The City Mouse in the Country

      I want to talk about making money on a small homestead.   Yes, it can be done.   Now that being said what the hell do I know about about homesteading or making money?     Actually not much about the first, but quite a bit about the second.   My whole life I've been in banking or financial sales of one sort or another.   Making money really isn't that hard, it's just that what is available is either misunderstood (life insurance for example) or somehow hidden away (ask your banker for rates on a No Penalty CD it's like a savings account but with a higher interest rate).      Sometimes it takes research, sometime it takes time to learn a new skill or just someone to point you in the right direction.     So I thought I would throw out a few ideas that I see mentioned time and time again on various Facebook and Reddit pages dedicated to "homesteading."  How do I make money? ...

      When we first moved out to the country, we had a vague notion of what we wanted to do.  We failed in our first year to meet any of those nebulous goals.       Sue, my wife and I have adjusted.      I've always had a passing interest in things like permaculture , we had always grown a few tomato's and other plants on our lanai when we lived in Florida.   It was, and still is to a certain extent, my hope that I have a full garden and become a bit more self sufficient.     After a year however, my plans have changed somewhat and become more focused.  We know what our limitations are.   Our original plans simply did not meet the reality of our situation.  It just being Sue and myself for example, a large garden doesn't make sense.  A container garden does.     This isn't failure, but the realization that we are always adjusting and regrouping based upon se...

      Even though at the time of this publication no one is asking for a sequel, I thought I would share some simple financial tips that can apply not only to Homesteaders, but anyone really.          A lot of this may sound like common sense, a lot of it may sound obvious.  However you would be surprised at exactly how many people don't take advantage of what's at hand because they are so used to doing things in a certain way that they get trapped.  We feel like we have to work this job, or feel that we have to go to this store or buy that product.       So before I get into this a little background about me, I've been doing financial sales and service for over 25 years and have worked for companies like PNC Bank, New York Life, the IRS and 3M.  That being said, even though I am a licensed Insurance agent, always talk to a local financial advisor in your area.  Nor is this a solicitation for...