7 REALISTIC Ways to Cut the Cost of Living Alone-Saving Money with Frugal Living
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ก.ย. 2024
- Living alone can be expensive, but there are ways to save money and still have a comfortable lifestyle. In this video, I'm sharing 7 realistic ways to cut the cost of living alone. Enjoy these 7 frugal living tips to help get you started living on your own, or if you are already living alone and are looking for some tips to save money, I'm glad you're here! (Stay until the end for a bonus thought #8!)
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Happy Frugal Friday KSquad! Thanks so much for joining us for a new episode each Friday!
Love you Kate!! 🥰
Leftovers = Free food I already spent time preparing = 🎉🎉
HAHAH! LOVE THIS!!!!!
👍👏👏 It’s ALL in the way you look at it, FOR SURE😎
I purposely cook enough to have left overs most of the time and yes, it saves me time and it has come in very handy on occasions when I end up getting sick, so my leftovers are what keeps me fed while I recover. No need to order delivery, worry about picking up or asking others to drop off. Leftovers are me being grateful I have food to eat and not worry about it because everything was already done...💖
I’m one of those people that can eat anything for dinner every night for a week and never bat an eye. I made soup last week and ate for lunch and dinner for four days. I just made another batch last night and I’ll eat it as long as it lasts. My sister and I just had this conversation about it being weird. I’m weird. I’m frugal and I’m single, so I answer to no one about it!!😂
Not weird at all. There are certain things I could eat every day! I'm single, too, so who cares what I eat? You should see what my dinner looks like some nights. Keep it a secret but some dinners come straight out of a Lays bag and a pop can.
Same. I can eat the same exact food for days on end, and never get tired of it. So many people can’t do that.
I'm in the same boat !!! Your not weird !! If I like something I cook in particular, eg spaghetti or soup, just to mention a couple. I can eat it for 3 or 4 days, no problem. Some people won't even eat leftovers. I don't understand that because 1st...it tastes much better next day and 2nd...I hate to see food go to waste. I also answer to no one. Keep it up !!
It disgusts me when people refuse to eat leftovers , someone that is homeless or living below their means would give their eye teeth for leftovers
I live alone and I need to be very frugal. Seems every time I leave the house it cost me $50 to $100 each time!
My tips:
Stay home as much as possible.
Create a budget with the Every Dollar app (free version).
Make use of every drop of toiletries before buying more.
Use material napkins instead of paper ones.
Use one square of paper towels at a time.
Use less than the recommended amount of laundry detergent.
Only wash full loads of clothes.
Don’t use makeup every day if you are not going out.
Wash clothes in cold water.
Make sure all lights are off in rooms you are not in.
I need more ideas though so I’m glad I found your channel!!!
Omg I am in the process of using up all of my beauty products even if I do not like them as much as the ones I use currently. It ends up that they are not that bad! I have very curly hair so I don’t think there is a difference !
I understand completely....but, be careful not to get too lonely. Be the person to start grouping your same age/same stage friends to bring a dish and have friend dinners at each other's houses/apartments. Enjoy the company, food, and maybe pay games, converse, exchange frugal living tips that have been working/not working for you with each other. Develop a tight community with each other to live a full and frugal life! Take care!
Hey Kate:)! It's so funny to me... some people say they don't like leftovers, but they do eat frozen meals from the store- I'm like: "Those are leftovers, they were just not cooked by you!"🤣
So true!
YASSSSSSS HAHAHAHAH!
Throwing foods away. That's why you're working so hard . Foods is expensive , I don't know how anyone can afford to buy foods and not thinking about the homeless families can't even afford foods. Shame on you. Wake up
Never will understand that kind of people😂
I had lasagne and garlic bread last night but didn't feel like eating it. I've just warmed it up again and finished it off. I live on my own and I just love bargain hunting for reduced food.
