Kate, I have been waiting for Friday this week to tell you this. I paid my mortgage off this week. It's been a long haul but did cut off 10 years off original mortgage. I have used all your tips down through these years. That's how this is accomplished. ❤😊
I am on a 5 day road trip to go visit my grandkids. I "frugal planned" it all! I packed all my food and water (for the dog and I) for the whole trip, so I don't have to buy anything. Sleeping at Walmart or truckstops for free every night, sleeping in my SUV. Had saved all the $ for gas. I'm putting gas on my credit card (for the points I get) and then paying it online each night. Paid for a day pass at a park so dog and I could go for a hike, then realized that the day pass meant I could use all of the park, so I went and had a shower. Bonus! And then.... I got a speeding ticket.😢 Oh well, the trip was mostly frugal.
My frugal living tips…It’s really everything that you said! 1. EveryDollar Budget app. Every dollar that comes in is already assigned a place to go. 2. Financial education from reputable sources via library books, podcast, and RU-vid. 3. Pack my lunch and snacks for work, my water bottle goes wherever I go. Meal prep! 4. If I don’t need it, I don’t buy it. 5. After my divorce and financial fallout, I adopted a minimalist and grateful attitude. I lost the house and got a small apartment and realized that you can really get by and have a rich life without a whole lot. 6. I don’t have cable or Wi-Fi but I do have an unlimited data plan for my phone. I have learned to be content with what I watch on RU-vid and Hulu. I learned that I can use my smart TV off my hotspot. 7. The best things in life are free… Phone calls, walks in the park, going to the library, journaling, taking advantage of free activities in the area, etc. 8. Finally… Let go of societal expectations and I am simply living my life on my terms. Kate, thanks for all that you do!
We just went to visit relatives. Instead of going out for all meals - we brought meals with us. For example I made and froze a lasagna. We brought frozen burgers and hotdogs. We made and froze taco meat. So our relatives didn’t have to cook and we all ate together ! Of course we went to a local grocery store and bought salad items etc but what a cost saver for all of us !!
I buy a package of blank cards with different pictures - some silly, some pretty - then no matter the occasion, I am able to write a personalized note from me to the person, and either stick it in the gift bag or mail out. Plus, sometimes I feel a tug to just send a personal note to others just to say they're on my mind. Everyone loves getting a card in the mail, from 3-90 years olds! 😊
Hi Kate, my tip is to always set goals. We can't have our cake and eat it too. Do you want to fritter your money away or save for something special that really satisfys like better furniture or a family vacation? It is possible just set those goals important to you! You got this!
I raised two sets of step-kids and I'm going to give away two of my best secrets with regard to hiding things from kids. 1. Hide cookies/snacks under the vegetables in the vegetable bin of the refrigerator; my kids had graduated and moved out on their own and never did discover that I 'd been doing that for years; I've still never told them to this day. 2. Buy holiday/BD gifts and stocking stuffers throughout the year then hide them in a bin under your bed. Of course these ideas only work if you can shop and put things away before they get home; sometimes I'd have to leave things in the trunk of my car and "wait for the opportune moment" to move them into their "special location". Oh, and here's a bonus tip: kids are usually pretty ravenous in the morning, at least mine were so one of the house rules was, no breakfast before your bed is made and room picked up. Worked really well with my kids; they got used to seeing their rooms like that and grew to preferring them that way, and IMHO small accomplishments like that started their days off in a more positive frame of mind.
Very practical, easy frugal living tips. I don't buy gifts for people, except a few for my family at Christmas. I think people spend way too much on gifts, especially at Christmas. We live in America and we have an abundance of possessions already while people in other countries are starving.
I’m taking this same idea into consideration this year. My son is my only priority as far as gift giving and I’m going to try to do a different type of Christmas with my extended family this year without money being so involved ❤
I just need to say again, your videos changed my life ❤ thank you again for continuing to share your wisdom. My life has been forever changed because living a financially free life relieves so much stress and anxiety therfore making every aspect of my life easier.
