Have you seen that cities will dump a bunch of plastic balls in their ponds? This is to stop evaporation. You would like food-safe plastics. Perhaps an underground cistern when you can afford it..
I'm a single woman doing the same, bought five acres and live on just about nothing and have the best life EVERRR. There's nothing better than building/growing everything yourself and at the end of the day you hit the bed so hard because you worked yourself half to death but look at what you did and you're like YEAH, I did THAT. Today I hauled 170 gallons of water from a dry creek after a monsoon in buckets and filled up water tanks. It kicked my butt, my body aches, However I love the satisfaction of the harvest. Next, I'll put in a pond like you. That totally rocks what you've done. You're my hero.
@@lizbyington5468 maybe lets not glorify back breaking masculine labor for anyone, let alone women.....but i get you, you loooooove back breaking work.
Just bought 40 acres for 40g with good seasonal water flow. Hours of work digging, spreading seed and planting trees we source for free. I already got 12.5 acres of pasure seed for free... in 10 years our land will be fertile, productive and valuable.
My property was legitimately condemned. 10 years of picking up trash and negotiating the earth, now it’s the gem of my community. Get after it buddy. Subbed
Laid off in 2020, packed up, moved cross country to interior Alaska. 40 acres paid off and now building a small cabin. Living in my truck the whole time. It's a hard life but I feel more at ease with life ever before. At over 50, it's still very possible to do. Take your time and keep at it, eventually it will be finished. The best part is I have zero debt at this point.
Don't give the haters any of your time. Those of us who have been with you from the beginning, we know what you started with and how incredibly hard you've worked for everything you have!!! Thank you for all you do to help others with all your knowledge and experience!!!❤
Those 2 pesky little words "sweat equity" are unfortunately foreign to many. "Turn-key" is more familiar and comfortable. In these trying times, everything is disposable to a lot of people, having to repair or do without simply is not an option. Glad to see you hanging in there and prospering, I really am. Keep on truckin' Daddy-O!
I used to flip houses and we would look for houses that had dog shit in the carpets etc. That kinda stuff devalued the property more then the cost of repair. Someone said you make your money on flips when you buy, not when you sell.
You put in the sweat equity you CAN. Some folks just cant do certain things. Illness etc. My version of this would be the korean Goshiwon. 70sq meter room, all utilities paid for and some food included for 300 USD a month. Gives me everything I need, Then its just living frugally after that. Its all about what you can do.
We bought 2.5 acres out in the Appalachian mountains. We’re almost done selling off everything and our house is about to go on the market. We’ll be living in a camper until we self-build our cabin. I am STRESSED to the max but the moment I step foot on our property, knowing that soon we will have no mortgage or utilities, I know that it is all worth it.
and the best part is in the slow/rain days where u cant go do much outside you can actually learn a useful skill like programming/marketing and make money on the internet at your own pace, you can still live off-grid and have a job, it just means you'll save wayyyyyyyyyy more and means that you can travel a lot, for example in winter time or summer time... improve your house/ammenities with expensive stuff because you don't have to budget in for food/water etc. and you will still require gas for a lot of tools so that money will be well spent, well unless you have everything solar/electric lol.
To prevent neighbors, never buy or put in city water or grid electricity. Dont listen to anyone on how much a well costs. Call a drilling company and get a price.
I live on 2.5 acres and know a guy who lives on 40. He spoke about how bad the roads occasionally get and I said, "Maybe they'll pave it over there some day." He said that he hopes not, because it'll just encourage more people to move to the area, haha.
Neighbors are the biggest problem especially in countries with undisciplined, disrespectful people. Also, whoever uses the public road that goes to the land you live in, especially if it's a narrow road that can be easily blocked by inconsiderate people.
Well done! Locals said ‘who’d be silly enough to buy that block’. It was bad, really bad, but 4 years later… it’s wonderful. I’m 69 and I managed it too 😊
It’s incredible how green that property is now compared to when you first got it. It really shows how much you’ve accomplished with just your positivity and hard work.
Man, I LOVE your comment " I try to be a better person today than yesterday". I'm gonna try real hard to incorporate that into my own life, thanks for the inspiration! Congrats on your rewarding life.
Came to bare land 50 years ago; over time, got a well, electricity, rocked the road, built a cabin & outbuildings, planted fruit trees and a garden, made $$ "bending nails, wrenching, & welding", would not want to trade the experience for an urban life.... Still love to travel and camp in different remote places. We're the lucky ones... May your kids and grand-kids appreciate the homestead you have started, as they continue to develop and evolve it, and as the community grows in your area.
