Easiest Self-Sufficiency Steps To Take NOW!

by Texas Homesteader ~ 

Many are trying to practice self sufficiency these days. The good news: it’s easy, oftentimes free and comes with some powerful feelings of satisfaction.

Come see how to easily save money on groceries, necessities, and provide for yourself.

Easiest Self-Sufficiency and preparedness Steps - Many are trying to practice self sufficiency these days. Come see how to save money on groceries, necessities, and make things yourself #TexasHomesteadery on necessities, and make things yourself #TexasHomesteader

Why Learn To Provide For Yourself?

There are many reasons to practice self sufficiency:

    • Preparedness for weather disasters or world situations

    • Reduce dependence on grocery stores or corporations

    • Reduce dependence on supply chain interruptions
    • Save money by providing for yourself 
    • Provide better & healthier products for your family 

Today I’ll share with you the simplest self-sufficiency steps you can take now to begin providing for your own home and family.

These were the easiest steps for me when I first started on the path to Voluntary Simplicity. And I think they can help you too.

Save Money On Unavoidable Expenses

Easiest Self-Sufficiency Steps - Save money on necessities. Many are trying to practice self sufficiency these days. Come see how to save money on groceries, necessities, and make things yourself #TexasHomesteaderThere are some things you just have to pay for. But there are also easy ways to save money on those necessities. Sometimes it just takes thinking outside the box.

  • Get What You Pay For – Are you getting all you paid for, or are you paying more for nothing? This article is eye-opening and can give you a different way of thinking about necessary expenses you’ve always just paid without thinking about.
  • When Financial Times Get Tough – Another timely article to help you figure things out when you find yourself without much income. Every little bit helps – check out these simple tips.
  • Saving Money On Electricity – It’s more than just ‘turn off unused lights’. This article talks about easy ways to save money on your electric bill that you may not have thought of.
  • Rainwater Catchment Systems– Check your local laws to make sure it’s allowed, but it seems that in most areas capturing rainwater is encouraged. Here on the Homestead we do 100% of our outside watering with FREE rainwater. I share the three simple rainwater catchment systems we use.

Stretch Your Groceries

Easiest Self-Sufficiency Steps - Stretch your groceries. Many are trying to practice self sufficiency these days. Come see how to save money on groceries, necessities, and make things yourself #TexasHomesteaderStop and think about easy ways to feed your family without wasting food. Some of these tips significantly reduce the amount of time spent cooking and cleaning too! (fist-bump!)

  • Cook-Once, Eat Twice is my favorite ‘simplify in the kitchen‘ method of cooking. It’s where you cook LOTS of a single entrée and freeze the leftovers for future meals. Examples could include filling your oven with LOTS of meatloaves, not just one. Or making many stuffed peppers, ravioli, etc. Then freezing the excess for a later meal. Heat-n-eat convenience.
  • Planned Leftovers – Similar to Cook-Once, Eat-Twice but in this case you cook lots of a main ingredient with the plan to use it for a completely different dish on another night. Examples might be making meatloaf one night, then using a portion of that meatloaf for the meat ingredient in spaghetti or quesadillas.

Make What You Used To Buy

Easiest Self-Sufficiency Steps - Make what you used to buy. Many are trying to practice self sufficiency these days. Come see how to save money on groceries, necessities, and make things yourself #TexasHomesteaderThis self-sufficiency category can be very easy as well. Following are a few things I make for  myself instead of buying. It not only saves money, but it reduces the need to go to the grocery store.

  • Homemade Yogurt – This was my very first self-sufficiency move decades ago. I was floored to find out how easy it was to make yogurt on the stove-top with no special equipment. Now I typically make Instant Pot Yogurt since it’s even easier.

Make Your Own Cleaners

Easiest Self-Sufficiency Steps - make your own cleaners. Many are trying to practice self sufficiency these days. Come see how to save money on groceries, necessities, and make things yourself #TexasHomesteaderFrom bathroom cleaner to laundry detergent, there are lots of homemade options out there. I share a few of my favorites here.

