Ten Reasons to Become Self-Sufficient and Ten Ways to Get There

Here’s the same text cleaned of all HTML, properly formatted in plain text with logical paragraph breaks and consistent punctuation. *** **Credit:** Wake Up World and Activist Post **By Michael Edwards and Jeffrey Green** We are now three to five generations removed from the rural backbone that strengthened America. The world at large has undergone a similar transformation as the promise of easier work has created a migration to big cities. These mega-cities could be seen as an experiment gone awry, as general well-being has declined, with suicide rates increasing across the world. Crowded conditions and economic strife have led to rampant crime, pollution, corporate malfeasance, and a dog-eat-dog type of competition that can be described as a temporary insanity. The economic crisis we are living through has been the final straw for many people, as promises of a better, easier, and more creative life seem to have been sold to us by carnival-style tricksters who are laughing all the way to their bank. Here are the top reasons for becoming self-sufficient. These are based on fundamental, systemic concerns for why undertaking this life change is not just a passing trend, but a long-lasting means to achieve personal independence. *** ### 10 Reasons to Become Self-Sufficient 1. **Freedom from market manipulation** Traditional market-driven investment vehicles are increasingly controlled by traders and banking institutions. The failure of the private Federal Reserve Bank is just the icing on the cake after a decade of Ponzi-type schemes. Now the institutionalized looting of retirement money is being planned. 2. **Hedging against inflation** The price of goods continues to rise — even big box stores are quietly increasing prices. People may choose whether or not to buy stocks or gold, but everyone must eat. Rising food costs suggest hyperinflation ahead, and food shortages could make the problem exponentially worse. 3. **Increasing health and wellness** Some “organic” items have been falsely labeled while many “GMO-free” brands have been exposed as deceptive. GMO foods lack the nutritional value of what can be grown in a home garden. It’s time for people to take charge of their own food sources. 4. **Building community strength** Many people no longer know their neighbors due to long workweeks and fast-paced living. Creating local connections is crucial for mutual support, especially in unstable times. 5. **Working for yourself** Working hours are increasing, pay is decreasing, and executives take larger bonuses than ever. Even for those who aren’t in corporate jobs, creating work that belongs solely to you is deeply fulfilling. 6. **Having more free time** While farming once meant constant labor, methods like permaculture and aquaponics now allow for efficient, low-maintenance systems that can largely sustain themselves. 7. **Generating food and energy security** The planet is running short on food and traditional energy. Climate change, market manipulation, and GM foods are all contributing factors. Adopting energy from the air, sun, water, and geothermal sources reduces dependence on the grid. 8. **Acquiring an appreciation for life** Gardening, harvesting, and preparing food for family and neighbors fosters a deep sense of connection with nature and community. 9. **Restoring balance** Modern life is out of balance. Governments and institutions have failed to restore it. By reducing overconsumption and living more conscientiously, individuals can restore both financial and ecological harmony. 10. **Becoming a producer, not a consumer** Over 70% of the U.S. economy is based on consumption, an unsustainable imbalance. Producing your own food, clothes, or energy reverses that trend and promotes independence. As the saying goes: freedom is never free — but it certainly beats the alternative. *** ### 10 Ways to Get to Self-Sufficiency The global economic collapse has been eye-opening for many people. Rising costs of food and energy and ongoing inflation highlight the need for self-reliant lifestyles. Here are ten steps to get there: 1. **Reduce your debt** Especially credit card debt, which is largely exploitative. Ask lenders for better terms or repayment plans. If they refuse, consider ethical alternatives or seek financial advice. 2. **Reduce your consumption** Reevaluate spending habits. Distinguish between what you need and what you want, and cut excess. 3. **Reduce energy use** Use LED bulbs, unplug devices to prevent phantom power drain, and plan errands to save on fuel. 4. **Store energy** Keep backup propane and wood supplies. A generator, especially solar-powered, is a worthwhile investment. 5. **Invest in food storage** Treat stored food as a “food savings account.” Buy grains, canned goods, and seeds. Tools like dehydrators and vacuum sealers help preserve food effectively. 6. **Produce your own food** Replace lawns with gardens and fruit trees. Raise chickens, and forage for nuts, fish, and game. Always save garden seeds. 7. **Learn new skills** Explore free online courses in gardening, cooking, carpentry, renewable energy, and holistic health. 8. **Start a side business** Turn hobbies into supplemental income streams that may eventually replace your main job. 9. **Install alternative energy** Begin small — a solar hot water system, wood stove, or attic fan. Every step toward renewable energy adds resilience. 10. **Suggest solutions for your community** Join or create local cooperatives that emphasize sustainability and self-reliance. Share knowledge and work collectively toward independence. *** Every small action toward living simply decreases dependence on complex, toxic systems — and moves us closer to genuine independence. *** Would you like this text formatted further into a **printable article layout** (with headers, spacing, and title blocks), or kept as plain text for editing or quoting? Sources