1. What do you think of the saying "People don't own possessions, their possessions own them"? Does this apply to any part of your life?

2. If you had no kids, no spouse, no need for a job, no car, and no electronics other than a radio, what would you do with your spare time?

3. Is vegetable gardening something you like to do or would like to do? Why or why not?

4. How do you feel about killing animals to eat? What do you see as the difference between killing your own meat and buying it? Is it ethical to eat meat if you, yourself, wouldn't kill an animal to eat?

5. Do you pay attention to how animals raised commercially are treated, or do you try not to think about it? Why?

6. In the Law chapter, Dolly Freed advocated lawless acts to intimidate people who are troublesome. In her afterward, she repudiates that type of behavior. Which version do you think is right? Why?

7. The author states that "self-reliance gives one a strong sense of security." Do you think that would be true for most people? How about you?

8. The author asserts that "One needs very few physical things in order to be happy." Is that really true?

9. Dolly Freed's dad "thinks compulsory education is a fraud—nothing but glorified babysitting." Do you agree or disagree? Why?

10. If the possum living lifestyle is as easy as the author states, why aren't more people doing it? Are we programmed about what's accepted and what's easy by our culture?

11. Are people as easily affected by consumerism as the author thinks?

12. Even if you aren't going to live a possum lifestyle, do you think there is value in knowing about it? If yes, what would that value be? If not, why not?

13. Has the book made you think about making changes in your life?

14. Are you living the life you ought to be living? How would you know?

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