[Sliver]

Originally Posted by V

Just for fun, I thought I’d answer these.

I make less than the median household income. I had no financial start in life. I paid for my own education. No inheritance. No money put away by grandparents. I save a lot, mostly by maxing out my kids’ RESPs. My parents gave me no money for my first house. My parents are not remotely wealthy, although it was a nice stable home that I guess if I failed miserably at life I could find a way to survive in their basement, I guess?

Yeah, of course I have life insurance. But I don’t have a cable package, I don’t have a data plan, I don’t have car payments, I don’t have student debt, I don’t travel for vacation. I don’t spend thousands on Christmas and birthdays. We don’t eat out. Ever. That list right there has to be worth, what, almost 1000 bucks every month? It probably sounds like hell to some people, but I think that’s part of the problem.

I do have a nice woodworking shop, but that came in my late 30s. It also helps as a bit of a side hustle. It hasn’t totally paid for itself, but it’s not far off.

I’ve been lucky, for sure. I’ve had steady employment my whole career, although part of that is because of where I choose to work.

We enjoy camping. It’s a couple hundred bucks a year.

It’s not for everyone, that’s for sure, but I really wonder if people are actually legitimately happy with their consumeristic lifestyle. There are alternatives, and I know we’ve found a life that we find very satisfying. Focusing on supporting others and spending time together as a family is rewarding for us, but I know it’s not for everyone.

Hah, was not expecting answers to my laundry list of invasive questions.

Good for you. That lifestyle sounds appealing, TBH.