-We kicked cable about 4-5 years ago…streaming is more than enough for us -we cook for the week on Sunday -I do pickups only from BJ’s and from Walmart (as often as I can) -I stop “window shopping” online -I dream on paper (write out what I want and what I’m saving for before I spend a dime
I can’t believe how expensive cable is. I don’t miss it. Dream on paper, yessss!!! I love that. I’m going to try it. You definitely have a great system going. I hope to get there one day🤓
I like your idea of making one small change at a time. When you’re looking to eat better, that’s one way I’ve found to make the good habits stick. Why not apply the same principle to improving one’s financial life? I’m a cash budgeter. For everything but food and household items I shop mostly online. To control impulse buying, I put the items in my cart and checkout to the point right before finalizing the order so it gives me an accurate total with tax and any shipping. I take that amount of cash, drive to the bank and deposit it. Then come home and hit ‘pay’. This gives me pause to think about my purchase, possibly reconsider how much I want/ need it and, just like any cash transaction, involves a certain amount of pain in actually handing the money over to get whatever I’m shopping for. Being mindful in this way has really helped me be more intentional about what I spend money on and in turn helped me find money in my budget that I never knew I had!
Hey Kim…sorry for the “hater” comment…you’re resourceful and don’t owe ANYONE an explanation!! Keep being intentional and evaluating your personal situation!! #teamKim
Here are 3 approaches that helped me. Hopefully they will help you! 1. Turn frugality into a game, fun time. I call it the, “Who Gets To Keep Lisa’s Money?” Think board game for pre Millennials and Video game for millennials. Make it fun! 2. Break your spending into 12 categories (housing, food, clothing, utilities, vacations, etc), each month hyper focus on one so that by the end of the year each category is looked at. 3. Every week or 2, introduce a new frugal habit. Example - put your tv system on a surge protector electric power strip and turn everything off when not in use. Put your hot water heater on a timer that turns it off or down from 10pm-6am. These two changes can save a lot of money on your electric/gas bill. I suggest a journal to be able to look back over your year and see the difference changes have made over time. Also, you can look forward to new opportunities or renewal dates.
Ooohhhh wow!!! I love these suggestions. I definitely want to make a game out of it. I definitely have to remember to switch off the power strips every night. I noticed the difference when I do. Thank you so much for sharing these helpful tips!!❤️❤️❤️
Who says being low income means you can't have nice stuff or live in a beautiful home? The home decor in your background is beautiful, and a testament to your style and creativity. I know someone was able to remove escrow by refinancing, but depending on your current terms, it might not be the best time to do so. Keep us updated!
Thank you Michelle!!! ❤️🤗❤️ I completely agree with you. Yea, I didn’t understand the point of that comment but I guess he felt people shouldn’t have a nice looking home if their low income 🤷🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️ I was going to ask my lender what disqualifies a person from removing their escrow but my request to close the escrow was approved yesterday so I didn’t ask. I believe April will be my last month of the $752 mortgage payment.
@@debt2noneshe was just jealous of your style lol and yay!! congrats on your approval! i understand the purpose of the escrow, but having a lower monthly payment takes such a load of and frees up room in your budget to plan for more pressing needs. then of course, you'll deal with taxes when the time comes. yay you!
I agree! Starting with a few small things is a great way to ease into anything. It's so easy to get overwhelmed if you try to dive in and do everything all at once. These all sound very doable!
I track my spending. I meal plan so l don't waste food.l also coupon for items l need. I also coupon for family members but l have to be careful because you can end up spending more money. I have been on a frugal journey for a while but there are some things l am not going to do. Make your choices and you can still get where you want to be. If you and your husband work together it will be so much easier. ❤❤
I wish I had the patience to coupon. I tried and failed several years ago. I’m sure I’ll be like you & draw a line that I won’t cross on my frugal lifestyle journey. Yea, it would be much easier if we’d work together. My husband isn’t doing anything that I’m doing but the one good thing is that he’s cheap. 😂🤣😂
Hi Kim! These were great tips and I'm happy to hear you've decided to help your husband become debt free so you can finish together! I feel like I'm using all the tips you mentioned and it's definitely helping cut costs and save!
