Chris Kott wrote:
And $10 000 for an acre or two? I wish. Not with anything on it that would qualify for a mortgage, and not anywhere near anything that would make it useful.
-CK
I sure didn't mean to insult you or anyone Chris, actually most of your post seems to justify my take on it all. I guess I didn't explain well. I believe the system is broken, and that's why saving $10,000 for an acre of land (I didn't mean an acre with a home on it, just land) before 30 may seem daunting or impossible. I just gave a few examples of things eating disposable income, you described a long list that we all recognize. As you described, our required financial inputs are way too high and we can't get ahead. Sounds like factory farming.....
What I believe is that a young person DOES have the ability to save early and actually pay cash for a piece of bare land that they can begin their permaculture dream upon sometime later in their life. I feel it's a shame that so many young people have so many immediate financial pressures that they feel the only way to pursue it is with a mortgage and all that comes with it. Spread over enough time, it's possible with cash. My take is that a great way to own land is to save money early early early (right out of school) a little bit all the time. In 10 years, take that cash and start looking. Take your time. Wait for a recession. Send letters directly to the parcels' tax addresses. Buy your raw land. Now you are ready to save for the next step............But if you are too far into today's debt and financial circus, I do understand. That's what I think is a shame, and is not a good reflection on our society. I'm not blaming anyone, I'm just encouraging young people to take a really long term view and save pennies all the way. Hard to do in America today.