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Self Sufficiency: Getting Back To Basics

How To Live Off The Grid

By: Terence A. Williams

Chapter 1- Self-Sufficiency Defined - What Does It Mean?

Many people want to be self-sufficient. They want to know how to be self-sufficient themselves. They want to know how to teach their children to be self-sufficient, too. They expect the people around them to be self-sufficient, because they don't want to be sufficient for others as well as themselves. People value self-sufficiency. You may think you want to be self-sufficient. Maybe you're not there yet and you're trying to learn. But do you really understand what self-sufficiency means?

Sufficiency means to have or be "enough." If you have enough money to pay your bills and your household expenses, then you have sufficient income. Self-sufficiency means being enough by yourself, so someone who is self-sufficient can supply their own needs without anyone else's help. Now, that may sound pretty simple, right? You're enough for yourself, so you're self-sufficient, right? But if you think about it a little more, you may start to wonder if that's really true.

Historically, pioneers were purportedly self-sufficient. They couldn't rely on the same resources that were readily available in more settled areas. They built their own houses. They grew their own food. They made their own clothing. They furnished their own homes. But even these pioneers had to rely on somebody else, because they relied on each other to accomplish these monumental tasks. This sense of community and joint effort still inspires us today, which is why we talk about barn-raising and old fashioned hospitality.

In contemporary society, a strict definition of self-sufficiency is even less applicable. If we drive to work, we're dependent on others. Why? Because we don't drill the oil, refine it into gasoline, and ship it to the gas station. We simply fill up our gas tanks, pay the cashier, and go! If we cook meals using food we buy at a grocery store, we're dependent on others.

Why; because we don't grow the crop or raise the animals. We don't harvest or slaughter it. We just select our purchases, pay the cashier, and cook our meals! If we send our children to school or purchase homeschooling supplies, we're dependent on others. If we use electricity, we're dependent on others, too. In contemporary society, we rely on others to produce the products and services we need to enjoy the lifestyles we have.

So, when we talk about self-sufficiency, we often mean something other than a strict dictionary-style definition. A woman who is self-sufficient is able to support and provide for herself. A man who is self-sufficient is able to cook his own meal and wash his own clothes. Children who are self-sufficient are able to perform age-appropriate tasks and can often entertain themselves without frequent redirection.

But self-sufficiency can become even more complicated when a disability is involved. Think about the soldier who lost his legs while serving his country. Some people might believe that such a man could never be self-sufficient again! Yet, people with disabilities have been fighting those assumptions for years. Many people with disabilities work to support themselves and they take care of household tasks, too. Sometimes they have family members or friends do what they can't. Other times they hire help to perform tasks that are beyond their abilities. Still, in some very real ways they attain an unexpected degree of self-sufficiency that is no less real than the self-sufficiency attained by able-bodied individuals.

So, perhaps self-sufficiency isn't so much a matter of what you can do for yourself all by yourself. Perhaps our measure of self-sufficiency should depend on a person's ability to use the resources available to solve the problems present in his or her life. If a self-sufficient person is hungry, then he knows how to feed himself. For a child, that may be fixing a bowl of cereal or making a peanut butter sandwich. A teenager may have more advance culinary abilities or may choose to buy something from a restaurant. An adult will be responsible for budgeting and grocery shopping, as well as meal preparation and ordering take-out. As long as the person can solve the problem, we could call him or her self-sufficient.

But it isn't even that simple! Think about the disasters that have hit the world. From Rita and Katrina to Super Storm Sandy, we've experienced some pretty challenging disasters. And that's not including the wind storms, tornados, floods, and fires that have disrupted our systems and driven people from their homes. Where does self-sufficiency fit in then?

If we rely on systems--like power grids and public schools--to live our lives, then we leave ourselves vulnerable should those systems fail. When it comes right down to it, we're all vulnerable. We're all at risk! If our community is hit by a disaster, we'll discover quite quickly just how insufficient we are!

Of course, there are people who think about those possibilities and engage in emergency planning. They have stock piles of food, water, and other necessities to see them through the hard times disasters bring. Others take it further and design underground bunkers, waiting for an even bigger disaster that may never come. These people strive to maximize their self-sufficiency as much as possible by learning survival skills and by storing food, supplies, and even drugs and medical equipment.

Remember, strictly speaking, self-sufficiency means being able to supply one's own needs without outside help. As our society and our global economy changes, people and even nations are becoming less self-sufficient and more inter-dependent. A lot of people recognize this as a form of progress. Others consider inter-dependency a blow to personal or national pride. A few even consider it a matter of dire vulnerability.