Hey... Yesterday was an exciting day for me. I'm 52 and single since 2019. I paid off the rest of my debt!!! I decided to use my savings and rid myself of debt bondage. I still have plenty of savings left for emergencies. I also stocked up on my meat for the month(I do the carnivore lifestyle) and other things like toilet paper etc. I'm doing a no spend for June except for I have 2 birthdays that I'm giving money as gifts but I've already saved for that. I stayed home with my 3 boys and have been divorced since 2019. I'm gonna focus even more on saving for retirement. I have a retirement account at work where they contribute and I'm gonna open a Roth IRA also. I Love your channel and I think you're Adorable 🙂❤️
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Sending you a huge virtual CELEBRATION HUG! THISSS ISSS AWESOMEEEEEEE!!!!! I'm so proud of you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@@KateKaden Thank you 🙂
i would love to know what types of meat you stock up on for carnivore
@@lovechangesus I eat all red meat, wild caught seafood, organ meat specifically calf liver for my vitamins, organic chicken, lots of bacon and I make my own bone broth. I still drink coffee and I add butter, powdered goat milk whey creatine, collagen, redmonds salt and blend in my Vitamix. I just added dairy back in the form of full fat organic yogurt and goat cheese. I wasn't trying to lose weight. I wanted the healing and health benefits. I'm 4'11" and I started at 115 lbs now I'm 100 lbs. I added the dairy because I don't want to be a skeleton 😆 I was doing intermittent fasting before I started this so I was only eating 1 meal a day. Now I eat one meal a day during the work week and on my days off 2 sometimes 3 meals. I don't eat breakfast just my coffee concoction. I'm 52. I don't have brain fog or any menopause stuff, my varicose veins have pretty much faded (I have dark skin) my eyesight started clearing up just when I was fasting so much so my eye doctor asked what I was doing. It's cleared up even more since I added a carnivore lifestyle and I was wearing bifocals, my hair is growing like weeds and I get good sleep. If you're interested in the carnivore lifestyle there's plenty of info on TH-cam people are getting all kinds of healing from it. Sorry that was so long.
@TL71913 thank you 😊
Tip-we open all the windows in the evening when it cools and then close up the house late morning and close curtains. My neighbors are running their air conditioning. I haven’t had to, yet.
Love!
I do the same really saves on the electric bill. When I do put the AC on it’s only during the day I unplug it at night.
We are in Florida, the Ac is on all the time. Our Bill is less than $100 a month.
I do that too, and I even put a box fan in the window to pull in the cooler air throughout the night.
This is what we do in England as we don't have AC
Simple meal = poached eggs on sourdough bread = Perfection.
YUM!
I live alone and shop once a week or once every 2 weeks. I spend the rest of the day cooking and then freeze everything in smallish portions. If I'm on my way home and I want to stop and pick up something from a drive thru, I convince myself to go home and heat food up. I don't start from scratch every time I come home. If I run out of something fun (chocolate or maybe ice cream) I have to wait until next trip. Staying out of the stores has saved a lot. Leftovers are just food unless you wait a week and then they are a science experiment.
Thanks so much for watching and sharing with us!
I do the same. I live alone, but I cook a full batch of the meal and freeze it in small containers. Then I just grab one out of the freezer and maybe add a piece of fruit and that’s my lunch to take to work.
🎉 great comment! 😊
😂😂
I live in a tiny paid house
I walk to supermarket or bike
Grow tomatoes
Do garden in stages
Cycle free bikes also
No tv put on agsin xmas
Money in envelopes
Less sweets reduce dentist bills
Clean house to boost moral
Walk
I eat fresh
Learn how to cook
where can you live in a tiny house in a walking distance to supermarket? is it a rural area (thinking yes if it allows tiny homes)?
All sounds good and makes sense
I love living alone. So much freedom ❤❤👍👍
YASSSS Stu!!!!!
Hi Frugal Stu 🖐 Blessings from Australia 🇦🇺 💜
I'm a nurse working 50+ hours a week. I do all of my cooking on Saturday. I live on leftovers. Leftovers are life. Lol Breakfast casserole or Oatmeal with fruit and greek yogurt covers the morning. Things like stew, rotisserie chicken, rice, baked potatoes, chilli, casseroles etc cover diner. I pulled a frozen turkey breast (98¢/lb after Thanksgiving) out of the freezer two weeks ago and had Thanksgiving in May all by myself! Lots of leftover turkey for salad, sandwiches, turkey chili. The whole meal cost me $12 and I ate for two weeks. Good food is definitely still doable.
