Scratch more off your shopping list when you switch to homemade, from scratch recipes and see all the things you can make at home to save money, and self reliant!
My goals for the new year are to live more sustainably and save money on the homestead. You’re here because you want to save money on your grocery bill too.
Since starting our homestead four years ago my buying habits have changed. I first noticed how little groceries I needed in the summer when our garden was abundant, the hens were laying and we processed our first batch of chickens.
From then on, I became addicted to changing my buying habits. We've never had a large disposable income, and when I went on maternity leave I had to really change my spending habits.
As we become more self-sufficient and substituting homemade and homegrown products more often our grocery bill has rapidly decreased. Along with changing our habits and writing our meal plan we've really cut down on our spending.
Before you read on, you're probably thinking, “I don't have time to make 76 things at home!” Like anything, it's a journey! But with a few time management hacks you'll easily be able to find 1-2 more hours a week to be more productive. Trust me!
More on our self sufficiency bucket list here.
Here's a list of things we've been cutting from our shopping list and the things I absolutely refuse to buy in the new year. The freedom and money that will come from this is going to feel liberating, I can't wait to start.
76 THINGS TO MAKE AT HOME TO SAVE MONEY
FROM SCRATCH FOODS TO MAKE AT HOME
MAKE SURE TO JUST CLICK ON THE WORD FOR A HOMEMADE RECIPE OPTION!
PANTRY STAPLES
HOMEMADE BREAD RECIPE
I just started making my own bread and I'm shocked how easy it is. I put my dough in the dehydrator on the rising setting and the dough rises beautifully.
HOMEMADE PIE CRUST RECIPE
Homemade Pie Crust is amazing! The recipe I use calls for butter making the pastry dense yet flaky, in my eyes, it's perfect. Use this pie crust recipe for 2 double pie crusts. I like to use one for desert after a roast meal, then fill the second pie shell with the fixings for a perfect pot pie!
HOW TO MAKE PIE CRUST
HOMEMADE COOKIES
These are my go to homemade cookies, I also like to stick with this collection of old fashioned homemade cookies that are perfect for any occasion. Cookies are a great treat for the sweet tooth.
HOMEMADE PIZZA RECIPE
I'll never buy take out pizza again, homemade pizza is amazing and it's way cheaper than take out or frozen pizzas. This is the pizza dough we've been making and loving lately. The kids love making their own and the dough stays fresh in the fridge for a week making it a great snack or meal on hand.
SOUP STOCK
Beef, chicken and fish. I love throwing in bones in the InstaPot after a large family meal and making a good soup stock for the freezer.
HOW TO MAKE BEEF BONE BROTH
VANILLA EXTRACT
PUMPKIN SEEDS
HOMEMADE BAKING MIX
PIE CRUST OR OTHER PASTRIES
– Are you kidding, I never bought crusts from the store before after growing up on my moms tasty pie pastry. Grab the recipe here and say goodbye to crunchy frozen pie crusts.
SPICE MIXES
Taco, pumpin pie spice etc. With the array of spices in the cupboard I should be able to recreate any of the prepackaged spice mixes that are loaded with MSG and salt.
HOMEMADE CHOCOLATE SYRUP
BREADCRUMBS
HOMEMADE OATMEAL PACKAGES
HOMEMADE PIE FILLING
HOMEMADE GRANOLA
HOMEMADE CRACKERS
HOMEMADE MARSHMALLOWS
SOUP MIX
Try making this simple cream of anything soup mix and mix it with your homemade broth and some crackers for a warm and creamy soup in the middle of winter!
HOMEMADE SHAKE AND BAKE
MUFFINS
DAIRY & MEAT
BUTTER
MAYONAISE
I discovered just how easy it is to make your own mayonnaise using an immersion blender when I ran out in the middle of making sandwiches.
BUTTERMILK
YOGHURT
PRE GRATED CHEESE
Make your own cheese, or take the time to grate it yourself.