Hi Stephanie! You are doing a great job with your budget. I have to get it together over here 😂 I’m so excited to help my husband out. It’ll be awesome to not have any debt hanging over our heads, outside of the mortgage if we keep the house.
I started meal prepping and buying food that I realistically eat - no wasting. I try to take the bus or avoid driving when I can. I also use Ibotta and fetch apps
Hey lovely lady... Catching up with you.. Aww thank you so much for the mention and your kind words. Made my day... 💃🏽Really appreciate you 💛🌻 Yes you're right.. Family of four.. Aww love you girl 🫶🏼 I think you're right.. Take it slow.. I totally get what you mean about having a goal and adding your husband's debt.. They did a study that alot of people don't know what to do after they've become debt free.. Your house doesn't look cluttered at all.. Looks lush 😊
Hey my sweet Gillian😘 I appreciate you so much. You truly are inspiring.❤️ I have heard the same thing about people who pay off all their debt. They miss having something to focus on and work towards. I’m definitely that kind of person. 😬
Great to see you Kim❤ love the video, I’m doing a few of those things. Thought I was on fire with paying down debt and planning all these things,but then there was a book keeping mistake with my husband promotion, so he only made 9.00 an hr. For 40 hours and it threw me all out of wack I was thinking big numbers and fell on my budget face.😮life is what happens when your busy making other plans.❤I know you will be amazing at being frugal 😊
Heeey Gina! ❤️ Oh no, a bookkeeping error? That is frustrating. Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans-so true. I know you’re doing a great job with your budget and keeping expenses low. Now I’m trying to catch up to you with the frugal lifestyle habits 🙌🏾😆
I’m that way with lunch. A lot of days instead of going home for lunch ( I live 5 min from work) my brain says “oh THIS sounds good! Get this!!!” If I can keep that Cookie Monster at bay, I do better on spending.
Thank you! Okay, I’ll definitely keep you posted. This is the 1st day & so far I’m liking T-Mobile especially for half the cost of xfinity. I did notice a slight lag for a few seconds while streaming Paramount+ but it wasn’t a big deal.
Ooh I’m interested to know if the T-Mobile internet is any good! I have our phones with Xfinity and they gave me a discount on internet for 2 years. Eventually would like to switch to Mint Mobile, but will need internet. 😬
Okay, now I feel like I can review T-Mobile’s 5G home internet since I’ve had it for 2 months. I can definitely say it’s not as fast as Xfinity but I think it is still a great deal. For $50/mo I don’t mind the few seconds lag that occur from time to time while streaming. Also my WiFi lighting in my living room isn’t supported on 5G so that stinks.
Hi, enjoy watching your videos. Was wondering if you don’t have your taxes & insurance escrow’d and apply this money to help your husband; was curious, how are you guys going to pay the insurance & taxes? Thanks
Hi! 🤗 Thank you so much! Oh yea, great question. I already saved the money to pay the taxes & insurance for this year. And I still have $20K in savings that I could tap into if I really need to next year. I plan to put the extra money in savings for the next 12 months to help him clear his debt in a year. That way, just in case I do need it to pay for our taxes I’ll have it. But I think I’ll be able to do both. 🙏🏾
Am like you so impulsive with my shop and I want to be more frugal too 😊 Oh my days Gillian is great with her food shopping challenges😊 I did it one time with her and I moaned all month 😅😂 As always you put another amazing and inspiring video and I totally can relate 😊 💗💙💗
@@GillianBudgets20203 Gillian I did it one time and I moan and moan lol 😂 also you do it for a family of 4. You are a legend I couldn’t do it lol 😂 sending all the love 🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻💗💙💗
We are sooooo similar Cris! 😂 I love that. Gillian is awesome with the grocery challenges. I seriously need to step it up. Thank you Cris! You’re the best💗
