12 WEIRD Ways I SAVE MONEY // Extreme Money Saving Tips // Minimalist + Low Waste Lifestyle 

The using a towel a few times tip is weird to me because in Europe we use a towel one to two weeks always before washing it. I mean, we're clean when we get out of the shower!

My sister thinks I am WEIRD as she lives in a large apartment complex and I frequent the trash dumpsters near her apartment. Frequently people move out and instead of donating their items they just put them out at the dumpsters. I have found lots of clothes and other items there. I feel very blessed versus weird in taking these things.

YES! Love your list! I once heard someone say that the true benefit of being financially wealthy is that it gives you more access to life's greatest commodity...time. I've never forgotten that and while I'm not financially wealthy, I am always looking for ways to save time so that I can use it enjoy the things I love. And so, here are some things I do: I buzz cut my hair each month; I also cut my husband hair (before that our whole family had locs which I maintained myself...very time consuming though!), during the summer months I shave with a safety razor and reusable blades (bought a pack of 100 blades a few year ago and I've not even used a 1/3 of the blades), I use castile bar soap, keep it in a travel soap holder, and use an exfoliating washcloth which lathers up amazingly well using much less soap. I moisturize with coconut oil and make my own whipped shea butter. I do not buy or use makeup. Homemade lip balm is my jam. I keep my nails cut short and do not use polish. I do my own pedicures. I also use a menstrual cup and a mineral crystal deodorant. One thing I do in our household each year is buy a gallon each of Dr. Bronner's liquid Castile Soap and Sal Suds. The castile soap we use in reusable foaming hand soap pumps in the bathrooms, as my facial cleaner, to hand washing delicate items, and other uses. The Sal Suds, I dilute in reusable glass vinegar bottles with spray nozzles I purchased on Amazon, and use it for all the cleaning in our home (we stay away from toxic chemicals as much as possible), including floors, any and all stain removal, and washing dishes (also in a reusable foam pump bottle). The two bulk bottles last a bit more than a year and each January I buy the new ones to have ready to go! --> P.S. We homeschooled our Girls too. It was THE best decision we could have made for our family. We may not be a financially well off as other households with two incomes but it was SO WORTH IT because we invested in our children's well being and education and no one can put a price tag on that! We've graduated our older who is now finishing up her nursing degree and our younger will be graduating this year with plans to go to college in the fall. There were many, many, sleepless nights wondering if our crazy decision to homeschool would mess our Girls up in any way but, no, it didn't...the complete opposite of that is true. We are a close knit family because of it and our Girl's are each other's best friends. We love each other, we laugh a lot, and have a great time in each other's company. I get weepy sometimes thinking back through memories of our precious time spent together. I'd do it all again in a heartbeat! I so admire you for what you do!! P.S. I so didn't not mean for this comment to be so long! Have a great day!

A quick shower before bed is my indulgence. However, I realize it isn’t a necessity. I find your common sense frugality and eco sensitive lifestyle impressive. It’s interesting how much it resembles my childhood growing up in the 60s and seventies in a lower middle income household in the U.S.

An added thought to your laundry. I only wash on cold, and I hang all of my laundry and racks or hangers to dry, and then jeans and sometimes towels get touched up for a few minutes to soften them up. This saves on unnecessary energy use.

I agree on the need for supportive shoes.

Enjoyed this content . I only shower twice a week I wash my hair once week and neverblow dry it. I wash my face, pits and bits daily. I'm 50 and look 40 I am natural. Haven't turned hear on yet this winter. So Frugal people unite!,

I admire your approach. As a retired person I attempt to live well below my income. Formerly a spendthrift, minimalism is fun for me.

Sometimes I think our family might seem a little weird. lol My daughter and I started using reusable/washable menstrual pads and we love them. We practice 'grounding' --going barefoot in our yard and garden--which isn't really a money saver, but it makes us feel healthy. We grow a lot of food and raise our own poultry for meat and eggs. We send any scraps from the kitchen to the hens for recycling into eggs. I'm an herbalist and we mostly use homegrown/foraged medicines. I keep a huge apothecary of a wide variety of herbal medicines. We flush our toilets with rainwater (we finagled a system with IBC totes and an RV/camper pump). We use a lot of household items that are human-powered versus electric. We re-purpose everything we can think of to save things from being thrown away. Great tips--thanks!

