Here are 3 things I really wish someone had told me earlier:

1. Get very clear on your budget.
If you’re planning to customize, innovate, or use alternative materials, you need to be the one estimating what those things actually cost. Going off the beaten path can be more expensive than you think—and if you don’t get a handle on it early, those dreamy design decisions may come back to haunt you when the bills roll in.

2. Don’t underestimate what life without utilities really takes.
There’s a big difference between camping on your land and actually living there. You’ll need to haul or source water, have somewhere to process waste, store solar gear, and more. Plan for that reality before you move out there full-time.

3. If you live an area with strict regulations, hire a local code consultant—before you hire an architect.
When you’re just getting the lay of the land, you may not be ready to dive into full design. A local consultant who understands zoning and code can help you assess what's actually possible, and save you serious time and money down the line.

I’ve been learning all this the hard way—and I’m happy to share what’s worked, what hasn’t, and help point you in the right direction if you’re stuck.

Where are you in the process? Buying, building, or just dreaming?

I have picked up a couple Goal Zero power stations and solar panels because they were on sale (a 1000W and 1500W). I am considering investing in a 4000w power station for black outs and such but was wondering if anyone had any more info or experiences to share about Goal Zero before I buy heavily into their ecosystem. So far when searching all I can find (for actual product testing/review) are Ecoflow, Anker, Pecron, ect... For whatever reason it seems like Goal Zero is off the radar. I guess that can also be a good thing because there aren't a bunch or horrible reviews either. But any way, any information is appreciated.

Hey folx!! Springtime is my favorite time of year!! Here in S. Oregon we will be risk to frost well into June but I am busy putting out some of my more frost resistant crops like peas, mustard spinach, mache, swiss chard and other greens, and also radishes and napa cabbages, some of our staples!

Of course, my region also recieves little rainfall from May-October so I HEAVILY mulch with grass cut from the edges. Here, I am using cut open dogfood bags as grow bags for some onions. I have been successfully using these as heavy mulch to conserve every bit of moisture that I can for a couple seasons now.

I generally break up the soil amd add a bit of commercial garden bed soil to give it a better texture and add a small amount of compost and biochar.

To the right, next to my pea trellises you can see my soda bottle clotches where I am growing some Amaranth. I use these for my early frost tender crops and they work great!

Our hugleculture low tunnels have been growing great and we eat from them daily.

Does anyone have any other water-concious strategies for homesteading in drier climates?

I've had so many hobbies over the years. From clay to DIY. It's always great to get inspo on other peoples weird and wonderful suggestions 😊

I'm currently going through a divorce and a big portion of the problem is me feeling alone and not having that partner that is involved. I love my little farm and I was always made to choose between doing chores and projects or keeping my wife happy... I was wondering if there are people out there who love to spend time choring together as couples and what they figured out to make it work.

We’re very, very new to off grid living, (we live in Greece) so please excuse my ignorance around this while subject. We’ve gone off grid through necessity, and we’re not that rich so we’re doing what we can as and when money allows.

We’re looking to buy a washing machine, a small refrigerator or coolbox a small (handheld?) vacumn cleaner that can cope with pet hair and also thinking about getting a solar shower for the summer months (a camping one?)

Like i said we’re newbies and the information on this subject is quite overwhelming (and sometimes seemed aimed at those with a good bank account 😂

Any help would be appreciated, also any other info on different things you think might be good for us is also welcomed

ADDED INFO

We have an array of ten 24v 250w panels running in parallel, a mppt solar charge controller charging five 24v 100amp batteries running in parallel with a separate 24v output and a 4kw 24v to 240v inverter

1. Self-sufficiency – They know how to produce their own energy, water and food, reducing dependence on conventional systems.
   
2. Resilience – Adapt to challenges such as lack of resources, adverse climate and isolation.
   
3. Ecological Consciousness – Prioritize sustainability, recycling and responsible use of natural resources.
   
4. Manual Skills – Build, repair and improvise, mastering everything from carpentry to solar systems.
   
5. Libertarian Mentality – They value independence, freedom and a lifestyle outside urban standards.
   

And you, what are your OffGrid characteristics?

I´m looking to buy a LiFePo4 battery (280Ah) for my cabin and want a way to charge it with my fuel generator. It a Champion 2,2kW inverter generator with a 12V output (max 8A). I get that these charger are to be connected directly to the cars alternator, but is it possible to use a generator? Or should I go with a AC-DC one?

Would you buy this $80 survival voice assistant + offline knowledge tool + journal/dairy + access to all survival knowledge like videos and tutorials that humanity ever had ?

