Repurposing Everything: How We Save Money on the Homestead

Simple Swaps, Creative Hacks, and a Whole Lot of “Use What You Have”

By Lindsay Metternich

Homesteading isn’t just about growing food or raising chickens—it’s about living resourcefully, creatively, and with intention.

And let’s be honest—when you’re building a life from scratch (sometimes literally), the costs can add up fast. That’s why repurposing is one of our golden rules here on the homestead.

From old furniture turned into garden beds to glass jars reborn as pantry storage, we’ve learned that almost everything has a second life—if you’re willing to see it.

In this post, I’m sharing our favorite repurposing hacks, the unexpected places we find supplies, and how this mindset helps us save money, reduce waste, and live more simply every day.

🧰 1. Salvaged Wood = Raised Beds, Chicken Perches, and More

We rarely (if ever) buy new lumber for small builds. Why? Because:

• Old pallets = free compost bins

• Barn wood = rustic shelves or siding

• Leftover 2x4s = perfect for chicken coop framing or firewood storage

• Broken furniture = legs and panels for creative garden projects

We check local listings, Facebook Marketplace, and construction dumpsters for scrap. With a little sanding or a fresh coat of paint, it becomes better than new—because it's ours.

🫙 2. Jars, Buckets, and Tins Galore

We save every glass jar, tin, and 5-gallon bucket that comes through the house. Here’s how we use them:

• 🫙 Mason jars: not just for canning—also great for spice storage, candles, and gifting dry mixes

• 🪣 Buckets: ideal for hauling compost, storing feed, collecting rainwater, or planting potatoes

• 🧁 Cookie tins: perfect seed storage, tool kits, or chicken treats

• 🧺 Baskets and crates: turned into egg collectors or pantry organizers

Bonus tip: ask bakeries or restaurants if they’ll give you empty food-grade buckets—they’re usually happy to pass them on for free.

🧵 3. Old Clothes = Rags, Rugs, and Garden Helpers

Instead of tossing out stained or holey clothes, we give them new purpose:

• Cotton shirts = cleaning rags or “family cloth” (for the hardcore among us)

• Jeans = durable patches, knee pads, or quilt squares

• Socks = dusters, soap savers, or tomato ties

• Wool sweaters = felted into pot holders, mittens, or insulators

Even clothes too rough to wear can line animal shelters or protect seedlings from frost.

🌱 4. Repurposed Containers = Instant Planters

Before you buy fancy pots, check your trash pile. We’ve turned:

• Metal wash tubs into herb gardens

• Old drawers into salad boxes

• Cracked mixing bowls into succulent pots

• Plastic totes into deep-root veggie bins

• Broken wheelbarrows into flower beds

Just drill drainage holes and you’re good to grow.

🧼 5. DIY Cleaners & Refill Culture

Instead of buying new, we refill and reuse as much as possible:

• White vinegar + orange peels = all-purpose cleaner

• Castile soap + essential oils = dish or hand soap

• Refillable jars = bulk flour, grains, spices

• Reusing pump bottles = less plastic and less cost

We even reuse laundry detergent jugs for homemade blends or watering plants.

🔧 6. Tools, Furniture & Hardware: Buy Nothing, Fix Everything

We follow the mantra: “Fix it first. Buy it never.”

• Broken rake? Replace the handle.

• Rusty shovel? Sand and oil it.

• Wobbly chairs? Reinforce with scrap wood.

• Paint cans nearly empty? Mix together for a custom coop color.

We also check Buy Nothing groups, Habitat ReStore, and garage sales for tools, hinges, latches, and furniture we can tweak into what we need.

📦 7. Cardboard = Garden Gold

We save every Amazon box, cereal box, and toilet paper roll. Why?

• Lay cardboard as weed barrier in garden beds

• Use as fire starters in the wood stove

• Toilet paper rolls = seed starters

• Shredded cardboard = compost brown material

• Flat boxes = under-mulch layer or chicken coop insulation

One person’s packaging is another person’s permaculture win.

🧠 8. The Repurposing Mindset = Long-Term Savings

The real win here isn’t just financial—it’s mental. When you train your brain to think creatively:

• You waste less

• You buy less

• You feel more capable, independent, and resourceful

• Your homestead becomes a reflection of your values—not just your budget

Repurposing teaches you to look at everything not for what it was, but for what it could become.

💬 Final Thoughts

Repurposing isn’t about being cheap—it’s about being clever, conscious, and confident in your ability to work with what you have. It’s the heartbeat of homesteading and a daily reminder that abundance doesn’t always come from buying—it comes from building.

And honestly? There's something a little magical about watching a cracked bucket grow tomatoes, or turning a pile of scraps into your next big project.