Love this! (and thank you for all you do for us as a Nurse!)
'leftovers is just another word for food',
most truthful quote of the day 🤣🤣🤣
LOL!!!! Thank you:):):)
I save money on groceries by not cooking everyday like I used to. Plus I told my husband it’s a sin to waste food😂. So now he ensures all the leftovers get eaten up. If there is something we can’t finish in time I’ll portion for work lunches and put in the freezer. I cannot stand food waste, especially when I see people struggling to feed their families.
I am 65 , live on my own , YES to stocking up. I do not know how many people say to me, " but I dont need toilet tissue " or whatever the item is when I say it is on sale. My answer, " No, nut you will later on !"
Personally, I would rather use tp that I paid $.66/ roll on sale then knowing I paid full price.
Glad to find your channel
Jill, I'm so glad you're here!
I enjoy my fried eggs, salads, and baked potatoes!
Video idea: When your friends want to go out, don't tell them you can't because of finances. They'll often want to pay for your evening out, etc. That has stigma attached. I always politely decline, saying I'd love to but I'm busy, and sometimes make up a task or other commitment.
This is a difficult one indeed. Today i am honest.
But there was a time my ‘friends’ did not understand, when i told them i dont have the money for certain kind of things. So they would offer to pay. Or offer to pay for 30 euros of ordering pizza or drinks. Because they were to lazy to buy food in the store and cook. Expecting me, without telling me in advance, to pay the next 30 on food. While for me, thats more than a weeks worth of food. Ive never ordered any food. And go out to eat (very cheap) maybe once in one or two years.
Now i am stating clear that i dont have money for some things. Not just for now, but not in any situation. So when they really want to offer something, they know in advance, i cannot pay it back.
You are right in that they will offer to pay. What I have done is to decline without telling anything about my finances and then invite them for a dinner and movie night. Almost always, my friends offer to bring things, and we have a fairly inexpensive good time. One kid does this, and it may be becoming a regular monthly tradition with his circle.
I make a fried rice with eggs, veggies, rice and spices. Very cheap and filling☺️
yum!
Leftovers….love them for lunch!❤
YUMMMM!
I call them planned overs!! That way I don't have to start from scratch for every meal. The cooked chicken becomes the base for the next meal and so forth.
Staying out of the stores & deleting store emails❤😊❤
YASSS Cat!
Cutting food cost was when I had a giant attack of gout. So many things cause attacks also lost 30 unneeded pounds
I've had popcorn with melted cheese for dinner plenty of times ... I love popcorn, filling, quick, cheap, easy.
YUMMMM
My favorite is popcorn and a hotdog. My friend adds a large dill pickle.
So glad to know that other people use “dressed-up” popcorn as their meal. It’s a perfect lunch for me, and I eat with chopsticks so I can crochet while enjoying it.
I buy things in bulk, like a years worth of toilet rolls, kitchen rolls, toothpaste, etc. Each item then works out to be half as expensive.
I buy a bag of frozen chicken patties. They’re quick to cook in an air fryer and I might make a crispy chicken sandwich, chicken parm, lemon chicken, chicken Alfredo, chicken Caesar salad, chicken , mashed potatoes and gravy, stir fry…
As a widow, to save money, I will bulk cook. I then portion out individual servings and freeze them to have meals later. I do this especially with soups or stews. All I have to do is pull a container from the freezer and maybe add a salad and I have a meal.
I also turn off unnecessary lights and close the registers in rooms not in use. One really sunny days, I will open my drapes in order to enjoy the sunshine and not use lamps to light the room I am in.
Not sure how much saves, but it does help!!
Love these!
I do the same!
Closing the registers does not save you energy. In fact you then run the risk of overheating your system and at wearing out faster. The only Way to save money is to turn down the thermostat. Your heat of your house is determined on the room in which the thermostat Is in. Your furnace will not run longer due to the heat coming out of the registers in the outlying rooms. In fact you're wasting money because you have one warm room and four cold ones. As I said, if you wanna save money, turn down the thermostat and put on a sweater. My father was a furnace man for years he came down on me for closing off the registers thinking I was saving money when actuality I was wasting it because the heat backs up in those registers it just Can't get out.
