What To Do When You Ain't Got No Money 

What are some of your ideas on how to live when you have no money? Jill wrote a book on how she lived on $500 a month. Get it here. www.livingonadime.com/store/penny-pinching-mama/

My grandma raised 4 kids alone in the 70's with bipolar disorder before they knew what that was and just thought she was insane. She was in and out of psych wards so much she couldnt hold down a full time job and had to come up with all kinds of ways to save money. For my wedding present she wrote in a notebook with my mother and wrote down all her money saving tips for me and some of her southern wisdom, and today 10 years later this is still my favorite and most used gift I've ever received.

A long time ago I raised two boys, worked three jobs, and finished college. I used to say I could make Lincoln scream. We did without television, magazines, newspapers, videotapes, video games, and books. Instead, we went to the library and checked out a movie and a video game each week. We had a garden on the porch, a herb garden in the kitchen, and made good use of crockpots. One little crockpot made steel cut oats overnight for breakfast in the morning, and the big crockpots made rice, soups, and stews for dinner. When I was able I paid cash for my home. The secret to peace of mind is to have no debt at all!

I raised two sons by myself also in dire straits. I have even used shortening before as lotion, and I have had $10 to feed my kids back in the 80s for two weeks. A typical grocery list for two weeks would be bananas or apples, rice or noodles, tuna, a couple of condensed soups (for casseroles), etc and maybe some bread and jam or oatmeal for breakfast, maybe some eggs, too, if possible. I dilute my liquid soaps, both for my washing machine and for my dishes to this day. I also use laundry soap still when I'm in a pinch to do my dishes. I completely agree with asking yourself how to do something different.

Most hospitals have a financial services department that allow you to fill out forms to see if you qualify for help in paying off your hospital bills. I pushed and pushed my mother-in-law to fill out the paperwork as she spent the last 6 months in 3 different hospitals and a nursing facility and she brings in around $1200 in social security and that's it! She gets food stamps and other help as well. She was being stubborn, but finally did it and the first one she applied for help with wrote off the WHOLE BILL!

I don't have cable any more either :) DON'T miss it at all ... I love watching You tube and LEARNING ... I can't believe what I have missed all these years ..

It took me 8 years to get my degree but i have 0 debt. It was worth it

Living on a Dime and Dave Ramsey are the reasons I'll be debt free February 2021 or sooner 😁

I'm with you on parents not taking out student loans for their kids. As a mortgage processor, people get declined all the time because of the student loans and/or co-signing on apartments and cars for their kids. My mom did not pay for my college. Paying for college myself made me work harder in school.

1. dont make bills you cant pay 2. dont buy anything with credit cards 3. dont co sign for anyone 4. dont buy a house you cant afford if you lose your job 5. dont eat out 6. dont live above your means

Pulling weeds and using vinegar IS an environmentally sound choice. As is eating less. I also rip up old clothes for rags sometimes.

We had maybe 40 people at our wedding, got married by a JP on a friend's riverfront property at sunset. We had finger foods from the grocery store, very informal, didn't even have a cake! It might sound strange to some, but it was perfect for us, and fit our budget, since we paid for our wedding and honeymoon ourselves.

I had 3 lung surgeries, preexisting conditions cost me my 400k retirement money, my house is paid off, my last debts will be paid off in October 2016. I have no car, it was stolen along with everything of value in my house. I totally get what happened with Jill, You are both amazing.

After a divorce I was anxious to pay down a $20,000 debt and start fresh. I did it in one year, not by extreme measures, but simply this: before I spent any money I asked the question, do I really need this? and if I do can I get it cheaper? I didn't shop much, and when I did I bought things mainly 75% off or from the thrift shops. I must say I really didn't feel deprived! It was an eye opener how much money is drained away by eating out or impulse shopping.

Instead of college go into the trades like plumbing, HVAC, carpentry etc.....I heard that they need a lot of these guys since a lot of tradesmen are ready for retirement.

Well for our wedding we go married at my aunts house in the country. I made chocolate cake and lasagna w/ salad. The preacher was a friend of the family and the only money we were out was the cost of the food. I wore a sun dress and my husband was in his work clothes. We had a great time!

