Something I came across last month was if I unplug appliances such as the toaster as well as those oil warmers and turned off the connection to the extension cord that our side table lamps are connected to, this has made quite a big difference in my bill. I know those things seem small and a bit inconvenient but it made a big enough difference that I don't mind unplugging. Obviously I don't unplug things like the fridge but by unplugging the items we only need plugged in when we are using them was a happy accident :) Hope this helps someone!
I have to say that I always enjoy your videos and think that you do an excellent job with your tips and strategies. I don't know why more people haven't reached out to you because you have excellent content. So what I think is that you should step out and ask for folks to collaborate with YOU! For real girl! You have a lot to share!
You stated awhile back you wanted to start doing more things like eating out some and doing a few fun things with the girls. I hope you plan on doing it. It's great to be frugal but you deserve to treat yourself too! 😊
One of the things that I have noticed when I look for ways to save money is that you can end up using a lot of time. Now this is fine if you MUST make every penny count, but looked at from another perspective you could be using time that would be better spent hunting savings somewhere else. What I have been working on lately is making sure I estimate the amount of savings as well as the time investment for that task then break it down as savings per time. You don't want to stand in the grocery store and compare two items that are $0.05 different for 10 minutes, but you do want to spend the 5 minutes to make the laundry soap that saves you $4. I am trying to improve myself by working smarter not harder. Also when buying something new I do ask myself if I actually need it or not. If not then I ask if buying this thing will save money and time (and will it get used). If that is a yes, then I sit down and do some rough calculations to see if it is really more valuable to buy versus not buy. I try to make sure each of my purchases are both conscious and informed. Sales relies of emotion, so you have to be both aware of that and informed enough to make certain that you are making the right choice.
"Half a squirt of soap" is a great idea that I just started doing myself last week. Savings from cutting repetitive expenses adds up quickly, and this is one of the most repetitive in life. I also scale back on the laundry detergent, using far less than the recommended measurement, with zero degradation in outcome.
you can also dilute the hand soap for the children - maybe 50/50 or 65/35 soap to water - experiment to see what ratio works for you that still accomplishes 'clean'.
I use white vinegar for fabric softener (haven't noticed any overbearing smell from using this), and I use baking soda instead of an oxy product. Instead of vacuum powder, I use baking soda as well. (I buy a 50lb bulk baking soda bag, which saves A LOT) And, we wear clothes more than once before laundering. Definitely! Frugal and easier on the items. Now, if they're soiled (or it's summer and we were sweating), then we do only wear them once.
I changed something a couple years ago I would like others to benefit from. I was using so many paper towels on everything and it was getting expensive. I finally bought a bunch of cheap white wash clothes, keep them under my kitchen sink, and use them to clean with. I've saved a lot of money..... I am happy with this. Ithey just go in the sanitary wash with the other lights and whites. No problem😊.
Hermit here ! ✋ But unfortunately this hermit has access to internet and Amazon prime ;) As always so many great useful tips. Thank you for the great content and reminders. Will have to go back and re watch some videos. I love all your diy recipes and make use of most of them on a daily bases. Like you said win win for health and wallet. Your recipes have never disappointed me unlike some that supposedly are so amazing and are epic fails. My favorite is your deodorant and anti aging face cream recipe. Nothing compares to it. I share with anyone who will listen. Huge fan of your channel! 😀❤
One way we save a bit is by buying the 45 oz tub of "butter" ( on sale & use coupon) because it costs quite a bit less per oz than the 15 oz size. We eat on tv trays...so, we don't have space for a large tub of "butter" w/ our glasses & plates. We have a used 15 oz "butter" container which I keep filled, taking from the 45 oz one. Saves money & space.
