One one our goals living in rural Isaan is to be as self-sufficient as possible.
However, to be self-sufficient, you are going to have to spend money upfront.
We have a full 18Kw solar system with 40Kw of batteries.
We can run our entire house all day and night with a net zero electric bill.
We also have (3) 80 meter deep solar wells. We have net zero water bill.
We have stocked our pond with over 5,000 fish.
If all goes well, should have free fish to eat the rest of our lives.
We also have over 20 fruit trees.
We have planted tomatoes, cucumbers, chilies and all the other vegetables we eat.
These items have drastically cut our monthly cost of living.
However, we still buy food from the markets and stores.
Have an internet bill to pay.
Have mobile phones to pay for.
Have gas for the vehicles.
Our monthly spend, eating whatever we want, is US $750.
Can we lower that?
We do a lot of visiting around Thailand which uses more gas.
Also, we could cut back and eat local food.
For us $750 is highly desirable.
There will be months when it is less.
Self-sufficiency is about designing a way of living, not just for today, but being able to sustain it way into the future.