My $1000 Monthly Budget 💵 | How I am Cutting Expenses in 2024 | COST OF LIVING CRISIS ‼️ 

What are your BUDGET GOALS this month? 💵 Have you made any drastic budget cuts to fight inflation? ✂️

Paid off credit cards, only buy thrift or used things , always look for clearance things or free items things, only buy food I know I will eat or need, and having no debt really helps me living on a $1100 a month

We did what you did. We sold our home on a third of an acre outside of Chicago. Bought a class C motorhome and traveled for 9 months while we decided what we wanted to do and live. We bought 5 acres in Kentucky and my husband is a building trades instructor and built our home. No mortgage. Low low taxes. It’s financial freedom !

There’s so many little things that can be cut back on that really add up to thousands a year ! Make coffee at home Learn to do your own haircuts Make a running list of things you need in town (we live 15 miles out of town). Less trips, less gas money. Cut the thermostat higher in summer, lower in winter Cook from scratch. Eat out only only special occasions Buy second hand and only what you absolutely need …. There’s so much more 👍🏻

We are doing the exact same thing. I am retired, but work full time. In my spare time I’m building a house by myself. We have no car/truck payment nor mortgage. Doing it this way is a slow building process. But we are getting there!

I’m single and built a tiny home 8x16 in mo. I did put e/c , water , sewage. I wanted to baby step into off grid . I think next year I’ll list my property and tiny home and get land more off the road and no utilizes. I so agree taxes and government insurance take 70% of my money each month. Don’t feel bad about health insurance. Think about all the money we are giving to people coming into our county or giving to other counties. We need to help each other first

Spend as little as possible,consume less and deprive the system of money, prices will come down when nobody is buying their products,fight back with your spending.

I think you are fantastic! You & your husband made really good choices in a difficult situation. And now look, you have paid off land & shelter. Not many people at your age can say that. That’s a great accomplishment. And $1000 per month living costs for a family 😮 That’s just awesome.

$1,000 a month in 2024 is impressive. For entertainment at home my old TV antenna gives me 18 free channels and I also listen to the radio -- for FREE! I do have Internet so I can watch free streaming services like Pluto, Xumo, Tubi and others. Cut the cord in 2012.

You’re a very caring, intelligent lady. Thank you for caring about our frugal community and the excellent content.

It's time to change this in November!

My budget goal is just to live within my income!! I own a big old house and it’s a challenge to afford its upkeep. Am looking to downsize soon but it’s hard to find any affordable properties. Am optimistic that one will turn up eventually.

Can you imagine if all the Trillions of dollars sent as "aid" to other countries was invested in helping us.

You're living my dream! Im currently saving money to buy a few acres of land. Even just 2 or 3 to start off. So I can park something on it. Perhaps build out a tiny home. I'm projecting in the next 5 years Ill be able to make this happen. After that, sky isn't the limit. It's beyond. You said early on , "understand this is extreme".....and that surprised me because to me, it just makes sense. But I understand that most people aren't willing to do that. You're doing a lot of great things, lady. I just wanted to cheer you on :) I will be following suit over here, too!

Only Buy things I need, not want. Pay off credit cards, Build up emergency fund which i totally recommend. I'm curious how many folks in this chat have an emergency fund?

I paid off my student loans last year and this year, I paid off my car. I have cut back on a lot of costs and streaming. I buy used stuff and mostly cook. I also have been saving for retirement and down payment on a house. Plus I have an emergency fund of 6 months. Definitely agree to use your community's resources like a library, parks, playgrounds, and free events for entertainment. I cut my own hair and my boyfriend's. Whatever you can do yourself, I do it. We bought certain appliances like a spiralizer, ice cream maker, etc to make our own food and treats. It is do-able to live off $1,000 but it isn't realistic for a lot of people and it requires A LOT OF SACRIFICE. Luckily, I don't have kids yet so that helps and my boyfriend and I split up bills and expenses.

For entertainment- try old-school dvds! We have a blast collecting them. If you have 5 dollars here you can get 5 dvds. You own them and can watch again and again. Have a trip to the second hand store and make an afternoon out of it. We got our dvd player for 8 dollars second and also. We have fun keeping a list of what we have and it somehow made watching movies feel good again.

