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Tuesday, October 6, 2026
Gas Over $4 a Gallon: How to Save This Fall
Gas Over $4 a Gallon: How to Save This Fall! Hi friends, if you’ve filled up your car lately, you already know the sticker shock I’m about to talk about. Gas prices are hitting families hard right now, and it doesn’t look like relief is coming anytime soon. The national average is now more than $4 per gallon according to AAA, and in six states (Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Nevada, and Washington) average prices are above $5 per gallon. That kind of increase adds up fast when you’re driving kids to school, running to the grocery store, and getting to work. NBC News. The last time Mark filled our Honda CRV, it cost him $4.94 per gallon. Last year at this time it was about $1.00 cheaper.
I want to share some practical ways our family is stretching every tank this fall. None of these tips require fancy equipment or a new car. They just take a little planning, a few new habits, and the same prepared mindset we use for our food storage.
Gas Over $4 a Gallon: How to Save This Fall
Why Gas Prices Are So High Right Now
Much of the pressure on fuel prices traces back to conflict in the Middle East and the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow shipping lane that carries a huge share of the world’s oil. The average price is still up more than a dollar per gallon since the start of the war. I’m not going to get into the politics, but I will say this: when something far away can change what we pay at the pump overnight, that’s a reminder of why preparedness matters. We can’t control world events, but we can control how ready our family is to handle them. NBC News
Higher fuel costs also ripple into everything else. Trucks deliver our groceries, farmers run tractors on diesel, and fertilizer prices climb right along with energy prices. So saving gas isn’t just about your car. It’s about protecting your whole household budget.
Start With Your Driving Habits
The easiest savings come from simply changing how we drive. GasBuddy’s head of petroleum analysis, Patrick De Haan, recommends using cruise control, avoiding aggressive acceleration between traffic lights, and not rushing, since a harder-working engine uses fuel less efficiently. kait8
Here’s what that looks like in real life. Pretend there’s a raw egg under your gas pedal and press gently when the light turns green. Look ahead and coast toward red lights instead of racing up and slamming on the brakes. On the highway, set your cruise control and stay a few miles per hour slower. Most cars lose efficiency quickly once you go above about 50 miles per hour, so easing off even a little can make a real difference over the course of a month of driving.
I’ll be honest, slowing down took some practice. But leaving five minutes earlier means we’re not tempted to hurry, and we arrive calmer too. That’s a blessing all its own.
Cut Down on Idling
Idling burns fuel while getting you nowhere. If you’re waiting in a school pickup line, sitting in a parking lot, or waiting for a friend to come out of the store, consider turning off the engine when it’s safe to do so. Modern cars don’t need long warmups either, even on chilly fall mornings. Give it a few seconds, then drive gently for the first few minutes while the engine warms up naturally.
Drive-thru lines are another sneaky gas waster. On days when the line wraps around the building, parking and walking inside often saves both fuel and time.
Combine Errands and Plan Your Routes
This is where a prepared mom really shines. Instead of making a quick trip to the store every time you need something, plan your errands for one or two days a week. Write a list, map out your stops in a loop so you aren’t crisscrossing town, and get everything done at once.
A warm engine is also more efficient than a cold one, so several short trips spread throughout the day use more gas than one longer trip covering the same stops. Try to schedule errands when traffic is lighter, because stop-and-go traffic is hard on your gas mileage.
Our food storage helps here more than you might think. When your pantry is well stocked, you don’t need to run out for a can of tomatoes or a bag of rice in the middle of the week. Meal planning, shopping once a week, and keeping a good supply of basics at home can dramatically reduce your driving. This means we have our own grocery store at home.
Take Care of Your Vehicle
A well-maintained car simply gets better gas mileage. These simple checks are worth doing this fall:
- Check your tire pressure at least once a month. Cooler fall temperatures cause tire pressure to drop, and underinflated tires make your engine work harder. Look for the correct pressure on the sticker inside your driver’s door, not the number printed on the tire itself. Portable Jump Starter with Air Compressor
- Stay on top of oil changes and use the oil grade your owner’s manual recommends.
- Replace a dirty air filter and keep up with recommended tune-ups.