I was going to comment with these ideas but you nailed it. Also baking bread, making and freezing cookies dough to have when needed. I always stock up in September and October with staples for the winter. If the weather turn bad, I only miss a fresh ingredient or two.
Maybe I’m strange. I like leftovers better. No cooking, just heat up and eat. Plus, I like the taste better. Obviously there are sone things that are not good leftover, like French fries.
SO TRUE!
French fries are almost as good reheated in the air fryer ❤
👏👏👍😂
I reheat French fries in my toaster oven and they are good. I turn the toaster oven on first. Wrap the fries in foil and when the t.o. has heated up I put them in for a few minutes.
My biggest hurdle is grocery shopping. I am frugal, save, and only spend when necessary. Only groceries are difficult; it's hard to buy and cook for one. But I am trying my best! I budget a certain amount of money for clothes to have a wardrobe as for years I dressed horribly because I didn't have a decent income. I refuse to look frumpy and sloppy. I look forward to Frugal Fridays:)
Thanks so much Audrey!!!!! So glad you are here. I love Fridays toooo!!!!
Use an air fryer. I will buy a pack of meat, freeze individual portions. I can cook pork, beef, chicken in airfryer with veggies in 15-20 minutes. I nice meal, quick, easy clean up, no waste.
@@betz6507 Much less electricity too!
I live alone, but I cook a full batch of soup or casserole or whatever and then I freeze it in individual glass containers and then I take those to work to have for lunch. Most of the time I have three or four different meal options in my freezer. I cook things that are healthy and have lots of vegetables in them and freeze well.
If you like lasagna, make it in a bread pan.
"Be ruthless with what you say YES to". Love this!! I no longer spend money to appease other people
I believe in the power of the Sacred No. It has taken me decades to realize I can say no without having to give an explanation.
Hey Kate, my car has another flat tyre, so im cycling to work. I've decided to cycle to work for the rest of the summer & save some money 💰 😊😊😊
Maybe not "bogo", but the nearly expired things are often marked down 50%. You have to go early in the morning to get those deals, but it's well worth the effort. Just don't get sucked into buying things you don't like, or regularly eat, just because it's marked down.
I use a small basket or cart in the store, instead of a big cart.
The carrying basket has several advantages:
(Of course i also have a list and try to stick to it)
1 only so much fits in.
2 it looks more fulfilling as its fuller, instead of a sad empty cart.
(Cart: what else can i fill it with, is this all i made this trip for?)
3 it makes me think: you already have a lot!
4 having to carry my stuff, makes me hurry more, so im less tempted to hang around and be tempted to buy more.
5 the weight on my arm, makes me not wanting to carry and buy more than needed.
Our Publix does BOGO. I look at their flyer every week.
Just recently had a publix built in our town, and noticed their BOGOs! Will definitely be watching those sales. 😊
Check prices...publix is known to charge more..
@kcbakos3121 you have to learn the prices and what is the best price. Their BOGO deals are excellent usually.
I live alone.... sort of....I have 5 cats and I am always looking for ways to save money when it comes to buying things like litter and food, etc. I shop primarily through Chewy and a lot of times they offer a $30 E Gift Card when you spend $100. It is no problem for me to spend $100 but I time it in a way where I stock up during those promotions and then I will have that gift card to use for later.
LOVE that you have 5 cats. I have 2 and I'm obsessed:)
They are the best companions! ❤️
I buy Purina cat chow for my cats and strays I feed. I submit the receipt through their app. When I accumulate enough points, I can get a coupon. They send free stuff too.
Left overs: Day 1. Steak nachos filling with chips. Day 2. Steak nachos filling with chips. Day 3. Steak nacho filling with burritos. Day 4. Steak nacho filling in salad; and then of course steak nacho filling with chips.
👏👏. BRAVO!👍😂
YUM!!!!!
I make simple meals. My neighbor is also Gluten-free so we share meals at times.
Hi Kate! I've got a golden rule for invitations: IF IT'S NOT AN ABSOLUTE "YES" , IT'S A "NO".😊
My meals are basic, no recipes just what is in the house. Any leftovers are my next ingredient. My batch cooking is the frugal way to save me money.
