To me it is about the house. A house that is not connected to the community in power, water and other plumbings…forgot the word. An easy way to start a living and not depend on services…you know what If mean.

I'm not off grid at all, I live in a semi with all amenities, but I have solar panels, I grow veggies and fruit on my allotment and in the garden and recycle, reuse and make new clothes from old (when I can). Back in the day of my (I'm in my 70s) early married life I would have liked a small holding and being more off grid but my ex was definitely not on the same wave length as me, and when I moved on I couldn't possibly afford one, so I do the best I can – stepping out the norm – with what I have! I own my house and have no debt and that these days is an achievement in itself so I'm content with what I have and my efforts in self sufficiently although small are the best I can do. Thanks for the vlog it was so interesting and gives me plenty to mull over. Janex

Did you see my live about any kind of plasics (and any items made from plastic) can no longer be sold/imported/made in Cyprus. Went through it in great detail fully explaining the whole concept and how it IS possible. Once all stock is gone – that is it! If only other countries could be bold enough to follow….

Too much to type! I think I cover most of it in these videos!

Self Sufficient Verses Self reliant. (Explaining the Differences). And can you live without any bills and paperwork required by society. (Q and A): Future proofing Your Life:

https://youtu.be/BdBJvPpGDmQ

Basic Overview of our Off Grid and Frugal Living, plus Natural Gardening Growing in Cyprus (Part One of Series):

https://youtu.be/6XQhq_GweDw

Off Grid Homestead and Frugal Living – What can be run on solar, and more:

https://youtu.be/UiM9MuQYLxY

Ultimate Frugal Life – Off Grid Living on NO income during Lockdown. Even More Frugal Living.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xSZZxi9ZpY

(it was also very interesting to read the other comments 🙏)

Off Grid would mean to me, not having to pay all the transportation costs, the electricity bill comes with, it is higher than the actual electricity. Same with water… Sustainability is for me, not having a car, buy local and bio. And buy nothing with Palm oil in it, we are vegetarians too… Love from 🇩🇰

Great Video, thanks for sharing.

I definetly want to step AWAY FROM THE NORM, but man it is hard to do up here, trying to find financing to buy a small place in Portugal is hard… The banksters/gubberment rules want to keep you in the norm box so when you seek outside the norm they won't allow it. so I could get financing for a CAR… but I could not get financing for a HOME for a similar price… their reasoning? I couldn't afford it… But apparently I could afford RENTING for the same cost, but that will never set me free, I will only see ever increasing rent an never be the ruler of my own home… So yeah definetly seeking HELP to get started in Portugal, the sooner the better.

Being "Off Grid" doesn't mean YOU have to make and produce everything yourselves.
You can make biodiesel off grid, that doesn't mean You personally have to make it, your neighbor could make it and you could trade for it etc. etc. Humans never did EVERYTHING themselves, we always relied on each other in one way or another.
But being concious about it and do things smarter and use less ressources on "stuff" is a great way to be more sustainable. Also if you have a small budget you tend to spend less and spend wiser to make ends meet.

We could run all the factories on just solar and wind and batteries(of varying types) but we don't want to because it doesn't fit with modern slavelabor (9-5 jobs) since it would have to stop when there wasn't enough power… it would also mean production would fall since you couldn't produce 24/7 and it would make "stuff" more expensive… but do we REALLY NEED "stuff" or do we just need things to survive and thrive? do we need a tube to stare at 8 hours a day? or a phone to bend our neck to while we walk or could we do just fine without that? it would also bring more time for stuff like gardening, tending animals etc. but most don't want to "quit" the comfortable life and go back to a harder lifestyle… but take not of who is truly more happy… the city hipster or the extremely "off grid" people in Siberia growing their own food and tending their animals?