People are just jealous of you. I recently purchased 2.06 acres in NE Nevada high desert. I'm currently injured, otherwise I would be there working. You are an inspiration to me and many!
You are doing a fine job on your land I payed 1000.00 dollars for a 40x100 lot in west Virginia on my lot I built a 12x12 cabin with a wood stove and everything is payed off before I retired thanks for the video
As a 41 year old female from cities who is drawn to this content…I’m amazed at what creativity we can have and problem solving when we aren’t doing it for other people in jobs 40+ hours a week.
I admire you. My property is in the tropics. Brazil. If we throw some seeds away in some weeks we harvest. I have 2 seasons of thousands of mangos, hundreds of avocados, jackfruits, lemons... 23 different kind of fruits... Rain all year long... I sell organic soil, compost, wormsoil. Life is easier here. Your challenges are much harder. Welldone, Sir!
My wife and i share your feelings about not wanting "everybody" to do what we area doing. Years back around 2010 we made the decision to work at making a more secure future for our eventual retirement and take a different approach when we bought our land down in Cochise County. We found a 162 acre parcel that was dirt cheap (pardon the pun) because the whole real estate market was still in a dumpster fire from the housing crash and we didnt want to worry about having neighbors anywhere near us so we went bigger than we originally planned. Something that i have realized over the years is that the harder it is to live in a certain area because of climate or terrain, the less likely your are to have strangers showing up at your door. Our closest neighbor is over 2 miles away and thats fine with us. Keep up the great work John and keep inspiring people to set their goals high because even if you dont reach that goal, your still moving in the right direction! Peace.
You are so correct. One thing though, people set goals, but they fail to play the ball. To have a chance at making that goal, first you have to kick the ball. Even a turtle has to stretch it's neck out to move forward.
@@bocadelcieloplaya3852 same, i cant believe some1 has 7 figures in their bank account and they continue to live in the city... stuck in the loop of having to spend money and make money.
I just bought 40 acres in Apache County. I am 53, no income, and not much money left. I have a very old small RV and my Tahoe. It is good I like camping. I know hard work. It should go good even though I am no spring chick.
These videos are such a breath of fresh air for the rest of us stuck in the rat race 🥲 I will be off grid in a year or two and I can’t wait to say the least! These video’s are the reassurance a man needs after a long days work Thankyou sir! 🤠🌳🙏
6 years in myself. It's a long, slow grind when you're dirt poor, but it's the best decision I ever made. People don't realize just how much they'll spend in a year on status items and entertainment, and how quickly they'd have enough for a home base if they saved that up and simplified their existence. Not everyone is built for extended camping, however.
you have done very well. And anyone else could as well....IF....they want to, and then if they try. Being positive - having a "yes I can" attitude, will get your much further than being negative and looking for excuses. Thank you for your example, for your willingness to share with all who desire to learn!
Dude. Congratulations!!! I was enjoying your video, but when you threw in that weight loss I and showed the progression pics, I was the proudest for you. I hope you totally succeed in everything you’re doing.
Bro, what a refreshing positive attitude and it's inspiring what you've accomplished so far in the high desert! Make no room for complaints and what you have are solutions. Right on!
Hey what you’re doing is awesome and not many people are willing to do it. For your water situation, start planting grass. Sounds counterintuitive but I saw a video about a guy who bought a similar land in an arid region and he planted grass which helped the ground maintain its water. It took a couple years but it got to the point that the aquifer beneath him filled and the creek started to stream again.
I did the same thing! Bought 10 acres of desert that was former lake-bottom. Everyone tells me its garbage, but after 2 years of exploring and developing it, I know I have TREASURES IN ABUNDANCE!
How did it become "former lake bottom"? Do you ever worry that it might, once again, become lake bottom? I'm in South Florida. Every time it rains, we've got ponds that were dry the day before.
Dude, I'm 60 years old and living on a very limited income. 😮 I just bought an acre of dessert in New Mexico. It's going to take me a little bit, but I plan on starting a homestead by early 2025. It's something that I have to do. You either understand that, or you dont. I'm going to be referring to guys like yourself and others that have went down this road before me, and I will listen and learn.
You should be so proud of yourself, I know what it's like to live off grid and its not for the lazy or faint of heart, but wouldn't trade it for the world. God Bless
My grandfather took 40 acres from his dad that no one else in the family wanted. A nice creek ran through the land that was always chilled from the mountain snow runoff. Everyone told him he would starve up there on the bluff. He terrace farmed, built a smokehouse for hams, dried tobacco, ran a sawmill and built drying sheds for the lumber. With one mule he grew enough grain to feed the animals and to trade for anything else he needed to feed his family with ten kids. During the Great Depression they were completely self sufficient.
