Looking to Live off the Grid with a Simpler Lifestyle?
Whether you want to or not!
Check the items below

Welcome to my homemade website.   Over the years i have (like many other people) had my ups and downs financialy. I have never been a person who was very interested in becoming wealthy. I am not a person with special skills which would or might allow me to earn a "good" living. Supporting myself honestly and "dropping out" from society has always been a goal of mine and is a continual process i pursue. In the past i have enjoyed the Mother Earth News type subject matter and have learned a lot from that publication. I have also (like many people) worked at jobs which were miserable for me and i have also enjoyed some good work experiences. Generally speaking, i enjoy most having plenty of free time and some money to pay for basic necessities. I prefer my present lifestyle to getting up every morning and going to some gut-wrenching job which i hate. The ideal situation in my opinion is one where i can earn some money probably part-time to support myself and have plenty of free time because of my low overhead. The ideal situation is not to stop working and go on welfare or be supported by the state. My lifestyle requires one to eliminate or reduce the unnecessary expenses from life. A person can increase their discretionary income by lowering their overhead just like a business would do to remain profitable. For long stretches of time i have been unable to secure viable employment or viable sources of income especially as i have become older. In the past i have had to use the food stamp program and recycle scrap metal to make some cash. But because of my lifestyle it has not been a big disaster for me. My life would be considered an ongoing disaster by many people anyway. My believe is that life is very difficult even under the most ideal conditions. It has been my experience in life that:

1. Having access to clean drinking water is a blessing.
2. Having a daily source of clean food is also a big blessing.
3. Having adequate clothing is also a blessing.
4. Having some kind of primitive shelter is also a blessing.

The material presented in this website is based on my experience and research. I hope you enjoy your visit here.

I have removed the underlining normally associated with a link to another website.
Please "mouse over" any name or title to see if it is an active link.

1. CARETAKER GAZETTE   This very useful publication has been around for a long time and been of help to many people i'm sure. Consider it a resource and possible option in locating a place to live if even temporarily. Some people even become professional caretakers as a way of life. But you have to establish a good name for yourself as someone dependable, reliable and trustworthy.
   
   "THE CARETAKER GAZETTE is a unique newsletter containing property caretaking and house sitting jobs, advice, and information for property caretakers, housesitters, and landowners. Published since 1983, it's the only publication in the world dedicated to the property caretaking field. The GAZETTE provides its subscribers with thousands of house sitting and property caretaking jobs each year. We have housesitting jobs in all 50 US States, Canada, Mexico and dozens of other countries."
    

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2. DWELLING PORTABLY   This publication has been around for a long time and the authors live the life believe me. You can buy back issues on Amazon.com and they have a book available for sale. See below.
   
   "This legendary zine has been crammed full of information about living without a permanent residence for nearly thirty years - tips for biking, tents, showering, cooking, etc. It is written by many folks who have lived the lifestyle far outside of cities and bereft of technology."
   
   Dwelling Portably 1980-89
   by Bert Davis; Holly Davis
   PUBLISHER: MICROCOSM PUBLISHING ©2008
   ISBN-10 1934620084
   ISBN-13 9781934620083
   FORMAT: Paperback
   PAGES: 168
   Size 8.25 x 5.25 x 0.5 Inches
   PUBLISHED: 06/01/2008
   From Strandbooks Bookstore.
   
   

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   SPECIAL OFFER: The newsletter, Dwelling Portably, published since 1980, has a special offer for readers of THE CARETAKER GAZETTE. For only $19.95, you will receive 20 issues of this publication; the current issue plus 19 back issues. Dwelling Portably is a newsletter that provides information about how to live comfortably without high rent/mortgage and taxes, in tents, tipis, vans, etc. Readers tell what works or doesn't. It provides practical advice about living on a low-budget by choice - camping on the edges, living simply, getting by on the road and loving it. With concise typing and line drawings, Dwelling Portably crams many tips into each issue! It's for modern nomads choosing alternative lifestyles to the 9-5 rat race. This is really an incredible publication written by the editors and letter contributions sent in by the people experiencing it. Send in only $19.95 for 20 issues of Dwelling Portably to:
   
   THE CARETAKER GAZETTE
   3 Estancia Lane
   Boerne, TX 78006
   
   (please write your check or money order for $19.95 out to THE CARETAKER GAZETTE) or use your debit/credit card for the $19.95 payment. You must provide a mailing address along with your $19.95 payment for 20 issues, since Dwelling Portably does not offer any electronic issues.
    

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3. CAMPING COMFORTABLY!   I like this website because they really do have a large inventory of products to sell.
    
4. EXPLORATION PRODUCTS   The website is incomplete and a lot of the items they sell online are available at almost anywhere like Walmart or any hardware store but i am hoping they will add some unique items in the future.
    
