If you're new to prepping or homesteading, there's something you should know: You don't have to learn everything at once! I don't know how many times I've heard (or read) someone say that they were kind of interested in off-grid living, but it turned out to be way more complicated than they expected, so they quit. It is complicated, but … [Read more...]
1 Way Poor People Can Buy Land With No Money
I know what you're thinking: "It's too good to be true." In this video, Becky from Becky's Homestead explains how people with very little money can get themselves a small plot of land. To be clear, she doesn't mean literally no money. But as you'll see, owning a piece of land in the countryside is not a pipe dream. In fact, it is very … [Read more...]
9 Key Differences Between Preppers & Homesteaders
Are you a homesteader or a prepper? Both lifestyles are linked by their focus on self-sufficiency, but there are some key differences when it comes to motivation, food storage, water storage, shelter, skills, off-the-grid living, security, medical needs, and lifestyle. Let’s examine them so that you can see where you fit into the spectrum. 1. … [Read more...]
5 Ways to Make Your Homestead More Productive This Year
You’ve moved off the grid--away from the traffic, pollution, and politics. Now you can sit back and enjoy the rest of your years in nature, right? Wrong, my friend. Homesteading is a lifestyle that takes a lot of work (and also reaps massive rewards). As with any productive project on the homestead, first you must be clear about your goals and … [Read more...]
63 Practical Ways to Live a Frugal Life
We all want to save money, but no one wants to look like a cheapskate. Unfortunately, this is a bit of a paradox. There are some instances where no matter what, you're going to look cheap. For example, if your kid's shoe tears open but you don't want to buy new shoes yet, you could wrap the torn shoe with duct tape. It won't look good, but … [Read more...]
13 Self-Reliance Skills The Pioneers Needed to Survive their Journey West
Between 1840 and 1860, more than 400,000 men, women, and children set out on the overland journey across the American West which became known as the Oregon Trail. Heading out from departure points in Missouri, these pioneers desired a new life, one that offered more freedom, more opportunity, and more space. In some ways, these Americans are not … [Read more...]
5 Big Reasons You Should Teach Your Kids to Homestead
Raising kids in a homesteading environment is one of the best ways to give them a great start in life. The skills and values they learn can help them be successful at whatever they choose to do later in life. Whether they take over the farm and follow in your footsteps or decide to travel a different path, life skills taught on the homestead will … [Read more...]
9 Tips for New Homesteaders
If you are thinking of homesteading or are just starting out, you probably have been immersing yourself in tons of information and advice. Maybe some of it is helpful; maybe some it is confusing. And just maybe, you are feeling overwhelmed. Yes, there is a lot to learn, but no, you don’t have to learn it all at once. You couldn’t even if you … [Read more...]
Can You Homestead When You’re Broke?
Do you keep putting off your dream of homesteading while you try to save up enough money to get started? With the cost of everyday living, that can be a frustrating and never-ending experience. How would it change things if you made the decision to begin homesteading with what you already have? You can, you know. It may not look like the … [Read more...]
7 Ways to Protect Your Homestead
According to FBI statistics, “A burglary occurs nearly every 15 seconds in the United States”. Even more alarming, “A majority of home intruders gain access forcibly through a 'locked' door.” Now imagine an intruder gained forcible entry to your house on the homestead, a location far away from authorities. This is a nightmare scenario that could be … [Read more...]
How We Feed 9 People For Only $250 a Month
If you haven't already subscribed to the Youtube channel, Big Family Homestead, you should. Brad has made hundreds of videos documenting how he and his family attempt to be as self-sufficient as possible by growing their own veggies, raising their own animals, storing their own food, generating their own power, finding ways to save money, and much … [Read more...]
10 Most Important Homesteading Skills
While being a proficient carpenter, owning a fleet of tractors, and mastering the art of welding are all fantastic skills on the homestead, none of them will make you a successful homesteader all by themselves. You’ve got to have an arsenal of information covering topics all across the board in order to maintain a sustainable life off the … [Read more...]
Blacksmithing Basics: 7 Things You Need to Know
There was once a time, as little as 150 years ago, where everything made from metal was made by a blacksmith. A box of nails that we can carelessly pick up at the hardware store was once a treasured commodity, each nail made by hand. It’s no wonder that during that time, as much as 20% of the adult male population would have been employed working … [Read more...]
10 Ways to Live Without a Fridge or Freezer
Refrigerators and freezers are taken for granted by almost everybody. We don't just use them every day, we use them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. How much food would you have to throw away if your refrigerator broke? How much would you have to change your diet if you had to eat nothing but room temperature food? Although it's possible to have … [Read more...]
30 Ways to Make Money With Your Homestead
Making the decision to live the homesteading lifestyle is one that offers a new sense of freedom and satisfaction. However, you may have taken a drastic cut in income to make your dream of self-sufficiency a reality. Whether you are looking for a full-time salary or a supplemental income, there are many ways to make money as a homesteader. Your … [Read more...]
The Dark Side Of Homesteading
This week's video comes from Guildbrook Farm, a Youtube channel all about a small homestead in North Carolina. In the video, Jamie talks about death on the homestead. I really like this video because it's more real and down to Earth than most homesteading videos. Most people like to show the best versions of themselves online. They brag about … [Read more...]
