The least costly (financially or labor-wise) investments to make infrastructure improvements

Hi to all,

Im very excited. I made a random purchase a year ago of a small property and it turned out to be a little gem in the rough. I don't know that it will be my ultimate destination but Id like to try to make some infrastructure improvents
that wont increase my tax burden on it while I'm deciding. Because cash is always tight Id like those improvements to be as close to 0 cost as possible and to make it a better place for self-sufficiency (as a descrete goal). I am already planting 300 plus Apricot, Cherry and Plum seeds, ( near 0 cost)  im sprouting about 6 interesting thorny species to create a perimeter to discourage trespassers and people with sticky fingers (about $15.00 US), I am planning on building a four place rocket-stove, (est cost $30.00?) I'm going to dig and outline a tiered aquaponics system using (temporarily) baby pools as the liners (maybe $40.00).  I was thinking of a stack wood tool shed so I could store tools securely (nothing too pricey) (est. cost unknown but firewood goes for free in that part of the country).  Im thinking also using some of that free cull wood, driving it vertically in the ground, boring out some holes for mushroom cultivation. It might look very esthetic. Coldframes from cast off windows and pallettes covered with sod.   Fishing is great nearby, I guess I could start burying fish heads and offal for my future garden.  Any other real frugal ideas on how to get a head start on a possible future homesite?  

Many thanks, M

Some sort of tree nursery so you can grow hundreds of cuttings you can get for free. They don't have to be super fancy. Just a semi shaded spot where they can get regular water.

Once your cuttings root out, you can plant them there for a year or two before putting them out in the landscape.

Ha! I love the thorny perimeter to discourage trespassing.

😜

I thought of that! That's why Im buying up all the discount cherry and plum seeds in my neighborhood! Ive got pots everywhere!

but Id like to try to make some infrastructure improvements
that wont increase my tax burden

I am shocked when I see a comment like this.
Surely your taxes are not high in reality.
Do people actually take any action to reduce them.

I think it would be good to just improve your place to the extent one is comfortable and not worry about taxes.

Root cellar, could double as secure tools storage while you make improvements.

Appreciate that Robert!

I noted the question to my question and I am astounded that anybody would be shocked by my desire to avoid unnecessary taxes. You know some people inherit money, properties, family homes and businesses,
and some have nothing that resembles a financial legacy built by a previous generation. I'm not affluent, I dont have money to burn and I can not simply "do what I please" without it agreeing with my budget.
That's somebody else's life.  I suspect I'm like alot of people, I've worked much of my life as a wage slave and I'm happy that I am now able to extricate myself from that life and all its trimmings, but it doesnt mean that
I am flush with cash. I dont think I would have posted the above question if money were no object.

I post this because I think that there are people like me out there counting pennies and moving, sometimes inching painfully toward their dream of self sufficiency and life more harmonic with one's true self and Nature.  I work a budget every day, because I must. Doing that has done wonders. I get lots done.  And reducing unnecessary taxes is one of the several things I do. Let me elaborate.

In the jurisdiction where lays my property, there are city, county and state codes which govern building, habitation, infrastructure and defines its tax structure. But a careful reading of those codes reveals some interesting territory which I can exploit as real money savers:  For instance, I would be taxed on a greenhouse but not cold frames. So if one serves the purpose of the other, let me go with cold frames. it also keeps me from having to PAY a building application fee, and having a BUILDING INSPECTOR or ENGINEER on my site approving the work's quality and compliance.  In terms of out buildings, if I keep them to less than 10 feet x 14 feet, I need not apply and pay for a building permit, go through the approval process, have an inspector on my property and the improvements added to my tax bill.  Therefore I will build buildings just a few inches smaller in dimension and I can build multiple buildings too.  Same with fences, some require approval, fees and inspection and add to the tax burden and others like split rail or post and wire fences do not. Please myself? All things within reason.  It pleases me not to be taxed for the privledge of living.

So I hope I'm not taking a tone about this, but frugality and budgeting are a way of life for a good many of us.  If I keep to this, and resist the urge to put up taxable infrastructure willy nilly on my property, in the long run, I will save money and  I will ultimately be able to divert that cash to build the kind of home and homestead that is sustainable and free of many (though not all) of the entangling cobwebs of local government.
 And it doesnt matter if I've only saved $30.00 a year, I go at this with my eyes open, and with a plan.
Best, Mike L


"A Penny saved is a penny earned..."
                                                 Ben Franklin

Someone off another board added

(1)  Trellises for grapes
(2)  Water diversion terraforming
(3) Compost Bins from palates
(4) Hoop House Coldframe
(5) Wood fired bread oven
(6) Batboxes
(7) Make mulch
(8) Rustic Picnic table
(9) Passive Solar Water Heater from windows and metal drum.
10) Improve soil with clover and legumes
11) Build a still. (For spirits)