 14 W e’ve been ruminating of late on the mad, mad world of money and the financial pressures that keep ordinary folk from enjoying the life they’d rather have. Nobody desires to be poor… behind on repayments…up to their ears in debt. At least, that’s not the goal. Yet, so many people are scrimping and scraping just to get by. What gives? e news wires tell us that record numbers of Americans are dependent on food stamps to meet the minimum daily calorie intake. e last figures we saw were around 45 million recipients…or about one in seven people. ey also tell us the labor force participation rate (the percentage of Americans over the age of 16 who are either working or looking for a job) hasn’t been this low since the late 1970s. at’s half a century of steady, sustained, workforce deterioration. Which means lots of people struggling to pay bills…to save “escape” money…to live well. It also means a lot of sleepless nights. A lot of furrowed brows. A lot of heightened cortisol levels (sometimes called the “stress hormone”). And not a lot of independence. How did it come to be this way? Not by accident, say we. Look closely and you’ll discover there’s an entire system…worth hundreds of billions of dollars…that actively works to ensure the good life is beyond the reach of most people. is is a system that deplores independence. One that actively agitates against it. And the stakes are enormous. Just think… What might happen to Big Pharma if average, workaday folk realized they could get better quality care abroad for a fraction of the price they pay their local healthcare provider (and the dozens of parasitic “administrators” riding the poor Doc’s coattails)? What might become of Big Banking if ordinary citizens discovered, en masse, the ease and efficiency of free market money? What would happen to the billions of dollars collected in fees and hidden charges if, like you, a critical mass of individuals learned a little bit about Bitcoin? What might happen to Big Education if people took full advantage of the wealth of open-source, learning tools currently available to them (many mentioned in past editions of this publication)? In order to emancipate oneself from this system, it is necessary to understand how it works. Let’s take a little trip down memory lane…all the way back to 1972. You may recall it as the year Don McLean drove his Chevy to the levee only to discover it was dry…when Neil Young poured out his heart of gold… and Johnny Nash finally saw clearly after the rain had gone… Back then, a new car set you back $3,853. Rent averaged $165 per month. And a year’s tuition to Harvard University could be yours for $2,800. ose same items today will set you back: $33,560 for a new set of wheels… $1,500 for rent…and $60,000 for four years (boarding) at Harvard Crimson. Swap your debt burden for a simpler way of life. ©Istockphoto.com/dodoimages Turning the Garage into Base Camp for a Freewheelin’, Nomadic Lifestyle Escape a Bricks-and-Mortar Lifestyle for Freedom on the Road How to Upskill Online to Earn from Anywhere Take the First Step to Opening a Bitcoin Account

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Page 1: INDEPENDENCE - Amazon S3 · 2016-08-24 · based crowdfunding websites like Kickstarter, Indiegogo, or Gofundme. These sites are a great, egalitarian way for small companies to get

InsIde thIs Issue

Free Yourself From Consumer Culture by Buying Lasting, Quality Items

www.waldenpublishing.com

Crying “Halt” to the Madness of DebtBy Joel Bowman

Vol. 1, No. 6August 2016

INDEPENDENCEMONTHLY

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We’ve been ruminating of late on the mad, mad world of money and the

financial pressures that keep ordinary folk from enjoying the life they’d rather have.

Nobody desires to be poor…behind on repayments…up to their ears in debt. At least, that’s not the goal. Yet, so many people are scrimping and scraping just to get by.

What gives?The news wires tell us that record

numbers of Americans are dependent on food stamps to meet the minimum daily calorie intake. The last figures we saw were around 45 million recipients…or about one in seven people.

They also tell us the labor force participation rate (the percentage of Americans over the age of 16 who are either working or looking for a

job) hasn’t been this low since the late 1970s.

That’s half a century of steady, sustained, workforce deterioration.

Which means lots of people struggling to pay bills…to save “escape” money…to live well.

It also means a lot of sleepless nights. A lot of furrowed brows. A lot of heightened cortisol levels (sometimes called the “stress hormone”).

And not a lot of independence.How did it come to be this way?Not by accident, say we.Look closely and you’ll discover

there’s an entire system…worth hundreds of billions of dollars…that actively works to ensure the good life is beyond the reach of most people.

This is a system that deplores independence. One that actively agitates against it.

And the stakes are enormous. Just think…

What might happen to Big Pharma if average, workaday folk realized they could get better quality care abroad for a fraction of the price they pay their local healthcare provider (and the dozens of parasitic “administrators” riding the poor Doc’s coattails)?

What might become of Big Banking if ordinary citizens discovered, en masse, the ease and efficiency of free market money? What would happen to the billions of dollars

collected in fees and hidden charges if, like you, a critical mass of individuals learned a little bit about Bitcoin?

What might happen to Big Education if people took full advantage of the wealth of open-source, learning tools currently available to them (many mentioned in past editions of this publication)?

In order to emancipate oneself from this system, it is necessary to understand how it works.

Let’s take a little trip down memory lane…all the way back to 1972.

You may recall it as the year Don McLean drove his Chevy to the levee only to discover it was dry…when Neil Young poured out his heart of gold…and Johnny Nash finally saw clearly after the rain had gone…

Back then, a new car set you back $3,853. Rent averaged $165 per month. And a year’s tuition to Harvard University could be yours for $2,800.

Those same items today will set you back: $33,560 for a new set of wheels… $1,500 for rent…and $60,000 for four years (boarding) at Harvard Crimson.

Swap your debt burden for a simpler way of life.

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Turning the Garage into Base Camp for a Freewheelin’, Nomadic Lifestyle

Escape a Bricks-and-Mortar Lifestyle for Freedom on the Road

How to Upskill Online to Earn from Anywhere

Take the First Step to Opening a Bitcoin Account

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2 Independence Monthly | August 2016

AUGUST 2016Volume 1 | Number 6

WaldenPublishing.com

Editor-in-Chief: Joel BowmanManaging Editor: Cleo MurphyCopyeditor: Morgan OrmondContributors: Andy Fleming, Tom Kerr, Bryan Danger, and Erica Mills

INDEPENDENCEMONTHLY

© Copyright 2016 Walden Publishing All Rights Reserved. Reproduction, copying, or redistribution (electronic or otherwise, including online) is strictly prohibited without the express written permission of the Publisher. Copies of Independence Monthly are furnished directly by subscription only. Annual subscription is $59.

To make an inquiry, see: [email protected] or call (800)-896-0763 (Toll Free), (443)-353-4768 (Local/INTL). Independence Monthly presents information and research believed to be reliable, but its accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Readers should investigate any opportunity fully before committing to it.

Some quick back-of-the-envelope math reveals…that we’re not as good as we thought we were at quick, back-of-the-envelope math. Reaching then for the calculator, we find…

That’s an increase in prices of 771% (auto), 809% (rent), and a staggering 2,042% (college)…

“Yes, yes…but the average wage back then was only $11,859 per year,” you tell us.

“Wow,” we reply, astonished. “That’s an oddly accurate number to have committed to memory.”

And it’s true. Wages have risen. A bit. The median salary in the U.S. per person for 2015 was $26,695…a 125% increase since those glory days of the early 70s.

