We also have a flower farm in my area that plants sunflowers in a block and rents the space to photographers. Trying to think of some outside the box ideas for you
Photographer here! I'd definitely be down to "rent" space or have a deal with a flower farm where I could use space for xyz money :) Especially if it wasn't offered to others. Exclusivity!
I bet you'll be able to make more on airbnb -- at least during flower season. Maybe you could sell packages where people who stay on your property get a tour of the flower farm and get to pick and arrange their own bouquets.
I love budgeting vidoes. I always find them fascinating on how people make it work. I can't wait to see all the farm stuff and flowers, as the weather warms up in a few months. Good luck this year!
I was in business for over 30 years, When the shit hits the fan, you have to take a harder look at your "business" and your "lifestyle". If your business isn't sustaining you, then it is a hobby. You can't work 7 months out of the year and do paperwork the other 5 months. Get a job. Do deliveries such as Uber Eats. Making 2 grand on TH-cam videos is a stretch win the beginning. Rent out your entire house not as an Air BNB but as an actual house rental. Live in the back building. Your monthly expenses are $10,066. That means you need to make $335 a day just to keep up (30days in a month). If you are not selling flowers 5 months out of the year, that leaves you with seven months of the year you need to make $$. So,your expenses are $127.992 a year. Your monthly nut in those 7 months that you are selling flowers has just increased tremendously because you have 5 months of off season. Your business is not sustainable with these numbers and you have got to fill in the gaps with something part time. I know you love the farm, but the profit isn't there for your lifestyle. Also, did I miss child support in these expenses?
@ one person only has so many hours in a day. It is clear who was carrying the majority of life and business, plus side hustles there. But, yeah, let's shame the only one being responsible.
Thank you for your financial transparency. It is a pretty scary activity. I loved how you factored in your kids future and that is so thoughtful. And, omg the ad you did was freaking hilarious. I love it and hope to see more 😀
Hey Becca! I start my own farm this year, and I am also going to do everything mostly alone. It's frightening as hell. Some days it's hard to motivate myself, because I am honestly freaking out about the what ifs. I hope, that's just the beginning phase anxiety, and once we are really into the work, we gain back the control, learn from the mistakes quickly and adapt and change and optimalize what we can. Wish you luck! Gonna follow your journey from Europe :)
I love the name Transplanter and I know you're gonna rock it. Im excited to see your flowers and you are creative, you will figure out ways to bridge the gaps, and it will become seamless. We are here for you, rooting for you. We want to see you succeed and we are smiling already, knowing you're on your way
6:52 A moment of silence for us Americans who would also have medical / dental / optical insurance line items in exchange for not being tied to a traditional job. For a whole family, you might be adding $1500 / month or so to that budget! Plus medical expenses that the insurance doesn’t cover. This transparency is so darn refreshing all around. Your finances, your dreams, your identity. Thank you.
A lot of people are complaining about the food budget if you live in Canada food is expensive. Here are examples, 18 eggs is $8, a pound of butter is $6+, a loaf of bread is $4, a 2lt or half gallon of milk is $4.59, 4 chicken breasts are $21, most people in other countries don't understand how much money we spend on food every month.
@@Red_Roof_Flower_Farm I agree, even Costco now is so expensive. Wishing you all the best, can't wait to see your progress during the year. Sending positive energy your way!
Have you considered micro greens? You could start using the seedling room now and turn product quickly. Try to get a contracts with some local restaurants, eventually you could supply table flowers as well.
As you have noted, you will not have the farm if you do not make major changes NOW. Paint interior and trim yourself, defer computer purchase until you make your numbers, sell off the roses. Sell other bulbs like ranunculus and tulips - roadside stand customers might want to purchase. You will barely have time to run the farm, adding AIRBNB on top sounds unrealistic and the income is unpredictable. Get another renter instead. Find part time job off season. With 50/50 custody, you now have free time for a part-time job. Most successful flower farmers are not making significant amounts from actually growing flowers. They are selling dahlia tubers, ranunculus corms and peony roots; teaching classes and consulting; selling products - these activities generate way more revenue. Farming is the smallest amount of their earnings. How can you diversify to increase your earnings?
You could halve your grocery & discretionary spending. Do minimal painting etc. Pick up decor from thrift stores. Not buy an editing computer & edit on IMovie etc on your phone. And you could do rotary hoe jobs etc on the side to bring in more cash. You need to start practicing bouquet making and making florist contacts and other flower farm contacts so you can sell straight buckets of flowers to them. Also learn how to propagate more plants for free such as feverfew. A question is: did you tear out all of the flowers and plants or did they die off as in they were annuals because it’s pretty bare looking and Serena had grasses and other plants that seemed to be perennial?
Hi I live in Georgia (USA) we’re a rural farming community a lot of our farmers are school bus drivers they do it for the state insurance more than the money. It doesn’t take a up a lot of their time either. I would suggest looking into something like that. It could help with expenses during certain months. I would also look into grants. Designate part of your property to growing your own vegetables and growing things the chickens will eat.
Is there enough space you could lease some to other growers? A flower farm near me does it. They have more land than they can use, so farmers that either need more space or couldn't scale to have their own pay them to use it. It keeps it maintained and productive, plus brings money in more or less for free/without direct effort.
Wow, you’re dealing with a lot….. prayers for your journey. What ever you do… keep it respectful. Keep the jabs at each other off your channels. I’ve noticed it on ya’lls channels…. stay positive… if not for respect of yourselves…for your precious children. I pray you are successful in your new journey.
For the first year I’d limit the number until time management and crop success/availability is honed in on. You want to be able to deliver for positive experience and return customers. Do short term 4 month options perhaps. Spring, summer, fall- one extra large bouquet a month of “seasonal varieties” (don’t promise specific colors or flowers). Grab some store bought flowers and start practicing arranging and rearranging to figure out how many “looks” you can get with the same glowers. Take photos for “examples” and for critiquing. Do a lineup of photos and be critical of your creations to narrow down the “vibe” you want your designs to represent. Good winter practice that could be filmed for content before the busy season hits.
