Thrift Schooling

The Southerner's Guide to Foraging , created by Matthew Hunter of Legacy Wilderness Academy , has graciously offered access to his course to one of you! This course is offered on his site for only $200, which is an incredible value. Since this is the final giveaway in the Thrift Steading  launch, it will run throughout the month of September. I want as many people as possible to have a chance to enter, and to give those of you who are interested as many opportunities as possible to enter. Even if you don't live in a southern state, you will learn important foraging practices that are valuable anywhere.  Immediately after watching the first video with my husband, we looked at each other and knew what the other was thinking— homeschool class .  The kids simply had to watch these videos and learn the content in these courses. We made it a requirement for them for the 2025/26 school year, and the course makes it easy to do that. Downloads are available to use throughout the c...

  I found a picture of my sister and me standing on the front porch of our childhood home with a bouquet of flowers each. Dressed in our Sunday best, it was the first day of school. I was embarking on the fifth grade. The last year in our elementary school. One final year before the dreaded middle school years. My sister was beginning first grade. Her first year of attending school all day long.  Looking back, I wonder if the flowers were a bit much. Of course, they weren't my idea, but I did give them to my teacher. As did my sister. I do remember liking that year of school. Honestly, my fifth-grade teacher was my all-time favorite teacher. Maybe it did have something to do with getting started on the right foot, flowers and all. It's funny how we can look back and see how certain actions led to certain results, yet they were unbiblical. The Bible talks about the wickedness of bribery over and over. Proverbs 15:27 says, " Whoever is greedy for the unjust gain troubles his...

  The Nomadic Professor: US History 1 & 2  is a high school level option for homeschoolers. The program is set up for a classroom-style approach so if a homeschooling parent has several high schoolers, she can log into her dashboard and keep track of one or multiple students. A separate login is available for parents and students. I appreciate this feature with homeschooling programs. It helps me to keep track of what my child is doing without messing up the progress on their end of the program. I can essentially see what my child is doing "behind the scenes" while she is trudging along, doing her work, at her pace.  As the parent/teacher, the first thing you are going to want to do is decide if you want this to be strictly online or if you would like your child to practice their handwriting offline. I tend to approach each subject differently in my homeschool for my teens. Yes, I want them to know how to physically take notes and write papers with pen and paper, but ...

  In today's episode of The Thrift Steading Podcast : Let's Talk Chickens! 1—Are they cost-effective? 2—How to begin? (The age-old question of which comes first, the chicken or the egg?) 3—Feeding chickens? Free range or grain? Which is the better method? What are your thoughts? Leave them in the comments below! Thrifty Homeschooling Option Mentioned in Today's Episode: ST BOGO: 2 Years for $269 | Lifetime: $990 ✅ All-in-one Christian curriculum ✅ Covers the whole family 🔗 https://schoolhouseteachers.com/membe... Thank you for your support! Purchases made through my affiliate link help support my family's homeschooling and homesteading efforts. ❤️❤️

  Are you a member of your state's homeschool organization ? Many state homeschool groups organize an annual Day at the Capitol , which is an incredible opportunity for homeschoolers to sit in on a session, tour the state's capitol building, and learn more about how politics work in their state. If your high schooler is ready to learn about the ins and outs of his government on a deeper level, this is the year to include Exploring Government , by Notgrass History , into your routine. If you have a child with a bent towards politics, go all out and develop a year filled with field trips, politically-based YouTube playlists, and a debate class. If you are a delight-directed educator, then you can make this year a year to remember. Homeschooling high school means you only have a few years (or one if this is your child's senior year) with your child day in and day out. Maybe your child has already picked up a part-time job or volunteer opportunity, and the reality is starting t...

Blacksmithing is a lost art, but it doesn't have to be. When most of us think about blacksmithing, farriers are the first type of people that come to mind. It's a practical use of the skill. Shoeing horses. It has to be done. But what about the artistic aspect of blacksmithing? Where has the art of the skill gone? If you have ever visited Europe (or anywhere other than the US) then you have most likely stepped into buildings with architecture older than our country. Centuries later, some well-crafted buildings still stand. And it wasn't all about function. Beauty was at the helm.  When our family first started selling produce and plants at local events, my husband would often provide blacksmithing demos. He even did a Civil War reenactment. That was my favorite. After over a decade of taking a break from blacksmithing, my husband (and now son, and daughter) have emerged from the ashes to give this lost art new life again. We started our resurgence at our local county fair, ...

  Prepping on the Homestead By Dawnita Fogleman, Correspondent Journalist March 6, 2017, millions of acres of land were burned in the Oklahoma and Texas panhandles, Southwestern Kansas, and Southeastern Colorado. I wasn’t home. Afterwards, our oldest daughter told friends her younger siblings were like “a well-oiled machine” as they evacuated. They were so calm, they actually videoed their escape , driving through the flames. I’ve been a prepper all my life; I just didn’t realize it until I was much older. You see, we lived in the middle of nowhere, Oklahoma. Seriously, the panhandle was literally labeled “No Man’s Land” during the Indian Territory days. It was over an hour to the nearest department store or substantial grocery store. We went shopping for necessities once a month, so we had to make sure we got what was needed for over a month, just in case the next trip got postponed for some reason. We also live in an area where the electricity can be out for up to two weeks at an...

Homesteading is hard. Just like homeschooling, homebirth, and homemaking. In today's episode, Heather of Garnet Creek Farm talks about the one thing that isn't usually talked about when it comes to homesteading.

  As the back-to-school season approaches, it’s easy to feel the pressure—whether you’re brand new to homeschooling or deep into the journey. That’s why it helps to know about resources created by fellow homeschoolers who understand the daily challenges and joys . From strengthening family devotions and streamlining routines to sparking hands-on learning and tuning into uplifting conversations—these tools were designed to support your homeschool life. And if you’re also looking for a complete curriculum solution,  SchoolhouseTeachers.com  is offering flexible membership options through September 2. Start the year with confidence, encouragement, and a few new favorites. With a membership you'll receive access to: —PreK–12 Math —Multi* and single grade Science Courses —Multi* and single grade History Courses —Multi* and single grade Language Arts Courses —iST Online-Based Courses —Hundreds of Streaming Educational Videos —Downloadable Unit Studies —Courses in Key Subjects —...

  Are Chickens Worth It? By Dre and Reesi at Set Apart Gardens Something deeply grounding happens when you raise animals that provide food. For me, chickens were the gateway to a simpler, more intentional life. They’re easy to start with , affordable, need little space, and reward you daily with fresh eggs, and that kind of connection to your food is truly special. When I brought home my first flock, I didn’t have acres or fancy equipment, just a desire to begin. Chickens made it possible to start small but meaningful. Every egg was a reminder that self-sufficiency isn’t some far-off dream; it’s doable, one step at a time. If you’re curious to see how chickens could fit your lifestyle, you can find practical tips and inspiration on our YouTube channel , where we share guidelines for backyard chicken keepers. How Chickens Fit into a Homestead Vision You don’t need sprawling land to raise chickens. Even a modest backyard or suburban lot can support 4 to 6 hens, which usually translat...