  • Simple Household Cleaners – I used to think each different room and/or surface needed its own purchased special formula cleaner. Now I keep our home clean using a much cheaper & less-toxic method.
  • Homemade Laundry Detergent – I’ve used this detergent recipe exclusively for over 10 years now. You only need 1-2 Tablespoons per load.
  • Laundry Scent Booster – I line-dry our clothes and love the fresh scent of sunshine it leaves behind. But sometimes you just want a little extra sumpin’ on your cloth napkins & such. So I use this laundry-scent booster from time to time. Bonus? Only TWO ingredients!
  • Easy Room Freshener – I have this cute lavender-scented room freshener in our guest bathroom. It was simple to put together and quick to refresh when the scent starts to wane.
  • Homemade Carpet Cleaner – I needed something for pet stains on our carpet, but didn’t want to use harsh chemicals. This homemade carpet cleaner is all I use now.

Reduce Or Eliminate Disposables

Easiest Self-Sufficiency Steps - Reduce Disposables. Many are trying to practice self sufficiency these days. Come see how to save money on groceries, necessities, and make things yourself #TexasHomesteaderYears ago I realized I was buying some things specifically to throw them away. I’d thought they offered me convenience. As it turns out, it’s not necessarily so.

  • Reducing Kitchen Trash – Check out this article for kitchen-specific tips on reducing the amount of trash our household produces.

Zero-Waste Health & Beauty

Easiest Self-Sufficiency Steps - MYO Health & Beauty Products. Many are trying to practice self sufficiency these days. Come see how to save money on groceries, necessities, and make things yourself #TexasHomesteaderStep by step I’m making our health & beauty routines with less waste. It’s much easier than I thought it would be.

  • Homemade Hairspray – Yep, this is the only hairspray I use. It’s a mixture of rosemary-infused water, sugar and a tiny bit of alcohol as a preservative.
  • Light & Sheer Face Powder – This sheer face powder is totally adaptable to your skin tone. And it’s made entirely with standard items in your kitchen.
  • Zero-Waste Deodorant – I’ve used this deodorant for over a decade now. I’m very pleased with the results. Inexpensive, effective and with much less waste than those commercial deodorants.
  • How To Use A Safety Razor – Like many of you, I was afraid I might be more likely to cut myself using a safety razor. I’m happy to say I’ve not found that to be the case and I’ve effortlessly used my vintage safety razor since around 2010.

Grow Your Own Food

Easiest Self-Sufficiency Steps - grow your own food. Many are trying to practice self sufficiency these days. Come see how to save money on groceries, necessities, and make things yourself #TexasHomesteaderThis is one of the most enjoyable self-sufficiency tasks in my opinion. Plant a garden. You get healthy food for pennies on the dollar and stay out of the grocery stores too! It doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing deal. Plant a few things your family likes to eat.

  • 3-Sisters Garden – This is a symbiotic garden strategy that the Native Americans utilized. Three veggies – corn, squash and beans grown together. Each vegetable actually helps the other. 
  • Edible Landscape – Just because a plant offers food doesn’t mean it can’t be beautiful. Incorporate edibles into your regular landscaping for double the benefit. The results can be stunning.

Join Us To Learn Even MORE!

There are many, MANY more ways to flex your self sufficiency muscle. On this Texas Homesteader website I share easy recipes, gardening tips, eco-friendly living and self sufficiency moves and more.

I’d be honored if you’d join us by subscribing. That way you’ll be notified each time I put out a new post.

And it’s EASY – just click the button below and enter your email address. You’ll need to respond to the confirmation email sent to you and then you’ll be subscribed. Join us, won’t you??

~TxH~

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2 thoughts on “Easiest Self-Sufficiency Steps To Take NOW!

  1. ColleenB.-Tx.

    Vinegar is my #1 source of cleaner and disinfectant but the shelves have been empty but at least I still have a 1/2 gal. left.
    I finally had to break down and go into town to get a few groceries. I have been cooped in the house since the 1st week of March. ( my own decision to do so) Got what I absolutely needed and then came home and worked outside for awhile.
    Stay safe & stay healthy.

    Reply
    1. Texas Homesteader Post author

      We’ve been pretty rigid with ourselves on the shelter-in-place order too Colleen. We’re allowed to run essential errands of course, but like you, we’ve decided to sit tight as long as possible. Stay safe, sweet girl! ~TxH~

      Reply

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