This is a long question, I know, but please bear with me.... I'm a single mom living in a small city. I "own" my own home. The mortgage isn't paid off, but the monthly payment is lower than rent in this area, so even though my kids are growing up and moving on, I'm planning to continue living here. I have a year left to pay on my used car; otherwise, I've managed to pay off all other outstanding debts. My kids and I try to live a modest lifestyle. I'm an artist and my goal is to create my art full-time, but so far my work hasn't managed to pay the usual monthly bills, and I've been holding down a job in a big city about an hour's commute from my home. It's a good-paying job, but the work is giving me stress-related health problems. Plus, it leaves me too mentally and physically exhausted to create in my 'spare time' (;->) or to market my art, and my kids, pets, housework, and quality-of-life are suffering. I know the money isn't worth the stress, and I dream of letting go of my job, but I'm afraid to. It kept my head above water during my separation and divorce; and without a college education, it's the best job I've ever had. My dream is to be home full-time, creating my art and taking care of the Important Things in Life, and to do it as self-sufficiently as possible, but I'm not sure where to begin. The other adult members of my family think I'm nuts for having this dream! I'd like to hear from others who have managed to devote their lives to their art, or successfully homestead and live self-sufficiently in a city where the yards are small and the neighbors are close. Have any of you been where I am now? Do you have any helpful hints for me? Any help would be GREATLY appreciated! Thank you muchly!

-- Punky Hanson (mayfaire@netzero.net), April 28, 2000

Answers

I saw in Countryside, a woman who had a yard full of 5 gallon buckets, where she grew all sorts of vegetables, tomatoes and other things. If I remember it was because her soil was rocks or sand. You can grow alot of things even on a 1/2 acre. As far as quitting the rat race--I don't know--you still need some income for property taxes,fuel and some form of medical realities. Maybe a short leave of absence or cutting your hours would help but that is a choice only you can make. Never ever stop dreaming ! I don't know of anyone that didn't use "sweat equity" to fulfill their dreams. There will always be those better and lesser than yourself but hold on to those dreams ! A little work toward achieving them never hurts either.

-- Joel Rosen (Joel681@webtv.net), April 28, 2000.

Punky, could you look for a job closer to home? My husband commutes an hour each way, and he is so tired of it, I know just the long drive in itself is a stress. Even if your new job wasn't as good as the old one, commuting uses a lot of gas, and puts a lot of wear and tear on your car, so you could probably take a pay cut and still come out even. It sounds like you are managing your money wisely, but have you checked out the frugal-living web sites? They have all kinds of tips on saving, re-using, and generally just making your money go a little farther. It is possible to raise quite a bit of food even on a small lot -- check out Square Foot Gardening, by Mel Bartholomew. Also, you could probably keep rabbits, in your basement or garage, or in a small shed. And even people in high-rise apartments have managed to keep bees! Sometimes, but not always, it's possible to get away with calling two or three laying ducks pets (it's a little harder for a city to object to ducks, as they are usually swimming in every lake or pond in town, anyway!). Dwarf fruit trees, cane fruits (raspberries and blackberries), grapevines, and blueberries could be grown around the perimeter of your yard in place of non-edible landscaping. There really is a lot you can do, but you have to realize that all of these things can also take work and time -- it can be good time, relaxing, but if you are coming home tired and don't have time for your art, trying to raise your food isn't going to give you more time. What kind of art do you do, by the way? Hope you get things squared around so you'll have the time you need.

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), April 28, 2000.

Omigosh! This was my first posting on ANY sort of a 'dialogue site,' and I'm surprised that I received two responses so quickly. Thank you both! Some comments: I take the bus into the city to avoid the wear and tear on my vehicle (and nerves) and because parking fees downtown are out of this world and the Rush Hour madness is unthinkable. So I leave the driving to and from the office to Metro Transit. Plus, it gives me a chance to nap! I've also asked my employer if I can cut my hours down and work part-time or 'flex-time' and apparently it's just not feasible. I'm looking for work closer to home but the results haven't been too great so far, and it's a problem to take time off to go to interviews, etc. What a Catch-22! But I'm determined.... Thank you so much for your advice! Take care!

-- Punky (mayfaire@netzero.net), April 28, 2000.

That's a tough one. Sometimes if you give up one dream, though, you may find another one. And it could be better. I am not trying to sound simplistic about a very challenging situation, but the result may actually end up being simple. You may find that moving away into the unknown propels you into undreamed of opportunities, either in art or??? something you will later discover. You sound like a courageous woman, as artists often are. Follow your heart.

-- sheepish (rborgo@gte.net), April 28, 2000.

