Presented by J. B. Rainsberger

Abstract:

My wife and I used the values, principles, and even practices of XP to become financially independent on 1 April 2008. That means that for the past 3 years, our finances have not got in the way of doing the work that we love to do. It has taken a few years to appreciate the immense freedom we’ve given ourselves, and we’d like to share freedom that with you.

Through a handful of simple activities, you will examine your personal finances through the lens of XP, share only impersonal information with the group to discover trends, then leave with some potentially life-changing exercises you can try after the session. One of those exercises caused us to decide to leave the metropolis of Toronto for a town of 9000 people, and that was one of the best things we ever did.

Format and length:

Intended audience and prerequisites:

You will benefit from this course, unless your personal financial situation requires no improvement and money never interferes with what you want to do in life, and even then, this session would show you a way to share that with others.

Objective(s) of the session:

You will see how the values, principles, and even practices of XP adapt to a different and critical part of your life. You’ll not only learn how to improve your personal financial situation, but you’ll also learn a few new ways to teach XP concepts to others and perhaps market XP ideas to prospective clients. Once you see how XP helps in this particular non-software context, perhaps you’ll find ways it can guide you in transforming other non-software contexts in your life.

Benefits for participants and presenter(s):

Daniel Pink says about motivation that it starts with “taking money off the table” as a distraction or point of contention. If you haven’t done that already, then in this session, you will start doing that.

I retired at the age of 34, and now money no longer controls my life. I feel free to do enjoyable work. I only accept jobs that I really want. I get to travel to work all around the world. I’m at this conference as a result! I only commit to projects to which I want to commit. I cancel my commitments when I need to, and without guilt.

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