Maybe that seems like a lot, but if wages increased at the same pace as the aforementioned goods and services, they’d have to go to…

$91,432 to track the increase in auto prices…

$95,939 to track the surge in rent prices…

and a whopping $242,160 to keep up with tuition.

And yet, fewer than 2% of Americans earn a cool quarter million dollars per year.

Of course, nobody uses “individual income” nowadays anyway. The preferred metric is “household income,” perhaps owing to the fact that it now takes multiple wage earners just to keep the lights on.

So if wages haven’t risen to keep pace with costs…how are Americans able to maintain the lifestyle to which they’ve become accustomed?

The answer, of course, is debt.Debt plugged the gap. Debt filled

the hole. Debt kept the party going.Ah…but debts need to be repaid. At the beginning of 2016, the

average American owed $15,355 on his credit card…$26,530 on his car…$47,712 in student loans…and $165,892 on the roof over his head.

Some folks say America’s fixation with debt is cultural. There may be some small truth to that…

When we first moved to the U.S., many years ago, we spent a fair amount of time on campus at a small college in Annapolis, Maryland. Everyone we knew there had credit card debt…and lots of it.

We couldn’t understand why people didn’t just pay cash for what they wanted…or, if they didn’t have the money, either forgo the item until they’d saved enough to buy it “properly” or simply make-do without it.

There were plenty of things we wanted to buy…but couldn’t (which, considering the objects of our desire at the time, is probably just as well.)

Then, one day, we saw some representatives from the local banks trolling around the quad. They were handing out pre-approved credit card application forms to anyone who would take them.

And plenty did.All of a sudden, students who once

couldn’t afford to take their noses out of their textbooks were sporting spiffy new clothes and shouting rounds of drinks at the local bars.

The real hangover, of course, would come many years later. And by then, it would be a doozy.

At this point, you might fairly be wondering…

What were these kids thinking racking up credit card loans before they even graduated with a job to repay them?

What were the banks doing handing these kids credit cards in the first place?

Why was nobody paying attention to the build-up of debt in the system?

It’s easy to blame imprudent youth…or predacious banks…or negligent overseers.

But the truth runs far deeper than that.

Astute readers will have noticed, perhaps with a wince, that U.S. national debt surpassed $19 trillion earlier in the year. That’s close to $60k per man, woman, and child in the Union (or, if you like, $160k per taxpayer.)

This fish rots from the head, yes. But that’s no reason to shirk our individual responsibility, is it now?

In other words, just because the U.S. government wants to jump off a financial cliff, it doesn’t mean we have to follow.

At another moment in his pre-Independence Monthly life, your rambling editor managed a financial

You can avoid credit card debt by paying with cash.

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3Independence Monthly | August 2016

publication from an outpost of his own choosing in Taipei, Taiwan.

Partly we moved there to “keep an eye on emerging trends in the Far East”…partly we went for the dim sum…and partly because it was somewhere between Dubai (whence we’d just come) and Buenos Aires (to where we were heading).

During our time on the tiny island, the research company for which we worked released a “Big-Budget Movie,” all about the gross indebtedness of the world’s largest economy. (You might have seen it: I.O.U.S.A.)

Basically, it was a warning of the “road to financial perdition” about which we alluded above. (Counsel that went without heed, as it turns out; the national debt is fast closing in on double today what it was then, in 2008.)

The premier screening, to which we were invited, was held in a fancy, hi-tech cinema near the Taipei 101 building. We attended…with a decidedly lo-tech pencil and notepad in hand.

After the movie, we asked a few of the attendees (all Taiwanese) what they thought of the central theme: debt.

“It’s scary,” one young woman quivered. “I barely even save half of my income!”

“Yes, yes. Very worrying,” added another. “To be in debt must be… just…so…very…Well, I never want to know.”

Taiwan’s personal savings rate typically figures between 20% and 25% of average annual income. Mainland Chinese save roughly double that. Indians bank 30%…Qataris, 60%.

By contrast, personal savings rates in the U.S. have been in a long and seemingly inexorable decline for roughly half a century. Having peaked at 17% in 1975, they’ve since dwindled to a paltry 5.2% in 2016.

Maybe the urge to “keep up with the Joneses” is partially to blame. But, as far as we know, scientists have yet to identify the “spendthrift gene.”

Surely folks elsewhere desire to “keep up with the Changs…and the Patels…and the Al Waleeds.”

Indeed, it is savings, not debt, that provides the foundation for a robust economy…both in the macro and at the individual level.

Living within one’s means— whatever they happen to be—is the only way to be truly independent. The rest is a borrowed illusion.

Peer-to-peer lending is a great way to invest in small companies or startups that you believe in…but it’s just gotten even better. You’ve probably already heard about or looked into rewards-based crowdfunding websites like Kickstarter, Indiegogo, or Gofundme.

These sites are a great, egalitarian way for small companies to get a leg up in the market, but usually the “rewards” offered for your contribution are limited to a copy of the product you’re supporting. What if you see a profitable future for a product but have no interest in the product itself?

Now, you can go a step further and buy actual shares in the company through crowdfunding sites. Since

May 16, you can invest in any company registered under the new Title III legislation, even without being accredited by the crowdfunding platform. You are limited to $2,000 or 5% of your income

Investment Opportunities Opening up to the Small Guy Access to tools

©Dreamstime.com/Rawpixelimages

(whichever is greater) if that income is under $100,000. Accredited investors aren’t subject to such restrictions but the legislation has at least made it possible for the small guy to get in on the game.

Up until that day, equity crowdfunding, or buying shares in a company in exchange for cash, was available only to accredited investors. The criteria for “accreditation” is quite high, usually requiring you to earn an annual income of around $200,000 as an individual or $300,000 if filing jointly with a spouse.

This kind of policy obviously excludes all but the “high rollers” from investing in products and services they believe in, hurting both the average American and small businesses trying to get a leg up.

Fortunately, equity crowdfunding is now available to all who are interested and have cash to spare. Instead of trusting brokers who sink your savings into nebulous stock acronyms, you can now put your money directly toward supporting concrete projects that you believe have a positive future.

You now have the option to join sites such as:

Fundable: Even as a non-accredited investor, you’ll be able to purchase equity in startups you feel are worth supporting. Fundable is sort of a “middle of the road” approach to crowdfunding investments, as campaigns have the option to be either reward based or equity based.

Wefunder: Where you can invest in everything from pioneering medical tech to new breweries.

CircleUp: Offers only equity-based rewards.

Equity funding sites EquityNet and CrowdFunder also offer some opportunities to non-accredited investors, but limit most of their investment options to those with accreditation.

Services even exist to exchange innovative ideas for equity. This is perfect for those with a head full of inventions but no time or resources to make them a reality. Crowdfunding platform Quirky is a “community-lead invention platform” with the aim of pairing inventors with developers and manufacturers in exchange for a share of any profit.

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4 Independence Monthly | August 2016

Turning the Garage into Base Camp for a Freewheelin’, Nomadic Lifestyle

By Bryan Danger

“We live in our garage.”

