We bought a house much under what we could afford. We paid it off in 7 years, raised our two daughters, helped them through college with no debt, and are still living here after 34 years ( and we don't have to downsize now).
Oh, my goodness, that is exactly our story, including the 7 year payoff and two daughters getting through college with no debt, lol! We have since moved in our retirement, but buying a small house and paying it off quickly reaped some amazing rewards.
I thought about going to goodwill to look at puzzles for the kids they said they wanted some new ones to do this winter but instead I messaged a few family members and they were happy to give us the ones they were no longer using 😄
Yes a Great idea Kelsey , I also buy puzzles second hand ,,I also pass them on to a friend . I also make my own bread ,I found a great 1 lb bread machine second hand ,,well under a $1 a loaf. I also made a corn bread loaf ,it did not come out that great so I cut it into cubes and toasted in oven into croutons ,Awesome ,, can grind them up for crumbs or just leave as croutons ,,, I buy milk on clearance and freeze into small reusable containers ,,take out as needed,,the higher the fat the better it freezers ,, Really enjoy your videos ❤ Emmy Paul 😊
The weather here is really crappy. Ice storm warning, winter storm warning, but im so happy. I did some detailed cleaning, baked nutbread, did my exercises, got some reading done. It is a wonderful day. Totally content.
There are many things that helped and still help me living below my means, Emmy. I set up a yearly budget plan. I worked 3 jobs in the past to pay off my house in 8 years. Once the house was paid off, I went down to 2 jobs and started to invest more money in the stock market and max out my Roth IRA. I set the thermostat in the house to 67 degrees in the winter and 80 degrees in the summer to keep energy costs low. I turn off the water heater between showers. When needed, I turn the water heater on 10 minutes before the shower and turn it off before taking a shower. I reuse the water and either water my plants with it or clean my kitchen and bathroom floors with it. I grow my own vegetable and dehydrate, can, or freeze them. I make use of seasonal sales and stock up on peaches, apples, and berries. I flash freeze them and use them in the winter time when fruit is more expensive. I switched to a vegan diet. That saved me a ton of money last year. I actually cut my food costs in half despite the inflation. I buy second hand. There is more fun in finding something in a thrift store than buying full price. I exercise regularly to stay fit and healthy to keep the doctor away and out of hospitals. I believe eating healthy and exercising will save you the most money in the long run. I don't do anything special. I just walk 2.5 miles in a park nearby every morning before work. I hope this information helps someone to get started or keep going.
Suzanne, I think that your philosophy about a healthy diet and exercise is what can save us the most in the long run. I eat plant based with no processed food. I don't go out of my way to spend a lot on food but I think this is the most important area of spending for good health.
Chicken breast were on sale today for $1.68 lb. Bought 8 lbs. to pressure can and put on the shelf. Cheaper than buying the canned chicken. When meat is a great low price I will can it up for ready to go meals. I can take the canned chicken and shred for a quick chicken salad or reheat with some taco seasoning and put in a tortilla for a quick taco. Keeps me from going out to eat. Win-Win.
Dearest Emmy & Paul, Txs to you 2 lovebirds! My hack is to STAY HOME, CARE FOR MY PRECIOUS HOME! I believe Godliness with contentment is great gain. I avoid on-line shopping, I rest & read, journal, watch zoom, call friends & family, especially during holidays, batch cook, clean and I feel a sense of accomplishment instead of feeling I purchased something I didn't need. You are right, there is so much more to do than to shop, and shopping to me, is not a hobby!!! May God bless you!!!
Another great video, thank you Emmy & Paul. Probably my main hack is not wasting food. I often enjoy the creative process with the odds & ends. We were going to toss out a small amount of leftover batter from making popovers on New Year's eve. Instead I thinned it with a little more milk and made 8 beautiful breakfast crepes. In this case it saved only a few cents, but the habit of not wasting food on principle makes me feel more respectful of our resources and can be creative and fun.
Thanks for the cheerleading! Hubby and I are doing it w/ you. Today his car battery died… $203. Welp. Dang. LOL😂 (Of course, the no spend doesn’t mean we can’t eat or take care of emergencies….it just made us both “sigh” a bit. No worries, though. Thankful we could get a new one. Thankful we have a vehicle. Thankful we have a job. Just thankful. ❤)
yep our battery needed to be replaced too. almost $300 it was a horrible experience. it used to be under $100 with tax fees and labor. inflation is just horrible. look at the rental prices just a sin with those prifes
I bought a car about five years ago for 2 grand. It continues to run well, and I've taken good care of it. It's not the car of my dreams style wise, but the service it has given me is great, and it helps me stay below my means.
A couple of things that we have done that allow us to live below our means we're 1st and foremost bought a house less than what we were told we could afford. We also paid it off early. Another simple thing I do is dry nearly all of our clothes by hanging them on a drying rack. This is particularly helpful in the dry winter weather in Minnesota. The air is so dry and that extra moisture really helps. Clothes also dry very quickly because of that dry air.
I’ve also started rinsing dishes in cold water and I always air dry and buff when necessary - I do dishes once a day as well by hand I had a countertop dishwasher - when I needed one and was able to sell it for the same price I bought it for 🙂 The last time I stripped washrooms to clean I used baking soda and vinegar - I used my old baking soda which I use for fridge/ freezer and did the rinse in cold which I’m doing when washing hands
What we do to live below our means is to continue living on one income even when we’re dual income now. I went back to work after being a SAHM for 7 yrs now that our kids are in school full time. We also bought our house in the amount that we are comfortable paying every month and we’ve been driving the same vehicles for almost 10 yrs now and they’re both paid off.
So many things I do to live below my means but using my library is one of the best. Our libraries in the city offer everything. I get books there, I read magazines, I take advantage of the free museum passes offered, I get DVDs, I go to free events they host. It’s seriously a one stop entertainment center for me. I save so much $ not buying books, not paying to go to museums, not paying for streaming services, not paying for magazine subscriptions, and not going out to eat because I’d rather eat at home but still do fun stuff via the library.
I eat clean and cook from scratch. I am doing no spend January, but budgeted in some January Christmas shopping. I have seven grandkids and usually get them Christmas pjs for Christmas. Shopping for them in January just makes sense. Today I bought them for 75% off. I know its shopping but it keeps me living below my means. (No extras just the pajamas) In November I will be happy that I budgeted and shopped when it was so much cheaper.
Later, what i realise makes me live below my means is learning to be content with what I have. It's something I lost a couple of years ago and I'm working in cultivating that feeling again. When you are content with what you have you actually reduce a lot your necessity to buy stuff. You learn to take care of your things and be proud of what you do, that makes things last longer as well, so you need to buy stuff decreases as well...
We used to buy a bottle (or two) of wine each week. Quit it in August to save $$ plus I lost 24 lbs. II got a new job starting in 2 weeks & new clothes are a necessity. I'm in my late 60's & was retired but was offered a lucrative job so I'm giving it a go. Good luck with low spend January. Great idea for me to try in Feb!
Great video. I have just retired debt and mortgage free. To live below my means I check the food flyers, shop the discount grocery store, check for reduced produce and use it right away or freeze it, eat meatless meals a few times a week, eat left overs, lower my thermostat over night in the winter use fans in the summer as I don’t have A/C,
Will definitely be trying those barley bowls! To live below our means, we budget our tithe and our savings FIRST. Then we budget our bills, gas, food, and misc. expenses. And anything left after that, is EXTRA savings. For our savings account, we keep a notebook where we list the categories we are saving for (yearly expenses, home repairs, trips, car replacements, car repairs, etc) and assign our savings dollars to the correct categories. By the grace of God, this allows us to pay cash for our cars when the need arises, as well as for other things that come up. Budgeting and being frugal is fun and rewarding!
