New Beginnings and High Hopes

Ok, so I have been slack in keeping up with this blog. HOWEVER, not is all lost. The past 2 years have been busy with exercise and health related stuff, which I have kept track of, and this past 3 months, I have been even more attentive to keeping track of expenses/savings/health and thoughts on where I am going in the next 5 years. I will get to the past in another blog; for now I want to concentrate on the future. To which, I have been mulling it over for the past 5 months, since going on Gov't Pension.
 
Now past 65, (that magic number when Gov't Pensions kick in, and there is no oversight from nosey bureaucratic types,) my doctor has declared me fit to live at least another 20 years. I am free to make plans, and direct my income as I see fit. Which means more responsibility.

Financially, while growing older on a fixed pension is great for now, at the level of expenses I have. But it begs the question: What happens if those expense rise faster than the COLA on the pension. We all have seen what the past 5 years have done to the investments of the elderly, and to the cost of living. Investment dividends down, cost of living up. WAY UP!!!

How do people end up on the street, who are not alcoholics. They are eligible for at least the bare minimum of the OAP/GIS, so it would seem that with my CPP I am in a Sweet Spot between living independently and not living on the street. Therefore, while I can, it behoves me to protect that income differential, by living as cost effectively as possible. That implies: optimizing savings, implementing income enhancements and arranging daily improvements in economies, in my life as is possible.

Which means living healthier and living a frugally sustainable life style: ie keeping fit, keeping expenses low, while looking toward a future where I am independent of the utility infrastructure, and self sufficient as is reasonable. To be totally independent is difficult as of yet, but it sure is approachable…such as a home with Slingshot (water), Solar Panels (Electric) and Solar Panels/Wood (Heating-Cooking).

 

At present I am down sizing drastically, and expect to have it to a 12'x12' minimum, for living space by summer (June 21st.) (present BDRM 9.5x9.5 ft) ; and I am as comfortable with Rustic Furniture / Accommodations as any pioneer, having grown with and lived that life style to some extent over the years. So a 12'x12' beginner shed/house is not inconceivable for me, with additions as warranted.

The only problem I have in this scenario is how to obtain the land, and in time before I turn 68, as I feel that is the optimum age that I will be able to do this. At present I am reasonably fit and able to do medium heavy work. Sure 40 lb slugging is out of the question, (even in the future) but between 5 and 15 lb for short stretches is going to be manageable and should become easier as I loose weight, get better conditioned.
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http://www.shedworking.co.uk/2013/03/1-in-10-planning-to-build-shed-this.html

QUOTE
   According to Nationwide Building Society nearly half of Brits are planning to spend at least some time this Easter doing DIY. And while 52% are painting/decorating and nearly four in ten are landscaping the garden or doing something to the fence, lawn or patio, a big 9% (ok, nearly 1 in 10) say they'll be putting up a shed or outhouse.
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This picture shows exactly how I would go about building a 12x12 ft shed. Cordwood Masonry, with rustic fittings and roof. This appears to show an 8x6 ft shed, but it should not be too far off from the view of a larger item. Larger front facing window and an enclosed porch entrance to keep the cold out. Hand built it should be easily affordable at under $2000.00.