10 SUSTAINABLE Ways to SAVE Money!

In this video, I give you 10 sustainable ways you can save money!
Raised Garden Beds: Go here to get Birdies Raised Garden Beds in the USA, Canada, and UK: lets.growepic.co/self-suffici... for a 5% discount, or use SSME2020 at checkout.
In Australia, go to birdiesgardenproducts.com.au/ and use Code SSMEbird for a 5% discount. In New Zealand, go to birdiesgardenproducts.co.nz/ and use Code ssmebird22 for 5% off your first purchase.
Hoselink Garden Products such as hose reels go here l.linklyhq.com/l/5uZu and you will automatically get a 10% discount on checkout!
Aussie-made Forged garden tools: Go to gardentoolsaustralia.com.au/ and use code SSM10 for a 10% discount at checkout.
Harvest Right freeze dryer website: affiliates.harvestright.com/1...
For Australian freeze dryer purchase info, use the link above and contact Harvest Right directly.
Plant Doctor Fertiliser: Go to www.plantdoctor.com.au/ and use SSME10 = 10% off products (not shipping).
Rolling Sifter: rollingsifter.ecwid.com/
Support me on Patreon: / selfsufficientme (the top tier $25 AU enables mentoring from yours truly via an exclusive VIP email where I will answer your questions etc ASAP).
My second channel Self Sufficient Me 2: bit.ly/331edDu
New (third) Channel: Self Suffishing Me bit.ly/2LiIWqt
Help support the Channel and buy a T-shirt/Merchandise from our Spreadshirt shop: bit.ly/3lmqMkr or Teespring bit.ly/3neEYO8
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Blog: www.selfsufficientme.com/ (use the search bar on my website to find info on certain subjects or gardening ideas)
Forum: www.selfsufficientculture.com
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Self Sufficient Me is based on our small 3-acre property/homestead in SE Queensland, Australia, about 45kms north of Brisbane - the climate is subtropical (similar to Florida). I started Self Sufficient Me in 2011 as a blog website project where I document and write about backyard food growing, self-sufficiency, and urban farming in general. I love sharing my foodie and DIY adventures online, so come along with me and let's get into it! Cheers, Mark :)
*Disclaimer: Some links to products in this description and comments sections are affiliated, meaning I receive a small commission if you follow these links and then purchase an item. I will always declare in a video if the video is sponsored, and since starting my channel in 2011, I am yet to do a sponsored video.
#save #sustainability #gardening

[@Selfsufficientme]

G'day Everyone, I'm slowly improving but my voice is still a bit shaky. However, taking the Mickey out of politicians in this video has made me feel much better! Thanks for your support! Selfsufficientme.com Cheers :)

[@stanwolenski9541]

other than your continued support of politicians (lol) your latest video is perfect. My parents were organic gardeners as am I. I do only 9 out of 10. Due to city restrictions I am unable to have poultry. 47 years ago, living in a more rural area, we raised chickens for their eggs.

[@wyofire]

Love your show and we appreciate all you share.

[@Anne--Marie]

It's corporate greed causing high prices in America. We have some politicians who want to stop them, but the other politicians interfere. You're right. Keep encouraging people to replace lawns with food.

[@kele1264]

It's always great to hear from you, Mark! I'm glad you're feeling a bit better; hopefully you'll be completely better soon. I'm in the US, and feel exactly the same as you do about politicians. And you made me laugh out loud while giving excellent suggestions on money-saving sustainability. Thank you very much! Always looking forward to your next video!

[@fairwearth690]

So glad you're starting to feel better, thanks to your health tonics and venting about politicians! 😂 As a non bureaucrat (public servant) who works for a provincial government, I wholeheartedly agree with your opinions about politicians! Thanks for this great video, made my morning.

[@PheOfTheFae]

"Unlike politicians, organic waste ...is too valuable to be thrown away and buried in a landfill" made me legitimately LOL, thank you.

[@shelleygoetchius231]

OMG! Me too, still giggling 😂!

[@genericbugone5475]

my favorite line!

[@minitea4315]

I’m still laughing and sharing it on!!

