It depends. Eg, if I have a loan that has set payments, but I have no savings. It may make sense to just may the required monthly payments and use the extra money to out aside for savings. If I focus on the debt payment above getting some savings going, if another emergency comes up, I have no recourse but to get into more debt to sort it out.
To add protein and nutrition I add a can of chickpeas to my pumpkin soup AFTER it has been blended, they give a nice nutty surprise whilst eating the soup. Also can add add a can of white beans to any blended soup as does not interfere with the taste whilst boosting protein content.
I took a class at a luggage store years ago and learned how to pack for 2 weeks in a carry on. I have also learned how much of the presents just get thrown away a year later. Experiences are the bomb!
I have stopped purchasing gifts but have started giving cash as gifts for years now!! My children seemed very appreciative as they can spend on what they desire!! Thanks for the invaluable tips.🎉
Line dry your clothes inside and then dry them on low for 5 minutes just to fluff them up. You can buy some cute little racks that fold up and down at Walmart.
I do the same thing! But I hang them from our basement ceiling and unless it is a super nice shirt, a rarity, or something that cannot be wrinkled. Only then will I throw it in the dryer to fluff up. I work from home so luckily I'm able to take the time doing this.
For those of us who have built up our savings, now is a great time to look into getting certificates of deposits. Interest right now on certain C.D.'s is over ten times higher than it is for a savings account.
Thanks for sharing this awesome tips! I'm financially free and currently growing a solid retirement plan. It takes a positive and consistency to learn new things, unlearn the old habits is important to get a mentor/coach to lead you all the way. It's great to start young too!
@@andreblechynden4578 personally i think 1m is the goal to overcome inflation and having them in an !nvestment portfolio is a perfect plan. I'm half way to my goal
@Elisa Masur yeah. When looking for financial advisors, fees and commissions are important considerations. There are financial experts out there who, regardless of how little you wish to start
HI Sara, Hello from Silicon Valley California! Like you, we are a debt-free family and I like learning new tips to maintain or up our game when it comes to finances. Just wanted to say I recently discovered your channel and am LOVING it. Trying to catch up on your videos and, so far, am finding them very inspirational, practical and the tips are easy to apply. Really appreciate what I'm learning from you! Thank you and wishing you and your family a very happy holiday.
We have great paper towels in the restroom and after I wash my hands, I bring them to my office to reuse after they dry. On Friday, if I have accumulated more than I re-used, I bring them home for quick wipe ups. I hardly use paper towels at home, but they are handy for oops on the floor or wiping meat drippings before I spray clean.
Less meat but all the flavor can be obtained with homemade concentrated bone broth. Simmer meaty bones in crockpot over night with herbs & seasonings, pick out bones & add veggies.
Next time a hot water heater needs to be replaced go for “ on demand” “ tankless” heater…mine went in for just under $500.00 5 years ago….it replaced a small electric heater. My electric bill took a deep cut after making this change. Last month it was $17.05…I don’t use the A/C, just a fan and lights and hot water on that bill.
@@virginialangford6257 I wanted to do that and two plumbers tried to talk me out of it before putting in one of the same types, I was so aggravated I don't know if they just didn't want to go through the trouble of redoing everything or what it was, one of the plumbers even told me you don't want one of those because of some reason with the filters or something? I have no idea but I've been wanting one of what you're talkin about forever!
For produce try drying and freezing. You dont need expensive drying gadgets either. I dry spinach on a silicone baking mat on a cookie sheet and make a pesto or add it to scrambled eggs. Diced onions, peppers, celery, freeze well and will cook up nice in soups and pot pies. And old bread makes great bread pudding or French toast casserole. You can use any bread marked down like buns, rolls, loafs etc.
