Hello, I am writing from Nashville TN USA. My husband and I are in our early 40s, we are debt free and mortgage free as well. I really appreciate your videos because it helps motivate me to stick to our frugal journey. Words can't describe the sense of peace we get from knowing we are prepared for unexpected expenses. Thank you for sharing your very interesting an admirable lifestyle with us:)
@@gunnikr We bought a modest home and have kept our expenses low using the same techniques Jane shares. We continued to throw any extra money we had at the mortgage and were able to pay it off in 10 years. It wasn't easy, at times I wanted to give up but I'm so glad we stuck it out. Watching videos like Jane's are great motivation to stay the course.
@ Apryl Ruiz, well done for coming up with a plan and seeing it through. I too am debt and mortgage free, and I have created streams of income so I don't have to be too frugal. I also find Frugal Queen In France very motivating,,,, a reminder to stay on track. Frugal Queens way of life and mine are almost identical, except my country cottage is in the UK. For me, the most important thing about living frugally/mindfully is that I have peace of mind. I was on the hamster wheel of debt; living hand to mouth for many years. It was a very stressful period of my life. When I sometimes want things, I choose that sense of peace over the stuff I don't need.
What peace of mind having no debt and no mortgage to pay every month gives me. Now as a pensioner on a fixed income with little scope to increase it I find I can live very comfortable on a much lower income and still allow my self a few little treats and a small amount of savings every month.
That was an excellent explanation of how to budget. I used to be quite poor at budgeting because I didn't take into account those little "unplanned" expenses and always came up short. Now I use sinking funds and save and I can't believe how much peace I have about money.
Got my emergency and sinking fund ready for next year and starting a fund a month ahead of spending . Beeing frugal really gives room to breath and lowers stress immensely
A bit off topic ..but I was amazed at how many people at the supermarket today were buying loads of Halloween sweets, plastic pumpkin containers, costumes..we personally don't celebrate it (but each to their own and what makes them happy) and think it's a waste of money and just stuff ending up in landfill. With the cost of living being how it is ..I'm amazed at how much money people spend on it
Thank you for all your hard work in preparing these topics, especially the financial ones. I am a financial planner and retired. I have been re-energize by your balanced approach to all that is needed to run a household. I am now baking again and doing a tighter budget for my household. Regards Rozanne from South Africa.
I just love the way you break everything down into totally manageable chunks (is that your pedagogical experience Jane in play here perhaps? ) I just want to thank you again for helping me on my own budget journey. You’re videos are brilliant 😊. All the very best to you and Mike. 🙏🏼❤️🙏🏼
Wonderful advice as always ☺️. We have a spreadsheet with lots of different "accounts" for example bills, fuel, food, medical, our dogs care, money for haircuts, clothing, gifts, holidays, emergencies, home improvements and savings and everything month we divide up our income into those. We've been debt free and mortgage free since February and our system works well for us ☺️
I started budgeting many years ago and have fine tuned it over the years. I have categories for just about everything, from groceries to gifts to auto and rental insurance. The first few months were a little hard but if You hang in there, budgeting really works. Great advice.
One thing that stood out to me was your cost for Health Insurance $101 for BOTH of you. I’m 62, live in San Francisco, self employed…My health insurance is $1300+ per month… and that is after I spend $6,000 for my deductible (annually). So , I’m essentially spending $6000 + $15,000 before they cover anything at all. Horrifying but true.
Thanks for sharing. It gives us such a concrete example. I decided I had to have a way to save more, so I decided on no-spend years. Last year, I maintained till October. I spent then. That was enough to keep me off track for the rest of the year. This year, I did another no-pend year. I was fine, and watched the savings accumulate little by little....until October! So, I've spent some this month. I won't let it throw me off course for the rest of the year. November 1st, I'll go back to no-spend. It does add up! Love to you and Michael ❤
Excellent video! I wasn't even sure what a sinking fund was. You cleared that up. I do a separate budget each month. I need to create sinking funds and better outline the needs. I can see clearly that you were a great teacher!
Do you think you’d ever be able to talk about what budgeting (or perhaps not budgeting?) was like back when you had kids? I would love some insight as you back on your earlier years. So many of our line items have to do with kid expenditures.
Thank you for this excellent video . Your careful planning has resulted in having some extra money money to spend as you like. I, too, have had this experience and it is rewarding to choose some delightful little thing with which to treat yourself. Mine is usually a book, yarn, or a movie. You folks are a lovely treat in my day.
Thank you Jane for your uplifting videos. Really I do not feel alone who is saving money. People around me a spenders and I feel sometimes a bit weird. Here is a great community. I love reading the commennts
RE: children’s expenses. Teachers often know how many excursions they are planning. At the start of the school term ask your child’s teacher when and where the excursion is planned for. They might not be able to give you exact details but it will be enough to make a start on your family’s planning.
@@FrugalQueeninFrance that’s great. Where i am it’s a bit hit and miss. The whole school calendar is often on the website but not always the individual class calendars.
This is very true! Each year level has different excursions/field trips. However parents need to reject excursions that don't fit their budget. For example our Y6/grade 5 excursion costs $800 per child. I find this to be excessive. Students travel on a coach bus to a state with a beach. They spend 1 night in a hotel and visit an oceanic science center. Parents could drive their own car on a weekend of their choice for $100 petrol, stay in an inexpensive hotel $100, and visit the Oceanic Centre for $22/person. So why pay $1200 to go with your kid on school excursion???!!! Ridiculous.
That was so helpful, thank you!! I’m going to start afresh in January 23 as I’ve never been one to have a budget. I’m good at managing money, but lack the forward thinking. You explained it so well. I’ll save the video.
This really helpful video provides a simple written plan of what to do once you have gone through the mind numbing and laborious process of recording past expenses and income in order to build your budget. Thank you so much Jane and Mike.
