Same in my area. I'm priced out of most of the second-hand shops. There is only one I go to, but it's an old-fashioned one and the choice isn't that great.
Salvation army has discount days. I found 2 polo shirts from lands end 3.99 down to 2.00 each. White eyelet blouse from Talbott 3.99 down to 2.00. They are all so classic.
I love your channel, but unless you’re single and hooked on coffee with creamer, plus eat one meal a day, your food budget won’t work for the majority. Not being critical, just an observation, and have leaned at lot from you. If I were single, I could live as you do, minus the coffee. Your hair and complexion always looks so nice, and I know you don’t use high end products. Kinda envious. 🥰
I proudly dumpster dive in my neighborhood in Milan... I've practically furnished my house, and it's gorgeous. Today i found a Pierre Cardin purse, a capodimonte bowl, and silk roses.
That's what I bought, once. About 10-15 years ago, I got some money after being dirt poor for a long time and those jeans were *in* and I liked them. I enjoyed the hack out of them, they were about 20-25 bucks. Never did it again, but loved them. That was a treat.
We've experimented with using less dishwasher liquid, clothes detergent, shampoo - and honestly, in all those cases, a little goes a long way. You can usually use half the recommended dose and still get a good result - and it's better for the environment on top of the savings. This is also one reason why I don't buy pods and tablets - one wash, one tablet, you've no ability to control the amount used. Cheers from Oz!
I started reducing after I saw her video about laundry detergent. I hope to use even less. Some of mine was diluted to get it out of the jug, so hard to tell how much I'm using! 2 or 3 years ago I bought a lot on sale, after the bugdemic I stayed home and wore my clothes a lot lot longer between laundry loads.
I have two containers , I 1/2 to 3/4 and dilute it . I dilute the shampoo along with dish washing detergent also. My large Sam's brand dawn I also dilute .
Hi Princess!! To save money I very often just do without. I live alone and I don't have to impress anyone..lol... I even reuse paper plates and wash them off. I am very weak from having multiple sclerosis for 40 years. For entertainment I watch a lot of TV. RU-vid. I love your channel and other money saving channels. Actually I feel as though I sort of know you. My whole family has passed away. You are like the daughter that I never had. I'm very proud of you!! Take care and enjoy your life! Love your doggies!!!!!❤ ❤❤
Your simple advice and videos have saved me over $3k this year, as compared to last year!Thank you so much!! I have saved $$ switching to Mint, using a splash of laundry detergent instead of 1/2 cup, cutting my dishwasher pods in half, taking time to meal prep- protein/vegetable format, going to the library, shopping at Winco, keeping my 10 year-old Honda Civic that runs beautifully, doing my own oil changes and by ditching the gym membership! Like you, I live next to a huge park by the American River and have walking/bike trails that are free. I’m also so happy the stock market did so well this past year! On my way to a high net worth! Video suggestions: propagating green onions/red onions, used car shopping, inexpensive vacation ideas, how to socially avoid leeches and how to entertain economically.
Decision fatigue, I've never heard it called that and I didn't realize that other people had that too. If I go into a large flea market or a mall then I either end up buying nothing or really weird stuff. I get overwhelmed and can't focus, then I end up in a foggy zombie mode of some kind. Hard for me to explain I guess.
I am retired and 68 and discovered RU-vid videos a year ago. I learn so much. I am more frugal than ever. Enjoy yours as they are so helpful. I carry nice work clothes to a resale shop for store credit. And do same with books. I don’t drive everyday. I volunteer at a charity shop like Goodwill two days a week and find great bargains there for less than anywhere. I wash clothes in cold water and have for years. Don’t eat meat everyday. I get free electricity nights and saves 80 are so a month. A plan with electric company. I have pecan trees that are producing great this year. Am shelling and putting in freezer. I was raised frugal as a kid. Learned so much. Part of life. Thanks again for your wisdom!!
As someone who lives alone I can relate to a lot of these. I buy slightly more expensive laundry sheets, but I chop them in half and they last me for months. Growing veg etc. is a waste, because I can't eat them fast enough and I only have a small freezer. ( I'm nearly seventy. I don't need to prep. for the apocalypse. Lets be sensible here...I would be one of the first to die should that day come!)
I live in the Netherlands and i have noticed that our thrift stores have become quite a bit more expensive then they used to be. Clothes and otherwise - Meh!
