Self-reliance, the ability to do more for you with less money and fewer resources, has been my goal since I was young. But as years pass, it seems like the things we need to live well- eat healthy food, have clean clothes, stay warm in winter, etc.- are going up in price while our pockets stay the same. One way around this is to become self-reliant: grow your food, sew your clothes, and not outsource so much of life’s necessities.
The following list of ways to become self-reliant will hopefully be a useful guide as we try and buy less and create more. Some require large investments of money or time, while others require a bit of both. Some are not for everyone. But they have all been personally tested by me, and I hope you’ll find them helpful.
1. Grow your food
You don’t need to have a big yard; just some flower pots on the windowsill filled with herbs are enough growing space to get started. A few cherry tomato plants in a sunny spot outside are another way to start if you don’t have much time or money to invest.
Become a master at harvesting seeds from the food you buy and plant them for next year’s crop, even if they’re organic. Learn all about how to save your seed at home.
2. Raise your animals
Even if you live in the city, you can raise chickens, rabbits, and even fish in small amounts. Chickens are a great way to get started- they’re easy to care for and will provide you with eggs regularly.
3. Sew your clothes
This one isn’t for everyone, but it’s great if you like crafts. If you want to sew your clothes, start by making pajamas. You can get them on sale or clearance and add simple embellishments like ribbon or lace to make them unique. It’s something fun to do anyway.
4. Go out of business for yourself
In a culture where everyone wants it all, and they want it now, many people are going out of business these days because they can’t compete with the larger stores. If you have a good idea for a product or service that might fill a niche in your community, give it a shot! You’ll command higher prices if people know they won’t be able to get it anywhere else.
5. Make your products
Soap, lotion, toothpaste are the list of products you can produce at home is endless. Making these types of things can save you a fortune over time because they might cost much more to purchase than their ingredients would cost if you bought them yourself. The best part is that you get to use the freshest ingredients and know exactly what’s in your products. You can choose not to put certain things or chemicals in them, whereas it may be harder to find commercial versions without these items.
6. Use less electricity
You don’t need to go off-grid to save money on electricity. Start by unplugging all your appliances when you’re not using them, taking shorter showers, and installing LED light bulbs to replace incandescent ones.
7. Make your cleaning products
You can buy natural versions of these items or whip up a batch yourself to save money. There are many recipes for effective versions of many common household cleaning products on the blog before. Here are some recipes for homemade versions of cleaner, bleach, and fabric softener.
8. Repair your things
Clothing that has a small hole or stain? This tutorial does not need to toss it out or spend money on something new learn how to patch clothing. If you recently purchased a defective item, take it back to the store and ask for a refund.
9. Make your meals
This one might be a tougher challenge for those with busy lifestyles, but it’s something to aspire to. I make most of my meals from scratch and only eat out on weekends. If you cook at home, you can save a lot of money over time by making your food rather than buying premade versions. You can also control the ingredients in your food and make sure they’re all healthy.
10. Cut your hair
This one is a little scary for some, but it can be done with a bit of practice. I’ve cut my hair for years, and it’s saved me a ton of money. You need to invest in a good pair of hair-cutting shears and a few styling products to make it work.
11. Grow your food
Even if you live in an apartment, you can still grow some food. Herbs are a great place to start and don’t take up much space. You can also try growing tomatoes, peppers, or other vegetables in containers on your balcony or porch.
12. Get creative with transportation
If you’re looking for ways to save money on transportation, start by thinking outside the box. Carpool with friends, take the bus or subway or ride your bike to work or school. If you have to run errands, try combining them into one trip instead of making multiple trips.
13. Refinance your mortgage
If you’ve been paying your mortgage for a while, you can probably refinance your mortgage to save money. Start by comparing rates at LendingTree to see if you could benefit from this. Even a 1% difference can add up over time.
14. Buy things used
This one should be fairly self-explanatory because it saves you money immediately, but I’ll say it anyway. Try checking out your local thrift store or online auction sites before buying it new if you’re looking for something. You might be surprised by what you find.