Hi Sara, just letting you know I really appreciate you doing this video. This will be of great help for everyone who's looking to budget and save, specially parents out there. More power to you and your channel
This is so miniscule but I started mailing out checks instead of paying online for a small bill with a three or $4 service charge. However if it is a big bill that I can prepay and only do the one online service charge, I will choose that. I'm not anti-credit card and we use the points for other purchases
I always go right for my stores marked down, ready to go bad produce. I always get 3 large yellow or orange or red peppers for 1.00 for the bag of three. Either use them right away... stuffed peppers or chop them up and into the freezer. Usually can get a few onions or potatoes. Just look the items over and remember you have to deal with them right away. Love your tips and actually I have been doing most of them. I need to recheck insurance rates.... I hate doing that.. LOL. the last time I called my company and asked for a discount I got 4.00 off for 6 months, kind of depressing.
Well fortunately I get deathly sick when I eat out. Since not an option I save quite a bit on food. A meal out is $20 or more. I discovered that I enjoy eating at home. I am discovering many new recipes.
This is something i dread also but never hear anybody else say. I think its processed food n meals is not suitable for people with weak immune systems and/or serious digestive issues like diverticulitis
@@vixxcottage Yes i think u r 100% right. Im talking sit down eating out not fast food. I cant do either but never until now thought bout the type f fats! Thank you
I don’t know how people in metro areas survive without smart phones. My apartment laundry operates on an app. My train tickets are on an app. The security key to my office is on an app.
People who think they are buying new from the store when it comes to clothes can be incorrect. Once something is tried on in the store, it is no longer any different than buying next to new in a thrift store. Clothes are like cars....they depreciate as soon as they are tried out!
Too bad thrift stores in my area charge super high prices! And most of what they have is fast fashion or poorly fitting crap clothes ordered off of Taobao or other horrific off shore company.
I have purchased gifts ahead of time when found at super clearance for decades. Note: Keep a list in your phone or other highly accessible place that lists people and gifts that you have purchased. When my children were young, I often developed a ‘standard’ gift for birthday parties. These standard gifts were often an item I found on sale in larger quantities. I also made many gifts so that they were unique. This was super frugal when we lived in an affluent area where people often spent $50 on a child’s birthday party gift.
I don’t look good at all in long hair and I have a couple of very strong whorls that would make my short hair really hard to cut for myself. I used to go to the salon every 5 weeks for a cut, now I go every eight or nine weeks. I used to get my eyebrows dyed at the same time - my hair is completely white now and my eyebrows just disappear without colour. But even that’s up to $20 now! I bought an eyebrow pencil instead. I live alone so I only use it when I go out; and it lasts a long time.
For some of these, depending on where you live, you can't do them. For instance, there's no public transportation where I live and walking or riding a bike isn't feasible for where I need to go. I don't do warehouses because I realized that I was buying things I wouldn't normally have bought. Making your own bread isn't always cheaper. I can get a loaf of bread in Lidl for $0.50. I can't make a loaf for that price. Thrift stores are not always cheaper when it comes to clothes. Plus, if they don't have your size, it's a wasted trip. I've been buying the same jeans for years. I have a system for it. A good pair is a pair that has no stains or holes in them. Once they get either, I put an X on the tag. I don't work, so those become the jeans I wear every day. They get too bad, and I turn them into shorts. Long sleeved shirts become short sleeved shirts.
@@saraconklinfrozenpennies I'm thinking about buying a new pair or two this year because I need some new, nice looking denim shorts. I'd cut off the legs, then use them to make something else, like a sleeveless denim shirt. I also don't buy lunch meat. Sandwiches are either leftover meat, egg salad, chicken salad, peanut butter or tomato.
I find it near impossible to find my size of jeans at second hand shops. Heck, it's not always easy at Walmart or Target. I do buy some shirts used. But all my pants are bought new.
I can get cheap wholemeal bread (45p) in Aldi; but I couldn't buy stoneground wholemeal artisan made bread for under £2 _anywhere,_ though I can make my own for 93p. You have to compare like with like.
