Ha I had a co worker when this first started and he said he looked at his bank account and added it up and realized he spent OVER $800 just that ONE month in Uber eats!!! 😮could not even imagine I try to lower the electric bill and gas but it is very frustrating when you come home and see your spouse has the AC set to 68 and the patio door wide open 😡😤
As my mother before me, I clean out my refrigerator every week. It prevents items from getting shoved to the back of the refrigerator, being forgotten, and spoiling.
In all fairness the people spending their money on fast food could be doing so because they were slaving away at work all day and had no energy left to cook afterwards some people with 2 jobs and single moms.. I could see it the way we are all struggling right now..
I know you did the interview with chef aj but in the future could hope do a veganism 101 on a budget and for a family? That would help save so much money for so many people!
Save 100% on the grapes. Leave them at the store. Buck each for peppers? Still too much. Get one for salad. Roll ups? what do you roll them with? Save on electricity: turn off lights AS YOU LEAVE the room EVERY time. Don't spill electricity. Keep only one bulb in multibulb fixture. Wake up just before sunrise. Sleep when it gets dark. Small flashlite beside the bed. Turn off the TV unless you are actively watching. If whatever has a little signal light, unplug it. Turn OFF the computer when you arent' using it. Bake in winter. Garage sale partial candles provide light AND heat. Use glass-neck salad oil dispenser for dish soap. Oatmeal is good for any meal.
I cook 1 meal per day for my family. Breakfast and lunch are simple items like fresh fruit and vegetables that are in season oatmeal, toast, eggs ect. Im able to feed 3 people on as little as $200 a month.
I watch for sales on meats and make my meals around them. I cut large pork loins into 3 or 4 sections for multiple meals. When I slow roast the pork or beef, I usually get more than one meal out of it.
I know that cooking so that there are meals for many nights is a good idea. This brought me back to my childhood. My parents were so broke, that we ate on the same meal for 4-5 days. By middle school, we were cleaning office buildings after school with mom and was able to go out to McDonals or Burger King and eat in the car because there was no time to cook. We were there from 5-8:30 at night. I loved eating out as a kid. Looking back, it was not the best plan - financially or health wise. Planning is the best options!
Last weekend, we decided we "wanted" fish n chips & onion rings (Halibut). It is cheaper to get take out than dine in. When I was getting ready to order, I noticed it was going to cost for 2 of us $47 + tax & TIP (pet peeve). Well over $50 (CAD or 37 USD). Yup, that's not happening. Instead I threw in a prepared lasagna and garlic toast that cost only 1/10th of the cost of fish & chips for the same amount of time before we ate (1 hr ) and either way, we still had to do dishes and we kept the TIP.(to insure prompt service). So far this year, I have not spent anything on eating out
Love the bloopers at the end!!! If people realized how many hours of work it takes to pay for their "convenience foods" to "save time" they'd realize that they're not saving time at all! We've lived frugally all our lives & it's meant that we could work less hours to spend more time with our kids as they were growing up. It's definitely been worth it. As adults they've often shared how special those times together were.🥰Blessings from South Australia💕🐨
Wow, I don’t typically buy many convenience foods but I’ve never really thought of it like that. The less money I spend on those items means the less time I will have to work in the long run.
I don't shop at Kroger much. Their sale items are mostly junk food in my area and you usually have to buy 5 items. Plus they tend to rip me off on 2-3 items each shopping trip by not applying coupons and sale prices.
Never have I or never will I ever pay to have food delivered to me. A lot of my husband's co workers are guilty of food delivery and going out for fast food. My husband packs his lunch for work every day and has the entire 35 years we have been married.
If you are over 60 and lower income check with your Utility companies to see if they offer discounts. We receive 10% off our monthly Water/Electric/trash/sewer bill and qualified for Heap on our gas heat for a once a year credit.
It's 8:15 AM Texas Time, gathering extra stuff I don't need to take to small food bank, I'll head out in a couple hours, hit Dollar Tree & hit two Food Banks a block from each other & pick up things I need. May stop at QT for ice & Winco for ice cream.
I properly store groceries as I get home If my nail polish is drying out, I add a few drops of nail polish remover,or hand sanitizer. I use every last bit of whatever I have before buying more..
Menu planning...if my "lost generation" dad and "greatest generation" mom ever menu planned when I was young, it was mostly a pot roast w/mixed veggies or string beans, and potatoes during the week...I wasn't a veggie fan back then, but have them more often now. My dad always cooked corned beef hash for Saturday lunch...Sundays we either had leftovers or my dad cooked on the grill for supper, and also sometimes for supper on Saturday...Friday night we usually went to a local Italian restaurant for dinner...that restaurant has been closed for a long time, but when I last visited my hometown in Upstate NY, I went to another Italian restaurant nearby and had a great meal. I rarely eat pot roast now due to the cost; I now eat mostly chicken and some fish, and will have a 3-egg omelet for brunch or dinner once a week or so...
We buy peppers in bulk as well. We chop and freeze them for future meals. They defrost easily and cook up nicely. TIP: I just shaved off $120.00 annually off my Consumer Cellular cell phone. I switched to on-line automatic billings (saving $5.00 per month) I also removed the texting option and got my monthly bill down to $19.00 per month. (unlimited data.) We also pay monthly for insurances etc. otherwise there is a $5.00-$6.00 charge per month to pay them monthly. A NO brainer!
So true about menu planning based on foods you have or what’s on sale/in season. If you menu plan for whatever meals you want and then shop you’re buying the ingredients at full price. There’s little savings.
Yep, I would have bought even more of those peppers, fried them up and stuck in the freezer. The meat could also be sliced thin to use on pizza. Just beware about Bill Gates fake meats...chicken and beef, they are not required to mark in stores. My local groc. cuts up their own meats.
I actually make a hot pepper jelly that is loved by my entire family. I first served it as an appetizer of bagels toasted, lightly smeared with cream cheese and then a spread of the hot pepper jelly. Then it was cut cut into bite sized chunks. They make you sticky, so forks or toothpicks are recommended. Even my parents loved this. I use it also to flavor the fried rice I make.
