21 Budget-Friendly Ways to Homestead in Your Home

Ever dream of living a simple, self-sufficient life but don’t have acres of land? Good news—you don’t need a farmhouse or a big budget to start homesteading! You can grow food, reduce waste, and embrace a sustainable lifestyle right from your own home, no matter where you live.

In this post, I’ll walk you through 21 easy and budget-friendly ways to homestead in your home. Whether you’re in a small apartment or a house with a backyard, these ideas will help you save money, enjoy a more natural lifestyle, and even pick up a few old-school skills along the way. Let’s get started!

1. Grow Your Own Herbs on a Sunny Windowsill 🌱

There’s nothing like snipping fresh basil or rosemary right from your kitchen. Herbs are one of the easiest things to grow indoors, requiring little space or effort.

What You Might Need:

• Small pots or recycled containers

• Potting soil

• Seeds or small starter plants

• A sunny spot

How to Do It:

1. Choose easy-to-grow herbs like basil, mint, chives, or thyme.

2. Fill pots with soil and plant your seeds or small herb plants.

3. Water regularly and place them where they get at least 4-6 hours of sunlight.

4. Snip as needed to encourage growth!

📸 Picture This: A kitchen window lined with vibrant green herbs in mismatched pots, a tiny pair of scissors nearby for quick snips during cooking.

2. Make Your Own Bread 🍞

Nothing beats the smell of homemade bread wafting through your home. Baking your own bread saves money and lets you control the ingredients.

What You Might Need:

• Flour, yeast, salt, and water (yep, that’s it!)

• Mixing bowl

• Oven or bread maker

How to Do It:

1. Mix 3 cups flour, 1 ½ tsp salt, 2 ¼ tsp yeast, and 1 ¼ cups warm water.

2. Let the dough rise for about 2 hours.

3. Shape it into a loaf and bake at 375°F for 30-40 minutes.

4. Let it cool, then slather on some butter and enjoy!

📸 Picture This: A golden-brown loaf cooling on a wooden cutting board, surrounded by a dusting of flour and a jar of homemade jam.

3. Start a Worm Composting Bin 🪱

Composting doesn’t have to be messy or smelly! A worm bin is a compact, odor-free way to turn food scraps into nutrient-rich soil for your plants.

What You Might Need:

• A plastic bin with a lid

• Red wiggler worms (they’re the best composters!)

• Shredded newspaper and food scraps

How to Do It:

1. Drill small holes in the bin for airflow.

2. Add damp shredded newspaper to create a cozy bedding for your worms.

3. Toss in fruit and veggie scraps—no dairy or meat!

4. Let the worms do their thing, then use the rich compost for plants.

📸 Picture This: A small plastic bin tucked in a corner, with happy little worms turning banana peels into dark, crumbly soil.

4. Make Homemade Cleaning Products 🧼

Store-bought cleaners are full of chemicals and cost a fortune. DIY cleaners are just as effective and cost pennies to make.

What You Might Need:

• White vinegar

• Baking soda

• Essential oils (optional for scent)

• Spray bottles

How to Do It:

1. Mix equal parts vinegar and water for an all-purpose spray.

2. Sprinkle baking soda in sinks and tubs, then scrub with vinegar.

3. Add lemon or tea tree oil for an extra fresh scent.

📸 Picture This: A sleek glass spray bottle labeled “All-Purpose Cleaner” sitting next to a lemon and a jar of baking soda on a clean kitchen counter.

5. Raise Chickens for Eggs (Even in Small Spaces!) 🐓

If you have a backyard, chickens can be an amazing addition to your homesteading lifestyle. They provide fresh eggs and natural pest control!

What You Might Need:

• A small chicken coop

• Chicken feed and water dispenser

• Nesting boxes

How to Do It:

1. Check local laws to ensure you can keep chickens.

2. Build or buy a small coop with a fenced area for them to roam.

3. Feed them kitchen scraps and chicken feed.

4. Collect fresh eggs daily!

📸 Picture This: A rustic backyard coop with a few fluffy hens pecking at the ground, a fresh egg nestled in the straw.

6. Grow Sprouts in a Jar 🌱

Want to grow fresh greens in just a few days? Sprouting is an easy way to have nutrient-packed greens right in your kitchen.

What You Might Need:

• A glass jar

• Sprouting seeds (alfalfa, broccoli, or lentils)

• A mesh lid or cheesecloth

How to Do It:

1. Add 2 tbsp of sprouting seeds to a jar and soak overnight.

2. Drain the water and rinse twice daily.

3. In 3-5 days, your sprouts will be ready to eat!

📸 Picture This: A jar bursting with delicate green sprouts, ready to be tossed onto a sandwich or salad.

