Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why all the changes?

Originally, the freedomtowns.com website started with a need to organize an overwhelmingly large amount of information, which was gathered and transferred to floppy disks, then later to CD, reducing much time and difficulty in locating specific information. However, though one no longer had to read through thousands of papers to find a single note, one still had to search through the files, remember what each was called and where it was located in order to find the information. Hence, an offline version of the freedomtowns.com website was built so one could go directly from one page to another via links. Once the offline version of the site began taking shape, we thought it would be nice if we could share the information freely with others... and so, the Freedom Towns of America website was born. Over the last year, not much has been done with the freedomtowns website because we have been busy rewriting the entire website (offline) to make room for the rest of the information, which was not originally included... we assumed it wouldn't take very long, but boy were we wrong! So much for assumptions. Once again, the information was becoming large, scattered and difficult to include in the freedomtowns website as it was. So we decided to rewrite the entire website and move it to a new domain, and we did so for several reasons. First, many freedomtowns website visitors kept asking us why we opted for a domain name that didn't seem to match the content of the website. We also felt like we were living in a watermelon with the old design, and wanted to make finding one's way around as simple as possible. Most importantly, this option helped simplify the process of re-structuring and organizing the content. Though we've almost doubled the information provided, we have at the same time simplified and "cut the fat", so to speak. We were able to whittle down thousands of pages by about 95%, and yet all of the information is still here.

2. Will such drastic changes or moving ever happen again?

Generally no. Now that the rest of the information has been included and all has been updated, such drastic measures should be quite unnecessary. Beyond regular maintenance and updates, our roots are planted.

3. What is the overall purpose of the eco-nomics website?

As stated above, the original purpose of the eco-nomics website was to organize information so that it would be more accessible (and hence, more likely to be applied in every day life), which then led to the desire of also sharing the information freely so that others might benefit as well. In addition, it is our belief that if "one bad apple can spoil the rest", then one good apple can also help to improve the quality of others around them. If one person can learn to live green affordably, that knowledge and experience can also be shared with others, even if only by way of example. It is our hope that this website helps to facilitate and enhance that process, so as to share this information with as many people as possible, for the benefit of us all.

4. What are some of the benefits of green living?

One of the most obvious benefits of green living is a contribution to the preservation of earth for future generations to come, via a reduction of the negative environmental impacts we have on our planet. Although earth friendly, self-sufficient living may cost more in the beginning (mostly due to the need for changes in current lifestyle habits), it more than pays for itself in the end, environmentally and financially. Naturally, providing oneself with basic necessities (i.e., food, water, shelter, transportation, medicine, electricity, etc.) in a sustainable manner will also lead to self-sufficiency and thereby true independence. True freedom gained in such a way makes it possible to survive comfortably regardless of income, as opposed to spending the majority of one's life working for others in return for continual and future dependence on one's providers.

5. How much will it cost, and where should I begin?

Sustainable, economical, self-sufficient living is an investment in the future of man, and in the future of our world. Surely it would cost much less to start living green now, than it would cost in the future to do nothing at all. Upfront costs will vary depending on the project and other factors, but generally we suggest starting small. For example, by reducing unnecessary use of what one already has and pays for such as electricity or water, it is possible to save money that would have otherwise been spent on bills. These savings and those that accumulate and are then available for use in projects that will further reduce one's environmental costs and living expenses until eventually, these costs are reduced to almost nothing, and one could survive comfortably without any income at all, if one had to.

Please feel free to email us with your comments, suggestions, and any questions you may have that are not already answered here.