I have learned my lesson to never agree to join in buying presents. When it was my in-laws 50th wedding anniversary we agreed to jointly contribute to send them to the Ballet. We set a budget of £100 but my sister in law spent double that as not only did she book the ballet but also a chauffeur driven car. It caused so many arguments and we were made to feel ‘poor’ and like we didn’t care for my in-laws. Never again. No one is entitled to spend our money other than us. Thanks for the video it encourages us to be strong and committed to our goals.
I was a single mom of 2 boys for many years on a very low income. Boundaries are what really saved me. With so many costly activities available, I simply told them that they could each pick 2 activities to be involved in...1 through school and 1 other. One son played soccer and the other was in the band. Both had known costs I could budget for. They both chose to be in Boy Scouts, and by me becoming a Scout Leader our costs were less because I was giving my time, and the bonus was we got to spend time together! I simply called a "family meeting" and we talked it all through. The boys then really understood and felt part of the decision making.
That’s using wisdom. Time spent with the boys is most important & family meeting decisions work so much better than being told what to do. Great job as a single mom!
I admire you both so much. I am 74 and live on $1000 a month. My rent is half that and I’m really lucky. I gave up my car because I can walk every where. I’m vegan/ vegetarian so I don’t have to buy meat which is very expensive but I could still be frugal in other areas. You are my hero’s.
I wake up and tell myself I’m not going to spend any money today unless it’s an essential that we need. The key for me is to just take it a day at a time.
I hate that because people think I'm cheap because I'm frugal, I do my research and pay a little bit more for things that last a long time instead of buying cheap stuff that will break fast and people don't get the difference. Also that people think because it's on clearance I should get it because it's a good deal, it's not a good deal if I never needed it to began with.
My husband and I have always packed our lunch. I can’t believe the amount of money people spend on purchasing lunches every day! Bringing lunch also gives you more time to relax instead of taking the time to go buy it. Also, buying coffee at those expensive coffee places…it’s just crazy. Everyone has there own level of frugality. It’s like the opposite of keeping up with the Jones’….we don’t all have to keep up with the Wares. Lol
I like buying those fancy coffees, occasionally, they feel festive like a mini-vacation. People who just get into the habit of doing it everyday, it’s too expensive a habit for long term.
I also like those fancy coffees occasionally and they do feel festive when I do get them also. My husband likes them too, so if we end up getting it once a week, every two weeks, or sometimes even longer than that... we will take turns and treat each other with our allowance money, that way we don't feel the guilt. Also I made an account to accumulate stars and get free drinks, at first for years I thought..."I don't even go a lot"- well, I'm glad I have it now, because now even those few times we do go I can benefit from the rewards. I also get notified if there are promotions, or they even send me free drinks... I don't fall for the advertisement, but I do benefit from it if we are going anyways. 😉☕
@@vidahappy-frugalspanglishv1528 - and we vary some from our routine and occasionally treat ourselves to a latte from a coffee shop. It's nice to reward yourself once in awhile and when you do it occasionally, it means more.
@@larryware1 Totally agree 100%! At one point in my life when I worked and went to school as a single mom, I would treat myself to a Venti Frappuccino on a Friday every other week. It was such a celebration for me, that I would make it last 2 days, half as a Frappuccino on Friday & the next day either as an ice mocha or another Frappuccino by adding a little more instant coffee frozen milk and chocolate syrup... of course, on the same coffee shop cup.🤭😉🤣
As a single Mom it was very difficult to have my children involved in school functions where both needed the 5 here/20 there...Birthday party invitations/ ski trips...many times we ate lots of pasta meals to save up for those trips & things - many times making the payments a day before the due dates because I sold jewelry I had been given .
At my last job in an office of about 30 people everyone but me went out for lunch literally every day. I pack my lunch every day and I definitely felt like I was an outsider.
I'd have lunch with you. I"m the only one who packs my lunch every day and then listen to my co-workers complain about money and feeling tired and gross after lunch...every...day!
My former work places were very similar to yours. If I acquiesced to the take aways, dinners out and all collections for gift giving I would have spent my entire weekly grocery budget on these 'team' events and gestures. Being the lowest paid amongst them, I simply refused to spend what was a significant percentage of my wage on work dos and extras. Bailing out put me on the outer to a degree but I have no regrets. No longer working, I now spend on a coffee out with close friends, which is just as good as sharing a meal at a restaurant but a fraction of the cost.
