Latest news with #selfsufficient
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Survivalist model who hunts her own food slams others who 'can't look after themselves'
A model and survivalist who hunts her own food and has a stash of 28 guns has slammed 'useless' women who rely on men and can't 'look after themselves'. Emily Rinaudo is on a mission to teach others how to become more self-sufficient. With the world 'teetering on the edge of catastrophe,' she believes everyone should be prepared for the worst and know how the 'basics' to surviving. She stressed the importance of learning 'basic things' like fishing, hunting, or finding shelter. 'Even most men today couldn't survive if something went down, they only know how to order UberEats,' she continued. 'These days, a lot of them have no idea how to do basic things like fish, hunt or find shelter. 'It's scary out there right now. If the Internet were to shut down today and all the grocery stores were closed, what would you do? 'I don't want to rely on anyone, least of all a man. I'm not the damsel in distress.' While speaking to the about it, Emily pointed out: 'During the Covid pandemic, most couldn't even handle a simple change in the pace of life. 'Imagine being quarantined for 30 years, which is the half-life of some radioactive isotopes.' She also shared the vital items that she believes everyone should have in their homes in case of an emergency. 'If you're prepping for an apocalypse or any kind of emergency, everyone should have a water filter straw and a large stainless steel knife,' she said. 'With just those two things, you can survive anywhere.' In addition, Emily said she personally has a 'collection of firearms' as well as a gas mask, a Geiger counter - which detects radiation - and adult toys tucked away. 'Let's be honest, I don't need a man to survive,' she joked. As for her biggest advice when it comes to what to do during an emergency situation, she recommended not trying to play the hero or helping other people - but instead, just focusing on yourself and your loved ones. 'One of my biggest survivalist tips is don't try to help anyone but yourself and your immediate family. At the end of the day, it's you versus the world,' she urged. Emily grew up on the outskirts of South Florida and would often go hunting with her dad and brother during her childhood. Now, she often gets up at the crack of dawn to track down a deer – which she shoots and skins herself – before enjoying a wild swim or fishing in the nude. She loves challenging herself – even in dangerous situations, such as when she 'wrestles' alligators. Emily, who owns 28 guns, regularly goes range shooting to top up her defense skills. She added: 'Knowing I'll be able to shoot down whatever is coming at me makes me feel very powerful and safe. 'I love learning these things, especially when it comes to things that a man would typically do. I like being dirty and sweaty.' She insisted to that despite her large following online, she could care less about social media or the fashion industry and only models to make money to put towards building her 'dream bunker.' 'Modeling was a means to an end. I used it to make money to build my dream bunker,' she explained. 'Society cares about superficiality - so making myself beautiful for resources was all part of the plan.' In the end, she hopes being so vocal about it will open other women's eyes to the importance of survival skills. 'I'm not hating on women - women are amazing and smarter than men when they really put their minds to something,' she concluded. 'I just wish more of them spent less time learning how to do their own nails and more time figuring out how to clean a gun or clean a fish.'
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Survivalist who hunts her own food slams 'useless' women who 'can't look after themselves'
A model and survivalist who hunts her own food and has a stash of 28 guns in case of an apocalypse has fiercely slammed 'useless' women who rely on men and can't 'look after themselves.' Emily Rinaudo, who started hunting when she was only 12 years old, is on a mission to teach others how to become more self-sufficient. With the world 'teetering on the edge of catastrophe,' she believes everyone should be prepared for the worst and know how the 'basics' to surviving should there be a natural disaster that leaves them fending for themselves. The model, who has over 700,000 followers on Instagram, hit out at women who, in her opinion, 'act weak' and 'can barely cook a meal, let alone catch their own dinner.' 'I'm so fed up of hearing stories from women who can't look after themselves,' she scathed to Jam Press recently. 'They are superficial and obsessed with looking good. 'I can respect the desire to be attractive – especially since I'm a model – but you don't have to be useless just because you are pretty. 'I'm a survivalist and have been able to hunt my own food since I was a child. 'When the apocalypse hits, people are going to be relying on me for shelter and safety, not the other way around.' She stressed the importance of learning 'basic things' like fishing, hunting, or finding shelter. 'Even most men today couldn't survive if something went down, they only know how to order UberEats,' she continued. 'These days, a lot of them have no idea how to do basic things like fish, hunt or find shelter. 'It's scary out there right now. If the internet were to shut down today and all the grocery stores were closed, what would you do? 'I don't want to rely on anyone, least of all a man. I'm not the damsel in distress.' While speaking to the Daily Mail about it, Emily pointed out, 'During the COVID-19 pandemic, most couldn't even handle a simple change in the pace of life. 