Self-sufficiency isn't simple. We all have to choose just how self-sufficient we want ourselves and our families to be. We have to work for the level of self-sufficiency we want and take whatever precautions we deem necessary. After all, self-sufficiency is something we each have to define for ourselves.

Chapter 2- What Is Homesteading and What Are the Different Types of Homesteading?

Homesteading is a way of life. It is a style of living that rejects materialism and encourages self-sufficiency. There are many motivations for homesteading and different types of homesteading, many ways to pursue this lifestyle .The simplest explanation is a self reliant community. That community can be a family or unrelated group that has voluntarily decided to live cooperatively. A basic tenet involved is living off of the land. Necessary skills and activities include gardening, raising animals, creating energy, sometimes hunting, foraging and fishing.

This can take place anywhere. Obviously, a rural area is conducive to this lifestyle, but there are urban homesteaders. Communities exist who have a presence on the internet and invite others to consider joining them. Urban homesteading actually began recently as a movement in the 1990s and 2000s. It should also be noted that this more modern homesteading movement belies the traditional picture of isolation that homesteaders depicted.

In an extreme form, homesteaders grow, hunt and forage their own food, make their own clothes, concoct their own cleaning products and generate their own energy by means of solar, wind or water energy. They also will craft any games, activities and hobbies they and their children enjoy. Obviously, food preservation is also involved here, usually in the form of canning.

Historically, governments have encouraged homesteading with actual legal acts to encourage the migration to unpopulated, less desirable regions. There was usually government support offered for a specific length of time and/or until defined goals were reached.

The modern homesteading social movement can be traced to the 1960s in America. It came as a reaction to rabid materialism and the intense “keeping up with the Joneses” mentality. The appeal is a simpler life and existing more in harmony with nature. Obviously the skill set that must be learned and practiced is demanding, however most homesteaders boast a very satisfied, content existence that they feel is not only worth the labor, but in fact the labor is part of the contentment.

Economically homesteading is viable in several different ways and on different levels. Some homesteaders have actually held high paying jobs for awhile in their lives which has afforded them land and equipment. On the other hand, during the depression President Roosevelt encouraged a homesteading movement in the New Deal. There was an agency within the New Deal entitled Subsistence Homestead Division. It was part of the U.S. Department of Interior. Under this program, approximately 100 subsistence homesteads were built in the U.S.

The plan included a provision where one family member would hold a part time, low paying job as the family was moved from poverty in an urban area to a small plot of land where they would grow their own food and live safely. This program was also meant to help bolster “stranded workers”, mainly lumber workers whose jobs had declined, and to assist farmers who were struggling. In its own wording the act was to encourage and demonstrate the viability of part time work combined with part time gardening and farming.

Today, the economy has made this philosophy a little more difficult as the wages at some low paying part time jobs have not kept up with inflation, or even worse, the difficulties during the recent recession. Another problem that current day homesteaders face is zoning laws. Many, but not all, homesteaders raise chickens for eggs, cows and goats for milk, and various animals for meat. As suburban sprawl increases, many areas have local zoning laws that forbid animals on private property. The best way to learn about the laws in an area is to start at the County planning department, as regulations vary county to county.

Homesteading is synonymous with self-reliant living. However, it is not necessarily the same thing as minimalist living or part of the simple living movement, though it certainly can include the philosophies and tenets of these movements. The other element that homesteading may or may not include is living in smaller quarters. These philosophies can all overlap and be tied together. If a family or group is going to live in smaller dwellings, the need to declutter will be necessary to make it livable.

Decluttering is a significant part of minimalist and simple living. All of these different levels of sparseness certainly reject the popular or general way of life in America today which seems to be a progression for most people to larger and larger homes and more and more toys, equipment, and electronic devices. It must be reiterated at this point, though, that the internet has certainly aided modern homesteaders.

Ingenuity and creativity are also necessary for self sufficient living. Homesteaders can include people who have a lot of modern, expensive equipment to make their lives easier. More often, though, it is a populace who fixes rather than buys, use hand tools to mend, build, re-use items, and make their own. This can cover a wide range from those who weave their own textiles, to those who may make a dress from old ties or remake drapes into any needed cloth item. Many become skillful and adept at trades that are then sellable to the general population, and this can help sustain a small farm.

