How do people afford this?

[lazy gardener]

Gary, you have made a very valid point.

 

[Akrnaf2]

This is a great thread.

I am still young and have a whole life ahead of me....

My parents have been very careful to raise me and all my siblings to no how to work, save money, make things, learn, etc.

As of right now I have plans on what I want to do when I get older and so far I done see college in my future.

I am very involved with our animals, so as for them dad has come as a helping hand but he has left me to make some decisions and put forth effort.

I couldn't be more thankful for the opportunity I have had and ones to come.

As far as saving money, my parents are out of debt (other than the tractor but that will be paid on by next spring), grow our own food, catch lots of our own meat, make our own cleaners/soap/laundry detergent, etc.

I am with @itsasmallfarm on catching your own meat.... We filled our freezer with fish for $150.

All of us kids have tablets but we don't just spend time in them, only used for school and looking things up.

I live in a family of 11.

And most of all God comes first in everything we do, at least I hope He does.

I ,as a Jewish, am very sorry that people are still judged and treated differently because their skin color, faith, or the place they come from, instead of being judge by their actions and dids. If you are a good and onest human being that don't hurt his fellow humans and act in decency there is NO important to your color, faith or origin, and it is true also on the reciprocal case.

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

I ,as a Jewish, am very sorry that people are still judged and treated differently because their skin color, faith, or the place they come from, instead of being judge by their actions and dids. If you are a good and onest human being that don't hurt his fellow humans and act in decency there is NO important to your color, faith or origin, and it is true also on the reciprocal case.

Most people will agree with you, and never admit they have a leg up because of their gender or color.

Gary

 

[lazy gardener]

I deleted a post last night, because I thought it might be taken the wrong way, but, after ruminating all night, I'm going to paraphrase and hope that I can convey my thoughts without them being taken out of context. There is a ceiling. It can be related to gender, race, religion, social class, even geographical location. Doing research yesterday on census stats, I found that the gender discrimination in the work place here in the state of Maine averages about 71 cents/hour (IIRC). That means, that as a female, I earn that much less, on average than a male of my age, occupation, experience level, and location would earn. Then, there is the physical ability, and health issue that affect one's ability to be successful (economically/socially) in life. These things are all acknowledge, and guardedly discussed. However one thing that IS NOT often discussed is intelligence. This does not refer to education, yet, intelligence DOES affect one's ability to further their education. We all know the individuals who are working their butts off. They are doing the best they can with what they have to work with. Some folks are more blessed with intelligence than others. For some, their highest economic level is limited by physical or mental challenges, and they DO not have an option of climbing the socio/economic ladder. Every time Arknaf speaks, I listen, and enjoy what he has to say. I have no doubt that this man is in possession of a very keen intellect. He can think circles around me. Yet, he is one of the few people who easily mingles with us "little people" without a condescending attitude. Ok, now, Arknaf... will I have to send a jar of Vaseline over to Israel, so you can get through the doorways?

My point in this long winded post is this: don't take the blessings you have for granted. Realize that, if you are in possession of a fit body, and a keen mind, that you'd best be using it to improving your world, as well as the world of the less fortunate. Ephesians 2:10.

 

[Akrnaf2]

I deleted a post last night, because I thought it might be taken the wrong way, but, after ruminating all night, I'm going to paraphrase and hope that I can convey my thoughts without them being taken out of context. There is a ceiling. It can be related to gender, race, religion, social class, even geographical location. Doing research yesterday on census stats, I found that the gender discrimination in the work place here in the state of Maine averages about 71 cents/hour (IIRC). That means, that as a female, I earn that much less, on average than a male of my age, occupation, experience level, and location would earn. Then, there is the physical ability, and health issue that affect one's ability to be successful (economically/socially) in life. These things are all acknowledge, and guardedly discussed. However one thing that IS NOT often discussed is intelligence. This does not refer to education, yet, intelligence DOES affect one's ability to further their education. We all know the individuals who are working their butts off. They are doing the best they can with what they have to work with. Some folks are more blessed with intelligence than others. For some, their highest economic level is limited by physical or mental challenges, and they DO not have an option of climbing the socio/economic ladder. Every time Arknaf speaks, I listen, and enjoy what he has to say. I have no doubt that this man is in possession of a very keen intellect. He can think circles around me. Yet, he is one of the few people who

I deleted a post last night, because I thought it might be taken the wrong way, but, after ruminating all night, I'm going to paraphrase and hope that I can convey my thoughts without them being taken out of context. There is a ceiling. It can be related to gender, race, religion, social class, even geographical location. Doing research yesterday on census stats, I found that the gender discrimination in the work place here in the state of Maine averages about 71 cents/hour (IIRC). That means, that as a female, I earn that much less, on average than a male of my age, occupation, experience level, and location would earn. Then, there is the physical ability, and health issue that affect one's ability to be successful (economically/socially) in life. These things are all acknowledge, and guardedly discussed. However one thing that IS NOT often discussed is intelligence. This does not refer to education, yet, intelligence DOES affect one's ability to further their education. We all know the individuals who are working their butts off. They are doing the best they can with what they have to work with. Some folks are more blessed with intelligence than others. For some, their highest economic level is limited by physical or mental challenges, and they DO not have an option of climbing the socio/economic ladder. Every time Arknaf speaks, I listen, and enjoy what he has to say. I have no doubt that this man is in possession of a very keen intellect. He can think circles around me. Yet, he is one of the few people who easily mingles with us "little people" without a condescending attitude. Ok, now, Arknaf... will I have to send a jar of Vaseline over to Israel, so you can get through the doorways?

My point in this long winded post is this: don't take the blessings you have for granted. Realize that, if you are in possession of a fit body, and a keen mind, that you'd best be using it to improving your world, as well as the world of the less fortunate. Ephesians 2:10.

