I agree with all your items ... but ... There is a very long list of essentials that probably only us old folks like myself would know, but I'll just add a few. Complete set of cast iron cookware, many rolls of quality duct tape (the things I can make would shock you), a good quality machete, books including wild edibles (learn from an expert), vitamin and mineral foods book and a super good first aid kit good enough for an emergency surgery and LED flashlights and batteries. So many more, but I'll stop hogging the light. Lol Love the video
I have cloth diapers that are over 20 years old. After the kids grew out of diapers, they were repurposed as cleaning rags. The best dusting, cleaning carpet spills, window cleaners!
i'm glad you said your mind brad as you got to be in the mindset of a homesteader to even start with, if your not prepared to work hard or get up early and go to bed late it's pointless even thinking about a homestead
A BBC program I cannot recommend enough is Wartime Farm with Ruth, Peter and Alex. It is sort of experimental archeology and they have series covering several times/eras in history. Victoria Farm, Edwardian Farm, Tudor Farm etc. These programs really outline and highlight the way things used to be done and much of that information is still applicable today on the homestead. I also think these programs are a valuable teaching tool to homeschoolers history and civics classes.
I totally agree with the sewing/crocheting/knitting, and I've even added on spinning and weaving in recent years, and this year I'm adding in leather working! All very valuable skills for just the very basics! And strangely enough, I think RUclips and Twitch has taught me about 80% of the crafts I know!
When we got married in 1974, I never knew how much I'd miss Mama's "rag bag"!! Came time to clean something and I didn't know what to do! I've been sorely tempted to give a bunch of rags as wedding gifts!
Thank you! Glad to hear this. I’ve been reading in my kindle but there’s some books I want to really touch and read. I read so many that my husband was complaining about how many I had piled around. And I had a LOT of books and no one wanted to buy them around here.
sewing skill i think is the most overlooked skill for people these days--- what are they gonna do when there are not outlet stores etc to buy clothes-- i have 2 operational singer treadle machines i use etc along with my electric machines-- great tips -- many blessings
movinon04 I'm not trying to be rude but how will you make fabric to sew with a sewing machine? I get using animal fiber to knit/crochet but how do you make fabric?
that in itself is a skill mankind will also have to re learn once technology evaporates- our ancestors learned these things we can also-- and no i did not take your comment as rude- many blessings
For buckets, find people who have cats and ask them to save their cat litter buckets. That's how I've done my container garden and I now have over 50 buckets. Oh, and you can crochet great dish rags by using cotton yarn. It dries fast and is really easy to make. Also can be used as hotpads as well. Just make sure to use cotton and not acrylic. The acrylic yarn doesn't dry fast and it will melt if you try to use it as a hotpad.
I totally agree with handmade hats and scarfs. I made a few last winter and wow! The difference when it got cold. Those dollar store hats, scarfs and gloves are good for chilly weather or little bit colder but if it’s really freezing then homemadenis the way to go. Many may not know that wool will keep you warm even if it gets wet. I got my cheapie gloves wet the other night and my hands about froze.
You are absolutely correct about an ATV. I also think trail cameras around your homestead so you can monitor any activity that may be going on. I get books at yard sales and goodwill/salvation army stores.
I agree with about half of your list and although I see that the other half are invaluable on your homestead, they're not needed on ours. The thermal gloves and woolly hats for example. It just never gets cold enough for that. So I think the top 10 list would be different for every farm and homestead. Great video though.
In regards to the intro: totally agree!! I went from living in the city, total city girl, life in the fast lane, happy, busy, etc. to now living in the mountains on 3 acres and growing my own food. All in the matter of about 2 years...never had any interest in it and then one day i just bought some plants and it spiraled into marriage to a country boy, two babies, traditional life...I agree, not by coincidence!!
Very good list guys. I have all except the ATV. I also have 2 pressure canners. The oldest one is a 37 years old Presto. It is still my favorite canner! I also have manual tools for the kitchen (apple peeler, corn sheller, cherry pitter, veggie slicer/spiraling tool, grain grinder, wringer washer, treadle sewing machine and an electrical machine) plus manual carpentry and gardening tools. Good advice on the reference library! To go with the craft books; quilting, knitting, crocheting, etc. I have tubs of yarns and fabric. I bought quilting kits plus some fabric for sewing and quilting. On the subject of the brain, I teach my kids and grown grandkids there is a plan A and a plan B and a plan C. There are 26 letters to the alphabet. Then you can start over with A1, B1 or Aa, Bb. Flexibility of thought with a positive attitude will go a long way. Being a McGyver type also helps. Think outside the box. From a former teacher’s experience, I am a big believer in brainstorming. I love picking brains. I spent an hour and a half today asking an expert many questions pertaining to making syrup from various plants and running irrigation lines for hoop houses (greenhouses).Hope this gives your followers some ideas.
