I need help

[crashdive123]

Purchase 15.7 acres on the edge of the Chugach National Forest in Alaska. Live in a small cabin. Only see people when you go to town every 3 or 4 months for supplies. I say this in all seriousness. It is how a member here is living and sounds like something you are looking for.

[BENESSE]

Why not do Peace Corp for a year or so and see first hand what's out there?
There aren't too many opportunities in life when you can just pick up and go and try anything. PC is a way to find out without needing personal resources and taking risks while you're still trying to learn about what would be right for you.

[Rick]

I would bet for the right price you could own that property and live the exact hermit life you want.

[Mendelssohn]

Purchase 15.7 acres on the edge of the Chugach National Forest in Alaska. Live in a small cabin. Only see people when you go to town every 3 or 4 months for supplies. I say this in all seriousness. It is how a member here is living and sounds like something you are looking for.

I will keep that area in mind. Buying property close to a national part is a big consideration. Do you have to hunt there or what's the easiest way to survive in that area?

Why not do Peace Corp for a year or so and see first hand what's out there?
There aren't too many opportunities in life when you can just pick up and go and try anything. PC is a way to find out without needing personal resources and taking risks while you're still trying to learn about what would be right for you.

Tempting! There is no Peace Corps in Canada, but there are equivalent. It's a consideration, as well as WWOOF. They woudl be fun and interesting, but I don't think ideal, because I know they best way to get to my goal the fastest is to stay in school and make some money.

I would bet for the right price you could own that property and live the exact hermit life you want.

Hmm.. What do you think I will need? =P

[vahtryn]

Living as a nomad is actually quite tough but also a very good way to live. For the vast majority of my life I had no idea what I truly wanted. I do not befuddle any of the choices I have made as they have brought me to the present. I've been a drug addict, I've partied and I've gone on many career paths. My current career is the one that pays the bills but I will not knock being a bartender or audio engineer in the slightest.

I tend to keep my life style very simplistic and the reasoning behind this isn't because of survival. The reason I can willy nilly move across country is that I don't own ****. Everything I have gets used at least once a month. Something that sits on a shelf or in the closet for more than that just gets tossed immediately. Don't hold onto possessions because they will hold you down if you want to have a nomadic type lifestyle.

The most important thing you can take out of being young is learn. The skills you can pick up are the most important thing you will ever need as you get older and actually start to solidify these goals you may have. I've been in and out of goals and have sort of come to where I need to be for the present. Remember that everything changes and you need some fluidity in your lifestyle. Don't just go after one thing unless you are willing to accept the bumpy road that comes with it. You won't get there exactly as you have planned, but you can deal with the hiccups.

[Rick]

Congratulations on your sobriety. No small accomplishment.

[Mendelssohn]

Living as a nomad is actually quite tough but also a very good way to live. For the vast majority of my life I had no idea what I truly wanted. I do not befuddle any of the choices I have made as they have brought me to the present. I've been a drug addict, I've partied and I've gone on many career paths. My current career is the one that pays the bills but I will not knock being a bartender or audio engineer in the slightest.

I tend to keep my life style very simplistic and the reasoning behind this isn't because of survival. The reason I can willy nilly move across country is that I don't own ****. Everything I have gets used at least once a month. Something that sits on a shelf or in the closet for more than that just gets tossed immediately. Don't hold onto possessions because they will hold you down if you want to have a nomadic type lifestyle.

The most important thing you can take out of being young is learn. The skills you can pick up are the most important thing you will ever need as you get older and actually start to solidify these goals you may have. I've been in and out of goals and have sort of come to where I need to be for the present. Remember that everything changes and you need some fluidity in your lifestyle. Don't just go after one thing unless you are willing to accept the bumpy road that comes with it. You won't get there exactly as you have planned, but you can deal with the hiccups.

Thanks you, Vahtryn - And I agree with you. Nomad and hermit alike, it is difficult to achieve those goals if you are focused on possessions, which fortunately I am not. You say don't go after just one thing, in once sense I agree, and in another sense I think that I have to choose some kind of prospect for a future living situation, even if it's a nomadic or hermetic one. Also, I have lived my entire life up until now with computers and books, with different people and their diverse opinions. I have experienced all that. Aiming for these goals will provide me with the other end of the spectrum, not the world of society and information, and entertainment, but of nature and more simple things that I have not yet experienced. I need to experience this too.

If you've had a lot of experience living a nomadic lifestyle I'd like to know any information you have and any advice =).

