Living off The Grid: A Guide on How to Live Off the Land and Become Self-Sufficient Through Homesteading

By Dion Rosser

If you want to discover how to live off-grid without sacrificing the things you love and the things that make you happy, while living a back to basics lifestyle with less stress and more freedom, then keeping reading…

Do you want to become a homesteader? Are you tired of the polluted, hustle-and-bustle city life? Looking to make a change to a calmer, more environmentally responsible lifestyle? Do you dream of sourcing food from your own garden, hunting from your backyard, and relying on your own solar power or wind turbines?

Whether you already have experience, or you are looking to learn the basics to live off-grid, this book offers over 50 ways to become a successful off-grid dweller. From how to generate heat and get free electricity, to learning prepping and composting techniques for a more sustainable lifestyle—you'll find it here.

You'll get better at cooking at home, and you'll learn about gardening, electricity, and water in a way you've never imagined possible. You'll also learn the benefits of an outhouse, septic tank, and field bed and how you can use these things to help you. In this book, science and nature meet to create the ideal lifestyle.

Kombucha and sourdough are popular now, but people been culturing food for years. Culturing methods are steeped in tradition for some cultures, despite seeming like a new thing for the Western world. Making these things can be fun and interesting, and when you're self-sufficient, creating, and building become part of your daily life.

As this book will show you, you don't have to live in a remote location to become more attuned to nature. You can start slowly, by practicing reusing and recycling principles. Simple steps can help you hone your innate survival skills. A green-living lifestyle means less stress for you and less climate change damage to the planet.

In this guide you will discover:
- What living off the grid means
- How your background doesn't matter for living off-grid and out of the city
- The positive and negative elements of living off the grid
- How to create the best layout for your homestead
- Why and how to choose the style of your structure that will benefit your off-grid needs
- The water and sewer choices you have, including those you might not know about
- The most reliable sources of heat and electricity for off grid living
- Why gardening for your food supply works well, even with limited acreage
- The importance of raising livestock for food and how to do it
- How to preserve the foods you grow
- How to get by on the basics and what you really need
- Learn how our ancestors lived this way in ancient times
- How to make money from your homestead to help you sustain a comfortable lifestyle

This is your chance to raise your own chickens, ferment your own foods, become a self-sufficient homeowner, and become grounded. Our food sources are about to change – whether its because it's been made in a lab, because of mass production, or because of scarcity in agriculture. It might be time to forge your family's journey away from everything you've been relying on – and this book will help you do that.

If you're doubting this decision, have a look at the first few pages of the book; you'll see 25 reasons why you should live this way! Can you survive in the world and live off the grid? Can you build a self-reliant lifestyle? Absolutely!

It's about healing, connecting, and living a sustainable, regenerative life through science and nature with complete freedom.

Get this book now to begin your journey of learning how to live of this beautiful land we've been given. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dion Rosser
• Release date: Apr 7, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393356769

Book preview

Introduction

What is living off the grid? Take a minute to think about your definition. Write down the things you’ve heard about living off the grid and keep it handy but set it aside for a moment because you will get back to your description in a few minutes.

You bought this book because it is up to date, easy to understand, and great for beginners. It contains hands-on methods and instructions to start you living off-grid or as much off-grid as you wish.

Take the time to decide what you think it means to be off-grid now; you might just get a pleasant surprise or two in these pages.

You will learn what the steps to live off-grid are.

You'll gain an understanding of what it takes, the pros and cons.

When finished reading, you will know:

What you need to get started.

How to create a homestead layout.

The style of dwelling you want.

The water and sewer choices.

How to heat and use energy.

Gardening techniques.

How to raise livestock (and why you want to start with chickens!)

Ensuring you preserve the food.

How to make money from your home.

Numerous topics go into living on a homestead and not depending on anyone else for your survival. Whether you take up hunting or live a more pacifist life by eating only vegetables and fruits, this book can make sure it happens.

