Excellent Q&A, Jane. Knowing that you started from the bottom, been through it all, and now own property and a car in France DEBT FREE, is truly an inspiration to us all. Great questions from your followers. Really appreciate your channel, Jane and Michael. ❤️
Love, love, love this content. I must admit, when I first noticed your site I said to myself, "I don't have anything is common with someone in France?" "How would things done in France have anything to do with me and my situation?" I was SO wrong. You and your advice and wisdom is very useful to anyone. 😍🤗
I have a teenage daughter who showed me some cheap clothes in a fast fashion store in the city that she wanted to buy. $20 a piece for cheaply made poor quality. I said NO! I took her yesterday to a charity shop. She bought a whole outfit for $20. Good quality and for a good cause. We had so much fun and she said she preferred the variety and quality. We've done this before but she got sucked in by the flashy stores and forgot how much further money would go at the charity store.
Jane and Mike, thank you so much for this wonderful Q&A session. I am just recently turned 60 years old so we are of the same generation. I remember the 1970s, 80s, 90s etc and the various ups and downs in the economies of the world. I am in the US but it was the same as it was in the UK even though it was a bit less of a global economy then we see today. I think those in their twenties, thirties and forties probably don't remember some of those times of inflation as over the last few decades inflation has generally been much lower so I know for many these current price increases are quite a shock. I really appreciate your common sense approach to living below your means and saving for the future. I went through some times in my twenties when I piled up some debt and it took me a long time to dig out but I did. I purchased my first home just before I turned 35 and I still live in that home today. It has been paid off for 5 years which has been a blessing because at 52 I suffered a massive stroke and was no longer able to work. Had my house not almost been paid off at that time, I likely would have had to have sold it. I can get by on my monthly disability because I don't have a mortgage any longer and I qualify for property tax exemption. However I am finding that my prescription costs and my insurance costs are really eating away at my monthly income. So far I have not had to access my retirement savings and I'm hoping I won't have to for a few more years as that money that I had saved prior to my stroke it has to last me longer since I'm not able to physically work any longer and I lost 15 years of working time. I'm certainly not living in poverty and I do allow myself a few extras like still having dogs and I do have a streaming TV service and internet but I consider that my entertainment. I rarely go out because it is physically and financially difficult for me. I went to a movie at a theater on a $5 senior day a few weeks ago with two girlfriends. It was the first time I'd been in a movie theater and almost 20 years. I just am happy to wait for movies that I want to see to come on to TV where I can watch them for free. Well I guess not free but part of my streaming service. Fortunately I've not had to make any major repairs to my home in the last few years but I know at some point I will have to replace my furnace and air conditioning as they are the ones that were in the home when I bought it and they are both approaching 30 years old. I don't budget for travel because it is physically too difficult for me to do so. About the only thing I do spend money on outside of my bills are an occasional meal out when a friend is taking me to the doctor or last weekend a cousin was traveling home to the west coast and detoured several hundred miles out of the way to visit for a few hours. We had a nice late lunch out and it was good for the soul. I am going with a girlfriend on Tuesday to get a haircut, and a pedicure. I haven't had a haircut in probably close to a year and my hair is getting quite long. Since I only have the use of one arm now I can't easily put it in a ponytail or pull it back so I'm going to get several inches cut off. We do go and get pedicures every few weeks as I'm really not able to do my own nail trimming without the use of my dominant hand any longer. I also take blood thinners which means it's not safe for me to be messing too much with scissors and clippers as I could really cause myself a big problem if I were to start bleeding. We do go on senior citizen day to the local beauty school so we get a discount on our services and it is some very good as I term it "girlfriend therapy”. We also purchase gift cards for the beauty school right before Christmas as they have a gift card sale where they sell them for 20% off. So between going to a beauty school and paying for my service with a discounted gift card on a senior citizen discount day I really do save a lot of money and it makes it not too expensive. It is something that is also good for my mental health to get out and spend time with my dear friend. I don't know how the educational system is in the UK or in Europe but in most schools in the US there is no financial literacy or financial education taught in most public schools. I did have one friend who attended a school district where in high school they were required to look up a job and find the salary of it then price an apartment, utility bills, etc and learn to make a budget but aside from her I don't think anyone I ever knew said that they had any kind of financial budgeting or literacy type of classes. It is a shame because there are so many who are uneducated about how to manage their money and sadly find themselves deep in debt or find themselves at our age with nothing saved her retirement. Many companies in the US have gone away from pensions where you have a guaranteed amount every month to giving a small percentage and leaving you to manage it yourself in a government retirement account called a 401k (or a 403b if you work for a non-profit or government entity). I think future generations are really going to find themselves in a tough position if they don't start saving young and saving often. I really ramped up my savings in my 40s and when I was released from my job shortly before my stroke, I found a wonderful financial advisor who has really grown my retirement savings and made me feel a lot better about where I am at financially for the future. Of course the financial investment markets have been rocky the last couple of months but it is still important to save and make it a priority. My car is 14 years old now and I have had it for 11 years. When I worked I only lived a mile from my office so I drove very little which is why I've been able to keep that car so long. It has less than 50,000 miles on it still at this time and I probably will keep it for several more years. I no longer drive but I keep it so that others can drive me to my doctor's appointments or wherever we might be going out. I appreciate you sharing more of your story of how you went through very difficult times in the beginning of your relationship with Mike. I think people who have had to struggle can really appreciate what they do have and understand what it means to have anything extra. I hope you do another Q&A in the future and I look forward to seeing your weekly videos. I really appreciate how the final shots in your video are of one or both of your adorable dogs. Being a dog mom I really appreciate someone else who also loves their dogs as much as I love mine. Not having any family they are truly my lifeline everyday. I hope you have a wonderful rest of your weekend!
