We burn wood exclusively for heat (live on a “wetland” so all the free dead trees for fuel)
We never eat out; NEVER! I make the lunches and dinners and he cooks too. We both work 40+ hours a week and do side jobs (thus shooting down the “time” factor)
We have a large freezer that we use to stock specials (roasting chickens 50 cents a lb—in NEW YORK that’s a HuGE deal)
He is very handy in all aspects of construction and auto repair and we do all our own remodeling and repair work—I fix computers for a living
Buy all our clothing and household items at the VOA/thrift shops or craigslist
Drive only previously enjoyed cars bought with cash
Oh also do gardening 50 x 50 raised bed and cold frames—dehydrating, canning and freezing.