That "boring beans-and-rice rotation" line got me because that's exactly what saved me too. I did the same math last year and found out I was dropping close to $300 a month just on grabbing lunch out, which honestly made me feel sick. Switched to cooking a big pot of something cheap on Sunday and packing it all week, and my grocery bill barely moved while my eating out money dropped off a cliff. It's wild how the plans that look the most dull end up being the ones that actually stick.

My dad ran a single barrel for years and I always figured a second one was a waste since the first never even filled all the way. Then I saw my neighbor's setup in Eugene with two linked together and the second one filled just fine, maybe a little slower but it got there. The trick was he put the second barrel on a small stand so the water levels out between them, and by mid summer both were full after one good storm. I ended up adding a second one myself and I get about twice the water now, which matters when July hits and the garden is thirsty. So yeah, I was wrong about it being pointless.