HOW I BROKE OUT OF THE POVERTY CYCLE 

It's much easier to make excuses than to make changes

I started working at 15. Put myself through college without any help...just me working. lived frugally my whole life. Taught school for 39 years. No one knew that I was the millionaire next door. I dressed very well... Goodwill...generic food...cooked at home because I can't stand paying high prices...now I own 11 rental homes with no mortgages. It can be done!!!

“If you want what I have, you have to be willing to do what I did.”

What irritates me is people say "I'm lucky" because I'm debt free. Trust me , no luck was involved. They don't recognize hard work.

I was kicked out of highschool for missing too many classes (raised by alcoholic parents), little did they know I lived by myself in an apt that I rented (under age) and paid the rent by working nights and weekends at a convenience store, I rode a bike or walked to work...I ate tuna casserole that I learned to cook myself ( no Internet back then)... Today I am early retirement, I married, had 3 children, worked full-time, and went back to school until I earned a Master's Degree (from a "brick and mortar" university, I drove there 2 days a week, it was a four hour drive round trip)... Today I know I will be ok...I can eat homemade soup and a crust of bread and feel rich.. because I know what poor feels like...I am richer for knowing what poor feels like...

You sound like my daughter Danilla! She worked to get money for the house and gave me $100 every week from her work. She was the sweetest kiddo! She would also pay for her own phone, special shampoo things, fancy shoes, clothes, pretty much anything extra she wanted. She basically paid for her own karate classes by handing me the $100 a week. In fact, she paid for all of her siblings to go to karate for an entire year. She did this all working on 20 hours a week on the weekends. She started doing this at 16 years old and kept it up until the age of 18 years old basically. I was so proud of her. I kept asking are you certain about the money that she gave and she always said, "Mom I watched you work 18 hours a day for years, the least I can do is help out." Literally the sweetest kid.

I am not a millionaire, but I live debt free, comfortably, in my retirement on Social Security. I raised 2 son's virtually alone, and never received a penny of child support from my ex (yes, that happened frequently back then). I put myself through nursing school then 4 years of collage while working and caring for my children. I have little sympathy for those who are not willing to make any sacrifice to make their lives better.

I was a poor struggling single mom in 1980 when I enrolled into our local university. I remember my rock bottom: when I didn't have enough change in my purse or pockets one day to buy a cup of coffee at the cafeteria between classes. I vowed that would never happen to me again. I made it through a masters degree and had a 30 year career as a social worker. I have never paid $5 for a cup of coffee at Starbucks and I never will! That time of my life taught me frugality...but I am NOT cheap. Being frugal has served me well. Thank you for your constant reminder, Amber, that we CAN and SHOULD do without to get out of debt.

I completely get it. My husband and I finally went debt free the end of last year. I stopped wearing make up, no hair cuts or dying my hair. I cut my own hair and my husbands hair. I wear hand me down clothes and stopped worrying what others thought. Family was difficult when holidays came because all we would do was send a card and they got upset because we didn’t adorn them with gifts. But my coworker would always complain about not having the money as she bought breakfast and lunch everyday. She would have her Starbucks delivered to her at work! We sat down and do the math and she spent over $6k a year just on her. She got mani’s and pedi’s religiously, expensive make up and hair done religiously and her thought was she deserved it and needs to take care of herself. What is wrong with this younger generation?!?!

I have friends who go out every weekend, lots of vacations, buy whatever they want.....they dont understand my frugality at all. It's becoming a problem in our relationship. I stay home a lot but I actually enjoy it. I tried to invite them over to hang out on the patio with a fire going in the barrell we have. Lol. It's nothing fancy, I know. But I said we could get pizza and I'll have snacks and make some fall treats. I even have a projector and we could watch a movie out there with some hot cocoa. Nope. They said they're going to another Halloween bar party. I have NO interest. They constantly push to get me out and I've tried to mention that I live on a budget. That goes in one ear and out the other. They talk to me kind of condescending. Like "you only live once!" And stuff like that. But I'm not changing. I'm worried about our friendship. They recently asked if I owned my house and that was uncomfortable. I do. But I don't like talking about my finances. They rent. Which is fine but I feel like the more people know about that you have, the more they EXPECT you to go out, spend money, buy bigger gifts, etc.

Warren Buffett shined shoes, delivered newspapers, and fished out - and resold- golf balls from the local golf course lake. All before age 17.

I started cleaning houses at 12, babysitting at 13, waitressing at 15 once I could get a work permit, which was required to work a regular W-2 job. Worked my way through nursing school. No debt. Have never not had a job, until I retired.

As a child living with home and food insecurity I vowed not to live that way as an adult. At 7 years I did errands for the neighbors. At 9 regular babysitting for a toddler. I looked and acted much older. Then lived in a rural area cleaned houses ( not good at it) and continued having regular frequent jobs. Worked in a greenhouse under the table. I decided working as a nanny was not the career I wanted. After high school Went to business school and became a medical assistant and then couple years later went to nursing school. In my opinion the only way out of poverty is training or education. I was able to have a good comfortable life. I worked 2-3 jobs for 40+ years and now retired. People that had everything given to them don't have a clue. There are no coping skills developed due to their cushy lifestyles. You have what I call the "go getter" genes. I feel blessed that I got them.

To people not willing to make changes... your excuses are MIGHTY expensive.

I believe her. She does things differently than 95% of the population. She works hard at what she does.

I used to work with a girl who would cry everyday because she couldn’t afford to pay her mortgage, yet ate both breakfast and lunch out and bought a $9 coffee every single day on her break. She eventually was foreclosed on and lost her house. Makes no sense.

My husband and I moved to a 2 bedroom apwrtment for a year to save up to buy our home during the oandemic. Everyone talked crwp about us, saying we were doing bad, but now we are in a home we love while their rent is more than our mortgage

I love this video, I'm 67 and recently divorced and saving money like crazy. Living as a care giver with my mom but saving most every dollar I can. My goal is to save till mom passes away. I hope I reach $50,000 then live on half of my social security for everything. I belive I can do it living in another state except here in Cali. Not afraid to go without, as a matter of fact I look forward to the challenge with the help of my Lord Jesus Christ. 💞✝️💪😊💥

I also dug and clawed! I relished making a trip to the bank that held my mortgage every saturday and making a principal payment of what ever I could. Sometimes $50, sometimes way more such as from a tax refund or sale of something I had. Now my little house is paid off. I get to babysit my grand baby instead of going to a job that killed my soul. It's so worth it, and as you see yourself making progress and finding new ways to accelerate the goal (like patching jeans with floral material as you did) you find it exciting and enjoyable. It's hard, but it's not painful or even really unpleasant. It's empowering and yes a bit of fun. Just laugh all the way to the bank at anyone laughing at you!

We both came from poor households. Fathers worked low incomes with 4 kids at home. ❤❤We lived below our means raising our sons. We didn't spend much on extras, but always had what we needed. At Christmas our Church brought us a turkey and all the fixins for our holiday dinner. We didn't need it because we already had our dinner groceries. So we gave it to a family that truly needed it. Never judge from the outside appearence! Today we are retired, no debt, home paid off, living comfortably, cash flowing whatever we need. Still shop sale items, cook at home and say no when we don't want to go out. We also tithe 10%, plus donations. Simple life, happy life! Right there with you PP!❤

I recently watched a channel with a bunch of TikTok videos complaining about living paycheck to paycheck while drinking their $9.00 Starbucks coffee, holding Coach bag and wearing Hoka sneakers. No wonder they are struggling. 😂😂. I learned to do without the frills and live comfortably with no debt. I buy my Levi’s at a thrift store for under $10.00.

You are so funny!… And a rockstar❤ we did not have the money to buy disposable diapers when my kids were babies, so I used cloth diapers on them . There are so many things people can do to save money. You have to want to save money🎉

I guess what I don’t understand is how people look at your channel and complain. You are giving us valuable information on how to cut cost and save money. Everything is not for everyone, but pick one or two and start there. I remember being in debt and barely surviving in my younger years. I wish I knew some of the tricks you have shared. I’m totally blessed by these channels that show me how to save. I try a lot of your challenges. Sometimes I can stick on budget and sometimes I can’t. It’s just fun to see if I can do it and I’m saving money. Win win situation for me. I don’t see why anyone would complain because they don’t want to do the work. Well I say stay broke, but don’t try to make me feel bad about you being broke. 😅

You're awesome! I did the same thing. I went through divorce, custody battle, child support, had to quit job to relocate states to maintain contact with my kids. I was homeless, in debt with big bills. I struggled but like you became bigger than the storm. I can live on nothing. Now im a prepper, own an acre, out of debt, run my own business and help the homeless live off grid.

Brought my home. Was a dilapidated shack rebuilt it my self now live like a king

I get it. I was a teenage Mom in the 80’s and 90’s. Never went on food stamps or Medicaid. We just worked. Worked and spent very little money. Relied on family to help babysit as we worked different shifts. Worked my way up in the same company I started with in 1989. Started over at 35 after a divorce and still working for the same company at 56. No debt except my house which is almost paid for. I drive a 2004 car and have a 2001 “back up” car. Did Dave Ramsey baby steps in 2017 which helped my already frugal self become more frugal and debt free. It can be done.

I totally understand where you are coming from. I raised 3 children alone an lived like you have an are now. My children have thanked me so many times for teaching them to live cheaply..love your channel!

I grew up dirt poor. I remember how excited we’d all get when mom came home from work with a big bag of hand me downs from one of the ladies she worked with. New clothes! We’d pass down the things that we had outgrown, too. Things like going out to eat, or getting pizza or fast food, or even getting soda instead of milk or water, those were all very rare treats. When I got married, and for the first 15 years or so, we were also poor. My husband was in the military, and that’s not a get rich quick path.😉 He was active duty for 4 years, in the guard for 4 years, then went back to active duty. I remember times when my son had an ear infection and money would be so tight, we’d be buying his amoxicillin and just hoping like hell we’d still be able to buy at least a jug of milk and some bread that week. We’re comfortable now. According to most standards, we’re middle class, but because we chose to live in a small town in the Midwest, we’re better off than we’d be elsewhere. And from the perspective of someone who grew up the way I did, we seem downright rich. I’m deeply grateful for the opportunities we’ve had, and I’m thankful that we were able to scrimp and save and do without in order to be comfortable now as we get ready to retire. We made plenty of stupid mistakes along the way, and we could easily have saved a lot more than we did, but as the years passed and we grew wiser, we made more changes. To this day, we almost never go out to eat or order carry-out. (We last ate out 3 years ago, and we get pizza or sandwiches ordered maybe once a month.)

Very few will make the sacrifices or 'deign' to live like we did, to secure a better future

If I could like this video twice I would. I get so tired of people complaining about how hard it is and other people don’t understand. But they are not willing to make ANY sacrifices, even for a limited amount of time, to better their situation. Grrrr 😡

That is 100% correct! I was injured and couldn’t work long term. I was bleeding cash, and the only thing in my life that did not stop were the bills. I shut down everything I could, got a roommate who paid most of the rent, because I gave them the bedroom, I burned through my one year of emergency savings, and it still was not enough. I sold anything I had of value. I found a way to stretch a box of pasta for the whole week’s meals. I clawed my way out of the ashes and it was the hardest thing I ever had to do especially since I was in the worst physical pain of my life. I’m here to tell you it’s possible, to do whatever it takes and to never give up. Sometimes you have to do the things you don’t want to do or give up things you don’t think you can live without, but you’ll find out that you can live without those things and you will do so by making the hard decisions. Stop bleeding cash. Prepper Princess is right. Much respect to you PP!

People want to say you don't understand bc you're a millionaire, not understanding you came from very humble beginnings. You clawed your way out and still live by that lifestyle. It's a choice. My mindset is changing due to divorce. I wish my car didn't quit on me right before the divorce but I am about to make a big move and downgrade so I don't have a note. Thanks for your transparency and all the good advice!!

Agreed. Started babysitting at 13, working at 14. Lived frugal my whole life, coupons, thrift store, shoes repaired instead of buying new etc. Bottom line no pity party, no begging, lived within my means🖤🖤🙏🙏

You impress me so much! You embody tenacity, grit, practicality and determination. What an incredible role model you are!

My life experiences are so similar to yours @prepper princess! Grew up in poverty. I always describe it as, "housing projects + food stamps poor." I remember trying to finish my homework outside, in November, in cold/rainy Pacific Northwest because our power was shut off for an entire winter (it was too dark inside the house by 4:30PM during winter months). I got a job at 13 (I lied and said I was 14), just so we could afford a telephone and I could buy myself school clothes. I agree with your response to the other video and how the person was unwilling to give up certain things. However, one of the things things about life back in the 80s that made it easier to crawl out of poverty was the absence of the internet. I only compared myself to the kids at school or church. We were aware that others had much more than us, but we weren't constantly seeing the newest and latest thing. We weren't tempted to eat fast food weekly. I feel like many Americans have just convinced themselves that certain luxuries are a necessity.

Education/military service/more education/hard work/equally hard working partner.....this was my route.

I get into these kerfuffles all the time! Poverty to wealth yes the other way no. People have a sense of entitlement in America. You have to move on and help the people that you can help

We have to make choices everyday. Some individuals (note: not ALL) have made terrible choices and instead of having long term goals, they demand instant gratification. Rather than delay buying something, they put themselves in debt or even worse, waste precious opportunities to better themselves.

Wow, some of those people would definitely trigger me! Husband was enlisted in the military, on deployment, I worked 3 jobs. We saved like crazy for a down payment for our first home. It can be done!

Yessss! The things we did for years, nobody else I knew was willing to do. Our family of three ( at the time) shared a house with another family of four. We built a wall to separate the families. Our half didn’t have a kitchen and the other family never allowed me to come over to do my cooking. I cooked in the bathroom with only an electric skillet and a crockpot and a deep fryer all given to me by my aunt who loved to garage sale. We had no stove, oven or microwave or refrigerator. We had $18 a week for groceries because that was all we had left after paying rent, landline phone, electricity, car payment, car insurance and gas. We could have nothing that needed refrigeration. Occasionally, my husband would take money for a 25 cent coke and then I didn’t pack him a sandwich for lunch the following day because he had spent his lunch money on the coke. He only did that twice. Haha! My husband was laid off two days after I had an emergency c-section and both my son and I were in the hospital for a week because of complications. That added $4,000 to our debt at the same time he lost his job. My husband chose to use money we owed IRS to live on instead of paying taxes to keep us from living on the streets. So they began levying penalties of $100 per month and interest fees for not paying. Within two years we owed $13,000 instead of the original $2,500. Thankfully, we were able to get a family loan and payed off IRS. Then we worked like crazy to pay off every debt even though he was only making $6 an hour. My husband took on side jobs and I began to get a PhD in saving money. And babysat for friends. We never ate out or picked up food. Two years later, We still only had $25 total a week for groceries for 2 adults and a toddler. We never bought one clothing item. A friend took me to a few garage sales, because I couldn’t afford the extra gas, and I had saved up $2 to spend on my son’s birthday. Until he was 2 years old we didn’t buy Christmas or Birthday gifts for him. We didn’t buy any for each other because we didn’t have any money at all. And yet not once did we ask for any help from the government, or friends and family until we were in desperate distress because they had started garnishing our entire paycheck because we couldn’t pay. IRS. That’s when our asked for a loan from family. We did everything they had been paying others to do, like mowing their acre of lawn and cleaning their house and cleaning their gutters, washing their cars and they would deduct from what we owed them the same amount they usually paid other people. We paid the remaining balance from the money from any extra jobs that came our way. We were not victims, we were being challenged. I believe it’s going through those 8-10 years of really tough times that was the glue in our marriage for decades afterwards.

Thank you for saying what a lot of us feel. Right now I am living by choice in a one bedroom apartment with my 11 yr old. She has the bedroom and I sleep in the living room. Because I am saving as much money as I can for our future. I know it takes sacrifice to reach my financial goals. I have family that tell me buy a better car but I refuse I will not spend money on car payments and extra insurance. Going to keep on investing and saving until I reach a point I can retire comfortably.

My mom was divorced & my Dad wasn't psying her child support. I worked as a kid with the same a paper route, cleaning cabins, babysitting, mowing lawns, landscaping & participated in yard sales to sell anything I didn't need anymore. I cleaned the duplex for my mom so she could rest on her day off, if she had one because she worked 2 jobs. I worked to buy my own clothes, school supplies, to get my hair cut, and for any sports gear, bicycles 🚲 & toys.

From having a military duffle bag + a few items to fill that bag, to recently having a million $ in net worth being mostly frugal on a lower middle income, I can say that habits and discipline matter 😊😊

Great advice. This is exactly what I did. At the beginning of the year I was in 20k credit card debts with 3 cards. I transferred balance to one credit card which give me zero interest for 16 months. As of today my balance is 3k which I will pay by December. I will never go back to credit card debts again. I learned my lessons. The sad thing is I can't remember on what I spent that 20k. Since January I have been budgeting. If I don't have money to pay cash for something, I just don't buy it. Mindset is everything 💯 🙌

I work 2 jobs. I have paid off so much debt since 2021!! I was working 3 jobs at one point. I have paid off 2 cars and $20K in credit card debt. It was hard but I was determined. I will continue to work 2 jobs because in this economy I want to have a really big emergency fund and have more money to invest for retirement. I have noticed that there are a lot of parents breaking the bank to put their kids through lessons, sports and private schools. They will not budge on that. I saw a lady doing a debt confession video. She had mega debt. BUT she was taking a trip to Florida for some kind of dance or cheer competition for her daughter. And they were going to Disney.

There is sweetness in poverty which you realize when you have money. My childhood was in a developing nation, hardship teaches some tough lessons. I remember drinking glasses of water and sleep off my hunger. When I think of that, it was a sweet journey.

Feeling a little discouraged this year cause I took on more house debt. Needed a new roof and furnace and just didn’t have the savings. Still I’m in a better financial position because of my determination to not be poor anymore. My home is a duplex so I rent half out. I got a new job I can walk to and pays better. I have a second side job and I’m putting way more into retirement funds than I’ve ever had before. Any windfalls I get will go towards this new debt.

Preach PP! The one that gets me are the gals who refuse to stop getting their acrylic/ fake nails done despite claiming to be broke all the time. But the chick going to Disneyland makes my head spin! 😮

I did it. I did what you did moved all my credit cards to zero interest cards...I also stopped eating out. I would go out at noon from College and many times Would go to student cafe and eat a small bowl of mac salad. Often I would go to my car and eat a single raw ear of corn or 1 apple. People today,,,,I really don't know what to say.

We're with you. Not out yet but we're clawing.

I wish more people had your attitude!

I worked my way out of poverty and dysfunction. But my body gave out on me. I got so sick I lost everything. I’m now back in poverty. I keep trying to help myself. I’ll start feeling better and take steps to get my life back. Then my health starts declining again. It’s depressing when I think about everything I sacrificed to make a better life only to end up worse off than I started.

It is very nice to hear a creative thinker speak. When I got through the tough times of my youth, with no support, and achieved financial freedom, people said I was lucky. They did not see what it took to get there. Smart, creative thinkers need no advice, and the fools rarely take it.

I went through the poverty mess and bad credit,etc. I got sick and tired of it and dug myself out. I am now living a stress fee life. I saw the light at the end of the tunnel and went to the light. Did not get hit by the train! I wanted a better life and nothing was going to get in my way. I now am able to help others and sometimes just pay for people's groceries while checking out. I never thought that would be possible. Thank you for being such an inspiration ❤

❤ your rant! You Go Girl! Tell them the real deal. People out there will gripe and complain about their life, but won't change their habits.

Poor people complain. Prosperous people appreciate. That’s the biggest difference.

She deserves everything she has. She’s worked hard.

When I was ten, I started delivering TV guides for spending money. We lived in a three decker neighborhood and it gave me good exercise. I only earned about two dollars a week.

Thumgs Prepper Princess up if you have ever dumpster dived. 👍 (I thumbs up top too!) I don't dive anymore. I really wanted decor items and didn't want to pay. It was fun and a rush. BUT, you only need so much stuff. I did it for maybe 3 months at night in the winter. (less stank) After I got my Bosch universal mixer... I quit. It was litterally my dream mixer. The cost now for the mixer is $654.99. Yes, I do use it. Everytime I make bread, pizza dough, cookie dough in bulk, whip up 10lbs of mashed potatoes at a time ect. Last time I made a stew, I serve it on mashed potatoes instead of putting potatoes in it and focus on a more rich gravy flavor. Once done I divided it up into single serve meals and froze it. That is my Tuesday night dinners for the next 2 months. It was the best stew I have made... oven roasted veggies... meat I had to use before it got freezer burned. And yes, I did mash those potatoes in a mixer someone returned after 1 use. I have been using it for years. It has been cleaned and sterilized so many times. LOL When it comes to dumpster divers, they are people who will do whatever it takes.