I have a “gift tote”. I’ve been doing it since right before last Christmas and it has helped me out a lot ever since. I’ll snatch packs of diapers, baby clothes, stocking stuffer type gifts and keep it to go through when it’s time for a baby shower or a birthday etc. it’s saved me a lot of money too. If I come across something on Amazon on good sale I think my husband would like I’ll get it and put it until his birthday or Christmas 😊…. Same for my son, parents, niece, etc
I’m definitely an acts of service lover. A few times recently my husband has had to bow out of things because he was injured pretty badly. I am picking up the slack, but he’s been getting my coffee ready. He doesn’t even drink coffee at home, but he’s been getting it ready for me and it feels like love and a big “thank you!”
my best friend and I each chose a card we liked for a birthday and christmas. every year, we trade that same card with our gifts. we also reuse the same gift bags. we love doing that. and when I feel like I have to get a card for someone, I usually don't write anything on it so they can give it to someone else if they want to. I have mostly stopped buying gifts, cards, wraps, etc. a meal with that person means so much more.
Thank you Kate! Gratitude is the secret. Being grateful for basic things like clean running water 💦 I lived in places with absolutely no clean water! The magic of turning on my tap can bring tears of gratitude. Happy Frugal Friday Kate 🎉❤
I also get ridiculously grateful at having a hot shower in winter. Having clean, drinkable cold water and hot water from a tap is an amazing gift and we would realise that pretty quickly if we ever had to live anywhere in the less developed world. Also, I remember growing up as a child finding "Jack Frost" had visited overnight and made patterns of ice on the inside of my window! Pretty much everyone has central heating these days (I'm in the UK) but that only became common during my lifetime. I'm 63. These simple things amaze and delight me all the time.
If you have a routine work place back to school, holiday stocking, holiday gift donation thing - Set your budget, pick a theme or gift idea, and shop year round for great deals, clearance, etc... So much less stressful that 2 weeks before the deadline and you can usually get so much more for your dollar.
That’s such a good idea what I typically do is after Christmas scour any dollar generals in the area that I’m currently working in. They will sell some items as low as $.17 or $.50. I usually stock up on things that perhaps low income families can’t afford like a stocking or decorations or cards. I put it away and each Christmas season I’ll donate a large bundle to the church that I know will help out so needy families, and honestly cost me almost nothing
@@karlinebohne789 My father's church always had a newborn, infant, and toddler giving tree that was up for at most three weeks; and not until after Black Friday of course. He was not a shopper and spent what I considered an inordinate amount of money every year. I grew to shop the highways and byways in both the new and used markets for new items for his giving tree donation(s). I never did tell him some of those items still in packages or with tags came from the used market. It was a fun challenge and at Christmas time when we settled up, he was amazed at how much stuff was delivered to him at a significantly cheaper price than he had been spending; and without him having to shop as well. - We did the same/ similar thing for our all but known organizational donations too.
I just went “shopping” online. Even went so far as to going to the cart. When I did and I saw how much I was going to spend, I deleted the entire cart and came back to watch some of your videos. You are a lifesaver and a money saver for me as well. Many thanks!
Great video! Re No. 6: if you are shopping online, and do really need something--if you can wait to make the purchase, sometimes the vendor will email you a discount. Thanks for discussing love language. I never thought of it this way before, but my love language is NOT receiving gifts, and I really don't like to shop for them either. I would rather treat someone to a dinner out, etc., or if I have something I don't need, I am happy to share/give away. When I was a very poor grad student, I convinced my parents, sibling that we did not need to exchange gifts. I think they were all pretty happy with that! On the other hand, my mother was great about buying inexpensive useful things, like hand lotion, for little gifts, which I enjoyed. It is definitely the thought that counts--I knew she was thinking of me.
I have always most always have had a gift box or gift shelf, and one time i even had a set of gift shelves. It lets me give so much more on a limited gift budget.
Love to save! I have a box of assorted cards for all occasions. I use hydrogen peroxide & Dawn detergent for most all cleaning. I use only one credit card which gives me bonus points and I pay it off each month. I keep clothes till they're totally "done". Keep the car tuned up and maintained. I can go on and on... watch Kate videos!!!
I asked AI to create a menu and grocery list for around $50 a week and keep it healthy and under 2000 calories and it took answering a few questions and adjust a couple of suggestions and after about ten minutes I had a menu for three meals a snack and dessert for around $50 healthy and variety included. It’s a great tool.
Another great video, Kate! It's chocked full of information. Thank you so much! 😊 I want to say you are an incredible mama. Kaden is so blessed to have you, and I know you are blessed to have him. I, too, was a single mama for the first seven years of my son's life. He will be 38 this month and is a world financial analyst and father of five. God is so good! Keep up the good work and sacrifice because it will pay off! 😊
Thank you so much! This means so much to me. I appreciate you! OMG your son is doing so great! He's so lucky to have you as his Mom!!!! And thank you for this encouragement. Keeps me going!