I really liked your list. I do most of them myself, but when I was a young woman I never heard of a menstrual cup, so I always went with the old-fashioned things. I also keep my meals down to just a few simple foods for myself since I live alone now. I only eat fruits that are in season. When I crave ice cream I've recently started eating half as much and it satisfies me. Keep going! I enjoy your channel.

I love this. To me how your choosing to live is smart. It is so healthy and normal that when others think your going without your not. So many would view this as extreme and couldn't handle it in today's pampered world. I view this as having intelligence and being able to survive with out suffering. I do most of what you do.

Enjoy your blog! I am 73 and “ weird” , also! A lot of what we do at my house is to help the environment…crazy, I know.

Running errands once a week is a great way to save fuel. If there are too many errands I will go twice a week, once to the north side of town, then once to the south side.

I did laser treatment on my pits, legs and mustache area. Bought groupons and got it all done for about $500 and its for life. I have super thick, very dark hair and it was the best $500 bucks I ever spent! lol

Another important concept is this: Compare your quality of life to poor folks in other countries and throughout history.

Not over washing and putting too much stuff on you skin seems to have given you very good skin.

I love your ideas; here's mine. I wear a bendy "reading light" around my neck and use that as I move through my one-bedroom apartment. I only get sunlight from the north side. On the south side, I have 2 night lights and supplement by clicking on my reading light as needed. I live alone which makes this much easier to do, probably not for everyone. (It's an LED rechargeable light.

Thank you for your tips. It is well known that we as Americans over bath. I do enjoy a daily shower before bed, I used to bath twice a day!! You dont need to spend 96$ a month on haircare everyone watching , I use either dollar tree shampoo or apple cider vinegar and if My hair seems tangled I use coconut oil instead of conditioner and I wash my hair 2 times a week. I enjoy your channel.

Love this. Not the same old stuff.

Try using solar outdoor lights, I bring them in each night and use them, they have an off, on and motion sensor.

I have been line drying my clothes and have not used my dryer in about two years. I also do a big load of laundry once a week. In between big loads of laundry I hand wash small articles of clothing in the sink and line dry them.

I cut mine and my husband’s hair. It takes a couple of minutes and lasts for months and looks fine! I used to hate going to hairdressers - it cost so much and I was never happy with the result. We’re both vegan and love it, and in our 60s find no problem getting enough B12 and protein. We shower a couple of times a week, and wash our hair then. Dr Bronner is really expensive over here so it’s an occasional treat, but we bulk buy plain vegan Castile soap. It all works well for us, and we’re paying off our mortgage aggressively because of the money we’re saving. I never thought I would own my own house, but I do!

For many, many years, I thought it was absolutely disgusting if people didn't shower & wash their hair daily. Fast forward, I'm in my early 50s and like you, I shower 2-3 times a week and only wash my hair once a week. My hair has never been healthier! I also have extremely dry itchy skin and showering less frequently has helped that some. I still have to shave though, those stubbles drive me nuts.

I’ve been doing most of these things for years myself. Feeling as though I’m an alien! lol

So I just found you and wanted to share that the only thing on your list I don't do is the dreadlocks, but all the rest I do, I do buy intuition razor refills but since I only shave like 1x a week, 1 razor will last me months and I only spend about $20 a year on the refills, but thanks for sharing, it makes me feel less weird 😂

A/C is only used for the occasional company I have ( I live in SW Virginia) I use a fan or nothing. Do not have a dryer, it’s a line or rack. 1 load a week, colors one week whites the next with very small amount of soap.Charge tablets and phone while driving the car. Use a toaster oven unless the large oven is mandatory (seldom). Wash dishes by hand with wash basin and rinse basin ( don’t let water run). Navy shower a few times a week. Learn to mend things. Unplug the vampires: my elect is 60$ in winter from heat and 20$ in summer. Vinegar and baking soda for cleaning with rags. No paper napkins, towels and toilet paper only in guest bathroom, reusable personal cloths in my bathroom. Oh the list goes on….

