How to Homestead to Save Money

“A penny saved is a penny earned.”

This saying is a simple reminder that saving money is just as important as earning it.

Especially when it comes to running a household, expenses can become overwhelming. Between paying the mortgage, dealing with rising utility bills, buying groceries, and keeping up with home maintenance, it can feel like the costs never stop.

Honestly, many people struggle to keep up with these bills.

That’s where homesteading can help.

By growing your own food, cutting back on energy usage, and learning to do things yourself (like fixing leaks or preserving food), you can lower your monthly expenses.

Although starting a homestead might require some initial costs, such as buying seeds or tools, over time, it can save you a lot of money.

In this article, I’ll share practical ways to start homesteading and save money today.

If you're also looking to bring in some extra cash, check out how to make money on your homestead for ideas to boost your income.

Growing Your Own Food

Growing your own food might sound like a lot of work, but it’s one of the easiest ways to save money.

Instead of spending money on overpriced produce at the store, you can grow eggplants, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, or even herbs like basil and mint right in your backyard.

These vegetables don’t need much—just water, sun, and a little care. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can add fruit trees like apple or pear trees that will provide fruit for years to come.

The best part? Once your plants start producing, you don’t need to buy those items at the store anymore.

When you save seeds from your harvests, you can plant them next season without spending extra money on new ones.

If pests are a problem, try companion planting (like marigolds with tomatoes), which helps keep bugs away naturally.

Raising Animals for Eggs, Milk, or Meat

Raising animals might feel like a big commitment, but it can actually save you a lot of money in the long run (especially if you regularly buy eggs from the grocery store).

Keeping chickens is a great place to start. They don’t require much, and once you’ve built a small coop (which can cost around $100–$200), you’ll have fresh eggs every day.

If you end up with extra eggs, you can even sell some to your neighbors.

If you’re looking for milk, goats are a great option. While they require more care than chickens, a single goat can provide you with fresh milk for drinking, as well as for making cheese or even soap.

For meat, you'll also want to consider raising rabbits. They don’t need much space, and they breed fast, so you'll have a steady supply of meat.

You can start with just a few rabbits and build from there.

Whether it’s just a couple of chickens or one goat, figure out what works for you so you don’t get overwhelmed.

Cut Down on Energy Bills

One of the biggest monthly expenses is usually the electric bill, but there are easy ways to reduce it without going completely off-grid.

If you can afford the upfront cost, solar panels are an excellent choice. They can power your lights, heat your water, and even run appliances over time, helping you save on your electric bill.

If solar isn’t an option right now, there are simpler steps you can take.

For example, setting up a wood stove can be a big help, especially if you live in a cold area. It might cost a bit upfront, but it can definitely save you a lot on heating during the winter.

Another thing you can do is set up a rain barrel to collect water for your garden or washing your car. It’s inexpensive to set up and helps cut down on water bills.

You can also start small with simple changes like sealing your windows and doors, adding insulation, or swapping out old light bulbs for energy-saving ones.

Small adjustments like these can make a big difference over time.

DIY Projects to Save Even More

One way to save money is by making your own cleaning products. Instead of buying soap, laundry detergent, or other cleaning supplies, why not make them yourself?

For instance, you can make laundry detergent with just a few simple ingredients like baking soda, washing soda, and soap. It’s inexpensive and works just as well as store-bought options.

If you enjoy candles, making your own can also be a cost-effective and practical solution.

Additionally, tackling basic home repairs—such as patching a hole in the wall, fixing a leaky faucet, or building simple furniture—can significantly reduce expenses.

The skills you develop through these projects not only save you money by avoiding professional fees but also help you feel more self-sufficient.

Natural Health Remedies to Keep Medical Costs Low

Instead of heading to the pharmacy every time someone catches a cold or has a minor ailment, you can save money by growing your own herbal remedies.

Plants like peppermint, lavender, and chamomile are easy to grow and can be made into teas that soothe everything from stomach aches to stress.