I'm also a single mom homeschooling my last two sons and trying to get enough students to teach private music. It is my dream to be able to stay home and finish raising my boys and teach them the principles they need. At the moment I am doing custodial work (despite a degree) to earn enough money. I used to teach in the public schools but have chosen this route instead. The custodial work is very hard and is giving me sever health problems. I have concentrated on paying off all debts and organizing my property so that I can quit work, teach my sons and private students, raise my hens and feed us from the garden. I have discovered that with careful planning I am able to get the most from what I have. I have also been able to recieve plant starts, firewood, old brick etc from neighbors who are discarding. I try to be a good neighbor to them and they return the favor and it saves me alot of money. I sell my extra eggs and take on odd short jobs. Have you considered teaching art at a community center, day care, senior citizens center or privately? Let me know how it works out as I feel we are in similar situations.

-- Cheryl Cox (ccox33055@hotmail.com), April 29, 2000.

Punky -- you don't say where you are. Some areas of the country (or continent) are better than others in terms of growing season, etc., and this might have an effect. It's also a great "network" -- someone in the forum might be near to you and able to give you better tips. The only thing I can suggest is sit down and figure out where every CENT of your money goes. Then figure out what of that you can do without. Take the revised list and figure out how much of it you can provide/grow/source for yourself. Then, buy a copy of Amy Dacyczyn's book The Complete Tightwad Gazette. You'll be amazed at how much you can cut from your budget. When you've got your final number of how much you ABSOLUTELY NEED in cash money to live comfortably, be brutally honest with yourself and figure out whether or not you can do it on your art. Selling your art over the internet is also a good idea. Get a website going, you'll be amazed at how much profile this can give an artist.

-- Tracy (trimmer@westzone.com), April 29, 2000.

a good book to pick up for you would be how to grow more vegetables by John Jeavons, he gos into getting the most food crops in small yards and is a great book. Have you considered working from home? With your computer you could book travel for a travil agent,do transcribing, or even do child care from your home?

-- kathy h (saddlebronc@msn.com), April 30, 2000.

Intensely interesting question to me as it is one with which I have struggled my entire life and to which I have created many stop-gap answers but not the final solution.

You need to do several things. First, you need to increase your level of health and energy, then you need to decrease your expenses, and then you need to create a way to make more money and keep it! Looks like you have done really well so far, but reached a plateau.

Here are some suggestions: first, find some way to sell your art and derive an income from it, however meagre. Then establish a studio/office in your home where the art is produced. Based on the square footage of your home you can then deduct the costs (phone, mortgage, utilities, etc) from your taxes. This is NOT tax advice, but simply something that will work and might get you audited (of course every good idea has some down sides!). By doing this you will save money on your taxes and establish a home base but not necessarily increase your income. Still, you will have hopefully put a tourniquet on some of the outflow!

Second, try to figure out a way to use the bus commuting time productively. One idea I saw which made an enormous impression on me was a nice lady who took the bus to her job at the hospital (I was taking the same bus to the same job destination). she made the cutest, most attractive little wool sheep! She would be stitching them up on the bus (final work so you could see how precious the sheep was!) and people would buy them from her. she also had a display of them at her desk -- not obnoxious or obtrusive to get her in trouble at work. She sold a LOT of these little sheep. She lived in Charlottesville, Va but had family in North Carolina (I think that's where she said) so she would go home (ha! taking the trip expenses off her taxes) and buy her woolen fabrics and stuffing to make her sheep at a big discount at the mills there. She said she could never afford to sell them at the attractive prices she got if she had to buy the fabric locally.

Okay, that's a stretch, but try to find some way to make the bus ride productive.

Then of course the job. that is a real toughie. The pay is good and presumably it's a real job with retirement benefits. If you could do the same thing closer to where you live, you probably would have, and no doubt if there is job training or you could get transferred and promoted, you would, but you might look around some.

Then there is your home. Is there any chance you could empty out a room and rent it to a grad student or an elderly man? You want someone who does NOT want to hang around the house all day or clutter up your kitchen cooking, or interfere in your home life. Sometimes you can find such a person through the local university housing office. Hopefully you will find a nurse or someone just looking for a place to stay till he/she finds another place to rent. I have done this and the extra money really made a difference!

Anyway, I presently live in a mobile home with a job I love. I own land I would like to live on but it's remote and I'm worried I might not be able to get out in the winter (snow here) and would risk my job. Also, I don't know how to get the financing to build. I have put hanging onto my work and that pay check zeroing in as a top priority! But I have a big garden on my land and visit it every day. I wish I knew someone like you I could join forces with!!!

Good luck. Sounds as if you are doing great and just need a boost to get over the top. It might mean letting go of something but don't do that unless you are SURE that the greener pasture really will stay greener!

The main option is barter and I'm sure you have thought of that. If only you could barter your home in the city for some land with a shelter on it where you could spread out! That would mean driving to work or at least driving to a bus stop. Oh, all these balances!

-- Elizabeth Petofi (tengri@cstone.net), May 01, 2000.

If you haven't already - read "Your Money or Your Life." I'm also a single mom who wants to homestead, do art, and stop working for "the man." Don't give up - you will find a way.

-- Deborah (IL) (ActuaryMom@hotmail.com), May 01, 2000.

I really must thank everyone of you 'Countrysiders' who've submitted answers to my question. I've not only been given a lot of great info, but I feel as though I've made some wonderfull friends as well! You're the greatest!

