It would be a lie if I said I had a passion for homestead right from childhood. Like every person, I dreamed of a luxurious metro life, but things change as you age.
Homesteading after 40 can challenge traditional notions of a peaceful retirement.
But living a self-sufficient life and making decent money can keep you engaged for the rest of your life.
Most people wonder if the 40s or 50s is too late to start a homesteading business.
You can homestead at any age; some people started homesteading in the 60s. It’s never too late to start your journey of discovering nature.
Though a person in her 20s or 30s will have the added advantage of doing labour without getting tired, people in their 40s have unique aspects like wisdom, resilience and loads of experience.
Homesteading isn’t just about growing food; it’s a way of life that most urban dwellers can’t imagine.
What does it mean to homestead?
Going off-grid is the most popular term used when you try to explain homesteading.
The meaning of homesteading changed with time. Each person has their perspective on homesteading. You cancheck themeaning of modern homesteaders.
For me, homesteading is living a self-sufficient life and reducing dependence on public utilities. You can’t completely go off the grid because many things are tied to the grid.
Today, a new word, modern homesteading, is introduced, which needs the same resilience and inspiration but in your comfort zone.
You don’t have to sell everything and pack your bags to live on land to build everything from scratch.
Though few people may love staying away from the industrial system, you can homestead in an apartment.
As mentioned, homesteading isn’t just about raising chickens and goats. It is not possible for people living in cities.
- You can grow your food through container gardening.
- Stop spending on processed food and make your own food from scratch.
- Reuse scraps and food waste.
- Composting
- You can make your water filter.
- Start using solar electricity.
- Don’t throw things; be like your great-grandparents who used to repair things by themselves.
- Live a frugal life.
- Create DIY crafts.
If you have limited backyard space, consider raising chickens and rabbits. These animals provide a potential source of meat and contribute valuable manure that can enhance the fertility of your vegetable garden.
Why is homesteading after 40 a good idea?
With lots of experience life has taught you, and the zeal to learn new things, 40 is the prime time of life when you can start homesteading.
The best thing about being a homesteader is it keeps you healthy.
With enough productive work, you stay fit and reduce your appointments with a physician.
As you get older, it’s crucial to work smart to make sure that homesteading doesn’t put too much strain on your body.
Below are a few reasons why the 40s is the perfect time to start homesteading.
1. The 40s is the perfect time to start the homesteading journey
You have kids who can help you in the homesteading labour or be an empty nest in a few years.
You will feel free when your kids shift or relocate, as you have an interesting adventure or a new skill to keep you engaged.
You don’t have to start full-time homesteading at once; start as a side hustle and make it full-time over the years.
It is a perfect time because you might have equity or savings from your profession.
As homesteading demands financial investment, you can use your capital to start your second career.
Also Read: How to Help My Chickens Grow Feathers Back?
2. Homesteading keeps you fit
You might have worked in a cubicle with zero physical work all these years. Not only didn’t you have mental stress and project deadlines that often affect eating and sleeping, too.
Homesteading subjects your body to drastic change.
Initially, you might find it difficult, as you’re not habituated to it. But, spending regular time can be an excellent workout for your body.
3. Reduces Dependence
You can enjoy being less dependent. Even placing a barrel to collect rainwater to be used in the garden can be satisfying.
Next time you need a boiled egg, you don’t have to rush to the market. Thanks to your homestead, you’ve chickens that lay eggs.
Having homegrown veggies on your dining table makes you proud, too.
4. Embrace your inner kindness
Homesteading allows you to slow down a bit. As a working professional, you worked 40 hours a week, and you hardly had time to care or glance at things. Homesteading gives back your time, and it brings inner kindness in you.
5. Allocate time for your family
Working 8 hours daily, you might have no time to speak to your spouse and play with kids wholeheartedly.
Even when on vacation, work targets didn’t let you enjoy the family time to full.
While homesteading, you’re the boss; though you might not have enough time for vacation as a homesteader, you can regularly give time to your family.