Maybe check local painting companies for free buckets. 5 gallon paint buckets can easily be cleaned when the left over paint dries. It just peels right out of the bucket.
When I was a kid, my grandpa would not go to the barn or field with out a ball of twine, a ball of wire and a pair of cut off / pliers. He said you never know when you will need to do a fast fix it for now job.
You might want to consider a treadle foot sewing machine just so you have something to use in case the whole power grid goes down. Gas or diesel will only last so long then no more power
@Jo Ellen Broetzmann NO, they still make them! You can get a treadle machine on Amazon. Heidi at Rain Country has one she uses. Her table is an antique, and those can be hard to find, but treadle machines still exist!
Only started looking into homesteading having been laid off one to many times, and sick of cities and traffic. And found your list to be a wonderful one. (Possibly because I already have it all except the atv. LoL) Am looking forward to checking out your other videos.
I recommend you check out the laundry services and uniform services as they will sell the used rags and cloth napkins that have small tears or the edging is getting worn in bundles of 20 or 30 pounds for super cheap.
I live in an apartment near San Diego, I have all of the things on the list EXCEPT the post pounder and the ATV. I do have a golf cart, does that count?lol. I've been sewing since I was 10, 56 years. I have a Buck110 fixed blade and a 112 folding, just a little shorter than the 110. AND books...I currently have 27 in my prepper library with a few more to get. My other suggestions are write down recipes you may need, family favorites, how to make catsup, mayo, seasoning mixes, things you find on the internet. You will tell yourself "I'll remember this" and 5 years from now you'll forget. AND practice, practice, practice having these things is good, but know how to use them is vital.
At my Walmart, we get cut flowers and they come in 3 gallon(?) pots that my Walmart throws in the recycling bin. I must have 50 or more around the house. I use them for storage, wastebaskets, animal feeders & waterers, and I replant plants in them. I’ve even cut the tops off them an use the tops around plants in the garden to help keep the water right there when I spot water.
Amazon has an enormous selection of books in all categories that are FREE for you to download. I have cookbooks and many books on gardening, sewing and advanced first aid.
Hi Christa! Welcome to the club of I wanna crochet this right. I've been crocheting for years and knitting too. And you're always gonna want to get it right. But the mind must always know that that desire comes with the territory of Art. So it ain't right take it out redo and know that you are becoming an expert every time you redo. So always relax and enjoy even when you redo. Cool hat I know hubby will always love. God Bless.
Rags, yes! I use them constantly. Plus, I have a good number of kitchen towels, dark colored. We dry our hands on them after washing, and change several times a day. Some people only use paper towels, and that costs a lot.
Before I clicked on the video I thought- A pressure canner has to be high on the list. Boom! right at the top. I felt like I was playing Family Feud and just got the top answer!
The one thing for me is tire chains. I would never make it out in the winter without chains for all four wheels of my four wheel drive truck. I also have them for my tractors and could not function without them. I know most live close enough to a highway that they would never need them but we would die without them.
Great ideas! Almost nothing is universal for all needs, but all are important to consider. I agree with those who said a treadle sewing machine, and I'd add a Berkey water filter. Power failure, drought, whatever, no matter where you need to find water you will be able to drink it! We are on city water and will use it to get rid of the chlorine (we don't have added flouride) so we can stop buying bottled water.
Hit post before I finished my earlier post. Christa look into loom knitting, it's extremely easy. You can learn through RUclips and a cheap set of looms. I got my first set from Walmart and a few others of better quality from Amazon. I’m looming panels to make a king size bedspread. My daughter wants me to make her one.
Good Morning . You already know that our family has a 2 acre homeplace and we plant, griw, can & dehydrate everything. My best reference book which I've had since 2008 is that book by Abigail Gehring. I also cannot live without her book 'Homesteading', These two books are indispensible. Love you guys. Have a blessed day.
If you feel like an hour or two drive you will find a Half Price Books store in Appleton. I live around Milwaukee and they are great. I have seen some good online ebooks websites, but it is cheaper to get the paperback at half price books than to print them out yourself.
I am kinda going down your list here. Pressure canner/cooker is a must, but with all appliances like that coffee pot, can opener etc, think about if you can also use it if the power is out. I for one would love to see some videos on your crocheting or knitting if you have the time. When getting buckets free is always best. But think about what they are going to be used for. I got a bunch of cheap flimsy ones 2 for a buck at the dollar store. Not good for storing foods unless its prepackaged. I have one just for rags and brushes that I use for cleaning. And like in my case, think about how heavy they will be when full. I cant lift a full 5 gal one, but the smaller 2.5 gal ones are great. I found the smaller ones with lids on sale 3 for a dollar at Walmart.