I do really well at being frugal and saving money. Although, I've never done a budget. However, we recently had the unexpected expense of replacing our whole heating and cooling system. Unexpectedly, we now have to pay off the debt. After watching your videos, I really think it's time I started budgeting to know just where my money is being spent. We plan on paying this debt down as fast as we can to avoid the outrageous interest rates. In addition, I am in my late 40s and I would really like to retire early. One never knows what life is going to bring, but we can prepare the best we know how. Thank you!
Indeed Julie, that wasn’t unexpected, it wasn’t immortal and it wasn’t going to last forever. Do a life audit from your body head to toe to your house, car and garden. It’ll all need replacing at some stage. Each aspect needs saving for.
@@FrugalQueeninFrance you are so right! I don't like being caught off guard like that, so I will be rewatching the video today to start making a budget. Also, I am concerned if one or both of us where to be out of work or worst case scenario what if one of us were to become ill or be widowed. Like you said above each aspect needs saving for..
Love your video! Yes,that absolutely lines up with what we do as well. I write down all of our expenses in an " at a glance" budget book. The book is set up on a weekly budget format and i have made changes to the book to facilitate a monthly budget. Yes,where we work outside the home we receive our pay once a month. Living with a budget is our road map to where our moneys need to go!👍🌾
Hi Jane, new subbie here. I stumbled upon your videos yesterday and have been binge watching while doing chores around the house and crafting. We, too, retired early and moved to France from the US in 2016 (Aveyron). We came over debt-free with a smallish lump sum from my husband’s share of an employee-owned company and my teacher’s pension. Unfortunately, we became lax with our budgeting and are now trying to get back on track. Your thorough explanations are so helpful, especially considering we are under somewhat similar circumstances - no extra income but my husband will start receiving his state pension in 2 years. My hope is to get everything under control before that time and use his pension to build a good amount in a long term savings account. Thank you so much for the content!
I only had two no spend months. January and November. You've inspired me to add a third. I think June would be good . Thank you for sharing how it could be done.
I get paid on the 12th and 20th of every month. My goal is to save up so I can do like you, putting the money aside and then releasing on the first of the next monts. Its a bit tricky as it is today, my budgeting period goes from the 12th to the 12th of every month. 👍 I hope I manage to do it in 8 months.
We've done no spend January and July for a few years now. January no spend is welcome after the holidays. July usually feels pretty easy because it's so hot, although I couldn't tell you why heat and not shopping work well together, lol!
Thank you Jane and Mike for another informative video. I have now been following your channel and used your budgeting advice for nearly a year now. I will finish off my first years budget a month early so that I can stet 2023 in January. I will be interested to see how the budget has worked out. I have tweaked the budget throughout the year. Like yourselves I too have British pensions which are the same every month. I also have a small flexible income which can be anything from zero to a few hundred a month so I try to budget on my pension income which is guaranteed. I there for try to add all my additional income to my long term savings account. Wish me luck with the year end budget balancing. Any thing left 🤞will go into long term savings.
Thank you so much for the timely reminders. We too are on pensions, both state and local authority so we have to be careful, no flexibility. Thanks to sinking funds we are now on target to pay off our remaining mortgage ( left from moving nearer to family) in March. Such a relief 😅 just in time for expensive dental work to begin 😳😉. There is always something 😩 but we will be prepared. Our much loved elderly pooch (15) was sadly put to sleep 2 weeks ago 😭 so rejigging that part of our budget and some of that pet budget will go to local pet charities as they are getting desperate now 😔 Budgeting has allowed for that to happen thank goodness.
All good ideas. Things do happen. Though the other situation is harder to deal with, which is what to do when the income dissolves, jobs disappear or heaven forbid, the pension fund dries up. Just awful to contemplate how vulnerable we are. Thank you for the video! Have a fabulous week!
I too am debt and mortgage free. I wish I had your discipline in following a budget. Since following your videos I am certainly more conscientious so my spending. It’s getting better.
I was in an uncomfortable situation where a boss was selling occasion cards, $30 a box!! Even if I had the money I would never buy them to throw them in a drawer and never use! I just ignored the whole situation!
I've been tracking my spending for 8 months now & I see where my money is going. Based on your videos & examples, I'm ready now to set up a budget for long term savings & sinking funds. Thank you!
I recently added a sickness funds for the occasional flu or so. Every time I get sick and I need special food or medicine I have to take money from somewhere else. This won't be an issue anymore as I build up my fund
My sinking fund for unplanned costs is so useful - second storey external window awning blew off, too hard and dangerous for us to fix, and quote is $500 to reattach it. Thks Jane, I have the $$ covered!!!!
This makes a lot of sense to me to divide by 12. I don't know why I didn't think of it sooner. I get £247 a month to spend (my sister pays the other bills) so I'll use this idea when I'll get my money next.
With the costs for alot of things going up, how do you determine the amount to budget for? Examples might be the rising costs of car parts or appliance repair/replacement? What fund does the difference come from? How much of a buffer might you have? I can research today's prices but it's hard to estimate inflation or shortage price hikes. Great video and thankyou for all you do. I like your no nonsense attitude.
15:53 thank you I’ve had a sinking fund called “girls” for my two daughters of £85 a month but once had few essentials, clothes, treats it doesn’t go far so I’m going to split this into smaller categories
Really enjoyed this. I wish so much I had a house and no mortgage. My rent is so expensive here and is 50% of my main income. I just can't afford to buy a home either where I live as a single woman. I can't move either as moved here to be near to Mum and Dad should they need help. Apart from that everything else is hunky dory! I try hard to keep my emergency fund stocked up!! C xxxx
Hi Jane. Great video! I would really appreciate it, if you could read the questions, as I am very often listening to your videos while doing chores or getting ready for work. Thank you!
Hi Jane You said France has a high cost of living. How does that compare to the UK? Also do you think moving to France was a good idea for you two....any regrets? Best wishes and thank you for the wonderful videos.
Thank goodness for sinking funds! Our fridge/freezer went last week! We lost some of our precious food although I cooked up what was still safe and gave some away rather than waste it! We have a shiny new one installed now but an unplanned but inevitable expense!