I've done the gift thing for years. I have a spot in my closet where bags are stapled shut with the name of the person on it. If someone tampers with their gifts they don't get it the gift gets donated. I guarantee that it only happens once. Lol
All of these are good tips! Several depend on a person's circumstances, of course.. For example, public transpo / ride-sharing may not be viable in some areas and/or cause such a loss of time/personal hardship that it's actually a negative. A smart phone is more expensive due to the data upcharges, that's for sure, but at the same time, I use Ibotta and Fetch apps, as well as my local grocery stores' apps for digital coupons, etc., which save me a ton of money every year, and require a smartphone. I rarely go out to eat - truly only for special occasions, but when I do, it's more of a fine-dining situation where coupons/Groupon deals don't apply. I'm okay with that, because it's literally only 2-3x/year. It's all relative to the individual.
I'm vision impaired and need the smart phone for apps related to accessing the general public. So yeah, I need it for more than just phone calls and texting.
@@happycook6737 that works if you're not blind or vision impaired. I'd hate to have to reconnect on every block just to ensure I know where I'm at. Knowing I'm somewhere between home and Walmart (a distance of three miles) just isn't good enough.
Another one..we have been debt free for decades, but use credit cards that give us rewards. We ALWAYS pay them off every month, but we either get Cashback, flight points, discounts or something for using the card. It all adds up.
Walgreens sells a birthday card box of cards as wells as boxes of cards for other occasions. 1.99-2.99. Make your own 4x6 postcards. Use your phone to take a fun photo. Have it printed at Walgreens and postcard stamps are less than regular forever stamps.
These are great tips! I’m concentrating on preventing food waste right now. Last night, I made a soup that called for a sage leaves. I bought it at Trader Joe’s because it was the best price. But how do I keep the rest of the package from spoiling? I want to be able to use some next time for another recipe.
I do thrift store shopping as a fun outing with one of my friends. I don't look or buy clothing....though I see many RU-vidrs do get good deals. I am on the declutter mode right now😂. Thanks for a fun video
Great tips! Wanted to add that I tried Mark Cuban's mail-order drug company and cut my prescription cost by more than half, including shipping. It's more convenient and saves!
@@saraconklinfrozenpennies It was great. I was getting a generic from my local drug store that was about $11 a month/30 days. It was less than $7 for 90 DAYS through the Mark Cuban Cost Plus company. It did take about a week to get to my house, so luckily I placed an order before I was out. It's worth checking out!
I turn off my "mobile data" when not online, on my smartphone. Saves a tonne of apps sucking data. I use pre-paid vouchers to put credit on my phone monthly. Only buy phones outright or take friends 2nd hand ones. No phone debt for me. I'm in Australia so not sure if u can pre pay your mobile/cell phone in USA?
I wouldn’t mind ditching the smart phone…but in 2023 when you still have school aged children it’s not realistic. Most of the schools communicate to parents through apps.
To cancel a magazine subscription: on the un opened packaging without interfering with the lettering on the label write in permanent ink “ Refused” and “Cancel” make one slash through your name and address to draw attention to the fact that it has been there and been refused, then return to the mail stream in a Mail Drop. If the magazine has no wrapper, bring it into a US Post Office and explain to the clerk you want to cancel your subscription. I worked for the postal service for 28 years before learning this! I have been trying to cancel a magazine I no longer need since 2010.
Coupon and you will save a ton of money. Couponing now is not just cutting out a coupon and using it. We spend very little on food, personal care and household items.
Easier to do maintenance on older cars. I bundle my car issues when possible right now I'm due for an oil change the tires need to be rotated and the engine light is on- all being addressed with one visit
Sarah, we are in major debt due to health issues and medical bills. I had to retire early, but we still had a 79,000.00 mortgage, and my husband retirement and ss are all we have to live on, plus our son helps us. We have $2000.00 in credit card debt andy student loan 5:35
@@susanneal985 Oh Susan I am so sorry to hear about this. But this is a much bigger conversation than we can have in the comment section. You have to cut everything down to the bare minimum. Spend only $50 a week on groceries, subsidize with food from a food pantry. You have to pay off those debts and micro manage that money. Take care of the 4 walls first (house, lights, heat) and then your car (insurance and gas). Sell everything. All the accumulation that you have built up over the years has got to go. Become a minimalist and pay off that house as soon as you can. Use cash only - no more credit cards.
