I warned my adult children 6 years ago, to start preparing for a recession. That was when I got very serious about “ fixing my roof”. I have lived through 4 recession in Canada and knew what I had to do. I was prepared when Covid hit and we had a mini recession but I knew that this economy was still coming down the line. In that time, I developed stronger strategies…4 years no spend, 2 low spend. I know we will get through this…do I like it…not at all. I appreciate the frugal community more than I can express. Thank you.
Ouch, I am really starting to feel it this week. I am so glad I have stocked pantry items when they were sale. The extreme cold is coming. The utility bills are going to be a challenge. I am working on my February budget today. My friends all think things are magically going to get better. Groups like this help keep me focused. Happy New Year, my frugal friends.
Years ago, little by little, those in charge, started calling us consumers, instead of citizens, as we used to be called. I’m going to renew my mind to not look at myself as just a consumer, but a citizen and the way I want to be looked at by myself. Thank you for these special videos on everyday life. ❤️
I agree. Once our priority switched from being citizens to consumers it damaged our view of what was important. It was a concentrated effort by marketers and corporations all with intend to make a profit. People eligible for benefits in which they contributed and were due are now called consumers as well.
I’m so glad you brought this up! Until our “retirement,” my husband and I were paramedics. We noticed many facilities, especially mental health ones, were referring to their clients as “consumers.” If you referred to them as clients or patients, YOU were corrected. Definitely social engineering.
I'm reminded of the old lesson my science teacher taught when I was in middle school, where he talked about averages in temperature and how they can be deceiving. He had one pot of ice water and one pot of boiling water, and he pointed out that if you put one hand in one pot and the other hand in the other pot, the average temperature would be quite pleasant. But no one would take him up on it because no one wanted to be burned or frostbitten. I feel like our current economy works much the same way, with the haves making millions if not billions and the have-nots struggling to survive, and the media take the average of those extremes and claim the economy is doing just fine. But that's not what the lived experience is like for most people.
I love your channel, it helps me to not panic about how expensive things are getting, but to have a plan and a budget and stick to it. I have 4 kids and 3 of them are teenagers and it is a struggle to afford good healthy food to feed them. We live in the US and make just enough money to not qualify for assistance, but not enough to feel like we can afford many things. So I am very thankful for your wonderful channel and community.
I've been through some really tough financial times in my life, and certainly didn't enjoy them. At least I have some skills for trying to live frugally now. But a lot of people have those same skills and have gotten to the point where there is no extra to trim from the budget at all, and they are really suffering. I'm glad to hear someone finally call it survival, because that is what so many people are dealing with.
I appreciate the frank talk. We have been extremely fortunate. My wife's career hit a growth spurt in 2021. So inflation took off, and it just ate our income growth. But during that time of growth we may have gotten more lax with out regular old spending, but we intentionally did not change anything big ticket. Our cars are paid off and have been paid off for many years. We stayed in our smaller-ish home. But it looks like the penny is getting ready to drop. The company she works for is going to be sold, layoffs started months ago. She has lost all but one employee. She has only gotten rejection letters from jobs she has applied for. We have a lead on a new job, it will be a cut of 1/3 of our income. I know we are still so fortunate and better off than many. Our kids are grown-ish. 2 boys who work in trades are still at home. We have a full pantry, and i tend to view it as a challenge. I have started making changes where needed. Diving into my hobbies. With stash i have already. And finding the joy. I know its stressful but i have and anxiety disorder and have to work at finding the joy or i will spiral. So joy it is!
As new immigrants to this country, 73 years ago, my parents, without a penny to their name and one toddler, managed to survive. So I learned at an early age what is necessary and unlike many, I remember those lessons and continue to practice them. For inspiration, I watch the BBC "Farm" series, and I imagine ourselves now to be living through the wartime farm period, with rationing and making do with what was on hand. And little things add up. Instead of buying cards, I write letters and save myself four dollars every time they go into the mail. This year, instead of buying a yearly planner, (and they are over $15), I will make my own. And one of my biggest weaknesses is buying seeds, even though we have plenty. This year, I will get at the most, three packages instead of 15, and buy them locally, saving $8 on shipping and handling charges. Happy New Year, everyone. We can do this.
@@rjo657 Many places have seed exchanges in the spring, and the community garden here also has a table where people leave or pick up seeds. You know, I have been saving seeds for years, I just might drop some off there.
Thank you so much for the Robinson Crusoe analogy! It's hard to stay creative about frugality when you feel isolated and broke. The community you've built is amazing! It's been wonderful going through the archives for tips.
Listened to this all the while nodding my head. Thank you for bravely addressing the 'elephant in the room". My husband and I have been frugal most of our lives, but we were high earners. We would get so much heat from people about our frugality....we retired early a few months ago. I hope this message is heard by the ones who are looking to survive harder times. Happy New Year!
I like the comparison to survivalism. That is definitely how it's feeling every day as I prepare food, making it stretch as far as I can. After doing some adjustments to my January budget as new updated bills are coming in with increases for monthly amounts, I am getting frantic at what is going to happen as the year progresses. My adult children are struggling as they've never lived through times like these. I keep recommending store sales so they get cheaper food items, and referring them to various youtube channels to help them cope. Thank you, Jane and Mike, for being good examples of how to survive these difficult times.
Hi Jane. Thank you for making me feel better about this difficult time we are going through. I thought I was "comfortably managing" in my later years, but am starting to struggle to afford anything more than the basics. I already live frugally and grow my own food, but even my treat of a coffee & cake is dwindling. 😢 From Australia 🇦🇺 😍
I think you’re brave to discuss the common sense reality that luxuries are simply not feasible if you can’t afford them. Social media has convinced too many people that life should be easy and luxurious, when that’s never been reality for most of the world. We have to cut back on luxuries but that doesn’t mean we don’t have fun in our lives. There are blessings everywhere.
Happy New Year to both of you and the pups. I feel more positive recently about my finances. The last few months I have had money left over, gas prices have gone down a little and food seems stable, I don't buy much of anything except a few necessities. I live in the northern north east of the US and I have to say we are probably about the worse dressed people around if it's clean and paid for it's good and dressing up is putting on clean clothes. Most of the things I love to do are free, go for walks, hike, swim, read, garden and play with my dog so I am feeling positive and happy.
Wishing you both and the furry friends a very happy and frugal new year. Your channel is helping me enormously as I continue my frugal journey into the new year. Where I live all I see are solar panels, primary school children with the latest I phones , Tesla cars and packed restaurants. I wouldn’t swop my world for their world for anything. What brings me great joy costs very little! I look forward to a cup of tea , cuddling my cats, my candles and my daily soap on tv! For me this is the good life. I admit I don’t do the liver or kidneys but I do the boiled egg and the beans on toast! Here’s to your channel in 2025 🎉
Interested in your post as that’s exactly what I see and I don’t live in a very high cost area at all. I would t want that life either and I live alone, no family left but thankfully have the company and love of my two little dogs. But I do often wonder how people do that. I even had a neighbour posting about their spa break between Christmas and New Year and the number of concerts and theatre evenings out plus eating out amazes me. Maybe all saved through lower energy bills from the solar panels?