7. Make Your Own Candles for Cozy Evenings 🕯️

Nothing feels more homestead-y than making your own candles. It’s easier than you think and perfect for cozy nights in.

What You Might Need:

• Soy wax flakes or old candles to melt down

• Wicks

• Essential oils for scent

• Glass jars

How to Do It:

1. Melt the wax in a double boiler.

2. Place the wick in the jar and pour in the melted wax.

3. Add a few drops of essential oil.

4. Let it harden, then light it up for a warm glow.

📸 Picture This: A flickering homemade candle in a mason jar, casting a soft glow on a wooden table with a steaming cup of tea.

8. Ferment Your Own Foods 🥒

Fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, and yogurt are packed with probiotics that boost digestion and immune health. Best of all? They’re super cheap to make at home!

What You Might Need:

• Cabbage or other vegetables

• Salt

• Glass jar with a lid

• Water

How to Do It:

1. Shred cabbage and mix with salt (about 1 tbsp per head of cabbage).

2. Pack tightly into a jar, ensuring it's submerged in its own juices.

3. Cover loosely and let it sit at room temperature for about a week.

4. Taste-test and refrigerate once you like the flavor.

📸 Picture This: A row of mason jars filled with colorful layers of fermenting veggies, bubbling slightly as they work their magic.

9. Make Your Own Butter 🧈

If you’ve never tasted fresh homemade butter, you’re in for a treat! All you need is heavy cream and a jar.

What You Might Need:

• Heavy cream

• Mason jar with a lid

• A pinch of salt (optional)

How to Do It:

1. Fill a mason jar halfway with heavy cream.

2. Shake vigorously for 5-10 minutes until the butterfat separates from the buttermilk.

3. Strain out the buttermilk and rinse the butter with cold water.

4. Add salt, shape into a pat, and refrigerate.

📸 Picture This: A rustic wooden board with a golden pat of butter next to a warm, freshly baked biscuit.

10. Turn Kitchen Scraps into a Garden 🥔

Regrow veggies from scraps and save money on produce!

What You Might Need:

• Leftover vegetable scraps (green onions, celery, potatoes, etc.)

• Small pots or jars of water

• Soil (optional)

How to Do It:

1. Place the root ends of green onions or celery in a glass of water.

2. Once new roots appear, transplant them into soil.

3. For potatoes, plant sprouted pieces directly in the dirt.

📸 Picture This: A sunny kitchen windowsill lined with small jars, each sprouting new green life.

11. Ditch Disposable Paper Towels and Make Reusable Rags ♻️

Save money and reduce waste by using cloth rags instead of paper towels!

What You Might Need:

• Old t-shirts, towels, or flannel fabric

• Scissors

• A sewing machine or pinking shears (optional)

How to Do It:

1. Cut fabric into squares.

2. If desired, hem the edges to prevent fraying.

3. Keep them in a basket and use as needed.

📸 Picture This: A neat stack of colorful cloth rags in a rustic basket, ready for cleaning duty.

12. Make Your Own Candles 🕯️

Homemade candles add cozy charm to your home and make great gifts.

What You Might Need:

• Wax (beeswax or soy)

• Wicks

• Glass jars

• Essential oils (optional for scent)

How to Do It:

1. Melt wax in a double boiler.

2. Place a wick in the jar and pour in the melted wax.

3. Add a few drops of essential oil before it sets.

4. Let cool and trim the wick.

📸 Picture This: A glowing candle on a bedside table, filling the air with a light lavender scent.

13. Make Homemade Soap 🧼

Ditch store-bought soap for a homemade, chemical-free alternative!

What You Might Need:

• Melt-and-pour soap base

• Essential oils

• Dried herbs or oatmeal (optional)

• Soap molds

How to Do It:

1. Melt the soap base in a microwave or double boiler.

2. Mix in essential oils and optional ingredients.

3. Pour into molds and let harden for 24 hours.

📸 Picture This: A rustic soap bar with lavender buds pressed on top, wrapped in twine.

14. Make Your Own Yogurt 🍶

Homemade yogurt is cheaper, healthier, and tastier than store-bought!

What You Might Need:

• Milk

• Plain yogurt with live cultures

• A pot and a thermometer

How to Do It:

1. Heat milk to 180°F, then let cool to 110°F.

2. Stir in a few tablespoons of plain yogurt.

3. Cover and keep warm (in an oven with the light on) for 8-12 hours.

📸 Picture This: A jar of creamy homemade yogurt with fresh berries and a drizzle of honey.

