In this episode, we’re challenging ourselves to free up $500 before Christmas by shopping our pantries instead of the grocery store. We talk about how to take inventory, build meal plans using what we already have, and make it fun with a visual savings tracker. It’s all about using our resources wisely, wasting less, and creating a little extra breathing room before the holidays.

Ever wonder how other homesteaders fit it all in? This week, I’m taking you behind the scenes with an honest, hour-by-hour walkthrough of my real daily schedule — chaos, coffee, and all.

In this episode, I’m sharing:

https://thehomesteadchallenge.com

In this episode, we talk about what fall really means for us as homesteaders and why it’s okay if we’re not caught up on every project or learning a new skill right now. We compare fall to the luteal phase of a cycle—a time for reflection, slowing down, and preparing for the restful winter ahead. We also explore how winter mirrors the menstrual phase, reminding us that rest doesn’t mean doing nothing—it’s actually the perfect time to learn, dream, and rebuild our energy.

https://thehomesteadchallenge.com

If you’re feeling tempted by all the Prime Day and early Black Friday sales but aren’t sure what’s actually worth it for your homestead — this one’s for you. I’m taking a quick break from my homestead organization series to share what I’ve been seeing lately in the world of deals and steals, what’s worth adding to your cart, and what can probably wait until next year.

In this episode, I’m talking about some of my favorite brands, the types of products that actually go on sale (and stay good quality), and how to make a wishlist that keeps you from getting sucked into the scroll.

Why GreenStalk’s current clearance sale is the best I’ve ever seen

How to tell if a “deal” is really a deal (hint: check regular prices first!)

When to stock up on grow bags, seeds, and raised beds

Power backup systems and what brands to trust

Kitchen tools and cast iron cookware that actually go on sale

How I use wishlist shopping to avoid impulse buys

The one item still on my wishlist — the Presto electric pressure canner

Don’t feel pressured to buy everything right now — there will always be another sale.

Sign up for your favorite seed companies’ newsletters to catch those early November discounts.

Create a wishlist before you browse so you don’t get distracted by random “lightning deals.”

Quality over quantity — especially when it comes to garden gear and tools that need to last.

This week, I’m answering a listener question that so many of us can relate to: How do you plan your homesteading projects? Do you have a calendar?

If you’ve ever bought all the supplies for a new skill—like kombucha brewing or sourdough baking—and then never actually started, this episode is for you. I’m sharing why it’s completely normal to go through different seasons in our homesteading journey and how not everything has to happen at once.

I also talk about how I personally plan and prioritize projects, the simple tools that help me stay organized, and how I find little pockets of time in my busy week (even with kids at home). From embracing the ebb and flow of energy to letting go of perfection, this episode is your reminder that your homestead doesn’t have to look productive all the time to be meaningful.

Why unfinished projects are completely normal

How to think seasonally when it comes to learning new skills

The difference between passion projects and habits

Finding small blocks of time to get things done

My favorite planners and simple brain-dump methods

Giving yourself grace to grow slowly and sustainably

🌿 Mentioned in this episode:

Common root causes of headaches and how to spot them

How to think through OTC pain relievers vs. anti-inflammatories

Our go-to herbal tea blend for headaches

Tincture ideas you can adapt to your own needs

https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/the-best-herbal-tea-blend-for-headaches/

Fall is officially here, and many of us are looking at our raised beds wondering what comes next. Do we clear them out completely, or let nature do some of the work for us? In this episode, we dive into what really happens to the soil in our raised beds over winter and how we can prevent losing precious inches of dirt like my friend did when her soil dropped five full inches in just a couple of years.

We talk through the natural processes of compaction, decomposition, and erosion, plus the simple steps we can take now to protect and enrich our soil. From leaving roots behind to feed the underground ecosystem, to covering with shredded leaves or mulch, to adding compost before the snow hits — we’ll explore the best ways to “tuck in” our beds for the season. And if you’re in a warmer climate, we share cover crop ideas to keep living roots in the soil all winter long.