My daughter had just joined a new school, and following an event, an ad hoc parent daughter lunch was organised and we were invited. I could see my daughter desperate to join so we looked up the menu and chose some items we could afford and agreed to go. At lunch, it was suddenly decided that one person would order share meals and we would split the bill. Then the wine orders started flowing! We drank water. The split payment came to 2/3 of our weekly grocery budget. When my daughter found out what had happened she said “ Thank you for coming to lunch Mum, but we won’t be going again”…
Hope thrifty and stylish, still wearing the same top or dress from when your boys were young. It’s lovely. The judgement is something I have encountered. I’m fine about it now. At the time, I thought it was rude. Now, we’re retired because we were frugal. We haven’t always been frugal. The massive bit that I said no to, was paying for supplies for the school I taught in. I absolutely refused to pay for classroom displays, teaching resources, food for the students and by being very determined about this brought about budget improvements. I was a head of the English department and fought for my teachers so they never had to pay out of pocket for anything for the school.
That’s amazing. When I taught I spent at least 500-1k of my own money between the decorations, the curriculum helps, the class rewards- so many things added up quickly!
Hi. I am 44 and i save 15% of my income for the retirement! My Friends don't understand because i have a budget for everything! I love my frugal lifestyle and i am so Happy! Send a my love from Italy ♥️
I get discouraged when I implement ways to save on something like a utility bill...and then they raise the price! The way I combat this is to try to find new ways to save more on that utility~~or find a way to save elsewhere to make up the difference. I love your channel! God bless!
You're right. Happens to us, too. In fact, the amazing energy savings we have gotten for 2 1/2 years using the hourly rate plan has vanished. We have been actually spending MORE money to be on the plan. I really have to look at the math at the end of the year and (I think) we're going to switch plans. Once we decide to switch plans, though, we can't go back on the hourly rate plan for 12 months. I'm afraid to switch because of the expected natural gas spike expected this winter. I don't know if that will drop the hourly rates again and I'll wind up saving more by being on hourly instead of flat rate pricing. It's a gamble, either way.
When I first started becoming frugal, I had to shift from being a spender to a saver. That is when I felt the most deprived. Now, it's easy. I'm actually the opposite - I hate to spend money now! The switch happened when I realized that money was power - power to make my own choices, power to have more control over my life, power to make my dreams happen - then I realized that marketing and trends were just created to part me from my power, i.e.., my money. It also helped me to think about what was a real need and what was a want. As I got better at that, I got more creative about addressing the "needs" in more frugal ways, too. Now, it's a bit of a game to save money. Like you, however, I find that my friends, my work, and my church activities always seem to nickel and dime me off track with my budget. I don't yet have enough toughness to tell them I can't afford it. It's not much money, usually, but it does bother me to spend it.
Great realization, C GT! It's so difficult to harness the limited resources we have available to us. Sounds like you are doing a really good job of balancing it. It's painful to have to say NO to ourselves and others, but in the long run, it pays off (literally).
I really love this post. I have always been a spender all my life. At age 67, I was forced into retirement and didn’t anticipate how much I would lose a month compared to what my previous income was. So, that meant I would have to change from a spender to a saver. This transition hasn’t been easy but your post gives me hope and a new way of thinking about money. Thank goodness I found Hope and Larry. Plus people like you.
C Gt, I have always felt inferior to my sister and her husband: together they earn 1 M kronor/year and I and my daughter have made it on half an income. I have prioritized my chiropractor and paying tithe. I am completely debt-free and have everything I need, I own my apartment but have no car, as I live in a big city and bike everywhere. It is when we meet that spending gets a focus: they buy, buy and spend, spend while I had a "no-buy-year" in '21. I simply used everything I already have which is in perfect condition (tools, scissors, knives, sewing mashine, pots, pans, clothes etc.). As I "balanced the books" in Jan '22, I realized (to my surprise!) that I had made it through '21 on $CAD 12.300 thanks to my debtfreeness.This put $$ in my bank account. I had food delivered 6 times during 2020 and 5 times during 2021 because of Corona. It has helped me to not shop in the city, I bike to my hairdresser and we "corona-buy" groceries (more and for each other too) when we do go to stores. I just negotiated my home insurance and phone plan: it will save $ CAD 500 in two years. My advice is: hang around like- minded who understand why you do what you do, and the goal(s) you are aiming at. I decided to continue in the same way in '22 while things are Corona slow; last year's savings went towards my pension, '22 will be towards my new kitchen. It sounds crazy, but Thank you Corona! What was meant for my harm turned out to be a victory, while not lacking one good thing.
