I'm a 65 year old guy, my parents lived thru the great depression and WWII. I was raised to be frugal by example. It's nice to see someone of your generation embracing a minimalist life style, appreciating it, and sharing it. I've watched a few of your videos. I don't agree with everything you say, but I do appreciate your point of view and the message you are sharing with your viewers. Keep it up!
I am 68 and feel like I found my soul mate when I listen to Nicole. No physical attraction, but she sounds just like me. No insurance, my SUV is 1997, my refrigerator is 1997, no money manager. One thing I disagree with is veganism. We are omnivores and need animal products, especially healthy fat and protein. I don't waste money on a gym membership, but I do my stretching, exercise and walking every day.
I simplified my life by selling stuff i didnt need, not paying for things and services i dont use or need and i managed saving little over 20k last year by doing this. I have done the same thing several Years in row. Btw, i have a suuuper low income, so this is kinda big that i managed this. 🙌
Yup the more you own the more you spend. I noticed after slowly giving up everything. I was able to work more or less as well. Paid my rent, electric, phone bill, food, gym membership, gas, & car + rental insurance. I put that money into better self-care products & better food.
I use dawn liquid dish soap for everything. I clean my toilet, tub, sink, stove top, etc. I add a little white vinegar and baking soda for extra scrub power.
I tried some specialty cleaners for my floors and countertops, but they didn't work very well, and left streaks, no matter what I did. Now it's Dawn for almost everything.
When she was talking about giving and receiving gifts I totally agree. I actually told one of my friends to stop buying me gifts for my birthday and Christmas cause she would give me so many small gifts, nic nacs, stationary, cheap jewelry etc and I hate accumulating that stuff so I would give it away and she’d get offended so we agreed that we would go for lunch or dinner as gifts to each other instead.
Totally agree. I had to tell my family to not buy me anything because I'm already content with what I have. If I truly need something I'll let them know.
My best friend is big on gifts. I love her but she goes overboard and spends too much on me. I could never repay her generosity bc I don’t make much money. It makes me feel bad. Not just that I’m trying to get rid of things to live more simply. I don’t mind getting gifts like gas cards or grocery gift cards (things I need). I’ve tried several times talking about how I want to live minimally and how I have too much. But gift giving is her “love language” and she’s not taking the hint, and I don’t want to hurt her feelings by coming out and saying no gifts and hurt her feelings.
@@MsKatalindif she’s a true, mature friend she’ll want to make you happy. Otherwise her giving you gifts is just a way to boost her ego. Tell you you prefer practical gifts, or just outright stop accepting gifts from her if she won’t respect your preferences.
@@nicolewaithera1814 @nicolewaithera Got to love pop psychology and an internet analysis of a stranger. It's called mutual respect, not just one sided.
1. Cable and Netflix 2. Spotify 3.clothes 4. Impose shopping and sales 5. Amazon prime 6. Bank fees/credit fees 7. Investment broker 8. Supplements 9. Fast food/take out coffee 10. Take out lunch 11. Meal delivery 12. Bottle of water 13. House cleaning and yard work 14. Simple car maintenance 15. Install light fictutes 16. Pet insurance 17. Dog grooming 18. Pet sitting 19. Animals products 20. Fabric softer 21. Dryer sheets 22.Car wash 23.Holiday decor 24. Smart watch 25. Alexa 26. Recreational substances 27. No alcohol 28. Cheep furniture 29. Make up 30. Nail Polish 31. New car 32. Generic Art 33. Video games 34. Extended warranty 35. Used clothing 36. Fast fashion 37. Gym membership 38. A bunch of cleaning products 39. Spice blends 40. Salad dressing 41. Cheap kitchen gear 42. Organic groceries 43. Gifts 44. Candles diffusers 45. Purfum 46. One time items 47. New books This is what I managed to get written ❣️
Thanks for the list! I would disagree with 33. Video games, 35. Used clothing & 47. New books I don't own a car nor do I have a pet and never will. 1. I no longer buy cheap tools
Coffee outside home. it's the one thing that I still do, for mental reasons. I am a very busy daughter that takes care of my old mum, and she demands attention like a three year old toddler. Having my cup of coffee in the morning, in a quite place, is a good way to start a day. It's MY moment and I don't give up on it. Besides that, i am already taking the same decisions :)
You should always invest in what is good for your mental and your physical health and do what you enjoy, esp if it doesn't harm anyone else. So you enjoy those morning coffees! 😊
I gave my son a 55” tv and 36” tv. The ex husband was a tv lover. I call wearing the same thing “my uniform “. Before I retired I wore a uniform everyday. It really simplifies things for me.
You make a great point about paying more to invest in good quality things like furniture and kitchen gear. I recently heard a quote from someone’s grandmother, “We’re too poor to buy cheap things”. Buying quality ends up saving money in the long run.
In Australia we have street book libraries that look like a large letterbox. They are for taking and donating books. Works so well!! More fun than shopping and it's free.
In the US, people put up "little libraries" in front of their houses, and they are usually a little house-looking box on a post, and full of books. The idea is that you take a book and leave a book. Some of them are starting to show up on Google Maps.
Completely agree about gift giving. I ask people not to buy me presents. If they are coming to dinner, I ask they bring the wine they want to drink instead of a hostess gift. When someone wants to give me a birthday present, I ask for flowers. I hate it when people bring me trinkets or candles that I will never use. Candles are the worst: they use up oxygen and produce carbon monoxide.
My parents stopped buying presents for the kids when they reached their teens by mutual agreement. On birthdays we might have a takeaway and ill make a birthday cake.
I found a good shift of habits was the rule that I had to use what I had before getting more. I amassed lots of hair products while learning to care for my curly hair. I haven’t bought any unless running out in 2 years. We’re all the products great- no. But as long as they didn’t cause damage I used them. And now as I’m finally running out of things I can buy quality things I will enjoy more
Lots of good advice and habits here. I will say the older you get and the more wealth you accumulate, your time becomes more valuable than the money you save doing everything yourself. When you are young absolutely you should learn how to do everything you can and avoid paying people to do things for you that you can do yourself. Learning those things will help you make better decisions on what's worth paying for as you age.
My family uses Amazon wish lists for gifts. We each make a wish list then share the lists with each other. We normally put things we need for our house/apt in our lists. Tools, dishes, towels, storage items, etc. That way we know we are gifting something the person will actually use and vice versa. (we also don't use Prime)
How refreshing! I’m probably twice your age and it’s taken me a lot longer to figure out exactly what you know to be true. Keep making videos like this! ❤
I agree, I'm 47 and I feel like I could have been so much like Nicole earlier in life but literally thought through my whole 30s that the point of everything was to earn money and spend money like the Joneses. Nope.
My furniture is older than me and it's not heavy heirlooms but just hand me downs from my parents' house. Simple, but really well made, and I repainted them myself. My desk was my dad's and I love it
Ya, these videos helped me to save a decent amount of money. Not as much as Nicole yet but I'm getting there. I am almost 50 years old and for years I was poor. I am not in poverty anymore! Thank you Nicole here from Canada BC!
I do almost all of this. I gave up cable tv in the early nineties and have never paid to watch tv since. Part of the reason I gave up eating out is the obnoxious noise of a tv in a restaurant or lounge. I bought a high end stereo in 1981. I still have it. I paid about $3000.00 dollars for it. That is about 20 cents per day until now.
Ugh! I agree with you re: the loud music or televisions in so many establishments! It's mystifying. I understand TVs in a sports bar, but I've noticed a trend of adding screens in elevators to broadcast stock market and other news. NO! I do not need the constant noise (in all senses) and visual stimulation.
I had to stop the video to make this comment. When you said if somebody ever hurt your dog, you'd have to dispose of a body, your dog makes a face/looks at the camera as if it had already happened at least once 😂 What a cute doggo btw! ❤
Boy, your parents sure did a great job instilling common sense reasoning in you! You are so mature in your approach to day to day living. I have only been watching your channel for about a month now, but have already learned a lot from you. Thanks for your content. It helps!
Agree - anyone who opens their home & heart to a sweet elderly dog is a hero. So wonderful that your furbaby’s last years are with someone who loves him.🐶💕
9:50 I felt that deep in my soul. “If someone were mean to him I would have to dispose of a body.” My kids are grown and yes I have grandchildren, but they live with their parents, and I don’t get to see them daily. So therefore my dogs are extremely loved and cared for by me, just like my children and grandchildren.
As a guy i've never felt the need to have pets. I like other peoples pets (well dogs or cats at least) but do not want the responsibility of looking after them myself, and definitely don't want them destroying any of my stuff.
Extended warranties are often a scam anyway. I used to buy them and after having a couple of issues found out they really try hard not to pay/replace/fix your issue - OR - you still have to pay for diagnostics, service calls, etc... Usually, if something works when you get it, it'll be fine if you take care of it. If it has problems right out of the box, you can usually return it as defective if you do it right away and either get a refund or replacement. I never paid extra for any kind of extended warranty on anything anymore.
Back in the early 80s I watched everyone buy into “kill yourself to succeed” trap, but I wouldn’t play. My idea of success was different. I just wanted to be there for my young kids. Others people may have had more material possessions, but my kids had me. It’s all about values, and about what is really important in your life. For me that’s time. Kids grow up, stuff is just that.
