LOW COST LIVING! 5 ESSENTIAL WAYS TO MAKE IT WORK!  

There was a pear truck that wrecked and had damaged boxes. They were transferring to a new truck with the damaged boxes sitting on the side to be tossed. I stopped and they gave me the pears in boxes. We spent days canning and drying them and gave baskets full of fresh fruit to our friends telling them the story. Everyone loved having fruit that would have been tossed. All it took was me swallowing my pride and asking.

I need to keep Psalm 118 in my mind. "This is the day the Lord has made; rejoice and be glad in it."

One of the biggest things my husband and I have found that helps our frugal lifestyle and keeps us peaceful is not to complain. Negativity and ingratitude will definitely destroy peacefulness. We try to focus on the ways the Lord has blessed us and try to bless others. Blessings to you and Paul. (My husband's name is Paul, too.) 😊

Thank you Emme for never taking God's Name in vain.

What I do to keep my frugal life simple: I don't over commit to outside activities. In the recent past I had 3 weekday volunteer situations. Two of those volunteer activities had to be canceled after a few months because the atmosphere became exhausting. I do have a different opinion from one you expressed in the video. When multitasking it depends on what you combine. This morning I ran two loads of wash (apt laundry room). Once the washers were going I went back to my place, set a timer and hand washed dishes (no dishwasher). After that the clothes were in the dryer I continued with household chores until time to fold the clothes. While your video was running I listened and put laundry away until the popcorn cooking lesson. I watched that part of the video. It works for me. I have the most energy in the morning and need to take advantage of the AM time slot.

Hello: where we live. we are a 20-minute drive from several small communities. Many of them border bodies of water which have lovely parks and views. To change up our scenery, when doing our daily walks, we pick a different town several times a week. We enjoy our thermos mug of coffee during the ride and we enjoy the different community during our walk. For a few dollars in gas we feel like we have been on vacation. A change is as good as a rest.

Company gets bowls in my house otherwise it’s from the stove. Have you found you can buy a 10lb bag of potatoes for about $1 more than a 5lb. I take that additional 5 lbs cut them up as French fries, blanch and freeze. I never have to buy bagged fries. I also cut them up in slices, blanched and freeze along with some onion. Just thaw and cook. When hams went on sale for 88 cents a pound after Christmas, I stocked up. I made sure we had one for Easter brunch, and I sliced the others up into meal size/casserole size packages and froze them. It’s nice to have an easy ham dinner.

As a retired ICU RN, I am an expert multitasker! There is a way to do it that is organized and most efficient. You don't have to tear around like a frantic headless chicken! 😂

We have built a life that we don't need to "get away from". Having fun at home saves money and stress. We also enjoy simple pleasures...we don't expect hats and horns all the time.

Growing up, my father would make popcorn every Sunday night before Bonanza. Once a month he would make cheese popcorn!! He would melt a chunk of Velveta cheese in butter and pour it over the popcorn. It was a special treat!! Good memories.

I love these tips! Thank you for sharing. My favorite part of the video was when you were listing the things we can't change but change what we can. I agree with that & it was a good reminder.

We always serve from the stove, because it is just my elderly mother and myself. I always fix her plate first and make sure she has everything she needs, then I join her. We are both very much homebodies, so that helps keep things frugal, simple, and content at our house. 🙂

I always appreciate your positive, practical advice and recipes! Thank you both 🌷🌷🌷

I love snacking on homemade, kernel popcorn. I get the Jolly Time from the dollar tree. I go on their website, place an order for a case of 12 for $15.00 and pick it up at the store. That saves me on shipping costs. As always, thanks for sharing.

As a reformed serial multitasker, I am reaping the rewards of doing one thing at a time. I used to feel everything was getting done and was done well. After slowing down I see clearly that things are done completely and to a higher standard when I do one thing at a time… let alone calming the mind. ❤

Thank you for always bringing good information and great tips. As far as I'm concerned multitasking is overrated! Have a great weekend!

I simply love your advice and it is a style of life: being frugal without lacking anything you really need. I often ask my mother for her opinion about decision and it always helps saving money, she even knows really tasty receipies that her mother cooked after WW2... . Wisdom of older people should be appreciated. Love from Germany

My husband and i eat by candlelight almost every night. We've been married over 40 years. Saturday afternoons we have wine and a cheese, sausage and fruit tray at lunch. We sit and talk and listen to music. Always look forward to. 🙂

Gratitude is the attitude and I am grateful for your videos! I watch them everyday and I am always left feeling encouraged and positive. Gratitude, looking for silver linings and simple pleasures, celebrating the little wins, and the beauty in the small things... that is how I maintain this lifestyle.

