| I Want Self Sufficient Living! |
| Written by Toby Chacone | |
| Monday, 26 July 2010 | |
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With pollution on the rise and economic troubles mounting, more and more people are becoming interested in self sufficient living. Let's take a look at what it means to be self sufficient as well as things to keep in mind when considering transitioning to that lifestyle.
With pollution on the rise and economic troubles mounting, more and more people are becoming interested in self sufficient living. Let's take a look at what it means to be self sufficient as well as things to keep in mind when considering transitioning to that lifestyle. Self sufficient living is a phrase that refers to utilizing renewable sources to supply basic needs. For most individuals, this means a real change from depending upon city power and water. It also means becoming your own grocery store by growing a garden. For the purists, it involves learning to make things we use everyday - like soap and even clothing. Why?... Some are adopting a more self sufficient way of life out of a reaction to the fast paced, high stress lifestyle typical in a metropolitan setting. They see this as a way to simplify their life and adopt a lifestyle that is healthier, both physically and emotionally. Others are doing it as part of a preparedness plan in light of increasing economic and political uncertainties as well as looming threats like natural disaster and even terrorism. So what should we be thinking about when considering transitioning to a more sustainable way of life? Alternative Energy - There are numerous solutions to getting off the grid. Some are happy with a simple, generator and battery setup. However, this still requires gasoline, diesel or propane to sustain the system. A far better method would be something like solar power, which is low maintenance and powered by nature. While it can cost around $10,000 for a small system, that investment will be payed back over time. Other choices include wind and hydro power. Another basic necessity of life is water. Again, most people rely on a community water source. Being self sufficient means you'll establish a water source you can more predictably rely upon, like a well or spring. When doing this, keep in mind what your needs might be, including not only domestic home use, but also agricultural irrigation. For many people, such considerations necessitate having your own land where you can make such developments. We'll get to that in a moment. Water - Self sufficient water systems include wells, springs, and some even use water from other sources like streams or creeks and utilize filtration systems for purification. If you are interested in the latter, make sure you are aware of legal requirements pertaining to use of surface water in your area as this may be regulated. The importance of having your own water system is generally underestimated by most people until they find themselves in a crisis without enough water even for drinking, let alone other domestic needs. Another important consideration is having an adequate water supply for agriculture, which can require more water volume than what is needed for domestic use. There may not be much a person can do about this particular issue unless they own their own property and are in a setting where such options are available to them. In most cases, this means living in a more rural setting where one has the freedom to drill a well or develop other water sources. This leads to the final consideration covered in this article. Homesteading - There's no way around the fact that urban living is the least friendly to becoming more self sufficient. The topic of finding country property is one we'll take up in another article, but keep in mind this can be done with the proper planning and persistence. For sure, rural living is the most ideal situation for becoming more independent. You can experience self sufficient living, enjoying the benefits of becoming independent from utility companies and supermarkets. Keep your dream before you and persevere and a simpler, healthier way of life can be yours. The Article Author: Looking for the freedom of self sufficient living? Check out http://www.selfsufficientlivingblog.com, where you'll find the resources and information you need to get started today. |
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