My grandfather always told me to invest in the things between you and the earth. Buy high quality shoes, mattresses, and tires. Honestly the best advice I've ever gotten.
That's great advice! I also like the saying, if you buy cheap you will buy twice. Always reminds me to make sure I get something that lasts. And if I don't care if it lasts, I usually don't need it (trendy items) or can borrow it.
Wow you went from being someone who can’t be trusted with a credit card, to running a successful business teaching thousands of others about personal finance. Now that’s an inspirational glow up.
That is the best incentive. Mine were my parents who are high earners but are financially illiterate. I am determined to find out how to make my meager earnings work for me well.
The best eye opening advice I have ever received is its not how much we earn, but how we spend it that makes the difference. The second best is make what you have work for you, ie invest. Focus and you will reach your financial goal! All the best!
My best purchases were: menstrual cup & cloth pads, ukulele (great to help me relax!), a lemon tree (it's in a huge pot in my balcony, and it gives me free lemons ALL YEAR), a good knife + knife sharpener, a decent smartphone (four years of use and counting!). Also, washing with cold water and almost no fabric softener and air-drying helps A LOT to extend the life-span of all my clothing and not waste so much electricity. My best stopped buying: TV (kill that thing with fire, also it's great to not have another bill to pay), other cleaning products (you only need one for all the things except wood surfaces that are not barnished), make-up (don't wear it ever, except sometimes lipstick), newspapers & magazines (all digital and free now). Also thinking about how I'm going to use and recycle/dispose of the things helps to decide if it's worth buying, so it saves me a lot of money in the long run.
Newspapers aren't free. Good journalism costs money; if we don't support them, we end up with journalists creating sloppy news pieces and buzzfeed-like headlines, because that will genereate clicks and therefore ad-money.
Yes, all that and I also use white (cleaning) vinegar (super cheap) instead of fabric softener (that can also be used to clean a tone of stuff in the house). And since I watch the Clean My Space channel, I make my own all purpose cleaner with water and 1 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid in a spray bottle (that I use on wood too).
Jacqueline You are right on that. Whenever at my house we need to be informed in a particular subject that requires good journalism (elections, reforms, international affairs), we do buy one or two good newspapers (one of them local) for that month and we find that's plenty enough to tell how digital media is treating the subject. But I meant to say that I don't buy for entertainment or "information" everyday/every sunday, because it really is not necessary (we live in Argentina, journalism is not that different here than in the US but you usually don't need on the hour everyday news to understand what's happening).
1. House (my fiancé and I saved up for five years for a deposit which was the hardest thing we ever did but so worth it now) 2. Car. I bought a fiat 500 on a five year finance deal that I could afford, got it with 3000 miles on the clock for a third of the price of a new one. £30 road tax a year, £30 to fill it up a month. Over the four years I’ve had it it’s paid for itself countless times. 3. Cashmere. Got 3 cashmere jumpers I’ve had them for 3 years now, as good as the day I got them and boy do they keep me warm. 4. Paid off all our debt. Speaks for itself. Another hard two years for us. 5. My mattress. Didn’t know you didn’t have to have a bad back all of the time before investing in a good quality one. 6. Travel. We love to travel and our frugal adventures are the only thing that have cost money and made us richer.
1. Paying off defaulted credit card all at once 2. Investment outerwear 3. Getting an accountant and making an LLC 4. Her dog 5. Dutch oven 6. A ticket to France You're welcome
@@naudjacobvolders1152 it's a cast iron pot that is used to Stew food for long periods of time. It's really good for slow baking and slow cooking and they last forever
Solid advice overall, I did not appreciate the casual jab at "second hand clothes that who knows where they came from" or something to that effect. If you know what you're doing, second hand can be a great way to shop, and brings higher-quality pieces into the range of those of us who would have a much harder time buying them new. Also...they dont make furniture like they used to!
