DEBT FREEDOM...how many see it as the first step to SS?

[Beekissed]

I must admit I love the washing machine! If I had a good husband, I wouldn't care if I had the internet or not. Hot baths can be managed even without electricity, just not so easily.

It was just a thought....if one didn't want to have a connection to the "octopus" of public utilities each month, large debt with even larger interest, and the feeling of running in water all the time just to keep up, it would take some pretty drastic measures to just....cut it off....put it away from you....make the leap...wouldn't it?

 

[PamsPride]

VERY drastic things would have to happen before I would go completely cold turkey!!

 

[poppycat]

Anybody ever thought of just selling all the property/houses and going off-grid, backwoods and no debts except property taxes? Buy a piece of land and pay cash from the proceeds from the sell of your homes and build a log cabin from the logs on the land?

We would have to make quite a move to make that happen. We would definite have to move out of state. Land is expensive here, you've got to have a job to pay for it. It sounds like a tempting idea on paper, but I'm really not sure it would be good for long term marital harmony (at least not in MY marriage.)

My DH grew up on a farm in SE Oklahoma with very few amenities. He busted his tail putting himself through college etc. We've talked about going back to that type of life and he's really not interested.

I DO like the idea though. But I also like my job in the city

 

[2dream]

It sounds like a tempting idea on paper, but

I'm with you poppycat - That is a very big "but". (no pun intended)
I am not sure that living completely off grid in the backwoods would be feasible in todays USA society. At least not for one family alone. The amount of work involved to live that life would be tremendous. You would definately not be able to have a job because all your time would be spent trying to survive. Back in the day when people did live like that, they depended on neighbors and friends for help and they were not taxed to death. I don't think you would get that kind of help today. If you owned enough land to survive on you would have to make major income from it in order to just pay the taxes. To make that income you would not only have to produce enough for yourself, but to sell. Then you are back to... you need money for fuel to get your stuff to market which will require a vehicle which requires a tag and insurance and upkeep.
And round and round you go....were you stop, nobody knows.

So yes "It looks good on paper" BUT

 

[FarmerChick]

I am the same way. My idea of SS was more "off the grid" and not using any modern conveniences etc....WELL I CHANGED my idea of SS now...LOL

No way I could do without. I will save, use less, use less disposable items, try to not shop as much to contribute to the worlds overall consumption, etc. etc. but I won't leave my way of living totally. I can't do it. I don't have it in me and my husband would never agree and I want my kid having what is modern day to an extent, I don't want her alienated from the world either.

I cut electricity usage by alot....that is enough for me..HA HA

I do applaud people who do live it. I think they have a totally different perspective on life and how they want to live it. Kinda a true passion and calling to want to live without modern items and dependability. Me, I won't. It isn't in me to do it..LOL

 

[inchworm]

I just have to laugh at the idea of building a log cabin around here in the backwoods. Wouldn''t be long before the zoning inspector showed up followed by all the permit people

Inchy

 

[Beekissed]

You would definately not be able to have a job because all your time would be spent trying to survive.

It could be done and you could still have a job! People do it all the time and go to a job. Living off-grid just means that you don't use public utilities...nothing more. You don't have to generate a living off the land just to go off-grid and backwoods. It helps and would be the ultimate in SS, but many of us do what it takes now....we gather and heat with wood, we grow our own gardens, we dry our laundry on a line.

Take it one step further and you have to do a little extra work to maintain a certain level of living....washing clothing (this can be done at a laundry mat, with a manual wringer washer, on a washboard even...or even a generator, solar, wind power supplied electric source!

Lights? Kerosene lamps have been used for this for some time with great success.

Refrigeration? They do make propane fridges...I was raised on one. One could haul and buy their propane in 100 gal. tanks as needed and not have an account with a gas company. Sort of like putting gas in your car, except its your fridge!

Bathing? They have all kinds of alternative methods for producing hot water now with wood heat, solar preheating, etc. Not costly, just creative ways if one wants to explore them.

I know it can be done because it HAS been done and more and more people are doing it....and not laying out tremendous sums of money to do so. That is why there are magazines and books devoted to going off-grid that offer DIY models of solar, wind and hydro power.

As for zoning....there are many, many places in the US that do not have zoning! Like where I live, for example. And some zoning commissions are coming to accept nontraditional housing options like cob structures, log structures, hay bale structures. Some states are even offering tax deductions for building "green" and for producing one's own energy via solar and wind.