We recently pared down before a move. Now that we're settling in we're tracking down new to us furniture. The free and for sale sections of craigslist and Facebook marketplace have been a real boon. Also as we mention our needs to folks we've been given leads on local options we wouldn't have known about otherwise. Like a local nursing home's once a week furniture/ household goods sale.
Kate, I have an assortment of cards and just today, I was cleaning out my bureau and found more cards which I put in the other card box! I sent two birthday cards out at the same time and didn't have to spend any money. Win-win. I do love the idea of an organization box for the cards!!!
Oh my God Kate you just talked about the gift closet! My sister reminded me the other day what an awesome gift closet I always had and how it helped her through the years when things were tight. I loved buying beautiful items I found on clearance or closeout, and putting them away for a special occasion. It also helped me greatly when times were a little more tight. I had a decent amount of nice things but never went crazy as I worked it into my budget and I liked to shop A Lot at that time. I had a gift closet in New York, in Virginia but now that I’m in North Carolina I’ve used the last of the gift closet.❤ this week I found out my niece is unexpectedly getting her first apartment and I was so excited to get out all of the extra things that I have as we had two households combined here. It’s actually renewed my energy and getting rid and downsizing the stuff I don’t need. It’s so freeing and I know I’m helping my niece which makes my heart happy. Have a beautiful Friday❤
My husband and I followed Dave Ramseys baby steps to financially living debt free. No house payments, no car payment, save money, pay cash for whatever we want. Our life is stress free financially. I thank God also, guiding us to live within our retirement income.
I love my local Buy Nothing group! When I moved a few months ago, I was able to get a free TV, coffee table, another coffee table that works perfectly as a TV stand, and a really nice settee (the owner even delivered it for me!), among other odds and ends.
all your hearts just showed up! [my laptop is as slow as me...] pulled up your site, and there is that grin and positivity! t.y.for starting my sun. on a high note!
Love to save. My Mom always had a box of assorted cards. Saw some at Walgreen's last week. I was just discussing the 5 love languages with my boyfriend. He had no idea.
After season winter gear. $60 for a $320 long winter coat with matching gloves & hat. -40° won't be so bad this coming winter. Carhart barn coat was $26 at farm store that day too.😊
Love to save! I am actually still doing what I did last year for Christmas. Decluttering my house and anything that still has use and I know someone who will love it, I will stick that in my gift closet. I usually shop throughout the year, when I find something on sale or something I know that person will love. I am also really proud of myself - we are visiting family this weekend and I am making PB&Js, PB crackers and crackers & cheese, as well as drinks from home for our trip down (about 4 hours one way).
Love to save wherever I can and hate paying full price and the gifting tip was really helpful as it can be an awkward at times and it all depends on the person and who it is for.
I don't shop online but do the wait until next time I go to the store to see if I still want it. Recently I've kept receipts and returned many small items I really didn't need to buy. I used to feel shy to go return items but now it's easy.
Great video! Love the energy as always. Forcing myself to check what I have before going shopping has saved me money and time (made me use up most of the useful freebies I get at places like the dentist too).
I bought a pack of kids birthday cards when my son started getting invited to parties. Worth it! 50cents each I think it ended up and we still have plenty.
LOVE TO SAVE!!! Love George Kamal. He’s such a hoot and a half. And love this channel, too. So grateful for you, Kate, and the KSquad. Let’s keep rocking that frugal lifestyle! ❤
I loved that comment about digging the hole 🕳 and how you did the actions! Really made me chuckle!! That is my nugget of infofor today!! 👍👌you have made me realise that I'm kicking the dirt back in the hole myself 😮😮😮😮😩😳 so I'm going to the library getting a finance book and getting myself organised!!!!👏😂
(Abby typing) Love your tips. I have one that I just used. If you are looking to transfer a credit card balance and you get offers hold out a week to compare them. I got three offers from Citi Bank with different type cards- Diamond, Double Cash and something else. All had time of zero interest and different interest rates after that. I chose the most number of months with zero interest and the lowest interest rate thereafter. The last offer was the best one so compare offers closely. I then figured out how much I would have to pay per month before zero interest would lapse.