Buying second hand when you're starting out is a great strategy in general. Buying decent quality things second hand is much cheaper than buying poor quality things new. As your second hand placeholders wear out, you can replace them with what you actually want. I don't know why more people don't do this. I cringe so hard when people make the first apartment trip to IKEA. Buy what you need at the thrift store, or off Craigslist. As things wear out, replace them with gorgeous things you'll want to use for the rest of your life. You'll save money, it's better for the environment, and you'll have nicer things in the long run. Everybody wins.
Im moving (probs) from california to the chicago and everyone keeps saying i should buy a big ass expensive coat but im broke at the same time lol so, would any of you be kind enough to suggest any brand or store i may fine some good ones that aint gonna cost a fortune?:( i tried looking in thrift stores but once again since is california there arent many options
If it's wool and not lined with polyester it's amazing, also hella expensive. A cheaper option is ASOS. I bought a winter coat from ASOS that was around 100$ and has been keeping me warm for about 4/5 years now. I do still wear mittens and a hat (both knitted double layered wool, SUPER warm). I reccommend mittens over gloves, since the air in between your fingers in a mitten will help with keeping then warm. In addition, layers. Wear a cami, and tshirt and a sweater, and thin leggings and a pair of trousers. More layers is more warmth.
If you are able to purchase a jacket from The North Face you should. They are brilliantly made and are commonly used by customers that spend a lot of time outside. I use mine daily during the winter and every time I am filming outside. Some of them are layered so if you get too hot, you can take a section off. I got mines at an outlet store for £80 so not too much as an investment.
I appreciate what you're saying about pets, and I have one myself, but I'd be wary of encouraging it. The fact is, is that animals like dogs are commitments for over 10 years, and a lot of people won't consider that. In our rent generation, people won't always be able to find accommodation that is pet-friendly and that can lead to a pet ending up in a rescue home. That said, anyone devoted and with the means will be bringing a lot of joy to their lives - they just need to think about it really, really carefully.
Thank you for saying that! When I adopted my first cat (now my 'old girl' of 11 who's snoozing on my lap as I type), I consciously committed myself to being her owner for the rest of her life - and I knew how long that could be! My chickens and my younger cat were only added to my household when I actually had a household of my own (and not a rental) to add them to.
@Skyla Meyer I have a cat of my own and I also foster! Great tip, just be sure to clear it with your rental first. One place I lived expected me to repay the non refundable deposit (which ranges anywhere from $150 to $450 around here) with every animal! Sometimes you only foster each one for a few weeks, so that would've gotten out of hand very fast.
Exactly. We now have four cats since one just started living with us and started happily procreating. There were times when we had 8 or 9 cats at a time. At first five kittens at a time are really cute and fun, but it is also a lot of work, especially if one falls ill! And finding new owners is also a pain in the ass. It took a long time for us to get all of 'our' cats nutered, because they were essentially wild cats and very hard to tame and catch. We made the mistake of feeding them because we felt sorry for them. Now I do love all of my remaining four cats, but let's be real nobody needs that many, cats are fine on their own, ours don't even like each other or get along. Trust me, if you want to get a pet, only buy one or two if they are the social kind.
00:57 #1 Paying off defaulted Credit Card all at once. 03:13 #2 Buying investment outerwear. 05:06 #3 Having an accountant and making and LLC. 07:36 #4 Getiing MONA! (the dog) 08:56 #5 Buying a dutch oven 10:20 #6 Buying a ticket to france
My best 20s purchase: one good knife. I was trying to teach myself to cook. I figured $60 sets were all i could have becuse i was trying to pay off debt. Every chef is obsessed with their knives, we are talking $1600 knives. However, a food writer said: "get one high quality knife that fits your hand" . I got one $250 Shuman Hikari 8" chef knife that fits my hand beautifully. Not only did I cut better and faster, I liked it so much I cooked every day. I still have that knife, it doesn't match any of my other knives, but it is my knife. I find myself reaching for it above all others andcarefully washing it with every use. Also it goes to a professional sharpener almost every year.
