Paul
and Sarah Edwards are authors of a timely book “Middle-Class Lifeboat:
Careers and Life Choices for Navigating a Changing Economy.” In a world
of decreasing resources, they ask, how do we financially support
ourselves while moving towards sustainable lives? Emphasizing
independent income sources, they consider dozens of possible careers
from basic services to local-scale technologies. Life choices include
lowering costs through simplifying, getting out of debt, and
demonetizing (e.g., bartering). Or one can consider an “off-the-map”
lifestyle like living abroad, off-grid, or an intentional community.
This downturn is not just a cycle, they emphasize: it heralds a sea
change.
_________
Pathways in Transition in the News
__________
(click titles to see and
hear interviews)
Peak Moment TV
Middle Class Lifeboat,
Careers and Life Choices for
Staying Afloat
UMKC QUAD
A Life of Collaboration and
Creativity
Karen English interviews Paul and Sarah Edwards about pioneering efforts for more balanced and sustainable lifestyle.
Tomorrow Matters KRLX Radio
Careers and Life Choices for a Changing Economy
Paul and Sarah join Deborah and Spencer Lindsay for a serious, but fun filled conversation about the perils of the Middle Class, the end of the American Dream, and the careers to launch us into the new era for sustainable living and long term viability.
Planning Commissioner's Journal
Zoning for Home
Offices: Recognizing Reality
Excerpt from this article:
Regulation of home occupations often fails to take into account the
changing nature of home businesses, impinging on the needs of many citizens.
Relaxing zoning to allow people to work at home simply
recognizes reality. Prohibitive or overly restrictive zoning results in
people hiding their businesses, which:
- Turns law abiding citizens into violators, undermining respect for law and
government.
- Causes people to hide what they do. They don't select a business name
which may draw business to them, they don't list their business in the
Yellow
Pages, and, in other ways, simply don't fully market their business.
- Adds unnecessary cases to crowded court dockets and deepens
neighborhood enmities by giving neighbors the ability to extend
grievances
by reporting their neighbor to the authorities for working at home.
Communities Will Gain
Self-interest is a second reason to interest communities in updating their
zoning. Few local governments today are not pressed for funds. Someone
operating a home business that violates a zoning ordinances is not apt to
buy a business license. This deprives local governments of needed revenue
that would come from many legalized home-based businesses obtaining business
licenses. Localities with gross receipts taxes can figure they are losing
substantial revenues from unlicensed home businesses.
Looking beyond the immediate impact on revenue, homes have traditionally
been the incubators for businesses which eventually expand and move into
commercial office space.
... for more