10 Ways to Have A Frugal Christmas


It may be the most wonderful time of the year, but the holiday season is also typically the most expensive time of year, and that can make it the most stressful time of year too.

I think most of us can agree that what was once a celebration of Christ and Yuletide and a holiday centred around family traditions and goodwill to all men has now been exploited, capitalized upon and turned into the most commercial holiday on Earth. And it seems to get more commercial and cost more money every year! Or is it just me?

Personally, I usually start planning for the following Christmas on Boxing Day because I know if I don’t shop, plan and prepare all year, there’s no way we could afford a modern Christmas with all the jingle bells and whistles without going massively into debt. I take advantage of Boxing Week sales and start stocking up for the following year right away. 

Throughout the year, I shop for gifts when I find things on sale, preserve food in the summertime to put away for the many holiday parties and dinners that abound this time of year. I also start making Christmas gifts well ahead of time so that I don’t have to spend a whole bunch money on gifts and supplies all at once when the season hits.

And yet, every year, despite my best efforts, we still end up blowing our budget. It just always seems that there’s one last gift to buy or a few more ingredients or one more bottle of wine… or maybe two.

This year we’re tighter on funds than we’ve ever been after purchasing our first home and spending every penny we had and more on renovating and turning our garage into a rental (which is still ongoing and costing us money).

So I decided to brainstorm a list of frugal Christmas ideas that will help ensure we stay on budget while still having a fun-filled Christmas together with family.

I even made a free printable Holiday Budget Planner for me and you so no excuses!

I hope that you find comfort and inspiration in this list and in knowing that it is possible to celebrate Christmas and still make it magical and memorable without going broke or starting the new year at a massive deficit. 

Here’s how…

 

10 ways to have a frugal Christmas (and a happy, debt-free new year)

 

1. Set A Budget

The only way to stay on budget is to start by actually making a budget. As much as you might not want to do it, now is a good time to review your finances and decide on how much you can actually afford to spend this holiday season. 

If you’re married, do this with your partner and agree on spending limits for each other, for any children you have and for other family members and friends. Also budget for food and drinks for holiday dinners or parties you’re planning on hosting or attending as well as for travel costs and other holiday incidentals like outings and activities or perhaps a few humble decorations:)

Oh, and don’t forget about New Year’s Eve! This night can blow what’s left of your budget and then some if you decide to go out so set a spending limit now and stick to it.

Do your due diligence to only spend money you have in the bank and avoid using your credit card at all costs. If you do use your credit card for online purchases or to collect points, make sure you have money in the bank to pay it off in full so you don’t end up paying interest on your purchases.

And track your spending!!! (I need to take my own advice on this one).

Hey! Fancy that! I just so happen to have a freebie to help you do all of the above:

>> Click to download my FREE HOLIDAY BUDGET PLANNER <<

 

2. Make A List & Check It Twice

It’s easy to overspend when you’re trying to buy for everyone and their dog, so make a list of family members and friends (human and furry) you’re going to buy for and stick to it. 

First of all, decide on who you want to buy for when it comes to family and close friends. Maybe instead of everyone buying for everyone else, you can arrange a Secret Santa gift exchange and then each person is only responsible for one other person. This works especially well in large families where it’s just not possible to buy for every single person.

Next, limit gift-giving to a few extra special people. I’m sorry, but you do not have to buy something for every one of your co-workers or your hairdresser or your kid’s principal at school.

Sure, it’s nice to give to all of those people gifts if you can afford to (and it is possible to afford it if you follow the next step and make your own gifts), but you don’t need to buy gifts for everyone, and you certainly shouldn’t feel guilty about it.

We get sucked into believing that we need to buy presents for everyone we know because we’re bombarded with advertisements that perpetuate that message this time of year. Don’t be fooled by smart marketing ploys. 

Instead, make a batch of cookies for the office or sign up to volunteer at the school. But please, don’t blow your budget buying for your third cousin, twice removed. (Is that a thing?)

 

3. Make Your Own Gifts

If you want to make your dollar stretch and give gifts that are truly from the heart this season, make some of your own gifts. You can either make something really personalized for one special person that takes more time but less money (think hand-knit scarves and hats or wooden handcrafted signs or decorations), or you can do what I do and make a whole bunch of gifts in batches and have gifts for everyone on your list and then some.

