More and more, I hear news broadcasts about the possibility of a VAT (Value Added Tax) coming to America. This doesn't seem too wild an idea as the folks in Washington are acting like drunken teenagers with daddy's credit card.  Europe has had VAT for decades-- it is essentially a national sales tax on everything you buy-- averaging about 20% in Europe. I view this as a disaster for the country, but a boon to those who seek to live a more self reliant and self sufficient lifestyle.

If the money grabbers in Washington unleash a VAT upon us-- it will be time to really watch your cash outflows and to seek ways to not spend in the traditional ways. My view is that a VAT in the United States will promote more:

• DIY projects
• Vegetable gardens
• Small scale farming
• Hunting and fishing for food
• Yard sale shopping
• Craiglist and eBay purchases
• Recycling, repurposing, and reusing
• Energy conservation
• Bartering
• Underground economics (cash business)
• Use of inexpensive basic ingredients in food prep

You may have noticed that these are all topics discussed here at the Self Reliance Workshop.

The way we are headed, it is time to become more self reliant! Personally, I am going to follow the Boy Scouts on this one-- Be Prepared! While you will never completely escape the VAT, you can limit its reach. Here at the Self Reliance Workshop, I will continue to provide ideas, tips, and techniques that will help you help yourself.

Thank you for visiting the Self Reliance Workshop and come back soon for more . . . follow me on Twitter at SelfRelianceWS, DvrcdDadFrglDad, and Surfcasting2Day.

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Related Posts:
Self Reliance is About Power . . .  
Are You a Sheeple?  
The Role of Frugality in the Self Reliant Lifestyle  
Fat and Happy or Empowered and Self Reliant?  
How to Barter For a Self Reliant Lifestyle  
Self Reliance: Basic Needs and Skills  
The New Reality . . . Self Reliance 

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DDFD believes that self reliance and self sufficiency are the roads to individual freedom.  He is dedicated to living a quality life through frugality, personal growth and productivity, and defensive entrepreneurship.  He also enjoys cooking from scratch and fishing.