Congrats on your sobriety. I am fortunate enough to have never gotten into it that much. I only experimented, so when I decided I didn't want to drink, smoke or do drugs, it was an easy step. It's also another things that costs you money, which ties you down =P

[Aurelius95]

I'm sorry I misunderstood. I was leveraging off your comment that you had vague goals. Try working a season with an outfitter, a guide, a ranch or a forest replanting company. You'll get to experience some practical learning while making a few bucks.

I had a friend whose son, about 21 or 22, got hired on as a hand for a remote Alaskan camp. During the summer, he assisted the guides doing mostly grunt work. He cooked, cleaned, and did what they told him. He volunteered to stay at this camp during the winter with 3 or 4 of the other guys. They took care of the dogs, lots of work around the site, but had a lot of time to explore and spend alone. He stayed out there for a few years, and eventually was guiding as well.

[Aurelius95]

I don't know if you have a four year degree or not, but there are many countries you can go to teach English. I spent a year and a half teaching in Japan when I graduated University. I met people from all over the world. And quite a few Canadians. There are some places, like the YMCA that will hire you on as an English teacher without a degree (at least in Japan). I know a bunch of people who have done this in Korea and China, too. Good luck!

[vahtryn]

If you've had a lot of experience living a nomadic lifestyle I'd like to know any information you have and any advice =).

I'll give as much as I can. I have lived a chaotic life. I lived in a UFO for a summer, and that is a true story.

I also thank everyone about me being soberish. I gave up the hard drugs. When I lived in California I did have a prescription for pot because it's much better for pain than opiates in my opinion. Then again this is coming from someone born with bone cancer :P

[intothenew]

.................I lived in a UFO for a summer.........

I'm assuming you are not the son of Phil Mogg,

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Or Pete Way.

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Who are you?

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[vahtryn]

I did play in a few punk bands in the 90s then went into the electronic thing.

[oldtrap59]

Mend. You asked about books that might help you out with off the grid life. One that I could suggest would be Five acres and independence by Nearing. Was written a few years back but still available and still pertinate.

Oldtrap

[Mendelssohn]

I had a friend whose son, about 21 or 22, got hired on as a hand for a remote Alaskan camp. During the summer, he assisted the guides doing mostly grunt work. He cooked, cleaned, and did what they told him. He volunteered to stay at this camp during the winter with 3 or 4 of the other guys. They took care of the dogs, lots of work around the site, but had a lot of time to explore and spend alone. He stayed out there for a few years, and eventually was guiding as well.

That sounds pretty awesome. That would be a big consideration if I ever got offered something like that. Also, I wonder if, with the course I'm taking (Energy System Engineering Technology), which deals mostly with renewable energy systems, would have some remote applications I could perhaps get employed in.

You also mentioned teaching. Do to my personality, I think it would be impossible! Thanks though. =)

I'll give as much as I can. I have lived a chaotic life. I lived in a UFO for a summer, and that is a true story.

I also thank everyone about me being soberish. I gave up the hard drugs. When I lived in California I did have a prescription for pot because it's much better for pain than opiates in my opinion. Then again this is coming from someone born with bone cancer :P

Thanks Vahtryn =P

Mend. You asked about books that might help you out with off the grid life. One that I could suggest would be Five acres and independence by Nearing. Was written a few years back but still available and still pertinate.

Thank you. I will look for this book. =)

[SemperFi]

want to learn survival , want to experience survival in its fight for survival form , join the Marines young man!

[Mendelssohn]

Hey again guys,

I was just wondering what everyone thought about one prospect I've been looking at. If you know anything about the layout of Canada, it's full of society right near the southern border and as you go north it gets a lot colder but there's more wildlife and isolation. I'm currently in Ontario so buying some property in Northern Ontario might be a good move. Here is a website with big plots of land for relatively cheap http://www.recreationland.net/ .. Again, I don't know much about this.. A lot of these properties are surrounded by "Crown Land", whatever that entails, and I know there are different laws pertaining to each piece of land about what you can build, etc. I would likely set myself up with a small but decent house, with some renewable energy sources, I will thinking I'd try to install a hydoelectric system because there are a lot of streams running through these places. Also, most of them are saying how much there is to hunt and fish there.. Could I expect to survive this way? I would be on the lookout for a place within distance to a small town so that I can go there for supplies or contact them in case of emergency, but I'd like to know I can hunt for my food. Is this practical? Is the cold endurable?

So any info about this plan; pros, cons?

Thanks =)

[intothenew]

Get a job, not just any job, a real job. Preference should be given to a general contractor, and a small residential one at that. If not a general, a roofer would do. That will take care of a few things.

