New to Forum

[TeachMe]

Hello all,

I have recently become more interested in homesteading and self-sufficiency, more so after reading John Seymour's "The Self-Sufficient Life and How to Live It." I think I am drawn to the idea by a desire to be self reliant and not need to work for others. Having grown up in the city, I have little experience with farming and raising livestock. Also, I am a young and broke college student, so it may take a while to begin to take the steps toward self-sufficiency. As of now, my only steps are trying to read and learn and this forum has helped me learn quite a bit even through lurking. In the future, I would like to slowly but surely learn and practice self-sufficiency. Thanks for taking the time to read the post, I look forward to learning more and hopefully getting to know some of you. Have a great day.

[Dink]

Welcome to the forum.

[Sparticle]

I think you'll find no matter where you are in your life, you can always find ways to live more simply. Don't start collecting stuff and debt, read through the sticky posts on the forum and do a search for books. It's good that you are on this path young and can make more informed decisions that will lead you to that self sufficient lifestyle you desire more quickly than some. Also one of the best things you can do for your self is stay healthy (it's cheaper too) and start making friends that are interested in the same thing. There are many here that grew up in the city and some have even traded high-paying jobs for a highly-rewarding life.

When you focus for a long time on a dark piece of the sky, your eyes eventually adjust and you find that it's not dark at all. When you keep focusing on finding information that will help you with your new life; eventually you are surrounded by it.

[Spinner]

Welcome to the forum and feel free to jump in and ask any questions you might have. There's usually someone who can answer just about any question you can think of. Hope you get to start living your dream life soon.

[Shepherd]

Welcome to the forum; a great place to learn!

[Terri]

What is your major?

There is, by the way, a lot of info scattered around on how to get through college WITHOUT a lot of debt. I do not know what year you are in or if it would work for you, but it might make interesting reading.

[MarleneS]

Keep college your first priority. And if you are reading and learning about homesteading while doing that you are way ahead of the game then you actually feel at this time.

I've been giving some thought to the idea of networking with other homesteaders on finding ways to help college students and share the homesteading lifestyle. Even if it's just to offer room and board, in their home, or set up an RV for the student to live in while going to school, and helping around the homesteading a set number of hours each week.

Where are you located? Post and let us know if you are interested in something like that and our members can let you know if they are close enough to where you are going to school to make you an offer

Hugs
Marlene

[kesoaps]

Welcome, TeachMe!

[Windy in Kansas]

TeachMe, welcome to the forums. I don't always take the time to welcome new folk so allow me to also extend the welcome to those that I haven't offered it to previously.

To start off with I am nearly awestruck by your post. To find a young person today that is so articulate and well spoken tells a lot about your abilities, knowledge, and learning capacity. Kudos!

Throughout life there will be a need for money for taxes, insurances, building materials, etc., so I recommend you finish your education. It should serve you to earn higher income for a lifetime.

Look through you college catalog and ask this question of each offering, "Will this class serve me now or later in life?" Will animal science classes help me tend homestead animals? Will plant science classes help me to grow bedding plants in a greenhouse or garden in a hoophouse? Will marketing classes help me sell what I grow or raise? Will industrial arts classes teach me to install my own solar array some day, or build my own house? Will art classes teach me enough that I can market my art to supplement income? You get the idea I'm sure.

Your living situation will dictate whether you can cook or not, but before going out for some fast food lay out the money it will take for the purchase. Ask yourself what you could make at home for less money and if you are willing to do so? A great example is to look at the cost of a 20 pound bag of potatoes and then look at what a fast food place markets each potato for, such as one baked potato or one order of fries? How about the cost of a handful of chips?

If macaroni is your thing, learn to buy cheese powder from a bulk food store as well as powdered milk and make your own from scratch. If you get the right cheese it tastes almost the same of the brand favored by most.

Like stuffing mix? Learn to use stale bread to make your own.

If you drink soda, buy it in case lots at a GROCERY STORE or DISCOUNT STORE rather than individually from a vending machine or at a convenience store. Learn to drink lesser known brands rather than the brands that spend millions or billions on advertising. After all, who pays for that advertising? The same principal applies to almost any goods. Of course discipline is required so that you don't drink more because it is handy or cheaper.

Depending upon your gender, extend haircut intervals by a week or more and get your hair cut shorter when you do get it cut. Saving one haircut per year adds up over a lifetime. Shorter hair also requires less shampoo and less washing time.

If they offer, travel to different parts of the country with college friends to get a handle on where you might like to homestead some day.

Really take a look around campus and the city where you live and observe the plants, shrubs, and trees that you would someday like to grow on your property.

Finally keep some food items at hand for an impromptu chance encounter with Mr. or Ms. right. If there is room in your book bag and you can handle the extra weight, carry a couple of bottles of water and snack items. I can't recommend canned cheese to go with crackers, but you get the picture. Think of what would serve without getting crushed, stale, etc.

Best wishes for a successful lifetime of enjoyment.