The sooner everyone realises DEBT sucks the better. Just keep throwing every penny/ cent you can at it. Live frugally remember a pound saved it worth about 35% more than a pound earned as there is no deductions from the pound you save. Also make sure that pound saved goes straight to paying off that debt, every little helps to get you to the end goal quicker. Good luck with your journey.
Hi. I am in the North Carolina mountains in the US. I’m a 63 year old widow and live on pension and also state retirement plan from being a school teacher. I am mortgage free, but do have debt. I found you recently and am learning soooo much. A problem I have is that I have not budgeted in the past and have no savings at all. Since I failed to plan ahead, I have several big needs and no money for them, (new roof, paint, new water heater, dentist, etc). In the past I would borrow money for these things which is why I have so much debt. I want to stop this madness! What do you suggest? I’m thinking do no spends and try to save as much as possible toward these things, but it is worrisome as they all need done as soon as possible. Is this the best plan for me? Thank you.
In your position, I’d go cômpletely no spend until those debts are gone. Pay bills, buy survival good and throw everything at debt, if you’re in good health, get a part time job as well and use all that to pay off those debts too
@@FrugalQueeninFrance thank you for the helpful advice. Sadly I am disabled and unable to work, but completely no spend there isn’t any reason I can’t do. I’m just so tired of being worried and always being “behind the eight ball”. Nothing I will have to give up by no spend will be worth my peace of mind! I will continue watching all your posts on your channel. You are so calm and encouraging that you make me feel like I’m not hopeless and I can get it done over time. Thank you so much.
Hi, I am also in NC with a teaching pension. Think about if you are in good health look back into the schools for a part time job or subbing. Subbing pays well since the schools are struggling to get teachers, staff and subs. That might help in the short term. You are under a cap of earnings so check that out first. I have done this for 19 years since retiring and plan 1 more years of working. Parttime gives you time for other activities. I volunteer and socialize with friends. We raised a grandson while doing this and my husband has no pension only an annuity but has a part time job to fund his hobby. Take your social security early if possible and put into savings. Good luck from one tarheel to another.
hi tina from scarborough north yorkshirei have all ways try to save ,married 52 years be for iwiould but food a way for school holiday so i could go on trips out Now i do the same for grankidlove watch ing the show thank you both ..
This is an amazing video and budget tutorial! Thank you Jane! Always inspiring 💗 There was one thing that you mentioned that was a surprise. Your property taxes are based off of income and not property value?
Interesting! Ours is $1,700 a year for 1.4 acres in the Adirondack mountains (US). And that doesn’t include the 3-4 hundred dollars a year for school taxes that are due a few months after. Our are set by appraisal of the property and house, and location.
Not sure if u will see this comment since the video is from a while ago, but how did u figure out how much to budget for groceries? Did u look at a few months before and figure out an average? I'm trying to come up with realistic budget numbers and have been looking back at the past few months. But for three months i was living in my truck camper so of course my gas costs were more. Currently staying with my boyfriend and am trying to keep same amount of food (or less) than i did when i'm the camper. He and i have diff diets (i don't eat meat or seafood and very little dairy, he does) so we keep those separate for the most part.
Food costs what it costs. We can't eat, even the basics, for less that 5€ person per day. That's 70€ a week for just our meals. Our supermarket budget for all food, drink, cleaning products, toiletries, laundry products and bathroom tissue is 100€ a week and that I assure is a disciplined amount. What does it cost per meal to cook where you are?
@@FrugalQueeninFrance i am in the US. from what i can tell my food has come to about 360-400 a month the past few months but i was also traveling within a few different states so the groceries could really vary. But i think i wasted some of what i bought and i am trying to not do that anymore. I have been looking at what i have before i go to the store so i don't buy too much. Your videos have helped so much. i bought a budget planner and am looking backwards to see what i have spent over past few months, see where things were impulse, things i thought i needed but don't (esp now that i am stationary for a few months before we head back east from where my boyfriend is stationed currently.)
I appreciate your beautiful values, I wish my parents, or someone, would have showed me this. I am VERY frugal, even beyond what may be considered strict. But, there is a lot I don't do or have. It's just not budgeted in because I live on 800 a month and am debt free, I cannot go much beyond this, and a little goes to charity. My income just doesn't allow for much beyond the very basic necessities and then it's at rock bottom. Any suggestions?
Hello... I just found this video and compared your budget with mine. Something that was odd to me..... Where does garbage go in your budget? Where I live, I pay to have my garbage and recycling hauled away on a quarterly basis.
Hey Jane. For another time I have 2 questions for you. 1. How do you handle temptations to spend..how do you stop yourselves. And 2. how do you entertain friends at home and are they like you in being frugal. Sometimes friends, even good ones,get put off by frugality. Love your video…very helpful and inspiring as always.
1. We jointly make sensible adult responsible decisions about our money. We ne er spend any money without it being planned and saved for. 2. People can take us as they find us. Yes, we do entertain. They’re well fed within our budget.
Thank you. This was helpful. What do you think about sinking funds for utilities? My natural gas bill is high when it's cold and electric is high when it's hot.
@@FrugalQueeninFrance certainly we can overpay. I have the company give me a budget amount (estimated yearly total ÷ 12) and then put that amount in my sinking fund and make a tiny bit of interest.
