5 SUPER EASY WAYS TO SAVE EXTRA MONEY NOW! FRUGAL OLD FASHIONED LIVING! Charcuterie Board 

HI Emmy and Paul (and sweet Dixie too!) We are doing the No Spend January. I really blew it the other day. I lost my job in December and had a rough morning at the unemployment office trying to get signed up. On my way, home I decided to stop in Good Will. Mondays are Senior day (25% off everything) I just wanted to look around to cheer myself up. I noticed a vintage sewing machine for 99 cents! It had all the accessories and cabinet too. I took the tag up to the checkout and I got 25 % off on it! So, I paid 75 cents for it!! I thought that was a good enough reason to break my no spend January. I couldn't wait to share it with you. It was the best 75 cents I ever spent. The machine is in good condition and runs beautifully. It just needs a little TLC.

I'm single, so I keep a list of things I need and go when the list gets long enough or until I really need something. Otherwise, I end up buying things I really don't need. Also, I buy meat in bulk, break it down to one serving packages, and freeze them.

Surely I’m not the only FMS supporter who joins in with Emmy’s words and gestures when she closes a show!?!? “And above all… we give you blessings” I just love that ❤

Recently I was telling my kids (50 year olds now) that I felt bad about not always making great dinners, when they were teenagers, I had gone back to school, was working and extremely involved in their activities. They said don't be silly and that one of there favorite dinners was the cleanout the fridge leftover nights. Fast and Frugal. Win Win.

I remember my neighbor always shopped the lost leaders only. I remember her teenaged son stating ," please dont let tuna fish be on sale". He was tired of it! Lol!

Our family hasn't had television in 20 years. We trade around DVDs with friends and family. Plus, our public library has a great selection of DVDs to check out. It's wonderful.

I can't think you enough. I have been a widow for only a year. I learn so much from the two of you.

I care for my Dad and Mom. Both are housebound and one bed ridden. It is a 2 hour drive each way and I go there 2 or 3 times a week. I was having a terrible time keeping their grocery shopping as well as mine done. So one late night I decided to do a 30 day free trial of Walmart grocery delivery. It is the best thing I could of ever done. I submit their order to the Walmart in their little town and don't have to worry about going to the store or them needing anything. My dad opens the door and their delivery driver carries them into the kitchen table. As for myself I shop my pantry and then just buy what I need to complete menus for my meal plan. My husband is handicapped and because they send an email to tell you when I your order is on its way my husband is able to go to the door and let them in. They put all groceries on the kitchen table and put up refrigerated and frozen items for him. My dad soon told me his grocery bill had gone down over $200 a month. I realized my bill had gone down considerably also! It has been a lifesaver. It is worth every penny for the monthly fee. Such a stress reliever for me also. Thank you for all you do❤

During the last few years I have found that it is so much better to do No Spend Feb. or March (or Both!), so as not to miss out on some really great clearance sales on items I routinely use, and also gift items etc to use throughout the year.

Hi. Haven't commented for awhile...I do love your tips...for me, I love my cable...honestly, the price here is not bad at all only because I have a special deal that I negotiate each year. I don't buy much and don't eat out or meet people for dinner .I save loads of money there...I work from home so hi speed internet is critical...many will criticize me but this is my choice..it is my guilty pleasure after very long hard days... I do respect others opinions...stay sage and thank you for the videos!

I'm living off my freezer meals. I have a turkey dinner for 4 in there. Including mashed potatoes. When I make a big meal, I immediately pack some up for a rainy (or snowy) day. I have chili and ham and toquitos. All that food can easily carry me through February. 😊

I have tried and tried to tell people they don’t really need cable but they don’t listen.

I am a new subscriber , although I don't normally comment on videos,I wanted to say how much I love your content and your joy and encouragement and faith.you have greatly helped me in our frugal journey .I am currently watching all your previous episodes and your cozy , vintage home is my happy place,thank you for sharing ♥️

Dear Emmy and Paul, May God bless you both for sharing yourselves with us ! You encourage me! ❤

We (we’re both retired) shop loss leaders & sales weekly when we have an errand near one of our stores. We don’t buy it if it’s not on sale except for something like milk that never goes on sale in PA. You inspired me to start making bread again & baking more. You guys are the best, I look forward to your videos 😊

I’ve made that orange marmalade, it’s very good. I added a bit of honey also. Had my mom come for coffee and we had it with toast with a little cream cheese. She really liked it.