- Get a check engine light looked at promptly. Some problems, like a faulty oxygen sensor, can quietly drain your fuel economy. Emergency Road Lights
Taking care of these things also keeps your vehicle reliable, which is a big part of emergency preparedness. A car that starts and runs well is one of the best tools you have if you ever need to evacuate. Flashlights, Flashlights, Flashlights.
Lighten the Load
Take a peek in your trunk. Many of us carry around sports equipment, bags of donations we keep meaning to drop off, or tools we haven’t used in months. Extra weight lowers your fuel economy, so clear out anything you don’t need.
Now, I’m not suggesting you remove your car emergency kit. Keep your water, blankets, first aid supplies, and a few snacks in there. Just pare it down to the essentials and take out the clutter. If you have a roof rack or cargo carrier you aren’t using, consider removing it if that’s feasible. Those create wind resistance that costs you at highway speeds.
Shop Smart for Gas
Prices can vary quite a bit from one station to the next, even within a few miles. Gas price apps like GasBuddy let you compare prices nearby so you can fill up at the best spot on your regular route. Just don’t drive across town to save a couple of cents a gallon, because you’ll burn up your savings getting there. Generally, gas is more expensive close to freeway exits. Check out options along your routes to school, church, and shopping to see what the pricing trends are.
Other ways to save at the pump include:
- Joining grocery store fuel rewards programs that give you cents off per gallon.
- Filling up at warehouse clubs if you already have a membership.
- Using a credit card with gas rewards, as long as you pay it off every month.
- Paying with cash at stations that charge more for card purchases.
- Buying the grade of fuel your owner’s manual recommends. Unless your car requires premium, regular gas usually works just fine.
Rethink How Your Family Gets Around
Sometimes the best way to stretch a tank of gas is to leave the car parked. Talk with neighbors and friends about carpooling to school, sports practices, or church activities. Taking turns driving can cut your fuel costs in half or more, and the kids usually love riding with their friends.
If you have a family with two vehicles, use the more fuel-efficient one for most daily driving. For short trips around the neighborhood, walking or biking saves gas and gets everyone some fresh air and exercise. Fall is such a beautiful time to be outside anyway.
Working from home even one day a week, if your employer allows it, can also make a noticeable dent in your monthly gas bill.
A Word About Storing Fuel
Many of you have asked me about storing gasoline as part of your preparedness plan. Having some fuel on hand can be wise for running a generator or getting out of town during an emergency, but it must be done carefully and safely.
Always use approved fuel containers designed for gasoline. Store them outside your home in a detached shed or well-ventilated area, away from heat sources, sparks, and living spaces. Add a fuel stabilizer to extend the life of stored gasoline, and rotate your supply by using it in your vehicle and refilling your containers every few months. Be sure to check your local fire codes and homeowners insurance rules for how much fuel you can legally store. Please never store gasoline in your house or attached garage. Safety always comes first.
Keep a Full Tank Habit
Here’s one preparedness tip I repeat often: try not to let your tank fall below half full. If an emergency, evacuation, or power outage occurs, gas stations may have long lines or be unable to pump at all without electricity. A half-full tank gives you options. It may feel like you’re spending more money at once, but you’re not using more gas. You’re just filling up a bit more often, and you’ll have peace of mind knowing you can get your family to safety if needed.
Track Your Progress
If you want to see how much these changes help, track your mileage for a month. Write down your odometer reading and the number of gallons you buy each time you fill up. Divide the miles driven by the gallons used, and you’ll have your miles per gallon. Watching that number improve is surprisingly motivating, and the kids can even help with the math.
Emergency Car Kits: What to Pack Before Winter Hits
Forget Your 72-Hour Bug-Out Bag You Need More
Final Word
Gas prices may stay high for a while, but we don’t have to feel helpless. By driving gently, planning our errands, keeping our vehicles in good shape, and relying on our pantries instead of running to the store as often, we can stretch every tank of gas further this fall. These small habits add up to real savings that can go toward groceries, food storage, or simply a little breathing room in the family budget.