I have tracked my spending and was stunned by what I spent on take out last month. Embarrassingly it was $80, 22 for a family meal and the rest coffee and muffins. This month will be different.
I don't have a dryer hang clothes on shower rod cook in crockpot keep thermostat at 79degrees eat sandwiches maybe cook something once a week using oven or top of stove
When I started heating with pellets and natural gas was my backup. My gas bill was $79 100% natural gas a month budget to $15 a month. I paid around $250 for pellets a year back then. That year they replaced my gas meter. The key is to have energy options. One year I used corn that a farm couldn't feed or sell . That was mixed with pellets to heat the house. The cheapest heat was when the store selling pellets had a few bags wet on each pallet of pellets. They sold them to me for $50 for each pallet. That was $100 for the year. The pellets in some bags needed screening so some work was required. One cup of fines from the screening was added to each hopper of pellets. The ash goes into the garden. Adding your labor can save money on the heat bill. In the fall when they pick corn and shell it, you can in some cases cover the inside of your pickup bed in plastic and they will dump shelled corn into the pickup truck box. You pay for the load of corn. They don't pay for bags or bagging and you do all the storing at home. Then you mix corn and pellets to heat.
You hit it on the nose...... coffee. I don't ever go out to drink coffee but buying coffee beans. Coffee beans have gone up. A 24oz coffee bean was $11.50 then went up to $20.00. Boy I had to go shopping around on line to find a better deal. Thanks again for your episode.....
Great tips! Can you teach us how to use digital coupons?? How do you down load them onto your phone? Technology is daunting to the elderly in the crowd! TIA!
I found out last time I tried the digital coupons that I had an old card and a newer version on file. Only one number was being picked up at the register. Luckily, I noticed that more than half my lost leaders were not getting the full mark down. The supervisor looked at my account and got it straightened out. Got me almost $15 back! Yes, those coupons are a pain, but I ask the cashier to help me!
We have a natural gas heater and water heater so our bill is very low in the summer- around $14. We’re in the south and don’t turn the heat on til mid or late November. Last year the gas company sent a technician out the first of November to replace our meter because they thought it wasn’t working because the usage hadn’t increased since summer. I tried to explain to the tech that we hadn’t turned the heat on yet and the only gas usage was from the water heater. He insisted on replacing the meter anyway lol😊
As I watched the video I found myself nodding at a lot of the things you mentioned. Right now in West Central Ohio, it is about 65 degrees out, and the high is only about 75. So all the A/C and fans are turned off. And as am running around barefoot in the house, my feet are a bit cold. Need to get the slippers out!
The Kelbasa ideas you gave are really good. We are starting to do tuna patties one night a week, along with chicken from the cans for chicken salad, etc. to help with meat prices. We are trying to use our smaller car more when we can for errands etc. Right now, I am going to turn the air up to 78 and get a fan going. One is already running. Good ideas.
Having my groceries delivered saved me time when I was working. Now, I continue having most of my groceries delivered...to save time, to save gas, for medical reasons, and in my area, to ensure my personal safety...people have been attacked in store parking lots and have had their groceries stolen, or even carjacked...I can afford the convenience of grocery delivery, especially for larger orders or for items that are heavier than I cannot easily carry myself...
Got back from food bank, got two of those giant cans of dehydrated vegetables, preppers choice and a few other good things, picked up an autographed book at Goodwill for $2.00. I go back in two weeks & hope they have more cans.
Use the peanut butter plus oatmeal molasses and a banana salt vanilla baking soda to make a great sticky cookie. I used molasses that had expired in 2014. Was fine. Was super tasty and vegan and uses up a condiment that sits in the cupboard for years.
@deborahevans189 America is very cheap compared to here! But their quality of food is appalling. So many chemicals banned worldwide that are allowed in food only in USA. We don't have coupons here & lots of supermarkets are going broke and closing down
I shop monthly for canned items, cereals but weekly for all else. I cook a main meal for the whole week like stuffed pepper soup, chili, bok choy salad with ginger dressing, cabbage and oodles then I fill in with other things if I want something different or want to add fruit etc.. I freeze anything for meals later in month.
The menu planning with loss leaders is soooooo true. So true. I wasn’t taught this and learned as an adult. It’s revolutionized my grocery game. You get better each year. I tend towards wfpb, but my whole family are all 100% on the meat and dairy train. Today’s grocery haul with Kroger was amazing. I saved more than 50% between sales and coupons. I mostly but only sale items and plan around them, like you share. I do delivery from kroger (we don’t have a retail location… so no markdowns, but also no impulse purchases 😅). Then I do a grocery pick up of loss leaders at heb. I stop in Costco once a month for pet meds and get whatever is a steal there. Today’s Kroger haul was only $103 and included 18 pounds of beef and a 20 pound dog food. When you buy everything in sale, it’s really incredible what you can do with your budget.
Interesting. Just got home from HEB. I take the trek down to Costco slightly more frequently. I am no on the Kroger bandwagon but may consider it. I do have a Kroger card from back when we lived in Houston. One of our neighbors said she gets points for gas that can be used at some Shell stations. A recent fill up saved her $0.70/gallon.
You two are just the best. Thank you so much for continued intelligent and practical ideas and inspiration. Please keep up the good work! God bless you!
Be sure to call companies to ask if they offer discounts for paying annually or by a specific payment method like direct debit or cash. They don't always mention it in customer communications. I was able to save 10%-20% - not only on insurance and mobile phone service, but also on contact lenses, internet, subscriptions and other bills. I also schedule annual payments so they don't all hit at the same time.
I wish I could implement all the ideas that save on power, water, etc. Utilities are covered in the maintenance fees of my condominium, and that's a fixed monthly cost (which goes up every year). No doubt I'm paying much more per month than I would if utilities were in my control.
i do price comparison and i also shop clearance sometimes i download coupons but the store rejects them for no reason specially HEB walmart accepts all i spend $ 150 each week id like to waste less we're a family of 3 soon to be 4 i like to save a bunch but i struggle with groceries specially because i cant eat certain foods i also plan my meals ahead ill try your first way and see how it goes
I have lowered my hydro usage by using the same shower towel for a week. I’m clean after my shower and hang my towel to dry so it is clean for the week and sometimes 2 weeks. I only do washing during cheap time here in Ontario and I hang outside to dry. I have hung inside during the winter also. We don’t use our oven much but use air fryer and bbq lots.
