Washoe County Library System

"In 2014, Liz Thames and her husband, Nate, were conventional young urban professionals working nine-to-five jobs. But the rat race had worn them down, and they dreamed of becoming modern-day homesteaders in rural Vermont. Determined to retire as early as possible in order to start living each day as opposed to wishing time away working for the weekends they enaceted a plan to save as much money as they could. In less than three years, Liz and Nate...

"For many of us, our possessions and the lifestyle that goes along with them are causing more stress than happiness--otherwise known as "keeping up with the Joneses" or what Alain de Botton calls "status anxiety." But James Wallman argues that we are approaching a tipping point with regard to materialism. People are turning away from the endless drive to consume in favor of a simpler, more streamlined way of living. The shift is already underway:...