They Built An Entire House For Less Than Your Phone

Imagine living in a home that you built yourself, entirely off the grid.

That’s exactly what Bryce and Misty have achieved.

They’ve spent over a decade building a cob home, homesteading, and raising their family without the typical conveniences of modern life.

Let’s dive into their remarkable journey and discover how they do it.

Creating a Home Without a Mortgage: How They Did It

When Bryce and Misty decided to leave the city, they paid off their debt first.

This allowed them to build their own home without the burden of a mortgage.

They estimate that the cost of building their entire home, including all additions, was less than a thousand dollars.

Bryce and Misty discussing their off-grid home

Food Production: The Heart of Their Lifestyle

Food production is a cornerstone of their off-grid lifestyle.

They embrace permaculture principles, focusing on sustainability.

Having a food forest and implementing chinampas, which are raised garden beds in wetlands, allows them to produce an abundance of food.

The food forest created by Bryce and Misty

Building with Nature: The Cobb House

Their home is primarily made from cob, a mixture of clay, sand, and straw.

This material is not only eco-friendly but also incredibly effective for insulation.

Most of the structural components come from timber harvested from their property.

Bryce explaining the cob building technique

Powering Their Home: Solar and Wind Energy

Solar panels provide most of their household power, enough for everyday uses like charging cell phones and laptops.

Although they have a wind turbine, it has faced challenges being 60 feet in the air.

Water is sourced from a hand-dug well and rain barrels, ensuring they have access to water year-round.

The solar panels on their cob home

Keeping Costs Low: The Minimalist Approach

Living off-grid doesn’t mean living without expenses.

They pay for cell phone service and animal feed but strive to keep their costs minimal.

Instead of owning a car, they rely on taxi services for their monthly trips to town.

Bryce discussing their transportation choices

Repairing and Maintaining Their Home

When repairs are needed, Bryce simply uses a shovel to gather earth, mixes it, and packs it into place.

This hands-on approach keeps their home in good shape while minimizing costs.

They source clay from their property, making it easy to repair walls as needed.

Bryce showing how they repair their home

Challenges of Off-Grid Living

While this lifestyle is rewarding, it comes with its challenges.

There are no conveniences like a washing machine or dryer, which means they wash clothes by hand.

Every chore takes longer, but they appreciate the time spent in nature and on their property.

Bryce and Misty discussing the challenges of off-grid living

Homeschooling in Nature

Bryce and Misty homeschool their daughters, integrating their lifestyle into their education.

The children learn through hands-on experiences, gardening, and building.

This life immersion style of learning fosters a deep connection with nature and responsibility.

The children learning about gardening

Innovative Food Production Techniques

Their food forest is a testament to their commitment to sustainable living.

They plant various species together, allowing them to thrive and support each other.

This method reduces labor while maximizing harvest yields.

The diverse plants in their food forest

Chinampas: A Revolutionary Gardening Technique

Chinampas, inspired by ancient Mexican practices, allow them to grow food in wetland areas.

This technique is essentially a large-scale hydroponic system, tapping into the natural resources of their land.

Explaining the chinampas gardening technique

Living in Harmony with Nature

Every aspect of their lives is about living in harmony with nature.

They produce as much as they can on their property, sourcing locally when they need to buy.

This approach not only minimizes their environmental impact but also fosters community connections.

Bryce discussing their sustainable lifestyle

Building a Community: Engaging with Neighbors

Over the years, they’ve received tremendous support from their community.

Neighbors often provide materials and assistance, creating a strong network of mutual aid.

This sense of community enhances their off-grid living experience.

Bryce interacting with neighbors

A Sustainable Future

Bryce and Misty’s journey into off-grid living is proof that a sustainable lifestyle is achievable.

With determination, creativity, and a connection to the earth, they have built a life that many aspire to.

They believe that food forests and permaculture practices could be the solution to many agricultural problems today.

Bryce and Misty sharing their vision for the future

Through their journey, they inspire others to consider how simple living and a connection to nature can lead to a fulfilling life.

Are you ready to explore the possibilities of off-grid living?

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