It's just me and I'm retired. I shop once a week and sometimes every other week. I hit all the stores on one day and will often do a grocery pick up if it's offered for free. Loved the charcuterie board meal Emmy!!! You are so creative.

I have trust issues with other people picking my food 🤭🤭🤭 so I never do pick-up🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️ I used to shop Willy-nilly and put whatever struck my fancy in my grocery cart, along with the specials and other stuff on my list. Mid 2020 that all changed. Now I’m a list of sale items only shopper and spend a small fraction of what I use to spend 😊 Some weeks I don’t even go shopping 🤷‍♀️.

What ???? I’ve had Amazon prime for years and never knew this . Thank you !! 🎉🎉🎉😊❤️ I just did what you said, & went right to live tv! So cool ! God bless y’all !

My husband and I go once a week to the dump (about 7 miles away) as we don’t have pickup. While we are out we go to the market close to the dump and yes, I’ve checked for loss leaders and digital coupons. There is also a dollar store on the way home so we often stop there. I’ve also checked the sale ads for our small local store and stop there as well. We call this our “dump date” ❤😂 The best prices in our area are Walmart but that is 18 miles away so we only go there when we have to be in the area for other reasons.

I love all your videos! It's just hubby and me at home, retired. I usually shop weekly at Shop Rite and every other week at Aldi. I shop weekly to get the loss leaders. For January & February, I'm doing the low spending/use it up challenge following Three Rivers Homestead so spending no more than $25/wk. I have a big freezer and food pantry in my basement so pretty easy to do. I've also been making my own breads since after Christmas and lots of homemade soups.

We had some chilli leftover...we baked potatoes and topped them with the chilli, cheese and a dollop of sour cream. Yum!! It was an unconventional lunch for us.

It is amazing what you can make with bits and bobs after Christmas 🐝🐝

I usually shop Thursdays and try to do it a week at a time. Sometimes I can stretch it out to make it even longer. I spend about $330/month for my family of 5 in VA.

Because I did pricing for 30 years at Kroger. There’s always someone sale. There’s always something on clearance I never pay full price for anything.

Hi Emmy and Paul. Love your videos! What a coincidence, this week I made blood orange marmalade with oranges on sale. Homemade is so much better. As for shopping , I try to keep minimal amounts in my fridge. Usually shop once maybe twice per week. When I did a big shop and the fridge was full there was far more waste. Like you, I am creative with what is on hand. Now, I shop for only a few items at a time when needed. I use a hand held carry basket so I am not tempted to buy alot. I do buy the special advertisements but keep it minimal. I also track all my spending using the calendar hanging in my kitchen. I mark all the totals I've spent that day. At a glance I can see and track all my spending. It is simple and fast to log all shopping expenses. Thanks again for the videos.

Orange marmalade sponge pudding with custard ,cream or vanilla ice cream. Yum!!!Shop every couple of weeks unless I see good offers. Just filled up freezer with fish that was on offer. 4 sea bass fillets ar half price,all good size so 4 meals,plus enough different fish to make at least 6 fish pies which will go in the freezer ready to cook when I don't feel like doing the full prep. Ragu sauce, veg stock, and after Christmas, I used up left over turkey by.making turkey and veg soup, turkey curry and used bones etc for stock. All mow in the freezer ready for use. If I have veggies on the turn I will make a soup or stock so they are not wasted. Tip I learnt from a Thai lady. If eating an orange and it is sour,dip the slices in salt.

I am a one person household now, so I usually go to the grocery store once a week or sometimes I do it every second week and do my best to just buy the sale items that I will actually use. On occasion I will buy some additional extra fresh fruit if I know the grandkids will be visiting, but even at that I try to stick to the sale items if possible. I still prefer going to the grocery store myself but appreciate being able to look at the ads online. (We used to get the paper ads here, which I still prefer, but they seem to do be doing more online ads this past year).