[@aussieweaboo1054]

Was gonna say this lol

[@yourcopiumdealer3399]

I always remember my great-gran when watching your videos because she would agree with you on every point. She lived almost completely cut off of supermarkets and the likes, unless she went to the butcher or the fishmarket to buy local goods she couldn't grow or keep in her garden. She never ate processed food at any point in her life. Left us at the ripe age of 104, so I suppose she did something right.

[@loriwebster8574]

Fantastic!

[@erkansaid8081]

Sorry you've been ill mate. Keep taking the piss out of the politicians, especially if it makes you feel better. I am a bureaucrat, and you're 100% right. We try to make positive changes from inside the system, but there is such a lack of will from those at the top at the moment. The system is geared towards inertia too, which doesn't help change happen. Anyway, love your vids

[@joshlovegood9392]

Love that you're not holding back with these disturbed politicians. Keep on goin Mark! Cheers

[@DoctorMeatDic]

"disturbed politicians"? They are all elected by the people you absolute muppet.

[@DROOG1E]

Remember that the order of the 3 R's is important: Reduce Reuse Recycle Do what you can to cut back. Really assess what you need to sustain (and be good mentally), and trim out the rest. Then, really maximize the things you've got. Reuse what you can or try to get it into the hands of those who could use them. Then, recycle what's left.

[@lolwtnick4362]

you sure are programmed. where i live most of recycled goods are toxic or mixed and therefore cannot be recycled so are trashed. go inform yourself

[@DROOG1E]

@@lolwtnick4362 lol wut? whatever dude

[@davedoessomestuff8176]

​​@@lolwtnick4362"NOOOO YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND I NEEEEEED TO CONSUME AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, IF YOU RECYCLE AND DON'T OVER CONSUME YOU'RE PROGRAMED! RECYCLING IS TOXIC, THAT'S WHY I ONLY BUY NEW AND DUMP EVERYTHING USED!" okay dude lmfao. Sure sounds like you're programmed to go to the Walmart and buy cheap junk direct from China because re-using anything would be a slight inconvenience to you.

[@SoberOKMoments]

I'm so sorry you have been unwell, but very glad you are on the mend. Please keep encouraging people to dig over their lawns and create sustainable gardens in their place. I was way ahead of my time with that one and caught all kinds of flack from the neighbors and local government at that time, but I have no regrets. Somebody has to set the trends to help Mother Nature. 😄 And your videos do just exactly that! Keep them coming!

[@elizabethbriggs492]

Our local government just at the end of September "amended" the local law to significantly limit the number of poultry we can keep, and we live regional. Infuriating.

[@jormacroughs3174]

what was the reasoning or justification behind it? can you link to the article or law? curious.

[@elizabethbriggs492]

@@jormacroughs3174 don't believe they justified it with a reason. it went from "no limit provided they do not cause a nuisance" to "5 on less than 1000m2, 10 on less than 2000m2, and 15 on less than 4000m2 (acre)". roosters and nuisances had their own outlines. they also tightened rules on parking machinery or trucks (even for residential drivers on large -- 2000m2 -- lots) as well as open-air or recreational/pit fires.

[@ellenorbjornsdottir1166]

@@elizabethbriggs492 re: the fires, probably a very good reason. i'd recommend building a rocket mass heater so it doesn't cause so much pollution.

[@elizabethbriggs492]

@@ellenorbjornsdottir1166 we have "rocket mass heaters" all over Australia, this is not relational to woodstove heating in homes. this is small, clean fires of hardwood in backyard firepits, even large backyards (up to an acre!)

[@kele1264]

I'm in New Jersey, in the US. We're not allowed to have our own solar, without it being tied to the grid. We still get charged for electric supply service. So basically the big companies and the politicians steal the use of our roofs, and still steal our money. It's wrong.

[@magesalmanac6424]

That is so infuriating 😠

[@igneousc]

You absolutely can run off grid solar in NJ This channel used to be so much better before the political bitching

[@kele1264]

@@igneousc Not when I asked about it.

[@lolwtnick4362]

lol wait til you try and get insurance for your solar covered roof...

