Wow! I'm loving how this thread has exploded with lots of upbeat stories.
I do use a credit card. I put every single purchase on it, including medical. It allows me to track my expenses. That card earns "points" We started cashing out our points after accruing for a number of years. We take $100 in points every month, and shouldn't run out of points for such "withdrawals" for an other 8 months. We never pay credit card interest, b/c card is paid in full every month. I would never suggest that anyone use a credit card in this way unless they are so disciplined that they don't buy stuff just b/c they can, and without fail they pay the total bill in full each and every month. Credit cards can turn your financial plan into a train wreck. But used wisely, they can be a tool.
I make my own laundry detergent: Each batch lasts almost a year. So, for a couple hours work, and less than $5.oo, I have a year's worth of detergent. It also makes great tub cleaner.
We burn wood. I fill oil tank, order wood, take care of those other big expenses in the summer while price is down and while our personal income is up.
Learn how to do stuff yourself. Hubby can do electrical work, sweat a copper joint, can do basic car repairs. I love doing basic carpentry, and tile work.
Life is a life long adventure in learning. Much learning is free!
Thank y'all for all the responses. I am a current college student struggling with what I truly want to do with my life. All the money I get from my part time job goes to bills and savings. It just seems like I do not have enough time to study and work, but I would love to open my own business.
You're young yet. These hard years will pass. you'll finish your degree, and then can settle into a job and move forward. You are ahead of a lot of young folks b/c you are thinking forward to the future, and seeing life as being about more than monetary possessions.
It seems as though most of y'all commenting started out later in life being self-sufficient had a spouse to help them out. Is it realistic for a young single person to do this?
Absolutely. When I was younger, I had a co-worker who was single. She had an associate's degree. She bought her own house as a single woman. Unheard of at that time, but she did it, and did it well.
Be smart!
Get a good education, and a good job, remmber to be happy in what you have, remember that if you have your health, a close family and good freinds you basically have EVERTHING!
And remember that money come AND go but time that passes WILL NEVER come back! So use your time smartly and try to have fun from it as much you can .
Yes, every purchase should be held up to the light of day. It should be considered before completing the sale: How many hours of my life will I have to give up (working for an hourly wage) to own this? Then, ask the question: Is it really worth it? Will it actually be beneficial in my life in the long term? And finally, will this purchased item be owned by me or will it own me? Hubby often says, "I'm SO VERY GLAD WE DON"T OWN A BOAT!!!" We see folks pouring their time into tending their boats! While it may be fun to go out on a lake, down the river, or even out in the ocean, such things require more money and time commitment than we are willing to invest.
Oh, believe me, I know. I should have explained it better
Ya done good. glad you posted it!
spending more time reading this than I normally would stay on a PC. All these are wonderful posts. It really did explode! 
It is nice to see so many doing what they love and feeling good about it. Young People, you can do it. We all have to start somewhere, and this post is a great place to start! 
