“Cut your coat according to your cloth“. We grew up hearing that expression and it still holds good today. Thanks for all your videos and interesting topics.
I had all the ingredients for a properly fancy solo Christmas dinner one year. Didn't feel like cooking on the day when it came round, though. Made a terrific cheese and tomato sandwich instead, with a little salt and freshly ground black pepper on some good wholemeal seeded bread. The tomatoes were plump and juicy, and the cheese was one of my favourites that I always treated myself to at Christmas. It was the bees' knees for a Christmas lunch because it was exactly what I fancied at the time. (I ate the "Christmas" dinner a day or two later and enjoyed it then because I didn't mind cooking on that day.) You are so right, Ilona - if you enjoy good food all the time, then Christmas dinner becomes exactly whatever you fancy of what you've got, doesn't it? It's just one day. I know you don't have a TV, but honestly, the promotions for Christmas start early (August/September) and get more and more hysterical (Buy! Buy! Buy!) as the festive season approaches. I find all that rampant consumerism and consumption a bit repellent, to be honest. One Christmas when money was very tight, I remember deciding that I could shrink all those so-called "Christmas treats" down to a small packet of all-butter shortbread and a 100g bar of my favourite chocolate. It was plenty! I still felt like Christmas was a treat for me, without breaking the bank. The way prices are rising now, I'm more interested in keeping fruit and vegetables on my dinner plates. This Christmas might be a repeat of that one - I don't think I'd be missing out, either.
I’m a new subscriber and please take this as a compliment but you remind me of my mum. She lived through the war and knew how to save money. Thankyou for the brilliant content x
Loved the last 2 videos, and thank you for replying yesterday.. Carrying on with the topic, I know you cook healthily and frugally. Sometime would you give some examples of your meals please? I know you show some in your older videos, but a series on what we can cook frugally would be enjoyed by lots of us out here. Merry Christmas and good health to you. Christine from Brum in Canada.
Hi Illona, I totally agree with you, and its not just about the cost of living when you retire, it's also about saving resources. I prefer to spend what money I have on me rather than the fat cats!!! Being born in 59, I was bought up with the frugal, use everything mind set, its a very interesting journey back into living on a restricted income! Happiness does not equal money! Bless you, big hugs for Christmas xxxxxxx
I have had to change my lifestyle a lot. I used to travel the world but on a low income it is hard to do, but I get my travel fix by going on day trips. I don't go to gym classes now but I walk, cycle and use the outdoor gym. I also try lots of foreign foods... in the UK and get the pretend experience that I am travelling. I think my life is richer now than spending hundreds just on flights, just for a few weeks. I have candles in my house as an extra to keep warm and use one room. I only have a few friends so my birthday and outing costs are very minimal.
Spot on, I live in Norway, over the last couple of years, we are all hooked up to a smartmeter, the electricity company has attached a smartmeter to watch when we are using electricity. Now, the prices are rising, and horrendous really, and they were going to add another fee to the grid, based on when you use the electricity during the day, and even a fee for "rush hours". Absolutely insane, big protests here, and they are now postponing it, and hopefully cancel the idea all together. I have a fixed price on my electricity as of earlier this fall. At least I know what I have to pay, and dont have to worry about record hight prices. Hope you had a lovely Christmas.
Some good advice Thank you 🙏 .. I’ve worked hard all my life at 70 now .. I enjoy my retirement.. I budget each month but I won’t scrimp on certain items to make my life comfortable .. Blessings for 2022 Ilona x
You do talk a lot of sense Iiona 👍 Thanks for all the tips and I wish you a very Merry Christmas …. Ps I love beans on toast with a poached egg on top too x can’t go wrong!
