“In the past 20 years I have saved enough to buy a modest house.”
People spend outrageous sums for small things over long periods. When I started at my second real job I was on my way back to my desk with a .50 coffee and it occurred to me to figure out how much I would spend in a year; hundreds of dollars. I then started thinking about all the places I spent money without a second thought, candy, donuts, eating out, cokes, etc. I never smoked but I have figured out for smokers how much they spend in a year. Today, a modest smoker can spend between $1500 to $2500.
I started cutting down and eliminating stuff. When I lost my job six years ago, it was until last month that I even touched my savings. I lived out of my checking account.
Other savings are, always buying the cheaper gas, even when it is just a few cents. Because a few cents at every fillup becomes thousands over time. Another thing is living cheaper. For various reasons I sold my mansionette long before I lost my job and paid cash for a mobile home in the woods. Not only did I stop paying a mortgage, I paid cash for property and a house and had money left over. (My redneck neighbors are far superior to the ones in my previous neighborhood, plus, I haven’t mowed grass or trimmed bushes in years.)
The lady next door brings me chilli made from whatever wild beast was stupid enough to walk onto her land. Coyote isn’t bad. I’ll pass on the possum. Plus, it’s usually better if she is smoking non-menthol cigarettes when she makes it.
“always buying the cheaper gas”
Gas Buddy, for folks who don’t use it.
https://www.gasbuddy.com/GasPriceMap?z=4
(Zoom in or search) Locally, there is a 64 cent a gallon swing from the cheapest to the most expensive in a one mile radius.
Possum is pretty good.