Self-Sufficiency and Self-Employment: A Symbiotic Relationship

“I make myself rich by making my wants few.”

—Henry David Thoreau

Gathering rain to water your garden, growing a food forest in your backyard, raising chickens in your own coop—these are often things that people associate with the term "self-sufficiency"—but they're not the whole story. Sometimes, in order to be self-employed and living on our own terms, we can't afford a big piece of land or we don't have enough room to fit a large rain barrel. The good thing about self-sufficiency is that almost any amount of it can have a positive effect on your well-being, the earth, and your wallet. Read on to learn about how working for yourself and being self-sufficient can be simultaneous steps towards the same goal.

Food Store or Food Forest?

If you grew your own cabbage, tomatoes, fruits, potatoes, and other foods, you could save a good amount on groceries. Here in Eugene, you can grow some crops that cost a pretty penny when you buy them in a store. And thanks to the many videos and sites out there offering guidance, it is pretty simple to learn how to do high-density urban gardening, which can even be done on an apartment balcony. Many herbs and spices can be grown inside, as well. Are you a smoker? I am not going to lecture you on the fact that it causes cancer, but I will tell you that it is healthier and way cheaper to grow (and roll) your own. Virginia tobacco is super hardy, and apparently will grow anywhere that is warm enough to grow cabbage. And since we're on the topic of vices, here in Oregon (like I do) or a few other states, it may be legal to grow your own marijuana as well. Do you like wine? Dandelion wine is made from dandelion, that pesky weed that's found, well, everywhere. And the most popular drug of all, caffeine, is found in Yaupon, a plant in the same family as Yerba Mate that can grow in many places in North America, including Oregon.

Composting

I bet you're thinking "Um, I can't save money from composting, and... it's gross." And, well, you're wrong. On all counts. Manure (shit) composting, well yes, that is a bit gross. But I don't compost with poo. In our household, all we do is take all kitchen scraps (except meat, which we try not to waste and also shouldn't be put in compost piles) and throw them in the compost container to be taken outside. Because we are too lazy to go outside to the compost bin and pile multiple times a day. Yes, we have a plastic storage bin by the back patio with a lid on it where we toss our kitchen scraps, looseleaf tea, and coffee grounds (and also dead leaves and grass). In our refrigerator is a plastic container that we put compost in until its full, then we bring it out to the bin, and when that is full, it goes to the big compost pile behind the shed that is currently covered with fallen leaves. Six months later, we have beautiful, nutrient and microorganism-rich soil that gives us plentiful harvests for spring, summer, fall, and even winter. So not only do we have to pay for soil less, but we get bigger, more bountiful harvests of food. In addition, between reusing and repurposing plastics and other things as well as composting kitchen scraps, we are able to have the smallest trash can that our waste company offers, which means a smaller bill.

Garden or Side Gig?

In addition to providing food and sustenance for your household, you can also use high-density urban gardening to start a small produce stand, right in your driveway! If you rent, make sure that there is nothing in your lease that prevents you from doing business on the property, and if there is, check with your landlord anyway and offer them free produce or a small percentage of sales to entice them to allow it. In addition, many landlords will discount your rent (sometimes by a few hundred dollars a month) for taking care of the yard. If you added plants that bear fruit or are edible, then its a win-win.

To wrap up, picking up sustainable habits like gardening and composting can save you tons of money over time. Just think about how low your living expenses would be with (possibly) less rent, a lower grocery bill, no reason to spend money on your vices or coffee, a lower trash bill, and on and on...