28 Fresh Ways To Live Frugally Like The Amish
The Amish have long been admired for their ability to live a simple, yet fulfilling life, prioritizing community, hard work, and thriftiness. The lessons from their way of life can provide valuable insights for anyone looking to adopt a more frugal and sustainable lifestyle. Here are 28 fresh ways to integrate Amish-inspired frugality into your daily routine:
- Community Gardens: Join or start a community garden, sharing the workload and reaping the rewards collectively.
- Hand-Milled Soap: Learn the art of making soap from basic ingredients like lye and fat. This not only saves money but also avoids additives.
- Sell Excess: If your garden produces more than you need, set up a small stand or join a farmer’s market to sell the surplus.
- Natural Dyes: Use plants, berries, and spices to create natural dyes for fabrics.
- Skill Exchange: Organize events where community members can exchange skills, such as teaching bread-making in exchange for gardening tips.
- Hand-Pumped Water: While it may not be feasible for all, using a hand pump reduces dependence on electric pumps.
- Mend & Darn: Instead of tossing out socks with holes or torn garments, learn to mend them.
- Shared Childcare: Create a rotating schedule where community members take turns looking after children, reducing childcare expenses.
- Homemade Herbal Remedies: Grow herbs like mint, chamomile, and lavender to make homemade teas, salves, and remedies.
- Cut Out Middle Services: Instead of using banks for loans, consider community-based lending or saving circles.
- Shared Tools Shed: Have a communal area where tools are stored, and everyone can access them rather than buying individually.
- Communal Meals: Once a month, gather as a community to share a meal. Everyone brings a dish, reducing individual cooking loads.
- Forage Wisely: Learn about local edible plants and fruits and incorporate them into your diet.
- Thrift and Resell: Purchase items second-hand, and if you no longer need them, resell them.
- Bake in Bulk: When using an oven, bake in large batches and share or store for future meals.
- Ditch the Disposable: Use cloth diapers, hankies, and other reusable alternatives to disposable items.
- Utilize Horse Manure: As a natural fertilizer, horse manure can be a boon to gardens.
- Mutual Aid Funds: Set up community funds for emergencies. Each member contributes, and those in need can draw from it.
- Shared Subscription: For essential subscriptions, share the cost and benefits with neighbors or friends.
- Lantern Lighting: Use oil lanterns where practical, reducing the need for electric lights.
- Work Bees: Organize events where community members gather to tackle significant tasks, like house-building or harvesting, together.
- Fermentation: Preserve foods through fermentation, creating items like sauerkraut or pickles.
- Bicycle More: Opt for bicycles over motor vehicles for short local trips.
- Avoid Impulse Buys: Make a list before shopping and stick to it, resisting unnecessary purchases.
- Natural Cleaners: Use ingredients like lemon rind and cornstarch for cleaning tasks.
- Harvest Rain: Implement systems to harvest and utilize rainwater for non-drinking purposes.
- Borrow Books: Use libraries or set up community book exchanges instead of purchasing books.
- Handmade Crafts: Engage in crafts like basket-weaving or pottery, creating functional items and potentially earning extra income.
Drawing inspiration from the Amish doesn’t mean giving up modern conveniences entirely. Instead, it’s about understanding the value of community, hard work, and making the most out of what you have. By adopting even a few of these practices, you can move towards a more sustainable, frugal, and fulfilling way of life.
