Thank you so much!!
I'm still extremely frugal - much more so than my peers - but to my parents, I would always look like a big spender. Dad would only buy the cheapest appliances and electronics, then complain that it's all JUNK. My husband on the other hand would consult Consumer Reports and buy the lawn tractor or fridge with good reviews, and pay three times or more what Dad would pay - well, you know the drill.
This!
Being self-sufficient gives me a piece of mind knowing that we will survive unless some countries decide to push the button down and the world is consumed by fire.
I'm on a mission to do more foraging in the wild for herbs, maybe set up a greenhouse for growing my own veggies, or maybe move to a warmer climate (but after 60+ years here I'm finally learning to embrace the long, white winter).
Hard work gives our lives purpose and meaning, and too much leisure is bad for us.
Still: I am sad to see family members "too busy" working to have time for Sunday dinner or a Friday night of board games. Just ALWAYS WORKING or too tired to socialize....