This question came to mind when driving back & forth between California-Arizona where vehicle fuel prices have a $2 PER GALLON difference. (I love my diesel vehicle. Fight me.)
So (1) would I drive 5 hours inland to Arizona just to save $2 per gallon?
Or (2) Would I buy a shit-ton of gas cans & fill them up in Arizona then haul them back to California?
As destitute as I am, would I move to Arizona for all-around lower cost of living? (3)
(1) Um, no.
(2) Sounds like a clever idea but ultimately ridiculous for so many reasons. No.
(3) Stupidly & stubbornly, no, I haven’t broken yet. I still love California too much to run inland away from this extortionately high cost of living.
BUT
I prefer to walk/run/bike rather than drive short distances.
Prefer DIY-ing or foregoing luxuries rather than paying for services I could do myself. Haircuts. Massages. Handyman repairs within my ability.


I found a (used) standing desk was roughly the same cost as a good office chair, and I’m very happy with my choice for the desk. I stand up about 6 hours out of the day, and it’s been great for my back and feet.
My desk raises and lowers but I actually don’t work as well standing for some reason and there’s pain. When I work outside (I’m a farmer as a second job), I don’t typically have pain but I’m also not standing still