For the money that everyone puts out for high property taxes, mortgages, second mortgages, rental properties, car payments, etc. , I'm betting that a person could sell it all and generate enough money to go off-grid in style! ...with some left over for emergencies of any kind. If you could generate enough money on your land or with your job to pay any high land taxes for the year, this would practically be your only debt.

If one really wanted to do it......it could be done.......ya think?

Just some food for thought as we go into the new year.....

 

[TanksHill]

Anybody ever thought of just selling all the property/houses and going off-grid, backwoods and no debts except property taxes? Buy a piece of land and pay cash from the proceeds from the sell of your homes and build a log cabin from the logs on the land?

Yes Bee, I think about it all the time. I even have a farm picked out in Mo. Near my husbands Auntie. Dreams!!! We have talked about selling our home here in Ca. and moving. I think my idea of SS includes the land to grow my own food and enough pasture to have a few head of cattle. I think I would still want some amenities but I am leaning more towards propane. That way it is there when I need it and the home can be a bit more self sufficient. I tell my Dh the big adjustment would be his. My daily life would still consist of children, home, gardens, chickens etc.. He would have to make the biggest change. Work??

He is a avid wood worker and I hope this would be something he could use when we move. With the economy as it is we had an employment scare and it's not quite over. If the company fails we might not have a choice. Now if our mortgage was paid off. We might be able to stay here. So I think that why so many SS people strive to pay off their mortgages. Even with tax bill it might be do able. We have other issues though...

My DH health and insurance.. He will not be "officially" cancer free for 4 more years. He needs scans every 6 month to ensure his health. He would have to have some type of job with group coverage as to not be denied medical ins.

Our home has depreciated in value 30% in the last 3 years. that's all the cash we intended to bank and live off of.

It would be a major change but one I would jump on in a minute. I would like to move while my children are still young enough to reap the rewards. I think having family already there is a big plus. Every time Auntie comes for a visit we see pictures of cousins and their families. It's not easy for them either but they sure look happy and healthy.

As I have typed this I read your last post. Yes there are so many ways one can live a more simple life style. Not easier but less reliant on electricity and modern day stuff. I don't want to be isolated just SS. Isn't that the whole gist of things??

 

[FarmerChick]

I think it has to be what the person wants. Change is hard. Heck just changing from one home to another in a new location with a new job is hard.

Imagine chucking it all for some backwoods farm with no conveniences....yikes.....you SURE have to want that. I don't.

But yes it can be done. If a person wants something bad enough, it can be done....of course when dealing with people, usually it has to be husband and wife that both want that type of life.

No way Tony would do it..LOL NONE

So again I just cut back where I can and head more toward that simple life....hmm...again I am trying to learn how the simple life fits into my lfie...LOL

But one thing I know....being SS does not mean giving up what you want in life. I want to travel. Alot of my SS means that I want to save money anywhere I can from our income to spend it on traveling in my camper. I want to get out and explore and relax and camp. So my SS gives me all the good things, like fresh foods, etc....I get to supply families with fresh produce and make money and I get to have my family fun camping trips which I love!!

Time is a biggie when thinking going off grid. Yea you can work and have an outside income, but when you come home you have to haul water, start fires for cooking, haul propane, THAT person does alot to survive. Conveniences like electricity are just that...convenience to save time. I need that and won't give it up...but again, I save and cut back where I can.

Like me, hanging laundry. Who would have thought. My dryer was attached to my hip! literally! and now I am hanging laundry and saving carbon emissions and electricity and length of life for my old dryer so I don't have to suck more energy from the world to buy a new one anytime soon. All little things that add up. I am happy with the dryer situation....but ask me to do laundry by hand...NO WAY....LOL.....drive to a laundromat, NO WAY.....by the time I do that time and gas it isn't worth it to me.

So this is just me. Why I won't go much further. SS and off grid and all that is fine if you want it! SS and being kinder to the wallet and being a producer instead of just a user/consumer is what will benefit this country alot if everyone would just do something.

just ramblilng cause I can and it is fun to chat about this stuff!

 

[prairiegirl]

Anybody ever thought of just selling all the property/houses and going off-grid, backwoods and no debts except property taxes? Buy a piece of land and pay cash from the proceeds from the sell of your homes and build a log cabin from the logs on the land?

We've tossed this idea around a few times through the years. I believe we could do it. It would be an adventure of a lifetime.