I shop once a week and love going to the city market to get fresh fruits and vegetables. I enjoy going to the meat market. It works out cheaper for me to only buy what I need, and there is no unnecessary packaging. Blessings and hugs from Leicester England xx

I am trying to stick with a no spend January. Today I went out in my garden to cut some Rosemary before it gets bitter cold and cover the plant. While there I noticed that the chard had grown back because of the mild weather we were having. That chard along with potatoes, onions, and garlic that I had grown and tomatoes that I canned from the garden is going to make a very easy pressure cooker chard soup. The cost is minimal with some olive oil, chicken or vegetable bullion, balsamic vinegar, and a can of white beans. I usually serve it topped with parmesan cheese. When I add homemade cornbread it makes a meal for me.

Emmy, you’re just amazing !!! You are so creative ! Thank you for sharing your beautiful talent with us ❤

Don't forget to check stores for their Christmas clearance, our Walmart is at 75 percent off right now. I got a pack of razors for next to nothing, it was one of those gift pack ones and they were the nice 4 blade brand name ones. Plus cereal was close to 50 cents a box

I have a roommate and due to age, she no longer drives. When she needs to go to the grocery store I will take her and do my shopping at the same time. No trips so far this month but we may go Sunday or Monday. She will go down every aisle while I get what I need and I’m done. We usually go in-store shopping but have used delivery for small orders and have done one grocery pickup. We may do more depending on the weather. And if her health should decline, we will definitely do delivery. Thankfully, I need even less as I am doing shelf cooking. I have my meal plan for the month all written down and will share the larger “weekend” meals with my roommate. This weekend it will be beef & broccoli, then chili the following weekend and the weekend after that will be meatballs, either with bbq sauce & grape jelly or spaghetti & meatballs. Things are tentative from there as my son and his wife are due at the beginning of February with their first baby (and my third grandson) so I will be at their home for a few days (my meals for that time are in the freezer for me to grab and go). I’m enjoying the freezer & pantry clean out.

I live alone but batch cook and freeze so I don't have to cook during the week. I buy on sale or staples (for me and the dogs) like 10lb bag chicken leg quarters for .57/lb. There's a produce stand near work and I try to get from the mark down section when possible but they are still inexpensive. I also like a Latino market by work for sale items and large bags of rice (again for me and dogs). I buy chicken breast and ground beef on sale and stock up. Thanks to you and others, I purchased a food saver in December to keep things fresher in the freezer. Aldi is good for some items also like eggs, bread, sausage and red label mark downs. 🙂 I'm doing a no buy January but I probably have enough protein for the first quarter of the year. I'll replenish like you do when things are on sale but I still have a whole turkey in the freezer too!

I do a charcuterie plate for lunch often. For New Year's Eve the family did a grazing table. We just expanded charcuterie board by adding various dips. It was a hit with friends and family. My shopping habits vary. For the basic capsule groceries I do delivery. Every 4-6 weeks I do a pick up for a few special items. When I get the chance I grab items when I'm out. Since I am wheelchair bound and live with and help mom this works for us. No lifting and hauling in and out of car is a huge issue solved by delivery and pick up. Whenever possible I shop sales,use coupons and store discounts.

We enjoy going to our local weekly markets in Spain each week. The products are fresh, seasonal and amazing. Then we buy groceries weekly at the Aldi close to the market, getting only things on our list unless there are genuine bargains.

Im definitely going to try the orange marmalade. We shop the loss leaders weekly for the produce and meat specials. I plan the next months menu around this months meat specials. Then the next month we do a monthly grocery haul around the items needed for those meals. We reduced our grocery bill around $150.00 a month by doing so.

We shop once a week and pretty much shop loss leaders. We keep a perpetual grocery list going of things we are getting low on and usually wait until they are on sale to buy them. This month we are buying only essentials such as fresh produce and trying to do the low spend-no spend month. Thank you for this informative video. Take care.

