Arthur Angaran

Hi,  If you are looking to advertise you might join Boondockers Welcome. I've used it before to stay in people's driveways and fields. Always had a relaxing friendly time with people for a couple of days.

Hi,  Since you can make peach salsa, you might try cherry, or pineapple, strawberry,etc....  almost any fruit in place of peaches that you like.

Hi,  I know of someone who has a wood foundation. He also has a  basement with wooden walls. The house is in Michigan.  The water table is 3' below grade. The basement is dry.   Its possible to dig a 2' trench by hand and lay your own cut square tree logs in the trench. Then build up above grade.  Cost so far is very minimal if all done by hand. Then rent s small earth mover and push dirt up against the wood to shed water and keep the place dry.

You can build whatever you would like. Either cheap or more expensive code complient on top of the foundation.

Hi,  Welcome to woodcutting.  Thoughts from an old timer. Starting in life, learning new ways of doing things, and aquiring tools to help get tasks done is exciting, fun, and dauntig.  My advice is to look to the future when aquiring tools.  

The saws I have used most in life for projects:

1. A circular saw with a speed square (also known as a skill saw). The square is used as a guide and the cut is straight on the board no matter what angle.  I also use clamps to hold the board in place. (as a side note you can cut right on the pallet and not have to take it apart. Less work and more time for something else.) This has been my go to saw for many projects.

2. A compound miter saw.  Mostly I use it as a chop saw, but there are times that the compound bevel and angle cut in one step has been a life saver. If buying an electric miter saw, go for the coumpound option with it for future needs.

3. A hand miter saw used mostly for 1 or 2 pieces of wood. Simple, quick and lightweight.

4. A Sawzall. Like a big jigsaw. I used it mostly for destruction at first but learned to make decent cuts for construction. Can be used on metal and wood.

5. For ripping wood in the field I made a jig and used a circular saw. In the shop the table saw.

You will need sawhorses and sturdy 2x4 flat boards to make a movable workbench which can be made from pallets.

Have fun with the project.

Hi,  If you are sure of where the leek is comming from you might look into Eternabond tape.  Will outlast the current roof. The company is also into sustainability.

Hi.  Welcome, and do not fret about compost spelling.  Hope you enjoy learning as much as I do. And applying things taught has helped me to have a little more time for my long time beautiful bride.  Welcome again.

Hi,  A friend of mine is 93. He put in an under the sink, (point of use) electric tankless water heater-replacing his 5gal under sink heater because it was starting to fail.  Cost was about $150.00.  He has a tank heater which he turns on for bathing and then shuts off when done. The electric bill is slightly smaller and the cost for the unit was about $50.00 less than the tank heater. Not having to use the big tank heater that much saves him 1 propane fill each year. This year is around 1.5k per fill.

He uses an induction cooktop, and rarely the microwave. He was able to cut $20.00 by not using the microwave and do most of the cooking on the stove.

All his windows are sealed and have heavy weather curtains.  

He kept his house at 85F but with the radiant heater was able to drop it to 80F.  If  I remember correctly, warm the person and not the air is more efficient. Clothing is also a factor. Don't assume that what is sold in stores is right for you. Look for other ideas to stay warm or cool.  And Always buy quality.  Sometimes thicker, well made clothing that might outlast your lifespan is worth a few dollars more than having to replace the cheap stuff.  I save up for really good clothes and my wife buys my christmas present. This way she gets the colors she likes, is able to buy something I need, and is really giving me a gift.  win win win.

Hi,  When I "see" or want something I generally write it down on a list. Since I live a ways from the city I usually have a few days where the list sits on the table. After getting to the city I forgot the list. Came home, looked at the list and thought I don't want to buy that much work. Then, I wrote a couple of things down on a new list and threw the old one away.

Hi,  You should mention what you might use it for.  A home or a camp.  If long term living is the goal, and you get cold winters, then I personally would forget the RV. The walls are thin and you will have problems major with condensation. I keep the RV at 60 degrees and here in the cold snowy north I run through 2 towels for each window every day I camp in the winter.  Plus I go through a lot of propane because the walls are very thin and not effeciently insulated.  Also I have no water or toileting facility. You might be able to find an RV made to be able to handle the winter, but the price might deter you.