I'm disabled & single. I live on less than $16,000 per yr. Antenna on my TV, no going out or anything frilly. I shop at thrift stores & the $ store. I have a good life & don't want for anything. My small dog & cat are my entertainment
Same here. Some people might think it's sad but at 66 I'm enjoying the "luxury" of not feeling the social pressure of going out all the time, buying new clothes, haircuts and burning gas & rubber on my car, lol
@@curiouscat3384 I'm 62 this week & I couldn't agree more! It's sad when the highlight of a person's day is shopping. Material things do nothing but take up room.
@@mindyspencer412 It is true what you said. I still like to go shopping and pick up good bargains and be out at the same time. Walking and exercise too now I am not working. Saving money is happiness. I do dancing and other things too, not just shopping.
I totally agree with you, y'all. I buy high-end clothes from Macy's and other places, but I will never pay the high-end price. I paid cash for my SUV, and I pay cash for college. I saved over $15000 in one year. I assisted friends and family with $5000. So yes, your story is real!
I’ve driven the same car for 10 years and it has served me well. Although my income has increased significantly I still live in the same lower middle class neighborhood and don’t spend money on stuff like Starbucks all the time. However, I do allow myself an occasional Starbucks beverage and make sure to be generous with family member that need money. Life is short. Tomorrow I may not be here. Scrimping too much once you are comfortable is no longer frugality but miserly. There is a fine line.
I'm pretty sure that we aren't going to continue with Netflix. So, we are investigating free television and movie streaming services. We'll do a video on it in two weeks. Hopefully, we''ll get some feedback from viewers that will give us clarity on which services and apps are worth getting.
@@fitzpatrickstacey5021 , thanks. We'd love to know if you use them and if you like them. In two weeks, we're doing a video on all the free TV services that we have found - I think my list is up to eight of them.
Almost all my life I had to count the pennies, so have frugality ingrained in my DNA. That said, now that I have retired and been widowed, I have relaxed somewhat. I allow myself the exotic fruit, the pretty cushion for my couch, and the birthday celebration for my upcoming 80th birthday will be a catered affair. I've earned it. They said one must save for one's old age. Well, I am old now and I can't take it with me, can I?
For anyone who didn't have pencil & paper handy 😁 1) prepared meals/convenience meals/meal kits 2) dining out 3) cable television 4) gym membership 5) no expensive clothing 6) no new cars, buy used 7) no manicures, pedicures 8) no haircuts at expensive salons 9) no fancy vacations 10) no Starbuck's coffees
Over the years, my older brother has accused me of being cheap, to which I say 'frugal' and calmly let his remarks pass. Now that we are both retired, I told him, "Yes! But that's why we have money and you do not."
We just paid off $50,000 in bills! No cable, we have a 12 year old car, we do our own haircuts, no frivolous stuff in my house anymore! Now I'm selling my home that we lived in for the past 31 years. Buying a smaller home and paying that cash! No more mortgage for me ! I smell freedom on our horizon!
My mother raised four kids on a very limited income. She taught us many frugal ways of making ends meet. For example, she washed her aluminum foil and reused it. At Christmas we knew not to rip into packages, but opened them carefully so she could reuse the wrapping paper. I began cutting my husbands hair while we were still dating and continued the practice for 48 years, as well as “playing barber” for our 8 sons. All of your tips have been a way of life for us, otherwise we could not have afforded such a large family. Yet we never felt impoverished.
We have been married for 32 yrs as well. My husband and I came up with a plan when we got married. Paid our house off very quickly using all his pay checks and using mine for everyday expenses. Once the house was paid in full, we continued saving then investing. We pay in cash for any items needed, including new cars. We buy clothing second hand and have beautiful name brands items. I love thrift shopping. I love that my husband and I are on the same page with household money management. Mind you we live well but not above our paid grade. My husband retired early at 38 and I continue working part time by choice because I love my job. Great content!
I have lived the same life style as you. We live well! Our children graduated from college debt free. I am in my eighties and am financially secure. I see many of my friends struggling in retirement as they have not prepared for it. Living frugally works! It is a joy to be financially secure.
So listening to you, I've discovered how frugal I've always been. With the exception of getting my TV from a cable station. Didn't have much of a choice - no tv unless you did - but I got basic TV. Cost me $10 a month. Never thought I was being frugal - just the way I had to do it. Single mom with two children. Now 82 and on Social Security. Yep, still frugal. And by the way: Started buying clothes from thrift stores when I was 16, before it was popular. I've been complimented many times on the way I dress.
I am 28 and just starting to learn things about being smart with my money while I'm starting my own company. are there any tips you would throw in, for someone just starting to get there hands on money? I would appreciate any tips and tricks you have picked up.
I changed our entire budget around. My husband and I are a young married couple with three children and we were living paycheck to paycheck. After watching your videos I went through our budget and found over 1000 dollars a month that we weren’t realizing was spent unnecessarily. Neither one of us were taught about money growing up but we’re Christian’s and trying to honor God in all aspects of our life. We now pay tithe first, pay our new savings account second and then budget the rest. We have a long way to go in learning to live more simply, but we are officially no longer living paycheck to paycheck. Thank you for your advice 😊
There is $50 in a safe place to go toward my goal of $1200 + in one year. I may save more, but this is a start. You are part of the reason I can do this. Thank you! 🙂
I am frugal myself, I use the Dollar store, big lots and thrift stores. I don't go to Starbucks either. I take the bus now and I buy the tickets ahead at a discount. The only thing i have trouble with clothes, I am size 1 or 2. Sometimes, I buy new pants in sale and if I can I buy it a thrift store. People, tell me that I am frugal, so what! I retired early and I was able to buy a condo.
I know one petite lady that had trouble finding clothes that fit so she would check out the Young Lady's Department and often found very nice things that were a lot less expensive than were sold in the "Lady's Department." And being known as frugal or thrifty is not an insult, it is indeed a compliment especially if it's coming from a man.
Growing up with Depression era parents (a high school teacher and housewife/pre-school teacher), I lived the frugal life. But I often felt deprived compared to how my friends lived, and vowed to give my children a better life. Then, as my mother says, I "married my father". My husband is even more frugal than my Dad! I think in part that is because there are now so many more things to spend on (growing up, we didn't have Starbucks, or new versions of technology every year, etc.). We do virtually everything on your list, (and then some - see below) and still can't seem to save enough for special treats that I would be willing to spend on, like travel. This is in large part to the fact that we live in an expensive area, in an expensive town, but in a much smaller house than the average family home. And yes, our boys did feel deprived compared to their well-off friends. But our reason for choosing to live here was this: good schools. This was an investment in their education, and though they don't appreciate it now, hopefully they will in the future. Whenever they complained I told them if they didn't stop it we would move to a potato farm in Maine so they could be the richest kids in town! With their good public school education they gained entrance to good universities, but now that's another expense we are not scrimping on... Looking forward to watching more from you guys to see what else we can do. Here are some more ways we save: Shopping for groceries at multiple stores to get things on sale (and stocking up on those things); using coupons and store discounts for everything from food to clothes to gifts; not going to the movies (and if we do, we do NOT get popcorn or soda); using points for discounts; yard sales and Craigslist (both buying and selling) Sorry so long. Thanks for reading!
Great story! My parents were Depression era and they could be massively cheap! Pop was a pack rat and had 55 decayed car batteries among other junk in the yard, 50+ worn out tires (''They are worth money!''). After he died in 2002, it took 3 of the biggest 40 yard roll off trash bins to get rid of his junk and make my mom's house nice again. I travelled the world after college and put in power plants in 17 countries for General Electric. When I left the Middle East, I came home with a chunk of money and landed a comfortable 400 miles from my parent's house. We talked for 2 hours every Sunday night. Then in 1982 I bought a Ferrari 308GTS (Magnum P.I.) from a drug dealer kid, no doubt saved his life with the cash and got it for $12K under the going rate. My father refused to talk to me for 9 months and sent poisonous letters telling me how stupid I was in buying such an expensive used car. A ''Frally''. He couldn't even say the name. When his friends from Ohio heard that I had one, they went nuts for joy for me. He finally accepted it. But his cheapness was beat into me and at nearly 70, I don't waste anything...money, food, time. I'm slowing down these days!
You are doing exactly what my late husband and I did! Live in a small old house, in the best school area. Our kids went to jr college and had jobs. Older used cars. They got scholarships to USD, UCSD, and Tufts in Boston. Their children now are training in nursing, pharmacy, and physical therapy. They were trained in a frugal life style and valuing an education.
I agree with you on everything except the vacations. I have been blessed to have a few very nice vacations which have expanded my mind, given me hope, and provided new friends for life. I have experienced food, culture, art languages, architecture and nature in ways I never dreamed possible. And it was worth every penny.
I have 'lived' for years off of a vacation to London I took with my sister 26 years ago. It was expensive but totally wonderful, and we still regularly reminisce about it and are thrilled that we did it. Trip of a lifetime.
Yes. You come through this life once, and at the end you will look back on the good memories and 'experiences' you had - not material things. So vacations are a good thing to plan and safe for.
I save money by, not owning a car, not smoking, not drinking, not eating out, not going to the cinema, I cut my own hair (and have done for 26 years), I walk and shop locally (95% of the time), I don't buy magazines. I haven't been away on holiday in over 10 years and even then I didn't go every year before that. I haven't owned a Television in over 13 years therefore I don't have to pay the licence.
When you buy used, you don't know how the other owner took care of it. And things will start to go and need replacing. Buying new and taking care of it, it should last longer.
I also cook from scratch. No cable. No makeup anymore. I’m not missing out. No manicures or pedicures. Such a waste of money. All these things add up to huge savings
These are some great tips that we didn't add. I only wear make up occasionally and every once in a while I paint my own nail. But, neither happens often.
@I was gonna take a si p but I’m not thirsty , I know that some women need to be careful with additives in make up and that does limit their choices and raise the price.
Used cars ok but how long do you keep fixing it . I have 2 vehicles, trans bad in both , no heat in one both need tires and breaks . I'm a heart patient and I live 500 miles from home . I like to visit my family at least twice a year. Bus is not good for me being a heart patient with swollen legs. So what I'm saying is it's not always a good thing to have a unreliable car
@@joannapatterson4625 Agreed, Some us don't need makeup. I do use a tinted lip balm the color of my lips before I got old. ha ha. And sometimes now I also put a little on my cheeks since I am looking like a ghost because we don't get out.
I have shopped thrift stores and garage sales for 50 years and love the adventure. I don't do Starbucks and don't pay for cable TV. I am pretty thrifty. don't eat out much, but, boy, when it comes to vacations I don't know what my life would have been like without them! I went to Europe, England, Ireland and Monte Carlo, saw the Louve. Been to Vegas many times. Toured lots of Oregon, Nevada, Arizona. Seen several states from New Jersey to Texas and beyond. It was ALWAYS wonderful.
We love that you have had wonderful adventures and created lifelong memories with your travel. A lack of travel has been one of our biggest regrets when raising the boys.
@@UndertheMedian I can imagine. i am really glad I traveled when I could because now I have mobility issues and can't do it anymore. I have great memories though.
I'm in the process of selling my house and moving into a van so I can save the price of my monthly lot rent and beyond. I have mobility issues as well but getting a van with a lift, I can go anywhere and do anything!
I fall into the frugal group perfectly. I do without nothing and my thrill comes from seeing my bank account grow. I make it a game. I live alone after taking 6 children and I meal prep once a week and put serving sizes in zip lock bags in the freezer. Walla, frozen dinners at my fingertips. I really enjoy your channel...for free.
