Editor’s Note: The following letter, suggested by a SurvivalBlog reader, is reprinted with permission of Backwoods Home magazine–which was one of my favorite print publications, even a decade before they became SurvivalBlog advertiser.
Dear Jackie,
I have to disagree with your Ask Jackie column answer to Joe Leonetti’s questions about getting started in self-sufficient living in Issue #124 (July/Aug 2010). They missed all the most important points that a “city” person would have to master first. Here are my own suggestions:
Joe, forget thinking “self-sufficient” and start thinking “frugal;” if you have the consume-and-spend mindset so prevalent today you’ll need to do this anyway to prepare for retirement. The excellent news is, many things you’ll need to know no matter where you live can be learned and practiced right in the middle of town, and little by little. For instance:
*Start by preparing all food and beverage at homethen with no frozen foodsthen from scratchthen from storage foods (e.g. canned goods) then with only a stove (no microwave, other gadgets)then without refrigeration (for ingredients or leftovers). If you’re an average urbanite, you’ll save a boatload of money that will help you to…
*Get out of debt completely. Debt is a chain that will imprison you to your current job forever. It may be the single most common reason why people fail at a simplified lifestyle change. Pay as you go with cash, use credit cards only for car breakdowns and other emergencies, and pay the plastic off every month. And speaking of cars…
*Trade your late-model, banker’s-dream for a used, great-condition vehicle that will serve you well on rougher roads (my advice: one without a computer “brain” where everything goes when it goes) and start learning to maintain and repair it yourself. This is a rough lesson but your vehicle is your only lifeline in remote living and doing work yourself will save you more money than almost any other single thing. A car repair class (or full course at your local community college) will also teach you what tools and equipment you’ll need. Then get the car totally paid off. While this is in progress, start learning how to…
*Live without electricity, unlimited running water and central heating. Practice washing laundry, dishes and yourself using very limited quantities of water; use only electronics that have solar chargers; get up with the sun, go to bed when it’s dark, use a flashlight or battery lantern in between. You’ll also find that you need to adjust many household choices to accommodate the new regimethe type of clothes you wear, wearing them more than one day, your soaps, your hairstyle, and a whole lot more. You’ll also need a wooden drying rack, a charming rustic decorator touch for any contemporary condo. Boy, will you ever feel sorry for yourself at times, but once you get good at it, it’s also very empowering. And very soon you’ll figure out that…
*You won’t adapt to everything, so find out what is crucial to continuing and then keep going. Concentrate on paring down your present lifestyle to as little expense, as little stuff and as little time as possible, and then it’s all forward progress. You can also whittle transportation expenses if you investigate public transportation, or…
*Get a durable pair of walking shoes, a big backpack (used) and create a sturdy, homemade wheeled wire shopping cart, maybe even a bike and bike cart. These things may be your lifeline if the car goes kerflooey one time too many. Do shopping on foot or by bike several times a week, in all kinds of weather; you’ll be out in it anyway if you build or garden in a remote area. And speaking of which…
*Now that you’re outside more, start practicing being comfortable inside with no central heating. Turn the thermostat down to 60 and wear long underwear, warm vests, heavy socks, hats, and gloves inside the house. Heavy bedclothes are good here, too, especially a rectangular sleeping bag zipped open for use as a comforter. Scout out every thrift store in your county and find these gems there; if your present lifestyle permits, you’ll need a good selection of warm clothes if you…
*Purchase a used, self-contained (bed, toilet, kitchen) travel trailer or camper and learn your skillscarpentry, wiring, plumbing, gas piping, whateverrestoring it. You can use this for living in when you first move onto your rural landthat’s where the warm clothes come in. When it’s ready, take it out camping frequently for practice. As you sit in the silence, you will also realize that…
*Urban areas have lots of entertainment, but rural areas do not have sports stadiums, multiplex theaters, opera halls, megastores, even chain video rental places. You can’t work all the time and you must learn to entertain yourself in other ways; with solar chargers you can still watch a DVD (for free, no less) obtained from…
*Your regional library that participates in an inter-library loan system, without which you won’t consider moving to the area anyway. Get over any attitudes about libraries being for students and go apply for your card. Then order every book they have on camping, outdoor living, bike repair, cooking from scratch, wood-stove use and the basic design and construction of small homes. Libraries also stock popular DVDs and CDs, magazines and newspapers, and may have public-use computers as well as free wireless access for your own laptop. College libraries may be open to public use as well, and their inventory might include a selection of more specialized periodicals geared to their high-tech classes. Your taxes are paying for it, so you might as well get your money’s worth.
*Lastly, you stated that with your background it would be very easy for you to get into teaching. Begin now getting the proper certification and begin job hunting for weekend or evening teaching spots; it may be harder to break into the field than you anticipated, and if you ever suddenly need new employment, nothing works in your favor like an established track record.
*Now, are you still with me, Joe? Have you thrown down the magazine and run away screaming yet? The majority of these lifestyle-changes can be done even if you’re presently living in a high-rise condo with a view of Manhattan. Bear in mind, the very best hedge against future money troubles is the ability to live well on very little. Think ahead to retirement (just how much will you collect on Social Security?) and start planning now for a total lifestyle that is exactly what fits you and sustainable well into the years ahead. – Liz C. in Washington
(Reproduced with permission of Backwoods Home magazine from Issue 125, Sept./Oct., 2010.)