I prefer shopping once a month but it usually works out to 1 to 2X/month. It saves me time & I'm a "homebody" at 💖

I keep looking past you and thinking how good a slice of that bread and some orange marmalade would be. On one blog today several people were saying oranges were either really good or really bad. One lady said she put a couple in a simmer pot with some spices and made a lovely scent. Go Bills! Should be a wild weather day on Sunday if forecast is right.

Thank you for the reminder to “get creative with leftovers”! I’m encouraged to see what I can come up with so we don’t waste food and we save money! 💰

Best frugal tip - a wonderful marriage. What a blessing ❤

Awww, I luv watching you both. Good tips. Happy 2024.

Your dinner board is great! Here in Southeast Europe when we don't feel like cooking, we just take slices of bread and put spreads like butter with marmalade, pates, homemade paprika and aubergine spreads or dried meat and some good cheese...

It's just me and I work full time. I shop once a month. I go to Aldi's where prices really don't change all that much, but when I go I do shop their loss leaders for that time. So sometimes I get avocados, because they are on sale, and sometimes I don't. The other grocery stores that are close to me even with the loss leaders, their prices cannot compare to Aldi. Their organic milk is truly dated a month out as well as their eggs. I shop that way because for me, Aldi's is about 20 miles away and it saves me money.

Started low spend/no spend this month, going to try and do it for a few months to break some habits. Put together a budget and broke down what was getting spent and it made me sad! So much needless spending! Thought things weren't too bad. Well...now they aren't going to be! Took a minute to figure out, even with watching this channel and a couple others like it! So thanks for all the great tips!

We shop for my husband’s dad every Friday. We have tons of food, but if I find sale items, I buy them if we want them. Milk and bread lasts the two of us about 2 weeks. I spend about $40 per week.

We are in Australia. Nearby we have Coles, Woolworths and Aldi as well as an amazing fresh seafood shop. Over the years I have learned which ones stock this or that, and I try to only buy our favourites when they are reduced price & put them away. Love your videos, Emmy & Paul, ❤ from Sue

Oh boy folks make the orange marmalade! Ever since I first saw Emmy make this It has been a regular in our house. It is brilliant and actually last ages in the fridge. On this side of the pond we have an old fashioned sponge pudding called marmalade pudding. Basically you make a small amount of sponge cake mix and before baking it in a bowl we add a good amount of marmalade to the bottom of the greased bowl and then put the sponge mixture on top. When it is baked, invert the bowl to turn out your lovely pudding with delicious marmalade on the top! If you are doing sugar free then use xylitol or similar and use an arrowroot slurry to thicken the jam.

Hi Emmy and Paul. I employ a variety of shopping strategies. I try to keep track of my food inventory and base my shopping on what I need to round out a meal. Study the loss leaders of three nearby grocery stores and buy only if I need to replace what I have. I stock up on some things when on sale to last me at least through to the next sales cycle. Currently I have way too much food stocked, both in my freezer and pantry shelves so I am doing no grocery shopping for the next two ( probably even three) months except for fresh produce or eggs. I don’t do delivery ( too expensive) and tried pickup twice and didn’t like it as they got my order wrong both times and I like to pick out my own produce.

I usually shop at three different kinds of stores. Grocery Outlet a couple times a month, Costco about 10 times per year, and a restaurant supply store for produce and dairy items to fill in.

I love chicken legs. Great buys. Freezing in seattle

Mix some of your orange marmalade into some ricotta or cream cheese. Spread it onto some sliced sourdough (day old is even better) and top with another slice. Soak the sandwiches in some beaten eggs (whatever egg mixture you like for French Toast) and fry in some butter or bake in the oven. Top with some more marmalade. Yummy!

This was a great video! I shared with all my family your tip on the use of “ live” tv from Amazon. Even my millennial daughter found this to be news! I have used your use up “ odds and ends” technique for many years before I even heard the word “ charcuterie”. I always called it a “ picnic” supper and it always went over well (even with my husband). I’m glad Paul liked your idea for a charcuterie supper!

🇦🇺Hi Emmy and Paul, I shop online once a week at either Coles or Woolworths and I get it delivered. I am retired too and opted for taxi or public transport or I walk around the neighbourhood. Love your channel very much. God bless you both 👋🇦🇺😀💖

My mum used to crystalise the orange and lemon peel to make sweets. Woww thats taking me back. We shop once a week but if sales come up on something were running out of we got out and pick them up but dont buy anything else.