I love love love WinCo!! I always thought bulk wouldn’t work for me because it’s just me and husband, but light dawned on marble head when I saw that I could buy portions of steel cut oats, nuts and lots of other stuff at better than half the cost of other stores. WinCo has easily cut my grocery budget by 40% and we still eat quality, healthy foods. Thank goodness for WinCo. Love that you mentioned them!❤
Potatoes are super easy to grow - even from the ones that sprout in your cupboard. I planted about 8 that I deliberately let sprout - they were a premium, expensive variety. I harvested about 12lbs/6kg from that little investment and all I did was water them occasionally - and they taste much better than the store-bought ones.
Loved your laundry hack because my clothing is cleaner not having that residue left behind. I got rid of every duplicate in the house. So much easier to manage.💜
The unexpected furniture and household items that are practically new is in college towns at the end of semester when the kids move home. They just put everything outside for free.
I like how you manage your clothes but I couldn’t buy meats at Wilco just because it is cheap. Really important to get antibiotic free/organic , free ranged meat. Even better to know your own butcher and get the healthiest meat available.
I SO agree with you about the "homemade laundry soap"... Clothes need actual detergent.. and a tiny bit at that... Maybe with a dash of white vinegar in the rinse... it works quite well.
Yep, since the you-no-what, thrift stores are not a big savings, and I don't need more "stuff". My dad used to say, "people will always try to nickel and dime you to death." Sometimes it's the small stuff you gotta watch out for.
Collard greens, cooked with some onion and a smoked turkey wing or drumstick (which are really cheap) tastes awesome and it is something to chew. Make a batch and freeze it or container it. Have to cook it awhile on low though until the meat falls off the bone, about 2 hours. Its yum and full of vitamins and minerals!
I don't eat cake.or pies, and I try my best to stay away from sugar( more dangerous than bleached salt), and no sodas, coffee, chips or meat, but love watching people eat meat. I stopped eating meat because of health issues, and I miss it. I also don't eat any white bread. I have can goods but they are for emergencies only, because they have preservatives in them that will really slow down your elimination process. I promise I wont overshare this time, but if you are not eliminating at least once a day that is a serious problem. That's like an engine check light for your body. When I had my health issues years ago, I spoke to a nutritionist. She told me I needed more leafy greens in my meals.I told her that eating healthy was expensive. She said "isn't your body worth it, you only get one body. The leafy greens improved my health greatly.I can do supersets at the gym, while the youngsters are doing single sets.I am so grateful that my health has improved, it was a long hard journey.
I always enjoy hearing your perspective on things. Don’t always agree, but you give me food for thought. I try to be open to new ideas and new ways of thinking, keeping my brain agile.
I also grow my own veggies and fruit. We have chickens for eggs i retired on 48 and have no debt. We bought a plot in a rural area and build a wooden cabin for renting out and a brick house, just a shell and did everything self inside, nothing fancy.
I must say one of my tenants furnished my house with furniture that some one was giving away as they were moving state..fabulous fridge..beds..everything one would need (THEY ONLY WANTED someone to take it away.)..then she moved over seas with her family leaving me a full house of furniture..as for my Daughter-in-law she has furnished her house with give away or brought on line second-hand furniture and her house looks great..
I've adopted many of these suggestions, and am quite happy with them. The biggest differences are that I love to cook and am also cooking for my adult son who lives with me. At my age, I'm more in to comfort than efficiency, LOL. As for gardening, I tend to grow what we like to eat, and I preserve a great deal of my produce. I do grow lettuce, but since we're not big salad eaters, I grow seasonally and not a lot. My best advice is to try and waste nothing, and learn how to preserve and use what you preserve.
Thrift stores are bad where I am. I tried to buy baby and kid clothes they wanted 4 to 6 dollars for a onesie used when you can get them for 3 dollars or less on sale new.
You are young, and thin is very healthy when young. Around 70 it’s nice to put on a little more weight. It sustains you when you have a health issue and can’t/wont eat because you don’t feel good. Slightly heavier in the last part of life is associated with a healthier, longer life. I’m with on the high rise pants. No one wants to be seeing my behind crack when I’m working
Youre right about thrift stores i used to buy big 3wick 6" or bigger candles ,mostly unused for a dollar. And oil lamps for $2-$3 ea. Blankets nice ones $3
I used to plant as much as I could in my veggie garden and I also used to have cases of canning jars as I preserved a ton of food. But I live alone now, and realized that I simply don't need as much food and canning jars as I used to, and I don't have the space for it. So I cut way back to save space, and also time. I love to garden, so I'll continue to do that, but aside from tomatoes, peas, beans, herbs, and annual flowers, it's much more efficient to buy than to grow other things. I used to coupon, but so much of the stuff you 'save' on is highly processed now, and I don't eat that way. Luckily for me I love to cook and make things, so I also save money by making my own ice cream, bread, hummus, etc.