Back then our motto was "Greed is good" and all that. It's still here. People just call it 'chasing the bag' or 'getting a hustle on'. They really don't mean 'regular jobs' anymore. They mean lucrative jobs that give them A+ lifestyle. Greed is good is still the motto, just re-packed into 'things' like pets, 'giving', and living one's 'best' life.
@@ADadSupreme and then let look back and really none of it was was worth it. I’m grateful my adult daughter also has adopted my attitude, and her daughter is benefiting. She and her husband actually do have a very successful at home business, but everything they do is focused on their child (who is 7) first. They don’t live in a huge house, it they love the adorable one they do have, and they definitely know how to avoid a lot of the money sucking traps while hacienda lots of fun. They take advantage of lots of free events and activities, and they really just enjoy unwinding at home as a family. Everyone need to take a deep breath, slow down, do a gratitude inventory, and just enjoy the good things more, especially our loved ones, and especially our children.
In 2023 we canceled Amazon Prime, got different home & car insurance, switched to Mint Mobile, and put new batteries in our iPhone 6s‘s. We do our own cleaning and repairs because it’s kinda satisfying. We got the house sided with Hardie board and painted and paid cash. It is good to be weird. Keep it coming Nicole.
I share a ton of these, Nicole! Easily 3/4 of the list. My only big differences are stuff like makeup, nail polish, etc. But I'm frugal even with those and choose to buy higher end stuff less often than just a ton of products and everything new on the market. Something I have noticed about a lot of the items on your list is how little happiness they seem to bring to those who buy them all. I do have friends who really seem to love watching shows and movies on Netflix and I say good for them, even though I don't feel the need for any of that. But the people who eat fast food and coffee out every single day never seem like they even like it that much. I don't understand spending money that way. I also think it is underrated doing things for yourself, whether cleaning house or pickup up groceries and takeout yourself. I also see so the use of so many of these services as absolute laziness and to be reserved for special situations like people with disabilities or when your car is in the shop but it's your birthday and you're craving a treat - special situations, not a random Tuesday. I know a lot of people who switched over to having everything delivered or picking up curbside and I just don't get it. I am old school and even consider that a form of exercise, albeit very mild exercise. I would always rather pick up my own stuff than pay for delivery unless something huge that won't fit in my car - like a fridge or sofa.
Same here, to Nicole. We think the same thoughts, especially to television and streaming services. It's just junk that rots your brain - read a book instead.
Super ironic to push AG1 after saying you don't do vitamins and supplements, since AG1 is a rather expensive supplement. NSF certified for sport has nothing to do with the quality of the ingredients. It ONLY means that it has been tested and is free of banned substances. There are so many different ingredients in the tiny serving, and they are a proprietary blend, you're getting what amounts to a fairy-dusting of each ingreedient--that means very little of the last ingredients listed. It's not going to hurt you, and if it helps you to drink more water (which it sounds like since the things you attribute to the drink--better skin, etc.--are attributable to being better hydrated), then great. But there's literally nothing special about it.
Not to mention that there are people with autoimmune and hormonal and other health disorders/conditions who have to take a variety of supplements. Just because she's young and healthy doesn't mean everyone won that genetic lottery. Health experts in general agree that even if you eat healthy, there are still supplements that are worth taking, and if you're a vegan, you absolutely need to be taking certain supplements to make up for what you're not getting from animal products. And wait until she decides to have a family and get pregnant or even if that doesn't happen, hits menopause! It's easy to tell others what to do with their lives if you're young and healthy, live in a First World Country with access to clean tap water, proper food and everything else that you need in order to stay healthy. What a privileged twit. 🙄
I love how minimalism is just a fancy kind of word for being old school.... This is the only school I can relate to as I usually disliked going to school as a kid. Being an OGG (old Greek guy) I have been doing pretty much everything that you do as far as keeping one sense of reason and boundaries when it comes to buying stuff and doing things that really accomplished nothing except for keeping my wallet emptier. What I save on several things I can maybe buy one or two things to even out this gig called living I guess. 😎🤙
I have saved 14.000 dollars on dog insurance over the lifespan of my 13 years old dog. I have spent 4.000 on vet bills. This philosophy has earned me 10.000 dollars.
Insurance is intended to replace that which you cannot reasonable afford to replace. If one is living paycheck-to-paycheck, _perhaps_ these (not specifically vets') faux-insurance plans are worthwhile. I carry homeowner's insurance because I can't afford to lose my house. I carry liability insurance because, well, I can't afford to lose my house. I once carried life insurance because my wife couldn't afford to lose me. I don't carry it anymore because she burned dinner.🙃 I mean, at some point the cost exceeds the value. I carry collision insurance on my cars because they're worth an amount that I don't want to lose. My threshold is something between $10K and $20K. Below that, I'll self-insure. I could lose $20K, but it would put a big crimp in my style. Some may not be able to afford $10K as an out of pocket loss, so may need to insure longer. Some don't have $1000... Some really need this faux-insurance but the problem really isn't the insurance.
If you're dining out, you're paying for food, ok, but you're also paying for the experience of it all: visiting a new place, hanging out with other people, trying out new combinations of flavors, the idea of having food prepared for you etc. I don't do it often, but I find it's not that much of a wallet drainer, if you consider the cost of electric power you'd need to prepare the same dishes for your friends (Greece, where I am atm, has the 2nd most expensive electricity in the EU as we speak, so that's something to take account of as well)
She lives in Canada where electricity is a lot cheaper than when you live in Europe. Our Country is a main source of electricity unlike Europe where they have to buy it from other countries that's why your electricity is really expensive.
@@Grybop I live in Canada. I don't live in Greece or Europe. My relatives live in Europe, I have been there. Well the Euro currency is a lot higher in Europe, when in Canada the currency is really low. In Canada we supply most of our things & export most things. I would say in Greece things are expensive because of the Euro dollar & that your country has to buy things from other countries to supply you with things such as electricity being one of them.
Some of us need to go to biokinetic/rehab gyms for physical rehab due to chronic pain and other medical disabilities, so a biokinetics gym membership is crucial. For example, non weight bearing exercises in a heated pool, which you can only access with a gym membership in my country. How ableist of you.
I've dragged the same £40 second hand sofa from my bedroom in my parents house to my first rented flat, to the house I've finally managed to buy outright after a decade of hard mortgage paying! I love your videos because your advice validates my own choices and gives me a happy fuzzy pink feeling inside! I run a 41 year old economy car which I maintain myself. Tempted to do a UA-cam channel on that! All the best, Ed,35,UK 🙂
Maybe the *only* good thing about cheap(er) furniture is if you have to move every few years. I moved about 2,000 miles from where I lived the past 30 years. I had no problem parting with some pieces that were Pottery Barn knockoffs I got from Target. The pieces I had from Restoration Hardware ended up making the the moving truck ($4,200) along with my other stuff, and now sit in a storage unit at $125 a month collecting dust. I would have been better off posting an advertisement and giving those away also.
Here is a library hack to be the first person to read a new book. After you login to your local library, go to the preorder section, usually under new section. Put a hold on any new, not released yet books that the library has ordered. It will tell you your place in line. Often, I am the first or second person to get the book. Also, if there is a book you want that they don’t have, often they will order it in for you for free, and you will be first in line.
great hacks, I do this all the time. Not necessarily trying to be first but it often works out that way. I do think from talking to people in other areas than my own that libraries really vary though. Like at mine every single book looks and smells new and they get hundreds of new titles per month. Not every library is as good.
My library always has piles of new and very nearly new books too, gone are the days of getting a tatty musty old book, and any newer ones we notice damaged we also take out of circulation
i ditched the sofa (it gathers dust and not easy to clean, clutters the room) - for Japanese style futon or cushions to sit on the floor if you find it too hard to sit on. I sit on a thin grass mat (summer) or sheepskin (in winter). I also don't have bed - sleep on yoga mat and the in winter put sheepskin underneath
Putting you in a frame of mind isn’t ok when it gives 20% of the rest of us a headache. Your entertainment can’t HURT me. It’s also literally giving you cancer. All air pollution is. And anything in the air that isn’t air is air pollution
I just cancelled my Amazon Prime with immediate effect, immediately after watching your video! (Despite working for them...) Thanks so much... (I do buy organic if I can, though). Thanks again, Nicole ! X
I think I can one-up you, Nicole, on house cleaning products. I buy 100% alcohol. First, I dilute some of to 10% in a really good spray bottle from really cheap window cleaner, add a small squirt of dish detergent (the blue Palmolive is my favorite) and use that as an all purpose cleaner. Then, I dilute more of it to 10% and use it, with a flat mop, on my floors. I put the mop pad down, pour 10% alcohol on it, add the mop on top, and it cleans great. It cuts through grease, evaporates fast, and leaves no hint of soap. Soap, by contrast, leaves a sticky residue that makes the floor attract and hold dirt fast. Alcohol leaves the surface so clean, nothing wants to stick to it, so dry mopping or sweeping between washes is not only possible but more effective. Finally, I dilute some of the alcohol to 70% and use it as a spray disinfectant. Each of my spray bottles (for general cleaning and for disinfection) were free, as they came with some product in them. I found the alcohol cheapest at a hardware store. Instead of BarKeeper's Friend, I use the plastic mesh from an old Dobie to scrub my sinks. Straight dish soap plus that mesh as a free scrubbie works great and the scrubbie lasts forever, for this.
