Tim MathisThe Dirtbag's Guide to Life: Eternal Truth for Hiker Trash, Ski Bums, and Vagabonds

Pros:- the book does the job it promises: it offers a solid and grounded overview of dirtbag culture, especially helpful for those who are new to this world- discussing money upfront was a strong idea- "Dirtbag Rich" is a brilliant and novel concept- the chapters on Responsibilities and Meaning were well developed, as were the sections on Rugged Individualism and Kids.- a quick readCons:- basic grammar errors: I lost track of the number of times the author wrote "Angel and I" instead of "Angel and me"- basic economics error: going to a country with a strong exchange rate (in the book, Australia) doesn't automatically make you rich; it depends on local nominal prices- there is some brief discussion of privilege but really not enough- the amount of swearing is unnecessary and distracting- too many hyperbolic statements, e.g. about the American healthcare system- formatting: too much italics!- the section on romance lacked practical guidance ("Find someone you respect and who respects you")As someone who has also written about these topics (howtolivenowhere.com), I'm glad this book exists, and I believe the author's heart is in the right place.

“In order to have a sense that your life is meaningful, you have to be able to construct a coherent story about life……As human animals in the grand scheme of evolution, we’re the few whose environment and peculiar genetic makeup has driven us to follow our instincts toward exploration….In our current social situation, we’re a counter culture developing a critique of some specific shitty realities of modern life. The world needs us, and we’re doing what we can to chart a better path.”While the title might lead you to believe this book is for the folks who casually get in 50 mile runs, climb ridiculous mounds of dirt and rock, or any # of physically demanding feats that most of us scratch our head at, this book holds observations and questions that surpass activities in the outdoors.“The Dirtbags’ Guide to Life” asks us to reconsider what a meaningful life is. That answer and process won’t be the same for all of us but it’s a reminder that, wherever you are in life, when you look around and feel it isn’t fulfilling, you have an opportunity to live differently, to question assumed answers and “truth”. It’s an invitation to live a life that is meaningful to you, outside the herd. It’s a great check-up we’ll likely all need from time to time through out our lives.A great and inspiring read!

For folks stuck in life and wondering how to get an adventure or if it's even possible for them, this is the book to pick up, gorge on, and gain the know-how and confidence to start.For folks who love to travel but unsure how to with poor circumstances or being broke, this is the book to glean the kind of wisdom that will repay you many times over and help you understand circumstances change and they are always passing.The resources are enough for the price of this valuable tome. Even though it is a short read, the amount of (valuable) information inside more than validates the investment. It also prepares one for a great mindset to solve many problems getting an adventure started, or even simply living a life with more meaning and purpose to it. I'll be re-reading this one and buying copies to share.

Tim Mathis does a fantastic job of laying the groundwork on how to be a dirtbag when you're either working full-time (weekend warrior) or traveling out of your backpack.The financial advice is sound and helped strengthen my resolve to pay off debt.Where the guide really shines is in the sections discussing this counter-culture's friction with society at-large. Mathis lays out the barriers that most might encounter when embarking on a dirtbaggy life of adventure. He gives advice and defines strategies to deal with thorns that arise like health insurance, "adulting," and parental guilt.I appreciate that the author doesn't sugarcoat this lifestyle, it's not for the faint of heart. He links to many other resources to help broaden the scope of this guide.I do wish he would have touched on gear - finding cheap, functional gear is the holy Grail.Tl;dr: practical and inspiring advice for the current or future dirtbag.

This book was horrible. It was suggested to me by Amazon because I am an outdoor enthusiast. I thought it would be hitchhikers guide to the galaxy-ish it was not. It is a serious book. Lol! It does have some funny junk in it, like when Cabelas and REI are called out as capitalist bastards but patagonia is put out there as the end all be all. If you don't know Patagonia is super over priced and not that great. He also talks about how he games the tax payer and the healthcare system, if he would have said he is a dirt bag after all that would have been cool, but no he has a bunch of excuses as to how things should be. This book is for the Lemon Heads outdoor type.

This book is a fun and humorous read loaded with real-life examples of those who have made adventure their lifestyle. It's full of insightful anecdotes, and I particularly enjoyed the practical resources at the end of each chapter.It's not just for folks living that #vanlife either. Even if you're a desk jockey/weekend adventurer like myself, there are useful tips and inspiration throughout the book. (It makes the dream of leaving the monotony of the office for a life of adventure seem feasible!)My biggest takeaway: It's about looking at possibilities and not limitations while crafting your life.