I am a teacher and we have had no raise for 5 years so far. I decided that I really want to reach my goals and a strict budget is necessary. I’ve started tracking my spending and every month I’m going way over in at least one category, flat tire yesterday, previous month it was a huge medical bill, prior month an unexpected tax bill. I do have an emergency fund, but dipping so far in it monthly is depressing and discouraging. I keep looking T where I’ve come from. As a divorced single mom of three, I have made significant progress towards my goals in the past 5 years. That is what is keeping me going.
My battle is grocery shopping. My budget is $300 and it is never enough- but should be. I live alone and have no pets. I’m trying to be better with meal planning, making bulk batches while trying to use more of what I have. It’s my only battle with frugality honestly.
@SusanGray- I could have written what you wrote. I’m widowed, no kids, no pets and spend the same thing! Plus I also eat about $50-$100 a month in delivery food😮 I gotta do better and be more intentional
You may have a disconnect between what you buy and what you eat. I shop at 8am on Sunday in splendid solitude. I'm not rushed or hungry and I have a plan to cook perishables that day. Don't like salad? Make vegetable soup. Be honest, always have something you like to eat ready to go. Kale on sale? It's pure cost if it goes in the bin. Buy what you will eat. Store meals not ingredients in your fridge as much as possible.
I was debt free and had low bills but I made the mistake of getting stressed out over the "illness " of 2020 and started doing retail therapy, and seemingly forgot my frugal ways. But I'm back on track now and getting rid of the debt I aquired. I'm using youtube and my books I had thankfully saved ,on frugality to brush up. Love your channel.
The kids thing is the hardest. We homeschooled and our priorities we different than some other parents. We all spent a great deal of time together and it was occasionally embarrassing and painful. We also encouraged our kids to go to junior college and then go to the four year college. A couple of our kids were academically gifted and we were shamed a bit for not encouraging them to go to a "top tier" institution right after high school. I do think it helped our kids be grateful and hard working. Now they will graduate without student debt, and we don't have any debt either.
My challenge with frugality is that I grew up poor, so sometimes sticking to a budget plays on that "can't afford what others have" emotional baggage that I'm struggling to unpack.
I can understand those thoughts and feelings. Keep in mind that it's not that you cannot afford what others have, it is a choice you are making to better your future. In the long run, you will have more going for you than others will when you are in the retirement period. Change of mindset.
Yes but also many frugal ways help not just you but also the planet. Being eco- friendly has been a) true b) useful to explain how I live to those who don't understand frugality. Folks still think I'm a bit strange but for a worthwhile cause! Lol
@@laurahill1451 I agree it's a change of mindset... I went out to lunch with a friend of mine... I had coupons for half off each plate... I gave my friend a coupon for her meal and she refused to use it and made fun of me... When the bill came... I paid half my plate and she paid full price... There's no shame in being frugal
@@lisacats4531 I use my apps for things like that on a regular basis. That, and I watch for lower-cost options. When a rep is going to buy lunch for the office, I look for options that will give me leftovers for the next day. The "lunch menu" is typically half the cost of the regular menu.
I really appreciate the tone of your videos. You show empathy to your viewers who really want to be frugal but are struggling (not just in this video!) Your bread baking story is a good example- the high bar of baking bread vs having to feed hungry teenagers. Knowing there are less “perfect” options where there is no shame is a big deal. I get the vibe of being mocked or talked down to in other frugal channels if you can’t do it like they do. The “practical frugality” that you teach without all the extreme attitude is so needed!
Awe, thank you, Happy Seasons. We really appreciate you kind comment. We love our audience and it's always encouraging to find out that someone has been helped from these videos. Thank you again.
I am a completely exhausted public school middle school teacher who is still recovering from surgery. I've watched your videos for close to a year now, but this one hit different in all the right places! I'm still exhausted but super energized and excited to sit down and review my frugal progress! Thank you!
School teachers have had such a rough go of it with the pandemic. Plus, middle school is a tough age to teach. You have my admiration. We are so happy to be playing a part in encouraging you.
Hi Hope and Larry! I just love you guys and amSO very grateful for your show! 30 years ago I hitchhiked across Africa for 18 months and during that time I figured out that living debt free and within a small budget was for me. I’ve been practicing these principles for 30 years but never known anyone living the same way. In fact, I’ve never known how to describe it… Under the median is perfect! When My child joined a team or class and anything extra was added, I just politely opted out. Fir example, we wouldn’t go get ice-cream with the other team mates so that we didn’t feel obligated to take the team when it would have been our turn. Then we would have little treats for our kids at home. People never knew if it was because id allergies or something like that so it wasn’t a problem. I always felt weird that we couldn’t join a small group at church because we couldn’t provide a meal when it was our turn… y’all make me feel SO normal! God Bless You!!!!
