Did anyone else see this article from Ryan Mitchell asking whether homesteading truly saves money? I appreciate how he points out that while self-sufficiency can cut costs in the long run, startup and time investments can make it challenging.
Folks in this community forum, has homesteading actually saved you money, or do the costs balance out? Here's what Ryan, author of
Off Grid Living, had to say:
Does Homesteading Save Money?
When I sat down to add up the costs of starting a small homestead on my land, I was surprised by the mounting list of expenses, and I couldn’t help but wonder, how does homesteading save money when everything costs so much? If you’re considering starting a new homestead, you might have similar questions, so let’s look at the cost-effectiveness together.
Factoring In The Whole Cost
The cheapest way to start a homestead is armed with a plan, a
budget, and a good knowledge of the costs and rewards you’re aiming for. Is your main goal to save money? Or do you want the more
intangible rewards of growing your own organic foods and living in tune with the process of nature that homesteading offers? Personally, I wanted a little bit of both.
When it comes to
the full cost of homesteading, be careful to consider all of the expenses involved, not just the obvious ones. You don’t just have to purchase your livestock, you’ll have to feed them (every day, believe it or not),
build them shelter, provide water, and cover necessary vet bills or property damage.
Time is money, so don’t forget to factor in the labor involved as well. I enjoy getting my hands in the dirt to help my vegetables thrive, but not everyone loves the outdoor work of homesteading as much as I do or has enough time for a garden the size of mine.
Does Homesteading Really Save Money On Food?
Now, let’s look at how to accurately compare the cost of food as a consumer vs. a grower. Again, everyone’s homesteading situation is unique, so you’ll want to break it down according to
each aspect of homesteading you want to undertake (chickens, goats, gardening, etc.) and weigh the costs against the positive outcomes you’re aiming for.
First, Count The Cost Of A First-Year Garden
Like many homesteaders,
I started out with a garden, so let’s ask the question, does homesteading save money on vegetables? When you create a cost vs. return list for your vegetable garden, include not only the seeds and labor but also the costs of necessary irrigation, soil amendments, tools, fencing, and mulch. If you’re planning on cultivating an orchard or berry bushes, list out your potential costs here as well (including pest and predator deterrents).
Read the full article here.
