Question of the day:

Why are you paying more than something is worth?

Where I am atm basic food stuffs are dirt cheap. You can have rice and chicken for under a dollar. If you can't afford that there are restaurants that will feed you for free, you just ask. You can buy a new shirt for $3 and new pants for $5 or less. No brand names but you can eat and dress for around $1.50 a day. Basics are cheap. You want a sugar drink? It is about $20 a case.
Why are Americans paying $30-50 for underwear?
Why are the retailers charging that much?
Simple, because you pay it. Stop paying more than something is worth and you will see prices fall like leaves. Stop keeping up with the Jones's. That is mocking bird making you do that. No one cares what label is on your clothes, car, or food. You think they do because you do. Stop caring and start living a brand free, amazingly fulfilled life.

Homesteading gives you a different perspective on life. I make most of our clothing and copy clothing patterns to make my own patterns, we cook and bake from scratch (no chemicals in our food), we raise our own meat, dairy, eggs and a chunk of our fresh produce. Using heirloom seeds, you never need to buy more ;) I make cheese and other dairy products, homemade wine from local wild blackberries and plums, I'm am herbalist and use herbalism first before going the chemical medical route.

Takes years to learn, it can't be a fad thing where you try and give up. At the end of the day, I've earned my aches and pains from working hard - not from sitting on a couch watching videos/movies or playing video games and eating from packages.

If more people returned to a reality based, natural way of living - and were able to barter instead of using money, I think we would all be better off (and no taxes if you barter)...

It can be done...but most people aren't ready for this lifestyle.