Excellent video, Jane! I’ve been on vacation (off work) between Christmas and New Year’s. Go back tomorrow. I decluttered and cleaned. I did a stock check. I’m good on toiletries and cleaning supplies for some months. I also have a decent stock of food. We’re supposed to have a lot of severe cold/snow next week in the Midwest so I’m glad I’m prepared. I was recently able to pay off the last of my credit card debt due to a year end work bonus. So happy to be able to do that. I have a car loan, but I’m going to beef up my savings before I concentrate on car loan. Just feels better to have more savings these days. I’m going to try to get more books from the library, even if the wait is months! Happy New Year 🎉
@ I almost exclusively do ebooks from the library. They’re the ones with month long waiting lists. Frankly, for popular books, the physical books have long waits, too.
Keep going Jane. After watching people go spending crazy over Christmas, I wonder just how much debt are they getting into. I'm glad my mum said, 'no we can't afford it', when I asked for something. Thankfully I took notice, and now I can afford my car insurance next week. ilona
Happy New Year. This is a serious topic, and one which is edpecially felt in rural areas where work might be hard to find, housing harder, and we know of geberstional poverty in many communities, but before it was do-able with some extra seasonal employment. No more That financial pyramid feels it is inverted now. My generation (the "boomers" as we are insulted by, as the UK didnt actually have a baby boom) and older are having a terrible time. PS as a student in the 70s a remember sharing a portion if chips in the student canteen and getting rubber bands to hold my shoes together. That was after surviving a childhood surrounded by bomb sites and living in the worst of times.
You are right. I always felt that the rural areas were the first to feel the effects of a worsening economy and the last to recover, if they ever did. We lived that life for 30 years and it was wonderful because we were young and in good physical health. With a garden and animals, we never worried if there would be food on the table. But driving was kept to an absolute minimum, and we were definitely not fashionable.
Goodness, what a blast of common sense that was. We've been following you for a year or so and it feels like coming home. Great to be on a channel where frugality is normal. Thank you. Happy new year from Scotland.
Thanks so much for the brutal honesty about what you have lived through and learned. You are really inspiring. I realize that it is necessary to face up to our worldwide economic transformation. Changes have been fast and difficult and they seem to be accelerating in Canada. Many countries including my own, Canada, have started to swing toward the right, evidencing a mood of economic insecurity. That is misguided but understanable. Right now we need to keep carrying on being extra careful with our money With xmconcerted resolve we should pull through this transition with better results. But it will not be easy Thanks for everything you do to help us cope with our collective futures.
I’ve given up almost all internet watching in the New Year, but I’ll be here to give and receive support from this island of sanity. Robinson Crusoe, definitely!
Thanks Jane and Mike, love your videos. What a reality check this video is, being frugal i really worry for my children as they are getting to the ages of property purchases, life style. I teach them how important it is be financially stable, and the hazards of debt, and less is more often more. Excessive lifestyle traps you, frugality gives you freedom. ❤
Happy new year to you both. What a great video very much food for thought . I work 12 hour nightshifts roughly 46-56 hours a week. I batch cooked once a month and freeze . It’s hard work but the best for my family healthy food and so much better for the bank balance . And also we don’t have to rely on take away as always food in the freezer . I don’t have a lot of money to spare due to cost of living . Thanks to eBay and vinted and charity shops that’s where we buy our new To us clothes
You are correct about inflation. Here in my part of the USA, I see grocery prices skyrocketing, yet people still opt for convenience foods and other items (such as soft drinks, candy) that are completely unnecessary. Then, everyone complains at the prices when they reach the cashier. And because of the economy and other legal factors, America has an astronomically high homeless population, I think the highest ever recorded in this country. This is fast becoming a nation of oligarchs and serfs.
@@FrugalQueeninFrance Here in the USA, that list would look like pasta, bread, oatmeal, milk, cheese, carrots, and chicken. Unfortunately, many people have never learned to cook, because the families of the 1980s and beyond started seeing fast food and chain restaurants as their meal preparers. Now, it's online ordering and various meal delivery services. People don't seem to have the skills needed to feed themselves with affordable groceries these days, at least here in America. Which is an absolute shame. Type 2 diabetes and obesity is a sad testament to their poor food choices.
Very helpful and bracing in the best sense of the word. Thank you, Jane and Mike for keeping me focused from the get-go on sticking to my goals to become debt free and self sufficient! Here in the US the government finally admitted that there has been an 18% increase in homelessness with the biggest jumps being for children and families. Shocking.
Perfect title for this video. We keep a regular frugal budget and a bare bones budget so we are aware of where we could cut back more as times get rougher. Being debt free is a good insulator against many challenges. For example, 2008 was inconvenient in some ways but not devastating for us.
Great video Jane and Mike and like most there is no way my two children would have been able to get on the property ladder without parental help, even though they are both double income households and are in very well paid jobs. I am in the fortunate position of being able to help my kids while I am still on this earth but many are not and I feel for parents who simply cannot afford to assist. As Jane said, no country is immune from the cost living increases and I really don’t know how some families manage. Frugality is an option for some but for others, there is no money to be frugal with 😢
So much truth and great advice. My husband and I are retired and we do everything possible to stretch our money. We know of people of different ages who will not save any kind of money. Spend till they drop. Then when a emergency happens they want help from every where. Jane and Mike thank you for the wonderful advice. Who needs a financial advisor when the world has you two. God Bless and give the fur babies a hug.❤❤
Same! We rarely have to dress up for anything as we live in Oregon. We do lots of hiking and enjoy the outdoors ( free). The running joke is, we don't have a lifestyle! 😁
I'm 68, I think our generation was probably the first where the middleclass could afford to buy housing and have some luxuries. Now everyone thinks that is normal and have the same expectations, but we may be the only generation who can enjoy retirement too.
Great video to start the year! As always you don’t sugar coat what is happening. Some people are starting to see the writing on the wall so to speak and are making changes to their habits. Others unfortunately will not and I really don’t see how they will survive.
Thank you both! I was made redundant last year but due to your frugal tips I've managed. I have a similar outlook to you both and really don't enjoy shopping. I worked out I can almost retire at 44 because of my frugal ways. I have a side hustle that pays the bills and very low outgoings. Losing a relative made me realise how short life is so rather than work until I die I'd rather live simply and enjoy walks in nature, library reading and lots of other free activities!
Thanks so much for introducing sinking funds to us. I have been a youth-oriented careers, where there's a lot of money to be made, but you really have to manage one's money well. Sinking funds and not succumbing to Lifestyle Creep really has helped alot!
Thank you for the encouragement. It helps to know we aren't alone in this. I feel so sorry for young people and families who cannot afford to buy a home. Prices of homes here in the U.S. are ridiculous. You are SO right about where the money is going. Nervous about what is going to happen next over here.
Same here, median salary is €39,000 a year, the average house price (with major cities having crazy prices) is €300,000 so no one young can afford a home
it's odd isn't it - food prices have risen and risen and risen since 2020, apparently because 'costs' have gone up - yet the supermarkets are making more actual profit now than ever before. The same with banks.
Thanks Jane and Mike. You cut to the heart of the problem without judgement. I hear the same sad story from acquaintances, prices too high, food, housing, fuel etc. Later in the conversation, they tell about their luxury vacations, dinners out, online shopping adventures, new car etc. They can survive the rise in costs but, they don’t want to lose the luxury lifestyle. Of course, they are not totally to blame because being numb and unaware makes them feverish consumers. This gives new meaning to the phrase, “Buyer be (a)ware”.
Good video, Jane and Michael! Please remember that this general difficulty to live properly and normally of our work (when we are lucky enough to have one!) does not come from nowhere. Unfortunately, history repeats itself, people over 50 have already experienced these changes in living standards, even social declassification. It is important to tell the story in order to prepare the younger generations to survive not a "crisis" but a daily struggle to live and survive.
