50 Ways to SAVE MONEY with Minimalism | Easy Money Saving Tips
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- Опубліковано 22 тра 2024
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Here are 50 ways I save money as a minimalist. In today's video, I share with you my easy money saving tips to help you spend less and save more (like a minimalist). To me, minimalism and intentional spending don't mean never buying anything new ever. Or being super frugal, to the point where you're never spending money on things you really enjoy. It mostly means being intentional with where my money goes, how I'm spending it and how I can get the most out of it. These 50 tips help us to save a lot more money, get by on a lower income, and splurge every once in a while on things that bring us happiness.
Lots of love,
🌼 Vera
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VIDEO CHAPTERS
Intro 0:00
Intentional shopping tips 1:19
Everyday items 6:13
Lifestyle 10:39
Entertainment & activities 19:06
Food & groceries 24:09
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I'm a retired lady in my 70s and I keep a gratitude journal. It's so important to reflect on the positives even if we are having some current difficulties.
@janetstonerook4552 ..... I'm a retired lady in my 70's, too. Here's to us!
Didn't know I needed a gratitude journal until I was gifted one, it helped me through tough times ❤
And here's another , too !
Thank you! I’m gonna do this.
I love love your comment ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
I take a pair of scissors and cut in half the tubes that creams and toothpaste, etc. are in, to really get all of it out.
Same 😊
Same here
The toothpaste and creams would last another week.
Same!❤
As an Indian I thought only Indian moms do this! 😂
But it's great to know that people around the globe are similar in many ways.
Hi, and thanks for this thoughtful video! I find that we need much less than the world tells us to consume! I own very little, yet I'm very happy and content. My advice is to always question what the world tells us because it is often not the truth.
A friend taught me to cut my kitchen sponges in half. You really don’t need the whole thing!
I do most of these things except I always have about three months of food stored up for both me and my two cats. I have been broke and hungry too many times to keep a bare cupboard. No processed or junk foods just veggies and meats. Great list. Thanks.
Asian here. You dont store potatoes and onion in the fridge. They will grow mold and roots 😂 put them in the bamboo basket store them in a dark place but with good air circulation. It shouldnt be humid or moist. Dark but dry. If you dont want that way, peel the onion skins first, and put them in a tupperware with tissue or paper, then put the onions. For potatoes, peel and cut and wash and dry them first from water, and then put them in the freezer My mother does it alot. 👍🏼
Hi Vera :) I'm coming from Belgium, am 61, and I've been learning English for a few years now. I like listening to you as exercise as well as learning a lot of tips or ideas about a lot of things. You are very interesting, clear in your explanations, you speak English very well without accent and it's for me a pleasure to meet you every time.
Every night before sleeping I listen to a prayer about gratitude and I never forget to realize I am very lucky with my life.
I discovered that someone in my area in my size shops at a store I always wanted to but couldn't afford. I discovered this by taking a peek in a thrift store. I now have the wardrobe I always wanted at less-than-discount store prices.
I love all of the motivational tips with the exception of food. If there are food items that can be on the shelf leave them there and rotate it. In my 60 years I have learned first hand more than once how valuable it is to have a good storage. Do not use your food items down to zero. It is as important as a savings account. Keep your food!! Add to it and ROTATE it. ❤️❤️❤️
SOOO true. I live in Hurricane country. THIS IS A MUST STRATEGY.
ALWAYS SAVE FOOD. THE OTHER WAY IS DANGEROUS. I found out the hard way
I agree plenty. I would be stressed without reserves. I'm 61 too and perhaps it has sthg to do with our generation!!!Val from Belgium ;)
@@valeriedemey4993 yes!!! How quickly people forgot the world shut down and shelves with nothing on them and ships with supplies in the water not able to dock.
I bring my own lunch at work as well as my brewed coffee and it's a great savings for me
Great tips! I've made a "price book" of the main food items I buy. It's just a little notebook with the normal price at two grocery stores I use. That lets me know if something on sale is really a good deal. I keep a running list of basic groceries we need. We have a big vegetable garden this year and I learned to do water-bath canning. That way I saved more than 30 jars of peaches, tomatoes, salsa, pasta sauce, eggplant, jam, and other treats to eat throughout the winter. The jars are like small jewels on the shelf. Many will go to friends as gifts. To cut back on food waste, I keep a rectangular basket in the fridge. Whenever I cut peppers, onions, squash, avocado, etc. I put the extra in small glass bowls with a top. I stack them in the basket and pull it out whenever I do a stir fry, big salad, or wrap. That ensures they are first to be used, and much of the chopping is already done. Small things add up. Sharing garden bounty with friends and neighbors, taking periodic loads to the food bank, and learning some basic new recipes has made this a great garden year.