1:53 Planned Obsolescence is the name of the game now and most tech companies have ramped up their timeline for this business practice. Car companies do it too.
One of children of the families I'm friends with asked me why I didn't spend money on "stuff" for myself. I told her because I save some & donate some to various charities.
I live in apartments and you’d be shocked at the amount of useful things people put by the dumpster. I’ve gotten free barstools, shoe rack, shower caddy and Victoria Secret hoodies. That’s just the beginning
Yess! This right here! I've gotten so many great items and furniture that people threw out in my apartment! A lot of times, the stuff isn't even broken or dirty, people just upgrade to newer stuff and don't have the space to keep the old stuff. One man's trash is another man's treasure
You are by far my favorite you tube channel!! So refreshing to see common sense attitude. Also, you are perfectly strait forward and to the POINT!! THIS CHANNEL SHOULD BE REQUIRED IN SCHOOLS ! congratulations ,you ROCK!
I do like working out but realized that everything I was doing in a gym, I could do on my own for free. Treadmill? I go for a walk. Stair Stepper? I just climb flights of stairs. Stationary bike? I go for a bike ride. Weights? I garden and house clean and if I really want to work on muscles specifically I do body weight exercises at home.
Agreed! I do so many workouts with free YT videos and then outdoor hikes and such. My husband has spent MAYBE $600 on all his weightlifting & home gym equipment secondhand and he has an excellent setup he actually uses, at home and in all weather.
My problem is I somply won't do the stuff at home. When I'm in the comfort of my home I find it's really easy to put off going for that long walk (I also hate being really hot and being really cold), or getting sidetracked from those body weight exercises. I have to go to the gym because there's one sole purpose of being there.
I love rowing, so I have a 'water' rower. I also find it to be very therapeutic and it works out my entire body at the same time -- and my heart stays healthy. I do have a treadmill too, that I bought 12 years ago and still works perfectly to this say. I can also use it when there's bad weather and winters, and at any time day or night. I can also focus and not have to worry about my surroundings like when I'm walking/running at night, or peopel and their interfering, invasive dogs. Both of my machines are in my living room (I have no traditional couch, coffee table, etc.) but they can also be folded and put away easily in a corner so I can use the living room for whatever else I want (meditating, photo shoots for my work, etc.). I love the multi-purpose space I created.
Book swap--i live in chicago and in the nicer neighborhoods, there are "free library" boxes just littered throughout the residential blocks. They're repurposed newspaper boxes that get rebuilt with new doors and you can just drop a book or take a book. I found a REALLY old copy of The Wind in the Willows that i gave to my friend's 7 year old. Some people abuse the system and will steal an ENTIRE BOX, like straight up out of the ground, but that's to be expected I guess. But that's how I get to read a lot more than I probably would have without them.
I've never used Amazon Prime either-I don't use Amazon as much & 99% of the time, the items I'll buy qualify for free shipping over $35. One or two items often totals that much.
The benefits aren’t there to justify paying for it. My ex had it and anything I ever would’ve wanted to watch, read, or listen to, I still had to pay for. So what was the point?
Love this one. People always think it's weird when I say we go through about 2 rolls of paper towels in 1 year but it is true. We use cloth napkins and kitchen towels and rags and just wash them with our bath towels (except oil and grease stains of course), they last for literally years and are easy care.
Our local municipal water is prone to contain giardia. I picked up a case of it in 1990 from drinking contaminated water in the wilderness so I am intimately acquainted with its effects. I will spare you the details but I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. Suffice it to say that I experienced indescribable agony for several weeks until I was able to get back. to civilization and hit the clinic. They prescribed a course of antiflagellants and they knocked it down, and boy was I happy. Fast forward to 2011 and I now live in a different state, with access to the local water. One fine day I experience some familiar symptoms, and this time I don't delay, go right down to the clinic, and the nice doctor lady says ah yes, we've been getting a lot of these in here recently. She prescribes me my old favorite antiflagellants and in a few days I was good as new again but baffled: since I've been drinking only the water from the local hydrant, where could I have acquired the creatures? Then the next day I went to fill my containers and noticed the water flowing from the tap had an intense smell of chlorine, like the pool at the YMCA. My cat wouldn't drink it. This was my ah ha! moment. I have been buying and drinking only bottled water ever since. It sucks because it costs a ton of money, is really heinous for the environment, and I'm ingesting micro plastics but I learned my lesson from the protozoans...
@@kaythegardener well good for you but our local water company puts out occasional lethal doses of intestinal parasites/random protozoa and never says a word to anybody. If you drink a contaminated batch of it well, that's just tough patootie eh?
When my husband and I were in a starter home, we bought 2 used lawn mowers. He was very mechanically knowledgeable and tried to get a working one out of the two. After frustration, we ended up with a brand new simple cheap lawn mower! Threw the other 2 away! 😮
Both my brother and I put our old lawnmowers near our backally garbage stands. He wanted to pay thee dump to throw it out. I insisted he at least try to put it out there and hope someone picks it up. Well, our old, non running lawnmowers were picked up. My brother was in a state about that. One man's junk is another man's treasure. In this case they were picked up for parts.
I'm nearly 70 and agree with Nicole on almost everything. I stopped buying books years ago (dust gatherers!) and happily relied on the library including Libby. But I also think it's important to support writers, so now I buy a couple audio books every month.
I so enjoy watching your videos with your common sense approach to living. Your principles should be taught in schools. I believe fewer people would be stuck in a cycle of financial insecurity if they applied your principles. You are wise beyond your years.
This stuff cannot be taught. These are innate traits. They're lovely to see. But they can't be taught. The comments here show how self-defensive people become when viewing a different mindset. Those who WANT to change, will.
I love and agree on just about every video, but it's your presentation, your delivery is second to none. No one else on YT has what you have. Well done.
I agree with most of what you said I think some people spend on those things and don’t think about where you do spend. But I love by the rule spend on what you LOVE cut mercilessly on what you don’t. I’m not a coffee drinker I can’t fathom spending $10 on coffee a day some people find it a beautiful part of their morning ritual. Who am I to judge. I’d rather see fewer counties in luxury than see more by back packing that’s my choice. What I liked about this video is it makes you think about what you spend on and if it really matters to you 😊
I used to pay like $13/month for one of the cheapest phone plans on my prepaid Vodafone card (in Czech Republic)... And just recently I found out they even have $7 one. So this year that's what I'm paying. I'm also trying to make my own mouthwash from herbs. So much cheaper + it's fun making it. And my blow dryer I once bought for $8 will soon celebrate 10 years, still using it. I think I practice almost every single thing you mentioned...
So many great tips. One thing I do have is pet insurance and so happy we did, as our dog grew from pup to adult he turned out to have a leg deformity and that bill has long exceeded $15k.
I used to think the same about pet insurance but now it’s a priority. It has saved me so much money, and more than that, it gives me peace of mind knowing that if the vet bill starts racking up, I am going to get 90% reimbursed. Putting money into a savings account is great and a good alternative, but if you have a big vet bill that gets drained quickly and needs to be replenished, and something could happen in the interim. It’s also a better option if you can’t afford to save several thousand dollars quickly. Also grooming really does depend on the dog - my dogs don’t have high grooming needs, but many dogs do and a neglected coat can be very painful for dogs.
That’s not to say that you’re wrong Nicole, but especially when these things are affecting the wellbeing and safety of another creature, I think people are morally obligated to really think through these issues and make an informed decision that is realistic to their financial situation.
@@CharlotteLehman just like with organic food, nicole calls it scammy but my mom has a lot of health issues and intolerances in regards to chemical toxic stuff and we've found out that getting organic food is a key factor for her to be able to eat without secondary harmful effects in her body (using crystal utensils instead of metallic ones is also helping), so a few things that nicole says are definitely subjective and you should always take your personal circumstances into account when taking decisions
I also think pet insurance is a good deal at least at first. When I adopted my cat he was vet-checked from the shelter! But they didn’t know he had lymphoma and cancer. I can’t blame them. He was only 2.5 years old. 6 months passed and 10k in vet bills later I leaned my lesson. I didn’t have time to put money aside like I intended! I think if you are adopting a new pet or haven’t already saved that money and put it aside- GET IT NOW! (And save while you pay then you can exit the insurance)
I want to add to some vet bills in my country go past 20k! Especially if you have to do a surgery.. It’s so ridiculous the amount vet care costs and pet insurance is $10 a month..my vet bill again was 10k. I think your pets life or your financial stability is a never a decision a pet owner should need to make. If you haven’t saved enough for the worst circumstances you need pet insurance. Lucky I could afford it, but it did make me regret my decision not to get it because it would have saved me a lot.
@@snowfoxxie Travel insurance may have been a better example. 10k for a pet tends to reach into the realm of unaffordable for many. Only insure what you can't afford to lose.
Hi Nicole, I found at least 25 items from your list that I am gonna try to do for 2024 (and I don't think I will even miss them, plus I will save a ton of money.
Yes to avoiding packaged food-mixes, blends and flavored oils. So easy and more satisfying to make your own. Re cleaners, I have lots of wood and you do need to replenish the wood with oils and avoid cleaners that dry and strip.
