by Dutchdivco » Tue Dec 02, 2008 11:25 am
When I went down and explained what I wanted to do, at the credit union, the employee said they knew what I was talking about, but had NEVER actually done one, so had to go talk to their supervisor, to 'refresh' their memory. When they came back, they had a funny expression on their face. When I asked them why, they said "Cause your gonna get a better interest rate than I get, as an employee!"
For those who don't know; Say I have $5000.00 in a savings acct. I want to 'borrow' $2500.00. They give me $2500.00, and 'set-aside' $2500.00 of my savings, as collateral. So, I walk out with $2500.00 in hand. My savings balance is STILL $5000.00, but only $2500.00 is "available".As I make my monthly payments, the "available" amount increases by the amount of the payment, until the loan is payed off. And, as ALASKASTAR said, in my credit report it shows as a loan. In fact, I set mine up to automatically pay each payment, out of my savings (the $2500 thats still available, and always made sure I deposited that amount in each month) so there is never a late payment. When the loan is payed off, I still have $5000 in my savings, and have the truck, or whatever I used the loan for.And, as Alaskastar said gives you a phenominal credit rating.
I also self-insure.With my vehicles; I carry the required liability insurance, and, at higher amounts than the state required minimum; only costs $25.00 per quarter more to go to $150,000.00, and about $40.00 to go to 1 million.This covers anyone else, if the accident is my fault.
As I live (currently) in Arizona, the perfect climate for mothballing, and drive older vehicles; a 1965 Divco milktruck, and an 89 Camaro, I have bought an 'extra' milktruck, for parts. I store it at a local self storage lot. Inside it, I have stored 'extra' body parts for the Camaro, bought off craigslist for 1/2 the price of 'new' aftermarket parts; hood, front fenders, doors, front and rear bumpers.If its the other guys fault, i'll haggle with their ins. and get estimates, and settle. Then I'll pocket the $, and do the repairs, myself.If its my fault, same thing except I won't get a check from them, and my ins. will pay for their repairs.Cost $300-600/year for the storage, well less than i would pay for Comp/collision.Since both these vehicles are tanks, and have been modified for add'l. safety, its unlikely that me and my wife will be hurt. (There is some risk in everything).
Similarly, with medical care; If you feel the need, and have obligations like kids, get Catastrophic care medical insurance, only.Actually, even if you get a high $ policy, if you have a truely catastrophic medical situation, you will max that policy out, and end up on medicare/social security.Anyway, call around and find a DR. that gives a discount on office visit fees for non-insured pts. It should be around 1/2 ther 'usual' fee.This is a good way to screen for Dr.s, as any that don't give a steep discount are just in it for the $.After all, with the other pts. they have to wait 3-4 months for payment, after rendering their service; with me they get paid that day, and don't have to pay for the time for their office people to fill out forms, etc. On my first visit with the Dr. I make sure to tell the Dr. I am not on Insurance, and will be paying in CASH, and don't need a reciept. You'd be amazed at what great care I get! The Dr. doesn't order needless tests, just cause the Ins. will pay for them, they give me medications in the form of a bag full of free samples, and they can always 'fit me in' on short notice! I could get insurance, that would cost me $100.00/mo., or I can pay $72.00 per visit, when I need to go, which is much less than 1/mo. And, I can put the savings, in savings, and loan it to myself if I should need something major.Its not for everyone, but it works for me. I also make it clear to my Dr. that I am not interested in any medication that is not available in generic, as I don't want to be a guinea pig and pay high dollar for the 'priviledge', thank you very much! In addition, I've educated myself on how my body works, (a college basic EMT course is a good place to start).Anyway, going 'off-grid' is about much more than the electric grid, but the electric grid is a good model for all the other grids; food supply grid, public dumming down,..er, I mean education grid, medical care grid, Public safety grid, think 911 etc. It all comes down to this, I guess; The 'grid' is a result of "civilisation".It is relinquishing responsibility for providing the basic necesities for you and yours to "the community". And a great many start out just accepting that "thats the way it is" and deal with the frustration and stress of 'the system".Its only in hindsight (definition of hindsight; the 1st thing you see, when you jerk your head out of your a**, and you can quote me on that!). Anyway, its only when the 'grid' fails, that they realise their vulnerability. Maybe its a power outage, hopefully its not a 911 emergency where no one answers, or doesn't respond quick enough. So, they decide to develop a back-up for the grid, for the future. Maybe a generator, and some gas to run it. (Or a gun, ammo and training, an EMT class and an extensive medical kit, that includes casting plaster and sutures, fire extinguishers, smoke alarms and a home made sprinkler system. HINT, take a standard metal sprinkler head. Plug the opening closed with solder. Pressure test it.Now plumb at least 1 in each room, on the cieling and tie the system into your main line. Heat causes the solder to melt, viola fires put out. Won't save your life, but it will minimise structure damage and prevent fire from spreading).Some stop there, but others realise with a little more work, and ingenuity, they can have their system be the main system, and 'the grid' be the back-up. (Such as with the above public safety 911 system above)And there is nothing wrong with that. For instance, having a gun for protection doesn't negate you calling 911. A rare real win is when you can do things like selling excess energy to the grid, or places where home school parents have been granted access to school facilities, since they are paying taxes too.In most cases, however, there will be things like sewage fees you'll have to pay, even tho your turning all yours into methane and fertiliser, etc. Very few can go totally off all the grids.And thats o.k.! As home schooling and home births have shown, if only 10% do, the system gets very insecure, and at least attempts to change. Usually, its a 'false' change, like so-called 'birthing rooms' in hospitals, and 'charter schools'. They buy off a few, with these cosmetics, cause ya can always fool some of the people some of the time.So what. A secondary aspect of going off grid is it may eventually shake the foundations. In the mean time, your experiancing less stress, and more joy, in living! In conclusion, I think we should start a new thread, on living Off the grid, and share different ideas for how to do this. Or, is that really what this whole site is all about, already?Jim
"Fanatacism consists of redoubling your effort, while forgetting your aim"
