How to Live on Less and Save Money
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ส.ค. 2024
- Here are the questions I answered in this TAG:
1. What are the most important frugal things you do everyday to save money?
2. What is your best strategy for saving on utilities?
3. What is your best tip to save on food and household products?
4. What is your best tip to save on clothes?
5. What is your best strategy to stay out of debt or to pay it down?
6. Please share one thing you do to save money that other people don't know.
7. How important is it for you to save money?
#DebtFreeDana #FrugalLiving
How We Stopped Living Paycheck to Paycheck • How We Stopped Living ...
Pregnant? We cloth diapered 3 of our 4 kids, and estimate we saved THOUSANDS of dollars. In fact I started my TH-cam channel as "MsDiaperD", sharing over 80 cloth diaper video tutorials. th-cam.com/users/playlist?list...
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Hey there! I'm Dana. I'm a wife and Mother to 4 kids, including twin boys and two girls. I work full time outside the home in finance as a Corporate Accountant, but enjoy sharing my personal and parenting journey online. We live in the Philadelphia area.
Follow Me on Instagram @DebtFreeDana
*Please be advised that some of the links above are affiliate links and I do receive a very small commission if you make a purchase using those links. I appreciate your support if you do, and if you don’t - no worries. We’re still buds. HUGS! - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
A weird trick that dawned on me earlier regarding living on less:
Keep things cleaned, organized, and maintained to feel like you have something NEW.
Example: Keep your car cleaned, maintained, and smelling good and it will feel like you're driving a newer car because of the Look and Feel.
Smells play a major part in how we feel about things. So spray your car with a nice scent (essential oil, new car freshener, etc...) and you will associate it to a newer car.
Clothes: Wash, iron, fold or hang and arrange by colors or when to wear. Make your clothes look "new" or act as if you were going to sell them, how would you want them presented. Even add some stickers with "fake prices" onto the clothes after folded and hung and go "shopping" in your own closet or drawers. 😊
Thank you for that! I like the idea 💡
Genius, great idea!
take care of your things and they take care of you ;-)
I feel like couples who tackle debt together somehow become closer and have a special kind of bond.
I don’t consume much social media either. TH-cam is different for me, as I seek out people that bring positivity into my life.
Saving is peace.
I love watching your channel the MOSTEST, of all the "debt free" moms I watch! You are so truthful, so pleasant, not snarky, and your facial expressions are subtle yet comedic. Your written side notes are very helpful and not intrusive; they don't cause me to pause or back up. Thank you so much for your wonderfully real content, and for not dragging out the videos with repeating your points over and over or going off topic. ;) YOU ROCK!
Nothing excessive about wearing a shirt for 15 years. That's very great it's lasted this long. I wear clothes until they tear up beyond repair.
One thing I disagree with is clearing out the fridge and pantry before you go shopping.
I'm always very well stocked on food, which comes in handy during times of illness etc when you aren't up to going shopping.
And I was VERY grateful for my habit when the Covid Crazies happened. I didn't do without very much during all the food shortages and shopping difficulties that went on for quite awhile.
But your other tips...👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Love the part where you say that having money saved/ available allows you to help/bless others. It’s so true it’s my favourite part of being frugal 😊❤️
Given that I still wear clothes that I have had for over 30 years, I definitely do not see wearing a 15 year old shirt to be "excessive."
Styles are cyclical and some things are timeless
Yeah. Fashion for me is something imposed by a big big industry, that is completely unnecessary and senseless. And I truly hate the fast fashion, is one of the biggest contaminators on Earth, waste so much natural resources and usually is made by almost slave workforce. I'm 29 and still use clothes of 10 years ago or more 😉
😂
Love an empty fridge- easy to clean ! Just eating dry but toasted bread with the end of a piece of ham and a solitary pickle. Shopping tomorrow.
I totally agree with you on the social media, where peer pressure is so high, people compete to show how successful there are and showing off their things and vacations, myself recently uninstall facebook from my phone and I'm never been an instagram user, and definitely one of the best decision in my life ever, making me a more happy and content person.
