Call me a passement — that’s fine, because I am one, and deliberately so. I do not desire the worldly things the consumerist machine relentlessly promotes. Simplicity is the guiding principle in my life. I try to live by that philosophy every day. There are unavoidable expenses — bills, basic living costs — but overall I embrace minimalism and refuse to shoulder the excess burdens of the modern man. I won’t subscribe to the copycat behavior of the masses, and it alarms me how many people slip into that trap. I have a Netflix account, this website that costs me very little, private health insurance, car expenses and a modest rent. I avoid debt, and the money I earn beyond those small commitments is mine to keep. The same principle governs my time: I do not give it freely to people I do not care for or feel pressured to entertain. I am a single man with few responsibilities, and I would not have it any other way.
I’m surprisingly a friendly guy. I don’t talk down to the people I am talking about; I simply hope to reach a youngster who once desired those things. The matrix pushes us to finish high school, go to university, and obtain an expensive credential that often costs thousands and rarely secures the job it promises. Young people are piling up massive debt for a piece of paper that, in many cases, carries little real value. That reality is alarming. I managed to avoid that trap and now owe nothing to anyone.
I don’t want the new car, the mortgage, the children, the latest phone, the credit cards, and all the other trappings of modern life. I’m not made of money, but I have enough to pay my way and continue adding to my savings. The financial problems people get themselves into frighten me, and to a degree I think it’s irresponsible to plunge into that kind of long-term burden. I simply couldn’t have a child — I’d be a pretty poor father. The weekend sporting events, medical costs, school expenses and parent–teacher meetings would take up too much of my time, and I’m too selfish with my personal time to take on the responsibilities of raising a child.
Credit card balances are at an all‑time high, largely because people are using them to cover rising living expenses. Many households rely on cards to pay for food, rent and everyday necessities. Years ago I accumulated about five thousand dollars in card debt and vowed I would never put myself through that again. I worked hard to pay it off quickly, and the relief I felt when it was gone was immense.
I will never own my own home. Renting works out just fine with me for now. The economy is in such a state that it makes it nearly impossible for the average person or couple to find suitable accommodation. There are lines of people for open days that stretch around the block, and agents are asking for three months’ rent upfront. What chance does someone on a pension have of having any success? Even people with high, double incomes get knocked back, so this is especially depressing for someone like myself.
I don’t want a girlfriend or wife. I prefer being my own boss and keeping my independence. No brunches on Sunday mornings, no scheduled date nights, no joint budgeting of our money, and nobody bossing me around. I’ve lived with women before and, from my experience, this is how things usually play out. I know I might be missing out on love and companionship, but that’s a price I’m willing to pay for the freedom I value. I’m also at an age where many women on Tinder and other dating apps are single mothers, which I see as a significant red flag. I don’t want children of my own, so I’m not prepared to take on someone else’s, and that appears to describe a large portion of women over forty.