As someone who's been on the line financially before, the "friends & fun" budget of $1000 is a lot - even with 2 kids. Try for free experiences rather than things like event tickets and material goods: hiking, beach, making your own house art with the kids (super cute!) It's not forever, just until your finances are under control again. Good friends will support you to acheive your goals and help by not suggesting hangout stuff that costs money 😊 Also, thrift stores and clothing swaps are your friend - especially for the kids! Let them find treasures they love as you browse 😁 All the best! You are going through MANY transitions right now, all of which are stressful on their own. Allow yourself some grace, but keep the goal in mind. ❤
It's not really well explained obviously, but that's my kids budget. Clothes, dentist, field trips, plus I'm sure there's other expenses I forgot, so I just kinda made a big various category
I would see if I could get a seasonal job when the farm isn’t productive. There’s a reason many farmers have to work outside of their farms to keep it going.
Didn’t u use to log? Maybe go back to that for a few weeks to make some extra $. I would definitely cut back on discretionary spending- I couldn’t even imagine spending $ 1k every month.
Discretionary might be the wrong word for it, but clothes, field trips, dentists, birthday parties, it's basically just a catch all category for kid expenses
This is a dire situation. My view is you need to get a regular job paying a dependable wage. Your flower farm and TH-cam are side hustles at this point. What was your profession before the farm? Don't give up on your dreams but you are risking losing everything. Get a regular job.
Budgets are hard. I just added up all my spending for 2024 and food was definitely the most spending that I could cut. $1000 is a lot for an adult and two kids. I think you can cut that back to $600. Discretionary seems like a lot too that could probably be cut. I didn’t see a medical category though so might want to add that especially with kids.
Remember, she loves growing food so most expenses at the grocery store are perishable items like fruits and veggies so I think it’s doable. Cooking classes with the kiddos would be fun, productive, and educational for everyone. Could even be great content- grow the food and store it or use it in recipes. Farm to table segment/episode once a week-get paid while you prep/eat/save.
Becca ,maybe go back to growing veggies and do veggie boxes I know the veggies didn't sell as well at the market but that's been a few years now and maybe look back into doing veggies for the flower stand or do a essentials box for the cheapest price you can , people can subscribe and then they get 6, boxes through the summer that could be guarantee income. The advet twist was so funny love it .
Add Airbnb experiences? Mind you I’ve only ever participated in these and have no idea how profitable. I was thinking tours, classes on arranging, growing, drying flowers…..etc…..
Becca you seem to have some spare land available. I was thinking you might do well with a corn maze. You are so creative I think you could plan out an awesome maze You could plant the corn with tall sunflowers for extra height. On the days the maze is open you could also sell buckets or bouquets. Mix in some veg for sale too. Just a thought. Have a great day.
Small business owner here, and have been following you all for quite a while. And watched many of your end of year summaries. And I kept thinking, you all HAVE to stop buying a gazillion new plants and bulbs every year. I kept thinking how is that part of a 5 year plan? Shouldn't there be a point where you are mostly fully built out and you just let the perennials mature and reach saturation on the tulips? And then I realized, oh, they are using TH-cam $$ to pay for the farming. Sorry about the sponsorship deal. Ugh. I wish you all the best and will be interested to see how it all works out. Keep going!
Life & budgets are difficult for everyone. I noted 2 points, on your figures. 1. There is no mention of Child Maintenance, is that a requirement. 2.Whilst no one wants to live like a hermit, perhaps you could make savings on the "fun" element. The cost of living differs from country to country making it difficult to make accurate suggestions or comments. The road side stall has been a huge positive for the flower farm & hopefully will continue & grow. Roses, peonies & dahlias will give year after year after the initial investment. Maybe re explore seed sowing, whilst plug plants are convenient for sure, there is a cost & a saving to be made. Also consider seeds that can be direct sown & varieties that are high impact low work load. Someone mentioned the work on the farm is only 7 months? we are farmers, I do not know any active farmers who do not work on the farm 52wks of the year, some also have other jobs, a 5month break....surely not. I wish you all the best with your project. Just keep in mind you have to cut the cloth to fit.
@@MyFocusVariesI see. I would be unaware of the specifics, thank you. Going on that basis, up or down there needs to be a provision for childcare expenses....which might just wipe out the going out & having fun element of the budget lol!!...
@@MyFocusVaries I am very confused. Becca would be more than aware of the farms budget & the personal living expenses having lived there & had a hands on input to the business, plus, if she shared the family assets with Sabrina I will assume she raised that finance on a mortgage. If so would a very transparent business plan not need to have been presented to secure that? Policies may be very different in Canada to Ireland. Coming from a farming back ground it is very difficult to understand how Becca expects to keep her head above water with a part time income & full time out going. To be honest I think this vlog has been for click bait...which I understand some what. I find her current presenting rather child like tbh. Why did she not research the company she was promoting, why would she publicly trash it when she is getting paid to promote it? The original channel featured flower farming...so far we are not seeing a lot of it, the current content does not instill confidence that it will any day soon. Really & truly the inner details of Becca's personal finances shouldn't really be on our...just the viability of floral varieties etc.
I absolutely love your new gig as favorite trans-planter!! 💖 What a creative idea! And as always: your cartoon-film was done really great! You could do videos also on that item (video and cartoon producing)!! Maybe a second channel-idea? I would love to see that!! You are a creative person, don't underestimate that!! And did you ever think of asking some cosmetics company being your sponsor? I think this kind of sponsorship would fit perfectly to the flowerfarm-trans-planting world! All the best to you and your family!! 🤗🌻
I definitely don’t know how this works in Canada, but it might be useful to invest in an accountant to make sure you are getting all the deductions you qualify for as a business. Taxes may be more straightforward in Canada than the US, but in the US, I would want an accountant to get me set up. Again, don’t know if this is covered in Canada, but if not, I’d want to look into short & long term disability insurance in case of an injury. Finally, in the US, at least, I would want to save for retirement as well. Our Social Security is not enough to cover all retirement costs. I know this adds to the expenses side of things, but if these items aren’t covered by government programs, you may want to consider adding them to your budget eventually.
One category a lot of people leave out of their budgets is “gifts”. It can be caught somewhat In discretionary but every year birthdays and Christmas come and we should be planning for them
"You Cut Flowers" farm on one side of the farm.Charge per stem, less work possibly for you?Look into local photographers renting your space for photos,you could do themes , engagements ,fairy photos ect.
Set up a Kofi account ( the buy me a coffee thing) and leave it in the description of all your videos, it can't hurt, I'm sure people would donate a couple of quid now and then and it all mounts up....also I spend about 100 on food a month, so 1000 seems a huge amount, and are you paying child support?
