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    Home » Best Of

    29 New Habits to Make Your Family More Self-Sufficient

    Sarita Harbour.
    Modified: Apr 30, 2025 by Sarita Harbour · This post may contain affiliate links·
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    Looking to make life a little easier and more self-reliant? These 29 new habits can help your family become more self-sufficient, with simple changes that build lasting results. Whether you’re looking to save money, reduce your dependence on stores, or just create a more sustainable lifestyle, these habits are practical and easy to implement. They don't require a complete overhaul but can be added gradually to fit into everyday life. With just a few small changes, you'll see big benefits for your family’s well-being and independence.

    How to Use a Fermenting Crock

    Pin
    How to Use a Fermenting Crock. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Learning to use a fermenting crock is a simple way to introduce healthier and more sustainable food storage methods into your routine. It's a great choice for building new habits focused on self-reliance and natural preservation.
    Get the Recipe: How to Use a Fermenting Crock

    Grow Up: Vertical Gardening Tips for Foodies

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    Grow Up: Vertical Gardening Tips for Foodies. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Vertical gardening makes it easy to maximize small spaces while growing fresh produce. It’s perfect for anyone looking to start new habits that focus on fresh, homegrown food no matter the size of their yard or balcony.
    Get the Recipe: Grow Up: Vertical Gardening Tips for Foodies

    How to Can Food: 50 Tips for Beginners

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    How to Can Food: 50 Tips for Beginners. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Canning food is a skill that helps you save money and stock up on essentials. These beginner-friendly tips make it easier to form new habits around food preservation and long-term preparedness.
    Get the Recipe: How to Can Food: 50 Tips for Beginners

    Stocking Up: What to Buy in Bulk Right Now

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    Stocking Up: What to Buy in Bulk Right Now. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Stocking up on bulk items is a smart way to save money and reduce waste. This guide helps you adopt new habits that ensure your pantry stays full without breaking the bank.
    Get the Recipe: Stocking Up: What to Buy in Bulk Right Now

    Foraging for Medicinal Plants and Food: 7 Northern Greens

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    Foraging for Medicinal Plants and Food: 7 Northern Greens. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Foraging for northern greens connects you with nature while adding variety to your meals. It’s a rewarding new habit that promotes both self-sufficiency and sustainable living.
    Get the Recipe: Foraging for Medicinal Plants and Food: 7 Northern Greens

    Homestead Gardening

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    Homestead Gardening. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Homestead gardening is about growing your own food and living more sustainably. Starting a garden is an ideal new habit for those wanting fresh produce and a deeper connection to their food sources.
    Get the Recipe: Homestead Gardening

    How to Dehydrate Eggs for Long Term Home Storage and Use

    Pin
    How to Dehydrate Eggs for Long Term Home Storage and Use. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Dehydrating eggs is an easy way to make them shelf-stable and convenient for future use. It’s a great new habit for those focused on food security and reducing waste.
    Get the Recipe: How to Dehydrate Eggs for Long Term Home Storage and Use

    How To Raise Turkeys

    Pin
    How To Raise Turkeys. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Raising turkeys provides a reliable source of meat and adds variety to your homestead. It’s a practical new habit that supports self-reliance and sustainable living.
    Get the Recipe: How To Raise Turkeys

    How To Smoke Fish

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    How To Smoke Fish. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Smoking fish is a traditional method of preserving flavor and nutrients for the long term. Adding this skill to your routine is a smart new habit for ensuring your food supply stays versatile and secure.
    Get the Recipe: How To Smoke Fish

    Dehydrating Foods: How to Get Started

    Pin
    Dehydrating Foods: How to Get Started. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Dehydrating foods is an easy way to extend shelf life while preserving flavor. Starting this new habit makes meal prep more convenient and reduces waste in your kitchen.
    Get the Recipe: Dehydrating Foods: How to Get Started

    How to Grow Sprouts at Home

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    How to Grow Sprouts at Home. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Growing sprouts at home is quick, easy, and requires very little space. It’s a great new habit for adding fresh, nutrient-rich greens to your meals year-round.
    Get the Recipe: How to Grow Sprouts at Home

    How to Grow Food from Scraps

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    How to Grow Food from Scraps. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Growing food from scraps helps reduce waste while teaching sustainable practices. It’s an ideal new habit for anyone interested in gardening without needing to invest much upfront.
    Get the Recipe: How to Grow Food from Scraps

    Raising Rabbits For Meat #3: Tips for How to Build a Rabbit Hutch

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    Raising Rabbits For Meat #3: Tips for How to Build a Rabbit Hutch. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Building a proper rabbit hutch ensures your animals are safe and comfortable. It’s a crucial step for anyone adopting new habits focused on raising meat sustainably at home.
    Get the Recipe: Raising Rabbits For Meat #3: Tips for How to Build a Rabbit Hutch

    Securing Your Food Supply: 15 Ways to Start

    Pin
    Securing Your Food Supply: 15 Ways to Start. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    These practical tips for securing your food supply help you prepare for the unexpected. It’s a smart new habit for creating a more self-sufficient and resilient lifestyle.
    Get the Recipe: Securing Your Food Supply: 15 Ways to Start

