MORE DAILY HABITS TO LIVE BELOW YOUR MEANS! FRUGAL, OLD FASHIONED, SIMPLE LIVING! 

So true! We are 71 and retired for a few years now. Still active. Lived below our means since our kids were babies. Camping in our small trailer is our guilty pleasure. No desire to upgrade bigger. Camping is about enjoying nature. We are not wealthy. Our health is wealth. Having a ball living below the line. God bless.

When I tell people I would never want to be rich, they can’t believe it. It’s an adventure to be frugal and fun being creative! I don’t want to be poor either, but my faith has increased as I’ve leaned on God to provide during crisis. Little things mean more to me than the Joy affluent people gain from big trips and expenditures. I am blessed!!!! I pray you feel blessed too!

I waited 3 years for a hair cut. And waited 3 years also for a new couch that was desperately needed. Wait until we had the money...😊

For decades now I have purchased Christmas gifts throughout the year so I don't have seasonal financial shock. The gifts go into a closet, and while everyone else is scurrying around from Thanksgiving to Christmas, I am just enjoying the season. Since I'm 72, I have just about everything I need, and I rarely buy anything for myself or for my kitchen or home that is not absolutely necessary either to replace something that is broken beyond repair or because it will make my old age easier. Many folks I know who shop at thrift stores have convinced themselves they are "saving money" by shopping there constantly. With the high cost of food, electricity, heating oil, gasoline, wood (if you don't have your own source), and car and home repairs, it is no wonder people say they dont' have enough money. If you are young, please think about what you can re-purpose as I had to do when I was a young wife with no spare $$$. Re-purpose sturdy food-safe plastic containers and coffee cans to use as canisters and containers in your kitchen and pantry. I have always enjoyed the "creative challenge" to do these kinds of things. Think in those terms, and you will have money for the things that are really important. 😊❤

i dont spend on home decor anymore i use what i already have.

Oh my gosh! My husband and I were just talking about what we are cooking for Christmas. We decided to make homemade ravioli. We didn’t want the huge expense of a prime rib, didn’t want a turkey. I wanted something I could make up ahead of time. The only gifts we buy are for a friend who adopted 3 special needs children. We are always on the lookout for gifts for them. Loved this video. Many blessings to you and Paul! Dixie looks adorable, as usual!

Emmy and Paul, you are such a wonderful and kind hearted couple! This is one of the best channels on RU-vid and all your advice is so helpful. Thank you ❤

Another reason to NOT spend money on unnecessary things is consideration for those who will have to clear your home after you pass away. Every single item you own will mean a decision and an action needed to be made by your loved one. Try not to add to their burden and refrain from buying ‘stuff’. Another frugal tip: For instance, you can make your salad dressing in a repurposed jar instead of an appliance…get a little exercise by shaking instead of using electricity to run it, water and soap to clean it, electricity to heat that water plus your priceless time to do those tasks! The jar is the mixer and the storage container in the fridge. As she says, it all adds up.

I was somewhat disappointed to discover that I cannot afford my Christmas Trek to Alaska to be with my family this year, but my niece stepped up and said, "We're doing Chinese food. You're welcome to come." So, I will be making spring rolls for the meal, and it will certainly be a fine time. I already have my white elephant gift - a fly zapper that I could not return. Looking forward to it.

It is amazing how small things add up to big savings. Being debt free is a goal for many people and I can't wait. Still have a small mortgage and it will eventually be done. Getting prepared for winter is something I was raised doing. Being from cold and snow country we used coal as well as Natural gas. I have used wood heat but now with asthma none of the heating systems other than electric can be used safely. Otherwise bronchitis and pneumonia. My kitchen counters are formica and I will not be changing. I don't upgrade unless something breaks. In fact I have always purchased used appliances until November. I needed a refrigerator mine was from 80s I bought it used and it could not be repaired. Black Friday saved $600 on a new refrigerator. Price checking is another way to save money and staying within budget. There are many ways to save money and not live beyond our means.