Anyone who wants to be prepared for a power outage would be wise to invest, NOT in an in an instantpot, but a STOVETOP pressure cooker...the reason is obvious! Good for you, Christa!
I use a coffee can for scoops to and anything I buy in a bucket I save the bucket I buy laundry pods from fund raiser for schools and save the 5 gallon bucket and the lids
BUCKETS!!!! Coffee cans too!!!! Love me some buckets!!! Having a first aid kit for the animals is also important. Knowing what to do for an animal until you can get them to a vet or a vet can get there. Basic know how of wound cleaning and what creams and salves do what.
Christa i put a couple of tablespoons of powdered dishwasher detergent into a jar with very warm water to dissolve it then pour into your washer with the homemade washing machine powder you made up. Will take the stink out. My daughters MIL has a bad bladder problem and her clothes stink sometimes to the point that the washer and dryer do also. I made some of the washing powders then added in Cascade. She washed her MIL’s clothes and the smell came out of both washer and dryer. My son’s well had rotten egg smell to the water and made his clothes stink. I made some up for him with Cascade and it took the stink out.
Hey Krista, you might need to reconsider getting an instant pot. My instant pot I can use as a pressure cooker, but I can also use it as a crock pot. My instant pot is large in it can't handle a large roast. What I did for yesterday's meal was I seared the roast I pressured it for a while, and then I turned it on Crock-Pot to finish cooking because I was going to be gone and I didn't want to have to stick it in the frigerator. It was not very expensive. We bought it at Costco. I have also used my very small rice cooker to cook fresh green beans in. I'm really glad to figure out that I could use that little rice cooker for other things besides just cooking the rice. Reconsider that instapot. I absolutely love mine. oh and by the way I have two large pressure canners, and I have about seven regular size pressure cookers of various sizes. I have a problem because I cannot pass good pressure cooker up at a thrift store or a yard sale. I have to have it that's why I have so many. I actually probably should start gifting some of them to people
Since we don't having grazing animals we have a scythe, a manual push lawn mower and a variety of sickles. Scythes are sized by the height of a person so do some research before you buy any used ones.
I am a member of the pressure cooker lovers! I have one stove top and 4 electric ones. They are all different sizes and I use them all frequently. I am probably going to get a small pressure canner this year. National Presto used to be in Eau Claire. I think they still have a sales room and you can even get things like new seals for cookers from the 50s there. I get different color rags i.e. blue for dishes, gray for kitchen cleaning, green for bathroom cleaning etc. Glad to see you have acclimated to below zero temps!
Don't need a pressure cooker to can, we never did. We used to old hot water canners. Now rags - absolutely. Used to be able to buy bar mops from Sam's Club, still have some that are more than 10 years old; after 40 years the cloth diapers finally wore out. Sewing machine - yes! My daughters had custom made gowns for their proms - they fit. Now we have four for quilting etc. Sewing should be taught in school as should be woodworking and mechanics and financial management. Buckets used to cost me a $1 or $6 at ACE. A 2 liter soda bottle and a carpenter's knife makes a good scoop. Get your first-aid book from the Boy Scouts. Swiss Army knives come "simple" mine has about a 4" blade, screw driver, can opener and that's about it. Got me out of a hotel in a false fire alarm when the doors auto-locked! Son-in law will have a 20T winch on the front of his trailer (detachable goose neck) that uses a pony motor and can pull his tractor out of a rut. Of course his tractor has ten wheels, the trailer is 52' long and has 12 tires! LOL!What did you miss: Shovels (spade, scoop, etc.), hay fork, maddox, hoe and of course the usual assortment of carpenter and mechanics tools. Now to be honest, I built a sail boat using almost only hand tools just because nobody thought I could. The power tools were a drill, sander and router. That was it. No money - figure it out. And have a good neighbor who designs hand tools for a living and another who had the most incredible eye/hand coordination. Do you need a tractor - no. Just time, a shovel and a piece of soil that has been worked for 30 years or a bunch of teenagers.
I will just say this, the main thing for me and you touched on it, learning/trying from other, yes not everyone does things the same way or thought process but you watch/listen to what others say or do, then take that and make it your own way that you would use, you may just use one part of something or it shows you how to include it into your way or even give you a whole new way which not only beats your way but also beats the one that you learn from, in short, you can always learn a better way or faster/easier way if you want to, Later
I did not know that Buck knives had a warranty like that! My father has carried a Buck knife for as long as I can remember. I few years back he gave me one that the tip had broken off and he had just reground it.
Great start on your list -- but Brad you left out a few of your FAVORITES!!! Thought I'd add them below... 11. Dillards Donut Machine 12. Willy Wonka Chocolate Bar Machine 13. Bubba's Bratwurst Bazooka 14. Duke Nukem Video Game and 15. Brads foot sauna and pedicare kit.
