There's 3 things I have learned about saving money through the school of hard knocks.

1. If you have health insurance... ask how much the prescription you are buying is without insurance. Some drugs cost less to buy with cash than your copay. I learned this lesson the hard way when I called my local pharmacy to check on the price of a prescription for a friend who got hurt. I was expecting an $80-90 cost. For 100 Vicodin, it was $10. My copay is $20 on ALL prescriptions. That's some shenanigans. The same goes for doctors visits. Ask them if they offer you a discount for paying in cash.
   
2. Sign up for a United Networks of America Prescription card. It's free, you don't even have to give them your email address, and if paying cash for your prescriptions, it can save you up to 70%. If you don't have insurance, this could save you a lot of money. United Networks of America
   
3. If you smoke, quit. At 5 dollars a pack, if you smoke a pack a day, that's $150/month on cigarettes. How much do you pay for your prescriptions for your seasonal bronchitis or allergy medications?
   

Backstory

This is the first part of a series of posts I'm going to write about my experiences vacationing off the grid. I'll be sure to take pictures and video of the experience and post them here.

 

My wife and I have been spending some time vacationing up in northern Michigan. This is a 10 acre wooded property, with a collective family owned property of about 100 acres. Soon, I hope to buy a couple acres in the collective, so I can be less of a drain, but for right now, we've been given permission to setup on our friend's land.

 

For this process, most of my concepts come from trial and error work done on their Amish built cabin, so I know they work.

 

Now let me say that my wife, god love her, needs her water, and her electricity; she needs a toilet, a sink, and a shower. That being said, this property has no running power, and no source of water. There is power and water approximately 1 mile down the road at an uncle's camp, and the plan is to run power to the rest of the properties, but that's not likely to happen this year.

 

My friend and his wife @psynosis, who own the property, had a cabin built by the Amish, and is wonderfully constructed. They have a propane heater, windows, a kitchen, a bathroom (with shower) and a loft with beds. This is fine for 3-5 people, but it can easily get crowded. Additionally, this solution is a little cost prohibitive and permanent for what we're looking for.

 

Begin the Research

Our first order of business was to find or construct a living space. After weeks of searching craigslist, we contacted someone regarding a 1986 Jayco 35' camper. The deal fell through quickly, and it was for the best. The last thing we need to do is take out more credit for this investment.

 

The following weekend, we took the four hour drive to the property for a weekend of fun. While up there, we assisted with some construction, and met "The Hippie Logger".

 

A Deal Is Found, A Friendship Is Formed

"The Hippie Logger" is a lumberjack. I can see the word "Tree Killer" forming in your mind, and stay with me a second. "The Hippie Logger" himself owns property in the collective, and next door, is property that has been clear cut. He hates that. He is a laid back man who enjoys the forest, and some other plants... *cough*. He doesn't cut trees to make a gross and disgusting profit. He cuts trees to make a living, and provide a service.

 

Well "The Hippie Logger" says he has a Jayco 30' Camper for sale... for $500. You heard that correctly... $500. The story goes, he did some logging for a nearby property owner, who received this camper as a bonus when he purchased his property. It's in decent shape... for $500. The front door has been pried open, a window shot with a BB Gun, both by thieves. The roof leaks, and the floor was destroyed. A tarp over the roof is preventing further leaks and "The Hippie Logger" replaced the flooring. I will fix the door, the window, and the roof.

 

I Must Be A Winner

Now that a camper is found, a plan is beginning to form. The next purchase I need, a generator... The friends and family had planned a trip to the Mio flea market. Approximately, 50 miles away...

 

View Larger Map

 

We arrive at the flea market, 20 minutes after it's supposed to close. I leap out of the truck, and what's the first thing I see? A 4400 watt Homelite generator... Low hours... the guy has a sticker on it for $300 firm. I talk to him a moment, and walk away. I come back shortly there after and leave with the generator for $250.