Man this gave me so much reassurance, Im moving to Oklahoma with 6k in my pocket, a dog, a cat, and my beautiful girlfriend. We have no idea what we are going to do but THIS helped me alot! I appreciate you sharing your story brother!
Do you dry some of your meat at all? We dry it into biltong-like strips in Botswana, and that lasts for months too if well stored. Add some salt and/or pepper to it before hanging it to dry indoors.
Ur more than a decent human being bro. Don’t under sale yourself. Ur doin awesome things and showing everyone with a brain it is possible. I’m a few years older than u and enjoy every video I’ve seen on ur channel so thanks for sharing
I have seen a woman living alone in abandoned village of Italy , she grow her own food , she doesn’t have electricity. And she is happy . I understand how free you feel , you moving , eating enough and don’t worry a lot.
I have a ton of respect for you and what you do! I want this life for my family and I. I just want to live off the land and not give my life to someone else for their benefit while I struggle to make ends meet. I am 47 and have worked since 13 and there hasn’t been a time in my adult life that I wasn’t struggling to make ends meet. I hope one day we can sell our home and take the equity and use that to buy some land somewhere.
Glad you clarified there’s reasons not to buy land. I passed up on a lot of cheap properties when I was shopping. Either land locked, stays flooded most of the year, property line issues ect.
Man you are out there living my dream. I'm 40 years old. Wish I was as resourceful as you. Thanks for making this video, it puts things into perspective. I'm certain you feel freer than you've ever felt. Money means nothing. You are truly wealthy!
I’m in an 8x10 storage shed converting and I built a12x10 greenhouse from pallets. I’m disabled living in family land no income! All reclaimed material🙏🏽🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾
Love this vid mate, me and the missus are enjoying semi self sufficiency on a plot in Spain and we both feel so much better coming from a comfortable city life in the UK. Love your ethic and have subbed.
I'm not off grid, but I've got a well and septic and I've been growing lots of food, and it is hard work, especially when I still have a day job, but it is so rewarding.
I’m very happy that you found a better life. that’s what I want for my family, I don’t want to have to work for nobody else, and live free like every person in the planet should.
It takes courage to go against the social norm. It's inspiring to see the results of your hard work and finding a new (and old) way to live in these interesting times!
I love your ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit. Where others would see a major problem, you look for solutions and make it happen. Very cool! Thank you for sharing your journey with us.
This IS Gold brother. You bust your a$$ and have made something truly awesome, most of us have not. Steadfast man, most of us couldn't hang with you anyhow.
I just want to say thank you. At 58 I am thinking about starting over and doing this. But I have had some concerns. I grew up farming and ranching so I know the life but at my age I was concerned about doing this by myself. But now I realize I was stressing myself out thinking I needed to have it all done too fast. I can just take my time. I’m selling 80 acres soon that is too big for me to take care of and am looking forward to something more manageable.
Its so expensive out here so many people cant save money . The states thet have affordable rents dont have good economies. Ive been watching homestead videos for a few years now i love them so inspiring. A south African man crated somthing called Ubuntu Villages its homesteading in a group the people save mobey and thrive.
Hey man! I'm apart of the affiliate team at S2. Just wanted to say, you have a super cool story. I love what you've done with your "Crappy" land!!! Congrats for seeing all your hard work pay off!!
"One man gathers, what another man spills" R. Hunter (G. Dead) Love It! Change Your Perspective! Love it. You are the man, brother. Keep up the channel. Liked and Subscribed!
You've done very well for your self. Northern AZ. is not always easy in the beginning. Now look at your soil, animals, self sufficiency, and incredible organic tea.. When I was a young woman, we went to Utah to work on a 2000 acre ranch. irrigation, gardening became famous for growing 14 ft corn, that locals had never seen. Water conservation, and cisterns made the west possible. you Rock!
the main reason you would want"sheety" land is than its PHENOMALLY cheaper. thats the main goal. with time and patience you can put in trees which out here is what people pay a premium for. i paid 7k for my 10 acres.
I love your frugal attitude. It's wild how much freedom there is to be gained from minimizing our expenses. One questions: How do you cover health insurance?
If you eat well and know a lot about alternative and even some of the regular medicine your medical needs can be minimal but you really have to know what you are doing.
Couldn't agree with you more John. I find your story as well as your homestead quite impressive. You've put a lot of time and thought into this, and it shows. Keep up the great work!
I've had friends and acquaintances with big dreams, some of them real big dreams, I've always told them "go small, go now" meaning start small a work up. Most definitely f them still haven't made a move and, a lot of the others have given up and blame everyone, but themselves. Go small, go now!