Nicole! I appreciate your reason to logic. Almost everyone lives by the calendar. The holidays, etc. You Nicole are a breath of fresh air! Wish more women had your reasoning!!!!
I agree with you about most of the items on your list. In particular, a gym membership is a waste of money. The fuss and bother of packing my stuff and going to a gym isn't great. Then, when you get there, you have to wait to use the machine you want. Either that, or figure out the time of day that the gym isn't too busy. Screw that! I get up early every morning and work out at home. I have a stationary bike for my cardio and a couple sets of free weights and I do just fine with those things.
I don't have Amazon Prime either but I ALWAYS get free shipping. I wait to order something or things that amount to $35 or more (Amazon's qualification for free shipping without Prime) and make my purchase. I have NEVER had Amazon Prime and I don't intend to ever have it. There is no need for that when you can always get free shipping without it. I also get points for my purchases by using an Amazon credit card. This gives me discounts on my purchases. And if the total dips below $35 using my points, my order still qualifies for free shipping. My Amazon credit card does not charge a fee and I pay off my balance every month so there are no extra charges to my account.
Great list Nicole, the only two things I have that were on your list are a Netflix subscription and I do buy a few candles now and then. Agreed with all the rest. I do buy second hand clothes and books though. I stopped buying presents for the sake of buying them a long time ago and asked people not to give me any gifts unless: 'I can eat it, drink it, read it or spend it' as I just don't want any clutter. Some people were offended by that but I've stuck to it.
What an excellent list! The only one I differ with you on is the thrifted clothes. You have to look through them a lot these days and of course, wash well when you get them home, but I still indulge.
I agree with the car wash statement. I also drive a vehicle from 1998 and 1986, and the way I keep them from rusting is I do wash them once per year once I am confident the road salting is done. Then I spray or paint brush on, used oil from old oil changes that I do myself.
Thrift stores often have clothing that is new with tags so not necessarily gonna have a problem with someone else’s smell on clothes, and even if you do buy second hand, it’s still unlikely - the amount of clothes I buy second hand is high and I can only think of one or two items that were past their best
Yeah often stuff has only been warn once or twice too. Same as the stuff you get from the store when people try it on over and over. I never buy second hand shoes or stuff that looks dirty it smells. You can usually always tell how much something has been worn by looking at it- sometimes tags are still on. You deeply underestimate the wastefulness of the general population lol 😂
What’s up Nicole !!! Love your no-filter sacred-cow killer real life experiences & common sense wisdom !!! & your bangs & freckles !!! Keep up your phenomenal work !!
I wear literally the same thing every day -- clean copies, of course -- reduces need to have clothes washed, eliminates need to think about what to wear. 10/10 would recommend.
4:14 Investment advisers. If these people were any good, they wouldn't be working any more - or they'd be borrowing money from you at 20% so that they could make a lot more on the markets. I agree with this, along with all your other choices. The main thing is to reduce your overheads, or regular payments for things that you don't really need, to as close to zero as possible. I see that this is basically what you're doing.
I've been thinking about this ever since I watched the video. Another thing that I don't buy is...Lottery Tickets. May as well be flushing money down the toilet.
I agree with you on about 90% of what you are doing Nicole. Two items I differ with you on are food related. For one, I was vegetarian for about a decade, and one day my body told me something was not right, therefore I started eating meat. I don't eat very much, and often will skip it for days, but I do include it in my life now. No regrets. The other is organic food. Yes, the potential for a scam is real and it is hard to know what is worth it and what isn't but certain foods such as potatoes and strawberries are filled with pesticides, I feel it cannot be good for us. And anything with GMOs I don't want. I love that you tried your hand at simple car repair and I figured out what a scam cleaning products are about 40 years ago. I use vinegar and water for most of my cleaning, and spray bottle of Eco-freindy soapy water for the other. And I do have Barkeepers friend that I run out of about every 3-4 years. I just wish I could break my TV habit, which is minimal, but it is an indulgence.
My best friends and I do not buy each other gifts for Christmas and birthdays. I totally agree with buying presents just because you want to, not out of obligation. For our birthdays, we always go out for a really special dinner and a concert or a comedy show. We like to celebrate with experiences, not junk.
I think we both are not very different because we even have the same black IKEA table, 😂 and I highly recommend everyone here to tidy up your rooms and flats to literally learn about yourself what you really need and what you can throw in the bin. And you can give old books 📚 to poor people or here in Europe, you can go to a _book station_ and swap them with other wonderful books. Have a great year❣️💯♥️💯
I agree with most of your choices. I love watching Netflix during the colder months and i find that Amazon prime, keeps me out of stores where I tend to spend more. I am very disciplined and minimalistic with what I purchase on Amazon. As for the less than desirable business model, you are right. But in all fairness, I refuse to shop IKEA which also has a bad reputation. I also make my own cleaning products with bleach, vinegar, baking soda and dawn dishsoap. It's all i need. I save a lot of money by making my own laundry detergent from soap flakes, soda wash, and borax, and body wash from Dr. Bronner's concentrated soap. I also make homemade catfood which is a lot healthier and cheaper than purchasing Dave's, and surprisingly cheap, and easy. I am pretty much in sync with everything else. Being retired has its advantages. I don't have a lot of money to throw around, but i really don't need/want a lot of stuff, either.
I'm a 65 year old guy, my parents lived thru the great depression and WWII. I was raised to be frugal by example. It's nice to see someone of your generation embracing a minimalist life style, appreciating it, and sharing it. I've watched a few of your videos. I don't agree with everything you say, but I do appreciate your point of view and the message you are sharing with your viewers. Keep it up!
I'd love to know which things you don't agree with? Being a 67year-old guy, it would be interesting to see if there are any similarities.
I am 68 and feel like I found my soul mate when I listen to Nicole. No physical attraction, but she sounds just like me. No insurance, my SUV is 1997, my refrigerator is 1997, no money manager. One thing I disagree with is veganism. We are omnivores and need animal products, especially healthy fat and protein. I don't waste money on a gym membership, but I do my stretching, exercise and walking every day.
Nicole seems to have a lot of older fans. She has her stuff together.
@@wildbill562 You just *had* to mention that you don't find her attractive. 🙄
@@bondpit8750 I'm 73 and I think she is an absolute doll. A natural beauty.
I simplified my life by selling stuff i didnt need, not paying for things and services i dont use or need and i managed saving little over 20k last year by doing this. I have done the same thing several Years in row. Btw, i have a suuuper low income, so this is kinda big that i managed this. 🙌
Amazing!!!
@@AccordingtoNicoleThank you ❤😊. Im actually saving up for a new and better apartment. I still have more stuff to sell though 😌
Awesome! I'm getting ready to retire and will be living on Social Security which isn't alot so I need to get better at being frugal
@@reconstructingleslie4597I have Social Security myself, and i know its difficult, but if i can do it so can you 😊❤.
I wish you good luck🙏🌺🌿
Yup the more you own the more you spend. I noticed after slowly giving up everything. I was able to work more or less as well. Paid my rent, electric, phone bill, food, gym membership, gas, & car + rental insurance. I put that money into better self-care products & better food.
I use dawn liquid dish soap for everything. I clean my toilet, tub, sink, stove top, etc. I add a little white vinegar and baking soda for extra scrub power.
Amazing, right?
I tried some specialty cleaners for my floors and countertops, but they didn't work very well, and left streaks, no matter what I did. Now it's Dawn for almost everything.
What do you recommend for mirrors and windows? I 'm frustrated with haze.@@herculesrockefeller8969
Dawn will dry your skin severely.
@@lewis2553 ... Wear protective gloves.
When she was talking about giving and receiving gifts I totally agree. I actually told one of my friends to stop buying me gifts for my birthday and Christmas cause she would give me so many small gifts, nic nacs, stationary, cheap jewelry etc and I hate accumulating that stuff so I would give it away and she’d get offended so we agreed that we would go for lunch or dinner as gifts to each other instead.
Totally agree. I had to tell my family to not buy me anything because I'm already content with what I have. If I truly need something I'll let them know.
My best friend is big on gifts. I love her but she goes overboard and spends too much on me. I could never repay her generosity bc I don’t make much money. It makes me feel bad. Not just that I’m trying to get rid of things to live more simply. I don’t mind getting gifts like gas cards or grocery gift cards (things I need). I’ve tried several times talking about how I want to live minimally and how I have too much. But gift giving is her “love language” and she’s not taking the hint, and I don’t want to hurt her feelings by coming out and saying no gifts and hurt her feelings.
@@MsKatalindif she’s a true, mature friend she’ll want to make you happy. Otherwise her giving you gifts is just a way to boost her ego. Tell you you prefer practical gifts, or just outright stop accepting gifts from her if she won’t respect your preferences.
@@nicolewaithera1814 @nicolewaithera Got to love pop psychology and an internet analysis of a stranger. It's called mutual respect, not just one sided.
@nicolewaithera Got to love pop psychology and an internet analysis of a stranger. It's called mutual respect, not just one sided.
