Dave Winer, that infamous internet curmudgeon, recently linked to an essay he wrote last year about Transcendental Money. He says a lot of things I’ve been thinking lately, ever since I’ve been living hand-to-mouth as a freelancer. Most people, when asked how much money they would need to make to be satisfied, generally quote a figure about twice what they are currently making. This ratio holds for every income level.
As for me, this year I’ll probably make half what I earned last year. I’ve found that now that I’m not getting that serene, steady paycheck every two weeks, my need for “new stuff” has waned considerably. It’s easier now to see the real cost of things, not only in money (or credit), but in taking care of them, storing them – not to mention making time to use them. Now, every time something leaves the apartment – in the trash, to St. Vincent’s, to a friend – I feel a sense of relief. Not that I’m going to go off and join a Buddhist monastery or anything. But it’s a refreshing change.