I Am Trying to Go Off-Grid (need advice please!)

Discussion in 'Off Grid Living' started by Permaculture Lover, Feb 1, 2016.


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  1. Family friendly....Where's the fun in that?
     
  2. kellory

    kellory An unemployed Jester, is nobody's fool. Banned

    Personally. I plant money trees. Problem is though, they tend to devalue just about as fast as they mature, so it is basically a break-even deal.
     
  3. chimo

    chimo the few, the proud, the jarhead monkey crowd

    Like my daddy allways told me...if you can't be happy with yourself, someone else can't "make you happy".
     
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  4. Humans are social creatures, some more than others.
     
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  5. Asia-Off-Grid

    Asia-Off-Grid RIP 11-8-2018

    I can understand your view, at your age. But, there are families on this site. I imagine, about PG-13 would be the best it can get. This isn't that sort of forum. Besides, you are here for advice to help you save money and to budget it wisely. There is plenty of time for that in your life. You need to focus on your most important goal at the moment, getting started living off-grid.

    You never stop spending. Here in Cambodia, the place we have was somewhat already established - rice fields, a small farm house (Khmer style, simple), some rain water jars for collecting water, and a few farm animals.

    Since I came into the picture, we are slowly building it up. I am currently drawing a home to build on site, for my g/f and myself to reside in, so we can be there full time. The area is 100% off grid, as is much of Cambodia anyway. I have begun working on it and have put a few thousand dollars into it so far, in expansions. (See a few of my previous threads for more information on those topics.)

    But, there is tons more to do, yet. I imagine another $10,000 to $15,000 USD, before we will have it near what we want.

    For sure, I can get a lot more accomplished here - cheaper I mean, than I probably could in the US. Labor here is cheap, although materials aren't necessarily so. We did get 52 loads of fill dirt recently moved and filled in a pond, which was at a rate of $7.50 per 6 cubic meter dump truck, standard cost.

    As far as income, I'm a male escort.










    J/K. I'm retired.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 1, 2016
  6. No fair, you have a girlfriend?
    What makes you settle in cambodia?
     
  7. Asia-Off-Grid

    Asia-Off-Grid RIP 11-8-2018

    As a straight, fifty-years old red blooded American boy, I figure a girl would be my best choice. There are farm animals, I suppose. But, I'm not from Wales. (No offense intended to anyone here from Wales. Just funnin'.)

    That would have to be a completely different thread, in a forum that may not exist on this site? (I will have to look.) But, basically, I was going to return to the Philippines, from Thailand, when a new friend suggested I give Cambodia a try. Been here going on four years, now.
     
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  8. Tevin

    Tevin Monkey+++

    Wow, there's more in your post than I can go through point by point. But I do have some ideas.

    First, if being in a relationship is that big of a deal, then go find a woman BEFORE you trek out to the sicks to establish your homestead. There will be very few opportunities for socializing in the middle of no where. It's not that complicated: If you want to meet eligible women, then you have to be where the eligible women are.

    Second, you don't say much about your background other than your conservation degree. Do you have any practical experience in hacking it on your own, such as hunting, fishing, outdoor craft? Have you ever done any long term camping or been in the Boy Scouts? How good are you with a gun? A chain saw? First aid? Do you have any skills such as woodworking, electrical, plumbing, etc.? Your education is impressive but most of what you need to know is not taught in a school.

    Being handy with tools is a must. If you're the kind of guy who can't change a flat tire, then you should probably stay in the big city. I have friends/family who think of themselves as "preppers" and say they want to come to my spread...and they don't even want to mow their own suburban lawn!

    You seem to be very good with money. That's a huge plus. However, you're going to need some kind of income. What do you plan on doing for a living once you move onto your land?

    My advice would be to defer your plan for a few years. Go find a job in your field, get married if that's a priority, and save up your money. It also gives you time to build skills and think hard about what you're getting into.

    If someone told me at 23 that I'd be doing what I'm doing now, I'd think they had completely lost their minds. Your attitudes and beliefs and goals are going to change. Give yourself a chance to let life happen.
     
  9. Thank you for the advice.
    1. I'm ok with a gun. But could use more experience.
    2. I'm very good at camping. Decent with a chainsaw. Good with a hand saw and machete.
    3. Decent at making a fire. I'm not worried about being able to do the work that needs to be done on the homestead. I'm fairly smart and can figure most things out.
    4. I think I can change a flat tire. But I never have needed to. (knock on wood)
    5. Yeah my values may change. I don't want to pay rent or live at my parents house any longer. It seems like living off the grid is a good option.
    6. For income, I plan on doing carpentry, online editing, permaculture consulting, government work seasonally, or selling produce. Probably a combination.
    7. You're probably right about finding a woman first. Doesn't seem like there are many good off grid type women. Or am I looking in the wrong places?