Great tips! I feel like we owe not only to our pockets but first and foremost to our environment to stick to these simple rules. I come from a country that was ridden with war and inflation during the longest part of my childhood and lemme tell you, there were no sweets, excessive clothing and movie and shopping mall dates for us, just home baked cakes, hand me down clothes and library books. 😅 And yet, my friends and I all grew up to be adults with more than just a knack for making things simple and frugal and conscience about terrible side of consumerism. It is freeing in a way, to know that you need so little to be happy and to thrive. Recently I moved to another country and all my belongings were packed in 2 suitcases and a backpack (and my kitty in a bag ofc!). I still miss some of my books but here we have some lovely libraries, so there's that, I've come full circle!
Are You from Poland?
@@salamandra5993 No, I'm from Balkans
WOW you sound like an interesting person , a world traveler ? It sounds like you enjoy what you have too thanks for commenting ! 👍👍👍👍🤠❤️
@@bettyboop7738 Why, thank you so much!!! I've been very fortunate to have traveled a fair bit, but for the past two years I have been sticking to the exploration of many wonderful landscapes and sites of my new home. All the best to you from Portugal!
@@m.aj11 thanks...sounds fun...I live in deep south USA and it's been in the 90s .. tonight supposed to freeze..😳 but a weather change can be refreshing ! Take care 👍 BB from somewhere in Louisiana
regarding Black Friday - notice how for about 6 months they keep raising prices, so the cost on Black Friday is actually not a crazy sale but a price from a few months back. Then the whole circle goes back around starting after holiday season ;)
Yes! Which? Did a survey where they found 98% of black Friday products for the same price or cheaper at other times of year. I sell online & tell my customers this every year. I refuse to bow to the pressure to run a sale which isn't a sale!
Yep!! I don’t fall prey to those monster sales! Most are just hype.
I agree
My mom always told us to dress for the season! 😊 My ex could never understand that….my heating bills are so much less now that I’m on my own!
I love how clean your lifestyle is.... no distractions, no useless items... I try to have similar lifestyle, but I am still on the beginning. Thank You very much for Your tips!! The idea that struck me the most is the "inventory down to zero" --> I've never thought about it like that, because I am use to have some "backup food" or "just in case" food. But I love your idea and going to try it. :)
I still have some "back up" food and toiletries but I buy one extra package when it's either on sale or when I'm close to running out the one I currently use. If you have a very busy lifestyle, I think it's good to have an extra milk, extra bread etc in the freezer, in case if you cannot make it on time to the supermarkets during the week or you get sick, etc. My work can be sometimes non-stop so it's good to know that I always have something at home in the freezer 😊
I try to buy veggies or fruit in the street market that are mature or don't look nice. Usually I get excellent deals and then I can freeze the fruits for smoothies or make pre meals.
you are blessed to have a partner who shares this philosophy
Great tips. I myself never go to cinema, restaurants, cafés, go for holidays on expensive trips (only visiting family members twice a year by train for a couple of days), buys clothing's only when absolutely necessary, I advertise on items I have bought that has some kind of fault or is broken rather than trowing it away and paying for a new one. I've saved alot of money on advertising on stuff. I do not buy new phones randomly or anything else. I only buy things I actually need when I need it. I try to use the things I have and give them new purpose or multi-usage. I use the food I have rather than buying something else right away and I do not throw away food just because it's expired on date. I walk rather than taking the bus, don't own a car or bicycle. I do not pay for mobile phone calls etc, I use free alternatives such as email. Trim my own hair, don't use makeup, don't use Parfume, alongside with no nail polish. I also get stuff for free, things that others want to give away, in order to resell for extra money. I otherwise also sell alot of my own stuff, to get rid of the burden, free up space and time and in order to get extra money to save up. I pay my bills, save money and after using some on food etc I save the rest so as not to temp myself to buy something I don't need. I save money the best I can by any means necessary, in order to buy a complex apartment. We all have our reasons to save money, but in today's struggles I see people needing to save money just in order to get by and so as to be safe in the future. The costs are real for sure, and they only seem to get higher. This is the time to be smart with your money.