Hope & Larry, this was a really good video! I also got a big laugh out of the blooper and Larry's reaction when he realized that the words that had just come out of his mouth didn't make a boatload of sense. ANNNNyway, just wanted to say that utility costs are something that might bear scrutiny when people are considering relocating. I'm blessed to live in an area served by a co-op that actually returns some money every year proportional to usage. Last year it was something like $36.00 for me, and the rates are already good. Highest power bill a couple of years back with central A.C. running 24/7 was $156 but during Spring and Fall, it's down around $45. Have a wonderful week - love & hugs from the steamy DelMarVa peninsula.
We usually buy 2 weeks at a time and fresh produce on the weeks in between. But for the month of August for our grocery haul videos, we are challenging ourselves to do a one month large haul and only go back for fresh produce. Our goal is to stay under $300 for the 3 of us. We average $357/month so it would save us a little bit. 👍
I love this channel, and particularly I enjoy the occasional exchanges between the two of you and that blooper at the end. What surprised me though, is that your grocery savings tips/habits didn't include the tip to shop your own pantry first! Before I even look at special offers on loss leaders, I build the best meal plan I can from what I already have at home. The money on those things is already spent, so all I have to buy is anything I still need to make the recipe. Then I look at loss leaders and special offers online and see what I can make from those items. There isn't usually much space on my meal plan when I've done that. I find if I don't shop in this order, I will end up overbuying my veggies (especially being plant-based, I like to have a fridge full of fresh veggies, and can forget how many I already have in the freezer, so the tip about shopping my own pantry does include my freezer and what remains in the fridge too). And if I overbuy, there is often waste that I cannot use up quickly enough, which is scandalous to me, and sort of sinful.
Excellent suggestions. I do most, but clearance sections are rare where I live. I find loss leaders sell out early and often don't get restocked, so may have to alter my menu planning a bit (long commute does not allow me to pop in early for sale). I do buy bell peppers on sale, slice and freeze on tray then in ziploc, to use in a stirfry later. I do have some summer hot days (90s-100+) but have managed without AC so far by opening windows at night and using thermal curtains by day. I try to charge devices when awake to avoid leaving them connected all night. All efforts help with overall spending.
Get to know when ur power company charges "Peak time" rates ours here in southeast GA are between 2-7pm and ur "Off peak times" ours are between 11pm -7am n on the weekends, they are the times when I run my dishwasher do my laundry etc. Other way to save money is NOT using ur oven or stove. Mine is electric so it's cheaper to me to cook as much in my air fryer n use so much LESS electricity then using my oven or stove
When shopping for home insurance, dont buy the cheapest policy. You should not only compare coverage but find out how strong the companys financial state is and whether they are good at paying claims. I worked in claims for 6 years. If you have to file for a large claim (like roof damage) you want the claim to be covered quickly and you dont want to be nickled and dimed by the adjustor. You can check insurance ratings. Geico has some of the lowest premiums but a below average rating for claims payout. To save money on homeowner insurance raise your deductible, dont buy more insurance than needed and bundle your car and homeowners ins.
Great tips, thank you. I feel like i need to put in a lot more work and time for groceries to save money. Meal planning, price shopping, it all takes effort
We plan meals around loss leaders and digital coupons. We save the fuel points and take both cars for fuel at the same time so we can max our savings at the pump.
Wish I could save more... I'm already bare bones in my budget. I live in rural area so only 1 grocery store, which I rarely shop at. The loss leader meats might be cheaper than at the farm, but I doubt it was grass fed and finished raised without antibiotics or shots. Store bought dairy makes us sick. We don't eat processed foods. Thus there is little I purchase at the store. Our diet consists of veggies and meat. I have to be strict with carb/sugar count. Food was how my adopted son was abused so I don't ration what he eats as it causes him distress. So if I made a casserole he would have picked all the meat out and put it on his plate. All that would be left would be part of the filler to the casserole. How do you save enough to save up to pay full year as a single mom almost retirement age who also homeschools, I don't have extra to save to pay whole year of insurance and save for end of year taxes and emergency fund.
Thanks for the tips. I can't use some of them as we don't have these "coupons" for grocery shopping in my country. Wish we did they sound great! But you have made me consider how often I eat out. I buy take away lunch and dinner far too much. I am going to cut down and allow myself only one take away meal a week.
I have been buying only markdown meat for many years (not sale not full price). I always check the clearance and markdown aisle and throughout the store for markdowns if I find a great deal I stock up as long as I rotate I'm fine. I do all my Moms shopping and for the clearance items if I see something I have a couple friends I will give them a call to see if they can use if it's not something I want. This and coupons has saved me a lot of money throughout the years. One of my recent best deals was getting 12 jars of Ragu 24 oz spaghetti sauce expiration date August 2024 for $.57 cents a jar regular shelf price $2.19
The other day I bought a package of two pork tenderloins. I got 2 packages of cut up strips for pork stirfry, 4 packages of pork medallions that I will pound out to make pork cutlets and 2 pork roasts that will feed my husband and I for 4 meals. Total of 10 meals for $12.
I took your advice and tried switching to Mint Mobile. The super great deal you had was over, but it's still going to be less than I was paying at T-Mobile. I hope they still give you the finder's fee! Anyway, it was a huge pain to do the switch, just as I figured. But my 23 year old son was home, so he came to the rescue. 😀 Yay for tech-savvy kids! Just wanted to let you know that your good advice is still helping people from your past videos! Cheers
We've overstocked on some loss leader items and are currently in a freezer/pantry challenge to use up what we have and only purchase a few perishables each week. I'm also going back through your videos trying to really challenge myself to cut an already frugal budget even more to rebuild some savings after a couple of necessary trips for family issues. Gosh, travel is expensive when extended family lives more than 1,000 miles away from you...
