Crossroads future

[USAFpj]

I won't be able to make this upcoming class, and I still have a ways to go before I pay down to debt free by 2015, but I'm sure the wife and I will eventually. As you can imagine, I have a head full of ideas swimming around due to the economy, and a soon coming retirement from the military (3yrs). I feel as if it's a man's job to work almost till he dies, but during these times, I ask if it's really that necessary? We, as Americans, are our own worst nightmare when it comes to bills as tools aren't cheap and basic foods these days are creeping up every day. Definitely at a crossroads though at 40yrs old- if I choose to start another career field (security contracting overseas), I may do well financially and maximize all the hobbies I enjoy. Or if I choose to mostly self sustain, maximize the time with raising kids for survivability and self confidence(hunting, fishing, shooting, etc). The wife already gardens and home school the kids, it just seems to be the next logical step. Surely I'm not the only one here who has been on this path? I have a 120 acres in the NW part of SC where wildlife is abundant, and a log home could be constructed if I gain the confidence. I would keep my Paramedic cert going just in case, but is 40 definitely too early to retire and dedicate to homesteading?

[drummer boy]

I won't be able to make this upcoming class, and I still have a ways to go before I pay down to debt free by 2015, but I'm sure the wife and I will eventually. As you can imagine, I have a head full of ideas swimming around due to the economy, and a soon coming retirement from the military (3yrs). I feel as if it's a man's job to work almost till he dies, but during these times, I ask if it's really that necessary? We, as Americans, are our own worst nightmare when it comes to bills as tools aren't cheap and basic foods these days are creeping up every day. Definitely at a crossroads though at 40yrs old- if I choose to start another career field (security contracting overseas), I may do well financially and maximize all the hobbies I enjoy. Or if I choose to mostly self sustain, maximize the time with raising kids for survivability and self confidence(hunting, fishing, shooting, etc). The wife already gardens and home school the kids, it just seems to be the next logical step. Surely I'm not the only one here who has been on this path? I have a 120 acres in the NW part of SC where wildlife is abundant, and a log home could be constructed if I gain the confidence. I would keep my Paramedic cert going just in case, but is 40 definitely too early to retire and dedicate to homesteading?

I am 41, a pastor and homeschool 7 children. I think about homesteading all the time on the 120 acre farm we have in Arkansas. Retirement is not about age, it is more about having the income to live off of if you can't work. There is so much that is tied to "that green stuff" it would be painfully difficult to do completely without it. I would say that I have gotten pretty creative since taking this class to avoid spending "that green stuff" if I don't really have to. (i.e. free trees, rebar, plywood, 2x4s, trucks, etc). I doubt that this mindset will ever stop once we have completed the home. The money we do make, and as a pastor it's not much, goes much farther. I have always taught the kids to find something they absolutely love and go about finding a way to get paid to do that thing. Preferably to be the owner of that one thing and not an employee. If you do what you love, it won't matter what you make, however, it is nice to make lots of money and let your parents retire. :) Thats what I tell the kids.

[USAFpj]

Drummerboy, how did you plan on separating bedrooms for your children? Do you plan on dividing by logs or sticks?

[drummer boy]

right now we have 4 boys in one room and 3 in the other. The current plan is to have the same set up for the cabin using standard 2xs and sheet rock. They are going to be downstairs. I rather like Blanes set up (I believe he has six children) for his log home he will have three or four rooms upstairs. All of our children are special needs, and at least three of them will stay longer than the standard child before leaving home and by the time we retire at least one will be with us and maybe two. (one is in a wheelchair) We currently own 35 of the 120-125 acre farm. the rest of the land is occupied by grandma and uncles. When we visit, no one stays in the cabin we currently have except my wife and I. i don't think the arrangements will change much since everyone would rather stay at grandmas house. :) I hate to say it but I have the classic mother-in-law most dread. I don't mind visiting, I just don't want to be in the same house with her. :p

[USAFpj]

Apparently others have it rougher than me, so I'll quit complaining... for now.

[spiralsands]

I won't be able to make this upcoming class, and I still have a ways to go before I pay down to debt free by 2015, but I'm sure the wife and I will eventually. As you can imagine, I have a head full of ideas swimming around due to the economy, and a soon coming retirement from the military (3yrs). I feel as if it's a man's job to work almost till he dies, but during these times, I ask if it's really that necessary? We, as Americans, are our own worst nightmare when it comes to bills as tools aren't cheap and basic foods these days are creeping up every day. Definitely at a crossroads though at 40yrs old- if I choose to start another career field (security contracting overseas), I may do well financially and maximize all the hobbies I enjoy. Or if I choose to mostly self sustain, maximize the time with raising kids for survivability and self confidence(hunting, fishing, shooting, etc). The wife already gardens and home school the kids, it just seems to be the next logical step. Surely I'm not the only one here who has been on this path? I have a 120 acres in the NW part of SC where wildlife is abundant, and a log home could be constructed if I gain the confidence. I would keep my Paramedic cert going just in case, but is 40 definitely too early to retire and dedicate to homesteading?

When you retire from the USAF you are not retiring from LIFE. Homesteading is still work. Look at the Amish. There are a lot of Amish living around where I have my land in the Adirondack region of NY. They live their traditional lives but if you or I lived that way we would call it homesteading? I'm going to retire from my job and work on my land. There's lots of stuff I can still make money at if I wanted to. I like to make wood projects. I want to make cheese, grow apples, squash, a few Christmas trees. I want to learn to weld so I can make iron work gates. I want to shoe horses, train horses. I could even do jobs for other people in the tech work I know so well. I have so much stuff to keep me busy, there's just not enough time in the day for me to get it all done.

You have to focus your goals. What do you really want to do? Is having a self sustaining farm an exciting idea for you or do you think you will get bored? I was in the USAF too. That could be very exciting and maybe you like more excitement. You are still relatively young at 40 so I can see where retreating from the conventional work force may be intimidating. You have to give things more thought and know yourself better first. Sometimes during the years we work and support and raise families, we forget what our own souls crave. You have the great advantage of having a large acreage. If you make the decision to live a self sustaining life, you will already have the land. Making that decision is the first step. Confidence will come as you move toward your goal with each step of the way.

Going to the class can be a big confidence booster. It was for me. Before I went to the class I used to do simple home repairs, nothing too challenging because I lacked the skills and was afraid I'd do more damage than good. After I came back from Seattle, I gutted and rebuilt a bathroom, changed out all the windows on my house and built a beautiful shed in my yard. The class didn't teach me the skills but it gave me confidence that drove me to learn the skills on my own and to do the work on my own. Going to the class just might be the open window you are looking for.

Good luck.

Frances

[John W]

Excellent. Add me to the list of USAF retirees. I had the same thoughts on home improvements (lack of skill, experience, knowledge). But as time went on, I developed more of a 'go for it' philosphy. Just try. The first time you pull up a toilet to lay tile, you're past the point of no return. Go slow, measure/mark carefully. Be as exact as you can (if that job calls for it). I've found that the mistakes you make aren't ever noticed by anyone but me. (See, over there, by the corner, that grey spot in the grout, that's the thinset sticking up between the tile)And if you really screw it up, you can always hire it re-done. Then look over that person's shoulders to see how it's done.
I have to hand one to my dad here, teaching how to use tools. And, for a wedding present. In among the towels and china, there was a monthly deal to receive the Time Life home repairs books. Wiring, plumbing, additions, etc. Just to have a basic understanding before you jump into something is a good deal.