When you first venture into homesteading, it seems charming and straightforward. What could be more idyllic than crafting a compost pile, preserving your own food, and enjoying the company of your goats in the pasture?

Back in 2008, when we purchased our property, the reality hit us as soon as we started fencing: homesteading can be costly. Like many, we started with one income and big ambitions—enhancing the land, remodeling the house, expanding outbuildings, and nurturing larger animal herds. Both of us had dreamed of owning property since childhood, and our excitement was palpable as we settled in.

But soon, reality set in. Initially, we thought we could do everything ourselves thanks to Prairie Husband’s handy skills and our willingness to put in hard work. While this saved us some money, many crucial aspects still required significant financial investment, causing stress on our limited budget.

Before we move on, a quick note: while there are numerous homestead hacks to cut costs, which we use, we’ve learned that skimping on quality often leads to regret. Investing time and energy wisely tends to create a more abundant lifestyle.

There were countless expenses: fencing supplies, an old tractor (hand-digging 67 acres’ worth of post holes was out of the question), basic fixes for outbuildings, equipment rentals, a faulty leach field, animal feed, seeds, and more. We learned the hard way that cutting corners with cheaper materials only led to additional repairs and frustrations.

It often felt like we were making progress only to take steps backward. This led us to reevaluate our goals. Was this worth it? Did it align with our long-term vision? The answer was a resounding “yes,” prompting us to explore ways to increase our income and sustain our homesteading journey. For a time, we ran a small bullet-making business, spending cold evenings and weekends casting lead bullets—tedious work we did for the sake of our dreams.

Our property, previously a pheasant farm, presented challenges, like rotting posts that required replacing. During this period, I dabbled into blogging, unexpectedly finding a new passion that became as integral to our lives as homesteading.

Yet, the blog alone doesn’t sustain our homestead. In 2012, a friend introduced me to doTERRA. Though initially skeptical, I felt intrigued enough to try a vial of essential oil and loved the effects. After investing in a starter kit, I shared my experiences, quickly finding that this venture offered financial opportunities far beyond what our bullet business had.

Within a few years, my doTERRA business outpaced Prairie Husband’s income as an electrician, eventually allowing him to leave his job and focus full-time on our homestead dreams. This wasn’t an easy journey, as both homesteading and entrepreneurship require dedication, but it has been incredibly rewarding.

Now, I want you to know that you don’t have to be stuck if your current reality falls short of your dreams. It may take a fresh approach, but transformation is possible. Keep an open mind, and it might lead to the change you need, just as doTERRA did for us.

Whether searching for financial freedom, wanting a meaningful business, or intrigued by entrepreneurship’s potential to fuel your homestead, I invite you to explore the path we took. Even if doTERRA isn’t right for you, let this inspire you to think outside the box. Boundless opportunities await those willing to take the leap. I can’t wait to see where your journey leads.