My bank, which used to be a credit union let’s you have unlimited accounts with no charges. My financial plan/budget means that I worked out how much I need for each category per annum and I divided this by 26 (fortnight’s) and I have set up that the day after payday ( just in case there’s a glitch between work and bank) these amounts automatically wing their way into their new home. My headings are- health, holidays, bills and expenses, Emergency Fund( for sudden things), repairs and replacement( some people call this POM or peace of mind) for planned replacements like washing machine or our non immortal lawn mower. I just transfer money back to the everyday account to spend it , for example we had the car serviced so I transferred money out of bills to the card accessible account to pay on collection. I used to have a new car account, but this year purchased my brand new Subaru Impreza which took me 4 years of regular savings plus any bonuses and tax refunds etc to save up for, because I know Subarus last 20 years/ 400,000 km before they start to die and cost major money I closed that account , I’m 68 in 20 years I’ll be 88 and if I’m still driving at all won’t be getting a new car. I also closed my Christmas club which I started 20+ years ago when I had 3 in high school, plus quarterly utilities and rates so January was an expensive month, I’ve always bought or made presents through out the year and the Christmas club was a great way of saving for my most expensive month instead., but the money previously spent on those two accounts now goes into savings because I’ll be down to one day a year next year. This is my adaption of information from Jane, Cath from Cheapskates Club, Scott Pape (the barefoot investor) and Dave Ramsay rehashed to suit me. It took a while to fine tune and evolve, but I find it easier than a paper journal or excell that I’d struggle to update because I’m a bit undisciplined sometimes. You’ll get there.
Your budget is very well done. Do you have any concerns about having no spend months in a time of rising costs and pending shortages? Would it be better to purchase things while they're available and cost less? This ISN'T a criticism, I'm genuinely wanting to know your thinking on this. My church does food boxes at Thanksgiving every year. I started buying food for them months ago. If I was buying all the food items now, I don't think I could have purchased as much. So my thinking is, having food for myself and to share is better than more money in savings given the current circumstances. Everyone must choose for themselves, I am only curious about how others are navigating this time.
I have food for weeks, not months. Our food prices are always high here and seasonal food is cheaper. France has a very different food culture. Thanks for watching
Thank you so much for you’re such helpful videos can I ask do you still invest? Or all goes into the long term savings? I’m unsure whether to don’t to invest or better to save up more emergency and lts many thanks again 😊🙏🏻
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Hello, I am writing from Nashville TN USA. My husband and I are in our early 40s, we are debt free and mortgage free as well. I really appreciate your videos because it helps motivate me to stick to our frugal journey. Words can't describe the sense of peace we get from knowing we are prepared for unexpected expenses. Thank you for sharing your very interesting an admirable lifestyle with us:)
Thanks very much
Wow, how did you pay off your mortgage early?
@@gunnikr We bought a modest home and have kept our expenses low using the same techniques Jane shares. We continued to throw any extra money we had at the mortgage and were able to pay it off in 10 years. It wasn't easy, at times I wanted to give up but I'm so glad we stuck it out. Watching videos like Jane's are great motivation to stay the course.
@ Apryl Ruiz, well done for coming up with a plan and seeing it through. I too am debt and mortgage free, and I have created streams of income so I don't have to be too frugal. I also find Frugal Queen In France very motivating,,,, a reminder to stay on track. Frugal Queens way of life and mine are almost identical, except my country cottage is in the UK.
For me, the most important thing about living frugally/mindfully is that I have peace of mind. I was on the hamster wheel of debt; living hand to mouth for many years. It was a very stressful period of my life. When I sometimes want things, I choose that sense of peace over the stuff I don't need.
What peace of mind having no debt and no mortgage to pay every month gives me. Now as a pensioner on a fixed income with little scope to increase it I find I can live very comfortable on a much lower income and still allow my self a few little treats and a small amount of savings every month.
That was an excellent explanation of how to budget. I used to be quite poor at budgeting because I didn't take into account those little "unplanned" expenses and always came up short. Now I use sinking funds and save and I can't believe how much peace I have about money.
Great to hear that.
Well done yet again. It is obvious that you were a teacher Jane. Always explain clearly and at a good pace. Gold star and smiley face😊
Thanks Liz.
I agree Liz …and may I add that you must have been an excellent teacher Jane …another lovely video , just in time to motivate me . ❤
Yes Liz Jane & Mike definitely deserve lots of Gold stars 😊
Jane and Mike Thank you
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
@@rosaestrada41 thanks for watching
Got my emergency and sinking fund ready for next year and starting a fund a month ahead of spending . Beeing frugal really gives room to breath and lowers stress immensely
Music to my ears
A bit off topic ..but I was amazed at how many people at the supermarket today were buying loads of Halloween sweets, plastic pumpkin containers, costumes..we personally don't celebrate it (but each to their own and what makes them happy) and think it's a waste of money and just stuff ending up in landfill. With the cost of living being how it is ..I'm amazed at how much money people spend on it
Yep
Just shows peoples priorities. Next week some of those people will be moaning they can’t afford to put their heating on.
Thank you for all your hard work in preparing these topics, especially the financial ones. I am a financial planner and retired. I have been re-energize by your balanced approach to all that is needed to run a household. I am now baking again and doing a tighter budget for my household. Regards Rozanne from South Africa.
Thanks so much for your feedback and watching our videos
I just love the way you break everything down into totally manageable chunks (is that your pedagogical experience Jane in play here perhaps? ) I just want to thank you again for helping me on my own budget journey. You’re videos are brilliant 😊. All the very best to you and Mike. 🙏🏼❤️🙏🏼
Glad you enjoy it!
Thank you both so much for being so open on your personal income. It has been so helpful . I look forward to your food buget video.
You’re welcome.
Wonderful advice as always ☺️. We have a spreadsheet with lots of different "accounts" for example bills, fuel, food, medical, our dogs care, money for haircuts, clothing, gifts, holidays, emergencies, home improvements and savings and everything month we divide up our income into those. We've been debt free and mortgage free since February and our system works well for us ☺️
Thanks so much for sharing
I started budgeting many years ago and have fine tuned it over the years. I have categories for just about everything, from groceries to gifts to auto and rental insurance.
The first few months were a little hard but if You hang in there, budgeting really works.
Great advice.
Thanks for sharing.
One thing that stood out to me was your cost for Health Insurance $101 for BOTH of you. I’m 62, live in San Francisco, self employed…My health insurance is $1300+ per month… and that is after I spend $6,000 for my deductible (annually). So , I’m essentially spending $6000 + $15,000 before they cover anything at all. Horrifying but true.