We employ all of these methods... with the exception of one. “Fancy” vacations. They are a a line item in my budget that are extremely important to us and one of the things we work for. We don’t go into debt, and we look for the best deals and earn side money to go towards a trip. But experience is high on my list. I live in less house than I can afford, we save a large percentage .. but travel is a priority. But we all find value in different things and I take a pass on all of the other items on your list too! 😊
In all honesty, when we look back on our experience, not going on a couple of big vacations with all four boys was our one regret. I think if we had to do it all over again, we would have prioritized travel more than we did. Thanks for watching.
@@UndertheMedian don’t sweat that, we took our kids on quite a few very nice and even sometimes luxurious vacations over the years. Now the boys think nothing of living in our 2nd home not paying rent. If I had to do it over again I would have gone with my husband and/or daughter and asked my mom to watch the little brats!
i employ the methods covered in this video. it's nice to be debt-free and save money. i'm single on soc sec and a small pension and make it stretch for the month. i don't feel a need for a new car/truck. i'm currently driving a 20-year-old ford ranger truck and my furniture came from the thrift stores other than a new mattress and box springs( bed bugs and other people's crud not acceptable in used bedding ).i cut the cable 3 yrs ago and installed an over the air antenna. tv for free now. antenna, mast poles, and other equipment was about $60.00. that paid for itself a long time ago. you gotta cut spending every day you can. especially on a fixed income like myself.$600.00/month as a car/truck pmt. doesn't cut it with me. too much money not counting the insurance on that vehicle.
I wholeheartedly agree with 9 out of 10, but our family has found travel to be incredibly valuable to our world view, self development, goal-setting, and more. Your $4500 figure is slightly above any total that we've ever spent to travel, but seeing and experiencing natural wonders and different ways of life is something I've never regretted. Cheers!
As a 72-year-old single woman, I've defined "vacation" as "the intersection of time and space where I can decide which distractions to ignore". As such, I'm on vacation most of the time. Loved your suggestions and will be sharing them with my Bible class.
When my kids were growing up we got their clothes from friends, garage sales, and rummage sales. Haircuts were done at the beauty school. One of our biggest savings was no expensive gifts. Tina
The last time I paid for a haircut was 23 years ago. I've cut my own hair for decades. I chose a simple style that I could manage myself and stuck with it.
I drove an 8 year old car whilst all other managers drove new cars. After a takeover 45% of managers were let go. I survived as my own car was my property.
I absolutely loved watching this video! The breakdown in costs along with cool suggestions for ways to save money had me hooked. Also really like the chemistry you two share as a couple. You work together and compliment each other well. Happy people show love and joy and your enthusiasm is infectious! Bless you! Now a new subscriber!
We Airbnb every long wkend holiday anywhere that is within an 8hour drive. Total cost usually $500-$600 per trip, it is the only time we ever eat out and we always share a plate. We live a minimal life with extreme frugality but once we were debt free and putting 25% in Retirement we gave ourselves this nearly monthly holiday. So easy to be frugal when your next mini vacation is only 3 wks away. We book months in advance for the best prices and every trip is paid for before it occurs leaving us relaxed and refreshed not expecting follow up bills to pay for it.
I really like to look nice and my own manicures weren’t cutting it. I had professional manicures for about four months and carefully observed what they did and what my mistakes were. Ditto for hiring a trainer and going to the gym, and going to a yoga studio, with the goal of competent self sufficiency. Now I can do those things correctly with confidence and without injury.
Mixed feeling about vacation tip. If you are trying to get out of debt, yes, otherwise don’t skip good vacation. I was working overtime whole year to save $3K for 2 weeks in Hawaii. No regrets. I was snorkeling every day. Climbed through bamboo forest through the jungles to a waterfall, sniffed wild tropical flowers, eat wild fruits from the tree, swam with wild sea turtles, saw dolphins....Saw things I will remember until I die. It worth every penny.
I spent about 7-8 grand to visit the Canadian Arctic. I am one of the few human beings alive to have seen a polar bear in the wild. That trip was in 2014 and I will never forget it.
I scrimped and saved when I was younger and had no choice. Having Depression era parents helped with the “waste not, want not” ethos. I still do lots of DIY (hair color, dog grooming, yard and home repair, e-books from library). My daughters tease me because I will save and dry a paper towel that is merely wet from draining lettuce. I believe in spending on what is important to me. We have excellent health insurance. I hate to cook and we often ate out (pre-pandemic). I buy and use a lot of art supplies. Also enjoy Netflix and HBO since we need to stay home. I am so glad for every trip I’ve taken: it is so amazing to see the world’s beauty and meet it’s people. Definitely money well spent in my opinion.
@@UndertheMedian I also live alone & guess what?,My FRIG. gave out & I had it fixed one time $300,00, So I went & bought a new one, maybe it will last for the days I have left on this earth..I hated to spend that much money but if I had bought a used one I would have bought someone else's trouble.
@@toosexy7955 ,I agree. We have bought brand new appliances at times, too. I think it all depends on whether you can find what you really want on the used market at the time you need it and the sale prices you can find. If we didn't find what we needed used, then we found the best price on a new unit and bought it.
I absolutely love your sense of humor! I will admit that I do most of these...but the manner in which you present them makes them seem less stringent and more do-able for those just getting started on their savings path.
The cable cost is RIDICULOUS. That was one of the first things I cut out. I have Netflix for ten dollars a month. My cable bill was $180. That’s just insane
I can agree.. over 7 or 8 years, the cable bill + internet had nearly doubled.. to about $200.. when we moved out into the country, about 35 miles away.. there wasn't cable available.. "Dish" was an option, but I refused their 2 year contract, because the price was only guaranteed for the first year, the second year, I'd heard, the cost would double.. So bought internet service, $55 forever, with auto-pay.. and bought $25 roku box.. one (time fee).. Sling was $35, got all my cable channels, tons of free channels, apps for local news, free movies from Amazon prime.. + netflix's.. maybe $15? Daughter gave me code for her disney+.. I have way more channels and options and I'm basically paying half of what I used to pay for cable.. Everybody should do it!!
I don't even have netflix or Hulu anymore. I have a Firestick that I got as a gift and I watched free apps on it but yeah i agree: cable is so overpriced.
@@constellations9258 TV is is not even turned on anymore. I can watch TH-cam & mainstream news is so negative & depressing - who wants to fill their brain with the hate anyway.
I totally agree with everything you’re saying!!! I also save $$ by making my own laundry detergent. I’ve tried different recipes and found one that really really works for me. Make my own mixes, can my own food and dehydrate or freeze leftovers for quick meals for later. We don’t buy soda and if we do eat out it’s for a lunch (cost less) and just drink water with lemon. Soda or any drink at a restaurant cost over $2.00 a glass.
Excellent advice on the thrift store shopping! I raised my four kiddos by taking them to a local thrift store on the last day of the month where everything in the store would be 1/2 price and I would give them each a $10 bill (we homeschooled) and they could buy anything they wanted but had to figure in taxes etc so they learned fractions quickly (50%) and bought really neat clothing they chose for themselves. Some things I wouldn’t have chosen but I wasn’t wearing it either! My daughter actually bought herself a topper to make herself a “princess” bed one time instead of new clothes and decided to wear what she already had awhile longer instead…a great lesson in setting priorities to her.
Nickels and dime do add up. I was watching a video on the channel Frugal Jo, who is in the UK. Her family is saving to buy a house. On one of her grocery trips recently she found 5 pence on the ground and said she was going to put it in the house fund. Nickels and dimes, every little bit helps.
"How many nights of the week are we tired?" EVERY NIGHT! 😄 Yes, we end up using prepared meals 6 nights a week. Great info! Thanks for sharing this wonderful motivation. You're a fun, happy couple. Inspiring.
Good Tips All. I'm afraid you might have to add more to your list because I see harder times ahead. It's amazing that we citizens have to "tighten the ol belt" and yet the Government spends our tax money on frivolous pursuits that has nothing to do with us. It saddens me that my grandchildren will have to shoulder the cost down the road.
I only buy new cars. Our last new car cost $17,000 and we went 13 years with no repairs except brakes, a set of tires and a battery. And we got a great trade in when we bought our new one. Well worth it.
We “swap houses” when we go on vacation. We live on the east coast and my husband is from the Midwest, so we’ve done this with family and friends. This allows us to have access to a full kitchen so we can cook at home. Great tips, thank you!
I make my own hamburger helper. We only live on $25,000 a year. our home is paid off, but we do have a suv loan. we don't go out to eat. I love cooking. we don't have cable. hubby uses our $40 wifi we have to make phone calls. My husband always says if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
And just think of how you are avoiding bad ingredients by making your own hamburger helper! There are so many great from scratch "clone" recipes out there! 👍
I decorated my house with thrift store items. A few good basic pieces of furniture came from the furniture store but the accessories are thrift store. My home is gorgeous!
So many years I ate out all the time. So much wasted money. I like cooking from scratch because it is healthier and less expensive. I still plan to eat out occasionally. Love your no-nonsense videos. Wish I found you a long time ago.
Cooking is my least favorite thing to do but it is too expensive to eat out all the time, so cook I do. Rarely eat out anymore. Special occasions only.
Thank you for showing people that you can live off of the lower income I was raising my children back in the 90s and I only made anywhere between 12 and 15,000 a year are year and people acted like they could never live off of that not only did we live off of it but we bought a house I saved every penny I could and we bought a house and I know that it’s possible you just have to not spend money on things you don’t need...And of course my kids wanted things but I told them if they needed it that was different then wanting to get something...Good job teaching this world that money is not the answer
I just decided to start cutting way back for a family of 3 I was spending over 600$ a month on food!! I never stopped to think about how much that really was so I have written down a plan to keep it around 120 a week or below an ways to save money by going to the food bank ect.. I'm so proud of myself ☺️
@Gloria Russell Food Banks have their undetermined at any given time of ebb and flow. Some areas of the country have a higher number of donations, so they can be more generous. They calculate and divide up what is expected and a bit of any extra. Then when a person shows up asking for food, the volunteers will let them know how much they can give out that day. In my area, no income restrictions, just show up. And tell them how many is in your family. Rarely a small amount. Usually generous and there is quite a bit of food to give away. For me, I have learned these are my food management days as usually a lot of fresh produce that being handled down the line might turn quickly bad. Or a produce item I cannot digest. Live in an apt so no where to compost. Sometimes my only choice is to safely ziplock it and hope the scavenger birds at the county dump will be able to safely peck the bags open for consumption before it gets chemically sprayed. Not all foods I can consume per a sensitive digestive system like breads or wheats. Recently moved to a seniors complex with a community room and after each months produce day, the extra produce is placed on tables for anyone in need. There are extra boxes including vegetables, macaroni and cheese and cereal for anyone caught shorthanded on budget or in need. After I moved in, no money and in between budgets, I was able to gratefully utilize this small free food tabled area. Some counties like mine generally get a regular plethora from different sources on the food donations, they cannot give enough of it away before spoilage issues.
New subscriber here, love your channel. Currently raising four children debt free, three at home . Eldest has gone through university, graduated and is completely independent...and debt free! Great to find some encouragement and inspiration in your videos because this debt free journey is worthwhile but not always easy! 😊
Thank you, great content. We have and continue to do most of these. We are also shocked when we hear how much "normal" things cost (or better put how much average people spend). We are happy just as we are. Our kids had a problem when they first started buying their own clothes cuz they wanted the cool brands their friends bought at the mall. Best thing I did was give them the dollar amount I was going to spend on clothes that school year and let them spend it themselves,,,however the condition was they had to window shop only the items and prices at the mall, then compare at the thrift shop...they were sold on their first trip! They bought so many more and better brand names at the thrift store and had extra $ for several books they loved to read,,Win/Win!