When you travel that far do you take food with you or depend on resturant or fast food? Not judging but there are lots of hacks for cooking in hotel rooms. I worked at a hotel and was eye-opening for me. Take a instapot with you, you never know what you can conjur up.
We do not have coupons here in Australia ! I find the best price is per item or kg, thus ALDI is the best unit price most of the time but not always !!! I have also found many companies now like like to give you 180 rolls of toulet paper compared to the previous 200! I find it easier ro compare per 100g than other stores ! We dont have kroger !
When it comes to reducing electric bills I have found reducing overall usage is the safest. If you look into the various offers to reduce bills like ways to discount through the electronic company or some other company in the end it wasn’t a savings. Always be sure to read the fine print. In my area many of the utility offers simply tack the payout on the back end so it seem like a savings up front. I do better reducing dryer time, unplugging what isn’t in use and only turning on what is necessary.
Hope and Larry thank you for helping! I think what would Hope and Larry do often when it comes to spending. My husband even says what would your money saving couple do. Your ideas help so much! I wish the average utility bill was what mine was... mine was $330! But we do live in Florida and now no rain with extreme heat is keeping ours high. We are working on it though! I wish we had your grocery store in the area! It is hard to find real discounts on food because with such a high influx of people moving here and the infastructure is unable to handle it, keeps food prices high and without sales except the circulars. Thank you, again!
One way to save on electricity is to make sure you don't do laundry or heavy cooking/baking during peak hours when rates are higher. Choosing to take cooler or even cold showers also helps. If you live in an area where you can opt into a peak hours power shut off if required, it can save you quite a bit of money as the rate increases during peak hour won't apply to your usage and (at least our power company) pays $8 for each time they shut off the power and apply it towards our bill. One of my friends has less square footage and won't turn on her AC unless the temperature reaches 90ºF and her bill was over $340 whereas our bill was about $140 and we keep our temperature at 75ºF.
Unfortunately, in the state of Florida homeowners insurance availability is getting more and more sparse. Many of the large companies have left, such as Progressive (who I have for auto insurance), and one of the only companies that will insure homes in Florida right now is Citizens. This is largely due to hurricane payouts. Comparing citizens and progressive I get a better deal having my auto insurance separate and with progressive, and my home insurance with citizens, vs having both with Citizens. So I cannot combine my auto and home insurance unfortunately
Our family is too big to do a spontaneous drive through. Could easily buy a box of pasta and a can of sauce if you are really hungry. Or better yet, PB&J
Love your hair Hope..I cut my own hair..you wear your hair much like someone who has bangs. So much more attractive than women who have a high forehead without bangs ..or your hairstyle over your forehead.
Your groceries are cheap we dont have markdowns like that in Canada are groceries are way more double or triple in price and coupons don't really happen either our phone plans aren't cheap like that either cheapest is 70 for unlimited
Our monthly Kroger freebie was a bag of Sun Chips but Kroger caught on that we never buy chips so as of August, our freebie is a couple bucks off $7 or more of Kroger bakery items. Sharking through Kroger today netted me 1 tray of chicken leg 1/4s and 3 “oops we baked too much” bakery items. Meh. The Doppelgängers
We began by substituting plant-based sources of protein and using those instead of meat. Beans, broccoli, chickpeas, lentils, quinoa, and split peas are examples.
Ha I had a co worker when this first started and he said he looked at his bank account and added it up and realized he spent OVER $800 just that ONE month in Uber eats!!! 😮could not even imagine
I try to lower the electric bill and gas but it is very frustrating when you come home and see your spouse has the AC set to 68 and the patio door wide open 😡😤
As my mother before me, I clean out my refrigerator every week. It prevents items from getting shoved to the back of the refrigerator, being forgotten, and spoiling.
Sausage ideas
Add to chili
Pasta sauce
Make tacos
Sloppy joe
Sausage and veggie frittata
Casserole
Soups
Stew
Rochelle, these are great ideas! Thanks.
I love that you included meat even though it wasn’t relevant to you
In all fairness the people spending their money on fast food could be doing so because they were slaving away at work all day and had no energy left to cook afterwards some people with 2 jobs and single moms.. I could see it the way we are all struggling right now..
I know you did the interview with chef aj but in the future could hope do a veganism 101 on a budget and for a family? That would help save so much money for so many people!
I was vegan for about 15 years and very sick for 10..I don't recommend that diet, especially for children.
We bought a new to us car today and my brother-in-law said how much are the monthly payment and we got to say 0 cause we paid cash, it felt so good.
Save 100% on the grapes. Leave them at the store. Buck each for peppers? Still too much. Get one for salad. Roll ups? what do you roll them with? Save on electricity: turn off lights AS YOU LEAVE the room EVERY time. Don't spill electricity. Keep only one bulb in multibulb fixture. Wake up just before sunrise. Sleep when it gets dark. Small flashlite beside the bed. Turn off the TV unless you are actively watching. If whatever has a little signal light, unplug it. Turn OFF the computer when you arent' using it. Bake in winter. Garage sale partial candles provide light AND heat. Use glass-neck salad oil dispenser for dish soap. Oatmeal is good for any meal.
I cook 1 meal per day for my family. Breakfast and lunch are simple items like fresh fruit and vegetables that are in season oatmeal, toast, eggs ect. Im able to feed 3 people on as little as $200 a month.
I watch for sales on meats and make my meals around them. I cut large pork loins into 3 or 4 sections for multiple meals. When I slow roast the pork or beef, I usually get more than one meal out of it.
That's how I cook with meat! It adds protein and flavoring but I try to triple it with extra veggies, tomatoes, beans, rice and pasta.
I know that cooking so that there are meals for many nights is a good idea. This brought me back to my childhood. My parents were so broke, that we ate on the same meal for 4-5 days. By middle school, we were cleaning office buildings after school with mom and was able to go out to McDonals or Burger King and eat in the car because there was no time to cook. We were there from 5-8:30 at night. I loved eating out as a kid. Looking back, it was not the best plan - financially or health wise. Planning is the best options!
