What's your point? The author who was sleeping in tight quarters also had access to washing machines at a laundromat, and did not require a servant.

So what fundamental, basic aspect of life are the authors giving up by temporarily lowering their cost of living? Is whatever they are giving up so important that it undermines the freedom that they gain? Does it make it impossible to join the "normal" life later?

that the so called "material" goods allow us a better quality if life than our grandparents and great grandparents.