[@davedoessomestuff8176]

@@lolwtnick4362 man you really have nothing better to do than go around on channels talking bad about sustainable practices huh? Sounds like a depressing life. Hope you get better. Btw, I've looked into solar and talked with my insurance about it. It's not as big of a deal as you make it out to be, and my state gives me tax incentives, and I would save money on utilities. Sure is horrible and a bad idea to save money!

[@lukeclarke1068]

Awesome job raising awareness and in other videos showing people how to grow their own food. You are honestly doing more than you know for the people.

[@racebiketuner]

Thanks for addressing this very important topic! Many soil scientists, myself included, believe we turned the corner in 2020 - the year the mass of man-made structures outweighed the biomass on the planet. Large scale soil remediation has become critical to feeding future generations. IMO, what needs to be done is much too important to be left to politicians. Therefore it's up to you, me and everyone watching this vid. Keep up the great job and spreading of the word!

[@TheSupreme436]

Mark, I miss not having new videos as often as you used to. Would love to see you do some more videos on ways and things that you preserve! Thanks

[@penelopegrier5073]

That would be a great video.

[@freespirit2194]

I would love to see more of his preserving videos too.

[@HLBear]

So glad his voice is healing, so we might be able to get that video! 😊

[@fmallow2727]

Fantastic advice. Australia Needs You! I hope your video goes viral. Thumbs 👍 Up.

[@armyrabb1]

I've already incorporated all of these to some degree. I know we're not quite at the 1984 or Mad Max level yet, but I feel it's on its way. Those that know and do these things will be much, much better off.

[@annoyinghermit]

I like the turn this channel is taking.

[@evegreenification]

Same

[@virginiaallisonpeck2517]

You are a wise man and you speak the truth. Blessings to you and yours ❤️🤣🕊🦋

[@jopascoe686]

I love watching you walk your property. I would love to live somewhere like that .🎉

[@cindysandars5142]

I have never LOVED a video so much!!! I'm always keen to learn from you but the TRUTH about the politicians made my day. So glad to hear you feel this way. Keep up the good work!! 🎉🎉

[@Gardeningchristine]

I got bagged soil & peat for $1 each! My Walmart put it on sale and I brought 140 bags. I’ve filled 2 raised beds and plan on lots more!

[@breesechick]

Wow that's a blessing 😊! I paid $20 a bag for peat moss in GA.

[@Gardeningchristine]

@@breesechick $15.99 regular for the peat and I got 10 bags, and 130 bags from $7-$13.99 for the bagged soil.

[@breesechick]

@@Gardeningchristine there you go. Paying $20 for I think three cubic feet was the best deal around me we're paying full price at Lowe's or home Depot. They beat Walmart.

[@Gardeningchristine]

@@breesechick i think they wanted to clear everything off the parking lot and they had everything except the miracle grow for $1, mulch, peat, sand, pavers, bricks, soil, everything on the parking lot. It took me 4 trips to get everything home. And it was first come first serve, so if I’d bought some but wasn’t able to get it in the car, and someone else came along and bought it and left with it I’d have just had to get a refund. Luckily that didn’t happen but one lady was all in a tizzy about some rubber mulch.

[@lelleithmurray235]

​@@Gardeningchristine They're cleaning stuff out for Christmas. You got some good deals there!

[@susanbradleyskov9179]

I agree with Mark, most politicians are prime candidates for landfills. It would, however be necessary to get a lot of plastic-eating mealworms and decontaminating mushrooms into the area, if we did that.

[@bonstar3221]

😂true

[@freakygardener8033]

My entire "garden" is based on buckets, and storage totes, that would normally have gone in the trash! I did buy a BUNCH of soil to get going, but trying to build up by mixing in my own compost from our kitchen scraps.

[@DragonflyenAmber]

Excellent points for ways to save money, and bang on about the politicians!

[@diannebritten1454]

You are saying what we are all thinking 🎉, you are amazing thank goodness for you putting it out there

[@RobnDi]

Brilliant video Mark. Government needs to be brought to account. I worked for the Federal government for nearly 20 years. The waste and stupidity of decisions made by government is horrific. Well done mate.

[@Mywalkingblog]

I especially appreciate the digs at those who make all the rules with no regard to how it affects regular people. Thank you for these great tips, from Texas!