One chef's knife, one boning knife (for flexibility alone), and a paring knife (when chef's knife is too big). Those are my only three cutting implements in the kitchen. (table obviously has some small dollar store knives for the rare occasion we have steak/chops, since I don't entertain much.) To accompany the knives, I have one heavy wooden cutting board with a smooth prep side and a carving side. Wood is nicer to your knives, and when properly oiled, holds fewer contaminants than nicked plastic, and tends to wipe off easier if all you did was grate hard cheese or chop some non-runny veggies. I spend like, $5 on a food-grade oil for the board every two years to keep it practically new (no cracks/warping/rough surface). Way more durable than a plastic board.
One of my best 20s purchases was a last-minute ticket to a conference for a field of work I was really interested in. I discovered the 2-day conference about a week beforehand. I was in university, so I emailed them and asked if there was a student discount (there was, and it was substantial enough that I could afford to go). While I was there, I learned some valuable information about my, now, field of work, and I met someone who pointed me to an amazing (community) college program that got me exactly the education I was looking for!
Wait...You get a new coat every year?! I hide my old coat in the back of my wardrobe every now and then pull it out as a surprise to pretend myself it's new 😂
I had the same thought, I live in Canada where a coat is mandatory for 8 months of the year, and I buy one every 3 or 4 years tops. I cant imagine one every year.
Menstrual cup, knife sharpener, my Kindle, cordless vacuum and microfibre cloths for taking my makeup off. All of them are kind of good for the environment and save me money. Highly recommend.
I did it! I paid off my Discover card that I used in college this year! I'm so much happier and I feel so much more empowered! Plus your video on an emergency fund was a wake up call for me. After Irma, I had to get back home and I only had $30 dollars in savings. It was embarrassing to have to beg for gas for my car and I barely made it home. Now I live super frugally and my savings is in a much, much, better place!
My best financial decision of my 20s so far was probably getting an apartment. I love my family, but it's hard when they are very energetic and I am not. Now I get peace and quiet in my studio, while still visiting them each week.
I invested in full body laser hair removal (and got a killer deal) and adopted my dog. Definitely great investments into myself!!❤️ love your channel and all of it’s helpful tips.
I just had my first month using one, and I definitely think I want a softer one, I bought the diva cup, (it was all I could find at the time, online isn't an option at the moment)
Kestrels Call try the lily cup :) I had the diva cup and used it for over a year but it was too stiff and uncomfortable. The lily cup is game-changing! (The compact cup looks really awesome but it can be difficult to get used to ) good luck! 😁
For me I'm going to tell you the best purchases that I've actually made kind of recently. One is my Diva menstral cup and period underwear. It's so worth it in every way, more comfortable, easy to use, good for the environment, and saves money. Second is my bed. I was sleeping on a old, broken mattress for years and getting a new mattress with a new bed is made me feel so much better in many ways. Getting quality shoes for work is also something that is very important. People with good shoes are seen as more professional.
So about clothing: it's so easy to save money on clothes by just taking care of them rather than continuing to buy constantly. Take care of stains properly use cold water on the majority of your clothing, low heat on your dryer, and fold things right away rather than let them cool down after the dryer in a heap. I've had the same four all weather jackets for the past three years and I plan on having them for the next three as well, because I take care of them, properly store them, and take the time to mend them if they have something small wrong with them rather than wait for it to get worse until it has to be thrown away
At 22 I paid off my entire student loan in a few lump sum payments. Now at 24 these past two years have been easier since now I can save for other things
I completely agree with you on moving to another country. I was 22 when I bought a one-way ticket to Prague. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
Definitely our cast iron cookware have been staples in our kitchen. I would also say the vitamix, sewing machine, laptop, and Dyson vacuum have all gotten tons of use and are still going strong. Oh! And our fur baby
Yes! We should be investing in our clothing. I’ve had my winter coat for about 6 years now and it’s still got plenty more years in it :) More is less; quantity over quality.