Really enjoyed this Q&A video. It was fascinating hearing a bit more details of you and Michael's story. I gained a lot more support from my extended family when I explained to them WHY I was living a frugal lifestyle and not doing certain things because it wasn't in the budget. For example, I've started saving for a down payment on my first home - which will take at least 4-5 years. Once I explained that I wasn't traveling anywhere by air this year because I wanted to save for a house, the attitude shifted dramatically and they were supportive. I think for some people who've never lived a frugal lifestyle, they don't understand that those of us saving...we're usually saving FOR something. It's not like we just want to sit on piles of money. As always, thanks for your encouragement and "tough love" on your channel. Always a highlight of my Sunday.
Watching from Australia. In the middle of a separation and a covid job loss, so if I feel like spending, I watch one of your videos. I wish I had watched these videos years ago and prepared better. I’m 57 (February 1965) and time is suddenly going past faster and faster.
Do you get fed up with people assuming you don’t live a full life because you’re frugal? That annoys me so much - like you need to spend money to live a full, happy and contented life.
Great talk! I realize it's two years old, but I liked hearing how you started out as a family. I did it backwards. Married young, had kids, homeschooled and then got my degree at 52. I learned to drive at 58 and bought my first car and last year bought my retirement condo on the beach. 😂❤
Thank you to everyone who asked the questions and thank you Jane for answering in such an honest way. Take care everyone and spend your pennies wisely, get as much as you can for your buck, you can only spend it once……. That has been my motto for 40 years …… Love Wendy ♥️💋
I thought of another question after I saw this. Wondering if Michael had all the skills to fix the house or did he look it up on the internet? You have made a huge difference in that home. Its warm and cosy looking. Thanks for the great Q&A today.
Binge watching older blogs which are very good info. I am looking at a written budget for first time in many years. I love that a budget is a forward motion.
Thank you for all of these wonderful responses. And please don’t feel bad about giving us the tough answers. Some of us are here because we need to hear them! *waves hand emphatically * Thank you for this channel and all of the work you put into it!
Loved the Q&A video, very informative and interesting. You did make me smile when you mentioned mending your bras, I've had to resort to this many a time....somehow those pesky bones keep escaping! One day, I was sat at the table and one was jabbing me under the chin!!! I upped my seeing game after that lol
Your story sure could be turned into a book, Jane. Inspirational and motivational for many who aren’t able to because they don’t know how to save money or go forward in life. Enjoyed the Q and A. 🌷Sam and Pedro
Jane, thank you for sharing the wisdom you and Mike have learned over the years! Your advice is helpful for everyone from those just starting out their lives and careers to those who are closer to retirement. And, it does not matter what part of the world you live in either. Whether it is Europe, the US, or elsewhere the key points of saving and planning ahead are vital for a less stressful life. Thank you again! Look forward to each and every post from you and Mike!
Looking forward to what I know will be another great video. Like Loi commented you can have a happy and for filling life on a frugal budget. I don’t see being frugal as being deprived. I see it as choosing how I want to allocate and spend my money. Everyone has 100 pence in their pound it’s about what you choose to do with that 100 pence. I have never earned a high wage or did my late husband but I have always tried to look after what money we have earned. I have always looked forward to tomorrow. Paid into work based pensions and tried to save every payday even if that saving was only very small and some months it was very small but I was delighted I could save it. It now make me mad when members of my extended family tell me how lucky I am to have a good pension( which is not a fortune and which I have paid for over my working life) when I know in the past they never missed a weekend in the pub or a couple of holidays every year. One member of my extended family inherited the house they live in but repeatedly tell me how hard up they are and how worried they are about the rises in the cost living. Then go on to take about all inclusive summer holidays. I just say well we all just need to be a little bit more careful with what we spend.
I also expect that I will be watching this video more than once - especially when I need extra encouragement to stay the course and live under my means. Diane in NC
Enjoy your common sense. Where did you learn your skills of a frugal lifestyle? Did you already know how to mend, cook, or garden? Or are these things you picked up through trial & error? I remember reading, during the recession in the 70's & 80's, in the US, how the ones who'll succeed during hard times are those with basic survival skills, mostly the poor. The newly poor will have the hardest time. I saw this to be true. I've kept that in the back of my mind as we raised our family and worked toward retirement. We've been successful and, luckily, are children are on the same road. Your advice is needed these days.
We are a society that have been focusing on the positive and instant gratification. That is where debt comes from, that is why we have so much waste. We all need to face the reality and we all have to hear the answers we may not like.
Lovely video, I've always had a low paid job but managed to keep my head above water most of the time, I'm debt free mortgage paid off and of the old school of you haven't got the money you can't have it. Only managed to start saving the last two years and that was because by lovely dog passed away, I decided as I never actually had the money that her insurance, vets and food cost me in my purse I would still out this away every month, I don't touch it and cut back on other things, because if she was here she would still cost that amount each month. I am shocked at how much I have saved, although I would love her to still be here. Have a lovely Easter xx
You are sooooo right, prioritize survival. So many people confuse survival/necessity with luxury, like jelly on toast. The jelly is wonderful but not necessary for survival. I've told friends who have an upstairs to close off the upstairs and move the bedroom down. Is it what you want? NO! Does it make your downstairs living area overcrowded? YES! But survival !
Thank you so much for this great Q&A. I have always really appreciated your clarity in answering questions, you are clear, but never shaming. Sometimes the answers may be hard to hea, but you never call people "stupid" or other things I often hear in the so called "debt free community". You acknowledge that people live in different circumstances and therefore have different challenges and opportunities. You never come across as a "know tt all" but rather are clear that you are sharing what you do, with your particular circumstances. It is a very refreshing change, thanks
Fantastic video Jane and Mike. Very plain speaking answer’s but very truthful and informative. There are no easy answers. Like you I grew up in the 60’s and 70’s and have lived through the ups and downs of financal crisis. I feel so sorry for the younger generation who have not had the life experiences we have had. When I was young and newly married (early 70’s ) there wasn’t the availability of credit there is today. You got your wage in cash and that’s what you had until pay day again. It was hard but we managed and we will manage again but the younger generations have not had this experience and in a lot of cases not been taught it. Your videos are a great education for anyone who is willing to listen and follow your advice.
