Tips for becoming self-sufficient

There are plenty of ways how to become self-sufficient, and they don’t all involve going ‘off grid’ or living on an island in a lake – although that is an option if you want to completely remove yourself from modern society.

As a starting point though, more and more of us are already becoming self-sufficient in individual ways, for example by growing our own food, or installing renewable power sources.

Everyone can do something to become more self-sufficient, and it doesn’t have to have a major impact on your lifestyle – here are a few options to consider.

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How will the new bottle deposit scheme work?

If you were born any time before the mid-1980s, you probably remember when you could take glass bottles back to the shop and get a few pence back in return – the bottles would then be washed and used again, just like doorstep delivery milk bottles.

As long ago as 2010, the author Bill Bryson proposed a return of bottle deposits to encourage recycling and reduce littering, but this is only just becoming a reality in 2018, as government plans now seem set to go ahead.

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What to think about when planning a conservatory

The UK can thank the North Atlantic Drift, an extension of the Gulf Stream, for its temperate climate, with winters significantly warmer than you’d expect in a country this far north.

Unfortunately for sun-lovers, the summers are temperate too, and if you want to enjoy the warmth of the British summertime sun at its best, you’ll need a summer house, garden room or conservatory.

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Top tips for renovating a basement

Loft conversions are one of the best known ways to add habitable space to your home, and we’ve all seen master bedrooms with en suite bathrooms that turn that attic space into a cosy place to get a good night’s sleep, right up at the top of the house.

But while most of us might think of converting the loft, many houses have a cellar too – and it’s equally likely to be missing out on its full potential if you currently only use it for storage.

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