[@teeu.4493]

Out of all the channels I subscribe too, I find yours the most relatable and informative.

[@LaudenElizabeth]

Coming soon, learn to take care of yourselves y’all. Thank you again, Mark!

[@loriwebster8574]

You’re a smart guy! Thanks for the info!! Consider doing some videos on the different ways you can preserve food. Thanks 😄

[@JacobBrantley90]

I don’t believe in dealing in absolutes, unless it’s politicians, no greater evil has been visited upon humanity than bureaucrats…. Love the content, keep up the good work, good day from NC USA.🇦🇺🇺🇸

[@jogriffiths4797]

Great advice! Switching to wicking garden beds has reduced our water usage drastically, so our tank water now lasts the whole summer.

[@margiemurray2147]

Glad you're doing better we missed you the Nanas from Central Florida growing in buckets

[@rosewood9839]

I love how you say “touch wood” and here in the states we say “knock wood”. I love your channel! I’m a long time subscriber and get every single episode. ❤️❤️🎃🎃

[@nancyfahey7518]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍 mainly because I'm from Florida, USA.😊

[@cherylannmclaren3994]

Thankyou . I started a larger garden September 23 and I've absolutely loved it and I learn something new every time I watch you .

[@observationistdave]

Great insights, as always.

[@krissifaith6709]

You inspired us all through c19. Your dad jokes and bein the only guy who can pull off the high socks and the short shorts. We love your passion for nature and keeping us healthy and productive. Thank you for all the fun, informative inspiration. Hope PETA has not given you too much hell about burying the roadkill roo. ^*

[@Cheezitnator]

I read how many things can actually be recycled in my area and now my trash can usually only has one bag in it every week when it used to be full. I use nearly every box in the garden or give to bunnies and I use glass jars for watering and storing leftovers.

[@acflory.writer]

I really enjoyed this video. I've always grown herbs and had fruit trees, but since the pandemic we've also started growing vegies because we have health issues so everything we buy has to be washed, or left to decontaminate outside. It's so much tastier, and easier, to go outside and simply harvest a lettuce, or some spinach, or sweet corn, or tomatoes or..or.. :)

[@samyukthachalla8541]

#SaveSoil is an movement to revitalize our soil and solve all the problems Mark mentioned here.

[@sherimcmahon923]

Oh lord I forgot how funny you are Mark. This video was the highlight of my day 👍🌼🦋🐞🌸🐝🐓🌏

[@brittonharrison-diller6985]

Here in the US... Insurance companies have been dropping coverage due to having solar on your house... Due to fire risk

[@gailmcdonald1946]

Gee that's crazy,anything to get out of paying, corporate greed.😢

[@lolwtnick4362]

​@@gailmcdonald1946it's not wrong. you ever try to put out an electrical fire? they're literally 10x worse and you will die

[@FrankTrask95]

As a professional Roofer & Construction worker. I can professionally say, Solar Panels do not increase a risk for Fires. However, they do create many hard to fix Roof Leaks.

[@yvettevandermerwe6354]

So many people have adapted your Slogan "Let's get into it" 🎉🎉🎉😂❤❤❤

[@Scaling_Obsession]

Love the well-earned digs at the politicians. 😁

[@beebee4334]

3:02 My mother recently gave this suggestion as well: Plant herbs or veggies that usually Expensive at the grocery store. She suggested Asparagus in large pots and reminded me how expensive asparagus can be at the store. This tip alone can help lots of people who live in suburbia.

[@ausfoodgarden]

Hey! Saying politicians are less valuable than composting is just wrong! They can be composted too! 🤣 A very good video encouraging people to try to reduce both their carbon footprint and reliance on mainstream food supply systems. Good on you! 👍

[@bc-guy852]

Wow - - that's a pretty strong-looking "LET'S GET INTO IT' - so I'm thinking Mark is almost back to full-power! Your voice sounds good - from Canada Mark! Keep taking care of you!!