Sometimes you save on somethings to be able to afford things you NEED…and most of the time, you never notice…you always have words of wisdom Ilona, i hope more take them to heart xx
It gets much colder here than where you live, but I agree that a lifestyle of thrift is learned and then becomes a habit. I don't have a special holiday meal. It is a one-day holiday. I enjoy decorations and lights on cold dreary nights most of all. My cat loves yarn pom-poms for winter toys. I do have a mattress pad heater on the bed if it gets frightfully cold, but usually, two blankets are enough. Those double-sided fleece or furlike blankets are very warm to use and trap so much body heat that I haven't needed to use the electric mattress pad heater. Flannel sheets and PJs are great for winter as well.
I adore you! You always brighten my day when I see your videos, sorry so long since I have had to catch up on your videos, My Father was sick and I spend a lot more time helping him. I'm thankful his newer medications are helping him a bit more now as he has been hospitalized 3 times in a year. I'm thankful he is doing good and I'm thankful for so many things. I love your tips as I too love watching what I spend, being frugal and I'm working on paying off my mortgage as soon as I can. Thanks for being here and for sharing. Hugssss Ilona! Sending your many wishes for good tidings of Joy!
Last year when Texas got a hard freeze, people with Smart meters said the electric company controlled the temperature in their households. I would never have a Smart meter. I don’t let any company deduct my payment from my checking account either. I pay after I get the bill. The companies say it’s easier but if they make an error on your bill, they won’t give the money back. They’ll give you a credit. I’m amazed how money people allow their money to be taken out without their knowledge. Merry Christmas and fingers crossed for a better New Year.
Here in the UK, a smart meter just means you don't have to give meter readings. You also have a monitor to use, if you want to, to keep an eye on how much energy you are using and it helps you gauge how much individual appliances use. You don't have take any notice of it. If I'm cold I put my heating on regardless of what the monitor says. They can't control the temperature on my heating, my thermostat and smart meter aren't connected. I only had one because it was free. I have one of the first stage ones and at the moment, if I change supplier, the new supplier won't have access to it but that is supposed to be changing. It doesn't mean I can't change suppliers it just means I'll have to give them meter readings or someone will have to call to the house. If I am overpaying my supplier, British Gas, refunds my money and reduces my monthly payments.
I like your Christmas tree! Where did you find so many colours of pot scrubbers? Brilliant! Thank you for your tips on saving money. I put your tips into operation; junOmars from Ireland
I love what you say about the cats being living beings. Many people forget that and neglect their pets. We have a dog, Foxy and she is looked after as if she is our grandchild. She gives us joy. We give her the best of food and car and vets care when needed. from junOmars
We are blessed out here in the United States too.. we have programs for people who are struggling with their utility bills and with food bills and we have grants too for house improvements.. we have a lot of helpful programs out here you just have to look for them
In the coldest days I found the only way to feel my feet warmer was to put on a 15/20min UA-cam video of aerobics,or dancing or walking and exercise, good for body and soul..sounds silly but It s effective..
Everything's gone up mainly since the pandemic...there's a lot of people who realy having a hardtime loosing jobs ect ..merry Christmas 🎄 thanks for 1🎅🎅🎅🎄🎁👍♥️🎈
My friend has 3 teenagers and when their friends come around they are all plugging their phones laptops in iPads in to charge up at her house so here’s a warning to you all with older kids and then it’s your bill that’s going up
Sorry about the split. Part 1 is here.
ua-cam.com/video/sI1McHWKne4/v-deo.html
“Cut your coat according to your cloth“. We grew up hearing that expression and it still holds good today. Thanks for all your videos and interesting topics.
I had all the ingredients for a properly fancy solo Christmas dinner one year. Didn't feel like cooking on the day when it came round, though. Made a terrific cheese and tomato sandwich instead, with a little salt and freshly ground black pepper on some good wholemeal seeded bread. The tomatoes were plump and juicy, and the cheese was one of my favourites that I always treated myself to at Christmas. It was the bees' knees for a Christmas lunch because it was exactly what I fancied at the time. (I ate the "Christmas" dinner a day or two later and enjoyed it then because I didn't mind cooking on that day.)
