You can't be serious, why would you want to homestead in 2002. You have every convenience possible, you don't need to go back in time, why on earth would you want to.

Again, Countryside magazine says it best:

"A homesteader is a person who lives a self-reliant lifestyle with major emphasis on home production of neccessities and simple living in harmony with nature. The Industrial Age is being replaced by information and electronics...and a suprising return to simple living and basic values. [Here's] how some people seek an end to social, environmental, and economic madness...starting in their own backyards. Many country people start out with only a vague idea of what they're doing. But because this lifestyle is so enjoyable, satisfying and rewarding, they keep doing more and more...and their enjoyment continues to increase with every new project and passing season. For some it becomes not only a way of life, but a way of looking at the world. They become modern homesteaders. ~end of quote

For our family, yes I want to go back in time. I want quite simple living at its best, I want to work the ground with my hands, make bread and have a heavenly smell in my home, bringing back memories of days gone past. I want to become self-sufficient so that I can spend my money where I want to, helping support others. I want to learn to respect the land God has given us, watching the environment so that when my grandchildren grow up, there is something to enjoy. I want to learn what the pioneers did and how they struggled, and yet because of their struggles, we now have what we have. I want my kids to learn to appreciate the good life, so be able to run free. Will we ever be completely homesteaders - no. I do love some of my conveniences and I love modern medicine. But for our family, our dream is to become as self-sufficient has we possibly can, not taking but giving to others. I want to learn the joys of bartering and sharing.

How about you? Thoughts on this? Do you think homesteaders are crazy, that we can never become self-sufficient because of the society we live in, or do when you read this, want to become a part of the homesteading journey?

I agree with everything you had to say. I love what we are doing, and I don't care if someone else thinks I am crazy. But, I am with you in that I like a lot of modern conveniences, also. You were able to say in words exactly how I feel. Obviously, this is something that you feel strongly about. Doing the best for our families, teaching them to do the best for themselves and their future families, and teaching them life skills is something that I feel very strongly about.

You always have the most thought provoking questions, and I just love reading them.

yolo

I thought I'd revive this thread of yours, CJ, as it has a lot of wise words in it.

You may disagree with me but I think that many young people would be helped a lot by living a homesteading/simple life. It gives young people life skills, self esteem and the knowledge that if they had to, they could provide for themselves. That's a powerful thing to know, and much more rewarding than finding the closest McDonald's.

Modern life has given our kids many things but it has also taken away a lot too. They don't know the pride associated helping other family members with the gardening or looking after animals that provide food for the family. Instead we've given them computer games and idiotic movies that give them a warped view of life's possibilites.

I'm not saying that we should return to the past, because, quite frankly, there was a lot wrong with the world then too. But I would like to see a better balance between the natural and the commercial/electronic; I'd like to see more emphasis put on how we can create our own happiness and I'd like to see kids taught to use a spade before they are taught to use a mouse.

To me this means alot~
You can't buy self satisfaction of a job well done in a store.

It comes from within, working towards a goal, doing your best with what you have and making do.

Knowing you can do well (&within your means) with what you have let's you sleep well at night. That hard work makes you sleep well too. :thumb:

I totally agree with you, Darlene. Self esteem and self worth seem to have given way to "let's take the easy way out."

I enjoyed reading this post; I too have met with some very strange looks and comments on my chosen path in life. My family outside this house usually just shakes their heads every time I come up with a new way to make do for myself and our family. Most of them do not see the reason for the extra work. Funny thing is, lately they have been asking for ideas on how to save money and do things for themselves. Maybe there is hope yet!

I couldn't live any other way. I also know that my homestead is not draining me of money, but making money for me. The food that I plan to grow myself this year will save money, give me great pleasure in knowing that I grew it myself but keeps the money I would spend to purchase it at the high prices that are coming and in some cases, here now.

The peace that I feel whenever I walk out my door in the morning is priceless! The stars that I see at night, without city light obstuctions, is awesome! The sounds of the birds in the morning, the wolfs howling at night instead of the sounds of a city are a blessing to us.

My family started out in this country as farmers. Guess that I was born with that gene as well. I would die in a city, I would die without our peace and quite.

Susie in MN

I love the choices that self sufficiency brings.

I can choose to spend my money on a hair cut or because I taught myself how to do that, I can choose to buy a book I want instead.

I learnt how to fix stuff so that I could make it last longer and stretch out the time before replacing things which costs a lot less over the lifetime of stuff.

Every zucchini that I grow, or tomato or squash is one less that I must buy, and one more organic healthy vitamin rich choice that adds health and variety to my diet while costing me less.

when I homeschooled our teens, I learnt a lot and so did they.

Do it yourself is always a wonderful education, and it brings with it a lifetime of confidence in facing what life brings.

Most things in life are best faced with a skill set to cope with them, and the confidence to try new stuff and keep going.

That is what self sufficiency aka homesteading is for me.

I LOVE Countryside magazine! Well worth the $18. a year for 6 issues. OK, end of my Public Service Announcement:D

I've always said- imagine how much money we'd all save if we didn't have to buy groceries or pay bills. To me, the "ultimate" homesteader would build their house out of the trees that was on their property (no mortgage), grow all the food they eat (no grocery bill other than staple items), has solar power (the electric company actually pays you for excess energy you generate). Now if you had all this, the only money you would need to earn is to pay taxes, maintain your vehicle etc. You sure has heck wouldn't need a 6 figure income. You could probably get a job working at a burger joint and still make ends meet. Seems alot more of a stress free way of life to me:D