When I buy anything like yogurt, cottage cheese, or sour cream, I store it still sealed upside down in the 'fridge. It lasts forever that way even when I buy it past the best-buy date. I thrift because what I buy is 1) usually better quality than what I can find new, 2) something I can usually pay for on the spot, sometimes out of my loose change, and 3) one more thing that's not in the landfill. I love my things, and none of them cost much! I honestly don't feel like I'm missing out on anything, either.
@@SuzyQ-v1p Storing it upside down creates a vacuum that prevents (or at least delays) the growth of bacteria in the container. I only store unopened containers this way, though, to prevent leakage. It works!
When I was raising three children I always went in search of the deals. In stead of making meals and making a list of the items needed I would wait to plan meals around the items I would find deals on when I was shopping. Along with my. other items needed. Sometimes changing out most items and changing out our menu
@@kimmb802 I still do that, even though we are empty-nesters. It’s one of the ways that I am able to have ample surplus without inflationary worries. Thank you for commenting and sharing how you do that!
I've been tracking every penny the past 2 years. Whenever i come home from shopping and have bought something (groceries, gas, pet food, dining out, etc.), I go right to my desk and write it on the list/category, and deduct it from my checking account. I know exactly how much is spent each day/ month. Helps alot in giving you a clear overall picture.
I started tracking my expenses back in October. I was shocked to find that l was spending over a thousand dollars a month. Since then, I have been very conscious with my spending so l can work on getting it down a bit more!
I was at that benchmark a few years ago and kept whittling. My monthly bills are fixed (cell, Internet, etc.) and variable (energy, groceries, gas). Working within a realistic and fixed budget has helped keep the expenses down as I monitor my spending. I also capture the savings as sinking funds that I keep in a higher interest savings account. If it’s needed when costs exceed plans, I use it; otherwise, I move the overages to long term savings at the end of the year. Keeping tabs on what’s saved and putting it to work right away has boosted my savings in small steps but has been nice. I am also keeping mindful of food waste, which has always been a challenge. Getting that under control can boost savings as well and reduce the budget.
I enjoyed listening to your video on thrifty habits. I think cooking from scratch is a huge one that everyone should be doing these days. My goal for this new year is to shop the perimeter of the store and not go in to the aisles unless absolutely necessary. And then for this spring I am already garden planning on what I can grow to avoid even more shopping for as long as I can. Thank you for the good video!
i have 9 matched winter outfits with 2 extra pr. of pants...i have 7 pr.of shorts a and around 12 summer shirts and 5 skirts for summer wear as well as 5 summer dresses...other than hoodies/sweaters and under items that is the entirety of my wardrobe...very minimal...when i do have to replace items it's from our local thrift store for 2.00 per item....including shoes.
Hi Bonita, I did the wear all your clothes challenge you did this year and I did very well with it it was only one dress I didn't get around to wearing but it's not going anywhere it's one of my favorites. Happy holidays ❤
Wonderful examples of thrifty habits. I already practice some of the habits you mentioned and I will be adding more of your examples that will help me! Thanks very much. Diane
When traveling I make some delicious sandwiches some good cheese and shaved ham & roast beef sandwiches I add the miracle whip between the deli meat so the bread doesn’t get soggy I then sliced the sandwiches in half and wrap the half’s on plastic wrap the then whole sandwiches go into a zip lock bag I make plenty for at least 3 days they will stay fresh on ice in my yeti coolers we take several. Sandwiches are very important for our travels because once to park at a hotel we are not leaving at night time # 1 it’s dangerous # 2 we won’t get good parking. I also pack pickle spears sliced oranges ect. In the morning we get amazing breakfast that are included with our stay. We do eat out on a budget but it not necessary.
