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Aquinas11
Guest
You’re doing it right. Key is to “want what you have” not “have what you want” (what society tells us)
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Lee1
Guest
It all sounds like a great idea, especially if you’re young.
I wish I could do it myself. Prayers for you and yours!
God bless.
I wish I could do it myself. Prayers for you and yours!
God bless.
J
JanetF
Guest
So many things I hear sound great (if you are young)!
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Lee1
Guest
Perhaps we should dare to do what we can. Say live in the containers comfortably whilst someone else hoes the land.
It can’t be that hard to sit in a rocking chair smoking a pipe giving advice and pointing out mistakes!
It can’t be that hard to sit in a rocking chair smoking a pipe giving advice and pointing out mistakes!
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adgloriam
Guest
You realize outside of America folks also have wells. I own several.
Yes they do. [You wake up one morning and find an animal fell into the well and is decomposing, or that some green plant covered the surface of the well. For drinking water you wouldn’t use a well but a boor - and even that depends on geology and if water will be potable. The boor should require an electric pump.]
The water might not be potable. If you are a diabetic some water might not be good for you. If a certain water lacks for example Calcium you should vary the water you consume.
The chemical engineers I know would disagree, I do pay careful attention to their lessons. It all depends, you can have a Cristal clear spring of mineral water on your property or a contaminated well. Better to plan for that in advance.
How about phosphates and DDT in the water? Better test for that…
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adgloriam
Guest
The thing with the generator is that some equipment might be sensitive to being hooked up to the generator. E.g. last time I had to use a generator the equipment did work for a few hours and after that some of the equipment blew their fuses. Because the generator has to adjust to its load and in the meanwhile a small spike in current can knock out the fuses. The average appliance might not be designed for the tolerance of the generator. Experience is key, or you’ll run into surprises.
The solar panels you mentioned are again quite a pickle and I would advise you get some working examples and someone with experience to lend advice. Because those FV panels produce DC not AC, and you’ll need a converter. Again, FV solar panels (in order for them to be economically viable) would have you hook them up to the grid so their production is constantly being soled to the utilities company (and even then an average FV panel can take up to 10 years to pay for itself - this depends on local tariffs and isn’t actually easy to calculate).
What is more, even a bunch of FV panels might not be able to power a normal 600w heater. And that depends on how sunny that part of the world is going to be. My guess: If you’re anywhere in Alaska or northern US the FV’s are never going to have enough sunlight to realistically power home appliances. [A fridge needs a constant supply so food doesn’t thaw.] On cloudy or rainy days forget it…[Usual metric is number of clear sunlight hours per year.]
https://www.nrel.gov/gis/solar.html
The solar panels you mentioned are again quite a pickle and I would advise you get some working examples and someone with experience to lend advice. Because those FV panels produce DC not AC, and you’ll need a converter. Again, FV solar panels (in order for them to be economically viable) would have you hook them up to the grid so their production is constantly being soled to the utilities company (and even then an average FV panel can take up to 10 years to pay for itself - this depends on local tariffs and isn’t actually easy to calculate).
What is more, even a bunch of FV panels might not be able to power a normal 600w heater. And that depends on how sunny that part of the world is going to be. My guess: If you’re anywhere in Alaska or northern US the FV’s are never going to have enough sunlight to realistically power home appliances. [A fridge needs a constant supply so food doesn’t thaw.] On cloudy or rainy days forget it…[Usual metric is number of clear sunlight hours per year.]
https://www.nrel.gov/gis/solar.html
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1ke
Guest
No one is suggesting a contaminated well.
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MT1926
Guest
Wow I’m jealous. Would love to be able to do this. I do enjoying farming as a hobby and raise all of the meat we currently eat (beef, chicken, pork and lamb). Use to do a garden as well but was to labor intensive and time consuming. We have family members who farm so felt supporting them and buying their produce was better use of my time.
Anyway just wanted to add I have found the best bang for my buck of all the animals was raising chickens in chicken tractors. I can fit 25 birds in my movable pens. They eat the grass as well so I save on some feed costs and they fertilize the soil. As long as I keep the pen moving daily it doesn’t destroy the field. I also like that I can butcher them myself so that saves me a ton of money on processing fees at the butcher.
I’m also currently experimenting with solar hot water panels to heat a 1000 sq ft area of my barn. If it works I’m planning on doing the same for my house.
Just love that homesteader stuff, but don’t think I have what it takes to do it full time.
