Homestead How-To Plan for Winter With Your Wallet
Winter
A sure sign to hunker down. Photo by Dana Benner.
Prep Without
the Rush
How to Winterize Without Breaking the Bank
By Dana Benner
Every year it seems that the winter weather comes earlier, lasts longer, and is much colder than it has been in the past. In some areas of the country, that is true. Data indicates that areas not known for severe winter weather are experiencing extremes that few are prepared for. I hope what I cover here will help you cope.
Around here, preparing for winter is a year-round task. Doing this preparation gradually will also benefit you financially. Materials and the potential damage from unresolved issues are always more expensive when you wait until the last minute.
Every year, as the snow disappears, I start a list of the things that need to be done before the next snowfall. Believe me that list never seems to get any shorter. With the years, I have learned to break things down into categories and then the order of importance in each category. It is not perfect, but it does seem to help. What follows is how I set up my list.
Take Stock
Taking stock is simply seeing what supplies I have left, how much was used, and seeing what repairs I need to do and what supplies are needed for those repairs.
To know where I stand, I need to know where I’ ve been. I began keeping records on everything many years ago, and it is these records I use as a starting point. I can see how much fuel it took to keep the homestead running( wood, oil, gas, etc.) and how much it cost. I know how much food I have in the freezer and the stock of canned goods there are on the shelves. After reviewing the lists, I can come up with a plan to get things back to what they were and make any adjustments.
Stock up on wood, oil, gas, etc. now. Don’ t wait until the last minute. Photo by Dana Benner.
Food
One thing that is often overlooked, especially in times of plenty and lower costs, is food. In the dead of winter, during a blizzard, is not the time to realize that the shelves are bare.
During planting, I am thinking about the garden, with
18 AcreageLife November 2026 AcreageLife. com