As I said to someone else. Like Becca, I live in BC, there is no way my husband, myself, and our two dogs could live on $1000/month for food. $100/week !? Where do you live, and are you active?
$1000 per month for her and the kids still seams a bit high on average- I’d focus on making sure you have a variety of planted food for eating throughout the year and if not already versed in canning/freezing/preserving food invest in (used) canning equipment. Your monthly expense would then be on shared coops for meats/dairy goods etc. rather than retail grocery prices. On average that $1000 might come down quite a bit. Used bread machines can be found every spring yard sale season.
@@MyFocusVaries The average person in Kelowna does not have a physically demanding job and does not need to eat enough to have enough energy to make Becca's flower farm work. Constant physical activity requires a much higher and better quality of food intake.
What about selling buckets of flowers for people who don't have the money for florist flowers? It will enable people to do their own then. Also, can you not cut your food bill right down by batch cooking? Another example is you have extra bedrooms there, so rent one or two more out, maybe?
I would definitely consult an accountant. They may be able to help you get the best tax breaks. If I were to run a business out of my home and used a room for my office I could claim part of my mortgage as a business expense. I think Pride month is July here, do y’all have something similar? Maybe you could do bouquets with Pride colors and cater to those events. Wishing you the best,
Farm life is expensive as it is, have you thought of getting a job, and do your farming as a side hustle? I have 3 children a husband and flower farming 3 days a week on labor and 2 days market in the weekend, but without my job (construction and real estate) I wouldn't be able to make it with just the farm even farming 5 acres and whole selling, no babysitter my toddler and baby come to work if I need to be at the site job mostly we stay at home but still have to run the crew. Perhaps something in that nature that allows you to bring real income so you can take care of your children. I been a follower for a while and I saw you guys struggle keeping those numbers up putting tons of labor into the farm. My best wishes for you and the kids, just an idea.
One thing when I used to watch all your old videos I noticed that you had to work till you dropped. Thinking if there is some kind of plan that makes it so you don’t need to work till you drop. Also are those your cartoons as really really good
I hope my multiple comments get you more Algorithm hits!!... all comments from supportive place. You expressed your nervousness of showing the world the real you. From the heart I’d like to say congrats on going boldly pink this week with a twinkle of gold. While my focus on giving myself a little self love and adding a little makeup to perk up my day has been lacking lately I am on the hunt for a couple pink and red shades that compliment my skin tone(s); summer tan skin tone and winter paleness. The struggle is real- so many friggin shades. Typically the brighter cool undertone colors go well with farmer chic tans and warmer tones with winter washout LOL. I tried a red this Christmas and it just landed too orange. Anyway... I look forward to all your farming shenanigans and watching your channel blossom. 🌺🌷🌸🌹🐓🐥🐓🐓🐓🐣
Some other flower farmers on TH-cam have some really good hustle. Nicole on Flower Hill Farm sells calendars, has subscriptions, rents to photographers, had a craft fair, and sold some veggies. Jesse on b.a.r.e. flower farm has wonderful videos on being cost effective with flower planning and selling. I always cringed watching the videos of how much you two spent on seeds and plants but then through busyness the seeds weren't planted on time or the plants didn't get in the ground. Being super mindful and having a well-researched plan will do WONDERS. I love the idea of veggie boxes.
Also various bulbs. Tulips are great but seems like they never had time to harvest them all, so clearly so many tulips were not really needed. Dahlia tubers don't have to be thrown out each year, they can be saved for next year, and so on.
And those decadent bouquets and wall of flowers that were created because they had too much product and/or couldn't harvest it in time to sell, made ME cringe. That seemed to me like $ out the window. I don't know the area at all, but I really think with the large quantity of Peonies and/or Sunflowers, etc. they had, it might be a good idea to find a wholesaler or florist to purchase bucket fulls, priced per stem. Nicole has great side hustles (which I partake) and Jesse has a profitable plan, in a smallish growing area with no wasted space!
It would be better to log in every bill you get paid, then you will have a much more accurate amount of expenditures and income. Otherwise you're doing a lot of estimates which can throw the budget off the rails. Start by doing this on paper in a book, so you're consciously aware. There are better cell phone plans, look around.
Did I missed something or are you really not including in your budget a single dollar towards your kids? And a 1000 for having fun? Go ahead and delete my comment and block me, you really need just another comment on the shade of your lipstick like this things matter
@@jenniferwolford4646go ahead and look in the mirror then. It's you who is calling me ugly just because I asked if the kids are taken care of. You are white knighting a grown ass human being who decided to put himself on the internet and frankly answered my comment in a calm and informative matter. So was your hateful response nessesery?
forgive me, I don't understand Canadian divorce law like I do in the US. But you don't have child support or child care costs in your budget? Because that would be a significant cost in the US for either parent following a divorce. You don't have any fixed child costs? What about plant sales or other plant-based income? Is your goal to have a gardening/flower farm channel? If so, what about seed starting content? Or content about potting up bare root roses? Seed inventory or seed purchases. We are all starving for plant and flower content this time of year. You will find your footing, But it is about doing the thing and getting credibility by doing it. Also, realistically, are you going to cut on first year David Austin's. Mine took several years to get going. I think even Garden Answer's roses took more than a year to get long enough stem length and flower size, . But if you are going to, why not make content about it? Because I am definitely adding more in February/March and I would love to learn anything I can to get my future Austin's in the ground.
We have 50/50 custody so no child support. I've always been the primary parent whenever I've not been away for work so it's weird to have so much non parenting time lol. The roses will definitely feature into the content
Fun budget is a bit of the wrong term, it's medicine, dentist, clothes, field trips, it's just a catch all category i made that includes all my kid expenses. I didn't explain it the best in the video though
He's new to being a single parent. He'll figure out where to put them in the budget. Also, he mentioned wanting to leave to farm in good financial shape for his kids. A narcissist wouldn't be concerned with that. Let's show a little grace.
@@KatFish410 I agree. $1000 per month for " friends and fun" but nothing for your kids? I guess Serena gets that responsibility as well. I've watched that women work herself to death keeping that farm and family together, and NOW he is making things more efficient? Doesn't matter until it's down to him? HE made so much more with don't eat the grass?? I saw mostly Serena doing that as well, carrying that dang camera around in the early hours of the morning working while he was sleeping. He talks about his social life, well, does Serena have the ability to have a social life as well? She is still struggling to hold things together - things HE helped create. Ah, but HE is so awesome at life and business, okay. Reality is coming in hot. Serena was his BEST asset, but hey, be sure to never give her credit. So many started projects not finished, so many bad decisions being made, so SELFISH. Serena won this divorce. Dang.
