**Finding Your Community**
This post is part of a 30-day series called the 30 Steps Program to Financial Independence. You can check out the list of other posts here.
Over the past few days, we’ve explored ways to become more self-sufficient to achieve financial independence. The more you can do on your own, the less you need to spend on others doing it for you, and the less you need to rely on someone else. Some people living off the grid produce their own energy, grow their own food, and live independently.
However, I believe that community and interacting with others hold significant value and can support you on your path to financial independence. How so?
First, there’s the power of bartering. If I bake amazing bread or have a huge tomato harvest, there’s likely someone nearby who makes excellent cheese or would gladly trade their cucumbers for my tomatoes.
By connecting with these people regularly, I can learn who has extra produce or who might need their car’s oil changed. I could do the oil change for free, and in return, they might help me clean my gutters or pick my strawberries next time.
In an ideal scenario, we wouldn’t need to use money for these tasks. One day I help you, and the next you give me a hand. I wouldn’t want to tally up everything I’ve done for my neighbors or community over the years. It doesn’t need to be a direct exchange either. I can volunteer at the art center and receive help from someone who has never been there.
Ultimately, community is incredibly valuable to me. It’s a place where I’m happy to invest my time and resources because I know that when I need assistance, I’ll receive it in return.