The only area I can control and lower is the grocery shopping. I plan to make meals from the pantry or freezer rather than going shopping. I normally eat plant based, so I will definitely try the barley with roasted veggies. I've allowed myself $30 a week but honestly I don't think I will use it. I've not spent anything yet and probably won't until next week if I need veggies. I am planning on saving $200 a month so I am watching every single penny. Thank you for inspiring all of us.
Impressive discipline..I am going to follow your lead. I'm just a little concerned about getting the right nutrition and I'm wondering do you use vegetable protein powder in your diet
My son and I said we would buy a Christmas Tree after Christmas. So we went to the store and looked at what was the best one for us. The tree was around $150.00 before we bought it for $23.00. I didn’t feel bad for this purchase. It was not a spur of the moment buy. Today I’m taking down Christmas decorations and going through each item. I ask myself with each item I didn’t put out . Do I like it and if I didn’t it went into a donation box. Have more boxes to go through. I won’t have to grocery shop for another week so that is good. I feel blessed after watching your videos. Thank you Emmy and Paul.
Hi Emmy and Paul. I must admit that I’m not up to date in being able to join you in a no spend month. I don’t even know our monthly expenditures yet. So I’m starting a journey today to get a budget figured out for my husband and me. He thinks he needs to keep working even though he’s now 70. I want to be able to prove to him that it’s ok for him to quit and we will be alright. His work is physically demanding and he needs to stop. Meanwhile I will commit to at least 2 days a week of no spend. How’s that for now? I’ve got to start with baby steps.
We try to use the sun and our south facing windows in a way that helps to keep our home warm in the winter and cool in the summer by simply opening or closing our heavy drapes!
I use reusable ziploc bags, I dont order takeout or fast food, i pay myself first, i keep a budget, i cook my meals at home, i eat meatless half the week. Love you! Thank you for the motivation and your beautiful spirit.
I don't go out to eat in restaurants.. Ever. I can make food at home so much cheaper and it's usually better then what I can get eating out. I'm working on using all leftover foods also. Nothing is getting thrown away.. I'm finding pretty creative ways to use leftovers!
That's really smart! You can definitely make things tastier and for less at home. So many restaurants and fast food places are short staffed, so we gave up on poor service and so-so food. We often have friends over and also join in potluck shared events. Fun and yummy. We donate to the food pantry to help when we can too.
Every year at the end of December I work out the budget for the new year. This way I know exactly what I have to to spend on everything. I add up all the bills that are not paid monthly, divide it by 12 and transfer that amount to my ‘budget’ account each month. This way I am sure I have enough for all my regular bills. To a third account I transfer the rest minus the amount I need monthly payments, food and my ‘pocket money’: these are my savings and are growing. Doing this ensures me I always know exactly how much I have to spend, no surprises and most importantly I feel safe (I live on a fixed low income, but often feel much more well off than people I know on double income☺️). I love your 9 positive and clever tips❤️
Internet archives has a ton of free online books. They are pdfs, audio (read by libravox human readers) or you can have your phone read the books using your reader.
I live below my means by meal prepping every week. I make all my breakfasts and lunches on the weekends for the following week. It saves a ton of money, and it also tastes so much better then take out!
First off... This was a great video! Thank You!! I shared it on my frugal facebook page! Only one thing??? LOL There are so many... I would say I only shop loss leaders and markdowns/reduced... Never pay full price for anything!
Lately when I feel like I need to run to the grocery store, I put it off for a day or even a week (or more) and make due with food I already have in the pantry or freezer. Usually this allows us to put more into savings at the end of the month.
I love your comment about enjoying and appreciating what we already own To add to your question...during a low spend month I find it a real treat to make things I don't ordinarily make like bagels or cinnamon rolls. It makes an ordinary day very special. Also, when organizing a closet or drawer I always find something I've forgotten and find new ways to enjoy that.
Happy New Year !!!!! and many blessings for all the year !! First, let me thank you for the tip about Twilight Zone on New Years day. It was great, a real treat. I so agree with your attitude of making an occasion of various activities. I go to the library about once a month. I dress well, eat a good breakfast, check my " look for at the library " list (we have an outstanding library), eat a good breakfast, check to see that I have a tempting meal to enjoy when I return and a free evening to get started on my new stash. It is a five star event. I have other events that receive the same degree of attention. It costs me a little gas, no money except groceries and a provides immeasurable joy. And, it becomes a habit to look forward to and appreciate these events. These are tough times. We need to make all the joy we can. Many blessings to both of you and our frugal community.
We make "budda bowls" using grains, veggies for church gathers & company. We use whatever is in the fridge & freezer that needs to be used up. W are doing major decluttering & cleaning this month instead of going anywhere...amazing what you have you have forgotten about.
We cook all our meals at home. This also includes taking food/snacks/beverages with us when we leave the house to run errands, etc. That's our biggest money saving lever at our home.
Hi Emmy and Paul! Food preservation (canning and freezing), meal prep (helps avoid the drive through), bulk errand running (with a packed lunch, drinks, or snacks), scratch cooking, my garden, and meal planning. Every little bit helps!
I always keep crackers and peanutbutter (I'm single) in my truck to feel satiated..stick to my budget unless there is a store dramatically reduced price.. even if something is dramatically reduced in price I stick to my budget for going something else
I do several things below my means, but my every winter hack is I ..... keep my thermostat set at 58 degrees for winter. I never touch it all winter. If I get chilled, I just add on clothes. That saves me tons.
What a fantastic video today, Emmy and Paul! I think it's my favorite of yours ever! One thing we do to live below our means is to make repairs ourselves whenever we can! Thanks!
I went Walmart the other day and out of habit I picked up 4 Christmas items. Walked around the store and picked up my groceries. Looked in my cart, saw the Christmas items and put them BACK!
We started last year really experimenting with making our own bread. Through practice,we have successfully mastered: Raisin,Almond Nog,Hoagie,White and Cheddar Jalapeno bread. Just tonight, we made hotdog buns 🌭. Still have several breads to try like hamburger buns, tortilla wraps,etc. We refuse to pay the ridiculous prices when we can make it at home cheaper. We also started giving Aldi a try and have found some AMAZING items at decent prices. We are not store or brand loyal like we were in the past. We made homemade meals but also have "convenient foods" that remind us of our restaurant favorites. We have chickens and herb and veggie garden in spring/summer.
I have learned so much from watching your videos. I use less sugar in most of my recipes and they are still awesome, thanks to watching you. We recently borrowed several movies from the library and had a date night, eating finger foods and watching movies together. Learning new ways to keep costs down. Thank you.
Brilliant video. In our family we use to have birthday meals out. Then 2020 and 2021 happened and so when it came to my birthday this year the girls asked me what I wanted to do. I said let’s just go and have a Costa cuppa instead of a meal. We just had one drink and sat chatting and just enjoying the moment without a massive bill. It was a lovely morning and didn’t break the bank. We even talked about all the things that are changing in our family and how we can be frugal and still have fun. This was a very interesting conversation. Thanks both of you for all your encouragement. Hugs xx
I had leftover spaghetti and mozzarella cheese that I needed to use up so I made a lasagna using the spaghetti noodles instead of lasagna noodles and put it in the freezer. This will be a great meal for the day I don’t want to cook or if family stops by!! We save money by drinking our coffee from home and just bring a thermos or to go cup and never buy lunch- we always bring our lunches to work
I desperately needed a coat so waited for the sales and ordered one with a coupon for £30 , that afternoon I found one for £4.99 in a charity shop it looked brand new and was the exact colour and style of the one I wanted was so happy as I cancelled the one I ordered and saved all that money ❤
That barley roasted vegetable bowl looks AWESOME!!!! For many years now, I cut and color my own hair as well as my own manicures and pedicures. Over the course of the past decade, I bet I have saved thousand$ over going to salons. Tough to avoid post-holiday clearance sales!!! Ito used to be a good opportunity to gift shop at a discount, but I am cutting back on that too. Time to revisit homemade gifts. Happy New Year one and all!