YES! I do the half-pump of soap too! I don't even realize I'm doing it, but I definitely do. We used to use those foaming soap bottles that I just filled with water and a few squirts of soap, but the bottles kept breaking. They're good for kids too, who love to pump pump pump for fun. :)
Enjoyed your video and I don't think you are a hermit. Many families have fun things to do around the house and yard. I know another frugal family who both work outside the home and have a channel of frugal life, who are homebodies and enjoy their home, yard, garden, chickens, home school their children,etc., do lots of home improvement, themselves and rarely eat out. Their children are sweet and well behaved Their son has been getting into gardening and so they are saving even more on food and finding new recipes to use all the produce, etc. Thanks for sharing and have a great weekend. : )
What do you use it for? I have like one recipe for beef and barley soup and that's pretty much all. Barley is healthy though so I would love more ideas for what to do with it. Thanks!
Thank you for another great video, FGG! I was recently diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes and that has really blown my food budget! All of the cheapest foods are also the highest carb foods, so I'm spending more on groceries than I ever have before. I'm on a a tight fixed budget and I'm looking more at cutting my other expenses to compensate for the grocery increase. I think your AC tips are great, but I would be afraid to leave my windows open at night while I sleep. How do you guard against break-ins?
My mom used to close the windows and shut the shades on the east side of the house in the morning. She would switch to the west side in the afternoon. Kathy B.
You have a great presentation, and great content, thank you for all the interesting tip's, and a down to earth and bright delivery of the tip's. Keep up the good work.
my biggest pet peeve is hearing or seeing someone who talks about saving on this & that yet blows money daily on running around town trying to save a nickle or spends multiple nights in the casino's! or smoking cigarettes....vices are NOT a part of frugal living nor is driving 30 miles round trip to get anything under a $10 discount ...... map your "shopping & duties " out and do it all or as much as possible in 1 trip. staying home saves you money too!!!
Mary, nothing is more disgusting than to see panhandlers trying to act all poor and wanting handouts, while sucking on cigarettes! If they have $ for cigs, they have $ for food.
Personally, I prefer buying thrift instead of cheaper clothing. Usually, something only makes it to a thrift shop if it's already been used/worn before. That means, to me, that it will typically have a high enough quality to last a while.
One way I use to not get into more debt is to not buy stuff. As I am paying off mu debt I have only been buying the necessities. I did splurge on my daughters birthday, but for the most part I have just been buying what I need for now.
I'm in southern AZ and I keep my AC at 80 to 82 in the summer and in the winter 68 to 70. Not sure how much I am saving since this is what I have always done.
Nice Answers. I've love all the videos you've put out & know that many of the topics were covered, but appreciate the reminders. I have been having a hard time with dog odors in my home when it's summertime and windows are closed a lot. I did us your carpet powder recipe, and it helped for like a day or so. Would you suggest we just need to shampoo the carpet or while the carpet powder work overtime if done more often? I appreciate your thoughts...Thanks
You could either leave the carpet powder on overnight before vacuuming it up or try shampooing with a water- vinegar mixture as a rinse aid. The commercial products just cover up odors, baking soda and vinegar are both good and actually getting rid of smells. Good luck!
Thank you. I actually did leave it on overnight. I didn't pat in down into the carpet, but just lightly sprinkled on top. Should I try to work some down deeper perhaps? Also, I would have to rent a carpet cleaner so I'm hoping not to go that route, but may have to. Thanks FGG!
I hear you there. I have 4 kitties and litter boxes can get smelly no matter how much you clean them with windows closed. I also burn oils. just a thought
Treasuring Priceless Time get rid of carpets we did & we're free from all that vacuuming and worrying about it.we just have one dog but our son brings his here too .
my biggest pet peeve is hearing or seeing someone who talks about saving on this & that yet blows money daily on running around town trying to save a nickle or spends multiple nights in the casino's! or smoking cigarettes....vices are NOT a part of frugal living nor is driving 30 miles round trip to get anything under a $10 discount ...... map your "shopping & duties " out and do it all or as much as possible in 1 trip. staying home saves you money too!!!