@ His kids aren't going to give a flip they get a flower farm once they are grown and in charge of their own affairs. What they will remember, and what will shape them as people, is the struggle they experience and see their mother go through trying to raise them. Besides, he us a grown adult and brags about his business prowess so should have the commonsense to realize he has a responsibility to the children he helped create. After all, he figured out he needed to support his cats. Come on now
@@patassion Yes, Airbnb and other short-term rentals have been restricted in British Columbia (BC) since May 1, 2024. The new rules limit short-term rentals to the host's primary residence and one secondary suite. So Becca is fine.
I am currently listening to an audio book called Profit first by Mike Michalowicy. I highly recommend this for you. I feel you already have alot of knowledge & experience. Just a financial advisor you can trust. Hire a account.
I'm trying to process this. Part time job perhaps? Cartoons aside, I imagine many of us are here to here to support the farm/channel for the children's financial security. Hearing $1000 per month being spent on partying with friends plus driving twice as much sounds like chalk squeaking on the blackboard. Grateful for grandma being there, kids need to be number one in this adjustment period.
1000 extra could be also clothes, or savings, spending time with children and paying for activities or emergency situation. I think that is a reasonable number for 'other' expenses. Plus she is in Canada. Things are more expensive. The other thing is she has divorced, transitioning and it can be mentally hard to be completely alone now. It is very comprehensible that there is a need for social interaction. As other people commented on other videos, it is lovely to see her with more spark in her eyes and happier.
Perhaps that $1000 a month for activities includes activities with his children but I too agree this number must be the first slashed from expenses (depending on what it truly encompasses)
To gently say, your choice of presenting as trans may turn off some folks that you are trying to market your flowers to. Just so you realize you may be creating a barrier.
To gently say, to force yourself into a mold that doesn't quite fit just for the sake of what others think is extremely uncomfortable. If you are unconfortable with someone's gender presentation, it's a you problem, not a them problem ;).
I like to take them to restaurants, the pool, go carts, shopping, that kinda stuff, and that's all included in my head in the 2k of food and random spending. Today my daughter drew the cartoons with me and we laughed a bunch, I already had it recorded with my own drawings, but I wanted it to be something we did together. I love my kids and try to provide a nice life for them.
You also have kids to pay for. It means you don't $2000 a month to spend on food & discretionary purchases, or the time since you'll be pushing $50K of bouquets and making youtube content.
Gosh, you are getting trashed for not having the kids in your budget! My husband and I don't have a separate category for our kids either. It's all just family categories. You'll get it figured out, and most of us know how much you love your precious kids!❤
Thanks for understanding, I consider a lot of kids expenses in the discretionary category, like a various catch all type thing. I spend more on my kids than I do myself obviously
“Transplanter”…lol. Love it! ❤
😂
Lol on the ad you created so true to life 😂
We also have a flower farm in my area that plants sunflowers in a block and rents the space to photographers. Trying to think of some outside the box ideas for you
Photographer here! I'd definitely be down to "rent" space or have a deal with a flower farm where I could use space for xyz money :) Especially if it wasn't offered to others. Exclusivity!
I bet you'll be able to make more on airbnb -- at least during flower season. Maybe you could sell packages where people who stay on your property get a tour of the flower farm and get to pick and arrange their own bouquets.
He would probably use them as free help in harvesting and making bouquets
I love budgeting vidoes. I always find them fascinating on how people make it work. I can't wait to see all the farm stuff and flowers, as the weather warms up in a few months. Good luck this year!
I was in business for over 30 years, When the shit hits the fan, you have to take a harder look at your "business" and your "lifestyle". If your business isn't sustaining you, then it is a hobby. You can't work 7 months out of the year and do paperwork the other 5 months. Get a job. Do deliveries such as Uber Eats. Making 2 grand on TH-cam videos is a stretch win the beginning. Rent out your entire house not as an Air BNB but as an actual house rental. Live in the back building. Your monthly expenses are $10,066. That means you need to make $335 a day just to keep up (30days in a month). If you are not selling flowers 5 months out of the year, that leaves you with seven months of the year you need to make $$. So,your expenses are $127.992 a year. Your monthly nut in those 7 months that you are selling flowers has just increased tremendously because you have 5 months of off season.
Your business is not sustainable with these numbers and you have got to fill in the gaps with something part time. I know you love the farm, but the profit isn't there for your lifestyle. Also, did I miss child support in these expenses?
THIS ^^^
If they have 50/50 custody, there won't be child support.
I used to worry about Serena when she was cutting flowers and making bouquets seemed like she barely got any sleep.
I don't think Serena was good with time management.
@@CindyKane-qi5ln not everyone is. Including me. But it’s tough when u have little ones.
She worked so hard, taking care of 2 kids and making so many bouquets, I always wondered how she managed it all.
@ one person only has so many hours in a day. It is clear who was carrying the majority of life and business, plus side hustles there. But, yeah, let's shame the only one being responsible.
@@CindyKane-qi5ln I agree. It was a business, and she would stay up until the early hours just before market. It even made me tired just watching.
Thank you for your financial transparency. It is a pretty scary activity. I loved how you factored in your kids future and that is so thoughtful. And, omg the ad you did was freaking hilarious. I love it and hope to see more 😀
Hey Becca! I start my own farm this year, and I am also going to do everything mostly alone. It's frightening as hell. Some days it's hard to motivate myself, because I am honestly freaking out about the what ifs. I hope, that's just the beginning phase anxiety, and once we are really into the work, we gain back the control, learn from the mistakes quickly and adapt and change and optimalize what we can. Wish you luck! Gonna follow your journey from Europe :)
Transplanter sent me and I love it! Cheering you on from the province next door 💕
I love the name Transplanter and I know you're gonna rock it. Im excited to see your flowers and you are creative, you will figure out ways to bridge the gaps, and it will become seamless. We are here for you, rooting for you. We want to see you succeed and we are smiling already, knowing you're on your way
6:52 A moment of silence for us Americans who would also have medical / dental / optical insurance line items in exchange for not being tied to a traditional job. For a whole family, you might be adding $1500 / month or so to that budget! Plus medical expenses that the insurance doesn’t cover.