This movement also overlaps with the greening of America movement, as one of the homesteaders’ goals usually is to decrease their carbon imprint and not contribute more to landfills. Many homesteaders generally know a lot about composting and recycling, and these practices are adhered to intensely by many of them. Many are bee-keepers also, as that can be part of sustainable living. First, there is the honey itself to use, the bees help pollinate crops, and again, this can be a source of income.

It should be mentioned here that there is also a rather large Christian Homesteaders movement. They find that living close to the land is very compatible with scripture and spiritual lessons. Again, there is much information shared on the web and person to person between these communities.

Chapter 3- How to Live Frugally

With the ever-changing state of the economy, it’s always important to stretch your dollar as far as you can. Luckily, there are many ways to live frugally and save money in everything you do. However, this does not mean that you have to pass up on the great things in life. There are actually many ways to go about living frugally and still experience the same things that people who are less concerned with their financial well being. Here are some tips on how to live frugally and make your money go as far as it can.

Around the Home

You may be wasting money on things around your home that you didn’t even notice. There are plenty of ways to save money on little things, that will add up to a lot of savings over a period of time. Here are some tips on how to live frugally around the home.

Dishwasher

A really frugal person would go out of their way to not even wash the dishes in a machine, but instead to do so by hand. However, that isn’t necessarily the only way to save money. You can run your dishwashing machine, and use a home-made detergent to save on money. To do so, you will need a tablespoon of Borax and a tablespoon of baking soda. You simply put these two ingredients together the next time you run the dishes and you are set. Not only is this method inexpensive, but it also has no harsh chemicals and can be more reliable than some detergents.

Coffee Grounds Cleaner

If you are a coffee drinker, don’t throw your coffee grounds away after you make yourself a pot. Instead, use the remains to clean a few different surfaces in your home. Used coffee grounds work great as a cleaning agent because of their texture. They can be used on greasy or grimy objects and will leave the surface looking shinny again. You can also put coffee grounds on a cookie sheet and then put them in the freezer or fridge to act as a deodorizer. Lastly, use other coffee grounds to plant things in your garden. You can add nutrients that plants wouldn’t otherwise get without the grounds.

Stainless Steel Cleaner

Stainless steel appliances are beautiful. That is, until someone touches them and gets their fingerprints all over them. Buying stainless steel cleaner on a regular basis can add up, especially if you want to keep your kitchen appliances looking great. You can make your own home remedy for stainless steel appliances simply with white vinegar. You just spray the vinegar on the surface and then wipe it away. It’s really that easy because the white vinegar works to dissolve oil left over by fingerprints and other items that come into contact with your appliances.

Shopping

As frugal as you may be, you can’t get around the fact that you have to eat and food can be a large part of your monthly expenses. However, if watched carefully, you can assure that you spend only what’s necessary on your monthly food budget to eat well, but not overindulge.

Coupons

If you’ve ever seen a show where people cut out dozens of coupons every week to save hundreds of dollars, then you may already think that these individuals are among as frugal as it comes. However, the time and effort that goes into cutting coupons can truly be worth the savings that you’ll earn once you go to the store. If you can save a few hundred dollars on your food budget each month, this money can be used elsewhere or saved for the future. Another tip is to buy in bulk. Buying in bulk may mean more money up front, but you can expect to save a lot of money in the long run if you ration your portions and don’t eat the food simply because you have it in your kitchen.

Another way that coupons are great is for restaurants. You can often find coupons that are valid during certain times of the day that will make it worthwhile to eat out by yourself or with someone else. Not only will you be saving money, but you can also enjoy your time out and take a break from always having to cook frugal meals for yourself.

Promotional Periods

There are many people out there who see something they want, and immediately purchase it. But if you are trying to live the frugal lifestyle, than its best to find things that you want and then find the perfect time to buy them. This may mean waking up at 3 a.m. on Black Friday to get great deals, but that is sometimes what must be done; by waiting to buy things that you want (rather than that which you need immediately), then you can save a lot of money and still get the great things that make you happy.

Transportation

Unless you work from home or have someone chauffeuring you around, you are going to need a method of transportation to get places. However, this doesn’t mean buying a gas-guzzling truck that won’t get you more than a handful of miles per tank. When you buy your car, make sure that it’s not only a good price up-front, but also that it will remain a wise investment over the course of its lifespan. Good gas millage, cheap insurance and a reliable car company are all valuable things to consider when purchasing your next vehicle. A bit of an investment up front may play large dividends over the course of 10 or more years.