Eat one meal a day. Fast. Turn off electric at the fuse box. Turn on the water heater for an hour or two in the morning. Then leave it off until the next day. No TV. No cable. Use cloth napkins, handkerchiefs, Dinner napkins, and cleaning rags. Turn off water at the intake valve on the toilet and bucket flush with gray water. I don't turn on room lights. I navigate and do task lightning with a head lamp powered by rechargeable batteries.
With rising costs I do something similar. I am retired and at home most days... After shower the hot water is turned off. I make 1 pot of coffee, have breakfast. I boil kettle and place water in thermos, I pour 1 cup milk in another small thermos( to keep cold.) I make a sandwich, cold drink and fruit for lunch. I turn off all power until 6pm and cook tea, charge phone, a load of washing. If a cold night I turn fridge off at bedtime. I use solar nights at night and use phone torch to go to bathroom if need be. I watch Utube at night in bed. Cheers.🥰
This sounds quote boring. But I have been buying cloth napkins and cleaning rags, because I don't like buying things that are just gonna be thrown away. But I'm vision impaired and home a lot. So I have internet for my 55 inch TV.
I enjoy your videos, here is a few other things that I do if vegetables are on special I will buy extra and freeze them, spinach is good frozen for omelettes or in casseroles , even buy bread or buns for short term freezing. Don't forget the markdown rack at the grocery store. It is usually things which are going to expire soon but are fine within a few days. I have a discount where I work and it always says on the receipt what I have saved I try and put even half of what I saved away because normally I would have spent that money as well. One month I saved over $60 ! One last one if you are very disciplined use a credit card that has points or cash back and use the rewards for groceries. But only if you pay it off every month. Put all monthly bills and even taxes and insurance , water bill on the card to get the points. But as I said only if you can pay it off every month.
I do my own hair. I have a simple bob and use L'Oreal Excellence permanent color cream. Saves me $140/month. If I had a fancy style this might not work. I got The Perfect Bob template online. Predictable results every time.
@@lynncaldwell8345 Tell your OZ friends that in some American neighborhoods, drying clothes outside is illegal. Watch their heads swivel round like in a cartoon! 🤦♀️🤣
@@happycook6737 Line drying can have a downside.Years ago a friend had returned from a trip to America with 6 pairs of designer jesns. He washed them and hung them out. They were gone before he even got the creditcard bill.I don.t think he would jang them in thesr times.
There's a reason people go to school to learn how to cut and color hair. Every beautician I know cringes at frugal lists since cut your own hair eventually ends up on the list. Consider what it costs to correct DIY mistakes - not worth it to me. Hair cut videos don't tell you how to work with cowlicks.
If your bank or credit union charges a fee to pay your bills using their bill pay service, change banks! Very few banks charge a fee for this in my area. Credit unions tend to charge less for services. We have never paid to use bill pay. Also if you use a credit card for earning rewards, be sure it is paid off every billing cycle. I record my expenses every week during the weekend, so I just pay my credit card at the same time for the purchases I made that week. Never have paid any interest for the use of the card.
I dont used only my smart phone just to sepak with someone else.I used to check my email. to check reviews before make any purchased. share my location. if someone needs to find me... The least i do is playing :(
I don't know if yall, those in comments n Sarah, have a Dollar General, but their sales can be great. My family loves Angel Hair Pasta. It is onlyv$1.00 for a whole pound. It tastes n cooks great. Whenever we go to $ General we always pick up one box of the pasta n add to the ones at home. I think that's a frugal idea. Price Angel Hair Pasta at WalMart or wherever u shop: I guarantee they will be higher. Hope this little addition helps somei One. And. God bless u n urs, Sarah, n all commenters. Marguerite from the Mississippi Gulf Coast
35 a week sometimes less. Feeds myself and my dog who I cook for. Last year was was 1200 for the whole year including garden seeds and I only buy organic. 2 years before that when I didn’t have a garden was 1600 for the whole year. Stop eating animals period
