Many of us are choosing to learn new skills to help cope with the difficult times we’re in, I’m one of those. I’m looking for ways to cut our costs, grow more food, stretch our income and prepare for an uncertain future.
In so doing, I use the online world, books and trial and error
to accomplish that, and it’s an ongoing process.
(picture, the year's first raspberry harvest!)
This week I watched this video, It’s Time To Grow A Medicinal Herb Garden’ by Shay Elliott for inspiration and to further my learning on growing
medicinal herbs.
I found this site on using essential oils and spent quite a bit of time there.
This one gave me some ideas on what I can do with my garden using what I have on hand. I like to watch gardening videos for inspiration!
While I don’t have the set up this family does for living off grid, I was able to pick up some tips and ideas that would help us get through temporary power outages.
Another online source that I like to read is posts written by Jackie Clay. She is down to earth, realistic and someone I can relate to.
I want to urge you to take every opportunity to learn new skills or improve on ones you already have. 'For such a time as this' we need to develop the attitude that learning is essential and then we need to put that attitude into action.
What are some online sites that you learn from? In addition to ones similar to what I've listed above, I'm looking for sites that share realistic frugal living and stretching our incomes, do you have any suggestions? I currently follow The Prudent Homemaker, My Abundant Life and Debt Free, Cashed Up and Laughing.
Update 6/3/22 ... Here are some other frugal living, stretching our incomes type of sites that were mentioned in the comments ...
The Bluebirds are Nesting on the Farm (I've been a follower of this site for years, it's one of my favorites. I must have been having a senior moment when I was compiling my list! )
Dr. Christophers Herbal Legacy
Appalachia's Homestead of Patara
If you find this series helpful, please share it with others. If we all do what we can to help each other whether it be through writing, sharing, teaching, coming along beside each other or any other means, the world will be a better place!
Until the next post,

Patsy, I remember growing up in frugal times as I was born just after WW2. My parents were very frugal and that’s what we were used to. I hope people who used to having an abundance can adjust.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, if things don't change, there will be major adjustments in store for all of us.
DeletePatsy, that was my comment and I am finding these days I have to type in my name and URL every time I make a comment. Perhaps Blogger has made more changes. I can’t keep up with them. 🤔
DeleteChel, I'm sorry you're having trouble commenting, it must be changes blogspot is making as I've haven't changed anything on my side of the platform. Thank you for persevering in commenting.
DeleteThere is so much truth in this. For me, it's learning (re-learning?) the ways of food preservation. When I was a child, I watched my mom and grandmother (and helped a little) with canning. But, I really didn't absorb a whole lot. Most of what I put up can be water bathed, though I DO want to learn pressure canning. I bought a lightly used 23 qt Mirro pressure canner a couple of years ago, but have yet to use it. I'd like to put up green beans, some rehydrated kidney beans for quick use in making chili, and some soups. Yet, I'm totally afraid to try it -- although I've seen it done numerous times. At some point this summer, I'll do it. Until then, it's watching YouTube instructional videos. If all else fails, I'll water bath the heck out of those jars, using old-time canning methods. While the Ball Blue Book is my go-to, I've found lots of canning help and encouragement on the Rebel Canners FB pages (main group and local sub-groups), to the point that I limited my "following" as it was taking over my news feed. Still it's good to know that there are others with more experience that are willing to assist. I also pick up used canning books whenever I come across them at thrift stores or garage sales. They all contain information that can be beneficial.
ReplyDeleteLori, once you've pressure canned something a couple of times, you'll wonder why you were ever fearful! I've heard of Rebel Canners on FB, I'll check them out.
DeleteHi love your blog, and really appreciate the time you spend on helping us learn! Hilogene in Az. Another two great websites are http://gdonna.com/ and https://thebluebirdsarenestingonthefarm.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, I should have included The Bluebirds are Nesting in my list, I love Annabel's blog! I'll have to check out gdonna. Thank you for your encouraging words and for the suggestions!
DeleteAnother site I find helpful is The Survival Gardener. Though he lives in a warmer zone, I've found his information on biochar, permaculture and composting to be helpful and simply conveyed.
ReplyDeleteLaurie, I like the Survival Gardener too!
DeleteI am subscribed to Dr. Christopher Herbal Legacy newsletters. I have learned so much from these newsletters and would recommend signing up. https://www.herballegacy.com/#gsc.tab=0
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how often I need to know something and the next newsletter answers the question..
A second resource is all the information on Hopwelloils.com. You will need to create an account and sign in to access all the information but they do not hound you by email or sell your information. They don't send them out very often but it is worthwhile to sign up for their newsletters.
The blog gdonna.com is full of practical information. She has everything from how to pack lunches to how to take a sponge bath if there is little water available and how to do laundry by hand. I love all her prettily set tables and plates of food she shares from their meals.
Lana, I'm subscribed to Dr. Christopher Herbal Legacy newsletters too as well as having an account on Hopewell Oils. Both have excellent information. Gdonna was mentioned by someone else in an earlier comment, I'm going to have to check her out. Thanks for the great suggestions!
DeleteMy favorite is Homestead Tessie on Youtube. I don't follow many but she is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteJenny, I like Homestead Tessie too!
DeleteI love the Bluebirds are Nesting on the Farm, Blue House Journal, gdonna, and the Prudent Homemaker. I also watch Amy Maryon and Jammerill Stewart on Youtube when I can. Although they do large batch cooking it is interesting and I learn different things. It helps me think about how I am using up what I have.
ReplyDeleteMamaHen, I'm really trying to focus on learning how to use everything up too. Thanks for sharing your favorite frugal living links. I've compiled a list and added them to the post.
DeleteI've been pulling out my past experience and really using those old skills. I'm trying to set up a garden, though I'm working with a lot of limitations. Land is not a lack but having the tools to work it is. Start where you are, use what you have.
ReplyDeleteTerri, I'm so proud of you! If you think about it, that's the way most of us started ... using what we had where we were!
DeleteHomesteading Family on YouTube is another great resource.
ReplyDeleteNew reader here and I'm loving what I'm seeing. You listed so many of the blogs I already follow.
ReplyDeleteAnother couple of resources, Using Essential Oils Safely (on FB) and Appalachia's Homestead with Patara on YT.
This past year I've learned how to pressure can. This weekend I've canned potatoes and today, ground beef.
Kay, welcome to the Working Pantry community! Pressure canning is a super skill and one that provides lots of benefits.
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