Go ahead and open the pockets a bit. Just be thankful for all that free stuff as it was just like earning extra money. It is just that you didn't handle the money but the same thing in the end.
Can't compare scrounging and gathering wood yourself with the cost of buying it or as you suggest running the furnace. I know the costs involved and still come out way ahead. And just think of the time I spend gathering it...better than surfing!
I agree. The workout from gathering and processing wood is great. I suppose the only bad part is the cardio isn't always there compared to a gym. But then again, when I am carrying large quartered rounds out of a ravine, it's just like a treadmill!
When my wife gets on the treadmill, she has a calorie counter to know what she burned. I wonder what firewood getting does burning calorie wise? I know there's several levels of firewood getting energy usage, so it probably varies depending on how hard you are working.
A couple years ago I wore a heart rate monitor while gathering wood. In a couple hours I could wack out 600-800 calories.
I was always told you have to spend money to make money. It's kinda like a write0ff on your taxes. Right?
I spend very little on firewood.....and nothing is free. Still very cost effective for me to burn wood compared to natty gas.