Reducing living costs--extreme examples

[daveshoe]

When Diesel hit 4.75 this summer,I decided enough was enough. I was working on an old farmhouse getting it ready for rental. Even though it was only 20 minutes travel,that was still 10 $ a day. It got me and my wife in a real penny pinching mood. So far we have 1. limited travel to a great extent--even me driving home twice a week 2. cooking cheaply--I buy at a discount grocer and typical meal is eggs stretched with potatoes or chuncky sirloin soup stretched with potatoes or rice less than a buck for supper and lunch the next day. Usually one good meat on the grill meal a day Cheap onions keep the flavor interesting.Cast iron skillet cuts down on dishes. I get more work done,and am saving about $300/month. I have also lost 15 pounds without trying. Working longer hours and no dessert I guess did that

It is getting cold,so we heat the house at 55 and I get a nice hot shower[but watch the water consumption] towel off, pile on layers of clothing,and insert a heating pad between the layers of clothes to keep comfortable watching TV.
We have also purchased a pellet/corn boiler for our heat. Even with borrowed money,it will pay for itself quickly,and my corn crop will fuel the beast,or wood pellets for when the corn price spikes.
Am also installing my own septic system,after completing another at te rental house. Installing these as per the present rules will save 10 grand for each one under the new rules--and these old systems work much better anyway
These changes may seem extreme for our pampered ways,but compared to rural life 50 or 60 years ago without indoor plumbing,refrigeration just coming on stream,and the upstairs bedroom heat consisting of a stove pipe from the kitchen--not that big a deal
With the 401K turning into a 201K the only money you can make is the money that you save