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Work Less to Live Your Dreams

A few years ago I was working a regular 9-5 office job. It wasn’t terrible, though I wasn’t overly excited about it either. Even though I was working more than I was living, my entire pay check was disappearing month after month. I had no idea what I was spending money on, or why my bank account was always empty just before pay day.

After thinking about what I wanted to do in my life, and how sitting at this job was not getting me closer to my dreams, I made a few small changes to my lifestyle, and my savings account slowly started growing. The more I saved the more I was motivated to save, and my savings continued to grow.

Less than two years later I had a modest savings account. Enough, if I was careful, to take a year off work and live one of my biggest dreams. I bought a used Jeep for $6,000 cash, with big plans in store. It just so happened in that same week my friend at work bought a new car. James and I had often talked about how our job was not the greatest and how we both longed for something more. James’ new car had every available option, and it came with six years of payments, while I had just paid for my Jeep in cash.

I quit that job and spent two years driving my Jeep from Alaska to Argentina having all kinds of life-changing adventures along the way. The trip turned out to be bigger than I could have ever imagined.

Upon my return I visited my old workplace and was shocked to see the same people, sitting in the same chairs, doing the same things. James was still there, still talking of doing something he dreamed about, and still paying off his car. He had four years of payments remaining, but he was already talking about getting a newer one – it had more speakers in the sound system or something. James was wondering why he was going to work every day of his life, but he was no closer to living his dreams. It struck me like a ton of bricks that James had been sitting at that desk for two years while I adventured through Central and South America, and he had not saved a single cent. He had been going to work every day for two years, and I had been living one of my biggest dreams, my time entirely my own.

It’s become clear to me we can all choose which person we want to be. You can choose to be James, go to work for your entire life, and wonder why you don’t get to live your dreams.

Or, with a few small changes to your lifestyle, you can work less, and live your dreams!


This is the Introduction to my new book “Work Less to Live Your Dreams – A practical guide to saving money and living your dreams”, where I describe exactly how I am able to save money, work less and live my dreams. The book how I have been able to afford to quit work and drive from Alaska to Argentina for two years, and now again to quit work to drive around Africa for two years.

Chapters of the book include:

  • Change how you value money
  • Change your relationship with money
  • Understand the true cost of money
  • Save money
  • The mindset of spending less
  • Work less

With real-world examples, step-by-step instructions and thinking points, Work Less to Live Your Dreams will teach you how to free yourself from endless full time work, and start living your dreams.

Work Less to Live Your Dreams is available now on the following eBook stores for USD $2.99:

Amazon: Work Less to Live Your Dreams

Kobo Bookstore: Work Less to Live Your Dreams

Apple iBooks: COMING SOON

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Work Less to Live Your Dreams

-Dan

11 Responses

  1. Nick says:

    Looking forward to reading this. Best of luck in Africa, Dan.

    Cheers,
    Nick

  2. Dennis says:

    Heyho!
    Is there a way to get reminded when this hits the Apple iBooks Store?

    • Dan Grec says:

      Hi Dennis,

      Sorry, I don’t know when it will be. Apple and the US government are disagreeing on my tax number, and I’m stuck in the middle waiting. Hopefully soon, but I can’t promise anything.

      -Dan

  3. Laszlo says:

    Hi Dan, I just found your post on imgur and was instantly hooked. Looking forward to follow you and wish you great time in Africa. Just picked up your book also looking forward reading it. Take care buddy! You are living life how it suppose to be lived!

  4. Anna says:

    This is so admirable, I think people like you and I are very few, very rare….. Especially nowadays with all the technology and fancy things we have people slowly forget how to live an adventurous yet simple and enjoyable life, to follow dreams and live more not for materialistic things or superficial goals but to live everyday as a new experience, to explore the world, learn new cultures, and respect the differences in the world as knowledge. Anyways kudos to you, enjoy your trip, post many pictures!

  5. Song says:

    Hi Dan
    I am from China and I find your story really really amazing and attracting. I wonder if you could allow me to translate your articles into Chinese and put them in some Chinese websites? I will write your name as the author and tell u some feedback from Chinese readers. Thx!

    • Dan Grec says:

      Hi Song,

      Thanks for reaching out. Please credit me as the author of the articles and the photos, link to my website (theroadchoseme.com) and my Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.
      Thanks,
      -Dan

  6. Oscar says:

    Hello Dan
    I have following for a few years now since you were traveling in Central America and South America.
    Have fun and stay safe in Africa.
    Now my question. I have an Ipad does your book on ipads. let me know.
    I would like to get it.
    And remember If you need anything from here in North America, let me know.
    Thanks

    • Dan Grec says:

      Hey Oscar,

      I’m happy to have you back for another adventure!
      I have not yet managed to get the book into Apple’s book store, sorry. I’m trying to get a US tax number and it’s very difficult. I will keep trying.
      In the mean time you can download the book from Amazon and read it on your computer, using a free program like “Calibre” or similar.

      Thanks for all the support, I really appreciate it!
      -Dan

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