Love it!
I only cook simple meals. Gave up complicated cooking years ago. I also deliberately cook to have leftovers. Silly people who don’t like leftovers 😂
YASS Mare!
I live alone. Stocked up on food. For the past 8 months I've had MAJOR expenses. All of the money I set aside was used. Still have emergency funds left. I'm in process of replenishing my accounts for medical, pets, and car maintenance. Sooooo.... no spend June for me.
You've got this Connie!
@@KateKaden I appreciate all of your support. I'm looking forward to no spend this next month. Peace.
Gas here in Canada is over $1.60 a liter. That's like a quarter of a gallon. With my CAA card, I save 3 cents a liter. After 6 pm the price drops. After 9 pm the price drops again. So on Wednesday, when other stations had gas for $1.61, I paid $1.52. I always check the price to see if it will rise or fall the next day. For example, tomorrow the price will drop 3 cents. Every little bit helps. Knowledge is golden. I keep asking questions and the results are sometimes just the answer I need. I had asked the attendent when was the best time to buy gas.
Another great topic today, Kate. Thank you!
I wonder if anyone in Canada ever fills up in the US and then goes back.
Grow food, a little garden can provide a l9t of savings
I like to hang my clothes out on the line to dry them instead of using the dryer during the summer months. When the clothes are dry i soak some hand towels in some water and fabric softener solution. I put the dry clothes and the hand towels in the dryer on air fluff for 15 mins and my clothes are soft and no static in them. Also left overs are used to make freezer meals that i can thaw and dump in the crock pot to either cook or reheat them. Reusable freezer bags are what i use for this. Also make ever drop of gas count. Make 2 trips a month for errands and groceries. Get it done in one trip. Never added up the saving but i know i have a bit left over each month. Keep windows open all night with fan bringing in cool air. Close windows during the day to keep house cooler. Less time a.c. is on.
Great ones! Thank you!
Had a friend who used to have "Must-go" suppers. Everything in the 'fridge must go! And by "go" they meant be eaten! LoL Leftovers yum! Easy lunch for the next day!
I love this! MUST-GO SUPPERS!
@@KateKaden Me too! We use this saying all the time! 😆
I learned to keep records of things like car repairs. A lot of times shops do work with a warranty. If you have the same issue pop up again and have the invoice a lot of times they will fix it for free. Anytime your on the phone with a mechanic before you agree to any work. Go through those records and make sure they didn't recommend anything you have done recently. Write down what they say and tell them you will call them right back.
I don't live alone but to cut cost I do the following every week; food inventory, meal planning, and sticking to a grocery list.
I love leftovers. It means I don’t have to cook the next night, and a lot of leftovers are better the next night.
I am working on building up my budget buffer because........ life!
YASSS Cathy!
Leftovers is my #1
Ebooks from the library is my #2
Not having a car is my #3
We unplug electrical things not in use. Make coffee, unplug when done. Do laundry, unplug. Etc.
Yes, I do that too. Surge protectors also protect the home from fire. I turn off most protectors every night and when I leave the house.
YASSS!!!! Great one Niki:)
A lot of people have no idea how much these silent electric vampires draw - but it all adds up
Pick yourself up keep walking forward
I invested in a pack of 10 freezer-safe, dishwasher-safe, microwaveable meal trays with divided sections & lids. My spouse tends to make enough food for us to have leftovers during the rest of the week. I would take some of the extra to fill one (or more) of these meal trays. Then I froze them. It was like having a healthy TV dinner selection in our freezer. Also would share w/our kid in college so they cld have some of dad’s home cooked meals.
Happy Frugal Friday, KSquad!!! I love my husband and I’m so blessed to share my life with him, however, that being said, my finances would be so much simpler if I lived alone! lol! He is a spender. I have to be the bad guy and say “no, not in the budget” all the time. It is frustrating. Ugh! Oh well, It is what it is! Opposites attract. 😊
Love this Connie:)
Look for free things to do in your community. In the summer months there are lots of them where I live - music, festivals, walks, etc.