I completely agree with the hidden costs. For example my husband is a senior teacher at school and gets asked to contribute about £30 per birthday for the senior team. He says no but wishes them a happy birthday and we invite them round for a meal instead. We have lots of people in our lives who would benefit from having £30 spent on them. We do that instead, lower paid workers who support us. Another example is a team building event - the event itself is paid for (an escape room) but to get there is a 40 minute drive plus then there's a £80 a head meal (not paid for) with or without taxis and it's on a weekend. No. Too much. I hate feeling stingy but I think the lifestyle creep is crazy.
Wow! What crazy head teacher thought that this outing was an acceptable use of public money in this first place ( UK tax payer here!) £80 for a meal. I would just refuse.
You are so on point with all the extras on sports and activities, I raised my older son as a single mom and I can relate with a lot of what you share on your channel- you bring me back memories that might of been hard but make me proud. I can also add that back then when I did office work, all those gatherings, potlucks, Secret Santa, or collecting money for a cause are almost going on every week.🤦🏻♀️ When I had to bring something I would always default to my home made Rice Chrispy, potato salad, a Coffee Cake made with cheap Mexican cookies, or a baked box cake.🤷🏻♀️. These are uncalled expenses that society expects you to participate in and a lot of times I only even had $10 for groceries a week, so I had to get creative with unexpensive items to feed my son and I without him knowing we didn't have money or feeling deprived at meal time. That's how I learned to do miracles with my small grocery budget, and now Thank God I have way more than I ever thought back then.😃
You have been very creative and smart with finding ways to live within your means and raising to the challenge of meeting those unexpected expenses. Good going, Vida!
Houses in AUstralia are much more expensive than the US - I am trying to pay my mortgage off ASAP and could use encouragement. It feels like it takes FOREVER! :)
I really like your videos. I downsized, but I now have a backyard with a picnic table and a bbq. I love morning coffee outside, birthdays, picnics, and summer cookouts.
I have been judged: people think I don't have two pennies. They think I am dirt on poor and I am not. What they don't realize is , when they are struggling I am comfortable. That's due to God's provision. Those same people ask me from time to time to donate to people in need.
I gave up a lot of things that i thought i needed and wanted and saved a ton of money... It was very hard at first but i stuck with it... I couldn't pass a Dunkin Donuts without buying a latte ... Now i drink coffee at home and I'm loving it!!! And how about them paper towels that i thought i needed... I made due without them and saved hundreds of dollars a year
I was a full time stay at home mum for 26 years and then my husband left and I needed to get a job. Some of the the frugal things I did had to change as I wasn’t at home. Recently I decided we would no longer have take away but I still buy convenience snack packets of Oreos for school lunches. I now no longer beat myself up over not home baking. When I’m on holidays or the kids are I will bake for them. My children are aged 10-28 and I still have 3 at school.
Another great video! We were accused by family of being neglectful of our children because of frugality. The reason - some of the birthday/Christmas gifts they were given were used. In great condition but second hand. Of course these were people with debt...
Oh my goodness! We are so sorry that happened to you. They would certainly take issue with us, then. A huge percentage of our children's gifts have been bought used - or bought at deep discounts of 75-80% off retail price.
Frugality is easy if you take the steps you feel comfortable with, but those steps, no matter how small, overtime will always move you in the right direction...away from poverty
I think the hardest thing for me in frugality is when one is trying to think in a business mindset sometimes frugality isn’t on the menu and it’s hard to put it aside when in our personal lives it’s front and center. Thanks for the great video 😊
My parents would always tell us that we were dumb for saving a little bit of money . But now we’re out of debt and retired as a 37 year old and 27 year old . My parents are in their 50 and they are still in debt . So we are all laughing they just don’t have the same goals
Wow. Sounds like you hit it out of the ball park! Amazing you retired at such young ages. Hopefully your parents will take note. My parents were savers and were very careful how they spent their money. I took notes from them. They were great examples.
Wow, l’m so glad you ignored your parents and realized they were doing things all wrong...My parents were always there for me, but never gave me any kind of financial advice. I made a lot of mistakes when l was younger, but now l’m debt free; have the money to buy anything l want, but choose not to. I’m happiest living life frugally!