This transparency is so darn refreshing all around. Your finances, your dreams, your identity. Thank you.
Thanks, I've always thought about how not having medical insurance payment frees me up to be an entrepreneur
Grandma here west coast enjoying your videos so far. I like budget and planning videos a lot.
I loved your puppet show! I'm stealing that idea!
A lot of people are complaining about the food budget if you live in Canada food is expensive. Here are examples, 18 eggs is $8, a pound of butter is $6+, a loaf of bread is $4, a 2lt or half gallon of milk is $4.59, 4 chicken breasts are $21, most people in other countries don't understand how much money we spend on food every month.
Thats like a couple costco shops a month, then I usually take the kids out for sushi when I have them
@@Red_Roof_Flower_Farm I agree, even Costco now is so expensive. Wishing you all the best, can't wait to see your progress during the year. Sending positive energy your way!
I love knowing all of these details. Nice and concise. Carry on!
Have you considered micro greens? You could start using the seedling room now and turn product quickly. Try to get a contracts with some local restaurants, eventually you could supply table flowers as well.
I have! I figure i will do that once I get enough time to start
As you have noted, you will not have the farm if you do not make major changes NOW. Paint interior and trim yourself, defer computer purchase until you make your numbers, sell off the roses. Sell other bulbs like ranunculus and tulips - roadside stand customers might want to purchase. You will barely have time to run the farm, adding AIRBNB on top sounds unrealistic and the income is unpredictable. Get another renter instead. Find part time job off season. With 50/50 custody, you now have free time for a part-time job. Most successful flower farmers are not making significant amounts from actually growing flowers. They are selling dahlia tubers, ranunculus corms and peony roots; teaching classes and consulting; selling products - these activities generate way more revenue. Farming is the smallest amount of their earnings. How can you diversify to increase your earnings?
Your airbandb could become a flower farm experience if you play your cards right now just accomodations
I know you’ve probably already thought about this, but can you save money starting more seeds and buying less starts?
You could halve your grocery & discretionary spending. Do minimal painting etc. Pick up decor from thrift stores. Not buy an editing computer & edit on IMovie etc on your phone. And you could do rotary hoe jobs etc on the side to bring in more cash. You need to start practicing bouquet making and making florist contacts and other flower farm contacts so you can sell straight buckets of flowers to them. Also learn how to propagate more plants for free such as feverfew.
A question is: did you tear out all of the flowers and plants or did they die off as in they were annuals because it’s pretty bare looking and Serena had grasses and other plants that seemed to be perennial?
Perennials don't grow in the winter!
The whole farm is in transition and I think you’ll be okay ❤
I hope so ❤
Hi I live in Georgia (USA) we’re a rural farming community a lot of our farmers are school bus drivers they do it for the state insurance more than the money. It doesn’t take a up a lot of their time either. I would suggest looking into something like that. It could help with expenses during certain months. I would also look into grants. Designate part of your property to growing your own vegetables and growing things the chickens will eat.
Is there enough space you could lease some to other growers? A flower farm near me does it. They have more land than they can use, so farmers that either need more space or couldn't scale to have their own pay them to use it. It keeps it maintained and productive, plus brings money in more or less for free/without direct effort.
Wow, you’re dealing with a lot….. prayers for your journey. What ever you do… keep it respectful. Keep the jabs at each other off your channels. I’ve noticed it on ya’lls channels…. stay positive… if not for respect of yourselves…for your precious children. I pray you are successful in your new journey.
Your money videos have always given me major anxiety! I hope you can make it all work out, you sound like you have a plan and are very motivated! 🎉
With roses, and peonies etc... Flower subscriptions will bring pre-sale funds you can use right away.
For the first year I’d limit the number until time management and crop success/availability is honed in on. You want to be able to deliver for positive experience and return customers. Do short term 4 month options perhaps. Spring, summer, fall- one extra large bouquet a month of “seasonal varieties” (don’t promise specific colors or flowers). Grab some store bought flowers and start practicing arranging and rearranging to figure out how many “looks” you can get with the same glowers. Take photos for “examples” and for critiquing. Do a lineup of photos and be critical of your creations to narrow down the “vibe” you want your designs to represent. Good winter practice that could be filmed for content before the busy season hits.
As someone who's been on the line financially before, the "friends & fun" budget of $1000 is a lot - even with 2 kids. Try for free experiences rather than things like event tickets and material goods: hiking, beach, making your own house art with the kids (super cute!) It's not forever, just until your finances are under control again. Good friends will support you to acheive your goals and help by not suggesting hangout stuff that costs money 😊
Also, thrift stores and clothing swaps are your friend - especially for the kids! Let them find treasures they love as you browse 😁
All the best! You are going through MANY transitions right now, all of which are stressful on their own. Allow yourself some grace, but keep the goal in mind. ❤
It's not really well explained obviously, but that's my kids budget. Clothes, dentist, field trips, plus I'm sure there's other expenses I forgot, so I just kinda made a big various category
Love this. Helps me to hear your thoughts and share your truth. You got this! We can all do this with our lives. ❤
I wasn’t sure as I am old grandma if I would like your videos but they are upbeat and cute and good
Best of luck with all your plans.
where we have to apply to reduce the property insurance for farm? Thanks
I would see if I could get a seasonal job when the farm isn’t productive. There’s a reason many farmers have to work outside of their farms to keep it going.
Didn’t u use to log? Maybe go back to that for a few weeks to make some extra $. I would definitely cut back on discretionary spending- I couldn’t even imagine spending $ 1k every month.
Discretionary might be the wrong word for it, but clothes, field trips, dentists, birthday parties, it's basically just a catch all category for kid expenses
@@Red_Roof_Flower_Farm yes the kids stuff adds up quickly indeed.
@@Red_Roof_Flower_Farmclearly the answer is for the cats to get jobs!
This is a dire situation. My view is you need to get a regular job paying a dependable wage. Your flower farm and TH-cam are side hustles at this point. What was your profession before the farm? Don't give up on your dreams but you are risking losing everything. Get a regular job.
Budgets are hard. I just added up all my spending for 2024 and food was definitely the most spending that I could cut. $1000 is a lot for an adult and two kids. I think you can cut that back to $600. Discretionary seems like a lot too that could probably be cut. I didn’t see a medical category though so might want to add that especially with kids.