We certainly enjoyed you today. We are in Columbia, SC. I serve from the table if it is just me and my husband. I serve in bowls and platters if we have guests. We have been quite frugal during our marriage, and my parents were frugal when I was growing up. I call the thrift store or Goodwill my "Boutique"! I love the hunt for nice, traditional clothes, etc. Happy weekend!

I used to have that kind of pride, thankfully not anymore.

Always have candlelight meals, usually with my hand dipped tapers. And we,too, serve from the stove. 👵🏻

EMMY! Use bacon grease to make your popcorn! You won't be sad! Promise!

Good day We serve everyday meals from the stove - company and special in bowls. One thing that I feel works for me for keeping from being not envious of other people is keeping a gratitude journal - sometimes it is just very small things like my household plants blooming on a snowy winter day. Thank you for the videos that you and Paul do. Marlena

“Don’t have to be ashamed of the car I drive. I’m just glad to be here, happy to be alive.....” Travelling Wilburys 💝 Thanks again for heartfelt positive message of your video 🤗

I just returned from picking up a free metal bed frame for my guest room. I got it from a neighbor on my local Buy Nothing group! Today I hung up my thrifted mirror and artwork in thrifted picture frames. I also noticed I am wearing some jeans that I also got from my Buy Nothing group. I serve from the stove, for sure.

My favorite was #4. ❤ I have tried to do this as much as possible, particularly when my children were small. Now, as young adults , my kids are always helping friends appreciate every day moments. My absolute favorite thing is taking ordinary food on a picnic. Sometimes, when the weather was cold or rainy, we would have indoor picnics on the floor. I would spread a flannel backed tablecloth and set up the food. My kids were always delighted. ❤

We donate to our church's thrift shop and shop there. All moneys they earn goes to local schools and charities. We donate and buy from another as they fund student scholarships. We shopped local library books sales, too. The older you get the less you can multitask.

Thank you for another great video, such helpful tips and important reminders. We serve from the stove as well, except for taco nights! Then I put the chopped veggies in bowls on the table lol We keep things simple by using a spreadsheet for our yearly budget, broken down into categories. Grocery, Date Day, Gas, Take Out Food etc so we know what our yearly max is. It keeps us honest as our goal is always to beat the budget!

Amen, I grew up doing all theses tips👍🏻♥️😊 Yes we serve from the stove, I don't want more dishes😊 I love making popcorn in our corn popper😋🍿 I keep our lives simple by having a flexible schedule and not getting upset when things don't go as planned. Thanks for sharing 🤗 God bless

Just a reminder.... Every State has a way to see if you have unclaimed funds or property with the treasurer. I check every year and have found things that were credited back to me or inheritances. This year, I got $39 for something and I have no idea what it was for. But, I still got the check.

We serve from the stove. The food is hotter that way as well as less dishes.

Thanks for the encouragement! We keep things simple just like y'all. Using up bits of this and that is definitely my specialty as is yours! Making our own snacks definitely saves tons of money. Popcorn, protein balls, granola, muffins just to name a few. Paul, if you're growing corn this year I highly recommend growing some popcorn, we grow A LOT of things but popcorn is just the funnest to grow and use! As an especially decadent treat, try bacon fat as your popping oil or a drizzle after popped. So good! Love you guys!

You are a wise couple...may God richly bless you too!!! (We serve food from the stove.)

Lately I have been organizing my pantry. I have been trying to cook from scratch more and getting containers at thrift stores and on sale helps. Seeing everything and having the basics organized has helped me and my budget a lot. Simplifying it and getting rid of food we don't use helps me to not be as wasteful.

To keep it simple while shopping I stop and think do I need this or want this? We make popcorn all kinds of ways at my house. If you like Rosemary you can put a sprig in the oil while you're waiting for it to get hot and then pull it out just before you adding the popcorn. It's yummy if you like Rosemary.

We serve from the stove during the week when we are coming home from work, and since it is just the two of us, our children are grown, this works for us, but we do set a table on weekends, and when we have company or the kids are visiting. I love your idea of living in the moment, doing one thing at a time with intent and purpose is so gratifying.

Calm from prayers. Organized from thinking of how I use products and finding homes for them accordingly. Simplified by only keeping what I need and use and resisting impulse purchases.😊

Emmy, So many good thoughts and ideas here. Several years ago a friend's husband said "Boring is Good". He said this after there were several serious health issues in their family. We have to be grateful when times are just peaceful! You and Paul know what's important!

