There are a million reasons why you may be contemplating a life living off the grid. Maybe you long for simpler times when everyone took care of themselves and relied on their own skills to get through the day.
Maybe you've been looking at the world today and see the need to be able to provide for yourself and your family away from the interference of others, both foreign and domestic.
Whatever the case, living off the grid can have a laundry list of costs you may not be prepared for.
Whatever the case, living off the grid can have a laundry list of costs you may not be prepared for. Not only will you need to provide your own food, but you will need to provide power, heat, and water.
For a rundown of the costs, check out the next page.
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Well dayum
There’s many factors in play that effect the off grid concept. Firstly, there is build cost vs. living cost.
EG: the cost of drilling a well or permitting annual ground water vs. already having property with sustainable water.
Secondly, solar initiative programs vs. buying used or DIY (much cheaper) is a very common misconception among the off grid idealist who didn’t do their homework.
Lastly, a person’s diet AKA lifestyle vs. what they are willing to do without is a crude wake up to anyone who projects that their livestock or gardens produce free food without cost.
It’s really a matter of being realistic, countless months of research and lowering one’s standards in regards to convenience.
I maintain off grid at less than 100 us dollars per month. But it requires 30 hrs of work per month.
It can be done, but not as a retirement option without substantial nest eggs or a solid residual income.
What about those who are homeless? Don’t they live off grid?
When I think of off-grid I think of independence and individual responsibility. I think of doing for yourself, not depending on others for your survival..
WoW. Thats turnkey homesteading. I don’t think people that homestead buy systems off the rack down at the box store. Septic: A simple sawdust toilet works fine for about $30 or about $1000 for a Natures head. Greay water can go to a simple rock well or collected for your fruit trees. Water can be much cheaper than a drilled well. Think about a rainwater collection system that can be built for $2-3000. Depending on your needs, Our first solar system cost me about $500 It kept the lights on and the fans running. It was nothing more than 2 marine batterys a couple of of solar panels and a simple charge controller. Heat: One of the best values in a serious wood burner is an Englander NC-30 @ less than $1000 at Home Depot. Chainsaw to cut your wood, don’t scrimp here, get a good commercial duty saw, you won’t be sorry.
If you really must have a well there are very low interest loans available from Rural Development at about 2-3%.
Good advice for the frugal Michael.
This coop was over the top of the budget but I did add a 10 watt solar panel to operate the coop door might get my return in 20 years lol
Yes great advice!!!
You do and you will clean it up
Depends on your wants
I’ve seen similar options for a lot cheaper.
I run my cabin on less than 15 gallons of gasoline a year. I have one deep cycle 12 volt battery,and Honda 1,000 watt generator. My cabin has a single 12 volt 11 watt fluorescent bulb for lighting. I also charge my iPhone and iPad off that battery. Several times a year I use the generator to preheat and start vehicles. I’ve been doing this for over 11 years. When I charge my battery I also watch movies on a little DVD player. Life is as complicated as you make it.
Took a lot to set up but once a your set up it is cheap
Ive been homesteading for the past 8 years. Heres what ive learned. You have to be wealthy because you dont have time to work. Ive been working 14 hours a day 7 days a week for 8 years. Kill me.
John Duggan
Jonny Quest
I looked into a solar power system and found it would take me 11 years to see a y Savings on my investment.
Just be nice save on light bill
A small fortune.
A couple of things too about on-going costs:
1) solar batteries aren’t cheap and they have to be replaced every 2-3 years depending on how many times you use them ($250 per battery)
2) propane isn’t cheap either. It varies by region. Mine is always trying to gouge me and I have to negotiate every time to get the cost down. It’s not a regulated utility
There’s “primal living” and then there’s living with the same modern conveniences found in modern society.. in my mind i’d wish myself to be somewhere between the two.
It is like any thing else in life. You have hi-end and low-end survival. If you never used an out house, you might be in for a surprise. I once witnessed a lady with not a hair out of place cooking over a fire using the old Vision ware. It got the job done, I must say, although it would not be my go to cook ware. I prefer a motor home, have a well appointed trailer, but could and would easily go back to camping on the ground should the$#%&!@*hit the fan. Employ all the conveniences you can afford. It is survival you know, but then, it is really none of my business.
i call living off the grid a kerosene lamp a well with hand pump a outhouse a wood burning stove solar power indoor pluming running water give me a beak that’s for sissy’s
A sleeping bag and a backpack and of course a knife to kill others on the road and take their$#%&!@* Best done in third world countries.
BS
Back in old days they had no solar stuff
Wood stove yes. Hand pump yes out house yes . But no solar panels