Awwww just look at sweet sweet Dixie … what a beautiful doggie 🐾 🖤

Reading walking crichetting learning volunteering blessing others

I have started thinking about the holidays as I harvest and preserve summer’s bounty. Though we have agreed to stop exchanging gifts with most family members because, thanks be to God, we all live in abundance, I still like to send a few homemade or homegrown goodies. A few weeks ago I made watermelon rind preserves and they will go in gift boxes. I’m thinking of attempting to make maple sugar and also peach-flavored sugar. My sage plant produces much more than we can use so I may tie some dried sprigs up with ribbon as sage is perfect for holiday cooking. Like you, I believe in letting those I love know through thoughtful gifts that emphasize the thought, not the monetary value. It’s easy to spend money but more meaningful to spend time 😊

Yes, I've been thinking about Christmas. At a thrift store I found a doll. Cradle and stool in bad condition. I paid 4.00 for both. They are now beautiful and painted blush pink. I made a doll quilt and still plan to make more assorted items. My great grandcutie should love them. This is how I stay under my means.

I actually enjoy living below my means. It fosters creativity 😊 I have an under the bed storage box where I put homemade gifts and gifts I buy on sale through out the year. Sometimes with no particular person in mind. As far as holiday food goes I usually start that "collecting" in September. Thank you for your wonderful videos. May God's Blessings be upon you.

Keep calm and live frugal

My mother gifted me a old sewing machine , she had it tuned up and it works Great ( I am 59 ) and I started using it the other day ,it’s been many yrs since I was sewing , I really enjoyed it again ,I had to buy new needles and learned what kinds I need on You Tube . I am not a Great seamstress but ,I am learning I put in a new zipper in a vest I wear during the winter ,,I love You Tube ,, it helped me so much . Keeping this mind sharp is important in our aging process ,,😅 love your videos ❤

We don't exchange many gifts anymore, since we prefer instead to make bigger donations to charities in someone's honor. You decide what you can give to the charity of choice and then plus it up in honor of your friends. Increase the amount until it's pretty significant and know that you're helping many in need. It's fun for everyone and most people I know have too much stuff already. My dad made me a gift years ago that I repeat for young friends. Dad took a sturdy fishing lure box and filled the five compartments with hundreds of nuts, bolts, screws, nails, picture hanging pieces, and all sorts of small handy connectors and hardware. I've maintained and added to my box for 20-plus years and always think of my dad when I use it. I used it for the perfect component to finish small projects around the house dozens of times. A real labor of love. Takes a while to assemble and fill the box, but it's always appreciated. I also prep a set of basic tools for my young friends just starting out. Sometimes I paint the handles with crazy colors, so those handy tools don't disappear.

You teach us so much praise God

That tortellini salad looked so delicious, especially with your homemade dressing. Sometimes I make a cold salad using the ingredients that you mentioned, but I use tri-Colored spiral pasta instead of the tortellini. A few years ago after my husband died, I began to give my children and grandchildren money for Christmas. That's no fun, but I make it fun by choosing a novel way to give them the money. One year it was a Christmas elf from the Dollar Tree for each of them (there's 15 of them!) holding an envelope with the money. One year it was cash rolled up to form a candy cane and I put a real candy cane for the trim. One year it was gloves for each with money stuffed in the fingers. One year it was socks with money in the toes. So much fun for me and I think my kids and grands like it too. I need to put on my thinking cap for this year soon! Diane in NC

Hi, E&P. Missed having a live today, but I get how time consuming that can be. Enjoyed this. Yes, I started doing small Christmas projects about a month, maybe two ago. My main project is a homemade cookbook for my two nieces. Mostly I bought a very nice, lined, large notebook, numbered the pages, included Contents and Index, and I’m interspersing the almost 300 pages with about 30 family and friend fav recipes, and some humorous ones too, and some simple sketches and they can fill in the rest. Like a pass down family heirloom (hopefully). That’s my plan anyway.