I don’t need to tell you that your healthcare system is drastically over priced.
@@FrugalQueeninFrance yes….its ridiculous in so many ways. I love your videos….thanks for making them and being so open with your finances.
That’s awfully expensive!
As a single person my private Heath insurance is just over £200 a month and there is no dental or optical cover in that.
Time to leave SF!
Thanks for sharing. It gives us such a concrete example.
I decided I had to have a way to save more, so I decided on no-spend years. Last year, I maintained till October. I spent then. That was enough to keep me off track for the rest of the year. This year, I did another no-pend year. I was fine, and watched the savings accumulate little by little....until October! So, I've spent some this month. I won't let it throw me off course for the rest of the year. November 1st, I'll go back to no-spend. It does add up!
Love to you and Michael ❤
Thanks Jonna
Excellent video! I wasn't even sure what a sinking fund was. You cleared that up. I do a separate budget each month. I need to create sinking funds and better outline the needs. I can see clearly that you were a great teacher!
Thanks so much
Do you think you’d ever be able to talk about what budgeting (or perhaps not budgeting?) was like back when you had kids? I would love some insight as you back on your earlier years. So many of our line items have to do with kid expenditures.
I'm on vacation in Vieques, Puerto Rico but still tuning in to Jane.
Thank you
Thank you for this excellent video . Your careful planning has resulted in having some extra money money to spend as you like. I, too, have had this experience and it is rewarding to choose some delightful little thing with which to treat yourself. Mine is usually a book, yarn, or a movie. You folks are a lovely treat in my day.
Thank you for watching
Thank you Jane for your uplifting videos. Really I do not feel alone who is saving money. People around me a spenders and I feel sometimes a bit weird. Here is a great community. I love reading the commennts
You are so welcome!
RE: children’s expenses. Teachers often know how many excursions they are planning. At the start of the school term ask your child’s teacher when and where the excursion is planned for. They might not be able to give you exact details but it will be enough to make a start on your family’s planning.
Schools in the UK as best practice, have the school calendar for the year on the school website.
@@FrugalQueeninFrance that’s great. Where i am it’s a bit hit and miss. The whole school calendar is often on the website but not always the individual class calendars.
@@Alicesgardenau ask for that to be clarified, initially send an email to the school for the class teacher
@@FrugalQueeninFrance yes I agree ☺️
This is very true! Each year level has different excursions/field trips. However parents need to reject excursions that don't fit their budget. For example our Y6/grade 5 excursion costs $800 per child. I find this to be excessive. Students travel on a coach bus to a state with a beach. They spend 1 night in a hotel and visit an oceanic science center. Parents could drive their own car on a weekend of their choice for $100 petrol, stay in an inexpensive hotel $100, and visit the Oceanic Centre for $22/person. So why pay $1200 to go with your kid on school excursion???!!! Ridiculous.
Hi everybody from West Yorkshire in the UK
Thanks Pat
This video is gold! Thank you for explaining how you do this! I am ready to get mine down on paper!!!
So happy to help
That was so helpful, thank you!! I’m going to start afresh in January 23 as I’ve never been one to have a budget. I’m good at managing money, but lack the forward thinking. You explained it so well. I’ll save the video.
You’re welcome and I am happy it was helpful
This really helpful video provides a simple written plan of what to do once you have gone through the mind numbing and laborious process of recording past expenses and income in order to build your budget. Thank you so much Jane and Mike.
You’re welcome and thanks for watching
Thank you. I have done budget for years but never thought of adding haircut , birthday, Christmas. Great job helping us
You’re welcome
I am good. But been really thinking about what you said. Need to do better
Loved the video! I will be joining in "NO" November no spend challenge ! My daughter and I are being each others accountability partners!
Good luck, any no spend month is worth it.
My husband and I each get $100 a month to spend as we wish but once it is gone it is gone and you have to wait till next month.
Well said.
I do really well at being frugal and saving money. Although, I've never done a budget. However, we recently had the unexpected expense of replacing our whole heating and cooling system. Unexpectedly, we now have to pay off the debt. After watching your videos, I really think it's time I started budgeting to know just where my money is being spent. We plan on paying this debt down as fast as we can to avoid the outrageous interest rates. In addition, I am in my late 40s and I would really like to retire early. One never knows what life is going to bring, but we can prepare the best we know how. Thank you!
Indeed Julie, that wasn’t unexpected, it wasn’t immortal and it wasn’t going to last forever. Do a life audit from your body head to toe to your house, car and garden. It’ll all need replacing at some stage. Each aspect needs saving for.
@@FrugalQueeninFrance you are so right! I don't like being caught off guard like that, so I will be rewatching the video today to start making a budget. Also, I am concerned if one or both of us where to be out of work or worst case scenario what if one of us were to become ill or be widowed. Like you said above each aspect needs saving for..
Love your video! Yes,that absolutely lines up with what we do as well. I write down all of our expenses in an " at a glance" budget book. The book is set up on a weekly budget format and i have made changes to the book to facilitate a monthly budget. Yes,where we work outside the home we receive our pay once a month. Living with a budget is our road map to where our moneys need to go!👍🌾
Thanks Lisa
This was a fantastic topic. There is always room for improvement and always much to learn.
Thanks very much
Thank you for your clear and direct explanations!
You're very welcome!
Hi Jane, new subbie here. I stumbled upon your videos yesterday and have been binge watching while doing chores around the house and crafting. We, too, retired early and moved to France from the US in 2016 (Aveyron). We came over debt-free with a smallish lump sum from my husband’s share of an employee-owned company and my teacher’s pension. Unfortunately, we became lax with our budgeting and are now trying to get back on track. Your thorough explanations are so helpful, especially considering we are under somewhat similar circumstances - no extra income but my husband will start receiving his state pension in 2 years. My hope is to get everything under control before that time and use his pension to build a good amount in a long term savings account. Thank you so much for the content!
Thank you so much for the feedback.