Now, with the world in upheaval, hundreds of thousands of deaths from COVID-19, and potential issues of buying enough food from a supermarket, it’s time to learn how you can have a sustainable life off-grid. You'll even gain skills that you can make money from when you are ready to employ them.

Chapter 1: What is Living Off the Grid?

There are as many definitions of off-grid living as there are resources available online in the form of homesteading, do-it-yourself, prepping, and green living websites, each differing in the technicalities, but there's one constant in all of those definitions—it’s a lifestyle in which you don't rely on everyday utilities such as electricity, gas, and water.

Let's look at the definitions to get a better idea of what living like this entails.

Living off-grid is a lifestyle and system that is independent of remote infrastructures such as gas and electricity. It mentions that all off-grid houses are autonomous, as they do not depend or form on sewers, municipal water, and other utilities.

MacMillan Dictionary defines it as avoiding the commodities, including water, electricity, and gas.

Urban Dictionary (yes, I went there) states something a bit more precise describing it as Living in an unrecorded and untraceable area through regular means. If you want an example, Ron Swanson from Parks and Recreation is a good one. Urban Dictionary further jests this way of living is a term for a person who uses no form of social media. Yeah, right!

Seeing the definitions, we can theorize that living off-grid refers to a lifestyle with a house completely free from public utilities and employs sustainable living by using renewable energy.

Let's now consider all these points one by one.

Being Independent of Public Utilities

What are the public utilities you can think of off the top of your head? Municipal water, sewers, and natural gas are what we're talking about.

Being independent of municipal water means you aren't connected to the town water and have your own off-grid water system instead. We will discuss more on that later.

Being independent of sewage involves having your field bed, a septic tank, an outhouse, and a propane/composting off-grid washroom.

Last, being free of natural gas saves you a ton in terms of bills, which leaves you money you can spend on having your wood stove, firewood, and other necessities you can use to cook food and heat your house with.

If being completely self-reliant and independent sounds too good to be true, and if it gets you excited, then choosing this lifestyle can be the right choice for you. Not just yet, you must take baby steps. The first question to ask yourself is how off the grid do you want to be, and if you're a person with a family, what do they think of this? This style of living doesn't appeal to everyone.

Being Independent of Electricity

This involves you being independent of an electrical power grid, which you can accomplish by either living without electricity or by developing your systems, such as using solar power, a generator or even turbines that run on wind. That's where the term off-grid originates; the grid is the electrical network.

Levels of Living Off-Grid

The amount of self-sufficiency you want to integrate into your life is yours to decide. This means different things to different people. There are varying levels of self-sufficiency. Certain people believe that you aren't following this way of life if you still must rely on propane and diesel as fuel for your generator or for heating your house. But others believe that they are merely by installing solar panels in their house in the suburbs. The latter can even sell their generated power to the local network.

Are You Still Off-Grid if You're Still Using Fuel?

Yes. As a hypothetical, let's consider that you're living in a cabin in the woods, heated by firewood, have an outhouse for toiletry, and have your water source. That counts as off the grid. You can use solar power and wind power to generate electricity, in which case you won't be using diesel, oil, or propane. That's considered being completely off-grid, but if you use fuel, that's you being off-grid only to a certain degree. Remember, we talked about varying degrees of this lifestyle. The definition is up to you to produce.

Using Solar Power Isn't the Criteria

Technically, if you have a house in the suburbs and are using solar power as your primary source of electricity, you're still connected to the electrical grid. So, doesn't that beat the purpose of living off-grid? In most American states and Canadian provinces, you have the option of selling your solar power, a process that's known as net metering.

Are You Allowed to Use the Internet?

Totally. Where you're getting good cell service, you can use the data on your phone to access the Internet. You can have a wireless hub, which allows you to stay connected even if you're residing in a very remote location. Internet access is unbelievably valuable to folk who want to live this way, but still want to generate money by, say, freelancing to sustain financially. And you can use satellite Internet or sometimes visit the nearest town to access public Wi-Fi such as a coffee shop or a fast-food joint. Ask yourself what you want to do with the Internet access and then plan accordingly.

