Tag Archives: frugality

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

Simple Gluten Free Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe

by Texas Homesteader ~ 

Did you know you can make your own gluten-free sweetened condensed milk in literally minutes?? I haven’t actually purchased an expensive can of this milk in years once I found out how easy it is to make myself.

It's shocking how easy it is to make sweetened condensed milk. In our area a can of the name-brand stuff sells for about $3.49. CRAZY! #TexasHomesteader

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List of Fun Eco-Friendly Gift Ideas To Please The Whole Family

by Texas Homesteader ~ 

With all the competition during the holidays to grab the attention of your Christmas gift recipients you’ve got to wonder, can you really give more environmentally-friendly gifts that they’ll actually love?

As it turns out, yes.

Can you really give environmentally-friendly gifts that they'll actually love? As it turns out, yes! See my low-waste options. #TexasHomesteader

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MIY: Vinyl Protector Spray

by: Texas Homesteader ~

RancherMan is constantly maintaining our vehicles’  tires & dashboards as well as various tractor rubber & vinyl parts. But we recently ran out of vinyl- cleaning/protectant spray. Oh no that just can’t happen – he’s just not going to be without this favorite maintenance spray.

But instead of automatically running to the store (and true to our crunchy-green nature) we started wondering if this was a product we could make for ourselves.

Turns out you can indeed.

Make your own vinyl protector spray using baby oil, filtered water and a few drops of dish soap. Quick, easy and CHEAP! #TexasHomesteader

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Winter Maintenance: Cleaning The Chimney

by Texas Homesteader ~
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RancherMan and I like to heat our home with resources found right here on our homestead instead of purchased fuel whenever possible.

Thanks to last winter’s brutal ice storm we have plenty of  tree carnage downed limbs to clean up. It would be a herculean task to completely clear that massive quantity of broken limbs.

So we trimmed the “fans” off of them for the burn pile in the pasture. Then we cut the trunks into firewood. We have enough firewood to last our entire lifetimes! And of course there’s nothing like the comfort of a roaring fire to ward off winter’s chill.

But the natural byproduct from burning a wood fire is creosote build up in your chimney pipes.  It’s important to remove that flammable substance to keep from experiencing a dangerous chimney fire.

Thankfully chimney maintenance is pretty easy.

Cleaning The Chimney: It's important to clean flammable creosote from your chimney each year, we cleaned our own for the first time! #TexasHomesteader

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Roasted Garden Tomatoes – A More Powerful Flavor!

by Texas Homesteader ~  
*includes affiliate link

When my vegetable garden gives me lots of those ripe, delicious tomatoes, I want to make sure none go to waste.

I’ve found that after we’ve eaten as many fresh as we could, I like to pop some in the freezer for later. But if I roast them first they’re more powerfully flavored and ready to use in my recipes.

I love garden tomatoes & there were many ways I enjoy them, but I wanted something different. These ROASTED TOMATOES were amazing! #TexasHomesteader

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How To Make Homemade Chicken Broth – Healthy, Cheap & EASY!

by Texas Homesteader ~ 

Making homemade chicken broth is beyond easy, super healthy and makes use of bones/trimmings that used to be just thrown away!

And there’s a special ingredient to make it more calcium rich. Check it out.

Making my own chicken broth is easy, inexpensive and healthy. And there's a special ingredient to make it even more calcium rich. #TexasHomesteader

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