The barter economy is huge. And the rest of the year is spent preparing for the winter, mainly stockpiling firewood and food through hunting, fishing and gardening. While not quite as cold as Alaska, I've got family and a friend who are off-grid in Maine. With them, they do have solar, propane furnaces and generators for backup or emergency use.

While I don't have it in me to do it, there are times I wish I could.

IIRC the Kilchers are related to Jewel the singer so they've probably got some extra coin laying around when needed.

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1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15
'06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod)