How To Start Living Below Your Means | Clever Girl Finance 

Listen, y'all. I had a physical breakdown when I FINALLY sorted through my finances l. Just for the minth of March, I spent 1800 on "bull shit" spending. I kidd you not. I cried the entire day...then I began to write a goddamn budget. Could you imagine 1800 bucks invested?! Im disgusted, but now I'm intentional about becoming frugal.

My mom died 6 months ago and my dad a year ago. I decided to sell off evrything and pay the debt I have left while building both my savings and emergency funds since I plan to move in a year.I start meal prep all meals, no shopping, use what I have and plan to live a stress and clutter free life. Thankyou for this awesome video

I paid off my car two months ago and it feels like I got a raise 😅 I use the extra money towards paying down my last debt and saving. I do zero based budgeting and the cash envelope method and it’s a lifesaver. While I’m being responsible with my finances I make sure to set aside money for fun experiences like going to the movies, concert, day trip out of town ,etc. I wanna live my life too

These are very valuable rules for anybody who wants to get rich. Unfortunately, most people who will watch this video will not really be able to apply the principles. Making money is not the same as keeping it there is a reason why investments aren't well taught in schools, the examples you gave are well stationed, the market crisis gave me my first millions, people shy away from hard times, I embrace them.. well at least my advisor does lol.

Great video! I have always been a saver and more frugal but it is easy to fall into a trap. My biggest tips: 1. Before purchasing , walk away and give it a day. 2. Eat the kids meal! The portions and the price are less when eating out. 3. Keep a healthy snack in your car. I cut up veggies for the week, throw them in a little reusable baggie, and keep in a little cooler bag in my car. No stopping for fast food. And my waistline thanks me!

I started living frugally since January. I also stop buying clothing. I shop inside my closet. I plan to assess my finances in June.

People think I'm rich, I'm not I'm a GOODWILL shopper. I drive an older car, no car note. We can do this.

I remember when I went to college in 94, my aunt lived in the city that I went to college in and I arranged to stay with her until my housing came through, I moved early because I worked at target and they agreed to transfer me to the new city…..this aunt was known to have really nice things and lived really well……after a while I noticed that she didn’t want me to answer her phone (cell wasn’t common yet) anyway she was being harassed by bill collectors…..I could tell she was MISERABLE but she was ALWAYS buying stuff….mid forties/single/child free……one day I casually asked her why she lived so far above her means….she didn’t understand what I meant……I eventually shared all of the financial knowledge that I had gained from ready books on budgeting and planning….i heard her on the phone telling someone that she had never heard the term “living above your means” and how smart I was ….etc… but she didn’t take my advice😂😅

Yes, this advice works. I lived below my means, saved and invested while my kids were in school. After they graduated I splurged on everything I wanted. New "used" lexus, trips, and dining out. I still save and invest @ 20% of my income. Set up the investing (savings) automatically each month so I don't miss it.

I'm debt free. I live below my means. I eat out once a month. I use my food saver to help me to keep my food from getting freezer burned which helps me to save my own MOLLA!! 😊😊😊😅

It takes time to get the hang of it, cutting down your lifestyle. But its so worth it.

I like the part where you say to write down where your mind was at, when making transactions. Because my impulse buys stem from sucky moments.

Reducing eating out, paying off Klarna, no shopping unless necessary for a particular item, paying off credit cards

I don't go on holiday, or buy big ticket items, or go out to eat, or buy take aways. I just don't have enough money to get to the end of the month. Things like changing the light bulbs or brakes on my car have become a crisis. That's the reality. At the beginning of the year I did that thing where you save 1p more every day. After three months I have saved £42.77. Last month I had to borrow £10 from it. That's the reality.

I am not the target for this vid, but still so helpful. I live below my means, in fact worked very hard to live so frugally that we paid off mortgage last year. But I realised while watching this that the strange “off” feeling I’ve sat with since going debt free comes from having a lack of a financial plan or goal. For so long the only goal, the only plan was paying off our mortgage ASAP. I don’t know now if it’s about focusing on retirement fund now or something else or several thing, but you’ve given me some food for thought (and a revelation!) thank you

I'm selling some of my antique and vintage items this year. I'm friends with a person who attends estate sales.