Being prepared isn’t about fear. It’s about taking care of the people we love and being ready to help others when hard times come. I’d love to hear your favorite ways to save gas, so please share them in the comments below. May God bless this world, Linda
Copyright Images: Gas Pumps Depositphotos_278439952_S,Gas Pump Vertical Depositphotos_278440074_XL
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from Food Storage Moms
Retractable Baton: What Every Prepper Should Know Before Buying One
This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. Baton laws vary by state and city and change often, so check your local laws and talk to an attorney before you buy or carry one.
A retractable baton looks like the simplest tool in the world. It’s a steel tube that turns into a club with a flick of the wrist. That simplicity is exactly why so many people buy one, toss it in the glove box, and never think about it again.
That’s a mistake. A baton is legal in some states and a crime in others, it does nothing for you if you’ve never trained with it, and the cheap ones can come apart in your hand. Used wrong, it can also turn a self-defense situation into a felony case against you.
Here’s what you need to know before a retractable baton earns a spot in your gear.
What a Retractable Baton Actually Is
A retractable baton, also sold as an expandable, collapsible, or telescoping baton, is a set of nested metal tubes. Closed, it’s about the size of a large flashlight. Snapped open, the inner sections slide out and lock into place, giving you a rigid striking tool roughly two to three times its closed length.
Police departments adopted them because they ride on a belt better than the old wooden nightstick. A Justice Department study of less-than-lethal tools found that side-handle and telescoping batons rated as more effective than conventional batons in the hands of police and sheriffs. That’s a big reason you see them on almost every duty belt today.
Why Preppers Look at Batons
The appeal is easy to understand. A baton gives you reach, so you’re not trading punches at arm’s length with someone bigger than you. It works when pepper spray would blow back in the wind, and it never needs batteries or reloads.
It’s also a middle option. In police use-of-force training, the baton has long been treated as the step between bare hands and a firearm. For a civilian, that matters, because plenty of bad situations are too serious for your fists but nowhere near the point where shooting someone would be legal.
Some people also like that a closed baton is small and quiet to carry. It rides in a car door pocket, a pack strap pouch, or a belt holder without drawing attention.
The Downsides Nobody Puts on the Box
A baton is a contact weapon, which means you have to be close to use it. Close is where an attacker can grab it, wrestle it away, and use it on you. Retention is a real skill, and most people buying one online have never practiced it.
It also takes time to deploy. You have to draw it, snap it open, and get your feet set, all while someone is closing on you. If you don’t drill that motion, you’ll fumble it under stress.
Finally, people tend to overestimate what it does. A baton strike to the arm or leg hurts, but a determined or drugged-up attacker may keep coming. Don’t treat it like an off switch.
Is a Retractable Baton Legal Where You Live?
This is the part most buyers skip, and it’s the part that can cost you the most. Many state weapon laws were written decades ago and use the old word billy, which courts and police often apply to modern expandable batons. Check your own state code by name, then check your city, because local rules can be stricter.
States Where Batons Are Clearly Restricted
New York is one of the toughest. Under New York Penal Law 265.01, simply possessing a billy is criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree, a class A misdemeanor. There’s no carry permit that fixes that for a regular civilian.
Massachusetts handles it differently, but it can hit harder. Massachusetts General Laws chapter 269, section 10 makes it a crime to be armed with a billy when you’re arrested on a warrant or while committing a breach of the peace, and the penalty can include state prison time. The same law also bans carrying dangerous weapons on school and college grounds without written permission.
California Is a Moving Target
California’s Penal Code 22210 has banned the billy for about a century, and courts there have treated expandable batons as billies. In February 2024, a federal judge in Fouts v. Bonta struck down that ban as it applies to billies and barred the state from enforcing it.
The fight isn’t over, though. California’s Attorney General appealed the ruling to the Ninth Circuit, so check the current status before you rely on that decision. The other weapons listed in that same statute are still banned, and that ruling doesn’t change rules for schools, government buildings, or other restricted places.
Texas Loosened Up
Texas went the other direction. In 2019, House Bill 446 removed clubs from the state’s unlawful carry offense, so carrying a baton is no longer a crime by itself there. Clubs are still banned in certain locations listed in the Texas weapons-free places law, such as schools, polling places, courts, and secured areas of airports.
The Places Rule Catches People
Even in states where batons are legal, location rules trip people up. Schools, courthouses, government buildings, bars, and events often have their own weapon bans that cover clubs. Private businesses can usually bar weapons from their property too.