There are many people who live frugally on a regular basis and get by just fine. In a society where everything seems to be very materialistic, yet job security is a thing of the past, it is important to realize what is truly important in your life. With just a little bit more effort, you can save a few dollars here and there, which will add up to tremendous savings over the course of an extended amount of time. Consider the tips on this list and watch your finances on everything that you spend, and you can make the frugal lifestyle work for you.

Chapter 4- What Is Repurposing and How Does It Work?

Do you like to save everything? Are you someone that is frequently caught saying "I'll need that one day..."? Of course you are! You just have to get a plan together and get the motivation to start.

Repurposing is when you take one thing and use it for something else. It is a great tool to use when trying to recycle, or to simply save money.

I've made a list of 7 things that I have kept hold of to repurpose for other uses. Some of these may surprise you...

Empty Toilet Paper Rolls

I have seen tons and tons of projects online lately using these toilet paper rolls to make beautiful pieces of art. It seemed easy enough.

And so I started to gather the ingredients... I collected up the empty rolls out of the trash can and whenever we cleaned out a roll. I even took some from my mother's house in anticipation of needing extras.

The project that I had in mind included cutting the tube in circles (short cylinders) the short way. At that point the sides could be glued together in flowering patterns, branching off into groups of petals, leaves, and swirls.

It can then be easily hung due to its lightweight It extruded off of the wall, creating an extra dimension to the piece. This is a repurposed object that is sure to be a conversation starter.

Use Foods to Clean

There is so much hype surrounding the safety of both our foods and cleaners. Is organic safer? Will this restaurant kill me? Should I eat this? Will this cleaner give me cancer?

With all of these questions it has brought to light with it an excellent way to repurpose food products into all natural cleaning products that are harmless.

Lemons are a powerful source of acidity, which can help cut through and kill bacteria. White vinegar can clean most anything. It has the ability to relieve odor and cut through grease and mildew. Mix with water and let set on a carpet stain to remove. Use orange peels in the garbage disposal for cleaning and deodorizing.

Old Clothes

There are so many ways that old clothes can be repurposed. One of the easiest ways to repurpose an old piece of clothing is to view it as simply as piece of fabric. Let your mind run wild with any sewing project you would like to attempt. How about a nice tote bag from that old rock band t-shirt? Or turn it into a pillow case?

Instead of looking at the old clothing as fabric, get creative! It can be cut into strips and woven into a rug. Or it can be looped and knotted into an infinity scarf. Scraps can be turned into blanket squares, Raggedy Ann dolls, or diaper covers.

Plastic Bags

What better way to say the world than to recycle? Plastic bags seem to accumulate everywhere in my house... under the sink, on the kitchen table, in the laundry room, etc. That is when I came across the idea of using plastic bags as yarn in crocheting projects! It was simply a brilliant idea that I loved to do. I made several items out of this unusual material, my favorite being a circular rug for my mom for mother's day. She loved it! It was unusual, creative, and easy to clean!

This got me to thinking about other options there are for plastic bag crafts. With just a little bit of research I uncovered a whole can of worms. The most beautiful and innovative use that I have seen so far is how some people use a fusing technique to creative custom sheets of plastic "fabric" that can be used to make rain coats or tote bags.

Of course it doesn't stop there. Plastic bag flowers and pompoms can make cute and free decorations at a party!

Paint Chips

One of my favorite repurposed items is the paint chip sample. Paint chips can be found at most stores that sell paint by the gallon. And the best part; they are free! Now, I'm not suggesting that you go and stuff your pockets with all the paint chips you can find! You may have paint chips already at home, or you may be willing to go grab a couple from your local hardware store.

Paint chips are free and come in just about any color. Why is this so amazing? Think of how much scrapbook paper costs. And card stock. These items don't always come in the right shade of whatever color you want. And it can get pricey!

Paint chips can be used to cut out shapes to use in card making or scrapbooks. They can also be used to make neat gift tags. Fold them into miniature boxes. Use them in artwork.

Plastic Bottles

Don't throw away those plastic bottles! I've got some ideas for you. One year I realized just how many water bottles that I was consuming every day (about 3). This meant that I was wasting well over 1000 empty plastic bottles every year! This astounding me when I think about it; it is also put into motion one of the hardest projects I have ever completed--the water bottle Christmas tree.

I saved up all my water bottles one year, spent hours upon hours gluing them together. When it was finally done, I strung lights down the middle of the column to illuminate it. It was a beautiful and proud moment for me.