We make scrimping a game. We set aside a couple weeks or a month here and there and try to do a "No Spend" time. We see how little we can get by on during those times...and our savings growth is really amazing. Its hard to live like that all the time, but if we specifically do it now and then, we learn to appreciate what we have. Our attitudes about money stay stable and frugal. And we are truly grateful for each small thing we have.

My mom was in a similar position back in the '60's. She, like you, was an awesome woman. I learned by watching her how to survive on little and to be very frugal and at the same time to not lose hope, to never give up. Love hearing your story. Thanks for sharing it.

Learning HOW to think is so much more powerful and beneficial than learning WHAT to think. One is a puzzle solver, the other a robot. One can save your life, the other dies without the input from others.

I'm not sure if you've mentioned it. But find ways to save on your electric bill turn your hot water heater down if possible, use a crockpot, and cook in quantity and reheat.

I have used cheap margerine instead of lip salve, hand cream and furniture polish! People used to polish wood with bunches of Rosemary. The natural oils make the wood smell nice and help discourage moths from coming in. We used to wash our hair with washing up liquid when we were broke.

We got a $5000 hospital bill after my youngest was born. It turns out only the dr took our insurance and not the hospital. We appealed with the insurance company to pay it in network and they did. Then I asked the hospital if they would give me a discount if I paid in full right away. So the 5000 dollars turned in to 1800. We live in a crazy fixer upper too fortunately it's not as crazy as your old house. It's not pretty but it's nice not having a payment.

Totally agree with you guys on so many things. We paid off our home in 3 years living comfortably on one income - just by not subscribing to the standard American lifestyle of overconsumption. We help clients budget and set retirement goals and see people in their 40s and 50s still paying on student loan debt! We are grooming our kids to stay away from all debt - credit card, car loans, and student loan debt! There are ways to do it! Change your mindset first!

One of the most beautiful movie stars of all time, Sophia Loren only used olive oil as her skin softener !

White vinegar makes a brilliant fabric softener. Clothes smell when you get them out of washing machine but disappears by the time they dry

I cut the cable cord too. Trying to decrease debt. Amazing the things you can do without.

I can remember when I was young, my great grandmother would pour boiling water on ants that made it into her kitchen. She would do this a couple times a year and they could stop coming into her house until the next year. She was a young mother during the great depression and wasted nothing. She saved her produce bags instead of buying baggies, made her own yogurt, washed dishes with tide powder, used dish cloths and cloth napkins. She knew how to stretch a dollar. I'm in my mid forties now and still miss her. I have a huge amount of respect for her. There are so many things that I learned from her, and I will always be grateful that she spent the time to teach me what was really important in life.

I found this channel and I’m obsessed ! It’s like a new series on Netflix for me thanks for all the great tips. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

You ladies are beautiful!...i miss my mama, but wont see her until the Lord takes us alll home.

I’m so glad my parents refused to let me get students loans. I got a job at 16 for my college savings account. I took community college courses while in high school under concurrent enrollment so they were free. And because of that I graduated high school and community college with an Associate degree at the same time. Transferred to a university to finish my bachelors. I got a scholarship that paid for my units and I used my associate degree to get a better job to pay for food and shelter. At this point I did go into my savings and buy a car brand new. Still have that car running nearly 20 years later. I graduated got a promotion at the job I was at. Stayed 2 more years. Then by chance I was interviewed for admission to a masters program. Did that on payment plan. And when I graduated from my masters. My husband and I bought our home all cash. We didn’t have a wedding and opted for the house instead. So many of my colleagues have car, home and student loans. And that just sounds scary to be in debt with all 3 at the same time.

You got me thinking of my own impoverished childhood. I remember many hungry days. I remember making due with alot of different household items for personal care. Somehow I got thru it. We never had shampoo, and sometimes we didn't have bar soap. I never realized there was another way until my mom got thru nurses training and provided more money for us. My kids don't believe me, but it is so. I admire your mom for getting thru it, and my folks for striving for something better

Money can be saved on greetings cards if you ask friends to pass on old magazines and when youve read them, cut out pretty pictures. Cut card out of something like a cereal box, fold it and make a card and stick on your motifs. People really appreciate the fact that you have made something especially for them. If you cant afford a present you can cover a jar or tin with pretty scraps to make a place where pens etc can be kept. If you have got the ingredients already you could make a special batch of biscuits for them. Decorate a clean jar to put them in. Failing that offer to come and help with springcleaning. Its much more fun with a friend.