Last weekend, we decided we "wanted" fish n chips & onion rings (Halibut). It is cheaper to get take out than dine in. When I was getting ready to order, I noticed it was going to cost for 2 of us $47 + tax & TIP (pet peeve). Well over $50 (CAD or 37 USD). Yup, that's not happening. Instead I threw in a prepared lasagna and garlic toast that cost only 1/10th of the cost of fish & chips for the same amount of time before we ate (1 hr ) and either way, we still had to do dishes and we kept the TIP.(to insure prompt service). So far this year, I have not spent anything on eating out
Love the bloopers at the end!!! If people realized how many hours of work it takes to pay for their "convenience foods" to "save time" they'd realize that they're not saving time at all! We've lived frugally all our lives & it's meant that we could work less hours to spend more time with our kids as they were growing up. It's definitely been worth it. As adults they've often shared how special those times together were.🥰Blessings from South Australia💕🐨
I figure in a $10hr travel & shopping time + gas to travel. It's cheaper to stay local & use digital coupons & receipt app.
Wow, I don’t typically buy many convenience foods but I’ve never really thought of it like that. The less money I spend on those items means the less time I will have to work in the long run.
I am on the 4th week of cutting my grocery budget in half using your suggestions. I'm amazed how much less I'm spending. Thanks!
I don't shop at Kroger much. Their sale items are mostly junk food in my area and you usually have to buy 5 items. Plus they tend to rip me off on 2-3 items each shopping trip by not applying coupons and sale prices.
Never have I or never will I ever pay to have food delivered to me. A lot of my husband's co workers are guilty of food delivery and going out for fast food. My husband packs his lunch for work every day and has the entire 35 years we have been married.
If you are over 60 and lower income check with your Utility companies to see if they offer discounts. We receive 10% off our monthly Water/Electric/trash/sewer bill and qualified for Heap on our gas heat for a once a year credit.
It's 8:15 AM Texas Time, gathering extra stuff I don't need to take to small food bank, I'll head out in a couple hours, hit Dollar Tree & hit two Food Banks a block from each other & pick up things I need. May stop at QT for ice & Winco for ice cream.
Food banks are so helpful and the price (free) is my favorite.
I properly store groceries as I get home
If my nail polish is drying out, I add a few drops of nail polish remover,or hand sanitizer.
I use every last bit of whatever I have before buying more..
I never use nail polish unless it is approved in Europe because the nail polish in United States causes cancer.
I like to buy grapes when they are in peak season and super cheap, then FREEZE them! They are a sweet treat and last for months ❤
Menu planning...if my "lost generation" dad and "greatest generation" mom ever menu planned when I was young, it was mostly a pot roast w/mixed veggies or string beans, and potatoes during the week...I wasn't a veggie fan back then, but have them more often now. My dad always cooked corned beef hash for Saturday lunch...Sundays we either had leftovers or my dad cooked on the grill for supper, and also sometimes for supper on Saturday...Friday night we usually went to a local Italian restaurant for dinner...that restaurant has been closed for a long time, but when I last visited my hometown in Upstate NY, I went to another Italian restaurant nearby and had a great meal. I rarely eat pot roast now due to the cost; I now eat mostly chicken and some fish, and will have a 3-egg omelet for brunch or dinner once a week or so...
We buy peppers in bulk as well. We chop and freeze them for future meals. They defrost easily and cook up nicely. TIP: I just shaved off $120.00 annually off my Consumer Cellular cell phone. I switched to on-line automatic billings (saving $5.00 per month) I also removed the texting option and got my monthly bill down to $19.00 per month. (unlimited data.) We also pay monthly for insurances etc. otherwise there is a $5.00-$6.00 charge per month to pay them monthly. A NO brainer!
You are looking very smart Larry.....love it....
I started sinking funds for Taxes (property) and Insurances years ago.
Even on Social Security we have the ability to save in these sinking funds!
So true about menu planning based on foods you have or what’s on sale/in season. If you menu plan for whatever meals you want and then shop you’re buying the ingredients at full price. There’s little savings.
True!
Yep, I would have bought even more of those peppers, fried them up and stuck in the freezer. The meat could also be sliced thin to use on pizza. Just beware about Bill Gates fake meats...chicken and beef, they are not required to mark in stores. My local groc. cuts up their own meats.
Half of my bf's food budget was for convience. 1 sandwich/fries meal out is what I "spend" in a full week by cooking at home.
I actually make a hot pepper jelly that is loved by my entire family. I first served it as an appetizer of bagels toasted, lightly smeared with cream cheese and then a spread of the hot pepper jelly. Then it was cut cut into bite sized chunks. They make you sticky, so forks or toothpicks are recommended. Even my parents loved this. I use it also to flavor the fried rice I make.
How'd you make that
@@valjean2036 I used a ball blue book recipe for it.
I have tracked my spending and was stunned by what I spent on take out last month. Embarrassingly it was $80, 22 for a family meal and the rest coffee and muffins. This month will be different.
Now you know! It's easier to change habits when you have the facts (numbers in this case).
I saved $60 by buying twenty cans of pie filling at dollartree versus paying _$4 a can at dollar general.
I don't have a dryer hang clothes on shower rod cook in crockpot keep thermostat at 79degrees eat sandwiches maybe cook something once a week using oven or top of stove
When I started heating with pellets and natural gas was my backup. My gas bill was $79 100% natural gas a month budget to $15 a month. I paid around $250 for pellets a year back then. That year they replaced my gas meter.
The key is to have energy options. One year I used corn that a farm couldn't feed or sell . That was mixed with pellets to heat the house.
The cheapest heat was when the store selling pellets had a few bags wet on each pallet of pellets. They sold them to me for $50 for each pallet. That was $100 for the year. The pellets in some bags needed screening so some work was required. One cup of fines from the screening was added to each hopper of pellets. The ash goes into the garden.
