Books in sync with nature.
Books in sync with nature.
Pittsburgh, Pa. (June 4, 2013) – An unprecedented cultural shift is going on around us. Today, there are 39 million non-traditional (non-family) households in the United States. As never before, people are motivated to explore new variations on traditional living arrangements.
That was the case with three Pennsylvania friends. Single again after many years of marriage, these Boomer-generation professional women loved their independence but realized that living alone would become more challenging as they aged. What would it be like, they wondered, if they were to buy a house together and share expenses? They ran the numbers, found the house of their dreams, overcame their trepidations…and took the plunge. Privacy was a key issue for all of them, as was setting workable boundaries based on mutual respect.
Their book, My House Our House: Living Far Better for Far Less in a Cooperative Household (St. Lynn’s Press, June, 2013) chronicles their highly successful adventure in non-traditional housing – and how, nearly a decade later, they continue to live far better for far less.
From Chapter 2: “We devised our own way to live economically, reaping rich advantages: savings in money, time, labor and environmental impact. We created a small community that is also rich in mutual support and fun. …we enhanced each member’s lifestyle, at the same time protecting privacy and independence.”
My House Our House is as entertaining as it is practical – portraying the challenges, caveats and joys of moving from “my house” to “our house.” Woven through the narrative are a number of useful tools: questions that an interested reader should address, both financially and psychologically, in order to know if cooperative householding would be a good fit. An extensive resource list gives referrals to a variety of cooperative housing organizations and publications. Photographs throughout.
“My House Our House is a smart guide to an innovative shared living arrangement that can save money and resources. Written with charm and wit, it is essential reading for anyone who lives alone but dreams of a better lifestyle in community.”
– Ken Dychtwald, Ph.D., author of A New Purpose: Redefining Money, Family, Work, Retirement and Success
The authors live near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Karen M. Bush, Ph.D., is a corporate consultant, teacher and mentor.
Louise S. Machinist, M.A., is a licensed Clinical Psychologist.
Jean Mc Quillin, B.S., R.N. is a professional nurse, business owner, mentor and coach.
My House Our House: Living Far Better for Far Less in a Cooperative Household
Pub date: June 15, 2013
ISBN–13: 978-0-9855622-4-3
$16.95 US/$18.50 CAN
Paperback, 208 pages, 42 b/w photographs