Also Read: When Can Chicks Go Outside In Coop Full Time Without A Heat Lamp?
6. Acquire new skills
Learning new things keeps life interesting.
After the 40s, you’ll have a chance to learn about growing plants and to raise animals.
Every day comes up with engaging tasks.
7. Achieve financial support
Apart frommaking money, you can save some cash with homesteading.
- You don’t have to waste food; reuse it.
- Stop eating processed junk; you can make real food at home.
- Reducing dependency and being self-sufficient will bring down your expenses.
- Raising chickens, rabbits, and goats can help make some extra money to save.
8. Pursue a second career
You’re in the middle of your life, but this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t start something new.
Who doesn’t like to try new things in life?
Homesteading gifts you an excellent experience of joy that money can’t give.
How do you start homesteading later in life while on a budget?
You can kick start your homesteading lifestyle with a good chunk of your fortune or plan with a low budget.
Buying acres of fields and animals and investing in gardening tools isn’t something a new homesteader should opt for.
With zero to no experience, you should go ahead with what you have now.
As failing, animal death, and uncertain climate are part of the homestead, you initially invest in learning things.
1. Research and plan
Understand climatic conditions in your region and what vegetables are recommended based on your USDA zone.
Plan and set a small goal initially.
Even if you’re less than one acre, you can start homesteading.
Stick to your plan, and don’t allow other things to shift your focus.
2. Start Small
Even if you’re capable of buying acres of land, start planting on a manageable piece of land.
You can take care of small crops efficiently.
Gradually expand planting veggies, fruits and flowers over the years.
Also Read: Are Chickens Warm Blooded or Cold Blooded?
3. Prioritize your needs Vs wants
Don’t rush to automate everything in your homestead.
Start with basic requirements and continue adding amenities every year.
4. Embrace do-it-yourself mindset
By choosing homesteading, you opted to make things on your own to the maximum extent.
You can also barter from neighbouring or local homesteader communities.
5. Try to reuse equipment
Don’t throw anything.
Reuse and repair all possible things.
Reducing wastage is also an essential part of sustainable life.
Opt for used gardening tools to keep initial investment at lower rates.
6. Adapt a frugal life-style
A frugal lifestyle is living a simple life.
Not purchasing things that are meant only to impress others.
Homesteading is living for you.
7. Allot time to learn new skills
You are passionate about homesteading, but that doesn’t help your daily work.
Invest in learning gardening, animal husbandry and other DIY tasks.
In the long run, this will save you lots of money and time.
Also Read: 7 Dual Purpose Chicken Breeds for Your Family Homestead
8. Join the homesteading community
You need someone to vent your feelings and failure.
Join online communities and local communities to barter tools and foods.
9. Plan your economics
Homesteading is awesome, but it doesn’t come with zero expenses.
Plan wisely, or else you may fail miserably.
Important Tips before you plan homesteading as a retirement Strategy
It can be overwhelmingly tempting to go off-grid and live on your terms.
But, there are a few facts that you must consider.
Homesteading isn’t a cakewalk.
You must get your hands dirty and start working early to avoid the hot sun.
Most of your time will be dedicated to working on the homestead, so taking vacations may be challenging.
Remember these points before starting:
- Before changing to a homesteading lifestyle, give a test run on your friend’s farm for a few days or months.
- Find a mentor. You might have lots of experience in life, but homesteading is new for you. The mentor will help you to plan out things by reducing the chances of failure.
- Be humble to learn things.
Conclusion
Most people in their 40s will have significant experience and established careers.
I don’t know what made you think of homesteading, but you can start homesteading in the 40s.
It’s not too late; it is the perfect time to go ahead with your dream work.
But let me tell you that homesteading isn’t a fun ride. You stay in the dirt most of the time and have extra family members (chickens, goats and rabbits) to take care of.
You can start small and grow eventually with time.
Moin
Khaja Moinuddin, a computer science graduate, finds joy in gardening and homesteading. Join him on this blog as he shares his experiences in homesteading, gardening, and composting