1. Show up, on time, every day, in any weather. You need to learn how to hydrate, how to nourish, and how to dress.

2. You get pennies for the bank. That should be obvious, but we'll get to the subtleties in a moment.

3. You get paid for blisters, and callouses. You're certainly going to need them, the callouses that is. The sprains, strains, and general fatigue is paid for too.

4. You get paid to learn a craft, or possibly crafts, if you land the right job.



Concurrent, you're only using 8-12 hours a day, sign up for tech school classes. Anything that you can get, sewing, basket weaving, masonry, machine shop, etc. etc. Hit the free workshops at the home improvement stores.

Get a library card, tomorrow, and don't walk out without a book. Not a suspense novel, a real book, a non-fiction book, any non-fiction book. The subjects will soon enough be obvious after you're ankle deep into the above.

Spend your first pennies on food/water, clothing, hygiene, and shelter. That is in a self sufficient sense, camping in the dorm, Mom's basement, you're own apartment, whatever that may be. Spend your spare time enjoying those pennies at the local park, National Forest campground, or the landlords back forty. Show up for work one Monday morning clean shaven, with clean clothes, and a full belly, after spending a three day weekend in a National Forest campground.

Start a spread sheet of your expenditures, today, every expenditure. Open Office is free and will do the job nicely. You need a budget.


Do all that, and I can show you a cheap way out of town.

[Mendelssohn]

Get a job, not just any job, a real job. Preference should be given to a general contractor, and a small residential one at that. If not a general, a roofer would do. That will take care of a few things.

1. Show up, on time, every day, in any weather. You need to learn how to hydrate, how to nourish, and how to dress.

2. You get pennies for the bank. That should be obvious, but we'll get to the subtleties in a moment.

3. You get paid for blisters, and callouses. You're certainly going to need them, the callouses that is. The sprains, strains, and general fatigue is paid for too.

4. You get paid to learn a craft, or possibly crafts, if you land the right job.



Concurrent, you're only using 8-12 hours a day, sign up for tech school classes. Anything that you can get, sewing, basket weaving, masonry, machine shop, etc. etc. Hit the free workshops at the home improvement stores.

Get a library card, tomorrow, and don't walk out without a book. Not a suspense novel, a real book, a non-fiction book, any non-fiction book. The subjects will soon enough be obvious after you're ankle deep into the above.

Spend your first pennies on food/water, clothing, hygiene, and shelter. That is in a self sufficient sense, camping in the dorm, Mom's basement, you're own apartment, whatever that may be. Spend your spare time enjoying those pennies at the local park, National Forest campground, or the landlords back forty. Show up for work one Monday morning clean shaven, with clean clothes, and a full belly, after spending a three day weekend in a National Forest campground.

Start a spread sheet of your expenditures, today, every expenditure. Open Office is free and will do the job nicely. You need a budget.


Do all that, and I can show you a cheap way out of town.

Hey, thanks for your advice. I will fill you in on what I am or am not doing concerning what you have suggested.

I was a helper for two different plumbing and heating companies. I worked outside in bad weather. The economy got bad and I couldn't get anything in the trades no matter how many places I applied to so I gave up. I am currently in a 3 year program called Energy Systems Engineering Technology. We learn and apply knowledge for renewable energy, as well as many other common energy systems, such as gas heating systems, etc. We learn about electrical circuitry, plumbing, a lot of stuff. Hopefully when I'm done I will get a good job that you speak of. A lot of it is in harsh weather conditions too, like installing turbines, etc.

I'm good at budgeting, I won't have a problem with that, though I don't have much money now while going to school.

I read every day and it's ALWAYS non fiction. Mostly science, some philosophy, some history. I should be reading more survival. I have read the SAS survival guide. =P

The campgrounds near here are unfortunately not very wild. From any site I could certainly yell out and someone would hear me. Unfortunately.

I only purchase necessities right now. As I probably will when I am finished school, though I do think of investments to speed the process, like real estate. Not much to budget right now.

Does this qualify for your cheap way out of town? =P I'm sure I will qualify when I finish school and have a better job...

Also you have left out health. I work out every day and do cardio so I should be plenty fit enough as well.

Thanks =)

[intothenew]

Hey, thanks for your advice. I will fill you in on what I am or am not doing concerning what you have suggested.