Are expensive fashion clothes like really that much better? I never shopped anywhere but fast fashion but I usually keep my clothes for years and years. I've had my coat for 8 years. Most of my tshirts are older than 5 years... they're not falling apart or anything either.
Americans use tumble dryers so much! Even in California where they have great weather. In Europe, many ppl let clothes air dry, especially when weather allows. Tumble drying clothes will dramatically reduce their life span.
Yeah, I'm from Europe as well and we air-dry everything, always. Even in winter, even if you don't have a balcony, you can do it inside... There's a tip for saving on clothes!
Biathine She had a high profile job, requiring her to look the part and doing so did pay (if you are still living, you do good enough) (I like second hand for knowing it won't shrink, stretch or discolor future)
Chelsea, go with a Staub dutch oven, not a Le Creuset one. Le Creuset is a way better known name but not actually better quality than Staub. I've been working in the cookware business for a while and although there are some differences, Staub will last you your whole life and makes just as yummy food as Le Creuset for less the cost (also they usually have basting bumps on the lids so your meats cook jucier and more tender)
My best purchase: our house. My mother lost our house in the recession-I was 18 and life wasn't the same for a long time. I started saving while in college and put anything extra (even $20 a week) toward it. My husband and I shared a tiny apartment and lived on the bare minimum for a few years (no cable, no Dunkin Donuts, no dinners out), aggressively saving whatever we could for that down payment. My income that year was only $26k, but we'd managed our credit card debt, kept our credit good, and had enough of a down payment saved. Sure, we lived very simply for a long time, including the year or two after we bought the house, but I was a home owner at 25. Looking back almost 4 years later, there is nothing quite like that security of being in a home, at least for us.
One of the smartest purchases I ever made was a 50/50 ticket at a lacrosse game. I was so stressed about paying back $12,750 of student loans. One night after I got off a serving shift I decided to not worry about my money for a few hours and just let it go, and met my boyfriend and our friends at the game. Since they were all drinking I decided to spend ten dollars on the 50/50 since at least I knew that would help someone. I happened to have the right ticket and my half of the pot was $10,500. I had already paid down $2000 of my loans and so I threw the entire win onto my loan and had it paid off 11 months after graduating. I know that Luck and maybe a little bit of Law of Attraction was involved but I am so thankful. Now I always buy $10 of 50/50 tickets in the hopes that whoever wins it really needs it and feels the same relief and joy that I did.
The quality is very hit it miss imo, which can make it hard to tell when buying online. I've had some great quality forever 21 tops and H&M Jackets, but I've also had a lot if stuff from them that just fell apart. Always recommend looking in person and really inspecting the fabric and construction! I've also had more expensive brands fall apart on me.
As others have said you have to pay attention to the clothes. The other issue is that if your weight fluctuates or if the piece of clothing is very of the moment then spending a lot of money on those clothes that you won't be able to wear in a few years can be a waste of money. If you are going to spend the money on nice clothes, a purse or shoes it should be ones that will never go out of style and you're not concerned about not fitting into it.
My best purchases have been: good quality boots (5 years! And I use them almost every day!) good quality coat (3 years!) hypoallergenic sheets, and a sewing machine.
My smartest purchases have been usually from having high standards and knowing what I like. I bought a $300 Roots satchel over 4 years ago and I haven't regretted it for a second. I also just bought myself my first new "hardcore winter jacket" in about 8 years for about $400 (I'm from Canada and I live in Ottawa--Winters can be around 0 F so having a really good jacket is important). Sometimes I've gotten some raised eyebrows from my parents for dropping more money on a good quality item, but most of the time I get full use out of the items I buy because I LOVE THEM and therefore don't feel like I am searching for "the best" jacket, because duh I already own it. Spending more for an item is only going to "cost you" if it isn't what you really want and/or really need.
I also just wanted to add: spending more money doesn't always mean better quality, but I've learned that it makes more sense in the long run to buy some things new and others used. I still have about 60% of my clothes from thrift stores, but it has made more sense to buy some stuff new because I would struggle to find EXACTLY what I wanted new. A bargain does not necessarily equate a good purchase.