    Thanks for sharing asia.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 1, 2016
  10. Mindgrinder

    Mindgrinder Karma Pirate Ninja|RIP 12-25-2017

    Since you have plenty of time before you even have the land...
    Let's work on reducing those seed and tree costs.
    Go buy several of each of the fruit from the trees you want...eat'em and start the seeds now. Aside from Apples...everything else can be started now for a whole lot less than the prices you are budgeting for.
    $10/plant of blueberries?
    Sheesh.
     
  11. Tikka

    Tikka Monkey+++

    @Mindgrinder
    Excellent advice.

    According to Stark Bros and starting from saplings:
    Fruit Tree Type Years Until Fruit
    Peach Trees 2-4 years
    Pear Trees 4-6 years
    Persimmon Trees 3-4 years
    Plum Trees 3-6 years

    As any gardener knows, unless one is real lucky, it takes time to build the soil up. Once a family friend gave me composted horse manure if I hauled it away. I thought instant success and it took a season.

    @Permaculture Lover
    Depending on where your off grid will be, get good with a gun. I shoot coyotes and feral hogs at our camp.

    upload_2016-2-1_21-42-2.
     
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  12. Mindgrinder

    Mindgrinder Karma Pirate Ninja|RIP 12-25-2017

    Ok....tell the truth....is ``free range bacon`` better than farmed?
    I dont have this luxury in the great white north.
     
  13. AllTrades

    AllTrades Monkey

    You're getting started young which is great. I wish I had started that early. You have some time on your hands and seem to have the right mindset for saving money.
    Buy the land first as it is a better investment than anything in the stock market and goes up in value instead of down in value like the dollar but I think you already know that. Your money in savings is actually losing value each year (about 5% depreciation each year) and even more so compared to land. Mine was $50k for 20 acres.
    I am in my 1st actual year of "getting established" and live in a camper. I would suggest buying a used popup camper or trailer so that you can live somewhat comfortably ( if you are planning on living there right away as opposed to paying rent while you build)
    My second step was a water and power. ( set up a 10,000 gallon water catchment system and a small solar system)
    I got lucky with the water and land as my brother is helping me out with those (we have adjacent land) while I get ready to build my cabin.
    I currently do construction (handyman) for a living (quit my 10 year Marine Corps career to go off grid, couldn't stand taking orders from the 'man' anymore)
    Hope this helps a little, good luck and God bless.
     
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  14. chelloveck

    chelloveck Diabolus Causidicus

    A retired male escort???o_O

    ;)
     
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  15. AllTrades

    AllTrades Monkey

    As far as choosing the woman (which seems to be the most talked about portion of your plan according to the responses), choose wisely. My greatest help is that I have a wife that is just as motivated to get off grid as I am. Make absolutely sure she shares your ideals before you make the commitment. Some women say that they like the idea of living off grid, but once you get them out there for a little while, the princess might come out in her and she's begging to go back to the apartment in the city and going to shopping malls. Find a country girl that likes guns and I think you'll be ok.
     
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  16. chimo

    chimo the few, the proud, the jarhead monkey crowd

    I'm in my third marriage...with a couple of effective "marriages" in between as well. I'll tell you the same thing I told my kids and now my grand kids...get yourself established in all aspects of your life before even attempting to enter into a long-term relationship. There is a reason why the divorce and suicide rates are so high in this country...one is because people change over time, and two people don't always change in a way that makes it easy for them to remain together...the second is that when number one happens, some people decide they "can't live" without the other and do stupid stuff that may cause them temporary or permanent harm.

    I don't mean that you have to fully develop everything about yourself, but you have to be at the point where you can not only stand on your own two-feet, but have the means to support others as well...and most importantly, you have to pretty much know who you are, what your goals are and be comfortable with yourself.

    Yes, it will be harder to meet the "right" person...but good things never come easy...and besides, nobody says you can't be a horn-dawg before committing yourself to one person. ;)
     
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  17. Asia-Off-Grid

    Asia-Off-Grid RIP 11-8-2018

    Shhhh. I don't wanna brag. Too much has already slipped out.

    Find her at www.meetoffgridgirls.com. Ask her to send you a photo of her boat and shotgun. If she can't, look until you find one who can.

    Seriously, sounds like some great advice. I got lucky because I met a girl from "the farm" in the first place. This place is her home. Not to mention, many places in this country that are on-grid are off-grid! In some cases, you could use a four-wheel drive just to navigate major roadways here!
     
    Last edited: Feb 2, 2016
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  18. Altoidfishfins

    Altoidfishfins Monkey+++ Site Supporter+

    First of all, welcome to the SM site.

    If you want a woman to go with all of this, you'd better save, or somehow gain the ability to earn, one heck of a lot more money.

    Most women today don't even want to talk about a remote existence. They want high fashion, sports cars five star restaurants and hotels. Unless you get lucky, you're going to be hard-pressed to find a truly like-minded individual. If you do, chances are she will decide in six months or a year that it's simply too much work and move on.

