Starting a homestead without money
Get tips on starting a homestead without money and take that first step to becoming more self-sufficient on a budget. If you love the idea of homesteading but are not a fan of the price tag, this guide will get you started without breaking the bank.
Homesteading tips that you can hang your hat on. Tips that will help you take back control of your home, your health, and your household.
Homesteading is a common way of life and can mean different things to different people, from controlling your budget and streamlining your household to getting in control of your food and what you eat.
How much homesteading is right for you
How much homesteading you incorporate into your life is up to you, allowing you to do a little or a lot.
The more you do, the more money you will need to get started, and if you are starting out on a tight budget, it is best to start small and slowly work your way up from there.
Starting out small
Starting out small will allow you to grow your setup a little more each year without getting in over your head.
First – With Your Food
The most common way to start homesteading is by growing a garden. You can begin with a few containers on your back porch and work your way to a full backyard vegetable garden and orchard.
As you grow your skills as a gardener, you can try your hand with livestock. Begin with chickens before adding on larger animals such as goats or pigs.
Second – With your lifestyle
Another common area of homesteading is being self-sufficient in yourself and your skills so you rely less on outside help.
You can start small by making your own cleaning products and work your way into more advanced areas, such as making your own soap, clothes, or furniture.
If you are looking to add homesteading to your lifestyle without spending any money, then starting small is the secret. Test each area you are interested in before you decide if the investment to go all in is worth it.
How much does homesteading cost?
Each new skill as a homesteader requires some level of investment, whether for education, tools, updates to shelters, or supplies.
In the past, homesteading meant only one thing: having large parcels of land and loans from a bank to get things up and running.
The good news is that this is no longer true. You can homestead anywhere, at any time, and at any level. The smaller the level, the less money is required to get started.
If you are willing to put in the work and make some sacrifices, you can take your first step towards a self-sufficient lifestyle with little to no money.
Starting a Homestead Without Money
The trick to starting anything new and staying within a budget is to have a plan and a final goal. Know what you want to do and how far you want to go to stay on track without getting distracted by something new.
These projects are good for starting out and allow you to try each area before going all in.
#1. Growing Food
When it comes to homesteading, growing fresh organic food is always at the top of the list. It can be tempting to start a large garden growing an expansive selection of food, but this can get costly quickly.
Budget-Friendly Option – Container Gardening
Did you know you can grow an entire garden by reusing buckets, flower pots, and even bulk food bags? As long as you have draining to let any excess water escape the container, you can use it to grow the food you love.
How it Works
- Look around your home for containers you can use for your gardening.
- A good size is 5-10 gallons.
- Using a hammer and nail or a drill, you can add in holes to the bottom of the container allowing excess water to drain out.
- Place the containers in an area that gets 6-8 hours of sun a day.
- Plant your containers with a sampling of vegetables so you can see what does well in your area and what you and your family enjoy.
Why we love it
Reusing containers to try out new vegetables allows you to test things out to see how they do in your area. Not only will you save money on containers, but you will save time not having to prepare an area on virgin ground.
Investment Needed
The only money you will need is for potting soil and seeds.
#2. Raising animals
Many times the thought of a homestead means open pastures full of large animals, but times have allowed homesteaders to raise animals on a much smaller and more affordable level.
Budget Friendly Option – Start Small
If you are just beginning with livestock, the best approach is to learn as you go. Start with a few small animals that will add to your food pantry and see how things go before adding more.
How it works
There are more small livestock options than you might realize.
- Chickens – Keep a small flock in a backyard coop for eggs and meat.
- Rabbits – A few rabbits in a hutch out back can give you good meat for the freezer.
- Ducks – Duck eggs are amazing and a good addition to the kitchen.
- Bees – Just one hive will give you honey for your pantry.
Why we love it
Starting small allows you to live a homesteading life on a smaller budget. Taking care of animals is a daily commitment, and the only way to know if you are able to handle their care is to try it out.
Investment needed
The amount of money you need will depend on the animal you choose to raise.
- Chickens and Ducks – Starting out, you can budget about $1,500 for the first year, which will include your setup, supplies, and chicks. The price will go down significantly after that.
- Rabbits – Staring out, you can budget about $800 for the first year.
- Bees – Starting out, you can budget about $500 for the first year.
#3. Bring in less chemicals to the home
Every day, we are faced with chemicals both in the public area as well as in our homes. Homesteading allows you to cut down on those chemicals, allowing you to live a more natural and healthy lifestyle.
Creating your own cleaning products is a great way to be more in control of the chemicals you allow into your home, but going all in can be costly.
Budget-Friendly Option – Start out with the basics
Look for key ingredients you already have in your home and use them to try out different recipes to see how they work.
How it Works
Most, if not all of these ingredients you might already have in your home. ,
- Baking soda – Used as a mild abrasive.
- Vinegar – Used to fight bacteria.
- Water – Used to dilute recipes.
- Hydrogen Peroxide – Used as a disinfectant.
- Lemon Juice – Used as a stain remover.
These ingredients are inexpensive and can help expand the list of recipes you can make.
