Times are tough. Prices are on the rise as well as costs, and there has been an obvious shift towards consumerism as a way of life and not just as a luxury.
The emphasis on buying “stuff’, often merely used as a status symbol, left us in a confusing spot as a family. We were living paycheck to paycheck and watched as our savings was slowly depleted. It came to the point where we sat down and took a good, hard look at the path we were on. Did we mind being in debt for the rest of our lives? What can of legacy were we leaving for our daughter?
After careful deliberation it was obvious – we wanted to be more sustainable.
Several health scares and thousands of dollars in medical bills made us more aware that we were not on stable ground. We were living to work; time spent together was rare and we felt more like single parents then a cohesive unit. Things needed to change, and we wanted to be in a place where we relied less on outside systems and more on each other.
Below are several changes we implemented over the past year to begin our sustainable journey.
1. Eliminate debt
Before I left my fulltime job, one of the major areas we focused on was paying off most of our debt. This wasn’t possible with everything. We still owe most of our home mortgage as there simply wasn’t a way to pay it off. However, we paid the remaining balance on all of our vehicles and started using our credit cards only for essentials. The balance gets paid when it’s due and it helps improve our credit.
We also pay a little extra on our mortgage each month. Sometimes this is $50 and sometimes it is $200. This money goes towards paying off equity and not interest which will end up saving us thousands of dollars by the end of our thirty year loan.
2. Reuse and recycle
I am guilty of wanting to just buy something new when we need it rather than looking at all of our options. Patience is not something that I have a lot of, and I would rather spend less time preparing and more time doing.
Our chicken coop was our first major project. I was content to buy a better-quality coop which would have run us close to $1200 while my husband was willing to put in the research, take the time, and build one himself. It took three months, but he was able to save us over $500 by reusing materials we already had and putting in sweat equity to get it completed.
Sometimes, you can’t recreate what you need. But when you can, you can save money. By learning how to do something you can build your skill level. The knowledge he picked up from building the chicken coop has helped us when it came to building other things, such as our high tunnel.
3. Cut back on electricity
We are blessed that the natural light in our home is stellar since there are twelve windows alone in our kitchen/dining/living room. Rarely do we use our overhead lights.
Additionally, we do several other things to cut back on our usage. I try to unplug what we are not actively using, and we turn our heat and/or air conditioner off when the weather permits. These are small changes but add up when implemented over time.
4. Use rain barrels
Water is a hot commodity around here. Between the gardens, animals, and the humans, our water bill can average over $100 in the summer months.
Early on, we invested in rain barrels. During the summer, we hook one up to our watering system for our chickens. We have another two reserved for part of our garden. This is a small change that is more ecologically friendly.
5. Grow your own food
Gardening is not just a hobby – it helps save on our grocery bills. One of my priorities is knowing exactly what is going into the food we consume. I can save hundreds of dollars growing organic instead of buying organic.
6. Get chickens
Chickens were our gateway into homesteading. Our house came with a surprise flock that we later expanded when we discovered how low-maintenance raising chickens was.
Not only do they provide eggs, but they eat pests such as ticks which is a big plus when you have kids running around. They also provide fertilizer and offer a sustainable meat source if you are willing to grow out and butcher.
7. Cook from scratch
When I worked 40+ hours a week we ate out all the time. It was easy to justify since we were so busy. I only spent a few hours a day with my husband and daughter – I was reluctant to reduce that even more by cooking.
Now that I am based at home there is no excuse not to cook our meals from scratch. By meal planning, I am able to organize my time and save money on our grocery bill since I’m not just browsing for something that looks good. I also enjoy it more since I’m not rushed to get something on the table.
8. Study herbalism
I have very few qualms when it comes to modern medicine. That being said, if I can treat something naturally, I will use that as my first defense.
While there are many things that should only be treated by a professional, I have been able to manage my migraines and anxiety by using various supplements. Herbal options, such as lemon balm, have helped me decrease my anxiety with the help of cognitive behavioral therapy.
9. Start a compost bin
Part of the lure of homesteading is being frugal. One of the easiest ways to be thrifty on the homestead is creating a compost system.
Since most of our meals come from scratch, it is as simple as putting that waste in a bucket on our counter. I include everything from paper napkins, coffee grounds, and vegetable peals. This gets combined with our chicken waste from the coop and goes into a pile in our backyard. When planting seasons comes around, I have a free resource to fertilize part of my garden.
10. Buy reusable
I’m sure I’m not the only that feels like they are throwing money away when buying single-use products. Some items, such as toilet paper, I am 100% comfortable investing in, even though we will be quite literally flushing what we spend down the toilet.
For other household items, such as paper napkins and plastic baggies, I will look for alternatives. Cloth napkins are a cheap replacement as well as reusable baggies that can be cleaned in the dishwasher.
11. Make your own broth
Did you know making broth is as simple as throwing scraps in the crock pot?
I had no idea how it easy it was to make something I use literally every week. Any vegetable scraps and/or bones can be put in the freezer until you are ready to use. When that time comes, simply grab your scraps, put in the crockpot, and add seasoning/water. Cook for 24 hours and strain.
12. Eat seasonally
This is something we can improve on, but it really makes the most sense to choose your menu based on what is available seasonally.
While it’s true that it is easy to just go to the grocery store to get fresh vegetables anytime, that comes at a cost. Not only are vegetables out of season less nutritionally dense since it has had to be shipped in, but the cost of that product also rises when it is not readily available.
By eating in season, you can choose food that tastes better and is healthiest for your family.
13. Weatherproof your house
I love the natural light in our house. I feel better when we don’t have to use artificial lights, have fewer migraines, and soak in more vitamin D.
Most windows, however, are not conducive to saving energy. Cold air comes in during the winter and we get a wonderful greenhouse effect in the summer.
To avoid an expensive electric bill, we close off rooms that are not in active use and shut our blinds during the hottest times of the day. These little changes help lessen the impact the weather has on our bills.
14. Use less water
Using less water is important for your bank account but also can also help conserve for times when it is needed, such as during a drought.
We try to take shorter showers, use rain barrels when we can, and use the quickest setting on our dishwasher.
15. Buy in bulk
If you are looking to cut back on costs and have the room, buying in bulk may be for you. With careful planning, wholesale ingredients such as sugar, flour, beans, and rice can save you money when compared to buying smaller quantities that are often marked up to retail price.
16. Buy second-hand
It has been years since I have bought any of our clothes new. Between garage sales, thrift shops, and sites, such as thredup, we have been able to save hundreds of dollars on our wardrobe.
We may not have the trendiest clothes, but they serve their purpose and allow us to be flexible with our style.
17. Get a library membership
Reading is probably my favorite past time. As someone who likes to learn, it is a part of my daily life.
I can’t even imagine how much money I would have spent if I tallied up the number of books I read on a yearly basis. Resources, such as our local library, have been a godsend. Membership is free if you can provide proof of address and some places have even recently waived all late fees.
18. Use a solar charger
I am on the go a lot. I don’t necessarily leave my house very day, but I do often find myself spending large amounts of time outside working on various projects. To keep myself entertained, I will spend that time listening to music, podcasts, or audiobooks.
This puts a pretty large drain on my phone battery. To combat having to go back inside to charge my phone, I invested in a solar charger. They require no electricity, and I am able to charge my phone by using the power of the sun.
19. Take care of your possessions
The easiest way to avoid unexpected costs is to take care of what you have.
Mostly, this means that you need to take the steps to maintain what you have invested in. Examples include changing the filters for your HVAC, keeping your space clean, and keeping yours tools out of the weather. Doing these simple things will save you over the long run because you can buy quality and your items will last longer.
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