My dad is in real estate and studies many kinds of properties so he can report to banks how much they earn etc. Mobile home parks earn really well if done right. Anyway, my dad and my brothers have been going on and on about buying one of these and becoming slum lords. I think that your idea of a plot of land for farming is a good one. If there’s something you can do to ensure security for the people there, it’s another important factor. Also, common gathering/playing area and laundry facilities are things my dad mentioned as ideal. This is now a very timely thing since people are loosing their houses and moving to . . . you guessed it.

DH and I are actually going to visit a similar set up over the winter break in France–a tract of tiny homes near the Italian Alps. Should be interesting.

I also agree with you that looking ahead, making cuts seems like a sacrifice at first, but you learn quickly that it’s not really painful at all–it’s the anticipation of doing things differently that’s the hardest. Cut out that sense of entitlement and anticipatory fear and being cheap can actually be a lot of fun.

Have you ever thought of starting a commune, or some physical equivalent to this blog? Some place that people who want to retire early can go to associate with and get support from like-minded people? A “frugal-topia”?

The other thing, though, is that I know we can make it on one salary, if the need arises. And if we both lose our jobs, well, we can travel in Asia for a few years.

So we face the future with perhaps less fear than others.

PS We love lentils and will never give them up!