And if you’re not “crafty,” I’ve got you covered. Because I’m not particularly crafty either. But I’ve learned to make a few easy gifts in the comfort of my own kitchen that require very few ingredients and pennies on the dollar of what they would cost if I bought them from the store. Here are just a few ideas for homemade Christmas gifts:

Peppermint Sugar Scrub

Essential Oil Rollerballs

Rosemary Hair Pomade

Oh, and don’t forget any extra homemade jams, jellies & preserves you have stored in your pantry. These make an excellent hostess gift around the holidays!

 

4. Plan Frugal or Free Family Activities to Celebrate the Season

There are so many fun things you can do for free or for the cost of a small charitable donation around this time of year. Plan a few frugal but festive family activities to help make the holiday season merry and bright. 

Some ideas include: 

  • going ice skating or tobogganing
  • attending community Christmas parties, parades and other holiday events that are free or by nominal donation
  • going to visit Santa
  • going to a tree farm (or out to the woods if you can) to cut down your own Christmas tree
  • building a snowman
  • having a snowball fight
  • driving around to look at Christmas lights
  • drinking hot chocolate and roasting marshmallows over a bonfire 
  • playing games at home with family and friends
  • going to church to listen to the choir sing Christmas carols
  • going carolling in your neighbourhood
  • volunteering for a local organization like a soup kitchen, animal shelter or children’s hospital

* Some added bonuses to volunteering are that you can teach your children a valuable lesson about giving without expecting anything in return, you bring Christmas cheer to others in need and it doesn’t need to cost you a thing but your time. Plus you get that warm fuzzy feeling that comes from giving selflessly:)

 

5. Stay Home

Nowadays many of us live far from our loved ones and families are split up all over the country (and even the world). Much as we may long for a simpler time, most of us don’t all share the same family homestead anymore, let alone the same town or even state. For this reason, travelling has become synonymous with the holidays for a lot of people, and it can break the bank before you can say Humbug!

Of course, Christmas is nothing if not spent with family, so it’s important to find a way to go the distance for those who matter most to you this time of year. However, if you and your immediate family are always the ones travelling out of state to spend Christmas at grandma and grandpa’s, maybe suggest that this year you’ll host Christmas and invite your extended family to come stay with you. (This is what we’re doing this year, and everyone was just fine with making the trip out to see us instead of the other way around).

An added bonus to staying home is that you get to spend Christmas morning in your own living room while your kids open presents under their own tree. There’s something special about waking up at home on Christmas morning, and personally, it’s a tradition that we’re committed to uphold most of the time now that we have a daughter of our own.

Another suggestion is to make plans to travel after Christmas when airfares and travel costs tend to go down. Christmas is one of the most expensive times of the year to travel, not to mention the busiest. Avoid the mad rush and the premium pricing and travel in January instead if possible.

 

6. Decorate Frugally

It can be really tempting to go all out with your decorating at Christmas time, and there’s certainly nothing wrong with that! However, it’s not necessary to go buy hundreds of dollars worth of decorations every year.

Start by decorating with what you already have. Then, fill in the gaps with frugal homemade decorations like snowflakes cut out of printer paper or popcorn garlands and items found in nature like holly, pine cones, cedar bows or these frugal handmade birdseed ornaments.

Build your Christmas decoration collection slowly over the years, acquiring just one or two new decorations each year. This will make each item more special as you reminisce about Christmases past as you pull your decorations out of their boxes each year. 

Bonus pro tip: save money on decorations by buying them after Christmas when they’re on sale and putting them away for the following year.

 

7. Shop From Your Home Pantry for Holiday Meals & Parties

When it comes to planning your holiday dinners, deserts and appetizer platters, start by taking an inventory of your pantry and freezer and figuring out what you already have on hand. 

We have a ham in our freezer that I bought a couple months ago when it was on sale, so that’s the star of our Christmas dinner this year! We’ll also be using our jars of home-canned apple pie filling and home-canned pumpkin to make apple crumble and pumpkin pie for dessert. 