I was raised to do things myself. It was normal in my family when I grew up. I always thought it was fun to cut others or my own hair, color, fix nails, paint the walls, build a shelf or something on the house, sew things, change details on clothes or even sew new from fabric or old items. These days it became normal and a habit for many younger, and people my age, to buy all those things from others instead. I think it is helthy to be able to do things yourself. You feel creative, time flies, you have fun and become confident and prowd by things you do yourself. Money saving is just one side of it. For me being creative, learnig new skills and doing things with my hands bring so much joy. It can make me calm and happy as well. I don't have the energy I used to have, but if I do something myself I still have that feeling.
Another aspect is that you are alway learning new things. It's always exciting to get books and do research into a new area of interest. I find myself really delving deep into one area and then moving on to another. So much fun to be a lifelong learner.
@@UndertheMedian Yes it is fun to learn and try out new things. 😊 With internet it is so easy to find information about how to. To be creative is a great hobby. I wish I had more energy for it! I always save and invest some money every mounth. And by saving on some things I can spend more on other things. I like travelling and interior design. I love to have a nice home with nice decor. But it does not have to be expensive! Our home is a mix of cheap things from flea markets, IKEA, travels and a few expensive things. I feel it would not have been better with just expensive items. The best quality are actually the cheap old furniture that I upscycled. They also are the most beautiful! So frugality can actually mean great quality and the most loverly things if you look for second hand.
Wow great job !I keep telling my kids not to rent storage they have paid for 12 years adding up to thousands I'm learning my self not to pamper my self on things I don't need!
New to your channel and love it. This is probably the only year in history that cars have appreciated. I watch some other auto channels and they have marveled at at the average new car price had reached $51000. We have reached a new low in society where we don't intend on owning our house or our cars but have normalized lifetime payment cycles. Also read an article that the average payment is now $712 I can think of a lot better ways ways to spend moneyThen on a $712 car payment.
I hear ya , but because of the pandemic haven't been getting them , I've been doing it myself bought these fantastic nail clippers on Amazon, otherwise I'd be going to Kaiser , but I don't wanna go into any hospitals if I don't need to ha ha coronavirus , I thought I couldn't do it myself and it isn't easy , but so far so good never know when that might change though
Zain Aziz, older people may have less flexibility in their joints, and some of us have a bit of belly in the way. If you are old and thin and have flexible joints, good for you. If you are young, maybe you can take preventative measures now. Edna, you and I are in the same boat!
I agree about the gym. I was only paying $12/month for the membership but because i hated the atmosphere, I was either paying to be miserable, or paying for something I wasn’t using. While I’m saving $144/yr it Is going to take a couple years to pay off the used Cannondale bike I bought. I do love it and riding it makes me very happy! I believe being outside is just as important as getting exercise so if you can do both at the same time, you’re golden!
I love this! I cut my own hair and have done my husband’s for the last 10 years. It’s easy though as he likes the buzz cut so all he has to do is set the razor length and hand it over. 🙂 Larry, it’s about trust! 🙃
I do a gym membership. I suppose I could do body weight exercises at home or buy heavier dumbbells. I just do better and more motivated around like-minded individuals. At home I may not do it.
You can find great deals on some gym memberships if you look around. Where we live, if you are low-income you can apply for a greatly discounted membership at one of the gyms. However, many people pay too much for memberships that they can't really afford.
I have a herniated disc. Twice. So it is worth for me to get sports under the observation of a professional. But I do Nordic Walking, too. If you are healthy, there is nothing wrong with doing sports on your own. And in Germany, we have many Sportvereine. (Sports Clubs) The last one I was member costed me 10 Euros/month. If family members would have joined it, we would even have got a discount and the whole family could do sports there for 18 Euros/month. www.svhkassel.de/sportangebote/gesundheitssport/
If you USE and enjoy your gym membership it’s not a waste. It’s buying and not using things that is a waste. Also it’s a good outlet to get out of the house , see friends , and take care of your body.
Thanks for the video! The only thing my family and I splurge on is cable tv. We don't go on vacations, and we don't go out to eat at restaurants anymore. We haven't purchased a new car in years. The cable tv is our only indulgence, and for a household of 4 that's not too bad I think.
Thanks, My husband and l live off of one ck 4 a year. We save up 4 a foreclose 🏠 🏚 🏡 down payment. Not easy! Glad we been in our house 44yrs now. Thank U JESUS 💓 !
Hope, I love how you both recommend watching the nickels and pennies. As Dave Ramsey always say, “it’s death by a thousand cuts” I couldn’t believe when I read that “savings 27 dollars 💵 day is 10,000 a year”
I do all the things on your list and more. What is gratifying is that shows how many frugal practices I am doing. I also purchase microfiber large sheets made in Denmark usually $1.50 , cut up into 8 sheets. I use them with vinegar/essential oils for dryer sheets. I recently discovered windshield wiper fluid & microfiber sheets clean mirrors better than anything. I feel good now that I am in control of $$$.
I have been cutting my husband's hair for over 30 years. Since COVID I have been cutting my father's hair and he loves it. I don't think he will go back. I have always groomed any pets. My dog looks great in my opinion. Lots of money to save in hair.
LOL! Larry got a chuckle out of that. He's definitely thinning now. We are actually thrilled that he has hair. Three years ago, he nearly died of heart failure and all his hair came out in big patches. He wound up shaving it all off until it came back in.
Here’s an idea. Years ago I started looking on different food item labels & I said, I can do this much better & a lot cheaper. For example, spaghetti sauce & also canned chili🤢. I started making my own & the difference was amazing!! Pancake mix; same etc. There are numerous ways to cut back & still have good results. I enjoyed this so much. Thank you. 😊❤️
You are absolutely correct, homemade mixes taste a million times better than grocery store. Homemade pudding, cake, frozen cookie slice n bake logs, etc. Plus fewer chemicals and giant savings!!!!!
I worked with 7th graders. A topic came up about smoking. I said let’s do the math. We came up with $600+ a year in our area. If you didn’t smoke and saved your money, in 1-2 years you could buy a dirt bike or used 4 wheeler. In 3-4 yrs you could buy a car and pay insurance and gas at 16. The idea of there own car intrigued them. If you are into sports, coaches won’t take you seriously as an athlete. Coaches know what cigarettes do to lungs. Coaches may not say anything but they think it.
I do everything from scratch and spend 1200 on groceries a year. My house is paid and what I would spend on rent say 1000 a month goes into a saving account
@@ashleybosvik3031 that was my question... for a family of what size...? WOW!!! This blows me away!!!! I agree with “Under the Median”!! I want to go shopping with you! His bless & keep y’all.
@@ashleybosvik3031 oh wait!! I must have read that wrong. I thought I read $100 per month. 😂🥴 still impressive and that you are able to put back what you would have been paying for rent if you didn’t own your home.
Those thrift stores are rip offs where I live charging $8 for a blouse, $5 for a t-shirt, etc. I can do new t-shirt for $5 and new blouse for $10! Rip offs where I live.
Eating out -- a picnic is "eating out." Get together with friends for a meal at someone's home -- I know -- after covid is over. Do potlucks with friends.
Yes that’s my way of eating out. We cook it and take it to our picnic table and enjoy, even if my mother in law thinks I’m a stinker. So we eat out a ton in the summer.
We rarely ate out when I was a kid. Mon cooked, and we had my uncles over or parent's friends over for dinner a lot. I don't have debt because I don't create it. House is the one my folks built and I grew up in I don't drive and don't waste. I need to be able to find a way to save on my small income. I buy minimum amount of clothes and buy them on sale usually. I fit the largest size in kids department, so Target is my go-to.
Progressive dinners are also fun if people live closeby. Mocktails and nibbles at first person's home, main dish at next person's home, and dessert at 3rd person's home. Set time limit of 40 minutes each home to keep it well paced. We used to do this and it was a lot of fun.
Let her cut your hair Larry.😄 I have literally cut my husband’s hair all of our married life. I can cut it all off for hot summer months & layer & style his hair otherwise. I also cut our 2 sons hair until they got married. Then I figured it was her job then. It saves us a ton of money!! If you’re on a fixed income, every shortcut adds up. Thank you guys. God bless you both.
I don’t buy home cleaning solutions. I’m sitting here laughing so hard because I never thought of myself as living a frugal life. But a lot of the things you listed are the things I have been doing for as long as I can remember. No fancy vacation, no nails, no cable, no Starbucks, shop at thrift stores half of the time. I only eat at restaurants when my bf takes me lol. Oh boy
Your comment made me smile. We love that you've been living life in a way that made sense and were saving money - without labeling what you did as frugal.
@@UndertheMedian omg you two are just too cute together! After a couple minutes I knew this didn’t apply to me because sadly I’m guilty of spending $ on all the items you listed but I stayed watching until the end because I enjoyed watching you two interact with each other. Soooo cute! Your boys are so lucky-not only did you teach them to be smart about money but you also showed them what a loving relationship should look like even after so many years together 🥰
Love your videos! My husband and I are soo similar to the two of you! We have always said, " Mind the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves ....and old English saying. So often we don't have a lot of control over the big payments like our mortgage, rates bill ...we live in NZ etc but we have a great deal of control with the little things and they all add up over time. This would be a great exercise to do with the grocery budget. Find ten ways to save on your groceries and add up the yearly savings.I make our yoghurt and by doing this four times per week I save us $6 per week, $300 per year by not buying the cheapest yoghurt in the supermarket. This is just one example of how we save on groceries. We make our own bread, pizza bases, cakes etc. We have six children, four are married now, two still at home. We home schooled and use cloth nappies! We saved about $15,000 on using cloth nappies on our children as babies just like you! Keep up the great work! ❤️👍
Thank you so much for your quick response. I was told flat screen TVs did not need antennas (at least that is what Radio Shack told me). I HATE wasting money on cable! I will look for the antenna you recommended and see if it works! Will let you know. ✌🏾
Just found your channel and so glad I did! You both are so fun to watch and your advice is great. We already live pretty frugally but food is our biggest expense. We eat at home most of the time and i cook from scratch. I find value in supporting our local farmers and eating high quality foods. This includes local meats/poultry. I would love more vegan cooking videos from you guys!
We are huge proponents of shopping local, as well. We've been CSA members and shopped farmers markets for a very long time. I love the idea of supporting local, small business and farms.
@@paulamoors , our family is going to be on Chef AJ's TH-cam Live the first Saturday in March. We're going to talk about tips for feeding your family a whole food diet on a budget and our son, Daniel, is going to demonstrate making our grain loaf.
I have a wall antenna and a roku tv $132 delivery included from walmart online. No cable bills. Get local news and reruns. Can hook up tomany channels thru internet just have not.
Same realized ..why am I paying for channels I don't watch .My cellphone is a Tracfhone I buy a card for mins no monthly bill don't eat out like to cook with both my son's.I started a five dollar bag when ever I have a five dollar bill I put it in the bag it's been awhile when I decide to count the money I'm going to be SHOCK.
😢😢😢 I have "basic" cable, and I pay 900.00 a yr. Really need to d/c it. I am not a tv watcher. I am usually doing something, so I try to keep up with it. I actually, never know what's going on.
