I suppose I could write a book answering your question dear @theleapingkoala...on the one hand, it's a matter of principle, maybe even a bit of an obsession, simply from being energy-aware, especially in the sense of efficient application of energy to get things done. On the other hand, yes I do have to budget carefully, not having an income generating enterprise running at the moment.

My computer, phones and lights are all solar powered, I cook mostly on a gas range in my mobile home and I collect rainwater for all my needs into a tank I have installed, large enough to see me through a couple of months in case of a dry spell.

And yes, it is a matter of choice camping out like this. Not only does it minimize my cost of living - it also affords me the privilege of privacy, lots of space and being close to nature. This does not mean that I am a veritable hermit though - I live a few kilometers from a coastal town where I can visit friends and family and where I do most of my shopping.

I have had my share of experience with cooking facilities of different kinds, having been involved in the running of more that one restaurant and also having owned a service business. I in fact designed and installed a gas-fired pizza oven in a restaurant for a client of mine in a different, rather arty village I once lived in!

My motorhome is equipped with both a microwave oven and a gas oven, but I have to start up a generator to run the microwave, which makes it less cost effective, and the gas oven is not very efficient, using more energy to heat itself and to compensate for heat loss than what gets into cooking/baking. And what is more, I have tons of firewood out of the wild at my disposal, which is much more fun to use.

Maybe one day, when I get around to finishing my prospective outdoor kitchen, I could post you a photo of that.

A hug full of warm saved up energy to you!