10 Tips For Becoming More Self Sufficient

10 Tips For Becoming More Self Sufficient

A list like this is meant to help you, not make you feel inadequate, nor make you feel superior in anyway. This list is comprised of steps that I have taken (or am currently working towards) in my own home to save money and make my family healthier by cutting out over processed foods and decreasing our exposure to chemical laden products, as well as make us less reliant on modern "conveniences". I do NOT think everyone has to live like this, though some or all of these will become a necessity in the event of a major economic collapse or catastrophic natural disaster in our country.

1. Get cultured. Keep a yeast culture and a yogurt culture both in your fridge. The yeast culture can be used to make breads, home made wines and beers. The yogurt culture will keep you in yogurt, whey (for making fermented foods and beverages), and cheese.

2. Switch to cloth. Imagine if your budget was trimmed by taking out the twelve dollars you spend a week on paper products! That's a monthly savings of almost $50! Replace paper napkins, paper towels, tissues, bathroom wipes (yep), disposable diapers and feminine pads all with cloth! You can sew these, buy them, or buy items from the thrift store to cut up and use for these items. There are SO many businesses on line that sell these products or patterns (that can be found free) that this might be the easiest switch to make. You'll probably notice that there is less dust in your house (tissues being pulled from the box make a TON of dust!) There will be more room on your storage shelves for food and other important items, too.

3. Drop the cleaning supplies. Switch to vinegar and baking soda. Use newspapers to wipe your windows. Seriously, it works and all it takes is a spray bottle with vinegar and water and some wadded up paper. Best of all, you stop breathing and pouring all those toxic chemicals into the ground, where they eventually end up in the ground water, streams and some day, the ocean.

4. Don't over look castille soap. It can be used for EVERYTHING. Laundry, bathing, dishes. One soap, all those uses. Best of all, it stores on a shelf indefinitely.

5. Use rain barrels. Unless, of course, rain capture is illegal in your state, so check on that first. In cool climates in the summer, this is an easy way to get water. It can be used to water the garden, and in more dire situations, bathing, laundry and dishes. Heck, filter it and bottle it up and you have water for emergency storage!

6. Use coupons, but don't go crazy. If you are the shopper in your house, you probably have a pile of paper slips spit out by the register each time you buy something. Get them out, organize them, toss the ones you won't use (or donate them to a charity, food bank, military, or coupon bin at your local store). Coupons are a great way to shave money off your budget or get an item that is always priced just beyond your comfort zone. There are a lot of good sites on the internet dedicated to coupons. Your local stores all have websites that you can sign up for their weekly sales fliers and sometimes get special promotions emailed to you that aren't announced to the public, just by being on their mailing list. Many retailers also offer coupons that can be loaded onto your rewards card, making your savings paperless!
Here is the down side: a LOT of coupons are for junk food. I mean, close to 75%. There is, believe it or not, a bit of a government conspiracy here, but the point is this: just because you have a coupon for it does NOT make it something you NEED or something you should feel like you have to buy! DO NOT BUY WHAT YOU DON'T EAT OR USE! If you don't eat junk, or are sensitive to chemicals in something other than a specific product you use, don't feel pressured into buying it because its cheap! Likewise, just because you have a coupon does not make it a good deal! Often the regular price of the store brand still beats the discounted price of a name brand. Don't waste money unless its vital.

7. Learn a new skill. A useful one. A skill is something that can be traded. Example: You make soap, but your neighbor sews and so the two of you trade soap for repairs. That saves you both money and time. Libraries are full of books that can teach you almost anything you want to know and its FREE! Learn to sew, make candles, learn leather tooling, repair nets, whatever. If you can do something with your hands, you will be able to barter for other things you can't do.

8. Plant some food. A container on the porch with lettuce and some herbs in it not only saves money and feeds you but gives you something to enjoy. The color, the distraction, the sense of accomplishment. It doesn't have to be a huge garden, just start with what you can find (a bucket and a bag of dirt can be had for under $5 in some places.)

9. Shop thrift stores and yard sales. Buying supplies and materials does not have to be expensive. Yard sales and thrift stores can bring bars of soap in the package still, fabric for clothing and projects, tools and kitchen equipment. Utilize Craigslist and Freecycle in your area for things you really want. Don't give up waiting for an expensive item to surface. Don't be afraid to advertise that you are looking for something - sometimes people have it and they doubt someone else would want it, so speak up! Write a list and keep it in the car to take into thrift stores, yard sales.

10. Keep animals that feed you. This may be the most difficult one, but the benefits far outweigh the costs. Animals like chickens, goats, ducks and geese all require less acreage and boarding room than an animal like a cow, require less feed (because they can browse for food) and they provide several important things to humans. They keep you busy, offering year-round exercise and entertainment as you care for them, and they offer food that is of a better quality than anything you will get from a grocery store. Meat, eggs and milk will always be needed and what you don't eat, you can sell! Can't afford the initial cost of buying animals? Try Craigslist! You would be surprised at how many animals are put up for sale or adoption because the current owner has more than they want to care for. I've seen whole chicken coops given away at the end of the summer when the owner realized the chickens would either need to be boarded all winter or slaughtered. You can walk away with animals that are just maturing or at the least, free meat!

There are so many more ideas that can be added to this list, but 10 is a good place to start. If you need help locating one of the items I referenced or instructions for something, please don't hesitate to ask!