Tips For Self Sufficient Living in Urban Locations

A lot of people believe they can't make changes to move toward a more self-sufficient life when they live in an urban area, but that's simply not true. There are plenty of ways to become more self-sufficient, no matter where you live.

One of the best things you can do for yourself is to set up an indoor garden. This could be a hydroponic garden, or it could be a container garden. Either type is fine, as long as you can locate them near a very sunny window or use artificial lighting.

If you don't have a lot of space indoors, you can use a shelf system to do this. Simply buy or create a system of shelf units against a wall, placing the plants in containers on the shelves, with grow lights attached to the shelving units underneath each shelf. If you're going to do this, be very careful when watering your plants, because any water that drips down could short out the lights and cause a fire.

Another way to become more self-sufficient is to set up your own business. The job market is very volatile at the moment, and even people who have been working for the same company for decades are finding themselves unemployed. By setting up your own business, you will be able to control your future a bit more than you could if you relied solely on your job.

You can start your business on a part time basis while working at a regular job. Build it up slowly. Then if you ever find yourself unemployed, you have that to fall back on. It's a lot easier to grow an existing business with an existing base of customers or clients than it is to start one from scratch after finding yourself suddenly unemployed!

Finally, you should start building up a reserve of cash, food, and supplies. You should make it a priority to build up reserves of cash and food to last you for at least three months. If you can save up more, you should definitely do so. It never hurts to be prepared, and if you ever find yourself without a job or facing an emergency, you'll be better prepared to deal with it.

These are just a few ways to move toward self-sufficiency. For more information about Self Sufficient Living, visit http://www.SelfSufficientLiving.net. You'll learn about urban farming, sustainable living, renewable energy, and lots more!

A Cheap & Healthy Snack

Peanut Butter Balls

1/4 cup honey
1/3 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup powdered milk

Can add 1/3 cup coconut, if you like.

All you do is mix these ingredients together and shape into balls and EAT!!
These are very good and nutritious and KIDS LOVE THEM!!



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Have A Clothes Swap Party

Invite all of your friends over for a party and have them all bring clothing that they do not wear and have a fun night of clothes swapping. Have drinks and food. You could even play games and have Fashion shows. It would be a fun night and you would get some nice free clothing for free. Heck you could even make it a bring your own food type of thing also. Have a buffet set up. If you all have kids , make sure they include kids clothing. Download our free toolbar

Easy Banana S'Mores

This is a easy and cheap snack to make your children.

2 Bananas; sliced

2 Flat chocolate bars

2 Small jars marshmallow fluff

Nabisco Honey Maid Grahams

Put 2 bananas slices on a graham cracker, add a square of chocolate and a
large spoonful of marshmallow fluff. Put another graham cracker on top and
squish together.

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Get Creative To Save Money!

The first rule of saving money is to spend less than you make. But, with prices on everything going up and up , it is not easy to do. So it's really important to make wise choices about what you do with your money. You need to be creative when money is tight.
Here are some ideas on how to save money in creative ways:

1. This is an obvious idea -- BUY LESS!! Before you buy anything , think about it long and hard! Do you REALLY need it???

2. Trade your stuff with others. Have a clothing swap party! Use that idea and come up with other type of "SWAP" parties that you could have.

3. Sell the stuff you already have and do not use to make the extra money for that "extra" stuff you want. Have a yard sale, sell it on ebay, or set up at flea markets.

4. Buy , salvage, repair, or re-purpose used stuff. Do not go out and buy new things if you have something that might need repaired. Shop at thrift stores and yard sales.

5. Make your own stuff. Learn how to sew. Bake your own bread, cookies, and cakes. Go to the library and get a book on how to make stuff homemade and do it.

6. Start your own garden!! Veggies taste so much better fresh! Get a rain barrel to catch water to use on your yard and garden.

Use some of these ideas and come up with your own to save money. Have fun with coming up with ways to save money. get the whole family involved.

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