What Does Live Off-Grid Mean to You?

The definition—after including the barebones—is up to you to decide. Early in the process, decide how, what, why and where you plan to get off-grid so you can make plans and strategies to accomplish your goal. For many people, living off-grid is a dream come true, and for others, it's a way to escape the hustle-bustle of living a hectic life in the city. Do you wish to be more self-sufficient? Are you yearning for independence from the power grid? Are you doing it to enjoy nature more? Do you intend to pursue this because it suits your personality, and you consider it quite a lucrative lifestyle? Make up a list of points as to why you crave to do it and what's in it for you. For example, what are the pros and cons of this lifestyle, how rewarding is it, and how tough can it be, what should you do if an emergency occurs, and last, are you cut out for this?

Why Do You Want to Live Off-Grid?

Everyone has their reasons, and I'm sure that you have them too. With those in mind, let's look extensively at the general why’s and see if they resonate with your reasons.

It makes you self-sufficient.

This form of living is sustainable.

You'll be relying on renewable energy.

This is a more environmentally responsible way to live life.

Off-grid living is more practical since we're reusing and recycling and managing our resources.

Since you're using fewer resources, you'll leave be leaving less waste.

This lifestyle means you get to admire and appreciate nature in a way that's simply impossible in the city. You're more attuned to nature, which will improve your lifestyle, making it healthier.

You'll be actively doing chores around the house, working, and striving to sustain yourself, which will make you healthier. The physical benefits are way too many to count.

It's a rewarding lifestyle.

It will make you happy and content because of more

Reviews for Living off The Grid

[Ceb Ali · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

All in all, it was a very good book, provided some great information, introduced some good resources, and gave a very good perspective of his research and experiences. I would recommend this book to anyone starting their journey to explore living off grid

[Julius Brigades · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a very informative book, if you have any interest in living the offgrid life style, then this is the book to start learning. Good to have people like this who can take all the extensive research you would have to do and do it for you.

[Harvey Woods · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is succinct yet so comprehensive. It’s provides a good outline and overview. Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and had helped unmeasurable amounts in my need to eventually live off-grid and it has also been heaps of help in my research for my dissertation on off-grid living.

[Mark Roel Esponilla · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

By reading this guidebook, you'll learn the steps to live off-grid. You'll understand also what it takes and the pros and cons. You'll know what you need to get started, how to create a homestead layout, the style of dwelling you want, the water and sewer choices, how to heat and use energy, gardening techniques, how to raise livestock, ensuring you preserve the food, and how to make money for your home. And even if you're just a beginner, this is still great for you because it is up to date and easy to understand.

[Romelyn Castro · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is such a breathe of fresh air where it opened us to a possibility that we can be independent to such amenities we've been used to. Of course, there are pros and cons but the desire within us will drive us to keep going to what we've started. I like how this book have an assessment to know if the reader is cut out to off-grid living for the reason that it is not easy as it may seems. I enjoyed reading this. Good work, Author!

[Hestia Selin · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I've been considering relocating to a remote community to get away from the city's chaotic environment, but there are several factors to consider and where to begin. I'm grateful to have found this book as a step in my dream of living off the grid. Reading this book inspired me to take a step of my dream that is to be more survival-oriented and not to be dependent on the emerging technology and to become more environmentally conscious.

[Trishajan Marzan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Cities can be tiring. Most of the time they are nosy and makes you feel extra exhausted. Not to mention the pollution going on with all those lights, noise, and smoke. So, sometimes we can't help but crave for peace and quiet. That's why this book makes it so perfect for those who seek quietude after all the buzz.

If you want to know how to live off-grid without throwing off the things you love too do and the things that make you happy, while living a back to basics lifestyle with less stress and more freedom, then this book is perfect for you!

