welovemarmite Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 Hi, wondered if any of you had any experiences (good or bad) that you could share. We are thinking of giving up the day jobs, buying a small holding and starting up one or more businesses that will help to pay enough money to pay the bills. We are not expecting or wanting to be rich, just so that we can live a different lifestyle. Would be great to receive any advice. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merlina Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 There was a story in the Guardian I remember reading about a couple who did something similar - this might be it (or part of it) http://www.theguardian.com/money/2011/may/14/downsized-family-budget And there's a book written on similar lines by the couple featured here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2330731/Who-needs-rat-race-hatch-chicken-bra-The-enchanting-story-couple-swapped-grind-good-life--tested-arriage-limit.html No personal experience for you - but I keep reading stuff like this and dreaming! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welovemarmite Posted October 23, 2013 Author Share Posted October 23, 2013 thanks, I will take a look. We have dreamt long enough, but the rat race has got ridiculous and we need to do something... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 That sounds so exciting! I wish you all luck! Please keep us posted (you can't be too far from us here in OX44 - I do recall having seen a couple of books in Watlington library about smallholdings but am so sorry I can't remember the titles as I wasn't brave enough to actually take them home!) Local libraries might, therefore, be a good bet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welovemarmite Posted October 23, 2013 Author Share Posted October 23, 2013 this is unlikely to be really really quick. We have just had a brain storming session on ideas for generating money and we both have some homework to go away to look at it. Then we need to work on cashflow and budgets and if we need to do any learning first... then its finding a property. So could still be a couple of years yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 Good luck! It might be worth visiting a few places where people seem to have done it. Acorn Nurseries at Standhampton near me and soapdragon may be such a place. They are very friendly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welovemarmite Posted October 24, 2013 Author Share Posted October 24, 2013 thanks... will add them to my list of research! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 Hi ...how exciting for you. I can offer some words of wisdom, as we moved to our smallholding just over 2 years ago. Yes we absolutely love it, but please don't think you can just be a smallholder with lots of animals &I an even think of doing it all be hunky-dory. It is hard work This is mainly because I get up, see to the animals then have to do my work, before I can even think about doing smallholder stuff. You definitely need a job of some sort - mainly to fund your fencing, land maintenance, animals, feeds as well as the normal bills & food etc. Don't go into it all wearing pink glasses as many do. SOme people think oooo I've got bla bla acres & will just stick bla bla chickens on it, bla bla this & that etc. Grass needs cutting, fertilising, fencing needs securing etc. There is always something to be done. Lesley will be with me on this one. It is not easy! We were lucky that we had an established business that we were able to move with us. Good as we live in the sticks a bit & it is mainly a mail order business. If I were you I would get your business established before you move. Don't expect to move & all the locals come rushing to you & giving you their business. Hopefully your business venture is a moveable one & hopefully you will have a good website & do a lot of marketing before you move. I wish you all the luck in the world. We have never looked back. Hard work, but we live in a wonderful place & are truly grateful for all we have achieved. Emma.xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welovemarmite Posted October 24, 2013 Author Share Posted October 24, 2013 thanks hunnypie. we are looking at potential business ideas now even though the move may be sometime off. That way we have the chance to study it, develop it and see if that part goes and then see how we fit the small holding in it. We would like the land to work with us rather than just be a pretty environment to live by. I have also looked at Norwegian lodges as an alternative to a static caravan as a potential home for us. The options are wide open at the moment and we will certainly not be jumping in to this without research. Two books ordered off amazon last night and 4 obtained from the library this morning. Reading galore and then more planning and brainstorming! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 Some friends of mine (live near Shenington) have done the same; they've lived an organic life for some years now and are pretty much self-sufficient with what they grow and barter. They take any excess chicken manure I have. I can put you in touch if that helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 I have nothing constructive to add, I'm afraid, but will follow this thread with interest. The ratrace is becoming just that for me and I dream of moving into something more fulfilling, but don't know where to start. Think your idea of starting a business first and then working a move around that sounds excellent. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted October 27, 2013 Share Posted October 27, 2013 Have you tried Rural Scene for property? Lots of smallholdings and properties with a bit of land on there Good luck with thinking up a business idea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted October 28, 2013 Share Posted October 28, 2013 As you know we have a smallholding, we do ok with bartering which is surprisingly easy and beneficial but need our jobs to keep the place going - last winter we had about six weeks where the feed bill peaked at £90 a week which along with the mud and constant rain nearly put the lid on our enthusiasm and we are pretty dedicated! Someone who has done an excellent job of this sort of thing is Emma at the Rainbow Egg company, she started off gathering hens that lay different colour eggs then went in to breeding more productive coloured egg layers, then selling hens and a number of other farm based activities such as holiday lets etc - its impressive how far she has come in a short space of time If you are able to buy a place mortgage free (or a very small mortgage) then you would probably have a chance at making it work but to do it with a sizeable mortgage would be very hard indeed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newcountrygirl Posted November 1, 2013 Share Posted November 1, 2013 Come to lincolnshire - the property with land is really cheap. Lovely villages and big skies - we moved here 3 years ago and love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted November 4, 2013 Share Posted November 4, 2013 If you are able to buy a place mortgage free (or a very small mortgage) then you would probably have a chance at making it work but to do it with a sizeable mortgage would be very hard indeed Too true! Our hefty mortgage has nearly sunk us many times over the last 3 years or so. We have to work to service the mortgage but the farm work still has to be done. We still love it but it can be very hard at times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickpea Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 I can only echo others advise - get the business set up first. My husband and I have 3 acres and we set up a market garden whilst keeping down our day jobs and did farmers markets and veg box deliveries at the weekends. A year or so later I left my job as the demand for work on the field was getting too much, my husband was self employed anyway as a landscape gardener so he left his clients and we set about concentrating on our land. Three years, pigs, chickens, employees and a tractor later - we now run a shop from our local village - which is great, but that coupled with the land takes up ALL of our time and we really really couldn't afford to do it unless we were mortgage free which we became due to an inheritance. There are times when we think it would be nice to have a 'normal' 9-5 job with weekends and holidays again - but the lifestyle is so different and so worth it, we feel so lucky and privileged to have our own land and to feel so in tune with the cycle of the seasons To be your own boss is also worth all the stress and hard work. I wish you every success and if you have any questions please ask Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merlina Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 chickpea - just had a look at your site - it looks absolutely fabulous! I am now properly As I sit here dealing with the piles of University bureaucracy it looks idyllic - and a great advert for your lifestyle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 Lovely to see you around again Lucy - how's your lad? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickpea Posted November 6, 2013 Share Posted November 6, 2013 Hi Claire! I usually try to hover around the forum if I can! Umm not sure about a lad though? Possibly another Lucy?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 6, 2013 Share Posted November 6, 2013 sorry, must've got you mixed up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Beginning to think hubby is dragging his heels - he hates it when I get work done to the house - it's getting towards that ready to go probably next year now rather than not in my sights at all. But we're still tied to his work and I know he likes the shorter travel time so I may have to divorce him. Sooooo very Good luck with the move - will keep my fingers crossed for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 Make sure that before you move to a smallholding, you are ready to give up having any holidays. You really can't go on holiday when you have livestock, as you feel that no one else could look after them as good as you do. You get really attached to being at home & appreciate what you have around you & on your doorstep. We are more than happy visiting our local beaches in the summer for ' days & afternoons' out, knowing that we can be back to shut our chickens in & check the piggies are all ok. It means a lot to love your home & area in all weathers. That means that it's right for you. I know our home truly is the best thing we ever did. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 Make sure that before you move to a smallholding, you are ready to give up having any holidays. I'll second that! We however have found a wonderful website http://www.trustedhousesitters.com where you can get livestock experienced house sitters FREE usually so that you can take a few days away. Husband and I manage at least four days away every month that way rather than taking a fortnight abroad. Suits us just fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 Just sent hubby that link as he would like to travel in his retirement too. Update on ours - I have 3 years to get the house in order (electrician coming to check up all the old installations so I can get that all fixed up and certification produced for sales as most work done before new regs). He is now keen to leave work for good. He said he had something to discuss with me the other week and didn't know how as I would be angry. Moi? Angry? So he said he didn't want to move to Oxfordshire. Oh you want to stay here? No I want to go further out but I knew you wanted to go to the Cotswolds area. Nope that was you with access to the M40 to travel to work - I'm all in favour of moving further out! Yippeeeeee! And we have been discussing it a lot and what we need and what animals to have and how to manage it all (although we have books by the truckloads on all aspects). So I wish you well in your move because I'm all fired up now and determined that it will be a shorter time (he intends to cut down his work days before retiring so that the guys can manage without him and if needs be he would stop over a couple of nights in the week near work. Go for it Marmitey! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