This statement always draws an interesting response…and usually finds us having to

explain. Our garage/home is a legal accessory dwelling unit (ADU) that my wife, Jen, and I designed and built to serve as home base for our new, minimal, nomadic, mortgage-free lifestyle. It sits alongside our house in Portland, Oregon, which is rented out to tenants.

With no worries about mortgage repayments, we’re free to travel as we choose…and return to our garage when we want. We not only get to live, work, and travel on our terms, but we also get to say “yes” to every holiday, event, and trip our friends suggest.

We are currently touring British Columbia in our Sprintervan (home away from home) and have a few more epic trips lined up for the remainder of the year. Thanks to our newfound freedom, we’ve spent more than 30% of the last two years traveling (ten states, 9 countries, and counting), exploring, camping, backpacking, surfing, kayaking, and generally making up for lost time…a far cry from the two weeks a year we saved for in our previous lives.

Our goals now are all about balance…spending enough time away that we’re just as excited to return home as we were to drive or fly away for some adventure. We are happier and more content than ever, and we make our decisions based upon collecting “memoryiences” rather than things.

Our monthly expenses are now low enough that we need very little to

survive/thrive. We need only to find ways to make just enough money to eat and drink (and to put gas in the van). Our focus is happiness, and various small income streams provide what we need and still allow us to live the lifestyle we have become accustomed to.

We don’t live as though we’re tight on funds. We don’t like to say “no” to happy hours, dinners with friends, or even travel…and we rarely do. We most certainly do not eat ramen out of a package. We are simply choosing to put time and money into the things that we enjoy and are passionate about rather than working long hours each week simply to pay for a roof over our heads.

Downsizing and Decluttering

This is the culmination of years of redefining and redesigning our lives. Nine years ago, we worked 60 to 80 hours a week in tedious jobs and were living in a five-bedroom house with a garage, attic, and basement…all packed with stuff. Despite our hard work and investments, we never had a dime of savings at the end of a year. We toiled away like everyone else for our two weeks of freedom, but

somewhere along the line, our ideals started shifting.

We moved a few times for our jobs and rented out our home to keep up on the mortgage while we were away. We lived in smaller and smaller apartments and purged more and more stuff. We realized that with less bulk and less overhead, there seemed to be increased freedom and happiness. Without our mortgage, we also started saving and paying off debt rather than living to our means each month—or sometimes beyond.

Our heads were swimming with life decisions like “what we really want to do,” “what happiness means to us,” and the all-important “kid question.” Mostly, we grew tired of feeling like we were living to work rather than working to live. After several years of stringent savings and tough decisions, we found ourselves with enough of a nest egg to be comfortable leaving our jobs temporarily to travel.

We loaded up the dog and our few remaining belongings and drove our ’67 VW bus south through Mexico and Central America. We drove without a plan or destination, seeking a new outlook, and we began to find ourselves somewhere

Independence In ActIon

The converted garage is cleverly designed to maximize the use of space.

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5Independence Monthly | August 2016

along the way. When we left, we assumed our trip (we had saved for approximately two years away) would be a nice, extended vacation. What it became was a period of realization.

What we thought was a temporary downsizing made us realize we actually needed very little to be content. What we thought would be a “reset button” for us actually broke us and made us want to never return…

The Need for Community

But our biggest surprise was that our time away seeking adventure actually made us long for community. We thought we wanted remoteness and a deserted beach, but it turned out that it wasn’t home we were running away from. It was work and the imbalance in our former lives. After flying back for what we thought was a quick trip to see friends, we realized southeast Portland now felt more like home than ever. Our quick trip home turned into months; staying with friends changed to renting a condo near our old house…and then to us longing for a space to call our own.

We began searching for a way to have our cake and eat it too…to be free enough to travel and jump on adventures as they arose, but to also have a home base to jump off from. We wanted to live simply, but in the heart of our favorite city and its best neighborhood…to live rent/mortgage free in the middle of a thriving urban environment, yet feeling free to close the doors and travel for long periods without worrying about our home or our bills while we were away.

Our house was still being rented, and we had no interest in kicking out our tenants. Having to pay the mortgage again seemed like a prison

sentence…and how would we fill all those bedrooms anyway? It finally occurred to us that the two-car garage had been sitting almost completely unused. If the two of us and our dog could live comfortably in a van, then a 480-square-foot garage would most certainly feel spacious.

The ProjectWe set to work designing our

perfect living space and figuring out how best to use the space we had available. We knew now that we didn’t need much space for the two of us, but wanted to be able to entertain and host guests just like we did back in the “big house.” We wanted to have a close connection both to the outdoors and to the neighborhood around us. We quickly realized that 480 square feet was much larger than we needed or would have planned (if building from scratch) but it allowed us a lot of freedom in our decisions.

We designed, created, and installed everything in our new home ourselves to meet what savings we had left from our trip. We designed using a “sailboat mentality,” ensuring everything had more than one use and everything had its space to tuck away, keeping our space clean and tidy.

Our island bar not only seats three people during prep, but also rolls and swings out so we can eat in the sunshine or farther out to seat six when we’re hosting friends for dinner or games. We designed and built some simple furniture of steel and reclaimed wood. Lofting our bed over the utility space created even more room, and a set of storage cabinets can be pulled out to double as stairs. A sectional sofa fits our space perfectly and can also be transformed into a bed for guests when staying the night.

Our bathroom was one of two luxury items for us. We still built it on the cheap, but after living in a van for a year and longing for showers, it was important for us to have a zen bath/shower. We opted for a wet room like the ones we saw when traveling. It has no curb into the shower and has simple, concrete floors and walls like most of the outdoor showers we’d used over the past year. A skylight makes us almost believe we’re outside, and the dual shower heads complete our spa-like aspirations.

Connecting with the Neighbors

Our other luxury item was the replacement for our rickety, old, wooden garage door. We ended up with an accordion-style door system that folds and slides open to literally remove any line between indoors and out. The day it was installed, our

In the city of Portland, an accessory dwelling unit (ADU is “any smaller, secondary dwelling unit which can be legally added either on the same lot or within a house, attached to a house, or manufactured home in residential zones.”

An ADU can be equal to 75% of the living area of the house, or 800 square feet—whichever is smaller. It cannot exceed 15% of the total site area.

ADUs smaller than 15 feet high and 24 feet long don’t have to match the appearance of the house, but larger units are subject to some regulations in this regard.

Consult your local authority for ADU regulations in your area.

What is an Accessory Dwelling Unit?

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6 Independence Monthly | August 2016

Living Large in a Small Space

cave-like garage instantly transformed into a cozy loft space.

That feeling we had each morning in our van when we threw open the cargo doors had just come back to life. As soon as the sun peeks out from the clouds, we slide our doors open and almost immediately, conversations begin with neighbors walking by…the sense of community we were searching for had returned as well.

Rather than building an ADU tucked away in the back yard, we feel lucky that our garage was front and center—that we now live in close proximity to the street that connects us to our neighbors. We wake up to dozens of bikes commuting to work, and we chat with people walking home at the end of their day.

Sometimes people mistake our space for a new bar/restaurant, and anyone that takes the time to stop is welcome for at least a tour and often a happy hour. In the first two months we spent living in our garage, we met more neighbors than we had met collectively in the years we had lived inside the house.

