How we went from $42,000 to $6,500 and lived to tell about it!

[framing fowl]

$6500, though? At 2008 property tax rates around here, property tax alone would chew up more than half of that. Don't think we could do it here.

Oops, forgot that part of the equation. Okay, but didn't they say they were on 2 1/2 acres and had 500 sf? If they bought the land for $9,000 and say the hut they built with no building experience is $50,000 what would the taxes be on $59,000?

My taxes on a $90,000 property were $990.48 this year...

So let's say that they're living on $5500 after property taxes. They have a cistern (no water bill, heat with stove, no heating costs) (I'm not sure how they're getting enough wood on 2 1/2 acres but maybe they live in a warmer clime...) They garden for most of their food, so now could it be possible?

 

[me&thegals]

Did they say where they lived? The outside oven has me thinking warmer, but I don't remember. Their location would be a huge factor: Heating, cooling, taxes, growing season, availability of shade/wood, water.

And that's a good point: If I lived in a 500-square foot yurt or tentish abode, I'm sure my taxes would be significantly lower, too.

Were they within biking/walking distance of all they needed? Even a beater car is going to eat up a couple thousand in insurance (we have to have liability insurance here), gas, maintenance and repairs.

 

[Farmfresh]

There is always a horse and buggy! They use very little in the way of gas and don't require insurance.

 

[pioneergirl]

Ok, wow, after reading 9 pages of 'stuff', I'll throw in my bit.

I read this article, and others much like it, looking for ideas. I look for the 'I wish I'd have done' or the 'it was bad timing for this'. No, this article didn't have that, but it gave me some other ideas and encouragement. I'm sure they had more hardship than they or the magazine wanted to impart, but thats par for the course. As I said before, I know DH and I will have some pretty good screaming matches, heck, I'll probably throw things (not at him) and I'll have crying meltdowns. But I WANT to do this!

As for being debt free, we are working on it. Slowly. And this ties in with looking for land for our new life. No, you don't find the perfect piece overnight. Currently there are 3 lots we will be looking at this month (this week! haha) to see if they fit our bill. We have crunched numbers, and discussed it til its dead. We penciled it out, and we can afford the $20 a day needed to make it happen. Doesn't sound like much? How about $550 a month instead? Bigger numbers are harder to swallow. Even harder to take out of the monthly check all at once. Heck, I know people who spend $20 a day on soda and junk food. Breaking it down that far makes it an easier goal.

One last thing......when we read things in black and white, the gestures of body language are lost. Humans rely on body language as a major part of communication. Without it, we only read words, and put with those words whatever mood we are in from the day. Its hard to 'read' people when its only in text. Many times I've been misunderstood in forums, only to find out the responder had a bad day, or missed a word when reading. It happens. I have gotten in trouble more times than I care to recall for misreading things then going off on someone. Then the amount of humble pie I've had to eat has made me fat! haha So maybe I should be under the chair with everyone else, but I don't think anyone should judge, or come to a public forum with attitude. There are plenty of forums out there that thrive on fights, and snotty members. I am proud to say I was one of the first few members of SS, and I can say that this is no place for that. We all have the same idea, though our ending goals are different. Wealthy with $$ or heart, its irrelivant. We are here to share ideas, goals, and knowledge, while making friends along the way. No, we shouldn't gather 'round the fire and hold hands singing "Kumbaya", but I think we need to remember what brought us all to this forum.

Wow, thats my 'mom' lecture...HA! Sorry to run off at the mouth!

 

[enjoy the ride]

Hah! The SS tricked me for a bit! Social Security. I completely forgot about Social Security! I think it's because I kind of assume it won't be there for me 32 years from now when I'm going to need it. It would be really cool if it were, though.

I can remember hearing this about social security 40 years ago. So I suspect that it will probably survive awhile longer.

 

[Farmfresh]

I certainly hope you are right, but the fact is there are fewer and fewer people paying in and supporting more and more people. It is just a simple matter of population. People no longer have the big families they used to.

So I continue to pay into the system and can only hope there will be some for me. I would MUCH prefer that we each paid the majority of the money into a personal account, with some taken out to support those who can never work. That way we each will be more assured that we will get something. Alas that is not how it works.

 

[me&thegals]

Once the baby boomers start drawing out en force, it's going to get interesting. It will be just a basic math problem.

I will not be counting on social security but putting away as much as possible while I'm younger and employed.

 

[miss_thenorth]

Ours is called Canada pension plan. do you guys get statements from the govt. saying if you continue to contribute this much, you should be getting this much? So reasssuring

 

[me&thegals]

Ours is called Canada pension plan. do you guys get statements from the govt. saying if you continue to contribute this much, you should be getting this much? So reasssuring

Yep. DH just got his a couple weeks ago. It lists your earnings for your entire year, each year of your life. It gives multiple estimates on how much you can draw if you retire at 62, 65, 67 and so on. I think it even lists what your dependents would draw if you were to die or become disabled.

I want to write back and ask, "You promise?"

 

[Wifezilla]

Once the baby boomers start drawing out en force, it's going to get interesting

LOL

Reminds me a scene from one of my favorite movies...
Wash: This landing is gonna get pretty interesting.
Capt. Malcolm Reynolds: Define "interesting".
Wash: [deadpan] Oh God, oh God, we're all going to die?