Thank you H. For your very kind words! You made me blush
In my point of view there are no little people, there are only Humans that have THE ALL MIGHTY spark in them no matter if they black, white or green, intelligence or not, big or little rich or poor ect. They all have the right to be treated with dignity. (As long as they act the same!)
And about entering trough dors it is a problem already, I am not a little guy!

 

[theoldchick]

When the old man and I first started out we lived in a 20 year old mobile home on the back of the FIL's property. Opossums liked to come through the hole in the floor at night and raid the dog food pantry. The air-conditioning was a window unit that kept the bedroom cool. There was no heat and I remember the water in the pet bird cage freezing at night. We splurged and bought one of those Kerosun kerosene heaters that ruined my sinuses. The hubby and I both worked at the cotton mill. When I finally saved enough for school, I quit and went to school and worked part time. The hubby stayed on at the cotton mill and earned a masters in Industrial Engineering that the Mill paid for. He stayed on long enough to fulfill his contract then went on to be a highway Patrol officer where he excelled in accident reconstruction. So, like many of my generation, we started out dirt poor, but kept on until we could knock the dirt aside. So there ain't nothing wrong with being dirt poor when you first start out. We all been there and done that.

 

[red horse ranch]

Pay yourself 1st (savings and investments) and live on what's left. Grow your own food. Fish and Hunt.

Best advice from my dad.... "you don't need all the THINGS you think you need!"

 

[igorsMistress]

I am the half with the corporate job. It pays well, better than other companies in my area that do the same thing. Many companies offer telecommute options which I'm looking in to in order to cut back on expenses and give myself more time at home.
Neither of us went to college for a degree, but have taken courses for one thing or another.
My husband has been hunting and fishing his whole life. Hunting is no longer an option for him, but we fish a lot. For $100 a year including licenses and bait we can fish every weekend and feed ourselves for at least half the week year round.
We consider chickens an investment. I easily get 2+ dozen eggs per week and we use them. I rarely give eggs to neighbors, but we do trade for veggies. We have a rooster, so future generations will provide meat as well as eggs. I ferment feed which is an additional savings.
Chicken poop has given my compost pile a boost. I'm keeping my yard waste on site and end up with free compost. This provides what I need to grow vegetables, fruit and herbs not only for our dinner table, but for the chickens too. When I cook it's a lot of something and I freeze some for other meals. Keeps our electric bill down, bulk is usually cheaper and it saves time.
I make my household cleaners with borax, baking soda, liquid soap, essential oils and hot water. Even spices from the cupboard like cream of tartar are alternatives.
We keep the thermostat up in summer and down in winter. I don't wear makeup, can wear jeans to work, and don't wear shoes if I can get away with it-I only own 3 pairs.
We tend to buy quality when we do buy because cheap isn't always cheap. I have kitchen gadgets with a purpose and I use them regularly. I also tend to consider purchases for a while before I make them. I make a shopping list and stick to it. Go through the pantry, fridge and freezer first to see what's there and use up what's oldest first. For two people I've found that buying smaller bottles of condiments equals less waste. I make as much from scratch as I can. Hubs works on cars, does household repairs, and I'm learning some of those skills myself.
My husband is into photography and makes money on the side from it to support his habit plus a little extra.
We argue over cable. I have a mobile hotspot on my phone so no internet cost, just use the hotspot if we need to use the laptop.
It's always work in progress. Something that works for others might not work for you. Know your limits, but expand them and learn skills that will provide basic life needs.
I also put some money in savings every paycheck, withdraw weekly allowances in cash, and we save our change for something fun we want to do but wouldn't normally spend on like a movie or dinner out. We had several dinners out over the summer from the change I collected because life got a little crazy.
You will find what works for you, it's a learning experience.

 

[DIGGIN CHICKEN]

make chickens a career .... everyone needs eggs right ...or meat ... or milk ..or .... what i'm saying is become a farmer ... then you'll never have to leave your home...or sit in traffic ..or worry about losing your job ..or ...

 

[lcwmt]

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?

Yes. It is realistic. It might not always be easy or smooth (true that, even with a partner or extended family help).
IMO, the big decision circles around the work/life balance. If your "work" is a joy to you you've got it handled.
If school and sacrifice right now will help you build the life you want, it's worth all the effort and sacrifice. Here's a little exercise: Write down where you want you want to be in your life tin 5 years, what does it look like, where do you live, how do you spend your day/week/seasons.
Now consider what you'll have to do to make that dream happen.
Now, most important, asses right where you are.

From your sig line it looks like you are off to a better than even start.
If paying for college and generating that debt, doesn't make sense, let it go. One size does not fit all.

OTOH, if school is feeling like a huge financial drain, you can make a decent living as a vet tech and have more autonomy than you might end up with if you go to Vet School.

Also, you can think outside the box - what other things that you love might help you pay the bills? Pet Sitting, CSA gardening, brainstorm it, starting with when you are happiest DOING...

This!
I have a college education and my husband doesn't. We surprise each other regularly with the things we know and the things we don't know and the things we know how to do and the things we don't know how to do. Life experience is the best teacher. You should learn something (good or bad) from every experience you have in life. It's ok to fail at something, you haven't truly failed unless you didn't learn a thing from the experience. Also it doesn't have to be your own experiences, every person you encounter in life has their own unique set of experiences and you can learn from them as well.

Have a dream.
Make a plan to achieve that dream.
Break it down into small achievable steps.
Work on/towards these steps daily until you reach your dream.

Tell others about your dreams. Get excited about your dreams. Others will be excited for you and others will question you, but you will get great feedback regularly about how to get where you want to.

Precisely!