# 1 thing I do is keep furnace set at 66 Degrees 24/7 If chilled I put on socks and a hoodie or housecoat. Propane is way to expensive. I do have a woodburner but its outside in a brick building and it connects to the furnace ductwork. So I start a fire in the evenings mainly, but during that -0 weather we had it going all day. It all helps!
Your videos are always helpful and encouraging. You inspire us to think more about what we are doing/buying and if it is really valuable to us at this time. So far for my low/no spend January, I've avoided fast food, ordering things online, using what is in the fridge before it's bad, and done some meal planning to avoid random buying of groceries. Only 3 days in but that's a record for me. LOL
I usually use up or freeze all my perishable goods before they go off. But I've found that low fat milk and yogurt go bad faster than regular dairy products. So I either need to buy smaller containers of the low fat dairy products or switch back to regular if I want to continue buying larger containers.
I had a win with avoiding temptation. I shopped online and filled my cart, at 75%off. I then talked myself out of it and deleted the whole thing. I had something I could use and had already spent money on. I have been able to give up shopping as a hobby/ past time and decided a long time ago that envy wasn't worth it. I've set a savings goal and know that I will have to be creatively frugal to accomplish it. Hoping the new year will be better than 2022.
Bravo! Virtual shopping win! When we got printed catalogs, I'd enjoy them and turn down many pages. I'd recycle the catalogs a couple days later. Virtual shopping enjoyment at no cost!
You've really helped me learn not to waste any food and inventory what I have before shopping. My biggest cost savings is growing many vegetables, herbs, and flowers. I use, share, or preserve as much as I can. I'm planning to clean out the fridge once a week and freezer at least once a quarter, so nothing is forgotten or left behind. I get excited at the farmer's market and want to buy everything! We can't eat that much, so I'm going to work on portioning out and using everything we grow or buy.
I made beef barley soup this week then ate it that way for a couple days. Then I took the left over soup and blended it, then baked it with some beef chunks and potato chunks. It made a very flavorful gravy.
Hello! I make all kinds of soup in the crockpot. Shop my pantry for ingredients and inspiration. I pulse the finished product with immersion mixer to thicken. Eat half, freeze half to stock freezer with variety.
you're so inspiring !!! you are right !!! there is nothing anyone really needs besides food, shelter etc. We are such a wasteful society. 2023 should be going back to the basics. things are just so expensive now
Thank you Emmy and Paul, such good advice 👏 I shared some with my husband, he’s back to baking bread (in the machine) and I often quote Emmy on the cutting back on salt and sugar. I’m doing the same with baking cakes and cookies. I agree don’t be afraid to use what you have at home and stay out of the shops as much as possible 👍
A couple of things I do is keep my thermostat around 67 in the winter. I also hang out my clothes year round. I think those 2 things save me a lot of money. Over the holidays I had a lot of relatives staying at my house. I turned the heat up for my guests, but you know in the back of my mind, I kept seeing the natural gas meter spinning. 🤣
Hi, Emmy and Paul-First time commenting. We are off to a great start this year on this low spend/no spend challenge. I made 3 baguettes for our dinners this week-it was so much fun making them. I also made several freezer/crockpot meals for several weeks along with homemade hamburger and hot dog buns. I love cooking from scratch and am actually getting a lot done at home because we are staying out of the stores.
We love barley also. I make a homemade hamburger vegetable soup and always add about a half cup of barley to it as we like a soup that is more like a stew.
I know this doesn't sound like it would add up to a lot, but I cut my child's hair. I've never taken him to get it done. I also have a garden that saves us a lot on produce.
sometimes we have breakfast for dinner (pancakes or eggs); leftovers for lunches or dinners later - or frozen for emergency meals. Excepting for special occasions when we have company - we keep Sunday meals simple (tuna was the go-to sandwich EVERY Sunday we raised our 6 kids) Watering down juices or sodas, baking with margarine-using butter for things you taste it in, extra noodles or pasta or grains. Anytime we leave the house together - is a date whether it is going to church, to see one of our local kids, to shop or to get the tires rotated! We like to read aloud - each taking a chapter - that way we share the book and it's fun. Writing letters to friends and family - is entertaining as you write and even better if they write back! We turned the thermostat down a few degrees and wear vests and sweaters in the house and even use the throws on the couch when we read or watch tv.
Making homemade cleaners and detergent helps us live more frugally. Cleaners are expensive and I make many with a handful of simple ingredients that I buy in bulk (gallon jugs of generic white vinegar, 50# bag of generic baking soda, etc.). I make all purpose cleaner, laundry detergent, and I've made dishwasher detergent at times. Staying home, homeschooling, and consolidating errands helps to save money. Growing a big garden also helps save money if you are careful about how you go about it--and we are. Great video! God bless!
I'm doing a low spend Jan but now I have even more reason to do it. Yesterday I noticed a puddle of water in our yard around the septic tank 😬 We had it pumped before Thanksgiving but it's old and officially done!! A new (expensive) aerobic system will replace it. Ugggg!! I need to try your recipe. I love barley! To live below our means my husband does all of our car repairs, oil changes, etc. This has saved us thousands of dollars. Also, we do as many home repairs as we can. YT videos are invaluable resources to learn how to do repairs.
I made a nice meal yesterday. I made mashed potatoes, had openned up a can of peas, sweet prickles, than took the sausage caseing off the breakfast sausages and fried them and made a milk gravy to put over the crumble fried sausage. It was delicious over the potatoes. A slice of bread, with butter. A glass small glass of milk. It was a fast idea for an unplanned meal in a hurry. I thought of you, when I had to make a fast meal. Thanks to you I did it! Glad I watch your veidos. THANKS!
I loved this video. Especially a gentle touch saves you money. To stay frugal I pack and carry my lunch daily to work every single work day, including my coffee in the morning. It is generally a homemade soup, a piece of fruit and carrots and celery. For this month I am not purchasing anything other than needs. We have goals we are trying to accomplish. Thanks for the encouragement!
I had that same "breathless moment" when I got an email from our local small fabric store announcing a sale on quilting fabric for $1.99 a yard! But, I'm determined to use what I have before I buy more. I'm 35 miles from the nearest Hobby Lobby, so that's a little far away to do a "spur of the moment" shopping trip.
Hi Emmy and Paul. I'm joining you in a no spend January for the first time . I took some clothes to a thrift store today and even though I saw some lovely bits but walked away. Thankyou for the enthusiasm you share. Lots of love from the 🇬🇧 x
Hi Emmy& Paul, happy new year to you both. I’ve watched for years but this is my first post. I’m joining in the low spend/ no spend January. I so wish we had the leaflets from stores here in the UK so we could coupon shop. You are so blessed. Keep up the great posts.
Budget! Budget! Budget! Having a written budget gives us a sense of control over our spending. Thanks again for sharing your ideas and the veggie bowl recipe.
