If you are thinking about whether or not you want to live off the grid, you will not want to make this decision quickly.
In order to live off the grid, certain comfort items will have to be taken out of your lifestyle. Think long and hard about whether or not you are willing to do what it takes to take yourself off of municipal slavery.
What It Means to Live Off The Grid
Many people think that living off the grid is simply switching from basic energy to solar and wind energy. While this is a step in the right direction, this is not the whole of the matter.
By living off of the grid, you are taking yourself off of municipal power, water, sewage, trash, and any other outside source of living. Eventually, you will learn how to grow your own food, dispose of your own waste, create your own power source and produce your own water source. You’ll also want to learn how to store water for long term emergencies.
Recommended Resource: Learn How To Grow Ten Times The Plants In Less Time (opens in new tab)
Find the Right Place to Buy or Build
If you are looking to purchase a piece of land to homestead on, you will want to take seasonal weather changes into consideration. Since you will be living off of wind and solar energy, you need to ensure that you have a plot that will be able to provide enough wind or sun to power your home.
Learn more about solar energy by clicking here.
You will also need to make sure that you are able to dig a well or septic tank that can take care of your water and waste. Living completely off the grid inside a city is almost impossible. You will want to make sure that you find a piece of land that is away from people, but still close enough to civilization in case of an emergency.
Be Prepared to Work Hard
Okay, you will not always have to work extremely hard, but you will need to be able to put a lot of work into making your home functional and comfortable. You will need to be willing to keep a garden, hunt for food, maintain a fire, locate timber for winter storage, and do many other things that you probably do not absolutely have to do right now.
There is no point in living off of the grid if you have to purchase your firewood from the local grocery store. You need to be willing to put in the extra effort to make your home completely self-sustaining.
Be Prepared to Financially Support Your Decision
Living off the grid does save a lot of money, but it can be expensive to get there. You need to either be willing to build everything from scratch or fund your decision.
While it is not rocket science to build a solar panel, it may not be something that you choose to do. If you decide to purchase all of your equipment already intact, you are looking at tens of thousands of dollars going into your project.
You will also need to consider the costs of fencing, a water source, a septic system, and any other infrastructure that you may need. When you live off the grid, you are responsible for everything on your land.
You will need to factor in all of these costs when deciding whether or not to live off of the grid. It is a huge decision and one that you should not take lightly. Writing out a pros and cons list of building vs buying everything on your land is a good idea. It may be cheaper in the long run for you to keep your job for a few extra months in order to save the money to buy things that will make your life off the grid easier.
You can also do what we do and work online. It’s not an immediate payout like a job, but once you build it, it can keep putting some money in your pocket every month.
How Will You Get Power?
This is one of the most common questions when it comes to living off of the grid. Power is not as big of an issue as you may think. There are many ways that you can get power when you live off the grid. The first option for power is solar panels. Solar panels are becoming increasingly popular and more affordable. You can purchase a solar panel system or you can build your own.
The second option for power is wind turbines. Wind turbines are also becoming more popular and more affordable. You can purchase a wind turbine or you can build your own. Y
The third option for power is hydroelectricity. Hydroelectricity is created by harnessing the power of waterfalls. This is not a common option, but it is an option.
The fourth and final option for power is generators. Generators are powered by gasoline, diesel or propane. Generators are not as environmentally friendly as solar panels or wind turbines, but they are an extremely reliable option.
You will need to decide which option is best for you.
5 Tips To Know Before Buying Solar Panels
- Know the Cost: The cost of solar panels has dropped significantly in recent years, making them a more viable option for the average consumer. However, solar panels are still a significant investment, and it’s important to know the cost before making a purchase.
- Do Your Research: If you’re considering solar panels, it’s important to do your research and make sure they’re a good fit for your home. Solar panels are not right for everyone, and there are a number of factors to consider before making a purchase.
- Get Multiple Quotes: When you’re ready to buy solar panels, be sure to get multiple quotes from different companies. Solar panel prices can vary significantly, and it’s important to get the best deal possible.
- Consider Leasing: If you’re not ready to commit to buying solar panels, you may want to consider leasing them instead. Solar panel leases have become increasingly popular in recent years, and they can be a great way to go solar without making a large upfront investment.
- Check for Incentives: Before you buy solar panels, be sure to check for any available incentives. There are many state and federal incentives available for solar panel purchases, and these can significantly reduce the cost of going solar.
Purchase a Generator (or Two!)
Living completely off the grid is great, but there may be some instances which you want or need power. Think ahead, and buy a generator.
While you may have to purchase fuel for it, a generator can come in handy when trying to charge batteries, make it through a cold winter or just plain give you entertainment for a night.
No matter what you decide, a generator is an essential item to have around. If you happen to be able to purchase two, that is even better.
How Will You Get Food?
You have a few options when it comes to food. You can grow your own food, you can buy food in bulk, or you can hunt and fish for your food.
Growing your own food is a great option. You can grow vegetables, fruits, and herbs. You will need to have a garden, and you will need to know how to garden. Gardening can be a lot of work, but it is rewarding.
Buying food in bulk is another great option. You can buy non-perishable items in bulk and store them. This is a great way to save money, and it is also a great way to have food in case of an emergency.
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Hunting and fishing are great options if you are able to do them. Hunting and fishing can provide you with a lot of food, and it can also be a great way to relax. If you choose to hunt or fish, you will want to get a hunting and/or fishing license(s).
Storing Your Food
No matter how you get your food, you will need to store it. You have a few options when it comes to storage. You can store food in a root cellar, you can store food in a cool, dark place, or you can freeze your food.
A root cellar is a great option for storing food. A root cellar is an underground room that is used to store food. Root cellars are great because they keep food cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
If you do not have a root cellar, you can store food in a cool, dark place. A basement or closet are both great options. You will want to store your food in airtight containers, and you will want to make sure that the container is labeled with the contents and the date.
You can also freeze your food. Freezing food is a great way to keep it fresh for a long time. When you freeze food, you will want to make sure that it is properly packaged. You will also want to label the food with the contents and the date.
Take time to Smell the Roses
A lot of hard work goes into keeping a house off the grid. You need to make sure that you take some time to smell the roses. You do not want to put out all of this work and energy and never be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Sit down and read a book, relax on your front porch or start a hobby.
Living off the grid is meant to make life a little easier, and you deserve it if you have made it this far! Homesteading really is a way to get back into nature and live your best life.
To put it simply, you need to be mentally, physically, and even financially prepared to live off the grid. You need to make sure that your debts are taken care of, you have a useful plot to live on, can take care of your own waste, grow your own food, and much more.
The best advice that can be given is if you are in doubt about going completely off the grid, take baby steps. It’s okay to start with something small and go from there. If you take baby steps, you are better preparing yourself, anyway.
Start with a small garden, then move to canning food. From there, you can install solar panels and wind turbines. If you want to go completely off the grid, that is great! Just make sure that you are prepared for the challenge.
Are you looking for more information on living off the grid? Check out our other blog posts or give us a call today! We would be more than happy to help you on your journey.