'Imagine being quarantined for 30 years, which is the half-life of some radioactive isotopes.' She also shared the vital items that she believes everyone should have in their homes in case of an emergency. The model, who has over 700,000 followers on Instagram, hit out at women who, in her opinion, 'act weak' and 'can barely cook a meal, let alone catch their own dinner' 'If you're prepping for an apocalypse or any kind of emergency, everyone should have a water filter straw and a large stainless steel knife,' she said. 'With just those two things, you can survive anywhere.' In addition, Emily said she personally has a 'collection of firearms' as well as a gas mask, a Geiger counter - which detects radiation - and adult toys tucked away. 'Let's be honest, I don't need a man to survive,' she joked. As for her biggest advice when it comes to what to do during an emergency situation, she recommended not trying to play the hero or helping other people - but instead, just focusing on yourself and your loved ones. 'One of my biggest survivalist tips is don't try to help anyone but yourself and your immediate family. At the end of the day, it's you versus the world,' she urged. Emily grew up on the outskirts of South Florida and would often go hunting with her dad and brother during her childhood. Now, she often gets up at the crack of dawn to track down a deer – which she shoots and skins herself – before enjoying a wild swim or fishing in the nude. She loves challenging herself – even in dangerous situations, such as when she 'wrestles' alligators. Emily, who owns 28 guns, regularly goes range shooting to top up her defense skills. She added: 'Knowing I'll be able to shoot down whatever is coming at me makes me feel very powerful and safe. 'I love learning these things, especially when it comes to things that a man would typically do. I like being dirty and sweaty.' She insisted to the Daily Mail that despite her large following online, she could care less about social media or the fashion industry and only models to make money to put towards building her 'dream bunker.' 'Modeling was a means to an end. I used it to make money to build my dream bunker,' she explained. 'Society cares about superficiality – so making myself beautiful for resources was all part of the plan.' In the end, she hopes being so vocal about it will open other women's eyes to the importance of survival skills. 'I'm not hating on women – women are amazing and smarter than men when they really put their minds to something,' she concluded. 'I just wish more of them spent less time learning how to do their own nails and more time figuring out how to clean a gun or clean a fish.'
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Would you go off-grid? This woodland cabin is on sale for £165,000
If you dream of escaping the rat race, a property that has just come up for sale in Northumberland may be just the tonic. The off-grid woodland cabin, called Stanholme, was built in 1926 and for its current custodians, Tom and Glory, has been life-changing. Tom got the keys just days before the 2020 lockdown. He says: 'I had no idea that the world was about to change. But the timing meant I had space, peace, and nature to ground me through everything. I couldn't have imagined a much better place to live.' The couple told This is Money: 'What we love the most is the peace and quiet and that there is no traffic noise.' Over the last five years, Tom, who was later joined by Glory, have been growing their own food, tending to the land and embracing woodland life. However, with the arrival of their first child earlier this year, they are looking to move to a new home. Glory said: 'This place has given us so much. It taught us how to live simply, live slowly and really live with the land. Now, as our family grows, we're looking for a new kind of space. But we'll always carry this place with us.' Tom told This is Money: 'We are going to miss the woodland dawn chorus. It's so loud and there are so many birds that it wakes you up most mornings.' The couple hope to pass Stanholme on to someone who shares the same respect for nature and the slower rhythm of off-grid life. They think the cabin could be ideal for retired couples - or even doomsday preppers who want to live self-sufficiently. It is being sold for offers over £165,000. The cabin is kitted out with solar panels and is fully off-grid, meaning there will be no electricity bills to contend with. The property is exempt from council tax or the newly implemented second homes tax. It is tucked away in the ancient woodland of Whittle Dene in Northumberland, ensuring there is no road or traffic noise. The cabin is only accessible on foot through Whittle Burn Woods, with on-street parking available five minutes away. The cabin is one of a small number of chalets, cabins, bungalows, huts or summer houses nestled in the glade at Whittle Dene. According to GFW, the estate agency selling the cabin, the cabins were built as countryside getaways by people from Tyneside's industrial areas. The cabins also housed evacuees during the Second World War. The woods surrounding the two-bedroom cabin are said to be haunted by the evil spirit of Long Lonkin, a notorious criminal from the 1200s. The cabin is brimming with rustic charm. Inside, it has a small entrance porch, an open-plan living and dining area with a log burner, a compact kitchen, two bedrooms, and a bathroom with a roll-top bath, toilet and washbasin. While the cabin is off-grid, it still offers a good level of comfort. There are large double glazed windows fitted throughout the cabin, which help fill the cabin with light and a sense that you are at one with nature. The cabin stands in three interlinked plots that have been carefully nurtured over 45 years. The outdoor