Taxes... not one of my favorite topics. Last I checked, we were 2nd highest on our street, because the other owner doesn’t live on the property. We pay well over $5k/ yr property tax. I’d list what we get, but it is so short you might miss it. Property taxes here do not pay for schools. We do pay a 4.25% General Excise Tax, almost like a sales tax, but on most everything and almost every level.
Last I paid for gas was $3.75/g. Haven’t bought diesel in a bit, but likely close to that now. Last propane delivery was just over $5/g.
But there is some balance. I don’t have a heating bill or AC. How little we spend on clothing would make most women cry, probably less then $100/year and that’s if wife gets new running shoes and I get new slippahs. Much of mainland type foods cost more but we don’t eat alot of that stuff anymore. No complaints about my beer costs, not exactly an over indulging vice.
God knows I should be more tolerant of those unwilling to make the effort or misdirect their efforts to cheating the system, but then there is some joy in being politically incorrect at times.
Bottom line, we realize that we are indeed fortunate that we can choose to live this lifestyle, and as dear wife likes to remind me if people only knew the struggles that got us here. Maybe it isn’t cheap, but life is good.
I did use my tractor today to help unload and the load the cement mixer on my truck.