5 Brilliant Money Secrets to Living and Saving Money like the Amish

The Amish are a group of Christians that live in the United States and Canada. Their simple lifestyle allows them to save money and avoid many routine expenses for an average household as well as avoiding the all too common lifestyle inflation.

Amish people tend to save money over spending money, and there is quite a bit you can learn from this mindset. But how exactly do the Amish save their money?

Amish people save money by limiting their expenses and valuing savings over frivolous spending. And Amish people are always looking for a deal. They also strive to live debt-free and be as self-sufficient as possible. All these habits help the Amish save money.

In this blog post, we will talk about the different ways that the Amish save money. Keep reading to learn the tips and tricks the Amish use to become savvy savers. 

farmland with rainy sky

The Amish Hold Off On Spending

The Amish tend to save money by saving up for purchases. Amish people are not keen on buying things right away, and they may wait a while before purchasing something that interests them.

Amish people will also often ask themselves if the purchase is necessary or it would be better to save up for another item of greater need.

The Amish have a unique take on saving money, and it may be just what you are looking for.

The following is a list of ways the Amish can save money and may be a perfect model for you to save after:

  • Benefiting the community directly – The Amish people live in self-contained communities, and the Amish economy is localized.
  • Using what you have is not overlooked – The Amish produce their goods from raw materials to finished products with a high degree of efficiency. 
  • Bartering is still used – In addition, the Amish use bartering, as well as exchange systems to trade amongst themselves for things like eggs or cheese from their animals, or services such as carpentry work. 

This system the Amish live within and use as a main way of life has been so successful that the Amish often have more money than the average American. 

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    The Amish Look For Deals

    Amish people can usually find great deals at their stores because one person’s loss is the other person’s gain in Amish business practices. There are a few things you can do that borrow from the Amish’s smart saving habits:

    • Reuse – If you can repurpose something, do it. Amish can find many uses for old or salvaged items that may be headed for the trash heap.
    • Pool your resources – Amish people often pool their money to make a larger purchase together so they can save on costs and still get something everyone needs without having to spend too much of your own money
    • Buy in bulk – Amish folks also buy large quantities when they see an item at a discount so that if it runs out again later in the year, they will have plenty of leftovers
    • Buy second hand – Another way the Amish save money is by opting for used items and clothing over brand new items.

    One of the main practices for the Amish is to reduce, reuse, and recycle as many things as possible. This even comes down to buying products that are going to have less waste.

    For instance, they choose to avoid buying butter that comes in a paper wrapping that will degrade easily and opt for choosing an option that comes in a container that can be repurposed and reused.

    Another way the Amish save money is by buying second-hand. Buying second-hand goods from different outlets provide ample opportunity to buy items without breaking the bank, and doing so allows Amish to continue saving rather than shelling out the cash on fancy new duds. 

    Amish Farmers

    The Amish Stay Debt-Free

    When it comes to living an Amish lifestyle, because they avoid opening credit cards and taking out private loans, they can stay relatively debt-free. Amish people do not take out loans, allowing them to stay debt-free. 

    Amish individuals also avoid credit cards because they believe that the act of borrowing money should only be done when there is no other choice to avoid future financial woes.

    A great example of this would be Amish farmers who can purchase seeds and groceries with cash instead of taking a loan out for these items, which helps keep their finances strong. 

    Many times because they use the bartering systems, goods and services can be exchanged without going into debt. 

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      Creating Self-Sufficiency is Key for the Amish

      The Amish live a simple life and are masters at doing everything for themselves and teaching each person in their community the skills needed to handle certain trades. 

      People outside the Amish community would tend to outsource the following skills and pay extra for the convenience:

      • Blacksmith
      • Carpenter
      • Farmer
      • Shoemaker
      • Tailor

      Amish people save money by avoiding paying extra for these services. This is because they teach their community members to become equipped with these skills over time.

      Bulk Shopping and Cooking Saves Money, Too

      The Amish also save money by investing in bulk items and cooking from scratch in large batches. This reduces the overall cost of groceries over time and allows an Amish family to save money

      Additionally, the Amish greatly reduce many of their food bills because they farm for themselves and do all their cooking at home.

      Amish people grow their food, produce it on the farm, and can all make meals together. The Amish save money by always having enough of what they need.

      And the Amish tend not to go out to restaurants as these are a luxury found outside of many Amish communities. This again saves them money because they are not paying for the convenience of pre-prepared food. 

      Interior of a covered bridge in rural Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

      In Summary: The Amish Are Thrifty Savers

      The Amish make sure to emphasize saving money over spending money, and this mindset is the basis for their savings scheme.

      Amish people also pay for goods in cash; this reduces the amount spent annually over time as opposed to buying items with credit cards or loans, which incur additional fees. 

      The Amish pay cash for goods which reduces the amount spent annually over time, unlike buying items with credit cards or loans, which incur more charges when you factor in interest rates and late payments.