Follow Our Real Mortgage Free Homestead Journey By Mail
Every month you'll receive a real letter documenting the decisions, costs, wins and mistakes as we slowly build our mortgage free home in rural New Zealand.
Every envelope also includes photos, recipe cards, keepsakes and updates from Biscuit and Snowball.
All prices in USD
Mortgage Free Build
Real Costs & Lessons
Recipes & Keepsakes
Biscuit & Snowball
Every Subscriber Starts With Letter One
No matter when you join, you'll begin with the very first letter and follow our journey in the same order we lived it.
From buying 2 hectares of rural land to building our mortgage free homestead, you'll experience every milestone, every lesson and every decision alongside us, one letter at a time.
After 3½ years travelling through more than a dozen countries, we returned home and bought 2 hectares of rural land in New Zealand.
Our goal is simple: build a home, grow food, create space for our family and do it without taking on a mortgage.
These letters document every step along the way, from the land purchase and building decisions to water, power, septic systems, budgets, mistakes and everything in between.
What's inside each letter
Every envelope contains the next chapter in our journey, beautifully printed and ready to read over a cup of tea.
Inside you'll receive:
• A real letter sharing the latest chapter of our mortgage free build.
• Recipe cards we've been making at home.
• Photos from life on the land.
• Keepsakes to use, collect or display.
• Occasional bookmarks, postcards and seasonal surprises.
Every month adds another chapter to your collection.
Readers Love Receiving Their Letters
Brilliant! I love this so much.
Absolutely made my day.
- Lara, USA
A little snippet of joy!
- Sian, UK
Recent Topics We've Shared
• How we saved $12,000 on our ute purchase
• Saving thousands on building materials through cooperatives
• Comparing steel and timber kitset homes
• Planning water, power and septic systems
• Creating a cat-proof wheatgrass garden
• Choosing a temporary home while we build
These are the kinds of things we're documenting as we build our mortgage-free life, one letter at a time.
The story behind the letters ...
I’m Colleen, and I write every letter you’ll receive.
Over the past three and a half years, Paul and I have been travelling with our family, building our business as we went and seeing what life looks like outside the usual path.
We started in Bali, spent a couple of years in Thailand, and moved through parts of Europe like Italy and Croatia, along with places like Greece and Turkey.
All up, we’ve lived in and travelled through more than a dozen countries during that time.
It gave us a lot of perspective.
We learned what we actually need, what we don’t, and what kind of life we want to build long term.
Now we’re choosing something quieter.
We’re settling onto rural land, focusing on home, food, and creating a slower, more intentional way of living. Less rushing, more time, more space to think and be present as a family.
The Homestead Letters came from wanting to share that in a more personal way.
Not curated posts or quick updates, but real pieces of life as it unfolds. The decisions we’re making, what’s working, what isn’t, and the small moments in between that don’t usually make it online.
Paul is a big part of this story. He's my bestie. We’re building this life side by side, and these letters follow along as it all takes shape.
If you’re drawn to a slower pace and want to see what that looks like behind the scenes, you’re welcome here.
FAQs
What are The Homestead Letters?
A monthly letter sent by post, written by me, sharing what we’re building on our land, along with a few thoughtful keepsakes to enjoy.
What will I receive each month?
Each envelope will include a personal letter and a small selection of printed pieces like postcards, recipe cards, bookmarks, or other paper goods. Not every letter will include the same items.
When will my first letter arrive?
Your first letter is sent shortly after you sign up.
When will I receive the next ones?
After your first letter, you’ll receive one each month in line with your subscription.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes, we ship worldwide.
How long does delivery take?
Please allow up to 2 weeks for delivery. It often arrives sooner, but this is a safe estimate depending on your location and postal service.
How much does it cost?
The subscription is $13 USD per month.
Can I cancel anytime?
Yes, you can cancel whenever you like. Once a payment has gone through, you’ll still receive that month’s letter. Just drop me an email at [email protected] and we'll cancel your subscription immediately.
What if my letter doesn’t arrive?
If something goes wrong, just get in touch and we’ll sort it out. We want you to be happy with our letters.
Is this a physical product or digital?
Everything is physical. These are real letters and keepsakes you can hold onto, read, and keep for as long as you want - they're yours.
Can I gift a subscription?
Yes. Just email [email protected] and we’ll get it sorted for you.
Start Receiving Your Letters
Simple Living. Sent Monthly.
Made to be read, kept and enjoyed.
Just $13 (USD)
Cancel anytime
Contact Us
This site is not a part of the Facebook™ website or Facebook™ Inc. Additionally, this site is NOT endorsed
by Facebook™ in any way. FACEBOOK™ is a trademark of FACEBOOK™, Inc.
ADDRESS: PO Box 28, Alexandra Otago 9340, NZ
email: [email protected]
© 2026 The Homestead Letters