My favorite way to save money on food is to ask “can I make that in less than five minutes?” before I add something to my list. For example, I would not buy pancake mix if I already had flour, baking soda, sugar, and salt. I would just make my own in a jar to keep in the pantry. At first, it feels like it might be more work, but often it’s actually a lot less work (and money) to take five minutes to make your own version than to take the time and spend the money going to the store. I no longer buy things like pre-made hot chocolate packets since I almost always have the ingredients at home. Plus, it’s better for you because it cuts out a lot of preservatives and artificial ingredients.
I enjoyed listening to you. I have to say, though, these things you do are not only due to national heritage or minimalism.
My grandparents raised their children through the Great Depression and WWll, so m my parents grew up during those times. That also means I grew up experiencing all they knew as normal in their lives. Because of that, the actions and concepts you mentioned have been " in my blood" my whole life. I've taken it further.
For example: I stopped carrying any purse at all. I put everything I need in my pockets, and then carry a water bottle. I live in a no-spend year. I allow myself some leniency in that by making a small list of needs so that If I find those items during the year at very good prices, I'll get them. So far this year, I've made 4 purchases.
When it comes to utilities, I turn the water off after I've gotten wet, wash and then turn the water on again to rinse. I also only turn on a small stream of water. I hand wash dishes. I do have a car, but I almost never use it. This year, so far, I've filled the gas tank only one and a half times. I use all the free transportation I can find. Because I'm a disabled senior, I have a lot available to me. My car is 17 years old and still going strong because I bought a good car to begin with and take care of it. I keep electronics for years and years, until they are beyond repair before I get another one.
I resist purchases, repair, refurbish, recycle, reuse, re-gift, re-design, re-make, etc. Almost nothing goes to waste. I use everything up until it's completely not usable any more. I calculated once that I use about 1/15th the utilities of other people. I'm just always mindful of it.
I don't consider myself a minimalist. I've accumulated all I need and want over my whole life. I purge and declutter regularly.
In other words, there's nothing new under the sun. People have been living as you described for probably millennia. Still, it's so good that you remind people with your videos.😊
For some reason I like it so much that all your bags are pink 🥰when I thought about decreasing the number of bags I have to only 1 per category, I immediately thought that I would keep my black ones as the most practical, and then you’ve shown your pink ones and I was like no I would keep the ones that bring me the most joy ☺️
Hey Vera! Thanks for this very Dutch video 😊 I live in Canada but I'm half Dutch. My grandparents immigrated to Canada from the Netherlands and I grew up in a community with lots of Dutch people. I understand the frugal Dutch instincts well!
I really appreciated your money-saving tips! My husband and I occasionally ask for restaurant gift cards for birthday/Christmas presents in order to avoid collecting more stuff. This doubles as a money saving hack because it allows us to enjoy the occasional restaurant meal for free 😊
Oooh yes, a restaurant voucher is a great idea!! :) Also, so nice that you have Dutch roots :)
Half Dutch here too ❤
Love that romantic minimalism. I apply the picnic lifestyle. Also the libraries are often so grand and rich in digital content. ❤thank you!
I realized I follow most of these already. I have always felt a bit strange for not wanting to own too many things, specially in a family that loves shopping. Or to own only a few things that really mean something to me.
I think quality is a very important factor to consider when buying. Well made things will last longer and you can really make the best out of whatever you do buy, including food and supplies. So even if it might be a bit more expensive, it will be worth it in the long run.
This is the best set of ideas how to save money on every day basis through the long run I’ve watched on UA-cam, and I watched most of them! Thank you so much. Honestly, very easy and simple ideas. Everyone, who concerns, can do it!
As a frugal Dutch person I do most of these things. People wonder why I am able to save so much...I don't feel deprived in anyway and enjoy life with my loved ones!
