Basic/Starting Costs

We have been plugging along ... making plans, budgeting etc. We are starting with the bare necessities. Life in it's simplest terms is not only good ... but will leave us the ability to be less stressed, freer in our thoughts and more able in our planning. I have planned on the high side of costs simply because it's better to have more money in this situation than not enough. Here's what we have put together:

We may add to the above list as well as decide some items just aren't needed right away (all though I don't see *that* happening). We just want to be as prepared as possible. Fortunately we belong to a Yahoo group with people who either want the same life style that we do or are already living it & are more than happy to pass on their experiences. This is also a life style that we have thoroughly researched ... for at least half our marriage, if not longer. The first half we would talk & make plans not realizing that there were still people living the "old fashioned" ways.

Ever since revealing our move & plans, we've been told:

• we're crazy
• we're stupid
• we aren't "allowed" to live off grid

I realize that most of these comments come from a lack of education on the topic & lifestyle ... to which I encourage people to educate themselves. I also know though that some of them come from people who are against living simply & to some extent think that living that way is less than acceptable in compared to today's standards. They feel like they would or could not live this way, so no one should.

I really believe that America is a spoiled country. There are others living with out electricity, and get along quite well. Yet we whine when the power goes out for an hour. The average home is 2,469 sq. ft. (according to Wiki Answers.Now ... put the average size family (3 because I'm not rounding people off to the 3.14 ... HOW do you get .14 of a person?) Any way, divide the amount of sq. footage by the number of people & you get 823 sq. ft. PER PERSON ... Now, I understand that there are people that prefer big homes with plenty of space. If that works, great! For us though, it's just not kool. All that empty space does nothing but accrue clutter & stuff that gets piled up and not used. We truly have no need for all that space & stuff. So, as much as you have a need to be respected for your choices ... we expect the same, even though they are far different from "typical."

I hope you come back & check on us!