Just came across your channel. I’m hooked! Recently widowed and need to learn how to handle finances, budgeting and household repairs on my own now. Looking forward to binge watching your videos and learning how to save!
I will be praying for you, that you are able to do anything you need to with ease and can find comfort in knowing you can learn many things by watching videos like this.
I lost my Husband last Christmas Day, I have painted my living room & Kitchen instead of paying someone to do it, I have learned it takes a lot off my mind, But I can't lift anything too heavy & my SON INLAW helps with those things, So thankful my House is paid for & car is too, I still save every month, Thank you for the video~
Another thing that's I've especially gotten into after marriage is not buying many wardrobes (I usually wear dresses or shirt and skirt) at all. I'll go to a local thriftstore to buy a staple piece, i.e a cardigan that goes with any outfit. If and once I buy dresses, I do spend more money on a really nicely made dress, made of long-lasting material! I wait until they go on sale and then buy it. I cannot even explain to you the difference it makes. I spend VERY little money on a new dress, blouse, or skirt. Then I thrift a few staple things to add to the closet and can switch up outfits all throughout the year. I've had several outfits for 2-3 years and bought only a few in between.
I cut my husband's hair with clippers I bought at Walmart for the cost of two haircuts. It is fast and easy and looks great. We've been doing this for years.
Brilliant idea from my BFF, Maureen, who has six grandkids. Reasoning that the biggest expense at Disney World is not the ticket - the biggest expense is the food and tourist souvenirs they sell. They did all the cost-saving things: booked an Air B&B, drove there instead of flying, brought most of their own food, bought tickets during November (one of the lowest rates f the year), etc. Then, she prowled Big Lots, Target, Walmart, yard sales, and thrift stores and stocked up on Disney-themed items. They were abundant and frequently in perfect like-new condition. When the kids came down with a case of "I-want-it" she would ask them if they wanted to spend all their money (they were given an allowance) on that item, or if they wanted to grab two free items from Grandma's Goody Bag (one bag was for boys and one was for the girls). They always opted for Grandma Goodies. So, all the kids got Mikey Mouse ears and t-shirts and recent Disney movie-themed merchandise, complete with many scenic photos of them at Disney World sporting their 'new' souvenirs. Maureen totted it all up and figured that they only spent $200 more for Disney World for the whole family (four adults and six kids) than it would have cost them to go camping in the same area!
This fall we and 2 friends went to Maine for 4 days. We rented a hotel suite with 2 bedrooms and a small kitchen and sitting area. We ate almost all our food in except for 2 meals .The plus was we were a 1/2 miles walk to a beach. It worked out so well two weeks later we did it again.
Wow. Thanks for the tip about the potato skins!!! I don't know when you made this video, but one of our cheaper grocers here charges 88 cents a pound, and there is not much of a break for bags of potatoes (which are NOT organic or even non-GMO). I became a starchitarian recently, so both "white" potatoes and sweet potatoes are a HUGE part of my diet. In the winter I LOVE potato soup where I put the diced raw potatoes into the pot with room temp water and heat them up to a boil. And once they are at least almost fork-tender, I add onions and sometimes mushrooms (both sautéd in a stainless steel pan without added oil OR water -- until there is a brown frond on the bottom, at which time I add a little water so that wonderful flavor will come up into the food). I only sauté if I have time; otherwise just chop 'em up and add to the water and potatoes, and then add whatever vegetables I have that seem like they would be good in the soup. (For me, NOT carrots because I only like those raw!) I'll add things like any recent leftovers from chili to pasta with marinara (or whatever); and/or some leftover, fresh or frozen veg -- corn being especially good, as well as cubed squash (if already cooked if a winter squash -- or put in with the potatoes at the beginning). Once everything seems to be pretty well cooked, I add a winter miso -- such as red miso or hacho miso -- by dissolving first in some of the soup stock water, usually 1-3 TBL, depending on the size of the pot and "to taste." Dark miso goes REALLY well in potato soups! Sometimes I will take a tablespoon or even 3 TBL tahini (or more) and dissolve in soup stock and add that for a creamier look and a great taste. I have been making soup like this for years and cannot remember even one person not loving it! Oh, and beans or lentils can be added too. P.S. I know this is REALLY slow, but I am 68 years old and obese and recently went on Dr. John McDougall's "starchitarian" diet (who wrote THE STARCH SOLUTION) and have been losing over a pound a week now for 3 months thus far -- and this is without taming my tendency to overeat (and allowing more avocados and corn tortillas than he would agree with). The most amazing thing about this way of eating -- besides being cheap, because it eliminates ALL meat, dairy and oils -- is that once the tastebuds get used to very little salt and once you find your way to dishes you really like, it's so EASY -- and -- get this -- is famous for REVERSING heart disease (my angina went away pronto), type 2 diabetes, arthritis, even multiple sclerosis. It is truly healthful to eat whole foods (NOT processed) that are all (or almost all) plant-based. Other doctors who recommend such a diet include the author of PREVENT AND REVERSE HEART DISEASE, Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, as well as Dr. Neal Barnard among others. These men are very generous to give out many free lectures you can watch on TH-cam as well as recipes (esp. on drmcdougall.com) and have been walking the walk themselves for over 40 years. It's just amazing. Ooops. Sorry, I get talkative sometimes~!
I love this discussion and I practice all these things. I doubt most people even know what they spend on food INCLUDING snacks and drinks and junk food! I spent probably a year documenting every penny I spent on everything to see where I was wasting money and have cut my food budget in half. I think for newbies it might be more relevant to discuss the DIFFERENCE in cost between eating out vs. cooking fresh whole foods at home. You used the terms "spending" $300 mth on eating out and "saving" $300/mth interchangeably but they are not the same thing because you still have the cost of cooking at home.
Thank you..I'm frugal just like you are.My mom always told me..A penny saved is penny earned. Good old Ben Franklin.I love you two..thank you for your channel...blessings.
I got rid of cable tv and use my internet for free movies to watch which is a real savings. I quit fast food, don't wear makeup unless I am going out to meet family. I get my haircuts at the beauty college near me. I just bought a couple of frozen foods but usually cook in stew in my crockpot which lasts me all week. I will add some frozen vegetables or salsa to make it different each time.
& when you have cooked Potatoes leftover you can refrigerate them & make Potato patties whenever you want too, My Mother used to put her in the oven on a cookie sheet to bake but I fry mine, Just add Eggs & flour & S.P.
Of course something that wasn't mentioned is that having a good marriage saves tones of money.
Amen... I have said that in the previous video.... That is number one for me to saving a ton of money
Indeed, bad marriages are very expensive in more ways than one.
So true!.. And not having to divorce 😭... Which the government make you pay for!
Most divorces are caused by MONEY matters.
Can confirm.
I'm disabled & single. I live on less than $16,000 per yr. Antenna on my TV, no going out or anything frilly. I shop at thrift stores & the $ store. I have a good life & don't want for anything. My small dog & cat are my entertainment
Same here. Some people might think it's sad but at 66 I'm enjoying the "luxury" of not feeling the social pressure of going out all the time, buying new clothes, haircuts and burning gas & rubber on my car, lol
@@curiouscat3384 I'm 62 this week & I couldn't agree more! It's sad when the highlight of a person's day is shopping. Material things do nothing but take up room.
@@mindyspencer412 I AGREE, It's just STUFF you have to clean .
@@toosexy7955 After awhile you can't remember why you bought it. Then give it away!
@@mindyspencer412
It is true what you said. I still like to go shopping and pick up good bargains
and be out at the same time. Walking and exercise too now I am not working.
Saving money is happiness. I do dancing and other things too, not just shopping.
I totally agree with you, y'all. I buy high-end clothes from Macy's and other places, but I will never pay the high-end price. I paid cash for my SUV, and I pay cash for college. I saved over $15000 in one year. I assisted friends and family with $5000. So yes, your story is real!
Wow I am impressed so much money in one year. So the next step would be to start clever investments to get a passiv income.
Not only do we love your story, we love that your heart is to bless others. Well done!
Good job Jillian
Buying from the Macy's last act and clearance section is everything. I got a $49 sweater for $7.99 and still have it after three years.
You need to START A CHANNEL!!!! I'LL SUBSCRIBE!
I’ve driven the same car for 10 years and it has served me well. Although my income has increased significantly I still live in the same lower middle class neighborhood and don’t spend money on stuff like Starbucks all the time. However, I do allow myself an occasional Starbucks beverage and make sure to be generous with family member that need money. Life is short. Tomorrow I may not be here. Scrimping too much once you are comfortable is no longer frugality but miserly. There is a fine line.
ABSOLUTELY! I'm not cheap or stingy by any stretch of the imagination; but I INSIST on maximum bang for every buck!
I'm pretty sure that we aren't going to continue with Netflix. So, we are investigating free television and movie streaming services. We'll do a video on it in two weeks. Hopefully, we''ll get some feedback from viewers that will give us clarity on which services and apps are worth getting.
@@UndertheMedian Pluto is free, Tubi as well
@@fitzpatrickstacey5021 , thanks. We'd love to know if you use them and if you like them. In two weeks, we're doing a video on all the free TV services that we have found - I think my list is up to eight of them.
Almost all my life I had to count the pennies, so have frugality ingrained in my DNA. That said, now that I have retired and been widowed, I have relaxed somewhat. I allow myself the exotic fruit, the pretty cushion for my couch, and the birthday celebration for my upcoming 80th birthday will be a catered affair. I've earned it. They said one must save for one's old age. Well, I am old now and I can't take it with me, can I?
"Beware of little expenses, for a small leak can sink a great ship."
Ben Franklin
Yes!!! Love this.
We share birthdays, Ben & I.
Love your channel. My grandmother used to say “If you watch your pennies, the dollars will take care of themselves.”
Nice saying by your grandma. Although for a moment I thought you said p*nis.
For anyone who didn't have pencil & paper handy 😁
1) prepared meals/convenience meals/meal kits
2) dining out
3) cable television
4) gym membership
5) no expensive clothing
6) no new cars, buy used
7) no manicures, pedicures
8) no haircuts at expensive salons
9) no fancy vacations
10) no Starbuck's coffees
Thank you! I scrolled through the comments hoping someone did this👍🏻
@@HappyLife-wv5ms Same
Thank you, I’m glad I have already ticked off all 10 things!!!!
I only dine out about once a month. I don't waste money on anything else on this list.
Thank you! Nothing new then.
Over the years, my older brother has accused me of being cheap, to which I say 'frugal' and calmly let his remarks pass. Now that we are both retired, I told him, "Yes! But that's why we have money and you do not."
We just paid off $50,000 in bills! No cable, we have a 12 year old car, we do our own haircuts, no frivolous stuff in my house anymore! Now I'm selling my home that we lived in for the past 31 years. Buying a smaller home and paying that cash! No more mortgage for me ! I smell freedom on our horizon!
My mother raised four kids on a very limited income. She taught us many frugal ways of making ends meet. For example, she washed her aluminum foil and reused it. At Christmas we knew not to rip into packages, but opened them carefully so she could reuse the wrapping paper. I began cutting my husbands hair while we were still dating and continued the practice for 48 years, as well as “playing barber” for our 8 sons. All of your tips have been a way of life for us, otherwise we could not have afforded such a large family. Yet we never felt impoverished.
We have been married for 32 yrs as well. My husband and I came up with a plan when we got married. Paid our house off very quickly using all his pay checks and using mine for everyday expenses. Once the house was paid in full, we continued saving then investing. We pay in cash for any items needed, including new cars. We buy clothing second hand and have beautiful name brands items. I love thrift shopping. I love that my husband and I are on the same page with household money management. Mind you we live well but not above our paid grade. My husband retired early at 38 and I continue working part time by choice because I love my job. Great content!
