How to Produce More at Home: 8 Simple Ways to Beat Consumerism

Want to produce more at home instead of always consuming? Learn simple ways to start creating, saving money, and becoming more self-sufficient.

In today’s world, it’s easy to fall into the habit of consuming—buying pre-made meals, filling our pantries with packaged snacks, and relying on convenience over skill. But if we look back at the way our great-grandmothers lived, we’ll see a different mindset. Their homes weren’t just places to eat and sleep; they were hubs of productivity. They baked their own bread, preserved their harvest, and made do with what they had. That way of life may seem old-fashioned, but for me, it’s been life-changing.

Eighteen years ago, I started with a thrift store bread machine, just trying to make a simple loaf of homemade bread. I had no idea how much that small step would change the way I saw food, home, and self-sufficiency. That one loaf turned into a deep love for making everything from scratch—so much so that today, I don’t buy packaged snacks, I only purchase raw ingredients, we raise as much of our own meat as possible, and we can hundreds of quarts each year from our garden. Producing more at home isn’t just about saving money or eating better—it’s about reclaiming the skills and independence that once made a home thrive.

And maybe that’s why homemaking seemed to come more naturally to our great-grandmothers. It wasn’t just about keeping a clean house or making meals—it was a way of life, built around resourcefulness, skill, and self-sufficiency.

They weren’t constantly running to the store for every little thing or feeling buried under clutter. They used what they had, learned to make do, and built skills over time. There was a quiet confidence in their work, not because life was easy, but because they knew how to provide for their families with their own two hands.

That mindset is something we can bring back today. We don’t have to be overwhelmed by modern excess or completely dependent on store-bought convenience. We can shift from passive consumers to active producers—right in our own homes.

So let’s talk about why this shift matters and how you can start producing more at home, no matter where you are in your journey.

The Problem: A Culture of Consumption

Modern life has taught us to consume at every turn.

• When we’re hungry, we order takeout.
• When we need clothes, we buy new.
• When something breaks, we replace it instead of repairing it.

This level of convenience is appealing, but it comes at a cost. Financially, it drains our bank accounts. Emotionally, it makes us more dependent on outside systems. Environmentally, it leads to excessive waste.

Our great-grandmothers didn’t have the luxury of constant consumption. Instead, they knew how to cook, mend, grow, build, and create. They weren’t just homemakers; they were homestead makers—women who could provide for their families in a hands-on, meaningful way. They had the skill set necessary to produce more at home.

The Benefits of Becoming a Producer

When you produce more at home instead of just consume, you’re not just saving money—you’re building a way of life.

1. You Become More Self-Sufficient

Being able to rely on your own skills instead of a store or service makes you more resilient. The less you depend on big corporations to meet your every need, the more freedom you have.

2. You Save Money

Many things we buy today—bread, yogurt, candles, cleaning products—are things we can easily make at home for a fraction of the cost. Producing what you can at home means spending less and making the most of what you already have.

3. You Build Valuable Skills

Learning to sew, cook from scratch, bake bread, or grow a garden are not outdated skills—they are valuable, life-giving abilities that enrich your home. These are the same skills that kept families thriving for generations.

4. You Gain a Sense of Accomplishment

There’s something deeply satisfying about making something with your own hands. Whether it’s a homemade meal, a mended dress, or a jar of home-canned tomatoes, there’s joy in creating.

Ways to Produce More at Home

You don’t have to change everything overnight, but here are a few simple ways to start shifting your mindset from consumer to producer:

1. Cook from Scratch

Start with one meal a day—maybe it’s homemade bread instead of store-bought, or a simple soup made from scratch instead of canned. Every homemade meal is a step toward greater self-sufficiency.

I have lots of from scratch cooking inspiration here on the blog: Home Cooking

2. Grow Something (Anything!)

Even if you don’t have space for a full garden, start small. Grow herbs in a windowsill, plant a tomato vine in a pot, or try sprouting microgreens on your countertop.

Want to learn more about basic gardening? I’ve got you covered: Homestead Gardening

3. Learn Basic Sewing Skills

Instead of tossing clothes with small holes or missing buttons, learn to mend them. Even better—learn to sew simple projects like aprons, napkins, or pillow covers.

4. Make Your Own Cleaning Products

Most household cleaners are made from a few simple ingredients—vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils. Making your own is cheaper, healthier, and reduces plastic waste.

I love using natural cleaners to keep my home sparkling. I’ve shared several posts about that here: Cleaning & Routines

5. Preserve Food

Canning, fermenting, dehydrating, and freezing extra food can help stretch your grocery budget and reduce waste. Start with something simple, like freezing extra herbs or making homemade pickles.

Canning doesn’t have to be intimidating! Learn more here: Canning & Preserving

6. Reduce Disposable Products

Swap out paper towels for reusable cloths, buy glass jars instead of plastic containers, and opt for cloth napkins over paper ones. These small changes add up!

7. Repair Instead of Replace

If something breaks, ask: Can I fix it? Before tossing out a broken chair, toaster, or sweater, take time to see if it can be repaired. Many vintage homemakers knew how to patch, glue, or repurpose instead of wasting.

8. Embrace DIY

From homemade candles to natural body care products, there are endless ways to replace store-bought items with homemade alternatives. Pick one DIY project and give it a try!

We’re big fans of DIY around Sunshine Valley. We’ve been DIYing our dream farmhouse over the last decade. I’ve shared some of our projects here: Decor & DIY

Start Small and Build Over Time

You don’t have to turn your home into a full-fledged homestead overnight. Just start with one simple thing—bake a loaf of bread, mend a hole in a favorite sweater, or plant a single herb on your windowsill. Small steps, taken consistently, lead to big, lasting changes.

And remember, the goal isn’t perfection—it’s progress. Every homemade meal, every skill learned, every time you choose to create rather than consume, you’re taking a step toward a simpler, more fulfilling way of life.

For me, it all started with one thrifted bread machine and a desire to make real food for my family. I had no idea that tiny shift would lead me to a life where I make nearly everything from scratch. That’s the beauty of producing more at home—it grows with you, one step at a time.

So tell me—what’s one thing you’d love to start producing instead of consuming? I’d love to hear about your journey in the comments!