The safest habit is to treat your baton like a handgun when it comes to where you can bring it. If you’d have to leave your pistol in the truck, leave the baton there too.
Flying With One
Don’t try to carry a baton onto a plane. TSA’s prohibited items rule lists billy clubs and night sticks among the club-like items banned from the cabin. Club-like items can go in checked baggage, but your destination’s state law still applies the moment you pick up your bag.
Friction Lock vs. Mechanical Lock
Batons lock open in one of two basic ways, and the difference matters a lot in real life.
Friction-lock batons are the classic police style. You snap them open hard, and the tapered sections jam together by friction. To close one, you strike the tip straight down on a hard surface like concrete, which drives the sections back in.
They’re simple, rugged, and proven, but they have quirks. A weak or hesitant snap can leave the baton only partly locked, and closing one in a hurry takes practice and a hard floor. Hit the tip on a soft surface and it won’t close at all.
Mechanical-lock batons use a button or internal latch to hold the sections open. You still flick them open, but they close by pressing a release and pushing the shaft back in. They’re easier to close anywhere, but they have more moving parts, and cheap versions can fail at the latch.
If you’ll practice regularly, a quality friction lock works fine. If you want something easier to put away in a car or house, a well-made mechanical lock is the more convenient choice.
Size and Material
Batons usually come in lengths around 16, 21, and 26 inches when open. Shorter models carry more easily and work better in a car or hallway. Longer ones give you more reach but print more and weigh more on your belt.
For reference, Minneapolis police cap their duty batons at 26 inches extended and only authorize two brands, ASP and Monadnock. For most civilians, a 21-inch baton is a sensible middle ground between reach and carry.
Steel batons have more weight behind them and hold up to abuse. Aluminum models are lighter and easier to carry all day but feel different in the hand. Whatever you choose, practice with that exact model, since balance changes from one to the next.
Spotting a Junk Baton
The internet is flooded with no-name batons for under twenty dollars. Many of them use soft metal and poor tolerances, and that’s a problem when you whip one open with full force. Sections can bend, refuse to lock, or slide back in on impact.
Here’s what I look for before trusting one:
- A recognizable maker with a real warranty and replacement parts
- Solid lockup with no wobble between sections when fully open
- A tip cap and grip that are threaded or secured, not just glued on
- A sturdy holder or scabbard made for that specific model
A quality baton costs more, but it’s a tool you’re betting your safety on. Buy once, then put your money into training.
How to Carry It
A baton you can’t reach in two seconds isn’t a self-defense tool, it’s luggage. Pick one carry spot and use it every time, so your hand goes there without thinking.
Belt carry in a dedicated holder is the most common and the fastest to draw. Vehicle carry works well in a door pocket or console, as long as it’s legal in your state. Pack carry is slower but fine for hiking, as long as the baton sits in an outside pouch and not buried under your gear.
Whatever you choose, practice drawing from that exact spot while wearing the clothes you actually wear. A cover garment or seat belt changes everything.
Training Is Not Optional
Police don’t just hand officers a baton and send them out. Minneapolis, for example, only lets officers carry one after they complete approved annual baton training. If the pros need regular practice, so do you.
Look for a defensive tactics course taught by a certified instructor, ideally one who also trains security or law enforcement. A good class covers drawing, opening, retention, blocking, and the legal limits of use. Then practice at home with the baton closed and nothing around you that can break.
Drill opening it until you can do it fast without looking. Practice closing it so you know how your model behaves. And practice keeping it close to your body, because that’s how you keep it from being taken away.
The Legal Side of Actually Using It
Carrying a baton legally is only half the picture. Using it is judged under your state’s self-defense law, and the basic rules are similar almost everywhere. As the Legal Information Institute explains, the threat has to be imminent, your response has to be proportionate, and you can’t be the one who started the fight.
That means a baton is not for chasing someone off your lawn or settling an argument. If the person stops or runs, your justification usually ends right there. Every strike after that point is a separate act that can be charged.
Where the Deadly Force Line Sits
Here’s the part that surprises people. A baton can be deadly depending on where it lands. Police policy reflects that, with Minneapolis listing the arms and legs as the primary target areas and barring strikes to the head, neck, throat, spine, and similar areas unless deadly force would be authorized.