@@PenniestoDollars Now days restaurants are not very clean & hygienic plus sometimes you see the servers touch everything and not sanitizing their hands
Just recently my local Aldi was selling 1 lb boxes of butter for $2.99 a pound. That is half the price of the grocery store that I also shop at because I shop at another one other than Aldi and my husband said stock up if you can and you have a limit of six of them the sale ran for a couple of weeks. I was able to get a dozen 1 lb boxes and I put that away I will not have to buy butter for quite a long time as it freezes really well
Just like you mentioned each person has their priorities what is important to them and for you all it is traveling which is awesome. For us and our family what I enjoy doing with my son's and also with my daughter's is treating them to lunch or a coffee out. And I have a certain amount of cash that I pull out each week and that is all I use if the cash is not there then we don't go out. That keeps us on budget and keeps us from overspending. Another thing I'm able to do also is to find deals. My younger son and I will often go to eat at the food court in a mall that is in our state capitol. They have some really good deals there. We find either a special wherever the food places were eating at or if it's a higher dollar item like for instance there is a really wonderful sandwich that my son and I enjoy but it is $14 , we just split that sandwich at lunch and the cost for each of us is $7. And it's delicious and we do that anytime we can to save money. Just recently my younger son, older son and I went and had lunch together at a chicken and waffle place and we both realized my younger son once again and I that we cannot finish our food. It's just too much. So my son had a suggestion, he said mommy next time we go there why don't we just share an order we will end up spending about $6 a person rather than the higher dollar amount we had spent previously.
I kept track of every penny I spent last year, in about 40 different categories. It was actually kind of fun. Today I averaged out what I want to spend in 2025. I really bought too much stuff last year, hopefully I can really bring down costs and use up my supplies this year. Also, my internet provider likes to surprise double the bill every January. I was on top of it this year, called them yesterday for my annual 30 minute phone call. After lying and telling them I don't need their phone, that my work provides it they finally came down a significant amount. Drives me crazy that they are trying to force their phones on everyone. I use twigby and I don't want to change. There really isn't anything else I can cut except for grocery and household items. I've worked really hard the last few years getting my budget really tightened up. I don't like to waste money lol
Thank you for your thoughtful comments. It is easy to let some categories get away from us. Many times they are the ones that are the most controllable but we just don’t realize that they’re creeping up. It sounds like you’re doing a great job staying on top of your budget and purchases!
One of my budget goals to help me dig a little deeper and cut costs is to be an every other day vegetarian. I've been pescatarian for a long time, but fish is getting more and more expensive. Legumes and grains combine to make a healthy protein. Cheese adds flavor and richness. Thank you for your channel!
When I fry chicken or other meats and don't eat it all so the next day I put it in a pan and put water in it and put the meat in it and put a top on the pan and simmer. From the flour it smothered and makes a gravy and have a different dinner the next day 🤗.
I do the same thing you do with calendars. My mother-in-law gets lots of free calendars so I will often get one from her and that's what I use for my day planner.
I did the same thing myself this year I needed to replace some pants I did it on eBay and I was able to purchase half a dozen pairs of pants basically jeans and they were a third of the price that I was paid for them if I had bought them in a store.
I love when you talk about grocery budgeting cuz I am the same way I know what items cost I know how much I'm willing to pay for an item and I think I shared in the past I make my own homemade spaghetti sauce. I was able to start making it organically back many months ago. I had to stop though when those raw ingredients ended up costing me too much. I was able to scale back realizing that I could still buy the ingredients I needed but at a less expensive price to keep making the spaghetti sauce affordable for me to make homemade. Could I buy it dirt cheap at a store I probably could of course. But I enjoy making it and I know what ingredients are in it and my family loves it.❤
My husband loves leftovers as well. We cooked hamburgers on the grill tonight my husband and I each had one we still have six of them left they will make at least two to three more lunches for us.
I mostly wear sweat pants, jackets, and t shirts. There is some macys from like 12 years ago, time and true and athletic from Walmart and some various Costco items. Nothing ever wears out. I kind of wish it would. I am a deal shopper. I am trying really hard to cut back on the food and I have but feel like I am still buying too much. I do no online shopping. I don’t need more junk,decor, hobbies are not me. I am trying to declutter. I am going to try and track my spending this coming year. I always want to do it, and did a full year, but other years I lose the receipts and forget about it.
