OK, you’re off grid, now what? How do you make a living while you’re living off the grid?

Easy. The old fashioned way. You WORK!

No matter if you already live off the grid, live in the city, or if you live in suburbia, you need to be able to make a living to provide for you and your family. There will be bills. You will need money. Unless you can figure a way to live without money, you’ll still have to have an income.

The whole idea of being off grid (aside from actually being disconnected from the power grid) is about self sustainability for you and your family. It won’t do you much good when you move to your ‘perfect’ off grid homestead, if you can’t pay the bills on your land and home. Figure out a way to purchase or trade for it outright, or build it yourself for free or nearly free, so you own it free and clear.

Don’t Quit Your Day Job!

If you don’t have a job, get one!

Some people might be asking themselves, “Isn’t the reason for living off grid so that you don’t have bills?” Sure. For some folks.

For me personally it’s to live a simpler life, and become debt free. Debt free does not mean I won’t have to have money though for things like tools and equipment, more solar panels, a better wind turbine, seed for my farm (initially during startup), and many other tiny little things like gasoline for my vehicle. (until there’s an electric Jeep. Hey Chrysler! Yeah you. Make an electric Jeep!).

The point is it takes money.

A Foundation to Build On

Just like a home needs a stable foundation to support the weight of the building above, so too do you need a stable income on which to build your off grid homestead.

Have a Plan and be Prepared to Change it to Fit Your Needs

It takes time to plan, and money to buy the tools and equipment you’ll need to make your move off grid. Make a plan, modify it if need be (it will happen), don’t be in a hurry, and don’t try to cut corners unless you’re talking about saving money. With that said, don’t try to save money by sacrificing safety or security. Good tools and equipment cost money and are hard to come by.

The off grid community follows the same rules as any other community.

“What if I’m disabled and can’t work?”

There are legal stipulations that you must consider if you receive a disability check or Social Security (SSI) or any other form of disability/retirement. You must make sure you will not endanger your disability legal status by starting a home based business. This is up to you to do your homework BEFORE starting anything that could endanger your disability income. If you’ll lose your disability income if you work or start a business, then ask your social worker, case manager or whoever is helping you what you can do on the side to make a little extra income. NOTE: Do not do anything that will endanger your safety, security, income or livelihood.

“OK, all that is fine. But, what can I do to make a living off grid?”

You can still make a good living working from home by selling products or services on the internet. There are as many ways to make money off grid as you can imagine. We did it for hundreds of years, humans did it for thousands of year before modern civilization.

Sell Items Online on Ebay or onEtsy

You can make a good living selling items on Ebay or Etsy. Etsy is more of a handcrafted homemade item marketplace for those who create their own arts and crafts and offer handcrafting and freelance services. Ebay is a free-for-all marketplace auction site (in case you haven’t heard) and it’s another good way to make some extra cash. If you’re business savvy you could run a pretty sizable business on Ebay creating a nice healthy income.

Buy and Sell Items at Your Local Swap Meet or Flea Market.

Sell old items you don’t use any more. Buy items at wholesale in bulk and resell them.

Every penny helps get you closer to your goal.

People won’t like this statement, but it’s realistic. There is no SECRET formula. There is no “Get Off Grid Quick” scheme or plan. Unless you win the lottery, or have a rich family member or friends willing to front you the money, you’ll have to have a job at least temporarily while you make the transition.

Gardening & Farming

Agriculture will probably play a part in your income while living off the grid. You’ll hopefully be growing your own organic food, so maybe you could sell some extra fruits and veggies at the local farmers market, or start your own farmers market. Starting a farmers market, or selling at your local farmers market is a good way to bring in some extra income.

Arts & Crafts & Baked Goods

You could make arts and crafts. You could build furniture, weave baskets, or bake artisan breads, cakes and cookies. Point being it’s only limited to your ability, and your ability is only limited to what you think you can’t do.

Here is a short list of possible ways to make an income off grid, some big some small, but all very possible.

Revenue Sources:

Organic Farming & Gardening

Cabin Rental

Hiking & Camping (tourism)

Hunting & Fishing (tourism)

Educational Workshops – Organic Growing, Primitive Survival Skills, Off Grid Lifestyle, Natural Building)

Hosting Events – Expo/Fair, Weddings, Reunions, Parties,

Permaculture

Aquaponics

ATV/Snowmobiling (tourism)

Horseback Riding

Arts & Crafts

Clothing

Organic Soaps & Cleaning Products

Woodworking

Blacksmithing (yes this is still an art form)

Art – Drawing, Sculpting, Painting, Pottery

Home Based ONLINE Business

Don’t limit yourself to your LOCAL area. Sure, you can sell products and services to your local community, but don’t forget there are 7 billion people on this planet, and you are connected to about 2 billion of them through the internet. You can find something that a tiny fraction of a percentage of them will want or need. Pick something, do something. Work hard at it. Starting an online business is easier than you might think, but never forget it takes hard work and dedication. There are loads of places and ways to make money online.

Freelance Services & Consulting Business

If you’re a business professional, or have lots of experience in an area of study, consulting is a good way to make money off grid.

Raise Livestock For Food and Sale

Another great way to provide food for you and your family while also creating a revenue stream is by raising livestock. This can include cattle, and goats, chickens and rabbits. I’m sure you can think of a few more. If not here’s a short list.

Livestock:

– Chickens

– Turkeys

– Ducks

– Geese

– Pheasant

– Cows

– Pigs

– Rabbits

– Fish (aquaponics)

OK, find something to do. There’s lots of things.

“I don’t want to start a business.”

Cool. Then get a job, or have enough money put away to live the rest of your life off grid.

You can do it. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t. It’s possible. It’s right there in front of you. All you have to do is reach out and grab it. It will take some hard work and dedication, but you can do it.

It’s yours!

Want to read more about making money off grid? Read,

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Aquaponics image: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Portable_fish_farm_at_growing_power.jpg