Best place we have found for used books are thrift stores...I've always been amazed at what I can find for books...especially older books that teach old skills...Have even found old books from the 50's and stuff about how to raise pigs , chickens, goats and sheep or how to raise crops...Also, Buck knives are the only way I go nowadays....they always have a salvation message, great knives, oldest company in the business, come from my great state of Idaho and the lifetime warranty....
"Back to Basics" by Readers Digest, Better Homes and Garden "New Complete Guide to Gardening" and "The Pocket First-Aid Field Guide" by George Dvorchak.
I agreed with the list. I prefer to get things that I can still use if I lose power so I don't have an Instapot either. I do think that I am going to invest in some metal buckets this year. The two that I was using developed small leaks this winter. I also wore a pair of gloves inside my fingerless glove/mitten combo.
Such an informative video, thank you so much! Christa, for someone who wants to start a "dish rag" stash, how many should I begin with, or how many do you go through in a day/week? I've seen 're-usable paper towel' y.t. tutorials, and with your practical experience it would give me an idea of how many to make. Thank you again!
Well we have about 75 rags and I wash them twice a week. It all depends on what you use them for and how many you would need for a single job. When we milk the cow we use 6-8 per milking. I use to try to wash a few every laundry load but then the would get lost upstairs in the kids bedrooms. :) ~~Christa
Lol, I hear you on the rags getting lost! I'm that way with socks ;-). Thank you so much for replying, Christa; your answer really helps! Blessings :-)
Love this list! Some were definitely unexpected, yet accurate. With the last mentioned, I’d add a good attitude/positive outlook. Do you separate the rags for “clean” use (dishes) and “other” use (Nana’s cage) or just grab the top one for the next job trusting your clothes washer?
All of our rags are washed with bleach and hot water, so we are not concerned about separating. With having kids they might use the "clean rags" for nanas cage. EWWW ~~~Christa
For some reason they don't sell pressure canners over here (Netherlands), just boiling water canners. And while the prices for pressure canners at Amazon are reasonable, when you add shipping costs of about $200 they become rather expensive.
I agree with all your items ... but ...
There is a very long list of essentials that probably only us old folks like myself would know, but I'll just add a few. Complete set of cast iron cookware, many rolls of quality duct tape (the things I can make would shock you), a good quality machete, books including wild edibles (learn from an expert), vitamin and mineral foods book and a super good first aid kit good enough for an emergency surgery and LED flashlights and batteries. So many more, but I'll stop hogging the light. Lol
Love the video
please tell me more.
I have cloth diapers that are over 20 years old. After the kids grew out of diapers, they were repurposed as cleaning rags. The best dusting, cleaning carpet spills, window cleaners!
I completely agree. :-)
MsPopRouge agee
i'm glad you said your mind brad as you got to be in the mindset of a homesteader to even start with, if your not prepared to work hard or get up early and go to bed late it's pointless even thinking about a homestead
A BBC program I cannot recommend enough is Wartime Farm with Ruth, Peter and Alex. It is sort of experimental archeology and they have series covering several times/eras in history. Victoria Farm, Edwardian Farm, Tudor Farm etc. These programs really outline and highlight the way things used to be done and much of that information is still applicable today on the homestead. I also think these programs are a valuable teaching tool to homeschoolers history and civics classes.
I've seen those shows very interesting.
I totally agree with the sewing/crocheting/knitting, and I've even added on spinning and weaving in recent years, and this year I'm adding in leather working! All very valuable skills for just the very basics! And strangely enough, I think RUclips and Twitch has taught me about 80% of the crafts I know!
SpinnerMomof5 agree
This was a fantastic video for me. Your followers’ comments are helping fine tune my collection of manual tools. God bless.
When we got married in 1974, I never knew how much I'd miss Mama's "rag bag"!! Came time to clean something and I didn't know what to do! I've been sorely tempted to give a bunch of rags as wedding gifts!
Did y'all know that Half Price Books has a online store also? Love that store.
Thank you! Glad to hear this. I’ve been reading in my kindle but there’s some books I want to really touch and read. I read so many that my husband was complaining about how many I had piled around. And I had a LOT of books and no one wanted to buy them around here.
