Spanning the course of 30 years, a mother-and-daughter relationship is put to the test due to the mother's eccentric, compulsivehoarding habits. Beginning in the 1980s, 'The Cost of Living' follows Caroline Kurchowski as she grows from an 8-year old girl intoadulthood with her single mom. Jean Kurchowski lives by the motto "If it's free, it's for me" - which explains the mile-high pile of woodchips in thedriveway, the cramped basement filled with giveaway samples, the refrigerator with tupperware-filled science experiments, the boxes of garage-sale bought holiday presents, and the jalopy that will only come to a stop by crashing. 'The Cost of Living' is filled with humor and sadness as Caroline's experiences lead to resentment, understanding, and appreciation forher mother, all at the same time.