I am on my own I get my pension on Wednesday when I budget for my self and if there is any money left out of my pension the next Wednesday put in in a new purse. And start afresh it is amazing how much you can save over a month and put it to go use like birth day holidays or trips out or the grand kids this is a good hack hope you like it 🐝🐝🐝😘
We are empty nesters from Wisconsin. We don't eat out, husband takes his lunch to work every day, keep our thermostat set at 58 ( unless the grandkids are here, then we bump it up), shop sales at the grocery store, the library is my friend. Nothing new or exciting, but little things can add up over time.
What a delightful video, I smiled because I really like going to the store together too. One thing we do is our own hair. Hubs cuts his with electric clippers, he has a head full of thick hair and was always very particular on who he let cut his hair. Well the past couple of years we tried the electric clippers and he loves the way it looks and he doesn't have to fool with appointments either, he can make it as perfect as his heart desires and has it down pat now. I also cut my own hair and color my own hair too. I've been doing that for years. It is so freeing *not* to have to go somewhere and depend on someone else to do my hair. Right now I have my hair in a shoulder length, flip type cut, I can wear it long, ponytail, or some up and some down etc. Versatile and practical. I'm also a stickler on freezing soups and things for future meals as well to not waste food. I make many of my own clothes too, I can use cottons and be comfie. I've found that the all cotton broadcloth from Walmart looks like linen when sewn into a belted dress, I omit zips when possible and slap a matching homemade obi belt on it and voila. Looks pretty good and I receive compliments! They just don't make dresses like that much anymore unless you pay an exorbitant amount at a tea house boutique or something. My longer midi/maxi skirts are a winner and staple for me too...I'm known for eccentric print; something like...doggy or cat print skirts with a solid black turtleneck or vneck. ...So fun. My skirts with tie belt take 2 yards of fabric and the dress takes 3. Sewing machine is bottom of line Brothers from Walmart, great little machines with plenty of stitches. I try to baby mine. For our pets I order meds from Canada Vet Express or Pet Shed. I also found a prescription eye drop for one of our dogs from Chewy. It was generic and far cheaper! My vet charged a ten dollar prescription fee after my vet called to make sure I was okay with that. Still far, far, cheaper! I ordered several bottles with one prescription fee. Thank you so much for the great vegetarian recipe! Yippee! That sounds so good and I can't wait to try it! I've done good on no shopping...I learned a while back that if I don't need anything then don't go! lol I hear ya on Hobby Lobby...Love my Hobby Lobby but I haven't gone since beginning of December. Yes, that 90 percent off sounds very tempting indeed! Oh my goodness! I'll order from Hobby Lobby online if I *need* fabric, decor, crafts or something. Usually several times a year. That works for me, I can think things through and I can obtain sale items online too. I've had a stressful past week and your precious video was a breath of fresh air! : ) Blessings! Amelia from My Forest Cathedral blog.
@@FrugalMoneySaver Thank you for your prayers and encouragement Emmy! Oh my mother's heart let's say.... : ) On sewing? I keep it very easy. My skirt is Simplicity 4881 out of print. 1 pattern piece doubled and lengthened. If you like your fabric, you can use super easy patterns. I stick with my tried and true simple patterns. My Italian grandma and her sister sewed, my mom too from time to time.: ) I always say...K.I.S.S. "Keep it simple sweetie!" *big smile*
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We bought a house much under what we could afford. We paid it off in 7 years, raised our two daughters, helped them through college with no debt, and are still living here after 34 years ( and we don't have to downsize now).
Oh, my goodness, that is exactly our story, including the 7 year payoff and two daughters getting through college with no debt, lol! We have since moved in our retirement, but buying a small house and paying it off quickly reaped some amazing rewards.
We’ve done the same thing although our place is not that small so eventually we may still have to downsize !
I love this story!
Most excellent! Very wise at a young age!
Oh my! I wish I had been this smart at a young age! Hats off to you guys! And what a great example to your children!
I thought about going to goodwill to look at puzzles for the kids they said they wanted some new ones to do this winter but instead I messaged a few family members and they were happy to give us the ones they were no longer using 😄
Yes a Great idea Kelsey , I also buy puzzles second hand ,,I also pass them on to a friend .
I also make my own bread ,I found a great 1 lb bread machine second hand ,,well under a $1 a loaf. I also made a corn bread loaf ,it did not come out that great so I cut it into cubes and toasted in oven into croutons ,Awesome ,, can grind them up for crumbs or just leave as croutons ,,,
I buy milk on clearance and freeze into small reusable containers ,,take out as needed,,the higher the fat the better it freezers ,,
Really enjoy your videos ❤ Emmy Paul 😊
YAY! Kelsey so smart!!
The weather here is really crappy. Ice storm warning, winter storm warning, but im so happy. I did some detailed cleaning, baked nutbread, did my exercises, got some reading done. It is a wonderful day. Totally content.
Love that so much Judy!!
There are many things that helped and still help me living below my means, Emmy. I set up a yearly budget plan. I worked 3 jobs in the past to pay off my house in 8 years. Once the house was paid off, I went down to 2 jobs and started to invest more money in the stock market and max out my Roth IRA. I set the thermostat in the house to 67 degrees in the winter and 80 degrees in the summer to keep energy costs low. I turn off the water heater between showers. When needed, I turn the water heater on 10 minutes before the shower and turn it off before taking a shower. I reuse the water and either water my plants with it or clean my kitchen and bathroom floors with it. I grow my own vegetable and dehydrate, can, or freeze them. I make use of seasonal sales and stock up on peaches, apples, and berries. I flash freeze them and use them in the winter time when fruit is more expensive. I switched to a vegan diet. That saved me a ton of money last year. I actually cut my food costs in half despite the inflation. I buy second hand. There is more fun in finding something in a thrift store than buying full price. I exercise regularly to stay fit and healthy to keep the doctor away and out of hospitals. I believe eating healthy and exercising will save you the most money in the long run. I don't do anything special. I just walk 2.5 miles in a park nearby every morning before work. I hope this information helps someone to get started or keep going.
Wonderful encouraging comment! Thank you Susanne!
Susanne you are an inspiration! Good job!!
You are so motivating. I also set my house temperature like yours.
Suzanne, I think that your philosophy about a healthy diet and exercise is what can save us the most in the long run. I eat plant based with no processed food. I don't go out of my way to spend a lot on food but I think this is the most important area of spending for good health.
You are great
Cultivating Contentment is crucial to live a frugal yet abundant life. I can truly say I am Content. What a blessing!
Wonderful Julie!
Chicken breast were on sale today for $1.68 lb. Bought 8 lbs. to pressure can and put on the shelf. Cheaper than buying the canned chicken. When meat is a great low price I will can it up for ready to go meals. I can take the canned chicken and shred for a quick chicken salad or reheat with some taco seasoning and put in a tortilla for a quick taco. Keeps me from going out to eat. Win-Win.
Great price on the chicken!
Dearest Emmy & Paul, Txs to you 2 lovebirds! My hack is to STAY HOME, CARE FOR MY PRECIOUS HOME! I believe Godliness with contentment is great gain. I avoid on-line shopping, I rest & read, journal, watch zoom, call friends & family, especially during holidays, batch cook, clean and I feel a sense of accomplishment instead of feeling I purchased something I didn't need. You are right, there is so much more to do than to shop, and shopping to me, is not a hobby!!! May God bless you!!!
Love your attitude Juanita! Thank you!! God Bless you too!
We taught our kiddos the following:
“You need to learn to admire verse the need to acquire!”
Love that Michelle!
