Embrace Self-Sustainability: My Family’s Homesteading Adventure

How to start an affordable and self-sustainable homestead. Hello, friends! I’m Stacy, the founder of Sincere Scribbles, your go-to Southern blog for heartwarming stories, recipes, and a growing passion for sustainable living.

Lately, I’ve been on a personal mission to do more for our dying planet while creating a self-sufficient lifestyle for my family. With grocery prices rising and the environmental impact of mass-produced food becoming more concerning, I felt a strong pull to take matters into my own hands.

So, I set out to make some big changes, and I want to share my journey to self-sustainability with you.

Step 1: Finding the Perfect Piece of Land

It all started when I bought a piece of land about five minutes from the beautiful Tennessee River. The lot is about 3/4 of an acre—mostly wooded and nestled in the peaceful countryside. It’s a small slice of paradise, close enough to nature while giving me the space to create my dream homestead.

This is where I want to encourage anyone who is thinking about self-sustainability: You don’t need to start big. Look for affordable land in rural areas that fit within your budget. My piece of land wasn’t huge, but it’s just right for my needs, and the natural beauty that surrounds us is a bonus.

Step 2: Securing Free (or Cheap) Housing

As fate would have it, I found someone giving away a free mobile home. Yes, free! All I had to do was pay the $4,000 to have it moved and set up on my new property. This was a huge win for me and my family because it allowed us to own our home without the burden of rent or mortgage payments.

Now, I won’t sugarcoat it—this mobile home wasn’t in perfect condition. It had suffered some roof damage, which caused a few leaks. But that’s the beauty of a homestead: You take what you have and work with it. I’ve recently put on a new roof, so we’ve fixed the leaks, and I’m slowly remodeling the inside to make it a cozy, sustainable living space. Once it’s done, I’ll be sharing the final results, so stay tuned!

Step 3: Building a Self-Sustainable Homestead

With the land and the mobile home set up, I’m now focusing on creating a self-sustained homestead. Here’s a quick rundown of what we’ve done so far and what’s coming next:

• Water Source: We plan to dig a well to have our own water supply.
• Electricity: We’re looking into solar power options, which will help reduce our reliance on the grid.
• Food Production: Being just five minutes from the Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge means we are surrounded by nature’s bounty. Wild turkeys and deer roam freely, making for excellent hunting opportunities. Fresh meat from your own land is a fantastic way to cut grocery bills and eliminate harmful chemicals found in processed meats.

The beauty of a self-sustainable homestead is that it can be whatever you want it to be. Whether you dream of raising chickens, growing your own vegetables, or foraging for food, the possibilities are endless when you own your little piece of land.

Step 4: Cutting Costs in the Kitchen

Grocery prices, especially for meat, have been soaring lately, and that’s something I’m sure many of you have noticed. Not to mention the health concerns about the chemicals and additives found in many store-bought meats. In light of this, I’ve been eating less meat recently, partly to save money and also because of my chronic digestive issues.

But when I do eat meat, I want to make the most of it, so I’ve been finding some great deals on TEMU for tools to help with sustainability. One of my latest purchases was a manual meat grinder and a ham pot, which allows me to make my own deli-style meats from fresh cuts. This is a fantastic money-saver, especially when deli meats cost $10 to $20 a pound. By making my own, I get better quality, fresh meat without the chemicals, at a fraction of the cost.

Why Becoming Self-Sustainable Matters Now More Than Ever

As we approach the end of 2024 and head into 2025, the need for self-sustainability has never been clearer. With climate change, rising food prices, and health concerns at the forefront, creating a more sustainable lifestyle can have long-term benefits for both your family and the planet.

I know it might seem overwhelming at first, but trust me, if I can do it, you can too! Start small, like buying a piece of affordable land, finding ways to reduce your grocery bills, or hunting for your own meat. Every little step you take helps.

Here at Sincere Scribbles, I’m all about sharing helpful tips, recipes, and real-life experiences to inspire others on their journey to self-sufficiency. As I continue to build my homestead, I’ll be sharing all the highs and lows, so you can learn from my successes and challenges.

Final Thoughts: Becoming self-sustainable is a journey, but it’s one that’s incredibly rewarding. Whether you’re dreaming of a homestead, trying to reduce grocery bills, or looking to live more in harmony with the earth, it’s a path that leads to greater independence and well-being.

Follow along with me on this journey, and let’s work together to make our planet a better place for future generations!

Stay tuned for more on my journey to become self sustainable. I am working on a whole lot more to come in the near future.

What steps are you taking to become more sustainable? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your ideas and experiences.

Until next time,

Stacy
Founder of Sincere Scribbles