In our minds, the project was an investment in our freedom and our future. Had we decided to simply move back into the house…we would have spent the same funds on our mortgage over the next two-and-a-half years as we did on the build out. Instead, the tenants in the house pay our mortgage, and now, when we travel, we rent out the garage short-term to offset travel expenses.

In fact, during the peak seasons, we’ve begun to realize that we actually lose money when at home…which prompts us to move into our van (the home-on-wheels) and go explore.

This lifestyle certainly isn’t a perfect fit for everyone, and it wasn’t always easy. Our garage home may seem tediously small to some, but

You can live more easily than you might think in a small space by following some of the following tips:

• Blur the lines: By erasing the boundaries between indoor and outdoor where possible, you create a space that lives much larger than its actual size.

• Maximize storage: Plan wisely to maximize storage for the stuff you choose to keep.

• Dual purpose: Everything possible should have more than one use and has to earn its keep in a small space.

• Pay heed to lifestyle: The amount of time you spend in each space should dictate how much of your home that space takes up.

• Splurge where it counts: Give yourself a few luxury items…you want this to be your favorite place to be.

• Get creative: Every object counts in a small space. Rather than buying off-the-shelf items, find unique pieces that tell a story or show off who you are and what you stand for.

it’s designed perfectly around our lifestyle and dreams. To us, it borders on luxurious, and when at home, we wake up each morning feeling like we are in a resort. We only wish that we would have conceived of this years ago.

We honestly don’t know how long the current phase of our lives will continue, but we’ve tried to make sure we’ll be comfortable for as long as that lasts. Like any home, the garage may require some modifications over time as our lifestyle changes, as we age, or if we decide it’s time for our family to grow…but we are no longer stuck believing (as we once did) that we have to pay a giant mortgage to fit a lifestyle we may never have.

For now, the garage is the answer to many of our dilemmas—financial, lifestyle, community, freedom, and even income. We are truly thankful for it. We are in the middle of a summer full of exploration…a period that has seen us logging more miles, peaks, adventures, and campfires than I can remember in our lives…

Editor’s note: Bryan and Jen Danger now offer design consultancy for small space living and make furniture for the purpose at zenbox design. You can also see how they converted their own garage, their former VW bus, and the Sprinter van they now use at their website www.thedangerz.com, or follow them on social media, Instagram/zenboxdesign/thedangerz.

With wonderful places to explore in their Sprinter van, Bryan and Jen Danger’s decision to live in their garage is paying off.

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7Independence Monthly | August 2016

Free Yourself From Consumer Culture by Buying Lasting, Quality Items

By Tom Kerr

When I lived in Houston, Texas, the city used a metric called the

“Garbage Index” to track its economy. The index monitored the volume of trash discarded by residents, and a decrease was interpreted as bad news—whereas an overabundance of garbage was welcomed as the sign of a strengthening economy.

What is new today becomes tomorrow’s trash.

Consumer societies consume like an insatiable omnivore, but the diet of retail purchases generally consists of empty calories instead of wholesome, energy-giving nutrition. However, you can save money and declutter when you quit buying cheap goods in favor of quality items that last. True, you pay more at the outset but over time the investment will pay off.

And there are other benefits, too. Objects and implements of quality that stay with us for the longer haul preserve our culture. They are the fruits of creative enterprise and attentive labor, and when you purchase them, you connect with that effort. As part of your own effort to live more simply, you’re supporting others who do the same.

Quality goods embody the pride and integrity of a job well done. They represent history when you bring these meaningful objects into your home and add reassuring familiarity to the spaces you inhabit. They enrich your daily rituals and relieve some of the clutter that interferes with your plans to be more free and independent.

sImple lIvIng

False EconomyIf you buy inferior products,

you’ll soon learn, as I did, that cheap can be expensive. I used to buy second-rate work boots at least once a year for $50. They’d wear out, and I’d buy another pair the following year for $60—because retail prices always increase.

Then, a friend who worked as a woodland surveyor for the U.S. Forest Service gave me some advice. He said it would be more cost-effective to purchase a pair of high-quality boots for $200. His reasoning was that they would dramatically outperform and outlast the ones I was accustomed to buying. He was right.

They cost four times what I was used to paying, but I’ve never had to repair them, and they have lasted 15 years. If I had not bought quality, I would have paid more than $800 to replace worn-out boots during that time. These $200 boots are still in such great shape that I expect that they will last another 15 years or more. In the long run, they have proven to be much less expensive than the cheap kind.

Wise InvestmentsI invested in a set of cast iron

cookware that I have used for decades. The longer I use my cast iron, the better it performs—which is the opposite of most household items. Copper pots and pans are expensive, for sure. But the biggest downside is that those wonderful items will spoil the cook—who will never again be satisfied with ordinary, bargain-priced cookware. They will outlast you and probably your grandchildren while increasing in value over time.

The same goes for commercial-grade kitchen knives made for professional chefs by Japanese companies like Shun and Global, the German manufacturer Wüsthof, or Victorinox—the company famous for making Swiss Army knives. Victorinox kitchen knives sell for considerably less than the top-shelf brands, but are quite durable and hold a razor-sharp edge.

Downsize by UpgradingOpting for quality—versus

buying quantities of items that you will soon dispose of—also comes with a bonus if you want to simplify your life by downsizing. Stock your home with just a few select items instead of a clutter of inferior items, and you will free up lots of valuable space.

Buying superior quality is a lesson that my grandmother, who lived to be 106, always emphasized. She did not have a lot of clothes, but her exquisite suits and handmade Italian shoes were gorgeous—despite You get better long-term value

from buying quality at the outset.

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8 Independence Monthly | August 2016

being almost as old as she was. Instead of paying to replace trendy clothes every season and cluttering up her wardrobe, she bought classics of high quality. And if her size changed, she just hired a seamstress to adjust the clothes for an always-flattering fit.

Quality is a Way of LifePurchasing quality isn’t only

about shopping for old versus new

in order to recycle and conserve resources either. The electricity to power an old-fashioned 60-watt incandescent bulb costs approximately $20 a year, versus about $3 a year for a modern LED bulb. The LED option is more expensive to buy, but much cheaper to use—and the light it radiates is cooler and more natural.

The pursuit of quality will also lead to the discovery of dedicated craftspeople. When you buy from them, you are supporting their commitment to their craft and the permanence of their trade, which may otherwise be a dying art. Paying a little more to buy better clothing, candles, jewelry, beer, or bread from local artisans, for example, is not

just consumerism or an exchange of money. That kind of shopping is an intentional investment in your community and in the social values you want to share, promote, and celebrate. That’s priceless.

Upkeep on items that deserve a little extra care and attention may be a chore, but it can be one that is deeply gratifying. These tasks often reward you with the same kind of satisfaction that craftspeople derive from the execution of their work. With that in mind, here are some maintenance tips for common items.

Cast Iron Cookware• Before using, “season” the cast

iron per the manufacturer’s instructions (here’s what’s

involved) or buy pre-seasoned cookware

available from reputable companies such as Lodge.

• Wash in hot water with a stiff brush. If needed,

use a tiny amount of eco-friendly detergent. Dry

completely and then coat with a thin film of coconut or olive oil and gently wipe off the excess.

