[Homestead] Go ld -- feel free to ignore

EarthNSky erthnsky at bellsouth.net
Wed Dec 10 20:53:17 EST 2008


Thanks for responding to the questions...I've got to do some thinking on 
this, but wanted to respond as not to seem rude.  I may write more later.

Clansgian at wmconnect.com wrote:
>>> James...what is the difference between you plying some trade and Ron
>> plying his at a dealership..the difference is a regular income, however
>> small that might be.  
> 
> There is not difference.  There is no meaningful difference in obtaining the 
> required cash by craft trade, job, or farm produce.
> 
> The difference is engineering a life, working toward a life, that requires 
> very little cash.  That means anticipating the emergencies you outlined above 
> and providing for them.  For instance, I know I live in a place and under such 
> trees where the roof can be damaged.  So as not to face roof repairs I sheeted 
> the roof with 1" planks braced to the 2x6 (rough, so actual 2" by 6" or 
> larger) trusses and then that covered with enameled metal roofing.  It would take a 
> very great deal to damage it.
> 
> We know the cow might die any time, not that there is anything wrong with 
> her, but animals do that.  We depend on that cow, so fifteen years ago we plied 
> our trades enough to put back a 401COW fund.  It has been sitting there 
> untouched for a decade and a half but knowing that at any time we might lose her, we 
> prepared for it.
> 
> Likewise since you asked, the county allowed us to put in an 800 gallon 
> septic with 300 feet of line.  But instead we put in a 1200 gallon tank with 900 
> feet of line for the express purpose of not having to dig it up later.  It's not 
> fool proof but it increases our odds.  And at the time only cost about 15% 
> more.  While I'm glad to have it, people have lived without modern septic 
> systems for centuries.  It's a modern luxury for which I was perfectly happy to muck 
> with the modern world to obtain.
> 
> Continual outflow of cash is a mindset that financial world is all too happy 
> for us to think is just the God given way of things.  It isn't.  
> 
>>>  In your homestead
>> world, you might take a long term job to pay for something you need or
>> want, too, like a medical bill.
>>
> 
> Like the other anticipations, we have worked all our lives to not have 
> medical bills. And, what are the odds, we don't have any.  
> 
> Bev, it's just my view, although I see so very much that confirms it, that we 
> have gotten ourselves into a mental state where we see debt and being behind 
> as the lot of our mortal lives.  During the time you were a child, who ever 
> borrowed money to do anything but buy a house and then it was something that 
> gnawed and ate at most people until they paid it off .... early.   That's why, 
> says I, that we are hearing the Prez panic and wet himself at the idea that 
> credit for everyone will dry up.  That's why the country is willing to go into 
> hock itself for $8T just so a few banks can continue to make loans.  We are 
> always looking behind us at the financial trail we've left in our wake rather than 
> looking forward to what we anticipate we might need.
> 
> I'm likely to do a post on this, but let me say that the reason I preach and 
> pontificate on the homesteading model I advocate is that if you have your 
> food, a place to live, and a way to heat it and cook your food without having to 
> stoke those ongoing operations with cash ... you become a financial superman.  
> So what, then, if you have a mortgage or medical debt?  You are running 
> without cement shoes on now, you can devote virtually all you cash, no matter where 
> it comes from, to eliminate those things.
> 
> But if just keeping the homestead going enough to feed you, keep you warm, 
> and put a roof over your head takes most of your money ... how can you ever 
> anticipate being free of it.
> 
> These realities went into every single homestead decision we made.  When it 
> came to two ways of doing things, one that involved cash and one that didn't, 
> we ALWAYS chose the non-cash way.  Now it might not seem so right off the nail, 
> but almost every "more efficient", "labor saving" way of doing something 
> costs more effort in the end.    The cash we haven't spent on tractors, tractor 
> equipment, chain saws, gas powered pumps, roto-tillers, exotic farmstock, 
> anything but utter bottom feeder vehicles, etc, etc. went into one of our mason jars 
> (literal or figurative jars) earmarked for the eventualities we knew were 
> coming.
> 
> Bev, have you not had people stare at you like a codfish when you said that 
> the life on your farmstead was healthier because of the work and good food?  
> Well, that happens all the time when I try to explain that we got where we are 
> as our economic base here not because we are lucky, not because of some unique 
> circumstances, not because all the odds weren't stacked aganst us and we 
> avoided every setback and obstacle.  There is a method to this and it works every 
> time just as surely as eating your homestead fare makes a person healthier than 
> a steady diet of McDonalds every time.
> 
> James


-- 
“Fear is the path to the Dark Side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to 
hate. Hate leads to suffering.”        Yoda	



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