10 Practical Ways to Homestead With No Money

A common misconception I keep hearing about homesteading is that you need a huge amount of money to get started. And honestly, I get why people think that way. 

When you start thinking about all the things you could need (like solar panels, animals, raised beds, gardening tools), it can easily feel like you’re being held back before you even begin. 

It’s easy to assume that you need a lot of money just to get your feet in the world of homesteading.

Especially right now, with everything getting more expensive, it seems like the cost of everything is rising. And yeah, that makes the idea of starting homesteading seem like a real struggle.

But here’s the thing: while homesteading can definitely get expensive, it doesn’t have to be that way. 

As I mentioned in my last article on micro homesteading (or small-scale homesteading), you don’t need a huge plot of land (or none at all!) to begin your homesteading journey. 

You don’t need to spend tons of money up front to live a more self-sufficient lifestyle. In fact, you can start with very little, or even no money. 

That’s why in this article, I’m going to share some simple, practical ideas for how you can start your homesteading journey even if you’re broke.

Why Homestead?

One of the biggest reasons people choose to homestead is to save money (at least from my perspective). When you grow your own food, raise animals, and do things yourself instead of relying on stores, your bills start to drop.

I also believe that homesteading gives you a sense of security. Knowing that you can provide for yourself gives you a sense of independence and peace of mind as well.

Instead of stressing about rising prices in this economy, you know you’ve got a good source of food, water, and energy right at home.

Beyond the financial side, homesteading also helps you slow down. In today’s world, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle, but when you’re growing your own garden or raising your own animals, you get to focus on the small things, and you also get to control your own pace.

There’s something really satisfying about being able to look around and see that you’ve created something.

On top of that, it gives you the opportunity to learn homesteading skills, from fixing things around the house to making your own cleaning products.

You get better at doing things on your own, and that sense of accomplishment is priceless.

But the struggle here is…

How do you homestead when you have no money?

Find out below.

How to Start Homestead Without Spending Money

There are plenty of ways to get started if you’re resourceful, creative, and willing to start with the basics. Here are some simple ways to begin homesteading today, even with no money:

1. Start Small with Gardening

Gardening is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to start homesteading, and it doesn’t take much to get going.

All you really need are a few seeds, some soil, and water—often free or very inexpensive.

You don’t need a large backyard to grow your own food either. You can use containers, repurpose old boxes or plastic bottles, or even find a small space in a friend’s yard or a community garden to plant your seeds.

The great thing about gardening is that once you get started, it can become a steady source of food.

As you gain experience, you may even end up with more produce than you can use. This is a bonus, as it means you can preserve the extra through drying, freezing, or canning—methods that require little to no extra expense.

If you're looking for a simple and space-efficient way to get started, consider growing microgreens. They're easy to grow and perfect for small spaces.

2. You Can Borrow or Ask for Second-Hand Tools

Homesteading usually requires a lot of tools, equipment, and supplies. 

But instead of buying everything new, why not ask around for second-hand items? You might be surprised at what people are willing to give away.

It could be something as simple as garden tools, a canning kit, or extra containers. Ask your friends, family, or neighbors if they have things lying around that they no longer need.

You don’t always need to buy new. You can find free tools and materials on websites like Freecycle or local community groups on Facebook, where people often give away items they no longer need.

Even if you don’t have all the tools you need right now, borrowing things when you need them can be a huge money-saver.

This is especially helpful when you’re just starting out and figuring out what you truly need for your homestead.

3. Start with Free or Natural Resources

When you're starting out, you don’t need to buy everything right away. Nature itself offers many free resources that can help you build up your homestead.

For example, fallen branches, leaves, and grass can be used for compost, which will help make your soil healthier for gardening.

If you live near a forest or wooded area, you might be able to find free firewood, wild herbs, or even mushrooms that you can use for food or medicine.

You can also check out local groups or community exchange programs where people give away items.

People often give away tools, building materials, or even old furniture that can be repurposed.

If you're creative, you can use these items to build structures (like goat pen), create compost, or even feed your animals.

By using what’s around you and asking for help, you can gather what you need without spending much at all.