Like Becca, I live in BC, there is no way my husband, myself, and our two dogs could live on $1000/month for food. $600/month - where do you live?
Remember, she loves growing food so most expenses at the grocery store are perishable items like fruits and veggies so I think it’s doable. Cooking classes with the kiddos would be fun, productive, and educational for everyone. Could even be great content- grow the food and store it or use it in recipes. Farm to table segment/episode once a week-get paid while you prep/eat/save.
@@EvelynM-vlogs the food for pets is budgeted separately. And 1k/month for a single person is a bit much.
1k CAD is $697 USD🥰
No real medical expenses in Canada 😉
Becca ,maybe go back to growing veggies and do veggie boxes I know the veggies didn't sell as well at the market but that's been a few years now and maybe look back into doing veggies for the flower stand or do a essentials box for the cheapest price you can , people can subscribe and then they get 6, boxes through the summer that could be guarantee income. The advet twist was so funny love it .
Add Airbnb experiences? Mind you I’ve only ever participated in these and have no idea how profitable. I was thinking tours, classes on arranging, growing, drying flowers…..etc…..
Becca you seem to have some spare land available. I was thinking you might do well with a corn maze. You are so creative I think you could plan out an awesome maze You could plant the corn with tall sunflowers for extra height. On the days the maze is open you could also sell buckets or bouquets. Mix in some veg for sale too. Just a thought. Have a great day.
You can pot up your roses and sell them as potted plants. This way you can keep selling them the whole summer if they don't sell right away.
Those prints you have on the wall - that is a canadian artist - John Revill’s? I absolutely love love them! It’s what drew me to your video.
That design was made by his ex wife some time ago. There is a video about it on You can´´t eat the grass.
That's a lot to handle, but i'm sure you'll be able to work it out. Commenting to help the engagement lol.
Small business owner here, and have been following you all for quite a while. And watched many of your end of year summaries. And I kept thinking, you all HAVE to stop buying a gazillion new plants and bulbs every year. I kept thinking how is that part of a 5 year plan? Shouldn't there be a point where you are mostly fully built out and you just let the perennials mature and reach saturation on the tulips? And then I realized, oh, they are using TH-cam $$ to pay for the farming.
Sorry about the sponsorship deal. Ugh. I wish you all the best and will be interested to see how it all works out. Keep going!
Life & budgets are difficult for everyone. I noted 2 points, on your figures. 1. There is no mention of Child Maintenance, is that a requirement. 2.Whilst no one wants to live like a hermit, perhaps you could make savings on the "fun" element. The cost of living differs from country to country making it difficult to make accurate suggestions or comments. The road side stall has been a huge positive for the flower farm & hopefully will continue & grow. Roses, peonies & dahlias will give year after year after the initial investment. Maybe re explore seed sowing, whilst plug plants are convenient for sure, there is a cost & a saving to be made. Also consider seeds that can be direct sown & varieties that are high impact low work load. Someone mentioned the work on the farm is only 7 months? we are farmers, I do not know any active farmers who do not work on the farm 52wks of the year, some also have other jobs, a 5month break....surely not. I wish you all the best with your project. Just keep in mind you have to cut the cloth to fit.
If they share custody 50 50, there wouldn't be child support payments
@@MyFocusVariesI see. I would be unaware of the specifics, thank you. Going on that basis, up or down there needs to be a provision for childcare expenses....which might just wipe out the going out & having fun element of the budget lol!!...
@@alittlepieceoffrance7369 Becca also clarified that the discretionary budget was kids expenses. Dentist, etc.
@MyFocusVaries would childcare expenses not be essential...some where at the top of the list?
They would be on my list....
@@MyFocusVaries I am very confused. Becca would be more than aware of the farms budget & the personal living expenses having lived there & had a hands on input to the business, plus, if she shared the family assets with Sabrina I will assume she raised that finance on a mortgage. If so would a very transparent business plan not need to have been presented to secure that? Policies may be very different in Canada to Ireland. Coming from a farming back ground it is very difficult to understand how Becca expects to keep her head above water with a part time income & full time out going. To be honest I think this vlog has been for click bait...which I understand some what. I find her current presenting rather child like tbh. Why did she not research the company she was promoting, why would she publicly trash it when she is getting paid to promote it? The original channel featured flower farming...so far we are not seeing a lot of it, the current content does not instill confidence that it will any day soon. Really & truly the inner details of Becca's personal finances shouldn't really be on our...just the viability of floral varieties etc.
Do you have fire insurance for the farm land? I remember there was wildfires nearby last year.
Love the animation.
Can you rent out more rooms in your home?
you are most beautiful in each new video! you literally glow girl!!!!🤩
Thrift all your furnishings for your Air B&B space. You can get some great deals on second hand stuff.
Ionly buy second hand furniture, it's better quality then new lots of time
GoodLuck. Wish you success!
I absolutely love your new gig as favorite trans-planter!! 💖 What a creative idea! And as always: your cartoon-film was done really great! You could do videos also on that item (video and cartoon producing)!! Maybe a second channel-idea? I would love to see that!! You are a creative person, don't underestimate that!! And did you ever think of asking some cosmetics company being your sponsor? I think this kind of sponsorship would fit perfectly to the flowerfarm-trans-planting world! All the best to you and your family!! 🤗🌻
I definitely don’t know how this works in Canada, but it might be useful to invest in an accountant to make sure you are getting all the deductions you qualify for as a business. Taxes may be more straightforward in Canada than the US, but in the US, I would want an accountant to get me set up. Again, don’t know if this is covered in Canada, but if not, I’d want to look into short & long term disability insurance in case of an injury. Finally, in the US, at least, I would want to save for retirement as well. Our Social Security is not enough to cover all retirement costs. I know this adds to the expenses side of things, but if these items aren’t covered by government programs, you may want to consider adding them to your budget eventually.
One category a lot of people leave out of their budgets is “gifts”. It can be caught somewhat In discretionary but every year birthdays and Christmas come and we should be planning for them
Sorry Becca. Meta won’t be getting any more of my time/data/advertising dollars. I’m following you here though!
"You Cut Flowers" farm on one side of the farm.Charge per stem, less work possibly for you?Look into local photographers renting your space for photos,you could do themes , engagements ,fairy photos ect.
Great ideas!
Ugh, I hate budgeting, I'm trying to get better at it, but it doesn't come easy for me. I can't wait to see your how my budget went in 2025 video.