5. I HATE MY LIFE   I found this website to be quite interesting. It is the story plus lots of information about this one man's bout with homelessness. This guy is not a substance abuser or mentally ill or a criminal. His story is proof of how easy it is for someone to become homeless in today's society even if you do not have severe personal addiction problems.
    
6. FREE BLM CAMP   If you click on this link it will take you to a map of a free campground area near Joshua Tree California. I have never visited it. I do not know what it's current status is. But it is something to consider if you are living in your car or truck. This area aroung Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree and 29 Palms may be good if you are homeless or living in your vehicle. The summers can be pretty hot though. There are lots of good grocery stores in the area. Wal-Mart and the Home Depot also. And Fast Food restaurants in this very remote area of California.
    
7. EARTH CLASS MAIL   This website specializes in providing it's clients with a physical mailing address for those who are living a mobile lifestyle. "With an online PO Box you'll manage your postal mail as easily as your email. View scanned images of your sealed envelopes online, then choose to have your mail securely scanned into a PDF document, recycled, shredded or forwarded to you or someone else". They offer other mail services as well.
    
8. NON-TRADITIONAL HOUSING  
    
9. CHEAP SHELTER  
    
10. 2 PEAKS   Carson Estates, Taos County, New Mexico. I include this here for those of you who might be interested in living in a kind of remote high desert setting. Looks like maybe lots of low cost land available. I like the pictures of the area. I have never visited this place, just going by the pictures.
     
11. HITCHHIKING   hitchhiking, rail & road travel - the site of the subcultural movement.
     
12. OFFICIAL SLAB CITY WEBSITE   slab city map   Unless things have changed since i last visited Slab City, a person could live or camp there for free and for as long as you like. There are people living there who have been there for years. The place seems to attract both good and bad. So a person has to decide for themself whether or not it is worth it. As far as i know the place gets very hot in the summertime. Great in the winter months though.
     
13. SLAB CITY   Located next to Niland, California on the Eastern side of the Salton Sea.
     
14. MORE SLAB CITY  
     
15. AND MORE SLAB CITY   Featuring a page for a man living in his bus or truck for years at this same location and painting the small hill with paint donated to him by visitors and others. Kind of a famous place.

Here listed is portable cooking devices or systems; some used strictly outdoors and some work both ways - indoors & outdoors.

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1. VOLCANO COOKSTOVE   This appears to be something with possibilities. A multi-purpose cookstove which can be equipt to burn propane, wood or charcoal as fuel. Very portable and for outside use, like camping. "Great for Dutch Oven Cooking, Boiling, Steaming, Barbecuing, Wok Cooking, Pan Frying, and Grilling. All Volcanoes come equipped with a top grill and a bottom grate for holding charcoal briquettes. Change from Charcoal to Wood in seconds. A method to cook, sterilize, and heat. This is key to proper sanitation and nutrition. The most versatile Multi-Purpose Cook Stove in the Great Outdoors. Easy installation and removal. Optional Propane Attachment comes complete with a burner/cradle, 4" nipple, male connector, hose, valve, regulator, and female quick connector."

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2. CABELA'S SHORESIDE COOKER   This is a very portable cooker from Cabela's. You can probably use this cooker with the bulk propane tank and accessories listed below. "You'll be hard pressed to find a more convenient cooker anywhere. Highly portable and easy to set up, this cooker is perfect for shore lunches or other duties around camp. It features an all steel low pressure burner that pumps out 20,000 BTUs that will cook anything. The 10-quart aluminum pot is cradled by a steel frame so it is perfectly centered over the burner for even cooking. Plus the pot won't easily slide off the burner, helping to keep mess to a minimum. The included hose and regulator run off of a 1-lb. propane cylinder. It also comes with a skimmer, a temperature gauge and a carry bag. Keep one in your boat or camper for a solid go-anywhere cooker. Pack Size: 15"x15"x8"."

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3. ZZSTOVE   This stove has been around for a long time. I bought one when they first came out for sale years ago. They work well except i would recommend gathering up a pile of small pieces of wood before starting the fire. You have to constantly feed small pieces of wood into the furnace to keep the fire going.

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4. MARKSTAAR   This company sells heavy duty commercial products. I put their link here because they seem to sell a good selection of heavy-duty park grills. You can find the same or similar product on Amazon.com and other places on the internet. You have probably seen and possibly used one of these grills in a state or federal park. I know they are probably pretty heavy, but it might be worth a try to take one with you to the beach or wherever. They are usually installed on a steel post stuck in the ground, but a movable base and post is available for portable set-up.
   

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5. LODGE CAST IRON   This site features Lodge Cast Iron cookware. On it you will find the lastest collection of cast iron cookware and recipes for use with your Lodge cookware.

