Could You Live With Almost No Money?

Possum Living by Dolly Freed

It is the dream for many – no boss, no alarm clock and total independence from the day to day grind. For Christmas a friend of mine gave me the book, Possum Living – How to Live Well Without a Job and Almost No Money by Dolly Freed. Originally written in 1978, it describes the lifestyle of 18 year old Dolly (which is a pseudonym) and her father. They don’t have jobs or cars, own their own home and kill or grow most of their own food. The book is filled with detailed and interesting tips such as how to make your own alcohol, how to capture, kill and cook a turtle and how to keep rabbits (also for food) in your house while keeping your home odor-free.

I think what I liked most about this book is the spirit in which it’s written. Dolly’s writing is snappy and no nonsense. She isn’t a hippy or a health nut. Her philosophy is simple. “It’s easier to do without some of the things that money can buy than to earn the money to buy them.” In addition to this pragmatic approach there is also a real can-do attitude in her approach to life. All problems can be solved by going to the library and getting a book. Since this was written in 1978, (You can see a 1978 interview with Dolly and her father and see their house here) feel free to change that to: get on the internet and Google it. Dolly did not attend school until college and gained her education in the public library.

Since the book came out 30+ years ago, a lot has changed in Dolly’s life. The afterword is just as interesting as the original book, with many surprises in regards to the outcome of her life and her fathers. I won’t give it away but I will say it would make a great plot for another book.

Even if you have no interest in growing your own food, killing your own meat, and making moonshine, this book is not only a fun read, but inspiring. Most of us do have more than we need and it’s a great reminder that what we do without can give us a freedom that is impossible to purchase.

Have you ever done without? A car? A place to live? Your cell phone? And how much would you be willing to give up in favor of freedom from the working world? We’d love to hear your thoughts.

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