Set up a Kofi account ( the buy me a coffee thing) and leave it in the description of all your videos, it can't hurt, I'm sure people would donate a couple of quid now and then and it all mounts up....also I spend about 100 on food a month, so 1000 seems a huge amount, and are you paying child support?
As I said to someone else. Like Becca, I live in BC, there is no way my husband, myself, and our two dogs could live on $1000/month for food. $100/week !? Where do you live, and are you active?
$1000 per month for her and the kids still seams a bit high on average- I’d focus on making sure you have a variety of planted food for eating throughout the year and if not already versed in canning/freezing/preserving food invest in (used) canning equipment. Your monthly expense would then be on shared coops for meats/dairy goods etc. rather than retail grocery prices. On average that $1000 might come down quite a bit. Used bread machines can be found every spring yard sale season.
According to most sources, the average spending on groceries in Becca's area is $400 per person per month.
@@MyFocusVaries The average person in Kelowna does not have a physically demanding job and does not need to eat enough to have enough energy to make Becca's flower farm work. Constant physical activity requires a much higher and better quality of food intake.
Sounds like part time jobs away from the farm at least in winter might be a good option.
What about selling buckets of flowers for people who don't have the money for florist flowers? It will enable people to do their own then. Also, can you not cut your food bill right down by batch cooking? Another example is you have extra bedrooms there, so rent one or two more out, maybe?
You need to learn seed saving and propagation too. That will really help you in the short term!
I would definitely consult an accountant. They may be able to help you get the best tax breaks. If I were to run a business out of my home and used a room for my office I could claim part of my mortgage as a business expense. I think Pride month is July here, do y’all have something similar? Maybe you could do bouquets with Pride colors and cater to those events. Wishing you the best,
You’ll have to let us know when your AirBnB is ready so we can keep it booked
Looking forward to your upcoming content.
Accountant here, start small and knock off the urgent things first.
Farm life is expensive as it is, have you thought of getting a job, and do your farming as a side hustle?
I have 3 children a husband and flower farming 3 days a week on labor and 2 days market in the weekend, but without my job (construction and real estate) I wouldn't be able to make it with just the farm even farming 5 acres and whole selling, no babysitter my toddler and baby come to work if I need to be at the site job mostly we stay at home but still have to run the crew.
Perhaps something in that nature that allows you to bring real income so you can take care of your children.
I been a follower for a while and I saw you guys struggle keeping those numbers up putting tons of labor into the farm. My best wishes for you and the kids, just an idea.
One thing when I used to watch all your old videos I noticed that you had to work till you dropped. Thinking if there is some kind of plan that makes it so you don’t need to work till you drop. Also are those your cartoons as really really good
Don’t you mean Serena worked till she dropped?
@ Serena too.
@ the place takes so much work before a tiny profit
That's called farming.
@@patassion It never even made an actual profit from what Serina and Ian were saying. They were making money off youtube videos, not the farm.
I hope my multiple comments get you more Algorithm hits!!... all comments from supportive place. You expressed your nervousness of showing the world the real you. From the heart I’d like to say congrats on going boldly pink this week with a twinkle of gold. While my focus on giving myself a little self love and adding a little makeup to perk up my day has been lacking lately I am on the hunt for a couple pink and red shades that compliment my skin tone(s); summer tan skin tone and winter paleness. The struggle is real- so many friggin shades. Typically the brighter cool undertone colors go well with farmer chic tans and warmer tones with winter washout LOL. I tried a red this Christmas and it just landed too orange. Anyway... I look forward to all your farming shenanigans and watching your channel blossom. 🌺🌷🌸🌹🐓🐥🐓🐓🐓🐣
Some other flower farmers on TH-cam have some really good hustle. Nicole on Flower Hill Farm sells calendars, has subscriptions, rents to photographers, had a craft fair, and sold some veggies. Jesse on b.a.r.e. flower farm has wonderful videos on being cost effective with flower planning and selling. I always cringed watching the videos of how much you two spent on seeds and plants but then through busyness the seeds weren't planted on time or the plants didn't get in the ground. Being super mindful and having a well-researched plan will do WONDERS. I love the idea of veggie boxes.
Also various bulbs. Tulips are great but seems like they never had time to harvest them all, so clearly so many tulips were not really needed. Dahlia tubers don't have to be thrown out each year, they can be saved for next year, and so on.
I hated the waste as well, time, effort and money all were frequently wasted. Im hoping to minimize that moving forward
And those decadent bouquets and wall of flowers that were created because they had too much product and/or couldn't harvest it in time to sell, made ME cringe. That seemed to me like $ out the window. I don't know the area at all, but I really think with the large quantity of Peonies and/or Sunflowers, etc. they had, it might be a good idea to find a wholesaler or florist to purchase bucket fulls, priced per stem. Nicole has great side hustles (which I partake) and Jesse has a profitable plan, in a smallish growing area with no wasted space!
Wishing you the best.
Why is there no mention of two children or child support asan expense? You give yourself $1000 a month for fun! Selfishmuch?
They share custody 50 50, so noone pays child support. And Becca explains in other comments that Discretionary includes the kids expenses.
Haha the sponsorship 😂
What a scummy company, unfortunately there's more bad products i have to advertise in future videos
Looks like you have to cut down on buying soany bulbs and switch to perennial flowers and work out how to save your own bulbs every year
It would be better to log in every bill you get paid, then you will have a much more accurate amount of expenditures and income.
Otherwise you're doing a lot of estimates which can throw the budget off the rails.
Start by doing this on paper in a book, so you're consciously aware.
There are better cell phone plans, look around.
Did I missed something or are you really not including in your budget a single dollar towards your kids? And a 1000 for having fun? Go ahead and delete my comment and block me, you really need just another comment on the shade of your lipstick like this things matter
The 1000 isn't party money, it's clothes, dentist, kids, whatever pops up budget
I hope you're able to ignore hateful comments like these!!! Remember ugly people spew ugly words!
@@jenniferwolford4646go ahead and look in the mirror then. It's you who is calling me ugly just because I asked if the kids are taken care of. You are white knighting a grown ass human being who decided to put himself on the internet and frankly answered my comment in a calm and informative matter. So was your hateful response nessesery?
Also 150 for water for the whole farm!