We were lucky when I was little---we were poor. We never felt that way then, it's only looking back that I say that. But we ate simple and treats were treats, not a regular occurrence. So it was fun for me to find your site. I hope your endeavors are successful as people NEED to know how to live on less. I drive an old beater truck, I never pay more than a thousand. I generally drive them for four or five years with little repairs----i consider myself lucky. Of course, the obvious is saving in cost of truck-----to monthly payments. Because truck is cheap, the insurance is cheap---lots of savings. The long and the short of it is that it all boils down to priorities. I can squander with the best but I know how to live on less. And it comes in real handy.

I have a cleaning tip if you use bar soap . To clean shower use vinegar mixed with dish soap equal parts . Pour into spray bottle and spray on shower doors and walls . Let sit 30 minutes and scrub with scrubbing pad or scrub brush . It works great !!

what a blessing....I was raised in a family who's parents went through the great depression....the habits learned are still invaluable....

I get soap, lotion, etc.(all sealed) at yardsales or the thrift store for under a $1.00. We compost the leaves and/or just mow over them. Free Starbucks coffee grounds and mulched leaves are free fertilizer. Diatomaceous earth...good stuff and food grade is safe for pets, just don't make a cloud of it in the air around anyone, pet or human. It's not good for the lungs, like any fine powder.

I, too, can spend hours watching videos on YT and I learn so much great stuff! Who needs the extra cost of cable?

Great video! My husband and I invited 150+ people to our wedding. We had a potluck dinner for the reception, and my sister made the wedding cake. We saved SO much money, and everyone still reminisces about how fun and festive and joyful our wedding was : )

my mom was a single mom of 5, and I remember when money was low her using powdered laundry detergent to wash floors and dish washing liquid to wash hair and as bubble bath.

My son graduated from college 5 years ago and most of his friends including himself have not found a job in their field of study.My son works two part time jobs everyday because no one is hiring full time so they don't have to give the employee benefits. It is really sad how hard he works and barely makes ends meet. He watches what he buys and spends. He has so much in student loans and feels like he will never get out of debt. Sad that it used to be if you had a college degree you would get a better job but not anymore. Many students aren't even going to college here because they feel it isn't going to get them anywhere but in a mound of debt. So sad how the things have changed. God bless you for all of your tips

I watched this late, but wanted to let you know that LOAD was one of the FIRST places I looked and found GREAT frugal-living tips when our family "went frugal" 4 years ago. We came to frugality by necessity...but it grew on us and now we live this way by CHOCE. Jill is correct--you get used to many frugal ways and they stick for life! Thanks so much Jill and Tara (and family)!! Our family loves you!

I save all the envelopes and pieces of paper with clean backs I recieve in the mail and peg them together with laundry pegs to use for lists, notes, plans, first drafts etc. I use a larger envelope or piece of paper folded to cover the smaller ones to make a sort of notebook. They are useful and I would hate to waste them.

I love that you and your mother are so close. My kid left... no reason ... Autism... She went to live with her father... or so I have been told. He is easy on her, no rules. Giving your kid, NO RULES... his like hating them while they are right there with you. So sad... God bless and prayers for all moms missing their kid.

I like your videos. My grandmother was raised during the Great Depression and they had a saying back then that she taught me and I try to go by it and not waste things. "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without!" I like thrift and when raising my children, my husband & I never had credit cards, and paid cash for things or didn't have them We never bought new furniture or anything of that nature. Used is just as good. I like thrift stores and yard sales. Also have had a lot of people give me things including my piano. Our society is too into total instant gratification so it is nice to see other people who are into thrifty living. Where there's a will there's a way. Grandma always said this also that "we live from crisis to crisis". She taught us to save everything that we could use/reuse. Thanks for your videos.