Goodwill.. never sleep on them. Cuts your shopping budget in more than half! And cooking more!

Paying everything cash helps a lot. You know what you have and what you can spend! I took a new job to pay my house debt and haven't seen the sun in 2 years, but used that and 1/3 of my normal salary for my payment (it was only 1/3 of my house, I already had the rest) and did the same for new construction and the interior of the house. Debt free in 2 years! WE CAN DO THIS!

I am using a budget plan, because my health costs exploded last year. Before I buy something I ask myself if I really need it. Thank you for your video!

No Spend Challenge. A tracker printed out on paper showing my progress towards my Fully Funded Emergency Fund. No longer own a credit card, debit card only.

Why do I find her voice very calming? Sorry I didn't really paying attention right now about the topic but her voice really calms my mind right now. Thank you

All of my extra money goes on eating out. My kids always want to eat out even though I do cook. But I’m making progress bc I’m making them eat at home more. I haven’t been shopping 🛍️. I will start saving more with each paycheck

Love this video, I relate to some of the signs I was living above my means before I started taking control of my finances. Focusing on sticking to a monthly budget particularly with my savings

Such a helpful page! Thank you for the work and resources you and your team provide!

The dehumanizing feeling of being and feeling poor is so hard to overcome to stop overspending.

I’ve simply taken more time before buying things I thought I needed and watching my bills go out first. Also started shopping weekly for essentials. Also sell unwanted items online to pay towards my debts.

Life goals clearly explained. Thank you.

I’m so glad I found your channel! Thank you for all the free resources. I can’t wait to check them out and follow you for more. I’ll also check out your books. God bless!💗 I’m already looking at my budget and have a plan for the year ahead with a handle on how to pay off my debt!

I've been living below my means for the last 20 years.

Thank you SO MUCH for this high quality video ❤

Thank you 🎉

My husband and I are currently aiming to save $10,000 to put towards renovations and a deck for an above-ground pool. So, we've started meal prepping and cooking dinner at home. One of our most significant expenses after the mortgage and insurance is takeout/dining. I've begun moving 10-20% of our paychecks to a secondary savings account before we spend them.

My wife and I have decided to enjoy camping this year instead of planning some expensive vacations! Love this video, Thank you ❤

I love this video, I do not have car or house mortgage all paid up, but I still need to curb my spending more.

These are excellent tips! I’ve watched many financial advice videos but this one takes the cake :)

Thank you !! I needed this video

Love this ❤thank you!!

I’m cooking again. No subscriptions. Coffee from my house every thing from my house and fully funding savings

Great delivery, great tips and ideas to live below your means. I'm glad I came across this video. I like the idea of buying new, preown items!!

Thank you for sharing this information.

Yes 💯👍❤️ Some people earn less, but invest more. Its not always about how much you earn. More about how much you invest. Only save for emergency fund. And after that keep investing it.

Thank you!🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

This is the first time viewing your video; thank you for sharing. This was a great, simple, clear guideline. I subscribed

Hi. It is an informative video. Thank you.👌

Very helpful and essential information ❤ thank you 😊

All points are valid, love it

Thanks for sharing another great Video.

This was an awesome video, Bola! Thank you so very much.🥰👏🏿

Thank you for such an informative video !!!

Thanks alot for this informative message looking forward

thank you! i needed this reminder. im currently working an extra job, yet my spending remains the same

What a great video. Thank you 😊

I love your information! Will be purchasing some books 📚

Thank you so much , I've missed your videos

Great content, thank you very much

Great video!

What an awesome video. I am tracking my expenses so I can see where I am overspendibg

Loved this video, very informative. I have been budgeting for over 2 years and started my channel to document and keep myself accountable. This has really helped me to stay consistent. I love the idea of checking the mindset when spending.

Thank You

I needed this

I just turn 52 29th of March and I don't have a saving emergency fund and I .in debit. My goal is to start budgeting and set up to pay off bills. I feel really stupid to be this age and no saving etc

I am attempting to save for three months to afford to buy a used vehicle. My budget is $10,000.