Thanks for these tips, Kate. This week we paid off our car loan 8 months early. It feels like such a massive relief! I’ve been following your budgeting and frugal living tips, which have helped enormously. I’m currently reading My Money My Way by Kumiko Love (The Budget Mom on You Tube). Her message is similar to yours: that personal finance and budgeting is about much more than the numbers. Thank you for your videos. ❤
In Spain, people don't generally give greetings cards, only send them when they're not going to see someone. I have reduced the number of cards I send as postage has gone up so much. I prefer to send a WhatsApp greeting to most people and use the money for a gift box of toys, for example, via Samaritan's Purse organisation. I do still give cards to those who really value them though. I buy a few when I see them in sales . Great video, Kate. Blessing from a very hot Málaga, Spain.
If They don't need gifts, give Them Quality Snacks that They like. If You want to give Something Expensive, maybe a Bullion Coin as They would like to Invest
I buy greeting cards for 50 cents at the Dollar General but I know there may be others who don’t have a DG near by 😞 but if you do DG still has them for 50 cents! 😀 Kate do you budget for a vacation? You & Kaden so deserve one 😀🎉 You do amazingly at saving & being smart with your money & you work hard on the daily 😀
Love to save happy Friday Kate! I am going to look into your card organizing box mentioned and the books suggested. Fantastic tips and I am going to save this video to replay as a reference. Thanks and hope your summer is going well. It's definitely been hot around here from the chilly, wet spring season. 🥵
Cards are expensive. Sometimes 99c cards are great. Sometimes, I have boxed museum cards that I use for close friends. I get Christmas cards at the end of the season for the following: Christmas, usually 50% off.
❤❤❤ I am 69 years old and I am enjoying your channel immensely! I have subscribed to your channel a few months ago and thought great, let me watch your video again using my IPad cause I wanted to listen to the 5 love languages again but when I went to RU-vid I didn’t see your video like I did on my iPhone, so I had to do a search on your name and then your video popped up and of course I hit subscribe, I thought once I subscribe on one device I am set but I guess it doesn’t work that way. I know I’m old and should know how to handle my money but I don’t, well let me correct myself, I am learning now or have been making an attempt to be frugal since I was in my early forties and unfortunately I am still struggling with it but I have improved a whole lot, maybe 75% . I am drawn to your channel cause I feel I still need reinforcement on my frugality and you are that reinforcement. Thank you Kate! ❤❤❤
I am so so glad you are here! I can feel your positivity coming through the screen! I hope to see you tomorrow too for the new video!!! I'm so glad my videos are helpful. You've got this!
One book I return to is " Mama's Bank Account" by Kathryn Forbes. Although fiction, it tells the story of a family making ends meet in spite of the various curve balls that life throws their way. I also like stories from the days of the Great Depression or pioneer days or the days of rationing during the Second World War. Some friends still have the ration booklets. Lots of life lessons waiting to be discovered.
My helpful hint is to use tough love on children who lean to much and take advantage. I live in government subsidized housing. I have no debt and no car. I pay others to transport me and do errands batched together. This allows me an Emergency fund, Travel fund to visit family who offer free lodging and some extra leeway each month to eat out some and not feel deprived.
Great Frugal Friday, Kate! Not related, but I *really* enjoy EveryDollar! Its actually FUN! Also not related, you are looking so healthy! Love to save!
Drink water from the tab, if possible in your area. Carry a bottle of water with you to fill up at work or sport clubs. You can save hundreds by not not buying water, soda or alcohol.
I’ve been buying cards @ yard sales & thrift stores. I got great cards like 25 various cards for .50😊 I participate in The Angel Card Project so I send lots of cards. Great video😊❤😊
I’m back to using Ibotta as well as the CVS and Target app to save a good amount of money. It’s helping me cut back on our household essentials budget. It’s helping ease my anxiety in this crazy economy. Love to save!
I do the gift closet, but I dont buy anything. I save gifts I received that I dont like or free items I received while making a purchase, like when you buy cosmetics and the gave you anotherone free. If the gift was given to me by a friend I give it to someone on my family that way no one knows I didnt like it. 😉
My love languages are time and attention and physical touch. So, my upcoming birthday my wife and i are going to spend the day cuddling on the sofa watching Netflix, and then afternoon tea with a few friends. Although, she is mail ordering a specific brand of gingerbread in for me.
