Off Grid and Finance! Part 3.
This will be my final Blog relating to living Off Grid.
In my previous Blogs, I have tried to put into context the reality of living such a life, and the importance of researching it as much as possible before taking the plunge.
Having been brought up for part of my life in an off grid setting, I can only speak through the eyes of a child. It was a magical existence which encapsulated living within the natural world, benefiting from having animals and following country pursuits, and the joy of it all has never left me.
However, I was blissfully unaware of how much of a struggle it was for my parents to eke out a living, and the obstacles that they encountered.
At that time, many people lived off grid simply because their rural homes were not connected to central utilities, so was out of necessity rather than a lifestyle choice.
It was an accepted way of life, but it could be arduous as no labour saving help, and everything had to be done by hand.
As the years passed, most homes were converted, so that nowadays, off grid properties are in the minority, often being in remote locations and requiring major alterations.
That has given way to the stereotype, but there are many properties and forms of accommodation around the world which are perfectly functional and comfortable, but due to various factors require alternative services to be in place.
Until very recently, living off grid by choice in the U.K. was seen as a sort of new age, hippie idea, where individuals shunned mainstream life in favour of a more bohemian, spiritual one. This was often part of a communal ideology which attracted like minded people.
To date, the reasons are changing, and factors such as difficulty in accessing housing, pressures from stress affecting mental health, feeling unfulfilled due to the fast pace of life or a wish to live within and preserve the natural world, are attracting a different mix of people.
I have already discussed the things that I would consider to be important, such as location and property with or without land, which may be purchased or rented, before embarking on such an adventure.
Also the need for everyone to be on board with the lifestyle choice.
Necessities which are needed such as water management, energy producing systems and waste disposal have to be realistic.
Changes, including financial ones, will have to be made to a current lifestyle, to fit in with an off grid one.
Although part of the off grid philosophy may be to see money becoming less important in favour of a more sustainable life, it still plays a part.
The longer an off grid lifestyle is in place, possibly less finance will be required as various plans and enterprises may literally bear fruit and bring about more self sufficiency.
However, unless individuals want to totally hide away from the world, there will be times when money is required, and the challenge is how to make some.
I touched on the idea of working on line, or continuing a current job from an off grid location as options.
However, there are many other ways to generate some income without leaving the property.
Once again, the internet may be your friend.
Arguably it is not really the most off grid facility as it is total technology of the modern world, but it doesn`t look as if new off gridders see it like that as it is usually one of the first things they wish to install.
It is game changer, as in the early days before produce and livestock can be utilized, even a simple blog on how the new life is being set up can be uploaded to YouTube.
Perhaps a course or book on how to prepare and set up an off grid lifestyle could be easily produced and sold.
If the property is large enough and has an extra room, or has a mobile home to spare, it can be rented to someone local or to interested parties who wish to learn more about living off grid.
As the off grid movement is expanding, there may be an opportunity to do a bit of paid networking giving talks, or being linked to a school to give some classroom input and host visits.
Once initial adjustments are in place, there may be some produce available for sale.
Obvious ones such as eggs, home made baking and preserves are always popular, especially if near a market of some sort.
Chickens are popular, and if hatched and reared to certain stages and sold on, can be quite lucrative.
Honey is extremely popular as its health properties are becoming increasingly well known.
It is worth investing in a hive or two, and although patience and management have to be perfected, the results are wonderful, and can command a good price.
Live stock may include goats or sheep. Milk and cheese can be used for domestic use and also sold.
Sheep fleeces can be used as building insulation and if very crafty, the wool can be dyed and spun. Sadly this under used natural resource makes virtually no money on a commercial basis.
If keeping livestock, it is wise to be up to speed with legal requirements for some animals, especially if selling produce.
Foraging has become very trendy, but obviously one has to know how, where and what to forage.
There is plenty of information available, and it may be that restaurants will pay for a fresh supply of herbs and plants as it may not be possible for their staff to have the time to access them.
I would also include mushrooms. There is a healthy market out there, but one really has to be knowledgeable as mushrooms can literally be deadly.
In the autumn there will be plenty of blackberries, rowan berries, elderflowers / berries and sloes to mention but a few. These ingredients are totally free and can be the basis of lots of jams, chutneys, wines and recipes. However , anyone new to foraging and berry picking should always check how these things should be handled, cooked and if they are safe to eat.
Growing fruit, flowers and vegetables is usually a mainstay for living off grid.
Not only is it a supply for the household, but it can be a source of income.
By investing in a polytunnel for protection, a huge variety of things can be grown successfully from very early on.
The variety and volume can be increased each year.
Depending on how much land you have access to cultivate, it may be that hay or cereals can be produced.
If livestock are part of the plan, feeding them has to be factored in, so producing food and bedding can be cost effective and perhaps sold to others.
You may rent out small areas for other people to grow produce, like an allotment system.
Crafts and hand made items are always popular and can be sold online to a wide market.
Wood carving and making walking sticks are things I remember from my childhood.
Candle and soap making have had a revival.
If you have access and the permission to chop wood, a home delivery service can be profitable.
Gardening for others is always in demand, from grass cutting to heavier work.
If you are lucky enough to have a mini digger, this can be a profitable resource.
Joining "Off Grid" groups can be very helpful and supportive as a great deal can be learned from like minded people.
Other groups are useful too as it gives the opportunity to spread the word about your own set up and it can generate many contacts.
There may be many other creative ideas which may suit individuals as everyone is different, but that is part of making a success of living off grid.
There are the off grid purists who obviously want to live totally without any modern conveniences, and those who allow little bits of their previous life to filter in.
It really depends on your own mindset, and what the objectives are.
Many would criticize having the internet and mobile phone signal or an electric washing machine.
To really go back to absolute basics is almost impossible as for example, the pipes which would take water from its source to the property, will be made of some sort of flexible material which will no doubt contain plastic, which would not be acceptable to many.
Previously there would either be no such thing and water would be transported by hand in containers, or clay pipes may have been used. It is debatable how many people today would opt for the former method.
Everyone must find their own level. If mankind had not moved forward we would still be living in caves.
However we have definitely moved too quickly, and now feel the need to find a bit of balance, but it is up to each individual to find the balance that suits them and so improve their life.
What most off gridders will be aiming for is a reduction in stress and getting off the frenetic merry go round that has become life for so many.
Living off grid can certainly improve life in every direction as one is using their body and senses to do what they were intended to do.
However, one has to be realistic. It is hard work, and can have down sides. Making a success of it all will take trial and error, persistence and commitment.
The aim is to create a feeling of contentment and pride having looked after everything that you have achieved and produced, and making adjustments as you go along to suit your needs, whilst appreciating all that is around you.
