How to Plan for a Successful Homestead

Figuring out all the money stuff of homesteading can be pretty tough. Let me give you an example of what to do.

Your Current Lifestyle vs. You Backyard Homestead Lifestyle

Bills you can reduce	Current Lifestyle	Homestead Lifestyle
Mortgage (if you downsize your house)	1,200	700
Utilities: Sewer, Trash, Water, Gas, Electricity	300	120 – Replace with wood burning stove, solar panels, wind turbines…
Car Payment (If you downsize your vehicle)	300	150
Fuel for Vehicle (be fuel conscious)	300	200
Cable Bill (Use internet for TV)	100	0
Grocery Budget	800	300 (Grow your own food)
Clothing	500	100 (Buy things when you need them)
Home Repair	300	50 (Don’t hire someone, ask neighbors to help or learn how to fix things)
Total	3,800 of bills	1,650 of Bills (Savings of 2,150)

The point of this chart is to help you create your own budget plan. You can save money and live great.

People will tell you that homesteading is a poor way of living, going without all the comforts of life. I disagree. People can homestead, reduce their bills, grow their own fresh produce and keep their internet, tv, air conditioning… whatever you want. There is no one size fits all with homesteading. Instead, homesteading is a way of life where you rely more on community than big business. Instead of a consumer mindset you take on a do it yourself mind set. Try to build your own chicken coop rather than buying one from the feed store. Take a change of canning your own green beans rather than relying on the green beans you buy from the store.

One thing I learned from my Dad is to never be afraid to try. Try to build something, Try to repair something, try to improve your home by laying your own tile. The worst thing that can happen is you screw it up and have to pay some to fix it. And by the way, to have someone come fix it is pretty close to the cost they would have charged in the first place. You’re only out some time. Don’t be afraid to tackle that project. I like to say “Just Cut the Carpet”.

A few months ago I took the first step in building my own fireplace in my house. It was In the front room, Believe it or not. My wife was so nervous because I had never done it. And the first thing I did was “Cut the Carpet” in our nice front room. lol

I saved thousands of dollars doing it myself and now we have a beautiful stone fireplace in the living room. I talked to my neighbor who was a licensed gas guy to help with gas and my other buddy who owns a stone company. That’s why I talk about homesteading is a community event.