The same logic applies to you in court. A blow to the head can easily be treated as deadly force, and that’s only legal when you reasonably believe you’re facing death or serious bodily harm. If you’re not at that level, keep it off the head.
After any use of force, get to safety and call 911 first. Be the one who reports it, ask for medical help for anyone injured, and say as little as possible beyond the basics until you’ve talked to a lawyer.
Maintenance
A baton needs very little care, but it does need some. Open and close it every month or so to make sure it still locks and releases cleanly. Wipe out dust and grit, which can wear the locking surfaces and cause sticking.
Check the tip cap and grip for looseness, and look for bends in the sections after any hard use. If anything feels off, contact the maker or replace it. Don’t wait to find out it’s failing when you need it.
Your Gear Is Only as Useful as the Skills Behind It
You can fill a garage with tools, stack shelves with emergency supplies, and buy every piece of survival gear imaginable.
But when something actually goes wrong, there is one resource you can’t order overnight:
Knowing what to do.
Previous generations understood this instinctively. They knew how to repair what broke, preserve food before it spoiled, grow what they could, improvise with basic materials, maintain their homes and land, and solve everyday problems without immediately depending on someone else.
Today, many of those ordinary skills have become almost forgotten knowledge.
The Lost Skills of Independence was created to bring that practical know-how back.
It’s about rebuilding the kind of self-reliance that doesn’t depend entirely on having the newest gadget or another expensive piece of equipment. Instead, it’s about becoming the person who understands how things work and knows what to do when the usual systems aren’t available.
Because when stores are empty, prices skyrocket, the power is out, or professional help isn’t coming anytime soon, owning more things won’t necessarily solve the problem.
Knowing how to make, repair, grow, preserve, maintain, and improvise might.
Preparedness isn’t measured by how much equipment you own.
It’s measured by how capable you are when that equipment isn’t enough.
Where a Baton Fits in Your Plan
A retractable baton is one layer, not your whole defense plan. Awareness and avoidance come first, and pepper spray or simply leaving will solve most problems before anyone gets close enough to swing at.
For home defense, a baton can be a solid backup in a nightstand or by the door, but it doesn’t replace good locks, lighting, and a plan. If you also keep a firearm, read up on the common mistakes gun owners make during break-ins, since the same judgment rules apply to every tool you own. And if you’re comparing other low-key options, our list of stealth weapons you don’t need a license for covers several alternatives and the laws behind them.
Bought right, carried legally, and backed by real training, a retractable baton is a serious tool. Skip any one of those three, and it’s just a steel tube that can get you hurt or arrested.
You may also like:
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Everyday Carry Laws in All US States. Know Your Rights!
Rights You’ll Lose Under Martial Law
Where to Hide Your Supplies During Martial Law
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Monday, October 5, 2026
Best States to Live Off-Grid in 2027
Living off the grid once meant a cabin at the end of a dirt road and neighbors who minded their own business. That life is still possible in 2027, although the state a family picks decides much of how hard it will be.
Some states let landowners build their homes, catch the rain, and sell eggs from the porch with little interference from government offices. Others stack up permits and inspections until the dream costs more than a house in town. As rural areas grow, more counties adopt new rules every year, so the choice deserves a careful look before any land changes hands. A few of the friendliest spots sit in states many people would never think to consider.
Cheap Rural Land
Arkansas remains one of the more affordable places in the country to buy acreage. Wooded and unimproved tracts in the Ozark and Ouachita regions typically sell for about $2,000 to $5,000 an acre.
In hill counties such as Newton, Searcy, and Stone, buyers can still find parcels listed for around $1,500 to $3,000 an acre. By comparison, an acre near Fayetteville and Bentonville often runs around $8,500 because of the region’s fast growth. Many of the cheaper rural tracts also come with timber or a creek running through them. The state also gets plenty of rain, which helps with gardens and livestock ponds.
West Virginia is another state where rural land stays within reach, with farm real estate averaging $3,520 an acre in 2025. That figure sits well below the national average of $4,350, according to the USDA. Property taxes stay low as well, since the median homeowner there pays about $728 a year compared with roughly $3,500 nationwide.
