Saving on The Cost of Laundry Soap

The cost of laundry soap is a huge budget buster in today's economy.  If you do not currently make your own lye soap, please make an attempt at doing it at least once. There are all kinds of recipes on the internet to learn how.  The "how to's" have videos.

If you do not want to start with your own handmade soap, get several bars of your favorite soap and a grater. Be sure that you would like the scent on your clothes. 

Grate two bars of soap to a gallon of water in a stainless steel or enamel pot. Add a 1/2 cup of Arm & Hammer Washing Soda and place it in the sun with a lid. Stir occasionally until the soap is melted. Over time the soap may thicken so adding water to desired thickness for pouring will help.  

We use left over coffee containers, but any bucket that is not metal will do.  Soap is caustic and may eat metal.  Fragrance oils can also be added such as Fresh Linen to unscented soap. 

Use 1/2 to 1 cup per load depending on the size of the washer and whether or not it is a front loader.  Front loaders use less laundry soap.  This laundry soap can be used in cold water, it does not clump.

Now if I could just figure out how to make toilet paper.

If you would, I would like to hear back on how you liked the soap and your savings. 

I'm Tired

I'm tired. I took off work today because I'm tired... Tired of spending the better part of my time hating the job that I do so that I can live in a remote area that I love. I am hardly ever there.

I'm tired of having to make money to support a government so that I can keep my land and the house they told me I could build.

I have worked for 40 years. Somehow during that time I envisioned how I wanted to live and managed to attain that dream in the past couple of years. Now my dream is being over shadowed by the need to make money to sustain a very small portion of how I would like to live.

I'm tired of going to work with a knot in the pit of my stomach hoping that the day was already over. I don't know how many more days I have to regret. I'm tired of listening to grouchy people who feel they have the right to make me miserable as a means to make themselves feel better. I used to be one of those people...angry, frustrated, unhappy about my life and myself. I made everyone around me hurt. What did I gain from this? Tired and worn down. I am forgetting to watch the sunrise and set.

I have a website in hopes of making enough money so that I don't have to have outside income. I am finding that I like telling stories. That I am not a salesperson. Once it was time to monetize my site, I lost all focus and interest. One person told me that my website reads like a blog. They were right. So here I am on my blog.

I know this is not the norm for offgrid living but I think it comes with the territory. How do you make a living while living off grid? How do you live once you find out how you want to live?

Wood Pellet Baskets

We were looking the other day at pellet stoves. A cord of wood where we are in Arizona is about $400.00. Frankly, we are getting too old to cut and split firewood. We have two chain saws that haven't worked right since we got them.

Not knowing how much electricity a pellet stove uses, we were in search of an answer. Changing the stove pipe which for us, was almost as much as our stove, was not appealing. We still do not know the electrical draw for a pellet stove, but we did come across wood pellet baskets. These baskets can be used in any wood stove. We ordered one for our wood stove hoping next time we can make one.

We was so excited, we were not looking forward to spending another $2000.00 or more to change stoves. We still have the option to burn firewood. We took a look at the price of a ton of pellets as opposed to the bags. Took into consideration the storage and decided that the $.001 cent per pound for the difference was not worth trying to store. For about 11 cents a pound, we can cut our energy cost by about 1/3. Pellets burn cleaner and more efficiently.

There is a small out of pocket expense to start and can be pay as you go. It is like picking up a three or four bags of dog food each week. If it does not work not much is lost and we still have our wood stove.

There seems to be two different types of baskets. One is a wire mesh and the other is tubes welded together. Although, we like the tube better, it would not fit through the opening of our stove so we chose the wire basket.

One of the issues that we may be face is controlling the burn with the damper. We will let you know how that works.

How to Install... A Pole-Mounted Solar-Electric Array: Part 2

How to Install... A Pole-Mounted Solar-Electric Array: Part 2

Solar or not?

Solar was about the only way we could go when we decided to live in the Arizona desert. It was also at that time about all we could afford. We were not trying to make a statement one way or the other. This is what we needed in order to live where we chose to live.

Our retirement plan was "what can we do without in order to survive?". Through with the lay offs we have gotten a pretty good preview of what we can live without.

We started planning for the fall of the economy when the housing market started rising dramatically about 6 years ago. We were one of the fortune ones that bought low and sold high, took 13 years of owning our home but it quadrupled in price. It was a very modest home. Within 1 1/2 years the home we sold was barely worth what we paid for it in the 90's.

So here we are, unemployed and very thankful we do not have a mortgage or utilities. We lost nothing when we lost our jobs accept some pride. Most people would be homeless after 6 months.

We put all that money up front into solar when we were working and now we are reaping the rewards. We are surviving.

