Firewood Hoarding/Homesteading/etc....

Not homesteading like some are talking about, but I had a "forced" simplification after my divorce....zero cash...long story, but literally zero.

Downsized in every imaginable way. Since then I've found out it was for the better, and I'm MUCH happier leading a much simpler lifestyle.

It's made every little gain and accomplishment that much sweeter. Wood burning is a real example of how we live. Self reliant, hard work, and simple pleasures.

Go and pursue that dream. I doubt you will regret it and you will learn even more about yourself.

 

It's farming. Be proud. Homesteading is a naïve hipster term. Nothing wrong with farming. People have been doing it since the beginning of time. There was a trendiness that swept the nation back in the mid 2000s and I admit I was part of it. Then I realized I was doing the same thing my farmer relatives and current country neighbors were doing. Lol. Hobby farms, homesteading, victory gardens, etc. = family farming.

Fact, almost all farmers have full time jobs on the side. Really research "off gridders". They are hooked up to the world in some form and aren't that off grid.

The trendy small homes or build it yourself deals...super expensive in the North and Midwest once you get down to the cost factors and regulations. Most of those people have money, someone is allowing them to use utilities, or someone gave them land.

 

I understand your perspective, and it is largely true. But homesteading (in the modern sense) implies more than farming, it is choosing a different way of life, not just choosing a different profession.

Greg

 

Picked up a Foley food mill today.

 

We are working some of our land that is starting to produce for us. Just with selling firewood, logs, and food from our garden, it is providing heat, some cash income, and some vegetables for us. We WILL expand this much further over the years so that when we retire we will continue with plenty of enjoyable work that will provide needed income and pleasure. Simpler= Gooder. However, I will have comfort.

 

Butcher you never need to say you are sorry to me. Honest, straight shooter talk is what I look for. Far too many people I work with and now can't be bothered to give you an honest answer. From your posts, I can tell you are a straight shooter. Thank you for your comments.

 

I don't know if I am the only one that does this, but I often go back to threads that interest me and read each and every post over. Including my own. Often I'll pickup on a comment I missed from the first time.

Reading things twice is something I've done just about all of my life. Every book I've read for pleasure has been read twice. With no exception. Right now I am in the process of reading The Corp series by W.E.B. Griffin for the second time. Constantly I find myself saying I don't remember that.

I have several books on homesteading and square foot gardening. Those books will be re-read again soon.

As for farming, my favorite author is Joel Salatin, Polyface, Inc.. He's an amazing wealth of knowledge.

 

Daryl I didn't know the term homesteading is a hipster word. When I think of homesteading, I think of the pioneers that settled this country. The word simpler is thrown around, and I am guilty of using it. When I personally look at the rat race I'm in day to day, homesteading/family farming or whatever term you want to apply seems romantic. Again with the ideals and the sugar plum fairy dreams. No homesteading/family farming is not an easy life by any means. In fact, I view it to be 10 times harder that what I do today. However; I can tell you that my current life does not make me happy. Yeah it pays great, but money is not everything. In fact, the more one can do for themselves the better. My dad told me that you need to love what you do for work. I no longer love what I do for work. Yes I am very good at what I do, but it's no longer fun.

 

Money is everything and farming will teach you that. You will need a job to farm unless you have a serious nest egg and one that will continue to fund the hobby. Heck, even the Amish do not live off the grid.

 

I hear this a lot. I understand the idea but I don't necessarily agree and you explained exactly why. You end up turning something you love to do in to drudgery and it is no longer fun because you are required to do it to earn money. I would say, be interested in what you do for work, be good at it, take pride in doing the best job you can, but be wary of turning your passion in to your livelihood, it'll steal your soul.

 

I hope to use the money I work for everyday to pay everything off before I retire. And also by then, have the most important of the machines/gadgets that make the physically harder things to do easier, owned and paid for as well. The most important being a tractor I have already have, but it will be several more years before that is paid for. But I will be working for another 10 years at least. Probably 15. Then will continue to work, but that will be doing what I want and when I want. Much of that will be working the land and bringing in some income that way. That is enjoyable stuff.

 

Not intending to live off the grid. Not sure where that came from. I also realize that I'll need to work. However; with changes in our life style, spending habits, self reliance, the need for a 6 figure salary goes away. I'd love to take a job locally. Something within a 15 minute drive. the last time I had something like that was in college. Outside of college none of my jobs have been shorter than a 45 minute ride.

The key for me is remove much of the extra unnecessary crap. In essence the rat race. Reduce, reuse, do it yourself.

 

Good post good read great input.. sadly the days of wanting to build your own farm around here are over.. spoiled turds inherit the land buildings and equipment(jealousy admitted) i have 2 acres with neighbors @ 250 feet on each side. Which limits how smelly i can make it. I have limited myself to chickens and possibly 2 hogs or 2 goats down the line. A garden for sure and self regulating existing 1/2 acre pond is nice. Make the most of the little things. I think a much smaller just a few animals and decent garden once established will be very rewarding. And knowing i cant afford 1million $ 90-100 acre plot slaps me with reality every time i day dream
Even 20 acres of rotten ground around here goes for stupid money. And big farms swallow up any chance at going a tad larger. They are dropping wooded acerage around here like crazy its sad