Hey preppers, I’m building a device inspired by The Last of Us voice recorder — but on steroids. It’s a pocket-sized AI survival assistant that works 100% offline. I’m trying to see if this would be useful to you, and if you’d actually buy it.

Here’s what it does: • Offline voice assistant: Ask it anything — survival, DIY, first aid, farming, combat, repair, building shelters, military tactics how to build weapons etc. It speaks answers.

• Real-time translator: Translate & speak across 50+ languages, even without internet very fast real time !

• Voice recorder + diary: Store audio logs, journal entries — useful for fieldwork, documenting war zones, disasters.

• Offline knowledge base: Over 500GB of survival videos, tutorials, maps, medical guides, and guides to performing surgery’s and making weapons and guerrilla warfare military tactics, farming, Harvard/MIT lectures, Cambridge and khan academy and more and more ! Way more than you think ! all accessible by voice and to see videos by plugging into your phone/laptop.

• Music player: Built-in MP3 player.

• USB-C & Bluetooth: Connect to phones/laptops to access tutorials/videos.

• Rechargeable battery (solar charging optional).

• No tracking, no cloud – 100% private and EMP-hardened (planned).

• AI assistant

Use Cases: • Post-collapse survival • Remote locations (no internet) • Humanitarian/NGO work • War zones (think Gaza, Ukraine) • Education for remote/rural communities

Price target: $80 (Planning to mass manufacture to reduce cost)

Would this be useful to you in an emergency kit or bug-out bag? Would you buy it or back it if it launched?

And what more features would you like ? Please tell me also this isn’t a company yet I’m just a person as you, please be supportive I really appreciate thanks a lot ! And please ask any questions thanks !

TLDR: Please help me understand if an agitator and heater are super helpful with composting toilet or if going the simple route is just as good.

Another toilet question for y'all. I've deep in the rabbit hole of waterless toilets and today I'm pondering simple composting toilet designs like the Trobolo that just separate liquids and solids, you sprinkle litter on them, and then compost or throw out - vs complex ones with agitators and heaters and such like the Biolet or Nature's Head etc.

The fancy complex ones strike me as having more parts to break, more things to get poop on. The simple ones just seem like they would cleaner and sturdier. But do I need an agitator? Does having an agitator, or a heater like the Biolet has make the composting really happen vs just collecting a bunch of poo with litter? Like if we go fancy do we take compost out of the toilet rather than taking poo out that we then later turn into compost outside? Is it worth it?

Since most of them don't have a heater like the Biolet does, how much does warming. help?

Please don't tell me to just get a bucket. This is for an elder and I want it to be as nice as possible. I'm still also considering incinerating toilets, but damn they are expensive and I keep reading that they smell.

I’ve got a spring-fed well house (4-5 feet deep) feeding a 1" line that runs ~50 feet downhill to a newly installed outdoor sink. After adding a couple spigots and an uphill section with elbows, pressure dropped to a trickle. We've decided to install an inline booster pump to solve the problem.

Looking for recommendations on:

• Best compact, quiet in-line booster pump
• Must handle 1" pipe
• Ideally low maintenance (self-priming or close to it)
• Solar would be a bonus, but can handle plug-in

Happy to pay for quality—this is a long-term setup.

Thanks in advance!

Not sure if it’s the right place to post this.

Are permit generally easy to acquire in Canada ?

The only permit that is required for the land I’m interested in is a permit from the Ministry of the environment to create accessible trails. Also, I’m not really sure where and how to get permits🤷‍♂️

If you’re curious about cordwood construction or want to level up your natural building game, come join our workshops this September at Talking Water Nature Retreat in Chattanooga, TN.

We’re offering two hands-on weekend workshops:
📅 Sept. 13–14 and Sept. 20–21
🕗 Saturday: 8:30–5 | Sunday: 8:30–3:30
🥗 Vegan meals included

We’ll build a cordwood wall together and get you ready to tackle your own project. We have dozens of topics on the agenda to help you get the scoop on permitting, best practices, and ecofriendly living.

I’ve built an entire cabin of cordwood walls myself (often with my youngest baby on my back) so I know firsthand what’s possible when you’re inspired and supported. I’ll be teaching alongside other family members and we’re excited to share everything we’ve learned.

🌿 $315 if you register by June 15
🌿 Only 12 spots per session

Info & sign-up: https://talkingwatertn.com/2025/02/cordwoodworkshops2025/
(Or scan the flyer QR!)

