[AAA]

It seems many peakoil members are receiving some type of retirement income. This allows them more freedom to do many things, such as move to the country and begin the process of becoming self-sufficient. It also allows me to assume they do not have young children at home they are raising and supporting financially.

Everyone knows it takes money to purchase land, live off the grid, and be able to provide for yourself. Many of the costs are upfront cost such as buying land with good water, solar power system, rain water collection system, animals, equipment, etc... but it also requires somewhat of a stable income especially if several children are involved.

Medical insurance alone can cost several hundred dollars a month for a family of 5.

So I would like to hear how you will or how you are currently generating income if you are living in the country.

I know some have machine shops, sell produce/animals/eggs, and/or handywork. Please share your experiences on making money in the country whether good or bad.

I am curious because I am 26 years old, married, and plan on having 2 or 3 children over the next several years. If I live a full life I will be around another 60 years or so. I plan on retiring at the age of 40 but only if we can meet our financial targets. I don't want to move to the country and then after several years realize we can't pay their college tuition. All that takes money and without retirement income it makes it more of a challenge!

[vision-master]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'I') plan on retiring at the age of 40

[davep]

I just sold up in SE England in 2006. The money enabled me to buy my doomstead for my wife, daughter and I.

However, now I've been working in a different country for over a year, because the money ran out, with a weekly commute back to the doomstead.

Don't assume that all those who choose to put their money where their mouth is have some kind of stable income to help them get by. We were living on food parcels at one point. This is something I'd prefer not to repeat.

I was going to retire at 30

[AAA]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('vision-master', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'I') plan on retiring at the age of 40

[Ludi]

No retirement income. My husband and I have a home business working in the entertainment industry. We love our work, it's very rewarding.

[mos6507]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('AAA', '
')I am curious because I am 26 years old, married, and plan on having 2 or 3 children over the next several years.

[Roy]

ME: IT director for local mfg company.

Mrs Roy: resource and dev. director local Habitat for Humanity chapter.

Just like living in the burbs, except for, hmm, let's see:

no traffic
no crime
quiet
no HOA
no zoning
cleaner air
cleaner water (well -- no chlorine, flouride, heavy metals, or organics TYVM)
chickens
dogs
big garden
clothesline
backyard firing range
privacy
and lots more.

And no lunatic yard-nazi HOA guys prowling about checking for violations.

I like your ambition to retire at 40. But 40 years of playing golf, lounging on beaches in Florida, and playing shuffleboard? That sounds more like a punishment to me.

[AAA]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Roy', '
')I like your ambition to retire at 40. But 40 years of playing golf, lounging on beaches in Florida, and playing shuffleboard? That sounds more like a punishment to me.

[vtsnowedin]

I worked 31 years for a state bureaucracy because the checks come real regular and the health care was included. They took six percent out of me for a retirement with a payout based on years of service and your three highest years pay. Penalties of course for going out earlier than age sixty but my three highest years were high enough to balance them so I got out at age fifty-two with half pay and health care for the two of us. Now they are talking of trimming back the health care $200 a month due to the stock market crash but everyone will be getting news like that sooner or later. Now I work for consultant firms doing the same thing I used to do but for a lot more money and I get the winters off and save the cost of commuting 100 mile round trip to the office.
I wouldn't worry about the cost of college twenty years from now. If they are still in business the cost will be based on what the average dad can afford to pay and with peak oil very likely between now and then that won't be much.

[patience]

I worked as an engineer for years, then as a machinist, then started a machine/welding shop in 2003 to get unhooked from the auto industry. Now on SS, but kept the shop going for more income.

Wife worked for Census Bureau and Veterans Administration until she retired this March. Her govt retirement provides insurance for us. We bought our place in 1989, and have been working toward self reliance forever.