Five Ways To Prepare For Off-Grid Living

Living off-grid can be very rewarding for those who want to practice a minimalist lifestyle. But how do you make the transition to true off-grid living? If you're starting from scratch, here are some jumping-off points to help you get started.

1. Cut back, and cut out. 

The first step in moving toward an off-grid lifestyle is to cut back on expenses that will keep you from getting the things you need to actually take the plunge. Start by cutting back on things like cell phone data, cable packages, and frivolous spending. For example, if you frequently pick up snacks at the gas station when you fuel up, reduce these splurges and put the money toward paying off debts or starting a savings account. Soon, you'll have enough saved for your own land, and you'll be more accustomed to minimalist living. 

2. Find the perfect place.

Typically, off-grid living requires buying land. If you choose the right land in the right place, you'll find that this style of living is not as hard as you might think. Decide if you want to live off the land, grow your own garden, raise animals, etc., before you put money on a few acres. This way, you'll know what to look for. It's best to make sure that your off-grid land:

1. has good sun exposure. Being in a valley between two hills can be great for feeling secluded, but it won't do much for gathering needed solar energy. Choose land that has plenty of sun for energy gathering.
2. is accessible by normal vehicles. You don't want to be unable to reach the hospital in the middle of January because the road is snowed in. A little gravel or dirt road is fine, but just make sure that the road is in good shape all year round before you buy. 
3. has water. The presence of a river, lake, pond, or other source nearby indicates that you'll have more luck with digging a well. If there is no visible water, be sure to have the land surveyed to make sure you'll have plenty of this resource below ground.

One you have the land, you can save for a tiny home or simply move out to the land using a basic trailer. As you keep saving your money and living simply, you should be able to afford to build a comfortable family home away from the hustle and bustle of city life. 

3. Make a plan for meeting your basic needs.

Some people choose to live without electricity, but going off-grid does not mean that you have to be one of them. You can choose to hire a solar company to install solar panels on your roof and around your property, or you can save money by choosing to buy cabin solar kits and opt for a DIY installation. Either option will work well and will provide you will enough energy for your basic electric needs all year round. Click here for more information on your solar power options.

You should not waste precious solar energy on heating, however. If your land has plenty of trees, you can use a wood stove to keep warm during the winter. If you'd rather keep the trees for a day when other fuel is not available, you can try using propane to heat your home, or even use compost heating.

Besides electricity and heat, you'll also need to decide on food sources. With your land, you can grow extensive amounts of produce during the summer than can be canned, dried, or stored in a root cellar. If you are not willing to hunt for game, you may want to begin by raising a few chickens for eggs or meat. You can feed chickens with grain or corn that you raise yourself.