Plastic bottles can be used for so many repurposing ideas. Gardening comes to mind. They make great temporary planters. They can be transformed into vases or a miniature greenhouse. Turn them into bird feeders. Cut them into flower shapes and spray paint to make a garden that will never die.

Newspaper

Newspaper is another one of those things that I have trouble throwing out. Of course it can be used for so many things that my hording tendencies take over. Useful things that come in handy: using it for gardening, wrapping paper, or as a drop cloth.

Thinking outside of the box, try using it in some unique crafts. Newspaper is the main ingredient in paper mâche. Why not make a piñata for a birthday party or other celebration? Piñatas are easier made than most would think, so why not give it a try? Usually the materials needed are a newspaper, a balloon, flour/water for paste, tissue paper for decoration, and glue to attach the tissue. Detailed directions can be found on the internet in numerous tutorials.

Another outside of the box idea is to use newspaper clippings as fingernail polish. The neat thing about this is that everyone else will be trying to figure out how you got words scrawled across your nails.

Chapter 5- Best Foods to Grow In Your Vegetable Garden

There is nothing more economical than growing your own food. It is a task that takes some effort, muscle and dedication, but the bounty is well worth the effort. Growing your own food gives you the opportunity to grow what you like and control how it is grown. You have the ability to use the growing agents of your choice and eliminate the use of harmful pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers.

The first two things to consider when deciding to grow food in your own vegetable garden is the type of foods you and others like to eat, the choice of foods that grow well in your climate area and whether you plan to sell or give away food you grow. It makes no sense to grow an over abundance of food, unless you plan to give excess food away, set up a road side stand and sell it or preserve the leftovers.

Gardens are not only a plot of land that is tilled, raked and planted, but a garden can be a series of large containers filled with the appropriate types of soil. Container gardening is ideal for those with a penchant for growing, but who have limited space. For those who live in apartments, condos or homes with small yards will find container gardening to their benefit.

Growing your own food gives you the advantage of picking fresh vegetables and fruits for a salad or light meal. The nutritional value is at its highest when picked, but that value diminishes quickly after harvest as the sugar content turns to starch.

There are a great number of vegetables that can grow in most climates and there are those that grow better in some climates than others. It is possible to replicate climate by constructing an environmentally controlled greenhouse.

Some of the best foods to grow includes broccoli. It is easy to grow in a plot of land or a container. The underlying soil should be at least 12 inches deep, which means the container or the tilled soil must be that deep. Broccoli can be started in doors during the cold months, and transplanted outside after the last frost. Broccoli is rich in calcium, magnesium, iron and vitamins A, B6 and C.

Peas are another terrific food product that is easy to grow. Pea sprouts need to be sown 2 inches apart and the soil must be at least 10 inches deep. Peas are climbers as they grow and a pole or piece of lattice must be provided for the peas to climb and flourish. Peas are high in fiber, potassium, magnesium and iron along with vitamins C, B6 and A.

Beans of any kind, including kidney, northern and navy beans, are easy to grow and make a great addition to salads, soups, casseroles and stew’s. Bush beans grow best in containers, but all other beans can be grown in a container or a plot of land. Beans need to be spaced 4 inches apart and the soil should be at least 12 inches deep. Beans grow in pods and they should be left on the vine to dry out before harvesting. When the shells are light brown in color, they are ready to be removed from the vine and shelled. After the beans are shelled, let them sit out for a few days before storing them for later consumption or preserving. Dry beans are high in phosphorous, manganese, fiber and iron.

Another easy food product to grow, but one that is an acquired taste for a lot of people, is Brussels sprouts. If Brussels sprouts are over cooked they take on an almost bitter taste, but when prepared correctly they ate tender, sweet and delicious. The sprouts grown on stalks, much like beans, but the stalks are substantial and they are able to support the growth without any support. Soil for the sprouts should be at least 16 inches deep and the plants should be spaced at least 12 inches apart. If grown in containers they should be grown one plant to a container. Brussels sprouts provide vitamins C, B6 and A, as well as riboflavin, potassium, magnesium and fiber.

Most people get into gardening and grow food for the express purpose of growing tomatoes. A nice, ripe tomato is an asset to a salad, sauce, soup and even a sandwich. The depth of soil for tomatoes depends on the type of tomato being grown. Cherry, dwarf or patio tomatoes require soil at least 8 inches deep while all other types require at least 12 inches of soil. Tomatoes grown in a container should have at least 18 of soil. Tomato plants can be started indoors during the cold weather months and transplanted out of doors after the first of June. Plants should be spaced at least 12 inches apart.