Off grid is simple it means being off the grid for water, gas and electric, in my opinion but sustainability is a much harder topic. It has become a throw away world. Keep doing what your doing. X

Interesting journey – enjoying following you both

🥰☕️🙋🏻‍♀️

Thanks

I would love to be doing similar to what u are doing. Im only 46 n it was my dream to get some land in Portugal, grow my own fruit n veg, live on solar, have some animals etc but in 2019 i got something called Cauda Equina Syndrome. Luckily they operated quick enough that i wasnt totally paralysed but i can no longer walk unaided or stand or sit for any length of time n have constant nerve pain but i still enjoy watching all u youtubers 👍👍 So my advice to anyone thats thinking of doing something similar, is go do it. Noone knows whats around the corner so dont, put it off ❤❤

I personally do not like the phrase climate change, I think it is misused & abused, to confuse & put unreasonable expense & pressure on people for the wrong reasons, if you read & study the history or weather patterns, it constantly changes, what I think is we do need to be responsible for our actions. If you study how the solar panels are made & how they need to be disposed of properly, there are some downsides but also some good sides too, and a lot of the solar type stuff needs energy from our regular sources, it does not always seem to be the best choice but should be a person’s choice to do if they want to & not forced on anyone, my opinion, I am not trying to be mean. But you did ask for comments lol. I watch your channel to see you living your dream and I enjoy seeing your progress as you work to make your dreams come true. I grew up with no running water in our house when I was young, no inside bathroom, we did have electricity, I picked cotton, I hoed cotton, I helped in my Mother’s garden. Let me tell you I don’t yearn for those days I remember our first tv. But I think we need to be self reliant & responsible for our actions. We still farm and I love fresh vegetables but give me my luxuries though they be small. I love my life & raised my family & enjoying my children, grandchildren, & great grandchildren, I enjoy my life & no regrets but it is interesting to watch videos of people like you both & others make a change & do what you want to do. God bless you both & enjoy. Hope I did not upset anyone but I just feel like we only have one life to live and we should take each day & find joy. I am not a Pollyanna & we all have some rough days in life but my faith & hope keeps me going. I enjoy your videos & just do what you both enjoy & try not to let what other people say or do bother you. I personally think you both present a good video. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.

That was a thought provoking PiPsCast and what a lot of interesting comments .I think to most people being off grid is the gold standard of sustainability . You are definitely off grid and I admire your efforts . However it can be a great deal of physical work not everyone is able . I hope in the future to be at least partially of grid . I'm a few years older than you but I like to think there is still some tread left on my tires . I'm going to have quite a solar array though because I must have a blender and a food processor ! Due to carpal tunnel chopping and peeling is hell and having a good supply of preserved food is important . So to each his own . But I would like to say you are so right about having community people in the old days came people together to help each other .

I think you both have thought out your living situation with realistic and level headed goals. Thank you for sharing how you are managing it. Stay warm and safe.

I have watch your channel for quite a while.
I can remember watching you on one occasion when family commitments made it a very challenging time and the return to Portugal to fulfil your dreams seemed so far away from you.
You did eventually manage to return, and the happiness in you both shines. It’s good to see.
We have travelled in our motorhome for 20 years, in a way living off grid, thanks to a solar panel, finding water, early day involved ,no sat navs, coins for pay phones. Off grid living can become quite tedious .
We have had a place in Portugal for some years, it is our paradise, but is not off grid.
The place we fell in love with had mains water and electricity supplied to it . For us ,we were comfortable having them .
The main thing is to be happy and content, enjoy what ever life you choose to lead.

As far as we are concerned, « off grid » is living our lives without needing any of the powered appliances needing outside connection that we have to pay a monthly bill for, ie mainly electricity, like living « unplugged ». Where we live, in our home we pay for electricity on which all our appliances are plug on except for our kitchen cooking range is on propane. We also have 3 heating sources, electric, oil and wood furnaces as we need it for at least 5 months every year. We have quite a large house but for the size of the house we have, our electricity bill is pretty good. Our house was built with foam blocks in which we poured cement inside which makes 11 inches thick walls which keeps the house cooker in the Summer and keeps the heat in the cooler months. We loved the information about your new way of saving energy from your solar panels with that new thing you have, sorry forgot the name but sure looks like a great power box. Well enjoy your time in Portugal. Goodnight from Canada.