@@larryware1 thanks it’s amazing how bad things happening to you as a child can motivate you to never go into debt . My husband lived in a tent when he was a child and my parents lost a house because they over shot their paychecks a lot . We never wanted that for our children so we saved a lot and now we live free of worry it’s so worth it .
You are right that it can be hard, I am trying be better financially and every time I don't spend or don't spend too much I do feel better about changing my ways. The end goal is going to be hard to get to but I will get there. 💕 from Canada.
I get discouraged when I'm feeling tired or unwell. I don't have the psychic energy in those times to focus on frugality. It's best for me to avoid shopping and just stay home and go to bed early. 😴🤗
I'm just starting to do that! After years of getting cross with myself I finally figured out that when tired my impulse control is bad - so I would eat more than I needed ( usually sugar laden treats too!) and find myself scrolling through thinking I want this or that (e.g. a new sofa). Now I am trying to go to bed early and not scroll until I have the cash saved up to buy whatever has become a need ( sofa is 25 years old and beginning to give up!)
Watch RU-vid for inspiration when sick or tired. Some treats are important. I let myself have a bar of dark chocolate and a frozen pizza, a trip to the museum or a pub concert once in awhile for a treat.
I make my bread using a sourdough mix that I buy . We have an awesome local German Grain Mill , Wonderful tasting bread . It takes two minutes to put it in the bread maker machine , this saves both time and electricity
I’m watching older videos atm and started my switch to a low spend year June 21. I thought about waiting but I know I’d just shop up big and add to my debt. I’m just trying to learn one new thing a day to save money, it might be big like turning off my hot water system for a hot water urn /camp shower (it really works for me well and I’m so proud as punch I figured out a creative solution) or a lil step like making a new zucchini dish with kecap manis, sesame oil, sesame seeds and a lil hot pepper paste. I’ve found Murphy visiting a lot since I started - first my garage door automatic unit broke, but I fixed the chain and can still open and close it manually. To me it was the end of the world, now I’m wondering if I need to replace it at all… I mean I do and will but it’s not my priority. Next my bedroom tv died… so I moved my recliner, side table, tv stand and tv to my bedroom. I still have a tv and again… right now I don’t need two as I wasn’t using the other because it’s so cold, I retire to my room to save on heating. It’s kind tiny house living atm and I’m quite cosy now. I think I’m making progress atm because I get to be creative. I’ve always spent my way out of problems but I don’t want to do that anymore. I even went to an op shop and found what I was looking for (yoghurt maker). I saved $17 and it’s a better design for me. I’m just ticking off my lil wins and they spur me on :0) I’m not feeling deprived at all anymore, just more conscious of my consumption.
By far The BEST video you have done. This should be a, watch this one first video......Thank you so much, you keep me going. Im almost at my goal for paying off all my credit cards (3)
We are retired but still very active. We cannot buy a lot ahead but we do the best we can. I learn a lot watching your videos. Thanks so much for sharing with us all 😊
Wow! The part where you talked about the time it took to get into debt and how it will take similar time to get out of it. That unlocked something in my brain. I’m a newlywed and my husband and I are new to frugal living/cash budgeting. It is tough for him right now to work a hard, manual labor job in construction for a hefty paycheck and then be given a very slim cash allowance for the week. I have an low-stress administrative job and make a fraction of the money, so I am enjoying the challenge and able to focus daily on our goals. So I guess what we have learned so early in our journey that scaling back your lifestyle creep and correcting bad habits isn’t a walk in the park! But I’m motivated to make sure we don’t have repeats of avoidable stressors we dealt with before we became frugal. It’s worth it in the long run!
When I was raising my only child he and I were just above poor. I had a job and we lived from paycheck to paycheck. My reply to any extra costs that others wanted to put on me (by trying to convince me that I should do such and so) was…. “Are you going to pay my rent for me? If not then I’m sorry I can’t oblige “. I had to save up 50 cents if my son and i wanted a soda to drink. Sodas were not in my budget . We scrimped and made it. My son learned to do with out and to budget. His net worth today is in the millions. I still live frugally with a few luxury items of my choosing. I’m happy for my experience and the lessons I learned as a divorced mom of one.
When my daughter took ballet I bartered me cleaning the studio for her lessons. I did have to pay for her costumes but I knew in advance approximately how much it would be so I could save money for them. It worked out well.
I fell into the being prepared for emergencies. I live by myself and went out and bought large amounts of non perishable and can goods. It is a year later and I can still eat for 2 more years. Yes be prepared but don't buy for a family of six when you are a family of one.
