I live in a bunker with no oven or windows, but it's worth it to save $2,000 a month

Courtesy of Caitlin J.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Caitlin J., 42, about her experience living in a Southern California bomb shelter. She has requested to have her last name and exact location omitted for privacy reasons, but her identity has been verified by Business Insider. The following has been edited for length and clarity.