Everyone's version of frugality is personal, Tailored to unique needs and means. That said, sharing experience and advices are still helpful. Thank you for this video!
Liked it so much, I came back to watch it again. I don't do that often, but this video really moved me, and I have shared it with others who are in need of rethinking their relationships with money (IMO) so they can suffer less.
I love it when you get up set ,your lovely accent comes out ,you do talk the most common sense in your answer.we were like you we had nothing when we got together but after 30years we retired not owing a penny and owning our own house and car we are still very careful how we spend Bx uk
Excellent advice, Jane! Some of it might be hard to hear, but it's good information we all need to hear. This has been a really good video. I'd like to see more videos with Q & A's. Happy Easter.
A terrific Q&A, Jane. I must say that finding a social group that doesn't wine and dine on a regular basis is bloody hard these days. I've been looking into walking groups and even they end their day out and about in a cafe. Decades back people socialised visiting and having visitors for a lunch or afternoon tea. This just doesn't happen much these days and when it does it is an elaborate display of cooking prowess that give one the jitters at the thought of reciprocating in kind.
Yep, me too. Luckily, I am of an age where I could join the U3A - very reasonable yearly rate + about a pound for each activity I wanted to join in. Our local group also organised many in threshing outings at a very reasonable price ( pre covid).
I totally agree. A piece of cake or a coffee is more than what I spend on food for the whole day,! It's all relative to one's disposable income after budgeting if one is able to have this lifestyle to eat out.
In our area right now we have many people who are becoming homeless due to landlords selling their properties, the housing market has gone through the roof, new rentals have tripled in price while wages have not.
Oh Jane,you have bin through a Lot. The way you have deal with it. I'm thankfull That you two want to Share it with us,and Help us.You two are an Inspiration.Thank you👍🙏.
Thanks for your honest answers, and thanks to the folks who asked some good (and hard) questions. I think often we're hoping for some easy, "quick fix" type of answer but that's almost never the right approach.
Excellent advice as ever, thank you both. Harsh realities are just that - harsh, but so necessary if people are to not only survive but have some peace of mind in uncertain times.
You did such a wonderful job answering these questions especially when you gave examples from your own experiences. I appreciate the content you and Michael create every week! Cheers!
Jane this was full of helpful answers. For those who are just getting started it is, like Jane says, about building new habits. The feelings of peace about your future and sense of accomplishment you feel as you achieve your goals is so worth it. I remember reading somewhere and I'm sure Jane has mentioned this before that NO ONE cares more about you, your money and your future than you. Navigating family can be tricky but it's worth it in the end to stick to your plan. As far as making mistakes I think we all do it, again especially in the beginning because it takes time to get a budget that works well and you know where to adjust when you need to. Reading books, blogs and watching videos about how others have done it helps to keep me motivated and I usually learn something new that I can try or apply to our current situation. By the end of May we will be debt free except for our mortgage and we have already planned for new sinking funds and filling our year's worth of emergency fund. It was great to hear more of your story as well.
Jane, this is such a wonderful and heartfelt video! I so admire your transparency and your dogged determination to live a new healthy and much happier lifestyle of smart frugality!! You’re a super cheerleader and wonderful example for a debt free lifestyle
Thanks so much for a great video Jane and for answering my question on picking yourself up when you make mistakes with your budget . I've spent the morning recalibrating my budget to take into account that there was money going out of my sinking funds before they had enough in them so I'd been using my emergency fund to top up the shortfall. Recalibrating has helped me see that there's a lot of my sinking funds needed for the first quarter of the year so I'm going to do without my discretionary budget this month, am able to save some petrol as I've got a week off work so won't need to use my car and have enough food in the house not to need to food shop this week to pay my sinking funds back. So helpful when you explained that a budget is a forward planning thing so I've now put a further 2 no month spends in the year so that I can top up my sinking funds ready for the beginning of the year when they'll be needed most. Thanks again for clearly explaining things and giving great examples ❤️
I and my husband have always worked two jobs, one full time job for us and one part time job for us, we have learned in our early years if we worked any over time, if we worked on the holidays ( we would get holiday pay for working on those days ) we would put that money into our savings account, in my second part time job worked as a professional baby sitter for a nanny service in my area. I would often get tips for my baby sitting services, that money ( at the time I didn't know it was called sinking funds ) would be our sinking fund money and if we had any left over sinking find money we would put that money into our rainy day jar one time a year we would use that rainy day jar money and go out to a nice restaurant and celebrate our yearly anniversary.
Very good useful video Jane and Mike. Thank you. I am gaining great comfort from you because when I feel anxious or panicky I ask what would Jane do? When I discovered thanks to my kind brother how credit actually works we put my cards in the fire and once I'd paid off that debt I've never had a credit card or loan again. I continued being frugal because I felt so much more comfortable and have paid off my mortgage now even though serious illness has meant I had to retire early from my career. We never know what's in front of us but one thing I do know at 62 is that rainy days come so it makes sense to make hay while the sun shines! Vera
I had to rewind and check I had heard you correctly saying that you're 57!! You look 10 years younger! You need to do a frugal health and beauty video...seriously!
Hello Jane and Michael! Greetings from Southern California, USA! I appreciate the videos about ways to save money! I especially liked your idea about keeping oneself moving in cold weather! Here on the West Coast it has been a bit more humid this week! We've had rain, and for a desert area, this has been a treat!
That was great, thank you Jane. You should definitely do this again. My question would be have you two always been on the same page when it comes to finances? I am more frugal than my husband and he is comfortable with us being debt, whereas I’m not. I feel like I could live a lot more frugally than we do e.g. downsizing to a smaller house. How do you get on the same budgeting page as a couple?
A most excellent video. I think you answered the most vital questions. Thank you for your brutally difficult work on getting debt free and financially healthy and for being an example we can trust because it’s sound information. Congratulations to you and your family. 🙌
Jane, thank you for this video. I do have a small question. Last week, you made a video where you explained your financial situation for the month; how much money you were putting toward long term saving, your sinking funds, etc. Do you use separate bank accounts to keep track of which money goes to do what job, or do you keep track of it in a spreadsheet? If not all have separate accounts, which ones do you combine together? Thank you, and have a lovely week!