Love the rant🙌I was poor to become rich. First job at 15 McDonald’s which I did all through high school and moved up the ranks to a department manager. Had awesome benefits back in those days. Love seeing Rocky and Nala takeover 🥰

Ok I must admit this. After I started watching your video I think its over 6 month now. I focused more on paying of debt as much as I can . I cutoff most of my pleasure things especially eating out. I still do but once a week. I cook my all 3 meals and take my coffee or tea bags with me. I must say thats have helped me be in track and I paid almost 60 percent of loan I know I need extra year in paid of it in full. But Iam happy that I came this far. With that I also saved some emergency money. So Thank you!!!! God bless

I really get this. I am in several frugal FB pages and get so frustrated with some of the posters. When I make a suggestion I even get from poster and other posters "maybe she doesn't want to move, she deserves a vacation, my child deserves a big birthday party"... 🤯 Okay, well thenwhen you're serious, then post

So grateful I found your channel. I struggle with debt and living paycheck to paycheck. I’ve read books, followed Dave Ramsey….but YOU are the first one to really get me excited about being frugal. If I could take back the years of overspending I would, but I can stop NOW and move forward. Thank you PP for your no nonsense approach to frugality. I’m on the PP train now. ❤

Learning a lot from your videos!!

Thank you for reminding us that our journey was worth it. I used to try to tell my poor friends about how it’s possible to get out and it feel on deaf ears. So you are right, there is nothing one can do if there is no change in thinking.

Thank you for sharing your experiences on how you went through the whole lentgth of effort to make yourself financial independent. Frugality and self-reliance used to be a praised virtues, but being frawned upon in today's sick society. People only build unshackable characters and resiliance for life after struggling thru hardship.

My kids could NOT find work under age 18. Very, very few companies hire under 18 anymore. They refunded recyclables, too. My son's school automatically put all the students on free lunch, so that helped. This was before the health insurance marketplaces, and our medical bills were astronomical. ($700 a month for a prescription my kid needed, plus Dr. apps, etc ) My boys tried to help me with what they could. Times for us have changed, and things are much better (thank you, Covered California) but yes, I will never forget what it's like to be hungry. ❤

I’m so glad you are saying this stuff, publicly. Seriously people don’t wanna hear it. It’s truth!

Your last video inspired me so much , thank you so much

Love from Dublin , Ireland ☘

You go girl! I am a senior and learned much from you the last 6 years. My home to be paid off next year. Learned how to work electric saw and other tools to make repairs. Love cooking at home.

Being debt free opens the doors to so many opportunities, including saving and investing. Kudos to you for determination and effort. Enjoy the fruits of your labor. All the best! Jan

Thank you for this! A lot of people struggle with comprehension when it comes to the details of actually saving up. They did not have the experiences to harden them. I grew up in a post - Soviet country, with working class parents and two younger brothers. We were struggling all the way, but I am now able to eat porridge all month if I have to. Buy still safe but expired food on a car boot sale. Bought a slow cooker there recently for £2, and it really makes the difference. Without your videos I wouldn't have tried it. Swapped my shampoo and shower gel too, to the lidl cheapest. Still have 20 month on both my car payment and on an IVA, but I am confident that I manage everything. (Iva is similar to bankruptcy.)

I have been very poor and I just kept working and saving every way I could. Now I own my home plus a vacation rental. I still live frugally because it is just how I am now after so many years scrimping. I still go to the thrift stores to buy my clothes and I cook at home instead of eating out. My problem is that my children and grown grandchildren don’t follow my example and are all in deep debt and constantly complaining about not having enough. My granddaughter was telling me how she wanted to buy a bread making machine and i said just knead the bread by hand and put it in your oven to bake! They want to have money in the bank but don’t want to sacrifice to save it.

