Hello all I am Michelle

I am looking for way to improve our present living situation. I am a manic depressant with extreme bouts of anxiety. As a result I find it really hard to work. I love people but find that at time I just cant deal with things. My husband doesn't understand but also does not try to force me out to get the job I know I need to help with the finances. So I have been looking for another way to help. I have thought of commune living and self sustainable life styles. And I love the ideas. The issue is of course land. We rent right now and I hate the house. I think it is making things worse but maybe that just me. Anyway I have no clue were to start. I have been looking at anything from small lots around a local lake that are rather cheap to a 75 acre piece of land that is more of a pipe dream. It would take a group to reach out to this one. Of course it is the one I prefer but I have to be realistic. So other than buying the property were do I start? O know I want to be off the grid. This will be cheaper too live and cleaner as well. I have been looking at all types of homes from earth bag to earth ship and love everything I see. I realize there is a way to do it for next to nothing and frankly this is the only way it can happen. Well unless I find a group of like minded people to go in together to achieve a better way of living. Garnishments are keeping us from feeding our family right and this is making my issue even worse. Is there anyone like me that has any suggestions. Please be nice. I know all wont understand what I am dealing with. I don't need criticism I have a mother for that.

Hi, Michelle and welcome to permies.com. You sound very thoughtful about your situation. I hope you are able to find the information here that will help. I definitely understand financial difficulties. My husband and I came to the realization years ago that we were much better at living without a lot of things than at earning the money to have them and so much happier with that freedom. For the moment maybe just having a small garden to grow some vegetables in could save some grocery money and give you the joy of working in the soil and with plants.
Glad to have you here. Judith

Michelle

Some fine people here and lots to learn. Housing and land stuff of course, but also cooking, health, critters, foraging, even business. And more. If you can't jump on top one thing right now, just look around and see what else catches your eye that you can maybe try out with a little time and what you've got around you. When you can't take that big step, make a small sideways step and keep facing (or turning back to!) the way you want to go. Little choices add up and kind of prepare the way - just keep making them. It's kinda a "forever" thing. <g> And I think you'll notice that we have very few genuine geniuses here - mostly we gotta ask around and help each other out.

Good to have you join us!


Rufus

You can lease sometimes as low as $600/acre per year. Do it for a few years untill you have enough saved up to buy, even if they will "force" you off after 8yrs.
So could live in a used $5,000 RV, look into solar cooking and plant your own food. at 1st you will have o focus on regular annuls/root crop but as time and money flows you can transition more fruit and nut trees.