While most Americans wrestle with credit card debt and rising costs, the Amish quietly master a lifestyle of financial freedom and sustainability. With over 360,000 members across the U.S., their time-tested money-saving strategies—from growing their own food to systematic saving—offer lessons anyone can adopt.
Here are 13 practical Amish-inspired habits that can transform your household budget and help you build a simpler, more frugal life.
1. Avoid Credit Cards & Debt
Only very few Amish carry credit cards, and those who do typically use them for rewards points rather than credit. (ref) This disciplined approach to spending ensures they only purchase what they can afford, avoiding interest charges and debt cycles that plague many households.
The Amish philosophy centers on distinguishing between needs and wants, teaching this crucial difference to their children from an early age. This mindset creates a foundation for financial responsibility and helps prevent unnecessary spending that often leads to debt.
2. Grow Your Own Food
Amish families maintain extensive gardens and often raise their own livestock, significantly reducing their grocery bills while ensuring access to fresh, healthy food. This self-sufficiency provides a steady supply of vegetables, fruits, and meats throughout the year.
Through preservation methods like canning and dehydrating, they extend their harvest’s value well beyond the growing season. Even those with limited space can adopt this practice by starting small with herb boxes or container gardens.
3. Cook from Scratch
By preparing meals from basic ingredients rather than buying processed foods, Amish families dramatically reduce their food expenses. They purchase staples in bulk and transform them into nutritious meals through traditional cooking methods.
This approach not only saves money but also promotes healthier eating habits. Making everything from scratch allows complete control over ingredients while eliminating the cost premium associated with convenience foods.
4. Practice Bulk Buying
Amish households commonly purchase items like flour, sugar, and oats in massive quantities. While these specific amounts might not work for most families, the principle of bulk buying remains valuable.
Strategic bulk purchasing of frequently used items can lead to significant savings through quantity discounts. The key is ensuring proper storage and use before items spoil.
5. Repair Instead of Replace
The Amish culture emphasizes fixing broken items rather than immediately replacing them. From clothing to tools, everything is maintained and repaired until it’s truly beyond use.
This mindset extends the life of possessions and develops valuable DIY skills. Even worn-out items find new purposes – old clothes become cleaning rags, demonstrating their waste-not philosophy.
6. Buy Used & Avoid Retail
Thrift stores, salvage shops, and auctions serve as primary shopping venues for Amish families. They recognize the value of purchasing high-quality used items at significant discounts.
This approach allows them to acquire needed items while avoiding retail markups. Their skill at repairing and refurbishing helps them transform secondhand purchases into like-new condition.
7. Develop Multiple Skills
Amish communities value self-sufficiency through skill development. Members learn various trades including carpentry, sewing, farming, and mechanical repair.
These practical skills eliminate the need to hire outside help for many tasks, resulting in substantial savings on home and property maintenance.
8. Practice Resource Sharing
Community-based sharing of expensive equipment and resources helps reduce individual household costs. This cooperative approach allows access to necessary tools and machinery without each family bearing the full expense.
The sharing system extends beyond physical items to include knowledge and skills, creating an efficient network of mutual support.
9. Minimize Entertainment Expenses
Rather than spending on commercial entertainment, Amish families focus on community gatherings and simple pleasures. They organize activities that cost little or nothing while building stronger social bonds.
This approach eliminates expensive entertainment subscriptions, devices, and outings that burden many household budgets.
10. Save Systematically
The Amish typically save about 20% of their income, treating saving as a non-negotiable part of their financial plan. This disciplined approach helps build substantial emergency funds and capital for future investments.
Starting young, Amish children learn to save portions of their earnings, creating lifelong habits of financial responsibility.
11. Embrace Simple Housing
Amish homes prioritize function over fashion, avoiding costly decorative elements and unnecessary upgrades. This practical approach to housing significantly reduces both initial and maintenance costs.
Their homes are built to last, using quality materials and construction methods that minimize long-term expenses.
12. Maintain a Minimal Wardrobe
By keeping clothing simple and practical, Amish families avoid the expense of following fashion trends. Their wardrobes consist of well-made, durable items that serve specific purposes.
This approach reduces clothing expenses while eliminating the waste associated with fast fashion and frequent style changes.
13. Practice Energy Independence
Many Amish households minimize utility costs through alternative energy sources and natural cooling and heating methods. Their limited use of electricity and fossil fuels results in significantly lower energy bills.
Simple practices like line-drying clothes and using natural light reduce dependency on modern energy sources while cutting costs.
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Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.