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 finally someone tells it like it is!!! I agree with you 100%.

Wonderful video. Thank you for sharing. Some are just not really interested in being debt free. To much work for the. Everyone stay safe, happy and healthy. From Henrico County Virginia

I had my first job at 11 yrs old. Old ladies not sick just companions for caregiver to shop ect. I kept adding old ladies because I hated baby sitting!(I came from large family) later when my souse and I got a refund from IRS we paid off a bill or college cost .when we got our 2 weeks off paid finally,one week was household care and repair and the other week was play and it was on a shoe string! when we bought our first house that was to be our rental money later, as we planned to buy up real estate. we stayed what was not to be our forever home because we got a 15 yr note and have had years of no mortgage.we are tiny house millionaires now. we are able to do what we enjoy,pet rescues.

I started working at 15 to buy my own clothes and personal wants to help my divorced struggling Mom. I'm 69 and retired now, but I'm eternally grateful for the work ethics instilled in me from my early teens. Thank you for these videos. I love to watch and I have turned you on to my adult grandchildren to try to instill these things in them. Love you and your phylosophy ❤️👍

I appreciate your thought full videos - My three children in the USA are constantly struggling to survive in North Carolina, and Florida, but my first Child moved to Edmonton Alberta, after being an Officer in the US Air force - and has done very well - until the last couple of years, as the Canadian renaissance has begun to crumble under the Trudeau Regime . I am very proud of my son in Alberta, because He did what is best for his life, and carries the family name forward to a better life ! ( Time to take Steps !)

Very strong words. Just from your heart and deep experience. I have been there, more or less. You are strong, and this comes from being there and coping with it. After this, you are never the same again.

People buy newspapers still. But now (here, anyway) they're delivered by adults in cars.

I get it. I went thru similar experiences. I made 4.25/hr and could only find a job that was 20 hrs/ week. back in the early 80s when unemployment was super high. I lived in an upstairs flat with only a gas space heater like you. We get in the 0 to 30 degree range here. I was so cold. Snow came in the windows. Bath was in the unheated hall with no sink. I scrimped and saved and got out of that. I see these people on here complain and I am betting that 95% of them have plenty of things they could cut to save. Now I am retired and have decent savings, no debt, no mortgage, no car payments. Best of all no stress.

I so understand what u are saying. I get my haircut once a year.. eyebrows done also. Couldn’t tell u the last time I bought me or my husband clothes. I felt as a child being looked down all the time because we were so poor. My dad wasn’t a good father. I don’t remember every being hungry but we ate very cheap. Now life is scary at 72 and my husband is 65 disabled. Health insurance is unreal. The last thing we buy after our SS check comes is food. Such a scary time. U are great!

Very wise, useful advice as usual! Love your babies on your bed!!

There is always a way to make it. When my husband was in college I worked retail for 1.65/ hr. He worked after school for 4 hrs. We had one cheap car, an apartment that was 145. / month…groceries were 14.00/ wk and we lived on Kraft Mac and cheese. We barely made it. We’ve lived through many ups and downs. But never gave up and today we are retired and debt free and lived within our means, saved and are comfortable even in this disgusting economy. You make choices to make CHOICES.

I love you sharing how you saved money and so sweet, you put money in your moms wallet You are amazing!! Keep sharing!!!

Wow - thanks for the video - love it! I don't agree with Dave Ramsey on everything, but I do like his advice to "live like no one else now, so you can live like no one else later".

Good point: You said if you're not willing to do the sacrifices to get out of poverty, then don't complain about the rich.

You brought back memories of when I was single and working in my first grown-up job. I too lived for those days when people would bring food to the office. Very tough times but I wouldn’t trade them for anything. I learned a lot and I am now financially secure.

One of your best vids. The comments are priceless. Im reading y'all's memories and reliving a few of my own.

I and hubby struggled with our kids paying school fees ,trips ,books ,uniforms feeding them petrol,power,rates,phone,mortgage and still had money for Xmas ,birthdays etc we did a lot of overtime.we paid our bills as we went .we now own mortgage free don’t owe a thing .living on a supportive living benefit as we both have health conditions.hubby turns 65 in April next year .now the kids are gone just I and hubby we live off $800 a month that’s with adding cost of food and petrol .we have savings for our retirement not huge but enough.we both happy .daughters running her own business she’s a qualified councillor and son runs his 2 businesses he does security and runs a barber shop .

