Have you ever wondered how the Amish, living in their unique, tech-free world, manage to save so much money? Their approach to finance is a fascinating blend of simplicity, and savvy strategies. Dive into the world of the Amish, and uncover money-saving secrets that could change the way you handle your finances.
Simple Living
The Amish lead a simple lifestyle, devoid of many modern conveniences. This means lower expenditures on technology, entertainment, and utilities.
They don’t use cars, reducing costs on fuel, insurance, and maintenance. Instead, they rely on horses and buggies. This choice significantly lowers their transportation expenses.
Amish communities generally don’t use modern technology like smartphones or the internet. This saves them from monthly bills for internet services, smartphones, or cable TV.
Amish clothing is simple and functional, often made at home. They don’t care about having the latest fashion or brand. This avoids the expense of buying trendy or branded clothing.
Fixing and Repurposing Things
The Amish are super smart about using their stuff and not wasting money. When their clothes get too old to wear, they they turn them into cleaning rags or quilts.
If something breaks, like a tool, they fix it instead of buying a new one. They think everything should be used well and have a real purpose.
By not spending money on things they don’t need, they save a lot and use it for big, long-term investments such as buying farmland, and animals.
Growing Their Own Food
Amish families grow much of their own food. They grow vegetables, fruits, and raise animals for meat and milk. Many Amish people hunt and fish for meat. When they hunt, they get game like whitetail deer.
Plus, they’re big on cooking from scratch, which is way cheaper than eating out or buying ready-made food.
The Amish are also pros at preserving food, which helps them save more money. They do a lot of canning – that means they take their fruits, veggies and even meat and preserve them in jars to last a long time.
Shopping Smart
When they buy food, the Amish buy in bulk. They do this to save money because buying a lot at once is often cheaper, and they need a lot of food since they have big families with lots of kids.
Instead of buying new stuff at full price, they go to thrift stores, salvage stores, and auctions. They find good quality, used things for less money. Of course, if something needs fixing, they do it themselves, making it almost like new.
Amish families also shop at Walmart if there’s one close by. They like the low prices and the chance to buy things in big amounts.
For the Amish, shopping at big stores isn’t forbidden. They just don’t do it as a practical and money-saving choice.
Building Their Own Homes
Amish people build their own homes and furniture. They use skills passed down through generations, saving on labor and contractor costs.
When someone needs a new house or barn built, the whole community jumps in to help. That’s one of the reasons the Amish are able to build so fast.
Avoiding Debt
The Amish typically avoid borrowing money. This means they don’t pay interest on loans, which can be a significant expense.
When they need money, it’s usually to buy farmland or start a business, and they prefer to get loans from a community-set and administered fund.
If they take a loan from a financial institution, they make it their number one priority to pay off the debt as quickly as possible.
Community Support
Amish communities are known for their strong support systems. They often help each other in times of need, reducing the necessity for insurance or loans.
For example,
Wrapping It Up
The Amish save money through a combination of simple living, self-sufficiency, and community support.
They keep their expenses low and value saving over spending on unnecessary things. They’re always on the lookout for a good deal to make the most of their money. Plus, they try to live without owing anyone money and aim to be self-sufficient.
For example, the Amish are self-sufficient when it comes to food and shelter, whereas people living in cities rely on the market for goods and services.
Living simple lifestyle inherently cuts costs, a contrast to the more consumer-driven lifestyle of the general population.