BOGO seems when they advertise this they jack up the price, its never really a deal anymore.
My whole life I was always frugal by nature and also necessity. I saw so much irresponsible spending in people around me. This inflation is squeezing everyone but the general mindset now is frugality and mindfulness. And that's how it should have been all along.
I love left overs. I will make a four portion dinner. Eat one today one tomorrow and portion up two for the freezer for future dinners
I do exactly the same
I live in NJ, live alone, and my budget is $300 per month for groceries. I meal prep and eat the same meals 3 times a day for a week straight. Leftovers are fantastic 😋
In Florida we still get BOGO's at Publix and Winn-Dixie
I miss Publix!
Live simply that others may simply live, is a good mantra to have. Give a portion of what is saved to help sponser a child or pet that is need. Having a purpose brings abundance to one's life, even if one only has little to share.
I donate to animal charities regularly and always find I can pay my bills living alone.
Bogos in Winn Dixie, Florida still happening. And, wouldn't it be nice if high schools required a class in simple investing to students before they graduate?
AWWW!!!! That's awesome!
Air conditions do not exist in Germany. Energy is to expensive to afford them. Except for some office buildings and sone factories.
Left Overs sometimes taste good when You create something new out of it
I like to buy a large piece of steak and use the other half as slices for cold meat
Frugal minimalism is my new policy!
YASSS!
We had a terrible storm here in North Texas and i had to throw away all my refrigerator/freezer good. We had no power for 4 days. Going to the store tomorrow to try and restock. My budget will help my family ❤
We lost power for 33 hours. Large freezer ok and I lost food from refrigerator and freezer above. 4 days is a terrible loss. I am so sorry 😞
Thank you Kate you always inspire me.. be it being a mother living frugally saving budgeting cleaning cooking decluttering everything I do in my life.. Thank you and God bless you and Kaden.. and Loads of love to you and Kaden..
This means so much to me. THANK YOU!!!!!!!
The only BOGO I've seen lately was at Kroger. They had soda on sale buy 2 12 packs get 3 free.
Oh WOW!!!!!
Wow that's huge!!!! ❤
Last week Kroger had BOGO
On whole chickens, got 2 whole chickens for $9.57 that was $0.89 a lb.
The way I cut my spending this month was to go through all my fabric and purged what I’m not going to use. There was so much I still had, that I don’t need to acquire any more this month or for a while. I know what I have and have some new ideas for sewing projects using what I have.
Thanks Heather!!!! Love this!
I buy 2- 3 different fruits 🍎 🍉 🍊 🍓 each week, only those on sale and bananas 🍌 and tomatoes 🍅
Whatever meat is on sale, I buy it.
This week 3 lbs ground beef is $8.97 at Kroger, last week whole chickens were BOGO I paid $9.57 for the 2 almost 11 lb. Chickens $0.89 lb. I buy Kroger frozen veggies on sale for $1
Butter 🧈 when it’s on sale for $1.99 -$2.49 I stock up, same with name brand Mayo, name brand pasta sauce $1.49
Pasta at $0.99.
Banks are offering good intrest rates on cd accounts right now. Best time to leave money in there and get a monthly dividend
Started no spend month for June. Have everything I need and will take this month to appreciate what I have!!!
I'll be enjoying my mortgage and utility payments.😂
Price of gas is bad. I was only making one trip a week to my local town and would do everything I needed to do in that one trip. This month I am trying to make one trip every two weeks. For instance a Dr appt that day all other errands are done including grocery shopping. If I make it only two times a month one trip I get to treat myself to lunch.
More helpful inspiration, thank you! I batch cook and eat the same thing for several days. That way, when I come in from work and am ravanous I have healthy food ready to heat, so I don't go off and get takeaway or anything.
Thank you Gretel!
Yes, to all of these ideas! I would add staying out of the store(s). I also track my spending, and stock pile home essentials. My stock pile has saved me numerous times. My goal is to have money left at the end of the month for extra savings and/or extra money toward my debt.