Really like what you have to say. You guys have figured it out very well. Very inspiring!

That is literally our story. We are doing the same thing. There was a 1976 single wide trailer on the property, we fixed it enough to live in it and taking our time fixing the house thats on the property. Its a very slow process because lumber and other materials are so expensive right now. Keep going and don't give up.

Yes I amd doing a no spend month except for bills. I am cutting grocery bill and will have a cookout for Memorial Day. I already bought 4 lbs chicken drum sticks for less than 5 bucks at Walmart. I also will pick up hotdogs and buns along with chips. I plan on making a macaroni salad and will have baked beans. Dessert will be a flag cake with boxed cake I got on sale. Strawberries and blueberries will b coming up on sale so I will get those. Also Im making homemade popcicles. We have a pop up pool in the back so wecwill spend the afternoon in it. We always go to free Memorial Day Events in our area in the morning.

Things are changing for sure. What people have done in the past isn't cutting it now. People who don't start thinking differently will be left behind. Great video!

Hey ! So glad I found you again. Appreciate these TIMELY reminders and ideas ! Thanks ! Glad you are back !

Great advice for living within your means and living on less than you make!😊

My husband and I live in London, UK…a completely different lifestyle than yours. But I love watching your videos! When we speak of frugality and sustainability, we are very close to that in our own way (except for not growing our own food and being on-grid). We work 37-38 weeks per year and we can choose how much and what work to take. Each of us works for 4-5 employers and that gives us great flexibility and peace of mind. The 14-15 weeks of holidays (the same for both of us) are ours to enjoy life and replenish our energy. We bought a very modest flat just to avoid the rental market and got a low-cost mortgage. No other debts, no car to maintain and we are saving what we can each month. I love living within or below our means!

I just found your channel and really enjoyed this video, so had to sub. You're doing all of the right things to achieve your home/life goals, and it's amazing!

I like your videoes and veiws on life sounds like lots of people need your advice

Katie you guys are living my best life 😂

I love your channel name. The statistics are astounding to me. I would have to say we are in the same boat. But with Budgeting, we are starting to dig ourselves out and make severe changes. Love this video.

I'm not hating on this but it only works for people who have built up equity in their homes for years. The people who are really struggling are those who weren't able to buy a house when things were somewhat affordable. You have to be pretty wealthy to just "buy" 7 acres of land and build a house on it.

Thank you so much for this video! Your compassion for those struggling was palpable and very touching. My husband and I are trying to sell our house right now so we can do the same thing! Pay off debt and build as we go!

Great information and wonderfully organized and presented - thank you.

I pay less then $1200 for a 3 bed house on an acre mortgage utilitys and all. I have gardens for a fair amount of food. But all in with food car upkeep and everything. I spend less than 1800.00 a month. But I have a house not a camper

Sooo Smart. Well done. It will pay off in spades. Great job!

FL sucks! I watch @Meatymama and she’s struggling in FL. She said to qualify for a mortgage she’d have to make $145k a year. Even @ $75/yr there’s no affordable homes :( so glad you moved to a better place where your lives are fulfilled.

Love everything about your message. The older I get, the more burdened I feel by managing “stuff.”

Another great video. You are very smart and give great ideas and encouragement for others who need to live on a tight budget. Blessings to you and your family.

What a beautiful little budget planner!❤

Love your background!!!!

Absolutely love what you’re doing! Hopefully more people can get serious about getting out of debt and getting their lifestyles under control.

Amazing video thank you so much! Finally someone that's relatable and just real. Most other channels are not helpful at all and just fake

It’s just my wife and I, we sold our home in New Jersey. We now live in a one bedroom rented apartment in Texas. With Tte amount of money we were paying in taxes is what we pay of rent in a beautiful property. We would had never seen that money again so it hasn’t been a loss. We are investing our earnings while we are still searching for a piece of land that we can put a fifth wheel while we build to be mortgage and debt free. By the time we are done not only will we have a home thats paid of but we will also have a black we can take where Evers we want for vacation.

I live in VA, some people here have purchased those nicer buildings that are brought in, finished them inside, added porches and bathroom. The one I've personally seen is really nice and saved alot of $ but was able to move in fairly quickly.

