Got some ideas on how to live the good life for less? The Arch Dudeship solicits your suggestions!
By Rev. Dwayne Eutsey
Here’s another sign that Dudeism is the religion for its time and place.
With the economic downturn bumping many of us into a lower tax bracket, people are finding themselves re-adjusting to a way of life resembling the Dude?s low-rent lifestyle.
And that’s cool.
According to Jane Devin’s recent column on The Huffington Post, in fact, being broke is the new cool. Devin writes:
"Since the recession hit, and the tsunami of poverty has claimed some of my previously well-off friends, they are now coming to me for advice like I’m the Suze Orman of the down-and-out. Suddenly, I’m the one who’s cool — the one who knows how to make do with little or nothing."
Now, "Suze Orman" — that’s a name no dude would self-apply where I come from. But like Devin, most Dudeists are accustomed to the indigent life of bums, slackers, and what-have-you (or what not-have-you). For us, we have willed it and it is no dream. Like the Dude, we know how elusive money can be — and how elusive happiness can be even if you have the money, Lebowski.
Therefore, we are in a unique position to confirm or disconfirm the viability of living a satisfying life with little or nothing. Parts, anyway.
Although everyone needs to feed the monkey with bones, clams, or whatever-you-call it, we Dudeists can serve as a helpful resource for all these new goldbrickers we’re finding around us these days. What survival tips do you have to share with our newly impoverished brethren and sistren? Post-dating checks when you buy your creamer? Tossing your dirty undies at creditors when they demand payment for delinquent bills?
Post your advice below and we’ll share them ever thus with our growing number of fellow deadbeats. Consider this The Dude Poorman Show!
Fuckin’ A, man! Made me laugh to beat the band. Parts, anyway.
So broke is the new black? That had not occurred to us, dude. I’m living below the poverty line so I guess that makes me pretty fucking cool.
The only advice I have for my fellow poverty-striken Dudeists would be to do what your parents did.
You can cut down on expenses if you stick to a budget for your booze and entertainment.
Eat shitloads of dried beans and rice instead of meat, processed crap, and eating out all the time.
Share your car or start a vehicle co-op with friends instead of paying everything yourself. Drive less.
Quit smoking.
Don’t look at advertising.
Bowling is purty durned cheap so rejoice, and again I say rejoice.
Less is more.
These aren’t the dudes you’re looking for.
Move along
Wow, I just sent Oliver an article concerning money and the current economic situation. Great dudes think alike, am I wrong?
Indeed. However, I suspect that as the economic crunch progresses, a lot more great minds will begin thinking about this very subject.
Some innerestin’ tips from a survivor of the ’70s energy crisis: http://hubpages.com/hub/Simple-Frugality-Tips-for-Surviving-the-Economic-Downturn
The affluenza epidemic may be receding: http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/the_way_we_live/article5088674.ece
“Affluenza epidemic.”
You crack me up, Dwayne.
Irish Monk – I hear what you’re saying man. The special lady friend and I recently made a move out East for some grad school opportunities. Before even moving we realized we would have to tighten our financial belts considerably. The first thing to go was the fast food, eating out, and catching every new film in the theaters that looked interesting. That pretty much took care of all the excess spending we had to get rid of.
It also gave me the chance to do a lot more cooking than I had been, which I enjoy, and I dropped 20 lbs in the first few months to boot from not stuffing my face with processed meat and cheese all the time.
I hear ya, chalupdude. Simplifying can be painfully sacrificial at first, but it’s just a more complete way to takin’ your lifestyle easy.
I’ve found that after going for periods without, good burgers and movies have become a treat again when I enjoy them in moderation.
More unprofessional resources to share among my Dudeist compeers…
http://www.whywork.org/action/lifestyle/simplicity.html
http://www.simpleliving.net/main/
http://www.yesmagazine.org/article.asp?id=2089
Live Free–Do It Yourself
“In short, people are creating spaces for community, for learning, for fulfilling their own dreams while supporting the aspirations of others.”
While the philosophy it espouses is distinctly non-dude in its advocation of violent social upheaval, the 60’s counterculture manual Steal This Book is an excellent guide to living well for cheap. The suggestion of writing the destination of stuff you mail in the return address’s space to get free postage is particularly inventive.