This is my first post, I've read a lot of posts & have been building up the nerve to post. I really don't know if I'm asking the right question or even posting in the right place. My first attempt was blocked by admins.

I am 100% an introvert, have been my whole life, so not trauma related.

I 49F was married & then divorced years ago. I did the whole single living my best life thing. I tried dating seriously but I only attract cheaters. They either want to cheat on me or cheat with me.

I have been single for a very long time, I don't feel like I "need" to have a life partner, but I also don't feel that this isolated life is natural. All I do is work & sleep. It would be nice to feel motivated to socialize on weekends, however, I just have no idea how to get out there.

Hello everyone! I’m working on an exciting new project related to sustainable living and creative hobbies, and I’d love your input! Your feedback will help shape something meaningful (and hopefully inspiring!) for people who enjoy hands-on projects, eco-conscious living, or simply learning new skills.

It’s completely free to take part—just fill in this quick Google survey: https://forms.gle/XYeptbwkrk5hBdj36.

It takes only 5 minutes, and your answers will really make a difference. There is zero commitment and nothing to buy, I'm not selling anything either. I am purely doing research at this stage, and if you don't ever want to be contacted again, that's absolutely fine 👍

Thank you so much for helping me out—I truly appreciate your time and insight.

P.S. Admins, please feel free to remove this post if it isn’t suitable for the group.

Hi Everybody - for two years I have been losing over 10 degrees C per night from my hot water tank. I am struggling with Viessmann - my equipment supplier -- and with the registered installer because of the unacceptable overnight heat loss in the system. They have been no help at all, but I have carried out all possible tests and can confirm I have no leaks in the system, and that it is not the tank itself which is losing the heat. What seems to be happening is the water is pulled out of the top of the tank at night due to a temperature differential. I have a 300 litre double coil tank, plus a 3KW solar thermal panel on the roof and a solar pump taking the glycol around. At the same time as I added the solar thermal I also added an extra bathroom to the system, a couple metres above the tank. The installer says he was just following the Viessman instructions, and Viessman say they are not liable for any heat loss in the system since it is the installers fault. Can anyone advise on a possible solution - One suggestion I have had is to create a drop in the main hot water outlet pipe from the tank, since this might use gravity to stop the siphoning. The pipe in the photo is the main outlet from the top of the tank and the suggestion is to create a drop. Will this help? Any other ideas? many thanks.

https://preview.redd.it/2np0ur1py91e1.jpg?width=1512&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e6f82011c27c429a950742301e1fda6c7a4dbb1d

I think we all recognize that the current food system leaves much to be desired. More and more platforms are emerging with the goal of encouraging people to support local food sources. A common barrier I hear is that many people say they simply can’t find local food. What do you think? How can we push back against the dominant food system? How can I help others see that there are efforts underway, and people are really trying to make a change?

The free platform I’ve created offers a space where users can form communities to buy and sell local food goods, but it’s a bit of a chicken-and-egg situation—these communities need to grow in order to work effectively. My excitement is growing because, just recently, the first community was created on the platform, and I can’t wait to see how others begin linking up their goods.

In five years or less, I truly believe the way we access food could look drastically different from what it does today. The potential for change is there, and it starts with all of us working together. What do you think the next step should be in helping spread the word and build more local food systems?

I’m looking for anyone’s expertise on a great mason jar vacuum sealer. I’m just getting started! Hoping for the scoop on a Black Friday deal if anyone knows of one!

i have money for homestead but i would need a job is there some online job thing that will or maybe hauling trash or being a farmhand but i’m from the suburbs so i would probably be semi useless; any help is appreciated

Hello everyone it’s been hard the past couple years . Got evicted which split our family apart and then found house to fix and live in but then last year 3 days before Christmas it flooded which put Myers homeless again and leaving my children and I in separate houses.and me in a rv. Well this year my new grandson whom i have not met yet willing be coming to see us and I would like to cook a thanksgiving dinner for first time in 3 years. But I’ve been without work since I was diagnosed with Graves Disease. And food stamps barely feed us daily. If anyone knows of any help for thanksgiving please send it our way . God Bless everyone and thank you .we live in Southern California,the Coachella Valley

Many years ago i got the magazine American Survival Guide and it was (at the time) a neat magazine that had reviews of firearms,tools, and how to articles.

I unfortunately lost a lot of stuff due to my friend not paying his half of the storage unit price when i assumed he was paying it. Thats another story.

There was an issue they had that talked about taking a wool blanket and turning it into a coat. it had patterns and instructions.

I was wondering if anyone might have information on where i can find that article or plans

thanks in advance

I just wanted to share r/HogRaisingNation for anyone looking to find specific information about raising hogs!

I posted this in another group. But I think the people here might have a different ( but valid/valuable) point of view. Any ideas are appreciated

I’m thinking self sufficiency might be super important to learn after these election results. All of the warnings about cost eventually rising, tariffs, and so much more I’m trying to really educate myself. But I’m making an effort to start my self sufficiency journey so whatever may happen I can know I have myself to rely on. What are you guys thoughts? And what are some skills you think are good to start out learning?

I am in, quite clearly, the worst position to aim for self-sufficiency. I live in a one bedroom apartment in the inner city (a small city but still..). I cannot move because of my job, which I also cannot change.

So... what can I even do? I can't homestead, hunt&fish, get solar panels or anything to generate electricity, etc.

the best I can think of is starting a small balcony garden this winter/spring, canning goods that are on sale or cheap in season.

I live in the UK and have always had the idea to become somewhat self sufficient. I'm wondering how possible this is, the economics behind it and everything. I've always wanted to live inside a lodge/ wooden cabin that I would build that is powered by solar and use a septic tank so that I am not connected to the sewage and electrical grid.

I was thinking I would have a lot more free time as I wouldn't have any bills to pay besides food and petrol for a car and other smaller bills like internet ect. Maybe I would work part time when this is set up to pay for these smaller bills.

I talk to my mum about this and she always says that it is a wild dream and its just unrealistic. Is that the case with this idea? What would the costs be of this if anyone has a rough idea?

Thanks :)

My partner and I are finally able to start looking for a home and some land. I’m a passionate gardener and I make all my own wine and cider. I’d love to expand to being as close to self sufficient as possible. Does anybody know of a good book, or guide for suggestions on what to grow, what to can, preserve, process etc. Maybe a calendar of when to do what to keep a good stock for a couple and potentially a child in the next few years.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!