Hi Reader,

For years, my husband’s job has quietly subsidized Thrifty Homesteader. While I was teaching people how to build sustainable homesteads, I didn’t realize I was building an unsustainable business.

I’ve poured my heart into this work because I love it — and because I know how much it matters to people raising goats and looking for science-based information they can trust.

But now, we’re at a crossroads. My husband will be retiring in a year. When that happens, his income and benefits go with it. Thankfully he has a pension, but I won’t be eligible for Medicare yet. Insurance for me through his plan would cost more than $20,000 a year — and we don’t qualify for subsidies.

That means I have one year to figure out how to make this business self-sustaining.

What This Business Really Looks Like Behind the Scenes

I know it can look like things are going great — 12,000 email subscribers, $100,000 in revenue last year.

But when all the expenses are paid, only $5,000 made it into my personal bank account.

That means I’m working 40 to 60 hours a week — including nights, weekends, and holidays — for somewhere between $1.60 and $2.40 an hour.

My team members make more than I do. But I wouldn’t change that. They’ve been with me for 4-5 years, and I’m proud of how we support everyone — whether they’re a paying student or just someone with a goat question on Facebook.

This has never been about the money. When I started Thrifty Homesteader, I just wanted to help people. Over time, the world decided I was a goat expert, and I’ve leaned into that because I care deeply about helping you succeed.

Trying to Grow the Right Way — and Hitting a Wall

I’ve made every effort to grow this business responsibly. Last year, we moved all of our courses and membership to Mighty Networks to build a more connected community. That platform costs $4,300 a year.

We also rely on over 20 software tools just to function — course hosting, email, video, design, support — and I’ve cut everything I could without compromising the quality of what we do.

I’ve invested in over 40 online courses and spent tens of thousands of dollars on consultants. One of them cost $8,000 — he had built a multimillion-dollar homesteading site, and I thought he’d understand my audience.

But I quickly realized his success came from spending six figures on Facebook ads. I sat in those meetings knowing I couldn’t do what he recommended. I wasn’t going to partner with influencers who shared harmful advice or promote goat products I knew were useless — or even dangerous.

So in the end, I walked away with my values intact, but not much else.

And Then Google Changed the Game

Until recently, our website reached more than 100,000 people every month. That visibility helped pay the bills through ad revenue and allowed us to offer tons of science-based content for free.

But now? Google’s new AI summaries at the top of search results have cut our traffic in half.

We’re still ranked at the top, but it no longer matters. People read the AI blurb and never click through — even though that summary often comes from our articles.

When fewer people visit the site, ad income drops. That’s one more leg knocked out from under us, so this year's income will be even lower.

Looking Ahead -- With Your Input

Despite all of this, I’m not going anywhere. I get emails from investors wanting to buy Thrifty Homesteader — and I say no every time.

I’ve seen what happens when good homesteading sites get sold. The team gets let go, the content gets rewritten by AI, and the trust disappears.

Over the past month, I met one-on-one with dozens of subscribers on Zoom, and the message was loud and clear: once you found us, we became your one-stop shop for raising goats.

That means so much to me.

But now I need to ask for your help.

I’m exploring ideas that would allow us to continue — and grow — without compromising our integrity.

One suggestion that came up was a paid weekly newsletter that breaks down a scientific study related to goat health — like the recent one I quoted on pulse dosing ammonium chloride to prevent urinary stones.

👉 It would cost $5/month or $50/year.
Would that be helpful to you?

Is there something else you wish we offered?

This Work Is My Calling — But I Can’t Keep Carrying It Alone

I never wanted to ask for help. For a long time, I thought I had to figure it all out by myself — and honestly, I was embarrassed to admit how little I was actually earning.

But I’ve realized that the only way this can work is if we build it together.

I’m still all in. Even last year, when I developed a pinched nerve in my neck and couldn’t type without pain, I started using voice-to-text on my phone while lying in bed. Because helping people raise healthy goats is too important to walk away from.

I’ve spent over a decade showing up for this community.
Now I’m asking if you’ll show up for me.

We have one year to make Thrifty Homesteader sustainable. With your input, your ideas, and your support, I believe we can do it.

Just hit reply and let me know what you think:
* What would you buy if we offered it?
* What do you need that we’re not currently offering?
* How can I make this work better for you?

With deep gratitude,
​Deborah

P.S. I’ve spent over a decade helping people raise healthy goats with evidence-based information — often for little or no pay. But with my husband retiring next May, I have one year to figure out how to make Thrifty Homesteader truly sustainable. I’m not giving up, but I can’t do this alone anymore.

If you have ideas, needs, or would pay for a product or service we don’t currently offer — I want to hear from you. Just hit reply. Your voice matters more than ever right now. 💛