15. Preserve Fruits and Vegetables with Canning 🍑

Extend the life of fresh produce by canning it for later use.

What You Might Need:

• Glass jars with lids

• Water bath canner

• Fresh fruits or vegetables

How to Do It:

1. Sterilize jars in boiling water.

2. Fill with prepared produce and cover with hot syrup, brine, or water.

3. Process in a water bath for the recommended time.

📸 Picture This: A pantry shelf stocked with jewel-toned jars of peaches, tomatoes, and pickles.

16. Dehydrate Fruits and Herbs for Long-Term Storage 🍏

Save money by drying your own fruits, vegetables, and herbs.

What You Might Need:

• Dehydrator or oven

• Fresh produce

• Airtight storage containers

How to Do It:

1. Slice fruits thinly and arrange on dehydrator trays.

2. Dry at 125°F for several hours until leathery.

3. Store in airtight jars.

📸 Picture This: A jar of dried apple slices sitting next to a steaming cup of tea.

17. Make Your Own Chicken or Vegetable Stock 🍲

Turn kitchen scraps into flavorful homemade broth.

What You Might Need:

• Vegetable peels, chicken bones, or herbs

• Water

• Large pot

How to Do It:

1. Collect scraps and freeze until you have enough.

2. Simmer in a pot of water for a few hours.

3. Strain and store in jars or freeze.

📸 Picture This: A mason jar filled with rich, golden broth, ready for a cozy homemade soup.

18.Harvest Rainwater

Set up a rainwater collection system to use for watering plants, reducing reliance on your water bill and conserving resources.

What You Might Need:

1. Gutter – To catch rainwater from your roof.

2. Downspout Diverter – Directs rainwater from the gutter into the barrel.

3. Rain Barrel – Stores the rainwater.

4. Mesh Screen – Keeps debris out of the barrel.

5. Spigot – Allows easy access to the water.

6. Overflow Pipe – Prevents the barrel from overflowing.

How to Do It:

1. Place the Barrel – Put your rain barrel under the downspout.

2. Install the Diverter – Attach it to the downspout to send rainwater into the barrel.

3. Add the Mesh Screen – Cover the barrel opening to block leaves and debris.

4. Attach the Spigot – Screw the spigot into the barrel for easy water access.

5. Install the Overflow Pipe – Attach it to the top to direct excess water away from the barrel.

19. Make Your Own Natural Cleaning Products 🧽

Ditch the chemicals and clean your home naturally with DIY cleaners made from everyday ingredients.

What You Might Need:

• White vinegar

• Baking soda

• Essential oils (optional)

• Empty spray bottles

How to Do It:

1. All-Purpose Cleaner: Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Add essential oils for scent.

2. Scrub Cleaner: Make a paste of baking soda and water for sinks and tubs.

3. Glass Cleaner: Mix 1 part vinegar to 2 parts water for streak-free shine.

📸 Picture This: A tidy cleaning caddy with reusable glass spray bottles labeled with natural ingredients.

20. Sew Your Own Cloth Napkins and Unpaper Towels 🧵

Save money (and the planet!) by swapping paper napkins for homemade, washable fabric versions.

What You Might Need:

• Cotton or linen fabric

• Sewing machine (or pinking shears to prevent fraying)

• Scissors

How to Do It:

1. Cut fabric into squares (around 12”x12” for napkins).

2. Hem the edges with a sewing machine, or use pinking shears.

3. Store in a basket and reuse for meals, spills, and cleaning.

📸 Picture This: A stack of neatly folded, patterned cloth napkins next to a rustic wooden dinner table.

21. Brew Your Own Herbal Teas 🌿

Why buy pricey tea bags when you can grow, dry, and steep your own herbal teas right at home?

What You Might Need:

• Fresh herbs (like mint, chamomile, or lemon balm)

• A drying rack or dehydrator

• Tea strainer or reusable tea bags

How to Do It:

1. Harvest fresh herbs and let them dry completely.

2. Store in airtight jars, crumbling leaves as needed.

3. Steep 1-2 teaspoons in hot water for a fresh, homemade brew!

📸 Picture This: A cozy tea setup with a steaming mug, a jar of home-dried herbs, and a wooden honey dipper.

Final Thoughts

Homesteading isn’t just for those with acres of land—it’s for anyone looking to live more sustainably and self-sufficiently. Whether you're growing herbs on your windowsill, making your own candles, or fermenting veggies, these small steps can make a big impact.

Which of these homesteading ideas will you try first? Let me know in the comments! 😊