I never saw the reason for having so many shoes. No hair removal for me, I also spend very little on my hair, cut it myself, showering I have to shower every day, can't see that changing, even though I stay home a lot. Don't turn on my lights much, but more than you. I eat meat maybe once or twice a week.No way we could eat the same thing every meal for a week. I go out once a week and that saves gas. I wear my clothes twice, use one towel a week, hang it outside to dry, and is always fresh smelling. Hardly ever go out to eat. So we agree on most things.

Not weird. I use cloth loo wipes. Soft and I'm able to use those over and over. Awesome.

I think "weird" is relative. When I watch videos of people living in their car, I think "weird", but, up here in Canada it is NOT an option in the winter. In a warm climate, it beats sleeping on the street. I'm in a very wealthy city. I can say with almost certainty, that cutting my own hair (and my kids) and letting my hair be naturally gray is considered VERY weird here. But, in other parts of the world it is more the norm. The older I get, I don't let others decide how I should spend my money. As long as I'm not offending anyone with things like garbage taking over my property, say, or not taking care of my or my family's health or safety, it really shouldn't matter.♥️🇨🇦

I stopped using shampoo and conditioner on my hair about 6 months ago due to dry bumpy scalp.. I use Dove bar soap. My scalp condition has improved dramatically. I wash it every three days.

I just watched several of your videos and I want ed to say Bravo 👏🏻 young lady! It’s nice finding content creators that truly is real, mature and has figured out so much on her own early in life! I don’t even know you amd this may sound crazy, but I’m super proud of you and you & your family will remain in my daily prayers! Keep being real! ❤🙌🏻🙏🏻

Yes! Good to hear you mention all these ideas. I already have been doing several of them. Nice to have a soul-sister in being frugal. I'm interested in knowing: have you always been frugal/did you have certain goals you save for? 💐🤗

I bought hardly used New Balance runners for ten bucks and 2 Nike pair of running shoes for 5 dollars a piece at a local thrift store. I keep darker pairs for winter and the lighter pink for spring and summer. I also wear mocassins that's it. Purchased brand new and on sale. My shoes last me for years, thrift stores if one can find have new or almost like new shoes for cheap. As one gets older flimsy sandals dont cut and having a supportive running shoes goes a long way.

I do some of these things for sure and some I could never do :) love else if. New ways to save. Thank you!

Another option is to fast. If you eat one meal a day you can eat well during that meal and your metabolic health will be vastly improved.

Yes, I also shower my body once or twice a week. Wash my hair once a week . And the most important thing for me is to wash my "intimate parts" and under my arms every day ( morning and before bed)

So happy your posting again.

Found you in Ali's comments, thanks for sharing this, I appreciate the creativity that you put into it. Keep pushing, most people quit right before a big breakthrough, so just never quit!

Your channel popped up randomly last night saw your content and started watching and subscribed can’t get enough especially your way of thinking and seeing things love it great content

I haven't bought but 2 pairs of shoes in like 6 years..so I hear ya

I use the same razor for many months (way too long, lol). I buy the kind that you just replace the head. Also, I only use soap to shave. I only shower if I am sweaty as well (after a workout). I only do laundry during off peak electricity hours (after 8pm and on weekends) so that it is cheaper. I am plant based vegan as well and so is my dog. I do not buy dog food, but I cook her food with certain added supplements that she needs. I use reusable/washable napkins, paper towels, and cleaning towels.

These are smart ways to save time, money, and the environment! I do most of them but plan to work at making enough of one dish to last more than 3 -4 days.

