Forgotten Homemaking Wisdom for Low-Income Families | SAVE MONEY

Forgotten Homemaking Wisdom for Low-Income Families | SAVE MONEY by Shayla Marie

Spring appeared to come early this year.

The snow was melting, the kids were getting restless, and I was already mentally planning fire pit nights. And then — the last weekend of February — we got absolutely buried.

But that’s okay. When you live up north, you get used to that! In fact, most of us expect it through to the end of March.

Instead of staying cooped up inside, we have learned to just go with it.

---

Watch Forgotten Homemaking Wisdom for Low-Income Families | SAVE MONEY (or Scroll to keep reading)

Want to see the snow day, the fire, the stick skewers, and the Jamaican Jerk Chicken in action? The full story — including what my grandma actually said on the phone — is all on YouTube.

So we bundled up, built a fire in the snow, cooked breakfast over it, and grilled dinner that night too. The kids were loud and happy. The dogs were delighted and sweet. And somewhere between flipping chicken and watching my boys be their goofy selves, I thought about something my grandma told me years ago.

She raised five kids with almost nothing. And life was not easy for her. But through it all, she picked up a quite a few golden nugget tricks along the way.

Today I want to share one of them that she passed down to me — plus the real, practical ways our family of eight enjoys life on a low income without feeling like we’re missing out on anything.

What My Grandma Taught Me About Frugal Slow Living

Around the time I had my fifth baby (we have six), I called my grandma one afternoon. I was homesick, stretched thin, and honestly a little down in the dumps.

Grandma was sympathetic, and she knew just what I needed. I’ll always remember that conversation because it was the first time she truly softened up and she didn’t give me a hard time for having so many kids like she usually did.

“You need to have fun”, she said.
Then she offered me a secret.

“There are all kinds of things you can do for fun that don’t cost a thing.”

And she just started listing them.

Since then, I’ve built our own list. Things our family actually loves. Things that cost us little to nothing. And the more we lean into them, the richer our life actually feels.

Free Family Activities That Are Actually Fun

Here’s what we actually do at our house — tried, tested, and genuinely loved:

• 🔥 Fire pit nights (and mornings)
  Hands-down one of my boys’ favorite things. Something magical happens when there’s a fire in front of you and no screens. We cook over it, sit around it, and talk. Where we live, burn bans take over a big chunk of the year — so when fire pit season is on, we make the absolute most of it.
• 🎤 Karaoke and movie nights
  We started this in winter and it became something the kids genuinely look forward to. A hundred percent free, and we laugh until we cry every single time.
• 🏖️ River beach days
  Once the burn ban hits, we head to the river. Frisbees, a football, and picnic food. The kids run themselves ragged and everyone goes home happy and very, very satisfied & tired. That’s a win.
• 🔍 Backyard Tinkering
  Give the kids free time outside. You never know what they might come up with. Maybe they’ll build a log duck hut cabin. Maybe they will make a blacksmithing stand. You just never know.
  
  🌟 Stargazing
  On a clear night, drag out some blankets and just look up. We live out in the country so we actually get a real sky. The kids ask the best questions when they’re staring at stars.
• 🍳 Cook together
  Not as a structured lesson — just let them in. Let them stir and season and make a mess. Some of our best memories have happened right there in the kitchen.

The Real Secret to Slow Living When Money Is Tight

Here’s what I keep coming back to.

It’s not about doing something big or spending money you don’t have. It’s about carving out a couple of hours — just a couple — and actually being with your tribe.

Laugh with them. Eat with them. Pray together. Put your phones down and just be where you are.

My grandma figured this out, raising five kids with almost nothing. She had the secret all along. And some of our best memories have been made on the nights we had the least.

Ready to Stop Losing Your Days and Start Redeeming Your Time?

If you’re a mama who feels like time is slipping through your fingers — busy from morning to night but can’t quite figure out where the day went — I made something for you.

Time Redeemed is my free masterclass for homemakers. It’s for the woman who loves her family and her home, and is tired of feeling behind. I’ll walk you through how to bring rhythm, intention, and real rest back into your days — even when the budget is tight and the to-do list is long.

It’s free. It’s practical. And it might just change how you see your ordinary days.

👉 Grab Your Free Spot Here