by Tim Higgs
When the term “live off the grid” is brought up in casual conversation, many people think of mountain dwellers living in the middle of nowhere with no phone, electricity or indoor plumbing. This could not be further from the truth of what off-grid living really is.
Those who are “on the grid” have bank accounts, credit cards, pay utility bills, and must know all the facts about identity theft to protect themselves from uncouth on-grid folks. Living off-grid simply means you are as self-sufficient as possible, and could care less about credit and all the material stuff that comes with it. Those thinking of living the off-grid lifestyle should weigh all the advantages and disadvantages for themselves before going all-in.
The Inconvenient Truth
Living off-grid does not mean you can’t have modern conveniences like microwaves, televisions and internet. It does, however, mean you live in a smaller shelter and have to utilize alternative means to acquire your property and material items. A bank account is the one thing most people don’t think they can go without, but that’s simply not true. It just takes a few extra steps.
There are more than enough pre-paid debit card options out there which can provide a place to directly deposit paychecks, pay bills, and purchase items online. Your internet will either be a pre-paid hot spot or you can park outside of a business that has a strong enough signal for you to use. Hot water will also be precious and something you’ll learn to appreciate. Van and RV dwellers sometimes get gym memberships to use its facilities, which can ultimately become a necessary annoyance.
The best part about all the aforementioned is that you become difficult to track by government NSA programs. Pre-paid phones, credit cards and internet are all disposable and don’t even necessarily require your name or social security number to get activated. You simply purchase re-fill cards for phone and internet, and walk into a store to load money on a credit card.
Here’s To Your Health
A study by French researcher Gilles-Eric Seralini, published in the September 2012 Reed Elsevier’s Food and Chemical Toxicology (FCT) journal, found that genetically-modified foods (GMOs) caused tumors and premature death in lab rats. The study was ultimately removed from the journal because the publisher said the study was poorly done. But this was likely due to pressure by Monsanto and other GMO producers.
Virtually all commercially farmed cows and chickens are fed GMO grains, and most vegetables bought in supermarkets have been in contact with Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide. Growing your own food and farming animals is time-consuming, but will almost certainly improve your quality of life and help you live longer. Adding more fresh fish to your diet can also boost Omega 3 fatty acids in your system, and subsequently lower blood pressure and the risks of depression and arthritis.
Enrich Your Life
A study published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine found that the more television toddlers watch, the less intelligent they are. When you lack unlimited electricity and fuel, you tend to find ways to entertain yourself (sans television) that simultaneously teach you something. All you need is a candle and a place to lie down to read a book. You’ll ultimately talk and interact with your family more since everyone will not be pre-occupied with a smartphone or some other device everywhere they go. There are other essential life skills you’ll be forced to learn that otherwise would have been left to a machine or special trades-men (i.e. de-feathering, gutting and broiling the chicken you ate this afternoon).
The choice to live off-grid or not comes down to the desire to free yourself from the rat-race so you can appreciate all life has to offer. It will take some major adjustments and dedication. But if you’re willing to sacrifice conditioned habits and materials for freedom, off-grid living can work for you.