The other way I was able to add to my wardrobe was to shop at a local thrift store that I love they have yard sale prices all of their tops in their entire store and bottoms are a dollar a piece except for one small rack. So really I am getting tops just for a fraction of the cost. I think the reason why they keep it so affordable is because it's a Ministry of their church and the money goes to the missions of the Methodist Church there.
I had to do the same thing this year with clothing had to replace some underwear had to replace some pants had to replace some tops. Had to replace some jeans.
I went to dollar general today because I had a $5 off $25 purchase coupon and I had a list of things I needed. But, my total was around $15. I did not just go around the store and try to find more things just to get that $5 off. I didn’t need anything else and in a few days I’ll be at a Walmart which is cheaper than Dollar General.
I was able to order a pair of jeans on eBay the person wanted $40 for them and I told them that I would be willing to give them $20 I didn't have 40 to give them and I said and to be honest with you it's not just that I want those jeans you are going to have a hard time selling them at that price. People come to eBay to look for a deal. The lady agreed with me she had no problem and sold them to me for $20.
When one of our streaming services automatically renewed I realized that it was one we barely ever used I canceled it on the spot and then we still have privileges to use it until next September it won't renew after that. So we will still only be paying for just two of our streaming services instead of three and then of course the rest of our Roku TV is free
I have a question for you, but I want to make sure it comes across as I am intending it to - which is purely from curious it’s, and for education. With that said - I was a nurse (until a few years ago when I let my license expire to stay home with my children) and I know that nursing home admins have always made very good money. How is it that with that work history, you are retired on a low income? Was it failure to prepare for retirement? Again - I am not coming from a sassy or accusatory position - I’m trying to learn. My father never made more than around $38k-$40k/year gross, but he did 20 years in the military and 20+ years as maintenance at a local state college. He retired in mid-2018, and he makes a bit more in retirement than he did while working. I’m 45 and feel way behind in retirement. I hope I didn’t offend - I’m just looking to learn.
In my state I made between 40,000 and 70,000 a year at my most. During that time I had at least two kids in college at all times until I got all six through college and I paid for it myself. There was never 401(k)s offered or health insurance for most of my career. I hope this answers your question.
It sounds like your father may have a military pension, as well as state pension from the maintenance job and possibly social security. Bonita isn’t even old enough for social security yet.
@@PenniestoDollars oh wow - that is a lot less than what admins make where I am (which is well over $100k/year, with benefits, and with retirement). I also didn’t know you have six children (what a blessing!). I had my babies late (37 & 40) and while my husband’s job will come with retirement, we are behind in our Roth IRA’s. Well thank you for taking the time to answer my inquiry - and I love your channel!
When I buy anything like yogurt, cottage cheese, or sour cream, I store it still sealed upside down in the 'fridge. It lasts forever that way even when I buy it past the best-buy date. I thrift because what I buy is 1) usually better quality than what I can find new, 2) something I can usually pay for on the spot, sometimes out of my loose change, and 3) one more thing that's not in the landfill. I love my things, and none of them cost much! I honestly don't feel like I'm missing out on anything, either.
That is a great tip! I love living on less because it gives me more to spend where I want to!
@@ireadnewton why upside down?
@@SuzyQ-v1p Storing it upside down creates a vacuum that prevents (or at least delays) the growth of bacteria in the container. I only store unopened containers this way, though, to prevent leakage. It works!
Wow thanks!!!
When I was raising three children I always went in search of the deals. In stead of making meals and making a list of the items needed I would wait to plan meals around the items I would find deals on when I was shopping. Along with my. other items needed. Sometimes changing out most items and changing out our menu
@@kimmb802 I still do that, even though we are empty-nesters. It’s one of the ways that I am able to have ample surplus without inflationary worries. Thank you for commenting and sharing how you do that!
I've been tracking every penny the past 2 years. Whenever i come home from shopping and have bought something (groceries, gas, pet food, dining out, etc.), I go right to my desk and write it on the list/category, and deduct it from my checking account. I know exactly how much is spent each day/ month. Helps alot in giving you a clear overall picture.
