Tag Archives: frugality

Our favorite articles about frugality, saving money & budgeting posted on TexasHomesteader.com

How To Make A Rustic Cedar Log Solar Light

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by Texas Homesteader ~
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Right next to the house lies our barn paddock. It is a small paddock that features our amazing 1880’s barn as well as a small fenced area. This paddock is used often to wean calves, work the herd or separate specific cows for whatever reason.

In this paddock was a huge, very old cedar tree. I loved that thing, it was massive!

But last year it died and RancherMan had to pull it down. Broke my heart, y’all! The once-beautiful tree was hauled in large pieces to our burn pile.

But with our annual family reunion coming up I panicked. In a few days that bonfire will be lit & it’ll be gone forever! 

So I asked RancherMan to salvage some of that beautiful wood. And I specifically asked him to go to the burn pile & cut off about 5 ft of that huge tree. Puzzled, he still placated me…

I made a cute rustic 3-tier cedar log solar light feature for my home's front walk. I love the way it turned out and it was inexpensive #TexasHomesteader

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How To Get FREE Veggie Plants For Your Garden

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by Texas Homesteader ~

My peppers and tomatoes were pretty much a bust this year due to our weird spring. You see, I planted seeds in my indoor greenhouse and placed that greenhouse at a south-facing window in my home like I always do.

But the constant cloudy weather this spring hampered a good germination. The few plants that did germinate were hardened off & placed in the garden. But you know peppers and tomatoes like a little more sun, a little more heat.

But I was recently able to replenish some of the vacant areas in my garden. It cost me ZILCH.  “How can you get free veggie plants for your garden?” you might wonder. I’m so glad you asked!

Tomato planting was a bust in the garden this year, will I do w/o tomatoes? See how I've outfitted my veggie garden with FREE plants #TexasHomesteader

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Mother Earth News: 6 Easy Eco-Friendly Things I Did This Week

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by Texas Homesteader ~

Y’all know my veins run green.  I’ve always had an environmental-awareness bend & I always try to tread gently on this big blue planet we live on.  I love Mother Earth & I want to protect her as much as I can.

I try to repurpose when I can, buy used instead of new, grow much of our food and try to keep my footprint light.  Now, I think most people desire to be environmentally sensitive but they might not know where to start.  But I found it’s not a difficult thing to do.  Sometimes it just takes slowing down and thinking about what you do.

Recently I wrote an article for Mother Earth News showing the 6 easy environmentally friendly things I incorporated into my week.  They’re all simple to do and easy to blend into your day.  Check it out!

See 6 super-easy environmentally friendly things I incorporated into my week. They're all quick and easy to incorporate. Check it out! #TexasHomesteader

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Homestead Hack: Cute Container For Herb Cuttings

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by Texas Homesteader ~

The herbs are going well in my Edible Landscape so I thought I’d take a few cuttings & try to root them in my kitchen window. I have a repurposed short, squatty, wide-mouth glass jar that I can use. 

But I’ve always heard that when you’re rooting cuttings, a see-through jar can cause problems. It’s said that inside the jar should be dark. A dark jar keeps algae from growing in the water and also helps the roots do their thaaaang.

Some suggestions are to paint the jar or to wrap it in scrapbooking paper or something similar.  Hummm…

So what did I decide to do? Say it with me kids: “Use Whatcha Got!”  That’s right. 🙂 Check out this Homestead Hack.

I took some herb cuttings to root in my kitchen window. But the jar needs to be kept dark. Check out this cute Homestead Hack idea! #TexasHomesteader

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Financial Benefit of Growing Your Own Food

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by Texas Homesteader ~ 

Think About It: Growing Your Own Food Is Like Printing Your Own Money! Healthier, tastier and less expensive too. Gotta Love It. #TexasHomesteader

Think about it. Isn’t it true?? Growing Your Own Food Is Like Printing Your Own Money!

Check out the list of my favorite gardening hacks below.

~TxH~

My Favorite Garden Hacks

My favorite gardening hacks all in one place. #TexasHomesteader

Garden Planning

Seed Planting

Soil Health

Garden Styles

Garden Plants/Harvest

Water/Irrigation/Drought

Weed Control

Garden Tips

MORE Gardening Posts

References:

Find Your 2023 Updated USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

Texas Master Gardener’s Companion Planting – Plant Friend & Foe

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