[Niebby Barez · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Living far from the urban area has been in my head for a couple of years now. Although there's something about the hustle and bustle of the city that I am fascinated about, part of me wants to be with nature and find that certain peace. By reading this book, it inspired me to do things that seeks more of survival and to learn things that doesn't revolve around technologies -- to involve myself to the environment. But I will take into consideration the pros and cons of living off the grid. I appreciate that the author included that input. Overall, this wonderful and informational.

[Anne Watson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

To live is to become productive and resourceful in the most creative way possible.

By all means necessary, suddenly we have been conscious with the food we eat, the money we invest, how we take care of our homes, and basically our livelihood in general. This is because of the different crises that has come to struck us. Nevertheless, Dion Rosser provided ways on how to get back up with living again - this time you're the one to provide everything all to yourself, and your family. Rosser found a creative way to illustrate and discuss what living off the grid feels like. Said you don't necessarily have to migrate from the urban to rural because you can live the same way that the province people do just by having a guide like this. This book is sensible enough to demand for readership as it discusses cooking at home, and you'll learn about gardening, electricity, and water in a way you've never imagined possible. You'll also learn the benefits of an outhouse, septic tank, and field bed and how you can use these things to help you. In this book, science and nature meet to create the ideal lifestyle. Comprehensible enough to read and handy to carry, Rosser also provided unfamiliar terms that originated from the western world, which is easy to be understood and will help you improve with being self-sufficient.

[Nelna Mae Nalangan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My greatest takeaway from this book is that living-off grid can help us become financially responsible. As a lady in 20's, I am now in the stage of thinking about work and having my own home and this book gave me insights about sustainable living. In this time of pandemic, I am happy to come across this gem that care about the environment and sustainable development. As a Social Studies major, I am sure that I will cite this book in one of our essays or reports, especially in Geography and Economics.

[Shey · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is very useful, it reminds me the way we live in province way back 2010, my mothers partner use to plant some vegetables in yard. this was amazing book.

[Rosendo Villarmea · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I've been missing my hometown ever since this pandemic occur, I rarely go home to the province. Living off the grid is not that bad, in fact, you'll get to learn how to live simply, free from traffics, city noises, and polluted air. You'll get yourself relaxed and connect with the environment, feel the fresh air and eat fresh foods from your garden. This book has stated it all. If you haven't experience doing so. Then this book will guide you completely.

[John Kenneth Vertido · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I liked that the author covered most of my points of interest , One thing that I thought was great about the book was that the author provided examples of price ranges. I very much liked this book. It is an easy read, full of very good advise. This is a great first step into having the life you've dreamed about.

[Daisy Regala-Ando · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I've been planning to settle down in provincial area away from stressful environment in the city but have many things to consider and how to start. Grateful to find this book as my stepping stone for my plan and that is learning about living off the grid. Reading this book gives me confident to start my plan and this book will be my guide. I gain useful and ideal information that I can easily apply in the future also considering the possible outcome of my plan that I'm also aware off. I loved the book!

[Marnie Bentulan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love this book, it teaches us how to survive on our own by utilizing what we have. It's like back to basics. This is very helpful, especially during lockdowns due to pandemic. I highly recommend this book.

[Ross Mari Galleto · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Let's face it, living on your own without depending on anyone is just too good to be true. Growing up in a remote area wherein we use only what's available, was a childhood happy memory but something that I don't like to live again. But I guess, the convenience of living off grid this book offers is something you'll grab and love, only if you have enough budget to start it because living far from the community is no joke. I love how the author state the cons and the things you might need to consider before trying this lifestyle. Recommending this book to everyone who wants lo live at peace, but beware if you have a family to consider.

[Herlyn Martin · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I could say that this book helps a lot. It is fascinating and very informative. Pages are so cool that it could even give encouragement for those persons like me who wants to start some little hobby in their backyard and all. Books are still great, far more than any references, I guess. Good book.

