{"id":1944,"date":"2015-10-07T00:15:23","date_gmt":"2015-10-07T08:15:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.cultofmoney.com\/?p=1944"},"modified":"2015-10-06T07:09:40","modified_gmt":"2015-10-06T15:09:40","slug":"10-ideas-for-more-self-sufficient-living","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cultofmoney.com\/10-ideas-for-more-self-sufficient-living\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Ideas for More Self-Sufficient Living"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/a>Becoming more self-sufficient doesn\u2019t have to mean living off the grid in a home made out of logs and mud, foraging for all your own food, and becoming an expert hunter.<\/p>\n It can<\/em> mean those things. But, if that doesn\u2019t sound like your cup of tea you don\u2019t have to go that far.<\/p>\n Instead, here are 10 easier ideas for more self sufficient living.<\/p>\n My new chickens are actually what sparked the idea for this post.<\/p>\n My husband and I recently purchased ten laying hens on a whim. At first I was a bit freaked out by the thought. I wondered, would taking care of chickens be hard? Did we just screw up?<\/p>\n When the chickens made their way to their new home (which is my front yard) I figured out that I was wrong. The chickens have been a breeze. Very easy to take care of. (Especially if you have dogs. Or kids, for that matter.)<\/p>\n The feeling of walking out to the coop each day and gathering eggs is like none other. This has already inspired me to look for more ways to be self-sufficient.<\/p>\n Understandably, everyone cannot do this. But if having your own laying hens is something you\u2019ve always wanted I think you\u2019ll find it well worth it.<\/p>\n Planting a small garden may be one of the simplest ways to get started on sustainable living. Especially, since you can start very small.<\/p>\n Even if you live in the city or in an apartment building you can still grow a few tomatoes (or whatever you like) on your balcony.<\/p>\n A little DIY skills can along way. Both in the self-sufficiency and frugality department, which seem to go hand in hand.<\/p>\n Instead of throwing things away or immediately calling a repairman start taking on little projects. Learn how to fix your screen door, your leaky faucet, or your child\u2019s bicycle.<\/p>\n A great amount of satisfaction can stem from doing things yourself.<\/p>\n Another must-do on my list for next spring is planting fruit trees.<\/p>\n I have some amazing memories of picking peaches and apples at my Grandma\u2019s house and want my kids to have these same kinds of memories.<\/p>\n It normally takes 3-5 years for the tree to produce after being planted so it\u2019s a good idea to start sooner rather than later.<\/p>\n If you want to be more self-sufficient a more common idea is to get out of debt.<\/a> Stop racking up balances your credit cards that you can\u2019t pay. Pay cash for a car. Pay off your existing debt balances.<\/p>\n Learning to live within your means is probably the greatest money saving self-sufficiency move you can make.<\/p>\n This is funny coming from my mouth (or fingers, I should say.) I\u2019ve never been one that loves to cook.<\/p>\n However, in the middle of last month I started the Whole30 challenge in which you eat nothing but whole food for thirty days. Since starting this challenge I\u2019ve been cooking like a crazy person and actually enjoying it.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve found it amazing how many different meals I can make out of the same few ingredients.<\/p>\n Cooking yourself and not relying on take out and packaged food is a great step in self-sufficiency direction. (And one I\u2019ll be continuing to work into my life.)<\/p>\n Learning how to compost is one skill I haven\u2019t yet attempted but is high on my list. Composting turns waste into fertilizers. That\u2019s a double win.<\/p>\nGet Backyard Chickens<\/h2>\n
Grow a Garden<\/h2>\n
Learn to Fix Things Yourself<\/h2>\n
Plant Fruit Trees<\/h2>\n
Get Rid of Debt<\/h2>\n
Learn How to Cook<\/h2>\n
Compost<\/h2>\n