Granted a grid-tie solar system is a bit less expensive than an offgrid one due to the charge controller and battery backup. But if you are going to go solar, do a stand alone system if possible. We would never sell back to a utility company at a fraction of the rate we were buying. Let them buy the land and the solar to put on it. We did all of the research, leg work and put the money, sweat and tears into this off grid solar system. We don't need them anymore. We paid for the system, it belongs to us and it is not for sale for a penny on the dollar.

Eventually, it will get to the point to where they need us. Think about it.

Do-it-Yourself Solar Kits

An inexpensive way to introduce yourself to solar

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Solar kits are a good way to learn about installing your own solar. Buy an inexpensive do-it-yourself solar kit. We purchased a solar kit for an RV when we first started out. It was only a 20 watt panel, charge controller, the adjustable rack and cables. It came with all of the instructions for installation.

Anything that bought that is solar is not going to be a waste of money. It gave us a really good understanding of how solar worked and it powered the lights on our travel trailer and kept the batteries charged since we only used it on weekends.

The 20 watt panel now is used to power our booster pump for the well It has been up and running for almost 4 years and we have never, rain or shine ever run out of water.

It is independent of our home solar so if we use too much power or during monsoon when there is not enough sunlight, we still have running water coming to the house. All of our neighbors, have to run their generators in the morning in order to have water. We never have.

So if you want to try out solar but do not want to spend a lot of money, buy an inexpensive do-it-yourself solar kit and try it.

Ed Schieffelin scupture bring Wild West to life

Eight-foot Ed Schieffelin sculpture

SOLAR FURNACE HEAT COLLECTOR FREE ENERGY HOW TO TOTAL COST $100

New AZ gun laws

You can now carry a concealed gun without a permit

Tuscon Electric Power wants to cut rebates for solar

TEP said it has asked the Arizona Corporation Commission to reduce residential SunShare rebates from $3 to $2.25 per watt for grid-tied PV arrays.

Luke Air Force base to complete solar project by 2011

Solar power project to be completed by 2011 at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona.  It will power 4250 homes.

Bee Swarm Stings Eight People

Bees sting eight at south side apartment complex

Does anyone use a solar oven?

We use our solar oven as often as possible.  So far I have not been all that creative.  I usually make pot roasts, whole chickens, pork loins or some kind of red sauce or soup.  We usually cook something that doesn't require to much timing.

We made ratatouille, boy did it smell good.  We sat outside just sniffing away and commenting on how good it smelled. Neighbors came over and commented on good it smelled.  By the time we were done admiring it, we dished it our onto our plates and it did smell good.  Unfortunately we overcooked it by a couple of hours and it was pretty much mush.....but it did smell good.

When monsoon is over we would like to try huevos rancheros or muffins or quick breads.  We have not baked in it at all.  We know we need to preheat the oven before making baked goods.  Not real good about that either.


Sun Oven | Solar Cooking

Sun Drying or Dehydrating to Preserve Foods

Another good way to preserve foods if they are not going to be used immediately, is to sun dry or dehydrate them . Use just the trays of the dehydrator, not the heater. One can be purchased cheaply at a yard sale. Use solar rays to heat and the wind to dry whenever possible.

Many dehydrated foods have a shelf life of several years, about 5-10 years. They can be vacuum sealed, labeled and date for future use. This makes for easy storage. They can also be stored in jars or tins. They should be stored in a cool dry place.

Dried fruits have the least shelf life of 2-5 years depending on the environment it is stored. Always check the food for spoilage and the package for leaks before using it to be sure it is okay.

Tips on Keeping a Watchful Eye on Waste

Keep a watchful eye on waste. Conservation in today's economy is a must.  Are disposable items really necessary or merely a convenience ? Is it really so time consuming to wash and reuse?

Instead of just listing ideas on how to conserve we thought we would show some of the things that we are doing to conserve and save money too.  This can be done with a bit of planning.

Make your own handmade lotions, lotion bars, lotion butters, soaps, and laundry soap, perfumes, handcraft cards for birthdays, weddings and holidays.  This personalized touch is always welcome.  Use baking soda as a fabric softener in clothes or in the spa.  A favorite fragrance oil can be added.  Handmade special gifts will always be on hand for family and friends.

The easiest way to make your own lotion butter is to buy Shea Butter at any drug store.  Put it in a bowl and whip it with a wand or electric mixer until it is light and fluffy.  Shea Butter is a natural UV and moisturizer.

Solar Furnace

I am looking into building a solar furnace.  I have the basics, it just cannot be mounted on a south wall.  It must be mounted on the roof and it is a shed roof.  Has anyone seen information regarding this?

Is Living Offgrid Right For You?

