Simply Prepping - Prepare & Simplify your Finances

In this 4th podcast of the Simple Life meets Prepping series, we’ll dig into a topic that’s as important as it is often overlooked: finances. Now, before you roll your eyes and start thinking, “Oh great, here comes the talk about budgeting and saving for a rainy day,” stick with me for a moment. We’re not going to dive into complex spreadsheets or endless number crunching. Instead, I want to take a moment and talk about the connection between finances, living simply, and prepping for the future.

Products To Help You with your Finances

Gain Control of your Finances (printable)

Home Budget Spreadsheet

Home Income & Expense Spreadsheet

Home Finance Bundle(Budget, Income & Expense Spreadsheet & Dollars & Sense eBook)

Holiday Budget Bundle (To help manage finances during the holiday season)

Transcript

Welcome back to the Porch! I’m so glad you’re here today. We’re about to dig into a topic that’s as important as it is often overlooked: finances. Now, before you roll your eyes and start thinking, “Oh great, here comes the talk about budgeting and saving for a rainy day,” stick with me for a moment. We’re not going to dive into complex spreadsheets or endless number crunching. Instead, I want to take a moment and talk about the connection between finances, living simply, and prepping for the future.

When I think about prepping and the simple life, I often find myself considering not just what’s physically stored in our pantries or how well-equipped we are for an emergency. I think about the financial side of things too—how we’re securing our futures, how we’re making sure that even in the most unexpected moments, we’re still in a place to weather whatever storms come our way. The good news is, you don’t have to be a financial expert to take steps toward financial stability and security, especially when you’re blending simple living with prepping.

In the first episode of this series, we explored how prepping and the simple life don’t have to be at odds. You don’t have to stockpile a bunker’s worth of supplies to live simply and prepared. And similarly, you don’t have to subscribe to a high-stress, high-earning lifestyle to live comfortably and steadily within your means. 

The great thing about a simple life is that it’s often rooted in living with less and focusing on what truly matters— home, family, community, and faith. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t think about the financial aspect. You see, when it comes to both prepping and simple living, money can be a tool—not a burden. When used intentionally, it’s the fuel for everything from food storage and home repairs to healthcare and even supporting local businesses. Money doesn’t need to be the center of your life, but it definitely can help you be certain the essentials are covered.

To begin with, let’s talk about the basics. Living simply doesn’t mean you have to live paycheck to paycheck or be constantly worried about how to make ends meet. In fact, one of the cornerstones of living a simple life is living intentionally with your money. Instead of seeing it as something that controls you, you learn how to control it.

Think of it like a solid foundation for a house. If the foundation is weak, the rest of the structure is going to be shaky. Similarly, if your financial foundation isn’t strong, it can make everything else—like prepping and living a simple life—much harder. That foundation starts with understanding where your money is going and knowing what’s truly necessary. You might find that you don’t need as much as you think.

For example, you may look around and realize that you’ve been spending money on things that don't really add value to your life, or that you’re just accumulating stuff you don’t need. In a lot of ways, living simply means rethinking what "enough" looks like. It’s not about deprivation, but about sufficiency. Ask yourself: what truly brings value to my life? And how can I use my finances to support those things?

The best way to start is by creating a simple budget. I know, I know—it sounds a little too practical but hear me out. A budget isn’t about restricting yourself or creating a life of scarcity; it’s about giving yourself permission to live in a way that aligns with your values. It’s about having clarity over your spending so that you can make decisions that serve your long-term happiness and peace of mind.

Take it step by step: list your income, your essential expenses (like food, shelter, and transportation), and then think about what is left over. Once you have a clear picture, you can decide how to allocate the rest. Are you putting a little extra aside for a rainy day? Maybe you want to create an emergency fund or contribute to a local cause that matters to you. Perhaps you want to invest in something more long-term, like a piece of land, a new skill, or even prepping supplies.

It also helps to break that budget down a bit more. A budget lists the general areas where your money comes from and where it goes, like Income, utilities, entertainment, and others. Using an Income and Expense spreadsheet in addition to your budget can help you pinpoint exactly where your money comes from and goes. For instance, if you have utilities on your budget, your Income and Expense Spreadsheet will break it down into Water, Gas, Electricity, and others. 