Dana there are three things I totally agree with. One putting your children in only one activity, secondly not making more debt and thirdly eating at home and eating all you have. But I sure can't stay out of those clothing stores, I'm not terrible about it but I need one/two maybe three new items every six months I just can't deal with wearing the same clothes day in and day out like a uniform. I also do give away clothes to needy people and charities often so I think in that way I am also a blessing to others. Thanks for the weekly videos, appreciate you making me aware of how I can do better.
Question #2: Unplug things!! my electric bill is around $30/month because I unplug things when they aren't in use, especially if I'm going to be away from the home for 24+ hours
Love this and how you talk about not wanting to be a burden to your children. Very deep.
I was surprised she didn't say that one. I don't do it, but many frugal people have suggested it.
I keep forgetting to unplug toaster when not in use.
@Arora Thorne toaster oven, printer, coffee maker, lamps, microwave, phone/computer chargers, etc. (24+ hours gone = TVs, wifi, all the lamps, everything but the fridge essentially)
I never knew that would occur...and I'm 75 today!
Packing a lunch has helped me save so much money. I used to go out to lunch all work week. That was $20-$30 every week. I also do the direct deposit with my paycheck to my savings and checking. I know for sure that $100 a week will go to my savings account ( I make $14 an hour) and I can always add more if I get overtime.
I don't throw away stale bread. I make French Toast, Grilled cheese sandwiches, bread pudding, etc. With it.
I. Wish I could fit in clothes from 15 years ago 🤣
😂
I don’t need or desire to buy clothes. I already have everything I need.
Great! Enjoyed your answers to the 7 questions. Keep up the good job! Getting so I look forward to Tuesdays, just to listen to you.
I coupon so we have tons of food and paper products and we spend very little. I love having a stockpile. I also thrift so a lot of my clothes are second hand. This is just the way I live. I don’t do without things. I find a way to spend less of things I want.
As a prepper we don't let our stock run low. You never know when things can go sideways. Not just a Zombie Apocalypse, job loss, illness etc. Minimalism on everything doesn't always work.
1. I turn on water heater in am (one hour or less) & pm (briefly since water is usually still hot). My kids are grown but enjoy how you tell others how to save.
2. I also buy in bulk when I find it & store. I assess every week what I have. 3. use a budget such as Everydollar.com (free- Dave Ramsey:) & record what comes in & out. 4. Restaurants expensive & sometimes unhealthy. 4. Ask the grocer or, in my case, the vegetable seller at the open market for discarded veggies. I cut out the good part of the veggies & compost the rest. 5. Goodwill, garage sales, Sal Arm for clothes. Important- I tailor my clothes bought at these stores. shop carefully for quality items b/c cheap is too costly no matter how cheap. 6. Cut detergent to 1/2 what is recommended. 7. Vinegar or vinegar & water in spray bottle does the best & is cheap for cleaning. TY for your channel. Great kids too.
Peppie Tandhasetti you shouldn’t turn off your water heater. It’s going to increase risk of growing bacteria.
Great tips on saving money. Thanks for sharing.
"if you don't have any money, you don't have any choices". this was brilliant!
What great tips! Most I'm already doing...but always a good reminder. Thanks for sharing
It’s so true about social media tip 😊. Thanks for the greet tips!
When we were first married and worked near each other my husband dropped me off at work so we only had one car. Later we had 2 but now that we are retired we gave one to our grandson . One works great for us. When we had kids I stayed home with them until they were in school so we didn’t have to pay for day care. When we retired we moved to a smaller house. We also don’t put anything on a credit card unless we know we can pay it in full when the bill comes.
Great video! One of my biggest money saving tips was quitting “going out” for lunch at work and packing my own food everyday. It has led to a much healthier lifestyle and also about $2,000 a year!
Thanks for the tips, also unplug any items with a light that stays on. Clocks on microwave,lights on coffee makers and such. i put some on power strips and turn the strips off. And, we go thru our pantry, look at items that are expiring soon, make a menu for those items and shop for those that week. Casseroles help to get rid of expiring soups and veggies. Changes to florescent bulbs.