Another great video, thank you Emmy & Paul. Probably my main hack is not wasting food. I often enjoy the creative process with the odds & ends. We were going to toss out a small amount of leftover batter from making popovers on New Year's eve. Instead I thinned it with a little more milk and made 8 beautiful breakfast crepes. In this case it saved only a few cents, but the habit of not wasting food on principle makes me feel more respectful of our resources and can be creative and fun.
I love this thought process! It’s not all about the money, it’s also about waste. Great idea with the crepes!
Yes! Exactly! Love that creativity!
Thanks for the cheerleading! Hubby and I are doing it w/ you. Today his car battery died… $203. Welp. Dang. LOL😂 (Of course, the no spend doesn’t mean we can’t eat or take care of emergencies….it just made us both “sigh” a bit. No worries, though. Thankful we could get a new one. Thankful we have a vehicle. Thankful we have a job. Just thankful. ❤)
Great attitude!
Robin EXACTLY!! The "thankfuls" you mentioned are what to think about not the $203!
Absolutely, I am Grateful everyday ,and say Thank You Everyday ,I have so much to be Thankful for ,,,🙏❤️😇
yep our battery needed to be replaced too. almost $300 it was a horrible experience. it used to be under $100 with tax fees and labor. inflation is just horrible. look at the rental prices just a sin with those prifes
I bought a car about five years ago for 2 grand. It continues to run well, and I've taken good care of it. It's not the car of my dreams style wise, but the service it has given me is great, and it helps me stay below my means.
Perfect! Thanks for sharing Kelly!
A couple of things that we have done that allow us to live below our means we're 1st and foremost bought a house less than what we were told we could afford. We also paid it off early. Another simple thing I do is dry nearly all of our clothes by hanging them on a drying rack. This is particularly helpful in the dry winter weather in Minnesota. The air is so dry and that extra moisture really helps. Clothes also dry very quickly because of that dry air.
Yes, we did the same with our home! Thanks for sharing Mary!
I wash in cold - rinse in cold and air dry - inside /outside depending on season and weather 🙂
I’ve also started rinsing dishes in cold water and I always air dry and buff when necessary - I do dishes once a day as well by hand
I had a countertop dishwasher - when I needed one and was able to sell it for the same price I bought it for 🙂
The last time I stripped washrooms to clean I used baking soda and vinegar - I used my old baking soda which I use for fridge/ freezer and did the rinse in cold which I’m doing when washing hands
What we do to live below our means is to continue living on one income even when we’re dual income now. I went back to work after being a SAHM for 7 yrs now that our kids are in school full time. We also bought our house in the amount that we are comfortable paying every month and we’ve been driving the same vehicles for almost 10 yrs now and they’re both paid off.
SO SMART!!!!
I just picked up a 5 lb bag of russet potatoes for a dollar. I actually got three bags. I see lots of potato dishes in my future.
Good find. They are over $5 in my area of Florida. I'm waiting for the next BOGO sale on them.
Maria that is awesome!
So many things I do to live below my means but using my library is one of the best. Our libraries in the city offer everything. I get books there, I read magazines, I take advantage of the free museum passes offered, I get DVDs, I go to free events they host. It’s seriously a one stop entertainment center for me. I save so much $ not buying books, not paying to go to museums, not paying for streaming services, not paying for magazine subscriptions, and not going out to eat because I’d rather eat at home but still do fun stuff via the library.
I love that so much Gretchen! Our library is temporarily closed for renovations and Im lost LOL!
I eat clean and cook from scratch. I am doing no spend January, but budgeted in some January Christmas shopping. I have seven grandkids and usually get them Christmas pjs for Christmas. Shopping for them in January just makes sense. Today I bought them for 75% off. I know its shopping but it keeps me living below my means. (No extras just the pajamas) In November I will be happy that I budgeted and shopped when it was so much cheaper.
YES! That's the way to do it! So smart Annie!
Later, what i realise makes me live below my means is learning to be content with what I have. It's something I lost a couple of years ago and I'm working in cultivating that feeling again. When you are content with what you have you actually reduce a lot your necessity to buy stuff. You learn to take care of your things and be proud of what you do, that makes things last longer as well, so you need to buy stuff decreases as well...
So true Nadia! Great insight!
We used to buy a bottle (or two) of wine each week. Quit it in August to save $$ plus I lost 24 lbs. II got a new job starting in 2 weeks & new clothes are a necessity. I'm in my late 60's & was retired but was offered a lucrative job so I'm giving it a go. Good luck with low spend January. Great idea for me to try in Feb!
Congrats on your new job! Wonderful!
Great video.
I have just retired debt and mortgage free.
To live below my means I check the food flyers, shop the discount grocery store, check for reduced produce and use it right away or freeze it, eat meatless meals a few times a week, eat left overs, lower my thermostat over night in the winter use fans in the summer as I don’t have A/C,
CONGRATULATIONS! Wonderful! All wonderful money saving tips Una!
Will definitely be trying those barley bowls! To live below our means, we budget our tithe and our savings FIRST. Then we budget our bills, gas, food, and misc. expenses. And anything left after that, is EXTRA savings. For our savings account, we keep a notebook where we list the categories we are saving for (yearly expenses, home repairs, trips, car replacements, car repairs, etc) and assign our savings dollars to the correct categories. By the grace of God, this allows us to pay cash for our cars when the need arises, as well as for other things that come up. Budgeting and being frugal is fun and rewarding!
That is wonderful! Yes, we budget tithes first as well!
The only area I can control and lower is the grocery shopping. I plan to make meals from the pantry or freezer rather than going shopping. I normally eat plant based, so I will definitely try the barley with roasted veggies. I've allowed myself $30 a week but honestly I don't think I will use it. I've not spent anything yet and probably won't until next week if I need veggies. I am planning on saving $200 a month so I am watching every single penny. Thank you for inspiring all of us.
How wonderful Patricia! You ghave. solid goal and that is great!
Impressive discipline..I am going to follow your lead. I'm just a little concerned about getting the right nutrition and I'm wondering do you use vegetable protein powder in your diet
I have learned to enjoy saying "No.". What a feeling of power...
I agree!!
I make my own laundry soap, cleaning supplies, and I use baking soda for many things because it’s cheap and amazing! ☮️❤️😊
My son and I said we would buy a Christmas Tree after Christmas. So we went to the store and looked at what was the best one for us. The tree was around $150.00 before we bought it for $23.00. I didn’t feel bad for this purchase. It was not a spur of the moment buy. Today I’m taking down Christmas decorations and going through each item. I ask myself with each item I didn’t put out . Do I like it and if I didn’t it went into a donation box. Have more boxes to go through. I won’t have to grocery shop for another week so that is good. I feel blessed after watching your videos. Thank you Emmy and Paul.
Sheryl I am so happy you found such a great deal on that tree! I bet it is lovely!!
Hi Emmy and Paul. I must admit that I’m not up to date in being able to join you in a no spend month. I don’t even know our monthly expenditures yet. So I’m starting a journey today to get a budget figured out for my husband and me. He thinks he needs to keep working even though he’s now 70. I want to be able to prove to him that it’s ok for him to quit and we will be alright. His work is physically demanding and he needs to stop.
Meanwhile I will commit to at least 2 days a week of no spend. How’s that for now? I’ve got to start with baby steps.
I love your idea. two days a week no spend sounds doable. I think I'll try it.
Fantastic that you are starting! 😊 You have a great goal to help, having your husband retired! Blessings on your journey
That is absolutely perfect!! YAY! 2 days is wonderful!