Excellent video Love from India ❤

Thanks for this great piece of advise, I have a small side hustle but earning too little

This is my problem when I get stressed at work or had a long hard week at work I want to treat myself and end up shopping let’s say I have two bags of clothes that I’m donating because I didn’t even wear them 🤦🏾‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️😩😩🤧

This video was very informative. The first time I heard this concept of living below your means but within your needs was from Suze Orman. Just like you, she's a great financial inspiration. Thank you for sharing this knowledge with us 🙏

Love the mug 😍 I wanna be a clever girl so I'm here to stay!

Love from Kenya

Hi CGF team, you guys are doing an amazing job 👏

1:30 Wooooow. I feel so called out. But I make less than 30,000 a year and I honestly don't even know what to cut to be able to put aside money/pay off debt.

Thrift stores are a great way to get quality clothing for pennies on the dollar.

I stopped spending on gel and eyelash extensions and alloted it to pay off debts

a question.... if living below your means in needed to survive.. maybe we need to change the colloquial definition of "means" and " good income"? is there a way to change the paradigm of money? and do so more effectively?

Cutting back on my spending

I like your content... new subscriber.

I started preparing breakfast at home instead of constantly spending money on a breakfast sandwich at work every morning. I'm already seeing a difference in my bank account just from this change.

❤

Liked and sharing❣️

It’s not that cheap at the thrift store anymore

Bola's insights on financial planning are a game-changer for anyone struggling to meet their economic objectives. Tailoring your budget to match your actual spending habits, rather than theoretical limits, can make all the difference in achieving financial stability. 💡

I’m good now…but I’d be a lot better off had I had this info when I was younger! 😂 Compound interest and time in the market are your FRIENDS…and seriously, investing doesn’t have to be scary at all. Low-cost index funds are your friends as well. Even if it’s just one share a month to start…set it (automatic withdrawal from your paycheck) and forget it! But definitely make sure you’re getting educated and growing in your financial knowledge. Lastly: NEVER depend on someone else for money. The person who has the power to feed you also has the power to starve you. Women especially need to heed this!

I find paying bills automatically and using cash only for everything else, keeps me on track. I have a minimal high-quality wardrobe and I look after what I have properly.

Thank you so much, this is very helpful! Again, how can I purchase your books? Contacting you from Ghana

New subscriber here. 🌷

im am currntly in the process of lowering my bills. i did well so far the only big bill i have besides rent which by the way is thebcheapest incould find at $1000 for a one bedroom apt. my car ins for full coverage which i have to have is $132 my internet for lightning speed which i have to have bc inwork at home is $57 and my electric bill which bc i live in fl and need ac in the hot summer months is hovering abt $88. which is very good. during the winter and cooler months its no more than $60 on an avg im hoping to try tonsave as much money as possible. i habe 4! cats but they r old and rescue cats. so i cant and wont give them up. they r family. i have had them all ansuper lomg time. im currently looking at frugal recipes using lots of vegis and small portions of lean meats. its a work in progress at this moment

😊You're beautiful! Thanks for the advice.

1000th like! 😁😁

I was focused on sabing for a new car and now that I have reached the goal I don't want to get the car because it will deplinish my savings.

Why is the sound so low! Sis you need a microphone!! Great information!!

Right now im tuned on sqving mode because im a spend thrift!😅

I am building a home and I am about to get married. I have no emergency savings at the moment and I feel strained. I do have a good networth though in other assets and properties. However, I feel strained at the moment. Am I spending above my income or should I consider my building projects as investments?

This video needs to be sent to the Federal Government! Live below your means with our money. Agree?

Hm I don’t do anything on the above your means list.. so I’m good?

Live below your means while working on making more money.

Praying down debts.

This is good but it on,y app,it’s to people earning a livable wage. That’s a problem in the U.S.

Credit cards with amortization to figure out how long this is going to take

I am over $JMD 5 mil in debt and own nothing. The frightening thing about this is that I am 47 years old and about to live on the street with my kid. If someone is reading this and wants to help me with a side job or offer their help as a financial coach I would greatly appreciate it.

Is this content for men too?

👍👏👏👏