Four East Bay folks talk about better living through lentils, thrifting, and listening, à la Henry Thoreau, to that inner voice.

How we choose to live is an expression of who we are. What, after all, says more about us than how we spend our time and how we spend our money? The East Bay men and women whose stories follow lead rich lives without a bounty of riches, craving creativity and freedom more than material security. As the sorry state of the economy forces more of us to scale down and live frugally, it’s illuminating to get a glimpse into the lives of those who have freely chosen to live low on the hog. In pictures and words, they suggest that making do with what we have, rather than striving for what we don’t, makes for a good life indeed.

Michael Taffet
A 49-year-old scientist finds unexpected happiness living alone in a huge, barely furnished fixer-upper.

Christine Theberge and Eric Drake
An Oakland couple—she’s a chef, he’s a saxophone repairman—thrives in an inexpensive rental filled with meaningful objects.

Carol Urzi
Simmering lentil soup, shopping used bookstores, and opting out of the corporate world bring joy to a freelance lawyer.