In my series of articles on frugal hobbies, I break down an individual hobby for people who want to have fun without breaking the bank. The overview will include the details of the hobby itself, how to go into it with a frugal mindset, and the best ways to make use of your money. Not all of the hobbies covered are cheap or easy to get into, but I find ways to help you save money while still being able to partake in your favorite pastimes.
The Appeal
These days, there is an increasingly popular trend for people to try their hand at homesteading. With skyrocketing grocery costs, and the cost of living in urban areas worse than ever, there is a certain appeal of getting away from the chaos. Homesteading can’t fix everything, but it can certainly help people cut costs and enjoy a more rural lifestyle. Whether you’re already homesteading, or considering it in the future, I have a breakdown with all the details you need in order to try your hand at homesteading!
Homesteading
Homesteading is perfect lifestyle for those who need some space – meaning that it is all about independence and self-sufficiency. Usually it entails things like owning a large property, growing your own crops, having livestock, and producing some of your own clothes or furnishings. It’s usually done in a rural area. While the definition is a bit broad, there are definitely common trends and patterns in the homesteading lifestyle.
With the independence and self-sufficient aspect in mind, it’s usually easy to understand what homesteading is when you see it in practice. For example, someone may grow some basic crops and have livestock, and use renewable sources of energy to power their home. It’s less about the details, and more about the broad lifestyle choices that lead to independence.
The Pros Of Homesteading
As you can imagine, there are tons of pros to homesteading. After all, it is incredibly popular these days and only getting bigger! Now, take these pros with a grain of salt because even though they may be nice, it might not be right for your lifestyle – keep the big picture in mind.
Self-Sufficiency Is The Crux Of Homesteading
First off, if you haven’t noticed the theme, self-sufficiency is the big perk behind homesteading. Obviously, you can’t be completely self-sufficient. However, homesteading allows you to obtain the most self-sufficient and independent lifestyle these days. So, if you want to be self-sufficient and on your own terms, then homesteading could be for you.
Homesteading Comes With Pride and confidence
There is a lot of work that goes into homesteading. That’s not a great thing, but it does come with the pride and confidence from completing so much on your own. So, another big pro is the confidence you can get from homesteading and being independent.
Exploring Personal Interests
Another perk about homesteading is that you get to spend more of your time exploring personal interests. This is, of course, assuming that you like the work that goes into homesteading. For example, if you like gardening, then homesteading lets you spend a lot of time on that. Likewise, if you love working with animals, that is another facet of homesteading. Even if you prefer staying inside and sewing, that is something homesteading supports and leans into. There is enough opportunity to really dive into some amazing hobbies with homesteading.
You Get Your Own Private Space
Some of you make take privacy for granted, but those who live in urban or suburban areas can confirm how important privacy is. For homesteading, you generally need a decent chunk of land. With that comes work, yes, but it also comes with a lot of privacy. You probably won’t have to deal with an HOA, and your neighbors probably live a little bit away so you have room for you and your family to enjoy some peace and quiet.
It Can Be A good Childhood For Kids
Speaking of family, that brings me to my next point. A homesteading lifestyle can be great for kids. We all want what is best for our children, and we do our best to set them up for life. Sometimes that is hard to do these days, but if they’re raised by parents who are homesteading, they will really appreciate it in the long run. Better yet, it will give them tons of skills they can use to be independent once they reach adulthood as well.
The Cons Of Homesteading
We went over the pros of homesteading. As you have probably noticed, there are several cons to homesteading as well. After all, even though it is becoming more popular, it is not for everyone. Now, pay attention to these cons and keep the pros in mind. Once you have all of the information, think it over before you decide to start homesteading or avoid it.
It’s A Lot Of Work
I mentioned this earlier, but homesteading is a lot of work. This may not be an issue if you love gardening, animals, or crafts. However, this can be the worst thing ever for your life if you hate all of those. You don’t have to love all the work that comes with homesteading, but if none of it lies in your personal interests, you’re going to have a hard time keeping up with everything. Don’t take the workload lightly.
Upkeep Is Expensive
On top of that, there is a lot of upkeep required when you homestead. This can increase your workload, but it’s often pricey too. You can usually make money through homesteading, but it depends. So, if you can’t handle the upkeep with your workload or the raw cost of maintaining everything, that is another deterrent you need to consider seriously.
You’re Isolated
While this brings privacy, a lot of times when you homestead you are fairly isolated. This comes with its own set of negatives. You won’t necessarily be close to family, neighbors may be to hard to help you with something if you need it, and you may have a long commute. Besides that, basic conveniences like grocery stores can be a hefty drive in and of themselves.
Getting Your Money’s Worth During A Move Is Hard
When you decide to sell a home after you’ve been homesteading, it can be hard to get your money’s worth out of it. These properties can be slower to sell, especially in rural areas, and buyers may even have a hard time funding the purchase. This isn’t a horrible con, but it’s something to consider if you don’t plan on living there for many, many years.
How To Start
Starting can be intimidating, but it shouldn’t be. As long as you keep your goals and wishes in mind, homesteading can be a great opportunity for you and your family.
Your priority will need to be figuring out the right property for the investment. Picking the right property is mandatory for success. It can take a lot of hustle and effort to figure it out, but ultimately anyone can.
Conclusion
Hopefully this article gave you the basics behind homesteading, the pros and cons that come with it, and how to make the most of the hobby! If you have any tips or thoughts of your own, let us know in the comments.
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