[Eduard Salvador · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I've always imagined how it is to live in a very remote area where no means of technology can reach. How it is possible to sustain living in such conditions. This book taught me a lot about living off the grid which I only seen in movies. It is very concise when it comes to explaining the off grid living. My initially thoughts about this living condition is completely cutting ties with technology but this book stated that it's not always the cases. There are varying degrees of living off grid, even you're still using the internet. This book also contained the different pro's and con's of off-grid living so that's a plus for me. Other discussions inside also included what is needed to get started, creating a homestead layout, style of living structure and many more that relates to off the grid living. Highly informative and helpful. Would recommend this many people who value their time and lifestyle.

[Lyra Jhoana Marapao · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really found Dion Rosser's books as very beneficial. Books that i've read are mostly for survival.
This book is easy to understand so you can easily follow every details and instruction needed in beginning your own food supply like livestock and planting. These are not only for food supply but also applicable for business owning. This book is such a blessing. Kindly consider this one and be informed.

[Lancy Lass · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is remarkable, and I've just begun to explore with what it will do. Every chapter is enlightening and helpful! I've been trying to plan a project to sustain our family for several weeks, and I've been sifting through information from all over the web, but this has everything I need to understand. The information given is useful for those who need a clear understanding of off-grid living before embarking on this path.

[Revi James · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I, like many those who are worried with life in a big city these days, am fascinated with the notion of off-grid living. This book is an excellent guide to the idea, with advice on the building process, planning, and taking steps to make the dream a reality. It is not only useful, but also inspiring because it depicts living off the grid as a feasible alternative. It's not only practical, but also empowering, since it portrays the off-grid lifestyle as a viable option that isn't as far-fetched as it might seem. It comes with a strong recommendation.

[Ryan Intes Patigdas · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The content of this book is very reliable. I can relate on this topic since I was born and raised in a provincial place and homesteading is our way of living and I can guarantee you that its worth living from nutritious food, stress-free, peaceful and healthy environment. I'm glad I read this book it gives me additional ideas and techniques on homesteading that I didn't know and be able apply when I go back home and settling. Theres no place like home. Thank you for this author.

[Vanessa Elnar · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is a complete manual for someone whose aspect of living life with the clock turned back. It has just about every topic covered for homesteading and having a sustainable living and resources.

[Fiye Imri · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book answered some questions I didn’t even know I had about homesteading. The ideas are organized and it’s like a manual for me. It has excellent information especially with raising chickens and planting in an ideal garden. It’s a great homesteading project planner for us!

[Kimmie Camerino · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

You can start saving when you choose living off-grid. Yes, there are challenges and rewards so you have to prepare for it. Living off-grid can be peaceful and can bring you close to nature yet it needs more start-up costs and maintenance. It’s up to you as long as you are knowledgeable about the facts and consequences. This book will be very helpful.

[Antoniette Luarez · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

There will be time that you have to be resourceful and not depend on the things that you have now. Living off-grid means you are becoming more independent.

[Anthony N. Luarez Jr. · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A must read for anyone especially those who are preppers, homesteads, and looking to become self-reliant. This book has so much useful information and a good book for us to prepare for some natural disasters or unexpected events in the future.

[Maui Lasaga · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It’s indeed a wonderful book to discuss you the basics if ever you needed it or want to just live with the basics like homesteading. Making your life simple is complicated. Lol. This book can help you manage your expectations and can help you to get started.

[Cathy Malubay · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I re-read this book! It has with loads of helpful content and ideas for beginners. This can be a reference for things you can do. This will help you in every phase from the preparation to the maintenance of your resources as you start your life off-grid.

[Brann Arellano · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love the idea of this book that living off-grid can help you practice reusing and recycling. It means that if you have our renewable resources, your existing resources which are somewhat harmful to the environment will be lessen, too. A good read for adults and can be a good preparation for kids and teens, too.