For cleaning I use vinegar and water in a reusable spray bottle. I buy the white vinegar from Aldi for 29p. Each bottle of vinegar will make up 3 big spray bottles. It is brilliant for cleaning everything. I add a tiny bit of washing up liquid for cleaning windows. I also us vinegar as rinse aid in dishwasher. 👍💙
I use vinegar as my fabric softener
@@jessie9653Me, too!
Love this video! Thanks for sharing.
Great advice!! Love your channel!!!
I always take notes on your videos! So helpful!
Their is a old saying " money in fool hand will surely depart". The lord knows I have been foolish with my money. Thanks for the advice.
Love what you do and love what you’re all about, love fellow women that love financial independence! Super inspiring! Keep it up xx
Thanks for another great video, Dana! Always helpful.
I think this is my favourite youtube channel of all right now, Dana. I love your attitude!
Great advice. I would like to mention that for the person that wants to save money on clothes shopping my suggestion is to only purchase "classic" pieces at "second hand stores" as you mentioned. Classic pieces are those items that just never seem to go out of style and then if ya really have the shopping bug you can purchase accessories for a splash of color or new trends. Accessories are less expensive and an easy shopping fix. Things like scarves, earrings, bag, shoes, etc. Classic pieces for a woman are things like: Black sheath dress, white button-down shirt, White A-line dress, jeans, dark blazer, etc. These items are best in neutral colors such as black, gray, white, brown, any solid really. A simple search can offer some great ideas and you can change these pieces up in so many ways. I also want to mention that the same can apply for children. My children have 7 bottoms and 13 tops that all go together. We do laundry once per week. I have only sons but if I had a daughter I would def introduce her to the minimalist wardrobe of classic pieces that never go out of style. For example, Audrey Hepburn style still is elegant today. Black pencil pant or skirt, white button down. Having a minimalist wardrobe saves so much time and is almost therapeutic in nature. It feels freeing to have less in the closet.
a lot of wisdom..thx for sharing🌻
Thanks Dana! So clear, so simple. Greetings from Argentina. Alejandro
*Enjoying your tips and insight!! Thank you for this video!*
Your such a doll Dana so down to earth love it .
I can relate with a lot of these as a minimalist. I made a video saying similar things a few months ago :) great video as always Dana!
Having options! Well spoken. Very true.
When my children was little, I used to do free activities at the library and interested them in all sorts of contest. They also was in free things in school. Now I'm a grandmother, we do everything to find free things in my community, at the library, and at other places. I go to different places for free food, ask for free food at grocery stores, and I write to different places to get their left overs, I also get charities to give me gift cards to grocery shop, I also ask the police for help with food. I also use coupons, and ask for coupons for free food.
Another great video! You really brighten my Tuesdays! Funny story in regard to your 15 yr old shirt......I went to work last year wearing a shirt that was about 3 or 4 years older than my partner teacher! And she was 25!
Miss your videos Dana!! This was a great one!!
First time I found your channel and I am now subscribed. I need your knowledge Thank you
Great advice, look forward to you each Tuesday - keeping me grounded. Thanks!
I love my life without Facebook, I just don’t need it 😊
The stay off social media really hit home.❤ I see so many things advertised or things friends and family sell that I then want.😊
Love watch your videos :) trying to be frugal. Loved this :)
I like you so I finally subscribed after months of watching. I just became a SAHM in a one income household w newborn and 2nd grader, as I finish my last 2 semesters of law school
You go Marissa! Having been a single Mom and knowing the struggles..... I’M PROUD OF YOU!
So true about social media👍 loving your videos 💕
Thank you!
I buy can goods when they are on big sales and it saves me tons of money . It also helps to have a pantry full in case of an emergency!!!
Anne Hoyle I do something similar. I generally buy at Aldi but I also look on the clearance rack at Walmart for canned goods (because generally they are still far out from expiration date) and I also always look for clearance meats whenever I am shopping. I just sick it in the freezer if it’s a good price. I rarely buy meat that isn’t clearance anymore.
Learned a long time ago to compare myself only to myself. If we compare ourselves to others, we'll always find someone who's doing better, and feel bummed out that we're not doing as well. And, you'll always find someone who's doing worse than you, and feel like you're better than someone. So, only compare yourself to where you were last week, last year, five years ago... It'll be an incentive to keep improving yourself, and keep you from judging others or getting a big head. Love listening to you Dana! :-)
Thank you Dana . Philip
Great suggestions thank you.