Adding your labor can save money on the heat bill. In the fall when they pick corn and shell it, you can in some cases cover the inside of your pickup bed in plastic and they will dump shelled corn into the pickup truck box. You pay for the load of corn. They don't pay for bags or bagging and you do all the storing at home. Then you mix corn and pellets to heat.
I LOVE RN'S story!!!
I'd LOVE to save 30 days in less than a month!!! 😂
LOL! We have such a good time with our mistakes.
You hit it on the nose...... coffee. I don't ever go out to drink coffee but buying coffee beans. Coffee beans have gone up. A 24oz coffee bean was $11.50 then went up to $20.00. Boy I had to go shopping around on line to find a better deal. Thanks again for your episode.....
Great tips! Can you teach us how to use digital coupons?? How do you down load them onto your phone? Technology is daunting to the elderly in the crowd! TIA!
I found out last time I tried the digital coupons that I had an old card and a newer version on file. Only one number was being picked up at the register. Luckily, I noticed that more than half my lost leaders were not getting the full mark down. The supervisor looked at my account and got it straightened out. Got me almost $15 back! Yes, those coupons are a pain, but I ask the cashier to help me!
We have a natural gas heater and water heater so our bill is very low in the summer- around $14. We’re in the south and don’t turn the heat on til mid or late November. Last year the gas company sent a technician out the first of November to replace our meter because they thought it wasn’t working because the usage hadn’t increased since summer. I tried to explain to the tech that we hadn’t turned the heat on yet and the only gas usage was from the water heater. He insisted on replacing the meter anyway lol😊
Did my weekly grocery shopping this morning and I saved 18%. I'm curious about the percent of savings others are experiencing this week.
As I watched the video I found myself nodding at a lot of the things you mentioned.
Right now in West Central Ohio, it is about 65 degrees out, and the high is only about 75. So all the A/C and fans are turned off. And as am running around barefoot in the house, my feet are a bit cold. Need to get the slippers out!
It always seems to go from bare sleeves to sweater weather so fast, doesn't it?
You are so luck here in California it is 106 in the shade.
The Kelbasa ideas you gave are really good. We are starting to do tuna patties one night a week, along with chicken from the cans for chicken salad, etc. to help with meat prices. We are trying to use our smaller car more when we can for errands etc. Right now, I am going to turn the air up to 78 and get a fan going. One is already running. Good ideas.
Having my groceries delivered saved me time when I was working. Now, I continue having most of my groceries delivered...to save time, to save gas, for medical reasons, and in my area, to ensure my personal safety...people have been attacked in store parking lots and have had their groceries stolen, or even carjacked...I can afford the convenience of grocery delivery, especially for larger orders or for items that are heavier than I cannot easily carry myself...
That sounds really sensible I do this too best wishes to you
Got back from food bank, got two of those giant cans of dehydrated vegetables, preppers choice and a few other good things, picked up an autographed book at Goodwill for $2.00. I go back in two weeks & hope they have more cans.
Use the peanut butter plus oatmeal molasses and a banana salt vanilla baking soda to make a great sticky cookie. I used molasses that had expired in 2014. Was fine. Was super tasty and vegan and uses up a condiment that sits in the cupboard for years.
Yum! Sounds delicious.
I'm in the UK. I'm fascinated by US food and the prices
Same & I'm in Australia 😂
@myaccount9498 it's so expensive compared to here. How about there?
Same here in Ireland. No coupons, minimal loss leaders and cant depend on getting markdowns.
@deborahevans189 America is very cheap compared to here! But their quality of food is appalling. So many chemicals banned worldwide that are allowed in food only in USA. We don't have coupons here & lots of supermarkets are going broke and closing down
I shop monthly for canned items, cereals but weekly for all else. I cook a main meal for the whole week like stuffed pepper soup, chili, bok choy salad with ginger dressing, cabbage and oodles then I fill in with other things if I want something different or want to add fruit etc.. I freeze anything for meals later in month.
The menu planning with loss leaders is soooooo true. So true. I wasn’t taught this and learned as an adult. It’s revolutionized my grocery game. You get better each year.
I tend towards wfpb, but my whole family are all 100% on the meat and dairy train. Today’s grocery haul with Kroger was amazing. I saved more than 50% between sales and coupons. I mostly but only sale items and plan around them, like you share. I do delivery from kroger (we don’t have a retail location… so no markdowns, but also no impulse purchases 😅). Then I do a grocery pick up of loss leaders at heb. I stop in Costco once a month for pet meds and get whatever is a steal there.
Today’s Kroger haul was only $103 and included 18 pounds of beef and a 20 pound dog food. When you buy everything in sale, it’s really incredible what you can do with your budget.
Interesting. Just got home from HEB. I take the trek down to Costco slightly more frequently. I am no on the Kroger bandwagon but may consider it. I do have a Kroger card from back when we lived in Houston. One of our neighbors said she gets points for gas that can be used at some Shell stations. A recent fill up saved her $0.70/gallon.
You two are just the best. Thank you so much for continued intelligent and practical ideas and inspiration. Please keep up the good work! God bless you!
I like to make pepper jelly from peppers we gather from the garden. So good poured on top of a block of cream cheese.
Yes. I was thinking for a charcuterie board that red pepper jelly would be perfect!
It 1107 pm here in Melbourne Australia laying in bed and ong new vidoe im all over it love u both
Glad you enjoyed it. This was kind of a "bonus video". Usually we don't do videos on Tuesdays. But, that grocery haul was too good not to share.
@@UndertheMedian ya got some great bargains
Be sure to call companies to ask if they offer discounts for paying annually or by a specific payment method like direct debit or cash. They don't always mention it in customer communications. I was able to save 10%-20% - not only on insurance and mobile phone service, but also on contact lenses, internet, subscriptions and other bills. I also schedule annual payments so they don't all hit at the same time.
I wish I could implement all the ideas that save on power, water, etc. Utilities are covered in the maintenance fees of my condominium, and that's a fixed monthly cost (which goes up every year). No doubt I'm paying much more per month than I would if utilities were in my control.