Well done! You did such a great job at planning ahead.
You're probably in the small percentage of couples who agree on how money should be spent. Very lucky.
I have lived the same life style as you. We live well! Our children graduated from college debt free. I am in my eighties and am financially secure. I see many of my friends struggling in retirement as they have not prepared for it. Living frugally works! It is a joy to be financially secure.
So listening to you, I've discovered how frugal I've always been. With the exception of getting my TV from a cable station. Didn't have much of a choice - no tv unless you did - but I got basic TV. Cost me $10 a month. Never thought I was being frugal - just the way I had to do it. Single mom with two children. Now 82 and on Social Security. Yep, still frugal. And by the way: Started buying clothes from thrift stores when I was 16, before it was popular. I've been complimented many times on the way I dress.
I am 28 and just starting to learn things about being smart with my money while I'm starting my own company. are there any tips you would throw in, for someone just starting to get there hands on money?
I would appreciate any tips and tricks you have picked up.
I changed our entire budget around. My husband and I are a young married couple with three children and we were living paycheck to paycheck. After watching your videos I went through our budget and found over 1000 dollars a month that we weren’t realizing was spent unnecessarily. Neither one of us were taught about money growing up but we’re Christian’s and trying to honor God in all aspects of our life. We now pay tithe first, pay our new savings account second and then budget the rest. We have a long way to go in learning to live more simply, but we are officially no longer living paycheck to paycheck. Thank you for your advice 😊
What a blessing for us to be a part of your journey. Well done for taking control of your finances and working together.
There is $50 in a safe place to go toward my goal of $1200 + in one year. I may save more, but this is a start. You are part of the reason I can do this. Thank you! 🙂
Awww... thanks, Willette!
I am frugal myself, I use the Dollar store, big lots and thrift stores. I don't
go to Starbucks either. I take the bus now and I buy the tickets ahead at a discount. The only thing i have trouble with clothes, I am size 1 or 2. Sometimes, I buy new pants in sale and if I can I buy it a thrift store. People, tell me that I am frugal, so what! I retired early and I was able to buy a condo.
Good on you!!!
Congratulations. Don't listen to other people.
I know one petite lady that had trouble finding clothes that fit so she would check out the Young Lady's Department and often found very nice things that were a lot less expensive than were sold in the "Lady's Department."
And being known as frugal or thrifty is not an insult, it is indeed a compliment especially if it's coming from a man.
9
You're Awesome.
Growing up with Depression era parents (a high school teacher and housewife/pre-school teacher), I lived the frugal life. But I often felt deprived compared to how my friends lived, and vowed to give my children a better life. Then, as my mother says, I "married my father". My husband is even more frugal than my Dad! I think in part that is because there are now so many more things to spend on (growing up, we didn't have Starbucks, or new versions of technology every year, etc.). We do virtually everything on your list, (and then some - see below) and still can't seem to save enough for special treats that I would be willing to spend on, like travel.
This is in large part to the fact that we live in an expensive area, in an expensive town, but in a much smaller house than the average family home. And yes, our boys did feel deprived compared to their well-off friends. But our reason for choosing to live here was this: good schools. This was an investment in their education, and though they don't appreciate it now, hopefully they will in the future. Whenever they complained I told them if they didn't stop it we would move to a potato farm in Maine so they could be the richest kids in town! With their good public school education they gained entrance to good universities, but now that's another expense we are not scrimping on...
Looking forward to watching more from you guys to see what else we can do. Here are some more ways we save:
Shopping for groceries at multiple stores to get things on sale (and stocking up on those things);
using coupons and store discounts for everything from food to clothes to gifts;
not going to the movies (and if we do, we do NOT get popcorn or soda);
using points for discounts;
yard sales and Craigslist (both buying and selling)
Sorry so long. Thanks for reading!
Great story! My parents were Depression era and they could be massively cheap! Pop was a pack rat and had 55 decayed car batteries among other junk in the yard, 50+ worn out tires (''They are worth money!''). After he died in 2002, it took 3 of the biggest 40 yard roll off trash bins to get rid of his junk and make my mom's house nice again. I travelled the world after college and put in power plants in 17 countries for General Electric. When I left the Middle East, I came home with a chunk of money and landed a comfortable 400 miles from my parent's house. We talked for 2 hours every Sunday night. Then in 1982 I bought a Ferrari 308GTS (Magnum P.I.) from a drug dealer kid, no doubt saved his life with the cash and got it for $12K under the going rate. My father refused to talk to me for 9 months and sent poisonous letters telling me how stupid I was in buying such an expensive used car. A ''Frally''. He couldn't even say the name. When his friends from Ohio heard that I had one, they went nuts for joy for me. He finally accepted it. But his cheapness was beat into me and at nearly 70, I don't waste anything...money, food, time. I'm slowing down these days!
You are doing exactly what my late husband and I did! Live in a small old house, in the best school area. Our kids went to jr college and had jobs. Older used cars. They got scholarships to USD, UCSD, and Tufts in Boston. Their children now are training in nursing, pharmacy, and physical therapy. They were trained in a frugal life style and valuing an education.
I agree with you on everything except the vacations. I have been blessed to have a few very nice vacations which have expanded my mind, given me hope, and provided new friends for life. I have experienced food, culture, art languages, architecture and nature in ways I never dreamed possible. And it was worth every penny.
You must enjoy life a little. I try to vacation with family and close friends to save on hotel rooms. We split the cost of the rooms.
I have 'lived' for years off of a vacation to London I took with my sister 26 years ago. It was expensive but totally wonderful, and we still regularly reminisce about it and are thrilled that we did it. Trip of a lifetime.
Yes. You come through this life once, and at the end you will look back on the good memories and 'experiences' you had - not material things. So vacations are a good thing to plan and safe for.
I save money by, not owning a car, not smoking, not drinking, not eating out, not going to the cinema, I cut my own hair (and have done for 26 years), I walk and shop locally (95% of the time), I don't buy magazines. I haven't been away on holiday in over 10 years and even then I didn't go every year before that. I haven't owned a Television in over 13 years therefore I don't have to pay the licence.
We bought a new car 13 years ago with cash. I still have that car, lasted longer than any used car we ever bought.
When you buy used, you don't know how the other owner took care of it. And things will start to go and need replacing. Buying new and taking care of it, it should last longer.
I also cook from scratch. No cable. No makeup anymore. I’m not missing out. No manicures or pedicures. Such a waste of money.
All these things add up to huge savings
These are some great tips that we didn't add. I only wear make up occasionally and every once in a while I paint my own nail. But, neither happens often.
@I was gonna take a si p but I’m not thirsty , I know that some women need to be careful with additives in make up and that does limit their choices and raise the price.
@I was gonna take a si p but I’m not thirsty what certain standards? I have my own standards and makeup isn’t part of them. To each his own.
Used cars ok but how long do you keep fixing it .
I have 2 vehicles, trans bad in both , no heat in one both need tires and breaks .
I'm a heart patient and I live 500 miles from home .
I like to visit my family at least twice a year.
Bus is not good for me being a heart patient with swollen legs.
So what I'm saying is it's not always a good thing to have a unreliable car
@@joannapatterson4625 Agreed, Some us don't need makeup. I do use a tinted lip balm the color of my lips before I got old. ha ha. And sometimes now I also put a little on my cheeks since I am looking like a ghost because we don't get out.
Yayyy! I'm not the only one who never had cable TV! Moved out of my parents home and decided I wouldn't pay for tv with commercials!😂😂
Cable tv is soooo bad, I can watch whatever I want on my computer, often for free.
@@suzann5312 I find I watch a whole lot less of everything and I'm out DOING more without TV to weigh me down. When I WANT to watch something I do.
I gave up tv years ago because of the loud commercials drove me nutty.
I have shopped thrift stores and garage sales for 50 years and love the adventure. I don't do Starbucks and don't pay for cable TV. I am pretty thrifty. don't eat out much, but, boy, when it comes to vacations I don't know what my life would have been like without them! I went to Europe, England, Ireland and Monte Carlo, saw the Louve. Been to Vegas many times. Toured lots of Oregon, Nevada, Arizona. Seen several states from New Jersey to Texas and beyond. It was ALWAYS wonderful.
We love that you have had wonderful adventures and created lifelong memories with your travel. A lack of travel has been one of our biggest regrets when raising the boys.
@@UndertheMedian I can imagine. i am really glad I traveled when I could because now I have mobility issues and can't do it anymore. I have great memories though.
Hahahaha i love the adventure too, you go girl we only live once..
Buy experiences, not things.
I'm in the process of selling my house and moving into a van so I can save the price of my monthly lot rent and beyond. I have mobility issues as well but getting a van with a lift, I can go anywhere and do anything!
I fall into the frugal group perfectly. I do without nothing and my thrill comes from seeing my bank account grow. I make it a game. I live alone after taking 6 children and I meal prep once a week and put serving sizes in zip lock bags in the freezer. Walla, frozen dinners at my fingertips. I really enjoy your channel...for free.
We are so glad that you are with us - and we look forward to learning tips from you in the comments section.
We employ all of these methods... with the exception of one. “Fancy” vacations. They are a a line item in my budget that are extremely important to us and one of the things we work for. We don’t go into debt, and we look for the best deals and earn side money to go towards a trip. But experience is high on my list. I live in less house than I can afford, we save a large percentage .. but travel is a priority. But we all find value in different things and I take a pass on all of the other items on your list too! 😊
In all honesty, when we look back on our experience, not going on a couple of big vacations with all four boys was our one regret. I think if we had to do it all over again, we would have prioritized travel more than we did. Thanks for watching.
@@UndertheMedian don’t sweat that, we took our kids on quite a few very nice and even sometimes luxurious vacations over the years. Now the boys think nothing of living in our 2nd home not paying rent. If I had to do it over again I would have gone with my husband and/or daughter and asked my mom to watch the little brats!
@@UndertheMedian I really appreciate your honesty regarding your travel regret. This is what makes you authentic and trustworthy :-)
i employ the methods covered in this video. it's nice to be debt-free and save money. i'm single on soc sec and a small pension and make it stretch for the month. i don't feel a need for a new car/truck. i'm currently driving a 20-year-old ford ranger truck and my furniture came from the thrift stores other than a new mattress and box springs( bed bugs and other people's crud not acceptable in used bedding ).i cut the cable 3 yrs ago and installed an over the air antenna. tv for free now. antenna, mast poles, and other equipment was about $60.00. that paid for itself a long time ago. you gotta cut spending every day you can. especially on a fixed income like myself.$600.00/month as a car/truck pmt. doesn't cut it with me. too much money not counting the insurance on that vehicle.
@@luv2cook. wahahahaha ..... iconic reply
I wholeheartedly agree with 9 out of 10, but our family has found travel to be incredibly valuable to our world view, self development, goal-setting, and more. Your $4500 figure is slightly above any total that we've ever spent to travel, but seeing and experiencing natural wonders and different ways of life is something I've never regretted. Cheers!
We would actually agree with you. That is probably our number one regret - that we did not travel more.
As a 72-year-old single woman, I've defined "vacation" as "the intersection of time and space where I can decide which distractions to ignore". As such, I'm on vacation most of the time. Loved your suggestions and will be sharing them with my Bible class.
Well with Covid - not eating out! Not shopping for clothes either. 2020 helped realign our priorities!
