Off the grid real estate

Few of us enjoy seeing the monthly utility bills arrive, and it is not because we’re unwilling to pay a fair price for services rendered–it is because the bills seem to be higher than they should be. The high price of power and municipal services are part of the problem, but then you have these fees and taxes and service charges that ratchet up the bill even more.

In the city where I live, one has to pay for water and trash collection and recycling services to the same governmental entity. You get one bill coming from the same office for the combination of these services. Now believe it or not, there is a “customer service fee” of $6.82 for the water portion of the bill. What is that exactly? Isn’t the cost of doing business figured into the water charges? And it doesn’t stop there. You are also charged another “customer service fee” each month in that same amount, $6.82, for the trash portion of the services. Clearly this is a total rip-off, so much so that it is almost funny. But they have a monopoly–the only way I am getting water is through the city, and it’s the only trash removal and recycling option as well.

This kind of thing is just part of the appeal of living off the grid. Imagine getting water and power for free once you get yourself set up with solar and or wind power and dig a well or build a rain catcher or cistern system. No more bills, no more wasted money on fees and taxes, and no governmental control of your essential services. It may take some work and getting used to at first, but that independence would be well worth it. Buying some off the grid real estate and becoming self sufficient is definitely something that everyone should consider very seriously if it is at all possible given your financial circumstances. When you think about retirement income, imagine all of the money you spend on utilities winding up in your pocket instead…that is a significant sum that can really improve your financial security while increasing your spending power. It’s also a totally legal way to reduce governmental intrusions into your life.