[@sallysalsonoak21]

I’m in the UK and loving your channel. Keep speaking to us with your cracking tips and tricks!!!! ;)

[@johnbeer4963]

Dear Mark - The summer was particularly poor in the UK this year but didn't stop me from growing more tomatoes than we could eat (and such tomatoes - YUM!) I made ketchup using your recipe as a base with the excess. Cucumbers also a success although My peppers and fruit didn't do very well. Always been sort of interested in growing food but You were the final motivation I needed to make it a strategy. Thanks and hope you're well mended soon!

[@rhysdehaan]

Absolutely love your channel mark! I'm making a pinapple patch and we've got a big old valencia orange tree and some vegetable gardens, a passoinfruit and dragonfruits, and some grape vines. Recenltly i got some new stonefruit trees fruitung first year, some banana pups from a friend, strawberries, and raspberries. Planting new stuff around a home renovated train carrige im moving into! By the way, I'm 16 and live in Perth hills Mundaring. Thanks for making these videos and im looking foward to reading your book! 🌱👍

[@MandyOnderwater]

I would absolutely love to see that! I'm personally growing pineapples too. I've only had one fruit ever, but from one storebought pineapple I now have 4 healthy plants! I've shared some pictures of my first home-grown pineapple on Marks forum Self Sufficient Culture :D www.selfsufficientculture.com/

[@lararabb8888]

Way to go! Best wishes.

[@georgettea7836]

Wow! So wonderful to hear about your garden. It is important to be able to grow some food and develop pride in working hard. Good luck for your future!

[@Temperate2Tropical]

Great video brother, loved the intro! Food is getting so expensive in the UK now, thanks for giving your time to this work and helping raise us up!

[@debramoss2267]

If you could only grow indoors what would your top ten be, please Mark. Hate to think of you feeling rough, glad you are recovering. Thank you! 💚

[@margiemurray2147]

I'm curious too that would be interesting think microgreens and sprouting

[@Amelia_R4]

If you are growing indoors get those pots with no drain hole.

[@debramoss2267]

@@Amelia_R4 thank you, good thinking!

[@debramoss2267]

@@margiemurray2147 oh, yes! Thank you, hydroponics on a small scale maybe, too.

[@sebastiengiboulot7848]

Love your poli bashing theme!

[@lexamehrtens2113]

Love your videos Mark I think you are a Legend, as kind hearted and Beautiful Soul. God Bless you 🌻

[@mollybeee]

I live in Maine, United States and our state government passed a law stating that everyone with space can have a garden, no lawn needed. It sounds practical but many places mandate a lawn Now you can't be fined for growing food.

[@bethb8276]

I've heard of people living in HOAs here in Florida that aren't allowed to grow any kind of food, not even fruit trees, not even in their backyards, because it attracts pests. Supposedly, a law passed that says HOAs can't do that now. I don't know, but people still complain on the gardening site I'm in, so not sure. Just grateful I don't live in one.

[@keithnotley2440]

The "Land of the Free" ?? 🤨

[@karabean]

Any person who bashes politicians on KZbin is my PERSONAL HERO!! Keep on keeping on and may the Creator bless you. ❤

[@karabean]

PS just added notifications

[@jcking6785]

Excellent video! Kudos from Lexington, KY, USA!

[@W4iteFlame]

Thanks for reminding me why I love this channel)

[@ImmortalLemon]

I do like the advice to buy local. I’ve started getting most of my produce from my local market and I gotta say it’s made my life better immediately. Not only am I saving money but I’m also eating healthier because now I’m excited to find some way to use the healthy veggies that I buy in my initial pursuit of helping my local area thrive

[@hlynnkeith9334]

3:50 As my Father said, "You buy Quality once or Cheap many times."

[@naturewoman1274]

I've still got a few of my great grand pa garden tools you can't beat the old stuff

[@roadracing22]

I love you! Keep being you Mark!

[@linesbylisa3557]

I agree! I can’t stand politicians! Great advice… I loved this video & you’ve made me rethink what I can do with my backyard 😁👍🏻 Thank you!!!

[@xavierdireen687]

Always love your take the piss out of the pollies videos mark!😂👍

[@psalmsreader7997]

You, sir, are an enviro master!! Thank you for this wealth of info!!

[@lindsayburrows9272]

Amazing video as always Mark.

