Reply to s/o living on $25k or $36k a year

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[quote=Anonymous]- Can I ask a couple of questions, for those who are living at that amount by choice? (I'm not socking anything away right now other than equity from 2 homes. I have lived on ca $36k or less in NWDC for 20 years. Didn't grow up materialistic in another country, so $36k is a lot of money even if DC is expensive).

- Do you live near your family? If not how do you afford going to see them? Yes. Sister lives on FFC, so on expensive to drive out there.

- Do you have hobbies? What are they? Not really. Used to ride horses back at home but got bored after 15 years.

- Do you ever travel for fun? If so, what's your approach? Europe every 3-4 years. Don't travel much in US.

- Do you ever find yourself really wanting something that is outside your MMM budget (like a trip to Australia, or some expensive shoes)? Do you ever given in to those urges or do you just figure you'll get over it? I would since I have a lot of credit extended to me- ca $50k I think, but rarely want anything. Figured it long ago that things don't make me as happy as advertisers say. I look so much better with less clothes, jewelry and what have you.

- What do you eat most days? Do you ever buy the expensive mustard or the fancy tomatoes? I would but didn't know there was fancy tomatoes. I eat lots of salads, fruits and root veggies, even rutabaga.

- What do you do for yourself, that you see other people spending money on for others to do for them? Do you make your own clothes, or grow your own vegetables, or...? I simply don't do those things. I can afford to get my pedicure more often than twice a year, same goes for hair, but I only care about it ca twice a year. My hair grows so slowly.

- Are most of your friends in the same boat? If not how do you do it when your friends want to get together at a restaurant, or to go see a concert, or whatever? You just say no and have them over for a potluck instead, or...?
My friends make a little bit more. We have the money, we are short on time when we are all free.

- What sort of house or apartment do you live in? Did you pick that place in order to be able to spend very little? Do you like your home?
I love my little condo in zip 20007. Moved in with family in 2008 because of the economy and ca do so again when things get hard. Easy to rent it out. I barely qualified for mortgage but so glad I did.

- What do you think are the big misconceptions about how you live? What do you wish others understood about your approach to money - what do we outsiders usually get wrong? Nobody knows I'm poor.  Co-workers think I'm rich. I paying mortgage on 2 homes, drive a new car, travel and work part time.
Your questions didn't really help to get to the point how I can afford it.
There are so many things people do and own that take money. The biggest misconception is that many think, even you, that I want those things but can't afford them ( I have no desire to fly to Australia). I don't want them at all- like pets, boat, convertible, bicycle, makeup, gym, jewelry, expensive clothes, shoes, bags, hobbies.
I have had 2 partners over the 20 years, so that's when living is easier or harder. But I have also lived alone on the salary. Paid cash for clinic for years, but usually ca $600 a year the most. I have medicaid now but rarely go to doctors. Teeth I pay cash abroad-cheaper and they have newer equipment.
When I see other people's budget, it simply had lots of stuff I don't. Pets and some kind of health issue or " got to have my hair done". I live simple and easy life. Can take as much time off as I want and when I want.[/quote]

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