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View Full Version : 10 of the worst mistakes to avoid when going off grid...



Althena
9th January 2016, 13:26
http://i.imgur.com/P6nyMLZ.jpg


Want to build your own life back on the land, instead of keeping pace in this insane society headed for implosion?

There are lots of things that you’ll have to learn the hard way in order to go off grid.

The path is not easy, but that’s no reason not to get started, and move forward on your ultimate plan to live more independently.

This off-grid couple, at Fouch-o-matic Off Grid, had to relearn some of the basics to figure out how to live an alternative lifestyle without losing their minds, or facing impossible, labor-intensive tasks.

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Here are a few tips from those who’ve learned by trial, error and experience.

1) Solar power is worth it

2) Plants won’t grow without (good) soil, and you best be adding some organic material to your soil in order to enrich it.

3) Water runs downhill… a source of water that is already elevated can feed pressured water to your dwelling – gravity can work in your favor.

4) Carrying water is grueling and “demoralizing” work… figure out plumbing any way you can.

5) Batteries run out, and LED lights can save a lot of energy when you need it the most; your usage will have to adapt to the available capacity.

6) Bears, etc. are attracted to trash and food waste. Plans must include strategies to keep away dangerous animals that could attack your family or pets.

7) Splitting firewood requires lots of tedious work.

8) The couple’s yurt was very well-insulated in the cold winter, but was very hot during summer, and needed additional ventilation.

9) Temporary is longer than you think – so plan accordingly, and allow for the possibility of “dealing” for much longer than you anticipated or hoped.

10) You can do things you didn’t know you could do.

Not only did these homesteaders find that they had to humble themselves to frequently learning new things, but they discovered that many of the things they needed to learn are strikingly simple.

So simple, it’s like they should have thought of it already. But you don’t know what you don’t know!

So try, and persist until you’ve made it and your dream of dropping out of the modern world for a better life can succeed.

Sunny-side-up
9th January 2016, 15:38
hI Althena good post.

Just adding a few things for you.

Bears and or unwanted people, make a hidden, burred food and water stash.

You do realize that if it's ends up as a -Civilization-Crash-Long-Term-Homestead' that the Bear/s will have to go :(
So make sure you know how to make Smoked and or Dried Jerky and how to skin animals. Animal fat can make candles for light

Don't waste anything!

2) Plants won’t grow without (good) soil, and you best be adding some organic material to your soil in order to enrich it.
Don't waste Leaves or cut grasses, twigs etc. Leaves turn in to a compost, will help make Good soil.

3) Water runs downhill… a source of water that is already elevated can feed pressured water to your dwelling – gravity can work in your favor.

Don't make your dwelling in a natural waterway, you will get flooded and or washed away.
If your diverting water make sure you pool it above you Grown food plants, I think you can even pass it all through you plant beads and then store what comes out for consumption.
Either way Pool it if you can. In pool you can even keep live stock, aquatics etc. Again don't waste any.

7) Splitting firewood requires lots of tedious work.
If you use small logs for splitting, don't split it by hitting them with the axe, lightly tap the end of the log with the ake, then lift the axe and log up but with the log on top and let the downward weight of the 2 split the log. Let the axe come down onto a big stone .
Doing the above saves energy and sound. It is safer, nothing worse that chopping wood when you are tired, it is dangerous. It can also break your axe!

Good vid, sorry I repeated a few things :sun:

regnak
9th January 2016, 17:05
Well okay

Farmers especially in old times had tough lives we basically serfs for there Baron and barely got a living as there produce was taxed and there sons were taken to war and there daughters were taken as servants ( lovers) if bandits did not call steal kill burn rape everything hardy breed .

It was Henry Ford who invented modern motor car aka tractor who improved living conditions for the farmers reduced the work load which can be a tough lonely life.

If there was a serious break in civilisation aka hurricane Katrina in America everyone looted every farm they came across of everything they could carry so if the city a major crisis occurred have you enough bullets to stop 20 million coming through your farm . Fighting them is not practical hiding is .Farming alone is not practical as there is to much to do.

I have seen four fireballs in the sky small yes but some in day time more and more are occurring some rivers are Turing red and there are trumpets in the sky ancient people speak of fire in the sky ,floods , they draw a double spiral anti-clockwise I know little I suspect only .

Bubu
9th January 2016, 17:45
Some suggestions:
The worst mistake so far as I am concerned is to try to adopt off grid to your on grid lifestyle. Adopt to nature much as you can rather than make nature adopt to you.
Have your house close to water source Ram pump or Tesla turbine pump works well almost maintenance free and can be driven by the water source.
Don't bare the forest then start planting your desired plants rather clear only the area where you are planting, trim the forest as your plants take over.
If time permits plant some quick crops first then move only when near harvest time so you have something to rely on to when you move.
Natural sea salt mix with compost do wonders in replenishing poor soil.

zen deik
9th January 2016, 20:43
Mobility would be the key to survival if it hit the fan, escape and evade living off the land.survival skills would be necessary..,.what you can live without ,,,,however just to get off the grid and not lose all the comforts would be nice,

Dennis Leahy
10th January 2016, 01:31
Good topic. I enjoyed the "10 things..." video, and immediately felt "akin to" the couple.