I only had two no spend months. January and November. You've inspired me to add a third. I think June would be good . Thank you for sharing how it could be done.
Thanks for the feedback
Very useful and interesting video, been doing it a while but these videos help me improve all the time, thanks
I get paid on the 12th and 20th of every month. My goal is to save up so I can do like you, putting the money aside and then releasing on the first of the next monts. Its a bit tricky as it is today, my budgeting period goes from the 12th to the 12th of every month. 👍 I hope I manage to do it in 8 months.
It takes time to up to date, I’d have as many No spend months as I could stand to build up savings to be able to do it. Good luck.
@@FrugalQueeninFrance Thank you. I will try to do a no spend Nov with you! 👍
Hello, Jane. I love your channel and find your videos very helpful. I'm watching from Mississippi in the southern USA.
Thanks very much
November budget done! Thanks Jane and Mike!
So pleased to hear that
We've done no spend January and July for a few years now. January no spend is welcome after the holidays. July usually feels pretty easy because it's so hot, although I couldn't tell you why heat and not shopping work well together, lol!
We did a no spend year when we were paying off debt, it’s not as bad as it sounds
Thank you Jane and Mike for another informative video. I have now been following your channel and used your budgeting advice for nearly a year now. I will finish off my first years budget a month early so that I can stet 2023 in January. I will be interested to see how the budget has worked out. I have tweaked the budget throughout the year. Like yourselves I too have British pensions which are the same every month. I also have a small flexible income which can be anything from zero to a few hundred a month so I try to budget on my pension income which is guaranteed. I there for try to add all my additional income to my long term savings account. Wish me luck with the year end budget balancing. Any thing left 🤞will go into long term savings.
Good luck, I have faith in you
Thanks Jane
Thank you Jane, great video explaining how to budget.
Thanks for watching
Thank you so much for the timely reminders. We too are on pensions, both state and local authority so we have to be careful, no flexibility. Thanks to sinking funds we are now on target to pay off our remaining mortgage ( left from moving nearer to family) in March. Such a relief 😅 just in time for expensive dental work to begin 😳😉. There is always something 😩 but we will be prepared. Our much loved elderly pooch (15) was sadly put to sleep 2 weeks ago 😭 so rejigging that part of our budget and some of that pet budget will go to local pet charities as they are getting desperate now 😔 Budgeting has allowed for that to happen thank goodness.
I’m really glad to hear it’s working for you. Sorry to hear about the dog, losing pets is hard.
All good ideas. Things do happen. Though the other situation is harder to deal with, which is what to do when the income dissolves, jobs disappear or heaven forbid, the pension fund dries up. Just awful to contemplate how vulnerable we are. Thank you for the video! Have a fabulous week!
Thanks for watching
I too am debt and mortgage free. I wish I had your discipline in following a budget. Since following your videos I am certainly more conscientious so my spending. It’s getting better.
Good luck
Thank you for another great budgeting video. Always inspiring and helpful.
Thanks for watching
I was in an uncomfortable situation where a boss was selling occasion cards, $30 a box!! Even if I had the money I would never buy them to throw them in a drawer and never use! I just ignored the whole situation!
Very wise
Excellent video Jane & Mike! Really helpful 👍🏴
Thank you
I've been tracking my spending for 8 months now & I see where my money is going. Based on your videos & examples, I'm ready now to set up a budget for long term savings & sinking funds. Thank you!
Thanks so much for sharing
I recently added a sickness funds for the occasional flu or so. Every time I get sick and I need special food or medicine I have to take money from somewhere else. This won't be an issue anymore as I build up my fund
My sinking fund for unplanned costs is so useful - second storey external window awning blew off, too hard and dangerous for us to fix, and quote is $500 to reattach it. Thks Jane, I have the $$ covered!!!!
Great to hear that
This makes a lot of sense to me to divide by 12. I don't know why I didn't think of it sooner. I get £247 a month to spend (my sister pays the other bills) so I'll use this idea when I'll get my money next.
Thanks for the feedback
With the costs for alot of things going up, how do you determine the amount to budget for? Examples might be the rising costs of car parts or appliance repair/replacement? What fund does the difference come from? How much of a buffer might you have? I can research today's prices but it's hard to estimate inflation or shortage price hikes. Great video and thankyou for all you do. I like your no nonsense attitude.
Car Is under warranty. Washing machines are still 600€ as are dish washers and built in oven. I don’t have any thing else to replace
Most useful and informative, Jane. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks
Really enjoy your videos. Watching from central North Carolina, USA
Me too!!!
I'm in western North Carolina:-)
South central NC here 😁. I love this channel, keeps me motivated and focused!!. It’s a pleasure to hear her speaking .
15:53 thank you I’ve had a sinking fund called “girls” for my two daughters of £85 a month but once had few essentials, clothes, treats it doesn’t go far so I’m going to split this into smaller categories
Another excellent video, Jane.
Many thanks!
I usually get sunk with helping my kids and grandchild. That is what is hardest for me.
That’s tricky however your ‘kids’ are actually adults and they are responsible themselves. As adults, they should be helping you.
Enjoyed the talk!
Thanks very much
I keep a handwritten correspondence book recording all expenses . Thanks for your advice .
You’re welcome and thanks very much for watching
Thank you for sharing your experience 😊👋🐿
Really enjoyed this. I wish so much I had a house and no mortgage. My rent is so expensive here and is 50% of my main income. I just can't afford to buy a home either where I live as a single woman. I can't move either as moved here to be near to Mum and Dad should they need help. Apart from that everything else is hunky dory! I try hard to keep my emergency fund stocked up!! C xxxx
House prices in the UK are so inflated and to be forced into 50% of income to rent leaves renters unable to get ahead. Thanks for watching
It is much more difficult for a single woman. 🤗
Wishing you well.
I really like this plan of yours.
Thanks very much
Wonderful. Thank you{.
Thanks for watching
Hi Jane. Great video! I would really appreciate it, if you could read the questions, as I am very often listening to your videos while doing chores or getting ready for work. Thank you!