My sister dumpster dove for the grossest things. Used peanut butter jar...yummy PB at the bottom. I heard that and said I will never be that poor. Pennsylvania is locking more and more dumpsters. We rarely buy sugary products such as cookies. I rarely bake. We're cutting way back on the sugar period. I'm not a couponer either. I'm like you. I don't like processed junk. I buy off season clothes. I used to buy secondhand clothes, but, you're right, they are too expensive anymore.
Hey Prepper Princess, I save elastics from broccoli and celery, never bought elastics in years. I save bread bags great for doggy doo doo. I am always looking for ways to save a buck ❤ I also love finding stuff at the curb, latest a 1960s Santa Blowmold, ❤
I pick up used furniture in neighborhood in trash day. Of course those looking interesting, clean or antique and those I really need in house. I moved from Russia (24 years ago) and surprised how many beautiful pieces of furniture people in USA just throw away ( put outside for free pick up).
You can pick up washcloths at thrift stores for around 1.00 using those instead of paper towels is very cost effective. Usually one day a week goodwill has 40% off for seniors and each monday previous week colored tags are .99 Going later in the evenings at my local grocery store many produce and meats are marked down significantly for quick sale. Also getting a basic cookbook and learning to prepare your own meals and getting creative with left overs you can feed your family in a tightening economy.
@@PrepperPrincess I have purchased from Walmart as well. My thrift store are better quality . They hold their shape and plush. But Walmart is an option that only some may have. I get 40% off on discount day so even better price.
I recently decided to not by anything just because I want it or like it. I have to be able to use it within a couple days otherwise, I must not need it. I also started getting rid of things I don’t use, like a meat tenderizer, tea kettle, the multitude of baking sheets, muffin pans and throw blankets.
Frugality can only go so far into nonsense. Glad to see you mature. I grew up with parents that grow up Great Depression I learned a lot from them. Frugality should be common sense with awareness. Best decision and awareness leads the way.
I thought the thrift store problem was just here. A shirt at Goodwill cost $1 more than the same one new at Walmart. That was my last visit to a thrift store. Most of their stuff… people should learn to use their garbage cans.
@@HipsterSpinster_yes I noticed the increase in prices at the thrift stores. I never buy anything there I just donate. But sometimes I do look at the racks of clothing and shake my head in disbelief of what they charge.. I just can’t buy any ones old cloths it gives me the itch. Many times I have been lucky and find things on a clearance sale in a more upscale apartment store. As a retired person you really don’t need much . Once a year a new sweater,Blouse T-shirt is ok by me. Don’t need a thrift shop.
I was a store manager at Goodwill for ten years. Over those years things changed alot. In my region it went from a person to a computer deciding the prices. It was very disappointing. I worked there because I believed the mission was about helping people.
I am a prepper, so i have containers full of soap, shampoos, toothpaste etc. i alsi stock up on dry food and cans and eat according to the sell by date. I don't have to buy anuthing in thevnext 3 years and longer.
The frugal rules are different for people with families of course. I store bulk food properly, and I have to cook several times a day for growing kids. I prefer organic produce for my kids and we like lettuce and greens and it saves money for us to garden and we make our own compost with scraps. I do have berry plants too
I used to make my own laundry soap and thought it worked fine but I coupon heavily and get Gain, Tide, or Persil for cheaper than what I can make it. A 37oz bottle nets me 65-70 loads.
I tried doing my laundry without soap....it is so much nicer. I didn't even know it, but it itched from soap & had a rash all over my body. The itch is gone & the rash also. Thanks for the suggestion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for all this food for thought, I have had some really good suggestion from you!!!
Hey PP...it is very difficult to "dumpster dive" (we call them skips) in the UK...they are nearly always locked away round the back of high fencing around the store...no way to get to them...most times.