    Raising Rabbits for Meat #1: How to Raise Rabbits For Meat

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    Raising Rabbits for Meat #1: How to Raise Rabbits For Meat. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Raising rabbits provides a sustainable source of protein that’s manageable even in small spaces. It’s a great new habit for homesteaders looking to add variety to their food supply.
    Get the Recipe: Raising Rabbits for Meat #1: How to Raise Rabbits For Meat

    How Much To Plant Per Person: Growing Your Own Food

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    How Much To Plant Per Person: Growing Your Own Food. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Knowing how much to plant ensures you have enough to feed your household without excess. It’s a practical new habit for anyone starting a garden focused on self-sufficiency.
    Get the Recipe: How Much To Plant Per Person: Growing Your Own Food

    How to Save Seeds: A Beginner's Guide to Seed Saving

    Pin
    How to Save Seeds: A Beginner's Guide to Seed Saving. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Saving seeds lets you grow future crops for free while preserving heirloom varieties. It’s a rewarding new habit for gardeners looking to be more sustainable.
    Get the Recipe: How to Save Seeds: A Beginner's Guide to Seed Saving

    15 Best Prepper Pantries and Tips on Stocking Your Own

    Pin
    15 Best Prepper Pantries and Tips on Stocking Your Own. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    These tips help you design a pantry that’s both practical and efficient for long-term storage. Starting this new habit ensures your family is ready for anything.
    Get the Recipe: 15 Best Prepper Pantries and Tips on Stocking Your Own

    Backyard Gardening Basics: What You Should Know

    Pin
    Backyard Gardening Basics: What You Should Know. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Backyard gardening is a rewarding way to grow fresh produce and reduce trips to the store. It’s a new habit that benefits your wallet, your health, and the environment.
    Get the Recipe: Backyard Gardening Basics: What You Should Know

    10 Tips for Using Foods With a Long Shelf Life

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    10 Tips for Using Foods With a Long Shelf Life. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    These tips show how to make the most of foods with long shelf lives, reducing waste and saving money. It’s a smart new habit for building a more efficient kitchen routine.
    Get the Recipe: 10 Tips for Using Foods With a Long Shelf Life

    How to Grow Black Beans Indoors

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    How to Grow Black Beans Indoors. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Growing black beans indoors is a simple way to enjoy fresh, homegrown legumes year-round. It’s an ideal new habit for urban gardeners or anyone with limited outdoor space.
    Get the Recipe: How to Grow Black Beans Indoors

    Raising Quail For Meat & Eggs: 5 Best Breeds

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    Raising Quail For Meat & Eggs: 5 Best Breeds. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Quail are small, productive, and perfect for homesteads or backyards. Raising them is a rewarding new habit that provides fresh eggs and meat without taking up much space.
    Get the Recipe: Raising Quail For Meat & Eggs: 5 Best Breeds

    How to Save Tomato Seeds to Plant For Next Year

    Pin
    How to Save Tomato Seeds to Plant For Next Year. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Saving tomato seeds ensures a steady supply of your favorite varieties year after year. It’s a smart new habit for gardeners who value sustainability and cost savings.
    Get the Recipe: How to Save Tomato Seeds to Plant For Next Year

    Smoking & Dehydrating Game Meat

    Pin
    Smoking & Dehydrating Game Meat. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Smoking and dehydrating game meat preserves it for future meals while adding depth to your pantry. Starting this new habit supports a self-sufficient and resourceful lifestyle.
    Get the Recipe: Smoking & Dehydrating Game Meat

    Raising Rabbits For Meat 2: Processing & Butchering

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    Raising Rabbits For Meat 2: Processing & Butchering. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Processing and butchering rabbits ensures a clean, ethical food source for your family. It’s an essential new habit for anyone committed to sustainable meat production.
    Get the Recipe: Raising Rabbits For Meat 2: Processing & Butchering

    Foraging Rosehips for Oil, Tea, Syrup, and Jelly

    Pin
    Foraging Rosehips for Oil, Tea, Syrup, and Jelly. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Rosehips are versatile and packed with nutrients, making them a great addition to your pantry. Foraging for them is an enjoyable new habit that connects you to nature while expanding your resources.
    Get the Recipe: Foraging Rosehips for Oil, Tea, Syrup, and Jelly

    How to Ferment Vegetables

    Pin
    How to Ferment Vegetables. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Fermenting vegetables is a simple way to preserve fresh produce and boost its nutritional value. It’s a practical new habit for anyone interested in healthier, homemade foods.
    Get the Recipe: How to Ferment Vegetables

    How to Preserve Eggs

    Pin
    How to Preserve Eggs. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Preserving eggs extends their shelf life, making them available whenever you need them. It’s a useful new habit for reducing trips to the store and improving food security.
    Get the Recipe: How to Preserve Eggs

    Pickled Vegetables for Beginners

    Pin
    Pickled Vegetables for Beginners. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Pickling vegetables is an easy method to add flavor and preserve freshness. It’s a great new habit for beginners exploring sustainable and creative ways to store their produce.
    Get the Recipe: Pickled Vegetables for Beginners

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    Sarita Harbour.

    I'm Sarita. My family and I lived off the grid for 11 years in Canada's far north. If I did it, you can too.

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