My hubby absolutely goes cuckoo over homemade popcorn... It's such a big deal to him... And usually if we have movie night it's on a Saturday night... He's so funny, I think it reminds him of when he was growing up... Good memories.. making new ones... Enjoying a good movie

You mentioned celebrating the little things... years ago I went to visit my Mum and brought lunch for the two of us. I was surprised to see that she had set the table with her good silverware (which I used to have to polish, even though we never used it). I asked her why she brought that out when it was just me. She responded that she had been thinking about this silverware that she had had all her married life and hardly ever used and decided that she was going to use it ... and "what better reason to celebrate than having my daughter over for lunch." I will never forget how that made me feel special and loved.

When I was young...if my grandma would get me clothes from a garage sale, I told her that I didn't want them, but yet if my friend gave me a bag of hand me downs, I would wear them. I was young, so I didn't realize it was the same thing. But, it only took me a about a year, to figure out that who cares where stuff comes from, if you like it. I bought my first dining room table and chair set from a garage sale and I loved it. This was 30 plus years ago now and I have very rarely bought new things since. Thanks for all the great videos you put out.

When I was single I used to kinda have that pride but after having my first child something clicked in my brain. I started going to goodwill and Walt mart for clothing. What I’m battling now is Amazon it is so easy to click away. I’m always decluttering our clothes so I know exactly what we have in our closets.

Decluttering is so eye-opening. It has given me some ability to see an object as clutter in the store, before I even spend money on it.

I don't believe our brains are wired to think of 2 things at once. So, your reminder to slow down and complete a task, in my opinion, is spot on. Thank you for reminding us.

Oh my Emmy, how I needed your gentle reminder to enjoy the moment, the mundane and the ordinary days and stop peering with longing into the future! We're waiting for hubby to retire but the economy has us pushing the date back a bit. So rather than getting upset, we're taking this time to enjoy shorter yet still fun filled adventures as well as getting some projects done around our home! 😊

I make lots of lists. We also just moved across the country and before we did we sold and gave away tons of our stuff. So when we moved into our new home I made a deal with myself that I would not go overboard with buying random stuff and that I'd use what I had and borrow or rent things that I needed. It's helped so far🤞

Be grateful for everything in life and show kindness everyday x

HI EAMMY AND PAUL HOPE TOUR BOTH WELL

I’m really enjoying your videos and am proud to be a frugal person. I’m able to be more generous with my giving. I actually bought a new (used, 5 year old) car today! My old car was 24 years old, and I didn’t mind it, but it was time for an upgrade, and I paid cash. Now I’m going to work on building up my savings account. I don’t like that smaller number! 😂. I take my lunch to work, but treat myself to an inexpensive sandwich or salad once a week at our cafeteria at work. But I usually supplement the sandwich with some fresh vegetables and a piece of fruit from home. And I only eat half of the sandwich so that I can have the other half the next day.

I enjoy my own coffee from home. I drink iced coffee year-round, so I take a mason jar of iced coffee to work for breakfast and one for after lunch. I discovered Jordan‘s skinny syrups, which have no calories. I buy a six pack of those bottles every couple of months from Amazon, which is an expense, but I need to avoid sugar and I really enjoy the flavor. One bottle costs less than two drinks from a coffee shop.

We serve from the stove most of the time.😊

You brighten our days with your encouragement.thank you.

Funny thing about expectations: I have one girlfriend who lives in jeans and t-shirts (long sleeve in the winter) who is horrified that I have half a dozen pairs of pants, 5 skirts, 6 dresses, and a dozen tops along with workout gear, gardening outfits, coats and jackets; this all seems wildly extravagant to her. My other friend of 50 years (who hoards clothes because she is certain she will want to wear them again in the misty future when she loses weight) thinks it's an absolute tragedy that I can only put together a couple of dozen outfits. *LOL* I love them both, but my wardrobe is just right for me and no one else!

Thank you for your insightful tips. The popcorn recipe was a yummy bonus. And I learned something new about melting butter too😊

Let us break bread together ❤ we serve from the stove eat around our table we always say Grace before we eat ❤

When my kids were home I bought popcorn and we had a hot air popcorn popper. They could make their own snack. It was such a cheap way to keep the evening snacking cheap.

When my kids were young, garage sales for clothing & books in good shape. Use an air popper for years for popcorn, delicious. We live in upstate NY, my little Westie wore size 2 T kids shirts for warmth. Stores were too expensive.