Save Money by Taking Care of Your Possessions

Leather Goods• Use a leather conditioner to

keep the leather supple and maintain its luster. Saddle and boot makers often recommend a product called Bick 4 that conditions, cleans, and polishes. (Please note that conditioner is not recommended for suede.)

• Never use those popular, hard-cake shoe polishes. They give a good shine, but it only sits atop the surface and does not penetrate the leather to moisturize it. Instead, use cream-style polishes such as those sold under the brand name Meltonian.

Garden Tools• Hoes, mattocks, axes, rakes,

and other tools should be wiped clean of dirt before hanging them safely on a wall in a shed or other spot that is out of the weather. Replace wooden handles as needed.

• If the tool has an edge (like a hoe or hatchet), use a metal file to reshape and sharpen it for better performance. Before storing, apply a very thin coat of all-purpose oil to prevent rust.

Knives and Blades• Never use a knife on an

unforgiving surface such as ceramic, metal, granite, or marble, because even a slight tap on the blade will dull it. Use wooden or bamboo cutting boards instead. Avoid electric sharpeners, which can permanently ruin a blade.

• Ceramic rod sharpening systems, comprised of two pencil-shaped rods that fit into a wooden base at about a 70-degree angle, are a great solution. They’re easy to use if you follow the manufacturer’s instructions. When in doubt, entrust your knives to a pro. Ask the chef at an upscale restaurant for the name of their knife sharpening service and use it.

Share Your StoryDo you have a tale of independent life to share? We’d love to hear from you. Drop an email to [email protected]

LED lights cost a little more but save you money in the long run.

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9Independence Monthly | August 2016

Escape a Bricks-and-Mortar Lifestyle for Freedom on the Road

By Erica Mills

Thirty-three. That’s how many states Marc and Julie Bennett have called home in just one

year. They’re among the growing number of Americans who forego living in one place for life on the road in a recreational vehicle (RV).

Living this way, Marc and Julie have cut costs, gained freedom, learned self-reliance, and left the consumer society behind them. After all, living in an RV is basic and simple; decluttering is essential.

But the move has opened up a world of leisure and recreation beyond their dreams. They’re exploring the country, going at their own pace, and making friends in the RV community. Their journey has taken them to the crashing waters of Niagara Falls…the beauty of Lake Tahoe…and even the Oz museum in Kansas (a highlight for Wizard of Oz fan Julie.)

“When we’re in a location, the cool stuff is on our doorstep,” Julie says.

As a remote worker, Marc maintains his full-time job as operations manager for a nutritional

supplements company, while Julie has freelance income writing digital content, blogging, and running her lifestyle coaching business. They both maintain the RV Love website.

“When we were in Lake Tahoe on our first trip, Marc was on Pacific time so he finished at three,” recalls Julie. “We had a whole six hours after work to drive around Lake Tahoe, stop off, take photographs, do a little hike, stop off for dinner, and watch the sunset. That was all on a normal work day.”

They began their journey two years ago, in June 2014, setting off from their home in Colorado. In 2015, they began in San Diego, made their way into the middle of the country to New Mexico and Colorado, all the way to Niagara Falls and Maine, and all the way down the east coast to finish the year in Miami.

Bailing OutBefore going on the road, Julie

and Marc were the typical, middle class, suburban couple. They had what most people would call “the

good life”—a nice home in Colorado, steady income, and friends they saw whenever they could.

Marc was fortunate enough to have a flexible employer who allowed him to work his salaried job from home. But once he was freed from the constraints of working in an office, his mind started to wander to further possibilities of being even freer.

“I had wanted to work from home for a while,” Marc says. “And once I no longer had to work in an office, we started thinking, ‘What is home really?’”

The question caused them to evaluate their whole lives. “American society is so work driven,” Marc says. “We wanted to go and see so many things.”

That was a big part of what motivated them.

“Everyone [at home] is busy all the time,” Julie says. “So very few people stop and step back and think, ‘This isn’t making me happy.’”

They took nine months to research their perfect RV—a 2012 Tiffin 35QBA motorhome that they’ve nicknamed “Rocky.” After negotiating, they bought it for less than $100,000. For that, they get a comfortable living space with ivory leather interior, English chestnut cabinets, and bedding. They also have a second “tow” vehicle—a run-around Mini Cooper convertible that they use for errands or for exploring.

After finding their ideal RV, they sold their house and took to the road.

They hike regularly, take their Mini Cooper for long drives in the evening, and have seen the sites With their RV and Mini Cooper in tow, Marc and Julie Bennett

have the freedom to go where the road takes them.

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10 Independence Monthly | August 2016

The Cost of an RV Lifestyle

everywhere from Washington to Florida.

“This lifestyle allows us to go and see and do so much with limited vacation time. We do it just as part of our regular life,” says Marc.

Gas and MileageLast year, they did 8,408 miles in

the RV and a further 11,500 miles in the Mini Cooper.

But that’s less mileage than you might think. In fact, Marc and Julie estimate that they’re driving less than people they know back in Colorado.

“We spend less money on fuel than either of my brothers who just drive to and from work every day,” Marc says.

The average man in the U.S. drives around 16,500 miles per year, often just commuting to and from work. The average woman does more than 10,000 miles. Combined for a couple, that’s more mileage than Marc and Julie do to see the U.S.

So fuel costs are lower than you might expect…but other costs can be lower, too. Marc and Julie find this lifestyle surprisingly affordable. They’ve known people who spend anywhere from $1,000 to $6,000 a

month living in an RV. How much you spend comes down to how you want to live. You can stay in a $100-a-night campground or pay $500 a year to stay in free or lower cost campgrounds.

While most people who have a mortgage have to spend two-thirds of their income on fixed costs, Marc and Julie’s fixed costs account for just one-third of their income. If they want to save money in a month, they might drive less or cut back on treats.

The mortgage on their RV (they recommend buying a quality, second-hand RV over a new one) is a third of what it was for their town home…and less than they spent on the two car payments they previously had to make. They sold those two cars when they decided to move, cleared the loans, and bought their Mini Cooper outright with cash. They spend an average of $2,000 a year on maintenance and $2,100 a year for insurance for both vehicles.

“I think if someone has a goal to cut down on the debt they’re drowning in, this can be a way to cut costs,” Marc says.

Being in control of water and power comes with more

responsibility—but also greater freedom. Marc and Julie use the electricity in the campgrounds where they stay, but if that goes down, they have a generator. Other RVers fit their vehicles with solar panels.

If the water were to run out in a campground, they have backup water on board. And, if they need to, they can move down the road to the next working campground. As an RVer, you’re not tied to one place.

The Typical Full-Time RVer

As you might expect, Baby Boomers and retirees lead the pack when it comes to full-time RVers. But increasingly more and more people who haven’t yet retired are taking to the road full time. That includes

So what are the costs you should consider for embarking on a life on the road?

The RV: From a $3,000, 2004 Bambi trailer to a $200,000, 2003 Country Club Lexa diesel, the cost of a second-hand RV depends on your budget. See more on rv.oodle.com.

