Homesteading is a bit like looking to the past and picking out the best bits. It can help you live a more sustainable and self-sufficient lifestyle, which offers you a range of benefits. You can save money and live your life at a slower pace, plus be prepared for anything that might happen in the future. However, most homesteaders don’t want to live entirely off-grid. You still need some contact with the outside world, and you probably want to benefit from some modern conveniences. There’s no need to feel like you’re not a “proper” or “real” homesteader, just because your homestead has some of the following modern conveniences.
Your Homestead Needs These Modern Conveniences
Electricity and Running Water
Even the most committed people are unlikely to want to live entirely without electricity or running water. If you’ve grown up with these things, you’re used to having them whenever you need them. The alternatives are time-consuming and inefficient, and that’s why we changed things. You might decide that you want to be off-grid in some way, perhaps by generating your own electricity using renewable methods. However, living by candlelight and drawing your water from a well isn’t going to make it any easier for you to run your homestead. These essential conveniences probably aren’t ones you’re willing to give up.
Phone and Internet
Contact with the outside world is still important if you’re running a homestead. For one thing, it’s important in case of emergencies. You also might have an employer you need to keep in touch with and, of course, you want to be able to get in touch with friends and family. It’s easy to set up a phone connection, internet, and even TV at the same time with one package. You can see www.suddenlink.com for more if you want to find a provider that will work for you. An internet connection can also make it a lot easier to run your homestead as a business. Whether you sell products or rent out rooms, you need to get your business online.
A Vehicle
While the Amish might be able to get around with horses, you’re likely to still require a motor vehicle. Perhaps you need it to get to work or even just to your nearest store. Even though you’re doing some things to improve your self-sufficiency, that doesn’t mean you can be or want to be completely isolated. A vehicle gives you access to the rest of the world, from doctors to airports. Check out https://www.houzz.com for ideas on which vehicles you need for your homestead.
Tools
Modern tools, from DIY supplies to gardening and farming tools, are essential to run an efficient homestead too. You might not want the modern distractions of tablet computers and television, but other technology and equipment can help you fulfill your dreams. Perhaps you want to be self-sufficient, but that doesn’t mean you want to do everything by hand when you have more efficient powered tools available.
Running a homestead doesn’t have to mean giving up all modern conveniences. In fact, many benefits of the modern world can help you run your homestead more efficiently. What modern conveniences do you use on your homestead? Tell me about them in the comment box below.
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