I really enjoyed listening to your honesty and practicality 8n this video, sometimes we need to hear the absolute truth and I for one value and appreciated your commonsense and straightforward responses to these questions thank you Jane 👍🙂
I have been binge watching and following you Jane. I have to say excellent and concise advice. It makes me feel great about the inroads I have made and realise some of my mistakes also. But... A massive massive thank you from me here in the UK👍🙏
I wish I had discovered you sooner🙏but thank my lucky stars I got there in the end. I yesterday made your lasagna with lentils, it was a massive hit for my fussy lot and they are lunching on the leftovers today. Really appreciate the content and the effort you put into these videos.😁one happy woman lol x
In California our gasoline cost went up $1.00+ more a gallon. So even with an economical car you need to combine errands, only go once a month on a longer drive. Stay local as much as possible is what I'm doing.
Yes Gladys you are absolutely right about the price hike in gas here in California.I'm in the desert of California and our gas prices are absolutely awful. I limit how much we use our car. I now walk to our local grocery store. I even take the bus to and from work a few times a month. I'm making the little changes now for the long haul.
@@churchofpos2279 I'm in California too. How much did you spend for the ebike. I've thought about getting one. Wondering how much I should save for it .
@@Meli_Mels I have 2 bikes- one is the brand Lectric and it cost roughy 1K, . My other is a commuter ebike brand is Aventon. 1.5K . You can find these on sell or find coupons for discounts at times. That is what I did with the Aventon and the Lectric.
Good video Jane. Thank you. First, I would have asked about your kids, parents, siblings, and grandkids. I thought that was personal, so I did not ask. I would have wanted to know if your extended family follow some of your lessons. On the other hand you put into words many of the things we have been doing to secure our financial security.
Living below our means is very important to have room for saving. One thing I do is if a budget item (sinking fund) can be dropped from the budget (thus has happened a few times) I NEVER consider this as more "spending money". If those funds don't have to be moved into a different sinking fund at that time, I continue to budget the money into the unneeded budget category. It keeps me living below my means and gives me room if a new expense comes up not to be so tightly budgeted that I start cutting into my savings.
I do like this Q&A format and would like to see it on occasion, but I do like seeing what you two have been up to on the Sunday videos as well. Especially your garden and DIY projects and your quilts.
Your Q and A video was wonderful. Would you make more Q and A videos in the future. It is very helpful and interesting on one's frugal journey. Thank you Jane and Mike for sharing your frugal journey. 😍
Calling it like it is, it might sound harsh to beginner's, but it's the only way. I advised a friend recently "you've got to WORK your way out of it".. it's the only way
Hi there. Love your wisdom and answers to these questions! I was just wondering how it came about that you and Mike ended up living in France? I'm from Ohio. Have a blessed day!
Great video Jane, challenges lots of us are facing or have already been through. Just a tip for people worried about energy costs, I use battery powered lights in the evening at my home. They are pretty and much cheaper to buy batteries than electricity bills.
@@lynnettemurphy8243 i tried those but we live in a rather old cottage, small windows not huge amounts of daylight. I don't mind paying £3 a month for batteries.
Really interesting to hear the questions and wise answers. My oarents accounted for every penny each week budgeting in a big orange notebook. I picked up the habit by watching them and my daughters have picked up the habit from me . Other than the mortgage I have never borrowed
Sent message without finishing! … I meant to say that I prefer to save for anything upfront. My daughter when she was younger wanted to but a bag . The shop owner kept it under the counter and my daughter paid abit once a month from pocket money until it was hers to take home. She was 8 and learnt a big lesson! Your advice is spot on Jane. Should be part of school curriculum!
When you know better, you do better! Good job Jane and Mike.
Excellent Q&A, Jane. Knowing that you started from the bottom, been through it all, and now own property and a car in France DEBT FREE, is truly an inspiration to us all. Great questions from your followers. Really appreciate your channel, Jane and Michael. ❤️
Thank you.
Love, love, love this content.
I must admit, when I first noticed your site I said to myself, "I don't have anything is common with someone in France?" "How would things done in France have anything to do with me and my situation?"
I was SO wrong.
You and your advice and wisdom is very useful to anyone. 😍🤗
Thank you for your kind feedback
I have a teenage daughter who showed me some cheap clothes in a fast fashion store in the city that she wanted to buy. $20 a piece for cheaply made poor quality. I said NO!
I took her yesterday to a charity shop. She bought a whole outfit for $20. Good quality and for a good cause. We had so much fun and she said she preferred the variety and quality. We've done this before but she got sucked in by the flashy stores and forgot how much further money would go at the charity store.
