Meet the Frugalwoods: Achieving Financial Independence Through Simple Living

The deeply personal story of how award-winning personal finance blogger Elizabeth Willard Thames abandoned a successful career in the city and embraced frugality to create a more meaningful, purpose-driven life, and retire to a homestead in the Vermont woods at age thirty-two with her husband and daughter.

In 2014, Elizabeth and Nate Thames were conventional 9-5 young urban professionals. But the couple had a dream to become 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 an enormous amount of money: well over seventy percent of their joint take home pay. Dubbing themselves the Frugalwoods, Elizabeth began documenting their unconventional frugality and the resulting wholesale lifestyle transformation on their eponymous blog.

In less than three years, Elizabeth and Nate reached their goal. Today, they are financially independent and living out their dream on a sixty-six-acre homestead in the woods of rural Vermont with their young daughter. While frugality makes their lifestyle possible, it’s also what brings them peace and genuine happiness. They don’t stress out about impressing people with their material possessions, buying the latest gadgets, or keeping up with any Joneses. In the process, Elizabeth discovered the self-confidence and liberation that stems from disavowing our culture’s promise that we can buy our way to "the good life." Elizabeth unlocked the freedom of a life no longer beholden to the clarion call to consume ever-more products at ever-higher sums.

Meet the Frugalwoods is the intriguing story of how Elizabeth and Nate realized that the mainstream path wasn’t for them, crafted a lifestyle of sustainable frugality, and reached financial independence at age thirty-two. 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 money and lead more meaningful, simplified lives. Following their advice, you too can live your best life.

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.