space is enhanced with cobblestone paths and fruit trees. A geodome provides space for growing vegetables and herbs throughout the year, but this could be turned into a greenhouse. The cabin also comes with a decked area, a fire pit, tool shed and an outdoor compost toilet. At the south of the woodland lies the ruined remains of a water-driven mill, which was used to mill corn and bleach cotton until its demise in the 1800s. The mill pond has become overgrown with willow, alder, Dutch rush and opposite-leaved golden saxifrage. The cabin had been on an uninterrupted one year rolling lease for the past 100 years and Tom and Glory are currently in negotiations to extend the lease term to 20 years. The property can be inhabited for 51 weeks of the year. The cabin cannot be mortgaged or sub-let and no fences, hedges or new boundaries can be created at the property. Lindsay French, a partner at GFW, the estate agency selling the cabin, said: 'This property is truly one of a kind. Stanholme isn't just a cabin, it's a piece of living history. 'Its rare combination of character, craftsmanship, and complete off-grid functionality, is unlike anything we've seen on the open market.' How to find a new mortgage Borrowers who need a mortgage because their current fixed rate deal is ending, or they are buying a home, should explore their options as soon as possible. Buy-to-let landlords should also act as soon as they can. Quick mortgage finder links with This is Money's partner L&C > Mortgage rates calculator > Find the right mortgage for you What if I need to remortgage? Borrowers should compare rates, speak to a mortgage broker and be prepared to act. Homeowners can lock in to a new deal six to nine months in advance, often with no obligation to take it. Most mortgage deals allow fees to be added to the loan and only be charged when it is taken out. This means borrowers can secure a rate without paying expensive arrangement fees. Keep in mind that by doing this and not clearing the fee on completion, interest will be paid on the fee amount over the entire term of the loan, so this may not be the best option for everyone. What if I am buying a home? Those with home purchases agreed should also aim to secure rates as soon as possible, so they know exactly what their monthly payments will be. Buyers should avoid overstretching and be aware that house prices may fall, as higher mortgage rates limit people's borrowing ability and buying power. What about buy-to-let landlords Buy-to-let landlords with interest-only mortgages will see a greater jump in monthly costs than homeowners on residential mortgages. This makes remortgaging in plenty of time essential and our partner L&C can help with buy-to-let mortgages too. How to compare mortgage costs The best way to compare mortgage costs and find the right deal for you is to speak to a broker. This is Money has a long-standing partnership with fee-free broker L&C, to provide you with fee-free expert mortgage advice. Interested in seeing today's best mortgage rates? Use This is Money and L&Cs best mortgage rates calculator to show deals matching your home value, mortgage size, term and fixed rate needs. If you're ready to find your next mortgage, why not use L&C's online Mortgage Finder. It will search 1,000's of deals from more than 90 different lenders to discover the best deal for you. > Find your best mortgage deal with This is Money and L&C Be aware that rates can change quickly, however, and so if you need a mortgage or want to compare rates, speak to L&C as soon as possible, so they can help you find the right mortgage for you.
The Sun
14-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
We quit UK life to live in an abandoned home abroad for £8,000 – we now live mortgage-free
A FAMILY has traded life in the UK for an abandoned home abroad so they can live "mortgage-free". Maxwell, 38, and Leah Jones, 29, bought the deserted house in Bulgaria in January for just £8,000 - and they didn't even view it in person. 6 6 6 6 The couple said they had always dreamed of living self-sufficiently and didn't want to spend the next 25 years paying off a mortgage in the UK. So they decided to take the plunge and buy the three-bed home in Popovo, Bulgaria. Maxwell and Leah said they started looking at properties just before Christmas last year after seeing others do the same on social media. Maxwell said: "We were due to buy a house in the UK but it became hard to put all this money out and still be paying it off for 25 years. "We looked at the price in Bulgaria and it became a no brainer." And it sounds like they struck gold, bagging the spacious family home for just £8,000. Which is a bargain when compared with property prices in their home town in Wales where a three-bed house sells for around £300,000. While the abandoned home needs a lot of work done, the couple aren't in any rush. Leah said: "We want to try and get away from this idea that it has to be an aesthetically pleasing home." Maxwell added: "If the kids help out with painting and there are a few brush strokes on the skirting board - that's OK. Brendan Courtney reveals incredible home re-vamp "It will be an ongoing project - it might take years." The couple will also transform their garden so they can grow their own fruit and vegetables and have their own animals. They estimate that it will cost between £15,000 to £20,000. They added that the cost of living in Bulgaria is a "lot cheaper" than in the UK. One neighbour told Maxwell that he pays £15 to £20 a month for electrics, compared to the £3,000 a year the couple is currently paying for electric and gas in the UK. And council tax is only £25 a year. The couple have estimated they can get by on about £300 to £400 a month in Bulgaria - on a stringent budget. Which is half the price of the current cost of their UK rent - £680. Moving house hacks 1. Declutter Before You Pack Sort through your belongings and get rid of anything you no longer need. Donate, sell, or recycle items to lighten your load. 2. Create an Inventory Make a list of all your items. This helps keep track of everything and ensures nothing gets lost in the move. 3. Use Quality Packing Materials Invest in sturdy boxes, bubble wrap, and packing tape. This will protect your belongings during the move. 4. Label Everything Clearly label each box with its contents and the room it belongs to. This makes unpacking much easier and more organized. 