Resources

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Off-Grid.net

Off-grid brings you news, knowledge, discussion, and classifieds from the off-grid world. What seems like a tiny niche is growing in popularity as people seek a life outside of the city. Off-gridders must find ways to produce their own energy, food, water, shelter, and other necessities. Connect with people who live off the beaten path or begin the search for your own property on this site.

Build It Solar

Dedicated to do-it-yourself renewable energy projects, Build It Solar provides hundreds of ideas and plans for any kind of home energy endeavor. New to renewable energy? Start with the "Half Plan" that uses a variety of energy saving projects to cut your energy usage in half. New to solar? Look for the do-it-yourself site survey to understand your property's solar potential. Not limited to solar, Build It Solar also includes tons of projects for wind power and biofuels.

Earth2Tech

Energy self reliance is a big topic for environmental, political, and individual reasons. Earth2Tech posts news about technological developments that can affect us on personal and societal levels. Stay on top of the news about electric cars, the smart grid, the bloom box fuel cell, solar power applications, and LED lightbulbs.

Wisebread

Wisebread is well-known for its advice on real personal finance. It's a community of bloggers who write about frugal living, lifehacks, careers, and other financial wisdom. Being smart with your money isn't supposed to inhibit you: rather, Wisebread's advice helps people worry less about money, allowing you to focus on the really important things in life. They also feature an active forum where you can ask questions and interact with other people who are trying to live within their means.

Instructables

Do you want to know how to build a vertical garden? How about your own solar panel array? Maybe you're looking for ways to reuse a linen closet full of old pillowcases. Instructables is a community based site that allows anyone to post a how-to project complete with photos and instructions. The result: a lifetime's supply of projects that can help you save money, recycle, or simply satisfy your appetite for making stuff.

Survival Spot

Disasters are a reality that shouldn't be ignored. That's the reason Survival Spot was created - to share information about a variety of survival and preparedness topics. Topics cover many aspects of survival, including gardening, food storage, health, and self defense. Also read about getting by in the wilderness and reviews of essential gadgets and gear. Like any other type of self reliance, preparedness is something to get into gradually and this blog can give you ideas on where to start.

Self-Reliance-Exchange

Written by a group of self reliant people, Self Reliance Exchange is quickly building an enormous database that covers a huge range of categories on self reliant practices and philosophies. Anyone interested in self reliance will find something useful to take away from this blog - recipes from scratch, emergency preparedness, and personal finance are great categories to start looking into here.

Simple Self Reliance

This writer explores the concept of self reliance and how self reliance fits in this modern society. How far can you realistically go down the path of self reliance? How can you stay on track with your priorities? He also writes on the grandaddy of self reliance, Henry David Thoreau. We can't wait to see how this blog unfolds!

American Preppers Network

For information and news from the world of emergency preparation, American Preppers Network is a great resource. Learn about food storage, what to expect during a natural disaster, and about other survival techniques. You can also connect with other preppers in your region and all over the world in the forum and through the numerous links to other prepping blogs on the web.

Clothing

While buying clothes is generally more time and cost efficient than making them, sewing and mending are survival skills that will serve you for a lifetime.

Taking care of clothing through proper washing, drying and repair extends the lifespan of a garment and reduces textile waste. Learn more about saving money on clothing in the first place by looking at consignment shops, thrift stores, and flea markets. Also consider different washing and drying options like washing by hand and using a clothesline to reduce dependence on power and expensive appliances.

Frugal clothing practices don't have to cramp your style. Take this opportunity to make simple living your personal fashion statement.

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Latest Additions

Make Your Own Off-Grid Laundry Machine - Makezine
These plans from Make Magazine show how to make an off-grid washing machine that doesn't use running water or electricity. It's portable and the leftover greywater can be used to water plants if biodegradable soap is used.
How to Dry Your Clothes for Free
Current project - Created on 01/29/2010 by Ms. Feline
Hi! This is a follow-up to my Project about using the handpowered washing machine to wash clothes without electricity. If I don't have a traditional washing machine, why would I have a dryer? At....
Follow this project | Comments | Notes to Self | Start a Similar Project
Textile Affairs: Guide to Common Home Laundering & Drycleaning Symbols
Textile Affairs lists the mysterious symbols that appear on clothing tags - and explains what they mean!
Washing Clothes Without Electricity
Current project - Created on 01/22/2010 by Ms. Feline
When I moved into this house, I had to make a decision: Do I want to buy a washing machine and dryer? These things cost money. A lot of money. Which I don’t really have. For awhile I washed....
Follow this project | Comments (3) | Notes to Self | Start a Similar Project
Viggies Veggies: Using a Washboard
Don't want to waste money on an expensive washing machine and high utility bills? Check out this old time contraption that can save you greenbacks and build your muscles.
Detroit Free Press: Do it Yourself - Just Like Grandma
Some of us grew up with stories of how our grandparents did things without the use of modern gadgets. Kristen Jordan reviews How to Sew a Button and Other Nifty Things Your Grandmother Knew, which teaches people the tricks of their grandparents.
Simple Green Frugal Co-Op: How to Make a Pillowcase Apron
This project is great for two reasons: it makes use of an old pillowcase and it's great for new sewers. Follow this pattern's instructions and clear photographs to make one for yourself or as a gift.
Stitch and Boots: How to Make a Mushroom Smock
For intermediate sewers, this mushroom smock is a nice project that reuses an old men's shirt.
Stitch and Boots: To Sew or Not to Sew
Is it worth it to make your own clothes? On one hand, sewing is a great skill. On the other, the high cost of fabrics and low cost of store bought clothes compel the question. This list of considerations can help you determine if sewing or buying is more economical for you.
Old School: How to Sew on a Shirt Button
Everyone has experienced the hassle and frustration of losing a button on your favorite shirt. Well, here are easy instructions, complete with pictures, that show you how to sew that button back on so you don't have to look for your mother or a tailor.
Wisebread: I Got It at the Dump
Most of us think of the dump as a mountain of garbage, not a place to go shopping. This article clears the air about dumps - actually, the dump is a great place for extremely frugal finds. They're not quite like you might imagine.
Helium: How to Be Eco-Fashionable
For all of you fashion forward folks out there, you can achieve an eco-friendly style without looking bland or frumpy. Read on to discover how you can make your wardrobe reflect your global outlook.
Vela Creations: How to Hand Wash Laundry
Hand washing laundry saves energy and adds a dimension to the pace of life. While it's much slower than using electric washers and dryers, hand washing does clean clothes well.
Instructables: On the Line
Line drying is generally thought to be a hassle. Not so, says the writer of these line-drying tips. Different methods apply for different articles of clothing, all of which save lots of energy.
Youtube.com: How to Hem Pants
Pants ripped or too long? Not a problem! Tracey shows you how to hem a pair of pants!
 
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