I was a helper for two different plumbing and heating companies. I worked outside in bad weather. The economy got bad and I couldn't get anything in the trades no matter how many places I applied to so I gave up. I am currently in a 3 year program called Energy Systems Engineering Technology. We learn and apply knowledge for renewable energy, as well as many other common energy systems, such as gas heating systems, etc. We learn about electrical circuitry, plumbing, a lot of stuff. Hopefully when I'm done I will get a good job that you speak of. A lot of it is in harsh weather conditions too, like installing turbines, etc.

Well, there is hope. You are gathering technical knowledge. Yards to mow? Shrubs to trim? Snow to shovel?

I'm good at budgeting, I won't have a problem with that, though I don't have much money now while going to school.

What are your living arrangements right now? Where does your income come from?

I read every day and it's ALWAYS non fiction. Mostly science, some philosophy, some history. I should be reading more survival. I have read the SAS survival guide. =P

I don't know about that at this point, homesteading may be the premiere choice. But anything non-fiction for the moment. Going to get that library card today?

The campgrounds near here are unfortunately not very wild. From any site I could certainly yell out and someone would hear me. Unfortunately.

That is actually a good thing at this point. It would be ill advised for you to venture away from civilization at this point, you express that in the original post. You need to ease into this. Camp out in your bedroom.............the back forty...........the National Forest campground..........

You jump ahead on that one. Don't look too far ahead right now.

I only purchase necessities right now. As I probably will when I am finished school, though I do think of investments to speed the process, like real estate. Not much to budget right now.

The less there is, the more need for a budget.

Does this qualify for your cheap way out of town? =P I'm sure I will qualify when I finish school and have a better job...

Nope.

Also you have left out health. I work out every day and do cardio so I should be plenty fit enough as well.

Thanks =)

In your eyes, yes. In my eyes, no. I'm trying to keep your teeth from falling out of your head, protect you from dehydration, protect you from hypothermia, get you some cardio, get you some weight training, get you some calisthenics...............and make a few pennies.

Are you paying for a gym? If so, save that money and make some with a real job. If not, you can still use that time learning another craft.

[Mendelssohn]

Well, there is hope. You are gathering technical knowledge. Yards to mow? Shrubs to trim? Snow to shovel?

No, there isn't due to my living situation, but I am plenty busy with work and school, while actually taking the time to make healthy meals, exercise etc. Also I have done all the things you've mentioned and I am perfectly competent to due manual labour like that.

What are your living arrangements right now? Where does your income come from?

I live with my mother in an apartment. I work twice a week at a warehouse, and my mother is helping me through school.

I don't know about that at this point, homesteading may be the premiere choice. But anything non-fiction for the moment. Going to get that library card today?

Going to get the library card? I made it clear that I'm an avid reader already - and I use a kindle. Homesteading is a good suggestion. I should read more of that.

That is actually a good thing at this point. It would be ill advised for you to venture away from civilization at this point, you express that in the original post. You need to ease into this. Camp out in your bedroom.............the back forty...........the National Forest campground..........


You jump ahead on that one. Don't look too far ahead right now.

In that case I have camped plenty on those campgrounds. I don't think it's a huge challenge though. It would be nice to have a vacation to go further up north and for a longer period of time, but that will have to wait until I'm finished school as well.

The less there is, the more need for a budget.

You're right. However, my point was that making an Excel spreadsheet would be pathetic at this point, because as I said, I don't buy much of anything, except what I need for the week, and I'm not going to be frugal enough to cut out my coffee before class, and even if I were, I could just remember that. As well, I have my grocery bill at the end of each week which makes that pretty simple. I don't pay for internet or any form of entertainment. I don't even pay for my books. Budgeting just wouldn't make sense right now.

Nope.

Okay

In your eyes, yes. In my eyes, no. I'm trying to keep your teeth from falling out of your head, protect you from dehydration, protect you from hypothermia, get you some cardio, get you some weight training, get you some calisthenics...............and make a few pennies.

Are you paying for a gym? If so, save that money and make some with a real job. If not, you can still use that time learning another craft.

Hmm.. I understand. I do cardio, weight training and calisthenics daily for at least an hour and a half and I brush my teeth and go to the dentist. I also drink my required water per day and eat plenty of food. I dress warmly when I go out in the snow. I'll make money when I'm finished school.

No, I'm not paying for a gym. I do it all from home. I have equipment here.

I see no real problem with my lifestyle right now. I use my time very productively. I am looking for a plan going forward. Once I have it I will learn all the skills necessary to achieve it. That's why I'm inquiring years in advance, before I actually plan to do it. I already have an assortment of skills like you have said from reading non-fiction and learning technical things at school and on various jobs and those skills are always expanding, but I need a plan to focus my efforts on.

Thanks for your effort.

-Mendelssohn