Good Luck,
God Bless
Anyway just wanted to add I have found the best bang for my buck of all the animals was raising chickens in chicken tractors. I can fit 25 birds in my movable pens. They eat the grass as well so I save on some feed costs and they fertilize the soil. As long as I keep the pen moving daily it doesn’t destroy the field. I also like that I can butcher them myself so that saves me a ton of money on processing fees at the butcher.
I’m also currently experimenting with solar hot water panels to heat a 1000 sq ft area of my barn. If it works I’m planning on doing the same for my house.
Just love that homesteader stuff, but don’t think I have what it takes to do it full time.
Good Luck,
God Bless
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Lee1
Guest
Im sure it isn’t.
I was joking. I’m saying if you’re elderly you can just sit in a chair and give instructions, ha ha. But still enjoy living in the containers.
Personally I’m at one with nature, though at two it’s time for my nap. Joke.
What do you farm? Arable or animal or a mix? And where roughly?
I was joking. I’m saying if you’re elderly you can just sit in a chair and give instructions, ha ha. But still enjoy living in the containers.
Personally I’m at one with nature, though at two it’s time for my nap. Joke.
What do you farm? Arable or animal or a mix? And where roughly?
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adgloriam
Guest
Privacy concerns would have me not specify, sorry mate.
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JimR-OCDS
Guest
Check the local zoning first
Living in a shipping container may not be legal
Also, you’ll need a septic system which must comply with local zoning.
BTW, living simply doesn’t mean just moving out into the woods and living in a cabin
People live simple lives in cities as well.
It’s a matter of attitude and what you see as important in life.
Jim
Living in a shipping container may not be legal
Also, you’ll need a septic system which must comply with local zoning.
BTW, living simply doesn’t mean just moving out into the woods and living in a cabin
People live simple lives in cities as well.
It’s a matter of attitude and what you see as important in life.
Jim
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adgloriam
Guest
Good you mention it !! I thought of that immediately but didn’t want to say it.
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JimR-OCDS
Guest
I met a man who was head editor of the “Catholic Free Press,” years ago.
He and his wife had PHDs from Ivy League Universities and were raised in upscale lifestyles.
They had a nice house out in the suburb and high paying jobs
They chose to simplify their lives and so quit their jobs, sold their house and took in an apartment in the city. He got a teaching job which paid much less than the job he had left.
The area had a larger minority population and their family and friends told them they were nuts to move there, that they would be in danger living there.
He told about how after moving in while his wife was pregnant, she went into labor
She gave birth and all went well and after a few days went home to their apartment.
Both of their parents were there to help with the newborn.
At the end of the day after their parents had left, it was supper time and he thought he’d send out for pizza, when he heard a knock at the door. He opened the door to find that the tenants in the other apartments, got together and purchased Chinese food for them. He was so awed he invited them in. One of the tenants said, “no, we know you and your wife must be tired.” When you’re ready, you can let us come see the baby." He said they were the most friendly people he and his wife ever met.
These were the people he was suppose to fear, according to his naysayers.
Jim
He and his wife had PHDs from Ivy League Universities and were raised in upscale lifestyles.
They had a nice house out in the suburb and high paying jobs
They chose to simplify their lives and so quit their jobs, sold their house and took in an apartment in the city. He got a teaching job which paid much less than the job he had left.
The area had a larger minority population and their family and friends told them they were nuts to move there, that they would be in danger living there.
He told about how after moving in while his wife was pregnant, she went into labor
She gave birth and all went well and after a few days went home to their apartment.
Both of their parents were there to help with the newborn.
At the end of the day after their parents had left, it was supper time and he thought he’d send out for pizza, when he heard a knock at the door. He opened the door to find that the tenants in the other apartments, got together and purchased Chinese food for them. He was so awed he invited them in. One of the tenants said, “no, we know you and your wife must be tired.” When you’re ready, you can let us come see the baby." He said they were the most friendly people he and his wife ever met.
These were the people he was suppose to fear, according to his naysayers.
Jim
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adgloriam
Guest
gas can mean butane/propane or be a shortening for gasoline. I meant the former, wood for heating and cooking (excellent option - zero carbon emission since the wood you planted had beforehand captured carbon from the atmosphere). If you’re thinking for a substitute to gasoline you can produce some homemade bio-diesel, which is actually doable but in many countries forbidden because the State insists on taxing all vehicle fuel and even if you make your own it’s illegal to use it. [But if you’re looking into sustainability -and I think you should- those are interesting options to consider.] Problem being, if you don’t buy some land with trees you’ll have to wait for them to grow. But again, woodland normally costs less than farmland and tends to be affordable.
