OK, that's all well and good, but let's talk about reality. Especially if you have kids, house payments, car payments, student loans or health problems. What do you do?

Excess possessions are counterproductive for pursuing a remote lifestyle. And they're often counterproductive for achieving happiness in general. If you own something that is eating away at you financially (furniture, car, etc.), consider cutting your losses and getting rid of it while you can. Debt is the devil. I wrote an entire post on getting rid of excess crap you don't need here.

Doing this may make you squirm at first. Or you may be sitting there (once again) thinking I'm a total nutcase and unrealistic and you could never get rid of your super-double-upholstered Italian sofa that just ties the room together, but f.u.c.k you, sell it anyway. There are a million sofas in the world, your life experiences happen once. Get on it.

In extreme cases, this may involve selling your house. That may sound insane and may be completely unreasonable for you, especially if you have a family. If so, then rent it out. Obviously mileage may vary depending on who you are and what your life circ.u.mstances are. Why be miserable and financially stuck in a house when you can be happy and free in an apartment? Boom.