    I've already purchased 40 acres remote at $800/acre. Recently I installed a well with a solar pump. Already had the panels to run it with. Between the property and just the well, no septic, I'm already in over 50k, probably closer to 60k into it when you count the dozer work required to cut a drive and a pad. That doesn't count another 18k for a travel trailer that I use as a 'temporary' shelter. Then there are the two sheds. And a viable dwelling has yet to be built.

    So, even without a woman, you're going to be looking at some serious bucks even after cutting many corners.

    Not trying to discourage you, but many people have had ideas similar to yours until they faced the harsh realities of living remote. I know, there are dozens of abandoned properties right around mine where people bought and then went "Oh crap".
     
  19. Altoid, I am thinking about building a temporary shack to live in while I build my actual house. The property I buy will have trees so worse comes to worse I build a temporary and small log cabin for "almost" free. No plans on a well. Roof water catchment and building a couple ponds should be ok for the time being.
    I'm looking at land around 20k. Planning on doing compost toilet, no septic. Still I think you have some great advice. I really need to proceed cautiously.

    Chimo thanks for the good advice. AllTrades, thanks for the advice as well. That has given me some good thoughts to ponder.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 2, 2016
  20. Kingfish

    Kingfish Self Reliant

    Welcome, you have lots of ideas for sure. There is a wealth of information on this site so dig deep into the old posts. I wish I would have started at your age. Alas I enjoyed playing guitar and boozing my way through three marriages and was a male escort for way too many women for free ha ha ha . I am not off grid or remote but hiding in plain sight. Kentucky is not very remote so you will need to find a place that no one wants to go. Find a road that goes no where. Do you under stand my meaning. A dead end surrounded by miles of heavy forest or other tough terrain. With one road in you only have to worry about defending this much smaller area. I did this and bought an existing house on a small private lake. Kind of tucked into some hills and swamps with lots of federal forests around it. I took me 4 tries to find the right wife and we do kind of what you are talking about doing. Grow garden, raise Rabbits and Chickens, harvest the deer, fish, heat with wood from the federal lands. Those federal wood cutting permits are only 20 bucks for 5 cord. That is cheap heat and ours does not require electricity. I went with a propane generator and large tank for long term backup power but we are on the grid for now. If you build ? build with grid or off grid in mind. Set your power panels up so that you have routes in for alternative power via transfer switches or like in our case slider Isolation plates. We route power in through standard 220 or 110 breakers. We can easily convert now to solar, wind, wood gas or even mini hydro power because we set it up for using alternative power. We are on high ground overlooking a small lake to our back and down on the road in in front of us. I have several acres of flat land down at the lake that grows real well and we have a large garden there. We keep the rabbits and chickens closer to the house. Livestock is key in long term self reliance. Feeding them without a feed store is even more key. Most of my lower 5 acres is timothy and alfalfa grasses for long term rabbit food. My chickens can bug or live the winter on ground corn and acorns. They also eat seeds from local plants and grasses. They even eat fish. I have planted a lot of fruit trees , apple, pear, peach and cherry. We have wild grapes and wild strawberries and half a dozen mulberry trees. Water is life Period. You will need a good drinkable well and a way to pump that well. Also having a lake or creek for wash water, animal water and irrigation however land with water cost more. We paid 144,000 for 10 acres. We put over 30 grand down and have 15 year mortgage which we took out in 2008. W e have 7 years left to pay off. I built a propane powered Jeep 1979 cj that does not have a computer so it will run even after an EMP pulse. It is my work horse. I got myself 6 years training with ex military guys in the Michigan Militia corps. Kentucky has good Militia groups. Get some training in how to defend your self and loved ones. THE LITTLE THINGS ARE IMPORTANT. Axe handles, shovels and extra handles, a stock of heirloom seeds. medicines like aspirin, cough syrup, etc. salt, sugar. AMMUNITION for what ever you choose to shoot be it a bow or .50 bmg. or one of the many calibers inbetween. Choose common calibers so you can scavenge . I chose .22 rimfire, 30-30, 30-06, .223/5.56 and 20 gauge shotgun. In Michigan almost every home has a 30-30 or a 30-06. Keep a good back stock of socks and underwear. Coats , boots etc.

    As for the woman . Good luck finding one that will be excited about your plan. I was fortunate , my wife is an ex world champion women's Muskie fisher with two titles, she has taken deer and wild turkey with a bow and gun. She is one of best pan fishers I have ever met and could feed the two of us just by fishing. She has a passion for hatching her own birds as in chickens. Loves fresh garden produce. We sell extra rabbits and eggs to make ends meet. We also breed dogs and still play a little music to help pay the bills. Bottom line is ? if the world were to end as we know it. We would last longer than most all the people around us but that can be a problem in itself. It becomes more of a defensive challenge in the long run. Good luck. KF
     
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