I too cut up my credit cards and called and cancelled them. I was so proud of myself until I found out down the road that it actually hurt my credit score. And credit is important. Better to cut them up but not call and cancel them. Also, as far as that 8k income tax refund, it's best to deduct enough each pay to cover your taxes and get absolutely no refund. If you get a refund, the government gets to use your money all year free of interest. Then you get a refund but no interest added on the money you loaned Uncle Sam all year. Some people look at the refund as some sort of forced savings, to get this "windfall" after April. Better to have that money for yourself every paycheck to invest or pay bills so you don't have to use those credit cards.

I too was raised with limited income. I did whatever I could to earn money as a kid. It made me very independent, industrious and frugal. I kind of feel sorry for those that were not raised with a limited income because I feel that they didn't learn the traits and skills that come with living frugally. It is honestly harder for them to live without.

Oregon is 16 I can hire kids at 16. McDonald’s 15 but you can only work 3-4 hours 3-4 days a week I co parent by law I can’t move 60 miles without reasonable cause and they are very picky. Very very picky about it. My ex can fight it too which is dumb. I don’t eat out but I work in food we eat food for free at work - I meal. We may not like it every day buuut it’s free! Get creative We are in the cheapest place in my area period. However we are very careful with our money, low income wage earners must be careful. I don’t buy anything luxurious or expensive. We do water, tea coffee. Meatless meals 2-3 times a week and lots of stretching meat and make leftovers (learned from you). We try to be as mindful as possible about utilities (also learned from you) We don’t rent movies or go out in dates. No fast food no restaurants. I’m wearing my same work shoes from 3 years ago. I don’t but clothes so I just deal with what I have. May not be 1k a month but I’m starting to get out of my hole by working endlessly

My first job was picking bottles, started when I was 5 or 6. gave the money to my Mom and she bought what we needed, no extras. Good video Amber, I hope it inspired lots of people to change their ways.

Love and appreciate your videos. Brought back so many memories of growing up. I remember working with women who spent a lot on themselves coffee nails clothes etc. Only ran into one woman who was frugal. Her and her husband barely used water at home. They went to the gym in the mornings and took their showers there before work. Never bought lunch only brought peanut butter and jelly. Always found things to eat in the office because someone was always bringing something in. For potlucks she’d bring deviled eggs or cucumber sandwiches while someone else brought in Chile or fried chicken or large fruit or cheese trays. They liked to travel and this was their way of saving so they could take a cruise or just do things they wanted to do. You really have to plan for things you want not just complain about things you don’t have. Don’t think I’ll ever forget that nice couple.

Back in the 90's I was staying a my cousin's house for a few days and one day the phone rang. My cousin said "Oh, can you get that?" I did. and it was the landlord asking to speak to my cousin. I said "Hold on"... My cousin said "Tell him I'm not in".... So I did and asked the landlord if he wanted to leave a message... He said "Yes, PAY THE RENT" and the call ended. I was confused by the message since my cousin was continuously talking over the previous days about going to Florida for a vacation... so I said "How can you be spending money for a vacation when you owe on the rent?" She said "We (her and her husband) are not spending our vacation money on the rent!"

Great stuff girl…when I was about 10-12 year old I hitchhike to the golf course to look for lost balls and sell it to the golfers. Got my first real job at 15 summer job making 2.35 hr. Got married early and by 19 we had 2 kids. I worked 2 jobs to support the family, wife stayed home with the kids. Bought first house at 26, by than we had 3 kids, paid house off I was 33. This was in San Diego CA.. If a dump shit like me with just a HS education, supporting 4 people I think anybody can do it just by being frugal.

When I was 15 I babysat the entire summer my mother took my money and told me you are going to use that money to buy your school clothes and a winter coat. If my parents could not afford for us kids to do something they just told us we do not have money for you to do that. End of subject. We understood even as kids that our parents had bills to pay and that the world did not revolve around us. Too bad kids aren’t raised that way any longer.

Thank you for telling the truth