1. Cable and Netflix
2. Spotify
3.clothes
4. Impose shopping and sales
5. Amazon prime
6. Bank fees/credit fees
7. Investment broker
8. Supplements
9. Fast food/take out coffee
10. Take out lunch
11. Meal delivery
12. Bottle of water
13. House cleaning and yard work
14. Simple car maintenance
15. Install light fictutes
16. Pet insurance
17. Dog grooming
18. Pet sitting
19. Animals products
20. Fabric softer
21. Dryer sheets
22.Car wash
23.Holiday decor
24. Smart watch
25. Alexa
26. Recreational substances
27. No alcohol
28. Cheep furniture
29. Make up
30. Nail Polish
31. New car
32. Generic Art
33. Video games
34. Extended warranty
35. Used clothing
36. Fast fashion
37. Gym membership
38. A bunch of cleaning products
39. Spice blends
40. Salad dressing
41. Cheap kitchen gear
42. Organic groceries
43. Gifts
44. Candles diffusers
45. Purfum
46. One time items
47. New books
This is what I managed to get written ❣️
Thanks a lot. The author was too busy or lazy doing the list but more of a talking...
Thanks for the list!
I would disagree with 33. Video games, 35. Used clothing & 47. New books
I don't own a car nor do I have a pet and never will.
1. I no longer buy cheap tools
Thank you!
Thank you.
Thank you!
Nicole, I think you are the most sensible person I have come across for a long time. Power to you.
🦋 She is intelligent, refreshing and down to earth.
Coffee outside home. it's the one thing that I still do, for mental reasons. I am a very busy daughter that takes care of my old mum, and she demands attention like a three year old toddler. Having my cup of coffee in the morning, in a quite place, is a good way to start a day. It's MY moment and I don't give up on it. Besides that, i am already taking the same decisions :)
You should always invest in what is good for your mental and your physical health and do what you enjoy, esp if it doesn't harm anyone else. So you enjoy those morning coffees! 😊
I gave my son a 55” tv and 36” tv. The ex husband was a tv lover. I call wearing the same thing “my uniform “. Before I retired I wore a uniform everyday. It really simplifies things for me.
I do that too! I wear pretty much all black daily
Black leggings are my uniform
@@ronirony2122 mine too
@@reconstructingleslie4597 gray or black yoga pants and a plain top.
@@ronirony2122 gray or black yoga pants and a plain top.
"if anyone hurt him I would have to dispose of a body.." Lol! My sentiments EXACTLY.
yes,,,,lol
Loved that one. Disposing of a body can be such a pain in the ass, unless you have a pig farm like Bricktop from "Snatch.". 🤣
And she said it with such a serious face, hilarious.
You make a great point about paying more to invest in good quality things like furniture and kitchen gear. I recently heard a quote from someone’s grandmother, “We’re too poor to buy cheap things”. Buying quality ends up saving money in the long run.
In Australia we have street book libraries that look like a large letterbox. They are for taking and donating books. Works so well!! More fun than shopping and it's free.
I’m in Nebraska, US and down the street from my home I have a library box and people put their books in and a lot of the books are for children 🧒
In the US, people put up "little libraries" in front of their houses, and they are usually a little house-looking box on a post, and full of books. The idea is that you take a book and leave a book. Some of them are starting to show up on Google Maps.
In uk we have them in various places but a common one is railway station waiting rooms
They're everywhere 😊
I live in Australia too, they’re not that common throughout the country
Completely agree about gift giving. I ask people not to buy me presents. If they are coming to dinner, I ask they bring the wine they want to drink instead of a hostess gift. When someone wants to give me a birthday present, I ask for flowers. I hate it when people bring me trinkets or candles that I will never use. Candles are the worst: they use up oxygen and produce carbon monoxide.
I won't be your friend if I have to buy an expensive bottle of wine. What's wrong with a 2L of Coco Cola that I pay maybe $1-2?
@@tonyp9313 I just ask them to bring what they drink. I didn't mansion the price of the wine. If they drink "Coco Cola", they can bring that.
@@MilaN-lt2mq Oh ok then.
My parents stopped buying presents for the kids when they reached their teens by mutual agreement. On birthdays we might have a takeaway and ill make a birthday cake.
Candles can be used for spiritual reasons and relaxation. I love candles
I found a good shift of habits was the rule that I had to use what I had before getting more.
I amassed lots of hair products while learning to care for my curly hair. I haven’t bought any unless running out in 2 years. We’re all the products great- no. But as long as they didn’t cause damage I used them. And now as I’m finally running out of things I can buy quality things I will enjoy more
Lots of good advice and habits here. I will say the older you get and the more wealth you accumulate, your time becomes more valuable than the money you save doing everything yourself. When you are young absolutely you should learn how to do everything you can and avoid paying people to do things for you that you can do yourself. Learning those things will help you make better decisions on what's worth paying for as you age.
In our household, we use white vinegar as fabric softener and for everything that needs cleaning, such as windows, floor, bathroom, etc.
My family uses Amazon wish lists for gifts. We each make a wish list then share the lists with each other. We normally put things we need for our house/apt in our lists. Tools, dishes, towels, storage items, etc. That way we know we are gifting something the person will actually use and vice versa. (we also don't use Prime)
How refreshing! I’m probably twice your age and it’s taken me a lot longer to figure out exactly what you know to be true. Keep making videos like this! ❤
I agree, I'm 47 and I feel like I could have been so much like Nicole earlier in life but literally thought through my whole 30s that the point of everything was to earn money and spend money like the Joneses. Nope.
My furniture is older than me and it's not heavy heirlooms but just hand me downs from my parents' house. Simple, but really well made, and I repainted them myself. My desk was my dad's and I love it
Ya, these videos helped me to save a decent amount of money. Not as much as Nicole yet but I'm getting there. I am almost 50 years old and for years I was poor. I am not in poverty anymore! Thank you Nicole here from Canada BC!
I do almost all of this. I gave up cable tv in the early nineties and have never paid to watch tv since. Part of the reason I gave up eating out is the obnoxious noise of a tv in a restaurant or lounge. I bought a high end stereo in 1981. I still have it. I paid about $3000.00 dollars for it. That is about 20 cents per day until now.
Ugh! I agree with you re: the loud music or televisions in so many establishments! It's mystifying. I understand TVs in a sports bar, but I've noticed a trend of adding screens in elevators to broadcast stock market and other news. NO! I do not need the constant noise (in all senses) and visual stimulation.
@@theesilverghost. I was pumping gas and I hear this person talking. It’s a damn screen on the gas pump. Can’t even pump your gas in peace.
@@LadyCaroline123 these pumps make me so angry. There are some without a mute button and I had to find a new gas station.
I had to stop the video to make this comment. When you said if somebody ever hurt your dog, you'd have to dispose of a body, your dog makes a face/looks at the camera as if it had already happened at least once 😂 What a cute doggo btw! ❤
Boy, your parents sure did a great job instilling common sense reasoning in you! You are so mature in your approach to day to day living. I have only been watching your channel for about a month now, but have already learned a lot from you. Thanks for your content. It helps!
Levi is sooo cute! I became mom to a 14 y.o. terrier last year, 15 now and living his best life, he's my world!
Bless you for having an older dog. 😊
Agree - anyone who opens their home & heart to a sweet elderly dog is a hero. So wonderful that your furbaby’s last years are with someone who loves him.🐶💕
9:50 I felt that deep in my soul. “If someone were mean to him I would have to dispose of a body.” My kids are grown and yes I have grandchildren, but they live with their parents, and I don’t get to see them daily. So therefore my dogs are extremely loved and cared for by me, just like my children and grandchildren.
As a guy i've never felt the need to have pets. I like other peoples pets (well dogs or cats at least) but do not want the responsibility of looking after them myself, and definitely don't want them destroying any of my stuff.
Extended warranties are often a scam anyway. I used to buy them and after having a couple of issues found out they really try hard not to pay/replace/fix your issue - OR - you still have to pay for diagnostics, service calls, etc...
Usually, if something works when you get it, it'll be fine if you take care of it. If it has problems right out of the box, you can usually return it as defective if you do it right away and either get a refund or replacement.
I never paid extra for any kind of extended warranty on anything anymore.
Re wall art - my sister went to the Grand Tetons and took some beautiful pictures. We’ve had prints made of those to hang on the walls.
I love personalized art that way.
Back in the early 80s I watched everyone buy into “kill yourself to succeed” trap, but I wouldn’t play. My idea of success was different. I just wanted to be there for my young kids. Others people may have had more material possessions, but my kids had me. It’s all about values, and about what is really important in your life. For me that’s time. Kids grow up, stuff is just that.
Back then our motto was "Greed is good" and all that. It's still here. People just call it 'chasing the bag' or 'getting a hustle on'. They really don't mean 'regular jobs' anymore. They mean lucrative jobs that give them A+ lifestyle. Greed is good is still the motto, just re-packed into 'things' like pets, 'giving', and living one's 'best' life.
@@ADadSupreme and then let look back and really none of it was was worth it. I’m grateful my adult daughter also has adopted my attitude, and her daughter is benefiting. She and her husband actually do have a very successful at home business, but everything they do is focused on their child (who is 7) first. They don’t live in a huge house, it they love the adorable one they do have, and they definitely know how to avoid a lot of the money sucking traps while hacienda lots of fun. They take advantage of lots of free events and activities, and they really just enjoy unwinding at home as a family. Everyone need to take a deep breath, slow down, do a gratitude inventory, and just enjoy the good things more, especially our loved ones, and especially our children.
