Does Homesteading Save Money?

Here at Secret Life of Homesteading, we understand that one of the first questions potential homesteaders ask is does homesteading save money. The fact of the matter is there are many ways homesteading can save money – if done properly.

If you’re like most people, you’re always looking for ways to save money. And if you’ve been thinking about homesteading, you may wonder if it can help you save some money.

So, is homesteading a cost-effective way to live?

The answer isn’t a simple yes or no – it depends on your specific situation. But in general, there are a few ways that homesteading can help you save money.

For example, growing your own food can save you money on groceries, and raising animals can provide you with meat, eggs, and dairy products at a fraction of the cost of buying them from the grocery store.

So if you’re looking for ways to reduce your expenses and live a more self-sufficient life, the homesteading life may be a good option for you.

This article may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy for more details.

Can Gardening and Homesteading Save Money on Fruits and Veggies?

One of the easiest ways to start a homestead, no matter how much land you live on, is by starting a garden. And especially with the price of food in grocery stores skyrocketing, having a garden is a fantastic example of a way homesteading can save money.

One of the main benefits of homesteading is that you can grow your own food. And when you grow your own food, you can enjoy some more frugal living and save money on groceries.

While the price of seeds or plants might be decently expensive compared to a couple of pounds of produce from the grocery store, when you consider how many pounds of food each seed or plant will produce, the cost isn’t even comparable. Especially when you consider the fact that homegrown food can be compared to organic, high-quality produce rather than the cheapest stuff in the produce section.

5,000 Heirloom Seeds – Packaged in 2021, Sow by 2024″>

 

In fact, studies have shown that people who have a fruit and vegetable garden and/or homestead spend significantly less on fruits and vegetables than those who don’t.

For example, according to money.com:

A well-maintained food garden yields 1/2 pound of produce per square foot per growing season, according to the NGA. So a 600-square-foot garden, the American average on which households spend $70 per year, could churn out 300 pounds of fresh produce worth about $600 annually, the association estimates.

money.com

Clearly, gardening and homesteading can save you money on fruits and vegetables.

Another thing to keep in mind is that if you are receiving SNAP food benefits (EBT), many places, including Amazon and Walmart, will accept EBT cards on food-related gardening expenses (fruit trees, seedlings, berry bushes, seeds, etc) So if you don’t have a lot of cash to invest in a garden, you can still get started with your SNAP benefits.

Now it can be easy to go overboard on your gardening investments, if you are careful and plan strategically (for example, planting some perennials rather than exclusively annuals, or making sure to harvest and preserve everything from your garden rather than letting extras go to waste) you can keep your gardening costs down, making it an even more affordable option.

As the years go by and you get better and better at gardening, you’ll even be able to increase your savings year over year compared to the first year. The first year you’ll probably save a little money but by year two or year three, you could potentially be saving a lot of money.

So if you’re looking for a way to save money on food, starting a fruit and vegetable garden is a great way to do it. And since starting a garden is one of the easiest ways for beginners to hone their homesteading skills, it’s a great place to start.

Can Raising Backyard Chickens Save Money on Fresh Eggs?

What about eggs? Can raising backyard chickens save you money on eggs?

The short answer is no. Unless food prices just absolutely skyrocket (which I suppose is totally feasible the way things have been going) a dozen eggs at the grocery store is going to be significantly cheaper than buying chicks and paying for chicken food.

However, when you consider the peace of mind that comes with knowing you will always be able to provide your family with fresh, healthy eggs no matter what the road conditions or gas prices or even your job income might be, the comparison is mute.

 

And if you’re willing to invest a little extra time and find ways to cut the costs of your chicken feed (i.e. DIY or homemade chicken feed, growing fodder for your chickens, fermenting chicken feed, or letting your birds out of the chicken coop and allowing them to free-range) you might be able to at least break even on the cost of grocery store eggs.

So, while backyard chickens might not save you money on eggs specifically, they can save you time, money, and stress in the long run by providing you with a fairly consistent and reliable source of eggs regardless of the external factors.

Can Homesteading Save Money on Meat?

Meat is typically the most expensive part of a grocery budget, so it’s no surprise that people are often curious about whether or not homesteading can save money on meat.

And the answer is… maybe.

It really depends on how much meat you eat, what kind of meat you eat, and how you go about acquiring that meat.

How much land does your homestead consist of? Will you have enough space for goats or beef or will you be limited to chickens or rabbits?

 

If you’re lucky enough to have a lot of land, you can probably raise most (or all) of the meat your family needs. However, if your homestead is on the smaller side, you might need to supplement your homegrown meat with meat from the grocery store or local butcher.

The good news is, if you take the time to put in the work in the beginning, you could potentially raise small meat animals such as chickens or rabbits for a very small cost – especially if you are making their feed. However, not every homestead will save money on backyard meat animals. Sometimes the only thing you’re saving is peace of mind in knowing exactly where your food is coming from.

How Else Can Homesteading Save Money?

One of the benefits of living the homesteading life is the ability to make money off of your labors. While a homestead may or may not be able to save you money, it can absolutely make you money if you’re willing to put in the work required to sell your eggs, produce, or even meat.

What kinds of things can you sell? Just about anything! The only limit is your imagination and your market.

Here are just a few examples of things you can make from your homestead and then sell to others for a profit:

• Eggs
• Meat (chicken, rabbit, goat, etc)
• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Seeds
• Seedlings
• Honey
• Soaps
• Crafts
• Baked Goods
• Homemade Jams and Preserves

If you’re looking for ways to make a little extra money on the side, homesteading is a great way to do it! Not only will you be able to provide for your family’s needs, but you’ll also be able to put a little extra money in your pocket.

So, does homesteading save money? In some ways, yes – especially if you’re able to produce some of your own food. However, it’s important to remember that every homestead is different and there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question.

In conclusion, homesteading and gardening can save you money on fruits and vegetables, but the cost savings may not be as significant for meat. Raising backyard chickens can save you time and stress in the long run, but might not save you money on eggs specifically. It really depends on your individual circumstances.

So, while homesteading may not save you money on every aspect of your grocery budget, it can save you money in the long run. It can also provide you with food that is healthier and more sustainable than anything you could find at the grocery store. If those things are important to you, then homesteading is definitely worth a closer look.

In the end, it’s really up to you and your specific homesteading situation to determine whether or not you’re able to save money on meat. But, with a little bit of effort, it’s definitely possible.

More Homesteading Resources

Do you want even more homesteading resources? Check out these great ideas!

 

• Homesteading Tips and Tricks
• Free Homesteading Planner
• When To Start Seeds