I love everything you are saying and doing! Congratulations 🎉 I live on 20 acres of raw land. Haul in water, no a/c in 100 plus degrees and learning as I go. Not easy but I love it!
If only I had a life partner like you. 😩 I know its not the simple journey that you had, when you describe it so simply, but I know living like that in the desert with some rain to sustain the farm and producing products that can be sold, its amazing. I dont have debt, I dont have any expense like people need but I do not have the ability to buy a land so remote. its my dream to have a home surrounded by palm trees and desert bushes to create a desert style woodland ecosystem.
I like your water tower. I had one when I lived off grid down north of Tucson. I worked on a place out near Witch Well, Arizona. It was 6500 altitude. It was out I 40 west of Albuquerque. Dude changed his mind and sold it. Dumped me off in Tucson. Oh well.
Great video. The way you live is relatable to my off grid life in the UK. I actually love transforming less desirable land. We've both got vision and drive. Blessings
Great video, great mindset! I love the idea of working for yourself and relying on yourself not some company to pay you so you can barely live. The only thing I can see holding me back is, what do you do when you want to leave to visit family or go on vacation out of state? There’s so much going on at the homestead and without you it seems like everything would fall apart without your constant attention. You may have mentioned this in a previous video and if you have please forgive the stupid question. Thanks
You make friends, create a linked community. A young family living in a schoolie who want a place to grow food and homeschool. Or a retired person or couple.
Incredible mindset, and quite well spoken. I'm like, proud of you. I can hardly wait to find an otherwise unappreciated parcel within my disability budget, and find more and more videos of your planning and building.
Really like what you've done there and the self-reliance. Being single with no kids definitely plays a huge role in being able to do that kind of stuff.
What an inspiration, i would love to get back to a simpler way of life. I especially love the growing of your own food and setting up a solar/battery system.
HOW TO BUILD YOUR HOMESTEAD
frugaloffgrid.com/products/how-to-build-your-homestead-webinar
Doing your ponds do you use liners or how do you keep the water in it ?
First video ive seen and only a few minutes in and loving the message. Wonderful job!
Have you seen that cities will dump a bunch of plastic balls in their ponds? This is to stop evaporation. You would like food-safe plastics. Perhaps an underground cistern when you can afford it..
Just got some land. I’ll be getting your consultation as soon as my survey is completed.
Isn't the government shutting down small farms?
Thanks
I'm a single woman doing the same, bought five acres and live on just about nothing and have the best life EVERRR. There's nothing better than building/growing everything yourself and at the end of the day you hit the bed so hard because you worked yourself half to death but look at what you did and you're like YEAH, I did THAT. Today I hauled 170 gallons of water from a dry creek after a monsoon in buckets and filled up water tanks. It kicked my butt, my body aches, However I love the satisfaction of the harvest. Next, I'll put in a pond like you. That totally rocks what you've done. You're my hero.
no, you my hero. love from South Africa 🌍
Awesome!
@@lizbyington5468 you should hook up with your hero, yall could be off grid couple
how do you get electricity and internet up there?
@@lizbyington5468 maybe lets not glorify back breaking masculine labor for anyone, let alone women.....but i get you, you loooooove back breaking work.
There’s enough room for everyone to live like this. The world would be a better place if we could all live sustainably.
Everyone used to live this way.
You're very Kick-Ass Right about that🤟🏿🍻
Nice solve on world hunger
theres actually an unbelievable amount of room if you run the math, theres enough room for nobody to be within a square kilometer of each other
It would be so much easier with everyone having help as well. I think these off grid communities are the future.
Just bought 40 acres for 40g with good seasonal water flow. Hours of work digging, spreading seed and planting trees we source for free. I already got 12.5 acres of pasure seed for free... in 10 years our land will be fertile, productive and valuable.
congrats! 40 f0r 40? where is this?
Hey man I just got 40 acres for 29k too!
That is badass. Good on ya bud. 💪👏
@@56BIGM not in America that's for sure, he's lying there's no such thing as 40 acres for 40g
It's anywhere between $6,000 to $13,000 per acre, Wisconsin around $6,000 per acre and Illinois around $13,000 per acre
I'm jealous. But unlike the haters, I wish you all the best.
My property was legitimately condemned.
10 years of picking up trash and negotiating the earth, now it’s the gem of my community.
Get after it buddy. Subbed
Laid off in 2020, packed up, moved cross country to interior Alaska. 40 acres paid off and now building a small cabin. Living in my truck the whole time. It's a hard life but I feel more at ease with life ever before. At over 50, it's still very possible to do. Take your time and keep at it, eventually it will be finished. The best part is I have zero debt at this point.
Don't give the haters any of your time.