To me its being as sustainable as possible with food sources, comforts of a home, solar and water rich (so to speak).

We have in the past been 100% off grid and on acreage growing much of our own food. This was a huge effort and fulfilling way of life. Our circumstances changed, needing to be closer to ageing parents and offspring who looked like they were going to start the next generation, we moved. Much water under the bridge (and moves to different locations) we are settled into a suburban block in a country town. Our concession to that original lifestyle that we so carefully created (nearly 20 years ago now) is solar panels to add to the grid, with a hope to afford batteries in the future. Vegetable garden and over 20 species of fruit trees and bushes. Our front fence is made up of espaliered apple and pear trees. We buy clothes from local op shop. We make as many things as we can ourselves and as much as possible from recycling unwanted or broken items. Personally, I think it's about following our own paths and aspirations. I applaud those who can do more than us in leaving a smaller footprint on this earth. Building a strong community is one of the most important things we can do in these times, whether it be in your village/town and localities or on the virtual community platform such as YouTube. One thing we are doing, as pensioners now, is whenever we go shopping we add a couple of low cost but staple items like rice or quinoa etc to the cart. We have a small 'in case' pantry aside from our regular one. This has come in handy when money got tight paying for something unexpected, being able to dip into, plus it means if car is out of action or we are unable to get out we can still feed ourselves. Keep up the great work. 😘

Being off grid is different to being carbon neutral,anything we do to make efforts towards either must be a step in the right direction even if we don’t achieve 100%
Love watching the videos x

I’m sorry Darren and Elaine I cannot agree with you. The climate has always changed, during the mediaeval era there was a warm period and when the Romans came to Britain there was another warm period, hence Vine Street in London as they could grow wine grapes at that time. I believe we are being herded by the elites who want us to go back to owning nothing while they get richer, eat high on the hog and travel in super jets. It is a great thing to be in control of your energy use and growing food but the world has never produced more food to feed the world than it does today which helps people in India or Africa out of the poverty trap. If you have the opportunity please watch Neil Oliver who speaks far more eloquently than I could on this matter. I do appreciate your pride in ‘going it alone’ We in the ‘first world’ play at subsistence living. But if we had to live in, say, Africa with nothing but dung for fuel to live you would realise how lucky we are to live as we do. After all, you do have the luxury of having your old home in England to fall back on. This is not to castigate you but just to put across the other viewpoint which millions of people have to live by. I think you might feel differently if you were homeless and living on the streets in England or Africa or India. We, in the first world, continually beat ourselves up for being the beneficiaries of the hard work, blood, sweat and tears of the generations before us who lived in grinding poverty in order for us all to live as we do today, if we so choose. So please don’t feel guilty about driving your diesel truck, I’d like to know how you would get an IBC tank to your property without it. People seem to have forgotten the other more pressing concerns about the environment such as overpopulation caused, in part, because we are living longer due to improvements in medical science. I think the world has tipped and we are on the brink of another Stone Age because people are convinced that man’s output can harm the earth. The more trees we plant help to neutralise the effects of emissions. I do not mean to pillory you and I do admire you for growing your own food but I do urge you to watch Neil Oliver to get some perspective on what is happening in the world today.

Have a look at Kris Harbour Natural Building YouTube

Off grid for me is not being connected to main services. I am connected but to make a difference I installed solar panels and I harvest water all around the house for my garden. I don’t use plastic bags. I have my own bags for shopping. I live in Florida where the climate allows you to grow vegetables almost all year. I buy things in garage sales or thrift stores. Use my big plastic bottles as greenhouses for my seedlings. I have my compost pile with leaves, grass and food scraps. And our town has a great recycling program. Every little bit helps to make a difference. Loved your bloopers!