I was shocked at how much less my car insurance was when I paid the 6 months in full, instead of monthly. I saved 1/3
I absolutely love how you do ALL the math. You break it down to price per person. It is so helpful!!
i do price comparison and i also shop clearance sometimes i download coupons but the store rejects them for no reason specially HEB walmart accepts all i spend $ 150 each week id like to waste less we're a family of 3 soon to be 4 i like to save a bunch but i struggle with groceries specially because i cant eat certain foods i also plan my meals ahead ill try your first way and see how it goes
That pineapple/chili jam is very nice 😊
It really is! I'm eating some right now on bread. It is amazing!
I have lowered my hydro usage by using the same shower towel for a week. I’m clean after my shower and hang my towel to dry so it is clean for the week and sometimes 2 weeks. I only do washing during cheap time here in Ontario and I hang outside to dry. I have hung inside during the winter also. We don’t use our oven much but use air fryer and bbq lots.
We use hand towels instead of larger towels. Easily handwashed.
Anxious for the tips. Been away but back and so glad!!!!!
Hope & Larry, this was a really good video! I also got a big laugh out of the blooper and Larry's reaction when he realized that the words that had just come out of his mouth didn't make a boatload of sense. ANNNNyway, just wanted to say that utility costs are something that might bear scrutiny when people are considering relocating. I'm blessed to live in an area served by a co-op that actually returns some money every year proportional to usage. Last year it was something like $36.00 for me, and the rates are already good. Highest power bill a couple of years back with central A.C. running 24/7 was $156 but during Spring and Fall, it's down around $45. Have a wonderful week - love & hugs from the steamy DelMarVa peninsula.
Just this past weekend,it was over 100degrees in my area of Chicago.
And, I live right around the corner from the lake
We usually buy 2 weeks at a time and fresh produce on the weeks in between. But for the month of August for our grocery haul videos, we are challenging ourselves to do a one month large haul and only go back for fresh produce. Our goal is to stay under $300 for the 3 of us. We average $357/month so it would save us a little bit. 👍
I love this channel, and particularly I enjoy the occasional exchanges between the two of you and that blooper at the end.
What surprised me though, is that your grocery savings tips/habits didn't include the tip to shop your own pantry first! Before I even look at special offers on loss leaders, I build the best meal plan I can from what I already have at home. The money on those things is already spent, so all I have to buy is anything I still need to make the recipe. Then I look at loss leaders and special offers online and see what I can make from those items. There isn't usually much space on my meal plan when I've done that.
I find if I don't shop in this order, I will end up overbuying my veggies (especially being plant-based, I like to have a fridge full of fresh veggies, and can forget how many I already have in the freezer, so the tip about shopping my own pantry does include my freezer and what remains in the fridge too). And if I overbuy, there is often waste that I cannot use up quickly enough, which is scandalous to me, and sort of sinful.
Excellent suggestions. I do most, but clearance sections are rare where I live. I find loss leaders sell out early and often don't get restocked, so may have to alter my menu planning a bit (long commute does not allow me to pop in early for sale). I do buy bell peppers on sale, slice and freeze on tray then in ziploc, to use in a stirfry later. I do have some summer hot days (90s-100+) but have managed without AC so far by opening windows at night and using thermal curtains by day. I try to charge devices when awake to avoid leaving them connected all night. All efforts help with overall spending.
As for a raincheck for items that are sold out
My thought EXACTLY👏👏
You both are so precious and dear...I like to laugh along with you. Ty for all the practical help you offer! Its helping 😂
Get to know when ur power company charges "Peak time" rates ours here in southeast GA are between 2-7pm and ur "Off peak times" ours are between 11pm -7am n on the weekends, they are the times when I run my dishwasher do my laundry etc. Other way to save money is NOT using ur oven or stove. Mine is electric so it's cheaper to me to cook as much in my air fryer n use so much LESS electricity then using my oven or stove
New sub, love your channel. It is very helpful and encouraging for my new frugal journey. These are very helpful suggestions, thank you!
When shopping for home insurance, dont buy the cheapest policy. You should not only compare coverage but find out how strong the companys financial state is and whether they are good at paying claims. I worked in claims for 6 years. If you have to file for a large claim (like roof damage) you want the claim to be covered quickly and you dont want to be nickled and dimed by the adjustor. You can check insurance ratings. Geico has some of the lowest premiums but a below average rating for claims payout.
To save money on
homeowner insurance raise your deductible, dont buy more insurance than needed and bundle your car and homeowners ins.
What a great way of thinking! Most impressed with your suggestion on meat as flavouring. Will try! Thank you both 😊
Great tips, thank you. I feel like i need to put in a lot more work and time for groceries to save money. Meal planning, price shopping, it all takes effort
eat beef mince, eggs and butter. Eat one meal a day OMAD harden up a bit hey 😊
Oh I love pepper jelly and that's an amazing price!! A local company sells pepper jelly at $8 for a jar that size. You did good!
We opened the pepper jelly on Sunday when our kids came over for lunch. Oh my goodness! I am SO in love with that stuff!
You two are amazing!
You are, too!
I love watching the two of you!!
We plan meals around loss leaders and digital coupons. We save the fuel points and take both cars for fuel at the same time so we can max our savings at the pump.
Wish I could save more... I'm already bare bones in my budget. I live in rural area so only 1 grocery store, which I rarely shop at. The loss leader meats might be cheaper than at the farm, but I doubt it was grass fed and finished raised without antibiotics or shots. Store bought dairy makes us sick. We don't eat processed foods. Thus there is little I purchase at the store. Our diet consists of veggies and meat. I have to be strict with carb/sugar count. Food was how my adopted son was abused so I don't ration what he eats as it causes him distress. So if I made a casserole he would have picked all the meat out and put it on his plate. All that would be left would be part of the filler to the casserole. How do you save enough to save up to pay full year as a single mom almost retirement age who also homeschools, I don't have extra to save to pay whole year of insurance and save for end of year taxes and emergency fund.
Thanks for more tips
That roast price is very good as well.
