Skills to help you save money on the homestead
I like to save money, don’t you? Homesteaders can be the most frugal of folks, really (ask me how I know). While we’re often looking for answers on how to make money while homesteading, it’s important to know you can SAVE money while homesteading, too.
The good news is that there are so many things you can learn to do in order to pinch those pennies! This post isn’t about how to save money on groceries, but saving actual money on larger projects around the homestead.
Table of contents
How learning these 5 skills can help you learn how to save money on the homestead fast.
When it comes to homesteading, we’re all trying to get back to the basics while still saving a buck or two.
Our main goal is to lower our overhead so we don’t have to bring in too much money, therefore freeing up some time to do the things we’re truly passionate about.
When I started homesteading, I didn’t think I’d learn some of the skills I have but it’s so exciting I’ve learned to do as much as I have!
Learn to replace your well switch
We’ve had to change our well switch three times since moving here in 2016. Most of the time it’s because there was a hurricane or tropical storm and something blows, but Mother Nature IS ultimately in charge here.
Although I was pretty nervous about replacing it myself, I also knew it would save us at least $100 each time.
Protip: YouTube really is so helpful and can teach you almost anything.
My husband and I looked up what kind of well switch we needed, bought it from ACE Hardware, and watched the video on how to change it.
I suggest purchasing a voltage tester like this one to make things a little less risky…and scary. This is one of the best skills to know!
Become friends with your clean-out pipe
This one is might be TMI for some folks, but being informed on your plumbing and septic system save money on the homestead quick.
While buying our house and getting all the inspections done, I learned more than I ever wanted to know about septic systems.
Since living here, I’ve dug my system up three times and diagnosed a problem before even calling the pros. I have a long-term goal of one day opening up a woman-owned and employed septic business! But we have time for that.
Anyway, a lot of the time your problems are minor and the first thing you can check before calling the pros is your clean-out pipe.
The clean-out pipe is a piece of PVC with a screw lid on it. It’s usually just before the drainpipe or inlet pipe (the pipe that drains into your first tank).
If your toilets are backed up and using the plunger isn’t doing the trick, unscrew the cap to your drainpipe and grab a piece of a hose to poke down the pipe.
BEWARE: If your pipes are clogged, when you unscrew that lid you’ll be greeted with a volcano of everything stuck in your pipees.
There’s no doubt that learning how to maneuver around your manure can save you money. You might want to just make sure you have a nice pair of high rain boats for this one!
Working with PVC
Just like calling the septic pros, calling plumbers can be expensive. Currently, in my area, a plumber costs $95 an hour, on average.
Working with PVC is so easy and you can learn to fix almost any issue that comes up with a little help from YouTube. I’d say that learning to work with PVC is one of the easiest ways to save money on the homestead.
Keep in mind, though, that each home is different. So before you dive into a plumbing project, become acquainted with your home.
Since I learned to work comfortably with PVC I have set-up irrigation in the yard, quickly fixed busted pipes along the fence line and even fixed a leaking pipe in my bathroom!
Pressure washers (and other maintenance equipment)
Hiring someone to come and do housework can cost hundreds of dollars. By renting equipment and doing in yourself, you could be on the winning end of your wallet.
In fact, I just found out that I can rent a pressure washer from Home Depot for $38.00 a day! I’ve rented carpet steamers from Ace Hardware, also, in the past.
Learning to do something like work a pressure washer could cost you as little as $38.00 a day for an electric pressure washer and a little time.
Gas Pressure Washers cost a little more money to rent, but again, you’ll be paying a base price and time only. That’s a win in my book!
Electrical work
Okay, Confession Session: I don’t know anything about electric work and it seriously TERRIFIES me.
Okay, now that that’s done. *wipes forehead*. My father-in-law is one of the handiest men I’ve known without him working in a “handy-man” type of job.
He’s often my go-to when it comes to helping with hanging a door, changing fluorescent light bulbs, or putting up fences or doors, etc. I have a goal to have him help me learn basic stuff about electrical, but I’ll get there eventually.
My pa-in-law has added outlets to the outside of our house and switched the dining room light from fluorescent to regular. My step-dad is a construction worker and knows all of this, but he’s much further away.
Who needs YouTube when you have two fathers that know so much! I’m so blessed! If you have a family member with experience, always call them up first and see if they can help. And then if you can’t do it yourself safely, call in the pros.
Skills to save money on the homestead
There are so many other things you can learn in order to save money. I’m not claiming to be a money-saving expert and I’m not saying you should do EVERYTHING yourself. Some things are totally justifiable for calling a professional for help.
Right now, I always call someone for electrical work unless my step-dad or father-in-law is in town. I’m not comfortable learning electrical work on my own, and that is a-ok!
For some other great ideas on how to save, check out Pampered Chicken Mama’s “11 Secrets to Save Money on the Homestead“. What hacks have you learned in order to save money? Do you perform your own home maintenance?
I’m with you, electrical work terrifies me too! Everything else I’m willing to DIY or at least attempt it.
It really is amazing what we can do ourselves. Finding someone that knows say the electrical end of it to help is awesome and you can always barter for the service or go help them when they need something.
I totally agree with you, Candy. That’s my next goal – to barter more. My mom barters many things but I just haven’t found the way yet. I’ll get there eventually!
I am always looking for ways to allow homesteading to be money saving. Thanks for the tips. Found you on the hop!
I love the hop! Thanks for stopping by!