We try to use the sun and our south facing windows in a way that helps to keep our home warm in the winter and cool in the summer by simply opening or closing our heavy drapes!
Yes, radiant heat is great!
I use reusable ziploc bags, I dont order takeout or fast food, i pay myself first, i keep a budget, i cook my meals at home, i eat meatless half the week. Love you! Thank you for the motivation and your beautiful spirit.
Thank you for the kind words Tracy!
I don't go out to eat in restaurants.. Ever. I can make food at home so much cheaper and it's usually better then what I can get eating out. I'm working on using all leftover foods also. Nothing is getting thrown away.. I'm finding pretty creative ways to use leftovers!
It's fun isn't it!
That's really smart! You can definitely make things tastier and for less at home. So many restaurants and fast food places are short staffed, so we gave up on poor service and so-so food. We often have friends over and also join in potluck shared events. Fun and yummy. We donate to the food pantry to help when we can too.
Every year at the end of December I work out the budget for the new year. This way I know exactly what I have to to spend on everything. I add up all the bills that are not paid monthly, divide it by 12 and transfer that amount to my ‘budget’ account each month. This way I am sure I have enough for all my regular bills. To a third account I transfer the rest minus the amount I need monthly payments, food and my ‘pocket money’: these are my savings and are growing.
Doing this ensures me I always know exactly how much I have to spend, no surprises and most importantly I feel safe (I live on a fixed low income, but often feel much more well off than people I know on double income☺️).
I love your 9 positive and clever tips❤️
Great way to budget Kristina! Thank you!
I shopped at Shop Rite today. I only bought items on sale (same flyer you highlighted in this video). I spent $73 and saved $84!!! Woohoo!
WOHOO!! Great job Carol!
I do a lot of things to help us live below our means but one of those things is I do my own oil changes in my car and small repairs
Oh that's great!
The library is my bookstore! Saves a ton of money as I’m an avid reader.
Tara I couldn't agree more! Such a great resource that's free!
Internet archives has a ton of free online books. They are pdfs, audio (read by libravox human readers) or you can have your phone read the books using your reader.
Add water to liquid soap to stretch it further. I’m just getting into this lifestyle
We do that too! Works great!
Shampoo too.
I live below my means by meal prepping every week. I make all my breakfasts and lunches on the weekends for the following week. It saves a ton of money, and it also tastes so much better then take out!
I agree! Great job!
Glasgow Scotland uk 🐝🐝😝
First off... This was a great video! Thank You!! I shared it on my frugal facebook page! Only one thing??? LOL There are so many... I would say I only shop loss leaders and markdowns/reduced... Never pay full price for anything!
LOL! Love that Dragon Fly!! Thank you!
Lately when I feel like I need to run to the grocery store, I put it off for a day or even a week (or more) and make due with food I already have in the pantry or freezer. Usually this allows us to put more into savings at the end of the month.
Just don't let your food supply go too low!
I love your comment about enjoying and appreciating what we already own
To add to your question...during a low spend month I find it a real treat to make things I don't ordinarily make like bagels or cinnamon rolls. It makes an ordinary day very special.
Also, when organizing a closet or drawer I always find something I've forgotten and find new ways to enjoy that.
Yes! So fun to turn a Wednesday into a something special kind of day!
Happy New Year !!!!! and many blessings for all the year !! First, let me thank you for the tip about Twilight Zone on New Years day. It was great, a real treat. I so agree with your attitude of making an occasion of various activities. I go to the library about once a month. I dress well, eat a good breakfast, check my " look for at the library " list (we have an outstanding library), eat a good breakfast, check to see that I have a tempting meal to enjoy when I return and a free evening to get started on my new stash. It is a five star event. I have other events that receive the same degree of attention. It costs me a little gas, no money except groceries and a provides immeasurable joy. And, it becomes a habit to look forward to and appreciate these events. These are tough times. We need to make all the joy we can. Many blessings to both of you and our frugal community.
LOVE THIS Anne!! What a wonderful attitude! Thank you for sharing!
We make "budda bowls" using grains, veggies for church gathers & company. We use whatever is in the fridge & freezer that needs to be used up. W are doing major decluttering & cleaning this month instead of going anywhere...amazing what you have you have forgotten about.
Isn't that the truth...forgotten gems!
We cook all our meals at home. This also includes taking food/snacks/beverages with us when we leave the house to run errands, etc. That's our biggest money saving lever at our home.
That's the smart way to do it!
Hi Emmy and Paul! Food preservation (canning and freezing), meal prep (helps avoid the drive through), bulk errand running (with a packed lunch, drinks, or snacks), scratch cooking, my garden, and meal planning. Every little bit helps!
Wonderful! You are so right!
I always keep crackers and peanutbutter (I'm single) in my truck to feel satiated..stick to my budget unless there is a store dramatically reduced price.. even if something is dramatically reduced in price I stick to my budget for going something else
I do several things below my means, but my every winter hack is I .....
keep my thermostat set at 58 degrees for winter. I never touch it all winter. If I get chilled, I just add on clothes. That saves me tons.
Oh wow that's cool lol! Good for you!
We do our own housework and yard work. We could afford to hire it out, but it gives us exercise and saves a lot of money.
So true! Thanks!
You two are so kind and sincere in wanting to help the rest of us save money in these very trying times. Thank you !!!
You are so welcome! Thanks for watching!
What a fantastic video today, Emmy and Paul! I think it's my favorite of yours ever!
One thing we do to live below our means is to make repairs ourselves whenever we can! Thanks!
Thank you so much Wendy! So kind!
I went Walmart the other day and out of habit I picked up 4 Christmas items. Walked around the store and picked up my groceries. Looked in my cart, saw the Christmas items and put them BACK!
YAY!! Wonderful Granny!
Gardening - a lot of vegetables and many fruit trees.
Re- & Upcycling & DIY
Love it Gabi!
We started last year really experimenting with making our own bread. Through practice,we have successfully mastered: Raisin,Almond Nog,Hoagie,White and Cheddar Jalapeno bread. Just tonight, we made hotdog buns 🌭. Still have several breads to try like hamburger buns, tortilla wraps,etc. We refuse to pay the ridiculous prices when we can make it at home cheaper. We also started giving Aldi a try and have found some AMAZING items at decent prices. We are not store or brand loyal like we were in the past. We made homemade meals but also have "convenient foods" that remind us of our restaurant favorites. We have chickens and herb and veggie garden in spring/summer.
Sonya how I love that! Making your own breads, growing veggies, and chickens!! ALL amazing wins!
I have learned so much from watching your videos. I use less sugar in most of my recipes and they are still awesome, thanks to watching you. We recently borrowed several movies from the library and had a date night, eating finger foods and watching movies together. Learning new ways to keep costs down. Thank you.
Love movie night!! So happy our videos are helpful!
Brilliant video.
In our family we use to have birthday meals out. Then 2020 and 2021 happened and so when it came to my birthday this year the girls asked me what I wanted to do.
I said let’s just go and have a Costa cuppa instead of a meal.
We just had one drink and sat chatting and just enjoying the moment without a massive bill.
It was a lovely morning and didn’t break the bank.
We even talked about all the things that are changing in our family and how we can be frugal and still have fun.
This was a very interesting conversation.
Thanks both of you for all your encouragement.
Hugs xx
Sounds like such a wonderful time!! Hugs right back Karen! Thank you!
I had leftover spaghetti and mozzarella cheese that I needed to use up so I made a lasagna using the spaghetti noodles instead of lasagna noodles and put it in the freezer. This will be a great meal for the day I don’t want to cook or if family stops by!!