I think a lot of people would love you-all doing a show, " A Week In The Life"
Johnny White agree
sewing skill i think is the most overlooked skill for people these days--- what are they gonna do when there are not outlet stores etc to buy clothes-- i have 2 operational singer treadle machines i use etc along with my electric machines-- great tips -- many blessings
movinon04 I'm not trying to be rude but how will you make fabric to sew with a sewing machine? I get using animal fiber to knit/crochet but how do you make fabric?
movinon04 agree
that in itself is a skill mankind will also have to re learn once technology evaporates- our ancestors learned these things we can also-- and no i did not take your comment as rude- many blessings
For buckets, find people who have cats and ask them to save their cat litter buckets. That's how I've done my container garden and I now have over 50 buckets. Oh, and you can crochet great dish rags by using cotton yarn. It dries fast and is really easy to make. Also can be used as hotpads as well. Just make sure to use cotton and not acrylic. The acrylic yarn doesn't dry fast and it will melt if you try to use it as a hotpad.
Another amazing video from two amazing people. Thanks for sharing.
A teachable spirit goes a long ways!
Janet Carlson agree
I totally agree with handmade hats and scarfs. I made a few last winter and wow! The difference when it got cold. Those dollar store hats, scarfs and gloves are good for chilly weather or little bit colder but if it’s really freezing then homemadenis the way to go. Many may not know that wool will keep you warm even if it gets wet. I got my cheapie gloves wet the other night and my hands about froze.
You are absolutely correct about an ATV. I also think trail cameras around your homestead so you can monitor any activity that may be going on. I get books at yard sales and goodwill/salvation army stores.
debra oster agree
I agree with about half of your list and although I see that the other half are invaluable on your homestead, they're not needed on ours. The thermal gloves and woolly hats for example. It just never gets cold enough for that. So I think the top 10 list would be different for every farm and homestead. Great video though.
Hilltop Farm Homestead
I agree.
In regards to the intro: totally agree!! I went from living in the city, total city girl, life in the fast lane, happy, busy, etc. to now living in the mountains on 3 acres and growing my own food. All in the matter of about 2 years...never had any interest in it and then one day i just bought some plants and it spiraled into marriage to a country boy, two babies, traditional life...I agree, not by coincidence!!
Very good list guys. I have all except the ATV. I also have 2 pressure canners. The oldest one is a 37 years old Presto. It is still my favorite canner! I also have manual tools for the kitchen (apple peeler, corn sheller, cherry pitter, veggie slicer/spiraling tool, grain grinder, wringer washer, treadle sewing machine and an electrical machine) plus manual carpentry and gardening tools. Good advice on the reference library! To go with the craft books; quilting, knitting, crocheting, etc. I have tubs of yarns and fabric. I bought quilting kits plus some fabric for sewing and quilting. On the subject of the brain, I teach my kids and grown grandkids there is a plan A and a plan B and a plan C. There are 26 letters to the alphabet. Then you can start over with A1, B1 or Aa, Bb. Flexibility of thought with a positive attitude will go a long way. Being a McGyver type also helps. Think outside the box. From a former teacher’s experience, I am a big believer in brainstorming. I love picking brains. I spent an hour and a half today asking an expert many questions pertaining to making syrup from various plants and running irrigation lines for hoop houses (greenhouses).Hope this gives your followers some ideas.
Jacquelyn Fales agree
I recycle old towels into rags. Cut down the length then across in fourths to make 8 very soft, absorbent rags. Clean up great in the washer too!
nancy graves agree
Left out most important one, PRAYER.
laurie kerze agree
Maybe check local painting companies for free buckets. 5 gallon paint buckets can easily be cleaned when the left over paint dries. It just peels right out of the bucket.
The dish rag thing is like us..but I use old T-shirt. You can get them at yard sales for pennies. We use lots of them!!
So happy I found this channel.
I love you guys! Thank you so much for all your Knowledge . ❤️
Amber Lamb agree
Our treadle sewing machine came in handy when we lost power for 9 days.
Great ideas y'all. Keep up the good work.
When I was a kid, my grandpa would not go to the barn or field with out a ball of twine, a ball of wire and a pair of cut off / pliers. He said you never know when you will need to do a fast fix it for now job.
Sherry Ryan agree
Tractor with front end bucket saves the back
You might want to consider a treadle foot sewing machine just so you have something to use in case the whole power grid goes down. Gas or diesel will only last so long then no more power
Good idea. And many of them are not functional anymore because people do weird things like make lamps out of them.
Oh my gosh, my Mom had one of those when I was a kid, I thought it was wonderful.
@Jo Ellen Broetzmann NO, they still make them! You can get a treadle machine on Amazon. Heidi at Rain Country has one she uses. Her table is an antique, and those can be hard to find, but treadle machines still exist!
Only started looking into homesteading having been laid off one to many times, and sick of cities and traffic. And found your list to be a wonderful one. (Possibly because I already have it all except the atv. LoL)
Am looking forward to checking out your other videos.
I recommend you check out the laundry services and uniform services as they will sell the used rags and cloth napkins that have small tears or the edging is getting worn in bundles of 20 or 30 pounds for super cheap.
I would love to see some videos of Christa teaching some basic crocheting lessons.