Those of us who have been with you from the beginning, we know what you started with and how incredibly hard you've worked for everything you have!!! Thank you for all you do to help others with all your knowledge and experience!!!❤
Self fear produces hate for self
That hate becomes Jealousy when looking et comparing yourself to someone else
My 2 cents
Those 2 pesky little words "sweat equity" are unfortunately foreign to many. "Turn-key" is more familiar and comfortable. In these trying times, everything is disposable to a lot of people, having to repair or do without simply is not an option. Glad to see you hanging in there and prospering, I really am. Keep on truckin' Daddy-O!
You're the man Al. I can agree with that.
I used to flip houses and we would look for houses that had dog shit in the carpets etc. That kinda stuff devalued the property more then the cost of repair. Someone said you make your money on flips when you buy, not when you sell.
You put in the sweat equity you CAN. Some folks just cant do certain things. Illness etc. My version of this would be the korean Goshiwon. 70sq meter room, all utilities paid for and some food included for 300 USD a month. Gives me everything I need, Then its just living frugally after that. Its all about what you can do.
We bought 2.5 acres out in the Appalachian mountains. We’re almost done selling off everything and our house is about to go on the market. We’ll be living in a camper until we self-build our cabin.
I am STRESSED to the max but the moment I step foot on our property, knowing that soon we will have no mortgage or utilities, I know that it is all worth it.
and the best part is in the slow/rain days where u cant go do much outside you can actually learn a useful skill like programming/marketing and make money on the internet at your own pace, you can still live off-grid and have a job, it just means you'll save wayyyyyyyyyy more and means that you can travel a lot, for example in winter time or summer time... improve your house/ammenities with expensive stuff because you don't have to budget in for food/water etc.
and you will still require gas for a lot of tools so that money will be well spent, well unless you have everything solar/electric lol.
"I would prefer that no one ever move off grid so then I wont have neighbors" omfg lol. that sentence made my day
To prevent neighbors, never buy or put in city water or grid electricity. Dont listen to anyone on how much a well costs. Call a drilling company and get a price.
I live on 2.5 acres and know a guy who lives on 40. He spoke about how bad the roads occasionally get and I said, "Maybe they'll pave it over there some day." He said that he hopes not, because it'll just encourage more people to move to the area, haha.
Neighbors are the biggest problem especially in countries with undisciplined, disrespectful people. Also, whoever uses the public road that goes to the land you live in, especially if it's a narrow road that can be easily blocked by inconsiderate people.
Keep living and loving and spreading kindness as you do.
Well done!
Locals said ‘who’d be silly enough to buy that block’. It was bad, really bad, but 4 years later… it’s wonderful.
I’m 69 and I managed it too 😊
It’s incredible how green that property is now compared to when you first got it. It really shows how much you’ve accomplished with just your positivity and hard work.
Man, I LOVE your comment " I try to be a better person today than yesterday". I'm gonna try real hard to incorporate that into my own life, thanks for the inspiration! Congrats on your rewarding life.
Came to bare land 50 years ago; over time, got a well, electricity, rocked the road,
built a cabin & outbuildings, planted fruit trees and a garden, made $$ "bending nails,
wrenching, & welding", would not want to trade the experience for an urban life....
Still love to travel and camp in different remote places. We're the lucky ones...
May your kids and grand-kids appreciate the homestead you have started, as they
continue to develop and evolve it, and as the community grows in your area.
love this comment
People are just jealous of you. I recently purchased 2.06 acres in NE Nevada high desert. I'm currently injured, otherwise I would be there working. You are an inspiration to me and many!
@@westcoastwonderers1060 hope you feel better soon. Wishing you good health and lots of happiness
Former Northern NV resident, lived off grid and developed my property. I loved it!
I have built businesses with sweat equity twice in my life and about to do it again that over sixty years old
You are doing a fine job on your land I payed 1000.00 dollars for a 40x100 lot in west Virginia on my lot I built a 12x12 cabin with a wood stove and everything is payed off before I retired thanks for the video
As a 41 year old female from cities who is drawn to this content…I’m amazed at what creativity we can have and problem solving when we aren’t doing it for other people in jobs 40+ hours a week.
@@GodisInYourJobSearch so true.
I admire you. My property is in the tropics. Brazil. If we throw some seeds away in some weeks we harvest. I have 2 seasons of thousands of mangos, hundreds of avocados, jackfruits, lemons... 23 different kind of fruits... Rain all year long... I sell organic soil, compost, wormsoil. Life is easier here. Your challenges are much harder. Welldone, Sir!