Jane and Mike, thank you so much for this wonderful Q&A session. I am just recently turned 60 years old so we are of the same generation. I remember the 1970s, 80s, 90s etc and the various ups and downs in the economies of the world. I am in the US but it was the same as it was in the UK even though it was a bit less of a global economy then we see today. I think those in their twenties, thirties and forties probably don't remember some of those times of inflation as over the last few decades inflation has generally been much lower so I know for many these current price increases are quite a shock. I really appreciate your common sense approach to living below your means and saving for the future. I went through some times in my twenties when I piled up some debt and it took me a long time to dig out but I did. I purchased my first home just before I turned 35 and I still live in that home today. It has been paid off for 5 years which has been a blessing because at 52 I suffered a massive stroke and was no longer able to work. Had my house not almost been paid off at that time, I likely would have had to have sold it. I can get by on my monthly disability because I don't have a mortgage any longer and I qualify for property tax exemption. However I am finding that my prescription costs and my insurance costs are really eating away at my monthly income. So far I have not had to access my retirement savings and I'm hoping I won't have to for a few more years as that money that I had saved prior to my stroke it has to last me longer since I'm not able to physically work any longer and I lost 15 years of working time. I'm certainly not living in poverty and I do allow myself a few extras like still having dogs and I do have a streaming TV service and internet but I consider that my entertainment. I rarely go out because it is physically and financially difficult for me. I went to a movie at a theater on a $5 senior day a few weeks ago with two girlfriends. It was the first time I'd been in a movie theater and almost 20 years. I just am happy to wait for movies that I want to see to come on to TV where I can watch them for free. Well I guess not free but part of my streaming service. Fortunately I've not had to make any major repairs to my home in the last few years but I know at some point I will have to replace my furnace and air conditioning as they are the ones that were in the home when I bought it and they are both approaching 30 years old. I don't budget for travel because it is physically too difficult for me to do so. About the only thing I do spend money on outside of my bills are an occasional meal out when a friend is taking me to the doctor or last weekend a cousin was traveling home to the west coast and detoured several hundred miles out of the way to visit for a few hours. We had a nice late lunch out and it was good for the soul. I am going with a girlfriend on Tuesday to get a haircut, and a pedicure. I haven't had a haircut in probably close to a year and my hair is getting quite long. Since I only have the use of one arm now I can't easily put it in a ponytail or pull it back so I'm going to get several inches cut off. We do go and get pedicures every few weeks as I'm really not able to do my own nail trimming without the use of my dominant hand any longer. I also take blood thinners which means it's not safe for me to be messing too much with scissors and clippers as I could really cause myself a big problem if I were to start bleeding. We do go on senior citizen day to the local beauty school so we get a discount on our services and it is some very good as I term it "girlfriend therapy”. We also purchase gift cards for the beauty school right before Christmas as they have a gift card sale where they sell them for 20% off. So between going to a beauty school and paying for my service with a discounted gift card on a senior citizen discount day I really do save a lot of money and it makes it not too expensive. It is something that is also good for my mental health to get out and spend time with my dear friend. I don't know how the educational system is in the UK or in Europe but in most schools in the US there is no financial literacy or financial education taught in most public schools. I did have one friend who attended a school district where in high school they were required to look up a job and find the salary of it then price an apartment, utility bills, etc and learn to make a budget but aside from her I don't think anyone I ever knew said that they had any kind of financial budgeting or literacy type of classes. It is a shame because there are so many who are uneducated about how to manage their money and sadly find themselves deep in debt or find themselves at our age with nothing saved her retirement. Many companies in the US have gone away from pensions where you have a guaranteed amount every month to giving a small percentage and leaving you to manage it yourself in a government retirement account called a 401k (or a 403b if you work for a non-profit or government entity). I think future generations are really going to find themselves in a tough position if they don't start saving young and saving often. I really ramped up my savings in my 40s and when I was released from my job shortly before my stroke, I found a wonderful financial advisor who has really grown my retirement savings and made me feel a lot better about where I am at financially for the future. Of course the financial investment markets have been rocky the last couple of months but it is still important to save and make it a priority. My car is 14 years old now and I have had it for 11 years. When I worked I only lived a mile from my office so I drove very little which is why I've been able to keep that car so long. It has less than 50,000 miles on it still at this time and I probably will keep it for several more years. I no longer drive but I keep it so that others can drive me to my doctor's appointments or wherever we might be going out. I appreciate you sharing more of your story of how you went through very difficult times in the beginning of your relationship with Mike. I think people who have had to struggle can really appreciate what they do have and understand what it means to have anything extra. I hope you do another Q&A in the future and I look forward to seeing your weekly videos. I really appreciate how the final shots in your video are of one or both of your adorable dogs. Being a dog mom I really appreciate someone else who also loves their dogs as much as I love mine. Not having any family they are truly my lifeline everyday. I hope you have a wonderful rest of your weekend!
Really enjoyed this Q&A video. It was fascinating hearing a bit more details of you and Michael's story. I gained a lot more support from my extended family when I explained to them WHY I was living a frugal lifestyle and not doing certain things because it wasn't in the budget. For example, I've started saving for a down payment on my first home - which will take at least 4-5 years. Once I explained that I wasn't traveling anywhere by air this year because I wanted to save for a house, the attitude shifted dramatically and they were supportive. I think for some people who've never lived a frugal lifestyle, they don't understand that those of us saving...we're usually saving FOR something. It's not like we just want to sit on piles of money. As always, thanks for your encouragement and "tough love" on your channel. Always a highlight of my Sunday.
Thanks for watching and commenting
Watching from Australia. In the middle of a separation and a covid job loss, so if I feel like spending, I watch one of your videos. I wish I had watched these videos years ago and prepared better.
I’m 57 (February 1965) and time is suddenly going past faster and faster.
Do you get fed up with people assuming you don’t live a full life because you’re frugal? That annoys me so much - like you need to spend money to live a full, happy and contented life.
Yeah, it’s much better to be in debt isn’t it. The judgement in theory should be on them for spending money that wasn’t theirs 😂
Great talk! I realize it's two years old, but I liked hearing how you started out as a family. I did it backwards. Married young, had kids, homeschooled and then got my degree at 52. I learned to drive at 58 and bought my first car and last year bought my retirement condo on the beach. 😂❤
That is awesome!
Thank you to everyone who asked the questions and thank you Jane for answering in such an honest way. Take care everyone and spend your pennies wisely, get as much as you can for your buck, you can only spend it once……. That has been my motto for 40 years …… Love Wendy ♥️💋
This is one of your very best video's, so honest and real. Thank you both for making frugality normal. 😊
Thanks for watching
I thought of another question after I saw this. Wondering if Michael had all the skills to fix the house or did he look it up on the internet? You have made a huge difference in that home. Its warm and cosy looking. Thanks for the great Q&A today.
Binge watching older blogs which are very good info. I am looking at a written budget for first time in many years. I love that a budget is a forward motion.
You are so welcome!
Thank you for all of these wonderful responses. And please don’t feel bad about giving us the tough answers. Some of us are here because we need to hear them! *waves hand emphatically *
Thank you for this channel and all of the work you put into it!