Not Me I spent More & enjoined every minute off it
After the lockdown Ross had a huge sale. 5 shoes for $35!!! New, Anne Klein. The deals are out there.
If everybody buys nothing, we all will get fired from our jobs.
Is it an american problem to waste money.......??????....in Europe people are able to be responsible in spending their money......🤔
@@astridaden8536 My observation from my Facebook friends that are European as they actually eat out quite a bit more than I do.
When my kids were growing up we got their clothes from friends, garage sales, and rummage sales. Haircuts were done at the beauty school. One of our biggest savings was no expensive gifts.
Tina
I have been cutting my own hair for 5 years now and i saved an estimate of $2,400
The last time I paid for a haircut was 23 years ago. I've cut my own hair for decades. I chose a simple style that I could manage myself and stuck with it.
For the car situation, my dad would say " you don't buy a car for the miles already on it , but the miles left for driving it". Just saying
I drove an 8 year old car whilst all other managers drove new cars. After a takeover 45% of managers were let go. I survived as my own car was my property.
Wise Dad👍🏾
I absolutely loved watching this video! The breakdown in costs along with cool suggestions for ways to save money had me hooked. Also really like the chemistry you two share as a couple. You work together and compliment each other well. Happy people show love and joy and your enthusiasm is infectious! Bless you! Now a new subscriber!
Thank you, Mitch. Welcome to the Under the Median family!
Ditto! I was thinking the same thing. They complement each other so well, and are so positive toward their topic and each other.
We Airbnb every long wkend holiday anywhere that is within an 8hour drive. Total cost usually $500-$600 per trip, it is the only time we ever eat out and we always share a plate. We live a minimal life with extreme frugality but once we were debt free and putting 25% in Retirement we gave ourselves this nearly monthly holiday. So easy to be frugal when your next mini vacation is only 3 wks away. We book months in advance for the best prices and every trip is paid for before it occurs leaving us relaxed and refreshed not expecting follow up bills to pay for it.
I really like to look nice and my own manicures weren’t cutting it. I had professional manicures for about four months and carefully observed what they did and what my mistakes were. Ditto for hiring a trainer and going to the gym, and going to a yoga studio, with the goal of competent self sufficiency. Now I can do those things correctly with confidence and without injury.
Mixed feeling about vacation tip. If you are trying to get out of debt, yes, otherwise don’t skip good vacation. I was working overtime whole year to save $3K for 2 weeks in Hawaii. No regrets. I was snorkeling every day. Climbed through bamboo forest through the jungles to a waterfall, sniffed wild tropical flowers, eat wild fruits from the tree, swam with wild sea turtles, saw dolphins....Saw things I will remember until I die. It worth every penny.
Sounds like an amazing trip. I'm so glad you got to go. Not going on vacations is, undoubtedly, our number one regret.
I spent about 7-8 grand to visit the Canadian Arctic. I am one of the few human beings alive to have seen a polar bear in the wild. That trip was in 2014 and I will never forget it.
I scrimped and saved when I was younger and had no choice. Having Depression era parents helped with the “waste not, want not” ethos. I still do lots of DIY (hair color, dog grooming, yard and home repair, e-books from library). My daughters tease me because I will save and dry a paper towel that is merely wet from draining lettuce. I believe in spending on what is important to me. We have excellent health insurance. I hate to cook and we often ate out (pre-pandemic). I buy and use a lot of art supplies. Also enjoy Netflix and HBO since we need to stay home. I am so glad for every trip I’ve taken: it is so amazing to see the world’s beauty and meet it’s people. Definitely money well spent in my opinion.
We actually agree with you about vacations. It is one one our top regrets that we did not travel more with the kids.
You two make living frugally sound like fun! It helps me focus because I'm fairly new to this and I live alone. Thanks!! 😘
Janet, we are so excited to have you with us.
@@UndertheMedian I also live alone & guess what?,My FRIG. gave out & I had it fixed one time $300,00, So I went & bought a new one, maybe it will last for the days I have left on this earth..I hated to spend that much money but if I had bought a used one I would have bought someone else's trouble.
@@toosexy7955 ,I agree. We have bought brand new appliances at times, too. I think it all depends on whether you can find what you really want on the used market at the time you need it and the sale prices you can find. If we didn't find what we needed used, then we found the best price on a new unit and bought it.
I absolutely love your sense of humor! I will admit that I do most of these...but the manner in which you present them makes them seem less stringent and more do-able for those just getting started on their savings path.
The cable cost is RIDICULOUS. That was one of the first things I cut out. I have Netflix for ten dollars a month. My cable bill was $180. That’s just insane
True !
I can agree.. over 7 or 8 years, the cable bill + internet had nearly doubled.. to about $200.. when we moved out into the country, about 35 miles away.. there wasn't cable available.. "Dish" was an option, but I refused their 2 year contract, because the price was only guaranteed for the first year, the second year, I'd heard, the cost would double.. So bought internet service, $55 forever, with auto-pay.. and bought $25 roku box.. one (time fee).. Sling was $35, got all my cable channels, tons of free channels, apps for local news, free movies from Amazon prime.. + netflix's.. maybe $15? Daughter gave me code for her disney+.. I have way more channels and options and I'm basically paying half of what I used to pay for cable.. Everybody should do it!!
I don't even have netflix or Hulu anymore. I have a Firestick that I got as a gift and I watched free apps on it but yeah i agree: cable is so overpriced.
I dropped TV totally........looking to cut down on more.........prices are so high.......uggh
@@constellations9258 TV is is not even turned on anymore. I can watch TH-cam & mainstream news is so negative & depressing - who wants to fill their brain with the hate anyway.
I totally agree with everything you’re saying!!! I also save $$ by making my own laundry detergent. I’ve tried different recipes and found one that really really works for me. Make my own mixes, can my own food and dehydrate or freeze leftovers for quick meals for later. We don’t buy soda and if we do eat out it’s for a lunch (cost less) and just drink water with lemon. Soda or any drink at a restaurant cost over $2.00 a glass.
Excellent advice on the thrift store shopping! I raised my four kiddos by taking them to a local thrift store on the last day of the month where everything in the store would be 1/2 price and I would give them each a $10 bill (we homeschooled) and they could buy anything they wanted but had to figure in taxes etc so they learned fractions quickly (50%) and bought really neat clothing they chose for themselves. Some things I wouldn’t have chosen but I wasn’t wearing it either! My daughter actually bought herself a topper to make herself a “princess” bed one time instead of new clothes and decided to wear what she already had awhile longer instead…a great lesson in setting priorities to her.
TH-cam. TH-cam. TH-cam. You can learn anything - haircuts, mending the clothes, fixing small thing at your home... and of course, a channel as yours!
I learned to groom my dog!
As long as you don't talk politics you are good!
Give your life to Jesus christ repent , pray and read your bible , Jesus loves you , it may be hard but it is worth it 🙏
@@tinalarmond547 but don't forget you should work and pray. Don't rely on prayers only.
@@my_world1982 yes , thank you
Nickels and dime do add up. I was watching a video on the channel Frugal Jo, who is in the UK. Her family is saving to buy a house. On one of her grocery trips recently she found 5 pence on the ground and said she was going to put it in the house fund. Nickels and dimes, every little bit helps.
Absolutely! That was one of our most important lessons we learned. We count nickels and dimes, because they add up to dollars.
"How many nights of the week are we tired?" EVERY NIGHT! 😄 Yes, we end up using prepared meals 6 nights a week. Great info! Thanks for sharing this wonderful motivation. You're a fun, happy couple. Inspiring.
LOL! I loved your "every night" answer.
Good Tips All. I'm afraid you might have to add more to your list because I see harder times ahead. It's amazing that we citizens have to "tighten the ol belt" and yet the Government spends our tax money on frivolous pursuits that has nothing to do with us. It saddens me that my grandchildren will have to shoulder the cost down the road.
It's true, if you take care of the little money over time you'll come out of your bad situation and move towards where you want to be.
I only buy new cars. Our last new car cost $17,000 and we went 13 years with no repairs except brakes, a set of tires and a battery. And we got a great trade in when we bought our new one. Well worth it.
I love these two! They are down to earth and always have sensible, practical advice.👍
We “swap houses” when we go on vacation. We live on the east coast and my husband is from the Midwest, so we’ve done this with family and friends. This allows us to have access to a full kitchen so we can cook at home. Great tips, thank you!
Is there anything better than not having a car payment? No, no there is not!
Not having a mortgage!
not having a house pmt is better...both are good though
Give your life to Jesus christ repent , pray and read your bible , Jesus loves you , it may be hard but it is worth it 🙏
@@tinalarmond547
He can have it...
Wait!
What?
Not interested? 🙄
sigh
I haven't had a car payment in 2 yrs. I LOVE it!!
I make my own hamburger helper. We only live on $25,000 a year. our home is paid off, but we do have a suv loan. we don't go out to eat. I love cooking. we don't have cable. hubby uses our $40 wifi we have to make phone calls. My husband always says if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
And just think of how you are avoiding bad ingredients by making your own hamburger helper! There are so many great from scratch "clone" recipes out there! 👍
I decorated my house with thrift store items. A few good basic pieces of furniture came from the furniture store but the accessories are thrift store. My home is gorgeous!
You will get better quality stuff that way - for tons of less money.
You guys have a great time together. It's inspirational. Thank you.
So many years I ate out all the time. So much wasted money. I like cooking from scratch because it is healthier and less expensive. I still plan to eat out occasionally. Love your no-nonsense videos. Wish I found you a long time ago.
Cooking is my least favorite thing to do but it is too expensive to eat out all the time, so cook I do. Rarely eat out anymore. Special occasions only.
Thank you for showing people that you can live off of the lower income I was raising my children back in the 90s and I only made anywhere between 12 and 15,000 a year are year and people acted like they could never live off of that not only did we live off of it but we bought a house I saved every penny I could and we bought a house and I know that it’s possible you just have to not spend money on things you don’t need...And of course my kids wanted things but I told them if they needed it that was different then wanting to get something...Good job teaching this world that money is not the answer
I just decided to start cutting way back for a family of 3 I was spending over 600$ a month on food!! I never stopped to think about how much that really was so I have written down a plan to keep it around 120 a week or below an ways to save money by going to the food bank ect.. I'm so proud of myself ☺️
We are proud of you, too! You are doing a great job cutting your food bill down to size.
@Gloria Russell Food Banks have their undetermined at any given time of ebb and flow. Some areas of the country have a higher number of donations, so they can be more generous. They calculate and divide up what is expected and a bit of any extra. Then when a person shows up asking for food, the volunteers will let them know how much they can give out that day. In my area, no income restrictions, just show up. And tell them how many is in your family. Rarely a small amount. Usually generous and there is quite a bit of food to give away. For me, I have learned these are my food management days as usually a lot of fresh produce that being handled down the line might turn quickly bad. Or a produce item I cannot digest. Live in an apt so no where to compost. Sometimes my only choice is to safely ziplock it and hope the scavenger birds at the county dump will be able to safely peck the bags open for consumption before it gets chemically sprayed. Not all foods I can consume per a sensitive digestive system like breads or wheats. Recently moved to a seniors complex with a community room and after each months produce day, the extra produce is placed on tables for anyone in need. There are extra boxes including vegetables, macaroni and cheese and cereal for anyone caught shorthanded on budget or in need. After I moved in, no money and in between budgets, I was able to gratefully utilize this small free food tabled area. Some counties like mine generally get a regular plethora from different sources on the food donations, they cannot give enough of it away before spoilage issues.