You are so right, Ilona - if you enjoy good food all the time, then Christmas dinner becomes exactly whatever you fancy of what you've got, doesn't it? It's just one day. I know you don't have a TV, but honestly, the promotions for Christmas start early (August/September) and get more and more hysterical (Buy! Buy! Buy!) as the festive season approaches. I find all that rampant consumerism and consumption a bit repellent, to be honest.
One Christmas when money was very tight, I remember deciding that I could shrink all those so-called "Christmas treats" down to a small packet of all-butter shortbread and a 100g bar of my favourite chocolate. It was plenty! I still felt like Christmas was a treat for me, without breaking the bank. The way prices are rising now, I'm more interested in keeping fruit and vegetables on my dinner plates. This Christmas might be a repeat of that one - I don't think I'd be missing out, either.
I love spending time with you, thank you for the encouragement. Lots of love. ⚘
I’m a new subscriber and please take this as a compliment but you remind me of my mum. She lived through the war and knew how to save money. Thankyou for the brilliant content x
Loved the last 2 videos, and thank you for replying yesterday.. Carrying on with the topic, I know you cook healthily and frugally. Sometime would you give some examples of your meals please? I know you show some in your older videos, but a series on what we can cook frugally would be enjoyed by lots of us out here. Merry Christmas and good health to you. Christine from Brum in Canada.
Hi Illona, I totally agree with you, and its not just about the cost of living when you retire, it's also about saving resources. I prefer to spend what money I have on me rather than the fat cats!!! Being born in 59, I was bought up with the frugal, use everything mind set, its a very interesting journey back into living on a restricted income! Happiness does not equal money! Bless you, big hugs for Christmas xxxxxxx
Thank you for your tips .Love watching you .I have now turned the heating off ,and wearing more clothes x
Hiya Liona, I even turn off all the stand-by lights off, tv, micro wave, radio, computer etc, they all take up electricity, tc hunni & be safe xx
I have had to change my lifestyle a lot. I used to travel the world but on a low income it is hard to do, but I get my travel fix by going on day trips. I don't go to gym classes now but I walk, cycle and use the outdoor gym. I also try lots of foreign foods... in the UK and get the pretend experience that I am travelling. I think my life is richer now than spending hundreds just on flights, just for a few weeks. I have candles in my house as an extra to keep warm and use one room. I only have a few friends so my birthday and outing costs are very minimal.
Spot on, I live in Norway, over the last couple of years, we are all hooked up to a smartmeter, the electricity company has attached a smartmeter to watch when we are using electricity. Now, the prices are rising, and horrendous really, and they were going to add another fee to the grid, based on when you use the electricity during the day, and even a fee for "rush hours". Absolutely insane, big protests here, and they are now postponing it, and hopefully cancel the idea all together. I have a fixed price on my electricity as of earlier this fall. At least I know what I have to pay, and dont have to worry about record hight prices. Hope you had a lovely Christmas.
Some good advice Thank you 🙏 .. I’ve worked hard all my life at 70 now .. I enjoy my retirement.. I budget each month but I won’t scrimp on certain items to make my life comfortable .. Blessings for 2022 Ilona x
You do talk a lot of sense Iiona 👍 Thanks for all the tips and I wish you a very Merry Christmas …. Ps I love beans on toast with a poached egg on top too x can’t go wrong!
Good video thanks. Agree about Christmas. Two grandkids get gifts but no one else. We all agreed.
Sometimes you save on somethings to be able to afford things you NEED…and most of the time, you never notice…you always have words of wisdom Ilona, i hope more take them to heart xx
It gets much colder here than where you live, but I agree that a lifestyle of thrift is learned and then becomes a habit. I don't have a special holiday meal. It is a one-day holiday. I enjoy decorations and lights on cold dreary nights most of all. My cat loves yarn pom-poms for winter toys. I do have a mattress pad heater on the bed if it gets frightfully cold, but usually, two blankets are enough. Those double-sided fleece or furlike blankets are very warm to use and trap so much body heat that I haven't needed to use the electric mattress pad heater. Flannel sheets and PJs are great for winter as well.