Modern alternatives would have you looking into the possibility of modular pre-fabricated houses made from plywood and other composite materials fixed around a metallic frame as an alternative to the old brick&mortar. That can bring excellent energetic gains with simple central heating using the aforementioned heating wood. But again, the guys I know that went for that ended up also having an upfront investment that would, however, pay itself off sooner.
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unitive_mystic
Guest
Living simply in the woods enables you to be less dependant in the city.
You think “hmm what can I do to spend less money on groceries? Produce my own”
“Hmm how can I spend less money on water? Gather it myself”
“Hmm how can I live in a less expensive house with more children? I will get some property which will provide tons of space to play”
“Hmm how can I spend more time with my family? I will use my property to give me a source of income that allows me to work from the farm”
I don’t doubt that some people are called to urban life, however when it comes to simple living and freedom, rural life is ideal. In my family’s experience.
You think “hmm what can I do to spend less money on groceries? Produce my own”
“Hmm how can I spend less money on water? Gather it myself”
“Hmm how can I live in a less expensive house with more children? I will get some property which will provide tons of space to play”
“Hmm how can I spend more time with my family? I will use my property to give me a source of income that allows me to work from the farm”
I don’t doubt that some people are called to urban life, however when it comes to simple living and freedom, rural life is ideal. In my family’s experience.
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StarMapp
Guest
Yeah. Also some of these off-griders are on a lease system for a certain time. They don’t own the land. This is common in Alaska.
Some countries have a long reach. These past years, knowing a lot of the population is not buying the tax rates and other oppressive charges laid on them just to live and stay alive, these governments started legislation to ensure they have building permits and other restrictive laws in place when the homesteaders arrive at their “wild” location. They arrive and are faced with solar panel restrictions, and water course restrictions just in case someone has the bright idea to not use public hydro and put up their own hydro power system. Humous toilets are frowned on.
So it can be done and you sure can live in reasonable comfort, but society will try to prevent it when they know someone is audacious enough to actually live out their dream. They did it to the natives, and they’ll do it to these people when they settle in. This time it will probably be different. These will have a good percentage of military people, who have fought, “so people of other nations will not live under tyranny and be free to live a life style of their choosing”
One day I did a internet trace of remote counties to see what restrictive ordinances there were still in place. Some still had fairly relaxed bylaws, usually due to a very small staff to do the rounds. They still have a “2 X 10” dressed lumber building code mentality in place. The most restrictive are the locations that are still barely commute distance. Usually these homesteaders still won’t come to terms with the realization that there is no 911 or hospital service, hence choosing places not too far away. Counties control much of what goes on up there by changing the lot’s zonage, or what I call “pull the rug” method…
Some countries have a long reach. These past years, knowing a lot of the population is not buying the tax rates and other oppressive charges laid on them just to live and stay alive, these governments started legislation to ensure they have building permits and other restrictive laws in place when the homesteaders arrive at their “wild” location. They arrive and are faced with solar panel restrictions, and water course restrictions just in case someone has the bright idea to not use public hydro and put up their own hydro power system. Humous toilets are frowned on.
So it can be done and you sure can live in reasonable comfort, but society will try to prevent it when they know someone is audacious enough to actually live out their dream. They did it to the natives, and they’ll do it to these people when they settle in. This time it will probably be different. These will have a good percentage of military people, who have fought, “so people of other nations will not live under tyranny and be free to live a life style of their choosing”
One day I did a internet trace of remote counties to see what restrictive ordinances there were still in place. Some still had fairly relaxed bylaws, usually due to a very small staff to do the rounds. They still have a “2 X 10” dressed lumber building code mentality in place. The most restrictive are the locations that are still barely commute distance. Usually these homesteaders still won’t come to terms with the realization that there is no 911 or hospital service, hence choosing places not too far away. Counties control much of what goes on up there by changing the lot’s zonage, or what I call “pull the rug” method…
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unitive_mystic
Guest
I am young, no debt, single, no kids, no responsibities. I’m going to make the right moves so I am able to have a business coexist with my homestead which should give me the capability of doing it full time.
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unitive_mystic
Guest
That’s not much of an issue for me, if the laws make it so I can’t have shipping container I’ll just choose a different alternative. Like a traditional cabin or a yurt.
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MT1926
Guest
Sounds good. Send me a PM if you would like a link to some of the websites I’ve learned from over the years.
Good Luck
God Bless
Good Luck
God Bless
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unitive_mystic
Guest
Solar heaters and cookers will be important for sure XD. I’m still learning and I have heard of solar generators.
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