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Have you ever wondered about what it would be like if you lived out on a farm where your neighbor was a mile away and you owned at least an acre, rather than in the middle of a bustling city with a department store just a few minutes away? To some, the idea is nothing short of weird. The homesteading lifestyle isn’t something that appeals to everyone, however some people are more inclined towards the idea of a sustainable rural life, and after you read this, no matter if you live in a big city or the middle of nowhere, you can take part in this lifestyle.

Now, you may have never heard of homesteading. The basis of it is a self-sustained lifestyle, comparable to the life of a farmer. That might sound like a difficult thing to maintain; however by using the following ten tips to guide you, you may find that it is much easier than you think.

1. Take into account that not everyone will be accepting of your lifestyle. Most people don’t completely agree with a lifestyle that isn’t their own to begin with, but a big part of building relationships and life in general is accepting others and respecting that they do things in their own way. Not everyone will do this, though, so understanding beforehand that this change in your lifestyle may be the cause of judgment is important. Just remember not to let it affect you negatively and keep on doing what you want to do – it is your life!

2. Take a look at your budget. Transitioning into homesteading might not have to be super expensive, but it’s not free either. Knowing how much you have to spend and sticking to it will ensure that you can safely start changing things without running low on funds and possibly not being able to pay important bills. Cutting out unnecessary extras can also aid in not only this, but bringing extra cash into your pocket for other necessities.

3. Begin the process of gardening, hunting, and fishing. Growing your own food is one of the major parts of homesteading. If you don’t have much of a place for gardening, take out flowers or use a small section of grass for it. Fishing and hunting cannot be done just anywhere, but there are typically places in every state for you to take part in both activities.

4. Be frugal. Spending money wisely can be difficult for some people, not just because they aren’t good spenders, but because sometimes you just get stuck in a binge shopping trance and – poof! Your extra money has all been spent. A good way to become self-sufficient is to appreciate what you have and not feel the need to buy up everything new. That’s not to say that a treat every now and again isn’t in order, but spending money on simply necessary items can leave you with much more than you probably thought was possible.

5. Start raising farm animals. Although most people probably couldn’t imagine sticking a horse and a few cows in their backyard while living in the city, there are permits that you can get for smaller animals such as rabbits and chickens that can then be used for food and show.

6. Find ways to save on using electricity. Instead of turning on artificial lights, open up some blinds. Stockpile wood and make a fire if you have a fireplace, which can be handy especially if there is a power outage. You could even invest in a generator if the other options aren’t for you.

7. Use less paper products. Buying paper towels, tissues, and more can get pricey. Replace these money-consuming items with cloths, towels, or rags. They last much longer and will save… read more at http://www.shtfpreparedness.com/live-self-sufficient-10-simple-tips/