Wow. You and I both save money in very similar ways but using totally different solutions. For instance, I am a retiree, so no menstrual products are required. Save money on shampooing: with my thin fragile hair, I must shampoo about 2 times per week, so I use Dr. Bronner's liquid Castile soap for body and hair and have a water filter so it doesn't leave hard-water soap scum on my hair. To remove the horrible (dang you menopause!) chin bristles, I bought a $14.00 rechargeable face shaver. Can't quite manage two pairs of shoes, I have everyday sandals, summer and winter Sunday heels, warm winter booties, and my super-duper athletic shoes for twice-weekly workouts and long walks. During hot weather, I only use the A/C at night and turn on fans as needed during the day. Can't quite manage a fully vegan diet. As a senior, it is very hard to fulfill protein and Vitamin B12 requirements which are MUCH higher as you get older because your body's metabolism slows down and you need MORE, not less, to make up the difference. So eggs and steeply discounted cuts with a lot of offal. The liver, kidney, tongue, and heart, are all tasty, MUCH cheaper than muscle meat, and provide super-nutrition. I buy from a local butcher for dirt-cheap because nobody knows how to cook offal anymore! So, I'm paying less than $1.50 per pound for grass-fed, grass-finished, humanely raised, organic meat. I also do a lot of meal prep, but I do not tolerate monotony in my diet as well as you do and I love to cook, so...I do my prep on a monthly basis and provide myself with a dozen brekkie choices by assembling "meal packs" for frittatas, eggs shakshuka, huevos rancheros, waffles, French toast, muffins, eggs Benedict, breakfast bagels, and pancakes for easy-peasy toasting/reheating, stuffed baked fruit, cold fruit salads, home-made granola, Quarks (yogurt mixed with granola and fruit), and the ever-useful porridge (with added nutritional yeast and fruit for balanced nutrition). For lunch, I prep a variety of bread and sandwich filling salads, but omit the mayo (which doesn't freeze well). I take them out one at a time, and once thawed mix in the mayo in - easy-peasy lunches. Ditto dinners. It's not only more entertaining for me it is great nutritional insurance. I am legally blind and stuck caging rides from friends or paying for Uber (the bus is not available in my suburb), so I too plan all excursions carefully. I put my clothes away properly on hangers to air out and wash them (frequently by hand) and never ever use a dryer when they're dirty. The laundry hamper should not be used as a convenient tool for avoiding hanging up your clothes! Love your content, dear - I'm now going to binge-watch many more of your videos.

Do you ever get tired of eating the same thing every day for a week? That’s the only thing I couldn’t get behind. I mean, there’s nothing wrong with it! I just typically freeze if I make things in bulk like soups. It would drive me nuts to eat the same meals 7 days in a row lol

I think you really made a lot of good choises that make your life work.

Pls make more content like this! You motivate me❤

keeping things simple and minamal love it.

Love the money saving ideas! I love the idea of the cups,but they make me feel light headed.I have to use the thinx now.

Water down my laundry soap 50/50 AND only use 1/4 capful per load, cold water only and hang dry. Also water down makeup, shampoo, conditioner and wash hair once every 5 days. Shower every other day so you have me beat in that.

I love your channel. I love your energy. ¡Thank you so much for all your wisdom! Regards from Costa Rica 🌺🌼🌷🌻🌻

Great saving tips, Thanks for sharing! Fun fact I do 8 out of the 12 things you do…& l have locs too. I was like super cool when you said you have locs♥️ Here’s a couple of other things I do to save money: reuse / recycle junk mail envelopes, ziploc bags, & paper plates (I’m trying so hard to stop using them tho). I’m so with you on saving time as much as possible 🤜🏼🤛🏼

I love being thrifty. But one pair of shoes doesn’t work too great in Wisconsin 😊

Your a very smart young lady thanks for the inspiration

Washing hair once a week and brushing it daily wouldn’t cost much of anything, and is just good hygiene IMO. No smell, no oils from hair and dirt or dead skin cells clogging my pores or scalp. I’ve seen some people have neck, back and face acne bc they don’t wash their hair or change their sheets or pillowcases often enough too. Not good.

The thing people think I am the "weirdest" for is simply the fact that I value free time, autonomy, and flexibility, enough that I am willing to homeschool 5 kids and live an extremely frugal lifestyle on just my husband's modest income rather than putting my kids in school so I can get a full time job to "provide better" (as in more material things) for our family. Yes we "struggle" often but being a close family that get to always put our own priorities for how we spend our time first is worth so much more to us that material luxuries. Many people, including people in my own extended family perceive us a lazy or selfish or not living up to our potential bc of the way we choose to live and raise our family. But I don't care. I feel like our priorities are straight for us and I'm proud of how we live.

In Arizona if you don’t have air conditioning you die , the inside of your house will reach over 100° by noon or 1pm if your house isn’t well insulated which most homes now aren’t as insulated as they should be. I do however keep my thermostat turned up during the day to 80° if I am home and 85° if I am not home. Any warmer than that and the unit has to run for hours to catch up.