New subscriber here, love your channel. Currently raising four children debt free, three at home . Eldest has gone through university, graduated and is completely independent...and debt free! Great to find some encouragement and inspiration in your videos because this debt free journey is worthwhile but not always easy! 😊
Helen, we're so glad to have you with us!
Thank you, great content. We have and continue to do most of these. We are also shocked when we hear how much "normal" things cost (or better put how much average people spend). We are happy just as we are. Our kids had a problem when they first started buying their own clothes cuz they wanted the cool brands their friends bought at the mall. Best thing I did was give them the dollar amount I was going to spend on clothes that school year and let them spend it themselves,,,however the condition was they had to window shop only the items and prices at the mall, then compare at the thrift shop...they were sold on their first trip! They bought so many more and better brand names at the thrift store and had extra $ for several books they loved to read,,Win/Win!
I can't tell you how much I love this idea! Great parenting and preparing your kids for being thrifty adults.
My girls who are teenagers love to go thrifting. I love that we go together and have a good time.
I was raised to do things myself. It was normal in my family when I grew up. I always thought it was fun to cut others or my own hair, color, fix nails, paint the walls, build a shelf or something on the house, sew things, change details on clothes or even sew new from fabric or old items. These days it became normal and a habit for many younger, and people my age, to buy all those things from others instead. I think it is helthy to be able to do things yourself. You feel creative, time flies, you have fun and become confident and prowd by things you do yourself. Money saving is just one side of it. For me being creative, learnig new skills and doing things with my hands bring so much joy. It can make me calm and happy as well. I don't have the energy I used to have, but if I do something myself I still have that feeling.
Another aspect is that you are alway learning new things. It's always exciting to get books and do research into a new area of interest. I find myself really delving deep into one area and then moving on to another. So much fun to be a lifelong learner.
@@UndertheMedian
Yes it is fun to learn and try out new things. 😊 With internet it is so easy to find information about how to. To be creative is a great hobby. I wish I had more energy for it!
I always save and invest some money every mounth. And by saving on some things I can spend more on other things.
I like travelling and interior design. I love to have a nice home with nice decor. But it does not have to be expensive!
Our home is a mix of cheap things from flea markets, IKEA, travels and a few expensive things. I feel it would not have been better with just expensive items.
The best quality are actually the cheap old furniture that I upscycled. They also are the most beautiful!
So frugality can actually mean great quality and the most loverly things if you look for second hand.
Wow great job !I keep telling my kids not to rent storage they have paid for 12 years adding up to thousands I'm learning my self not to pamper my self on things I don't need!
New to your channel and love it. This is probably the only year in history that cars have appreciated. I watch some other auto channels and they have marveled at at the average new car price had reached $51000. We have reached a new low in society where we don't intend on owning our house or our cars but have normalized lifetime payment cycles. Also read an article that the average payment is now $712 I can think of a lot better ways ways to spend moneyThen on a $712 car payment.
For me pedicures is a must every couple of months because I can’t reach my feet anymore!🙁
I totally get it. I can't reach mine well either and my home made pedicure leaves something to be desired!
I hear ya , but because of the pandemic haven't been getting them , I've been doing it myself bought these fantastic nail clippers on Amazon, otherwise I'd be going to Kaiser , but I don't wanna go into any hospitals if I don't need to ha ha coronavirus , I thought I couldn't do it myself and it isn't easy , but so far so good never know when that might change though
U cant reach ur feet lol wtf....
Zain Aziz, older people may have less flexibility in their joints, and some of us have a bit of belly in the way. If you are old and thin and have flexible joints, good for you. If you are young, maybe you can take preventative measures now. Edna, you and I are in the same boat!
@@mrsp2115 😘
My exercise is walking up down our street wich is up in hills hanging washing on the line sweeping floor
I agree about the gym. I was only paying $12/month for the membership but because i hated the atmosphere, I was either paying to be miserable, or paying for something I wasn’t using. While I’m saving $144/yr it Is going to take a couple years to pay off the used Cannondale bike I bought. I do love it and riding it makes me very happy! I believe being outside is just as important as getting exercise so if you can do both at the same time, you’re golden!
Larry loves riding. He was a distance rider when I met him 38 years ago. He routinely rode 30-40 miles.
I love this!
I cut my own hair and have done my husband’s for the last 10 years. It’s easy though as he likes the buzz cut so all he has to do is set the razor length and hand it over. 🙂
Larry, it’s about trust! 🙃
I do a gym membership. I suppose I could do body weight exercises at home or buy heavier dumbbells. I just do better and more motivated around like-minded individuals. At home I may not do it.
You can find great deals on some gym memberships if you look around. Where we live, if you are low-income you can apply for a greatly discounted membership at one of the gyms. However, many people pay too much for memberships that they can't really afford.
I was just like you covid teach me to exercise at home and walk gym are back open and i no even think in going back ...love my walk and videos workout
I have a herniated disc. Twice. So it is worth for me to get sports under the observation of a professional. But I do Nordic Walking, too. If you are healthy, there is nothing wrong with doing sports on your own. And in Germany, we have many Sportvereine. (Sports Clubs) The last one I was member costed me 10 Euros/month. If family members would have joined it, we would even have got a discount and the whole family could do sports there for 18 Euros/month. www.svhkassel.de/sportangebote/gesundheitssport/
My health insurance pays for my gym membership. I go 5 days a week and it saves money on Dr. visits!!
If you USE and enjoy your gym membership it’s not a waste. It’s buying and not using things that is a waste. Also it’s a good outlet to get out of the house , see friends , and take care of your body.
It is a blessing that you are both happy to live a frugal life. It is the only way to make it work.
Thanks for the video! The only thing my family and I splurge on is cable tv. We don't go on vacations, and we don't go out to eat at restaurants anymore. We haven't purchased a new car in years. The cable tv is our only indulgence, and for a household of 4 that's not too bad I think.
Thanks, My husband and l live off of one ck 4 a year. We save up 4 a foreclose 🏠 🏚 🏡 down payment. Not easy! Glad we been in our house 44yrs now. Thank U JESUS 💓 !
Hope, I love how you both recommend watching the nickels and pennies.
As Dave Ramsey always say, “it’s death by a thousand cuts”
I couldn’t believe when I read that “savings 27 dollars 💵 day is 10,000 a year”
But that's also almost $900 a month....if you have that much to save you're doing good.
There are also Save money $10K in a year plans that allow you save varying amounts monthly to get to that goal.
I do all the things on your list and more. What is gratifying is that shows how many frugal practices I am doing. I also purchase microfiber large sheets made in Denmark usually $1.50 , cut up into 8 sheets. I use them with vinegar/essential oils for dryer sheets. I recently discovered windshield wiper fluid & microfiber sheets clean mirrors better than anything. I feel good now that I am in control of $$$.
Thanks for sharing!!
I have been cutting my husband's hair for over 30 years. Since COVID I have been cutting my father's hair and he loves it. I don't think he will go back.
I have always groomed any pets. My dog looks great in my opinion.
Lots of money to save in hair.
Can't agree more..
I learned to cut my own hair during COVID and also cut my husband's hair, neither of us will ever go back.
I'm 28, and been cutting my husbands hair since I was 18...it's gotten easier over the years as he has been slowly balding 😆
LOL! Larry got a chuckle out of that. He's definitely thinning now. We are actually thrilled that he has hair. Three years ago, he nearly died of heart failure and all his hair came out in big patches. He wound up shaving it all off until it came back in.
@@UndertheMedian oh gosh!! I'm so glad he's doing better now.
There is a vacuum hair trimmer displayed on TV in the mid 90s th-cam.com/video/o_Tv5Nb27jI/w-d-xo.html & th-cam.com/video/nfu4-SZU_E0/w-d-xo.html
I learned how to cut my own hair. I was in the military, now retired but still like it short. Have not been to a barber in years.
😂😂😂.... Funny
Here’s an idea. Years ago I started looking on different food item labels & I said, I can do this much better & a lot cheaper. For example, spaghetti sauce & also canned chili🤢. I started making my own & the difference was amazing!! Pancake mix; same etc. There are numerous ways to cut back & still have good results. I enjoyed this so much. Thank you. 😊❤️
I love this tip! Using labels on store items for inspiration to make your own version of the same product. Great idea!
You are absolutely correct, homemade mixes taste a million times better than grocery store. Homemade pudding, cake, frozen cookie slice n bake logs, etc. Plus fewer chemicals and giant savings!!!!!
Beer, cigarettes, candy, lottery tickets really steel your money 💰
Yes it does
They don't steal any of mine.
Especially Cigarettes!
I don't buy any of that except for the candy and it is my kryptonite.
I worked with 7th graders. A topic came up about smoking. I said let’s do the math. We came up with $600+ a year in our area. If you didn’t smoke and saved your money, in 1-2 years you could buy a dirt bike or used 4 wheeler. In 3-4 yrs you could buy a car and pay insurance and gas at 16. The idea of there own car intrigued them. If you are into sports, coaches won’t take you seriously as an athlete. Coaches know what cigarettes do to lungs. Coaches may not say anything but they think it.
I do everything from scratch and spend 1200 on groceries a year. My house is paid and what I would spend on rent say 1000 a month goes into a saving account
Good job, Ashley! $100 a month is impressive on groceries.
@@UndertheMedian for 4 people
@@ashleybosvik3031 , holy cow! I wanna go shopping with you!
@@ashleybosvik3031 that was my question... for a family of what size...?
WOW!!!
This blows me away!!!!
I agree with “Under the Median”!!
I want to go shopping with you!
His bless & keep y’all.
@@ashleybosvik3031 oh wait!!
I must have read that wrong. I thought I read $100 per month.
😂🥴 still impressive and that you are able to put back what you would have been paying for rent if you didn’t own your home.
I’m the best dressed man I know ..... thanks to the “Sally”, Goodwill, and estate sales!
Sally's, Willy's, And Vinny's are my favorite boutiques!
Those thrift stores are rip offs where I live charging $8 for a blouse, $5 for a t-shirt, etc. I can do new t-shirt for $5 and new blouse for $10! Rip offs where I live.
YES, INDEED....THEY ARE OUT THERE, FOLKS!
@@happycook6737 I know that can be true...you might try a different city...or yard sales...estate sales.
Eating out -- a picnic is "eating out." Get together with friends for a meal at someone's home -- I know -- after covid is over. Do potlucks with friends.
Yes that’s my way of eating out. We cook it and take it to our picnic table and enjoy, even if my mother in law thinks I’m a stinker. So we eat out a ton in the summer.
Give your life to Jesus christ repent , pray and read your bible , Jesus loves you , it may be hard but it is worth it 🙏
We rarely ate out when I was a kid. Mon cooked, and we had my uncles over or parent's friends over for dinner a lot. I don't have debt because I don't create it. House is the one my folks built and I grew up in
I don't drive and don't waste. I need to be able to find a way to save on my small income. I buy minimum amount of clothes and buy them on sale usually. I fit the largest size in kids department, so Target is my go-to.
@@tinalarmond547 what are you talking about, you didn't clarify anything about giving your life to Jesus.
Progressive dinners are also fun if people live closeby. Mocktails and nibbles at first person's home, main dish at next person's home, and dessert at 3rd person's home. Set time limit of 40 minutes each home to keep it well paced. We used to do this and it was a lot of fun.