This is one of your best talks yet, getting to the bottom of a lot of what is keeping us enslaved. The financial survivalist mentality is brilliant. I've been moving this direction for decades, not as committedly as you but have made progress nonetheless. It's so important to teach kids this mindset, and get them to understand what they NEED vs. what is being shilled to them to plump the hoards of the super rich. Thank you for presenting these ideas in such a relateable way.
The most truthful and intelligent expose on the current economy. Jane, you should have a TV show or a spot on network news. Thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge and common sense with us.
Go Jane! Well said as always you star! Hope lots of new watchers learn too in 2025 - personally have been with you and your channel for years now and am so grateful for your guidance to be where we are now in our life. Best wishes.
We're also early retirees.It's gotten to the point where there is no cheap protein anymore. Offal costs more in Canada than medium or lean fat content ground beef. Big pieces like whole brisket cut of beef is cheaper so we've ended up paying out the $80-$110 to buy the brisket and grind it ourselves (not just cheaper per pound but better flavour and texture). It's a sad state when offal becomes a treat. We've adapted to a life of "if it's not on sale or promotional bargain, we are not buying it). The only thing we may pay full price for his flour, milk, eggs and seasonal fresh veg. Mostly bake our own breads and baked goods.
@@FrugalQueeninFrance We've been doing it longtime too. We just don't get the same type of markdowns in Canada...44 yrs I've been playing the sales/promotions game to make the most out of our food budget. You get really nice markdowns and I'm jealous LOL.
Thank you for this. It is a very difficult time. I am celiac and lactose intolerant and my daughter who is 2 is allergic to dairy. The cost of buying the freeform items in the UK has become crazy.
I won't deny that things are tough, but when I got my first apartment at 18 in 1990, making minimum wage in California. My rent was just over half my income for a very basic, older apartment. I worked in restaurants, so they fed me on my breaks, and I worked 5 to 6 days a week. I had rent, electricity, car repair expenses on an old car, car insurance, and a phone bill. That was it other than taxes and occasional medical expenses. I rarely bought groceries, because I ate my main meal at work, and saved my leftovers for later. I hope this doesn't come across as bragging, because I made plenty of stupid financial choices later, but I know it's possible to live on very little if you keep your expenses low. Also, working in restaurants that provide food during your breaks, is a good strategy to keep your grocery expenses to very low. Good luck to everyone! Hopefully, the economy will improve soon.
I'm glad you were ok. I too was making my way then and shared a bedsit. Sadly, If you did that job now, you wouldn't be able to pay rent, bills or have a car. I'm sure you know how much average rent is in California- minimum wage now works out for 40 hours a week at $15,000 a year, that can't rent a room.
You don't need expensive face cream Jane, your skin is already flawless. I bought my house in 2006 in Australia for $250,000 now it is worth over $1 million. Anyone buying after that has struggled. Paid it off in 8 years now it would take me my whole life. I feel very blessed. I have a friend who has smoked all her life, as well as her husband, and have been renters their whole lives because they wasted money. Forced to move every couple of years. Now she is nearing 60 I am not sure house she can continue to pay rent once she retires.
I was shocked at the price of cigarettes £12 plus for twenty ie £84 a week or over £1000 a year. Both my parents smoked but my brother and I have never touched them.
@@moirasutherland7443 In Australia a pack cost $40 or if one smokes a pack a day $280 a week $14560 a year. (or in the UK over 4000 pounds if 84 pounds a week)
Very well informed. I chose to contribute to local food bank last year because I do want anyone in my community to go hungry. Almost everyone works who goes to food bank because they can not feed their families with what they earn. They are not lazy people and may have maid some poor decisions but I want to do my part to help them not be hungry. I have and my family have never been hungry partially because we were farmers a generation ago, and learned how to make do with what we had, and food was a priority over buying stuff. Honestly we were not bombarded to consume and buy either when we were younger so that didn't become a habit. That is, until social media and pandemic. Now, while I live alone, I feel the need to go back to the old ways and eliminate the debt I have accrued in the fastest way possible, but I am still going to make contributions to the food bank a priority. I feel so fortunate because I do have some savings, a pension and my Social Security here in the USA, but I also think hard times are ahead for the whole world not just our country. I am evaluating every penny I spend and going back to what I did when I had less resources. I feel that these videos are so helpful. Thank you, Jane and Mike. Enjoy your week.❄
What you and I would consider luxuries, the younger generations consider base line. It's a distorted view of reality. They don't understand the difference between needs and wants.
I'm sure that's the same for millions of people. I know over 50% of French people have no access to any cultural experiences such as eating away from home. I hope you have a lovely day.
I love the Robinson Crusoe ideea♥️. For us after the second world war it was worst, until 1989. Honestly, these days are the best of my life, strugling as it is with two jobs. Unfortunately I see big problems for my country in the near future....Thank you for all your posts🙏🏻
I am so happy for you because if you at first were surviving, it looks like you've turned it to a 'Thrivalist' lifestyle. You look so happy and lovely. I'm really happy I found your channel several years ago and got to watch you develop your garden, your recipes, show your quilting and your very cute dog. The way you and your husband work together on projects is inspiring and that you guys aren't afraid to tackle bigger projects like starting what is essentially a working farm, and plant in new trees. I'm guessing all these things are interesting to others, as well!
You have to cut your cloth according to your means. I agree with everthing you say about lifestyle. I was absolutely skint and in debt in the 1980's. I taught myself to sew. I've always cooked from scratch.
I live in a small town in eastern Washington in the US and we have one small grocery store here. The price of eggs two months ago was $6.39 a dozen and last month they went up to $9.99 a dozen and a couple days ago they went up to $11.16 a dozen. We have to drive 50 miles to a bigger store to get them for $5.75 a dozen. I am thankful we have a store in this town but I just don't understand the continual rise in prices. I am sure it is worse other places. Thank you for sharing information and your channel is awesome.
I grew up in the 60’s and 70’s in a rural area in Vermont. I saw lots of people struggle. My parents were very frugal and were able to do ok. I’ve never forgotten those lessons. I have always tried to live that way even when times were better. You are so right boom and bust. All the advertisements they are just trying to separate you from your money.
I am getting more and more flexible with my choices. We go on vacation every year and in 2024 we decided not to travel internationally and to vacation within the U.S. but even that was more than I wanted to spend. So my son and I are going on a mini vacation in our city, 2 nights in a hotel for off-season price and we will have 3 days of going to museums, eating out and seeing the sights, for a fraction of the price I would have paid to travel further. My husband will be working and will join us for dinners. It is not what I wanted but it is what I am choosing so I can continue to reach my financial goals. My biggest goal in 2025 is to reduce our food expenses, they have climbed way up recently.
I managed to buy my flat at 30 8 years ago, however as a single adult I’m not priced out the market, I can’t sell and rent as rent is too expensive and I can’t sell and buy a little house with even a tiny garden because interest rates mean I can’t borrow enough and I can’t save a bigger deposit because bills and food…. In one of those stuck situations living paycheck to paycheck with no spare money to really save. The only bonus is I have no other debts to pay off except my mortgage
Everything you said is true for Australia. Not a coincidence I think this is very well corordinated. You bring in more people than you build houses, there are not enough houses or services. The pressure just goes up and up. Saving that we have to do all we can and take care of our families as best we can and be very smart!
