Minimalism is the life I chose 30 years ago, because I foresaw back then what is happening now. I made choices to structure my life in such a way that 'they' could never take my wealth away from me. My wealth being the fact that I essentially retired in 1991 instead of running the rat-race for 40 years only to have everything that I amassed taken away when the inevitable collapse comes. They can't now, retroactively, take away all of those years of leisure that I enjoyed so much. I was enjoying my retirement while all of my family and friends were busy working long hours chasing the almighty dollar to amass the wealth which they are about to be relieved of, not that any of them are aware of this fact yet. I was aware that by my living life this in this manner I win either way, if the world collapses, I've had 30 years 'retirement' all at a young age and in good health; and if I'm wrong and the world doesn't collapse, I still win because that means that I get to grow old in a good country in peacetime albeit in relative poverty. Now perhaps people will understand why I chose my lifestyle despite having all the resources needed to pursue a lengthy education and earn big money.