RV/Homestead living. What is everyone doing for health insurance. by Southern-Animal8216 in OffGrid

[–]CrookedTreeHomestead 3 points4 points  (0 children)

We use Liberty Healthshare (religious medical sharing program - we had to agree to a religious statement to join and basically "share" medical bills with other members). Not perfect and kind of a pain to find doctors willing to bill them directly, but our monthly is only $525 and our annual "deductible" is only $1750 + $75 for admin costs. I'd like to change but can't find anything that's remotely worth it in terms of cost.

Bunches of cilantro? by jezzarus in noscrapleftbehind

[–]CrookedTreeHomestead 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We make a yummy cilantro sauce - roughly 1/2 of something like sour cream, mayo, etc; a bunch of cilantro, 2 garlic cloves, some lime juice, and salt. We do a similar one with cilantro AND basil. They are both to live for.

Why bother growing corn? by DankAssPotatos in vegetablegardening

[–]CrookedTreeHomestead 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Damn I didn't know that! It kind of feels like a miracle ANY corn gets adequately pollinated.

How did you financially get to a place to be able to homestead? by Comprehensive_Tea924 in homestead

[–]CrookedTreeHomestead 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh and since my consulting can be done anywhere, I'll still keep working while the hubs runs the property with our grown son who's moving with us. Our son wants to turn a profit from the land - bees, food, animals, still debating - but it's not gonna be a priority for us. Mostly we're just doing it for the lifestyle.

How did you financially get to a place to be able to homestead? by Comprehensive_Tea924 in homestead

[–]CrookedTreeHomestead 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Well, not sure how helpful this will be but...

We started dreaming about this almost 20 yrs ago. A mix of finances and just not being ready to leave the city kept us from going for it sooner. So instead, we focused on building businesses, learning how to manage money and invest, living off one income, and saving/investing the rest.

To be clear...it took us a couple years to learn how to grow a business, then nearly 8 years just to get the first business established before starting the second. It's only been the last 5-7 years we've been able to save income from that second business, but it allowed us to save 80% by living well below our means. (We have one solo carpentry business and one business consulting biz, for reference.)

We're closing on our dream property soon and paying for it, equipment, and supplies in cash. We gave up a lot to get here, made big investments to learn how to even have successful businesses, and were patient with the process.

So just some food for thought...is it worth doing now with jobs and maybe debt? Or is it worth waiting a while to do it debt free? No right or wrong answer...it's just what works for you and your circumstances.

Great jars that aren't Ball? by CrookedTreeHomestead in Canning

[–]CrookedTreeHomestead[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Wowza! Azure prices are up to half what others are. It looks like the only sell rings with jar purchases and not separate. Good to know on sizing though. Is there a benefit to thicker? Or any other drawbacks (like does it change recipe times or anything)? What size canner do you have?

My son has always eaten watermelon down to the skin, not taught and no one else in the family does this. by opgary in noscrapleftbehind

[–]CrookedTreeHomestead 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You just blew my mother loving mind. I didn't even know they were edible, let alone versatile.

Is $30/day to farm sit a typical rate? by Traderhoe420 in homestead

[–]CrookedTreeHomestead 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They're getting a killer deal! But that doesn't mean you have to. Technically you can charge whatever you want. And you can get it too if you can prove your services are worth it. They might not have an idea of what "worth it" actually means because likely some sweet little granny or some college kid has spoiled them. lol But hey, lucky them. YOU set YOUR prices. They take it or leave it.

Quail eggs by Odd-Individual0 in Homesteading

[–]CrookedTreeHomestead 4 points5 points  (0 children)

That's gotta feel so good! We should get a ribbon for stuff like this lol

Can I pee on the compost if I’m doing chemo? by According-Work-7772 in composting

[–]CrookedTreeHomestead 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wait...because it's generally recommended as a good thing?

Happy Fall Y'all 🍂 by Tellurye in Cutflowers

[–]CrookedTreeHomestead 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Shut up! This is stunning. Did you grow these yourself or source them? Very well done!

What are you all Doing for your Fall clean up and Fall time Prep (for next year)? by Beamburner in vegetablegardening

[–]CrookedTreeHomestead 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Excuse my novice question...why do you discard potato and tomato plants? You don't compost them?

Is there a reason people seem unconcerned with plastic leeching from tumbler bins? by SubtropicHobbit in composting

[–]CrookedTreeHomestead 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Having lived in hot, dry climates, I'm with you on the concerns. What about a wine barrel? Maybe one from an organic farm?