My wife and i share your feelings about not wanting "everybody" to do what we area doing. Years back around 2010 we made the decision to work at making a more secure future for our eventual retirement and take a different approach when we bought our land down in Cochise County. We found a 162 acre parcel that was dirt cheap (pardon the pun) because the whole real estate market was still in a dumpster fire from the housing crash and we didnt want to worry about having neighbors anywhere near us so we went bigger than we originally planned. Something that i have realized over the years is that the harder it is to live in a certain area because of climate or terrain, the less likely your are to have strangers showing up at your door. Our closest neighbor is over 2 miles away and thats fine with us. Keep up the great work John and keep inspiring people to set their goals high because even if you dont reach that goal, your still moving in the right direction! Peace.
You are so correct.
One thing though, people set goals, but they fail to play the ball.
To have a chance at making that goal, first you have to kick the ball.
Even a turtle has to stretch it's neck out to move forward.
@@kezzatries "Money can by freedom, IF you've got the guts to try it. Now I've known folks with bookoo bucks too afraid to try it." -Randy Vining.
Space👍👍👍👍
@@bocadelcieloplaya3852
same, i cant believe some1 has 7 figures in their bank account and they continue to live in the city... stuck in the loop of having to spend money and make money.
I just bought 40 acres in Apache County. I am 53, no income, and not much money left. I have a very old small RV and my Tahoe. It is good I like camping. I know hard work. It should go good even though I am no spring chick.
You can totally do this. 👍
Thank you for having us feel like were part of it
Absolutely Dale! I'm grateful I can.
Well done! You are living off grid, doing things that are sustainable and you are improving yourself daily, what else could anyone ask for!
These videos are such a breath of fresh air for the rest of us stuck in the rat race 🥲 I will be off grid in a year or two and I can’t wait to say the least! These video’s are the reassurance a man needs after a long days work Thankyou sir! 🤠🌳🙏
you are a good man
6 years in myself. It's a long, slow grind when you're dirt poor, but it's the best decision I ever made. People don't realize just how much they'll spend in a year on status items and entertainment, and how quickly they'd have enough for a home base if they saved that up and simplified their existence. Not everyone is built for extended camping, however.
you have done very well. And anyone else could as well....IF....they want to, and then if they try. Being positive - having a "yes I can" attitude, will get your much further than being negative and looking for excuses. Thank you for your example, for your willingness to share with all who desire to learn!
Dude. Congratulations!!! I was enjoying your video, but when you threw in that weight loss I and showed the progression pics, I was the proudest for you. I hope you totally succeed in everything you’re doing.
Bro, what a refreshing positive attitude and it's inspiring what you've accomplished so far in the high desert! Make no room for complaints and what you have are solutions. Right on!
Hey what you’re doing is awesome and not many people are willing to do it. For your water situation, start planting grass. Sounds counterintuitive but I saw a video about a guy who bought a similar land in an arid region and he planted grass which helped the ground maintain its water. It took a couple years but it got to the point that the aquifer beneath him filled and the creek started to stream again.
Your pond is permaculture-y :-) Look up how they capture and slow down rain, it's fascinating.
I did the same thing! Bought 10 acres of desert that was former lake-bottom. Everyone tells me its garbage, but after 2 years of exploring and developing it, I know I have TREASURES IN ABUNDANCE!
How did it become "former lake bottom"? Do you ever worry that it might, once again, become lake bottom? I'm in South Florida. Every time it rains, we've got ponds that were dry the day before.
Dude, I'm 60 years old and living on a very limited income. 😮 I just bought an acre of dessert in New Mexico. It's going to take me a little bit, but I plan on starting a homestead by early 2025. It's something that I have to do. You either understand that, or you dont. I'm going to be referring to guys like yourself and others that have went down this road before me, and I will listen and learn.
“To lead an orchestra, you must turn your back to the crowd.”
-Aristotle
@@Tryagain205 excellent quote
You should be so proud of yourself, I know what it's like to live off grid and its not for the lazy or faint of heart, but wouldn't trade it for the world. God Bless
My grandfather took 40 acres from his dad that no one else in the family wanted. A nice creek ran through the land that was always chilled from the mountain snow runoff. Everyone told him he would starve up there on the bluff. He terrace farmed, built a smokehouse for hams, dried tobacco, ran a sawmill and built drying sheds for the lumber. With one mule he grew enough grain to feed the animals and to trade for anything else he needed to feed his family with ten kids. During the Great Depression they were completely self sufficient.
Man this gave me so much reassurance, Im moving to Oklahoma with 6k in my pocket, a dog, a cat, and my beautiful girlfriend. We have no idea what we are going to do but THIS helped me alot! I appreciate you sharing your story brother!