I live in an apartment near San Diego, I have all of the things on the list EXCEPT the post pounder and the ATV. I do have a golf cart, does that count?lol. I've been sewing since I was 10, 56 years. I have a Buck110 fixed blade and a 112 folding, just a little shorter than the 110. AND books...I currently have 27 in my prepper library with a few more to get. My other suggestions are write down recipes you may need, family favorites, how to make catsup, mayo, seasoning mixes, things you find on the internet. You will tell yourself "I'll remember this" and 5 years from now you'll forget. AND practice, practice, practice having these things is good, but know how to use them is vital.
A pressure COOKER is NOT a pressure canner. Canning meat should be done in a canner for optimum safety.
At my Walmart, we get cut flowers and they come in 3 gallon(?) pots that my Walmart throws in the recycling bin. I must have 50 or more around the house. I use them for storage, wastebaskets, animal feeders & waterers, and I replant plants in them. I’ve even cut the tops off them an use the tops around plants in the garden to help keep the water right there when I spot water.
Amazon has an enormous selection of books in all categories that are FREE for you to download. I have cookbooks and many books on gardening, sewing and advanced first aid.
Hi Christa!
Welcome to the club of I wanna crochet this right. I've been crocheting for years and knitting too. And you're always gonna want to get it right. But the mind must always know that that desire comes with the territory of Art. So it ain't right take it out redo and know that you are becoming an expert every time you redo. So always relax and enjoy even when you redo. Cool hat I know hubby will always love. God Bless.
Great video and and awesome info thanks for sharing :)
Rags, yes! I use them constantly. Plus, I have a good number of kitchen towels, dark colored. We dry our hands on them after washing, and change several times a day. Some people only use paper towels, and that costs a lot.
My husband and I were raised on family farms. Believe me when I say we were homesteading when homesteading wasn't cool.
Before I clicked on the video I thought- A pressure canner has to be high on the list. Boom! right at the top. I felt like I was playing Family Feud and just got the top answer!
The one thing for me is tire chains. I would never make it out in the winter without chains for all four wheels of my four wheel drive truck. I also have them for my tractors and could not function without them. I know most live close enough to a highway that they would never need them but we would die without them.
Thank you for the good video.
Great ideas! Almost nothing is universal for all needs, but all are important to consider. I agree with those who said a treadle sewing machine, and I'd add a Berkey water filter. Power failure, drought, whatever, no matter where you need to find water you will be able to drink it! We are on city water and will use it to get rid of the chlorine (we don't have added flouride) so we can stop buying bottled water.
Hit post before I finished my earlier post. Christa look into loom knitting, it's extremely easy. You can learn through RUclips and a cheap set of looms. I got my first set from Walmart and a few others of better quality from Amazon. I’m looming panels to make a king size bedspread. My daughter wants me to make her one.
Granny LaLa agee
Please do beginner videos for sewing and stuff!!
Two Sparrows Homestead agree
Good Morning . You already know that our family has a 2 acre homeplace and we plant, griw, can & dehydrate everything. My best reference book which I've had since 2008 is that book by Abigail Gehring. I also cannot live without her book 'Homesteading', These two books are indispensible. Love you guys. Have a blessed day.
If you feel like an hour or two drive you will find a Half Price Books store in Appleton. I live around Milwaukee and they are great. I have seen some good online ebooks websites, but it is cheaper to get the paperback at half price books than to print them out yourself.
I am kinda going down your list here. Pressure canner/cooker is a must, but with all appliances like that coffee pot, can opener etc, think about if you can also use it if the power is out.
I for one would love to see some videos on your crocheting or knitting if you have the time.
When getting buckets free is always best. But think about what they are going to be used for. I got a bunch of cheap flimsy ones 2 for a buck at the dollar store. Not good for storing foods unless its prepackaged. I have one just for rags and brushes that I use for cleaning. And like in my case, think about how heavy they will be when full. I cant lift a full 5 gal one, but the smaller 2.5 gal ones are great. I found the smaller ones with lids on sale 3 for a dollar at Walmart.
Anyone who wants to be prepared for a power outage would be wise to invest, NOT in an in an instantpot, but a STOVETOP pressure cooker...the reason is obvious! Good for you, Christa!
Tina Crapson agree
To me number 1 most important thing is "' Internet connection"".
There is a 1/2 price books in Appleton WI. Roughly 2 hour drive east of where you are.
WisconsinPrepper1 agee
I use a coffee can for scoops to and anything I buy in a bucket I save the bucket I buy laundry pods from fund raiser for schools and save the 5 gallon bucket and the lids
kaytedid30 agee
BUCKETS!!!! Coffee cans too!!!! Love me some buckets!!! Having a first aid kit for the animals is also important. Knowing what to do for an animal until you can get them to a vet or a vet can get there. Basic know how of wound cleaning and what creams and salves do what.