Thanks for watching and commenting
Loved the Q&A video, very informative and interesting. You did make me smile when you mentioned mending your bras, I've had to resort to this many a time....somehow those pesky bones keep escaping! One day, I was sat at the table and one was jabbing me under the chin!!! I upped my seeing game after that lol
Your story sure could be turned into a book, Jane. Inspirational and motivational for many who aren’t able to because they don’t know how to save money or go forward in life.
Enjoyed the Q and A.
🌷Sam and Pedro
Thanks so much and thanks for your question
Jane u have no idea how encouraged by this video. Thank u so much
Jane, thank you for sharing the wisdom you and Mike have learned over the years! Your advice is helpful for everyone from those just starting out their lives and careers to those who are closer to retirement. And, it does not matter what part of the world you live in either. Whether it is Europe, the US, or elsewhere the key points of saving and planning ahead are vital for a less stressful life. Thank you again! Look forward to each and every post from you and Mike!
Thanks very much for your feedback
Thank you for doing this, Jane & Michael!
Looking forward to what I know will be another great video. Like Loi commented you can have a happy and for filling life on a frugal budget. I don’t see being frugal as being deprived. I see it as choosing how I want to allocate and spend my money. Everyone has 100 pence in their pound it’s about what you choose to do with that 100 pence. I have never earned a high wage or did my late husband but I have always tried to look after what money we have earned. I have always looked forward to tomorrow. Paid into work based pensions and tried to save every payday even if that saving was only very small and some months it was very small but I was delighted I could save it. It now make me mad when members of my extended family tell me how lucky I am to have a good pension( which is not a fortune and which I have paid for over my working life) when I know in the past they never missed a weekend in the pub or a couple of holidays every year. One member of my extended family inherited the house they live in but repeatedly tell me how hard up they are and how worried they are about the rises in the cost living. Then go on to take about all inclusive summer holidays. I just say well we all just need to be a little bit more careful with what we spend.
Thanks Pat.
Excellent and interesting video. We all need someone like you in our lives to give us a good talking to!
Thanks Jane
Thank you! Your honesty and realistic point of view is appreciated.
Loved this, will listen again. And again probably🙂
Thank you
I also expect that I will be watching this video more than once - especially when I need extra encouragement to stay the course and live under my means. Diane in NC
Enjoy your common sense. Where did you learn your skills of a frugal lifestyle? Did you already know how to mend, cook, or garden? Or are these things you picked up through trial & error? I remember reading, during the recession in the 70's & 80's, in the US, how the ones who'll succeed during hard times are those with basic survival skills, mostly the poor. The newly poor will have the hardest time. I saw this to be true. I've kept that in the back of my mind as we raised our family and worked toward retirement. We've been successful and, luckily, are children are on the same road. Your advice is needed these days.
I’ll keep your questions for the next QandA
We are a society that have been focusing on the positive and instant gratification. That is where debt comes from, that is why we have so much waste. We all need to face the reality and we all have to hear the answers we may not like.
Lovely video, I've always had a low paid job but managed to keep my head above water most of the time, I'm debt free mortgage paid off and of the old school of you haven't got the money you can't have it. Only managed to start saving the last two years and that was because by lovely dog passed away, I decided as I never actually had the money that her insurance, vets and food cost me in my purse I would still out this away every month, I don't touch it and cut back on other things, because if she was here she would still cost that amount each month. I am shocked at how much I have saved, although I would love her to still be here. Have a lovely Easter xx
Thanks and you too
You are sooooo right, prioritize survival. So many people confuse survival/necessity with luxury, like jelly on toast. The jelly is wonderful but not necessary for survival. I've told friends who have an upstairs to close off the upstairs and move the bedroom down. Is it what you want? NO! Does it make your downstairs living area overcrowded? YES! But survival !
It’s very true, if you have to, live in and heat one room only
Thank you so much for this great Q&A. I have always really appreciated your clarity in answering questions, you are clear, but never shaming. Sometimes the answers may be hard to hea, but you never call people "stupid" or other things I often hear in the so called "debt free community". You acknowledge that people live in different circumstances and therefore have different challenges and opportunities. You never come across as a "know tt all" but rather are clear that you are sharing what you do, with your particular circumstances. It is a very refreshing change, thanks
Thank you
Incredibly informative and inspiring. Thank you Jane and Michael!
Thanks for watching
I loved today's Q & A video! Look forward to more like this in the future!
Thanks very much
Very powerful thank you both.
Thanks for watching
Fantastic video Jane and Mike. Very plain speaking answer’s but very truthful and informative. There are no easy answers. Like you I grew up in the 60’s and 70’s and have lived through the ups and downs of financal crisis. I feel so sorry for the younger generation who have not had the life experiences we have had. When I was young and newly married (early 70’s ) there wasn’t the availability of credit there is today. You got your wage in cash and that’s what you had until pay day again. It was hard but we managed and we will manage again but the younger generations have not had this experience and in a lot of cases not been taught it. Your videos are a great education for anyone who is willing to listen and follow your advice.
Thanks for the feedback
Everyone's version of frugality is personal, Tailored to unique needs and means.
That said, sharing experience and advices are still helpful. Thank you for this video!
Thanks for the feedback
Liked it so much, I came back to watch it again. I don't do that often, but this video really moved me, and I have shared it with others who are in need of rethinking their relationships with money (IMO) so they can suffer less.
Thank you
Hi Jane, you uplift me, just like Prepper Princess! Cos you know how to survive under all challenging circumstances
Great video! Giving answers that are real but not what people want to hear is so refreshing!
This was excellent! Please consider doing it again with more questions in the future!
Thanks very much
Excellent video. Love your straight talking common sense! I am sure another Q & A video would be appreciated too.
I love it when you get up set ,your lovely accent comes out ,you do talk the most common sense in your answer.we were like you we had nothing when we got together but after 30years we retired not owing a penny and owning our own house and car we are still very careful how we spend Bx uk
You talk a lot of sense. Thank you.
