

Land, Liberty, and Living Cheap | A. M. Hickman
Oct 13, 2025
In this fascinating discussion, A. M. Hickman, also known as Shagbark Hick, shares his journey from being a homeless hitchhiker to a proud owner of a $33,000 home in rural New York. He reveals how he lives on just $600 a month, emphasizing frugality and the rejection of conventional paths. Hickman discusses the joys of rural life, the importance of land ownership, and his experiences with the Amish for healthcare. His unique perspective challenges the traditional American Dream, advocating for a simpler, meaningful lifestyle.
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Life As A Longterm Hitchhiker
- A. M. Hickman lived as a hitchhiking, homeless traveler for years and slept rough at least a thousand nights.
- He used that experience to learn “third world ingenuity” and meet people across the social spectrum.
Credentials Don’t Guarantee Flourishing
- Hickman saw suicide across classes and concluded the credentialist path can hollow people out.
- He argues alternative, lower-cost lives can prevent despair by offering real options.
Buying A $33K Home In The Adirondacks
- Hickman lives in a northern Adirondacks village of roughly 250 people, about 30–40 miles from Canada.
- He paid $33,000 for a move-in ready house in that depressed rural town.