Noted!
Me too. I listen when I'm driving or gardening with my headphones. You are better than radio Jane 🥰like a good mum.
I loved it! Thx for taking your time to share it with us!
You’re welcome
Hi Jane You said France has a high cost of living. How does that compare to the UK? Also do you think moving to France was a good idea for you two....any regrets? Best wishes and thank you for the wonderful videos.
Best thing we ever did.
Thank goodness for sinking funds! Our fridge/freezer went last week! We lost some of our precious food although I cooked up what was still safe and gave some away rather than waste it! We have a shiny new one installed now but an unplanned but inevitable expense!
I can't wait until our normal pay will cover the bills!! Debt just sucks!
Thank you for your calm and wonderful video✌️
You will get there. All those payments towards debt will become savings.
@@FrugalQueeninFrance 🧡 yes, thank you! Slow and steady wins the race!
The sooner everyone realises DEBT sucks the better. Just keep throwing every penny/ cent you can at it. Live frugally remember a pound saved it worth about 35% more than a pound earned as there is no deductions from the pound you save. Also make sure that pound saved goes straight to paying off that debt, every little helps to get you to the end goal quicker. Good luck with your journey.
Thank you for your encouragement, Pat!!!
Thank you so much. That is so clear. Very helpful
Thanks for watching
Thanks for sharing! You are so appreciated.
Thanks very much
Absolutley fabulous budget ideas 💡 👌 😀.
Thanks for watching
Jane absolutely loves your videos. Never miss one. You never seem to mention income from TH-cam unless I’ve missed it xo
That’s included in the figure that we call income. Thanks for watching
🧡🎃🍁Thanks for another fabulous frugal video.x
Thanks for watching
Excellent breakdown of a budget.
Thanks very much
Every single month we go over our budget but it hardly ever changes.
What do you need to do to change that?
@@FrugalQueeninFrance Sorry, I don’t know what you mean.
@@charlenebrissette3348 you are going over your budget, either you’re spending too much or earning too little to survive. Which will you change?
@@FrugalQueeninFrance I just realized what the mix up was, when I wrote we go over our budget, I meant we look at it lol.
I appreciate all your helpful advice🙂
You’re welcome
Hi. I am in the North Carolina mountains in the US. I’m a 63 year old widow and live on pension and also state retirement plan from being a school teacher. I am mortgage free, but do have debt. I found you recently and am learning soooo much. A problem I have is that I have not budgeted in the past and have no savings at all. Since I failed to plan ahead, I have several big needs and no money for them, (new roof, paint, new water heater, dentist, etc). In the past I would borrow money for these things which is why I have so much debt. I want to stop this madness! What do you suggest? I’m thinking do no spends and try to save as much as possible toward these things, but it is worrisome as they all need done as soon as possible. Is this the best plan for me? Thank you.
In your position, I’d go cômpletely no spend until those debts are gone. Pay bills, buy survival good and throw everything at debt, if you’re in good health, get a part time job as well and use all that to pay off those debts too
@@FrugalQueeninFrance thank you for the helpful advice. Sadly I am disabled and unable to work, but completely no spend there isn’t any reason I can’t do. I’m just so tired of being worried and always being “behind the eight ball”. Nothing I will have to give up by no spend will be worth my peace of mind! I will continue watching all your posts on your channel. You are so calm and encouraging that you make me feel like I’m not hopeless and I can get it done over time. Thank you so much.
Hi,
I am also in NC with a teaching pension. Think about if you are in good health look back into the schools for a part time job or subbing. Subbing pays well since the schools are struggling to get teachers, staff and subs. That might help in the short term. You are under a cap of earnings so check that out first. I have done this for 19 years since retiring and plan 1 more years of working. Parttime gives you time for other activities. I volunteer and socialize with friends.
We raised a grandson while doing this and my husband has no pension only an annuity but has a part time job to fund his hobby. Take your social security early if possible and put into savings.
Good luck from one tarheel to another.
Hello from Boise Idaho!
hi tina from scarborough north yorkshirei have all ways try to save ,married 52 years be for iwiould but food a way for school holiday so i could go on trips out Now i do the same for grankidlove watch ing the show thank you both ..
Thanks so much
Everything we earn goes into one account because I am not going to pay to have multiple accounts and I keep track of everything on paper.
If it works for you then that’s perfect.
This is an amazing video and budget tutorial! Thank you Jane! Always inspiring 💗
There was one thing that you mentioned that was a surprise. Your property taxes are based off of income and not property value?
Taxe d’habitation is, if on a lower income than us, then you don’t pay. Taxe foncière is based on the rentable value of the property.
Interesting! Ours is $1,700 a year for 1.4 acres in the Adirondack mountains (US). And that doesn’t include the 3-4 hundred dollars a year for school taxes that are due a few months after. Our are set by appraisal of the property and house, and location.
Not sure if u will see this comment since the video is from a while ago, but how did u figure out how much to budget for groceries? Did u look at a few months before and figure out an average? I'm trying to come up with realistic budget numbers and have been looking back at the past few months. But for three months i was living in my truck camper so of course my gas costs were more. Currently staying with my boyfriend and am trying to keep same amount of food (or less) than i did when i'm the camper. He and i have diff diets (i don't eat meat or seafood and very little dairy, he does) so we keep those separate for the most part.
Food costs what it costs. We can't eat, even the basics, for less that 5€ person per day. That's 70€ a week for just our meals. Our supermarket budget for all food, drink, cleaning products, toiletries, laundry products and bathroom tissue is 100€ a week and that I assure is a disciplined amount. What does it cost per meal to cook where you are?
@@FrugalQueeninFrance i am in the US. from what i can tell my food has come to about 360-400 a month the past few months but i was also traveling within a few different states so the groceries could really vary. But i think i wasted some of what i bought and i am trying to not do that anymore. I have been looking at what i have before i go to the store so i don't buy too much. Your videos have helped so much. i bought a budget planner and am looking backwards to see what i have spent over past few months, see where things were impulse, things i thought i needed but don't (esp now that i am stationary for a few months before we head back east from where my boyfriend is stationed currently.)
