There is another significantly influencing factor for people like us -- bicycle touring is our hobby. And people spend money on hobbies that to outsiders seems astronomically silly.

Plus, there is an retained value in what we have that can be recovered by selling it should we have the motivation or need. That should be accounted for at some point, so the figures aren't nearly so high.

BBT also touched on those intrinsic and intangible savings, such as health benefits and lower impact on localised environments.