It ain't free, Babe...

[chamoisee]

Let's get right to the point: homegrown is better, but it sure ain't free. I've seen a lot of people go into homesteading with unbounded enthusiasm and unrealistic plans, only to bail, while some others end up downsizing. I'm not tryign to be a spoilsport, but I do think that a realistic look at the expenses of homesteading is called for.

Land: Unless you got your land for free and pay no taxes on it, this is a huge expense, probably the greatest. You wouldn't have acreage if you didn't want to live the country life, so this should be counted as an expense unless you live in town or in an apartment building.

Fencing, barns, coops, gates, etc: These are other significant expenses. Even if you scavenge, it is rare to be able to scavenge all the material needed, and the time invested in patching together free materials is often much greater than if you built with new material. If it is a temporary structure, you have to build another one someday, so even more cost is incurred.

Time: I understand that homesteading can be therapeutic, but let's be honest; it can also be extremely stressful and downright heartbreaking. Your time does have a dollar value, as you sell it when you're working a 9-5 job, or are self employed, or are selling a product that you made or grew. Don't think so? Will you sell a machine made quilt that took a day to make for the same price as a hand-pieced, hand-quilted one that took two years? I didn't think so, and that's because one took more time. A lot of couples who homestead break up due to the stress and lack of time...I've been one. Time is a very important consideration.

Casualties of nature: rampaging dogs in the hen house, rampaging goats in the garden, insects, disease, floods, frost, drought, natural disasters....these incur a heavy toll.

Equipment: wheelbarrows, milking pails, syringes, medications, hoof trimmers, gloves, rubber boots, shovels...these are all expenses, because you wouldn't pay them if you weren't homesteading.

Water, electricity, and gas: depending on where you live and what kind of farming you're doing, these can really add up. Huge freezers to store all that homegrown meat cost a lot to run. Irrigation....these are added expenses.

Animals: this cost is actually one of the lowest, so you might as well buy the best that you need. Getting them at a sale barn or as freebies is a waste of your time and money. Buy good, productive ones.

Fruit trees, seeds, etc: sometimes are free, but even when I grew most of my own seed, I still liked to try new varieties, and to get fruit, nut, and berry trees that we didn't have.

Feed: This is probably the greatest expense after land. I don't want to hear that it's free to feed them, because it isn't so. Even if they graze all spring, summer, and fall, they still need to eat during the winter, and the pregnant and milking ones need grain. Chickens can be mostly range fed, but chances are, they'll also need grain or boughten food at least some of the time. Even if they did graze 365 days a year, that requires land and fencing, an expense. Get animals that produce well for the investment in feed.

In conclusion, plan carefully, be aware of the costs, and don't undervalue what you produce. It has cost you dearly, so charge according, and invest in new species with the clear view of investment in mind.

[Zookeeper]

This is probably the thing that discourages me most about trying to homestead. It is costing us SO much more than it would just to live somewhere else...I even comment on occasion that I could buy all organic food for far less than the $ we have in all of this so far In our situation, we came here broke, jobless and homeless and have really scratched our way up...started with undeveloped land and had to do it all ourselves...not even any family help. So for all the $ we have put into all those things you mentioned, I am always aware that it is not saving us $ but rather costing us a bucket load of $ to do this, so it's kind of like a hobby.

And then there's the time factor...it gets me down. I know it gets DH down to work his 60 hour+ weeks and then have to work all weekend.

I have been thinking about all this a lot lately, especially in light of the fact that I am supposed to start college this fall and all that stuff I take care of during the week...well...I don't see it being kept up for the 2 years I'm going to be in school. I JUST don't see it.

So...what's the good news? :baby04:

I know it's a great way to live and it's much better for the kids but sometimes I do question the price we're paying. And I dang sure don't want to be one of those people who lost their marriage over it.

Any sage advice from someone who's BTDT on how to keep your sanity through all of it but to keep on plugging away?

Oh...and all those people down the road who think my "extra" eggs and milk ought to be "free" to THEM...bite me!!

[Stephen in SOKY]

Upkeep. Never underestimate upkeep. Things wear out. Things break.

Insurance. If you've never had insurance that includes animals and their incumbent liabilities, it's never cheap.

