As always, we have big goals and bigger dreams for our lives in Alaska. Life off grid is not an easy feat and every year what we want and need seems to change. Looking at how far we come and how far we have yet to go can overwhelm at times, and writing these yearly goal lists help us keep everything manageable. And that remains true even when we don’t accomplish everything we wanted. That said, we have a couple hold over goals for 2020, just like we did last year. But first, a recap of how we did with goals from 2019.
Tag: off grid
Sled Dog Slow
How We Have Running Water Off Grid
Do we live off grid? Yup. Do we have clean, drinkable, running water off grid, and on tap? Yup, got that too! I thought today I’d talk about how we cobbled together our water system to create clean tap water off grid.
⇓Check out this video detailing our system!⇓
Three Surprising Places To Find Cheap Homestead Goods
Homesteading is not cheap. From animal feed to fencing (Amazon) to the animals themselves, there are quite a few things a beginning homestead will need. When we first started out we made the mistake of purchasing everything from a big box store. We spend thousands of dollars before we realized we could buy things way cheaper, we just needed to know where to go.
Second-Hand Stores
One thing we’ve figured out is that second-hand stores are often full of tools. Shovels, picks, drills, chainsaws. You name it, a second store probably has it. I’ve even seen a few bigger ticket items at the second-hand stores around here, like tractors. Second-hand stores are also great places to purchase homestead goods because you can usually haggle the price.
Peoples Yards
If there is something in the neighbors’ yard they don’t use that you could, why not ask to buy it? While this may seem somewhat odd, anyone who’s seen the show Pickers (Amazon) knows that it’s worth it to ask. We’ve gotten old trampolines, building materials and even a saw mill this way. It’s also possible to get plant cuttings or seeds and bulbs like this. Even if the person says no, you didn’t lose anything by asking. Just make sure to have cash in hand for an offer!
It seems like Facebook is taking over the world (or at least the internet) these days. We’ve purchased second-hand cars, goats and chickens this way. Facebook is also a great way to get information. Our peninsula has Facebook groups just for animal and garden advice. Take a look around. Maybe there is a group in your area that will be useful. I also find Facebook especially helpful when I have something in mind that I need. It’s easy for responders to tag friends who might know something in the comments. Even if the person reading my question doesn’t have what I need, they usually know someone who knows someone, and I end up getting the things I need.
I’m sure there are a lot of other great places to find cheap homestead items, but these are the main three that we use here. Where do you find your homestead deals?
5 Risks When Living Life By The Tides
One of the biggest challenges of where we live is our access.
We live off-road, and how we get to our home changes by the season. During the fall freeze and spring break up, we are stuck on our property. During winter there is a 4 wheeler trail that, depending on the weather, can be driven on with a truck, wheeler, or snow machine. And during the summer, well, during the summer we live life by the tides.
Living life by the tides brings with it certain risks, and a lot of adventure! Continue reading “5 Risks When Living Life By The Tides”
9 Rules For Prioritizing On The Homestead
Let me tell you, when it comes to creating a daily To-Do list on the homestead, well…. Don’t.
Personally, I’m a list maker. I make them for everything. Chores, books to read, groceries, ideas for blog posts. Even on down to things that made me happy that day. But when it comes to prioritizing on a homestead, keeping to a list is like trying to get ice water in Hell.
A working homestead is like a living, breathing entity. Weekly goals change daily, and daily goals change by the minute. I might get up in the morning thinking I’ll spend sometime chopping wood, only to find that the rabbits poo needs scooped, and the compost needs turned and the chickens need watered and a water run needs made and… To survive on a homestead requires a lot of flexibility in the day to day. Because of this, prioritizing tasks means a lot of shuffling things around as the day goes on! Continue reading “9 Rules For Prioritizing On The Homestead”
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