Hier nog een Nederlander :)
Regarding pre-cut produce: I highly recommend frozen produce. In many dishes, frozen is just fine and it saves on prep time, you don't need to plan against food waste = more flexibility in meals, you've got no scraps so the price for frozen produce equals the entirely usable amount, and sometimes here (even when the fresh version is on offer/it's in season) the price per kg might still be cheaper. It all depends on what you'll want to use it for.
Great advice. I recently bought a dehumidifier but as a secondary use it says it will dry washing in your house quicker without obviously the need to tumble dry or having the central heating on. So anyone with a dehumidifier remember to put your washing near it.
Ah clever!
Love this tip! Ty
@@ann-mariebrennan1455 ⁹
I am addicted to buying art supplies. I need to stop buying new supplies until I use all I have.
Time for a use-it-up-challenge! 🤗💕
@@SimpleHappyZen indeed 💚🖌🎨
I’m a fabric hoarder, I think most sewers are 🧵
Excelent ideas!! Thank you ❤. When I hear that you can excercise at home, it makes sense but, to go do it in groups (gym) gives you 3 advantages: you actually interact with people in person, you avoid injuries by having a prepared instructor, and you get to do the excersice because arranged apointments tend to pressure you to keep discipline.
I like the approach "1 euro per hour" to check if something is worth subscribing to. Great idea, Vera!
As a Dutch person I do a lot of the things you say, but there are a few things that I never thought about like the €1 rule and the rule of only being allowed to buy 2 things that are not on your shoppinglist to try out something new. I do like those things and will certainly start doing them. I will also save this video in my own list of favorites because there were so many things coming by that I already forgot a few good ones. Thanks for another great video 🤍🩶🩵
So glad you enjoyed the video and got some helpful tips here! :)
What a great video Vera, I’ll be watching this again and actually making a list of many of these tips! A couple of things I do that I learned from my dad was ripping the paper towels in half if you only need a small piece, shutting the water on & off while washing the dishes or cleaning the kitchen instead of letting it run while you go to clean the table for instance, I add water to the last of the spaghetti sauce jar to extend it and I carry my water bottle with me and only order water with lemon when I eat out which isn’t too often because I hate paying for drinks outside, it’s so expensive as you’ve said! Thnx for these great tips! 💵
Thanks for sharing yours and glad you enjoyed the video! 🤗🌱🌷
I like your idea of only using what you need.Another idea: have one set of bar towels and cut worn or stained cotton towels/clothes. I dry outside until I have enough to wash in the machine with hot water. Haven't used a paper towel in years.
I clean the floors with the towels tucked into the swiffer slot.
Great list! When eating out at restaurants, sometimes 3 or 4 of us share an appetizer and desert instead of a meal... More economical than full meals.
Oh, the bags! I have concluded I have a bag addiction. I have lots of bags of all sizes and styles and categories. I love bags. I always think I am always buying and looking for more bags because I have been trying to find the perfect bag all my life. Unfortunately, I can only find out if the bag works for me after using it several times for different situations. Now, trying to reduce my inventory, I am trying to decided which ones I will keep and will ones I will sell/donate give away/whatever. This alone is a hard task because I seem to fall in love again with the ones that I haven’t used for a long time. I’d love to reach the point you say: Owning only one bag of each category.
All these tips not only saves you also the world.Thank you for being a vegan.❤Love and Respect.
When a recipe calls for half a head of cauliflower for example, I just double the recipe and freeze the rest. It barely takes any extra effort and means we have a meal ready for when we don't feel like cooking 😊
One budget practice that helps me is adding up the annual cost of car insurance, homeowners insurance, property taxes, and car licensing (I live in USA). Then I divide the annual cost of all those expenses by 12 for the monthly cost. In a separate savings account, I make a deposit of the monthly cost each month. It may be a challenge to start this, I know. When those bills are due, I am ready with the full payment. I budget avoiding any interest charges!!!
Washing undergarments by hand extends the life of the garments a lot. I hand-wash everything except the sheets and it extends the life
Hi Vera, sensible as always. Re. gifts, instead of buying each new items, my partner and I now gift each other repairs of existing loved possessions. For example, for my birthday, he paid for repairs to a beloved handbag I already owned that had got scratched. It was like getting a whole new bag, without needing to find storage space for a new item, and I was genuinely thrilled. There's something really satisfying about solving a problem and being able to use something again with pleasure; and he was thrilled to not have to find a suitable new item for a gift.