If you’re ready to really get a grip on your finances, check the show notes for links for some helpful products I have that are ready for you to use. You’ll find a Budget and Income & Expense Spreadsheet for the home, as well as a Finance Bundle that includes both of these as well as a Simple Life Dollars & Sense eBook to help you better understand how to manage your money. 

Now, let's shift gears a bit and talk about finances from a prepping perspective. One of the primary goals of prepping is to ensure that you and your family have everything you need to survive and thrive in times of uncertainty. That may involve food, water, medical supplies, and shelter, but it can also mean having enough savings to weather a job loss or unexpected medical expenses.

I know that finances can feel overwhelming, but just like prepping for a storm, it’s all about taking small, intentional steps. Here’s where you can get started: create an emergency fund. It doesn’t need to be massive—maybe start with a small goal of saving enough to cover three months of essential expenses. This can serve as your financial buffer in case of any unexpected situation that might arise.

Another aspect to consider is investing in your health. Medical expenses can be one of the biggest and most unexpected costs we face, and in times of crisis, having the ability to care for yourself and your loved ones is one of the most important things you can do. Consider budgeting a portion of your financial resources toward things that can help keep you healthy—whether that’s maintaining a simple exercise routine, eating nutritious foods, or even for a garden to grow those foods yourself. 

If you are, or have ever been deeply in debt, you know it’s a heavy weight that can feel like a storm cloud hanging over everything. Unfortunately, it’s often the opposite of living simply. Simple living means eliminating the clutter—not just in our homes, but in our finances too. If you’re in debt, work on a plan to reduce or eliminate it. This can be done in two different ways – the first way is to work towards paying off high-interest debt first and work your way down. The second is to pay off the smaller debt and apply those payments to the larger debt. Try to minimize using credit for things you don’t truly need. Remember, the fewer financial obligations you have, the less stress you’ll feel and the more resources you’ll have for things that truly matter.

A simple life, especially when it’s intertwined with prepping, doesn’t require excess. It’s about abundance—abundance of love, abundance of community, and abundance of joy – not an abundance of things. Financial abundance doesn’t mean having a yacht or a mansion; it means having the security and freedom to enjoy life without constant worry. It means being able to invest in the things that matter, like time for your family or self-sufficiency projects like growing a garden or learning how to preserve food.

If you need a little bit of direction, try some of these simple, but practical financial tips:

Enjoy Today but Save for Tomorrow: Create a balance between saving for the future and living well today. Don’t get caught up in thinking about the “what ifs” without also enjoying the “what nows.”

Invest in Skills, Not Stuff: Instead of constantly buying new gadgets, consider investing in skills that will serve you and your family long-term, like learning how to build or fix the things you need, growing your own food and saving seeds, or preparing meals from scratch.

Build a Network: Finances aren’t just about money; they’re also about relationships. Build a network of like-minded individuals who can help you during tough times. That’s the community aspect of both prepping and simple living.

Live Below Your Means: Find contentment in less. It’s not about depriving yourself; it’s about living intentionally and making room for what matters most.

Don’t Forget to Give Back: Finances aren’t just for storing up for yourself—they’re also a way to help others. Whether you contribute to your community, give to a cause, or lend a helping hand to a neighbor, generosity enriches your life in ways money alone never will.

And be smart - Set up your budget and income and expense spreadsheets: Keep them maintained. By doing this, you’ll always know where your money is coming from, where it’s going, and where you can cut expenses if times get tough.

By blending the principles of prepping with the simplicity of intentional living, you’re creating a financially sustainable future, not based on fear or overindulgence, but on calm preparation, gratitude, and flexibility. Remember, finances are just one tool in your toolkit for living a full and resilient life. Whether you're putting a little away for emergencies or simply making choices that align with your values, you’re creating a life that’s ready for whatever comes your way, and that, my friends, is what living with intention is all about.

If you want to learn more about living a Simple Life, just visit my website at www.thefarmwife.com/ . If you’re enjoying listening to these podcasts, please consider supporting the show by clicking the SUPPORT button in the show notes. When you do, you’ll be helping me continue bringing you fun and helpful ideas for living the Simple Life you love!

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Thanks again for stopping in. I will see you next week on Living a Simple Life with a Back Porch View. And while you are waiting for the next episode, grab that glass of refreshment, pull up a rocker, and sit back for a while. It’s time to relax and enjoy.