If you’re curious about greater self sufficiency, these modern homesteading ideas are perfect for beginners! Get all the how tos for getting started on your homesteading journey, plus advice to help you afford the start up costs.
Homesteading isn’t for everyone, but everyone can implement parts of homesteading into their lives. Many of us crave a simple life in this busy world!
So today, let’s talk about some big and small modern homesteading ideas you can put into place to make at least some part of your life simpler.
Which parts of this list will help you do more with your own hands?
Modern Homesteading Ideas to Try
Here’s a collection of fantastic ideas from simple living bloggers who want to encourage you to live life in a more meaningful way.
Getting Started
Looking for more of an overview to see how you can fit homesteading ideas into your life? These awesome articles will get the wheels turning in your homesteading journey
1. Anyone can start the simple life right away by embracing parts of minimalism and simple living.
That doesn’t have to mean selling everything and moving into a tiny house! Start by decluttering whatever you can in your house.
Try to get rid of one bag of things per day.
Decluttr is a super easy way to get rid of things. You just put your stuff into a box and ship it to them. They’ll give you cash…and you don’t even have to leave the house!
2. You might not be up for hanging all of your laundry to dry. But why not dry some of it that way?
I’ve been using this rack for years to dry gloves and things that won’t hold up in the dryer.
You can also use a simple rack like this to hang just a few things. You won’t believe how much you can save on your electric or gas bill by cutting back on using the dryer.
3. Cut back on the busy-ness in your life. What can you do without? Most of us are too involved in activities, extra-curriculars, and even volunteering.
Yes, the world desperately needs volunteers. But some of us are over doing it.
4. Start by getting curious. What can you do at your own house? I’ve owned this book for years, and I just love to turn through the pages and dream up new ideas.
How To Find the Money To Start
5. The simple life is all about being frugal. There are tons of things anyone can do to live a more frugal life. See how many of these 50 frugal tips you’ve used.
6. Sign up for the Medium Sized Family newsletter. I’ll send you ideas for saving money that you probably haven’t tried yet:
Growing Your Own Food
Most homesteaders dream of growing their own fruits and veggies so the grocery store becomes their own backyard!
7. Start with a plan! Get step by step ideas for plotting out a vegetable garden here.
8. If you’re intimidated by gardening or just want to start with something small, a raised bed garden might be just for you! Get 6 different raised bed plans here.
9. How much food should you grow to feed your family? Find the answer here!
10. If you love the idea of gardening more, but your back just can’t take all that weeding, lasagna gardening might be perfect for you!
11. Have more success with growing your own sugar snap peas when you take these simple steps to presprout them.
12. Been curious about growing your own black beans? It’s not as hard as you think!
13. Use cinnamon in your garden to grow better produce. Really!
14. Trees are a great way to grow food year after year. Use these tips to plant your own hazelnut tree.
15. Asparagus is another perennial plant that you can grow for super cheap!
16. Composting is a great way to use up scraps from your garden…and prepare to have an even better garden next year! Get started on your own compost piles with thesecomposting tips for beginners.
17. I have a serious phobia of snakes, so that’s the last thing I want to encounter when I’m gardening. Luckily, there’s help for that, too! Learn how to naturally repel snakes.
Cooking From Scratch
You probably already cook several things from scratch. This week, encourage yourself to make something you had never thought about doing on your own!
18. Try one of these homemade condiment recipes!
19. Use this list of make ahead recipes to find many things you can make on your own!
20. Making your own bread sounds intimidating. But you can actually throw together a batch of the most delicious loaf using this recipe for 5 minute artisan bread with almost no effort!
21. Make homemade oatmeal breakfast bars or baked oatmeal casserole using what you have on hand.
Build Your Pantry
22. Save all that produce! You can get started by cutting up a lot of fruits and veggies and freezing them in bags or containers.
23. Learn how to can your food. If you can boil water, you can use a water bath canner like this one (which is pretty affordable) to save tons of foods. (But not everything…some things require a pressure canner to be safely stored. So do your research!)
23. Another way to save food is to dehydrate it. You can use your own oven to get started.
Raise Some Animals
24. Most homesteaders who want to raise livestock start with chickens. They’re small, affordable, and pretty easy for beginners. Learn how to order your first flock online!
25. In fact, chickens can be even more affordable than you think! Here’s a list of chicken supplies you can find at the dollar store.
26. Looking forward to that rich, dark yellow yolk in your home grown eggs? These tips will help!
27. Already living with chickens? Kick it up a notch and add a couple of goats! (Of course, you’ll want to read this one titled What I Wish I Had Known About Getting Goats.)
Make Your Own
28. Lotion Massage Bars You won’t believe how simple this is! What a great first home remedy to try.
29. Pine Resin Salve is good medicine for healing cuts and scrapes.
30. Here’s a list of 18 things you can make yourself! You’ll find everything from toothpaste to facial cleanser.
Build Your Homesteading Skills
31. If you’re serious about getting off the grid, check out this plan for a DIY Portable Laundry Washing Machine! (This would also come in handy for people who love to camp.)
32. Make your own strawberry tower so you can grow even more in a small space!
These modern homesteading ideas will get you started on the path to a simpler life.
Don’t be overwhelmed by all the new things you can try! Choose one and see how much fun you can having learning something new.
To some, frugal living is about deprivation. But in truth, frugality is all about making the best choices you can with your money. Know the difference between need and want and you’ll be well on your way!
Read about it here:
Which of these simple living ideas will you try first?