I’ve made some changes lately as well. I have short hair and I can’t cut it myself; but I only get it cut half as often now. I used to get my eyebrows dyed at the same time. At $15 per time, that’s over too. I bought an eyebrow pencil instead and only use it when I’m leaving the house. We used to have a rather nice dessert - either made at home or purchased - a couple of times a week. Now it’s *always* home cooked, and I use only cheap ingredients, like apples, garden rhubarb, and oatmeal. No more canned pie fillings or cream cheese and the like, which we used to buy routinely. And dessert only about once a month, if that. It’s a change, but we’re not suffering. We don’t have completely meatless meals - yet! (although I’m certainly not ruling that out going forward) - but, proportionally, the amount of meat vs. starch and veg on each plate has been noticeably reduced. I bake all my own bread now, and it’s always whole wheat, which is more filling. Plus we like it better, now, but it was an acquired taste; I don’t deny it. If we use cheese I grate or shred it myself, and I use less of it. We use our dryer and our big electric oven a lot less. Now it’s drying racks and the instant pot or air fryer instead whenever possible. Laundry is done in cold water, showers are shorter than they used to be, and the house is set for cooler in winter and warmer in summer than before. We live on a limited and fixed income (but still manage to save some money each month.) Even at that, in looking over this list, it strikes me how incredibly lucky and well-off we still are compared to so many others. I’m grateful.
Firstly, Happy New Year! Eight minutes in and I feel compelled to make some comments: 1) what if we all decided to unsubscribe to Tik Tok and X this year? (reminiscent of that old John Lennon quote:”...What if they gave war and nobody came?”). Would it have a financial impact on China and Elon Musk? Maybe, but it might make us feel that we took back some of our control. 2) what if we all decided to spend our money (using cash) in “brick and mortar “ stores exclusively? 3) what if we read more books and unsubscribed to a lot of streaming platforms or at least limited our streaming subscriptions?
In the USA, my techy daughter cannot afford to buy a home. She will inherit mine, but that is not the point. Honest people doing honest work no longer matter in the economy. Not right.
Thank you for this in-depth look at the problem. I appreciate all your research and all the work you and Mike put into the channel. May I suggest to your viewers an additional channel that I've found helpful for creating healthy, filling meals on a low budget? It's from the U.S. and is called Dollar Tree Dinners. I will suggest your channel on that channel too.
May I just add - it is not just the type of food/ beauty products/ holidays but also, the QUANTITIES!!! I glance at the trollies in the supermarket and wonder if they are feeding 6 or 8! Yet I know these folk slightly and I know that there are only 2 or 3 of them! And it is not just the one week ( 'maybe' I think to myself 'they have visitors or a party' - I try to be kind) but it is week in, week out. You chat to a neighbour and find that they are going on holidays - 3 or 4 of them per year! I used to be jealous, but now I realise that it is all probably on credit.
Jan 1 and I have been preparing my budget and sinking funds. I have een able to reduce some of my sinking funds, and all have sufficient funds to pay those bills. I was not able to save much as hoped as had a couple of large spends on house which I do not budget for on a monthly basis. Now 74 and house, car etc. all paid for. I want to reduce my day to day living i.e.food, supetmarket by growing more, tgen I can have a coffee out, sandwich etc. all of which, with the food for my 5 rescue cats from a budget of $220. Clothes budget for this year nil. Hair and make-up included in the $220. I eat well but no biscuits, ready meals, processed goods. Rice, potstoes, beans, veg and fruit only if less than $2.50 a lb. and 3 oz meat a day, which is fine when eating beans most days.
@@FrugalQueeninFrance your channel really helps to keep your head together and spent the hard earned cash wisely. Looking back on 2024 , it was a struggle but a much better financial year then 2023. I practised a lot of your good tips . I'm starting to do my shopping on Wednesday or Thursday because then you have special sales on grocery in Lidl.
I warned my adult children 6 years ago, to start preparing for a recession. That was when I got very serious about “ fixing my roof”. I have lived through 4 recession in Canada and knew what I had to do. I was prepared when Covid hit and we had a mini recession but I knew that this economy was still coming down the line. In that time, I developed stronger strategies…4 years no spend, 2 low spend. I know we will get through this…do I like it…not at all. I appreciate the frugal community more than I can express. Thank you.
This!!! If people are spending money now instead of fixing the roof, they're probably missing the last chance to do so.
Ouch, I am really starting to feel it this week. I am so glad I have stocked pantry items when they were sale. The extreme cold is coming. The utility bills are going to be a challenge. I am working on my February budget today. My friends all think things are magically going to get better. Groups like this help keep me focused. Happy New Year, my frugal friends.
I hear you! We know we're lucky but never forget that billions of people are desperately struggling.
It’s easy to think we are alone in the struggle. Your words today encourage us that we are not alone.
It's rough out there
Years ago, little by little, those in charge, started calling us consumers, instead of citizens, as we used to be called. I’m going to renew my mind to not look at myself as just a consumer, but a citizen and the way I want to be looked at by myself. Thank you for these special videos on everyday life. ❤️
Good for you
I agree. Once our priority switched from being citizens to consumers it damaged our view of what was important. It was a concentrated effort by marketers and corporations all with intend to make a profit. People eligible for benefits in which they contributed and were due are now called consumers as well.
I’m so glad you brought this up! Until our “retirement,” my husband and I were paramedics. We noticed many facilities, especially mental health ones, were referring to their clients as “consumers.” If you referred to them as clients or patients, YOU were corrected. Definitely social engineering.
I'm reminded of the old lesson my science teacher taught when I was in middle school, where he talked about averages in temperature and how they can be deceiving. He had one pot of ice water and one pot of boiling water, and he pointed out that if you put one hand in one pot and the other hand in the other pot, the average temperature would be quite pleasant. But no one would take him up on it because no one wanted to be burned or frostbitten. I feel like our current economy works much the same way, with the haves making millions if not billions and the have-nots struggling to survive, and the media take the average of those extremes and claim the economy is doing just fine. But that's not what the lived experience is like for most people.
The median income is the import number not the average which is skewed
I’m in Canada. 🇨🇦 1/4 of kids going to school in Nova Scotia are hungry.
I love your channel, it helps me to not panic about how expensive things are getting, but to have a plan and a budget and stick to it. I have 4 kids and 3 of them are teenagers and it is a struggle to afford good healthy food to feed them. We live in the US and make just enough money to not qualify for assistance, but not enough to feel like we can afford many things. So I am very thankful for your wonderful channel and community.
😊
I've been through some really tough financial times in my life, and certainly didn't enjoy them. At least I have some skills for trying to live frugally now. But a lot of people have those same skills and have gotten to the point where there is no extra to trim from the budget at all, and they are really suffering. I'm glad to hear someone finally call it survival, because that is what so many people are dealing with.
That's very true
Happiest of new years to you, my frugal friends! I really appreciate you, Jane and Michael. And all of you in the comments too.
Thank you
Thank you for including your fellow subbies, community members. Happy New Year!