It really does. Thank you for validating that!
I started tracking my expenses back in October. I was shocked to find that l was spending over a thousand dollars a month. Since then, I have been very conscious with my spending so l can work on getting it down a bit more!
It really helps!
I was at that benchmark a few years ago and kept whittling. My monthly bills are fixed (cell, Internet, etc.) and variable (energy, groceries, gas). Working within a realistic and fixed budget has helped keep the expenses down as I monitor my spending. I also capture the savings as sinking funds that I keep in a higher interest savings account. If it’s needed when costs exceed plans, I use it; otherwise, I move the overages to long term savings at the end of the year. Keeping tabs on what’s saved and putting it to work right away has boosted my savings in small steps but has been nice. I am also keeping mindful of food waste, which has always been a challenge. Getting that under control can boost savings as well and reduce the budget.
Great points!
I enjoyed listening to your video on thrifty habits. I think cooking from scratch is a huge one that everyone should be doing these days. My goal for this new year is to shop the perimeter of the store and not go in to the aisles unless absolutely necessary. And then for this spring I am already garden planning on what I can grow to avoid even more shopping for as long as I can. Thank you for the good video!
I’m working on gardening plans, too!
i have 9 matched winter outfits with 2 extra pr. of pants...i have 7 pr.of shorts a
and around 12 summer shirts and 5 skirts for summer wear as well as 5 summer dresses...other than hoodies/sweaters and under items that is the entirety of my wardrobe...very minimal...when i do have to replace items it's from our local thrift store for 2.00 per item....including shoes.
👍👍👍👍👍🥰
I’m with you 100% my vacation is my priority. I will cut cost in other areas just for that
❤️❤️
I haven't opened my sour cream yet so I went in the kitchen and turned mine upside down 🤗. Thanks for the advice 👍
I can’t take credit for that one. It was a viewer! I love how we share tips!!
@@PenniestoDollars I know I thought that I posted on her comment 🤗
Hi Bonita, I did the wear all your clothes challenge you did this year and I did very well with it it was only one dress I didn't get around to wearing but it's not going anywhere it's one of my favorites. Happy holidays ❤
It helped me so much to manage my wardrobe and know what actually fit and was comfortable. Happy holidays to you too Cynthia!
Wonderful examples of thrifty habits. I already practice some of the habits you mentioned and I will be adding more of your examples that will help me! Thanks very much. Diane
Thank you, Diane!
When traveling I make some delicious sandwiches some good cheese and shaved ham & roast beef sandwiches I add the miracle whip between the deli meat so the bread doesn’t get soggy I then sliced the sandwiches in half and wrap the half’s on plastic wrap the then whole sandwiches go into a zip lock bag I make plenty for at least 3 days they will stay fresh on ice in my yeti coolers we take several. Sandwiches are very important for our travels because once to park at a hotel we are not leaving at night time # 1 it’s dangerous # 2 we won’t get good parking. I also pack pickle spears sliced oranges ect. In the morning we get amazing breakfast that are included with our stay. We do eat out on a budget but it not necessary.
We pack food when traveling, too. It also saves so much time trying to find a place to pull off and get food when you’re hungry.
@@PenniestoDollars Now days restaurants are not very clean & hygienic plus sometimes you see the servers touch everything and not sanitizing their hands
Absolute! After working in food service under nursing home rigorous standards, it drives me crazy!
Thank You, good stuff!!
❤️
Just recently my local Aldi was selling 1 lb boxes of butter for $2.99 a pound. That is half the price of the grocery store that I also shop at because I shop at another one other than Aldi and my husband said stock up if you can and you have a limit of six of them the sale ran for a couple of weeks. I was able to get a dozen 1 lb boxes and I put that away I will not have to buy butter for quite a long time as it freezes really well
I have 2.99 butter in my freezer, too!
