We buy almost nothing new except consumables. I could spend an hour, probably two, showing you around our house and pointing out all the things I made, found on the road, bought used or was given, etc. Our vehicles are 2002, 2004 and 2014.

Not sure we’ve ever bought Christmas stuff. Our house is lit up like none other on the block this year. Wife toted home a milk crate packed with lights the other day, free. The nice tree in the living room? No idea where it came from, sure didn’t buy it at Walmart.

Tried a new coat today my wife got for $1, had to cut the tags off. Damn it’s soft and warm! Had to make myself stop buying shoes and clothes at the thrift, have way too many.

Just got done making my own soap. Still not curing for some reason. :( Got some borax and will try making my own laundry soap next.

This year I grew loofa sponges. Got at least a year’s supply of scrub pads, kitchen and shower, won’t spend a dime on that shit. I’d have a 3-year supply, but made mistakes learning. I’ll grow next year and probably skip a few years after that harvest. Also, the seeds sell for $5/20 on eBay. I have hundreds, if not 1000+.

I have never paid rent or utilities or electricity.

Currently live off grid on land I own using solar power. We have all electric appliances. Generator uses propane but only use it 1-2 times a year so it’s rare to refill the tank.

The dump is only a few dollar when we take our trash (under $10) every few months.

Self host on a NAS, have home assistant that helps a ton with power monitoring and control.

My goal in a few years is to provide almost all my needs from my own land. Food, water, shelter, power, etc.