I appreciate the frank talk. We have been extremely fortunate. My wife's career hit a growth spurt in 2021. So inflation took off, and it just ate our income growth. But during that time of growth we may have gotten more lax with out regular old spending, but we intentionally did not change anything big ticket. Our cars are paid off and have been paid off for many years. We stayed in our smaller-ish home. But it looks like the penny is getting ready to drop. The company she works for is going to be sold, layoffs started months ago. She has lost all but one employee. She has only gotten rejection letters from jobs she has applied for. We have a lead on a new job, it will be a cut of 1/3 of our income. I know we are still so fortunate and better off than many. Our kids are grown-ish. 2 boys who work in trades are still at home. We have a full pantry, and i tend to view it as a challenge. I have started making changes where needed. Diving into my hobbies. With stash i have already. And finding the joy. I know its stressful but i have and anxiety disorder and have to work at finding the joy or i will spiral. So joy it is!
It's like being at war on the home front.
As new immigrants to this country, 73 years ago, my parents, without a penny to their name and one toddler, managed to survive. So I learned at an early age what is necessary and unlike many, I remember those lessons and continue to practice them. For inspiration, I watch the BBC "Farm" series, and I imagine ourselves now to be living through the wartime farm period, with rationing and making do with what was on hand. And little things add up. Instead of buying cards, I write letters and save myself four dollars every time they go into the mail. This year, instead of buying a yearly planner, (and they are over $15), I will make my own. And one of my biggest weaknesses is buying seeds, even though we have plenty. This year, I will get at the most, three packages instead of 15, and buy them locally, saving $8 on shipping and handling charges. Happy New Year, everyone. We can do this.
Great mindset
I was surprised that my library gave away seeds each spring. As always save some from your garden and ask friends
@@rjo657 Many places have seed exchanges in the spring, and the community garden here also has a table where people leave or pick up seeds. You know, I have been saving seeds for years, I just might drop some off there.
Thank you so much for the Robinson Crusoe analogy! It's hard to stay creative about frugality when you feel isolated and broke. The community you've built is amazing! It's been wonderful going through the archives for tips.
It's hard but if we're housed, fed, clean and the lights are on with some heating then we're surviving. Many dream of what we have.
One of the most sobering videos I've watched in a while. Well said Jane!
@@aliliveswellonless thank you Ali
Great video. We are taking step. Cutting back on food budget. Scratch cooking. No soda, potato chips, sweets. Don’t drink. More water.
You got this! Proud of you
Listened to this all the while nodding my head. Thank you for bravely addressing the 'elephant in the room". My husband and I have been frugal most of our lives, but we were high earners. We would get so much heat from people about our frugality....we retired early a few months ago. I hope this message is heard by the ones who are looking to survive harder times. Happy New Year!
You mended the roof when the sun was shining
I like the comparison to survivalism. That is definitely how it's feeling every day as I prepare food, making it stretch as far as I can. After doing some adjustments to my January budget as new updated bills are coming in with increases for monthly amounts, I am getting frantic at what is going to happen as the year progresses. My adult children are struggling as they've never lived through times like these. I keep recommending store sales so they get cheaper food items, and referring them to various youtube channels to help them cope. Thank you, Jane and Mike, for being good examples of how to survive these difficult times.
Thank you
I had horrible adult acne, and my dermatologist told me to stop using most of my products. She said less is more.
Hi Jane. Thank you for making me feel better about this difficult time we are going through. I thought I was "comfortably managing" in my later years, but am starting to struggle to afford anything more than the basics. I already live frugally and grow my own food, but even my treat of a coffee & cake is dwindling. 😢 From Australia 🇦🇺 😍
We can't afford coffee and cake either, you're not alone
I think you’re brave to discuss the common sense reality that luxuries are simply not feasible if you can’t afford them. Social media has convinced too many people that life should be easy and luxurious, when that’s never been reality for most of the world. We have to cut back on luxuries but that doesn’t mean we don’t have fun in our lives. There are blessings everywhere.
Thank you
I like the French idea to go camping, for example!
Happy New Year to both of you and the pups. I feel more positive recently about my finances. The last few months I have had money left over, gas prices have gone down a little and food seems stable, I don't buy much of anything except a few necessities. I live in the northern north east of the US and I have to say we are probably about the worse dressed people around if it's clean and paid for it's good and dressing up is putting on clean clothes. Most of the things I love to do are free, go for walks, hike, swim, read, garden and play with my dog so I am feeling positive and happy.
Thanks so much
Wishing you both and the furry friends a very happy and frugal new year. Your channel is helping me enormously as I continue my frugal journey into the new year. Where I live all I see are solar panels, primary school children with the latest I phones , Tesla cars and packed restaurants. I wouldn’t swop my world for their world for anything. What brings me great joy costs very little! I look forward to a cup of tea , cuddling my cats, my candles and my daily soap on tv! For me this is the good life. I admit I don’t do the liver or kidneys but I do the boiled egg and the beans on toast!
Here’s to your channel in 2025 🎉
They look wealthy, it's serviced by debt.
Interested in your post as that’s exactly what I see and I don’t live in a very high cost area at all. I would t want that life either and I live alone, no family left but thankfully have the company and love of my two little dogs. But I do often wonder how people do that. I even had a neighbour posting about their spa break between Christmas and New Year and the number of concerts and theatre evenings out plus eating out amazes me. Maybe all saved through lower energy bills from the solar panels?
Excellent video, Jane! I’ve been on vacation (off work) between Christmas and New Year’s. Go back tomorrow. I decluttered and cleaned. I did a stock check. I’m good on toiletries and cleaning supplies for some months. I also have a decent stock of food. We’re supposed to have a lot of severe cold/snow next week in the Midwest so I’m glad I’m prepared. I was recently able to pay off the last of my credit card debt due to a year end work bonus. So happy to be able to do that. I have a car loan, but I’m going to beef up my savings before I concentrate on car loan. Just feels better to have more savings these days. I’m going to try to get more books from the library, even if the wait is months! Happy New Year 🎉
Thanks for sharing
Don't forget that most libraries offer digital book loans as well as physical books. That might come in handy when you're snowed in!
@ I almost exclusively do ebooks from the library. They’re the ones with month long waiting lists. Frankly, for popular books, the physical books have long waits, too.
I very much appreciate the honesty of your whole channel. And it’s always presented in the most compassionate way. 🙏
I appreciate that!
Keep going Jane. After watching people go spending crazy over Christmas, I wonder just how much debt are they getting into. I'm glad my mum said, 'no we can't afford it', when I asked for something. Thankfully I took notice, and now I can afford my car insurance next week. ilona
@@meanqueensuperscrimper8908 well said Ilona
Happy New Year. This is a serious topic, and one which is edpecially felt in rural areas where work might be hard to find, housing harder, and we know of geberstional poverty in many communities, but before it was do-able with some extra seasonal employment. No more
That financial pyramid feels it is inverted now. My generation (the "boomers" as we are insulted by, as the UK didnt actually have a baby boom) and older are having a terrible time.
PS as a student in the 70s a remember sharing a portion if chips in the student canteen and getting rubber bands to hold my shoes together. That was after surviving a childhood surrounded by bomb sites and living in the worst of times.
Thanks for sharing that . I agree.
You are right. I always felt that the rural areas were the first to feel the effects of a worsening economy and the last to recover, if they ever did. We lived that life for 30 years and it was wonderful because we were young and in good physical health. With a garden and animals, we never worried if there would be food on the table. But driving was kept to an absolute minimum, and we were definitely not fashionable.
Goodness, what a blast of common sense that was. We've been following you for a year or so and it feels like coming home. Great to be on a channel where frugality is normal. Thank you. Happy new year from Scotland.
Thanks so much!
