Smarter Living
Could you live off the grid? Could you take yourself out of the American system completely and totally so no one could find your paper trail?
I have done this twice in my life.
I emptied my bank account, packed my things into the car, and grabbed my bike. I parked the car where I knew it would be safe at a cabin my folks own in Maine and I started backpacking through New England. It was a very dark time in my life and I had to be able to not be me any more. I had no kids and it worked. I left my folks a note saying I would be safe and would be home when I could. They hated it but they understood. My father says that was when I went away to "war with the world". My brothers go away in the Army so this was ok for me. I finally showed up at my uncle's house in Maine and took the train home. My folks were relieved but loved me enough to understand.
The other time I did it was another dark time. I had my baby with me and I again emptied the bank account. I took a train to North Carolina with some things and my bike. Yeah I love that thing. I cycled to Florida with my daughter, a tent, and hope. I then went to Georgia and finally ended in New Orleans before heading home. I kept in contact with my parents the whole time though. I knew it would kill my father if he didn't know the baby was ok.
I wonder if I could do it now with my family. I brought it up to my fiance and he grinned. He loves the idea of it but he has never done it. We have everything we need if we ever wanted to do it. I have all the skills to make it.
Do you think you could do it?
Replies
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Yes, we've done things like that before and could do it for long term as long as the kids weren't in school.
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I completely get that. It would work for us because we homeschool. That would be amazing for homeschooling.
Quoting LucyHarper:
Yes, we've done things like that before and could do it for long term as long as the kids weren't in school.
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I couldn't just because I wouldn't want to be away from my parents for a long period of time. I have always been close to them. We even live right next to them.
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We are planning on leaving the US at some point too which may actually take us off the grid depending on where we go.
Quoting Hippie.Gypsy:
Yes I could. And I will someday do this, probably even leave the US completely.
I don't do it right now because of my mother, she has a few health problems so we stay "on the grid" in case of an emergency and her needs.
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I we homeschooled it might be different, but my kids love their school too much, next year will be my brothers (I'm the guardian of three of my siblings, also have two sons and am pregnant) senior year, they are really involved in a lot of different programs there, so I could never take them away from that.
Quoting Rust.n.Gears:
I completely get that. It would work for us because we homeschool. That would be amazing for homeschooling.
Quoting LucyHarper:
Yes, we've done things like that before and could do it for long term as long as the kids weren't in school.
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My kids were always homeschooled so they don't know anything different. I have people ask if I think it is wrong that people public school and that makes me giggle. I feel you just have to do what is right for your kids. If they are happy then that is all that matters. Homeschooling is the new big thing here since Newtown is really close to us. We have a lot of issues in our public school system so it was not the right choice for us. I couldn't imagine taking my own kids away from all the programs and activities we have here including the senior program tha tmy daughter is in for the homeschooling group we are a part of.
Quoting LucyHarper:
I we homeschooled it might be different, but my kids love their school too much, next year will be my brothers (I'm the guardian of three of my siblings, also have two sons and am pregnant) senior year, they are really involved in a lot of different programs there, so I could never take them away from that.
Quoting Rust.n.Gears:
I completely get that. It would work for us because we homeschool. That would be amazing for homeschooling.
Quoting LucyHarper:
Yes, we've done things like that before and could do it for long term as long as the kids weren't in school.
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Yes....well.....no. haha. When we were deciding to move last year from MA to ME....we kept seeing great properties off the grid. We don't work, so we didn't have to consider commuting to anyplace. And generators can power what you need. However...a paper trail? Nope. Mortgage. Taxes. And our medical care/prescriptions. We could 'live' off the grid, but we wouldn't be hidden. We ended up settling in the woods in Maine, tucked away. But 20-30 minutes to civilization.
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Yes..We did when we were homeless with 6kids...And not having electricity didn't bother me...We had a couple generators so when we wanted to watch a movie we could....The way the world is going I'd rather be off the grid. -
Not at all... But it does sound like you are naturally quite adventurous.
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pretty sure i could not sure as a family though.
i spent some time living on the streets, out of my car a couple of times before. the first time was when i left home my senior year. my father & i never got along & when i turned 18 i didn't have to put up with his b.s. anymore & left. lived out of my car & friends/acquantances couches for about 4 months before i moved in with one of my sisters.
i've packed up my whole life, what i could fit in my car, before & moved to a new state where i knew no one, didn't have a job or a place to stay. again living out of my car while looking for a job, staying in a hotel on occasion to clean up for work once i found a job. that lasted about a month. then found an apartment & lived in it, unfurnished, for about a month till my mom could send down the little furniture i had.