About Ryan
From fifteen years in lending to four acres in Zone 5.
Homesteading in Zone 5, the honest math behind frugal living
Onondaga County, NY · ryan@ryanzarnowski.com
Homesteading in Zone 5, the honest math behind frugal living
Onondaga County, NY · ryan@ryanzarnowski.com
From fifteen years in lending to four acres in Zone 5.
Ryan Zarnowski spent 15 years as a loan officer helping families finance homes before trading his desk for 4 acres on the outskirts of Syracuse, New York. A Missouri native who moved to Central New York to be near family, he now homesteads full time with his wife and two kids, writing about frugal living, rural land buying, and the honest math behind growing your own food in a cold climate.
He grew up in Columbia, Missouri, the middle of three kids. His dad was a diesel mechanic and his mom kept the books for a small farm supply store, so he grew up around both engines and ledgers. Summers at his grandparents’ small farm near Fayette planted the homesteading seed, even if he didn’t know it at the time.
Finance degree from Missouri State, straight into the housing crash.
Fifteen years a loan officer, the last six as a senior on rural property loans.
Moved to Central New York for family; bought 4 acres near LaFayette.
Left banking to homestead full time and started writing the numbers down.
Frugal living, one honest ledger entry at a time.
Monthly cost breakdowns, honest failures, and what actually saved us money, no fluff.