@@ruthwathen6876 I mean eating out. I love cold rolls, bubble tea, sushi etc. I am not a good cook and I work 6 days a week. I wouldn't say I spend a lot however I do treat myself three times a week.
When I was a kid, our predominantly Portuguese/Italian neighborhood saw blue collar families struggle to send their kids to parochial school where, along with tuition and uniforms, there was a fee or "donation" for everything but the toilet paper in the bathrooms! Fortunately for me, there were very good public schools in the area, and I did not miss getting religeous indoctrination built into my classes.
Religious donation pressure is the worst. I have seen the unGodly amount of wealth displayed at the Vatican. The hypocrisy of it when they travel to 3rd world countries to convert them while taking the money is 🤦🏽♀️
Its the mindset.frugality does not mean poverty or deprivation. It means you want the most for your money.each cent has a specific job to do. Frugal over 50 did several videos on her struggle with this.she could not for love of trying wrap her head around the concept of budgets and frugality.
Excellent video, here are my thoughts: I always allocate around 10 euros equals $12 every month for charitable occasions, then I allocated another 10 euro next month. If not spend it goes back to my piggy bank. Charitable for me means people in need, like people suffering from cancer and other chronic diseases and good causes. These fundraisers take place every couple of months. Some other expenses can not be avoided, I have a son that is a Boy Scout this automatically means for me that I will have to budget money for his Uniform, Excursions etc. As he grows older he needs new Boy Scout uniform, unfortunately this is part of the equation. I try to "foresee" these extra expenses but I am not always, able to do so. I try my best be as frugal as possible, but I always keep in the back of my mind specially now that I am close to retirement that nobody can take his property with him when he departs this world. The bottom line is to live within your means and keep finding ways to reduce your budget. In simple terms you must be a Smart Frugal Person.
I think it feels impossible when it isn't a choice. I enjoy your videos, and find them really useful. We shouldn't forget, though, that there are many people who are so poor that they have no choice but to live choosing the cheapest option every time and scratching together whatever money they can to do it. Frugality is a choice made by better-off people in order to save money to either keep it or spend it on other things. The poor don't have the option to save. Living hand-to-mouth like that isn't any fun.
One thing that will happen when you find your path, is that there will be people who will make it a chore to make you feel guilty. When my wife decided to stay home with the kids, our income was cut in half. We were judged all the time for not making a lot of money. Our quality of life quadrupled and we actually were saving more, but that didn't silence anyone. So we decided not to care about those voices. But it will be difficult to hear that " you are not living your true potential" which in our society is measured almost always with money. Look deep inside yourself and see what makes you content. All else is background noise. My wife is now back to work, and kids are grown, and now this works for us. You'd think the voices stopped. Nope. That's why it's best to ignore them and value your plan. But have a plan and follow it. BS 6 here, soon to be BS 7. Bless you all.
Thank you for your wonderful testimony! I never regretted being at home with our boys. I figured my job was to stretch the dollars and pennies. Congrats on approaching BS 7!
Most of my kids activities do let us know other things will be needed up front, however, the exact cost is not always known. Your video has reminded me I need to look back on the last year and tally the cost and include that into my budget moving forward.
Hi Hope & Larry 👐 Excellent video, so glad to hear this. Amazing we also have family (my Cowboys siblings) who judge us. WE strive each and every day to do our best, frugality is not easy yet it's our way of life, our budget has had to increase by $10 due to the increase of prices for our Groceries so now we have gone from $35 to $45 a month. Still baking breads it's great therapy.
$45 a month on groceries. Wow that’s so cool. How do you do that? We are retired and we don’t spend a lot a month either but more than $45, for sure. Great job!
I really appreciate this video. My mom jokingly calls me the "Bean Counter" because I enjoy keeping track of my finances, using cash for most purchases (and then saving/wrapping the spare change), and only buying what I need, etc. But for her money is meant to be spent, and bring frugal = being cheap. Unfortunately for her she has tens of thousands of dollars in credit card debt because of that mindset. So sometimes it's hard to explain frugality and its merits to others who feel very differently about and who have different relationships with money. But thankfully I have a few folks in my life who are mindful and frugal with regards to finances. It makes for a more joyful experience.