Our preserves will accompany appetizer platters and our home-canned cranberry sauce, sauerkraut and homegrown carrots we have in cold storage will accompany our Christmas ham. This leaves just a few fresh ingredients we’ll need to purchase closer to Christmas day.

Whether you grow or preserve your own food or not, it’s worth it to take stock of any food you already have on hand and use that as a starting point for holiday meals and parties. You’ll likely still need to buy a few things, but this can potentially cut your food costs exponentially this holiday season.

Click for more tips: How to Shop From Your Pantry Like A Pro.

Oh, and you can get my pantry and freezer inventory templates along with tons of other free printable in our Free Resource Library, so head on over there too!

 

8. Cash in Your Points

If you collect loyalty points at your local grocery store or drugstore, now’s a good time to cash them in for gifts and groceries. 

I save my points all year to spend at Christmas so I can basically pay nothing for Christmas dinner. Likewise, I save store points and get money off bigger ticket items or get stocking stuffers for free.

Look through your wallet and pull out any cards you have money or points on. Figure out exactly what you have and decide how you want to spend them. It’s useful to factor this into your budget! 

 

9. Stay In & Have A Games Night For New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Eve can be the coup de grâce when it comes to blowing your budget over the holidays. If you plan on going out on the town, this night can run you a few hundred dollars for a a new outfit, cover charge somewhere, dinner and drinks.

If you go to a party, the costs are a little bit less, but you might still end up spending on an outfit or on babysitting for your kids if it’s adults-only, and babysitting on New Year’s Eve can cost extra.

Instead, why not lay-low this New Year’s Eve and stay in. You can either have a games night just for your family or invite friends over to join the fun. (My hubby and I have made a tradition out of staying in on New Year’s Eve with a cheese platter, some champagne and a Monopoly board!)

If you have other people over, have everybody bring an appetizer to share and entertain potluck-style. Make sure everyone knows it’s a casual party so no need to dress up or get your hair done! 

Organize games and activities for the kids and adults alike like Uno, Trouble, Clue and Twister. If it’s adults-only, play poker, Pictionary, charades, Monopoly or Trivial Pursuit. For some raunchy adult fun, I highly recommend Cards Against Humanity. It’s always good for a laugh, but only play with adults who have a good sense of humour!

 

10. Focus On the New Year

Last but most certainly not least, think ahead to the new year and don’t get too caught up in the hype and gluttony of the holiday season. It’s really easy to overspend if you’ve got a one-track mind when it comes to Christmas and you’re willing to spend anything to have the “perfect” Christmas and get everybody on your list everything they want and more. But if you focus on starting this new year off with a bang (and a financial head start), it’s easier to keep your spending in check. 

Focus on the feeling you’ll get when your bills come due in January and you find you’ve got money to spare! Or at least the feeling you’ll get on New Year’s Day when you wake up after a games night at home without a hangover or the worry of checking your bank statement to find out how much you actually spent the night before.

… Okay. Maybe you’ll have a hangover. But after all of that saving, you’ve earned yourself a champagne toast 😉

 

Get Back To Your Roots (And Back In The Black)

Heading into the holidays, it’s all too easy to get caught up in the hype of spending money you don’t have on things you don’t really need. This year, make a plan to do things a little differently and have a frugal Christmas. Focus on spending time with loved ones and enjoying the magical things about Christmas that don’t cost a thing. Honestly, the holidays shouldn’t cost your firstborn child their college tuition!

So this year, let’s get back to our roots and celebrate Christmas for what it really is: A time of togetherness, celebration and peace on Earth (no arguing in the comments section on Christmas Day!!!)

And let’s celebrate the New Year with a positive balance in our bank accounts. You just can’t put a price tag on any of that.

For all the things you do need to put a price tag on, download my FREE Holiday Budget Planner and start saving for a happy, debt-free new year.

Fa la la la la la la la la!

I'm a modern homesteader on a mission to transform our house into a safe, sustainable, self-reliant sanctuary and to help you create, grow and live a good life by transforming your house into a thriving homestead too!