Thanks so much for the brutal honesty about what you have lived through and learned. You are really inspiring. I realize that it is necessary to face up to our worldwide economic transformation. Changes have been fast and difficult and they seem to be accelerating in Canada. Many countries including my own, Canada, have started to swing toward the right, evidencing a mood of economic insecurity. That is misguided but understanable. Right now we need to keep carrying on being extra careful with our money With xmconcerted resolve we should pull through this transition with better results. But it will not be easy Thanks for everything you do to help us cope with our collective futures.
Thanks for your reply
I’ve given up almost all internet watching in the New Year, but I’ll be here to give and receive support from this island of sanity. Robinson Crusoe, definitely!
Great video! Needs vs. wants is a foreign concept to many. Excellent job!
@@karencraig5916 many are learning the hard way
Thanks Jane and Mike, love your videos. What a reality check this video is, being frugal i really worry for my children as they are getting to the ages of property purchases, life style. I teach them how important it is be financially stable, and the hazards of debt, and less is more often more. Excessive lifestyle traps you, frugality gives you freedom. ❤
I hope they prosper
@ I hope so too, but it’s really tough out there. Thank you soo much for your reply, and happy new year to you both
Happy new year to you both. What a great video very much food for thought . I work 12 hour nightshifts roughly 46-56 hours a week. I batch cooked once a month and freeze . It’s hard work but the best for my family healthy food and so much better for the bank balance . And also we don’t have to rely on take away as always food in the freezer . I don’t have a lot of money to spare due to cost of living . Thanks to eBay and vinted and charity shops that’s where we buy our new To us clothes
Thanks so much
Doing my first no spend month - January
Snap, it'll be my first ever!
Jane, I really appreciate you and how you present frugality as being more of a fun challenge. Thank you for your channel and all your hard work.
You are so welcome!
You are correct about inflation. Here in my part of the USA, I see grocery prices skyrocketing, yet people still opt for convenience foods and other items (such as soft drinks, candy) that are completely unnecessary. Then, everyone complains at the prices when they reach the cashier. And because of the economy and other legal factors, America has an astronomically high homeless population, I think the highest ever recorded in this country. This is fast becoming a nation of oligarchs and serfs.
Like I said, I don't see any beef shin, pork knuckles, liver, cabbage or potatoes in their shopping. That's survival food.
@@FrugalQueeninFrance Here in the USA, that list would look like pasta, bread, oatmeal, milk, cheese, carrots, and chicken. Unfortunately, many people have never learned to cook, because the families of the 1980s and beyond started seeing fast food and chain restaurants as their meal preparers. Now, it's online ordering and various meal delivery services. People don't seem to have the skills needed to feed themselves with affordable groceries these days, at least here in America. Which is an absolute shame. Type 2 diabetes and obesity is a sad testament to their poor food choices.
I live in the northeast U.S.
Totally agree with you!
Very helpful and bracing in the best sense of the word. Thank you, Jane and Mike for keeping me focused from the get-go on sticking to my goals to become debt free and self sufficient! Here in the US the government finally admitted that there has been an 18% increase in homelessness with the biggest jumps being for children and families. Shocking.
@@simonefeaster5131 it's deeply worrying
Perfect title for this video. We keep a regular frugal budget and a bare bones budget so we are aware of where we could cut back more as times get rougher. Being debt free is a good insulator against many challenges. For example, 2008 was inconvenient in some ways but not devastating for us.
Glad it was helpful!
Great video Jane and Mike and like most there is no way my two children would have been able to get on the property ladder without parental help, even though they are both double income households and are in very well paid jobs. I am in the fortunate position of being able to help my kids while I am still on this earth but many are not and I feel for parents who simply cannot afford to assist. As Jane said, no country is immune from the cost living increases and I really don’t know how some families manage. Frugality is an option for some but for others, there is no money to be frugal with 😢
Thank you
So much truth and great advice. My husband and I are retired and we do everything possible to stretch our money. We know of people of different ages who will not save any kind of money. Spend till they drop. Then when a emergency happens they want help from every where. Jane and Mike thank you for the wonderful advice. Who needs a financial advisor when the world has you two. God Bless and give the fur babies a hug.❤❤
Thanks Cheryl
Same! We rarely have to dress up for anything as we live in Oregon. We do lots of hiking and enjoy the outdoors ( free). The running joke is, we don't have a lifestyle! 😁
Jane, your video today really “knocked it out of the park!” What a home run! Thank you.
You are so welcome!
Well said Jane xx
I'm 68, I think our generation was probably the first where the middleclass could afford to buy housing and have some luxuries. Now everyone thinks that is normal and have the same expectations, but we may be the only generation who can enjoy retirement too.
I'm 59, I think my generation is the last of the home owners with a paid retirement
Great video to start the year! As always you don’t sugar coat what is happening. Some people are starting to see the writing on the wall so to speak and are making changes to their habits. Others unfortunately will not and I really don’t see how they will survive.
Happy new year!
Thank you both! I was made redundant last year but due to your frugal tips I've managed. I have a similar outlook to you both and really don't enjoy shopping. I worked out I can almost retire at 44 because of my frugal ways. I have a side hustle that pays the bills and very low outgoings. Losing a relative made me realise how short life is so rather than work until I die I'd rather live simply and enjoy walks in nature, library reading and lots of other free activities!
Brilliant!!!
Thanks so much for introducing sinking funds to us. I have been a youth-oriented careers, where there's a lot of money to be made, but you really have to manage one's money well. Sinking funds and not succumbing to Lifestyle Creep really has helped alot!
Happy to help!
Thank you for the encouragement. It helps to know we aren't alone in this. I feel so sorry for young people and families who cannot afford to buy a home. Prices of homes here in the U.S. are ridiculous. You are SO right about where the money is going. Nervous about what is going to happen next over here.
Same here, median salary is €39,000 a year, the average house price (with major cities having crazy prices) is €300,000 so no one young can afford a home
Happy New Year, Jane! Hope we can all get through this next year healthy, happy, and something in the bank account!
We all hope that too
it's odd isn't it - food prices have risen and risen and risen since 2020, apparently because 'costs' have gone up - yet the supermarkets are making more actual profit now than ever before. The same with banks.
The money just gets funneled upwards
Thanks Jane and Mike. You cut to the heart of the problem without judgement. I hear the same sad story from acquaintances, prices too high, food, housing, fuel etc. Later in the conversation, they tell about their luxury vacations, dinners out, online shopping adventures, new car etc. They can survive the rise in costs but, they don’t want to lose the luxury lifestyle. Of course, they are not totally to blame because being numb and unaware makes them feverish consumers. This gives new meaning to the phrase, “Buyer be (a)ware”.
Funny they think they can afford it all
@@FrugalQueeninFrance Yes so true.
Good video, Jane and Michael! Please remember that this general difficulty to live properly and normally of our work (when we are lucky enough to have one!) does not come from nowhere. Unfortunately, history repeats itself, people over 50 have already experienced these changes in living standards, even social declassification. It is important to tell the story in order to prepare the younger generations to survive not a "crisis" but a daily struggle to live and survive.
So true!
Absolutely!
Looking forward to more frugal videos, very good advice. Thank you, puppies, Jane and Mike. Best to you.
Plenty more to come
Once again spot on Jane 🎉. Happy, Healthy, Joyful and FRUGAL New Year ❤
Thank you
This is one of your best talks yet, getting to the bottom of a lot of what is keeping us enslaved. The financial survivalist mentality is brilliant. I've been moving this direction for decades, not as committedly as you but have made progress nonetheless. It's so important to teach kids this mindset, and get them to understand what they NEED vs. what is being shilled to them to plump the hoards of the super rich. Thank you for presenting these ideas in such a relateable way.