15. Negotiate a lower rate on your cell phone plan
Call them and ask if they’ll lower your rate if you’ve been with your current cell phone carrier for a while. I’ve done this many times, and it always works- sometimes you can even get them to throw in a free phone or extra minutes for the same price.
16. Look into health insurance plans
I’m not a fan of Obamacare, but it has made health insurance much more affordable for some people, especially if you’re young and single. If you don’t have health insurance already, look into your state’s options for private plans or check out healthcare.gov.
17. Live with a roommate
This tip should be pretty self-explanatory- live with a roommate to save money on housing. I’ve been living with my boyfriend for the past year, and it’s saved us a ton of money.
18. Get a side hustle
A side hustle is a great way to make extra money, especially if you’re in between jobs or need to pay off some debt. If you don’t already have one, start by checking out this list of ideas. You can also make money by selling things you no longer use- check out Craigslist, local Facebook yard sale pages, or your local thrift store.
19. Walk
Walking is a great form of exercise and only requires some good shoes. Start by taking walks around your neighborhood after dinner, then work your way up to longer trips. I promise you’ll feel better and save money on gas, bus fare, or taxi rides along the way.
20. Sell your junk
Have a garage full of stuff that’s just taking up space? Please take pictures of everything you don’t want and sell it online. You can make some quick cash that way and get rid of things you no longer need.
21. Stop buying bottled water
It’s bad for the environment, it costs a fortune, and you can make your own much more easily at home with a filter jug. If you’re worried about the taste of your tap water, try adding some lemon to give it an extra zing.
22. Quit smoking
This is a huge one, obviously, but it’s worth mentioning. Smoking costs a ton of money, and it’s not good for your health. If you’re struggling with quitting, talk to your doctor or try one of these methods. You’ll be glad you did in the long run.
23. Cut back on eating out
Eating out is a fun and easy way to socialize, but it’s not very good for your wallet. If you’re looking to save money on food, make more meals at home. You can also try cooking one extra meal a week and freezing the leftovers, so they don’t go to waste.
24. Try couponing
Coupons are a great way to save money if you’re willing to put in the time. There are many ways to find coupons, including apps like Ibotta/Shrink or Clipper, websites like RetailMeNot, and even printable coupons that you just cut out.
25. Use an RSS feed reader
If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you know I’m a big fan of RSS feed readers. They’re a great way to keep track of all the blogs and websites you want to read without having to visit them all individually. This can help you save time and money by preventing you from visiting unimportant websites or clicking on too many ads.
26. Brown bag your lunch
This one is pretty self-explanatory, but it’s worth mentioning. You can save a ton of money by packing your meals for work or school instead of buying lunches out every day. If you’re worried about not having time to cook in the morning, cook extra on your free day and freeze it for later.
27. Get a library card
Libraries are a great resource for books, movies, magazines, and even internet access. Most libraries also offer free classes and workshops on a variety of topics. If you don’t have a library card, get one today!
28. Cut back on alcohol
Drinking can be expensive, especially if you’re going out to bars or buying wine or liquor. Consider cutting back on your alcohol consumption or only drinking at home. You’ll save money and probably feel better in the long run.
29. Ride your bike
This is another great form of exercise that doesn’t require much money. All you need is a good bike and a helmet- you can find deals on both at your local bike shop.
30. Start an emergency fund
An emergency fund is a crucial part of any self-reliant lifestyle. It’s a stash of cash for things like unexpected medical bills, car repairs, or job loss. If you currently don’t have one, start small and work your way up to having at least $1,000.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a way to become more self-reliant, then this list is the perfect place to start. These 30 ways can help you find your independence in many aspects of life, and they may even provide some insight on how we got here as human beings in the first place! It’s time to get ready for anything with these helpful suggestions that will make it easier for you to live without relying on others – or at least less often. Be sure not to miss out on any great tips by following this guide from beginning to end!
