Self Sufficiency

Modern self sufficiency is a kind of independence where you supply as many of your own needs as possible. The degree to which you attain self sufficiency depends on where you live and your personal circumstances.

If you have a small piece of land you can do quite a lot by way of growing your own food. If you are in an apartment block this may be more difficult but there are ways if you explore communal land or even get tubs or plant pots on balconies or sunny corners in the living areas.

At the very least you should try to grow a few vegetables. Grow as much as you can if you have plenty of space. You may even have enough to sell your surplus. Fruit and nut trees would be great to grow if you are in the country. Here you can also raise some livestock particularly chickens and maybe a pig and some sheep. The food bill can be greatly reduced with a little effort and a lot of personal satisfaction.

A lot of other things on the family shopping list can be done away with. Many of the cleaning products you now use can be substituted with elbow grease plus the cleaning basics like baking soda and vinegar. In this way you can reduce your shopping list by a healthy amount.

Energy is another expense but there are numerous power alternatives out there if you do a bit of research. The initial cost can be difficult but many countries subsidize the expense of installing these power savers.

Pedal power can replace the motor car if you have the personal energy and the distances are not too great. If you do use the car think about hooking up the cars battery to a 12 volt lighting system which could be easily installed through the house to save on electricity. The battery then gets properly recharged when you use the car the following day. Just do not run it completely flat.

Do not incur more debt and pay off what you have got as quickly as possible using the money you have saved on the household expenses.

Finally reach as high a degree of self sufficiency as possible and sit back and benefit from a great feeling of relief and independence. Let the world do what it will; you have moved your family to a safer place.

Start thinking and start adjusting other life expenses that you may have, like memberships and cable TV. The list may be long but how much of this stuff do really need? Be ruthless and throw them out. Form informal groups with friends and substitute your own entertainment and fitness clubs. You never know you my uncover all sorts of other side benefits.