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The Essential Guide To A Completely Self Sufficient Homestead

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In order to live on a completely self sufficient homestead you have to have skills as well as resources and those skills normally take time to learn.

A lighted kerosene lamp sitting on a table.

The good news is, you can learn them a little at a time and the progress from being completely dependent on the grid to becoming self sufficient is possible.

As for the resources, that depends on how savvy you are.

Some things are easy to trade for, work for and then there are other items you either have to make or buy.

 

Start By Deciding How Self Sufficient You Wish To Be

The degree of self sufficiency you achieve is up to you.

You can choose to be completely self sufficient and live off the grid or you can choose to be self sufficient in just the areas that matter the most to you.

By choosing what you will do for yourself it is possible for anyone, from someone who lives in an apartment to someone who is disabled, to learn how to be at least partially self sufficient.

That is not to say that someone with a disability or someone who lives in an apartment cannot make the changes needed to be completely self sufficient, because they can, depending on what they are willing to do to achieve their goal.

For example, someone who lives in an apartment could save up enough money to buy their own homestead, just like someone who is disabled might have friends or family who are willing to help them achieve their goal of being self sufficient.

Another option is to hire the help they need or even barter for it.

Many people are looking to live on a homestead and help someone else while they save up money to be able to buy their own homestead.

What You Need To Accomplish To Live On A Completely Self Sufficient Homestead

In order to live on a completely self sufficient homestead you need to learn how to do everything yourself without relying on the grid for anything.

This means you must find a way to make money using a skill you have because let’s face it, money is necessary to buy the things you cannot grow or make yourself, such as toilet paper.

You must also learn how to grow your own food and raise animals for meat, eggs and milk.

Another option is to hunt for the meat you eat and forage for wild food.

However having your own garden as well as a few chickens and goats is a much wiser decision than relying on nature to provide all of your needs.

Make A Plan On How To Go From Where You Are Now To A Self Sufficient Homestead

Finally you need a plan!

Let’s break that down, because a plan can sound scary!

Figuring out how to make a plan can even be over whelming for some people!

However when you consider what a plan is, which is simply a goal and the way you are going to accomplish that goal, creating that plan becomes easier.

Start with one goal at a time and go from there so you don’t over whelm yourself or feel like your goal is too hard to accomplish.

My homesteading journal that you can find over at my Etsy Shop is a great way to get started making your plan, documenting what you are going to do and recording the outcome. 

If you keep a homesteading journal from year to year you will start to see the progress you are making and also notice areas that no progress at all is being made.

This can help you alter your plans and be a bit more successful.

Other Resources To Help You Start Living The Homestead Lifestyle

To help you, I have started a Facebook Group called Homesteading And Prepping – Living, Loving, Learning Self-Sufficiency!

You are all welcome to join!

There is also a FREE homesteading eCourse when you sign up for my weekly newsletter.

In addition to all of this, part of my goal to become more self-sufficient includes being part of a self reliance challenge.

My goals include saving money by doing things myself and growing more food.

I also intend to challenge myself to learn new skills, which is something I love doing and something we should all do.

I want to invite you to follow the Self Reliance Challenge Pinterest Board so you can see what all of the bloggers who are participating in this challenge are doing to increase their self sufficiency skills.

This is a great opportunity for you to learn a variety of skills, increase your confidence in your own abilities as well as help you become more self sufficient!

Some of the topics you will learn more about include:

  • How to save money.
  • How to save energy.
  • How to prepare for emergencies.
  • How to grow your own vegetables, fruits and herbs.
  • How to cook healthy meals from scratch.
  • How to create your own bath and body products .
  • How to preserve the bounty.
  • How to forage for wild edibles and medicinal plants.
  • How to provide a healthy life for your family.
  • How to raise animals for meat, eggs and dairy products.
  • How to properly take care of your pets and livestock.
  • Of course there will also be DIY and craft projects!

The following bloggers are participating in the self reliance challenge.

I hope you will visit their blogs.

 

I also have the following blog posts, broken down by topic, so all you have to go is choose a topic that you want to set as your goal and start on your journey to living on a completely self-sufficient homestead.

Here are the various topics.

Living Off Grid

I also have the Living Off The Grid eBook for sale.

Self-Sufficient Living

Sustainable Living

Growing Food On A Self Sustaining Homestead

You will find numerous ideas for growing your own food in the Rural And Urban Gardening Ideas For Homesteaders blog post.

I also have a post on Food Security Preparedness – What To Do Before Disaster Strikes.

I also offer a FREE gardening basics eCourse when you sign up for my Exotic Gardening Newsletter.

In addition I have several books and eCourses on gardening available.

They are:

Cooking From Scratch

Raising Chickens

Raising Goats

Hunting

Canning Food At Home

How To Dehydrate Food

How To Freeze Food

How To Freeze Dry Food

Food Storage Is Part Of A Self Sufficient Homestead Plan

DIY Projects

Prepping And Survival Tips For The Homesteader

You can see all of the prepping and survival posts in The Ultimate Guide To Emergency Planning And Preparedness.

For those who are interested in making their own First Aid Kit, I have an eBook for sale called Homemade First Aid Kit.

I’d love to hear from you about what you want to learn how to do and where you are on your path to being completely self sufficient.

Leave your comments below!

If you like this post, please pin it to the appropriate pinboard on Pinterest.

A lighted kerosene lamp sitting on a table.

This blog post is part of the following blog hops and linky parties:

Oak Hill Homestead

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Sarah

Thursday 2nd of January 2020

Hi, this is such a great list! I'm learning to grow my own food like beans in my baby steps. Very inspiring post! Saved it for later reference.

Carol Spierdowis

Tuesday 15th of January 2019

This is a really helpful blog post. You have so many very useful links posted. I followed your pinterest board. SO cool.

Sheri Ann Richerson

Tuesday 15th of January 2019

Thank you so much! Be sure to bookmark this post if you didn't already. I will be adding more links to it as I get them put up!

Julie

Thursday 3rd of January 2019

This is a great comprehensive list. It covers just about everything you need to know about living a self reliant lifestyle - with extras to boot! I will be referring back to this one frequently!!!

Sheri Ann Richerson

Saturday 12th of January 2019

Thank you! I update this article as I add more to my site. There is just so much to learn and so many ways to be self sufficient. I truly hope everyone learns something and starts on the path to self sufficiency this year. It's a lot of work, but it is so worth it in the end!

Robin

Thursday 3rd of January 2019

Wow! Your lists are incredibly organized and helpful. It's great to be in the Challenge with you!

Sheri Ann Richerson

Saturday 12th of January 2019

Thank you! I felt the same about you and your site!

Kristi

Thursday 3rd of January 2019

Wow, what a comprehensive list of ways one could become a homesteader! I love what you said about making the choice about HOW self-sufficient we want to be. It's different for everyone! Good points made.

Sheri Ann Richerson

Thursday 3rd of January 2019

Thank you! Yes, it is different for everyone. It is also different for people at different stages of their life. It is always changing, but I think that is a good thing.

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