When people talk about “homesteading” you typically imagine a farmhouse on a big plot of land. You may picture a large, productive vegetable garden that can grow all the food a family needs for a year. A huge pantry full of home-canned goods. You might imagine a huge flock of backyard chickens and a coop,…
Should I Build a House Right Now? (2023 Edition)
The events of the last several years have been unprecedented. Between supply chain issues, skyrocketing lumber prices, and volatility in a hot housing market, it can be overwhelming. “Should I build a house right now? Is it even worth pursuing?” If you’ve had a dream to eventually buy a plot of land and build a…
Living Off Grid Into Retirement: An Interview With Two Intrepid Empty-Nesters
Many people wonder whether pursuing an off-grid lifestyle is a good idea. Especially given many recent events, living off-grid has become a popular retirement dream. For some, it’s a way to slow down on their own remote slice of heaven and live a simpler life. For others, off-grid means a level of self-sufficiency and disaster…
2022 UPDATED Berkey Filters Black Friday Sales
2022 Berkey Holiday Sale UPDATE! So here’s the scoop for the holidays this year. I just spent several hours “personal shopping” and analyzing these deals for you because not everything is always a good deal and I’m never going to sell you on something you don’t need. If you haven’t seen my original review of…
Homestead Thoughts: The Internet, Burnout, and Reclamation
I’m trudging my way through a long bout of writer’s block. It was easy to write when we were in the midst of building our home or solar shed. There was always some aspect of the project to document. Some little detail that could help others wanting to do the same. But when you’re not…
9 Things to Know About Off-Grid Homesteading
16.5 acres and a whole lotta chutzpah. That is what we started with when we began this off-grid homesteading journey back in 2015. It took us over two years to build it by hand. We’ve been living in it for five and counting, and I can honestly say I wouldn’t trade it for anything. We’ve…
How to Find the Perfect Homestead House Plans
If you’re a homesteader wanting to build your own house, you can’t just choose any old house plans. It can be really tempting to browse Pinterest and find plans that seem functional or have a farmhouse vibe (ask me how I know). But most “normal” home plans don’t truly accommodate the needs of homesteaders. If…
How to Save Water: 15 Easy Tips for Saving Massive Amounts of Water at Home
Water conservation is important these days. Whether you live in drought-stricken parts of the American west, have a cistern, or just need to save money on your monthly water bill, saving water is top of mind. According to the US Geological Survey, the average household’s INDOOR water usage is between 80-100 gallons per person per…
Berkey Water Filter Review 2023: Is Berkey worth the hype?
If you’re looking for the best water filter for your family, there is a dizzying slew of options. From inexpensive units like Brita and Pur, to countertop gravity filters like the Berkey, to reverse osmosis systems for your whole home, it’s hard to tell what’s best. And if you’re anything like us, you want to…
Off The Grid Solar Power: How Much Do You Need?
Is it possible to provide 100% of your home’s power needs with solar panels? The short answer is YES. Solar power is a viable option to provide all of your electrical needs if: Your home is too far from an electrical grid connection. You are seeking energy independence and self-sufficiency. You want to live more…