Just the other day I was reviewing my notes that I had made last Christmas for Christmas 2023. I jot them down because I know I’d never remember the ideas by the time Christmas rolled around again. One of the notes was to start putting aside a little extra money in a restaurant fund so that we could take our whole immediate family out for a breakfast at this fabulous restaurant/bakery near us while they were home visiting. There are little grandkids involved so a fancy dinner restaurant isn’t a good idea (which I learned another year). I know I could fix a good breakfast for everyone but I just wanted to do something special and eating out is a treat.

We are debt free retirees on a modest fixed income and manage to save money every month. Over the last couple of years, it has been harder to within our income with rising food prices and we have had to reinvent ourselves as well. It's important to us to buy gifts for our 15 grandchildren at Christmas, so we always have to plan early. We pick up items on sale or clearance throughout the year and save extra money every month. Your salad meal looks wonderful. Take care Emmy and Paul.

I love to share you with my son. He's learning so much from you that will help him throughout his life. We tried to teach him to be frugal, thrifty, and creative. He likes it as it's fun and challenging.❤

Hello Emmi and Paul. I can’t tell you how much I enjoy spending a little time with you every Friday afternoon. ❤

So glad I found your videos! My husband and I are in our 60s and we were brought up by parents who lived through rationing in the UK until 1954 following WW2. Their experiences greatly impacted our upbringing and it is literally in our DNA not to waste anything - especially food! 🇬🇧

I have some Amish quilts from Lancaster County that we had shipped over to the UK! My husband bought them for me years ago as a gift!

Let’s see the swag with the lights on 😊

I bring in SOLAR LIGHTS from my yard at night. It works great. It only takes a couple of minutes a day.

I found tea towel sets at Dollar Tree for my 2 girls for Christmas! One is dogs and the other one is coffee themed!”

totally agree with you, you have a great marriage and don't let any one try to change it.

I don't upgrade if not broken it's not replaced

The zero waste meal looks delicious. I made a pot of soup from things I needed to use up and odd and end vegetables from the garden. Even though it's not soup season our weather is rainy today so hope it doesn't make us to HOT.

Solar lights from the dollar tree are great for indoors during a power outage!

If Dixie does these kinds of things all the time you really should make her a you tube channel. She is just too much😂. Cute gifts you found and a nice menu of food too. Hope you guys have a nice week.

Another great video. I took advantage of an okay sale and a birthday gift card to pick up a small rack of lamb for the holidays. I’ve also stocked up on beans, peas, lentils, etc.for cooking in the cold weather. Anytime I can find split chicken breasts, thighs, or whole chickens on sale for $.99 a pound, I pick them up for the freezer.

Halfway through the video, I paused it and made a no-waste dinner. Cut up and sautéed the vegetables in my fridge, added black beans, corn, and peas, and put it all on a tortilla. So delicious, and I have leftovers for burritos, or salad toppings, or to mound over pasta. Mille grazie for the inspiration!

I watch morning light come dusk comes in the evenning with our electricity up here in the hills ❤

I’m also an early retiree. I watch for inspiration. One of the things I enjoy is the obvious love and appreciation you have for little things (the free canisters, the Dollar Tree decor pieces). I am the same way, I fully love little things, regardless of cost, and that appreciation is part of why I don’t have to keep going out and buying bigger and better. Love your channel!

Emmy, I so enjoy your channel. I have purchased 2 small gifts for Christmas already. Saw one at Ollie’s and one at a church thrift store. Spent $3 for each gift. I’m going to look for 2 more gifts for the other 2 people I buy gifts for at Christmas. These small gifts will be in addition to a larger gift for each person but buying this way helps me to stay on budget.