The grid is public power— when you buy electricity or water from them. Off-grid means you use your own power & water from whatever source you have or Choose. I would say you are completely Off-Grid. Blessings! 💜

I think the term off grid was originally referring to people who dropped out of society. Disappeared. Unknown whereabouts. Now a days I think most refer to being off the electric grid. Which is a huge source of harmful environmental damage to the earth. But, then the batteries used with solar power are also damaging if not made and handled environmentally. Even burning wood is environmentally evil. What do you do?
Every summer parents would take many camping trips with us kids. That is what we could afford to do and still see the world outside the home and community. We learned a lot too. We live in an area that is prone to hurricanes and losing power for long periods to time. No water and how to deal with it all in the heat of summer. So yes some experience with it.
I admire the people that try it. It takes commitment and thoughtfulness on a daily basis. At my age I just want creature comfort. I want hot running water and a flushing toilet. I tell myself "well I recycle and do buy what I do not need, I donate unused items".
I love to learn from people that dumpster dive for their food. Do you realize how much food waste there is from the grocery stores? Good food. But forced to throw it out due to Date of Expiration. Also people that pick up metal garbage from side of roads and take it to a metal reprocessing facility. It is disgusting to me how we live in such a throw away society.

🎄🌟👏👍🍀💐

I prefer to look at different "buzz words". Phrases like lowering my "carbon footprint". Becoming more self sustaining. Recycle, reuse, reclaim! Just by moving from the USA to Costa Rica. I made a huge contribution. For example I have no separate heating or air conditioning here! We move outdoors when it makes sense to do so. We also come inside when that makes sense. We do not sit in an easy chair and press a button on a thermostat to keep ourselves comfortable. Fast food is not very available here either. Most of my food is prepared at home. In some locations where tourist frequent there is much more commercial catering to spoiled rotton people from the first world. Most of Costa Ricians live a very simple existence! I believe in continious improvement in this regard of being responsible stewards of our planet. Not perfection! If each of us would do small simple improvments the whole problem would be reduced significantly. This is what I have done and continue to do!

Hi Elaine and Darren, what does it mean to live off the grid? Can we truly be off grid? Living off the grid can mean many things. It can mean solar panels, being a farmer , food sufficient. etc,
I think it's a phrase that is over used. We think that " living off the grid" continues to evolve. You have to do what's best for your needs. And it seems what you're doing suits you just fine.
Harriet and i one day will have solar panels on the roof of our home and grow our own vegetables. An interesting discussion worth having. Well Done! Sending you much love❤❤❤ from
Richmond, Va. Harriet, Jim and Yuki

You both said everything perfectly. Also, love Max. He's the best. Love seeing him on your videos.

We are making small changes that make a difference to us – and how we try to make better choices that are better for the environment ; better recycling and reusing – buying second hand ; growing some food; cooking from scratch , composting; buying eco friendly products when possible. Avoiding waste if we can . We don’t see ourselves taking the steps you have (at our time of life, late 50’s)
However we don’t intend to carry on in the traditional sense ! Who knows 🧐

Hello to both of you. What a wonderful subject. We feel that there are so many ways of being off grid and one is not better then the other. What is important is that , do what you can when possible, cause every bit counts. Thanks for sharing your views on this matter. We loved to see Max today. He was just like" come on mom and dad, lets go outside" Cheers and as always stay safe.

Thanks for your vid 😇💟💟💟 Love you guys. I think of grid means living on your own turns you are your own boss having your own electric and water connection
from mother earth .

I think many people get the black piping to fill the ivc from lakes or wells. However you need other connectors too. They seem more robust than theUK ones. Good luck . I agree each home goes about their own financial capabilities. This time next year you would have eaten off your land and watered the land with your water….

Reference your pond. Have you considered installing an over flow pipe. Most ponds in the states have over flow pipes. enjoy your films.

As a YouTuber also, I so appreciate your PipsCast. It's wonderful how you take the time to explain behind the scenes basically. I also commend you both for your efforts in doing a vlogmas because I know it's time consuming. I'm so enjoying them!! Keep up the great work! 😁👍🎄⛄