Plan for self sufficient into amazing retirement plan?

[Carla D]

I've read that having multiple streams of income is a good idea- so that if one dries up, you aren't left up the creek. I would think a combination of basic product (meat, eggs, produce etc) and value-added product (leather, wool, chicks, pickles and other canned goods) and maybe some other things like hand-spun yarn, or wooden furniture, or clothing, or soap and candles.

Barter is NOT dead; it's just laying low. My DH's family had an arrangement with a neighbor that was a beautician-- she came by once a month and cut everyone's hair (there were seven of them in all) and in exchange they raised a pig for her each year. The only money involved was that she paid for the cut and wrap of the meat since an outside butcher was used. I had a casual friend that let me stay in her time-share in the mountains (lakeshore property!) for a week and in exchange I did a spring-cleaning on the cabin (It only took 3 of the 7 days, so the other 4 were vacation)

Thank you for your suggestions. I have a huge list of things that can be made/crafted/sold. Some are quite unique. It’s not that I’d make all of them, but the list gives me options according to what I have available, what I might be in the mood to make, and market trends. I’d like to think I’ll have the chance try each and every one of them. But, probably won’t.

 

[sumi]

Farms are going out of business because they can’t make ends meet due to what creameries and processing plants are willing to pay for their milk.

And you know why? South American countries can sell them milk for the same price or less than they pay local farmers. So they hold the farmers hostage with that. Either they take the low price, or lose the market. In S.A. we paid up to R24,00 (roughly $2) for 2 litres of milk. The farmer got about 10% of that. And that was before the creameries took the cream off and diluted the milk with water to stretch it. It's disgusting. Whenever possible we bought raw milk directly from small scale farmers.

But then there is the hassle of trying to get nominal money from people who think you should generously GIVE to them because they are family. I bet that would be the quickest way to lose the farm.

Barter with them instead. Tell them to help towards the cost of keeping and raising the animals and birds if they want in, either by providing a service you'd otherwise have to pay for, or by buying feed. Make sure there are expectations laid out right at the start and that the deals will stop and if they are not met.

 

[Carla D]

I’m going to do something I maybe shouldn’t post something so personal. But I’m dying to know what a couple of other people think. Am I missing anything? Does anyone else think this is over the top? Input is greatly appreciated. Thank you

 

[Carla D]

Here’s the rest of my plan. I’d really love to know what a few other people.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Good points. They say the devil is in the details.... and there's sure a lot to consider!

 

[Carla D]

I can't see everything you uploaded because I have a cell phone and it's not cooperative at the moment! Have you looked into legal requirements in your state?I've always wanted to do something like what you're thinking but in my state I would need to truck my pigs to a USDA butcher to sell by the package, would need a food handlers license and to have my freezers inspected on occasion, all precooked foods would need to be cooked in a certified commercial kitchen... except jams and jellies (I think, haven't looked recently ). And dairy products have a whole long dramatic bunch of rules.

Not trying to be a downer, just thinking about logistics!

I have all of that in my plan. It’s listed under the “Unknowns” in my plan. These specific requirements may very well be a deciding factor as to the exact direction I take when I this plan. At the very minimum I want to be able to keep my family and our animals from starving to death should we have a financial crisis. I also want to be able to actively do something if one of our children, siblings, or parent face the possibility of homelessness. There are many situations where adults find themselves feeling very helpless or desperate. I’m thinking along the lines of my husband losing his job at the local creamery, one of our children or siblings and their family become homeless, or we find ourselves taking in an aging parent who has lost all of their means of living independently. I don’t feel any need to make a huge profit out of this. But, I do feel the need for it to becoming self sustaining. If that means selling a few products to being able to buy feed for our livestock or prevent us from losing everything, then selling items provides us with a means of doing just that. I would be delighted if all we do is provide a few of our family member who happen to have issues with typical dairy products, and our families with a variety of healthy, non GMO meats, eggs, and vegetables a variety of GI tolerable products. I’m thinking the regulations are much looser and easier to work with.

 

[Carla D]

Is this plan something you and your DH will tackle together - or will you have outside help that will require a paycheck?

All on our own. Like we’ve been doing to this point. The only way I could see hiring help would be if my husband was no longer able to help me on a consistent basis.

 

[Carla D]

Will this be a supplement to some other form of income - or will it be the only income you'll have. Not trying to be nosy - but it is an important consideration.

We do have have two pensions, two disability checks. Mine from working, hubbies due to injuries suffered in the military. We also have a 401K. There is possibly more income that I can’t think of at the moment. This isn’t even really to supplement our income or for a little spending money. We’d be happy if we didn’t have to take money out of the bank to feed our animals or bring in either new or younger livestock.justwant it to sustain itself which in turn would help us keep our bellies and food supply stocked.

 

[Carla D]

There was a barter system for a while in my old home in CA. You started out with a gift of 20 "barter dollars". Let's say you have eggs for sale/barter and someone else wants some eggs. Let's further say that they do tattoos, which you aren't interested in. Instead of the tatoo, the artist pays for the eggs with "barter dollars", which they earned from someone else wanting a tattoo. Once a year, the organization also ran a holiday bazaar so that all the people that had various arts and crafts available for barter would have a chance to earn barter dollars, which they could then use throughout the year for anything from haircuts to dental work. Some people would hang onto their barter dollars all year and use them at the bazaar for their holiday shopping. The government did get their share however: if what you bartered would normally have been charged sales tax, that part had to be paid in cash, and you got a tax form at the end of the year showing those sales. It was an interesting melding of barter and cash systems.

Interesting concept. Thank you.

 

[Carla D]

As Bay said, GW is your friend, as is the Rehab store...our Rehab store will even get in huge loads of barn boards, new boxes of flooring of all types, wood trim scraps, etc. All of these things come in REAL handy when wanting to do things on the cheap.

I turned a $1 headboard from Rehab into a clothing/coat rack for my bedroom and the rest of it is being used in various projects throughout the house. Used old antique items I had on hand and those I picked up at a local flea market for $.50 to form the pegs..the whole thing cost me $3 to make and took less than an hour when including paint dry time. These are things you can use in your home or resell for a tidy profit...city folks love stuff like that.

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Sweet!