Re. menus, something I sometimes do is order a starter (or two if I'm really hungry) instead of a main course. It's cheaper and, being vegetarian, I often have more interesting choices in the starters menu. Thanks for the list :)
Loved your tips. I had to laugh to "scrapping" as we do exactly the same in my home country (Poland) and in Norway where I have lived the last 15 years. As for heating, we only switch off heating 2 months per year as we live in Northern Norway so our electricity bills are quite high but I make sure that I switch the light when I go out of a room etc. etc. and the same with water. I can give you great tips to spare money on dying hair! especially if you have darker hair. I use henna to dye my hair at home, its cruelty free, free from any chemicals, It doeasnt damage your hair (my hair got waaaay stronger and thicker after using henna in a year now!) and you can do it at home yourself. I also travel a lot and I find food at the airports extremely expensive so I always bring my own food to have on a plane. :-)
Great video. I do a lot of these things already, but I do love the 1 Euro rule! That's a great way to determine if subscriptions are worth the expense or not. Agree with the using up stuff periodically too before buying anything else, I'm currently doing an "eat down" on our freezer and pantry so I can restock it with fresh stuff for the winter months. I'll do the same thing again in the spring.
Happy you enjoyed the 1 euro rule! :) I'm not super strict with it myself, but I do like that it gives me a better idea if something is worth it or not. It's not always my main motivation though, sometimes I also just want to support a creator or writer or something, and then I don't really follow this rule because I'm doing it to support someone. But it does really help with things like Netflix and stuff :)
Thanks, I now have a few more money-saving strategies.
I use the online grocery store flyers to add items on sale to my grocery list and plan my meals around what's on sale. I can email myself the list. I also use Alexa to add staples to the shopping list as I think of them or use them up. I can easily flip between lists to see what I need. Also, focusing on my lists means less wandering around looking at stuff and less temptation for impulse shopping.
Bonus, there are sometimes coupons and flash sales only available through store apps. That's also where the sale flyers with the built-in grocery list feature are, so they're worth getting. At least in Canada, where I live.
It was so weird not buying school supplies, clothes, or shoes in August. My three kiddos are out of school. 😆
I guess my main go to is reverse meal planning. I will make a tentative plan first, but when I go to the grocery store I raid and inspect all the clearance and very good deals on sales. So if I find things marked down, and I like them, then I adjust my meal plans to fit those items. It’s almost comical how most of the time I find plenty of clearance that will work for me each and every time I shop. (Also I take into account if it stores well as with refrigerating and freezing)
I also (as a single person) find as many good deals as I can with dining out such as taking advantage of things like all you can eat salad and cold take home deals. Most times also I can stretch one dining out experience into two meals, just by using portion control. But if you get unlimited salad, that’s mostly one meal. My entree is mostly taken home for meal two and then the take home deal will make two meals also. So that’s 4 meals from dining out once. As a solo single, I find that to be highly economical. Or just doing up my own Mexican food and just buying restaurant salsa to go to eat with it all week. And so on. (Or picking up the ginger sauce at the hibachi place lol).
Line drying is huge for women's clothing. I've started with delicates but I've been considering doing that for everything but any heavier pants I have.
I'm also vegan and I started making a lot of my foods and cleaning products from scratch: almond milk, matcha lattes, biscuits, nut butters, almond meal, hummus, muffins, beans and legumes, soups, all purpose cleansers, floor cleaner, air freshener... Not only has this significantly cut costs it also keeps me from wasting anything because I have put so much effort into making things. Like you I wait for movies to come out on streaming instead of attending the cinema. My main reason was poor phone etiquette of other people in the audience. I also shop from a wish list and because all of the items are fair trade and eco conscious I try and wait for the sales to get them at better prices.
'poor phone etiquette of other people in the audience' ... I had the misfortune to once be seated one empty seat away from a woman who turned on her phone during the movie to talk to her family. I just looked at her and she was so rude back, I felt like ripping her head off... 🤣 well not really but you know what I mean. That was probably 8 or so years ago and I have never been to the pictures since.
In your Phone settings, go to Battery, then Battery Health. If your Maximum Capacity is below 80% you need a new battery not a new phone.
