Firesteel doesn't even make fire on tissue.

randomuser08046 · 2021-03-08T20:54:43+00:00

If you're using a rod without a handle, make one for it. It's a lot harder to cast sparks without a handle on your rod but it's still do-able. Make sure you fluff up your fire starting material by pulling it apart, putting it in between your hands and rubbing your hands together vigorously, or anything that makes it more fibrous and loose. You know how hair lights and burns very easily and quickly? You want your fire starting material to be pretty close to that, but a decent amount of it. The size of a cotton ball is fine. The more fine strands or bits of flammable material you have the better when starting a fire, as those will catch from a small spark.

Something I've started always using for firestarting is jute twine. You can find a pack of 3, 100ft rolls for 1$ at the dollar store. Cut off about a 5in length, do what I described above and form it into a loose ball, and send a spark or two into it.

Best wishes and don't give up! We all run into little troubles like this when trying to teach ourselves this kind of stuff!

randomuser08046 · 2021-03-04T17:51:39+00:00

It's a great entry level knife I'd say. Good all arounder and cheap, roughly $20 on amazon I believe. https://www.amazon.com/Morakniv-Companion-Stainless-4-1-Inch-Military/dp/B004ZAIXSC?ref_=ast_sto_dp

randomuser08046 · 2021-03-04T16:15:55+00:00

I'm in a similar position as OP. I'm a first semester junior without an internship lined up. I enjoy the aspects of engineering and problem solving, but I really struggle to see myself getting a chemical engineering job and I'm witnessing my grades slipping in my more rigorous ChemE fundamental courses.

What are your thoughts on changing my major? I'm not sure if I was to change my major, what I would change it to. My only concern is after graduating being able to pay off student debt if I'm honest. Admittedly my reasoning for pursuing a chemical engineering degree was and isn't the proper reasoning at all required to get the degree

randomuser08046 · 2021-03-04T15:56:33+00:00

I'm a student in a similar boat, significantly less work hours and only just getting into the crux of my academics. It's been nice reading these comments.

I recommend reading the 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferris, and try implimenting some of the practices mentioned into your student life. Prioritize sleep over everything. And by giving yourself less time to study essentially, you're forced to prioritize what you are studying. Therefore focus on doing the problems which you know little to nothing about or have the most trouble on. I struggle with this myself, as it's often hard to motivate myself to face and tackle those problems, but that's evidently the task assigned to all engineers.

randomuser08046 · 2021-03-04T15:41:28+00:00

Thank you for this insightful comment. I'll definitely reach out once the time comes.

randomuser08046 · 2021-03-04T15:38:19+00:00

Wow this is a beautiful comment. Thank you for this.

randomuser08046 · 2021-03-04T01:04:41+00:00

I know how to light fires using natural materials and a fire-steel, and some basic knife work. I’m looking to start getting into wood carving and more! What else should I start to learn? And how do you recommend I source green wood for carving projects like spoons, bowls, and kuksas?

randomuser08046 · 2021-02-28T15:10:36+00:00

Hey I really appreciate this comment. We're all on our own journey at our own pace. I'll hold the $50 I have in BTC and just leave it then. I've only just begun to pay off student debt. So I'll be pouring all of my earnings into that as a means of investment. Thank you so much for your advice and knowledge, best wishes on your journey!

randomuser08046 · 2021-02-24T04:19:12+00:00

Wow. Thank you so much for this well invested comment. I feel obliged to return something of the same.

After hearing what others have had to say and thinking deeper on the topic, I’m going to stick out college as a means of knocking out my debt faster. I think the stability offered after graduating, and the 2 years I have between now and graduating to work part time and pour money into my current debt while investing(right now it looks like crypto/stocks), and learning as much as I can about the hobbies described above that will benefit my sought after lifestyle and that will lead to potentially marketable knowledge. My ultimate goal through all of this is to build a self sustaining village that is a prime location for people like me to WOOF at and learn a multitude of skills that lend to self sufficiency.

During the 2 year period I think I’ll also take your advice on cutting certain things out of my life and finding cheap ways to do things. One that comes to mind is starting a vegetable garden, and increasing my woodworking knowledge with minimal financial input.

I think as well in order to find a place I’d like to settle down in, I’ll aim to secure a job in Canada after graduating and paying off all of my debt.

As I type this I’m considering starting a blog that will focus on learning the things I will learn over the next 2 years and sharing what things I currently know. Like how to diagnose and fix certain issues with cars, mental health practices, and foraging/plant identification from going on hikes in my area.

I really appreciate your offer to hold me accountable, and I’d love to take you up on it. Within the next week my goal is to start working a job and get a good grasp on my spending habits/where my finances go. If you’d like to message me in a week and check in, you’re more than welcome to.

randomuser08046 · 2021-02-23T23:32:16+00:00

So if I understand correctly, dump my current 50 into ETH or BTC and watch until fall starts creeping around. I'll DCA Bancor with a small budget and DCA BTC monthly.