We lived on less than $55k as a family of 4-6 for years. Low cost of living area. It can be done but the Joneses will always have something to say about your “poverty”

This is good advice. I think that housing is probably the killer in the budget for most Americans either rent is too high or people dont know how to buy a cheap fixer upper. The key is really to sell your property and use cash to buy the next and all the rest of the budget is small beans compared to that. Sadly people think they need so much just to survive and we really dont , a simple life is a good life.❤

Hi from Ireland I think your doing an amazing choice and if I could do that here I would living of grid , living a natural life is what we should all look to doing ❤

Excellent Wonderful GOOD for you I will be following

I love this idea thanks for sharing.

Excellent budgeting. Living frugally is a godly thing as you provide for your family instead of fattening the pockets of others. May the Lord bless your efforts and keep your family safe. .

You are very good at budgeting Weldone ⭐️⭐️🌹🌹

congrats you are revolutionaires!

I have no mortgage and is nice so it helps me save some money. I also pay ahead on my water bill. I have paid ahead several months. I also like to try to pay ahead on several of my bills. I watch sales at the grocery store so I stock up. Right now I'm well stocked up that I am just getting fresh produce, milk, eggs and bread (if I buy it)

Great video! Great advice!

You rock!😊❤

Even though I own everything outright, there is homeowners insurance and property tax. Utilities are another big expense. I live where it is HOT, and will not suffer at my age to run the ac less. Absolutely non negotiable. I have cut and scrimped elsewhere, the rescues and I will be comfortable all summer. All 15 of them. I cook for them as well. I don't go to the salon often to get my hair done, gave up manicure appointments every two weeks. Do get a pedicure at least once a month. After a few of my back surgeries, I no longer have the range of motion required to do them myself. So it is a necessity rather than a luxury. No computer, no Internet, no tv. Where I live they are all separate bills and live in reclaimed desert where it is HOT. Could write it all out and I have cut everything to the bare minimum and will not cut anything else. My life is simple and as uncomplicated as one can get. I still work - with dogs. It is fun and great exercise. Every family should do what is best for them. And not judge others, we don't all want the same things. We are all in different life stages. But I will toss this out there which I have never seen budgeted in. Hobbies. I have several and I scour garage sales, thrift shops, swap meets, dollar stores for supplies depending what project is on my workbench. I dropped an expensive hobby as I was having health issues with the chemicals. I used to do professional photography which stemned from a high school photography class and turned it into a side business. Between the supplies and rebtyal studios, it tirned more into a thorn in my side rather than a fun creative outlet. So I gave all my supplies to the local Jr. College. Anything is possible if one learns to budget, when to save, when to splurge. We all make mistakes here and there. Don't beat yourself up over it. Part of the learning curve. So go out there and have a great life! 🌞

AWESOME JOB! We are buying NOTHING right now, everything is so expensive!

We also have 0 debt. There is nothing like living debt free

Thank God for your provision over this family. 👍

You are so inspiring! Over half of our income goes to housing. It's rough!

A grey Toyota Tacoma with a roof top tent passed me today in Ohio by the big basket and I immediately thought of you. Either it was you or a like minded individual.

YOU MAKE TONS SENSE IVE INTUITIVE ALWAYS LIVED BELOW MY MEANS ITS SANE SAFE WISE

You might enjoy the British couple whose channel is called home is where our heart is. They have a similar free vibe living Thier life to suit Thier family

Good job.

That's a great idea !

What a fantastic video ❤

I'm looking for land and going to be doing the same thing. I've been fulltime in my RV for 2+ years. I miss gardening 😂

Great info. I do not have big debts, probably $900 , I cook meals at home. I was earning a middle class salary, not anymore. I make way much less but I am much happier and healthy. Health is priceless. It is not worth making so much money when you put your health at risk by not having time to go for check ups etc... So now with my new income, I realized my son school will be paid, rent and food it covers all . We do not need much, we do not need luxuries.

You are so inspiring. Wish I could be more like you (and I am 68 years old lol).

Awesome video!!!

Not sure we could go to that extreme but our home is paid off so our living expenses are low. Good sound advice.

What a great video!! Thank you for sharing because this is one of my goals in life. I'm crippled by student loans at the moment but doing my best to live inside my budget. My neighbor told me she was going to move back to VA after her son graduates HS. She said you can buy land for a great price compared to TN.