😉👍❤
Just like you mentioned each person has their priorities what is important to them and for you all it is traveling which is awesome. For us and our family what I enjoy doing with my son's and also with my daughter's is treating them to lunch or a coffee out. And I have a certain amount of cash that I pull out each week and that is all I use if the cash is not there then we don't go out. That keeps us on budget and keeps us from overspending. Another thing I'm able to do also is to find deals. My younger son and I will often go to eat at the food court in a mall that is in our state capitol. They have some really good deals there. We find either a special wherever the food places were eating at or if it's a higher dollar item like for instance there is a really wonderful sandwich that my son and I enjoy but it is $14 , we just split that sandwich at lunch and the cost for each of us is $7. And it's delicious and we do that anytime we can to save money. Just recently my younger son, older son and I went and had lunch together at a chicken and waffle place and we both realized my younger son once again and I that we cannot finish our food. It's just too much. So my son had a suggestion, he said mommy next time we go there why don't we just share an order we will end up spending about $6 a person rather than the higher dollar amount we had spent previously.
That works because a lot of times the portions are really big.
Yes they definitely are
I kept track of every penny I spent last year, in about 40 different categories. It was actually kind of fun. Today I averaged out what I want to spend in 2025. I really bought too much stuff last year, hopefully I can really bring down costs and use up my supplies this year. Also, my internet provider likes to surprise double the bill every January. I was on top of it this year, called them yesterday for my annual 30 minute phone call. After lying and telling them I don't need their phone, that my work provides it they finally came down a significant amount. Drives me crazy that they are trying to force their phones on everyone. I use twigby and I don't want to change. There really isn't anything else I can cut except for grocery and household items. I've worked really hard the last few years getting my budget really tightened up. I don't like to waste money lol
Thank you for your thoughtful comments. It is easy to let some categories get away from us. Many times they are the ones that are the most controllable but we just don’t realize that they’re creeping up. It sounds like you’re doing a great job staying on top of your budget and purchases!
One of my budget goals to help me dig a little deeper and cut costs is to be an every other day vegetarian. I've been pescatarian for a long time, but fish is getting more and more expensive. Legumes and grains combine to make a healthy protein. Cheese adds flavor and richness. Thank you for your channel!
Thank you for sharing that, Virginia. Yes, I prefer to not eat much meat myself. I’ve been that way since a child.
When I fry chicken or other meats and don't eat it all so the next day I put it in a pan and put water in it and put the meat in it and put a top on the pan and simmer. From the flour it smothered and makes a gravy and have a different dinner the next day 🤗.
Yum!!
I do the same thing you do with calendars. My mother-in-law gets lots of free calendars so I will often get one from her and that's what I use for my day planner.
👍👍👍👍
👍
I did the same thing myself this year I needed to replace some pants I did it on eBay and I was able to purchase half a dozen pairs of pants basically jeans and they were a third of the price that I was paid for them if I had bought them in a store.
👍👍👍❤️
👍❤
I love when you talk about grocery budgeting cuz I am the same way I know what items cost I know how much I'm willing to pay for an item and I think I shared in the past I make my own homemade spaghetti sauce. I was able to start making it organically back many months ago. I had to stop though when those raw ingredients ended up costing me too much. I was able to scale back realizing that I could still buy the ingredients I needed but at a less expensive price to keep making the spaghetti sauce affordable for me to make homemade. Could I buy it dirt cheap at a store I probably could of course. But I enjoy making it and I know what ingredients are in it and my family loves it.❤
🥰🥰🥰
😍
My husband loves leftovers as well. We cooked hamburgers on the grill tonight my husband and I each had one we still have six of them left they will make at least two to three more lunches for us.
I'm with you. Leftovers are the best for lunches!
❤
Great tips! Thank you!❤
Thanks for listening, Debbie!
I mostly wear sweat pants, jackets, and t shirts. There is some macys from like 12 years ago, time and true and athletic from Walmart and some various Costco items. Nothing ever wears out. I kind of wish it would. I am a deal shopper. I am trying really hard to cut back on the food and I have but feel like I am still buying too much. I do no online shopping. I don’t need more junk,decor, hobbies are not me. I am trying to declutter. I am going to try and track my spending this coming year. I always want to do it, and did a full year, but other years I lose the receipts and forget about it.