You seem so happy as single lady
I really am:)
Have a fabulous weekend
You too Kristy! HAPPY FRIDAY!
yes to the bank buffer!!! I messed up the budget with the magic month paycheck. I forgot to have a check cover the initial expenses without a check until later to cover it. I'll just have to leave the last check in the bank to cover that. If I had a bigger buffer, I'd be fine. I'm working on adding to that slowly each check.
I ALWAYS cook for an army! Cook once - eat 3 times!! 👍
Hello Kate i m from the Netherlands ,Europe and love your content ❤. If you ever want to visit,you re welcome for a frugal stay 😂😂
You are the sweetest! Thank you so much Linda!!!!!
Me too! Are we still the most frugal people in the world? 😅
Compound interest is powerful!
So powerful!
Yes, it’s amazing. 😮
I like investing consistently into dividend paying stocks ... snowballing and compounding my $$$, I use Robinhood mostly (I like the fraction of shares option)
We went through a period of pretty extreme lean. During that time we bared bare-bones budgets a couple of additionsl times. Since then, we have striven to keep our number of monthly bills to a minimum.
YESSS Terry!!!!
The end of the week is "seek and eat" the remaining leftovers. We each have a meal but it may not be the same. No food waste!! 😊Ready to cook and restock.
I have a couch thats died so saved up for a second hand good quality couch need some block out curtains only on our main windows its winter here it will save on our electrical bill in winter and summer
Thanks for the frugal "reminders". I'm older (by a lot) and living on my own, so I've tried to live this way for years. Still, occasionally I will get a little off track with spending (which is why a "reminder" now and then is appreciated). I find it rather sad though, that we even need to have reminders (most of this is just common sense)... a "buffer" is an emergency fund (and everyone should have one). Left overs are still food (and if you don't/won't eat them - then just don't make so much). Having a "guilt free fund" is a great idea, we all need a little "fun money" so we don't feel deprived. Anyway, thanks for reminding me of some of the things I NEEDED to be reminded of!
Janice, thanks so much for being here!
I love making shredded white cabbage & carrot matchsticks (I use my mandolin and save money not buying it cut), sautée with onions and add a poached (or fried) egg and a couple sprinkles of everything bagel seasoning or sesame seeds. You get protein, healthy veg and super budget friendly.
weis grocery here in PA do BOGO or buy1 get 2 free on meats … i always take advantage of this
That is AWESOME!
When I was raising a family, I got way more cooperation on eating leftovers when I called it "smorgasbord night"! I still think of it that way.
Oh i love that!
Egg is a superfood, and right now relatively inexpensive. It’s an excellent source of protein without having to buy beef or pork. I still buy chicken and seafood, cause they are both healthy.
I really haven’t heard any new advice on how to save money, they are the same advice over and over. Like, do not go to Starbucks, bring lunch, eat leftovers….
The only way to save is not spending.
LOVE eggs!
Happy Frugal Friday K-Squad! I am literally stocking up today on haircare as it is 40% off. I have been taking lunch to work and not making impulse purchases. Simplification of my life has resulted in costs savings, as I am not overbuying things and the saving of my time which is becoming more and more valuable as I get older. The budget buffer is SO important! It means that when S&%it hits the fan you're not worried about how you are going to afford the extra bill/cost and instead focus on getting through whatever has led to the extra cost.
I follow several frugal vloggers but you are my favorite😊 obviously much of the info is not new and I’ve heard before but it helps to hear it again. It keeps me encouraged to keep at it! Thanks Kate!
That means SO much to me! THANK YOU!!!!!
The number 1 shopping saving tip is to shop the sales ads and also plan be it a meal plan, a gift list, a kitchen equipment t/ tools list, a diy tool list, etc... As a single you are still an economic unit even jf yiu arent Mother Hubbard with so many children she knew not what to do. This includes decor items and holiday decorations. Most of the time imp was single i also rented and moved upto often. In terms of volume, weight, breakability, and cost i considered what it would take to move what i owned.
The number 2 shopping savings tip for singles and small family units is to skip the single and small serving sizes and move onto the family sized packages. HOWEVER, do check unit prices 'cause smaller packages can be cheaper than larger. Meat and many personal hygine products tend to be cheaper per unit or each in larger sizes.