[eurycea12]

Excellent post! I wish I had heard some of this before I made the leap, especially from someone with the experience to back it up.

Too many publications and organizations are just selling a product. I had read how one can scavenge all kinds of builing materials. It is not true. Yes you might get lucky but most of that stuff is going to be used, already given to relatives or sold for scrap. I have gotten a few things from new friends but the majority to keep our property going is paid for.

We have been blessed and both found good jobs, but they are not out there for the taking in a rural setting and it will get worse.

Thank you for this post. Maybe you could use your experience to write an article for one of the magazines I read before starting on our big adventure!

[bergere]

I like knowing where my food comes from... I grow it, I know what goes into it. I grow Veggies and fruit for me to eat through out the year.
I get a side of Beef from a local rancher down the road a bit. Grass fed, know what goes into said meat. They handle the cattle and I buy said meat in those nice little white packages. Saves me the stress of dealing with running cattle on my place. Know what it takes..as my Dad used to run a lot of cattle.
Buying from another local helps keep the money where it is needed.. keeping another Farmer going.

We hay too... but I pay another local to do that for me. I sell half my crop of hay, so no money comes out of my pocket. Helps another local and less work for me.

It does take time to build up a farm with the needed things. It can work, if you have the knowledge and or willing to learn.

Yes, farming is hard and some times Thankless work but I would not want to do any thing else. It is a way of life I hope to never change.

[EarthSheltered]

But you can walk away from a lot of homesteading. Sell your animals, let the land and garden lie fallow, and just take a year off. You can always come back to it. For the poster going to college for two years, I would concentrate on my studies, cut back on the homestead where ever possible. The land and buildings will still be there when you are done. Getting ahead is important, and saving a marriage is even more critical.

Lets face it, very few homesteaders can make it without outside income. Be it a 9-5 job, self-employment, or a government check (SS) to pay the things we cannot produce. I think its more a mindset, a lifestyle than an absolute. You don't HAVE to can all your food, you don't HAVE to bake your own bread, etc. Do what you can, and look to the future.

[Joy in Eastern WA]

Bergere, I'm right there with you.

City dwellers may paint a rosey picture of the rural live, but once removed from the comforts of the city, reality of country living and all the aspects of running a homestead or small farm doesn't seem so romantic after all. Yes, it is hard work on a farm, but I call it healthy work. It's work that I believe we were all created to do. The stress levels are no where near that of those climbing corporate ladders; the pace is much slower, and I believe the rewards can be much greater. Financial gain isn't the only measure of success when one lives and works in the coutry.

Maybe some plant too big a picture of what they want out of a homestead and fail as they try to do too much too quickly. Homesteading, small farming is a life long commitment, taking small steps at a time and watching the place transform into your dream. It's pursuing that dream that makes it all worthwhile, just be willing to take it slow and don't give up. You will live a healthier life living and breahting the clean country air!

[geo in mi]

Having babies isn't free, either, but somehow, I ended up with three of them.

I lived in suburbia for about 20 years before getting this place. No, I don't make a living from it, and it would be foolish of me to try. But I can't wait for the fishing(my freezer meat) and gardening(my vitamins, and my gymnasium) to begin. So, I live on a 'modified' homestead. Modified by me. And it's free for my five grandaughters.

[Watcher48]

I been saying this for years. If your not after the quality of life it brings forget it! Your not going to save the planet. Your so called carbon footprint is far and beyond the average apartment dwelling video game player.

[o&itw]

I have run into a lot of what would call "hobby farmer's" here abouts.
No problem with that, If they can do it great for them. However, they are spending lots of money that must come from some place else. If they look at their balance sheets, they would see that they are putting a great deal more money into the place than they are getting out. Southern Missouri is filled with 20 -40 acre "horse-farms" some people buy a summer cabin on the lake, some people put all their money on bass boats or ski trips. These people love to garden and raise animals on a large scale. It is great, and I am happy for every one of them that can do it. It does present a problem, though, when novice (self-suficeint-style) homesteaders read their posts and do not realize that these people have an outside income heavily subsidising their venture.

I would love to be in that boat, but if you are one who is not, and you are thinking about homesteading..realize that very few people can actually make money on a small farm. It is "an existence" that is wonderful in May when he bills are paid, the garden is in, and the animals are animals are grazing in the lush green medows. The rest of the time... you need a good deal of money to get started.....and above all, you must love to work. The fruits of your labor are the joy of accomplishment, and barely getting by.