In 2023 we canceled Amazon Prime, got different home & car insurance, switched to Mint Mobile, and put new batteries in our iPhone 6s‘s. We do our own cleaning and repairs because it’s kinda satisfying. We got the house sided with Hardie board and painted and paid cash. It is good to be weird. Keep it coming Nicole.
Yes. It’s crazy how much cell service costs in Canada vs. the US!@@tonyp9313
It is good to be weird. It is good to have no debt.
I like your channel alot, and your vibe and personality is so appealing. I appreciate you.
I share a ton of these, Nicole! Easily 3/4 of the list. My only big differences are stuff like makeup, nail polish, etc. But I'm frugal even with those and choose to buy higher end stuff less often than just a ton of products and everything new on the market.
Something I have noticed about a lot of the items on your list is how little happiness they seem to bring to those who buy them all. I do have friends who really seem to love watching shows and movies on Netflix and I say good for them, even though I don't feel the need for any of that. But the people who eat fast food and coffee out every single day never seem like they even like it that much. I don't understand spending money that way.
I also think it is underrated doing things for yourself, whether cleaning house or pickup up groceries and takeout yourself. I also see so the use of so many of these services as absolute laziness and to be reserved for special situations like people with disabilities or when your car is in the shop but it's your birthday and you're craving a treat - special situations, not a random Tuesday. I know a lot of people who switched over to having everything delivered or picking up curbside and I just don't get it. I am old school and even consider that a form of exercise, albeit very mild exercise. I would always rather pick up my own stuff than pay for delivery unless something huge that won't fit in my car - like a fridge or sofa.
I’m tripping out on how much we have in common. If we met in person we would be really good friends. I rarely meet people who are my kind
Same here, to Nicole. We think the same thoughts, especially to television and streaming services. It's just junk that rots your brain - read a book instead.
Try to meet engineers. Engineers are often like this.
(I’m not an engineer).
Super ironic to push AG1 after saying you don't do vitamins and supplements, since AG1 is a rather expensive supplement. NSF certified for sport has nothing to do with the quality of the ingredients. It ONLY means that it has been tested and is free of banned substances. There are so many different ingredients in the tiny serving, and they are a proprietary blend, you're getting what amounts to a fairy-dusting of each ingreedient--that means very little of the last ingredients listed. It's not going to hurt you, and if it helps you to drink more water (which it sounds like since the things you attribute to the drink--better skin, etc.--are attributable to being better hydrated), then great. But there's literally nothing special about it.
Not to mention that there are people with autoimmune and hormonal and other health disorders/conditions who have to take a variety of supplements. Just because she's young and healthy doesn't mean everyone won that genetic lottery. Health experts in general agree that even if you eat healthy, there are still supplements that are worth taking, and if you're a vegan, you absolutely need to be taking certain supplements to make up for what you're not getting from animal products. And wait until she decides to have a family and get pregnant or even if that doesn't happen, hits menopause! It's easy to tell others what to do with their lives if you're young and healthy, live in a First World Country with access to clean tap water, proper food and everything else that you need in order to stay healthy. What a privileged twit. 🙄
Thank you, Nicole, for validating my choices. What you say makes so much sense !!!
You're welcome, but also you don't need anyone to validate your choices. Be who you wanna be.
Nicole is a common sense bad ass…..
@@AccordingtoNicole 😊😊!
I love how minimalism is just a fancy kind of word for being old school.... This is the only school I can relate to as I usually disliked going to school as a kid. Being an OGG
(old Greek guy) I have been doing pretty much everything that you do as far as keeping one sense of reason and boundaries when it comes to buying stuff and doing things that really accomplished nothing except for keeping my wallet emptier. What I save on several things I can maybe buy one or two things to even out this gig called living I guess. 😎🤙
So true. I do most of the things Nicole does by default.
This is old school for me as well being an OGG( old Greek gal)😂
I have saved 14.000 dollars on dog insurance over the lifespan of my 13 years old dog. I have spent 4.000 on vet bills. This philosophy has earned me 10.000 dollars.
Insurance is intended to replace that which you cannot reasonable afford to replace. If one is living paycheck-to-paycheck, _perhaps_ these (not specifically vets') faux-insurance plans are worthwhile. I carry homeowner's insurance because I can't afford to lose my house. I carry liability insurance because, well, I can't afford to lose my house. I once carried life insurance because my wife couldn't afford to lose me. I don't carry it anymore because she burned dinner.🙃 I mean, at some point the cost exceeds the value.
I carry collision insurance on my cars because they're worth an amount that I don't want to lose. My threshold is something between $10K and $20K. Below that, I'll self-insure. I could lose $20K, but it would put a big crimp in my style. Some may not be able to afford $10K as an out of pocket loss, so may need to insure longer. Some don't have $1000... Some really need this faux-insurance but the problem really isn't the insurance.
@@kwilliams2239 exactly!
If you're dining out, you're paying for food, ok, but you're also paying for the experience of it all: visiting a new place, hanging out with other people, trying out new combinations of flavors, the idea of having food prepared for you etc. I don't do it often, but I find it's not that much of a wallet drainer, if you consider the cost of electric power you'd need to prepare the same dishes for your friends (Greece, where I am atm, has the 2nd most expensive electricity in the EU as we speak, so that's something to take account of as well)
She lives in Canada where electricity is a lot cheaper than when you live in Europe. Our Country is a main source of electricity unlike Europe where they have to buy it from other countries that's why your electricity is really expensive.
@@tonyp9313 Please tell me then, why is it so pricey in Greece? Way higher than the EU median?
@@Grybop I live in Canada. I don't live in Greece or Europe. My relatives live in Europe, I have been there. Well the Euro currency is a lot higher in Europe, when in Canada the currency is really low. In Canada we supply most of our things & export most things.
I would say in Greece things are expensive because of the Euro dollar & that your country has to buy things from other countries to supply you with things such as electricity being one of them.
@@tonyp9313 That was a semi-rhetorical question, I blame our government of clowns actually, but thanks for your reply 😁
@@Grybop Ah ok. cool.
I love the workout I get from a good proper houseclean a few times a week, and mowing my lawns every 2 weeks. Who needs a gym?!
Some of us need to go to biokinetic/rehab gyms for physical rehab due to chronic pain and other medical disabilities, so a biokinetics gym membership is crucial. For example, non weight bearing exercises in a heated pool, which you can only access with a gym membership in my country. How ableist of you.
I've dragged the same £40 second hand sofa from my bedroom in my parents house to my first rented flat, to the house I've finally managed to buy outright after a decade of hard mortgage paying! I love your videos because your advice validates my own choices and gives me a happy fuzzy pink feeling inside! I run a 41 year old economy car which I maintain myself. Tempted to do a UA-cam channel on that! All the best, Ed,35,UK 🙂
Maybe the *only* good thing about cheap(er) furniture is if you have to move every few years. I moved about 2,000 miles from where I lived the past 30 years. I had no problem parting with some pieces that were Pottery Barn knockoffs I got from Target. The pieces I had from Restoration Hardware ended up making the the moving truck ($4,200) along with my other stuff, and now sit in a storage unit at $125 a month collecting dust. I would have been better off posting an advertisement and giving those away also.
Here is a library hack to be the first person to read a new book. After you login to your local library, go to the preorder section, usually under new section. Put a hold on any new, not released yet books that the library has ordered. It will tell you your place in line. Often, I am the first or second person to get the book. Also, if there is a book you want that they don’t have, often they will order it in for you for free, and you will be first in line.
great hacks, I do this all the time. Not necessarily trying to be first but it often works out that way. I do think from talking to people in other areas than my own that libraries really vary though. Like at mine every single book looks and smells new and they get hundreds of new titles per month. Not every library is as good.
My library always has piles of new and very nearly new books too, gone are the days of getting a tatty musty old book, and any newer ones we notice damaged we also take out of circulation
I stopped watching telly 30 years ago, threw my television in the bin 30 years ago.
One of the best sayings I ever heard was "Kill Your Television".
Me 20 years ago
i ditched the sofa (it gathers dust and not easy to clean, clutters the room) - for Japanese style futon or cushions to sit on the floor if you find it too hard to sit on. I sit on a thin grass mat (summer) or sheepskin (in winter). I also don't have bed - sleep on yoga mat and the in winter put sheepskin underneath
smell, for many people, helps put people in the right state of mind; everyone is different.
Putting you in a frame of mind isn’t ok when it gives 20% of the rest of us a headache. Your entertainment can’t HURT me. It’s also literally giving you cancer. All air pollution is. And anything in the air that isn’t air is air pollution
@@M_SC That's your view, however statements like that without evening is just an opinion. Also, Chill
I just cancelled my Amazon Prime with immediate effect, immediately after watching your video! (Despite working for them...) Thanks so much... (I do buy organic if I can, though). Thanks again, Nicole ! X
I think I can one-up you, Nicole, on house cleaning products. I buy 100% alcohol. First, I dilute some of to 10% in a really good spray bottle from really cheap window cleaner, add a small squirt of dish detergent (the blue Palmolive is my favorite) and use that as an all purpose cleaner. Then, I dilute more of it to 10% and use it, with a flat mop, on my floors. I put the mop pad down, pour 10% alcohol on it, add the mop on top, and it cleans great. It cuts through grease, evaporates fast, and leaves no hint of soap. Soap, by contrast, leaves a sticky residue that makes the floor attract and hold dirt fast. Alcohol leaves the surface so clean, nothing wants to stick to it, so dry mopping or sweeping between washes is not only possible but more effective. Finally, I dilute some of the alcohol to 70% and use it as a spray disinfectant. Each of my spray bottles (for general cleaning and for disinfection) were free, as they came with some product in them. I found the alcohol cheapest at a hardware store. Instead of BarKeeper's Friend, I use the plastic mesh from an old Dobie to scrub my sinks. Straight dish soap plus that mesh as a free scrubbie works great and the scrubbie lasts forever, for this.