I appreciate your beautiful values, I wish my parents, or someone, would have showed me this. I am VERY frugal, even beyond what may be considered strict. But, there is a lot I don't do or have. It's just not budgeted in because I live on 800 a month and am debt free, I cannot go much beyond this, and a little goes to charity. My income just doesn't allow for much beyond the very basic necessities and then it's at rock bottom. Any suggestions?
I’d suggest you earn more if you can.
Excellent tutorial (and I enjoyed the concept of an Immortal Lawnmower!)
Thanks, it’s amazing how many times, so many of us didn’t think that something needed replacing.
I like your house, it does look large though. Does it cost a lot to heat the house?
It’s 100m2 including the basement kitchen stair well. We have no mains heating, just wood stoves.
Hi Jane thank you for your fantastic videos, did you say in an earlier video you have a let/air bnb xx
In the past we had contractors and trainees as weekly paying guests. That was before Airbnb existed.
Hello... I just found this video and compared your budget with mine. Something that was odd to me.....
Where does garbage go in your budget? Where I live, I pay to have my garbage and recycling hauled away on a quarterly basis.
It’s in our house taxes
What does a no spend month consist of? Please explain😊
th-cam.com/video/VzhsfEzuFCk/w-d-xo.htmlsi=sPmB0fJiDViQvm_4
Do you have any other job apart from TH-cam from which you get your income?
Thank you for another great video
We are content creators on you tube and our main income is our pensions.
Thank you for all your wise advice and encouragement in this difficult times. Greeting from Spain
Hey Jane. For another time I have 2 questions for you. 1. How do you handle temptations to spend..how do you stop yourselves. And 2. how do you entertain friends at home and are they like you in being frugal. Sometimes friends, even good ones,get put off by frugality. Love your video…very helpful and inspiring as always.
1. We jointly make sensible adult responsible decisions about our money. We ne er spend any money without it being planned and saved for. 2. People can take us as they find us. Yes, we do entertain. They’re well fed within our budget.
Thank you. This was helpful. What do you think about sinking funds for utilities? My natural gas bill is high when it's cold and electric is high when it's hot.
Can you pay monthly? We over pay in the summer to compensate for extra use in the winter
@@FrugalQueeninFrance certainly we can overpay. I have the company give me a budget amount (estimated yearly total ÷ 12) and then put that amount in my sinking fund and make a tiny bit of interest.
👍👍👍
How cold does it typically get where you live in the winter months? Thank you !😊
Not very. Thanks for watching
Hiya Jane, what do you spend your income from youtube on, is it something special or do you just add it to your food shop etc?
It goes into our overall budget.
I understand the concept of sinking funds but don't understand how to have all those accounts. The details overwhelm me I guess.
@@hollynauss6359 thanks that sounds doable. I am not a technical person and prefer paper and pen. I am going to try that.
My bank, which used to be a credit union let’s you have unlimited accounts with no charges. My financial plan/budget means that I worked out how much I need for each category per annum and I divided this by 26 (fortnight’s) and I have set up that the day after payday ( just in case there’s a glitch between work and bank) these amounts automatically wing their way into their new home. My headings are- health, holidays, bills and expenses, Emergency Fund( for sudden things), repairs and replacement( some people call this POM or peace of mind) for planned replacements like washing machine or our non immortal lawn mower. I just transfer money back to the everyday account to spend it , for example we had the car serviced so I transferred money out of bills to the card accessible account to pay on collection. I used to have a new car account, but this year purchased my brand new Subaru Impreza which took me 4 years of regular savings plus any bonuses and tax refunds etc to save up for, because I know Subarus last 20 years/ 400,000 km before they start to die and cost major money I closed that account , I’m 68 in 20 years I’ll be 88 and if I’m still driving at all won’t be getting a new car. I also closed my Christmas club which I started 20+ years ago when I had 3 in high school, plus quarterly utilities and rates so January was an expensive month, I’ve always bought or made presents through out the year and the Christmas club was a great way of saving for my most expensive month instead., but the money previously spent on those two accounts now goes into savings because I’ll be down to one day a year next year. This is my adaption of information from Jane, Cath from Cheapskates Club, Scott Pape (the barefoot investor) and Dave Ramsay rehashed to suit me. It took a while to fine tune and evolve, but I find it easier than a paper journal or excell that I’d struggle to update because I’m a bit undisciplined sometimes. You’ll get there.
@@joysleeman3311 thank you! 😊 very helpful.
Do you have automatic direct debits set up for utilities? Or manually transfer payments each month?
All bills are paid automatically, even the taxes in the autumn.
😂what can wrong will go wrong so true ❤
💖💖💖
Your budget is very well done. Do you have any concerns about having no spend months in a time of rising costs and pending shortages? Would it be better to purchase things while they're available and cost less? This ISN'T a criticism, I'm genuinely wanting to know your thinking on this. My church does food boxes at Thanksgiving every year. I started buying food for them months ago. If I was buying all the food items now, I don't think I could have purchased as much. So my thinking is, having food for myself and to share is better than more money in savings given the current circumstances. Everyone must choose for themselves, I am only curious about how others are navigating this time.
I have food for weeks, not months. Our food prices are always high here and seasonal food is cheaper. France has a very different food culture. Thanks for watching
Thank you so much for you’re such helpful videos can I ask do you still invest? Or all goes into the long term savings? I’m unsure whether to don’t to invest or better to save up more emergency and lts many thanks again 😊🙏🏻
We do not take risks with our money. We do not hold a pension fund as we have British pensions where we paid in and they hold the fund.
@@FrugalQueeninFrance thanks for your helpful reply ☺️
How do you heat your home?
Wood off our land.
Living frugally is no longer enough. I was thinking of a second job but I am old and tired.....
Frugality sadly doesn’t cure poverty