Came over from a shout out from Money Mom! I love your content!

You can use a towel multiple times if the area where you hang it has good air circulation and the towel dries within a few hours. I have a nose that can smell mildew the second it starts and cannot stand the smell. I use my towels quite a few times though.

Hello! I need to replace my Birks soon and thinking about trying Xero shoes. Any cons to those z trail sandals? Just going back and forth if I want to spend 80 on those or just replace my tried and true Birkenstock Arizonas for $50. Any feedback you can provide would be so appreciated considering these are your main shoes and a long time customer. Thank you so much!!!!

I do a lot of what you do, however, I do shower pretty much every day. I purchased a FLOWBEE haircutting unit in about 1998 and cut my own hair... It's great! I have not bought any clothing for at least 2 years. Use a crystal deodorant as the others caused huge health problems. I use a program from Meatless Mondays.... Great recipe ifease. I seldom use a razor as I don't have too much hair.

I have to use a electric shaver, I'm a bleeder it's bad 👎 when I get cut. I also shower 🚿 1x a week, I shampoo my hair 2x a month 🙃 we have very soft 💧 water, yes lol pits and bits daily we call a birdie bath lol 😆 Southeastern Indiana we do have all 4 seasons, we limit our a/c tremendously rather have the windows open. Great channel 👏 👍 👌 💕

With the economy the way it is and the things that might be coming me and my daughter and husband own several good pairs of shoes for different situations. Muck boots , snow boots , shower shoes/flip flops , good tennis shoes that have good support, and cowboy boots. They all have their own applications but I wouldn’t go without any of those. We only buy shoes/boots on sale and I paid what most people pay for one pan on 3/4 , my husbands work boots were $400 boots we got for $50 at a yard sale new in the box. But he brings in all the money and his feet are well worth it!

Omg $16 a month on hair removal! I definitely don’t spend that thank goodness 😅 Interesting statistics!

I keep my hair done, but I probably spend less than $10 a month.

This is a dumb question but I've tried Dr Bronner's and can't get it to lather. I put some in a wet washcloth and will rub the washcloth or squeeze and try to get some suds going but it's VERY little. What do you do to get your Dr Bronner's to suds up?

Do you use family cloth? (Re usable toilet paper like your baby wipes) I make my own laundry soap I make my own natural cleaners I make lotion (with locally sourced beeswax) I make lip balm (with locally sourced beeswax) I make candles (with locally sourced beeswax) I use local honey as an allergy medication

I love my menstrual cups. I wish I would’ve found them sooner

Came from centsible living with money mom! She gave u a video shoutout

I just found your channel today! Loving your content 🌻 We do many of these as well, which are mindful practices. I repurpose cooking or produce-washing water for my indoor and outdoor plants, began farming our backyard, pressure can bulk items like beans for cheap, wild forage for herbs and medicines, make my own vinegars from fruit scraps, and other fun activities. It's brought me so much joy in homemaking. Thank you for your conscious and engaging content--can't wait to keep watching more! Lots of love from mid-Missouri :) --Traci

I cut my own hair,bring my lunch to work,make my own coffee and tea and cook meal all the time we eat out maybe once a month if we are really tired from work.

Hey there little lady who should judge less be judged. Thank you From South Dakota

I buy many of my item for cleaning and food items at the dollar tree. I try to measure my name brand products to not over use the product. For shower to save on my water bill I take a military shower and I save on money.

Some would call that a lower carbon foot print. U r very frugal u r correct.

Wow some the stats are crazy. The hair stuff I buy 2 litres professional natural product and hair oil and only spend €50 a year as onlt wash my hair once a week max unless I’m training and sweating twice a week : I only cut my hair every few years and I love dr bronners for my shower gel ! I buy a litre one and lasts my son and I for a year and even fit me off deodorant 7/8 years ago and I never smell :) dr bronners is best stuff everrrrrrrrr.

