From Feb 2002
We have been hosting some wanna-be homesteaders in our driveway. It has
driven us all nuts. Maybe you can learn something from this. We have learned
a lot of lessons from them. This is hard-earned advice. Our driveway dwellers
are such a perfect example of what NOT to do.......
1) do not move far away from family and friends....find a place you like in
your favorite state
2) do not buy up homestead junk for "someday" then drag it around the
country. It will cost more in transportation and storage than what it's
worth. Until you are settled, you really don't know what is needed
3) don't spend a penny you don't have to. Look up what the typical disabled
or welfare recipient gets and live on that....after all, they are expected to
live on it. Anything more and you are wasting money. It makes you realize the
necessities versus the junk. Save the rest.
4) Never run out and buy something. Sleep on that thought. Analyze the
product. Read reviews. Make sure you *really* have to have it. Freeze your
credit cards in ice.
5) Act now like you intend to act as a homesteader. You will not miraculously
change when you move.
6) Don't buy the cheapest land you can find. You will live there many years.
Access to your house, ease of getting to town and nearby services get more
and more important. You might save a few thousand on land and then pay the
difference yearly on vehicles, travel, higher prices, etc.
7) Make sure you make your needs and wants known to friends and newspapers
and radio programs. Have lists. If you want to build a greenhouse, start
gathering free windows and scrap lumber NOW. Keep your eye out at garage
sales, etc.....but don't buy junk you might need that you have no plans for.
8) Quit whining about wanting to do something. If you really wanted to, you
could be doing it right now. Maybe one part of your mind wants to and the
other doesn't. Be honest with yourself.
9) Life is short. Yours could end tomorrow. If you think it's
important.....DO IT TODAY!!!!! Don't wait for a time when the planets are
going to align for you.
I think enjoying life is key. Nothing is more important than family, then
friends, then reaching out to others. I think people who have too many tasks
and run themselves ragged are crazy. No kid has to belong to every club and
activity that comes along....neither do the adults. It doesn't matter where
you live....you can lead a much more leisurely life.
I have never understood the folks who want to homestead, but put it off while
saving money. Just sell all your crap, buy 5 or 10 acres and go live there!!
A homestead doesn't need to be out in the middle of nowhere....and I think
that in most cases, the people who go way out there are making a mistake.