[Cotton Picker]

Ahhhhh..... Reality check.

Come and listen to a story 'bout a man named Jed, (Names have been changed to protect Jed and all his kin.) They sold their home out West and carried the note, (Good thing, because later on the house payment kept them alive.) With hearts full of enthusiasm they loaded up the truck and moved to......the Ozarks, (I know... Kinda a Jed in ree-verse) They sunk their hard earned George Washingtons into a little place that they fondly referred to as Chigger Hill, ( I know... Not as catchy as "Tara" but if you've ever been et up by chiggers and their kin the seed tick, ya know whut I mean.)

For most the better part of a h'yar (year) they lived in The Old Home Place, (a log house, with no insulation or indoor plumbing.) They ended up buildin' a place on The Hill (Chigger, that is), nice walk out basement place. 'Cept they could only dry it in, leave the upstairs unfinished, and live in the basement.

They din't know the first thing 'bout farmin', cept what they read in them books, (Ya know the kind... The ones that come with a pair of rose-colored glasses) They got in up to their eyeballs in raisin' feeder pigs, (You know... The old timey mortgage lifters) Yeah... they spent many a night out there in the farrowin' barn freezin' their hiney's off tendin' to sows havin' pigs. They done alright for awhile... Till they got a wrong order on a batch of feed that dried up their sows and kept 'em from breedin' back.....Then the bottom fell out of the feeder pig market...... Then danged if they permanently misplaced their shirts... If ya know whut I mean.

They figgured they'd get into the cattle business.... Bought some right nice cows... had some nice calves..... The cows was wild as deer though. (Boy cud I tell yu'ns some stories there) They turned 'em onto their place that hadn't been grazed off in quite a spell...... Lots of grass.... Fescue... had several cows come down with Fescue Foot, (Endophyte Fungus Toxicity) Had several of them to have their toes slough right off..... Had ta put one down on account of it.

They had this really friendly feller offer ta build them a deck onto their new house. They forewarded him 'bout $2500..... He drug out a few boards to their place...... Even nailed a few of 'em together before he took off with the rest of the money.

Well... They was tough ol' Jed an' Granny.... They hung on. They blew through their savin's in short order, (ya know things are cheaper out in the hills, 'cept there's no way of replacin' money spent, when alls ya kin git is a minimum wage job)..... So that's whut they done.... Jed 'n Granny went ta shovelin' manure at the feeder pig sale barn 'n loadin' pigs after the sale. Whooda thunk thet ther'd be politics involved with a manure shovelin', minimum wage, pig barn job..... But there was.... Couple'a the other employees tried ta accuse ol' Jed of tryin' ta molest one of gals that worked there... tried ta get him fired too.

I'll tell yu'ns fer shure... Like I said... if it weren't fer the money commin' in from the sale of their house out west ... They woulda starved out fer shure.

Oh yeah..... They bought their Ozark place with a five year balloon type set up..... Danged if they had a dickens of a time gettin' the place financed when the balloon came due... They was sweatin' bullets there for awhile.... But they Got 'er Done.

Well, long story short.... they hung on, and eventually done alright..... but it twern't quite like in the story books... Ya know.... the one's ya read with yer rose-colored glasses.

Y'all come back now.... Ya hear?

[Otter]

Gotta spend your time and money on something if you want to live. Pick what you want and go for it. Is homesteading easy? Is living in an apartment waitressing for a living easy? Is going to school to try and get a better job while still keeping the one you have so you can keep paying those bills easy?

Nope, not one of those things is easy. Pick your path and pay your way. How many times do you expect to live? Might as well enjoy it.

[Bonnie L]

Originally Posted by Otter

Pick your path and pay your way. How many times do you expect to live? Might as well enjoy it.

The path is beautiful but sometimes the going is hard.
No savings left, we're still in the small cabin we thought we'd be out of at least 5 years ago, learned some hard, expensive lessons about cars & equipment - but I wouldn't change a thing.

Well, maybe the money part - I'd sure like to have a bit more of that!

[whiterock]

My Daddy said that farmin is the best life there is, and the hardest livin. Where a man lives poor all his life and dies rich.

