All Forum Posts by: Shana Gray

what does USA require, and what it is that you can actually claim?

here in Canada, don't think we can claim land, but we have one line on our taxes for farming (gross and net income), which I would imagine for most real commercial farmers is often a loss, and you have to keep all your records in case they want to see them.

for myself I have done some research to see what I like, what sells, for how much profit, that takes little time (my version of little time), and collect that, and have separate resources for myself personally, but I go more on what I like and what my family likes, talked to local markets to see what is in demand, and checked prices etc.

my personal opinion?

can you claim it as a low-maintenance business, such as, a garage where you occasionally fix cars (even oil changes/body work), a construction company (store stuff there and do some work from there), that kind of thing? hire someone to do work there for you, or rent out some space there to locals, or any kind of business that could use the location part time?

if you like farming for personal reasons, now or future, you don't need to claim it then.

one more: rent the fields to local farmers.

What I particularly appreciate about this site, and the internet in general, is that it gives us an opportunity to discuss transparently anything at all and collaborate on ideas and solutions from anywhere in the world and be read by everywhere in the world.

There is nothing we can’t do.

What is equally amazing to me is that the great majority of people will never tap into this technology to make a real difference. Most people probably just waste a lot of time, or sit at home and believe the BS handed to them by CNN, or ‘small minds’ in their locality, and are too distracted to get off the couch to see possibilities and make a difference in the world. Maybe that’s just my impression of the situation.

I just reread this entire thread, what a great conversation. Lots of great info in here, everyone. great video, Tim, the country boy tune.

As far as future businesses, I figure, what are people going to need? Sell that. I like to invest in things that will benefit me in good times and bad, like an orchard in my backyard. (I sold my stock market investments to buy that orchard when the market started tipping. I absolutely love it. It’s sustainable and unlimited in its ability to duplicate itself.)

The technology we are losing by the technology we are gaining has gone unnoticed. Anyone know how to make candles? We can use the current technology (internet) to communicate survival technology before it’s lost from one generation to the next.

If there’s one thing I hope Obama accomplishes, I hope he moves the masses to take personal responsibility for the direction of their lives. However I’m not really sure what to expect from him.

Modern technology has made us lazy thinking that we don’t need to plan for a rainy day (or an icestorm or whatever). Let’s remember that most generations before us were prepared, and let’s not depend on unstable means or technologies. Let’s build this into our lifestyles. Like sustainability.

My general impression of Revelations is this, if there is a rapture, we might not see these terrible last days, if we die we’ll hopefully be in a better place, if we wait it out, the worst of it should be about 3.5 years and then the world will be replenished during 1000 years of peace. As far as how to prepare for world emergencies lasting for years, if we look to history we can see examples like Joseph in Egypt and try to learn from them, they stockpiled 7 years of grain and sold it to the people. Some people were even willing to become slaves in order to eat (work for their food), but they survived, and eventually moved on after the disaster was passed. The more people that get on board to build businesses that will help the masses in sustainability in good times and bad the more likely we are to make it through as cities and nations.

Love to hear if anyone else is working on businesses in this regard, you can make money selling information as well as the products.

One more note, not just effective management of resources for sustainability but having solid backup plans. Ironically I learned that from the music industry.

We have some nuclear but also natural sources such as Niagara Falls water-powered generators, and back-up generators at home.

I don't specialize in alternative energy though, I mainly leave that up to the men here, but you'd be surprised how easy it is to survive without all the modern methods, after all people did it for millennia. Lanterns and candles, hand pump wells and creeks. I agree though communication is very important.

People used to store food under the ground or in cold cellars. Certain foods can store for months. Squash, potatoes, apples, pears, etc. You can also have greenhouses. I have a pink tree rose that is actually in full bloom right now in the coldest, snowiest winter.

One of my goals with my agricultural business is to educate the masses. The more people prepared, less chance of violence or theft. I also plan to way overproduce my own crops to make up for possible crop failures, birds, children and guests and curious passersby, I have four times as much as I need for my own household. I have been doing this seriously for one year now.

We have a big dog to keep wild animals out of the fields and away from the house. Might be getting another in the spring.

By the way the dog is effective protection and great companionship. We get wolves and packs of coyotes and they won't come near us. The deer and rabbits stay away from the fields too

Obama is a liberal lawyer, not a businessman. (I didn't vote for him, I voted for Stephen Harper, Conservative, because I live in Canada.)

We are the business people, maybe it's up to us to fix the economy, regardless of how easy or difficult the government makes it.

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst. I believe in owning more than one business.

1 – agricultural – not only is it relaxing if you do it right, but it’s not hard to feed yourself for a year at a time, for almost free, if you educate yourself on it. you can grow your own firewood too.

2 – entertainment – why not, it’s fun. can be highly profitable but not guaranteed.

3 – internet. unlimited potential income on your favourite profitable hobby(s) or niche market(s) on autopilot with almost zero startup cost.

4 – real estate. passive income and retiring young is good.

5 – I also have a part time job that is basically funded by the government, in a growing sector, with no chance of job loss.

Bottom line is sustainability, and running most your businesses almost on autopilot with as little overhead as you can. Manage your money well, be an entrepreneur, pray, tithe, share.

I forgot to mention inherit, and marry rich. ;)

If you own farmland make sure the rent paid by those who use it is greater than your costs of ownership.