Happy Friday, Emmy and Paul! I usually shop the loss leaders weekly, but I’ve had so many holiday leftovers in the freezer, I haven’t been food shopping since New Year’s Eve. We really haven’t had any great sale items yet either. I’m originally from New Jersey, but am now in California, and so jealous of those Shop-Rite deals!😂

My son told me about the free shows on Amazon a few months ago. Household of one. I shop the loss leaders every week and pick up anything else I might need such as fresh produce.

My goal is to make as much breads from scratch. I made bagels yesterday. Not pretty but tasted good. Can’t wait for the chicken recipe next week. Going to my daughters house at the end of January. I end up spending more because of my money is in my sons account. I do cash at home. I dislike doing that but traveling I don’t like to travel with cash. I buy coffee at Sams club snd pay a lot less than my grocery store. It last 6-7 months for a can. Thank you for all your tips.

This video was really meant for me . I too, have oranges I need to use & I’ve been thinking about how to use them . Thx !!!

Here is a quick pizza idea for when you don't want to cook. I recently discovered Stone Fire pizza breads. 4 personal size pizza breads come in a pack for 3.99. I always have mozzarella on hand and I use whatever veggie toppings I have. I can have a quick pizza dinner in 10 mins. Cheaper than frozen and way tastier.

It is my son, husband and I at home now so I normally shop once a week. I pick up the basics, like milk, eggs, bread and anything else I need. Then I pick up any clearance foods. I go to at least 3 stores but all within 1-2 miles from my house if I even want to go that far. I shop every other month with a big haul only if I need to. I can say it normally happens around a holiday or a camping trip. I try to pick up more than one of something. Like this past week I needed chips so I picked up 4 bags on a sale plus I had a coupon. So that covers me for Super Bowl. Always thinking ahead. I found 4 large cans of crushed tomatoes this week for 24 cents. So I try to stay stocked up.

Thank you 🌹 Looking forward to making the marmalade 🤗

Thank you for stressing to check your bank accounts on line. Since my account got hacked of $580 of someone purchasing from CVS, which I have never shopped there, it was an eye opener and a big lesson. I check my account every day now. So sad we have to go to that extreme. I truly love your frugal channel!

Its been one carless year bc of that I've been walking everywhere. Just because I don't have car expanses my mind says I can splurge and get things that are not necessarily on sale, but I don't. I still shop "loss leaders" as much as possible weekly. Thank you Emmy and Paul for the reminders of keeping me on track to frugality.

Another great video Groceries go once a week 1st thing I do is I have made 2 shelves in the freezer for leftovers so look to see what I have make meals around that 2nd I go to frig and pantry to see what I can add to my food in freezer. 3rd will add to my grocery list I need to complete my meals, also check sale items we need. Once in the store will check the clearance rack. I am finding taking the time to check the freezer, frig and pantry making meals from there and substituting things. Then adding what I absolutely need to the grocery list. Using things up getting more creative and less waste. Saving money to use towards debt. Win win 😊

Hi Emmy & Paul, another great video. I love your tips. Have a blessed weekend. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us. ♥

Our low spend month is going great, only $21 in groceries. An absolute necessity we've had to spend is $2000 to have two HUGE pine trees cut and removed from our front yard. A great price here in Houston and one we could not pass up. Your Amazon tip is awesome; showed hubby and then how much he can get on You Tube free. He's almost ready to ditch the cable, which will save us $82 a month. Our data is not free through our internet carrier so turn off the television when not watching to avoid overage. Also love the marmalade recipe and the carrot salad as our wonderful neighbor gifted several pounds of oranges and carrots to us yesterday along with tons of fresh lemons which I can freeze for future cooking. I've only been a subbie for a few weeks and can't wait to find other ways to save! Thanks for your common sense approach to spending and saving.

Being retired I get paid monthly. I shop monthly. I like Walmart pickup because I can't walk through the store anymore. Saves money as well.

