All the Things to Make at Home to Save Money

Last Updated on June 16, 2020

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.

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

UPDATE: With the recent hit of the 2020 pandemic we’re all facing, instead of focusing on things to make at home to save money we are now learning how to get creative with what we have as we can’t go to the grocery store.

FROM SCRATCH FOODS TO MAKE AT HOME

MAKE SURE TO JUST CLICK ON THE WORD FOR A HOMEMADE RECIPE OPTION!

PANTRY STAPLES

BREAD

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.

PIE CRUST

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

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.

PIZZA

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.

CHOCOLATE SYRUP

BREADCRUMBS

OATMEAL PACKAGES

PIE FILLING, apple and pumpkin

GRANOLA

CRACKERS

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!

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

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

CHILI SAUCE

APPLE JUICE

CLEANING PRODUCTS

WINDOW CLEANER

LAUNDRY SOAP

GARDEN/HOMESTEAD SUPPLIES

COMPOST

MANURE

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!

HANDMADE HAND SANITIZER

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

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