I adore you! You always brighten my day when I see your videos, sorry so long since I have had to catch up on your videos, My Father was sick and I spend a lot more time helping him. I'm thankful his newer medications are helping him a bit more now as he has been hospitalized 3 times in a year. I'm thankful he is doing good and I'm thankful for so many things. I love your tips as I too love watching what I spend, being frugal and I'm working on paying off my mortgage as soon as I can. Thanks for being here and for sharing. Hugssss Ilona! Sending your many wishes for good tidings of Joy!
Last year when Texas got a hard freeze, people with Smart meters said the electric company controlled the temperature in their households. I would never have a Smart meter. I don’t let any company deduct my payment from my checking account either. I pay after I get the bill. The companies say it’s easier but if they make an error on your bill, they won’t give the money back. They’ll give you a credit. I’m amazed how money people allow their money to be taken out without their knowledge. Merry Christmas and fingers crossed for a better New Year.
Here in the UK, a smart meter just means you don't have to give meter readings. You also have a monitor to use, if you want to, to keep an eye on how much energy you are using and it helps you gauge how much individual appliances use. You don't have take any notice of it. If I'm cold I put my heating on regardless of what the monitor says. They can't control the temperature on my heating, my thermostat and smart meter aren't connected. I only had one because it was free. I have one of the first stage ones and at the moment, if I change supplier, the new supplier won't have access to it but that is supposed to be changing. It doesn't mean I can't change suppliers it just means I'll have to give them meter readings or someone will have to call to the house. If I am overpaying my supplier, British Gas, refunds my money and reduces my monthly payments.
brilliant advice once again Ilona take care xx
I find cooking for two meals instead of one saves waste and a lovely hearty big stew in the slow cooker is saving on electric to cook too.
Merry Christmas Ilona, so loving what you're doing, all the very best to you & your furry loved one's ❤🙏❤🙏❤😘
Enjoy your Christmas Ilona x
Aaw Maisie's beautiful! Merry Christmas Ilona . Love the tree.
I keep warm with. My cats
I like your Christmas tree! Where did you find so many colours of pot scrubbers? Brilliant!
Thank you for your tips on saving money. I put your tips into operation; junOmars from Ireland
I love what you say about the cats being living beings. Many people forget that and neglect their pets. We have a dog, Foxy and she is looked after as if she is our grandchild. She gives us joy. We give her the best of food and car and vets care when needed. from junOmars
My Cats were a big expense but I made sure they were well looked after I miss them both
Happy Christmas and Happy New year.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas Ilona and the cats too. I’m not a fan of Christmas either it’s a load of faff for nothing really.
I so agree about Christmas. It's just money, money, money. I refuse to get into debt for Christmas.
More people need to take a leaf out of your book! Live smart! 😊
We are blessed out here in the United States too.. we have programs for people who are struggling with their utility bills and with food bills and we have grants too for house improvements.. we have a lot of helpful programs out here you just have to look for them
In the coldest days I found the only way to feel my feet warmer was to put on a 15/20min UA-cam video of aerobics,or dancing or walking and exercise, good for body and soul..sounds silly but It s effective..
Enjoyed your video thank you💐
I know you don't care for all the hullabaloo at christmas so I will just say enjoy your day.
Great information 😊
I don't want to be tracked either babes 👍👍
Everything's gone up mainly since the pandemic...there's a lot of people who realy having a hardtime loosing jobs ect ..merry Christmas 🎄 thanks for 1🎅🎅🎅🎄🎁👍♥️🎈
My friend has 3 teenagers and when their friends come around they are all plugging their phones laptops in iPads in to charge up at her house so here’s a warning to you all with older kids and then it’s your bill that’s going up
I know what's like, I keep telling my kids , put the lights off !🙄