- Borax – Used to cut grease.
- Essential Oils – Used to sanitize and disinfect.
- Castile Soap – Used to cut through grease.
Why we love it
Making your own cleaning products not only saves money but also reduces the number of chemicals you are exposing yourself and your family to. Plus, many times, homemade cleaners are just as effective, if not more so, than store-bought cleaners.
Investment Needed
The initial investment for basic ingredients will vary depending on what you already have in your home. Start out slow and stock up your list until you have what you need for a few key recipes. You will also need to invest in reusable spray bottles and containers for your cleaners.
MOney Saving Reads:
#3. relying less on public Utilities
Another common goal for homesteaders is to save money on the care of their home, namely with utilities. Don’t be tempted to start installing solar panels; there are less expensive options you can try out first.
Budget-Friendly Option – Use Wood for Heating
Firewood is an essential part of any home looking for alternative heat options. You can find firewood for free by offering to clean up fallen trees. Many times, people will offer the wood as payment for the labor.
Why we love it
Not only is using firewood a budget-friendly option, but it also reduces your reliance on fossil fuels and reduces your carbon footprint. Plus, there’s something cozy and comforting about curling up next to a fire during the colder months.
Investment Needed
The initial investment for using wood as heating will vary depending on whether you need to purchase a wood-burning stove or if you already have one in your home. You will also need to invest in an axe or chainsaw for cutting and splitting wood. However, in the long run, this method can save significant amounts of money on utility bills.
Low Cost Homesteading Skills
The best part of homesteading is it covers many areas inside and outside the home. All of these skills cost little to no money, making them a great option for anyone on a budget.
#1. Re-purpose Unused Items from Around the House
You can save money by re-purposing items you already have around the house, giving them new life and purpose. Here are a few ideas to get those homesteading creative juices flowing.
- Turn old t-shirts into a tie rug.
- Transform an old dresser into a gardening bench.
- Chipped or broken dishes are perfect to use for a mosaic table top.
- Take a toilet paper roll, stuff it with dryer lint, and use it to start fires.
#2. Reduce Waste
Aim to reduce your household’s waste especially when it comes to your food. Create meal plans based on what produce you have to ensure you ,are using ingredients up before they go bad.
Instead of tossing produce cuttings, you can put them into your compost bin and give them a second life and fertilizer for your garden soil.
#3. MaKE IT, DON’T BUY IT
DIY projects can make a significant impact on your spending. Before heading out to the store, look to see if you can fill that need with what you have at home.
You may need to learn a new skill, but once you do you will be able to remove another item from your shopping list.
- Learn to make candles by melting down wax, adding essential oils, and a wick.
- Learn to make your own soap. Start out with melt and pour and work your way to cold press.
- Make your own lotions, salve, and lip balm.
A bonus is ,learning a new skill that you can teach to your children passing on this love of self-sufficiency.
#4. Learn to Barter
Bartering is a system of exchange where goods or services are traded between two people. This can be an efficient way to get the supplies needed without spending money.
Bartering is a skill from the past that is quickly regaining popularity today. Working together can expand your community, giving you more people you can rely on. unity,
For example, you can trade a few homemade candles for potting soil that you can use in your container garden.
#5. Always be learning
A homesteader’s best friend is the local library. It is filled not only with books but online courses you can take for free with a few requiring a small fee.
Skills you can learn:
- Fermenting recipes such as yogurt.
- Woodworking skills for furniture making.
- Beekeeping so you can make honey.
- Preserve food by canning, freezing, or dehydrating.
- Breeding livestock with artificial insemination.
Make a goal to learn a new skill each season and watch your homestead skills multiply.
Stock Your HOme library with these:
Goat Milk Soap Making: All Natural Homemade Goat Milk Soap Recipes for Sensitive Skin (Natural Goat Milk Soaps Book 1)
Beeswax Alchemy: How to Make Your Own Soap, Candles, Balms, Creams, and Salves from the HiveThe Complete Guide to Food Preservation Step-by-Step Instructions on How to Freeze, Dry, Can, and Preserve Food (Back to Basics Cooking)Home Cheese Making: Recipes for 75 Homemade Cheeses
Bonus Tips: Where to find homestead tools for cheap or free
If you want to save money, purchase used instead of new. There are so many ways to get discounts on tools or equipment with a few options for free.
Visit local garage sales, flea markets, and thrift stores. Ask on Facebook if there is anyone selling a certain tool you are in need of.
Second-Hand Tools
- Canning jars and rings
- Garden tools
- Livestock buckets or feed bowls
- Soap making tools
- Gloves and boots
Always be sure to use caution and safety when purchasing from anyone you do not know.
By taking control of what you bring into your home you can add a bit of homesteading without going over budget. Try your hand at bartering, visit second hand stores, or explore the library for topics you want to learn more on.
There are so many resources out there that you can use to start a homestead without money, allowing you to build your homestead from the ground up and enjoy a more sustainable way of life.
More Homesteading Resources:
- Checklist for Starting a Homestead
- 7 Steps to Take Before You Begin Your Homesteading Journey
- Homesteading on a Budget