Really enjoyed this Dana. I’m so with ya on the shopping thing, and social media. 😁
I really don't understand the Social Media thing at all. But I am of a particular age that I did not grow up with any social media. Not my generation (54), but I could care less what someone has or doesn't have or do. It does not make me envious at all. Maybe when I was younger it would have, but I love living simple.
Donnalee Clubb well said, it could be our age (I’m 53 as well) but I have a lot of friends the same age who get sucked into FB all the time, I can’t be bothered. :) Have a great day.
I just realized you could mean the year 54, regardless, I just don’t get it!
I've been trying to cut costs where I can, especially with my grocery bill. I buy what's in sale and not what I want with staying on a weekly grocery budget. It's been an adventure finding creative ways to stretch food with different recipes.
Great video thanks
I like your matter-of-fact way you state things. I am only on Facebook and when I se someone buy a new car I always wonder if they paid cash or got into more debt. I see people eat out almost everyday and again I think “and you wonder why you have no money”... I am over comparisons for the most part.
I'm completely opposite regarding looking at other people's vacations or new furnishings.. I love to travel vicariously through others and I smile because I get to see places and not have to pay for it myself.. And I have clothes that I wore when I was pregnant with my daughter 45 years ago.. they are a tad threadbare but so comfy.. I will have to bite the bullet and do some clothes shopping which I absolutely hate to do.
You are awesome!
I tell myself I have more than enough when I wake up each morning and have thus ditched Facebook cold turkey for 3 years now. I refuse to have Instagram. And I have held up not being obsessed for "stuff" like TH-camrs who are into hauls and collections. I let others be "obsessed" with their hauls and collections.
Love your videos Dana! First comment, woo!!!
I have clothes still from 18 years ago and I still wear them with pride.. Lol and goodwill last chance is my go to.. It's 50 cent a item.. Espcially with my kids growing out of things!!
Hi! I just subscribed to your channel and I have to say that you have such good ideas to save money. I also have a big family and I like to save money as much as I can. I saw two of your videos and I'm hooked on your channel. Thank you for sharing your ideas and money saving tips. 👍
I am learning how to use up all the food I buy . I only cook for myself so it takes some doing. I do find it easier if I shop every ten days ! It’s is fun to figure out meals that I can combine leftover to make a meal.
Great tips as always Thank You. I always shop after season sales. I bought our daughter a brand new jumper with tags from JcPennys that's normally $20 I bought it for $0.83. I love getting the next size up for our daughter. She did have a growth spurt before where some of the clothes I bought her she couldn't wear. I donated them since they were brand new with tags. Unfortunately she couldn't wear them but they definitely blessed other children.
Thank you Dana👌🏼
🖤 the no soda allowed in the house!! #goodtips #peaceofmind✌🏼😉
New subscriber. Really interesting content and common sense advice. Thank you!
Do you remember your parents yelling at you for leaving all the lights on? Lol, Wasting energy in your home can really drive up your utility bills, which is costing you more money!
Free shampoo - dissolve 2T. of baking soda in a glass of water. Wet hair, work baking soda lightly into scalp and hair, rinse out, rinse with a little vinegar in water, rinse. Apply a little coconut oil to smooth out hair.
The tithe is important. Also being smart and savy when we spend. Money I agree with your tips. Thanks. For them. And God bless your family.
Love those dsys when fridge is empty, its so much easier to clean it and wipe it
Well credit card number two paid off and a great no spend March behind me (month three of no spend year) I was hit with a leaky roof and damage to two rooms about mid March from ice dams but that's covered by insurance. Plans for the rather pricey gift have been put on hold though as I had to have the snow and ice cleared off the roof and I have a hefty deductible so a lean couple of months coming up but plans to pay off credit card number three are still on, just a little bit extended. Not where I'd like to be yet but getting there regardless😇
We will a soda bottle(family size) and put that in the toilet tank to use about a litter of water
'Slim picking Saturday' is what we call it in our house 😂 love the tips!