[@cas1928]

Mark this is one of your best videos yet! 👏👏

[@johnkeith2767]

Love this man and his channel

[@garulusglandarius6126]

Great to have you back Mark 😁 excellent as always 👍 Best wishes to you and your family, from Britain 👍🇦🇺🇬🇧

[@JustSumGuy]

Love your honesty about those amazing politicians.

[@ShortbusMooner]

Praying and prepping and planting!! 🌿

[@handle2468]

Best one yet Mark. Informative and funny.

[@josephschaumberg4136]

Thank you for the insight this video gives.

[@valarmorghulis8139]

I am inspired and hopeful I am watching from the Philippines

[@tanyastanbridge1360]

Love you videos Mark. I always refer back to them! Thank you for providing your videos

[@sandramorton5510]

Excellent video, the next crisis caused by Politicians! You helped and educated me on turning part of my backyard into food producing. Recycle and reuse is also paramount. Welcome back and hope you mend fully.

[@magesalmanac6424]

And drought, and bad industrial farming practices.

[@lynsy9]

@@magesalmanac6424 But mostly rampant corporate and shareholder greed.

[@kirstycruz651]

Great video Mark! Thanks for the tips 🙏🏻

[@hollyhancock2319]

I'm so glad I came across you.. I love your ideas.

[@thunder_vtuber]

Good to see ya again Mark!

[@ChristopherWKwan]

Bravo! Very relevant share for our times Champ!🔥💪🏽

[@kaoserdnase]

Your videos have taught me so much. Thank you

[@plowestory]

You're a crack up legend - great work

[@Timoshenko]

It's because of you I looked into and ended up getting a hoselink and have loved it.

[@johnlane5794]

So love ur work and passion mate 👍

[@user-nc5mn6fw3v]

Nailed it, as always Mark. Keep up the great content 👏

[@rikchild7518]

Top advice as ever Mark. Thanks

[@naumikaur7459]

Priceless! As always so valuable, witty n educational. Lot of food for thought. Love recycling. Thank you

[@davidmenhennett7356]

Just awesome. Thank you.

[@0007Redable]

Thanks Mark! Keep it up!

[@katrinale9462]

I love everything about this video. ❤️

[@Bush_Edge_Homesteading_Aus]

Jeepers Mark! You pretty much wrote a list of how we live!!!!

[@thebrowneyedginger699]

Thanks for such great videos! I’ve learned so much from following you.

[@sherirae]

Love it - you are so right!!!!!

[@terry6131]

I had to make a significant change to my compost bin this year. For some time I would have used cardboard and paper and layered that as 'brown'. However I was getting lots of random plastic. Turned out, the glue from boxes / envelopes appears as rubbery string, some 'food' carboard boxes have a hidden inner plastic membrane and as for printed paper / newspaper / printing on cardboard etc, the print is essentially plastic (toner), so microplastics. Only pure cardboard now goes in the compost, the rest of it goes off to the council's recycling.

[@SNixD]

A lot of paper is treated with some form of wet strengthening agent, in many cases also known as plastic, mixed directly into the material. This is why some coffee filters don't compost well. There are also a bunch of other chemicals used in paper for a wide variety of purposes like for example fire retardation. Sadly your "pure cardboard" might be less pure than you think.

[@asteria4279]

I also had this issue in my worm farm - little squares of plastic! Turns out the shredded paper I was getting from the office had occasional glossy pages and labels. The worms would eat the paper part, leaving the clear plastic layer behind. I took solace in that at least the paper part was recycled 😅

[@marianagabel8361]

Good to see you again Mark. I have missed you.

[@bottomfeederfood]

Mark thank you for this video and constantly sharing your first hand wisdom! All the best with your recovery, i didn't notice a thing!!

[@Lilian-zg6um]

Thanks Mark very insightful and inspiring

[@shauhame6364]

I already knew those tips but it feels good to be reminded from time to time, to not lose sight of my objectives. Thanks! :D

[@helenvaipan8697]

THANK YOU !

[@k.w.7412]

Great advice! Thank you 😊

[@keeponprayingdaron2368]

I still love your channel!!!! Thank you for your time and infirmation.

[@tg1cent765]

Cheers Mate! Love your videos.