By Mac Slavo
Want to build your own life back on the land, instead of keeping pace in this insane society headed for implosion?
There are lots of things that you’ll have to learn the hard way in order to go off grid.
The path is not easy, but that’s no reason not to get started, and move forward on your ultimate plan to live more independently.
This off-grid couple, at Fouch-o-matic Off Grid, had to relearn some of the basics to figure out how to live an alternative lifestyle without losing their minds, or facing impossible, labor-intensive tasks.
Here are a few tips from those who’ve learned by trial, error and experience.
1) Solar power is worth it
2) Plants won’t grow without (good) soil, and you best be adding some organic material to your soil in order to enrich it.
3) Water runs downhill… a source of water that is already elevated can feed pressured water to your dwelling – gravity can work in your favor.
4) Carrying water is grueling and “demoralizing” work… figure out plumbing any way you can.
5) Batteries run out, and LED lights can save a lot of energy when you need it the most; your usage will have to adapt to the available capacity.
6) Bears, etc. are attracted to trash and food waste. Plans must include strategies to keep away dangerous animals that could attack your family or pets.
7) Splitting firewood requires lots of tedious work.
8) The couple’s yurt was very well-insulated in the cold winter, but was very hot during summer, and needed additional ventilation.
9) Temporary is longer than you think – so plan accordingly, and allow for the possibility of “dealing” for much longer than you anticipated or hoped.
10) You can do things you didn’t know you could do, even install some Guelph replacement windows.
Not only did these homesteaders find that they had to humble themselves to frequently learning new things, but they discovered that many of the things they needed to learn are strikingly simple.
So simple, it’s like they should have thought of it already. But you don’t know what you don’t know!
So try, and persist until you’ve made it and your dream of dropping out of the modern world for a better life can succeed.
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You can read more from Mac Slavo at his site SHTFplan.com
Also look into a land patent so you can never lose it to eminent domain or a lawsuit. Then keep your mouth shut about where it is. [no interviews to the media] so they will leave you alone.
I have had a land patent in place for several years. The county government has ignored its protections on several occasions so you absolutely must know what the patent does, how to explain it to blinky-eyed government drones and stand firm–they absolutely count on you caving in to their intransigence.
Care to elaborate so we can be aware what idiocy is coming next?
I would like to go off grid in a year or so. For the last few years I have been accumulating all kinds of material for the move, but living in the East (Ohio) and not wanting to move out West for several reasons. An income being a big reason and family another. I don’t know how hard it’s going to be with all the restrictions local governments put in the way? I’m sure others living in the East have done it, I just need to find out how they did it?
I am debt free (been so for 15-years) and want to stay that way. I’m self employed as a handyman / apartment / home repair man. I want to cut down to part time in the next few years as I’m getting older. And a paid-for, off-grid home will play well into that.
Going under the radar is probably a way but I need to research it more.
I’ve been existing off grid for 5 years.
1. Location, location, location: You need a heat source whether that is abundant sunshine in the winter or your own wood lot. You must also have water. Rainfall must be 20 inches a year or better to support a family–an individual can make it on less. You will have to heavily filter the pollutants and radiation in our rainwater and take nutritional supplements accordingly. Underground aquifers will soon become polluted as well.
2. Government regulation will add tens of thousands of dollars to the cost of constructing a home and limit the style. In many places this precludes a design conducive to an off grid home or thousands of dollars in extra fees and expert certifications for your untraditional design. You have to decide whether a travel trailer works for you or if you have enough wealth to comply with local codes.
3. Learn how to use and maintain hand tools of every sort for every task.
4. Transportation costs hundreds of dollars a month so someone is going to have to have a day job.
Dennis Patterson: berrybestfarm at yahoo
I see the first mistake they made going off grid is covering up the bottom edge of the solar panel with wood (see photo) …LOL. This can really really decrease the output of the module.