A Simpler Life is Coming

Dear Reader,

‘Meet the new boss/same as the old boss’

The Who, ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again’

And so — FINALLY — change comes to Australia.

Great, capturing change.

Politicians are weird, aren’t they? They argue simultaneously for change and stability. What we need is something different. But what we really need is for things to stay the same.

And that’s exactly what happens in Australia. We change the prime minister here as often as I used to change girlfriends in high school (and, from what I can gather, for equally lightweight reasons).

But — weirdly — things always stay the same. They argue with regard to change but campaign upon stability. The pack is shuffled. The suits are all still there, just in a different order. Occasionally hearts are closer to the top; other times clubs.

Yet all of the municipal systems that preside over our lives are still in place. We’re all nevertheless plugged in to them — regardless of who is sitting in the big office. I wish Malcolm Turnbull well…I suppose…but I doubt very much that he gives any more of the rat’s ass about your escape strategy than Tony Abbott did.

And so on we go. To change!

Of program, you and I both know that in order to affect real change in your life, you need to be the one doing all the changing. Wait for a politician to help you and all you’ll hear are more arguments for ‘stability’ and ‘security’. They only want ‘change’ when they’re in opposition (even inside their own party!).

In any case, exactly how secure can you feel — really — while you are still shackled to these big establishments and organisations? Not just government…but the stock market…the banks…and corporate Sydney? How stable is a federal government that changes its innovator every five minutes?

How safe is a stock market that loses 15% of their value in five several weeks — chiefly because leveraged traders looking for short-term returns are easily spooked through political rumour?

Meanwhile, what are YOU doing? Sitting at the office thinking: ‘Why am I here?‘ Struggling to make money, live well and be at liberty?

We exist to illuminate escape routes to better living. But most people who give the idea a break only ever escape so far — still within the confines of the ‘system’ or ‘grid’. It’s kind of like Stephen King’s Under the Dome. An invisible barrier is all around us. We can do (virtually) what we want inside it. But we can’t escape it.

That does not stop some Australians attempting, though. In the last few weeks I’ve been inspired by these Aussies. I’ve been reading their stories…chewing over their ideas…and providing more thought to the idea of off-grid living.

This is quite a polarising topic. So let me clear about what off-grid living means to me personally. I’m not talking about setting up a non-urban commune, living 100% off the land, harvesting rainwater and all that gubbins. Even though that life sounds satisfying on many levels, and there are definitely some useful applications you and I could adopt within our urbanised lives — but as a lifestyle, it’s not really for me.

I’m not talking about prepping for the apocalypse either. You won’t find gold or grain if you dig up my back yard. Just possum poo.

Although I must acknowledge I met a couple of hardcore preppers at a conference in Melbourne a couple of years ago and found them utterly credible and persuading — not to mention charming. These guys aren’t all zealots. They’re deadly, comfortably serious.

They are certain the end of civilised society is nigh…and that failure to prepare for what comes next is really a gross dereliction of duty.

To me personally, they’re jumping ahead *a little* too much of the curve. It’s fascinating, and exciting (yes, thrilling) to talk to survivalists. But I’m not in love with the fundamentals of their argument…yet.

Still, all of us sense something isn’t very right — with the country…and the stock market. What I’m saying is, our lives needn’t be tied to their fate. We are able to affect change — subtle, however useful — that reduces the influence of these structures on our lives…but still allows us to live the type of life we want.

So what Shall we be held talking about?

Off-grid living, to me, is more about financial freedom than anything else. Yes, there’s a philosophical argument to be made for the ‘sovereign individual’, living completely independently of the state. Additionally, there are an ecological argument to be made for reducing our footprint on the land. I’m genuinely interested in both of these arguments.

But right now I want to explore the PRACTICAL applications (and financial benefits) of reducing the influence big establishments have on your life.

How would you reside a simpler, freer life? Can you cut costs, and be more self-sufficient, without having to hunt your own lunch? Are there any risks to creeping yourself from the grid? Can you still reside a rich, happy, healthy existence outside of the system?

Those aren’t rhetorical concerns, by the way. I’m keen to hear your ideas. The dial marked ‘recession’ is being notched-up in the media. I feel this is something we should talk more about.

How can Team Esky help? Exactly what simple, practical suggestions are we able to make to help you save money and live more freely?

Are you interested in this kind of thing?

Email me personally: letters@moneymorning.com.au and type ‘letter to Esky’ in the subject line.

Some earlier thoughts I had on this subject…to get your cogs whirring…

Ideas, help and encouragement to begin your own business: (somewhat obvious — however this is the only way to truly link your hard work to prosperity and financial security).

Solar energy: is it worth it? How much can you actually save? Can you REALLY make your own panels?

LPG: what are the long-term benefits of sticking an enormous gas tank in the boot of your Falcon?

Cheap diesel generators: can they provide you with energy security? What are the benefits and risks? Are they as well noisy?

Biodiesel: can anyone make it? Is it safe? Will it ruin your engine? Where are you able to buy it? Is it legal? How much money can you save over regular diesel?

Rainwater harvesting: can you really do it in Australia with success? Exactly how good (and expensive) are water filtering systems? Is there enough rain to provide the water a household needs? If you’re living ‘off-mains’ how expensive is it to have your own waste management system?

Grow your personal vegetables: what are the best, cheapest, most proven ways to grow your own produce? What seasonal considerations do you need to keep in mind when growing? Can you sell your create if you have a bumper crop?

Keep chickens in your garden: is it really worth this from a financial point of view? Does it pay off? Or are they just too noisy/messy?

Bitcoin: is it practical? Where do you need it? Why would you use it? Do you know the risks?

Protect yourself online: can you ‘go dark’ on the internet and limit the government’s (and rogue entities) ability to monitor and hack you? That should you be wary of online? And can technology actually HELP you become freer?

Physical gold: We joked about it earlier…but should you hold some? How much? Where and how should you store it?

Personal security: how do you protect your home, and your self, from others? Should you be concerned? Are there any simple self-defence techniques you can now learn to quickly immobilise intruders?

Owning your personal home: should it be your priority to pay for down home loan debt? Or should you be borrowing while money is cheap to build a profile of investment properties? What’s more important to the off-grid life: becoming debt free or having a income source?

Bartering: are there any simple but fundamentally useful skills you can learn to trade for cash, food or accommodation?

Fishing 101: can the ocean (or local river) provide your family with all the meals you’ll ever need? How do you catch, gut and prepare fish without killing your family?

Reduce your tax burden: another obvious one. The less you pay the government, the less on the hook you are.

There are loads more ideas where that came from. My personal head is buzzing together, in fact. But I’ll stop there because I think you catch my drift.

I’m not looking for answers to the specific questions I’ve posed in this list. Only a broad yes or no to this question:

Is living with less reliance on the federal government, banks and corporations — off-grid living — something want to know more about?

Please email me here and let me know: letters@moneymorning.com.dans and remember to type ‘letter to Esky’ in the subject line.

Ciao for the time being,

Simon Munton

Contributing Editor, Money Morning

Ed Note: The above article first appeared in Escapologist

From the main harbour Phillip Publishing Library

Special Report: The End of Australia Vern Gowdie’s new book is called The End of Australia: The Real Story Behind Australia’s Economic Collapse and What You Can do to Survive It. We are mailing free duplicates of this book to anybody who requests one online. It does not make for cheerful reading. But the idea is that you’ll be less dangerous (and much wealthier) in Ten years’ time from receiving a more sober and realistic evaluation of what’s going on…what happens next…and what you should be doing about it now… (more)