Thanks for the tips. I can't use some of them as we don't have these "coupons" for grocery shopping in my country. Wish we did they sound great! But you have made me consider how often I eat out. I buy take away lunch and dinner far too much. I am going to cut down and allow myself only one take away meal a week.
Hi Hope and Larry 🤗 great tips as usual and can I say that Hope looks fantastic!!🥰
I have been buying only markdown meat for many years (not sale not full price). I always check the clearance and markdown aisle and throughout the store for markdowns if I find a great deal I stock up as long as I rotate I'm fine. I do all my Moms shopping and for the clearance items if I see something I have a couple friends I will give them a call to see if they can use if it's not something I want. This and coupons has saved me a lot of money throughout the years.
One of my recent best deals was getting 12 jars of Ragu 24 oz spaghetti sauce expiration date August 2024 for $.57 cents a jar regular shelf price $2.19
I went grocery shopping today at City Market (Kroger store) and spent $154 and saved a whopping $104 by shopping sale others only.
I think you guys are such a nice couple. I haven't watched a video in a while but you guys look great.
The other day I bought a package of two pork tenderloins. I got 2 packages of cut up strips for pork stirfry, 4 packages of pork medallions that I will pound out to make pork cutlets and 2 pork roasts that will feed my husband and I for 4 meals. Total of 10 meals for $12.
That's so great 👍
I took your advice and tried switching to Mint Mobile. The super great deal you had was over, but it's still going to be less than I was paying at T-Mobile. I hope they still give you the finder's fee! Anyway, it was a huge pain to do the switch, just as I figured. But my 23 year old son was home, so he came to the rescue. 😀 Yay for tech-savvy kids!
Just wanted to let you know that your good advice is still helping people from your past videos! Cheers
Oh no! Sorry you had difficulties. I have to call my tech kids all the time to come to my rescue. LOL!
really interesting; but over here inamsterdami have to visit three supermarket to get more bang for thebuck as far as groceries go
We've overstocked on some loss leader items and are currently in a freezer/pantry challenge to use up what we have and only purchase a few perishables each week. I'm also going back through your videos trying to really challenge myself to cut an already frugal budget even more to rebuild some savings after a couple of necessary trips for family issues. Gosh, travel is expensive when extended family lives more than 1,000 miles away from you...
When you travel that far do you take food with you or depend on resturant or fast food? Not judging but there are lots of hacks for cooking in hotel rooms. I worked at a hotel and was eye-opening for me. Take a instapot with you, you never know what you can conjur up.
We do not have coupons here in Australia ! I find the best price is per item or kg, thus ALDI is the best unit price most of the time but not always !!! I have also found many companies now like like to give you 180 rolls of toulet paper compared to the previous 200!
I find it easier ro compare per 100g than other stores ! We dont have kroger !
I love red pepper jelly +
Larry- How do we save 30 days in the month??? Lol! 😂😂😂
When it comes to reducing electric bills I have found reducing overall usage is the safest.
If you look into the various offers to reduce bills like ways to discount through the electronic company or some other company in the end it wasn’t a savings. Always be sure to read the fine print. In my area many of the utility offers simply tack the payout on the back end so it seem like a savings up front. I do better reducing dryer time, unplugging what isn’t in use and only turning on what is necessary.
Hope and Larry thank you for helping! I think what would Hope and Larry do often when it comes to spending. My husband even says what would your money saving couple do. Your ideas help so much! I wish the average utility bill was what mine was... mine was $330! But we do live in Florida and now no rain with extreme heat is keeping ours high. We are working on it though! I wish we had your grocery store in the area! It is hard to find real discounts on food because with such a high influx of people moving here and the infastructure is unable to handle it, keeps food prices high and without sales except the circulars. Thank you, again!
One way to save on electricity is to make sure you don't do laundry or heavy cooking/baking during peak hours when rates are higher. Choosing to take cooler or even cold showers also helps.
If you live in an area where you can opt into a peak hours power shut off if required, it can save you quite a bit of money as the rate increases during peak hour won't apply to your usage and (at least our power company) pays $8 for each time they shut off the power and apply it towards our bill. One of my friends has less square footage and won't turn on her AC unless the temperature reaches 90ºF and her bill was over $340 whereas our bill was about $140 and we keep our temperature at 75ºF.
I live in Ontario and I don’t think we have that many coupons to use. We also don’t have Kroger
Great share, guys. You were too funny with the peppers. I was thinking that you were about to drop one. 🤣
Unfortunately, in the state of Florida homeowners insurance availability is getting more and more sparse. Many of the large companies have left, such as Progressive (who I have for auto insurance), and one of the only companies that will insure homes in Florida right now is Citizens. This is largely due to hurricane payouts. Comparing citizens and progressive I get a better deal having my auto insurance separate and with progressive, and my home insurance with citizens, vs having both with Citizens. So I cannot combine my auto and home insurance unfortunately
Amazing price on the grapes 🍇
They were so amazing. They wound up lasting us just a smidge over a week.
@UndertheMedian So healthy too! I'm missing grapes while it's Winter in Australia
Our family is too big to do a spontaneous drive through. Could easily buy a box of pasta and a can of sauce if you are really hungry. Or better yet, PB&J
The jelly sounds so yummy. I would eat it for sure.
Love your hair Hope..I cut my own hair..you wear your hair much like someone who has bangs. So much more attractive than women who have a high forehead without bangs ..or your hairstyle over your forehead.
Your groceries are cheap we dont have markdowns like that in Canada are groceries are way more double or triple in price and coupons don't really happen either our phone plans aren't cheap like that either cheapest is 70 for unlimited
Our monthly Kroger freebie was a bag of Sun Chips but Kroger caught on that we never buy chips so as of August, our freebie is a couple bucks off $7 or more of Kroger bakery items. Sharking through Kroger today netted me 1 tray of chicken leg 1/4s and 3 “oops we baked too much” bakery items. Meh. The Doppelgängers
What do you eat if you want to start excluding meat from your diet?
We began by substituting plant-based sources of protein and using those instead of meat. Beans, broccoli, chickpeas, lentils, quinoa, and split peas are examples.