If you aim to live off the grid by growing your own food or selling extra produce, you’ll require a substantial amount of equipment, gear, and supplies. I have categorized and compiled a comprehensive list of off-grid supplies that you might find necessary.
Depending on the kind of lifestyle you prefer when living off the grid, you may not require all of these supplies. To create a personalized list of supplies, begin by listing all the systems and items you desire for your off-grid life (such as hydropower, animal husbandry, beekeeping, canning, and firewood harvesting). Next, compile a list of the supplies needed for each of these activities.
After going through each step, you should have a comprehensive checklist of all the items necessary for living off the grid.
Create an Off-Grid Budget
In order to successfully transition to off-grid life, it is important to focus on financial liquidity. Prioritize the elimination of all debts to ensure a solid foundation. Additionally, having sufficient cash on hand for essential off-grid necessities such as vehicles, tools, and legal advice will provide the necessary support for a smooth migration and alleviate any future financial burdens.
How Much Do You Need to Live Off the Grid?
Living off-grid can be affordable if you follow a step-by-step approach. For instance, renting land and residing in a tent can cost you less than $500 monthly. Alternatively, you can acquire inexpensive land and construct a cabin using materials that are free or salvaged, all within a budget of less than $20,000.
A self-sustainable family homestead on purchased land will require a minimum of $50,000, although it is preferable to have more cash available.
- Your off-grid budget should focus on where you can lower your current living expenses to save for your off-grid essentials.
- Additionally, each off-grid essential should get itemized with estimated once-off and recurring costs for land, machinery, building materials, labor, fuel, food, livestock, taxes, etc.
Develop an Off-Grid Revenue Plan
Without a doubt, even if an off-grid dwelling is highly self-sufficient, it still requires some form of monetary income to cover expenses for necessary products and services not obtainable from the land, such as tools, fuel, and internet fees. One way to generate revenue is by selling agricultural products, livestock, and offering rural hospitality services.
- Off-grid homesteaders are renowned for their artisanal flair, making a wide range of products from clothing to foods and beverages to ornaments and cosmetics.
- Many off-grid enthusiasts conduct online remote work, including professional consultation and education services, web and graphic design, and copywriting.
Audit and Build Your Off-Grid Skills
Off-grid living revolves around DIY work, which includes various skills such as building, gardening, animal care, woodwork, electrical wiring, plumbing, painting, fencing, and pouring concrete. In an off-grid environment, these skills are vital. Therefore, it is important to assess your current off-grid skills and acquire new ones whenever needed.
- Use Internet tutorials and videos to educate and guide you while you learn and practice off-grid skills in your urban home.
- Additionally, learn as much as you can about building an off-grid cabin or a yurt.
Is It Hard Living Off the Grid?
Living without being connected to the grid is challenging, as you are solely responsible for ensuring sustainable housing, power, heating, cooling, water, and sanitation. However, the difficulties and potential dangers of living off-grid can be reduced by developing your skills through hands-on experience, utilizing reliable tools, and seeking professional assistance when needed.
Buy Resource-Rich Land
An off-grid home thrives in land that has ample above or belowground water, along with fertile soil. If the property includes forests and abundant loose rock, it offers free materials for building. Additionally, having rich grassland facilitates grazing for livestock and game. Land in temperate climates helps minimize the requirement for home insulation.
Land that possesses abundant water, nutritious soil, thriving forests, sunny weather, and scenic views will be sold at higher prices, whereas affordable land can be purchased in regions where prosperous homesteaders lived in the past but have since abandoned.
What Is the Best Place to Live Off the Grid?
Off-grid living is most favorable in states and counties where legislation regarding the usage of private property, specifically related to water usage, crop cultivation, animal husbandry, and building design, is less restrictive. States that offer low land tax rates are highly sought-after destinations for off-grid living.
Supply and Gear List
Power Equipment
- Solar panels plus mounts
- Charge controllers
- Deep cycle batteries
- Power inverter
- Backup generator
- Gas generators
- Indoor generators
- Dual fuel generators
- Propane generators
- Diesel generators
- Off-grid generator
- Transfer switch
- AC and DC load center
- Wind turbines
- Hydropower system
- Extension cords
- Fuel containers
Water
- Water storage tanks
- Piping
- First flush diverter
- Wire mesh/leaf screens
- Mounting hardware
- Water filtration and purification systems
- Well hand pump + backup power for electric pumps
- Submersible pump
- Buckets
- Tarps/plastic sheeting
Machinery
Instead of purchasing these items, you frequently have the option to rent them.
- ATV
- Tractor
- Saw mill
- Woodchipper
- Backhoe
- Plow
Appliances, Kitchen Supplies and Other Home Necessities
- Propane stove
- Woodstove
- Solar oven
- Propane, solar and/or tankless water heater
- Propane refrigerator
- Eco-friendly dishwasher
- Solar shower
- Hand-powered clothes washing machine
- Smoker
- Dehydrator
- Canning jars and lids
- Fermenting crocks
- Meat grinder
- Grain mill
- Cast iron cookware
- Chimney brushes
- Sewing machine
- Internet connectivity supplies
- Emergency radio
- Washing basins
Lighting
- Energy-efficient lights – survival lighting options
- Lanterns and oil
- Candles – emergency candles
- Outdoor solar lights
- Flashlights
- Headlamps
Tools
- Hand tools
- Electric tools
- Saws – folding saw
- Axes
- Felling wedge
- Tool sharpeners
- Gardening supplies
- Hard hat
- Safety glasses
- Work Gloves
- Workboots
- Work clothing
- Ladder
- Shovels
- Buckets
- Spotlights
- Rope
- Welding equipment
- Staple gun
- Tow chains
- Ratchet and lashing straps
- Bungee cords
Garden, Animals and Land Supplies
- Wheelbarrow
- Pruning shears
- Rake
- Hoe
- Pickaxe
- Pitchfork
- Tiller
- Watering cans
- Mower
- Power blower
- Hoses
- Irrigation supplies
- Animal crates and cages
- Feed pans
- Water troughs
- Fencing
- Post hole digger
- Fence post driver
- T-posts
- Compost bins
- Beekeeper suit
- Milking stand
- Hayfork
- Storage bins
- Wagon/trailer
