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KVR said
It takes a lot of money to be poor is the way I like to put it. It is achievable but like you said most people don't have the money to be able to do all of it up front. 

It does seem to be true OR  you have to have a lot of time and be willing to do this "undercover"..b/c really i don't see a way to build a code approved house for super cheap (poor style) in my area atleast, well if you want to get close a super tiny house, my bro built a 200sq house, he did it for 14k in the middle of a urban/dense neighborhood, (he seems to like urban area's b/c there are more processed goods to glean..dumpster diving..more free stuff and demo projects going on. He built it debt free and scrounged alot of stuff..buy permits and mandatory red tape add up.  Re-used timbers for framing are challenging to get through, But junk quick growth pine..sure we approve that!

A rustic shelter/ built underground with all natural materials, birch bark for vapor barrier or scrounge some plastic...its everywhere.  This would still require tools and such (a bit of $ ).  A lot can be scrounged, but to do that takes takes time /energy and a way to MOVE the scrounged materials back.  I'd like to try someday to do it like this.  The land of course you would need ..unless ...well...you ddind't "own" the land.  Lease or rent/work trade a buddies place (sacrificing a bit of security vs. owning)  Its fun to think about.  Tools..a chainsaw to cut timbers is quicker but you cannot make your own oil and it requires parts.  The other way takes lots of time with a manual saw but requires no money.

Its tricky for the plants also.  I mean im' sure I could just transplant and propagate..seeds are cheap but do add up.  ..i think at some point people decide earning money is easier....Skill sets of most wouldn't be up to doing it with out money (the extreme)..but if you want the amenities and to be legit ..yeah ...some $ at least.  Where there is a will there is a way.  If i wasn't compromising on legitness (wife likes that) I know I could do it..but there are so many hours in the day and energy one can muster up 😀

My income now classifies me as poor (gov't token wise) as well...so coming from a higher income...its a learning curve!  Even a bike needs tires and brakes once in a while.

This reminds me of a kick ass guy doing it...i'll post it in seperate thread.  he's not really homesteading ..but ..he's living ..so that's kind of the goal regardless.

ah man i wish.  would have been.. and was the plan! It I payed off loans by selling it though.....Someday..its good to have dreams..up until then I just want to explore and area i might like.  find a spot that would likely be better suited then a tiny suburban quirky lot on outskirts of L/A which was good really lol...  We had a blast when we went up though..Cleared some land there ...and went to visiting the neighboring towns..enjoyed it very much. 

My neighbor of that lot bout it...

here is also a power line right away right behind my old lot that might make a nice going through visiting camp. Next to river...ahh

A friend has place over west more...he was cool with me crashing there for some time.  Cool Little 12x12 hunting shack with wood stove...some bunks ...tv with 1 channel ..perfect 😀 ...its really cool of him to offer.