10 Practical Ways to Save Money on a Homestead
Living on a homestead brings a unique blend of independence, self-reliance, and resourcefulness. One of the goals of homesteading is often to reduce costs by making use of the land and resources at hand. With thoughtful planning and practical strategies, homesteaders can significantly reduce their expenses while building a sustainable lifestyle.
Here are ten ways to save money on a homestead.
1. Grow Your Own Food
One of the primary advantages of homesteading is the ability to produce your own food. A well-maintained vegetable garden can yield a variety of fresh produce, reducing the need to buy expensive grocery items. Start with easy-to-grow vegetables like tomatoes, carrots, and leafy greens. Additionally, consider planting perennials like asparagus or berry bushes, which continue producing for several years with minimal maintenance. Save seeds from your healthiest plants to avoid buying new seeds every season, and learn about companion planting to boost yield and reduce pest issues naturally.
2. Preserve and Store Food
When harvest time comes, it’s easy to have more produce than you can immediately use. Learning how to preserve food by canning, drying, and freezing can save money year-round. Pickling vegetables, making jams from fruits, and dehydrating herbs are just a few examples. By preserving surplus produce, you create a pantry stocked with foods that can be enjoyed well into the winter, saving money on store-bought items. Root cellars are a fantastic way to store root vegetables, squash, and even apples for long periods without refrigeration.
3. Raise Livestock for Multiple Purposes
If you have the space, raising small livestock like chickens, goats, or rabbits can provide multiple benefits. Chickens supply fresh eggs daily, and they can also be a source of meat. Goats produce milk, which can be used for drinking, cheese-making, and even soap production. Rabbits are easy to care for and provide a quick source of meat. Moreover, livestock manure can be used to fertilize the garden, helping to improve soil quality for your crops. These animals can save on grocery costs while contributing to a closed-loop system on your homestead.
4. Use Natural Fertilizers
Avoid the expense of commercial fertilizers by making your own compost. Composting kitchen scraps, yard waste, and animal manure creates a rich, natural fertilizer that improves soil health over time. Additionally, you can create “compost tea,” a liquid fertilizer made by soaking compost in water. Another option is to use cover crops like clover or rye, which can be tilled back into the soil to add nutrients. Natural fertilizers not only save money but also promote a healthier ecosystem on your homestead.
5. Harness Rainwater
Water is a valuable resource on any homestead, and collecting rainwater can save on water bills or reduce the strain on a well. Simple rainwater collection systems, like barrels connected to gutters, can capture enough water for garden irrigation. Larger systems can even provide water for livestock or general household use with proper filtration. Capturing rainwater is an efficient way to conserve this precious resource, especially during drought-prone months.
6. DIY and Upcycle
When maintaining a homestead, there’s always work to be done, and doing it yourself can save substantial money. Learn basic carpentry, plumbing, and electrical skills to tackle essential repairs and projects. For instance, building your own chicken coop or goat shelter out of recycled materials can be far cheaper than purchasing pre-made structures. Upcycling—repurposing materials like old wood, barrels, or even pallets—is a great way to get creative and save on project costs. Plus, you’ll end up with customized, unique structures suited to your homestead’s specific needs.
7. Reduce, Reuse, and Barter
Homesteading emphasizes resourcefulness. Before buying new items, consider what you might already have that could be reused or repurposed. You can also barter with neighbors for tools, seeds, or even livestock. Trading items or services—like exchanging eggs for garden seeds or firewood for a repair job—fosters a sense of community and reduces the need for cash transactions. Look for online groups or local homestead meet-ups where you can swap resources and learn from others.
8. Make Your Own Cleaning and Household Products
Making your own household cleaners and personal care products is another way to save money. Common items like vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils can be used to make effective and natural cleaners for the kitchen, bathroom, and other areas. Similarly, DIY laundry detergent, soap, and lotions made from simple ingredients save money and are often gentler on the environment. You’ll also have peace of mind knowing what goes into the products you use daily, reducing exposure to harsh chemicals.
9. Practice Energy Efficiency
Energy costs can add up quickly, especially on a larger property. By adopting energy-efficient habits and improvements, you can reduce these expenses. Start by insulating your home to conserve heat in the winter and keep it cool in the summer. Installing a wood stove or a fireplace is a great option if you have access to firewood; heating with wood can cut down on electric or propane bills. Additionally, consider investing in solar panels to generate electricity or heat water. While the initial investment may be high, energy-efficient practices will pay off in the long run, especially for those living off the grid.
10. Keep a Minimalist Mindset
Homesteading often attracts people looking to live more simply, but it’s easy to accumulate unnecessary items. Cultivating a minimalist mindset can help avoid impulse buys and focus on acquiring only what you truly need. Regularly assess what you own and whether it serves a purpose. Minimalism doesn’t mean going without essentials—it’s about choosing quality over quantity and resisting the urge to buy items that add little value to your homestead. This mindset will save money, simplify your life, and help you better manage the possessions you do have.