Thank you for commenting and sharing a bit of your shopping habits. Tracking helps more than I ever would have imagined.
I love your channel very helpfull
Thank you, Mary! I’m so glad ❤️❤️
The other way I was able to add to my wardrobe was to shop at a local thrift store that I love they have yard sale prices all of their tops in their entire store and bottoms are a dollar a piece except for one small rack. So really I am getting tops just for a fraction of the cost. I think the reason why they keep it so affordable is because it's a Ministry of their church and the money goes to the missions of the Methodist Church there.
That’s great you have a good affordable thrift store there!
Yes absolutely, if you ever travel my way you'll have to check it out!
The only thing I automate is my savings. I agree with you 100% about not automating your bills.
🥰
I've been tracking & reviewing the spending for years. It "talks" to you when you review it.
Yes, very eye opening.
I had to do the same thing this year with clothing had to replace some underwear had to replace some pants had to replace some tops. Had to replace some jeans.
It feels kind of good to actually wear something out!
True!
I love Fetch 👍. I always save up enough to go to Bath& Body Works. It's really helpful
Nice!
I went to dollar general today because I had a $5 off $25 purchase coupon and I had a list of things I needed. But, my total was around $15. I did not just go around the store and try to find more things just to get that $5 off. I didn’t need anything else and in a few days I’ll be at a Walmart which is cheaper than Dollar General.
Smart move!
I was able to order a pair of jeans on eBay the person wanted $40 for them and I told them that I would be willing to give them $20 I didn't have 40 to give them and I said and to be honest with you it's not just that I want those jeans you are going to have a hard time selling them at that price. People come to eBay to look for a deal. The lady agreed with me she had no problem and sold them to me for $20.
Yes, many will accept counter offers. Good job!
Thanks
Hello fellow rural Kansan!!!
Hello and Welcome!
We are the same way we don't use automated payments at all. I would rather call in each time a payment is due and pay it myself.
It helps me stay apprised of any increases. I don’t know how anybody would know otherwise. You’re just at their mercy.
Exactly
Us, too!
I too LIVE by my calendar. lol If its not on the calendar its not happening or being remembered. lol
Right!
When one of our streaming services automatically renewed I realized that it was one we barely ever used I canceled it on the spot and then we still have privileges to use it until next September it won't renew after that. So we will still only be paying for just two of our streaming services instead of three and then of course the rest of our Roku TV is free
❤️❤️
❤
I have a question for you, but I want to make sure it comes across as I am intending it to - which is purely from curious it’s, and for education. With that said - I was a nurse (until a few years ago when I let my license expire to stay home with my children) and I know that nursing home admins have always made very good money. How is it that with that work history, you are retired on a low income? Was it failure to prepare for retirement? Again - I am not coming from a sassy or accusatory position - I’m trying to learn. My father never made more than around $38k-$40k/year gross, but he did 20 years in the military and 20+ years as maintenance at a local state college. He retired in mid-2018, and he makes a bit more in retirement than he did while working. I’m 45 and feel way behind in retirement. I hope I didn’t offend - I’m just looking to learn.
In my state I made between 40,000 and 70,000 a year at my most. During that time I had at least two kids in college at all times until I got all six through college and I paid for it myself. There was never 401(k)s offered or health insurance for most of my career. I hope this answers your question.
It sounds like your father may have a military pension, as well as state pension from the maintenance job and possibly social security. Bonita isn’t even old enough for social security yet.
@@bridge7528 yes, that is exactly what he did by plan.
@@PenniestoDollars oh wow - that is a lot less than what admins make where I am (which is well over $100k/year, with benefits, and with retirement). I also didn’t know you have six children (what a blessing!). I had my babies late (37 & 40) and while my husband’s job will come with retirement, we are behind in our Roth IRA’s. Well thank you for taking the time to answer my inquiry - and I love your channel!
@ Thank you!
The links to your depression era cookbooks don’t work
I just copied and pasted them and they worked for me?