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2 Comments

  1. Jane Allan

    Anna you have made some really good points in this post. Here in Australia(Aus) we have $1 and $2 coins. I collect these all year and save in an old tea pot. This gives me the extra to add to the shopping budget at this time of year. Over a whole year I end up with quite a lot of dollars saved.
    For many years we lived thousands of kilometres away from our family. The cost of posting gifts was oftem more than the cost of the gifts. I spoke to my siblings and they agreed to not send anything to my children and I would not to theirs. I always send a card and a letter with the funny things that have happened. I will attach photos of these events if I have them. If we happen to be in the same place at Christmas then a small gift is purchased and placed under the tree.
    I also purchase things all year, when they are on special. I go through my present cupboard, about now, and can see where I have plenty and where there are gaps. This year my two Granddaughters are well catered for. It makes a such a difference knowing I dont have to go into crowded shopping centres and dont have to worry about getting anything. I do have a few things left to make. These wont take long.
    Here, in my part of Aus, we are in the grips of a most unpleasant heatwave. Most people we know still love a hot Christmas dinner. We have our Christmas celebration at lunchtime. This year it is just hubby and I. We will have prawns, scallops, oysters and salad. It will be a lovely cold seafood feast. Our daughter and her partner will be here for breakfast. We will have crossaints, bacon and eggs. This will be the only cooking taking place on Christmas Day. We might spend some time at the beach or we just might stay at home in front of the fans.
    Christmas has slowed down for us. We will be seeing the Grandies, our son and DIL in early January. That is when we will have a second Christmas with all the fun and the magic that comes with having little people around.

    Reply
    • Anna Sakawsky

      Hi Jane!

      I spent one Christmas in Australia when I lived in Melbourne. I went camping with friends and we roasted a ham on the Webber and had oysters and good local wine and went beachcombing along the shoreline. We exchanged a few small gifts. My friend got me a limited edition copy of Alice in Wonderland (one of my favourites) and we all just enjoyed each other’s company. It was simple and it was perfect. Of course, times have changed and I have a little one now and I do love to spoil her, but shopping throughout the year when there are deals to be had has helped to keep costs down at this time. My husband and I aren’t exchanging gifts this year. We’re doing stockings for each other and there will be a Santa gift for the family. Otherwise we plan on writing each other thoughtful notes and just enjoying a day off together. That’s what really matters at Christmas! BTW, the seafood platter you speak of has me salivating. I remember that being such an Aussie thing, to have seafood on Christmas. I would love to adopt this tradition. We live right near the ocean after all and have access to world class seafood and oysters! If you’ve ever heard of Fanny Bay oysters, Fanny Bay is right close by where we live (my mom actually lives there). I must make this “a thing” here where ham and turkey reigns supreme! Merry Christmas:)

      Reply

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ABOUT ANNA
Hi! I’m Anna, and I’m a city girl turned modern homesteader who’s passionate about growing, cooking and preserving real food at home, creating my own herbal medicine and all-natural home and body care products, and working toward a simpler, more sustainable and self-sufficient life each and every day. 
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I’m all about practical gifts; Gifts that will truly make life easier and contribute to my and my family’s wellbeing. And our family includes our animals!

One of the ways we make sure our chickens are taken care of is by letting them free range during the day, but making sure they’re locked up and safe from predators at night. But who wants to be up at the crack of dawn to open the coop, or wake up to a bloodbath because you forgot to close the coop the night before?

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Using an automatic chicken door has been a GAME CHANGER for us. It’s one of those lesser known homestead tools that can make all the difference, and I’m always recommending one to anyone who keeps chickens!

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15 3

Yes, you read that right…

Modern Homesteading Magazine is coming to an end.

This decision has not come easily, but there’s a season for everything, and more and more I’m feeling called to transition out of this season and into the next in both life and business.

And so this final farewell issue is bittersweet. On the one hand, it’s the first ever annual issue, with 100 pages packed with brand new content that celebrates the best of the past 32 issues!

And it’s the first issue I’ve ever offered in PRINT!

But on the other hand, it marks the end of an era, and of this publication that I’ve absolutely had the pleasure of creating and sharing with you.

If you’re a digital subscriber, you will not be charged a renewal fee going forward, and will continue to have access to the digital library until your subscription runs out. As part of your subscription, you’re able to download and/or print each issue of you like, so that you never lose access to the hundreds of articles and vast amount of information in each issue.