I read about the grocery expenses so many complain about and I have to wonder. I have the means to eat whatever I wish, but things like steak are not on our home food list. Yes, i do buy Wild Alaska Salmon from Costco because it is a very healthy item to consume. We eat out occasionally but usually lunch. I do not go to Gut Bomb places like McDonalds. Chicken, fish, beans (Home made soups with beans), etc, Oatmeal with blueberries and walnut pieces, salads, etc. We eat well I think (hope). OH! and great source of protein are eggs from free range chickens. I'll add that our just grocery only bill is budgeted for $560.00 a month for the two of us. And we eat well.
We used to have two apple trees, and found out you cab wrap them in newspaper and put them in a dark, cool place in the basement--and they would not rot if they did not have any bruises. The skin would just get a little wrinkly, and that was it. They were good for months. Us kids would eat them after washing. Not quite as crisp as off the tree, but they were so good anyway.
1. I do not dumpster dive. Most of the stuff is actually garbage. 2. I was an extreme couponer. I did get plenty of grocery carts for like $20. This relied heavily on sales, coupled with triple coupons, and rebates combined. I have not found these combinations in a very long time. 3. Thrift stores are MORE expensive than Walmart. My daughter bought me a whole brand new outfit for $3 and Goodwill wanted $8. 4. I do not make my own laundry soap because it's pointless. We have so much soap just hanging around. I can not even fathom needing to buy much soap for the next year or two. 5. I subsist on leafy greens when possible for health reasons. I use vinegar and olive oil to up their calorie content, but they are quite filling, very healthy, and ultimately the only thing I can eat without any issues whatsoever. They do not raise my blood sugars, they do not cause stomach discomfort unlike cauliflower, they grow quickly, take very little space, and can even be grown on a window sill, unlike broccoli or summer squash. I adore sprouts and greens. Imagine putting just a tablespoon of olive oil and vinegar on your greens and it is enough calories for your meal. Some greens are quite crunchy. Of course, you would have to grow them and pick them fresh in cooler weather to know this. Romain lettuce is crunchy. Raddicho is crunchy. Some cabbages are crunchy. The growth of sprouts and microgreens on a windowsil in the house takes all of 5 minutes a day. When you pair them with some tofu, the cheapest protein around that is low carb, and stir fry them up, you can end up with a very inexpensive meal. In this scenario, it might only cost $4 a week for someone who eats one meal a day to get that one meal. (Tofu being $2 a pound, all greens grown in the house) If you add seed costs and condiments, perhaps $5 a week. It is almost impossible to fathom feeding one person on $5 a week in this high inflationary time, but I believe with the system I outlined it is possible. I personally have 2-3 meals daily and spend more than $5 a week, but my costs are not that high when you take into account that I have three meals a day most days now. I can survive on $20 a week with meat even.
I've started growing my own sprouts and love the taste. It's easy to do and healthy, of course. You can just put a dab of asian salad dressing on a bowl of sprouts and it's delicious along with a simple cheese sandwich.
It’s 4x more expensive and changes the consistency of the drink. Imagine taking your favorite soda then adding cinnamon to it or taking out the sweetener. It changes everything about the drink. I have my drink the way I like it and have tried every single way to make it. It is perfect and will not be changed.
Yuk! Cinnamon in soda 😆…you are right it changes…I think of it as concentrated and can add water to get desired consistency without milk solids. Everyone is different tho and I get it, “don’t fix it if it ain’t broke”.
I have been doing intermittent fasting for 5 months and now enjoy having one or two meals midday. No food after 3 p.m! I've lost weight and feel so much healthier and TADA! My grocery bill is about half what it was before! I seldom use coupons or comparatively shop between stores. It's just too much hassle for a person living alone who shops only a couple of times a month. I just want to get in and get out and on my way! 😊
I gotta say.. I doubt I will ever be inpired to be QUITE as frugal as you are ... however.. you definately DO motivate me to EXAMINE more closely my own habits, and so I continue to tweek and improve on my life choices.. as makes sense for me. You have shown that there is always room for improvement... at whatever LEVEL works for each of us. Stay Kewl my friend.