Land prices like these add up fast, so it helps to know there are at least 6 states that offer free land for homesteaders willing to move in and stay. In exchange for a lot, the town expects you to build a home there, and a few of them set aside land specifically for new local businesses. Each program has its own rules, including a deadline to finish construction and a minimum number of years living in town. But before getting excited, make sure you read through the 10 steps to claiming your free land, because one missed deadline can cost you the lot.
Few Building Codes
Building codes add cost at every stage of a homestead, from the foundation to the final inspection. Missouri has long drawn off-gridders because many of its rural counties have never adopted a countywide building code. Much of the Ozark region falls into this group, and the area already holds a large community of homesteaders who trade skills and advice.
Missouri voters also added a right to farm to the state constitution in 2014, giving small farmers extra protection against future restrictions.
Texas reaches a similar result through state law, since counties there generally lack the legal power to require building permits in unincorporated areas. Septic permits are the big exception, because the state requires one in every jurisdiction no matter how remote the land is. Rules can shift at the county level, so calling the county office before buying saves a lot of heartache later.
Even so, there are plenty of things you can build on your property without an inspector looking over your shoulder. Any of these 200+ projects you can build and make around your home can add real value to your homestead while staying well under the county’s radar. The projects inside The projects inside My Shed Plans work the same way, since you can pick a shed small enough to skip the permit fees entirely. It will still be big enough to hold your tools, feed, and firewood, and building it yourself keeps the contractor’s share of the bill in your pocket.
Unlimited Rainwater Collection
During a dry summer, the water supply decides whether a homestead keeps going or dries up along with the garden. Prepping also gets a lot easier in a state that doesn’t put limits on collecting rainwater.
FEMA recommends at least one gallon per person per day for drinking and basic sanitation, which comes to about 120 gallons a month for a family of four. That’s only the bare minimum, since a typical American family uses more than 300 gallons a day at home. Gathering that much water in a short stretch is hard enough without a state law capping how many barrels you can fill.
So if you plan to work through the 10-step survival prepping protocol, it makes sense to choose a state that leaves something as basic as rainwater alone. There’s also the classic atmospheric water generator, which I’ve written about many times, since building one myself. Even so, a unit like that only makes enough water for a whole family in a humid climate.
So, when it comes to this, Texas does more than almost any other state to help landowners catch the rain that falls on their roofs. There’s no state cap on how much rainwater a household can store, and equipment such as tanks, pumps, and filters is exempt from state sales tax. A 2011 law also bars homeowners associations from banning rainwater systems, which helps families who want to test the lifestyle on a smaller lot first.
Colorado sits at the far end of the scale, with residential collection capped at 110 gallons in two barrels for outdoor use only. Utah allows more but requires registration for larger systems, so anyone eyeing the Mountain West should read the water rules before falling in love with a view.
Low Property Taxes
Property taxes keep coming long after a mortgage is paid off, and on a fixed income that yearly bill matters a great deal. Alabama has the second-lowest effective property tax rate in the nation, and because home values there are modest, the median homeowner pays under $900 a year. Hawaii technically holds the lowest rate, although its sky-high home prices push actual bills far above Alabama’s.
Homeowners 65+ in Alabama can also qualify for exemptions that shrink the bill further, and the county revenue office can explain what applies. On top of the tax savings, the state offers mild winters, abundant rainfall, and a pretty long growing season.
No State Income Tax
Retirees living on pensions, savings, or part-time work feel every dollar the state takes, and Tennessee takes none of it through an income tax. The state never taxed wages, and it finished phasing out its old tax on interest and dividends in 2021.
Tennessee pairs that advantage with good rainfall, a long growing season, and rural counties in the eastern hills where privacy is still available at a fair price. Sales taxes run high, though, so the savings show up more on the income side than at the checkout counter.
Texas, Wyoming, Alaska, South Dakota, and Florida are among the other states that skip a state income tax on wages. That shared trait explains part of why several of them keep appearing on lists of off-grid friendly states.
Space and Privacy
Some people head off-grid mainly to get away from crowds, and no state offers more room to spread out than Alaska. Large parts of the state have no road access at all, and many rural families already heat with wood and make their own power. Alaska has no state income tax and no statewide sales tax, although some boroughs and cities add their own sales tax.