Just a note to young people, if you aren't frugal already, you need to listen to this couple. I and my husband were always frugal. When he passed suddenly, 13 years ago, frugal as I was, wasn't going to be good enough. If my house and my car had not been paid for, I would have been in real trouble. You can live without cable TV! You don't need a home phone and cell phone. You don't need magazine subscriptions or any other kind for that matter. It's amazing what you can live without (this is my short list), and not be deprived at all. Best to start now, and you might actually avoid the homeless shelter!
My co workers all go out for lunch everyday. I usually have 8 to 10 homemade meals stacked in the freezer at work. They spend a small fortune on basically fast food. They always comment on how good my food smells. I also don’t have credit card debt and am on track for paying off my mortgage in 10 years.
Thanks for the wonderful and inspiring video. I have missed you lately - the algorithm has not been notifying me of your new videos. I hit the bell again, so maybe that will update and I can get the notifications. You have become such an important part of my online life as I try to get organized, pay my way out of debt, and pursue my frugal lifestyle. Hope you are both well.
Very interesting episode; thank you for the insight. I am not frugal, but I am I huge fan, and I was a team mom for years- (basketball, football, baseball), and the hidden participation expenses never occurred to me. I wish I had this information years ago because I think it would have helped me prepare frugal parents, and parents with limited funds, better for the season.
I can so relate to the feeling nickle and dimed because we use Every Dollar and all of our money is accounted for. We do have a little wiggle room with a small personal budget but when you see exactly where the expense needs to come from it really makes you question spending it !
I'm just now learning to can and it's great! I use digital coupons and buy mark down to save the most money. Most of my time is managing 3 boys homeschooling sahm and it's exhausting. But it's wonderful to have a stockpile, it's the best physical security. When my baby was in diapers I bought diapers for $2.50 -$5 pack. Their's always new things to learn. I love learning and being challenged!
I consider myself a relatively logical person, and so it surprised me how much I needed this video. Thank you thank you thank you for this. This really should be titled. Here’s your peptalk. At the exact right moment. Thank you so much.
Minimalism mindsets work for retirees if you don't need something you don't spend money and you save 100 percent retirees can make a needs vs wants lists as retired people we like experiences instead of acquiring. M ore decluttering helps with this. Less is more thanks for this great video
My senior neighbors had joined a small church. They got tired of paying for everything. The majority of the members didn't have a lot of money, and the neighbors were having to pay for a lot of things. This meant that when the roof of the building needed to be replaced, they had to donate a lot of money. When there was a potluck, they had to buy the meat. Finally, they got tired of it and joined another church. My advice (for what it's worth) is to look at the church building, the number of members and the wealth of the church before joining it.
You have great ideas. Thanks for sharing. Frugality as a senior citizen is staying out of stores. Buying essentials. Take care of what you have make it last. Downsize less to manage. Have you experiences instead of consumerism.
The challenge for me I guess is a consequence of the 'lifestyle creep'. I CAN afford to have a twice a week share in a horse, I CAN afford my weekly choir practice, and I CAN afford an unhealthy addiction to Diet Pepsi. And I really do enjoy those three things and consider them a large part of a much loved everyday life. But of course, this means that it gets hard to save up for our much wanted trip to America (we live in Denmark), birthday gifts sometimes hurt my finances a little too much, and the dishwasher, washing machine or computer are not supposed to break down ever! It's a question of priorities, of course - and of appreciating the fact that you are lucky enough to have a steady income in the first place. I so enjoy watching your videos, Hope and Larry, and wish you all the best.
Katrine, you bring up some great points. If one has the money to afford some luxuries, then is spending the money on them a problem? No. I think, for us, when we have goals that become important to us, we begin looking at those "extras" really hard and deciding whether giving them up for a time will be helpful in meeting our goals. Money (and budgeting) are all about trading time and money for things. There's nothing inherently wrong with horse riding, being in a choir, or drinking Pepsi. In fact, they all add to your joy. The trick is deciding when something else has risen in importance in your life, making it necessary for you to decide if you want to forgo those experiences for a time in order to fund another goal. Thanks for your thought provoking and interesting comment. We loved it.
@@UndertheMedian Thank you so much for your kind and detailed answer, Hope - I was happy and proud to read it. I often talk to my children (19 and 15) about the points you make on your channel over dinner after I've watched one of your new videos in the afternoon. You both have risen to the status of important teachers of handling adult finances in my family. 😊
Great video my husband is not all into this frugal stuff. As we are getting closer to retirement he is finally coming around. Making progress one day at a time.
I agree on the constantly changing, what I do now is really different from what I do 20 years ago. I kind of like it though, there are so many more opportunities now with the internet that we didn't have 20 years ago.
