5 Ways to Save Money While on Base in High-Cost-of-Living California

Not much help in this article because the simple truth is that there isn't much you can do to save money in California. When I moved here I had unlimited liability auto insurance in Denver for about $150 per year. Here I could only get the typical $100/$300M limits for $750/year (Remember, this was more than 40 years ago. I'd kill for $750 per year these days) I was furious but quickly learned that some companies such as State Farm wouldn't even insure me until I had lived here at least 2 years. (I suspect they didn't expect me to survive that long) After driving here for a couple of months I called the insurance agent and apologized for yelling at him. It's a wonder that any insurance company would take the risk of covering California drivers. As for housing (you could live in a tent if you could find someplace to pitch it). As for food, I recommend fasting. As for fun, forget the theme parks. Disneyland really is the Magical Kingdom. They can fleece you with all the skill of a sorcerer.

I have no idea how my parents managed to raise us in the Silicon Valley. I do remember frequent trips to the Moffet Field commissary though.