I'm 26 and this is why I want to pay off my home ASAP, only around ~50% paid off so far. It will give so much more freedom since I know that I can always find some job to hire me and pay enough to pay off the property taxes, utilities, and food for myself. It does kinda suck having other people judge you based on a cheap car or cheap clothing, though. I know you shouldn't worry what others think, but nobody likes to feel like they don't belong when at certain locations.

RE: Diatomaceous Earth usage - Be sure that any Diatomaceous Earth is "FOOD GRADE", when it's used around your home where animals are present.

Your mother is very pretty and I know she has a world of knowledge!😃

Aloe vera also works for mosquito and pain related to ant bites

I use creative thinking like this on vacation or camping where I just do not have access to things... for example my lips were chapped and I did not have access to a store... so I filled a clean tiny hotel shampoo bottle with olive oil and kept my lips moistened. If you have to make conditioner last and you only have the hotel size just put a pea size in your hands after washed and comb it through. It is fun to think of creative ideas... YES it is fun to buy BUT sometimes it can be just as fun to improvise.

New Subscriber. I LOVE seeing the interaction between you two! My wedding was $100. We went to the courthouse($70), I bought my "wedding dress" at Walmart($20), and my husband's "wedding suit"($10). We didn't have any " close friends" or relatives that we wanted to attend, but a friend on Facebook came to be a witness, and our kids were present. We went to Walmart and got groceries afterwards. Buying the book mentioned! Can't wait to see more ways to save-we have debt we're tackling and are saving up for a road trip and surgery that I'd like done within the next 2 years. Stupid question-does your husband have a video on how he converted? I noticed you mention it in your one book, but my husband isn't big on reading but he can be "persuaded" (I.e. forced lol) to watch a video with me... Thanks, and blessings to y'all! p.s.- "warshed" is also said in Indiana! I still say it that way if I start talking to friends from there! LOL!

Now I'm curious to know what items she did buy with the $7.

Coconut oil works as a great toothpaste - even helps to regrow enamel!

OMG. Mama is cute as a button! I can hear my Mom's words of wisdom with every tip and trick. She was born in 1930, so she grew up through the depression years. This channel is my new favorite!

I live in Canada....I turned my 2700 sq.ft. house and turned it into 4 apt. I live on 13,000 a year and have 3 more years to pay off my home. Thanks for all your suggestions, love your show

Back in the 70's a book called (possum living) Was written the author did appear on the Merve Griffin show. You can see her interview very interesting little lady. She later went to college did very well literally became a rocket scientist.

Go to pantry return items to store and internet. Make vegetables chopped rice. Use your note pad to avoid paper. Simple therapeutic baking soda soak your feet or body. Use soap pump bottles with Castile soap after a while just put water you don’t have to buy any laundry detergent Castile soap works laundry, dishes, floors washing animals your hair body, even if you run out toothpaste you can use it. Wash every buy nano sponges and towels from Amazon.com they reduce your detergent because they are made with nano fiber, which washes only with water.

I had a daycare mom that used clothe diapers and so I cut up the old baby blankets and made baby wipes with them and put the wipe in with the dirty clothe diaper and she would wash them with her clothe diapers and brought them back to me

We took out student loans for our children and regret it. Currently paying off 32k in student loan debt and will use this experience to never get into debt again! It will take us 5 years to pay this off. Thank you for your videos and tips! God bless you! ❤

I add the leaves to my garden and mix it in with free wood chips from a tree service. I like to use free resources to grow my families vegetables in the spring and summer months.

That's one reason I'm moving. I pay almost half my income on rent. $1150 a month for a duplex is too much for someone living on survivor benefits.

Thank you so much for the money saving tips. My father raised my sisters and myself to be very frugal. It does get hard at times but the reward is much greater. My husband and I cut the cable a year and a half ago. We bought a regular T.V antenna to watch local shows. We also bought an amazon fire T.V stick. It runs off of the internet, and because we are amazon prime members we get to watch free prime movies and T.V shows. You can set up your netflix account to the fire t.v stick. It is a one time fee of $39.95.