Schools do nickel and dime parents constantly! I know they need money, but man, stop sending all these "fun" things that cost money home with the kids. Some people just can't afford it, and others choose not to. I resent them basically begging for money and using the kids as a tool to do so. The youngest kids don't understand until they get a bit older. Then you have to be the 'mean' parent and say no to things. It gets old. Thankfully our youngest is now old enough to understand, and she no longer even wants most of them either. It's not like we say no to everything, but when it's nearly every week there is something sent home that costs money, it's too much! (And yes, this is public school!)
trying to cut back on ten items at once it can be stressful. I started with eating leftovers and cooking a little with leftovers trying to clean up everything in the refrigerator to save on groceries. buying bulk with items i use everyday. I discontinued my cable which saved a lot. Once in awhile I would find something nonessential that I would really love think carefully if I am going to really enjoy using it for a long time and if is on clearance I go ahead and buy it as a reward for being frugal on other things. Being overly strict for everything is anal energy and other people can feel this energy. Going out with friends i don't think about budgeting and choose a family restuarant and order what I want or order for a friend what they want esp. if it is their birthday. The trick is to balance everything. We need to enjoy life sometimes.
Life is what happens while we make other plans, its the motto a friend mine written in her kitchen. I think by planning, budgeting and tracking life is easier to cope whatever happens. Yes it's not a good subject to talk about at parties🥳. Guess what, as stupefied others will be in their believes about frugality, I just don't care 😜. I am a firm believer in " this is my life" and others may have theirs. I get judgments on what I don't AND do spent on. If people wonder let's say 'how we can have a holiday' and the same person has said in the resent PAST (or ofthen) 'go out more you miss all the fun!' I say it's because we don't go out more. SMILE and ask if they want a refill of their coffee or tea. Come back and ask a question on a completely different matter in their life that they are passionate about😉🤫🤭 works all the time. When one is ready they will ask seriously, ofthen when life happens😕
I can’t stand the nickel and diming! It’s so frustrating! My knee jerk reaction is to quit participating in stuff altogether, which is not good for the kids 😕
I have an older daughter who lives in Washington state. I’m in Texas. She always seems to think that at the drop of a hat, that I’m supposed to drop everything and go visit. I can’t possibly pull this off just when she thinks I can. I have two dogs that my son will care for but the ticket to Washington is more than a $1000. And then I have to stay in an Airbnb because she doesn’t have room. I just can’t afford that. How do I get her to understand that!
1. Ask her to come visit you. Maybe then she will understand it is expensive to travel. 2. Just say you can't afford to visit her. 3. Ask her to pay for your trip to go visit her or at least pay half of the expense.
You are so right Hope and Larry- it’s easy to say we don’t want to keep up with the Joneses but when your kids want to be in activities and those have those extra hidden expenses - there is a lot of hard choices of saying no and finding other ways to help. It’s sometimes embarrassing, but my widowed mom (was an immigrant and scrimped and saved to give us what we had) so I tried to remember this when I feel embarrassed. My kids are older now and I think they learned more valuable skills that things weren’t just given to them.
I know that church can Nickel & dime you. Bring dishes buy tickets etc etc. Eating in at work-means you control calories, and trying to get back in the allotted period is stressful. Make larger portions and partition off for weekday lunches.
Perfect timing for this video, just last night I was rethinking my debt payoff strategy and switched a few things to hopefully speed things along a little quicker - then of course, started second guessing and then feeling like a failure because I wasn't sticking to what I had said and looking over my older "plans" just made everything even more depressing that I didn't accomplish what I had hoped to etc. LOL. Thanks for sharing your tips and tricks I really enjoy your videos!
Sometimes I get depressed because of what I am sacrificing in order to live frugally. To get out of a slump I put my depression on a time limit i.e. I can be depressed, but only for 30 minutes. Then my time is up and I move on with a more positive outlook. Maybe that could help you too.
So true Family members can be the ones who are the most judgmental!! I must say I can be judgmental with my family members too!! I really try not to be judgmental with my family members now that I am a little wiser.. Gina in lights
I think tracking and measuring short term, medium and long term goals for frugal lifestyles, is as successful a process as it is in any scientific endeavor.
@@justmisde4701 That's what I do. A couple of years ago I bought every garland in the store at Dollar General and it was 90% off. I have garland for years now, along with Christmas cards, holiday decorations, and specialized dish sets. I love the "day after" sales, and even did Christmas presents for my daughter like that when she was small. Presents are good, no matter what day you get them!