Started to think about Christmas menu and checked out various suppliers on line. Easy Christmas present, I make an 8x8 inch fruit Christmas cake.I then cut into 4 smaller cakes and marzipan and royal ice them (4 different designs). I then give them as gifts or thank you to friends and neighbours who are on their own and find shop bought cakes too large etc,.I will start looking out for dried fruit on offer along with sugar,marzipan etc and if she's stable it goes into the cupboard ready for the big baking session. I also make my.own Christmas cards and repurpose old decorations into new.Make own wreath with chicken wire and Holly, ivy and various Berries and cones plus ribbon I get from charity stores. Just let the imagination take you to uncharted lands and make something unique.

I've been making freezer jams with the fruits that are on sale now. I put them in small containers for sampler size to give out on the holidays with a loaf of baked bread. By the time Christmas gets here, this could be alot for someone and it makes a nice gift for a family rather than buying for each person.

Oh yes, I have been thinking of the up coming holiday's. I finally found the recipe my mom used to make at Christmas when I was a child..Fruitcake Cookies. They are best made at least one to two months ahead. I have been weekly buying the ingredients as I catch a sale. The magazines and book are absolutely wonderful & thoughtful gifts. A specialized gift like those truly shows you actually cherish your friendships. The holidays will certainly be upon us very soon. I have a stack of wood just like yours.😊It is very comforting to the soul to see it.

I've learned how to sew, how to can, and just took a wheel potter class as my dad gave me a gift card for my bday. back in Dec. it was so fun. I also love learning new recipes and learning how to become a better gardener as well as how to better preserve food by dehydrating. Next project is getting my craft room in order and getting my paints out and canvas.

I absolutely love your vlog. Such down to earth practical frugal advice. Emmy you are what I call a fun person. You get such joy in life. I too have started thinking about Christmas. Keeping an eye out for baking sales and small gifts at our local thrift store.❤

🐈‍⬛ Duchess Dixie steals the scene every time. Adorable girl that she is. Thanks again for your lively inspiration. 😘

Greetings Emmy and Paul. When ATT went 5G they sent us new phones. My husband got an iPhone XR which was an upgrade for him at no charge. I got an ATT phone which sells for 20 dollars. I had a Samsung Galaxy. So after a year or so of using the burner phone, I bought a Motorola G power for less than 200.00 including the case. I refused to go to ATT to buy my phone because I felt they disabled my perfectly good phone and replaced it with an inferior phone. When I bought my Motorola, I searched for a 5G new unlocked ATT compatible phone. Target had a great deal and I got the Target discount and free shipping. Don't always assume the phone carriers are the best place to get a phone.

I finally had to get a new iPhone when my current iPhone (which was also an SE) stopped being able to upgrade and basically stopped working. I still use it to watch videos and listen to podcasts while my newer phone charges.

i keep it simple for thanksgiving and christmas gifts. i do few gifts.

YES!! I am starting to top off our larder for winter, and that includes holiday food items! Our family began eating a certain type of diet and my daughter and I are already discussing how we can tweak our holiday favorites to this type of eating. We'll put back baking supplies, extra cheeses we'll use for the holidays, can/box/bag/freezer items that we use in favorite recipes, various sugars (powdered, brown, etc.), nuts, etc. for holiday baking and meals. I absolutely love squirreling away food for winter and buying some holiday basics now will help our pocket book later. This is the first year I've ever put back a little money for Christmas shopping. I started saving a bit back in January and I am now SOOOO glad that I did. It's not enough to cover everything to do with the holidays, but it will help! My daughter and I found an old Southern Living Annual Recipes cookbook (1979) that was my Grandma's, when we were cleaning my Mom's kitchen recently. We like it so much that we found a set of 11 of them from the 80's on eBay and bought them. We're having a blast finding new recipes to try! We made a peaches and cream cake that was out of this world!! God bless and best wishes as you prepare for the holidays!

If I make candy, I need to marinate the walnuts I have in the freezer in whisky or bourbon for several days. A week or more is even better.

Emmy, we are soul sisters!! I am still using my older model apple phone, too!! 🥰. My kids keep telling me to upgrade, but so far I have held off. Mine is an iphone6.

