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Subsistence here in Alaska makes the paycheck go so much further. From hunting that provides most of your meat, setting fish nets for salmon when they come through, to having a huge garden that provides all the vegetables you need, to heating with firewood which is free, and all the other rural activities that cut your expenses (that people in urban areas just can't do to the degree we do). It's not how much you make that counts as how much you spend that matters.

I'd hate to be enslaved in urban America (where everything costs) with inflation coming. People get to thinking enslavement to the system where you can't control how much it takes to survive; is just how it really is everywhere; not true.

We have 2 kids in school, no loans, or aid. We could never do it if we lived in an urban area driving 2-3 new vehicles, spending all those bucks just to survive in that system to make the bucks it takes to stay alive. No joke folks, everybody needs to take a look at the game they are chasing.

I can appreciate your frugal lifestyle although I have seen people in Urban America certainly do likewise when behind a rock and hard place...and that without “a paycheck to go further” as you stated. Nor did they accept any assistance.
They learned thru this what was truly of value in life.

Interesting I just read of N.Koreans fighting off yet another famine there. It was reported foremost in most minds is how to obtain food for the day and everything about the day surrounds that 24/7. In order to expand the very limited rice available they are going to the wooded areas for bark and leaves to mix with the rice...some do so without rice.

I am always reminded of their plight and how very “rich” we are as a nation..still. Even the poorest among us generally have options. N.Koreans have none.

I can relate to downsizing ones lifestyle. It is really quite amazing how we can do without many of the things we see as necessary....and be actually happier. But I don’t think many can adjust to doing this once they’ve lived a comfortable monetary lifestyle. It does require a great deal of re-working ones life.

But doing that in Alaska? I freexe at 70 degrees! Don’t know how you folks handle the long hard winters there. I am certain I would not endure it well at all.