Live on Less and Love It

**wanderlusting** · 10-14-2007, 12:36 PM

Thought I'd share this article. I know a lot of you already do most of them-but it's still an interesting article

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Homes...e-on-Less.aspx

**Marie78** · 10-14-2007, 01:16 PM

Interesting article. If I was willing to travel lighter (with very few belongings), and adjust my life to fit the freedom to move and adapt to my surroundings I am sure I could live on that amount of money each year. I think it would be difficult to give up the comforts of home and the security of my full time job with benefits. Thank you for sharing the article

.

**Sara Noel** · 10-14-2007, 01:19 PM

As per our forum rule on linking and FV being a "discussion forum", please share what you found interesting about this article, so that further posts don't include "thanks for sharing."

Thank you.

[ame="http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90030"]new link rule - Frugal Village Forums[/ame]

**Droppedonmyhead** · 10-14-2007, 01:39 PM

The article was very interesting. I kept conjuring up visions of this family living deep in the woods in a little cabin. They had lots of great ideas that I hadn't even thought of or considered. Like the not paying for Internet and hooking up to a wireless "hotspot". I knew they had them, but would have never thought to pursue it on a regular basis. The article offered 75 frugal tips and is worth the time it takes to read it.

**wanderlusting** · 10-14-2007, 03:30 PM

Originally Posted by Sara Noel

As per our forum rule on linking and FV being a "discussion forum", please share what you found interesting about this article, so that further posts don't include "thanks for sharing."

Thank you.

new link rule

Sorry! I haven't been on FV in a while and I'm a bit rusty! I like this article because it hits several different areas to save money and gave usable tips. If I were single, I'd definately use the tips on free rent. I wish I would have thought to be a caregiver when I was in college!!!

**Sara Noel** · 10-14-2007, 03:51 PM

I hope I'm not coming across like a ruler whack on the wrist tyrant over here. I don't mean to come off like that. This is a brand new rule and one I have broken endless times myself through the years. I'm only trying to point it out best I can as we are trying to enforce it. We all work hard as a community to share, discuss, and learn. The problem is that discussions have been diluted and we need to keep up a certain level of quality or the entire community suffers.

**Nada.Leona** · 10-14-2007, 04:12 PM

I actually picked up this magazine yesterday and found the article very interesting. There were a lot of things I already knew, but they were still pretty interesting regardless. The rest of the magazine had some great articles and tips too. I think I may request that someone order me this magazine subscription for Christmas.

**wanderlusting** · 10-14-2007, 05:02 PM

Originally Posted by Sara Noel

I hope I'm not coming across like a ruler whack on the wrist tyrant over here. I don't mean to come off like that. This is a brand new rule and one I have broken endless times myself through the years. I'm only trying to point it out best I can as we are trying to enforce it. We all work hard as a community to share, discuss, and learn. The problem is that discussions have been diluted and we need to keep up a certain level of quality or the entire community suffers.

You didn't come off like that at all. To me, it was just a gentle reminder

**Drgnfly423** · 10-14-2007, 09:08 PM

This is one to bookmark and re-read over and over. Thanks!

#45. Preventive maintenance on your body...that one really hit home for me. I recently quit smoking and am working on eating better. Everyone can use a reminder on that

I also forget that you can audit college classes instead of taking them for credit. That is something that I am very interested in.

**Jenna** · 10-14-2007, 09:22 PM

I'm wondering how the author is saving for retirement - or a college fund? what about health care?

**mikandmari** · 10-14-2007, 10:28 PM

I have to agree with the IRS (did I just say that?

). But it's amazing that they live on $4300 per year!

With only 1 person working 20 hours per week, there is a lot more time to spend 'being frugal' such as cooking from scratch, mending broken things, scavenging for items, bartering, and several other things that they suggest. I just work part-time, and it allows me to be more frugal than my full-time friends. But I still don't have time to do all this stuff (I wish I did!).

But, I loved the article. I find this stuff motivational and fun to read, and I've bookmarked it for my 'frugal stuff' folder. When I start itching to spend some money, I re-read these things.

**CampCrazyMom** · 10-15-2007, 07:40 AM

I borrowed Mother Earth News from my parents last week and loved this article. The author suggests having a clothing exchange party. Our church does this every fall and invites the community to join in . You would not believe the amount of clothing that we get. I've gotten some really great skirts in the swap.

I've gotten the cheap entertainment down to a science.

The "how to avoid rent" in my opinion is more for a single person or younger person.

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 10-16-2007, 04:18 PM

Some interesting tips! A little drastic for Dh and me...but lots of things we can or will do!

**StartingOver** · 10-17-2007, 04:17 PM

For the most part, I found his tips very inspirational and know that I can incorporate a few of them into my lifestyle.

However, I do have a problem with (and please remember this is my opinion only) Tip #46 states campaigning for a national health care system. He states his 2005 family’s income was a little over $4300, he is probably paying very little to no federal income tax, I shake my head at the fact that he would expect taxpayers to fund his family’s healthcare, while he works only 20 hrs a week (by his choice) and, therefore pay minimal to zero income taxes.

Again, unless I'm missing the boat here on something....I don't think that this is right.

**JanieD** · 10-17-2007, 05:19 PM

Can't figure how one person can live on less than $5,000, much less 3 people. Guess it can be done, maybe I missed something. $5,000 just seems REALLY LOW! My health insurance would eat up several thousand alone.

Health insurance makes me SO MAD! Sorry... insurance makes me CRaZY!

Sure will try several ideas mentioned. Never thought to ask for lower hotel rates... figured the rate was craved in stone. And I really should use the library. Just discovered Ebay over the summer... deals to be had, but so easy to buy things you really don't need. Need to get better at the cooking thing too! Lots of ways to cut corners & spend less!