The library is an amazing free source, in the last three months , I have gotten dvds that were in the cinema a couple of months before, free lanaguage courses on dvd, recipe books and knitting pattern books.

I use everything until it doesn't work and has to be replaced. Lol! I received a wallet for Christmas from a friend one year but the wallet I had still had some life to it. My friend was upset that I wasn't using the new one. Why should I? I saved it as a backup and used it when needed. No prepping for the holidays yet. I purchase a few holiday items (cards & garland) after Christmas last year at tremendous savings. I don't have a lot to prep anyway. Good to see Dixie! ❤

Wow the Christmas season is only a few months away. I hope to crochet a few dishcloths for gifts. They are easy to do and I have the cotton yarn to make several . Love how the pasta salad looks. I'm going to start baking cookies and maybe some bread in September. I'm gluten-free so the dough is a little different to work with. Dixie is a doll. Thank you for another encouraging video.

I'm late watching this but so glad I did. The tortellini salad looks delicious. We don't buy many Christmas gifts anymore. For our kids and grandkids, we mostly give our allotted budget as cash gifts. Our grown granddaughter for instance, is very thrifty and can buy so much more for her family than we would for the money, and it avoids buying what they don't love or need and the high cost of shipping to another state. We do give little things throughout the year that we know they will enjoy (usually on sale) and like to have things on hand for small "thinking of you" gifts. Holidays are mostly just getting together when immediate and/or extended family can and either having a potluck or desserts/beverages. We keep a stocked pantry and freezer so can throw an easy meal together for unexpected company and usually some sweets or quick breads to go with coffee. We used to enjoy hosting dinners for family and friends with 20 plus guests, but we're definitely not up to that anymore and find smaller gatherings and simpler refreshments or meals just as enjoyable for everyone. Your dollar store finds are so cute I'm going to ask hubby to go look at our store for them!! Lol. In my ongoing decluttering, I'm going to go through holiday/seasonal decor bins again and allow myself just one or two bins for each. I'm not up to putting out and putting away as many things as I used to so I'm going to choose my absolute favorites and pass on the rest to others to love. I'm sorry this is so long, and thank you for motivating me to think ahead. God bless you both. 💕💕🙏🙏

I don’t know what it is about you guys. Maybe it’s your joyful and grateful approach to everything. Maybe it’s your genuineness. Whatever it is, your channel is informative and uplifting. Glad I found you. I’ve started a little gift buying. I do some art work so I’ve been busy planning gifts that will be personal and special for the recipients. They will also be frugal and just require some of time, which I definitely have enough to give…if I start early enough. 😊

Wonderful video!!! I don’t think I’ve ever heard of that cottage magazine, but it looked lovely!! And those dollar tree fall decor…I might have to go see if they are at my store 🙈 I am going through some serious stress right now, and I just can’t express how much I look forward to your upbeat, always smiling, positive, and yet still so genuine and honest Friday videos!!! Just a stranger on the internet that you don’t know, but you are both so very special to me!

Yes, starting to think about the holidays and homemade or experience gifts I’d like to give people. I am also keeping an eye out for any sales on baking items I see.

I can't truly express how uplifting I find your videos. You and Paul are such an inspiration in this topsy turvy world. May God bless you❤

We are replacing both our 25 year old furnaces before winter and each week I buy a couple items on sale for the winter pantry. I know the cold is coming I just hope it’s not too soon 😊 Happy week end!

Hi Emmy and Paul…I’ve already started stocking up on baking supplies for the holidays, vanilla extract, flour, sugar, chocolate chips, etc. and this year I learned how to make my own vanilla extract (it will be ready in about six months). So excited about that!