Shelby Marrow agree
There are youtube videos for CPR on animals too.
Empty 1 gallon milk jugs make great scoops, you just have to cut out the scoop from the jug.
I have that back to basics book! I think I grabbed it at a second hand book store 🙌
I would also stock up on material/thread in case you need bandages, clothing, scrap blankets, towels, cloths, and the list goes on.
Really enjoy listening to you two! We all learn through trial & error and you guys make it fun!
Have y’all tried making your own laundry detergent??? I love love it!!!!! Not hard to make and lasts quite a while!!!!!
Yes we have...I doesn't get rid of stinky barn teenager smell. I have tried different recipes as well.~~Christa
Christa i put a couple of tablespoons of powdered dishwasher detergent into a jar with very warm water to dissolve it then pour into your washer with the homemade washing machine powder you made up. Will take the stink out. My daughters MIL has a bad bladder problem and her clothes stink sometimes to the point that the washer and dryer do also. I made some of the washing powders then added in Cascade. She washed her MIL’s clothes and the smell came out of both washer and dryer. My son’s well had rotten egg smell to the water and made his clothes stink. I made some up for him with Cascade and it took the stink out.
Karla Ellis agee
You left out the $20 post Puller.... Once you have bent a few poles trying to loosen them to get them out you will get a Post Puller
Hey Krista, you might need to reconsider getting an instant pot. My instant pot I can use as a pressure cooker, but I can also use it as a crock pot. My instant pot is large in it can't handle a large roast. What I did for yesterday's meal was I seared the roast I pressured it for a while, and then I turned it on Crock-Pot to finish cooking because I was going to be gone and I didn't want to have to stick it in the frigerator. It was not very expensive. We bought it at Costco. I have also used my very small rice cooker to cook fresh green beans in. I'm really glad to figure out that I could use that little rice cooker for other things besides just cooking the rice. Reconsider that instapot. I absolutely love mine. oh and by the way I have two large pressure canners, and I have about seven regular size pressure cookers of various sizes. I have a problem because I cannot pass good pressure cooker up at a thrift store or a yard sale. I have to have it that's why I have so many. I actually probably should start gifting some of them to people
American Red Cross or your local fire/ems services have CPR and 1st Aid classes. Everyone on the homestead should be trained in that stuff
Since we don't having grazing animals we have a scythe, a manual push lawn mower and a variety of sickles. Scythes are sized by the height of a person so do some research before you buy any used ones.
Love your channel
Great video! This is everything I learned growing up on a farm, plus I taught my kids how to so it.
Donna Dorrell agree
I am a member of the pressure cooker lovers! I have one stove top and 4 electric ones. They are all different sizes and I use them all frequently. I am probably going to get a small pressure canner this year. National Presto used to be in Eau Claire. I think they still have a sales room and you can even get things like new seals for cookers from the 50s there. I get different color rags i.e. blue for dishes, gray for kitchen cleaning, green for bathroom cleaning etc. Glad to see you have acclimated to below zero temps!
Jo Ellen Broetzmann agree
You left out the "LDS Preparedness Book". I got it because of your recommendation.
Vaseline to protect skin from wind, burn and frostbite can even be used on chicken to protect the crown & dawdle from frostbite
Brad, you and your lists. Love watching your family
Thanks for some great info! Never thought about buckets and rags... 🤗💟
Patti Rose Life Happens agree
Advancing pliers that list multi-use tool that I use everyday
Cold packer for canning aswell. Emergency kit for animals. Your right ! Always ask someone for advice.
Lorie Habel agree
Also drills,chain saw racks,welder, with face cover Now I need your help in gardening tools to break hard soil.
Don't need a pressure cooker to can, we never did. We used to old hot water canners. Now rags - absolutely. Used to be able to buy bar mops from Sam's Club, still have some that are more than 10 years old; after 40 years the cloth diapers finally wore out. Sewing machine - yes! My daughters had custom made gowns for their proms - they fit. Now we have four for quilting etc. Sewing should be taught in school as should be woodworking and mechanics and financial management. Buckets used to cost me a $1 or $6 at ACE. A 2 liter soda bottle and a carpenter's knife makes a good scoop. Get your first-aid book from the Boy Scouts. Swiss Army knives come "simple" mine has about a 4" blade, screw driver, can opener and that's about it. Got me out of a hotel in a false fire alarm when the doors auto-locked! Son-in law will have a 20T winch on the front of his trailer (detachable goose neck) that uses a pony motor and can pull his tractor out of a rut. Of course his tractor has ten wheels, the trailer is 52' long and has 12 tires! LOL!What did you miss: Shovels (spade, scoop, etc.), hay fork, maddox, hoe and of course the usual assortment of carpenter and mechanics tools. Now to be honest, I built a sail boat using almost only hand tools just because nobody thought I could. The power tools were a drill, sander and router. That was it. No money - figure it out. And have a good neighbor who designs hand tools for a living and another who had the most incredible eye/hand coordination. Do you need a tractor - no. Just time, a shovel and a piece of soil that has been worked for 30 years or a bunch of teenagers.