The tradeoffs are serious, starting with long, dark winters and a short growing season. Shipping supplies in also costs far more than in the lower 48, so a well-stocked pantry matters more there than almost anywhere else. Montana offers a gentler version of that isolation, with big open country and its food freedom law, though its winters are nearly as hard on newcomers.
Food Freedom Laws
A homestead that produces more than a family can eat needs somewhere to sell the extra, and Wyoming makes that easier than any other state. Its Food Freedom Act, passed in 2015, lets residents sell nearly all kinds of homemade food directly to neighbors without a license or an inspection. Lawmakers have expanded it several times since then, and a recent change allows eggs and dairy to be sold as far as federal law permits.
For a family selling bread, jam, and farm-fresh eggs, that freedom can turn a hobby into steady income. Wyoming also has no state income tax and the smallest population of any state, so plenty of ranch country stays wide open.
Here’s How to Make Crispy Amish Bread in a Jar
North Dakota and Montana have similar laws that allow many homemade food sales with no permit at all. Utah follows the same idea but still requires permits and inspections for products that contain meat.
Montana is also home to more than a dozen Amish settlements, and I spent a weekend visiting one of them a while back. The families there sold canned goods, fresh eggs, and other homemade products straight from their farms. The community had its own store as well, although prices there ran a little higher than what the families charged at home. Watching how it all worked showed me how a few extra dollars every week can come from surplus a household would never eat. The Amish follow 7 habits that keep their home businesses alive, and those habits can help just as much in any state where food freedom laws are still on the books.
Final Ranking of the Best Off-Grid States
Putting land prices, building rules, water rights, taxes, and food laws side by side gives the overall order below.
- Texas earns the top spot by pairing loose building rules in unincorporated counties with the friendliest rainwater laws in the nation and no state income tax. The West Texas desert is harsh, so the Hill Country and East Texas suit most families better.
- Missouri comes close behind, thanks to affordable Ozark land, rural counties without building codes, and a constitutional right to farm. Its large homesteading community also makes the learning curve easier for newcomers.
- Tennessee makes a big difference for retirees with no income tax, and its long growing season rewards anyone who gardens. Property taxes there also rank among the lower ones nationally.
- Wyoming suits homesteaders who plan to sell what they grow, since it has the strongest food freedom law in the country and no state income tax. Cold winters and constant wind keep it from ranking higher.
- Alabama stands out for rock-bottom property tax bills and a mild climate, which make it one of the cheapest states to hold land over the long haul.
- Arkansas offers some of the most affordable acreage in the country along with plenty of rain, although the summer heat and humidity take some getting used to.
- West Virginia lands in the middle because low land prices and small tax bills are balanced by steep terrain and limited flat ground.
- Alaska has unmatched space and no state income or sales tax, yet long winters and costly shipping make it a fit only for the hardiest families.
- Montana brings wide open country and a food freedom law, but with winters nearly as tough as Alaska’s.
- North Dakota has a strong homemade food law, although its short growing season and bitter cold limit what a homestead can produce.
Choosing the Right State
No single state wins on every count, so the right pick depends on what matters most to each family. A retiree focused on taxes may lean toward Alabama or Tennessee, while someone planning to sell eggs and baked goods will find Wyoming hard to beat. Laws change often at the county level, and a phone call to the planning or health office before buying land can prevent expensive surprises later.
Whichever state ends up at the top of your list, a move to remote land puts the power company, the grocery store, and the nearest neighbor a lot farther away. Out in the country, the well pump stops the moment the power drops, so one ice storm can shut off your water along with the lights. According to the USDA, a closed refrigerator keeps food safe for only about four hours without power. On top of that, the back roads leading to a homestead are usually the last ones the plows reach.
A free quiz that scores how ready your household really is can show where your family stands before you ever sign for land. The 20 questions are based on what you could handle today, not on supplies you plan to buy someday. Your answers add up to a score out of 100 across eight areas, from water and food to power and medical needs.
Even a well-stocked home can lose points on something simple, like backup cooking or reaching family when cell service fails.
The quiz takes about five minutes, and you don’t need to give an email address to start. Finding that weak spot now gives you time to fix it while the hardware store is still ten minutes away.
