I have gotten great pond advice on this forum so I figured why not look for some other advice. I am always looking for advice from older generations who have been there done that so to speak. I started working in the gas/oil fields at 18 years old. I have taken every opportunity offered and have worked every extra hour given and was glad for it. Now me and my wife will both be turning 30 this year and our children will be 6,3,and 1. I have bought and paid for a decent sized farm "and built an awesome pond" in my home state of Arkansas, but we are never there due to the nature of my work. Needless to say this style of work is really beginning to wear on our family not in a bad way we are just ready for something different. Me and my wife have been thinking very hard about going to a homestead lifestyle which would give us all the time in the world with our children, but would definitely end any extravagant spending. I guess what I am looking for is has anyone ever done this here on the forum? have they enjoyed it? Maybe someone wishes they would have? Any advice is welcome Thanks
My youngest son kind of took the homesteading route. He likes to say that he is not a "prepper" but he does many of the things preppers do. Although he is still on grid he has enough solar that really he keeps the power connection so he can run the air conditioner in the summer (not enough capacity for it) and uses only the monthly minimum. Has chickens and other animals, cuts fire wood for heat, hot water and spending money in the winter (solar for summer hot water), does odd jobs for locals on and off and works part time seasonal farm work for added income. He worked long enough to have a homestead size farmstead fully paid off and has some annual crop income from it. But they live frugally, have a garden and figure ways to save money rather than spend it. Basically got out of the "spend and keep up with the Jones's" rat race. No debt and no intention of having any (every central bankers worst nightmare,
) and closer to being self sufficient than 95% of Americans. Has time to spend with the kids and go to their school functions. Seems to be very happy overall with their lifestyle. But they are sure not lavish spenders and can't be with the life style they chose.
It is all what a person can be satisfied and happy with.