Is Living Offgrid Right For You?-Some Things To Consider Before Moving Offgrid
The following are some things to consider before packing up and moving to an offgrid location.
Cost:
How will you finance your offgrid home? Cash, pay as you go, home mortgage loan, private loan? The answer to this question effects how your plans will progress.
If you have cash to pay for your offgrid home, do you have enough? Conservatively speaking, building the home yourself will cost between $80.00 to $100.00 per sq. ft. That's if you userecycled materials where possible and depending on your own your own skill level, cut labor costs. Research home mortgage loans for offgrid, they are not as easy to get as a conventional loan.If you are relocating the mortgage company is going to need to know how you will pay for the loan.
Building permits:
Check with your local city, county and state codes. Laws for your state may supercede local laws. Be sure that you understand the building codes and their cost. Your local office may or may notbe very helpful with this information. You will need to talk with building inspectors to insure that you both understand what is needed to pass inspections. In rural areas this may be up tothe interpretation and the discretion of the inspector.
Where to purchase land:
Are you relocating? How far away is the property you want to develop from your current location?Will you live on the property while it is being built? What permits do you need? Does the landhave any improvements like well (shared or private) or septic? Be sure that the land is ratedfor it's intended use as there may be restrictions on the type of home that you are able to build. Modern conveniences you cannot live without:
If you cannot live without an air conditioner, you may want to rethink living offgrid unless youhave unlimited funds. Large energy consuming appliances are unrealistic for offgrid applications.
Type of home construction:
The type of construction for your offgrid home should reflect your climate and region. Assess the climate were your home will be located. If it is a cold climate, heating and weatherizingyour offgrid home may be your main concern. If it is a hot arid climate, keeping your home coolfrom the scorching hot sun may be the prime issue. If it is hot and humid, cooling and moisturemay be relevent. There are many factors to consider when chosing the type of construction of your offgrid home. Personal style, environment, pests, insects, weather, type of soil and land elevation are also to be considered.
Who will build:
Owner/builder, contractor, some subcontractors. Owner/builders need to assess their skill levelsto insure they are capable of building the type of home chosen. Chose your contractor and subcontractors wisely. Just because someone you know had a good experience does not mean thatyou will. Research local contractors and get to know them to see if you communicate well.Communication is the key with contractors. Be sure you both understand what you are receivingfor the services rendered. You cannot assume everything is included. Ultimately it is the owner'sresponsibility to insure all is done right and on time. If there is a building boom in your areayou can expect delays.
Life style:
Does your personal life style mesh well with offgrid living? If you have no experience with livingoffgrid, read articles of other people's life styles to see if feels right for you. Depending onyour location and building choices, life can be fairly rugged.
Environment:
Is the natural environment where you choose to build your offgird home compatable with your visonof how you want to live?
Usually, but not always, offgrid homes are off the beaten path. This means that you will be living in a natural habitat with animals, reptiles, insects where you or your pets could be the prey. Learn all that you can about the area in which you would like to build. If there arepotentially dangerous animals, learn about their behavior and habitats. Sometimes we createand invite animals close to our homes because we are unaware of their habits. They need food, shelter and sometimes water. If we provide these, they will come.
Employment/how to make money:
If you do not have a home based business in mind, look for one. Or check the local newspapersfor employment before you build. Now what types of industries that may be nearby.

Written and submitted by Jeanne Patera
http://www.offgrid-desert-living.com

Killer Bees

On August 12, 2007 my husband Ron walkd out to our trailer which we now use for storage. He was stopped dead in his tracks about 30 feet from the trailer by a very loud humming noise. Hovering above the trailer was a black cloud. He looked at the trailer which is 31 feet long and all of the windows were covered in bees. He backed up and came back to the house. The house is located approximately 120 feet from the trailer.

We were going to wait 24 hours because we knew that sometimes bees make a stop and then move on the next day. Later on that evening we were outside in the front of our home and the scrub bushes and mesquite trees were buzzing. It sounded like a huge wall of constant humming moving toward us. I told Ron we needed to get into the house...now. I had images of our home being engulfed in bees. Since we live in Arizona I knew these were not garden honey bees. A swarm that large terrified me. The swarm moved in unison straight for our trailer congregating above it before landing and finding every crack to go inside.

Monday morning I called the Killer Bee Guy. I explained our situation to him over the phone. He met me at the end of our road within an hour. We made our introductions and drove to the trailer. The bees were crawling and swarming the trailer inside and out. He told me that we had a lot of bees and to go up to the house and he would suit up. He put on a white jumpsuit, gloves and a hood. He walked around the trailer a few times and then went inside. When he was finished he came up to the house.

He told me it was a good thing that we did not try to disturb the bees. They had already built a hive and they had only been there 24 hours. He said that the queen sends out about 30 bees and if they do not come back she does not send anymore to the same location. If they come back she will send about 30,000 and in a 24 hour period there can be over 100,000 bees. Which is what had occurred in our situation.

