In addition to the uses mentioned above, according to Takashi UCHIYAMA, in the times before the Showa Period, there were impoverished families who had thoroughly recovered their livelihood after several years' retired stay in Satoyama, due to a self-sufficient life over the course of several years by completely suppressing the disbursement of cash (there are some cases in Ueno Village, Gunma Prefecture).
以上のような里山の利用法の他、内山節によると、困窮した家が数年間、里山に籠もって自給自足の生活を行い、現金支出を徹底的に抑えて家計を立て直すという行動が昭和以前に見られたという（群馬県上野村の事例とされる）。