Hi from BC CAN. Our gas went up May 1st to $8.90 a gal this is paying for the gas pipeline across the country. we have a 4bedroom hose on 5 acres ins is $2600 per yr and prop taxes are $4600, we are seniors scaping by, God Bless.

I don't think i can make the big changes like buying land and living off grid. But I appreciate you sharing your journey since this can be very helpful information for others and inspiring. Plus, i love how y'all thought outside the box for your living expenses.

Awesome. Thanks for sharing your interesting story. ... you kinda sound like my grandma's generation who went through the depression. 😉

Great video. Ignore all those negative Nancy's and just keep doing what you're doing. I have two questions for you. 1- How far away is the nearest grocery store? and 2- What are you using for a toilet since you do not have a way to dispose a black water right now?

Thank you for this

Interested in your Dr Bronner recipe. I have 2 bottles. Trying to use what I have and not purchase anything else. Had forgot I could use it for laundry.

Cool... If you can do it, If it's for you.. And you're happy... Actually not bored or live in a non eventful life walking around the property. We'll plan on living cheaper but not with Basically nothing... Because we've worked hard with decent degrees for 30 years.. No real debt. still a big hit these last three years... With inflation among other things. Hopefully, people think a little more before they vote this year... Not that either side is great Or ever will be... but wow!

I like your advice.

Before I became eligible for Medicare in NY, I paid $800 a month for AHC after a $400 a month subsidy. My Medicare Advantage plan is $65 a month now. My cost for a $100,000 surgery was capped at $2,000 with current plan. This is better than when I was working full time.

Just found your channel and loving your content!! You are so pretty!

Hi! Fellow Virginian here 🙋🏼‍♀️

I agree 100%

Thank you ❤❤❤❤

We were 100% debt free for years and just bought a homestead. Working to be debt free again as soon as possible! Looking for ways to make money on our own land.

Thank you!

Thanks!

I love what you’re doing, and I applaud your tenacity. It takes a great deal of awareness, self-reflection, and a kind of revolutionary clarity of focus on your true values. I would encourage all young, strong, healthy people to seek this level of financial independence’. But it starts with Capital.-the underlying wealth that several commenters have also mentioned -having the economic power to purchase a house /real estate and having the good fortune of that asset appreciating in value, then turning that equity into seed money to launch a new life off the hamster wheel of indebtedness and work.

Just found you and I adore your channel!

New sub from Texas!❤xo

Very Enlightening. Thank You For Sharing. I Wish You and Your Family All The Very Best!!! You’re Really Creative. Have a GREAT TIME…BUILDING YOUR NEW HOME ON YOUR LAND.💙xox

Very helpful

To hell with commenters regarding your health care decisions. You have to do what you have to do and for those that want to go into debt for hellacious overly priced rip off health care programs, all the power to them. Remember, most every politician begins their career on a meek public servant salary but miraculously they all retire multi millionaires.

Me and my wife have no emergency fund and we work to eat and pay bills I do Firewood and she's a phrimecy technician and we have no money left over

I'd love to see how you make your cleaners! Im trying to get more natural, but i dont want to have to buy stuff from the store. I have lots of vinegar, some baking soda,and essential oils

How many years do you think it will take to complete your house, water system , everything else you need? Have you calculated roughly how much it will cost?

I get good ideas from you about frugal living…I’m looking for a well maintained used compact car. Would you search private parties or buy from a dealer who tend to be more expensive.

How about building your own greenhouse, to house vegetables and raise chickens and rabbits for meat, and canning

My budget is 1400 per month but 500 of that is health insurance premiums.

All sound points. You are lucky your state offers affordable care act health insurance options. Not all states do.

Ha am thinking of doing something similar. Wanna grab a bit of land maybe .5 to 2 acres clear is set bare basic legal living area along with a few satellite structures like shed and auxiliary building to do stuff in and maybe a workshop. Am currently saving till I get to 50k before I start looking more into things since I figure 100k plus is more likely how much a lot of this would cost over the longer term and don't wanna borrow 100 percent on land and structures. How was your experience in buying and making land livable? Like how much money you think would be advisable or at least doable. I love mint also been there for years and have minimal debt been paying all my student loans off and live well below my means.