We all want to be self-dependent and self-sufficient in our lives, which means a lifestyle where we can live all on our own and need no help from others. This is known as a Self-Sustaining lifestyle. A basic definition of the term Self Sustaining lifestyle is, to be having the ability and resources to take care of yourself without any external interference. A self-sufficient economy is one that requires no assistance with the outside world. An example of a self-sufficient person can be a person who grows his food or makes his clothes.

As the idea itself suggests having a self-sufficient lifestyle is not a cakewalk and cannot be achieved easily. A person has to work hard and take care of a lot of things to achieve a self-sustaining lifestyle.

Here are some ideas which might help you in attaining self-sufficiency in your lives:

1. Start from reducing expenses

Reducing expenses is a difficult yet easier task. This can be done by just eliminating a few of your habits from daily lifestyle like start using only one mobile phone service instead of having two or three mobiles at home. Start using leftovers and shop from second-hand stores, use old towels for dusting, and use products that can be recycled and reused. This helps in saving both money and energy to buying products again and again.

2. Make a budget and stick to it

Having a monthly or weekly budget in hand is very helpful when it comes to self-sufficiency. Make a plan about every single penny you spend on different stuff and eliminate the stuff which is not of much use and focus on stuff which is important for daily use. Then make a budget on how much money has to be spent on every single thing and stick to the budget. Also, try to make savings along with following that budget.

3. Save energy

Electricity or energy is one of the most important and valuable resources in everyone’s life. It’s impossible to survive without energy. Hence, we need to save energy and get closer to a self-sustaining lifestyle. This can be done by replacing light bulbs with energy-saving lights. Instead of using a dryer to dry your clothes, use sunlight to dry your clothes, let your hair dry naturally rather than using a hairdryer. Unplug all the electric devices which are currently not in use and watch less TV. Many more things can be taken care of to save energy.

4. Buy seasonal foods

Always make sure that you consume fresh and seasonal fruits and vegetables. This helps in saving money as buying non-seasonal fruits and vegetables is very costly. Try to buy items which are in sales, this again helps in saving money and reduce expenses. Another idea can start growing your vegetables and fruits, it will take some of your precious time and hard work but is worth it. This is one of the best ways to achieve a self-sustaining lifestyle. This can also help in earning money by selling those vegetables and fruits.

5. Be prepared for the worst

We all need to prepare ourselves for any kind of situation which may occur in the future or are unexpected. This can be done by taking care of some things like having a generator always working just in case the electricity goes off, you need to have your refrigerator working. Filling plenty of water in bottles for future use in case of a water crisis and having a first aid kit readily available in case of any emergency.

Conclusion

These are some of the tips which will help you in achieving a self-sustaining lifestyle and become more independent.