Thank you
Thank you and Mike for your videos it helps me a lot ❤❤
Our pleasure!
The most truthful and intelligent expose on the current economy. Jane, you should have a TV show or a spot on network news. Thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge and common sense with us.
Thanks
Happy New Year Jane and Michael. Here’s to another year of producing helpful content 🎉x
Happy new year!
Thankyou Jane and Mike for your videos helping us 🥰 we appreciate you both so much xx
Happy to help
Go Jane! Well said as always you star! Hope lots of new watchers learn too in 2025 - personally have been with you and your channel for years now and am so grateful for your guidance to be where we are now in our life. Best wishes.
@alegna4132 thank you so much 😊
We're also early retirees.It's gotten to the point where there is no cheap protein anymore. Offal costs more in Canada than medium or lean fat content ground beef. Big pieces like whole brisket cut of beef is cheaper so we've ended up paying out the $80-$110 to buy the brisket and grind it ourselves (not just cheaper per pound but better flavour and texture). It's a sad state when offal becomes a treat. We've adapted to a life of "if it's not on sale or promotional bargain, we are not buying it). The only thing we may pay full price for his flour, milk, eggs and seasonal fresh veg. Mostly bake our own breads and baked goods.
We've only eaten food on sale or reduced for 28 years.
@@FrugalQueeninFrance We've been doing it longtime too. We just don't get the same type of markdowns in Canada...44 yrs I've been playing the sales/promotions game to make the most out of our food budget. You get really nice markdowns and I'm jealous LOL.
Thank you for this. It is a very difficult time. I am celiac and lactose intolerant and my daughter who is 2 is allergic to dairy. The cost of buying the freeform items in the UK has become crazy.
I won't deny that things are tough, but when I got my first apartment at 18 in 1990, making minimum wage in California. My rent was just over half my income for a very basic, older apartment. I worked in restaurants, so they fed me on my breaks, and I worked 5 to 6 days a week. I had rent, electricity, car repair expenses on an old car, car insurance, and a phone bill. That was it other than taxes and occasional medical expenses. I rarely bought groceries, because I ate my main meal at work, and saved my leftovers for later.
I hope this doesn't come across as bragging, because I made plenty of stupid financial choices later, but I know it's possible to live on very little if you keep your expenses low. Also, working in restaurants that provide food during your breaks, is a good strategy to keep your grocery expenses to very low. Good luck to everyone! Hopefully, the economy will improve soon.
I'm glad you were ok. I too was making my way then and shared a bedsit. Sadly, If you did that job now, you wouldn't be able to pay rent, bills or have a car. I'm sure you know how much average rent is in California- minimum wage now works out for 40 hours a week at $15,000 a year, that can't rent a room.
You don't need expensive face cream Jane, your skin is already flawless.
I bought my house in 2006 in Australia for $250,000 now it is worth over $1 million. Anyone buying after that has struggled. Paid it off in 8 years now it would take me my whole life. I feel very blessed. I have a friend who has smoked all her life, as well as her husband, and have been renters their whole lives because they wasted money. Forced to move every couple of years. Now she is nearing 60 I am not sure house she can continue to pay rent once she retires.
Sorry to hear that they might end up homeless
I was shocked at the price of cigarettes £12 plus for twenty ie £84 a week or over £1000 a year. Both my parents smoked but my brother and I have never touched them.
@@moirasutherland7443 In Australia a pack cost $40 or if one smokes a pack a day $280 a week $14560 a year. (or in the UK over 4000 pounds if 84 pounds a week)
Very well informed. I chose to contribute to local food bank last year because I do want anyone in my community to go hungry. Almost everyone works who goes to food bank because they can not feed their families with what they earn. They are not lazy people and may have maid some poor decisions but I want to do my part to help them not be hungry.
I have and my family have never been hungry partially because we were farmers a generation ago, and learned how to make do with what we had, and food was a priority over buying stuff. Honestly we were not bombarded to consume and buy either when we were younger so that didn't become a habit. That is, until social media and pandemic. Now, while I live alone, I feel the need to go back to the old ways and eliminate the debt I have accrued in the fastest way possible, but I am still going to make contributions to the food bank a priority.
I feel so fortunate because I do have some savings, a pension and my Social Security here in the USA, but I also think hard times are ahead for the whole world not just our country. I am evaluating every penny I spend and going back to what I did when I had less resources. I feel that these videos are so helpful. Thank you, Jane and Mike. Enjoy your week.❄
Thank you for your feedback
What you and I would consider luxuries, the younger generations consider base line. It's a distorted view of reality. They don't understand the difference between needs and wants.
They are learning the hard way. Younger means less than 50. They are pressured by society.
Happy New Year- thankful for your advice and tips
Happy new year!
I'm going out to dinner to celebrate my December birthday soon with my son. We haven't gone out in 2 years
I'm sure that's the same for millions of people. I know over 50% of French people have no access to any cultural experiences such as eating away from home. I hope you have a lovely day.
Happy New Year Jane and Mike! I look forward to your frugal encouragement all through 2025!!
Happy new year!
Jane and Mike thanks you always make sense and your advice is perfect also you make us feel part of a community ‘in it together’
Our pleasure!
I love the Robinson Crusoe ideea♥️. For us after the second world war it was worst, until 1989. Honestly, these days are the best of my life, strugling as it is with two jobs. Unfortunately I see big problems for my country in the near future....Thank you for all your posts🙏🏻
It's getting worse Laura. Working people shouldn't be poor!
I am so happy for you because if you at first were surviving, it looks like you've turned it to a 'Thrivalist' lifestyle. You look so happy and lovely. I'm really happy I found your channel several years ago and got to watch you develop your garden, your recipes, show your quilting and your very cute dog. The way you and your husband work together on projects is inspiring and that you guys aren't afraid to tackle bigger projects like starting what is essentially a working farm, and plant in new trees. I'm guessing all these things are interesting to others, as well!
Thank you
Happy new year and blessings to you all from New Zealand. You are right this is happening everywhere. Kia kaha.stay strong.
Same to you!
I totally agree Jane, I think a lot of the world is wearing blinkers to the truth of what is going on.
It's tough out there
Love your videos, Jane, i find them so inspiring! Thank you for all the effort you put into them.
You are so welcome!
You have to cut your cloth according to your means. I agree with everthing you say about lifestyle. I was absolutely skint and in debt in the 1980's. I taught myself to sew. I've always cooked from scratch.
Thanks for sharing!!
I live in a small town in eastern Washington in the US and we have one small grocery store here. The price of eggs two months ago was $6.39 a dozen and last month they went up to $9.99 a dozen and a couple days ago they went up to $11.16 a dozen. We have to drive 50 miles to a bigger store to get them for $5.75 a dozen. I am thankful we have a store in this town but I just don't understand the continual rise in prices. I am sure it is worse other places. Thank you for sharing information and your channel is awesome.
Thanks for sharing
I grew up in the 60’s and 70’s in a rural area in Vermont. I saw lots of people struggle. My parents were very frugal and were able to do ok. I’ve never forgotten those lessons. I have always tried to live that way even when times were better. You are so right boom and bust. All the advertisements they are just trying to separate you from your money.