You are such a cheerleader. I feel empowered everytime I watch your show. And grateful. I come away with a deep gratitude for what we have and for people like you that share your know-how and wisdom. Thanks.

Good day to watch Emmy & Paul video. We're getting big time snow today. In fact a blizzard warning is now in effect here in southern Wisconsin. Lorraine

Great Video !! I shop once a month when SSI arrives , I go to Aldis , then thru the month I might go get a lost leader or two and maybe milk or something I run out of ! Thanks for all your tips !

Oh, and I forgot to mention, a HUGE thank you for showing us more about Amazon Prime Live tv. I had no idea!! I am not a huge tv person, but I love the idea of cozying up on the couch with my husband to watch a movie or a random show during inclement weather. Thank you ❤

I live alone and don't buy a lot but when I do I separate meats and freeze. I shop in my pantry 🤗

Good afternoon Sweet Couple ❤️❤️

I love it but I would blitz it after it’s made into a fine cut for toast for brecky 🐝🐝

I shop once a week on Saturday . I look at the promotions /coupons / lost leaders and pantry and make a week mealplan. I batch cook for two days . Keeping in the budget.

During the winter I will usually do one bulk grocery order from BJ's, This is solely because we live in Maine and may not be able to get out on my day off. Otherwise we pick up things every other week, generally. Due to my work schedule, and being down to one vehicle, we will sometimes do a Walmart order because there is one in our town and delivery is free for us. To be honest, the once a month bulk shopping is not a great idea, unless we stick to nonperishable items, like toilet paper. Just like you and Paul, there are only the two of us and we both work full time, so I find myself having to get creative with food preservation before things go bad. One of my resolutions this year is to start doing some things differently. That includes following your example and doing "mini hauls" suited to couples and small families.

Great advice. Read your bill statements. Bought appliances on a no-interest promotion. They coded it incorrectly. Was refunded $50 on incorrectly charged interest and lowered the balance due about $80!

Wow!! I had no idea about the live tv! Thank you!😊

I look forward to your new video every week. I come away from them feeling contentment, comfort and gratitude. I’m reading a book titled my Hygge Home. Most of the principles described in that book make me think of you! No wonder your channel has such a positive effect!

Yummy yum the charcuterie board looks fabulous 😍

Good tips Emmy we don't have cable either! We get great movies and shows too for free! I love orange marmalade and make all kinds of jellys and jams, and anything else I can save! Waste not, want not! Thanks Emmy!❤

Wow, your prices are so good. Five pound potatoes in FL are 5.99 to 7.99, everything you listed is so much more expensive here. I am trying to do better with groceries, too much food waste in the past. For my no spend january i am just using what i have, trying to be creative. Kinda fun!

The marmalade was easy !!! Thanks!!!!!

Great video thank you.. We are doing great this month so far.

It was fun to catch a bit of the premier! Thank you for all you do and the inspiration!

Hi Emmy & Paul! The marmalade looks great! I will have to try it! This week I went to the store and forgot my debit card was voided due to a questionable charge. I could only buy what I had cash for! That’s the biggest money saver. I had to be so mindful of what everything cost and what I chose to buy. I haven’t done that since I was first married. But it will be a new practice.

Good morning Emmy and Paul! One of the things I like to do with citrus that starts to get a little old is I cut them into wedges and freeze them. I love in the summer when I am brewing iced tea and drop a few into the pitcher to pour the hot tea over after it finishes brewing. On a hot summer day it is so refreshing and I always get compliments on how good it is. Right now, I am dreaming about that beautiful weather where we can enjoy a nice glass of citrus iced tea on the patio as it is just frigid down here in Texas. Have a blessed day!

Anyone else hit the thumbs up button before watching the videos?

I generally shop at Aldi and WAlmart they are right next to each other so it works well. I generally do a larger haul when I get my social security for basics and then go back during the month for fresh items as I run out.