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6. WAGNERWARE   I have owned that beautiful little 2 quart casserole cast iron pot pictured on the right. They still sell it and it is worth the $26.00 they charge for it. Wagnerware is an old company and probably the number one Lodge Cast Iron cookware competitor i imagine. This cast iron casserole pot is probably big enough for one or two people at most - that is why i like it. "hese legendary craftsman are proud recipients of more Gold Medals and International Awards than any other cookware manufacturer in the world. Additionally, many books have been published about Wagner and Griswold which has the largest collectors following of any cookware, true testimony to Wagner's heritage of innovation, design and quality craftsmanship. The unparalleled Wagner advantage begins with yet another proprietary blend of metals developed just for cast iron cookware. Research with chefs and culinary experts to understand the most critical cooking factors has led to our current design. Precision crafted mold dimensions insure maximum heat transfer and retention. Ergonomically designed, patented metal handles provide easy lifting, ensure safe stability and ideal for broiler, stovetop or oven use. Machine polished interiors compliment a selection of griddles, fryers, and specialty pans with a smooth, slicker-quicker surface."

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7. COLEMAN PROPANE STOVE   This stove has been around for quite awhile. It uses propane (LP) gas as fuel. In my opinion this is the only way to go. I do not like stoves that use white gas or kerosene. They are a pain and require much more maintenance. The stove pictured here is their lowest price and most basic model. It works well with any 1 gallon bulk propane cylinder like the one pictured below. Use hose shown below to connect between bulk tank and stove. Please note: Propane (LP) gas is highly explosive and produces fumes in an enclosed area that can kill you. Great to use outdoors, but not indoors in a small confined area like a small tent or even in your car or truck.

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8. MANCHESTER TANK - 1 GAL LP TANK   This 5 LB vertical/10054 portable LP (propane) tank is extremely useful in my personal experience. It is rated to hold at least 1 gallon of fuel. It can be used to supply fuel to all the Coleman stoves and lanterns for hours on end. You could probably even mount it on a bicyle for fuel for your camp cooking equipment. Easily refillable at any LP dispensing station. Available at the Home Depot. Also, as much as i love these tanks because of their usefulness - remember they are deadly. It is not uncommon for propane tanks to occasionally leak fuel from their overfill valve. I had this happen to me once while transporting a 5 gal LP tank in my car during a hot day in San Bernardino California. Thankfully, i was able to pull over near an empty lot and unload the tank without incident. Propane is highly explosive. One tiny spark and poof! Best not to transport inside the cab of your vehicle.

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9. WORTHINGTON CYLINDERS - 1 GAL LP TANK   This Model 4.24 holds 1 GAL of liquid propane. I think the shape of the tank is a little different than the Manchester tank especially on the bottom portion. This brand of tank is usually available at many propane supply companies around America.

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10. PROPANE HOSE ASSEMBLY   Item Numbers: F273702 (12ft) & F273701 (5ft).   This hose is used to connect between a portable propane appliance and a small propane tank like the ones listed above. Mr Heater has an extremely good selection of LP hoses to use with the above LP tanks. Hose is 1/4"ID. Also called: Swivel 1"-20 Male Throwaway Cylinder Thread x Soft Nose Excess Flow P.O.L. w/ Handwheel - "Mr. Heater's most popular hose; connects appliances that are designed for disposable cylinders to a 5-20 lb. Cylinder. Hand tighten swivel on both ends." Be sure to consider using items from Mr. Heater because they have a number of portable products. Also, consider buying some spare o-rings for the P.O.L. end, easy to change. Many items available on Amazon.com.

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11. CAMPFIRE TUB   This item can be gotten for free or maybe a very low price at some appliance repair business. It is the inner tub from a washing machine. They are great for containment of a cooking and warming fire. Great to use camping at the beach or similar environment. The center post can be removed with some effort using a small hacksaw.

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1. THERMOS WHEAT   This is a link to my hand written instructions on making Thermos Wheat which is something i used to do a lot.
    
2. HOBO PACKETS   This is a method of cooking food using regular store bought aluminum foil.

1. CAMPIST   Lots of neat items for the vagabond.
    
2. CABELAS   Even though you may not have very much money to spend Cabelas still has items useful to the vagabond at a very reasonable price and their shipping and handling fees are low also.
    
3. OFF-GRID     This website is a great resource for those of you trying to locate items useful for your lifestyle of living off the grid; i.e. not connected to electricity or running water.
    

1. ELECTRICAL METAL TUBE   This site will give you some ideas about building a portable framework which can be used for protection against the elements.
    

FEATURED ITEM OF THE MONTH

This is the famous little wood (twig) burning stove from zzstove.

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