What is a Dobie?
I hate germs too, but 2nd hand clothing is no problem for me as I don't think about it once I have put it in the washing machine.
1:53 Planned Obsolescence is the name of the game now and most tech companies have ramped up their timeline for this business practice. Car companies do it too.
About the gift-sending thing, I totally agree with you. I don't even like my husband to buy me some gifts that I won't use; it is a waste of money.
One of children of the families I'm friends with asked me why I didn't spend money on "stuff" for myself. I told her because I save some & donate some to various charities.
Judgey. Another answer is "I like to do other things with my money."
@@mettamorph4523 Children need to be taught about empathy & giving to others. The best way to do that is by example.
I love and respect how much you love and care for your dog. 🐕 ❤
I live in apartments and you’d be shocked at the amount of useful things people put by the dumpster. I’ve gotten free barstools, shoe rack, shower caddy and Victoria Secret hoodies. That’s just the beginning
I totally believe you, but there’s also probably roaches in that dumpster 😬😬😬
It's a common thing in my area to "shop" the night before trash pickup by driving around looking for free stuff at the curb
@@AccordingtoNicole they put it near the dumpster not in lol, I’m not that gross 😂
That stuff sounds fine. I wouldn't take fabric furniture probably. Clothes 20 minutes in the dryer high heat would kill everything.
Yess! This right here! I've gotten so many great items and furniture that people threw out in my apartment! A lot of times, the stuff isn't even broken or dirty, people just upgrade to newer stuff and don't have the space to keep the old stuff. One man's trash is another man's treasure
You are by far my favorite you tube channel!! So refreshing to see common sense attitude. Also, you are perfectly strait forward and to the POINT!! THIS CHANNEL SHOULD BE REQUIRED IN SCHOOLS ! congratulations ,you ROCK!
I do like working out but realized that everything I was doing in a gym, I could do on my own for free. Treadmill? I go for a walk. Stair Stepper? I just climb flights of stairs. Stationary bike? I go for a bike ride. Weights? I garden and house clean and if I really want to work on muscles specifically I do body weight exercises at home.
Agreed! I do so many workouts with free YT videos and then outdoor hikes and such. My husband has spent MAYBE $600 on all his weightlifting & home gym equipment secondhand and he has an excellent setup he actually uses, at home and in all weather.
@@tonyp9313 hope it enriches your life
My problem is I somply won't do the stuff at home. When I'm in the comfort of my home I find it's really easy to put off going for that long walk (I also hate being really hot and being really cold), or getting sidetracked from those body weight exercises. I have to go to the gym because there's one sole purpose of being there.
@@rodgerlang884 That makes sense. It's important to know what works for you.
I love rowing, so I have a 'water' rower. I also find it to be very therapeutic and it works out my entire body at the same time -- and my heart stays healthy.
I do have a treadmill too, that I bought 12 years ago and still works perfectly to this say. I can also use it when there's bad weather and winters, and at any time day or night. I can also focus and not have to worry about my surroundings like when I'm walking/running at night, or peopel and their interfering, invasive dogs.
Both of my machines are in my living room (I have no traditional couch, coffee table, etc.) but they can also be folded and put away easily in a corner so I can use the living room for whatever else I want (meditating, photo shoots for my work, etc.). I love the multi-purpose space I created.
Book swap--i live in chicago and in the nicer neighborhoods, there are "free library" boxes just littered throughout the residential blocks. They're repurposed newspaper boxes that get rebuilt with new doors and you can just drop a book or take a book. I found a REALLY old copy of The Wind in the Willows that i gave to my friend's 7 year old. Some people abuse the system and will steal an ENTIRE BOX, like straight up out of the ground, but that's to be expected I guess. But that's how I get to read a lot more than I probably would have without them.
I've never used Amazon Prime either-I don't use Amazon as much & 99% of the time, the items I'll buy qualify for free shipping over $35. One or two items often totals that much.
I work at Amazon & I never use Amazon Prime either. Don't want these incompetent workers seeing me so I have my friend buy me things at Amazon.
The benefits aren’t there to justify paying for it. My ex had it and anything I ever would’ve wanted to watch, read, or listen to, I still had to pay for. So what was the point?
I would add that I try not to use paper towels. I use them to wipe out gunk. I am using cloth towels that I can wash.
Love this one. People always think it's weird when I say we go through about 2 rolls of paper towels in 1 year but it is true. We use cloth napkins and kitchen towels and rags and just wash them with our bath towels (except oil and grease stains of course), they last for literally years and are easy care.
@@seltzermint5 Not sure about cloth napkins.
Our local municipal water is prone to contain giardia. I picked up a case of it in 1990 from drinking contaminated water in the wilderness so I am intimately acquainted with its effects. I will spare you the details but I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. Suffice it to say that I experienced indescribable agony for several weeks until I was able to get back. to civilization and hit the clinic. They prescribed a course of antiflagellants and they knocked it down, and boy was I happy. Fast forward to 2011 and I now live in a different state, with access to the local water. One fine day I experience some familiar symptoms, and this time I don't delay, go right down to the clinic, and the nice doctor lady says ah yes, we've been getting a lot of these in here recently. She prescribes me my old favorite antiflagellants and in a few days I was good as new again but baffled: since I've been drinking only the water from the local hydrant, where could I have acquired the creatures? Then the next day I went to fill my containers and noticed the water flowing from the tap had an intense smell of chlorine, like the pool at the YMCA. My cat wouldn't drink it. This was my ah ha! moment. I have been buying and drinking only bottled water ever since. It sucks because it costs a ton of money, is really heinous for the environment, and I'm ingesting micro plastics but I learned my lesson from the protozoans...
Gee, out local water supply company puts out a yearly health report available to the public for its benefit!!
@@kaythegardener well good for you but our local water company puts out occasional lethal doses of intestinal parasites/random protozoa and never says a word to anybody. If you drink a contaminated batch of it well, that's just tough patootie eh?
You have refreshing honesty. Keep not caring what others on this platform think!
I agree with you 98% Nicole 😂, only one thing we are different, I have gym membership and I do use it. I like the way you live your life😊
Loved you pointing out that some things can be useful for people who have a disability that you don't require.
When my husband and I were in a starter home, we bought 2 used lawn mowers. He was very mechanically knowledgeable and tried to get a working one out of the two. After frustration, we ended up with a brand new simple cheap lawn mower! Threw the other 2 away! 😮
I always tell people what I want or to look for. When it comes to gifts.
Both my brother and I put our old lawnmowers near our backally garbage stands. He wanted to pay thee dump to throw it out. I insisted he at least try to put it out there and hope someone picks it up.
Well, our old, non running lawnmowers were picked up. My brother was in a state about that. One man's junk is another man's treasure. In this case they were picked up for parts.
I'm nearly 70 and agree with Nicole on almost everything. I stopped buying books years ago (dust gatherers!) and happily relied on the library including Libby. But I also think it's important to support writers, so now I buy a couple audio books every month.
I so enjoy watching your videos with your common sense approach to living. Your principles should be taught in schools. I believe fewer people would be stuck in a cycle of financial insecurity if they applied your principles. You are wise beyond your years.
This stuff cannot be taught. These are innate traits. They're lovely to see. But they can't be taught.
The comments here show how self-defensive people become when viewing a different mindset.
Those who WANT to change, will.
Regarding holiday decor, I REALLY like to see other peoples' christmas decorations. I don't need to put up my own to do that.
I love and agree on just about every video, but it's your presentation, your delivery is second to none. No one else on YT has what you have. Well done.
New subscriber , I wish I was as efficient and disciplined as this woman and she is so smart but also wise beyond her years .
I agree with most of what you said I think some people spend on those things and don’t think about where you do spend. But I love by the rule spend on what you LOVE cut mercilessly on what you don’t. I’m not a coffee drinker I can’t fathom spending $10 on coffee a day some people find it a beautiful part of their morning ritual. Who am I to judge. I’d rather see fewer counties in luxury than see more by back packing that’s my choice. What I liked about this video is it makes you think about what you spend on and if it really matters to you 😊
I used to pay like $13/month for one of the cheapest phone plans on my prepaid Vodafone card (in Czech Republic)... And just recently I found out they even have $7 one. So this year that's what I'm paying.
I'm also trying to make my own mouthwash from herbs. So much cheaper + it's fun making it.
And my blow dryer I once bought for $8 will soon celebrate 10 years, still using it. I think I practice almost every single thing you mentioned...
Other frugal people: 24 things I don't buy in 2024
Nicole: 50 things I don't buy in 2024
Yessss love this. She is like "hold my beer"
@@seltzermint5 Actually, it's more like "hold my filtered tap water."
Millions things I wouldn't buy , I am writing a never ending list lol 😂
So many great tips. One thing I do have is pet insurance and so happy we did, as our dog grew from pup to adult he turned out to have a leg deformity and that bill has long exceeded $15k.
