Yvie

This week especially, as we visit family and friends back in our hometown for the first time since we left, it’s very interesting to see how people are so enamored with their new “stuff,” and love to show it off. What they usually don’t see is the real cost of pursuing it.

We used to be exactly the same though. But simplifying and living smaller has given us a whole new perspective on the pursuit of “stuff,” and we’ve never been happier.

Keep on rollin’.

Paying that much in municipal taxes sounds like torture to me. As long as we keep prioritizing our needs rather than our wants — yes, some consider that Spartan, I consider it sensible to spend more money on average on things I use daily and spend less or nothing (there’s the kicker!) on things I use less than weekly rather than the other way around — then in six or seven years (3-4 if I keep working for income), the wife will be financially independent as well. She talks about visiting the 50 states; I’ll go along with that although my dream is to cruise the Caribbean on my own sailboat; maybe afterwards. As you say to each their own

Well Jacob, to each his own, I guess. I hope your wife is as happy as you are living such a spartan existence. Because if not, you’ll end up losing half of your assets in a divorce and would end up further behind.

Just another way of looking at things,

Yvie

You can wear all the old clothing you want, gradually reduce your spending on items and eat cheaply, but you still have to live somewhere.

Just wondering,

Yvie

Essentially, most people look like normal people because that’s exactly what they are – people!

Great post and well done on not just going out and spending money on stuff. I too have decided recently that if something is worth buying, it’s worth buying quality since you know it’ll last longer.

I do try being frugal, but I tend hit some occasional binges which kind of blows away all the previous effort. It feels like dieting to get fit sometimes.

Keep up the good work.