By the end, you’ll have practical and low-pressure ways to care for your raised beds this fall, so they’re ready and waiting to grow strong, healthy plants next spring.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why soil levels drop in raised beds over time

The benefits of leaving roots and stems in place

How leaves, mulch, and compost act like a protective blanket

Tips for using cover crops if you live in a mild climate

Simple habits to prevent losing soil year after year

👉 Join the conversation in The Homestead Challenge Facebook Community and share what you’re doing with your raised beds this fall!

If you’re anything like us, you probably love cozying up your home for fall—but maybe this year the budget feels a little tighter. Instead of going all out on store-bought décor, we’ve been leaning into using what we already have on hand, what’s growing in our garden, and even what we can forage. It’s a way to keep things festive without overspending, and the best part? Much of our décor can later be enjoyed as food, tea, or long-lasting keepsakes.

In this episode, we chat about:

🌿 Herbs that double as décor while drying—like sage, rosemary, thyme, oregano, chamomile, and feverfew—and how they can be used later in the kitchen or for tea

🎃 How to choose, cure, and store pumpkins, squash, and gourds so they last well past the season

💡 Creative (and frugal) ways to make a little décor go a long way, including swapping out florals for dried arrangements and refreshing spaces with seasonal touches

🍂 Why asters might be a better choice than mums for long-lasting fall color year after year

We want to inspire you to create instead of consume this season—using what you already have, what you can grow, and what you can forage to make your home feel festive and abundant.

✨ Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:

Join our Facebook community to share your own natural fall décor ideas

Let’s make this fall beautiful, budget-friendly, and just a little bit “good enough to eat.”

If you’ve ever started a project with big hopes of a quick finish—only to find yourself staring at it weeks later, still not done—you are not alone. In today’s episode, I’m sharing both encouragement and practical steps for what to do when projects drag on longer than you thought they would.

We’ll talk about why this happens (hello, unrealistic expectations 🙋‍♀️), how to reframe your progress so you don’t feel stuck, and the small steps you can take to keep moving forward without burning out. From half-finished patios to delayed canning sessions, this is real-life homesteading, not Instagram reels.

✨ Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode:

Why almost every project takes longer than planned

How to pause and reassess instead of spiraling

The power of brain-dumping what’s really left to do

Knowing when to adjust the scope (and stop adding more)

Finding small wins to keep momentum going

Building margin into your timeline so you don’t feel like a failure

How to borrow energy and motivation when you’re running low

Learning the lesson for next time—and releasing the guilt

Even slow progress is still progress. Let’s celebrate the halfway points and the “work in progress” moments instead of waiting for the perfect before-and-after.

👉 Join me inside the Homestead Challenge Facebook Community and share your in progress photos—I’ll be sharing my half-finished patio too!

When the world feels heavy—whether it’s the news cycle, social media, or just the weight of everyday life—it’s okay to retreat to the comforts of home. In this short and gentle episode of The Homestead Challenge, I’m sharing 10 simple homesteading rhythms that bring peace without adding to your mental load.

From lighting a simmer pot to harvesting something small, these are easy, no-pressure ways to make your home a haven and help calm your heart when everything else feels overwhelming.

✨ What you’ll hear in this episode:

Why it’s okay to step back from the noise and create sanctuary at home

10 homestead-inspired comforts that bring coziness and calm (without adding stress)

Simple seasonal rituals for grounding yourself as we move into autumn

Permission to take a break, slow down, and choose gentleness

Because sometimes the best way we care for the world is by tending to our own little corner of it.

🌿 Resources + Links Mentioned:

Join The Homestead Challenge Community on Facebook to share your favorite homestead comforts

Explore tea recipes, simmer pot ideas, and more on the blog: @brittanylgibson

If this episode brings you comfort, please consider leaving a 5-star review on your favorite podcast app. Reviews help other kindred spirits find the show—and that encouragement means so much.