Do you dry some of your meat at all? We dry it into biltong-like strips in Botswana, and that lasts for months too if well stored. Add some salt and/or pepper to it before hanging it to dry indoors.
Men like this are so attractive to me. I wish more people thought like this. Humble, smart, hardworking and intune with nature ❤
@@angierandomstuff Thanks that's good hope for us
@@angierandomstuff 🥳👍
Ur more than a decent human being bro. Don’t under sale yourself. Ur doin awesome things and showing everyone with a brain it is possible. I’m a few years older than u and enjoy every video I’ve seen on ur channel so thanks for sharing
It would be a great video series of you building your new off grid cabin. I would watch.
I have seen a woman living alone in abandoned village of Italy , she grow her own food , she doesn’t have electricity. And she is happy .
I understand how free you feel , you moving , eating enough and don’t worry a lot.
Keep going man.. you are a HUGE inspiration to many folks out there. Super impressive on what you have accomplished.
I've been watching you for a couple of years now and its amazing to see how how much you have done! I need to know where to buy.
You’ve done AMAZING with what you had and good, ole’ elbow grease, a lot of hard work and living a simple yet full life! 🙌🏼
I have a ton of respect for you and what you do! I want this life for my family and I. I just want to live off the land and not give my life to someone else for their benefit while I struggle to make ends meet. I am 47 and have worked since 13 and there hasn’t been a time in my adult life that I wasn’t struggling to make ends meet. I hope one day we can sell our home and take the equity and use that to buy some land somewhere.
I have faith in you.
Love your videos! Thanks for sharing.🇨🇦
I completely agree that this is the best thing anyone can do for themselves... to take control of your life, congratulations! very impressive.
Glad you clarified there’s reasons not to buy land. I passed up on a lot of cheap properties when I was shopping. Either land locked, stays flooded most of the year, property line issues ect.
Man you are out there living my dream. I'm 40 years old. Wish I was as resourceful as you. Thanks for making this video, it puts things into perspective. I'm certain you feel freer than you've ever felt. Money means nothing. You are truly wealthy!
It gives hope knowing this is possible and without millions of dollars needed.
Keeping making videos. Good stuff man. You're doing it
Thank you, Will. You're an inspiration to so many.
I’m in an 8x10 storage shed converting and I built a12x10 greenhouse from pallets. I’m disabled living in family land no income! All reclaimed material🙏🏽🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾
Love this vid mate, me and the missus are enjoying semi self sufficiency on a plot in Spain and we both feel so much better coming from a comfortable city life in the UK. Love your ethic and have subbed.
I'm not off grid, but I've got a well and septic and I've been growing lots of food, and it is hard work, especially when I still have a day job, but it is so rewarding.
Thanks!
Thank you, Rob!
I’m very happy that you found a better life. that’s what I want for my family, I don’t want to have to work for nobody else, and live free like every person in the planet should.
Your progress is SO interesting John. Keep the videos coming.
It takes courage to go against the social norm. It's inspiring to see the results of your hard work and finding a new (and old) way to live in these interesting times!
You're an inspiration! Thanks for spreading the word that we all have more options than we realize.
I love your ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit. Where others would see a major problem, you look for solutions and make it happen. Very cool! Thank you for sharing your journey with us.
I respond to your comment in this video th-cam.com/video/tZgB-49LlTo/w-d-xo.html
This IS Gold brother. You bust your a$$ and have made something truly awesome, most of us have not. Steadfast man, most of us couldn't hang with you anyhow.
What you have, you have turned into an absolute paradise. Blood sweat and tears. Absolutely excellent job John
Dude you’re killing it . And I’ll be doing the same in Australia . Thanks for the info and inspiration
I love how many people from Australia tune in!
I just want to say thank you. At 58 I am thinking about starting over and doing this. But I have had some concerns. I grew up farming and ranching so I know the life but at my age I was concerned about doing this by myself. But now I realize I was stressing myself out thinking I needed to have it all done too fast. I can just take my time. I’m selling 80 acres soon that is too big for me to take care of and am looking forward to something more manageable.
Well done on turning surviving into thriving by following your instinct and backing yourself. Awesome story, thanks for sharing, enjoy!👍
Its so expensive out here so many people cant save money . The states thet have affordable rents dont have good economies. Ive been watching homestead videos for a few years now i love them so inspiring. A south African man crated somthing called Ubuntu Villages its homesteading in a group the people save mobey and thrive.
wonderful transformation from all the aspects ♥
It's all about perspective. You certainly have built a great olace to call home. Congratulations John!
Hey man! I'm apart of the affiliate team at S2. Just wanted to say, you have a super cool story. I love what you've done with your "Crappy" land!!! Congrats for seeing all your hard work pay off!!
