What can you buy on a fixed income?

[buddamomma47]

I live on a fixed and have no idea what is even out there to buy, I need something with real LOW payment,(Is there any land out there ,cheap?):confused

Maybe you guys may know some rich people who would'nt mind dieing and leaveing me a home in what ever safe zone's that are out there. :p

[herbalpagan]

My son is on a fixed income and he has decided that the only way he can be secure and even start to relax and get ahead is to buy something that is his own. However, he doesn't have the regular income that he needs to get a big loan for a place or the money to keep up with regular payments (he is laid off twice a year).
What he decided to do is this: He found a great deal on a large camper. He has three friends who have offered to let him live on their land and his father also has a spot. He's also looking for a piece of land that has electricity, water and septic that is owner financed.
It may not be perfect, but it will be his. After he has a piece of land that he can afford, he will sell the camper and buy a used mobile home and fix that up.

[Bavarian]

A camper is a great idea. I'm on a pension so I "feel your pain". One thing you might consider is look for a small parcel surrounded by other peoples undeveloped land. Country people, at least in my area, usually don't mind if you hunt, etc. on their land if you're careful. Plus you'll likely be surrounded by crops and most people won't let you starve when they're growing food.

Some people who have unusable or untillable land will sell on a land contract. You might be able to work a deal with them directly that you can afford. No financial institutions involved.

Another option I looked into originally was a lease. Like a hunting lease. If the owner isn't using the land, maybe they would lease you a certain amount for a set term for a set price. Lease it year to year and if you come to a point that you don't want it anymore, walk away. A lot of farmers have land they are not allowed to use. The Government pays them to leave it alone (except to mow it) for a period of years. Someone might let you pay them a nominal fee to "camp" there occasionally if it was a quiet deal.

Good luck!

[themachenic,]

school bus into a camper is good can relocat anytime.

[buddamomma47]

Cheap land is out there

The only problem with the school bus and a camper idea is, I am raising an 8yr old and a 3yr old and would need a bit more room.
I have found cheap land, but it's in the dry desert type area's and lets face it most of us just don't do well in the desert,
I have not giving up hope in finding something up off I/12 after the Packwood Washington area ,heading east of Rainer. :)

[Halyna]

I would suggest (I'm doing this too) is look a like-minded community. There are some preppers who get together to share skills for common survival. I'm not on a fixed income but am single and it is said nobody can survive on their own. But, you know, you have to be VERY CAREFUL and check everything out. You dont want to get stuck in a cult.

[lalakai]

do you have any friends or relations with farmers?? Quite often farmers will own tracts of lands that come with homes, or unused wood lots (not sure though if you are in desert country). It doesn't happen often but some of the farmers cut deals if the person will help keep an eye on their property or at least make the house appear lived in.

[methusaleh]

do you have any friends or relations with farmers?? Quite often farmers will own tracts of lands that come with homes, or unused wood lots (not sure though if you are in desert country). It doesn't happen often but some of the farmers cut deals if the person will help keep an eye on their property or at least make the house appear lived in.

Excellent idea! There used to be a "Caretaker Gazette" published, listing landowners looking for live-in caretakers. Word-of-mouth and Craigslist are also places to look.

Also, a co-worker of mine recently bought a house with a "rural development" loan, no money down and a low interest rate. I helped him along the process so I saw quite a bit of how it worked. It has worked out well for him, though the banks did not seem to want him to know that such a loan type existed!

[drt4lfe]

Not sure how ( fixed ) your income is, but if you feel you need to prep to a certain degree there are avenues to obtain extra food and clothing....a lot of churches give out food...mostly staples..canned goods and dry goods. That could help on food side ? also a lot of community groups give away clothing. Not saying you are looking for any handouts. It is OK in my opinion for anyone on a fixed income, regardless of why they are on fixed income to utilize what is available. Items such as Weapons and ammo will require being frugal until you can save enough for purchase...$150 will get you a decent .22 rifle and ammo at Wal-mart..just a few thoughts...

[myakka]

Watch for prepper meet-ups in your area. Maybe you can barter with someone who is also prepping.
Some of us are watching "mountain men" on television, and one guys on there trades living site for labor on his self-sufficient farm.

[RICHFL]

I was retired very early age 47 by injuries on duty. It took years to get our bills under control and establish a living income. After each bill is paid off (Credit cards/loans) I use 1/2 of the normal monthly payment to go to buying extra items on my list of thing to have. The other 1/2 goes into paying down the next bill until it's finish. Now after 15 years I have only 2 bills and one is a mortgage. I have now enough supplies to handle a family of four for between 2 and 3 years. I joined a group and with my extra income we purchased a small farm that we feel will survive no matter what comes along in the future.

So am I set - - never happen I want to continue to improve our BOL including some new security devices I observed at a gun show last year. But you must remember it takes years to get to my position. I started out with a short list of things you must have to live outside society's future fall. I purchased those items then expanded out as I could.

Now I spend around $30,000 per year on maintaining our supplies and improvements.

[Applejack]

You did very well under those conditions. I to am on a fixed income, but I now have applied for early social security that will start in september. so since we are now used to living on what we get, that money will come in handy to get the other things we need for prepping. we now have a great supply of food that will get us through 2 maybe 2 1/2 years. We have a well that is set up for both electic pump and if the old hand pump still works we will have that also. to hot 100 degrees and 100 percent humity. so waiting to get that checked out. We still have other things to do. so just waiting till september. My husband retired disability back in 1992 from a stroke and has since had a heart attack and now a pace maker. so we know how hard it can be. We are a bit bettr off since we have no house payment and no car or credit card payments. Just taxes, utilities and insurances.
AJ