-- Punky (mayfaire@netzero.net), May 02, 2000.

Yesterday I was browsing through the magazines in the Food Lion and the current issue of American survival (hope that's the right title) has a very interesting-looking article on survival in the city. It was slanted more on the what-to-protect-yourself-against and I only skimmed it. That's a really good magzine that from time to time has excellent how-to articles on topics such as water catchment and keeping or other topics or advertising useful to homesteaders. If you get a chance, you might want to buy the latest issue or at least read the city survival article.

-- Elizabeth Petofi (tengri@cstone.net), May 02, 2000.

An older book that might be worth reading, if you can find a copy at a used book store or garage sale is "How To Live on Nothing" by Joan Ranson Shortney, published by both Doubleday & Co. and Pocket Books. Lots of hints and tricks that can give you ideas. The biggiest thing is reducing your food cost.
-Get a book on edible wild plants(with photographes). You might be amazed at what you can find. I can find 20 edible plants growing wild right now within 20 feet of my house.
-Plant a small garden even if it is in containers. I once grew tomatoes in a shipping crate on my balcony when I lived in an apartment.
-Plant edible house plants instead of plants that just sit there.
-Sprout seed for food, i.e bean spouts.
-Use a pressure cooker saves time and money.
-Use a crockpot.
-Keep rabbits for food, like the Romans a colony not individual cages. Most zoning boards look at rabbits as pets not livestock.


-- Rich (pntbeldyk@wirefire.com), May 03, 2000.

Another great book on this topic is called "possum living". Once you ahve your home paid for and don't have to put so much energy into paying for the roof over yuor head, you are in a luxury position. this particular book describes how they live off the land in terms of eating city park pigeons, have bunnies in their basement and various ways of making cash. The writer's mother had a very lucrative candle-making business.

A search on the internet provides some really helpful interesting sites besides this one. Frugal Squirrel is one of them. There are quite a few sites for simple living.

The big trick is to adjust your income and expenses so you have a profit and invest the profit so that money is working for you. It would be great if you could reduce or remove the commuting time which takes so much time and energy and money but either getting a job closer to where you live that pays better, or moving closer to where you work, so you have eventually the money to work where you live and do your creative work and be paid for it. That's a toughie!

-- Elizabeth Petofi (tengri@cstone.net), May 04, 2000.

Elizabeth, I have been wanting to mention that book, Possum Living, but it has been so long since we had it that I couldn't remember the title!! I'm glad to hear that someone else has read it -- wonder what ever happened to the author -- I think she was only about nineteen when she wrote it. She and her father lived on half an acre, with an income of about $2,500/ year (fifteen or twenty years ago). Raised most of their food, caught fish in the river and foraged for some of it, lived very frugally -- probably could have lived on less!! The key is having the property paid for. I guess the key to any kind of homesteading is having the property paid for.

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), May 04, 2000.

Hi, I am so pleased to find other "Possum Living" fans!!! The book by the way was written by Dolly Freed.

I have the book packed away in storage, we just moved from FL to VA, and I don't remember the entire title; however, several universities use and cite her book as one of great economics and social studies resources. Her book was written during a time when there was very high unemployment.

One thing her book taught me, and I read it about twenty years ago, was not to get all bogged down into the material things that the TV and advertising medias say we "must have". I came from a neighborhood surrounded by country type folks who still canned, raised a garden, braided rugs for extra income, etc.

They didn't set out to start businesses, they set out to do little odds and ends to enable them to continue to enjoy the lifestyles they cherished. Most of which were the simple luxuries of family life, simple living and good freinds.

People are so busy today trying to "make a living" they don't have time to enjoy the life they have.

-- Stephanie Nosacek (possumliving@go.com), January 02, 2001.

Stephanie, I find that interesting that "Possum Living" is being used as a university text -- and I'll bet Dolly finds it interesting, too!!!

Punky, if you are still out there, how are things going for you?

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), January 02, 2001.

Kathleen, I'm still here and hanging on! So many times I've wanted to contribute responses to some of the threads on the Forum but just haven't had two minutes to compose anything, so I guess I've just been 'lurking' for a while and learning all that I can from you experienced Countrysiders. (You're all the greatest!)

The New Year looks promising! I've been doing some small things to wean myself away from my city job and have been working with a gallery owner out-of-state who has been selling my art. The sales have been significant enough that I've managed to save up some $ and paid off my car (yay!). And a friend has been helping me figure out how to create a website; hopefully, it will generate some sales as well. My big, big goal is to one day be self-sufficient enough that I can cut my work hours severely and spend more time creating art. Every once in a while I feel as though I'm spinning my wheels and getting nowhere, but I have to keep reminding myself that good things are happening and to just be patient....

Kathleen, thanks for asking about me! In going through the Forum and reading the threads, I see so many names that pop up again and again. People here feel a lot like family. :-)

-- Punky (mayfaire@netzero.net), January 02, 2001.