They were Africanized honey bees (killer bees). He tried to take them with him for his hives but he said that they were too aggressive so they had to be killed. Many of the bees escaped when the bombs went off. There were still thousand laying in pools under the trailer the next day. There were hundreds still swarming the trailer so I could not go inside. They had mainly moved to a nearby mesquite tree blocking our main gate to the property.

I tried to walk my dogs on Tuesday but for three days the bees remained highly aggitated. They had moved up to the house making it difficult to go in or out. The bees were on my dogs as soon as we went outside. I cut up some white T-shirts and put them on all four of my dogs. Bees have a hard time seeing white. I made sure I had no fragrances from soap or deoderant. The white T-shirts worked for the dogs but kept swarming around my face. I got stung on the back of the neck. Killer bees will attack the face and eyes as well as anything black in color. One of my dogs is black and small so I did not think he would survive a bee attack.

Africanized honey bees arrived in Arizona in 1993. They are a hybrid of European and Africain honey bees which were an experiment gone terribly wrong in Brazil. Honey bees are not indiginous to the Americas. From what I have read 26 African queen bees were accidentally let loose in Brazil. Brazil was trying to produce a bee that would withstand the heat better. They mated with the European honey bee and spread very quickly.

Some of the consistant observations are:

Africanized honey bees are not particular on where they colonize, they will set up a hive in a hole in the ground, in a soda can, on the side of your home, in a wood pile.
They swarm more than 30 times a year. This means they divide the colony, usually due to a new queen bee being born.
The queen lays between 1500 and 2500 eggs a day
They can be very aggressive when a threat is perceived
They can chase a threat up to 1 1/4 miles
They are moving north through the United States and have arrived in Utah. It is not known whether they can survive the colder climates.
Africanized honey bees a difficult for the beekeepers and farmers to control. I assume that this means they do not come back to the box hives to make honey. They go off and start their own colony where they want.

I am sure this is not the last time we will encounter killer bees. I am told we live in the heart of killer bee country and that there are no European honey bees in this area anymore. There are more and less aggressive Africanized bees.

Offgrid desert living-not remote anymore

Offgrid desert living used to mean that you had to live in an excluded remote area of the state. One might have been considered anti-social or a deviant from mainstream society. Living offgrid lends itself to think about your surroundings, what in the desert is living with you. Every day you need to consider whether you have enough water or power for the day or do you need to run the well pump or shut some things down to conserve.

It is not like city dwellers, but it isn't a desert rat either. You can be offgrid and still have neighbors who are relatively close. Our neighbors are unique people bringing with them their own experiences, skill levels and knowledge in which to draw.

They each came with their own thoughts on how they wanted to live. The desert valley where we settled is as diverse as the city. We range in ages from early thirties to mid eighties.
There is no mistaking each others home, no one home is anything like the other. We have school buses with additions to two story farm houses and everything in between. Each had an idea and acted upon it. Each are living our dreams.

In many ways offgrid desert living is a- learn- as- you- go process. Problems are encountered with no apparent solution. Creativity kicks in and if it doesn’t, call one of your neighbors. You know them all well enough that you would know which one to call for a specific problem.

We have get togethers, cookouts and parties or we may go into Tombstone together for a drink , lunch or dinner. But one aspect of our neighbors that impressed me the most is that property and time is tenaciously respected. We all work hard and we do not just show up at each others’ property.

Everyone puts a lot of time and effort into offgrid desert living and there is always work that needs to be completed.

Offgrid desert living - dream or reality

Offgrid desert living and other offgrid areas are coming to the forefront as a feasable way of life. Living offgrid in the Arizona desert soon will no longer be an alternative way of life. Information is being shared on the most efficient way to live, how and where to start and what type of home to build.

If people are looking for autonamy in their lives, offgrid desert living offers that autonamy. The changes in building codes, the initial cost of solar and the price of land rising are making it difficult for the owner/builders to realize the dream of living in a home that she or he built for themselves.

Information is being shared on one the most efficient ways to live. Information that lets you know how and where to start. This vital information is being written for people who want to build their own home or at least take an active part. Information is being shared so that you know that you can build your own home offgrid.

If the power companies do have a failure, it does not effect those who live offgrid. As long a the sun shines or the wind blows or the water falls the families living offgrid will have power.

It all starts with an idea for your offgrid desert home. Picture it in your mind, see your home and you living in it. write it down, think about it, modifiy your idea. Research your idea. See if others have useful information that would help you know that your idea would work. It is possible. Okay now you can take action with confidence.

You can send an email regarding a specific question. They may have an answer or at least point you in the right direction. Be sure to visit several websites and other forms of research as no one person has all of your answers.

Ideas plus action equals realization of dreams.

Owner/builder with no prior experience and moderate skills sharing information on offgrid desert living - a modest way of life.