We save money by drinking our coffee from home and just bring a thermos or to go cup and never buy lunch- we always bring our lunches to work
Great ideas!! Creative and economical!
Godliness with contentment is great gain... a favorite Bible verse.....
Love that Karen!
Roasted vegetables and walnuts
My favorite!
Oh YUM!
I desperately needed a coat so waited for the sales and ordered one with a coupon for £30 , that afternoon I found one for £4.99 in a charity shop it looked brand new and was the exact colour and style of the one I wanted was so happy as I cancelled the one I ordered and saved all that money ❤
YAY! So happy for you! I bet it's lovely!
That barley roasted vegetable bowl looks AWESOME!!!! For many years now, I cut and color my own hair as well as my own manicures and pedicures. Over the course of the past decade, I bet I have saved thousand$ over going to salons. Tough to avoid post-holiday clearance sales!!! Ito used to be a good opportunity to gift shop at a discount, but I am cutting back on that too. Time to revisit homemade gifts. Happy New Year one and all!
Yes, I color my hair as well...actually Paul colors mine LOL!!
I am blessed because my husband is our “handyman “. We rarely hire repairmen. He even watches TH-cam videos to learn how to repair things.
That is awesome Carolyn!
# 1 thing I do is keep furnace set at 66 Degrees 24/7 If chilled I put on socks and a hoodie or housecoat. Propane is way to expensive. I do have a woodburner but its outside in a brick building and it connects to the furnace ductwork. So I start a fire in the evenings mainly, but during that -0 weather we had it going all day. It all helps!
Oh that's great Diana!
Your videos are always helpful and encouraging. You inspire us to think more about what we are doing/buying and if it is really valuable to us at this time. So far for my low/no spend January, I've avoided fast food, ordering things online, using what is in the fridge before it's bad, and done some meal planning to avoid random buying of groceries. Only 3 days in but that's a record for me. LOL
YAY!! So proud of you Lulu! Just take one day at a time, you can do it!
I usually use up or freeze all my perishable goods before they go off.
But I've found that low fat milk and yogurt go bad faster than regular dairy products. So I either need to buy smaller
containers of the low fat dairy products or switch back to regular if I want to continue buying larger containers.
I try to plan my errands that are in the same area, set a grocery budget and make a list around what we have at home.
Great tips April!
I had a win with avoiding temptation. I shopped online and filled my cart, at 75%off. I then talked myself out of it and deleted the whole thing. I had something I could use and had already spent money on. I have been able to give up shopping as a hobby/ past time and decided a long time ago that envy wasn't worth it. I've set a savings goal and know that I will have to be creatively frugal to accomplish it. Hoping the new year will be better than 2022.
YAY! Angela so proud of you!! Thank you for sharing!
Bravo! Virtual shopping win! When we got printed catalogs, I'd enjoy them and turn down many pages. I'd recycle the catalogs a couple days later. Virtual shopping enjoyment at no cost!
I substitute unsweetened applesauce in place of oil in muffin recipes.
So much healthier too!
You've really helped me learn not to waste any food and inventory what I have before shopping. My biggest cost savings is growing many vegetables, herbs, and flowers. I use, share, or preserve as much as I can. I'm planning to clean out the fridge once a week and freezer at least once a quarter, so nothing is forgotten or left behind. I get excited at the farmer's market and want to buy everything! We can't eat that much, so I'm going to work on portioning out and using everything we grow or buy.
Wonderful! I overbuy too! I need to work on that!
I made beef barley soup this week then ate it that way for a couple days. Then I took the left over soup and blended it, then baked it with some beef chunks and potato chunks. It made a very flavorful gravy.
Oh how creative!
Hello! I make all kinds of soup in the crockpot. Shop my pantry for ingredients and inspiration. I pulse the finished product with immersion mixer to thicken. Eat half, freeze half to stock freezer with variety.
Great idea Julie!
you're so inspiring !!! you are right !!! there is nothing anyone really needs besides food, shelter etc. We are such a wasteful society. 2023 should be going back to the basics. things are just so expensive now
Yes! We agree totally Tina!
Thank you Emmy and Paul, such good advice 👏 I shared some with my husband, he’s back to baking bread (in the machine) and I often quote Emmy on the cutting back on salt and sugar. I’m doing the same with baking cakes and cookies. I agree don’t be afraid to use what you have at home and stay out of the shops as much as possible 👍
Yes!! Love that Her!
Make the mundane special - yes! So true!
A couple of things I do is keep my thermostat around 67 in the winter. I also hang out my clothes year round. I think those 2 things save me a lot of money. Over the holidays I had a lot of relatives staying at my house. I turned the heat up for my guests, but you know in the back of my mind, I kept seeing the natural gas meter spinning. 🤣
LOL! I totally get that!
Yes, I’ve been learning how to make homemade meals that you’d get a restaurant.
Aren't they the best!
Barley is a very tasty grain. So is toasted quinoa! Oven roasted vegies are so delish!
Love quinoa too!
I love these ideas! I also believe in respecting your belongings... Shopping is not a way to have fun or pass the time! Super ways to save money!
We save money by not shopping. Thanks for the recipe, we’re vegetarians so love the meatless dishes!
YAY! Hope you enjoy it!
Hi, Emmy and Paul-First time commenting. We are off to a great start this year on this low spend/no spend challenge. I made 3 baguettes for our dinners this week-it was so much fun making them. I also made several freezer/crockpot meals for several weeks along with homemade hamburger and hot dog buns. I love cooking from scratch and am actually getting a lot done at home because we are staying out of the stores.
Yes! Isn't it a great feeling Rachele!!
I’m right there with you about Hobby Lobby. I wanna go so bad, but I’m being good and staying home and purging my house instead.
YAY! Cindy that'w wonderful!
We love barley also. I make a homemade hamburger vegetable soup and always add about a half cup of barley to it as we like a soup that is more like a stew.
So does Paul! I tell him all soups are stews LOL!
I dry my clothes on a rack both to save electricity and also add moisture to my house because it gets so dry in the wintertime from our heat.
Yes, great idea Kathy!
I know this doesn't sound like it would add up to a lot, but I cut my child's hair. I've never taken him to get it done.
I also have a garden that saves us a lot on produce.
It sure does add up Amy!
Ralphs! Has coffee $1.20 Christmas coffees, always need coffee.
No Ralph's here!
@@FrugalMoneySaver shucks...
We grow a vegetable garden. We eat some fresh and can and freeze some.
So smart Regina to grow your own food!
I try never to waste food…I try to reinvent leftovers so not to waste 😊❤️
YES! Best money saver ever!
sometimes we have breakfast for dinner (pancakes or eggs); leftovers for lunches or dinners later - or frozen for emergency meals. Excepting for special occasions when we have company - we keep Sunday meals simple (tuna was the go-to sandwich EVERY Sunday we raised our 6 kids) Watering down juices or sodas, baking with margarine-using butter for things you taste it in, extra noodles or pasta or grains. Anytime we leave the house together - is a date whether it is going to church, to see one of our local kids, to shop or to get the tires rotated! We like to read aloud - each taking a chapter - that way we share the book and it's fun. Writing letters to friends and family - is entertaining as you write and even better if they write back! We turned the thermostat down a few degrees and wear vests and sweaters in the house and even use the throws on the couch when we read or watch tv.
All wonderful creative ideas! Thank you!
Making homemade cleaners and detergent helps us live more frugally. Cleaners are expensive and I make many with a handful of simple ingredients that I buy in bulk (gallon jugs of generic white vinegar, 50# bag of generic baking soda, etc.). I make all purpose cleaner, laundry detergent, and I've made dishwasher detergent at times.