Rather than subscribing, you can now purchase an all-access pass for a one-time fee of just $20, which gives you access to our entire digital library of issues.

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I’m also still taking preorders for the print version of this special edition issue, but only for a few more weeks!

When you preorder the print issue, you’ll also get a digital copy of the special edition issue (this issue only), and will receive a print copy in the mail later this year (hopefully by Christmas so long as there are no shipping delays!)

Click the link in my profile or visit modernhomesteadingmagazine.com to check out the latest issue, purchase an all-access pass to the digital library and/or preorder the print issue today!

Thanks to everyone who has read the magazine over the past 4 years. I’m humbled and grateful for your support, and can’t wait to share whatever comes next:)

#modernhomesteading #homesteading #homesteadersofinstagram
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19 3

It’s easy to romanticize homesteading, but the truth is that those homegrown vegetables, those freshly laid eggs, that loaf of bread rising on the counter, and that pantry full of home-canned food takes time, effort and dedication. It doesn’t “just happen” overnight!

But if you work on learning one new skill at a time and gain confidence in it before moving onto the next, one day you’ll be looking back and marvelling at how far you’ve come.

That’s where I’m at now. Life today looks a lot different than it did 10 years ago, when our homesteading and self-reliance journey was just beginning.

Back then we still lived in our city condo and were just beginning to dabble in all of this stuff. But my husband Ryan and I felt a sense urgency to start pursuing a more self-reliant lifestyle, and we committed to taking small steps, one day at a time to make that vision a reality.

Over the years we’ve continued to put one foot in front of the other, adding new skills and tackling new projects along the way that have helped us get to where we are today.

While there’s always more we want to learn and do, as I look around me right now, I’m so grateful that we took those first steps, especially considering what’s happened in the world over the past few years!

If you’re also feeling the urgency to take the first (or next) steps toward a more self-reliant life, this is your final reminder that today is the last day to join The Society of Self-Reliance and start levelling up your homesteading and self-sufficiency skills so that you’ve got what it takes to:

• Grow your own groceries
• Stock your pantry
• Create a natural home
• Get prepared
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If you’ve been feeling called to level up your self-reliance skills (because let’s be honest, we’re in for a wild ride these next few years with everything going on in the world), now is the time to heed that call.

Link in profile to enroll before midnight tonight, or go to thehouseandhomestead.com/society

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There are so many reasons to grow your own food at home:

💰 Saves you money at the grocery store
🍴 Healthier than conventionally grown food
🔑 increases your overall food security
🫙 Gives you an abundance to preserve and share

But perhaps the number one reason is because it just tastes better!

Not only does food taste better when it’s freshly picked or allowed to ripen on the vine, there’s something about putting in the work to grow something from a tiny seed and then getting to see it on your dinner plate that just makes it so much more satisfying than anything you’ll ever buy from the store.

Plus, having to wait all year for fresh tomatoes or strawberries or zucchinis to be in season makes that short period when they’re available just that much more exciting!

With the world spinning out of control and food prices continuing to rise, it’s no wonder more people are taking an interest in learning to grow their own food at home. But that also means changing our relationship with food and learning to appreciate the work that goes into producing it and the natural seasonality of organically grown fruits and vegetables.

(It also means learning to preserve it so you can make the most of it and enjoy homegrown food all year long).

In my online membership program, The Society of Self-Reliance, you’ll learn how to grow your own food, from seed to harvest, as well as how to preserve it so you can enjoy the fruits (and vegetables) of your labor all year long!

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The doors to the Society are now open for a limited time only. Click the link in my profile or go to thehouseandhomestead.com/society to learn more.

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If you’ve been watching events unfold over the past few years and you’re feeling called to start “cutting ties” with the system and begin reclaiming your independence, The Society of Self-Reliance was made for you!

When I first launched this online membership program last year, my goal was to create a one-stop resource where members could go to learn and practice every aspect of self-reliance, as well as a space to connect with other like-minded people pursuing the same goal. And that’s exactly what you’ll get when you join!

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29 0

Got out for an early morning harvest today. Been up since 3am, contemplating life, the future and the past, the order of things…

There is a rumbling right now, not just in North America, but around the world. Many of us can feel it, and know we are on the precipice of something big.

