[Celticwarrior]

Yep, I agree. it's easier to downsize your lifestyle than it is to make more money. Gardens and container planting, edible landscaping, and raising small animals like chickens (eggs AND meat) or rabbits (meat that makes MORE of itself quickly!) are ideas that our ancestors took for granted, and they didn't have a Superstore or a Wallyworld to run to when they felt a little hungry. Doing MORE for ourselves is really what this site is about, and what better place to start than giving OURSELVES a "raise" by saving money we are already spending somewhere else, often foolishly or needlessly. Convenience is a wonderful thing, but the price for it is getting a little too high for many people. They just can't give it up. It's like a drug, and like any junkie, people will lie, cheat, steal or even KILL to get "their fix". I think we are better than that here, and I bet we all could find ways to live on less, do more with the money we make, and STILL be happy and prepared for whatever comes next. We ARE survivalists, after all!!!

[blacksmith]

yes we are and I hope when we get the land I can show how we live there we will have it set up to live more off the land just like I have for years rockfish has lived this way but not as long

[walkabout]

I thought these might go good here. If gas gets back to being really high again and if things that you use for garden and yard work might be hard to get or parts. Try looking into finding old equipment that does not take gas. Pretty simple and can be fixed fairly easy.

Heres an old mower that I'm fixing up. My gramps used this type of mower all the time.



And this is what I bought with some birthday money my grandmother gave me. I use this in the garden to make rows.



I also got this real ol , good shape, long handle tiller. It's got some mean looking blades but with a good workout it can be used as well.

Even in rough times keeping the yard kept, garden going even with ol fashion tools. It not only makes your yard safe from bad insects, snakes, mice and rats but helps with your spirit and well being and maybe will uplift others to. It will surely keep you busy.

In the country here we mow just a small part and let the rest go to wild. Some are putting edible gardens instead of having a high dollar front lawn to care for. Makes good sense to me.

[blacksmith]

yes you are right this is why I want to get the big forge made I can make a lot of this do not know about the mower but still a goat will mower a yard

[walkabout]

Originally Posted by blacksmith

yes you are right this is why I want to get the big forge made I can make a lot of this do not know about the mower but still a goat will mower a yard

Yes sir-re Blacksmith , your skill in blacksmithing is of great value. Plus your havin fun to : ).

Gosh yes, tather the goats out. The yard may have circles but who cares, the job is getting done. You'll have your yard fertilized, can collect manure for your garden. Milk and meat from goats. They would be a good investment . A win win : )

[blacksmith]

yes we have had a lot of goats and you can get goats here for $50 or free and when we get land we will get one again oh no this is going to get me out cutting grass again done that a lot

[carolina168181]

Excellent ideas

For me, I buy fresh meat thats has a reduced sticker,thats goes in the freezer.

I also look for close-out/discontinued canned goods.If it is something I like I buy it all of it.

Wally-world I can get into trouble there LOL I buy in bulk

Also,I'm flexiable with my diet-from veggie to carnivore to McD's.There are times I *got to * go to Taco Bell

[Mac]

not sure if it was mentioned (if so i sorry)...

I have an hour (one way) drive to work everyday. I'm amazed by the amount of stuff that is thrown from the back of trucks... I can honestly say that everyday I see something that could be used.

- blocks of wood
- logs (firewood size)
- buckets
- tubes
- boxes
- trash cans

the list goes on...

I dont often stop to pick stuff up - but I have been debating it just to see what I can come up with over a period of time and how I could use it...

My wife would kill me though for collecting!

[Woodsman]

Self-reliance & sustained living skills are vital for not only SHTF & an extended survival situation, but also for a better everyday life style. Some of the most simple things can save you money. For example the use of a non-gas mower & goats to mow your yard will not only give your some excercise, maybe some milk & meat, It will also save money on your overall fuel bill. Another way to help keep grass short is to move a portable fence around with ducks & geese in it. They are grazers and will do a descent job also.

[stairman]

Ive had chickens, none at the moment but after some pen repairs Im getting somemore. My daughter would get attached to them so It was too hard to kill em. She has since moved out so Im getting some good laying hens and I miss the rooster crowing too. Ive been looking to trying my luck at rabbiteering. Rabbit manure is clean [needs no composting] and is the best organic fertilizer there is. Is also good fish bait so ive heard. Rabbit meat has less cholesterol than chicken and turkey. It is the highest protein meat and according to the USDA, is the most nutritious. All meat is white, similar to veal at half the price and 1 10 lb. doe can produce 320 lbs of meat per year. Meat to feed ratio is excellent. Im gonna try this and see how it goes. Tanned rabbit skins bring $2.00 each and you can sell live rabbits for pets and snake owners etc.