At the age of 96, former President Jimmy Carter proudly leads a modest and frugal lifestyle. Even after leaving the White House, he continues to reside in the same ranch house he built in 1961. Located in rural Plains, Georgia, Carter’s two-bedroom ranch is assessed at just $167,000, which is considerably less than the value of the Secret Service vehicles parked outside. In fact, it’s even lower than the median home price in Georgia, which stands at $213,026 according to real estate site Zillow.
When compared to other former presidents, Carter’s frugality becomes even more apparent. Barack Obama, for instance, owns an $8 million mansion in Washington D.C., while Bill Clinton boasts multiple million-dollar homes. In contrast, Carter spends his weekends dining with neighbors on paper plates and enjoying bargain-brand wine. He even goes as far as making his own yogurt alongside his wife, Rosalynn.
Not only does Carter prioritize simplicity in his personal life, but he also embraces this mentality when it comes to his clothing choices. He has been known to shop for clothes at his local Dollar General store, showing up for its opening in Plains back in 2004. Additionally, he frequently chooses to fly on commercial airlines rather than private jets, which significantly reduces the costs covered by taxpayers.
Speaking of taxpayers, Carter’s commitment to leading a frugal life translates to a smaller financial burden on the public. In 2018, the former president’s expenses amounted to $456,000, a fraction of what his fellow ex-presidents cost. Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama, for example, each incurred expenses of over $1 million that year.
But how does Carter sustain his lifestyle? A significant portion of his income comes from writing books. Throughout his lifetime, he has authored a staggering 33 publications, ranging from children’s books to reflections on his presidency. Carter has also benefitted from a $210,700 annual pension, a standard provision for all former presidents. Additionally, the federal government provides financial allowances for aspects like travel and office space, with Carter receiving over $230,000 in such allowances in 2017 alone, as reported by the National Taxpayers Union Foundation.
In summary, Jimmy Carter demonstrates contentment with living within his means. When asked about his modest lifestyle, he humorously shared, “It just never had been my ambition to be rich.” Despite holding the honor of being the oldest living former president in U.S. history, Carter’s admirable frugality remains an inspiration to us all.