I loved the video :) some are a bit *too* frugal for me but thank you for taking the time of making all this list ! My best advice for groceries, if you live in the center of your city like me, most of the time there are no big supermarkets, only little ones and the prices are crazy ! So I get my groceries delivered a t my door from a big supermarket outside of the city where everything is a bit cheaper, this way I can see all the sales that I wouldn't have in store, and stock up on items I couldn't carry because they are too heavy !
Thanks Vera for the video. I always enjoy watching you. You are very calming. Food is where most of my money goes for my 3 children, dog and cat.
Thank you so much :) Have a nice day and give them all a hug from me! :)
@@SimpleHappyZen ❤️❤️❤️
I love her, she is not onlt beatiful but intelligent as well 🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪 Love from Kenya. You just got a new subscriber
If I'm going to shop for ingredients to make a particular recipe, I try for things that I can batch for the freezer. Frankly don't love to cook but enjoy making soups, stews, etc. Something like a basic vegetable soup can be changed with different proteins or grains added. Easy and simple variety.
Very true! :) Thanks for sharing
You speak perfect english! And my grandmother's name was Vanderburgh, so I am a person with Dutch heritage! I really enjoyed your video and your apartment is beautiful.
Hi Vera, I am from the US and most people are sooo wastful here, but we are not all like that. Thank you for the tips, I do many of them, but I got a few new ones, thank you again!😊
Okay, nice tips, but what are you saving for? What DO you buy? Or are you saving it for something? Buy time, work less? Or do you give it to people in need? Just curious!
Niet om te trollen hoor! Echte vraag: waar spaar/bewaar je je geld voor? 😘
Thank you for these ideas. My favorite newest UA-cam content..as of earlier today! Thanks so much, Vera! 😊❤️🌞
Watching from
South Africa 🇿🇦
Hi there! 🤗
I save all non-starchy veggie scraps and bones from any meat we eat, i put them in bags in the freezer until i have enough to fill the crockpot. Then i make my own broth/stock. Just cover the scraps in water and cook several hours, strain the broth, put it in freezer bags and place in the freezer (or pressure can).
All my broth is free now!
Thanks for these SPECIFIC tips you share with us 🎉 I literally understand and learn a lot. Thanks Thanks Thanks
Lots of great reminders and tips. I'm going back to a movie theater for the first time in 10 years to see the Taylor Swift ERAs Tour movie. 😆
The $1 per hour rule is one I could follow a little bit better.
My favorite thing as a parent is find free library sponsored/hosted events for kids. We have found so much to do and so many places to visit with our toddler for free. It almost makes up for living in the suburbs with no reliable public transit.
One thing i do is to chop all the peppers and onions etc, freeze in ice cubes and once is frozen i put them in a plastic bag so ill have fresh frozen onions etc in cube size when i want to cook and it doesn't loose taste at all, saves money and time
Great segment! We were able to eliminate debt by saving for major purchases & paying cash. We also had installed a water filter saving thousands on bottled water! We cancelled our cable by installing an areal antenna. We also container garden. New subscriber here! 🙋
We are now ‘empty nesters’ - 3 sons moved out. I find I still overcook out of habit. So we now freeze the excess food and therefore always have something ready if any of said sons pop round unexpectedly. If not, at the end of each month my husband and I will have a ‘pot luck’ date night. No food waste and a fun evening together in the kitchen…. Blessings to you Vera - as always, be happy 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
I love that you game too! My fiancé and I have wanted Lost Judgment for almost a year and just got it on sale for $15! Love a good sale. Great tips here 😊
No impulse buys!!! OK, I might try this for a period of time. Thanks
Thank you for sharing your expertise and wisdom. I’m using these in 2024. Blessings and favor.
These are great tips! Another tip is to give yourself a max limit to spend, such as when you go to a restaurant or travel
In all honesty if I am going out or travel: I do spend. At these moments i really don’t want to think about what it costs. I wouldn’t fully enjoy AND these are the things I am actually saving for
@@XKaulitza the max I set is pretty high. When I travel, I like to spend, too, especially because I don’t do it too often. In general, when I go out, I don’t like to feel restricted. I give myself a max when traveling just so I don’t go overboard lol
With my face and skin creams, I monitored how long the one in use takes to use up. I now only look for the replacement once I have one-third at the most. This gives me time to find it in store at the cheapest price without running out. I had lots of stationery, so I did a big declutter and now only buy one of what almost runs out of.❤
That's clever! :)
I like when you said “ We Dutchies”❤😊
I'm a follower of minimalistic life from Sri Lanka and I love your ideas and even you more cos savior of environment means the world.