I’d been hearing about this new song that’s become an overnight viral sensation, written by an (until now) unknown singer named Oliver Anthony. His new song Rich Men North of Richmond has had 14 million views on YouTube in the past week alone, so I decided to check it out.

I also saw a clip of him playing a Farmers Market last week, and anything that has to do with Farmers Markets always has my attention;)

I can’t tell you how many tears I’ve already cried listening to that song. If you’ve heard it already, you probably know what I’m talking about, and if you haven’t, I highly recommend giving it a listen. All I can say is it’s been a while since a song resonated so deeply with me, and in this strange new world, I know I’m not the only one.

One of the lines in Anthony’s song is “Livin’ in the new world, with an old soul,” and that’s something I think so many of us in the homesteading community can relate to.

Trying to cling to better days; To a simpler time; To the old ways, all while doing our best to get by in the new world.

The world has changed drastically in the last few years especially, and it’s set to change in immense ways over the next few years. Today I’m feeling thankful for people like @oliver_anthony_music_ who give a voice to what so many are feeling right now.

Know that if you’re feeling it too, you’re far from alone. And while the future may feel uncertain and even a little scary, remember that if we stand united, we the people are a force to be reckoned with.

(Continued in comments…)
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112 18

Another garlic harvest in the books!

Garlic is easily one of my favourite crops to grow. It’s pretty much a “set if and forget it” crop. We plant in the fall and leave it to overwinter, fertilize a couple times in the spring, start watering only once the ground starts to dry out, and then harvest in the summer. We can even plant a fall succession crop after our garlic if we want so it really makes great use of garden space all year round.

Over the years we’ve managed to become completely self-sufficient with garlic. We now grow enough to eat all year (and then some!), plus we save our own seed garlic and usually have extra to sell or give away. And around here fresh, organic garlic ain’t cheap, so it’s a good cash crop for anyone who’s serious about selling it.

It took me a few years to really get the hang of garlic, but it’s one crop I’m now very confident with (knock on wood, because it’s always when we make statements like this that next year’s crop fails! Lol.)

A while back I compiled a comprehensive guide to growing, harvesting and using garlic both as an edible and medicinal crop. This is usually only available as part of a paid bundle (or in the fall 2022 issue of Modern Homesteading Magazine if you’re a subscriber;), but for a limited time I’m offering it for free, no strings attached!

Plus you’ll also get access to my step-by-step video lesson on planting garlic so you can set yourself up for success with your garlic crop this year.

Comment “Garlic” below or head to thehouseandhomestead.com/garlic-guide to get your free copy!
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#garlic #garlicharvest #homesteading #selfsufficient #selfsufficiency #selfsufficientliving #selfreliance #homegrown #groworganic #growfoodnotlawns #gardenersofinstagram #homesteadersofinstagram
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Going through photos and videos from our trip to the @modernhomesteadingconference and the vast majority are of our daughter having the time of her life!

Even if I personally got nothing else out of this gathering (which I most certainly did), watching her discover her own love of this lifestyle outside of what we do at home made my heart grow three sizes!

Homesteading is about so much more than homegrown food and self-reliance. It’s about passing on invaluable skills and an understanding of and respect for our connection to the land that provides for us to the next generation.

Being around so many other kids and families who are also pursuing a homesteading lifestyle helped show our little one that this is a movement that is so much bigger and greater than what our own family does on our little plot of land. This is a lifestyle worth pursuing, with a community unlike any other.

Glad to be back home and more excited than ever to involve my kids in everything we’re doing. But also, I think I speak for my whole family when I say we can’t wait to go back someday!
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#homesteading #modernhomesteading #raisinglittles
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If you’re simply looking for ways to save a little extra cash this summer and live well for less, here are 12 tried and tested frugal living tips for summer that you can use to save money this season without sacrificing a thing.
Head over using the link in my bio!
https://thehouseandhomestead.com/12-frugal-living-tips-summer/
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#houseandhomestead
#momentsofcalm
#pursuejoy
#simplepleasuresoflife
#thatauthenticfeeling
#findhappiness
#artofslowliving
#simplelifepleasures
#lifesimplepleasure
#simplepleasuresinlife
#thatauthenticlife
#authenticlifestyle
#liveanauthenticlife
#livinginspired
#savouringhappiness
#livemoment
#localgoodness
#simplelive
#lifeouthere
#enjoywhatyouhave
#frugallifestyle
#homesteadingmama
#offgridhomestead
#modernfarmhousekitchen
#crunchymama
#rusticfarmhouse
#farmhouseinspo
#farmhouselife
#modernhomesteading
#backyardfarmer
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A brand new issue of Modern Homesteading Magazine just dropped!

