The simple life feels like freedom—until reality hits. If you’re thinking about earning less and escaping the 9–5, here’s what you need to know to make it truly work.
You’ve probably heard it—or even said it yourself:
“I just want to earn less, spend less, and live a simple life.”
“I don’t need much. I just want time to enjoy my life, not waste it at a job I hate.”
For burned-out Millennials and Gen Z workers, it sounds like a tempting alternative.
Ditch the grind. Ditch the stress. Just make enough to get by, and reclaim your time.
I get it. I lived that way throughout my 20s.
And here’s what I learned: it sounds nice—until you try to live it long term.
Wanting to Quit Is Normal
Let’s be clear: burnout isn’t a personal failure.
According to Gallup’s 2024 survey, 77% of American workers don’t feel emotionally engaged with their jobs.
Wages are stagnant, rent keeps climbing, and even after canceling half your subscriptions, you’re still not saving enough.
So it’s only natural to start romanticizing the idea of a minimalist life.
Maybe you think:
“I don’t really spend much anyway.”
“I’ll just cook more at home—no more Uber Eats, just Trader Joe’s.”
“If I work four hours a day, I could probably cover my costs.”
It’s an easy sell.
But the problem is, these ideas assume that everything goes perfectly.
No medical bills. No car trouble. No rent hike. No family emergencies. Just… vibes.
Why Some People Can Live That Way
Yes, some people seem to thrive on low income and low expenses.
They live in cozy rural towns, walk their dog, grow basil in the backyard, and write about “slow mornings” in Substack newsletters.
But if you look closer, most of them fall into at least one of these categories:
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They’ve already built significant assets (investments, rental income, FIRE plans)
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They have financial support from family (rent-free living, insurance covered)
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They live with a high-earning partner
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They’re citizens of high-welfare countries like Norway or Denmark
If you’re renting in Austin, covering your own healthcare, and still paying student loans, their lifestyle isn’t just a choice—it’s a privilege.
And comparing your reality to their curated version of “simple living” is a trap.
The Hidden Risk of Earning Less
I tried it myself—working just enough to cover the basics.
No career. No full-time job. Just hopping between gigs and side jobs whenever I ran out of cash.
I told myself I was “buying time” to figure things out, to write, to think.
In reality? I wasn’t building skills. I wasn’t growing.
And when I tried to return to the workforce, I found myself stuck explaining resume gaps and lacking the credentials others had gained in that time.
Even applying for a barista job, I’d get asked:
“Why are you applying part-time at your age?”
“What have you been doing since your last full-time role?”
That’s when I realized: the world doesn’t see “a minimalist lifestyle.”
They see instability.
And the longer you’re out of the system, the harder it gets to reenter it.
Health Costs Will Catch Up
In your 20s, you feel invincible. But by your 30s, things change.
One surprise trip to the dentist? $1,200.
Out-of-network therapy? Not covered.
Prescription meds? Deductible hasn’t even kicked in yet.
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, the average American adult spends over $5,000 a year on healthcare【KFF, 2023】.
You may be fine now, but aging isn’t a myth—and when it comes, costs stack fast.
The harsh truth?
As your energy goes down, your expenses tend to go up.
Real Freedom Requires Real Prep
Let’s break it down. If you want to live off low income long term, you’ll need:
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At least 6–12 months of emergency savings
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Reliable passive income (rent, dividends, digital content)
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A skill that lets you pivot quickly if needed
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A long-term plan for health expenses and aging
Without that foundation, you’re not living freely.
You’re just living on the edge.
Work Is Hard—But It Buys You Choices
I’m not glorifying burnout.
But the money I earned during those tough jobs?
That’s what gave me the resources to start a business, invest, and build a financial cushion.
It wasn’t fun. But it gave me options.
All those YouTubers who quit their jobs and now live “freely”?
They’re still working. They just switched jobs—from employees to creators.
And that freedom? It came after years of hard work, smart planning, and a whole lot of savings.
So What’s the Takeaway?
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The “earn less, spend less” life sounds peaceful—but it’s rarely sustainable without backup.
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True freedom isn’t found in escaping work. It’s in preparing for the day you can walk away.
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Healing isn’t just about rest—it’s about rebuilding.
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And the sooner you face that, the longer you’ll enjoy real peace later.
If life feels heavy now, it’s because you’re building something real.
And maybe that’s what this moment is for—not to run away from the system,
but to work toward the freedom to leave it on your terms.
What kind of life are you building toward?
Let’s be honest about the cost—and the reward.
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