I live in Canada and have been trying to grow artichokes forever, I still have to buy them when I could find them. I did manage to establish a tiny asparagus bed though after many years. Last year my back gave out and I could do nothing after I managed to plant some cabbages, peppers, potatoes, tomatoes and garlic. I also have rhubarb. It was a so so year and I was grateful for what I did get. I'm not a very good gardener especially with my back (I am now totally unable to do much) but I love going outside after being stuck indoors for months, and seeing stuff growing other than weeds and grass. I have to shop where I can get deliveries since I had to also give up driving and I hate having my groceries picked by others but it is what it is. Love your advice and can make use of some of it except the $100 a month grocery bill, I might manage that if I eat once a week and but my little highness gets the best too. As for shopping for clothes, I never shopped at thrift stores but all my friends did and do. I figure I'd rather spend the bit extra and get new, now since I don't go anywhere I should have enough clothes to last me a while. I also make my own laundry detergent but not the liquid and use soap nuts, I love the look on people's faces when I bring out the bag🤣 I also eat a lot of beans and rice also some meat when I find a good deal. I make my own bread whenever I have the strength to get my bread maker into the kitchen, so much better.
You probably have a dry sunny corner somewhere - try to spread some chives-seed there - their bloom is pretty in lilac, and they can grow wild, no maintenance, perhaps a bit rain or water in the spring. They are hardy and perennial and I have never seen a bug or any problem on them. Of course, I love your philosophy!
I live near a college town, so I might dumpster dive once year, when they are moving out of town. I have found a lot of very usable stuff that they could not pack in the cars to go home. Another fun tip is to drive through neighborhoods the evening before trash day, furniture or larger items are set beside the trash can to be picked up. Curbside shopping can be fun and very useful when you want to get rid of items without being hassled.i don’t do this often because I really don’t need much.
I started eating out on my lunch break at work because it's across the street from a big box retailer with a food court. I figured $1.50 hot dog to $2.88 pizza per meal is worth the luxury feeling.
If you mean Costco, pretty soon you’ll need a membership for the food court. They’re going to start not letting people in unless they have a membership
@@missmayflower you mean you can't go into the deli at a local grocery and pick up a bag of salad mix for a buck and a hunk of cheese for a couple dollars that will last all week. And a small bottle of dressing? At dollar tree and leave it at work? Iv done it for years when I hated school lunches. And even in current prices lunch included yougert or canned fruit and getting paper plates cost less than eating junk at a fast food. INCLUDING A JUICE DRINK instead of soda or fancy coffee.
No washer/dryer at my apartment. Laundromat is a mile away. No car. I hand wash in a 5 gallon bucket. Hang clothes on nylon grass trimmer line clothes line. Works out well. I iron as needed.
This coffee you drink so much of must taste wonderful! Would you mind sharing the brand you buy? You probably have already, but I missed it. Thanks Prepper Princess and I love your videos.
Hi Prepper Princess. When I had my washer worked on the technician warned me about using pods. He said the plastic doesn't break down completely and can clog the pipes. Just a thought. Hi from the Sacramento area. 😀
I don’t do coupons either. I do shop sales and base my meals around that. We do have some good thrift stores here, but I don’t need anything really now. I have a garden and also work on an organic produce farm. We have apple and plum trees. I am still eating on the apples from the Fall! Have also been eating on winter squash, potatoes, and onions from the farm.
I used to thrift a lot but as im getting older i noticed i dont like clutter much. Winco i like a lot. Veggies to crunch i agree. High waist pants i agree. Used furniture or free i use. ❤
there was a computer store near me, and they would throw away old parts that they couldn't sell, it didn't matter to me if my computers were slow ( i'm not a gamer) , but there was no way that i could afford to have the systems i ended up with.
Sometimes you can get things you could not afford normally. Years ago when I was very poor and still thrifting, I found a beautiful Calvin Klein sweater for 5$. Have worn it half to death, still wear it in the house. I can't find sweaters like that anywhere now, even for several times the price. I love cotton if I can find it and the knit was unusual.
You might want to consider planting some Egyptian walking onions in your garden. You only have to set out a few bulbs. They will slowly spread by producing additional bulbs underground and also bulbs will form at the top of the stems which will lay down onto the ground. Once established, you will never have to purchase onions again if you don't over-harvest. Bulbs are available online.
Im guessing it's best to keep that in an area that's between paved walkways or driveways? Some plants that spread like that just dominate and area and then they're hard to uproot.
Hi. Princess I will suggest two fruits for you to look up if you don't already know about them. One is a Paw Paw tree. The second is a pineapple guava plant. You don't see them around much but they are great tasting. I just moved into a new house and bought Paw Paw seeds. I didn't find a place that could ship a tree to CA. Thanks