Really handy ideas, thanks Brad and Christa!
have you thought of asking the restaurants for there pickle buckets
that was very good enjoyed it
wayne hackel agee
You just did number 10 at the last of this. Asking is a great way to learn so so much.
Add fencing pliers
James A Davis agee
I will just say this, the main thing for me and you touched on it, learning/trying from other, yes not everyone does things the same way or thought process but you watch/listen to what others say or do, then take that and make it your own way that you would use, you may just use one part of something or it shows you how to include it into your way or even give you a whole new way which not only beats your way but also beats the one that you learn from, in short, you can always learn a better way or faster/easier way if you want to, Later
I did not know that Buck knives had a warranty like that! My father has carried a Buck knife for as long as I can remember. I few years back he gave me one that the tip had broken off and he had just reground it.
Great start on your list -- but Brad you left out a few of your FAVORITES!!! Thought I'd add them below...
11. Dillards Donut Machine 12. Willy Wonka Chocolate Bar Machine 13. Bubba's Bratwurst Bazooka 14. Duke Nukem Video Game and 15. Brads foot sauna and pedicare kit.
Best place we have found for used books are thrift stores...I've always been amazed at what I can find for books...especially older books that teach old skills...Have even found old books from the 50's and stuff about how to raise pigs , chickens, goats and sheep or how to raise crops...Also, Buck knives are the only way I go nowadays....they always have a salvation message, great knives, oldest company in the business, come from my great state of Idaho and the lifetime warranty....
Jack Of All Master Of None agree
Can you share the names/links to the books you shared? Love all the info and laughs. Enjoy watching your family's journey!
"Back to Basics" by Readers Digest, Better Homes and Garden "New Complete Guide to Gardening" and "The Pocket First-Aid Field Guide" by George Dvorchak.
Thank you!
Roberta's Artistic Adventures agree
I agreed with the list. I prefer to get things that I can still use if I lose power so I don't have an Instapot either. I do think that I am going to invest in some metal buckets this year. The two that I was using developed small leaks this winter. I also wore a pair of gloves inside my fingerless glove/mitten combo.
Good list. For us we heat with wood so our log splitter and chain saws would be add to the list. We use our ATV for a lot of things also.
We don't cut down live trees. Only dead or ones that have fallen in a storm!
Christine McCombs agree
Nice
Do crochet and sewing videos please please please?
Great list. Thank you for sharing.
Such an informative video, thank you so much! Christa, for someone who wants to start a "dish rag" stash, how many should I begin with, or how many do you go through in a day/week? I've seen 're-usable paper towel' y.t. tutorials, and with your practical experience it would give me an idea of how many to make. Thank you again!
Well we have about 75 rags and I wash them twice a week. It all depends on what you use them for and how many you would need for a single job. When we milk the cow we use 6-8 per milking. I use to try to wash a few every laundry load but then the would get lost upstairs in the kids bedrooms. :) ~~Christa
Lol, I hear you on the rags getting lost! I'm that way with socks ;-). Thank you so much for replying, Christa; your answer really helps! Blessings :-)
Krista, can you do a how to sewing video
Alisha Vincent agree
Good list, we have everything but the ATV, even that book "Back to Basics" put out by I think, Readers Digest, years ago.
Love this list! Some were definitely unexpected, yet accurate. With the last mentioned, I’d add a good attitude/positive outlook.
Do you separate the rags for “clean” use (dishes) and “other” use (Nana’s cage) or just grab the top one for the next job trusting your clothes washer?
All of our rags are washed with bleach and hot water, so we are not concerned about separating. With having kids they might use the "clean rags" for nanas cage. EWWW ~~~Christa
Just Add Water agree
Big Family Homestead 😖🙄😂
Chickens are gateway animals.
laurie kerze agee
Yall our 100 % correct about the mind and learning you have to have the right mind set open mind
Pamela Jones agee
For some reason they don't sell pressure canners over here (Netherlands), just boiling water canners. And while the prices for pressure canners at Amazon are reasonable, when you add shipping costs of about $200 they become rather expensive.
jokevv1 agree
ATVs were originally ranch tools before toys. One item left off -- string.
Marianne Oprisko agee
Thanks for the knowledge.
Thank you for sharing your list
Cuz It's Our Farm & Homestead agree
Good list folks. Well done