Siobhan Gwilliam pretty much the same in our house. I can only buy 1 weeks of groceries at a time otherwise there would be no food left for the second week.
Excellent advice on social media, I do watch many you tube videos on saving money to encourage me and keep me on track.
So am i😄
Great advice! We already decided our kiddo will get to choose one activity and that’s it.
Good for you with no soda!
Sent here by Kate Kaden. Please make more videos, Dana!
We installed our own programmable thermostat
Love this channel ❤
hey dana, if you co workers sick of seeing your clothes, well they are free to buy or donate some clothes. dry your clothes outdoors. social media zaps time that you can be doing something else. well if you want to sleep well at night, you will have money in your savings for emergencies.
I love your videos! Very practical, simple and easy to follow :-) Watching from the Philippines :-)
Great tips. Especially about the food. I stopped buying so much food. I’d rather run out than waste it. People often get in the mood for something then buy large amounts and get sick of it. I used to do that with fruit. If I felt like an Apple Id buy a large bag then after 1 or 2 get sick of them and throw them out in a week. Now I just buy one or two pieces at a time. Also with meal prepping. I’ll only prep ahead for a couple days because I usually change my mind about what I feel like and eat something else.
I always try to save on my biggest expenses first... Housing, food, and car.
Hope you're planning to come back! You've been such a blessing! Hope all is well.
I love your channel and 100% respect you and your hubs frugal efforts!!! Gotta say though, that a couple of your points are likely being tweaked in 2020. For sure, completely emptying the pantry/fridge/freezer weekly, cuz that's just scary now. In my area, Goodwill, etc. charge almost as much as brand-new for clothing and home goods, so I just don't shop there any more -- I donate from time/time, but am trying to do more minimalism on the closet side for sure.
Great Advice, I would recommend Goodwill once a month they do 50% off all tags get there early I have gotten some great clothes , a sofa ,chairs dressers, knick-knacks !! all paid in cash no debt woohoo!! I wish I could go back in time and tell my younger self not to charge anything buy 2nd hand I would have never had to go bankrupct!!
I was Amish we a lot ways use cloth diapers and only buy disposable ones when we travel
Yes and No= Yes to clearing/cleaning fridge before groceries. No to clearing pantry since most of it is dry food like pasta and beans that we like to eat sometimes but doesn’t spoil for months. I buy it when it’s on sale and keep it in airtight glass jars. Personally, I think that there are steps to financial freedom that span past the saving stage (increasing income, creating passive income) that are often left unexplored due to fear/stigma etc. The goal is always to help others-I like some of your tips-Thanks for sharing
Admire your way of living. Everyone should learn some from you.
Regarding clothes. The only things I buy that are brand new to me is underwear and socks! Everything else is second hand and I have picked up some amazing bargains over the years. I also only wash clothes if they are actually smelly or dirty. The washing process kills garments and I know people who wash stuff just because they wore it for one day/night. This of course saves electricity, water and washing detergent - plus your clothes being pounded around in a metal drum! PS. I love your channel!
One of the frugal things l do each day, is to check the incinerator on my floor, several times a day for bottles and cans that people throw out. Someone on my floor is a serious beer drinker! At least once a week, I find a box with 18 or more cans of beer which I take to redeem. I’m always surprised how quickly those bottles and cans can add up to 50 dollars or more, in a short period of time!
With four kids one activity each is fair. Just found your channel and subscribed.
Thanks for subscribing!! Happy to have you as a new viewer. 😊
If you paid to run the race, you paid for the shirt. I have lots of shirts of races I ran but I sure paid up for the race. I keep them all too. I get clothes for like a quarter at Garage Sales.
The flapper needs to be replaced on the toilet every one to two years. This part can be tested by putting a couple drops of food coloring in the tank of the toilet. If the color shows up in the bowl, the flapper needs replaced.
thank you
Thanks fōr info!
Great tip are you a plumber ? Lol
V8 juice is good but no milk or orange juice?
I buy clothes on clearance usually $1. When they start marking down clearance to $3 or $5, I start watching till it goes down to $1. $1 is cheaper than Goodwill and thrift stores and it's new.