Thanks, it's a whole lot more comfortable with this new air conditioning unit! link in description 🤠.
Exactly this was my last resort backup plan and it's so so good to see that this can work!
This looks immensly chill while rewarding hard work
Nice greenhouses and plants.
I appreciate you my friend. 👍👍
I have 4 acres of land in New Mexico. I can’t wait to go back out there and build an earth bag house.
"One man gathers, what another man spills" R. Hunter (G. Dead) Love It! Change Your Perspective! Love it. You are the man, brother. Keep up the channel. Liked and Subscribed!
You've done very well for your self. Northern AZ. is not always easy in the beginning. Now look at your soil, animals, self sufficiency, and incredible organic tea.. When I was a young woman, we went to Utah to work on a 2000 acre ranch. irrigation, gardening became famous for growing 14 ft corn, that locals had never seen. Water conservation, and cisterns made the west possible. you Rock!
Nice, that you are living your dream, good luck.
the main reason you would want"sheety" land is than its PHENOMALLY cheaper. thats the main goal. with time and patience you can put in trees which out here is what people pay a premium for. i paid 7k for my 10 acres.
I live in northern New Mexico you can live off grid must haul water
a man with a mind and a heart like this, respect from South Africa, we already live like this.
Good.
Job I am going down the same road except I already have a well, I'm going to pull the 220 V pump and use a solar Jack. Good luck, my friend.
I love your frugal attitude. It's wild how much freedom there is to be gained from minimizing our expenses.
One questions: How do you cover health insurance?
He doesnt have it. Ive heard in videos he thinks its largely a scam and he isnt necessarily wrong.
If you eat well and know a lot about alternative and even some of the regular medicine your medical needs can be minimal but you really have to know what you are doing.
Look up Dave Ramsay- discussion of Medishare and Christian Healthcare Ministry.
Couldn't agree with you more John. I find your story as well as your homestead quite impressive. You've put a lot of time and thought into this, and it shows. Keep up the great work!
I've had friends and acquaintances with big dreams, some of them real big dreams, I've always told them "go small, go now" meaning start small a work up.
Most definitely f them still haven't made a move and, a lot of the others have given up and blame everyone, but themselves.
Go small, go now!
"Money can by freedom, IF you've got the guts to try it. Now I've known folks with bookoo bucks too afraid to try it." -Randy Vining.
You can improve any plot of land if you have a vision !! keep up the good work.
I love everything you are saying and doing! Congratulations 🎉
I live on 20 acres of raw land. Haul in water, no a/c in 100 plus degrees and learning as I go. Not easy but I love it!
If only I had a life partner like you. 😩 I know its not the simple journey that you had, when you describe it so simply, but I know living like that in the desert with some rain to sustain the farm and producing products that can be sold, its amazing.
I dont have debt, I dont have any expense like people need but I do not have the ability to buy a land so remote. its my dream to have a home surrounded by palm trees and desert bushes to create a desert style woodland ecosystem.
I like your water tower. I had one when I lived off grid down north of Tucson. I worked on a place out near Witch Well, Arizona. It was 6500 altitude. It was out I 40 west of Albuquerque. Dude changed his mind and sold it. Dumped me off in Tucson. Oh well.
Great video. The way you live is relatable to my off grid life in the UK. I actually love transforming less desirable land. We've both got vision and drive. Blessings
Wonderful transformation Man.
So happy for you in your better life.
Great video, great mindset! I love the idea of working for yourself and relying on yourself not some company to pay you so you can barely live.
The only thing I can see holding me back is, what do you do when you want to leave to visit family or go on vacation out of state? There’s so much going on at the homestead and without you it seems like everything would fall apart without your constant attention. You may have mentioned this in a previous video and if you have please forgive the stupid question. Thanks
You make friends, create a linked community. A young family living in a schoolie who want a place to grow food and homeschool. Or a retired person or couple.
Incredible mindset, and quite well spoken. I'm like, proud of you. I can hardly wait to find an otherwise unappreciated parcel within my disability budget, and find more and more videos of your planning and building.
You did it bro. Good for you. My wife and I are about 3 years away from that ourselves. Just settling debts.
Truly inspirational, and eloquently put as to why this stuff matters and is doable for EVERYONE. Just takes will power and a bit of cojones
Ahh.. Found it! Totally agree with you! Nice place!!
Really like what you've done there and the self-reliance. Being single with no kids definitely plays a huge role in being able to do that kind of stuff.
What an inspiration, i would love to get back to a simpler way of life. I especially love the growing of your own food and setting up a solar/battery system.
As I brew some tea, had to say You are doing a great job!