Thanks
Happy New Year ❤
I am getting more and more flexible with my choices. We go on vacation every year and in 2024 we decided not to travel internationally and to vacation within the U.S. but even that was more than I wanted to spend. So my son and I are going on a mini vacation in our city, 2 nights in a hotel for off-season price and we will have 3 days of going to museums, eating out and seeing the sights, for a fraction of the price I would have paid to travel further. My husband will be working and will join us for dinners. It is not what I wanted but it is what I am choosing so I can continue to reach my financial goals. My biggest goal in 2025 is to reduce our food expenses, they have climbed way up recently.
I managed to buy my flat at 30 8 years ago, however as a single adult I’m not priced out the market, I can’t sell and rent as rent is too expensive and I can’t sell and buy a little house with even a tiny garden because interest rates mean I can’t borrow enough and I can’t save a bigger deposit because bills and food…. In one of those stuck situations living paycheck to paycheck with no spare money to really save. The only bonus is I have no other debts to pay off except my mortgage
@SimplySoloUK Thanks for sharing your lived experience of this fiasco
Your words ring so true! Thank you.
You are so welcome
Theres is free Coffee mo to fri in IKEA Helsingborg in Sweden. Im there every day!!😊😊😊😊
Lol, wish I was there! ☕️
Everything you said is true for Australia. Not a coincidence I think this is very well corordinated. You bring in more people than you build houses, there are not enough houses or services. The pressure just goes up and up. Saving that we have to do all we can and take care of our families as best we can and be very smart!
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE.
THANK YOU FOR ANOTHER WONDERFUL VIDEO
Happy new year!
I’ve made some changes lately as well. I have short hair and I can’t cut it myself; but I only get it cut half as often now. I used to get my eyebrows dyed at the same time. At $15 per time, that’s over too. I bought an eyebrow pencil instead and only use it when I’m leaving the house.
We used to have a rather nice dessert - either made at home or purchased - a couple of times a week. Now it’s *always* home cooked, and I use only cheap ingredients, like apples, garden rhubarb, and oatmeal. No more canned pie fillings or cream cheese and the like, which we used to buy routinely. And dessert only about once a month, if that. It’s a change, but we’re not suffering.
We don’t have completely meatless meals - yet! (although I’m certainly not ruling that out going forward) - but, proportionally, the amount of meat vs. starch and veg on each plate has been noticeably reduced. I bake all my own bread now, and it’s always whole wheat, which is more filling. Plus we like it better, now, but it was an acquired taste; I don’t deny it. If we use cheese I grate or shred it myself, and I use less of it.
We use our dryer and our big electric oven a lot less. Now it’s drying racks and the instant pot or air fryer instead whenever possible. Laundry is done in cold water, showers are shorter than they used to be, and the house is set for cooler in winter and warmer in summer than before. We live on a limited and fixed income (but still manage to save some money each month.)
Even at that, in looking over this list, it strikes me how incredibly lucky and well-off we still are compared to so many others. I’m grateful.
You will win this
Happy and healthy new year to you both = what a thoughtful realist video and the lovely cuteys to finish
Thank you
Great video, agree with everything you say! It will be a pleasure to watch your channel during all of 2025. 😊
Yay, thank you!
Absolutely 💯 doesn't matter where you live in the world we see it all here in the New Zealand where people are only just surviving
You have it very bad there.
Positive encouragement......thank you 😊💜
You are so welcome
best time to buy a house was 1997 I got mine for 12000 on 200 a week so says it all
We bought our first home in Plymouth for 30,000 on a 10,000 salary
Firstly, Happy New Year! Eight minutes in and I feel compelled to make some comments: 1) what if we all decided to unsubscribe to Tik Tok and X this year? (reminiscent of that old John Lennon quote:”...What if they gave war and nobody came?”). Would it have a financial impact on China and Elon Musk? Maybe, but it might make us feel that we took back some of our control. 2) what if we all decided to spend our money (using cash) in “brick and mortar “ stores exclusively? 3) what if we read more books and unsubscribed to a lot of streaming platforms or at least limited our streaming subscriptions?
Where we spend our money and everything we do is an act of conscience
Hello from Virginia 🇺🇸🗽. Sorry I got off track. Happy New Year, Jane and Mike.
Thanks Carol
In the USA, my techy daughter cannot afford to buy a home. She will inherit mine, but that is not the point. Honest people doing honest work no longer matter in the economy. Not right.
@@carolwoodward6141 they are the working poor. So many workers will never have a house
our neighbor inherited a house- had to sell it super fast because the inheritance tax was 75 thousand and she definitely didn't have that-
@ it must have been worth a lot if the tax percentage was that much. Hopefully they were left with enough to buy an apartment
@ I have explored that issue with my accountant. Set up a family trust. She will be protected.
@@carolwoodward6141 that's good British people don't inherit anything, care home/end of life care, leaves nothing
Thank you for this in-depth look at the problem. I appreciate all your research and all the work you and Mike put into the channel. May I suggest to your viewers an additional channel that I've found helpful for creating healthy, filling meals on a low budget? It's from the U.S. and is called Dollar Tree Dinners. I will suggest your channel on that channel too.
I also watch Dollar Tree Dinners. I'm amazed at the dinners she is able to put together that I definitely would eat. Diane
Thanks for your suggestion
This video is right on point
Thank you
May I just add - it is not just the type of food/ beauty products/ holidays but also, the QUANTITIES!!! I glance at the trollies in the supermarket and wonder if they are feeding 6 or 8! Yet I know these folk slightly and I know that there are only 2 or 3 of them! And it is not just the one week ( 'maybe' I think to myself 'they have visitors or a party' - I try to be kind) but it is week in, week out. You chat to a neighbour and find that they are going on holidays - 3 or 4 of them per year! I used to be jealous, but now I realise that it is all probably on credit.
This was our first minimalist Christmas. We didn't get much at all.
Jan 1 and I have been preparing my budget and sinking funds. I have een able to reduce some of my sinking funds, and all have sufficient funds to pay those bills. I was not able to save much as hoped as had a couple of large spends on house which I do not budget for on a monthly basis. Now 74 and house, car etc. all paid for. I want to reduce my day to day living i.e.food, supetmarket by growing more, tgen I can have a coffee out, sandwich etc. all of which, with the food for my 5 rescue cats from a budget of $220. Clothes budget for this year nil. Hair and make-up included in the $220. I eat well but no biscuits, ready meals, processed goods. Rice, potstoes, beans, veg and fruit only if less than $2.50 a lb. and 3 oz meat a day, which is fine when eating beans most days.
Well done. All good progress
Ano, říkáte velkou pravdu 100% s Vámi souhlasím , jen kdyby to víc lidí chápalo, ale jak to udělat. Děkuji.
Thank you
Share Jane’s videos.
Thank you Jayne and Michael xxx
Everything you say applies to Canada where I am. Everything.
It's global.?
Thank you Jane!!
You are so welcome!
I go for health, nutrient densed food and frugal livestyl. But it is a struggle . When I go to Ikea I aways drink the free coffee.
We do our best to
@@FrugalQueeninFrance your channel really helps to keep your head together and spent the hard earned cash wisely. Looking back on 2024 , it was a struggle but a much better financial year then 2023. I practised a lot of your good tips . I'm starting to do my shopping on Wednesday or Thursday because then you have special sales on grocery in Lidl.
I started a little stockpile when Covid struck and I keep it topped up every month ever since 😊
Christmas here eve shopping an eyeopener here in NZ shopping carts empty only what people needed, so very tight here.
Not surprising