Garlic and ginger are also great for colds and sore throats, while calendula works well for skin irritations.

Growing your own medicinal plants doesn’t require much space, and you can harvest them as needed. They’re often more natural and less expensive than over-the-counter medications.

By growing your own remedies, you’ll spend less on store-bought medicine and reduce the need for frequent doctor visits, saving even more in the long run.

It’s a practical way to cut costs while addressing everyday health concerns.

 Save Money by Cutting Travel and Transportation Costs

Homesteading doesn’t mean you have to be stuck at home all the time, but it does give you an opportunity to cut down on unnecessary travel.

Instead of driving for every errand, consider using alternative transportation.

If you’re just running a few blocks to the store, why not walk or bike instead of driving? It’s great for your health, and you’ll save on gas and parking as well.

If you live on a larger property, a small farm vehicle like a used ATV or an electric cart can help you get around the homestead without using your car.

Fewer trips to town also mean less wear and tear on your car, saving you money on maintenance and fuel costs in the long run.

Turn Your Homestead Into a Side Income

Homesteading can help you save money, but it can also bring in extra cash if you have the right setup.

If you have a surplus of eggs, produce, or herbs, you can sell them locally. Perhaps your neighbor is looking for fresh eggs, or you can set up a table at the farmer’s market.

If you enjoy crafting, consider selling homemade products like soap, candles, or jams. Additionally, if you’ve mastered a skill, such as gardening or soap-making, you can offer classes or workshops for others who want to learn.

Start small by selling to friends or at local markets, and as your reputation grows, you can expand.

It’s a great way to turn your homesteading skills into a side income while fostering connections in your community.

Start Composting

Composting is one of the easiest ways to make the most of what you already have.

If you’re growing food, composting kitchen scraps like vegetable peels, coffee grounds, and eggshells can help improve the soil and make your garden even more productive.

You can also use the Berkeley method of composting to speed up the process and produce richer, healthier compost in less time.

It’s a great way to recycle food waste while giving your plants the nutrients they need. You can also compost yard waste, such as grass clippings and leaves, and turn it into rich, organic compost.

If you don’t have much space, you can compost in small bins or even start a worm composting system.

Not only will you reduce the amount of trash you send to the landfill, but you’ll also cut down on the need for expensive fertilizers.

Learn to Preserve and Store Food

When you have a successful harvest, you want to make sure you don’t waste any of it. Canning, freezing, and drying are great ways to preserve food and store it for the long term.

If you’ve got a bumper crop of tomatoes or cucumbers, canning them into sauces, pickles, or salsas can keep them good for months.

Freezing berries, vegetables, and even meats helps keep them fresh without spoiling. Drying herbs or fruits like apples is another way to extend your food’s shelf life.

It might take some time to learn the process, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll save a lot on groceries throughout the year.

When you store your own food, you know exactly what’s in it, and you won’t have to worry about preservatives or chemicals.

Weighing the Costs and Long-Term Benefits of Your Homestead

Homesteading isn’t free (if you don’t already have resources), and it does require some money upfront for things like seeds, tools, or materials to build what you need.

However, when you look at the bigger picture, those initial costs can end up saving you a lot over time.

Take starting a garden, for example. You might spend $50 on seeds and supplies to get started, but once your plants start growing, you won’t need to buy as many vegetables from the store.

That $50 investment can quickly pay for itself, especially if you grow items like tomatoes, peppers, or herbs that you use often.

Or consider getting a few chickens for fresh eggs. The upfront cost for chickens, their housing, and food might seem significant, but after a few months, you’ll have fresh eggs every day.

Not only will you save on the cost of store-bought eggs, but you’ll also know your eggs are fresh and free from additives or hormones.

The more you grow your homestead, the less you’ll need to spend on things like food and utilities.

The money you invest now will come back to you, and you’ll feel the financial benefits of homesteading in the long run.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)