Let her cut your hair Larry.😄 I have literally cut my husband’s hair all of our married life. I can cut it all off for hot summer months & layer & style his hair otherwise. I also cut our 2 sons hair until they got married. Then I figured it was her job then. It saves us a ton of money!! If you’re on a fixed income, every shortcut adds up. Thank you guys. God bless you both.
I had 3 sons and 3 husbands. I cut all their hair. Saves a lot.
Awesome, keep on educating people on how to live cheaper, we need it!
I don’t buy home cleaning solutions. I’m sitting here laughing so hard because I never thought of myself as living a frugal life. But a lot of the things you listed are the things I have been doing for as long as I can remember. No fancy vacation, no nails, no cable, no Starbucks, shop at thrift stores half of the time. I only eat at restaurants when my bf takes me lol. Oh boy
Your comment made me smile. We love that you've been living life in a way that made sense and were saving money - without labeling what you did as frugal.
What an adorable couple you two are! It's clear you love AND like each other 😉😁
Thanks! I met Larry 38 years ago and said that he was the nicest guy I'd ever met. I still say the same thing today.
@@UndertheMedian omg you two are just too cute together! After a couple minutes I knew this didn’t apply to me because sadly I’m guilty of spending $ on all the items you listed but I stayed watching until the end because I enjoyed watching you two interact with each other. Soooo cute! Your boys are so lucky-not only did you teach them to be smart about money but you also showed them what a loving relationship should look like even after so many years together 🥰
@@lynda2844 , we are so happy you enjoyed the video and hope you'll continue hanging out with us.
Good for you . I don't want to live that way at some point I may have to sacrifice but my house and car are paid for
Where were you when I was 20....
I'm now 65 and going to use your principle's thank you God bless.
Love your videos!
My husband and I are soo similar to the two of you!
We have always said, " Mind the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves ....and old English saying. So often we don't have a lot of control over the big payments like our mortgage, rates bill ...we live in NZ etc but we have a great deal of control with the little things and they all add up over time.
This would be a great exercise to do with the grocery budget. Find ten ways to save on your groceries and add up the yearly savings.I make our yoghurt and by doing this four times per week I save us $6 per week, $300 per year by not buying the cheapest yoghurt in the supermarket. This is just one example of how we save on groceries. We make our own bread, pizza bases, cakes etc.
We have six children, four are married now, two still at home. We home schooled and use cloth nappies! We saved about $15,000 on using cloth nappies on our children as babies just like you!
Keep up the great work! ❤️👍
We have homeschooled for 20 years now. I have 4 more years to go.
Under the Median we have been home schooling for 25 years and have 4 years to go also 😀
@@geawillemse3513 , it's bitter-sweet to see the end in sight. I must say that I've enjoyed every second of the adventure.
Thank you so much for your quick response. I was told flat screen TVs did not need antennas (at least that is what Radio Shack told me). I HATE wasting money on cable! I will look for the antenna you recommended and see if it works! Will let you know. ✌🏾
Maybe the new ones don't but mine do. I bought a 20.00 digital antenna that sits in the window.
Just found your channel and so glad I did! You both are so fun to watch and your advice is great. We already live pretty frugally but food is our biggest expense. We eat at home most of the time and i cook from scratch. I find value in supporting our local farmers and eating high quality foods. This includes local meats/poultry. I would love more vegan cooking videos from you guys!
We are huge proponents of shopping local, as well. We've been CSA members and shopped farmers markets for a very long time. I love the idea of supporting local, small business and farms.
TH-cam has wonderful vegan cooking shows.
@@paulamoors , our family is going to be on Chef AJ's TH-cam Live the first Saturday in March. We're going to talk about tips for feeding your family a whole food diet on a budget and our son, Daniel, is going to demonstrate making our grain loaf.
😊
I got rid of my cable 10 years ago and I've never missed it.
I have a wall antenna and a roku tv $132 delivery included from walmart online. No cable bills. Get local news and reruns. Can hook up tomany channels thru internet just have not.
Same herr not 10 yrs 2 yrs ago halleluia
Same realized ..why am I paying for channels I don't watch .My cellphone is a Tracfhone I buy a card for mins no monthly bill don't eat out like to cook with both my son's.I started a five dollar bag when ever I have a five dollar bill I put it in the bag it's been awhile when I decide to count the money I'm going to be SHOCK.
😢😢😢 I have "basic" cable, and I pay 900.00 a yr. Really need to d/c it.
I am not a tv watcher. I am usually doing something, so I try to keep up with it. I actually, never know what's going on.
I haven't even had a television for at least 30 years.
Just came across your channel. I’m hooked! Recently widowed and need to learn how to handle finances, budgeting and household repairs on my own now. Looking forward to binge watching your videos and learning how to save!
I will be praying for you, that you are able to do anything you need to with ease and can find comfort in knowing you can learn many things by watching videos like this.
I'm so sorry for your loss. 😔
I lost my Husband last Christmas Day, I have painted my living room & Kitchen instead of paying someone to do it, I have learned it takes a lot off my mind, But I can't lift anything too heavy & my SON INLAW helps with those things, So thankful my House is paid for & car is too, I still save every month, Thank you for the video~
@@toosexy7955 I'm so sorry for your loss!
Just found this channel the other day. Great information! Keep up the good work!
Thanks, Sadie. Love your name. We're vegan, too.
@@UndertheMedian , Thanks! I look forward to seeing more of your videos.
Another thing that's I've especially gotten into after marriage is not buying many wardrobes (I usually wear dresses or shirt and skirt) at all. I'll go to a local thriftstore to buy a staple piece, i.e a cardigan that goes with any outfit. If and once I buy dresses, I do spend more money on a really nicely made dress, made of long-lasting material! I wait until they go on sale and then buy it. I cannot even explain to you the difference it makes. I spend VERY little money on a new dress, blouse, or skirt. Then I thrift a few staple things to add to the closet and can switch up outfits all throughout the year. I've had several outfits for 2-3 years and bought only a few in between.
I cut my husband's hair with clippers I bought at Walmart for the cost of two haircuts. It is fast and easy and looks great. We've been doing this for years.
My husband never paid for a haircut. When he was a child and single his mother did it. When we got married I started doing it.
Absolutely obsessed with yalls channel. My husband & I mirror alot that you do--but there's always something new to learn & gleam. LOVE THIS CHANNEL!
Respect to u guy's from across the pond (uk)
Brilliant idea from my BFF, Maureen, who has six grandkids. Reasoning that the biggest expense at Disney World is not the ticket - the biggest expense is the food and tourist souvenirs they sell. They did all the cost-saving things: booked an Air B&B, drove there instead of flying, brought most of their own food, bought tickets during November (one of the lowest rates f the year), etc. Then, she prowled Big Lots, Target, Walmart, yard sales, and thrift stores and stocked up on Disney-themed items. They were abundant and frequently in perfect like-new condition. When the kids came down with a case of "I-want-it" she would ask them if they wanted to spend all their money (they were given an allowance) on that item, or if they wanted to grab two free items from Grandma's Goody Bag (one bag was for boys and one was for the girls). They always opted for Grandma Goodies. So, all the kids got Mikey Mouse ears and t-shirts and recent Disney movie-themed merchandise, complete with many scenic photos of them at Disney World sporting their 'new' souvenirs. Maureen totted it all up and figured that they only spent $200 more for Disney World for the whole family (four adults and six kids) than it would have cost them to go camping in the same area!
This fall we and 2 friends went to Maine for 4 days. We rented a hotel suite with 2 bedrooms and a small kitchen and sitting area. We ate almost all our food in except for 2 meals .The plus was we were a 1/2 miles walk to a beach. It worked out so well two weeks later we did it again.
Sounds like an awesome trip!
Wow. Thanks for the tip about the potato skins!!! I don't know when you made this video, but one of our cheaper grocers here charges 88 cents a pound, and there is not much of a break for bags of potatoes (which are NOT organic or even non-GMO). I became a starchitarian recently, so both "white" potatoes and sweet potatoes are a HUGE part of my diet. In the winter I LOVE potato soup where I put the diced raw potatoes into the pot with room temp water and heat them up to a boil. And once they are at least almost fork-tender, I add onions and sometimes mushrooms (both sautéd in a stainless steel pan without added oil OR water -- until there is a brown frond on the bottom, at which time I add a little water so that wonderful flavor will come up into the food). I only sauté if I have time; otherwise just chop 'em up and add to the water and potatoes, and then add whatever vegetables I have that seem like they would be good in the soup. (For me, NOT carrots because I only like those raw!) I'll add things like any recent leftovers from chili to pasta with marinara (or whatever); and/or some leftover, fresh or frozen veg -- corn being especially good, as well as cubed squash (if already cooked if a winter squash -- or put in with the potatoes at the beginning). Once everything seems to be pretty well cooked, I add a winter miso -- such as red miso or hacho miso -- by dissolving first in some of the soup stock water, usually 1-3 TBL, depending on the size of the pot and "to taste." Dark miso goes REALLY well in potato soups! Sometimes I will take a tablespoon or even 3 TBL tahini (or more) and dissolve in soup stock and add that for a creamier look and a great taste. I have been making soup like this for years and cannot remember even one person not loving it! Oh, and beans or lentils can be added too. P.S. I know this is REALLY slow, but I am 68 years old and obese and recently went on Dr. John McDougall's "starchitarian" diet (who wrote THE STARCH SOLUTION) and have been losing over a pound a week now for 3 months thus far -- and this is without taming my tendency to overeat (and allowing more avocados and corn tortillas than he would agree with). The most amazing thing about this way of eating -- besides being cheap, because it eliminates ALL meat, dairy and oils -- is that once the tastebuds get used to very little salt and once you find your way to dishes you really like, it's so EASY -- and -- get this -- is famous for REVERSING heart disease (my angina went away pronto), type 2 diabetes, arthritis, even multiple sclerosis. It is truly healthful to eat whole foods (NOT processed) that are all (or almost all) plant-based. Other doctors who recommend such a diet include the author of PREVENT AND REVERSE HEART DISEASE, Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, as well as Dr. Neal Barnard among others. These men are very generous to give out many free lectures you can watch on TH-cam as well as recipes (esp. on drmcdougall.com) and have been walking the walk themselves for over 40 years. It's just amazing. Ooops. Sorry, I get talkative sometimes~!
Love all the helpful advice to help me reach my financial goals! Thank you
I love this discussion and I practice all these things. I doubt most people even know what they spend on food INCLUDING snacks and drinks and junk food! I spent probably a year documenting every penny I spent on everything to see where I was wasting money and have cut my food budget in half.
I think for newbies it might be more relevant to discuss the DIFFERENCE in cost between eating out vs. cooking fresh whole foods at home. You used the terms "spending" $300 mth on eating out and "saving" $300/mth interchangeably but they are not the same thing because you still have the cost of cooking at home.
That's a really valid observation. Thank you for your thoughts.
What a lovely couple. I enjoyed the tips and your positive energy. 😊
Thank you..I'm frugal just like you are.My mom always told me..A penny saved is penny earned. Good old Ben Franklin.I love you two..thank you for your channel...blessings.
Thanks, Heather for your kind words.
I got rid of cable tv and use my internet for free movies to watch which is a real savings. I quit fast food, don't wear makeup unless I am going out to meet family. I get my haircuts at the beauty college near me. I just bought a couple of frozen foods but usually cook in stew in my crockpot which lasts me all week. I will add some frozen vegetables or salsa to make it different each time.
& when you have cooked Potatoes leftover you can refrigerate them & make Potato patties whenever you want too, My Mother used to put her in the oven on a cookie sheet to bake but I fry mine, Just add Eggs & flour & S.P.