One of my favorite shows of all time is Little House on the Prairie. Maybe because I could totally imagine being in a prairie, or because I liked horses, or I just wanted to be just like Laura! I was fascinated with the chores they had to do, milking the cows, making butter, and making their clothes.
Just Call Me Laura Ingalls
Slowly but surely in my quest to save money, economize, and squeeze the life out of every dollar that crosses my path I’ve begun to resemble an 1800’s homesteader…without the heavy clothing and with a flat screen t.v….Ahem.
Here’s what I’m talking about. I’ve begun to use what I have until it almost falls apart (but not clothes) I can’t be walking around looking crazy. But I DO sew items that unravel. I’ve even begun making my own seltzer water after an epic Kitchenaide hack. I started growing a garden and am eating the efforts of my labors: zucchinis, cucumbers, tomatillos, arugula, radishes, turnips, and basil.
I’ve even begun learning how to make the different things that I consume like: ketchup, vegan chicken, yogurt, bread, hot sauce, pickles, and kimchi.
Every time I make something successfully I feel amazing!! I also feel super empowered. As I learn how to make different things I feel like I’ve expanded my ability to make money decisions that always are beneficial to me. Soon I will learn how to make soap, laundry detergent, and body scrub.
Why Learn To Do These Things?
Why not? By learning how to make what I consume I prove false the idea that I have no other consumption options. I now have a choice. I won’t always make the things that I consume, but now I have the option. And, if I have the time and inclination I imagine that I will chose to make what I want more and more often than to buy it pre-made. I’m finding that for food: it almost always tastes better. Period. And, often it’s at a substantial savings after the initial investment in ingredients.
I will keep you posted as I learn how to make natural products. From what I’ve read it seems to be much more affordable in the long run. I will also learn how to do basic maintenance tasks that I don’t know how to do right now.
This week I shared my interview with Mrs Frugalwoods. She and Mr. Frugalwoods practice this philosophy of knowing how to: make food, fix the mechanical items in their home, and use what they have. It is not lost on me that they have created a number of options for themselves that have created both short-term and long-term financial payoffs. I want to be just like them. Also, it is very fun to make something new and surprise myself when I rock it!
If learning how to make stuff will help me grow what is in my wallet I am 100% in.
Vote For Me!
Go Banking Rates is running a contest that a number of personal finance bloggers or personal finance enthusiasts have entered. Typically I shy away from video but I decided to share my tip which is in keeping with the theme of this post. Make sure to check out: Go Banking Rates for additional financial tips. Vote as many times as you would like. I’m just hoping that you get some great tips.
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is true when you produce/make something by yourself it gives you a great sensation, well I am going to try to learn sew …I am completely agree also for food make by ourself it tastes a lot better from that are already ready in grocery stores… I will try to vote (if it is possible from Italy)
I totally want to learn how to sew! My mom wanted to teach me how to do it when I was a teenager and I told her “Why would I learn to sew if I could go shopping?” Sigh. Teenagers. Now, I regret this and she won’t teach me because she says she’s not patient enough. I’m going to ask her again so hopefully she will change her mind. If she doesn’t there is a cool place in town that has sewing classes. And thank you so much for your vote! I think you can vote from anywhere in the world.
FinCon should offer a sewing class 😉 There’s a bunch of us who want to learn!
I want to LEARN!! There is a cute place near where I live that teaches sewing class. When it gets cooler outside I will register for classes.
My friend sent me an easy (albeit time intensive) recipe for baking my own bread. I still have yet to try it, but like you I’ve started getting interested in making some of my own stuff (like cleaning products) in my quest for simplicity. The double whammy is it’s also better for the environment. Peace man. lol!
I love baking bread! My recipe is pretty straight forward. Let me see if I can find it and forward it to you. As I run out my products I will replace them with homemade options. Except my perfume. Just saying.
Gardening and canning have been two of my favorite things this summer. That and trying every zucchini recipe I can find on Pinterest! Do you follow a recipe for pickling? The ones we tried last year ended up tasting way too salty.
I am trying to figure out a good recipe for pickling. My cucumbers are growing like crazy so I have to get on it!
I was obsessed with Little House on the Prairie growing up. I’m sure my sister and I watched pretty much every episode. I love your tip because it’s so simple and eye opening. I would love to learn how to sew, and last year I got more involved with cooking and baking from scratch and learned how to make pies, bread and other simple things. It’s not that hard and I agree, it does feel empowering to do some of those things for yourself.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who loved Little House on the Prairie!! I just think that by not knowing how to make things we have limited choices because we HAVE to purchase what’s out there. Now, I can decide and I like having the option.
Yes, Michelle! Congratulations! That video of yours is really great! Hope you do this more often even without a contest. Good luck btw.
Thanks Jayson for your kind support. I feel very awkward on video. I am dipping my toe into Persicope right now which is a little nerve wrecking. I am doing some practice runs right now before I launch “for real!”