Self sufficient living is experiencing a resurgence of interest as many see pollution rising and natural resources being depleted. Many are also turning to this way of life as they consider the economic benefits of learning to live a more sustainable lifestyle. So what is self sufficient living anyway?
Self sufficient living means depending on sustainable resources to supply daily needs. This is in contrast to dependence upon utility and water companies. It also means we'll learn to raise our own provisions and master the art of long term food storage. Many people even learn to make much of what they need for everyday life like soap, clothes, etc..
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.
Here are the major things to think about when considering the option of self sufficient living.
Power - There are several solutions available for helping people to develop alternative energy systems which are independent of the power grid. While many are satisfied with a generator and battery bank for power, this would be the least desirable as it still requires a dependence on fossil fuels. On the other hand, advances in Solar Power technology offer a better, more sustainable, and low maintenance alternative. It does require an up-front investment starting at around $10,000 for smaller systems, but this will of course pay back over time. Two other alternatives for generating your own electricity are wind and micro-hydro (water) systems.
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.
Finally, everybody needs energy to live and for most of us that come in the form of electricity. There are various ways of generating your own power these days such as wind or solar. While many think that a simple gas generator is sufficient for a back up, keep in mind that such a system still requires fuel which might be hard to come by one of these days. Thus something more sustainable is preferable. A small solar power system can cost as much as $10,000 but it's an investment that will pay for itself over time.
For the ultimate in self sufficient living, why not consider relocating to a more rural setting. City life is the least conducive to becoming more self reliant. We'll look more closely at this point in a future article. Many people are making their country living dream a reality with careful planning and persistence.
Conclusion - Self sufficient living is within the reach of most individuals and families if they're willing to invest the time and energy into making it happen. Furthermore, such a way of life positions people to be better equipped to not only take care of themselves in times of need, but also to be of help to others. In this sense, it is truly a responsible way to live, and thus a noble pursuit.
self sufficient living can be your way of life. Learn more at http://www.selfsufficientlivingblog.com.
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