I've enjoyed the FW blog for a few years now. IIRC they used to post here in the forum. I don't know about what kind of $$$ they made in the city but she often lists their many privileges and doesn't pretend to have bootstrapped from nothing.
I don't read it word for word but I do like hearing what they are up to. Their life in rural Vermont isn't something that interests me personally so I read it more for the frugality enforcement. Also, I like the pictures of their homestead, their little girl. I was sad to hear that FrugalHound died but I know she had a good life with her people.
I have a feeling that if I met them in person I would probably like them.
Yes, I think a lot of people just seem to have decided they "don't like them", and are reading things into them, and their blog, that aren't there. I think that's pretty common on the internet, to be honest. In real life, you get to know people and talk to them. On the internet you see what people want you to see, and you are free to read it any way that you want.
It's easy to read their blog and glom on to a few bits of info, and decide you don't like them. Or their tone. Or their writing style. But so what? I enjoy the blog - though I agree on a few things.
- it's kind of long. I skim it.
- I don't really want to live on a million acres in the rural Northeast. Grew up there. Been there, done that.
- I'm old. I mean, I probably have 15 years on these two and so I'm not really their target audience. I've given some "tips" on FB for their blog, but I don't think they've made it to the blog because...I'm not the target audience. That's okay.
- MMM is no different, really. There are things you like, and things you don't, and whatever.
As far as I can tell, they have always been honest about how lucky they are in life. Not everyone is as fortunate. So? I grew up poor and did fine for myself. But I'm lucky that I'm white, smart, got scholarships, was taught hard work, was raised in a mostly together home (parents divorced when I was a teen), had parents who weren't addicted to any substances, etc. Oh, it would have helped to be male, but whatever. I'd have LOVED to have bought my house at a better time. I would have LOVED to have bought a SECOND house when the downturn hit my city. But I'm risk averse. And I SAY if houses drop to $500k again I'm buying one! But I probably won't. How can I be mad at someone who carefully watched the market and bought correctly? Shoot we bought our house 6 days after we started looking. I try not to regret it, because hindsight is 20/20.
One way to not be so bitter is to make sure you read a lot of other blogs. I read a blog of a woman who has adopted foster children and is basically barely surviving on no income due to severe health issues. She writes with such love and grace and commitment to her family and (necessary) frugality. The only and only blog that I don't miss, ever. Even though it's often hard to read when they go negative every month.