"it's NEVER enough until you actually know what it is that you want out of life and save/spend accordingly."

I have figured out what I want from life, and it isn't "stuff." In a few months my car will be 20 years old and the only car my four children have ever known. Ninety-five percent of our clothing, bedding and household goods have come from the Salvation Army. Even before my husband died, I told him that even if I was a millionnaire I would shop at SA. When we must buy, it's second hand when possible.

We recycle and compost so much that we put out garbage every other week, thereby lowering that expense. We conserve water, lowering that expense. I read the newspaper on-line, eliminating that expense. We do not watch television and get movies from the library--no expense there. We get books and magazines from the library. We use everything to the last drop. I give away all that I can. Our drawers and closets shut because they are not crammed full. Our basement has only a freezer and some empty boxes kept for future use.

Our annual income for five is less than $40,000. People can't figure out how we can live on so little income and yet not "seem" poor. It's all about choices. I choose to want little. It leaves more time and space for relationships to grow and flourish, which is something I do want.