I truly miss your intro music. It was so calming and familiar. When I would hear it, it brought me to a place away for the noise of the world. I knew it was time for Paul and Emmy to share a lifestyle centered on values and faith. However, I do still enjoy your videos and will continue to watch them.

No immediate shopping. I list things in my notebook, and sit on it a couple of weeks. I usually find something I already have that works, or it has lost its standing as a need.

Thanks for this video! The flower made me smile, as did the stove top popcorn. If you clarify more butter than you can use for one occasion, pour the extra into a glass jar with a lid and keep in the refrigerator. Warehouse stores sell the exact same thing with the name GHEE for much more than normal butter.😁

Something that I find helpful, I try to plan for things. I keep an appointment book with chores weekly, daily tasks, monthly and annual things too. It keeps me from missing when I need to start garden seeds and knowing to budget for upcoming projects and events.

I'm so glad you brought up the fallacy of multitasking! It makes you crazy and it is not an efficient way to do things. Focus on doing one thing to completion before you start the next. I jot down the things I do as I go and how long it takes. 😌👍

After my mom passed, I found out she had a small stock portfolio….I was able to sell her shares, I kept the money in a “just in case” account (separate from my regular savings)…my washer broke last week and I was at complete peace knowing I had more than enough in that account to buy a new washer….and there’s plenty if another small emergency occurs….it was painless…..my hubby often makes popcorn, I’ll share your recipes with him…..thanks for being here for us…..

Emmy thank you so much. I needed to hear this. I often find myself taking on too much and I am not a good multi-tasker. It's encouraging to hear about slowing down. I've been learning about stewardship and I realize it always isn't just about money but taking care of what we have.

We always have a candle burning at dinner and often even breakfast when it is cold and dark outside. I serve from the stove. I like eat in kitchens and have rarely had a formal dining room. A year or two ago I started keeping a mug with extra spoons and forks on the table where the cloth napkin holder, salt and pepper are. It saves a lot of steps. Carole

I usually serve from the stove except for special occasions like Thanksgiving. It saves dishes and extra work. I’m guilty of trying to multitask sometimes. I find that at times it just seems to make things chaotic. I’m trying to learn to slow down and just enjoy being still.

Such a thoughtful and wonderful video. It's so helpful to be reminded of these things and is really encouraging. I absolutely loved all of the 5 points you made. Just love the Christian values you hold and live by. As I always say, I truly love your channel. What a great way to live. To live a low cost lifestyle we mend things that can be mended; we have also the mentality that says 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it.'; we don't buy things unless we really need them; we are mindful of not wasting water, electricity, food, clothing; we also have savings. We do enjoy a few breaks away in the year, but we save up for that and don't spend what we don't have. Also do the 5 points you suggested in your video. They really work. We aim to keep improving in whatever ways we can to continue to live a low cost and joyful lifestyle. Have a wonderful week and may God greatly bless you both.❤

OMG the Parmesan popcorn! I have to try!

One way I save money is that I schedule outings between meals. This gives me a deadline to be home and I don't waste time and money eating out.

I cook from home. When I go to the grocery store I only go to the grocery area with my list and stick to the list. I don't go into the other areas.

Great popcorn recipes! I use popcorn kernels and a special microwave bowl from WW. It doesn't require oil to pop.. Spritz with butter flavored spray and sprinkle with salt. I'm going to try the clarified butter next time! Blessings

We serve from the stove all the time…even at holiday time because I need the extra counter space. We enjoy our home so very much…so thankful for a home and everything we need…God has blessed us SO MUCH🙏🏻

To keep things simple, whatever I make for dinner, my husband takes some for lunch the next day so that he doesn't have to buy lunch. I also make us overnight oats for breakfast, and make my own no bake protein bars. We serve from the stove, its much easier that way. 😄🥰

On weekends if I make an extra special dinner I put out bowls but I have a limit, and on week nights from the stove or microwave (not processed food, but cooked for days I commute for work). Thank you for being that voice of reason. I have to finish my pantry list, because I used to be very organized with what I had on hand and then with sick family members the death of our DD, I have not had it quite together. You are so right focus on getting one thing done at a time.

The amaryllis is gorgeous!! Thanks Emmy and Paul for great truths and tips!! For me whose dad helped us all to not speak Japanese I’m really sad that in America….we have to keep going without to cut costs and make the best of it. That’s pretty sad. It shouldn’t be like this. The people we are forced to pay to run our government are not worried about their grocery or utility or insurance bills. That’s whats REALLY sad.

my whole family brag about how cheap we get things

I've only started my frugal journey since retiring. The most important thing I've done is talk frankly to my adult kids who were used to me having plenty of money to always pick up the tab and buy expensive gifts.