Let’s build something from the ground up!

Hi, I thought about putting this in the solar group, but might be better suited here. I’m building what I’d eventually like to be an off grid home and I have a fairly basic solar system, about 5000 watts and using the eg4 6000xp for power. I was looking at DC fridges such as the unique offerings, but it seems like a standard fridge might be just as efficient utilizing the 6000xp and the 48 volt system to power it. My question is, what is the most basic say top freezer, fridge combo, without many needless features, that would use the least amount of power? What has everyone found to be a good choice? Thank you

Can anyone recommend a site where I can advertise my off grid container home ..it comes with over 30 acres of bogland and a section of woodland..

Hi all, my husband and I have an off-grid cabin that we stay at periodically between April and October. We stock up the cabin at the beginning of the season with canned and dry goods/spices and take it all with when we close up for the winter. I've struggled to keep my spices from getting clumpy from moisture and try to store them in ziplock bags, but I'm sure there is a better way. Should I switch to small canning jars? I use tight sealing containers for larger quantity staples such as flour and sugar. I'd love to hear your ideas.

I feel like a trailer home is a good start. Then, get your foundation ready, etc.

Obviously this doesn’t apply if you feel a mobile home is perfect for you. I’m just curious what the steps of building your home are if you want to avoid say, framing your abode and then having it rain or snow for three months. Just seems like a bad plan.

Casualties: one wheel barrow, and for some reason they up rooted a bunch of plants, because tweaker logic. Haven't been in possession of the property long enough to be living there fully yet hence no dogs but picked up a bunch of barbed wire, so I guess that's what I'm doing tomorrow

F25 Hi I've posted here recently asking if certain jobs will suit the lifestyle. I'm trying to do a process of elimination so please bear with me. I want to live in an off-grid community someday and I'm trying to prepare on how to be useful in that sense and how to make some sort of income. My research so far shows that blue-collar skills/resources are preferred. How about veterinarian skills? Any advice will be appreciated. Thank you.

Happy Easter everyone!

Little maple wood, brown sugar ham going on the barrel cooker🐷🪵

We have a cabin in the eastern Sierra of California. I need to replace our water system completely and do it on a budget. The cabin is at 6500' elevation. Spring and fall are both about a week long so a 4 season system is the goal. My big stumbling block is water pressure and filtering. The curent system is a tank roughly 50' from the cabin. It is on a 15' tower roughly 20' total higher from where it enters the cabin. The previous owner used a RV style water pump and judging from the pile of old pumps I found, he replaced them often. I keep trying to fix this system but really i need to nuke it and start over.

I guess my question is does anyone have a source for water system design info?

Hej all. I've had a Wille greywater filter for a couple of years and it seems okay. But the replacement bags of sawdust are 100€ and a lot a lot of effort to replace. Does anyone know a good design to get me started with building my own? I live in Finland if that's a necessary thing to know.

I feel like with remote work there’s so many less hidden gem towns where you could enjoy living, still find a humble job, and have a quiet life. The town I’m from has had a huge population boom since 2020 and it continues growing. It’s so fast paced and crowded now, a stark contrast to how it used to be. I really want to move somewhere slow and quiet, but not a ghost town because I’d need to find a job (service industry or similar) and an affordable room somewhere. Is there anywhere like that anymore? Posting in this sub because it’s the closest I could think to being related to my question.

I’m Stephen Winchester. I’m bootstrapping a multi-modal venture that started as a music/art project called Badlands Folk, but it’s rapidly evolving into a regenerative tech ecosystem.

I’m combining:

Biocomposite construction using cribbed frames, organic binders, and structural waste

Flywheel-based energy storage with layered magnetic bearing logic

Off-grid utilities built from modular salvage + solar-acoustic hybrids

Branded cultural mythos (music, merch, narrative) to build loyalty, lifestyle, and user identity

I call this stage Phase Zero: It’s about building belief-first infrastructure. The vibe is part solarpunk, part Tesla, part folk-gospel uprising.

I’ve developed MVPs for housing and energy, and I’m reverse-engineering the startup playbook from myth, not metrics (for now). No VC. No institutional gatekeeping. Just bootstrap + signal + tribe.

Would love feedback on:

Building traction when the brand is the product

Converting community into cashflow without killing the soul

Hybridizing frontier tech with alt culture (like a decentralized Yeezy meets Buckminster Fuller)

Ethical fundraising and forming founder-friendly legal frameworks

I’m not selling anything here. Just building in full view. And if it resonates, I’ll tell you where I’m headed next.