I use Epsom salt with essential oil for fabric softener and reusable rags in vinegar for my dryer sheets

Another tip .I bought a forty dollars antenna get at any Walmart digital an I get 25channels no month bills an free completely free no cable check it out in your areas forty dollars on time that's it compare to almost 900 a yr

Tara, I just want to thank you and your mom...I'm the one that wrote to you via another video about organizing the coat closet in your entry way. My comment was super long...this is the video I should have watched first...lol. this gave me hope...because of my health...I could no longer work...had to get disability financial help. which gives me $1,000 per month. I had only one son, but no husband...so everything financial was up to me. I am now recalling my other comment on the other youtube...because I needed this one. I decided to start cutting costs per you and your moms advice. I just got out of debt and what I was in the debt with was hospital and doctor bills...I finally got debt free and paid of the hospital...I lived in Orange County, CA and moved to Oregon. because Medical is cheaper and they have several plans for making payment. My apartment is from HUD (subsidited housing) and I've come into agreement with you...I at least have a roof over my head.. So I am now totally debt free except for doctor bills that are basically a 3 month or 6 month on going. I don't drive , so no car.so I'm saving on gas and upkeep of a car. You just reminded me of my mom...who passed many years ago...but she always told me, "If you don't have money...stop spending like you DO!!!!" lol.I've started making my own cleaning products. and just came home from grocery shopping. I've saved over $25.00 by not buying my usual. I have more to say...but I have one question. about the book that you were saying is out of print? the cookbook? and is the info about the soap at the website? Luv you and your family. Great ideas, Great tips...

we use ivory soap and I put it in a used mess bag from my lemons and tie it with a used tuber band.no little soap bits left to throw away because we use every bit of the soap. . have done this for years now and it works great.

I came from a spend spend spend family so it's kinda tricky learning how to be thrifty in order to get out of debt @ 40 yrs old. These tips are Very helpful!

my mom is so silly at times, but she makes $16.00 go far enough to $34.00 worth food amazing woman.

A comment about paying cash for medical services. I'm on Social Security but I didn't sign up for Medicare B or D, since I don't get sick (18 years and counting) but on rare occasions I have gone to the doctor. (Ex "friend" invited me over but forgot to tell me her kids had pink eye.) There is a clinic in my town that will give you a 30% discount if you pay with cash. I ended up paying $120 vs all the years that I have not wasted money on Medicare premiums. If I ever get really sick, I told my daughter I don't want to be put on machines. Just die, get cremated and have my ashes dumped in Mississippi river. She knows I'm serious. (I told her I would come back and haunt her if she didn't follow my instruction. lol)

Your story is inspiring. My family is from PA and they say Warsh also. I like it! My wedding was a cake only wedding. My friend made the cake, and all I did was pay her for the ingredients since it was GF. For my dryer sheets I cut up sponges and let them soak in fabric softener. Them I put them in the dryer with wet clothes.

I just assume something's going to happen. My parents went through the same thing in the 60s with 3 young kids on one income. I only had a few pieces of clothing, we drank powdered milk, and left over liver, from the night before, because it was cheap. It was hard!!!!!!

I love you listening to Jill I could listen to her stories all day Great family Great information

One of our wedding gifts was a hog. 😂 My MIL's friend is a hunter, but he only kills what will be eaten. He got to go hog hunting, and we had BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, baked beans, coleslaw, cake, and lemonade at our reception.

I have watched your recent but I found this and really reminded me to not dwell on my little problems. My husband was just in a car accident and there's damages but thank god no one was seriously hurt. Thanks Jill and tawra 😀

I've never had a credit card and never plan on having one either 👍🏼 but I still used to have a problem buying stuff I did not need and I wasn't buying things I needed. I'm slowly getting the hang of living within my means and paying for my needs before I buy anything else!

I like Vinegar for both cleaning glass and mirrors (diluted with water), and either straight or half vinegar and half water for sunburn. I also use vinegar for burns at the stove, and for mouth burns I use mustard, it tastes better. ;)

im a cloth diaper mom and prefolds and flats double at brup cloths.. and chaning pad and so much more !!!

I love your tips, my grandparents and parents did without so much, but we had a wonderful childhood which I still remember very fondly.

Sun Burn: we always used vinegar. You can dilute it 50% with water if it's too strong. About 3 applications in the first 2 days generally heals the burn and leaves a beautiful tan without pealing.

You two are hilarious! Thanks for putting these videos together. I'm married almost 18 years and still learning some great things here.

