This blog post is part of a series called the 30 Steps Program to Financial Independence.

Growing a garden can be quite simple, save you money, help you eat healthier, and serve as a very affordable hobby, much like doing maintenance on your vehicle.

Where should you start? I’m not an expert in gardening myself. Most of my experience comes from following the advice of friends and family while helping them with their gardens.

When I eventually buy a house, I’d love to have a small plot of land to grow vegetables. I would begin with the basic vegetables I eat the most, such as potatoes, lettuce, tomatoes, garlic, onions, and carrots. I would then add more expensive vegetables like asparagus and leeks, which I usually avoid buying because of their high cost. Having a good supply of these would be quite satisfying.

I would also explore ways to prepare and store large quantities, like preserving and freezing them to last throughout the year. I recall visiting my grandparents in the countryside, where we’d repeatedly eat the same vegetables during harvest season—it got monotonous!

With a deep freezer and jars of tomato sauce and pickled vegetables, I’d have a varied diet all year round. The cost of running a garden would be comparable to buying lower-quality produce from the supermarket. Additionally, I wouldn’t be affected by the fluctuating prices due to vegetable shortages.

Although my garden is still just a dream right now, I believe it’s a tangible project that I will start soon on my journey to financial independence.