Agree with all 5 but especially the "keep it simple" part. We are retired and love or simple lifestyle. Thankfully we are like minded just like you two are which makes things go smoothly. I use a microwave popper that I've had for several years to pop our popcorn. Beautiful flower.

I do both. Sometimes the stove, sometimes the table.

When I was younger I was inclined to not want to accept help and I'd try and struggle on. Now I'm older and more recently life events have made it a necessity, I am now more comfortable with going to our local Community Fridge which although helps people who are in need, it's main aim is to lessen food waste from supermarkets by giving food especially fruit and vegetables that would otherwise have been thrown away for free to the local community. Yesterday I also noticed a basket outside my local Refill shop which had slightly past their best before date items and was able to get some jars of popcorn kernals which me and my partner haven't been able to enjoy for a while. When I got home I made some homemade bread & yesterday evening we felt very happy and grateful for these free and simple foods which made all the difference at a time where things have been very difficult and a struggle for us.

I really needed to hear these 5 steps today... keeps me encouraged. Thanks

Your comment today regarding one thing at at time was very timely as I heard the dryer buzzer go off for the second time while listening😂 We also serve from the stove with the exception being Sunday dinners with adult children and grands. Blessings to you!

Hi Emmy and Paul , I am right now in Spain 💃🏽small holiday .

I've never seen/heard anything about using clarified butter on popcorn! Brilliant 👌

Yum-Popcorn! My late husband loved it. We ate it for a evening snack at least once a week. I haven’t had it in months. I am excited to try your cinnamon sweet-salty variation.

I am following Courtney Carvers project 333 - I love having a simplified wardrobe where I love and wear everything. I thank you for the tip of having a list of boredom busters - it keeps me busy doing things that cost nothing. I am at a point in my life where I avoid shopping, it used to be my favourite hobby 😊

🇮🇪💕hi I have learned so much and I think more before I spend thank you and the flower is fab xx

Home-made popcorn is my absolute favorite! A teacher in my grade school showed us how to make it, and it was such a wonderful life-long lesson! Your add ins are a great idea, I had no idea about the clarified butter, so I will absolutely have to try it. Simple foods, treats, activities are always the best. ❤

From the stove 🇮🇪💕

As long as you know you have money, you cares what others think?

I like to eat at home and prepare my meals from scratch but that they are the ones that I used to eat at restaurants, my favourite lately has become fried chicken 🍗😋, using my air fryer it’s delicious!

You both really cheer my week. My car is 10 year old and I love it. Very grateful to be able to keep it on the road.

We still both work outside the home. We try to spend time together each day walking (outside when weather permits), it is time to talk, time together and good for our health. We try to do at least two miles, so, it takes a good portion of time. Very simple, healthy, and focused time.

In my small toddler busy mom stage I make a lot of soups and one pot slow cooker meals 🎉 Bread instead of buns, Quick loaves ( banana loaf) instead of Muffins.

Tip #2: I need to really work on this. My mind is all over the place and I have so much on my plate but I never seem to complete anything. I am 58 and am having some health problems and I think this may be the cause of it. I am goi g for heart tests which obviously will cost us money and I think if I slow down, I would save more money but even more importantly, enjoy life more. Thank you so much for the gentle reminder.

I am definitely guilty of trying to do too much at once, thank you for the reminder to slow down and focus on each task. A great video, thank you for your help on my frugal journey 😊

I keep it simple by saving as much money as I can to use for experiences instead of traditional vacations so that we can spend time together. Great job 👏 on the video and the tips you had for us living frugally. Love 💕 and Hugs. 💙💙💙

Hope,at under the median,pointed out yesterday about those premade meals,she showed rice and beans An 8ounce meal was $3. That won't even fill up a flea,much less anyone. But,for about the same price, you can buy one pound of rice and one pound of beans,and have enough for at least 10-12 good sized meals

Hi Emmy and Paul! I guess we have no pride either!😂🎉 We buy things at thrift stores and on clearance. We drive a 2006 Audi A-3, (aka as the beach mobile/garbsge/recycle carrier!), and a 2012 Toyota Avalon (looks like new! Like all of the other people that have new and also $600+|car payments)… Beautiful amarylis! Our 20 daffodil plants are blooming like crazy and have made many more bouquets out of them since I last told you that! Hello from MB!!!💕😊🙏🏻💐🏝️