15 Ways to Become More Self-Sufficient

Have you ever felt the great satisfaction of being able to do something entirely on your own, without having to rely on a grocery store, repairman, government agency, or some other person to meet a specific need that you had? Not only is it a great feeling, but it can also save you a bunch of money! Check out these ways to become more self-sufficient.

Unfortunately, most of us today don’t have the knowledge, skills, or even the mindset to survive on our own for an extended period. Thanks to the convenient world of consumerism, we’ve forgotten how to think and do for ourselves, thus becoming lazy with our problem-solving skills. 

Ways to Become More Self-Sufficient

But there’s no denying it. We find ourselves living in uncertain and unprecedented times, and you just never know when those people and places that you depend on will one day no longer be available to you. That’s why you must learn these skills now so that you aren’t left scratching your head at that moment. These are 15 ways to become a more self-sufficient person.    

1. Learn to Garden

Growing fruits and vegetables from your backyard is a life skill that will get you well on your way to becoming a more self-sufficient person. You’ll be rewarded with having fresher produce, while spending only a fraction of what you normally would for your fruits and vegetables. For those who don’t have some free yard space available, you can still plant vegetables in pots or use indoor grow lights. This is where I buy all of my garden seeds: SeedsNow

In case you missed this post, Container Gardens: Everything You Need To Know

2. Cooking from Scratch 

With just a few staple ingredients, learning to cook from scratch is a healthier way to provide meals for your family. You’ll also save yourself money, and it tastes pretty darn good too! In case you missed this post, Cooking From Scratch 101.

Please stock food and water for your family. You must stock your own water because you don’t want to have to head to some store for water if your city has an unforeseen disaster. Please learn to make Sourdough Bread.

Each family member should have 4-gallons stored for each day you expect to be without water. This equals 28 gallons of water per person for 7 days. We need water for cooking, drinking, personal hygiene, and washing clothes and dishes. How To Store Water

3. Canning and Preserving Food

This is one that you may have seen your grandma or mother do many times as you were growing up, and it’s a skill that you should pass on to your children as well. Canning and preserving food allows you to store excellent tasting food for many years, and it’s fairly simple to do. You may feel it is more cost-effective to buy during case lot sales. Cost isn’t the only consideration. Think about the quality time you spend with family as you can those fruits, veggies, and even meat. You also control what contents are in those canned products.

4. Dehydrating Food 

Dehydrating your food will extend the life of it by many years, and it tastes delicious too! You can dehydrate fruits and vegetables that you grow and harvest right out of your garden. 

5. Build a Long-term Pantry 

Consider stocking up your pantry space with food items such as grains, flour, rice, pasta, canned goods, and other foods that have a longer shelf life. You’ll be thankful you have them if your family ever comes across hard times. In case you missed this post, Grocery Shopping Life Skills 

6. Create a Cold Cellar 

For those who have space in your home to build their own cold cellar, I’d strongly encourage you to do so. This gives you more storage space for food that you’ve purchased or grown throughout the year and is a low-cost way of doing so. Usually, the cold cellar is put together in your basement where temperatures tend to be more consistent and cooler than other areas. Some people may have space under a front or back porch they could consider using. It does need to be accessible without a lot of effort or you may find it inconvenient to use.

7. Animal Husbandry 

It’s more and more common these days for families to have chickens grazing somewhere on their property. In return, they are provided with fresh eggs daily, depending on how many chickens they have. 

If you have space and the resources to get yourself a dairy cow that could be used for milking, this will provide you with the source that you need to make your own cheese, yogurt, or kefir. 

8. Foraging for Food 

Foraging is when you are searching for food and other provisions in your outdoor surroundings. It doesn’t matter where you live (unless you live in a big city). There are more foraging opportunities than you may even realize. Foraging for food provides you with edible plants and even those that can be used for medicinal purposes.   

9. Learn to Hunt/Butcher Your Meat 

For those of you who live in areas that have wildlife and game roaming around in your general area, learning how to hunt is a skill that only makes sense. Learning to hunt provides you with another food supply that most of us are missing out on. 

Whether you choose to hunt or raise your animals for meat, knowing how to butcher them properly will allow you to process and store your meat so that it lasts much longer. It also keeps your meat from potentially getting mixed-up with someone else’s while at the butcher shop. I know that some of you have a weak stomach for this sort of thing, but there may come a day that your go-to butcher is no longer available to assist you with your kill. 

10. Learn to Fish/Dress Fish 

Is there a lake, river, or stream nearby where you live? If so, you’ll have access to fresh fish that may taste better than what you’ll find in the frozen food section at your local grocery store. You’ll also want to learn how to dress out your recent catch. Also, families for generations have found that fishing can be a great family pastime that brings smiles and memories for years to come.

11. Discover Natural Remedies 

Weeds are more than obnoxious when you’re trying to keep your garden in pristine shape, but believe it or not, many actually do have a purpose. For starters, they’re actually good for your garden’s soil. There are many weeds out there that can be used to make natural remedies, especially elderberry, comfrey, mullein, and plantain. A few are also good additions to salads and other meal items.

12. Learn how to Sew

Most of us don’t have the time to sew or knit our own clothing. Having the necessary sewing skills can help you repair buttons or tears in clothing. This makes sure you do not have to throw them out or rely on someone else to fix them. Sewing can also be a fun “do it together” activity for family members.

13. Make Soap and Personal Care Products

Make natural soap, deodorant, moisturizers, and toothpaste. This is not only a way for you to become more self-sufficient, but it’s also incredibly cost-effective too! There’s also the comforting feeling that you know what’s in them since you gathered the ingredients and put the products together.  

14. Learn First Aid Skills 

By taking the time to learn necessary first-aid skills, you could very well save someone’s life one day. Everyone should know how to dress a wound, perform CPR, and correctly respond and handle a person who is in distress. 

15. Create a Network  

Let’s face it, folks, we can’t do everything entirely on our own. There are specific skills that our neighbors have that some of us may lack, which is why creating a network of friends and neighbors is so important. You’ll be able to barter supplies in exchange for skills, or simply borrow from one another and develop friendships along the way. What a great way to meet and make new friends who you can learn from and look to for support when needed.

Final Word

Becoming more self-sufficient will look different for everyone, especially when considering where you live. Whether you live in the country or the city, these skills are just a few you should consider. What are some other ways to become more self-sufficient? I’d love to hear from you. May God Bless this world, Linda. 

Other Self-Sufficient Posts to Check Out

• Modern Homesteaders – Journey After 50
• Are You Prepared for Survival Without Doctors?
• 25 Easy Homesteading Skills We Need to Be Self-Sufficient

Copyright Images: Female Baker Bread Dough Deposit photos_275547534_s-2019