I used to think the same about pet insurance but now it’s a priority. It has saved me so much money, and more than that, it gives me peace of mind knowing that if the vet bill starts racking up, I am going to get 90% reimbursed. Putting money into a savings account is great and a good alternative, but if you have a big vet bill that gets drained quickly and needs to be replenished, and something could happen in the interim. It’s also a better option if you can’t afford to save several thousand dollars quickly. Also grooming really does depend on the dog - my dogs don’t have high grooming needs, but many dogs do and a neglected coat can be very painful for dogs.
That’s not to say that you’re wrong Nicole, but especially when these things are affecting the wellbeing and safety of another creature, I think people are morally obligated to really think through these issues and make an informed decision that is realistic to their financial situation.
@@CharlotteLehman just like with organic food, nicole calls it scammy but my mom has a lot of health issues and intolerances in regards to chemical toxic stuff and we've found out that getting organic food is a key factor for her to be able to eat without secondary harmful effects in her body (using crystal utensils instead of metallic ones is also helping), so a few things that nicole says are definitely subjective and you should always take your personal circumstances into account when taking decisions
I also think pet insurance is a good deal at least at first. When I adopted my cat he was vet-checked from the shelter! But they didn’t know he had lymphoma and cancer. I can’t blame them. He was only 2.5 years old. 6 months passed and 10k in vet bills later I leaned my lesson. I didn’t have time to put money aside like I intended! I think if you are adopting a new pet or haven’t already saved that money and put it aside- GET IT NOW! (And save while you pay then you can exit the insurance)
I want to add to some vet bills in my country go past 20k! Especially if you have to do a surgery.. It’s so ridiculous the amount vet care costs and pet insurance is $10 a month..my vet bill again was 10k. I think your pets life or your financial stability is a never a decision a pet owner should need to make. If you haven’t saved enough for the worst circumstances you need pet insurance. Lucky I could afford it, but it did make me regret my decision not to get it because it would have saved me a lot.
@@snowfoxxie Travel insurance may have been a better example. 10k for a pet tends to reach into the realm of unaffordable for many. Only insure what you can't afford to lose.
I'm still using my 2016 iphone se and it works just fine.
Bar Keepers friend----Yes works great on a stainless steel sink and your pots and pans look brand new--I hate that non stick coating
Kudos for listening to music as an actual activity instead of background noise.
Hi Nicole, I found at least 25 items from your list that I am gonna try to do for 2024 (and I don't think I will even miss them, plus I will save a ton of money.
Yes to avoiding packaged food-mixes, blends and flavored oils. So easy and more satisfying to make your own. Re cleaners, I have lots of wood and you do need to replenish the wood with oils and avoid cleaners that dry and strip.
People who pay for dog walkers usually care about their dog a lot more than the average person who leaves them at home alone from 7:30 am-6pm
Nicole! I appreciate your reason to logic. Almost everyone lives by the calendar. The holidays, etc.
You Nicole are a breath of fresh air! Wish more women had your reasoning!!!!
This woman radiates joy and happiness, she makes her videos so enjoyable to watch 😮
I agree with you about most of the items on your list. In particular, a gym membership is a waste of money. The fuss and bother of packing my stuff and going to a gym isn't great. Then, when you get there, you have to wait to use the machine you want. Either that, or figure out the time of day that the gym isn't too busy. Screw that! I get up early every morning and work out at home. I have a stationary bike for my cardio and a couple sets of free weights and I do just fine with those things.
We make many of the same choices that's why it's fun listening to you. I sometimes learning something new too.
I don't have Amazon Prime either but I ALWAYS get free shipping. I wait to order something or things that amount to $35 or more (Amazon's qualification for free shipping without Prime) and make my purchase. I have NEVER had Amazon Prime and I don't intend to ever have it. There is no need for that when you can always get free shipping without it. I also get points for my purchases by using an Amazon credit card. This gives me discounts on my purchases. And if the total dips below $35 using my points, my order still qualifies for free shipping. My Amazon credit card does not charge a fee and I pay off my balance every month so there are no extra charges to my account.
Great list Nicole, the only two things I have that were on your list are a Netflix subscription and I do buy a few candles now and then. Agreed with all the rest. I do buy second hand clothes and books though. I stopped buying presents for the sake of buying them a long time ago and asked people not to give me any gifts unless: 'I can eat it, drink it, read it or spend it' as I just don't want any clutter. Some people were offended by that but I've stuck to it.
Marketing people must hate you. But i think your brilliant and more people should listen to you.
What an excellent list! The only one I differ with you on is the thrifted clothes. You have to look through them a lot these days and of course, wash well when you get them home, but I still indulge.
I agree with the car wash statement. I also drive a vehicle from 1998 and 1986, and the way I keep them from rusting is I do wash them once per year once I am confident the road salting is done. Then I spray or paint brush on, used oil from old oil changes that I do myself.
Thrift stores often have clothing that is new with tags so not necessarily gonna have a problem with someone else’s smell on clothes, and even if you do buy second hand, it’s still unlikely - the amount of clothes I buy second hand is high and I can only think of one or two items that were past their best
Yeah often stuff has only been warn once or twice too. Same as the stuff you get from the store when people try it on over and over. I never buy second hand shoes or stuff that looks dirty it smells. You can usually always tell how much something has been worn by looking at it- sometimes tags are still on. You deeply underestimate the wastefulness of the general population lol 😂
Worn*
You make my day with your vids XX it's so refreshing to hear someone that thinks for themself and doesn't blindly follow the herd
What’s up Nicole !!! Love your no-filter sacred-cow killer real life experiences & common sense wisdom !!! & your bangs & freckles !!! Keep up your phenomenal work !!
I wear literally the same thing every day -- clean copies, of course -- reduces need to have clothes washed, eliminates need to think about what to wear. 10/10 would recommend.
Possibly, the key to getting away with this is being relatively affluent ... and cultivating a reputation for being 'eccentric'.
4:14 Investment advisers. If these people were any good, they wouldn't be working any more - or they'd be borrowing money from you at 20% so that they could make a lot more on the markets. I agree with this, along with all your other choices. The main thing is to reduce your overheads, or regular payments for things that you don't really need, to as close to zero as possible. I see that this is basically what you're doing.
I've been thinking about this ever since I watched the video. Another thing that I don't buy is...Lottery Tickets. May as well be flushing money down the toilet.
I agree with you on about 90% of what you are doing Nicole. Two items I differ with you on are food related. For one, I was vegetarian for about a decade, and one day my body told me something was not right, therefore I started eating meat. I don't eat very much, and often will skip it for days, but I do include it in my life now. No regrets. The other is organic food. Yes, the potential for a scam is real and it is hard to know what is worth it and what isn't but certain foods such as potatoes and strawberries are filled with pesticides, I feel it cannot be good for us. And anything with GMOs I don't want. I love that you tried your hand at simple car repair and I figured out what a scam cleaning products are about 40 years ago. I use vinegar and water for most of my cleaning, and spray bottle of Eco-freindy soapy water for the other. And I do have Barkeepers friend that I run out of about every 3-4 years. I just wish I could break my TV habit, which is minimal, but it is an indulgence.
My best friends and I do not buy each other gifts for Christmas and birthdays. I totally agree with buying presents just because you want to, not out of obligation. For our birthdays, we always go out for a really special dinner and a concert or a comedy show. We like to celebrate with experiences, not junk.
😂. I love your videos and all of your opinions and suggestions. Great content 👌🏾
You're nearly exactly like me!!! How is this possible that two people across the world can be so similar without knowing eachother
I think we both are not very different because we even have the same black IKEA table, 😂 and I highly recommend everyone here to tidy up your rooms and flats to literally learn about yourself what you really need and what you can throw in the bin. And you can give old books 📚 to poor people or here in Europe, you can go to a _book station_ and swap them with other wonderful books. Have a great year❣️💯♥️💯
I think almost everyone has the same IKEA coffee table. Personally I’m eager to replace mine.
@@AccordingtoNicolethats not very minimalist nor frugal
@thedownunderverse wow. you were just waitin' on an opportunity to dis her.
Guess what. She don't care.
@@mettamorph4523 R U OK ?
@@mettamorph4523 R U OK ?
Definitely with you with recreational things now. I wouldnt before but yeah now I do explains why Im having lots of dental work now. Sucks for me.
I agree with most of your choices. I love watching Netflix during the colder months and i find that Amazon prime, keeps me out of stores where I tend to spend more. I am very disciplined and minimalistic with what I purchase on Amazon. As for the less than desirable business model, you are right. But in all fairness, I refuse to shop IKEA which also has a bad reputation. I also make my own cleaning products with bleach, vinegar, baking soda and dawn dishsoap. It's all i need. I save a lot of money by making my own laundry detergent from soap flakes, soda wash, and borax, and body wash from Dr. Bronner's concentrated soap. I also make homemade catfood which is a lot healthier and cheaper than purchasing Dave's, and surprisingly cheap, and easy. I am pretty much in sync with everything else. Being retired has its advantages. I don't have a lot of money to throw around, but i really don't need/want a lot of stuff, either.
You are my guru!❤
With all the respect in the world your spouse will Love this aspect of you because it shows maturity and discipline.❤ 😊