DADvocate

Following the presidential election, talk of going Galt escalated. Realistically, most of us must work and provide for ourselves and families. Going full Galt poses an impossible task.

But, anyone can go semi-Galt. Going semi-Galt means living and consuming in such a way as to minimize your contribution to parasitic entities, government in particular, in our society. Manage your money and other assets in such a way that you pay minimal taxes. Some of us already live a semi-Galt life.

Many make the mistake of only looking at income taxes. Interdisciplinary World lists over 50 taxes we pay in the U.S., a variety of federal, state and local. Minimize paying these taxes. Grow your own food, brew your own beer, barter for items with others, keep your car longer to avoid paying the sales tax for car purchases.

You an save thousands over the years just in sales tax by buying cars every 5 years instead of every 4, for example. (Sales tax on an $18,000 car in Fulton County, Ohio costs $1,277.50. Buy a car every 5 years vs 4 and save $1,277.50. Keep your cars longer and save even more.

Buy cars that good better gas mileage, pay less gasoline taxes. Just beware, the government really cares about taking your money. As gasoline tax revenues go down, they are making plans to take your money according to how much you drive. You are a parasite host to the government. Fight the parasites.

Buy a smaller house. Consider this.

The average American home swelled from 983 square feet in 1950 to 2,349 square feet in 2004 -- a 140% increase in size. And everything about them is bigger, from their three- and four-car garages to the professional-grade stoves and refrigerators. In 2004, 43% of new homes had 9-foot ceilings, up from less than 15% in the 1980s.

Bigger homes mean higher property taxes, higher utility costs and ensuing taxes, etc, etc. Do we really need these big homes where family members more likely go off by themselves rather than interacting with each other? Plus, smaller houses benefit the environment. Less materials used, less electricity and natural gas used and such. Considering the smaller family size today, you'd think smaller homes followed.

Become a tightwad. I have and have read two of the Tightwad Gazette books. I found them filled with practical, money saving ideas. Money you don't spend is money that doesn't partially go to taxes.

Buy products that come from companies and groups you support. I won't buy GM or Chrysler products since the bailouts, which was a bailout of the unions more than the car companies. I'm not buying products from people who can't make a product good enough and priced right to succeed on the open market and then expect us to pay them for their failed efforts. I favor certain products and avoid others partially because of their support or lack of support for certain causes, groups, political interests and the like. Do so yourself, even if you support causes contrary to my preferred causes.

All the money you don't spend, save it, invest it. Buy gold, buy real estate, buy collectibles. Use credit unions instead of banks, especially banks that needed to be bailed out. Bailouts cost you money via taxes.

Looking around, you can find many ways to go semi-Galt. Be realistic, don't make it a hardship. Enjoy yourself, but remember that a 14 year old Toyota Camry with 420,000 miles on it will get you to work as well as a brand new one. And, the annual maintenance costs less than the sales tax alone on buying a new one.

And, vote for people who don't want to take everything they can from you and give it to somebody else, mostly themselves and government workers.