In my situation, I'm livin on what is left of the home place, mostly grown up in mesquite now, cause the renter is afraid of gettin thorns in his tires. Whiterock on top and yellow clay down the sides, with black clay at the bottom.

I'm a retired teacher, so I get enough to live on in my retirement, live alone, just me and the dog and a few chickens for entertainment and eggs, bit of a garden space, some fruit trees, good rockers on the front porch. I could kick the renter off, and buy some yearlings in the spring and sell em in the late fall and probably make more off the place than I am now, pasture rent ain't much here. Come to think on it, he ain't paid the lease money yet this year, hmmmm.

Nope, nothin is free. You just got to figure out what ya want and the best way to get it, I'm retired so the labor doesn't cost, but then again, I ain't as good as I once was, either. Adjustments just have to be made.

Ed

[Wags]

Nothing in life is free. And I'm sure those that come from a city-only upbringing go through culture shock when they show up and plunk themselves down in the country, not realizing what they are getting themselves into.

My dad is fond of saying that "time is money", but I think he is wrong when it comes to hobbies. I consider my homestead to be one of my hobbies. I don't begrudge the time I spend on chores, any more than I begrudge the time I spend shooting photographs or messing around with Photoshop. The only thing about the homestead is that I see a tangible edible benefit for it for my family.

Before I got my dairy animals I took a look at what we spend yearly on dairy products and calculated what it would cost me to buy the animals and feed them until I reached a break even point. About three years before production would have saved enough - it came out to about 3.5 years and that is without selling any offspring. Of course that isn't figuring in the cost of any additional fencing or building a new barn. However, those items are on the "nice to have" list and we can get along just fine without them.

[Jenn]

You know about the farmer who won a million $- when asked what he'd do with his winnings he said "Think I'll just keep on farming until the money's gone."

[MaineFarmMom]

I was shoveling snow at one of the greenhouses today and grumbling about how stupid I was to think this was going to be a wonderful life. grumble grumble groan whine complain. By the time I took a break I'd worked out my frustration and remembered this is what I want. I'll take a shovel, the wind and the snow over the office, the heels and nylons any day. This is what I worked hard to achieve. This is what I dreamed of when I walked away from life in a small city.

Originally Posted by Jenn

You know about the farmer who won a million $- when asked what he'd do with his winnings he said "Think I'll just keep on farming until the money's gone."

I hope people realize this isn't true of all farmers. I do make my living as a market farmer. Many of us do.

[terrythetaod]

Originally Posted by Jenn

You know about the farmer who won a million $- when asked what he'd do with his winnings he said "Think I'll just keep on farming until the money's gone."

I love that joke.

I work full-time to support my five acre hobby farm. Well, I have to support myself and my wife and my four kids too. The kids are homeschooled so that means additional expenses.

I reckon it could be a little different if I moved somewhere where land was cheaper, and I could devote more of my time to raising food. But still, there are are lots and lots of things to purchase where cash sure comes in handy.

A wise person once said "it takes a lot of money to be poor."

[KimTN]

Homesteading is very expensive. I love to work outside with my plants and animals and it keeps me in fantastic shape. Nice tan and muscles to boot. My husband does not want to work the farm, so he has a job. We look at homesteading as a life style choice and a way of controlling our food supply. We figure if things go south, we can eat. I do work as an RN at nearby hospitals on an as needed basis to get money for my "special" farm projects. I would not think that you could just start a little farm with no money and think you could actually make a living, although there are a few really savvy organic gardeners that have done so. My husband just about faints when I show him what I have spent over the year to feed and house my animals, but he has come to understand that I have actually off set our grocery bills with food that would have been very expensive. I took him to whole foods so he could compare apples to apples so to speak. He was appalled to find out what his big plate of organic lamb chops would have cost him. We spend lots of money on our project, but we eat very well on healthy foods. We know of a lot of professional couples that are either doing the same thing or considering homesteading. A well laid out plan and well defined goals are needed to be successful and an outside job is always helpful.

[ErinP]

Originally Posted by Jenn

You know about the farmer who won a million $- when asked what he'd do with his winnings he said "Think I'll just keep on farming until the money's gone."

There's a similar one that behind every successful rancher is a wife with a job in town.