“If you don’t think it will happen in your lifetime, why do you want to go off-grid? Something you’d enjoy?”
My grandfather was a man of the land and I remember him reading Grit magazine articles to me, and he semi-lived the self-sufficiency life style.
In the late 70s I bought the original 4 Foxfire books, and I was hooked on all manner of that lifestyle. The entire self-sufficiency idea fits me to a tee as I am fiercely independent...possibly to my own detriment I imagine.
I remember in the early 80s trying to talk to some folks at work about a Trombe Wall...they thought I was nuts.
Along the way I realized we send our mil to places, the local folks change their ways to appease us, they take everything we have to offer, and then we leave. And they return to the exact behavior that brought us there. I experienced that a few times.
Then there’s the tax issue. I’m not married, my kids are grown and gone, I have no bills not even a mortgage, and I have a good job. Many times my fed income tax is about the same as a retirement I’m collecting. Ironically, some guys with kids/wife I work with that make about the same as I do, but aren’t collecting a retirement income, actually take home (gross) more than I do.
I’m all for a flat (consumption) tax.
So I’m to the point now where I just want to be self-sufficient and get out from under the government meddling in my life in any way shape or form. I don’t want their power at my house, their gas meter, water meter, bldg. inspectors, etc. I’m perfectly capable at taking care of myself.
But to be clear the allure of self-sufficiency is greater than getting out from under the gov...always has been.
After you explained it and thinking about it, I think you’re smart to diversify (rentals, business, etc.).
Age and health are a consideration. I’m in great health but who knows how long that will last.
Another consideration is hobbies, etc. If I went way out in the boonies I wouldn’t be able to participate. But getting far enough out so as not to deal with bldg. codes, inspectors, etc. was a pain.
I like older folks. They have a down to earth peace about them - many do anyway - that I think comes from that lifestyle and mindset.
I hear ya on taxes. When I worked, I worked for half of what the male engineers were working for. Being a second income, I was taxed at the top rate my husband was at. Like with your retirement. I gather it is taxable then - bummer!
“But to be clear the allure of self-sufficiency is greater than getting out from under the gov...always has been.”
Awesome! yes, the less we need from them the less control they have over us. One of my favorite hobbies is splitting and stacking wood. I get great pleasure from creating a heat source that the government cannot tax or add fees to or regulate! And the motions of repetitively splitting and stacking somehow mesmerize me into a state of calmness and concentration. Much like how doing software was.
“Another consideration is hobbies, etc. If I went way out in the boonies I wouldn’t be able to participate. But getting far enough out so as not to deal with bldg. codes, inspectors, etc. was a pain.”
Being too remote was a consideration for us. We searched out WV first, and the towns there are few and far between. I didn’t realize you could get too remote! I think I’d want basic necessities somewhat nearby.
Funny about the inspections and permits. The place we settled on didn’t have building codes until 2010. So you have to be VERY careful buying a house. There are now some elementary codes to follow along with a permit required (but nothing like Mexiforia, where the costs of permits and inspections can bankrupt you, and the inspectors enjoy their power to hold up your addition or whatever it is). NO inspections are needed, just the permit and that doesn’t even need engineered plans. Again, it’s caveat emptor because there are some pieces of junk that were built. But I like the freedom to make your own mistakes and take the consequences. There’s too much babysitting going on in the more socialist states!
Sounds like with 2 pensions, you’ll be doing fine. Just have to make it through the required amount of time. Are you close enough to perhaps buy a property near where you would want to settle and go there on weekends? We did that with a mountain cabin in the Sierras. It wasn’t our ideal retirement spot, but it kept us sane for the 13 years we were here. Got to get away from the city, be somewhere pretty, and had a bugout location, just in case.