I often purchase shoes on clearance. Another way I save is to buy kids shoes. A size 7 women's shoe can fit into a size 5 boy's or girl's shoe . Kids footwear are often better made and less expensive. When I do pay full price it is for Earth Spirit Sandals at Walmart which I wear 1 summer for nice then 2 years in the house in place of slippers. By the time they are 3 years old I have gotten my money's worth. Before tossing [ at that point they are worn out ] I cut off the top portion and any decorations to use in future crafts. I live in Maine so I have alot of winter jackets, boots etc one pair is 30 years old. I have a Peri Bottle which I often use to clean myself after using the toilet. I then dry with toilet tissue. Peri bottles are good for anyone after giving birth or having surgery. Mine was less than $2 and saves on toilet tissue. I use Coconut Oil as moisturizer for my skin. Except for makeup once in a while it is the only thing I use on my face.

I invested in a bidet I don't use toilet paper and haven't for years I don't use paper towels I turn my heat down when I go to work I turn my heat down when I go to sleep I make out in my grocery list for the week and file only what's on my list I also don't eat meat I unplug everything that's not in use and I also cook one day for the whole week

Omg I never spent $80 a month on my hair and I’m a Cosmetologists. That’s too much money. Even if I tint my hair I would only spend around maybe $10 to $15. Even less when I don’t tint my hair.

I use coupons and rebate apps. I barely pay at all for toiletries shavers paper products and feminine products toothpaste etc

Your skin looks really good, just because you don't put a lot of stuff on it. I do the same 💖

Can you explain about the hair a little more? I don't think I understand. Loc?

time is money. =) Time makes us rich not money for sure.

Several times mom said she had more faith I could survive another great depression than my siblings. She said they always had it easy yet money came hard for me n I worked hard for what I have n am frugal. I don't have much but I owe little I'm not a yuppie. My only vice is iced tea.

I wear my clothes a lot before i wash them....:) and i don't like to eat out.....:)

So, have you or would you do a vlog about how much money you've saved? Or is that too personal?

One time a week shower 🚿 absolutely 💯 yes, that's this Cowgirl.

Loved my dad but he spent a good. $14000 yr on beer yet complained h he couldn't afford the $7 to go see his sis. Wanted to go out west n to Nashville n to see family in fla NYC n Utah when I said if he cut back a few beers he could do all that n with a new car... he became irate. My siblings cheated him a lot too he was retired n on social security but they cared not. His life revolved round alcohol n spent only but 3 hours at home w mom but he denied he was an alcoholic.

If you don’t shave do you wear sleeveless shirts?

I don’t eat any meat at all

Wow I would have to shave I definitely would have to take showers I think anything else I can do

Right. And she isn't deprived or suffering is she? A new trend is the "minimalist lifestyle." Living by bare bones. A way to not only cut many expenses but also to save money which will grow wealth. But is this good for you? As I told my own subscribers, I contend that instead of having an existence of "minimalism," living in a shack and a sleeping bag, you should adopt the mindset instead. In other words, you don't have to deprive yourself and suffer to have the minimalist mindset which will give you money to invest. The minimalist mindset person will buy only what he needs. He won't go in the winter without a coat but will by the cheapest one that does the job--not the designer label. He won't buy a 50K car when he makes 80K a year. He'll buy the 15K Honda Civic used one and save money on a lesser car payment, insurance and gas. He doesn't go to TGI Friday's every week--he goes once a month and grills at home the other three weeks. He brings his coffee from home and doesn't spend 4 bucks twice a day at Starbucks down the street from his office. See the point? You don't have to live like a monk. The minimalist mindset just cuts down on the unnecessary. If you do this you will find that not only do financial problems disappear but you will grow a ton of assets on the side. Hope this helps someone out there---Charles

New subscriber friend here…. hello 👋

I saved money not buying razors to shave my eyebrows 😂❤

none of your ideas are weird....:)

You have beautiful skin, I'm probably washing mine to death, I remember when my children were babies the pediatrician told me not to pay them so much,and so there's something to that not bathing so much.

May I ask if u r referring to your husband when u say my partner .and if so why do u refer to him as such?

idk, I dont turn on heater or cooler ever I just put on a sweater or take it off. I ride scooter instead of a car, lights use very little electricity and a bottle of shampoo costs about $6 and lasts about 8 months. It sounds like you are pretty unhappy and ferl like you are constantly scrimping in life but you dont have to live like that, a llt of the things you mention are totally unessasary to saving.

I cut my own hair

unless i'm gifted shoes i don't buy them....:)

So you don't shave?

Looks like you do spend $$$ on tanning.