SS challenge! - 100+ steps to self-sufficiency

[sumi]

Hi all, I think if we all work together we can come up with 100 (or more) things, big and small, that can do be done to save energy and other resources, save money and make us less more self-sufficient. I'll start with a few things and would you all please add your ideas and tips.

1. Collect and save seeds from vegetables (either bought or homegrown)
2. Collect rainwater
3. Keep a few chickens for eggs and meat
4. Make your own bricks/blocks for building
5. Build an outdoor oven

 

[frustratedearthmother]

6. Use a clothesline
7. Have a compost pile
8. Grow the vegetables you save the seeds from
9. Turn that thermostat UP in the summer and down in the winter
10. Combine trips to conserve gasoline

 

[Britesea]

11. If you have room, start a woodlot
12. Free range your animals as much as possible
13. If you're gonna plant a tree, make it a useful one- fruit or nut or lumber
14. Learn what plants grow wild around you that can be foraged
15. Learn to fish (or as I tell my husband- he already knows how to fish, he needs to learn how to CATCH)
16. Build or buy a smoker
17. Learn to preserve food by canning, drying, smoking and/or freezing; and USE the knowledge
18. Learn how to sew your own clothes
19. Learn how to make some simple medicinals using herbs that you can grow or forage
20. Learn how to make your own cleaning supplies and/or toiletries

 

[CJ1]

21. Learn to hunt
22. Learn to do your own mechanical, electrical, wood ect work.
23. Learn to process your own livestock and game animals.
24. Learn to maintain your own game herds.

 

[Denim Deb]

25. Use a bicycle or walk if at all possible instead of driving.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Learn to:

26. Give your animals shots yourself
27. Run your own fecals
28. Pay cash whenever possible (I HATE paying interest)

 

[frustratedearthmother]

29. Make your own wine! (this might be my favorite!)

 

[CJ1]

Make wine. Check.

30. Make a reflux still to make my own fuel.

 

[Mini Horses]

31. Learn to grow and store more of your own livestock feed

 

[sumi]

32. Keep pigs for processing later, for selling piglets and for taking care of waste food and garden leftovers.
33. Keep some sheep for wool and meat.
34. Forage for wild food, berries, mushrooms, etc.
35. Make your own cheese, yoghurt and butter.
36. Take care of your own firewood supply, collect and grow, instead of buying.
37. Use a wood burner instead of heating oil or propane.
38. Build your own wind turbine.