5. Pack a 'First Day' Box Include essentials like toiletries, a change of clothes, snacks, and important documents. This will keep you from rummaging through boxes on your first day. 6. Take Photos of Electronics Setup Before unplugging your electronics, take photos of the wiring setup. This will make it easier to reconnect everything at your new place. 7. Use Suitcases for Heavy Items Pack books and other heavy items in rolling suitcases. This makes them easier to transport and reduces the risk of injury. 8. Colour-Code Your Boxes Use different coloured stickers or markers for each room. This will help movers quickly identify where each box should go in your new home. Maxwell and Leah flew out to the house in May with the plan being for the whole family to live there at the end of they year. Maxwell from Prestatyn, Wales, said: "It was exactly like it looked online. "Now we're mortgage-free. "There is a lot to do - it's a shell. "We're up for a challenge." The couple pride themselves on their "alternative" lifestyle and already home school their two kids - Lorenzo, two, and Indy, nine. They also make sure to eat organically and even make their own toothpaste. Maxwell said: "Breaking from the norm - as scary as it is it can be rewarding. "In Bulgaria the kids are playing out all day. "In this country kids are striving for that next toy or app - it's constant dopamine hits. "We want to keep a creative space in our children." 6 6
Daily Mail
13-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Welsh family wanting to be mortgage-free buy house for £8,000 without even viewing it
A Welsh family have spent £8,000 on an abandoned home in Bulgaria without viewing it in person, in a quest to become 'mortgage free'. Maxwell, 38, and Leah Jones, 29, said their dream was to live self-sufficiently and did not want to spend 25 years paying off a mortgage in the UK. The couple bought their three-bedroom home in Popovo, Bulgaria in January 2025, a relative bargain compared to similar-sized properties in their home town of Prestatyn, Wales, which have a market value of around £300,000. Joiner and landscaper Maxwell and Leah, who works in health and social care, flew out in May and are set to move out to at the end of the year. They say if you were to live on a 'stringent budget' it only cost their family-of-four £300 a month in Bulgaria or £680 for a 'comfortable month'. This is in comparison to their current £680 monthly rent, up to £200 weekly food shop, and £250 a month they pay for electric and gas. They estimate it will cost them £15k to £20k to bring the home up to scratch. Maxwell said: 'It was exactly like it looked online. 'Now we're mortgage-free. There is a lot to do - it's a shell but we are up for a challenge.' Maxwell and Leah like to live 'alternatively' and already homeschool their two children- Lorenzo, two, and Indy, nine. They eat organically and even make their own toothpaste. They have always dreamed of living self-sufficiently and started to realise this wasn't affordable to do in the UK. Maxwell and Leah started looking at properties Bulgaria just before Christmas 2024 after seeing others do the same on social media. Maxwell said: 'We were due to buy a house in the UK but it became hard to put all this money out and still be paying it off for 25 years. 'We looked at the price in Bulgaria and it became a no brainer.' They found a property online they liked and put an offer in - paying for it in January 2025. The home has three bedrooms and a barn - which Maxwell hopes he will be able to do livestream DJ sets from. He will fly out in two months to re-wire the home before the rest of his family join towards the end of this year. They don't have a set budget or timescale for the renovation - and don't feel any pressure for it to look like a 'showhome'. Leah said: 'We want to try and get away from this idea that it has to be an aesthetically pleasing home.' Maxwell added: 'If the kids help out with painting and there are a few brush strokes on the skirting board - that's OK. 'It will be an ongoing project - it might take years.' The couple also have plans to transform their garden so they can grow their own fruit and vegetables and keep their own animals. They say the cost of living in Bulgaria is a 'lot cheaper' and the weather and pace of life also attracted them to the country. Maxwell said: 'Our neighbour says he pays £15 to £20 a month for electric. 'We pay about £3,000 a year for electric and gas in the UK. Council tax is only £25 a year. 'We estimated you could get by on about £300 to £400 a month in Bulgaria - on a stringent budget. 'The cost of our rent - £680 - will be everything you need in Bulgaria for a comfortable month there.' Maxwell says they are lucky that they can work remotely - as he has just launched a wellness supplement brand - which has helped them secure visa's. Maxwell said: 'Breaking from the norm - as scary as it is it can be rewarding. 'In Bulgaria the kids are playing out all day. 'In this country kids are striving for that next toy or app - it's constant dopamine hits. 'We want to keep a creative space in our children.'