Thank you for yet another wonderful video.
Hi Jane and Mike great Q&A thank you.
Hello Jane and Michael 👍🌹
Excellent advice, Jane! Some of it might be hard to hear, but it's good information we all need to hear. This has been a really good video. I'd like to see more videos with Q & A's. Happy Easter.
A terrific Q&A, Jane. I must say that finding a social group that doesn't wine and dine on a regular basis is bloody hard these days. I've been looking into walking groups and even they end their day out and about in a cafe. Decades back people socialised visiting and having visitors for a lunch or afternoon tea. This just doesn't happen much these days and when it does it is an elaborate display of cooking prowess that give one the jitters at the thought of reciprocating in kind.
I’ve never wined and dined.
@@FrugalQueeninFrance But you are a rare gem.
Yep, me too. Luckily, I am of an age where I could join the U3A - very reasonable yearly rate + about a pound for each activity I wanted to join in. Our local group also organised many in threshing outings at a very reasonable price ( pre covid).
I totally agree.
A piece of cake or a coffee is more than what I spend on food for the whole day,!
It's all relative to one's disposable income after budgeting if one is able to have this lifestyle to eat out.
In our area right now we have many people who are becoming homeless due to landlords selling their properties, the housing market has gone through the roof, new rentals have tripled in price while wages have not.
It’s a disgrace.
Oh Jane,you have bin through a Lot.
The way you have deal with it. I'm thankfull That you two want to Share it with us,and Help us.You two are an Inspiration.Thank you👍🙏.
Really enjoyed the Q & A 👍🏴
Thanks very much
Thanks for your honest answers, and thanks to the folks who asked some good (and hard) questions. I think often we're hoping for some easy, "quick fix" type of answer but that's almost never the right approach.
Thanks for watching
Excellent advice as ever, thank you both. Harsh realities are just that - harsh, but so necessary if people are to not only survive but have some peace of mind in uncertain times.
Thanks very much
You did such a wonderful job answering these questions especially when you gave examples from your own experiences. I appreciate the content you and Michael create every week! Cheers!
Thanks very much
So wonderful and informative. 🧚
Jane this was full of helpful answers. For those who are just getting started it is, like Jane says, about building new habits. The feelings of peace about your future and sense of accomplishment you feel as you achieve your goals is so worth it. I remember reading somewhere and I'm sure Jane has mentioned this before that NO ONE cares more about you, your money and your future than you. Navigating family can be tricky but it's worth it in the end to stick to your plan. As far as making mistakes I think we all do it, again especially in the beginning because it takes time to get a budget that works well and you know where to adjust when you need to. Reading books, blogs and watching videos about how others have done it helps to keep me motivated and I usually learn something new that I can try or apply to our current situation. By the end of May we will be debt free except for our mortgage and we have already planned for new sinking funds and filling our year's worth of emergency fund. It was great to hear more of your story as well.
Jane, this is such a wonderful and heartfelt video! I so admire your transparency and your dogged determination to live a new healthy and much happier lifestyle of smart frugality!! You’re a super cheerleader and wonderful example for a debt free lifestyle
Thanks so much for a great video Jane and for answering my question on picking yourself up when you make mistakes with your budget . I've spent the morning recalibrating my budget to take into account that there was money going out of my sinking funds before they had enough in them so I'd been using my emergency fund to top up the shortfall. Recalibrating has helped me see that there's a lot of my sinking funds needed for the first quarter of the year so I'm going to do without my discretionary budget this month, am able to save some petrol as I've got a week off work so won't need to use my car and have enough food in the house not to need to food shop this week to pay my sinking funds back.
So helpful when you explained that a budget is a forward planning thing so I've now put a further 2 no month spends in the year so that I can top up my sinking funds ready for the beginning of the year when they'll be needed most.
Thanks again for clearly explaining things and giving great examples ❤️
You’re welcome
Really enjoyed your Q&A.
Thank you Jane!
You are so welcome!
Enjoyed this so much! I like & respect your straight forward answers. I've realized I may have to work part-time to cover some home improvements.
That was fun and valuable time!
Huge respect for you Jane. Xx
Really enjoyed this video, thank you Jane & Mike.
I and my husband have always worked two jobs, one full time job for us and one part time job for us, we have learned in our early years if we worked any over time, if we worked on the holidays ( we would get holiday pay for working on those days ) we would put that money into our savings account, in my second part time job worked as a professional baby sitter for a nanny service in my area. I would often get tips for my baby sitting services, that money ( at the time I didn't know it was called sinking funds ) would be our sinking fund money and if we had any left over sinking find money we would put that money into our rainy day jar one time a year we would use that rainy day jar money and go out to a nice restaurant and celebrate our yearly anniversary.
Thanks for sharing.
Brilliant Q&A!
Thank you
Enjoyed the Q&A.
Very good useful video Jane and Mike. Thank you. I am gaining great comfort from you because when I feel anxious or panicky I ask what would Jane do? When I discovered thanks to my kind brother how credit actually works we put my cards in the fire and once I'd paid off that debt I've never had a credit card or loan again. I continued being frugal because I felt so much more comfortable and have paid off my mortgage now even though serious illness has meant I had to retire early from my career. We never know what's in front of us but one thing I do know at 62 is that rainy days come so it makes sense to make hay while the sun shines! Vera
Thanks very much
You know you have a beautiful smile
you got a like when you said the shit is going to hit the fan! Loved it
I can tell you are VERY passionate about frugality
Thanks. We are.
Hi Jane and Michael. I enjoyed your video, thank you.
Bravo Jane great Q&A x
😊💐🐦🌹🦋Think Spring everyone.
A really really good question and answer video, inspirational as always.
Thank you
I had to rewind and check I had heard you correctly saying that you're 57!! You look 10 years younger! You need to do a frugal health and beauty video...seriously!
I don’t do any beauty except getting my eyebrows waxed, soap, water, generic moisturizer and fresh air.