Preserves/Canned Foods/CONDIMENTS
STRAWBERRY JAM
SALSA
PICKLES
CHUTNEY
PUMPKIN PUREE
HOMEMADE RELISH
TARTAR SAUCE
BY MIXING IN SOME FRESH HOMEMADE MAYONAISE WITH ANY OF OUR RELISHES WE HAVE A PERFECTLY EASY TARTAR SAUCE FOR FRESH FRIED FISH
APPLE BUTTER
VINEGRETTE
BARBEQUE SAUCE
APPLE SAUCE
CRANBERRY SAUCE
MAPLE SYRUP
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
Don’t skip this step when processing your apples this year! Quickly learn just how easy it is to make apple cider vinegar from apple peels, cores and scraps with this step by step tutorial.
HOW TO MAKE APPLE CIDER VINEGAR AT HOME
CHILI SAUCE
APPLE JUICE
CLEANING PRODUCTS
HOMEMADE WOOD FLOOR CLEANER
LAUNDRY SOAP
GARDEN/HOMESTEAD SUPPLIES
COMPOST
MANURE
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MULCH
WOOD CHIPS
FIREWOOD
FARM RAISED
BEEF
CHICKEN
EGGS
DUCK
GARDEN GROWN
What's no fresh in season is preserved to use in recipes through our the cold months
VEGETABLES
TOMATOES
ZUCCHINI
GARLIC
ONIONS
CUCUMBER
POTATOES
BLUEBERRIES
APPLES
RASPERRIES
PLUMS
STRAWBERRIES
KIWI
ROSEMARY
MUSHROOMS
NETTLE
BLACKBERRIES
HOMEMADE EGGNOG
APPLE JUICE
WINE
BEER
SOAP
FACE CLOTHES
HANDMADE HAND SANITIZER
Learn how to make your own homemade Hand Sanitizer with this quick and easy handmade hand sanitizer recipe using alcohol, essential oils and aloe vera all ingredients you should have around the house!
HOMEMADE BUBBLE BATH
HOMEMADE BUG SPRAY
HOMEMADE FRUIT ROLL UPS
HOMEMADE BODY SCRUB
HOMEMADE COUGH REMEDY
HOMEMADE COFFEE CREAMER
HOMEMADE HUMMINGBIRD NECTAR
HOMEMADE BOARD GAMES
HOMEMADE BUBBLES
HOMEMADE FACE WASH
HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE PLAYDOUGH
HOMEMADE BATH OR FOOT SOAK
These are just some of the things you can make at home to save money on groceries and your shopping bill. What are some of the things that you make at home already that save you a ton of money on your shopping bill? I can't wait to hear, go ahead and comment below!
Happy saving- Diana
THINGS TO MAKE INSTEAD OF BUY TO SAVE MONEY
You’re so cool for wanting to get creative to save money! The easiest way to really do that is to create a meal plan for the month and stick with it. That’s why I created this free monthly meal plan just for you.
PIN FOR LATER
Jarid says
Your pizza dough recipe is going to save me loads of money! We have a weekly pizza night tradition, and it’s ridiculous how quickly that can add up. Thanks for sharing!
Diana says
Homemade pizza is sooo much better!!’ Enjoy!!
Ariana Dagan says
Pinning – THIS is the list I’ve been looking for all my life! Thank you! So excited to work my way through it!
Diana says
That’s great! Me too 😉 it feels amazing to make it yourself, saving money is just one of the perks 😉
Donnya says
I’ve always had ideas of growing my own food . Definitely saves more money
Eliza from BookBildr says
What a fantastic and practical list! We make a lot at home, including our own cured meats. So much healthier and more practical!
Vanessa says
This is a great list, definitely will start making some of these for 2020! Thank you
Elle | Mom Life in Pajamas says
With the new year approaching, I’m always looking for ways to save money. One thing I’ve actually started doing (I’ve never really done before) is actually making a budget.
Diana says
Makes a big difference when you write it down! Good luck 🙂