RV park rental: There are some low-cost or free parks that you can use by paying an annual fee but, in general, parking your RV will cost anywhere from $300

to $1,000 a month depending on the location and services. Typical weekly stays are around $200. A number of RV club memberships get you discounts. Check out Escapees.com or Passport America.

Tow Car: Many RVers bring a small vehicle—sometimes called a “toad”—like a Smart Car or Mini Cooper for short distances when the RV is parked up.

Maintenance: RVs need repair. The cost is obviously variable but Marc and Julie Bennett reckon they pay $2,000 a year on the upkeep of their RV.

Insurance: It all depends on the value of your vehicle but factor it into your annual costs.

Utilities: You’ll still have to pay for water and electricity when you park up, and you may want internet services on your travels.

General Living: Food, medical expenses, and other living costs will still be part of your outgoings. Work out your budget for these and add them to your overall cost estimate.

Julie and Marc Bennett enjoy exploring America with their

new life on the road.

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11Independence Monthly | August 2016

families who home-school their children on the road (often called “road schooling.”)

A growing number of people are like Marc and Julie—people who are still working while on the move. With the advances in internet service, they say it’s much easier to do than even they expected. Though they considered getting satellite internet when they started, they’ve found that regular Verizon cellular WiFi does the trick.

They bought a cellular booster for $150 two years ago to strengthen their signal. That’s sufficient for all their internet needs, including uploading videos and blog posts to their website and, for Marc, working in a cloud-sharing company and regularly hosting conference calls.

The Appeals of Life on the Road

So what’s the appeal of a life on the road? Getting to see the U.S. is an obvious one. But for Marc and Julie,

the people they meet make the experience most worthwhile.

When Julie moved from her home country, Australia, to Colorado, she worked hard to make friends. Now, it’s easier. She’s found some of the friendships she’s made on the road to be closer and more honest than many of her other friendships. The short time together strips away any pretense, making for honest and open relationships.

“I feel like I trust the people on the road in more ways. People do what they say and say what they do,” she says.

If they make plans, people tend to keep them. That’s a refreshing change for the couple. In their life back home, it was much harder to see people they considered friends, who often had to cancel last minute.

And it doesn’t matter what creed or political persuasion you are. The RV community is active, friendly, and helpful.

You can easily support an RV lifestyle with an online income, as Marc Bennett

does with his small office.

Though the lifestyle challenges you to be more independent—you have to learn to do things like routine RV maintenance and sourcing local service providers yourself—Marc and Julie have found people are more willing to help each other out.

After two years living in an RV and traveling the length and breadth of the U.S., they are happier than ever.

“We can live this amazing, free lifestyle where we can be in a new address each week without having enormous expense,” Marc says. “Living like this, your life is so full and free.”

Access to tools

One of the best aspects of the sharing economy is the high number of “odd-job” oriented websites that have been created in its wake. In fact, so many job search engines now exist that, in many cases, they’ve driven costs down substantially.

You’ve probably already heard of Craigslist, the internet’s classified page, but what about Fiverr? Fiverr encourages its users to list jobs they’re willing to perform for just $5. Fiverr users offer a wide variety of specific jobs, such as “I will write a jingle for your advertisement” or “I will professionally edit five of your photographs.”

If you’re looking for a cheap alternative to a personal assistant, take a look at Fancy Hands. This site will put you in touch with someone who can schedule appointments, do online shopping, make phone calls, or help you with research. If you hate spending time on the phone with customer service, Fancy Hands is a great way to get someone else to take care of it for you! You can also use Fancy Hands to schedule repeating tasks, like weekly appointments.

If you actually need someone to come to your house, you might want to check out TaskRabbit, which is oriented

How to Save in the Sharing Economytoward helping you find local help. People hired through TaskRabbit have been screened by the site, and every task is insured for up to $1 million. If you just need someone to help move something heavy or do a little grocery shopping for you, this is a great place to find cheap assistance.

Reddit (the “front page” of the internet) has a forum called Slavelabour specializing in remote jobs done well below market rate. Hire someone to do some quick research for a buck or to make a banner for your website for $1.50. You can even pay using bitcoin or Amazon gift cards.

DIY household tasks like light plumbing and electrical repair, which formerly might require you to pay a “professional” hundreds of dollars, can now often be completed for under $10.

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12 Independence Monthly | August 2016

How to Upskill Online to Earn from Anywhere

By Cleo Murphy

Working online gives you the kind of geographic independence that allows

you to earn from anywhere. People who do this sometimes describe themselves as “digital nomads,” and it certainly facilitates a nomadic lifestyle if that’s what you crave. It also means you can earn to supplement your craft business or homestead. No matter how you perceive independence, an online income is a step in the right direction.

Above all, it’s the fastest route to becoming boss-free.

So, which online incomes are easy to get into…lucrative…and enjoyable? Here are a few ideas. And the good news is that you can upskill online to earn online.

Freelancing Freelancing used to mean

writing, but with forecasters reckoning that 40% of Americans will be freelance earners by 2020, it’s time to take a wider look at the definition—web design, data entry, accounting, and so on.

“Companies don’t want employees anymore,” says Winton Churchill of Barefoot Consultants. “They’re trying to replace employees with freelancers, so that’s creating wonderful opportunities.”

This means you have a better chance than ever of earning your living without a boss.

Copywriting Among the writing possibilities

for a freelance income, copywriting

geogrAphIcAl Freedom

deserves special mention because it is potentially lucrative. Top copywriters are earning up to six figures a year, and plenty more are earning a healthy five figures. Marketers need copywriters to help them engage with customers by writing content for their emails, blogs, web pages, sales letters, and promotion.

According to an American Writers & Artists Inc. (AWAI) 2015 report on the state of the industry, copywriters can charge $250 to $800 for a blog post, $500 to $1,000 for FAQs, up to $7,000 for a 2-5 page microsite, or anywhere from $2000 to $10,000 for a sales letter, plus royalties based on a percentage of sales.

“Persuasive writing can pay you millions over the course of your lifetime,” says Katie Yeakle of AWAI. “You can boost your current income by writing copy in your spare time—and then, should you so desire, transition it into a full-time career, working anywhere in the world you choose to be.”

eCommerceBuying and selling online cuts

out the need to have expensive retail property in one location. Instead, your website becomes a store front and you can welcome customers from wherever you choose to live.

Nor do you have to handle stock or worry about storing it. You can deal with producers, manufacturers, or suppliers who operate a “dropshipping” system. That means you get the order for them and they mail out the goods for you.

Just think about it…you could be touring the country in an RV, sitting at your kitchen table, or taking your laptop to a café in some distant location…all the while watching orders from your website go through to suppliers who will fulfill the request and pay you a percentage of the sale. Check out pure-ecommerce.com to get set up.

PhotographyOne of the first successes of the shared

economy was the way stock photography platforms connected amateur photographers with every web designer, graphic designer, and magazine publisher around the world. The internet brought with it a big demand for photographs, and digital photography made it possible for anyone clever with a camera to upload their shots to stock agencies.

True, payment appears small, but the bonus is the passive income you receive as your photo sells over and over again. The more photos you upload, the better the chance you have of making money over time…without having to do the work again and again.