I know, yay for farm status and irrigation rights
forgive me, I don't understand Canadian divorce law like I do in the US. But you don't have child support or child care costs in your budget? Because that would be a significant cost in the US for either parent following a divorce. You don't have any fixed child costs?
What about plant sales or other plant-based income? Is your goal to have a gardening/flower farm channel? If so, what about seed starting content? Or content about potting up bare root roses? Seed inventory or seed purchases. We are all starving for plant and flower content this time of year. You will find your footing, But it is about doing the thing and getting credibility by doing it.
Also, realistically, are you going to cut on first year David Austin's. Mine took several years to get going. I think even Garden Answer's roses took more than a year to get long enough stem length and flower size, . But if you are going to, why not make content about it? Because I am definitely adding more in February/March and I would love to learn anything I can to get my future Austin's in the ground.
We have 50/50 custody so no child support. I've always been the primary parent whenever I've not been away for work so it's weird to have so much non parenting time lol.
The roses will definitely feature into the content
You could cut into your fun budget by starting to watch some cook on a budget channels, and that may cut into your food budget...
Fun budget is a bit of the wrong term, it's medicine, dentist, clothes, field trips, it's just a catch all category i made that includes all my kid expenses. I didn't explain it the best in the video though
Hi Becca, you are good at videos and creating. Would you consider another channel?
Like making content on 2 channels? I don't think I have the life force to do that haha
Thanks
What about your children? Kid's are expensive. Don't see them in your budget.
He sounds like a narcissist to me!
He's new to being a single parent. He'll figure out where to put them in the budget. Also, he mentioned wanting to leave to farm in good financial shape for his kids. A narcissist wouldn't be concerned with that. Let's show a little grace.
@@KatFish410 I agree. $1000 per month for " friends and fun" but nothing for your kids? I guess Serena gets that responsibility as well. I've watched that women work herself to death keeping that farm and family together, and NOW he is making things more efficient? Doesn't matter until it's down to him? HE made so much more with don't eat the grass?? I saw mostly Serena doing that as well, carrying that dang camera around in the early hours of the morning working while he was sleeping. He talks about his social life, well, does Serena have the ability to have a social life as well? She is still struggling to hold things together - things HE helped create. Ah, but HE is so awesome at life and business, okay. Reality is coming in hot. Serena was his BEST asset, but hey, be sure to never give her credit. So many started projects not finished, so many bad decisions being made, so SELFISH. Serena won this divorce. Dang.
@ His kids aren't going to give a flip they get a flower farm once they are grown and in charge of their own affairs. What they will remember, and what will shape them as people, is the struggle they experience and see their mother go through trying to raise them. Besides, he us a grown adult and brags about his business prowess so should have the commonsense to realize he has a responsibility to the children he helped create. After all, he figured out he needed to support his cats. Come on now
@@jazziginger1Becca explains that Discretionary is the kids budget. Dental, etc. They're sharing custody 50 50.
Income tax needs to be factored in
If you each have a kid declared as a eligible dependant best tax deal for a split couple. Both people benefit from this. Both get child tax benefits.
You have to factor in the taxes
Also air b and b has been restricted in bc. Need mid term rental.
@@patassion Yes, Airbnb and other short-term rentals have been restricted in British Columbia (BC) since May 1, 2024. The new rules limit short-term rentals to the host's primary residence and one secondary suite. So Becca is fine.
Wow that is a great mortgage!
I am currently listening to an audio book called Profit first by Mike Michalowicy. I highly recommend this for you. I feel you already have alot of knowledge & experience. Just a financial advisor you can trust. Hire a account.
I'm trying to process this. Part time job perhaps? Cartoons aside, I imagine many of us are here to here to support the farm/channel for the children's financial security. Hearing $1000 per month being spent on partying with friends plus driving twice as much sounds like chalk squeaking on the blackboard. Grateful for grandma being there, kids need to be number one in this adjustment period.
1000 extra could be also clothes, or savings, spending time with children and paying for activities or emergency situation. I think that is a reasonable number for 'other' expenses. Plus she is in Canada. Things are more expensive.
The other thing is she has divorced, transitioning and it can be mentally hard to be completely alone now. It is very comprehensible that there is a need for social interaction. As other people commented on other videos, it is lovely to see her with more spark in her eyes and happier.
Perhaps that $1000 a month for activities includes activities with his children but I too agree this number must be the first slashed from expenses (depending on what it truly encompasses)
My sincere apology *Her
The discretionary category is not "partying", LOL, it's for kid expenses
Becca explains in other comments that Discretionary is a catch all, including kids expenses, dental, etc.
Did you get any Jude The Obscure rises?
🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸
Rent out more rooms 😀 You live in the Air BNB for a year or two until things balance out more.
To gently say, your choice of presenting as trans may turn off some folks that you are trying to market your flowers to. Just so you realize you may be creating a barrier.
To gently say, to force yourself into a mold that doesn't quite fit just for the sake of what others think is extremely uncomfortable. If you are unconfortable with someone's gender presentation, it's a you problem, not a them problem ;).
Been watching you since beginning
good luck!
Check out Caleb Hammer. He helps people set up budget who are way in deeper issues.
I love him, he gets so worked ephesians hilarious
What about your kids? I don't see anything for them in your budget.
I like to take them to restaurants, the pool, go carts, shopping, that kinda stuff, and that's all included in my head in the 2k of food and random spending. Today my daughter drew the cartoons with me and we laughed a bunch, I already had it recorded with my own drawings, but I wanted it to be something we did together. I love my kids and try to provide a nice life for them.
You got this!
You also have kids to pay for. It means you don't $2000 a month to spend on food & discretionary purchases, or the time since you'll be pushing $50K of bouquets and making youtube content.
How about get a job? Not trying to throw shade but it might be a good way to get ahead
Getting a job is tough until the kids are old enough to stay home on their own
@Red_Roof_Flower_Farm oh right. Anyways good luck in everything
❤
I think you can get your TH-cam channel income up, make that content farm! And peonies.
Ok that was funny
Gosh, you are getting trashed for not having the kids in your budget! My husband and I don't have a separate category for our kids either. It's all just family categories.
You'll get it figured out, and most of us know how much you love your precious kids!❤
Thanks for understanding, I consider a lot of kids expenses in the discretionary category, like a various catch all type thing. I spend more on my kids than I do myself obviously
@Red_Roof_Flower_Farm ❤️
muhahahaha Transplanter!!