Staying home, homeschooling, and consolidating errands helps to save money.
Growing a big garden also helps save money if you are careful about how you go about it--and we are.
Great video! God bless!
Thank you! Great money saving tips!
I'm doing a low spend Jan but now I have even more reason to do it. Yesterday I noticed a puddle of water in our yard around the septic tank 😬 We had it pumped before Thanksgiving but it's old and officially done!! A new (expensive) aerobic system will replace it. Ugggg!! I need to try your recipe. I love barley! To live below our means my husband does all of our car repairs, oil changes, etc. This has saved us thousands of dollars. Also, we do as many home repairs as we can. YT videos are invaluable resources to learn how to do repairs.
Oh I'm sorry to hear that about your septic...
Love that your hubby does all the car repairs! Car mechanic work is soooo expensive!
I 💖 FRUGAL!
It’s being a good steward 👀
So true Mandy!
I made a nice meal yesterday. I made mashed potatoes, had openned up a can of peas, sweet prickles, than took the sausage caseing off the breakfast sausages and fried them and made a milk gravy to put over the crumble fried sausage. It was delicious over the potatoes. A slice of bread, with butter. A glass small glass of milk. It was a fast idea for an unplanned meal in a hurry. I thought of you, when I had to make a fast meal. Thanks to you I did it! Glad I watch your veidos. THANKS!
That sounds so delicious Gwendolyn!!
I loved this video. Especially a gentle touch saves you money. To stay frugal I pack and carry my lunch daily to work every single work day, including my coffee in the morning. It is generally a homemade soup, a piece of fruit and carrots and celery. For this month I am not purchasing anything other than needs. We have goals we are trying to accomplish. Thanks for the encouragement!
So smart to pack your lunch and coffee Julie!
Thanks for the great advice! I keep saying to myself, "Do I really need it or want it?" That can make an impact.
Yes! Alicia you are so right!
I had that same "breathless moment" when I got an email from our local small fabric store announcing a sale on quilting fabric for $1.99 a yard! But, I'm determined to use what I have before I buy more. I'm 35 miles from the nearest Hobby Lobby, so that's a little far away to do a "spur of the moment" shopping trip.
That’s real willpower!
Cutting up.a small peace of meat into shavings makes meat go further
Really like to make grocery shopping putting library walking cutting flowers sounds good
tempting you with quilt fabric is just mean!!! I admire your willpower (O:
Yes, we are about that far as well from Hobby Lobby LOL!!
Hi Emmy and Paul. I'm joining you in a no spend January for the first time . I took some clothes to a thrift store today and even though I saw some lovely bits but walked away. Thankyou for the enthusiasm you share. Lots of love from the 🇬🇧 x
Thank you Lynda!!
You and Your family is a Blessing to all of us... Keep up the good work.... God bless You all... Lots of love from India 🇮🇳
Thank you so very much! God Bless you as well!
Hi Emmy& Paul, happy new year to you both. I’ve watched for years but this is my first post.
I’m joining in the low spend/ no spend January. I so wish we had the leaflets from stores here in the UK so we could coupon shop. You are so blessed. Keep up the great posts.
YAY!! So happy you posted! Thank you for joining us!
You might look online for the digitalflyers, some shops have them out every week
Budget! Budget! Budget! Having a written budget gives us a sense of control over our spending. Thanks again for sharing your ideas and the veggie bowl recipe.
Absolutely right!
Workout at home. I left my gym and now just use free resources to help me keep fit. I do yoga in a studio for community!
That's wonderful Eleanore!
Thank you guys so much! Great tips! So proud of you avoiding Hobby Lobby! I have to avoid going into stores as much as possible.
Yes! I did it LOL!
I went to Lidl and bought 3 yrs worth of coffee pods for $64. I know we aren’t suppose to spend but that coffee will save me a ton in the long run
No, food and beverages are necessities! Paul would never give up coffee!! That's an amazing deal!
My husband is on board, so we are joining you for no spend January!!
YAY! That's wonderful Sharon!
I am on my own I get my pension on Wednesday when I budget for my self and if there is any money left out of my pension the next Wednesday put in in a new purse. And start afresh it is amazing how much you can save over a month and put it to go use like birth day holidays or trips out or the grand kids this is a good hack hope you like it 🐝🐝🐝😘
That's a great idea!
We are empty nesters from Wisconsin. We don't eat out, husband takes his lunch to work every day, keep our thermostat set at 58 ( unless the grandkids are here, then we bump it up), shop sales at the grocery store, the library is my friend. Nothing new or exciting, but little things can add up over time.
Yes, the little things certainly do add up!
What a delightful video, I smiled because I really like going to the store together too. One thing we do is our own hair. Hubs cuts his with electric clippers, he has a head full of thick hair and was always very particular on who he let cut his hair. Well the past couple of years we tried the electric clippers and he loves the way it looks and he doesn't have to fool with appointments either, he can make it as perfect as his heart desires and has it down pat now. I also cut my own hair and color my own hair too. I've been doing that for years. It is so freeing *not* to have to go somewhere and depend on someone else to do my hair. Right now I have my hair in a shoulder length, flip type cut, I can wear it long, ponytail, or some up and some down etc. Versatile and practical. I'm also a stickler on freezing soups and things for future meals as well to not waste food. I make many of my own clothes too, I can use cottons and be comfie. I've found that the all cotton broadcloth from Walmart looks like linen when sewn into a belted dress, I omit zips when possible and slap a matching homemade obi belt on it and voila. Looks pretty good and I receive compliments! They just don't make dresses like that much anymore unless you pay an exorbitant amount at a tea house boutique or something. My longer midi/maxi skirts are a winner and staple for me too...I'm known for eccentric print; something like...doggy or cat print skirts with a solid black turtleneck or vneck. ...So fun. My skirts with tie belt take 2 yards of fabric and the dress takes 3. Sewing machine is bottom of line Brothers from Walmart, great little machines with plenty of stitches. I try to baby mine.
For our pets I order meds from Canada Vet Express or Pet Shed. I also found a prescription eye drop for one of our dogs from Chewy. It was generic and far cheaper! My vet charged a ten dollar prescription fee after my vet called to make sure I was okay with that. Still far, far, cheaper! I ordered several bottles with one prescription fee.
Thank you so much for the great vegetarian recipe! Yippee! That sounds so good and I can't wait to try it!
I've done good on no shopping...I learned a while back that if I don't need anything then don't go! lol I hear ya on Hobby Lobby...Love my Hobby Lobby but I haven't gone since beginning of December. Yes, that 90 percent off sounds very tempting indeed! Oh my goodness! I'll order from Hobby Lobby online if I *need* fabric, decor, crafts or something. Usually several times a year. That works for me, I can think things through and I can obtain sale items online too.
I've had a stressful past week and your precious video was a breath of fresh air! : )
Blessings! Amelia from My Forest Cathedral blog.
Amelia, what a wonderful talent to be able to sew clothing!! What a gift! So sorry you had a rough week! Praying this one will be so much easier!!
@@FrugalMoneySaver Thank you for your prayers and encouragement Emmy! Oh my mother's heart let's say.... : ) On sewing? I keep it very easy. My skirt is Simplicity 4881 out of print. 1 pattern piece doubled and lengthened. If you like your fabric, you can use super easy patterns. I stick with my tried and true simple patterns. My Italian grandma and her sister sewed, my mom too from time to time.: ) I always say...K.I.S.S. "Keep it simple sweetie!" *big smile*