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The post Best States to Live Off-Grid in 2027 appeared first on Ask a Prepper.
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How to Make Homemade Bouillon That Lasts All Year
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Have you ever actually read the label on store-bought bouillon cubes? It's not pretty. Most of them are loaded with salt, artificial flavors, artificial colors, and a lineup of industrial preservatives you'd never keep in your own pantry.
A lot of them lean hard on MSG and “natural flavoring” to fake the taste of real vegetables and herbs, because there often isn't much actual food in there to begin with. You're basically paying for seasoned salt dressed up to look like soup.
Fortunately, making your own is easier than you'd think, and you don't even have to turn on the stove. This is a no-cook method, which means your vegetables keep their fresh color, smell, and flavor instead of getting dulled down by heat. All you're really doing is chopping, grinding, mixing in salt, and jarring it up.
The salt does the heavy lifting as a natural preservative, so a batch will keep for up to a year without a single artificial ingredient. Once you've got a few jars stashed away, you'll always have real bouillon on hand for soups, stews, sauces, rice, and meat dishes.
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I found this particular tutorial on the YouTube channel My Kitchen Tanja, and it's a simple, straightforward method that's easy to follow. You can watch her do it and read the instructions below.
What You'll Need
Vegetables:
- 400g carrots
- 100g onion
- 150g parsnips
- 100g leeks
- 300g red pepper
- 250g tomatoes
- 200g celery root
- 50g peeled garlic
- 50g celery leaves
- 50g parsley
Seasoning and preserving:
- 400g salt
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Equipment:
- A food processor or grinder
- A large mixing bowl or pot
- Glass jars with lids
A quick note on the salt before you start: it's not just for flavor. The salt is what keeps the bouillon shelf-stable all year. The rule of thumb is that salt should make up at least 20% of the total weight of your ingredients. You can swap vegetables in and out based on what you've got, but don't skimp on the salt or your bouillon won't last.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Wash and Prep Your Vegetables
Give everything a good wash and clean it thoroughly. Then chop all your vegetables into smaller pieces so they'll be easier to grind. Don't stress about being precise here, since it's all getting ground up anyway.
Step 2: Grind the Vegetables
Working in batches, grind the chopped vegetables finely. Add them to your large bowl or pot as you go. Don't worry when the tomatoes turn things watery, that's totally normal and part of how this works. Remember, you're grinding, not cooking, and that's exactly what keeps the mix fresh and vibrant.
Step 3: Add the Herbs
Grind up your 50g of celery leaves and 50g of parsley along with the rest, then mix them into the vegetables.
Step 4: Add Salt and Seasonings
Now add the 400g of salt, the half teaspoon of turmeric, and the half teaspoon of pepper. Stir everything together really well so the salt and spices are evenly distributed throughout the whole batch.
Step 5: Let It Rest
Cover the bowl and let it sit for 30 minutes. During this time, the salt pulls the water out of the vegetables and starts working its preserving magic. When the time's up, you'll have a thick, wet vegetable mixture ready to jar.
Step 6: Sterilize Your Jars and Lids
While the mixture rests, get your jars ready. Sterilize the jars in the oven at 100°C (about 212°F) for 30 minutes, and boil the lids in water for 10 minutes. Clean, sterile jars are important for making sure your bouillon keeps as long as it should.
Step 7: Fill and Seal the Jars
Spoon the vegetable broth into your sterilized jars. Press the mixture down as you fill to squeeze out any trapped air pockets, then seal each jar tightly with a sterilized lid.
Step 8: Store It
Keep your jars somewhere dark and cool. A basement is ideal, but any cool pantry or cellar spot will do. Stored properly, your homemade bouillon will last up to a year.
How to Use It
Use this homemade bouillon anywhere you'd normally reach for a store-bought cube. Stir a spoonful into soups, stews, and sauces, or use it to season rice and meat dishes.
Since it's already loaded with salt, start with a small amount and taste as you go so you don't oversalt your cooking. You'll likely find the flavor is richer and fresher than anything that comes wrapped in foil.
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The post How to Make Homemade Bouillon That Lasts All Year appeared first on Homestead Survival Site.
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