I rarely do online shopping, or shopping in general, except groceries. I have a huge problem with impulse shopping at the grocery store and now that the kids have moved out it's hard for me to remember I'm cooking for 1 not 6. I do a big online shop every 2 weeks and save $100 in my budget for the odd fresh things I'll need, like milk, produce, bread. Even with a $5 delivery fee, I save way more by not adding a bag of chips or candy to every purchase I'd made before.
Also with the streaming services, as you mentioned, they can be cancelled and reinstated with very little effort. I love Disney+ for all the new Star Wars stuff, so I keep my ears open for new content and reactivate my account only when I'm watching that stuff, and just cancel it after I'm done. It's the one big benefit cable/PVR doesn't have.
Tons of great tips! I was considering joining a gym but instead I’m going to try working out at home. I’m also going to try to do better at using up what I have and not wasting the last little bit of stuff. And I’m working on simplifying my diet and coming up with a few simple meals to keep on rotation.
Those are all great ideas!! 😇
How is your English so good 😍 I have lived in Amsterdam for years and I haven't even recognized that you're Dutch, until the margarine packages with Dutch stuff on it appeared in the video 😂 I haven't thought about it even after the Dam Square showed up because you don't even have the slightest of an accent ❤ My Dutch used to be very good when I have lived there, so I can obviously pick up on the accent straight away, but with you it wasn't the case. I love your ideas ❤ Not everything can work for me though as I'm a creative artist and I also like to collect many specific things which make me truly happy, like mandalas, candles, gem stones, postcards from the places which I have visited etc. ❤ But definitely some of your ways of living are very inspiring and I feel compelled to follow them. I do write this in English on purpose instead of Dutch, because I know you Dutchies do everything possible to avoid using your own language 😂 It's kind of cute and it also makes your English really good ❤ Bless you and keep making these lovely videos. Groetjes, fijne dag! 🎉
Hi Gorgeous Vera❤, just wanted to let you know I just love you and your awesome videos. Stay happy, healthy and always look after yourself as number one. ❤❤
Aw thank you Sarah 🥰❤️ That's so sweet and it means a lot. 😊 Take care!
2nd hand clothing can be a beautiful way to get good quali low price clothes as well!
Hello Vera, so happy to meet you🌷. My family is dutch too, my parents immigrated to Australia in 1978 and we al livein Australia, but all of my mums family is still in Holland💝. Your country is gorgeous, I have been there a few times☺
Great tips. We don't like to waste things, especially food. Always looking for creative ways to make something using leftovers. It made me smile when you mentioned cutting bottles open to get every bit out! We do the same.
Thank you for your inspiring videos.
Hi, Vera ! Super insightful & helpful tips. You are such an inspiring example! I find that sometimes , “having breakfast for dinner” can be a nice money saving & simple food option. Also, if it fits the day’s activities , I often have only 2 meals / day. Or at times , even just one ! With a snack somewhere of carrot sticks or such. For me , this is natural & not an austerity. I get a monthly bus pass instead of buying individual rides , b/c public transportation & walking are my sole forms of transportation. Def rarely go out to eat ! Fun to do on occasion, but I don’t miss it. It costs way too much now, & I do like to leave a good tip as well when I DO indulge. I’d rather that be a rarity & save the money ! And where I live , plenty of people still do go to restaurants so I’m not worried about denying these places my business. Win / Win !
We sometimes have breakfast for dinner as well :)
cancelled $98.99 worth of apps my son had. put that into dividend investing.
I'm looking to have my first apartment (I'm planning to share with a friend) starting next year, so this video is honestly SO needed for me! Thank you for these very valuable tips, Vera!
I always buy what i need on sale or when in offer... but never buy something just because on sale though... and when possibile wait for the article to be on sale, just like your advice... so little money is really necessary to live well in my opinion...
