I have been hearing about some wonderfully innovative ways to “Make it Do” lately, and I wanted to pass them along. Friends of ours are thinking outside the box and doing things they might not have considered a few years ago.
Richard, a friend and colleague of my husband Drew had to leave work early the other day… he had to go milk the cow. “But you don’t have a cow.” Drew said.
Richard then told him how his family has just joined a “co-op” with six other families in his community. He pays $20 a month- money that goes to the upkeep and care of a dairy cow. Then once a week, his family has a day they are in charge of milking the cow. For that, they receive between 3-5 gallons of milk a week for their family. Did I mention the milk is hormone free, is not from a genetically modified cow, and would only have antibiotics if they were necessary? That means they are paying between $1 to $1.50 a gallon for really good milk. Plus, what a great opportunity for the family to milk that cow. Don’t you think milking a cow at 6 am has just got to build your kid’s character? (Hee, Hee)
I’ve also seen families in our area getting chickens for the first time… and honey bees.
Down the street from our home, our family watched this spring as fencing when up around previously empty lots, making two large fenced areas. One area was plowed and planted with tomatoes and peppers. Then one day we were driving down the street and my kids began to shout. In the other fenced area were some Texas Long Horns! Not something you see around here very often. The man who owned those lots must have decided it was better to turn them into something useful than to have them sit gathering weeds.
Seeing my friends and neighbors innovate is so inspiring. It makes me think, what else could our family do to save money and have new experiences? What innovative things is your family doing to “Make it Do?”
Although I’m sure everyone has heard of this, it’s a fairly new idea to me and I’ve been looking for other people that are interested in it. It’s called a baby-sitting co-op. Same idea, 4 couples each take one Friday night per month watching everyone’s kids for a few hours. This allows you 3 date nights a month without having to pay a babysitter plus you don’t feel guilty because your kids are having a blast!
BTW- I grew up on a beef farm but we also had 1 milk cow-it definitely did build character!
Hi I really enjoy your site thanks for all the great ideas. I know we are just thinking twice before making any trips or purchases and asking ourselves if it is really needed . I have cut out paper products and am always on the lookout. for bargains for the kids clothes
you….are amazing.
We’ve got two piglets eating up all our table scraps. They do need more food than that but it ensures that nothing is wasted. These are our third set of two that we’ve raised. As long as the fencing is good we’ve had no trouble with pigs, and contrary to popular lore they are not unduly stinky as long as they have enough pasture.
I think piglets sound so fun. My kids would love one. We saw them at the farm and they are darling, the kids fell right in love. And I hear they are very smart. What a wonderful way to waste not, want not. I would just struggle at slaughter time… one of my favorite movies is Babe!
They are very smart, which is why you need GOOD fencing. Otherwise, I promise you, slaughter time will be very easy! ;-) You also want to have at least two, because one pig by itself is more prone to escape.
They do get less cute as they age, so by the time they were ready to butcher you probably wouldn’t have too much trouble. And if you did, you could always do what my grandma did with her rabbits– trade with relatives before butchering. Might not be easy to find someone who could trade you, but if you have family or friends who raise any of their own meat you might consider that.