As for natural gas,oil ect.calif. has a lot in the ground but its rules an regs prevent it from being used.If they would allow drilling,mining,fracking for all the natural resources we have ca.would be much more diversified an not so reliant on water drinking crops that aren't sustainable,as for power we have to go nuclear soon its the only way left to go we now have the technology to make it work ....You live pretty low key (cheap),we do to but we also spend alot on stuff,toys,junk,I figure ya can't take it with you so enjoy it now while ya can before health,age or something prevents you...Like you we have no mortgage or credit card bills ect.just general living expenses..I know 40 is about in the same boat.......It isn't just calif.that is going down the tube thats got the preppers worried its the nation as a whole,stuff is getting bad......