(Stephen Shade drove a 1969 VW Beetle with a moon roof in high school)
You may think that you cannot become self sufficient, but everyone has opportunities to improve. Deciding what you can do to become more independent can be difficult. The key is knowing what your end result looks like. Then it becomes easier to make the right choices. Below are some sample levels of living off the grid. Which of these lifestyles can you see yourself in?
Urban
- Dependant on public water but reduces cost by implementing smart usage
- May have a grey water system
- May have solar or wind power to supplement electrical bill
- May have a geothermal heat pump to reduce HVAC costs
- May hunt or fish to provide some meat
- May use crafts to create household items like rugs, furniture or pottery
- Provides some produce by having a garden
- Reduces carbon footprint by recycling and reusing
- Can’t live without malls, fancy restaurants, large movie theaters, and fast food
Sub-Urban
- May be dependent on public water but may have a private well (depending on local law)
- May have a grey water system
- May have solar or wind power to supplement electrical bill
- May have a geothermal heat pump to reduce HVAC costs
- May hunt or fish to provide some meat
- May use crafts to create household items like rugs, furniture or pottery
- May be able to raise some smaller animals such as pigs and chickens depending on laws
- Has a larger garden and room for food storage and processing
- Reduces carbon footprint by recycling, reusing and composting
- Likes, but doesn’t need malls, fancy restaurants, large movie theaters, and fast food
The Sticks
- Has a private or shared well
- May have a grey water system
- May have a septic system
- Electricity is solely provided by alternative means
- May have a geothermal heat pump to reduce HVAC costs
- Probably uses wood for heating and possible cooking
- Probably hunts or fishes to provide some meat
- Probably uses crafts to create household items like rugs, furniture or pottery
- Raises some animals for meat, milk and eggs
- Has a larger garden and room for food storage and processing
- Probably has a pasture for larger animals
- Reduces carbon footprint by recycling, reusing and composting
- Rarely goes to a mall, fancy restaurant, large movie theater, or fast food
Nomadic
- Lives in a tipi, yurt, tent, vardo, camper, RV, bus, van, car or boat
- Gets water from RV Parks, friendly hoses, lakes and rivers
- Goes to the bathroom in the woods
- Vehicle battery is primary source of electricity
- Uses propane or camp fire for heating and cooking
- Hunts and gathers for food; may include some grocery shopping
- Might have some potted plants for fresh herbs, fruits and vegetables
Completely Off
- Has a private or shared well
- Probably has a grey water system
- Has a septic system
- Electricity is solely provided by alternative means
- May have a geothermal heat pump to reduce the need for heating and cooling
- Probably uses wood for heating and possible cooking
- Probably hunts or fishes to provide some meat
- Uses crafts to create household items like rugs, furniture or pottery
- Raises animals for meat, milk and eggs
- Has a large garden and room for food storage and processing
- Probably has a pasture for larger animals
- Reduces carbon footprint by reusing and composting
- Has a private landfill
- Goes without malls, restaurants, large movie theaters, and fast food
- If they can’t grow it, raise it, or make it, they go without
- No gas powered vehicles, horses and oxen are used instead
- No internet or television either
Once you decide how far off the grid you want to go, then you can create your plan. You should consider your current situation and set some short term goals. Planting a garden is always a great first step. While creating your plan, remember to keep your long term goal in mind. You may not want to install a solar system on your urban home if you want to live in the sticks long term.
Reply Bellow. What does your off grid lifestyle look like?