“Stock photography is a great place to start selling your photos, because you don’t have to worry about any of the marketing, printing, selling…the agencies do all of that for you,” says Bonnie Caton, creator of the Breakfast Stock Club. “And

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13Independence Monthly | August 2016

Journal of a Wannabe HomesteaderBy Cleo Murphy

One of the obstacles to clearing the overgrown garden of my new townhouse was the absence of a compost heap in which to dump the bountiful harvest of grasses and hedge trimmings that grew up in the humid summer conditions. Thankfully, the arrival of the compost bin last weekend heralds the first step in the clearance.

Now, I will readily admit that I spent too much time researching the compost bin. I knew from previous experience that a base is essential for reducing the risk of rodents, and as someone terrified of even the tiniest mouse, my search became—as the song goes—“all about the bass.”

The garden centers had open-base compost bins that allow worms great access to the contents of the bin, but I take the view that worms will happily feed, copulate, and multiply within the bin once you get it up and running. (The base has a few holes to let them in.) The emphasis was keeping mice and their more sizable cousins out of my garden.

I considered buying a bin online but was somewhat dissuaded by delivery costs. I checked out second-hand websites but anything available was too far away. I even found someone freecycling a compost bin with a base. All I had to do was travel an hour away and take it off his hands—no charge. (I love freecycle.) But it was snapped up a few hours before I got on the site.

In the end, I found one in the local hardware store, and even though it took three visits before they located the base and the door in their haphazard warehouse, they kindly gave me a discount for the inconvenience, and I left happily with the compost bin taking up all the space in the back of my small car.

you don’t have to have a background in photography to start. It’s definitely a numbers game. The more photos you submit, the more you’re likely to earn from it. But for some folks, it’s a great way to have fun doing something you love while making an income from it on the side.”

Great Escape Publishing runs an online photography course that will get you started.

Teaching EnglishThis might seem like a strange

one, but Skype and other VOIP systems have made it possible to earn an income chatting with students of English all over the world. What people in other countries want is the opportunity to converse with native English speakers to improve their command of the language.

Kary Vannice has traveled throughout Latin America teaching English and has put together the online course, Speak English and Get Paid.

“Because of the lack of native English speakers teaching English overseas, many people who wish to learn English are turning to the internet to practice conversation,” says Kary. “This allows them, not only to learn from a native speaker, but also to have lessons when and where works best for them.

“You can use video conferencing platforms like Skype. There are global online language academies that hire native English speaking teachers and there are also “tutor sites” where you can create a personal profile and teach students via their site, using their platform.

“I know people who are teaching English to students in Italy, Korea, China, Europe and South America—and some of these people are still living in their home countries.”

I know that real homesteaders with acres of land build their own composts with wire mesh and stakes, but quite apart from my own fear of rodents, I would become very unpopular with my new neighbors if I were to attract unwanted species to the adjoining gardens of our (currently) harmonious terrace. As it is, I expect some wary observance of my activities. You can do what you want in wide-open spaces, but when you live in close proximity to other people, respect is of the utmost importance.

So I donned my old jeans and boots for the weekend and cleared some space for the new arrival. Having a compost bin in an open space is better than hiding it in a corner…the enemy doesn’t like wide-open spaces. I placed fine wire mesh under the base just to be sure and placed the bin on top. I layered it up, brown and green; old twigs followed by grasses, followed by torn pieces of cardboard, followed by hedge trimmings.

I’ll continue to load it up over the coming weeks and leave it to “stew” until I have nice, dark compost to spread on the vegetable patch. Following on from last month’s column, I’m happy to report that the potatoes—my first crop out of this urban garden—are absolutely delicious, so the campaign is on for more produce.

Your compost heap is a party venue for worms.

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14 Independence Monthly | August 2016

Take the First Step to Opening a Bitcoin Account

By Andy Fleming

FInAncIAl Freedom

Getting to Grips with the Terminology

Interested in wading into the world of Bitcoin but not sure where to start? The first thing you’ll need is a

Bitcoin wallet. These wallets look like and function very similarly to an online bank account. Bitcoin wallets come in several forms—a website you log into using a secure username and password…a program which you download to your computer or phone…or an actual physical device you carry around with you.

In your wallet, you will have “public keys” where you receive bitcoins and “private keys” which you use to spend bitcoins.

Each type of wallet (also known as a wallet client or a software client) has its benefits and drawbacks. Determining which one is right for you depends on the level of security you want as well as how you plan to use and spend your bitcoins.

Hot WalletsBefore you wade into the

process of choosing the right wallet, it’s important you understand the concept of a hot wallet and a cold one. A hot wallet means your private

keys are stored on a computer or server that is connected to the internet. Hot wallets are needed to conduct Bitcoin transactions online but carry some security risks.

Most wallets allow you to view and generate private keys by logging in with a secure username and password. While it’s technically impossible for someone to “hack” your private keys, usernames and passwords are easier to compromise. Serious Bitcoin enthusiasts keep only small amounts of bitcoin in their hot wallets to cover everyday transactions. If you want to keep your bitcoins secure, it’s important you keep the majority of them in a cold wallet.

Cold WalletsTransferring bitcoins from

a hot wallet to a cold one is like withdrawing your money from a bank and storing it in a personal safe. Basically, you generate a private key and store it in a location not connected to the internet. You can burn it to a CD, transfer it to a USB drive, write it down on paper, store it on a laptop you never connect to the internet, or memorize it.

You can’t access a cold-wallet key by logging into your wallet, and if you lose a cold-wallet key, your bitcoins are gone forever. But you can conduct physical bitcoin transactions this way. Handing someone a CD with a private key connected to $500 worth of bitcoin is essentially the same as writing them a $500 check (except the transaction is completely anonymous).

Effectively using cold wallets makes it possible to store bitcoins securely in a personal safe or safety deposit box. Plus, even if your private keys are buried underground, you can still use public keys to transfer money

Here’s an explanation of some of the terms you may encounter in the world of Bitcoin.

Client Software: Within an office, a computer is regarded as a “client” of its server. Your laptop, tablet, or smartphone is a “client” of the mail server you use. So, client software refers to software that interfaces between the two. In Bitcoin terms, the software you use to communicate with the Bitcoin network is called client software or wallet client.

Public Key: This is like an email address. It’s where people “send” you bitcoins. You can generate multiple public keys that link to the same account, and new public keys can be created at any time.

Private Key: Each public key is paired with one or more private keys. A private key is just a password that allows you to spend the bitcoins sent to a particular public key. Again, it’s up to you how many private keys you want to generate.

Blockchain: Anyone can see Bitcoin transactions sent to public keys in real time on the Bitcoin ledger, known as the blockchain, in which many users generate new public keys for each transaction in order to preserve their anonymity.

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15Independence Monthly | August 2016

into the accounts associated with them. It’s only when you attempt to remove bitcoins that your private keys are needed.

Every type of Bitcoin wallet allows you to create both hot and cold wallets. The only thing that distinguishes between the two is whether or not your private keys are stored online. It’s up to you to decide what level of security you feel comfortable with and how far you’re willing to go to keep your funds locked down.

Web-based WalletsA web-based wallet is a wallet

which is accessed by logging on to a website. With these wallets, you don’t have the option of downloading a program onto your computer, and you must always be online to access them.