In this issue:

🌱 How to forage and use five common edible and medicinal weeds

🏠 A sustainable, affordable alternative to traditional homes, greenhouses and more

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Tips for managing a homestead while raising a family (big or small!)

🫙 What to focus on when preserving food for true food security

🌹 How to grow and arrange your own cut flowers at home

🍓 The many ways to preserve summer berries (including 5 delicious recipes!)

💇How to make your own all-natural herbal hair care products at home

🧑‍🌾 Why “community sufficiency” is the new self-sufficiency

And more!

Visit modernhomesteadingmagazine.com (or click the link in my bio) to subscribe or login to the library and read the latest issue.

Plus, be sure to check out all of our past issues as well! There’s a wealth of information in our library on everything from farming and gardening to cooking and canning to herbal medicine, natural living and so much more!

*** This will be the last quarterly issue! ***

This little magazine has grown so much over the past 4 years and 32 issues, and now it’s time for another exciting evolution.

I’m excited to announce that we will be moving to an even more robust annual publication with the intention of offering the first ever print edition this fall if there is enough demand.

I’m also excited to announce the brand new Modern Homesteading Magazine blog, which is currently under construction and will be launching soon. While we will still be maintaining digital subscriptions, the blog will be accessible to all, free of charge, so that more people might benefit from the empowering and increasingly important information that we cover in each issue.

Thanks to everyone who helped make this issue happen! @homesteadingfamily @oatsandhoneyhomestead @omnivore.culture @thetaylor.leigh @doeraydesign (and more who don’t have IG pages;)

And a HUGE thank you to everyone who has subscribed over the years. Modern Homesteading Magazine would never have become what it is today without each and every one of you.

#homesteading #modernhomesteading #selfsufficiency
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If you’ve ever grown your own garlic, you might have noticed the spiral-shaped shoots that suddenly pop up in the centre of the stem, usually about a month or so before the garlic bulbs themselves are ready to be harvested.
These are garlic scapes, and believe it or not- they make delicious pesto! Get the recipe through the link in my bio- https://thehouseandhomestead.com/garlic-scape-pesto/
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#houseandhomestead
#homesteadmom
#homesteadmoments
#homesteadingskills
#homesteady
#thehomestead
#thehomesteadlife
#summeronthehomestead
#suburbanhomesteading
#lovemyfarm
#modernhomesteader
#countrygal
#country_living
#urbanhomesteading
#selfsustainableliving
#homesteaderslife
#garlic
#garlicscapes
#garlicscapespesto
#granolamom
#urbanhomesteader
#homesteadlifestyle
#farmerslifeforme
#backyardhomesteading
#homesteadingfamily
#sustainablelifestyles
#happyhomesteading
#homesteadersofamerica
#homesteaders
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This honey and chive blossom vinaigrette is a frugal, easy and healthy homemade salad dressing that pairs beautifully with fresh garden salads all season long.
Get the recipe through the link in my bio.
https://thehouseandhomestead.com/chive-blossom-vinaigrette/
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#houseandhomestead
#herbalgarden
#gardenherbs
#herbsfromthegarden
#freshherbsfromthegarden
#gardenfreshherbs
#chiveblossoms
#homesteadmom
#homesteadmoments
#homesteadingskills
#homesteady
#thehomestead
#thehomesteadlife
#summeronthehomestead
#suburbanhomesteading
#lovemyfarm
#modernhomesteader
#countrygal
#country_living
#urbanhomesteading
#selfsustainableliving
#homesteaderslife
#seasonalrecipes
#eatinseason
#liveseasonally
#eattheseasons
#seasonaleats
#summersbounty
#eatseasonal
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