You can add a little water to your tube of Toothpaste when it seems empty - Many times! Another dollar stretcher - when eating out order water w/ lemons & add sugar to taste - you've got lemonade! Squeeze lemon juice on your pancakes & syrup - lemon cake - YUM. When a jar of sauce is empty add a little water.
Thanks for sharing your minimalism and saving tips. It inspired me and made me contemplate on my wrong practices.
very good advice. i love being frugal so we can spend money on more important things
Exactly! :) Thanks :)
Dear Vera, I noticed the candle in the background and it looks soothing, I love it. I have only a small recommendation, please, please, please place the lit candle at a greater distance from your flowers, hot air isn't good for them. Thank you very much for your inspiring videos. With love, Iva
Thank you, I will!! :)
Great list. Do all of these except holidays off season, not having a car or dryer.. but I have kids.. so not choice.
Hi Vera! Good tips. Thank you!
These are things all the world should know and follow. Use the things you have and if a clothe is old buy a new one, if a cup is broken buy a new one. Stop filling the house with so many things that u do not use. A simpler life helps you also to save money, make it easier to do house chores, helps you to have a more balanced lifestyle, etc. Everyone should think more before buying buying buying.
You always have the best tips! ❤
Thank you Vera! I always appreciate and enjoy all your content.
So glad you're happy in your new home.🤗
Great tips! Thank you🌺
I came across your channel , whilst looking for minimalist inspo in readiness for a decluttering journey in 2024. Personally i couldn't compromise on as many things & live a very simple lifestyle like you as it would feel too restricted for me. having said i'm not overally materialistic either. you have some great tips which will be helpful to me :)
Thank you! This helps me a lot.
I love your videos! I’m a minimalist because i’m really passionate about traveling and want to put most of my money towards that!
Dear Vera, thank you for another inspiring and useful video!) The atmosphere of your videos is always so calm, friendly and harmonious)) Your speaking of taking meals with you instead of eating out in a cafe really resonated with me. Couple of weeks ago I started to take hot soup or something like this in a little thermos to work and just have my lunch on a bench in the park nearby. I enjoy this decision a lot! It is still quite warm here, so this is not only saving money, this is a way to enjoy some peace and quiet under the trees)) One more thing: I realised that I usually spend money on something nice or buy some unhealthy and expensive snacks when I feel down. Definitely, I should think of some more sustainable ways to feel better, heh.
Great video! Thank you, Vera. I also want to compliment you on your English. I would have assumed that you grew up in the US. 😊
Aw thank you!! :)
Your channel is SO blessed - it is a true blessing to so many of us out here. It´s beautiful, no bull****, straight to points, and real. I love to have it available through my days! THANK YOU!
Aw thank you so much 🤗🌷 Have a wonderful day!
Wonderful ideas Vera! Many I am doing, but oh how I wish I started as young as you are. My only “extra” tip is running appliances at night if possible as it saves on energy costs, and to that also making sure that you have preventative measures in place to keep heat/ac inside the house with easy installation draft dodgers, window kits, etc. thank you for all your videos 😍
Making sure your house is insulated is a really good one :)
@@SimpleHappyZen thank you so very much for your videos Vera. I love your wisdom and grace. I find such serenity in “visiting with you” through your videos. I am grateful that you have found peace through your own burnout and HSP and can pass your experiences on to others. Through you and others I hope that young people (and old 😉) may learn and hopefully avoid experiencing the worst of the trials. We are not alone 💖
Great tips and inspiration, Vera! Thank you for sharing ❤
The difference between generic and store brand is generic doesn't have to pay for advertising. I shop with cash only and if something is less than a mile I walk it.
Hello, Vera. Just got acquainted with your channel and absolutely loved it ❤ The tips are really useful both for your budget and environment.
I was a little bit surprised that you freeze bread, because we keep it in the fridge in the plastic bag and it's totally ok to eat even after 2 weeks and no need to defrost it 🤔
Thanks for numerous insights and ideas!🙏
Definitely have to love the use your craft inventory idea - I'm doing this at the moment and while it's slow going at times, I feel so much better as the craft stash diminishes xxx
Nice!! Way to go :)
I got some craft items brand new at a garage sale recently because she had bought too much to use before she passed away. So sad to see her husband have to get rid of all the things she constantly shopped for.