Getting out of debt & becoming financially free requires some level of resourcefulness. Is your first thought when a problem or opportunity arises how you can tackle it using the items or resources you already currently have? If you answered yes, you embody some level of resourcefulness! Being resourceful looks like being aware of the resources you have around you. Here are a couple of ways I utilize my resources to save more money & continue to move us towards financial freedom.
Being Resourceful with your Closet
I really enjoy buying & wearing a new outfit. Since I know this about myself, I have come up with a way to wear new outfits (at least new to me) without spending so much money. For different occasions, rather than going out to buy a new outfit, I call up a couple of my girlfriends (who I am similarly sized as) to see if I can borrow an outfit from them for the night. I like to do this for most occasions: girls night out, attending a wedding, date nights, etc. This allows me to switch it up while also saving so much money! In return, I offer my closet if a girlfriend wants to do the same thing!
Learning New Skills
One of my hobbies has become sewing! I never thought I would be able to sew my own clothes, but thanks to hours of Youtube University, I have created several pieces of clothing that I love! If you understand the basics of sewing & have a way to get a sewing machine, sewing your own items can be fairly simple. It takes time & repetition to master any new skill. Keep this in mind if you decide to start sewing some new clothing items.
Youtube University
One of my favorite Youtubers, The Essentials Club, does an amazing job of breaking down each step of the process. Sewing your own clothing can be very cost effective and very environmentally conscious. I would suggest thrifting different fabrics to save money rather than going to the big box stores. There is a newer concept that is becoming more popular: creative reuse centers. These are basically thrift stores for craft/art supplies! There is one near me that I go to all the time for very inexpensive fabric & sewing supplies. Places like these are popping up all over the United States. Research if there is a creative reuse center near you!
Getting out of your comfort zone
Being in debt forced me out of my comfort zone. I did not typically invest time in learning new skills before being in debt. I was greatly missing out on so much free information because my mindset was stuck in comparison rather than curiosity. It took courage to step out & try something new!
Do not be ashamed to be a beginner. No matter where you are on the journey – begin again. Get on youtube, text a wise friend to go to coffee & pick their brain, go to the library, whatever it takes to learn new skills!
Learning to be resourceful looks like taking what you already have, and repurposing it to help you grow, expand, & reach your goals. Take the things that matter to you & begin to consider how you may be able to resource those things differently.
Gardening
Some of the most resourceful people I know have started & maintained an amazing garden. Gardening your own food may be one of the most resourceful things you can do! Of course, gardening can become quite expensive if you let it. With preparation it can also be quite cost effective.
2023 was my first year gardening. I gave myself permission to experiment with it & to learn along the way. My budget was about $250 for my entire garden. I called a couple of places to try to find free/cheap scrap wood to construct raised garden beds out of. We were able to purchase five pallets for one dollar each at a local thrift store. We disassembled & reassembled them into three 3’ x 3’ x 3’ planting boxes. Some of my good friends came over and helped us! It was a great day! I learned so much from the process. Most of my budget went to soil & I could only afford a couple of transplants with my budget.
This year (in 2024) I am totally revamping my entire garden & garden prep. I’m starting my own seeds, as this will help save me so much money. Getting seedlings or transplants from big box stores can get incredibly expensive. I was able to get mulch for free last year that I am still using little by little through a company called ChipDrop. I’ve begun my own compost pile late last summer that I’ve been slowly adding to each time I have kitchen scraps.
I purchased a shelf for seeds starting from Facebook marketplace for $50. It was important to me to get something that was aesthetically pleasing so that it fit in my home. I find I am more motivated to take care of things if I enjoy the aesthetics of it. The metal shelves that most people use would have worked just fine, but I wanted something that matched my home a little bit more.
Seed Starting
Instinctively, I’ve been saving egg cartons for months. Though I was saving them for when we got chickens, I am still able to use them to start my seeds, which is proven to be a free and effective method for my budget. I saved a couple of seeds from last year – mostly marigold seeds as I had so many marigold flowers pop up. My local library has a conservation initiative that provides free seeds to anybody with a library card. I’ve been able to get a ton of heirloom/ non-GMO varieties for completely free through the library and through this initiative. For the seeds I was unable to get from this free resource, I ordered with a friend to save money on shipping!
I’ve been saving a bunch of cardboard boxes to be able to start a no dig garden with a weed barrier of cardboard boxes on the bottom & a couple of cattle panels for my climbers. If you are looking for more information on how to start a garden, check out one of my favorite gardening youtube channels!
Utilizing a hobby for side income
Do you have a hobby you can utilize to make some income? I have a good friend who loves sewing. She has created several pieces that she sells at farmers markets & local boutiques. Not only is this a great opportunity for side income, but it’s also a great creative outlet. If you want to check out her work, I have tagged her here.
What are some of your favorite ways to be resourceful? Comment below!
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