Meet the Frugalwoods (ePub)

The deeply personal story of why award-winning personal finance blogger Elizabeth Willard Thames abandoned a successful career in the city and embraced extreme frugality in order to create a more meaningful, purpose-driven life and retire to a homestead in the woods at age thirty-two

In 2014, Liz Thames and her husband, Nate, were conventional young urban professionals working nine-to-five jobs. But the rat race had worn them down, and they dreamed of becoming modern-day homesteaders in rural Vermont. Determined to retire as early as possible in order to start living each day—as opposed to wishing time away working for the weekends—they enacted a plan to save as much money as they could.

In less than three years, Liz and Nate reached their goal. Today they are financially independent and living out their dream with their young daughters on a sixty-six-acre homestead in the woods of Vermont. In this rural setting, they've discovered the deep joy of pursuing their passions, the fulfillment of a vibrant community, and a sense of peace they never expected.

Their frugal methods, as described by Liz Thames in this book, aren't born of deprivation and hardship, but rather of a conscious decision to joyfully live far below one's means. Thames believes frugality isn't about what you're giving up, but about what you stand to gain through the freedom of a financially secure lifestyle.

Through embracing wholesale frugality, Tha-mes discovered the self-confidence and liberation that stem from disavowing our culture's promise that we can buy our way to “the good life.” She unlocked the freedom of a life no longer beholden to the clarion call to consume ever more.

Meet the Frugalwoods is the inspiring story of how Liz and Nate realized that the main-stream path wasn't for them, crafted a lifestyle of sustainable frugality, and reached financial independence. While not everyone wants to live in the woods or quit their jobs, many of us want to have more control over our time and our money, and to lead more meaningful, fulfilling lives. By following Thames' advice, you too can live your best life.