September Adventures: Preparing for Fall with Family, Food, and Fun

Hey Chickies!

I’m excited to share that it’s finally September! Can you believe we’re already halfway through the month? Summer is winding down, and for many of us, that means transitioning from vacation mode back to work. Whether it’s summer vacations at the family cottage or prepping for a busy fall, September brings a whole new kind of energy.

Transitioning from Summer to Fall: Prepping for the Busy Season

As summer wraps up, it’s time to start thinking about fall and winter preparations. For us, that means stocking up on organic produce and freezing it for the colder months. I’ve been busy freezing and canning tomatoes, fresh carrots and pumpkins to use in soups and desserts.

Pro tip: homemade pie shells freeze fantastically!

We also just picked up some fresh organic ground beef from a local farmer, which is so handy for warm winter dishes.

how to prepare organic produce for winter months…
If you’re looking for ideas on how to prepare for the colder months, start by freezing organic produce. I often just hit up a farmer’s market or produce auction this time of year for great deals. It makes meal planning so much easier, especially when life gets hectic!

One year, I bought a big box of fresh red bell peppers and roasted them to freeze for winter meals. Not only that, but I also made batches of Red Bell Pepper and Tomato Soup to freeze, making meal prep for busy days super convenient.

Gearing Up for Hunting Season and Hosting Family

With hunting season just around the corner, our house becomes the go-to spot for family and friends. My husband’s crew comes over for a week in November to hunt, and while they’re out, I take care of the meals. I genuinely love cooking for everyone, but with my chronic pain, it can be a bit of a challenge.

Tips for hosting family during hunting season…
To manage the prep work, I make a list of everything I’m going to make that week, and then I prepare as much as possible ahead of time. I’ll make a list of what I plan for this year in a later post.

When it comes to chronic pain, I keep up with my physio exercises. They help reduce pain, headaches, and anxiety so that I can get through the busy days without feeling overwhelmed.

Yard Work, Rental Properties, and Maintaining a Minimalist Garden

Fall also brings a ton of outdoor yard work. We take pride in having beautiful, well-maintained rental properties, and this time of year, I’m usually trimming about 100 hydrangeas!

How to maintain rental properties in the fall…
One thing we’ve learned over the years: minimalist gardens are the way to go! Next year, we’re planning to outsource the garden trimming—minimalist and hassle-free is the goal.

Saving Money and the Relentless Pursuit of Retirement

Speaking of saving time, we’ve also been snow removal pros in the past! We used to wake up at 4 a.m., clear the snow with a tractor and shovel, and still head off to our day jobs. People often look at us in shock when they hear about some of the things we’ve done, but it’s all been part of our strategy to grow and retire early.

Tips for early retirement through smart investments and saving…
Every penny saved is better invested—no matter how much money you have. Learning how to save and invest, even small amounts, has been key to our financial success. One of the best ways to build wealth for early retirement is through real estate.

We fully believe that investing in real estate is one of the most reliable paths to financial growth. Whenever we had enough savings and available equity, we would invest in another property.

I’ve read that some people only invest in their first property and then continue buying using equity. Yes, completely true! However, if you want to fast-track your property investments, here’s how we did it.

We didn’t keep anything for ourselves. In fact, we lived in one of our own rental units and funneled all of our hard-earned cash into acquiring more properties. This strategy allowed us to grow our portfolio quickly by reinvesting our hard earned cash, profits and building equity faster.

Would you live in the same building as all your tenants??

Shopping Smart: Thrifting Wins and Reusing Old Favorites

While it’s been a busy month, I did manage to treat myself to some new clothes! I stopped by a few thrift stores like Value Village and Winners and found some great deals. And you won’t believe it—I went through some old boxes and found clothes from my teenage years that still fit!

How to find stylish clothing at thrift stores…
It’s always fun to find hidden gems and repurpose old favourites. Shopping smart doesn’t mean sacrificing style! But, what I’ve learned over the years is that you NEED to go in knowing what you’re looking for, you need to look for high-end brands that are still in good shape, try things on, and consistently go back to search for what you need.

Here’s a few fall inspired reads you might be interested in…

• 4 Effortlessly Chic Fall Outfits with Green Accents
• How to Organize Your Closet for the Transition to Fall Clothing: A Simple 8 Step Guide
• Sherpa Sweater Outfits for Fall and Winter – 4 Chic and Cozy Styles
• 1 Beautiful Chunky Knit Sweater, 6 Cozy Fall Outfit Ideas!

Living a Little Freely: Surprises and Small Splurges

While things are busy, they aren’t as hectic as in years past. We’re no longer flipping homes or managing tenant issues, which has given us a little breathing room. And lately, my husband has been surprising me more than ever. Yesterday, he brought home a new exhaust for our Corvette, something we wouldn’t have done so freely in the past!

Living freely while staying financially responsible…
Once you’ve put in the time saving and growing your investments and/or equity, it’s a nice shift away from intense saving mode—balancing between working hard toward our goals and enjoying the fruits of our labour.

Treat Yourself to Fall Favorites

Lastly, don’t forget to indulge in some fall treats! I’ve already enjoyed a pumpkin iced coffee, pumpkin oatmeal, and even some pumpkin muffins. Fall just isn’t complete without them!

Best pumpkin treats for fall…
Whatever you do this September, make sure you take a moment to enjoy the little things. Whether it’s a cozy meal at home or a surprise purchase, treat yourself!

Stay cozy and enjoy the new season!

Thank You Credits: All photos by The Unscripted Femme.