Ep 121. Living More with Less: Centering Life Around Family with Jillian from Sprouting Arrows

In today’s episode, I’m sitting down with Jillian from Sprouting Arrows to talk about something at the heart of the Homestead Challenge: remembering your why. Even though our paths look a little different—she homeschools, I don’t; she’s deeply driven by her faith, I have a different approach—we’re both working toward the same goal: creating a life that centers around family, simplicity, and purpose.

Jillian shares her family's journey from living on two incomes (and unknowingly overspending) to thriving on less than $50,000 a year—all while growing closer as a family and living more intentionally. We dive deep into real-world tips for living frugally, finding joy at home, breaking free from consumer culture, and overcoming the pressure to "keep up" with others online or in real life.

Whether you're dreaming of stepping back from the rush, spending more time with your family, or finding ways to live fully without overextending yourself—this conversation will encourage you and show you what’s possible.

What we cover in this episode:

• Jillian’s journey to frugal living and her mindset shifts along the way

• How living with less has brought more joy, health, and connection to her family

• Practical ways to save money without feeling deprived

• Homesteading on a tight budget: creative ways to build a garden and make from-scratch living affordable

• Managing technology use and building peaceful, present rhythms at home

• Handling extracurricular activities in a way that doesn’t overwhelm your family life

• Tips for battling comparison—both online and in real life

• Why remembering your why makes all the difference when you're tempted to quit

Resources Mentioned:

• Brittany: The Homestead Challenge

• Jillian:  Sprouting Arrows

Enjoyed this episode? If this conversation encouraged you, take a screenshot and tag us on Instagram! You can find me at @brittanylgibson and Jillian at @sproutingarrows.