Hello Jane and Michael! Greetings from Southern California, USA! I appreciate the videos about ways to save money! I especially liked your idea about keeping oneself moving in cold weather! Here on the West Coast it has been a bit more humid this week! We've had rain, and for a desert area, this has been a treat!
Thanks Andrea
Excellent video, Jane! Thank you. Some hard questions, all well answered. Love your channel! 💜
Thank you
That was great, thank you Jane. You should definitely do this again. My question would be have you two always been on the same page when it comes to finances? I am more frugal than my husband and he is comfortable with us being debt, whereas I’m not. I feel like I could live a lot more frugally than we do e.g. downsizing to a smaller house. How do you get on the same budgeting page as a couple?
Good question, I will save that for the Q and A
A most excellent video. I think you answered the most vital questions. Thank you for your brutally difficult work on getting debt free and financially healthy and for being an example we can trust because it’s sound information. Congratulations to you and your family. 🙌
Thank you
Thank you! Not everyone likes the message but it's good to hear it some times. Take care!
Thank you
Jane, thank you for this video.
I do have a small question. Last week, you made a video where you explained your financial situation for the month; how much money you were putting toward long term saving, your sinking funds, etc. Do you use separate bank accounts to keep track of which money goes to do what job, or do you keep track of it in a spreadsheet? If not all have separate accounts, which ones do you combine together?
Thank you, and have a lovely week!
I really enjoyed listening to your honesty and practicality 8n this video, sometimes we need to hear the absolute truth and I for one value and appreciated your commonsense and straightforward responses to these questions thank you Jane 👍🙂
Thank you
Fabulous Fabulous Fabulous
I didn’t want this video to end.
Great questions & answers.
Saved for weekly inspiration.
Thank you 😊
Thanks very much
I have been binge watching and following you Jane. I have to say excellent and concise advice. It makes me feel great about the inroads I have made and realise some of my mistakes also. But... A massive massive thank you from me here in the UK👍🙏
Thanks Shelley.
I wish I had discovered you sooner🙏but thank my lucky stars I got there in the end. I yesterday made your lasagna with lentils, it was a massive hit for my fussy lot and they are lunching on the leftovers today. Really appreciate the content and the effort you put into these videos.😁one happy woman lol x
In California our gasoline cost went up $1.00+ more a gallon. So even with an economical car you need to combine errands, only go once a month on a longer drive. Stay local as much as possible is what I'm doing.
Yes Gladys you are absolutely right about the price hike in gas here in California.I'm in the desert of California and our gas prices are absolutely awful. I limit how much we use our car. I now walk to our local grocery store. I even take the bus to and from work a few times a month. I'm making the little changes now for the long haul.
@@dawnreynolds2991 I bought an ebike to use for short errands/recreation. It will pay for itself in under a year.
@@churchofpos2279 I'm in California too. How much did you spend for the ebike. I've thought about getting one. Wondering how much I should save for it .
@@Meli_Mels I have 2 bikes- one is the brand Lectric and it cost roughy 1K, . My other is a commuter ebike brand is Aventon. 1.5K . You can find these on sell or find coupons for discounts at times. That is what I did with the Aventon and the Lectric.
Good video Jane. Thank you. First, I would have asked about your kids, parents, siblings, and grandkids. I thought that was personal, so I did not ask. I would have wanted to know if your extended family follow some of your lessons. On the other hand you put into words many of the things we have been doing to secure our financial security.
Living below our means is very important to have room for saving. One thing I do is if a budget item (sinking fund) can be dropped from the budget (thus has happened a few times) I NEVER consider this as more "spending money". If those funds don't have to be moved into a different sinking fund at that time, I continue to budget the money into the unneeded budget category. It keeps me living below my means and gives me room if a new expense comes up not to be so tightly budgeted that I start cutting into my savings.
Thanks for sharing
I do like this Q&A format and would like to see it on occasion, but I do like seeing what you two have been up to on the Sunday videos as well. Especially your garden and DIY projects and your quilts.
Your Q and A video was wonderful. Would you make more Q and A videos in the future. It is very helpful and interesting on one's frugal journey. Thank you Jane and Mike for sharing your frugal journey. 😍
We may well indeed.
Calling it like it is, it might sound harsh to beginner's, but it's the only way. I advised a friend recently "you've got to WORK your way out of it".. it's the only way
I love your scarf
I would love to live in a cute village where I can walk everywhere. Do you miss living in England sometimes?
I miss knowing how things work, we didn’t live in a village in the UK, we lived in Plymouth most of the time and it was a smaller city
Good advice to Kitty
Good video Jane
Well answered xx❤️❤️
Thank you
Great video, so good to hear ideas if practiced will work. Thanks.
Thanks for watching
Good questions, great answers.
Thank you
Hi there. Love your wisdom and answers to these questions! I was just wondering how it came about that you and Mike ended up living in France? I'm from Ohio. Have a blessed day!
We relocated for the quality of life
Great video Jane, challenges lots of us are facing or have already been through.
Just a tip for people worried about energy costs, I use battery powered lights in the evening at my home. They are pretty and much cheaper to buy batteries than electricity bills.
@@lynnettemurphy8243 i tried those but we live in a rather old cottage, small windows not huge amounts of daylight. I don't mind paying £3 a month for batteries.
This was great ! I really liked all the questions and all of your solid answers - really appreciate your honesty and words of wisdom🥰
Thank you
Thank you ..very interesting.
Really interesting to hear the questions and wise answers. My oarents accounted for every penny each week budgeting in a big orange notebook. I picked up the habit by watching them and my daughters have picked up the habit from me . Other than the mortgage I have never borrowed
Sent message without finishing! … I meant to say that I prefer to save for anything upfront. My daughter when she was younger wanted to but a bag . The shop owner kept it under the counter and my daughter paid abit once a month from pocket money until it was hers to take home. She was 8 and learnt a big lesson! Your advice is spot on Jane. Should be part of school curriculum!
Loved this! Did you move to France because it is cheaper to live there? I have a friend who moved from the States to Ecuador for that reason.
No, we moved for the quality of life