Sometimes more often then not, making it yourself is always going to be cheaper. I make wonderful lotion, soaps, body butters. I also make my own cleaners. I love pine-sol and bleach to clean wood tables and stuff. A lot of this stuff is common sense if you think about it. And it's a whole lot easier to be frugal :) Keep up the good work

Also use rubbing alcohol on mirrors an clean DVDs .

I just snickered when Jill said " you can just use soap" talking about body wash. :) When I was growing up we used Vel.

Personally, Q-Tips are a need :) I have lived on a bare monthly income, and Q-Tips were on the short personal & house shopping list. I do agree about want vs need though :)

It takes one little thing in your life to mess you mine was the death of my husband at a young age. I do so like your videos I am a new subscriber .💕💕

I was in the same boat as you Jill. only I lacked even the 10 dollars. I was left with nothing and not even a vehicle . 1 small child and pregnant for another. I learned so many ways to support my family. (Legal) of course. My I could write a book on how to raise children on slim pickings. I learned how to buy a weeks groceries with a few bucks. learned how to stretch the food, preserve food by canning freezing. raised animals and grew food. I even sewed my diapers out of outing flannel. Oh my the list goes on... I did not have credit cards period. I am 52 years old now and I just got a credit card strictly for my weekly gas and it is paid before the statement comes in. My husband and I bought our home 7 years ago and it will be paid off in 2 years. Like Tawra, I am cheap and will never pay more than 1600.00 for a vehicle. Yea there is just my hubbs and I now but still I am very, very frugal in every aspect of my life...You are wonderful to share your wisdom and life experiences with others cause it will change someones life for sure... Blessings.

I really enjoyed your video. Thank you so much for for sharing. A couple of tips I've used are: 1) Lavender and peppermint essential oils are great for sunburns also. A little bit goes a long way. I even had a bit of a fire mishap and used the essential oils and it took the pain away quickly. 2) Cleaning - I have used baking soda and vinegar to clean the toilet. It also works in the sink. It gets the stubborn stains.

Here by God's grace I found your channel. Thank you, thank you thank you. I feel safe here with the warmth, humour and knowledge you both provide. 🌻I'm in love with your mom😍 and you well you're just fantastic. I already know your here to save my financial life. Feeling grateful already🙏

I would love to hear Ms Jill's story! I'm not sure if you already have, but would you please speak about the mindset one needs to have to live on less? I mean along the lines of creativity,dedication, gratitude for what you already have and avoiding impulse purchases. I know you covered creative ways to save money in this vid, but I really believe there is a belief/mindset that helps keep you grounded. Whatever it is that you guys feel is key to focus on living below/within your means. Thanks!

Listening to this is inspirational for me.

Vinegar will do most of what you need for cleaning products. Spray the shower walls and tub and the soap scum will soften up and be easy to remove. A good liquid soap from the natural food store will work for shampoo, handwash, body wash, even tooth brushing. A friend makes soap and we tried to imitate the brand I buy, but we didn't like the homemade version.

I've been following on RU-vid for awhile, but I've read lots of articles you have over the years. Thank you for sharing your lives and tried and proven tips. 😊

The wedding dinner ideas are awesome. I really hate the idea of spending thousands on catered food that no one want to eat. Having sandwhiches or pannins sounds great!

Wow!!! That's amazing about all the free stuff at your recycling center.

We don't have cable we rent movies from the library. We live off grid.my mother grew up in the depression.

love the tips ... I am working 2 jobs to pay off debt ... I am going to put these tips to good use

I would love to hear Jill's story on how she lived on $500 a month!!! If you have time for cleaning products, that would be great too! Thank you, Janel in NJ

You could write an encyclopedia on everything you can do to survive on very little - to pay off debts, feed yourself and your family for cheap, buying a cheap car and fixing it up, turning trash into treasure, etc...

So many good tips again. I can remember washing bread bags and my mother made handmade soap. We used it for laundry and dishwashing. tfs

Jill I love you. You’re the voice of reason and fortitude in this oftentimes ridiculous world. Keep rocking girl and thank you so much. Xxkaren

We did a potluck for our reception. Everyone knew we didn't have much money.