People with lots of money tied up in Bitcoin tend to stay away from web-based wallets for two reasons. First, no form of internet security is perfect, and anytime your computer is online, you run the risk of being hacked. Bitcoin wallets you download to your computer can be used while you’re offline, and you can’t be hacked if you’re not connected to the internet. Secondly, most downloadable wallets are “open source,” which means that anyone can view the code that makes up the program and make sure it’s not hiding anything (like secretly storing your log-in info or private keys). Web-based wallets are not open-source, and you’re trusting the company that made them to be honest about the way they work.

It’s similar to trusting your online bank not to secretly siphon

Summer may be past its peak, but that doesn’t mean your summer garden should wind down. Many gardeners aim for a “second season” planting around this time, which can yield as much as your early spring plantings.

One thing to keep in mind, if your region is particularly hot and sunny in August, you should take some time to prepare the soil before planting a second batch of summer crops. This is easily done by shading your garden for a few days and moistening the soil prior to planting. Seeds in particular will require prepped soil. Transplants will benefit as well but are less likely to succumb to harsh sun and soil conditions.

Now that the weather and soil are consistently warm, bush plants like Green Beans and Cucumbers are sure to thrive and produce before the temperature drops. Radishes are also a good choice as they mature in about 30 days.

Mid-to-late August is also the best time to start many fall crops. Sugar Peas can be sowed at this time and will produce harvests into early winter. Keep your eye on the weather reports and sow Spinach late August, once the hottest days are behind us. Lettuce will produce in hot weather, but higher temperatures tend to promote a bitter flavor in the leaves, making it better as a late Summer crop.

Be careful planting crops which take up to 60 days to mature and are killed by early frost. You never know what surprises early October will bring. If you’re lucky, you can get away with planting Basil at this time, but consider having a contingency plan, like this DIY cold frame, in case of an early cold snap.

You can avoid this concern entirely by planting heartier crops that will survive the cold. Beets and Green Onions will still produce after a frost and may survive temperature dips below 30 F. Kale, Collard Greens, and Brussel Sprouts are some of the toughest plants around and will continue thriving in temperatures as cold as 20 F.

Sow and Grow: Augustfunds from your account…except bitcoins aren’t insured in the same way your fiat currency is. It’s unlikely any company would want to maliciously program their wallet to secretly siphon bitcoins or steal passwords, as this would completely destroy the company’s future…but in the world of the internet, anything is possible.

Despite their security risks, web-based wallets are a great choice for those just learning the ins and outs of Bitcoin. The kind of vulnerabilities using a web-based wallet exposes you to aren’t likely to be exploited unless you’re handling a lot of money. Once you get a feel for the system and start to acquire more bitcoins, it might be time to switch to a non-browser-based wallet.

Desktop WalletsA desktop-based wallet

is generally a better choice than a web-based wallet when it comes to security. These wallets are almost always open-source software, and the code comprising them is constantly scrutinized by the community to avoid security vulnerabilities. It’s like being able to view the code your bank or credit company uses to verify digital transactions. Desktop wallets can also be used while your computer is offline, which allows you to manage your bitcoins in a completely secure digital space.

Despite this, there are some downsides to using a desktop wallet. For one, the use of these programs usually requires you to download the entire blockchain to your computer. The blockchain is a decentralized ledger which

Access to tools

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16 Independence Monthly | August 2016

There’s a huge array of Bitcoin wallets to choose from. Now that you know a little more about wallet types, here are some examples of the wallets themselves.

My Wallet: My Wallet is a web-based wallet, which maintains high-security standards and is probably the easiest to set up and use. Blockchain, the company responsible for My Wallet, claims that the private keys it generates are encrypted in your own browser, meaning they never have access to your funds…but because the software isn’t open source, this is something you just have to trust.

My Wallet is still one of the most trusted Bitcoin wallets and has more than 7 million users. Blockchain’s business model depends on the integrity and security of their network, so they have a vested interest in keeping My Wallet up to par.

Bitgo: Another good option for beginners is the Bitgo wallet. Their wallet is officially endorsed by bitcoin.org, an offshoot of the original Bitcoin developers, which is always a good indication. Bitgo doesn’t have as many in-depth, beginner-friendly tutorials as My Wallet, but anyone with a basic understanding of wallets will find it easy to use. Bitgo is well known for its reliable service and advanced security features, such as setting

spending limits and allowing for multi-user access.

Bitcoin Core: This is your bread-and-butter bitcoin wallet, descended from the original bitcoin software. The Bitcoin Core consistently offers high levels of security, privacy, and reliability. Its creators are dedicated not only to maintaining the quality of their software but also to supporting the integrity and decentralized nature of the entire network. These are software developers who believe in Bitcoin and its potential as a better form of world currency.

mSIGNA: mSIGNA is easy to set up and use, and offers some more advanced tools for those more familiar with Bitcoin. The best feature of mSIGNA has to do with its flexibility. With this wallet, you don’t necessarily have to download the entire blockchain, and if you don’t have the time or memory, you can also connect to the ledger remotely. mSIGNA gives you 100% control of your private keys so you don’t have to trust in a third party to keep your information secure.

Electrum: Electrum is your best bet if you want a fast, lightweight desktop wallet. You don’t have to download the blockchain to use the wallet, and the program itself uses very little processing power. This does expose it to more security vulnerabilities, but Electrum is still

considered by the community to be a very secure, trustworthy wallet.

Armory: The Armory secure wallet is also worth a mention. Although definitely not for beginners due to its complexity, you can’t do better when it comes to security. If you ever find yourself acquiring large amounts of bitcoin, Armory is the way to go.

Copay is a mobile option to manage Bitcoin on the go. There are versions of the software available for desktops and mobile devices, allowing you to swap between them whenever you need.

Trezor is a hardware wallet and is an excellent choice for complete security even when connected to a compromised computer. If you need to keep your bitcoins mobile but remain wary of phone security, a “Bitcoin safe” like this costs $100-$200, but allows you to carry bitcoins around in a completely secure environment.

These are some of the best and most trusted Bitcoin Wallets, but hardly the only options. If you want to explore some alternatives, check out bitcoin.org’s breakdown of their endorsed wallets. Looking for a place to ask questions? The Bitcoin Subreddit is always full of knowledgeable users, although you may want to check out their Bitcoin FAQ first.

Choosing Your Bitcoin Wallet

records every bitcoin transaction to date. Downloading this file is good for Bitcoin as a whole, as each download strengthens the overall security of the Bitcoin network.

Unfortunately, the blockchain file takes up a huge chunk of memory, more than 20 GB of data. If you’ve got space on your hard drive and a fast internet connection,

the download is negligible, but those with slower download speeds may find this impractical or inconvenient.

The only other downside to desktop wallets is that they rely on the security of your computer. If you suspect your computer is infected with viruses or malware, make sure you clean it up before downloading any wallet to your machine.

Mobile and Hardware Wallets

If you want to access Bitcoin on your phone or tablet, there are options available for mobile wallets. Unfortunately, phones and mobile devices are often more susceptible to hacks, and each time phone software is updated, there’s a chance new security holes will be introduced.