The cup signs are really cute! Well worth 2.50

So glad I found your video, we are like minded. Just got three wreaths the other day from the thrift store for a couple dollars each. One went to my mom for her room in the nursing home. I have been a thrift store shopper for over thirty years and have found some amazing items. Once found an 1890 gold women's pocket watch necklace for $14.99 that has a slider with an amethyst. 99% of my son's and husbands clothes have come from the thrift store. My husband wears professional clothes and instead of paying $40-75 for a shirt or same for slacks, I can find then for $5.99 to 7.99 where I live. My son's wardrobe has very nice name brand items that I have even re-sold after he's grown out of them. I also have a lot of thrift store clothes and if they get stained I use them to make junk journals. Most our home is also furnished with thrifted and heirloom items. I'm still trying to get the no waste food down. Looking forward to watching more videos

Your zero waste cooking videos are very inspirational Tonight I'm making a cabbage soup I purchased the cabbage head a few weeks back at 49 cents a pound I've seen some black start to grow on some of the outer leaves but I decided I would just hold on to it until I was able to find a recipe I finally did now I've pulled off several of those cabbage leaves the rest of the cabbage is perfect and I will be making that tonight along with some garlic toast that we had left over from another meal. Zero waste inspiration from Emmy and Paul!

I started two paper bags marked “Thanksgiving” that I set aside in a spare room and continue to put the meal ingredients, paper goods, etc. in it. I found high end, single hot chocolate bombs at the grocery store for 50 cents each. They’re going for over $2 each on amazon. I bought what I call the “take home gift” for everybody that comes. I have also purchased jars of organic jam, amazon gift cards, and come Christmas Eve, I’ll scoot out to the store and buy a block of cream cheese and a sleeve of bagels for everybody’s Christmas take-home. We have five adult children…in-laws, grandkids….so I have to plan ahead. Good thing I enjoy it! So, saying all that to say “I’m with you on planning now for the holidays!”

We just love your channel guys you guys do such a good job and we really appreciate you out there and all the hard work that it takes to put out a video

Those oil lamps are so beautiful Emmy! I love them!

I love old oil lamps! Have a great weekend Emmy and Paul!!! ❤❤❤❤

Great tips as always. I haven't been able to watch in a while with busy things and life going on. I think the last time I was on your channel you are at around 30,000 subscribers and you hit over 50,000 congratulations you deserve it🎉😊

So many people forget the basics. Clean chimney, check smoke detectors, vehicle maintenance, clean gutters, stock up pantry and hygiene, clean up outside so you aren't falling over things buried under snow.

I do a lot of crocheting so have already made the ornaments that I give the grandkids every year. Several years ago I hand wrote about 20 of my favorite recipes into composition books for the older granddaughters at Christmas. They loved them and I know a couple of them have used the recipe book from time to time. Now I have a grandson that heading out of state for college, and he has asked me to make one for him.

God bless you both...Thank you for sharing your lives and frugal ways...you both are like sweet friends that stop by for a chat. Another great video!

I love your wood pile Paul. We also heat our home with wood. We have two wood stoves one in our basement that heats our home and then another out in the family room that my husband put on the back of our house 2 years ago that heats the upstairs. My husband makes boxes out of wood pallets which then he's able to put his Forks on the front of his John Deere tractor to move a pallet up to our house and unload the wood into a wood rack. At this point we have about 25 cords of wood. My husband is a contractor and he has connections where he is able to get free firewood from local tree companies that are looking for a place to dump their wood.

Hi Emmy and Paul. I never thought to use tortellini to make a cold salad, what a great summer salad! ( will def try this ). Hoping you both have a great weekend 🦋

The Dollar Tree is really stepping up when it comes to decor. I was looking for Halloween items just last night. But Home Goods is the place to go this year. Cute stuff and good prices. Pasta salad looks great ! Perfect item for a Summer meal.

I don't know how I end up here, but I am staying! I have been living this lifestyle for so many years and I love it😊

Those tortellini are a lifesaver when you need a quick and simple meal. Love the channel and all the frugal tips.

DixieBelle and Paul and Emmy ❤❤❤😊😊😊 Ritzi and Me Cheer from Texas

We practice all this winterizing too. Our wood pile looks just like yours. Great video. Stay well and God Bless.