4. Collaborate With Other Homesteaders

Homesteading doesn’t have to be something you do alone. A great way to get started without spending money is by working together with others.

You can find neighbors, friends, or other homesteaders who are willing to trade help, skills, or resources.

For example, you could offer to help someone build a garden or repair something in exchange for them teaching you how to preserve food or giving you some extra seeds.

Maybe you can help out with tasks like watering plants or cleaning animal pens, and in return, you might get fresh eggs, vegetables, or even advice.

By sharing work and knowledge, you can learn more and get what you need without spending money.

And if you're looking for a supportive community, check out our Raised Beds Facebook Group, where you can connect with others for advice and tips in building raised beds and other gardening ideas.

5. Grow from Seeds

If you don’t have the money to buy plants, you can start everything from seeds.

Seeds are easy to find, and you can start them in small pots or containers indoors before moving them to your garden.

You can also ask friends, family, or neighbors if they have any extra seeds or plants they don’t need. Many people are happy to share. Check local groups or Facebook communities where people often give away free seeds.

You can even save seeds from fruits or veggies you already have, like tomatoes or peppers. Over time, you’ll have plenty of seeds to keep your garden growing without spending any money.

6. Learn to Preserve Your Food

Once your garden starts producing, you'll want to save some of that food for later. You can do this by canning, freezing, drying, or fermenting it.

These methods allow you to keep food without relying on the store. You don’t need to buy all the tools right away—using empty jars you already have works great.

Learning how to preserve your food helps you save money and ensures you don’t waste any of what you grow.

It’s also a great way to have food available all year, even after your garden is done producing.

7. Repurpose and Reuse Materials

Instead of buying new items for your homestead, look for ways to repurpose or reuse what you already have. Old wood, empty containers, or scrap metal can be turned into something useful.

For example, you can take old pallets and make a raised garden bed or use plastic bottles or containers to create small greenhouses to help your plants grow.

If you're looking for more inspiration and creative ideas, be sure to check out our raised garden beds ideas, where we share simple and budget-friendly ways to build a garden without spending much money.

Repurposing materials not only helps save money but also keeps items out of the trash. It’s a simple and sustainable way to get things done without spending much—or anything at all.

8. Create Your Own Composts

Instead of spending money on expensive fertilizers for your garden, try using natural options that are free or low-cost.

Manure from animals like cows, chickens, or rabbits is an excellent fertilizer that can help your plants grow strong. If you don’t have animals, you can still make your own fertilizer by composting.

Composting involves collecting food scraps, leaves, grass, and other natural materials and letting them break down into rich, healthy soil.

If you're new to composting, learn more about what composting is and how to get started. You can use items like fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds, or even grass clippings from your yard.

For an even faster way to compost, consider the Berkeley Method, a quick and effective method for turning waste into nutrient-rich soil.

Composting is free, easy to do, and can be started in a small space, making it perfect for homesteading on a budget.

9. DIY as Much as Possible

One of the most important parts of homesteading is learning how to do things on your own.

Whether it’s building a chicken coop, making soap, or fixing a fence, knowing how to handle simple tasks yourself can save you a lot of money.

There are countless guides and videos online that can teach you new skills, often using materials that are inexpensive or even free.

As you gain confidence, you can tackle bigger projects, like making a compost bin or building a chicken coop. The more you learn, the less you’ll need to rely on paying someone else to do the work.

I truly believe that doing things yourself brings a great sense of pride.

You’ll feel accomplished knowing you made or repaired something on your own, and these skills will help you become more independent and capable on your homestead.

10. Be Patient and Resourceful

Homesteading is not something that needs to be completed overnight. You don’t have to have everything figured out or buy everything you need at once.

It’s okay to start small and take things step by step. There’s no need to rush—just take your time, use what you already have, and be creative.

Think outside the box, as they say.

Keep learning and trying new things. Every bit of knowledge helps, and over time, you’ll get better at finding free resources and doing things on your own.

You don’t need to have everything right now. Start with what you have, make use of what’s around you, and keep learning as you go.

Before you know it, you’ll be living more self-sufficiently, and it won’t have cost you much to get there.

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