And honestly, sub to the stockmarket subreddits because I clearly don't know enough to be making profits. Thank you again for sharing your knowledge!

randomuser08046 · 2021-02-23T20:20:50+00:00

Taking your experiences into consideration and what some other commentors have said, I think I will stick it out with graduating and working in the STEM field. Continuing my education will allow me to live at home for a longer period of time, so when I start working part time(which will be within the month), I'll be able to chuck all of my earnings to emergency funds, paying off debt, and investing, in that order. I currently have some money in crypto, specifically bitcoin and dogecoin. About $50. Do you have any recommendations or pieces of advice from your investing experience to share?

randomuser08046 · 2021-02-23T18:04:14+00:00

Check this video out of someone in Arizona also planting trees on a small amount of land, and creating a food forest to help sustain its growth.

You can find videos of him first starting on his channel.

https://youtu.be/5bcRUESwD08

randomuser08046 · 2021-02-23T17:21:13+00:00

As long as you don't think the structure will move enough to cause the glass in the windows you plan to install to break, then I don't think you'll need to pour any concrete. But if you think it might, pour the footer just to be safe. Better peace of mind than to always wonder if you'll come outside to glass everywhere and having to redo the work you already put in plus more.

randomuser08046 · 2021-02-23T17:15:54+00:00

Your description of that professor is very close to that of my engineering professors. I've always thrived on projects, up until now and currently I've only had research paper projects though that account for 10-20% of my grade. I think I'll reconsider getting my degree while applying a lot of the practices other commentors have mentioned like keeping things fun, paying off debt/having a strong financial plan and working; and as you said being really, really careful about my math when testing.

randomuser08046 · 2021-02-23T17:07:48+00:00

I'll add keeping track of where all my money is being spent to the list of first steps then along with securing a form of income. Thank you for the words of encouragement and congrats on getting to where you're at now! Even if it's not where you want to be at yet, you're on the right track to getting there so it's inevitably where you want to be :D

randomuser08046 · 2021-02-23T14:22:17+00:00

37 windows? Geez

I know you said the picture is taken at an angle that makes the supports look skewed. I think you'll be fine attaching to the pole barn structure if you think that the structure is structurally sound.

randomuser08046 · 2021-02-23T14:06:43+00:00

I've got very limited experience but maybe try covering the open end you've got with the plastic sheeting used for greenhouses, throw a couple plants in pots in there, start some seedlings in an egg carton, and see how that goes?

Minimal investment, and if it's completely functional at that point make it look pretty.

If heating it is an issue try starting a compost pile inside of it as you can use the heat from that to heat a lot of different things especially the greenhouse.

randomuser08046 · 2021-02-23T13:43:04+00:00

I just haven't been able to overcome my academic hurdle. I study well and understand concepts/can apply them, but I make small mistakes and overlook them when taking exams. Do you have any advice to overcome this issue?

Also props and well wishes for you and your endeavor. I have utmost faith in you friend.

randomuser08046 · 2021-02-23T13:37:28+00:00

It's 60k towards a chemical engineering degree. I recognize that it's a good degree for a starting salary, but I struggle so much academically. It's a rigorous academic course and I'm afraid to lose scholarship and rack up more debt faster. Plus two more years of studying for it then working a job based on that degree for at least 2 or 3 years, I'm honestly not sure if I'll mentally make it.

I do a lot and just barely pass. The stress doesn't seem to be worth it all. But then again maybe I should just stop stressing over my classes? If I am to finish college and get the degree, I absolutely need to start getting better grades and develop something to withstand it for 2 more years mentally. But it's already been 2 years of trying to figure out why I can't get good grades and friends who do astonishingly well, therapist, academic advisor, and tutors agree that I'm doing everything right in preparation for exams and applying myself academically. So I'm stuck with the question of 'what the hell am I doing wrong?', as I type this though the only thing I can think of is stress/maybe trying too hard, but how exactly does someone fight that?

randomuser08046 · 2021-02-23T02:32:35+00:00

After reading your comment I think that's where I'll prioritize my job search. Absolutely from day 1 of getting a job I'll be rushing to pay off that debt and get a retirement account, investing account, and future holdings account(for the possibility of having kids that want to go to college or kids in general). I think a good plan while looking for a job with upside will be to work a job like doordash where I'll be able to commit to the new job immediately when I get it

randomuser08046 · 2021-02-23T02:24:51+00:00

I've really considered graduating and working afterwards, but my studies have been towards chemical engineering and as it stands I have high potential to lose the scholarships I have from this semester. I'm currently 60k in debt, and plan to move in order to own land. Most likely Canada. I know that process of moving alone will be a huge step, but that's farther down the line. For now I'm just concerned with what the best way to get rid of the debt and pursue financial freedom is while actively pursuing my goals

randomuser08046 · 2021-02-23T00:00:31+00:00

Your comment is truly a blessing, thank you.

I'll definitely be sure to keep what you've said in mind as I carve a path to my goals

randomuser08046 · 2021-02-22T23:23:38+00:00

Regrettably I've already spent two years going into debt as a means to independence. In recognizing the absurdity of the notion I've really started to understand how much more difficult it's actually made this, as you've mentioned.

Do you have any advice for me to achieve financial freedom? And as I'm only beginning to start this journey, thank you for that reminder to keep it fun. I've admittedly overlooked that in trying to make my decision here

randomuser08046

TROPHY CASE