Last week I took a little break from the frugal round-up. Sorry Frugaling fans, but I’m back and have a terrific list of favorite reads over the last couple weeks. Hope you enjoy and share widely!

The Millionaire Pitcher that Lives in a Van [Video] by VICE
Daniel Norris isn’t like most star athletes. Heck, Daniel Norris isn’t like most people. With around $2 million in the bank from a baseball contract, he could be living well; at least, fancier than he does today. In the off-season, Norris takes to his VW camper van and lives, cooks, reads, and travels in the tiny enclosure. I love this guy’s story, and it’s neat to get a little tour of the camper.

What Would Happen If We ALL Stopped Paying Our Student Loans, Together? by Jennifer Schaffer
Growing numbers of graduates and students are doing something rash and potentially harmful to their credit score: they’re purposefully defaulting on student loans and refusing to pay them back. Regardless of your feelings about defaulting on loans — whether right or wrong — the rise in this behavior speaks to the broader context and problem. Student loans are over $1 trillion! A TRILLION! This is unsustainable and harmful to the greater growth prospects in America.

Pope Francis, in Sweeping Encyclical, Calls for Swift Action on Climate Change by Jim Yardley & Laurie Goodstein
Thursday, the Pope and Vatican released a 184-page document cataloguing the reasons why climate change is of utmost importance and what we need to do about it. The Pope talked about consumerism, throwaway culture, and how the victims tend to be those in the Southern hemisphere.

The Health Benefits Of Early Retirement Are Priceless by Financial Samurai
Consider this, working life takes a toll on people. Many are overworked and underpaid, and the stress of being in difficult jobs adds a terrible weight. The Financial Samurai points out the many rewards of early retirement (if it’s possible).