I came across a mention of Marianne Cantwell’s new book, Be a Free Range Human – Escape the 9 to 5, Create a Life You Love and Still Pay the Bills while perusing the facebook page of Barbara Winter. Per her suggestion, I contacted the book publisher and was sent a copy in exchange for sharing my thoughts here on our blog.
Escape the 9 – 5, Create a Life You Love, and Still Pay the Bills
Soon after receiving the book, I found myself working for someone else and struggling to find the time to actually read it. The irony was not lost on me. Paul makes this “location independent” stuff look easy, while I have struggled to earn a decent living on the move.
I am enjoying my new job at Estrella Del Norte Vineyard, but it is important to me that I find a way to support myself financially from wherever it is we wish to be (our sit here in New Mexico ends in October) without relying on an outside job.
I’ve been able to save us LOTS of money with Caretaking Couple; now it is time to make us some money. I want to be my version of a Free Range Human!
You may be wondering what free ranging even means. According to Marianne Cantwell, “Free ranging is about creating your ultimate life. Reaching your potential, building on that moment of magic you have to offer and creating a darn good income to boot. Freedom and fulfillment and a great income. No compromises.”
For me, free ranging means true location independence. For some people I know, it means walking away from jobs they hate and towards a lifestyle they love. This book will help you to clarify what free ranging means to you and encourage you to live accordingly if you aren’t already.
Be a Free Range Human is broken up into four parts. The first half will help you to decide what it is you want exactly and the second half shows you ways in which to put your plan into action. There are a lot of written exercises in this book, along with complimentary online resources. Do not ignore either ~ both are invaluable.
You will be given projects to work on, as well. Example: my current Play Project (i.e. a project that excites me) includes monetizing this blog with relevant affiliate links, setting up an e-Book shopping cart, and reaching out to potential sponsors. I am giving myself one week to finish this project, with the help of someone who can actually set it all up in a fraction of the time it takes me.
In this book, you will hear from others who are getting paid to do what makes them come alive. You will learn how to start a business for under $100 and how to set your salary. You will learn about branding and niches and how to get free press. You will be given advice on how to avoid “the beige army”, that group of scared but vocal people that try to talk you out of living your happiest life. Prepare to be inspired.
My copy of Be a Free Range Human is full of ink and plans and dreams, so you can’t borrow it. Two of my friends have purchased and are reading it at present, and I cannot wait to exchange ideas and epiphanies with them!
If you are interested in reading this book as well, please leave us a comment here on the blog. It can be about what free ranging means to you, or anything else you would like to discuss. I will have Paul draw a name next weekend (April 12th) and send a copy out to the winner. Book club, anyone?!
This sounds like my kind of book! Would love to win & review on my site.
Cool, TiffanyO! I love your site. Readers, did you know that if someone’s name is highlighted you can check out their site? Tiffany’s is http://www.moderndaynomads.com. I am addicted to pondering the limitless possibilities…
I gotta get a copy. It sounds like such a great book!!
Sharon, I think you would really appreciate this read. Feel free to share with me your thoughts during/after, OK? Great minds, and all…
Sharon – you won! Please fb message or e-mail your addy to me so I can get your book to you : ) My e-mail is valynne@caretakingcouple.com. Congrats!
Rah! Love this! Thank you. I’m free ranging up in northern Norway, and saw this pop into my google alerts as I sit on our balcony in the snow…. Perfect contrast to the photo you posted 🙂 So glad you found the book via the lovely Barbara (and thank you for getting a copy; glad you liked so much, I look forward to seeing what you do)
Ha! LOVE it when I actually hear from the creator of something that I can’t help but share here on the blog. You are very welcome and thank YOU for joining this conversation that you’ve inspired. I’ve been brainstorming ideas with friends these past few days and will be sharing our progress in the coming weeks.
You amaze me, Valynne. I still think of you and Paul all t he time, and hear he was in town recently… when you are up this way, PLEASE will you make sure I know?
I keep trying to find the time or make the time for facebook, but to save my socks it eludes me. I’m an old fashioned write or call girl, and the death of my cell phone last fall lost me more than one friend…. I’m still catching up on phone #’s. Speaking of which…. will you text yours to 303-674-9454.
I’m not doing the 9-5 thing…. I’m doing the anytime, all the time thing, figuring out the self-employed partially employed thing. It’s been such an interesting dance.
Much love to you in the middle of the night, wistfully wanting to know her secret
Denise
Denise, I am so sorry you didn’t hear about Paul’s visit until after the fact. He was job training in Denver that week and only had Friday night to play. I lost hundreds of e-mail addresses (thanks to my hosting provider – grrr) and am trying to get them back. I will text you my home # as soon as I get back to a place that has reception (we are quite rural here – don’t even have a mailbox). We will probably be back in Denver sometime during the fall, once things slow down again at the vineyard I work for. I promise you will know about it! XOX
My husband and I have taken “the path less traveled” during our entire married life together and are thrilled with where it has taken us. But you can always learn something, so I look forward to reading this book!
Good for you, Karen! Give us the scoop on your adventures if you’d like…I love meeting and chatting with fellow “road less travelers” : )
This philosophy fits so well with the ideals of the Arts & Crafts Movement, which began in England as a reaction to the Industrial Revolution, and spread to America around the turn of the century. The Movement, which is even stronger now than it was 100 years ago, glorifies hand-crafted artisanry (in architecture, decorative arts and other creative expressions) and advocates a simpler, more truthful lifestyle. Looking forward to reading the book and sharing it with many kindred spirits.
Cynthia, thank you for bringing back special memories of farmers’ markets, along with craft fairs and weddings at http://jeffco.us/boettcher/index.htm. I gained some serious respect for the Arts & Crafts Movement thanks to Boettcher Mansion. It is great to hear from you!
Free Ranging would definitely be walking away from a job to pursue what I love doing. Looks like a great book, thanks Valynne.
Anytime you want to exchange ideas, drop me a line, Monica! So happy for you and Dave XO
Pick me! Pick me! Why? Because I am the oldest person here so I don’t have as much time to implement it as everybody else.
Oh, this seriously cracked me up, Alison! Going to have Paul pick a name out of a hat as soon as he is done with his conference call…good luck!