In terms of living and possessions i found the food larder, batch cooking, and from scrstch cooking to be very important. I found savings in my stock pot, electric drill and scew driver set, and owing actual dishes and a dish washing pan versus disposables (something many sing6kes did back in the day). To fill my time and need for casual social interaction, i went to the library often rather than shopping. (I also timed my dumpster trips so that i would meet and talk to others taking thier garbage out and was sure to chat up any area kids; kids know evrything thats going on and it is good elsewise that they like you.) I also volunteered and for a variety of reasons often chose "one and done" opportunities; the complete volunteer commitment is a half or full day event. And i crafted/ hobbied taking care to not collect too much "stuff". Anither thing to do is take classes for fun or more academic oriented. For fun classes look at the library, parks and rec, and adult continuing ed courses. You may even want a community college, work places offered, or university course taken as an audit or for credit.
Yes, in addition to a food and essentials larder i aimed for a 6 month savings account plus an IRA. I did put my 6 month ahead fund into 6 different lower value CD's with maturity times spaced by 1 month apart and minimal pem3ality for premature withdrawl. These gave me a kiss more interest than a savings account although i did take an interest hit for smaller CDs and the lack of penality for premature withdrawl. On the other hand the CDs i got required an in-person, ID visit and some paperwork to touch making them a little more fraud proof; and less likely to be used by myself for some "good purpose" other than a 6 month ahead plan. What i did not do is get to do is learn something more abiut investing. Females, singles, people of color, single parents, a d lower waged earners can get the time of the day among fudiairy investment counselors now adays and this makes it all the easier.
Piggybacking onto the be ruthless with what you say yes to, this is an absolute big one for me. My best friend is always having events/things to do. An example would be Mother’s Day. She made reservations at a restaurant for eleven people. I ended up buying Mother’s Day gifts for six of the eleven, plus dinner for my husband and myself, and then she asked if I could cover the cost of dinner for one of the guests because she and her husband were going to be stretched thin 🙄. We literally ended up spending around $250 that day.
It’s these kinds of situations that are very hard to say no, I can’t do that because there’s friendships aligned with the event and then we look like scrooges if we don’t do it.
Boundaries are becoming necessary even with the closest of friends.
Kate I always write down my budget down but I use my calculator bc the numbers never lie....by doing them is an eye opener....and when I go grocery shopping I always make a list...😊😊😊
LOVE A LIST!:):)
Publix grocery stores and Winn Dixie grocery stores have bogos. Good deals if items are already on your grocery list.
Hi Kate,
Watching from Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA 🇿🇦
Thank you so much for watching!
Have ‘to buy soon’ lists (different categories) in your cupboard. Before any kind of shopping: look at the lists. So you can keep your priorities straight.
I used to HATE leftovers and now I ❤ them. I pack them up in containers with everything I’m having with it so all I have to do is take it out of the fridge and put it in the microwave and 2 minutes later my dinner is done 🎉❤
I absolutely adore some brands of frozen meals. Amy’s Organics is one of them. They’re vegan and tasty, and it’s easy to add the calories to my tracker. I hate meal prepping, and cooking for one-it’s just a time expense I’m not interested in. So when I see these meals on sale, I buy enough to stock my freezer. Then I just pair them with a salad. Eating economically for one isn’t hard, it just requires a bit of thought.
Simple meals require fewer ingredients. That’s way way cheaper than making recipes that call for more ingredients.
I have a few favourite “recipes” that I make. I freeze meats fish and poultry for those recipes in my fridge freezer and keep the other ingredients on hand in the pantry. I buy to restock freezer and pantry on the sales.
Flat pack meat in ziplock bags for best use of freezer space in my fridge freezer compartment.
I lost my husband recently and I find it easier to make a full size meal with 6-8 portions. I freeze my leftovers for my homemade TV dinners.
My own cheap nutritious convenience meals for fast lunches and dinners.
YASSS!!!!
Hi Kate
I live alone and I am watching you from Sri Lanka. I eat boiled vegetables for dinner on every day. I batch cook and I clear the fridge on Sunday afternoon by eating all the leftovers. I stick to my budget come what may. Love your videos
Thank you so much!
I love your ideas. My friends and I have game nights. Either we potluck or just bring snacks.