Learning to survive and eventually thrive is important if you’re trying to live off the grid. Living “off the grid” indicates someone who isn’t reliant on electrical power from a grid or municipal gas and water sources. Additionally, the lifestyle changes depending on who you’re talking to. These tips apply if you’re interested in living in a van and experiencing the #VanLife or living in a cabin out in the woods. How do you learn to live off the grid and get what you need to survive? Learn more below.
Location, Location, Location
Your land choice is everything. If you’re stationary, such as in an isolated house or cabin, this may be an issue you only have to consider once. However, if you’re living in your car, van, or converted bus, you might have to revisit this question daily.
Where should you set up shop? Usually, you can find a place far off in an isolated space, away from permitting regulations, building codes, and pesky Homeowner Associations. In these areas, property taxes are lower, the land is less expensive, and you get more acreage for your buck.
If you’re on the move, park in an area that offers allowances for personal use. Sometimes parking lots won’t pay you any mind, and certain reserves or campsites are open. When you’re learning to live off the grid, this is necessary to survive.
Get Empowered
A steady power source is essential if you want to survive. You need power for cooking, heating and cooling, and electricity. Given this, you’ll need to determine where you will get your power from. The most useful and common way to live off the grid is to utilize free energy. You can get a hydroponics basin, a small wind turbine, or a solar panel. We recommend you also use a solar battery. If you’re going to go this route, make sure you check its life expectancy.
Water and Water Collection
If you’re going off the grid, you’ll want to take advantage of a clean water source, and it must be portable. You can assume you won’t have access to county or municipal water sources, so choose land with a natural water source or somewhere easy to haul water. Regardless of the source, ensure you get a water filter for your stove and shower to ensure the water you wash and cook with is safe.
Leading an unconventional life can be challenging. However, you don’t have to start all at once. If you take your time, do your research, and follow these tips, you’ll be well on your way to happily living off the grid.
Fat Tuesday and Ash Wednesday sit side by side on the calendar, but they feel very different.
One is full of color, music, and celebration. The other is quiet, simple, and reflective.
Together, they form a powerful transition from feasting to fasting, from Carnival to Lent.
Ramadan 2026 is expected to begin on the evening of February 17, 2026. The first day of fasting will likely fall on February 18. The month will end around March 19, 2026, depending on local moon sightings. These dates may be changed, depending on the country.
A red robin watches a Ramadan family prayer with warmth and wonder.
Ride into the rare Year of the Fire Horse with legends, dragon dances, lucky foods, and a fiery red robin salute to Lunar New Year. The Year of the Fire Horse is one of the most dramatic and culturally charged cycles in the Chinese zodiac. It appears only once every 60 years, and when it does, it ignites stories of passion, rebellion, creativity, and change.
From ancient legends to modern festivals filled with dragon dances and lanterns, the Fire Horse gallops through history
as a symbol of both risk and possibility.
Quick Fire Horse Snapshot:
Rare 60-year cycle • Fiery passion • Bold change • Artistic energy • A time to move, create, and transform.
Fire Horse-inspired lantern art at a Lunar New Year celebration.
As mid-February settles in, Presidents' Day arrives as a welcome pause in the winter season, a moment when
communities across the United States step outdoors for parades, visit historic sites, and reflect on the
leaders who shaped the nation. The holiday blends civic pride with the comfort of a long weekend, creating
a unique mix of celebration, education, and family time.
In 2026, the holiday on February 16th carries added significance as the nation enters its 250th anniversary year,
inspiring expanded programming, special exhibitions, and renewed interest in the country’s founding era.
From record spending to instant downloadable gifts for couples, pets, and families. For late shoppers, these ideas make a great solution for finding meaningful gifts.
Valentine’s Day 2026 is shaping up to be one of the biggest yet. Recent retail surveys show
that total Valentine’s spending is expected to reach record levels, with average budgets per
person climbing close to the $200 mark. Consumers aren’t just buying for romantic
partners anymore; they’re also celebrating kids, pets, friends, and themselves.
At the same time, how people express love is changing. Instead of defaulting to last‑minute
flowers and generic chocolates, many are looking for gifts that feel personal, meaningful,
and easy to deliver, especially when they’ve left things a little late. That’s where
downloadable, print‑at‑home, and digital gifts step into the spotlight.
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