OH, my goodness! I just love your precious Dixie Belle! She's a perfect little dog!

I love my iPhone SE too! We may be the only two people in the universe who still have one!

63 is too coooold for me! Great prep work you guys! ❤❤❤

Loved your video. It's funny how my husband and I already do most of these tips. We also heat with wood and have oil lamps.Actually, I just found an oil lamp in my mother's (90 years old) garage- from my grandparents. It has to be cleaned up/restored so thanks for the RU-vid tip. My husband and I are often recreating ourselves. My husband, so much so that I have to slow him down. We make many things ourselves- motzarella cheese, breads/baked goods, yogurt, creamed soups, etc. We also have a garden, do a lot of preserving and fermenting (pickles, etc). Thanks for a great video. Tip- you can make your own mayonnaise for about $.50 vs. $5,00 a jar. It is so easy. Ours lasts for months I fridge with the added special ingredient.

I love the idea of exploring other cultures through RU-vid and recreating the food at home❤

Yum….that salad looks delicious…..awe, Dixie is so cute 💞 thanks again for offering great ideas to reduce spending…..Happy 101 Birthday to your Aunt!

I've always loved tortellini, but for some reason I never thought of eating it cold. That recipe looked divine! I've been missing out! LOL!

Yes I have started buying some of food and some small items for gifts

I would like the cottage mags!😊

Nice video!! It gives me a little reminder that winter is just around the corner...AGAIN!!! AND YES WE ARE PREPARING ALREADY

You are just amazing❤ I already do a lot of what you are talking about but I always learn some new tips and trix. Thanks! And your happy face and voice always cheers me up...😊😊😊Greetings 🇸🇪

We also had cherry tomatoes in our garden, best plant of all! They gave us so much product. I recommend to everyone🍅

Your tortellini salad reminded me that we had leftover rice tonight and so I started googling rice salad to make for tomorrow. I found several recipes and will use these for inspiration and use some things from my garden, fridge and freezer to add to the cold rice. So nice to have cold dishes for these summer nights. Great ideas in today’s video! You guys are great!

We heat with wood in the winter. Our wood burner is one of the big external wood burners. It heats the entire house with no mess inside. After I finish all my canning, I’ll be splitting wood for the winter. Christmas was always a killer for us. One year when money was really tight, I told the family I was making dinner but no gifts. You would be surprised who didn’t show up. I slowly added gifts back in. I keep it down by baking and making. Gift cards, homemade baked goods, and a little something else makes a nice gift.

Your friendly face and message always make me smile! Please keep doing what you do. It is very important work.

I love the look of the pil lamps but would be hesitant to use them in a power outage. I have cats and especially a naughty kitten who gets up on things and jumps around knocking items off. I've removed all glass items within her reach. I'd be afraid she'd break the glass, make a mess, and start a fire!

I found some clearance Christmas m&m’s the other day (still not expired) bought them and they are in the freezer for future baking!!

Hello from TN!! How fun to find your channel. My husband, children and I grew up in the Hudson Valley and moved South 8 years ago. Your reference to the Stormville Flea Market brought back memories!! We love Tortellini salad and although I know you were using ingredients on hand, I must add...a bottle of Italian dressing such as Olive Garden is wonderful for this if you have it in the pantry. Looking forward to watching more videos. Blessings.

I love a pasta salad for light lunch or dinner. I shop all year for birthday and holiday gifts. I have several items and almost all the stocking stuffers. I also have my Christmas cards. We have already decided on some menu and foodie hostess gifts. I've stocked up on a couple items and will be on the lookout for sales for the rest of my list. Friends think it's crazy but I don't care. My goal is everything holiday done by thanksgiving so I can enjoy December's activities without the stress.

Great video! Yes, I'm already planning for the holidays. Christmas is finished; anything I pick up from here on out is just extra. Blessings.