Living Well Without a Job and With (Almost) No Money

1 / 2
Not only does “Possum Living” tell you how to live without a job, the book offers plenty of guidance on practical matters, such as buying a home (cheap!), growing and canning food, killing and skinning rabbits, making moonshine, and much more.
Not only does “Possum Living” tell you how to live without a job, the book offers plenty of guidance on practical matters, such as buying a home (cheap!), growing and canning food, killing and skinning rabbits, making moonshine, and much more.
2 / 2
Why “possum living”? Possums can live most anywhere, even in big cities, and nothing you can do will persuade a possum to work in a factory or office.
Why “possum living”? Possums can live most anywhere, even in big cities, and nothing you can do will persuade a possum to work in a factory or office.

The following is an excerpt fromPossum Living: Living Well Without a Job and With (Almost) No Money by Dolly Freed (Tin House Books, 2010). Originally published in the late 1970s when Freed was 18 years old,Possum Livingis part philosophical treatise, part down-to-earth how-to, and provides a no-nonsense approach on how to beat the system and be self-sufficient — right in suburbia. The new, updated edition includes fresh reflections, insights and life lessons from an older and wiser Dolly Freed. This excerpt is from Chapter 1, “We Quit the Rat Race,” and Chapter 4, “We Rassle With Our Consciences.”

Do you remember the story of Diogenes, the ancient Athenian crackpot? He was the one who gave away all his possessions because “People don’t own possessions, their possessions own them.” He had a drinking cup, but when he saw a child scoop up water by hand, he threw the cup away. To beat the housing crunch, he set up an abandoned wine barrel in a public park and lived in that.

The central theme of Diogenes’ philosophy was that “The gods gave man an easy life, but man has complicated it by itching for luxuries.”

Apparently he lived up to his principles. But despite that handicap, he seems to have had the most interesting social life imaginable. He not only lived in the center of the “Big Apple” of his day (fifth-century B.C. Athens), he also had the esteem and company of many of the most respected, rich and influential citizens, including that of the most expensive prostitute in town.

When Alexander of Macedon, the future conqueror of the known world, was traveling through Greece, he honored Diogenes with a visit.

  • Published on May 10, 2010
Online Store Logo
Need Help? Call 1-800-234-3368