Hi Emmy and Paul, l love the old movies. I watch a lot of the old black and white movies (films as we call them in the UK). Sadly due to both my sons having their birthdays this month plus lots of other family and friends it is virtually impossible to have a no spend January. I really don't like using my debit card because spending runs away so fast. I prefer to use real money because I can budget much better. This month is so difficult financially so we are using our home food stocks to live on. When writing the weekly menu we are only buying what we need to make the recipes on there. WOW your ham looks gorgeous and such a good price. I call your lovely food board a picky plate meal. We usually shop weekly and go to different stores that is within walking distance of each other, although I drive due to my physical health. We have a very small budget for our food shop this month because we are only buying what we really need. Our freezers are very well stocked as is our food pantry and our fridge is ok too. My eldest son lives a very short walk away and is also on a very tight budget this month. I take him shopping because he doesn't drive and sometimes we share certain items because otherwise we know it won't get used in time. I bought a bag of fresh carrots and gave him half and he had a large swede and gave me half. This works well for us. I used to do the same with my late father when you could buy 2 for the price of 1. There is only myself and my youngest son at home and he eats white bread and I eat wholemeal, so my eldest and I share a loaf because it works out cheaper for us. Silly things like this help us both, I buy a large sack of potatoes from the farm shop and give my son some when he needs them. When cooking I will give him something I have done and he gives me something he has cooked, we get varied meals and a night off from cooking. Thanks for all your great ideas. Kind regards Angeline ❤️

We shop seasonal sales. This week we bought 100 pounds of frozen vegetables that we don't grow, or don't have enough to get through a year. I carefully checked prices and got .99 a pound for peas, green beans, broccoli and mixed vegetables. Some bags are 2 lb., some are 4 lb. To get the best prices you have to check by the ounce. Lent is coming, it's the once a year deep discount for seafood here in the Midwest. We will stock up on our fish and shrimp for the next 12 months. We plan 1-2 fish/seafood meals per week. We don't have any decent loss leaders here, and I won't drive 35-40 minutes one way for a limit 2 sale. For us frugal life is shopping large quantities when the sales are great, and then preserving it well. I can,dehydrate, and freeze dry. Living in a rural town, frequently your biggest expense can be the fuel to do the 1 1/2 hour trip each way for hardware, and groceries, so we greatly limit our trips, and just keep a list running for when we are going that way. We tie 6 stops into our one day out. We save all the way around.

I do a major shopping pick up, usually Wallmart, once a month, I live outside a small town, with only a dollar general, family dollar and small grocery store. Walmart is 30 miles east, or west or 40 miles north. Then if I completely run out, I will stop at a local store to pick up what I ran out of. Saves me quite a bit just on GAS! I also try to keep stock up supplies in the pantry.

Hi Emmy+Paul, No spend January and we are doing the $3 challenge to buy a new dryer. Also, I am making orange marmalade as we speak. .I just love you guys.

Yes, cutting the cable is a great money saver! 😊 Great sale items you got there. Still haven't been to a supermarket this month. I'm just using what I have and eating quite well! Nice idea with your charcuterie dinner. I tend to do one trip to Aldi for the month and pick up loss leaders and sale items every week or two. Works well for me. Have a good weekend!

I check my refrigerator and freezer for ingredients and make a weekly shopping list from that. Then I buy anything else I need. We love eating leftovers for the next night or lunches. At least once a week we have “every man for himself” dinner, which means we each look in the refrigerator for whatever is leftover and make a meal from that. It’s usually bits and pieces, kind of like your charcuterie board! Or, a frozen pizza that we doctor up with toppings.

I shop lost leaders, so usually go weekly. I have a store that is larger with more choices and better prices but is a distance away. I shop there every one to three months and stock up when there. I normally don't shop with specific recipes in mind but rather by what is on sale/pantry basics... and I plan meals around that.

We currently live outside the US and I just find your channel to motivating and comforting as the mother of young children. I had a little blip in the no spend month, but your videos helped me get back on track and will take the mentality into February and March. We tend to do a stock-up once a month online. I like to plan and see the tally, and this is easier without kids in tow. Then, I tend to go myself weekly to pick produce and any items I notice are cheaper or on sale in the local supermarket. I enjoy this because I can choose what's in season and looks best, and within plan for meals that week. :)

That ham price really made me smile! Happy New Year, Emmy!