CourageCaro The best item isn't always the most expensive, yet neither is it the cheapest. It falls in the middle. Edit: just simplifying your message.
I bought a patagonia hyperpuff jacket. It hasn't been super cold yet, but it has been doing a great job of keeping me warm. I think it should do me to at least -15 or -20 Celsius, (maybe colder) but depending on how windy this winter is, I may or may not decide to eventually buy a shell to go over top of it. Great coat.
It wasn't a purchase, but stepping into the Air Force Recruiters office when I was 22 and nearly homeless changed my life around for the better. Now I work as a defense contractor and make a six figure income. Best decision I ever made. Best part is, I have no crazy student debt hanging around my neck or any debt at all for that matter. I learned how to live frugally and manage my finances well in the military.
Living the military retired life is nice if you manage your money correctly while you’re in the military. Look into Stocks, Bonds, IRAs and purchasing a house with your VA home loan. Make sure you get a warranty paid by the owners for a year just in case any appliances need to be replaced. You can use your VA home loan 3 times. You can easily pay off a 30 year mortgage in 16.5 years or less. I use coupons at the commissary. I get them out of the Paraglide. I’m not sure what the Air Force calla theirs. I only know about the Army.
Mine are an Instantpot and a programmable coffeemaker. The Instantpot saves me so much money because it makes cooking dry beans almost effortless and I can also batch cook soups, dog food, and oatmeal. Unlike a crock pot you can sautee in it, no need to get an extra pan dirty, and it is a good size to store in the fridge so you don't have to put it in a different dish for storing.You can basically set it and forget it. On that note, my programmable coffeemaker helps me wake up early every morning. Knowing my coffee is ready helps me get out of bed and prepping everything the night before is very relaxing and helps me get a better night's rest.
This video popped up on my recommended page and WOW I wasn't expecting this to be so moving. I needed to hear all of this so badly right now. I'm 22 about to embark on an almost 4 week stay in Costa Rica to become a yoga teacher. I never attended college, even though everyone was pushing it,because huge student loans for something I had no passion for never felt right to me. I sat down this morning to write a few more resolutions for the new year, the first being pay off credit card debt before 2018 with the new income I'll be making teaching yoga. Then I come across this video, and it's like it was speaking right to me from the very beginning. The parts regarding credit card debt, filing taxes as an LLC, having pets, and booking a big, monumental trip could not have been more relatable to me right now. It's crazy how the universe works sometimes. Thank you for this, I'll definitely be subscribing!
For me a deep freezer/chest freezer was a smart purchase! Can buy items like bread and meat in bulk and save money that way as well as meal prep and freeze food so when I don’t have time to cook I don’t have to eat out as something is ready in my freezer.
I am so blessed and glad that I saw this clip. All the things you said are going on with me RIGHT NOW. I keep saving for a year from my first job and just paid off my credit card at once yesterday. I m leaving out of the US to Korea this week, with a fluency level 4th Language skill, and a dream school offer. And a thought of starting my startup is growing, so I m learning how to star in from the scratch. Somehow feel like meet a old friend, even though I only have known for a short time. My very first UA-cam comment , is here ahahah
The best purchases I've made so far haven't just helped me financially, they've also helped my body/health. I bought Doc Martens that I've worn almost every day for 4 years and people still think they're new, I bought an expensive bra that actually fits me properly and doesn't strain my back and neck, and I bought expensive skin care (now I don't spend money on make up to try and cover up the problems I was having).
I’m 24, lives in the Philippines and been working professionaly for 3 and a half years and so far my smart purchases were: 1. My Nike running shoes - it’s probably the most expensive shoes I’ve ever owned but it really helped me to be better in running which I really love and regularly do on weekends. 2. The trip to Taipei with my my Mom, BFF and her Mom - I shouldered all the expenses for me and my Mom. It was my Mom’s first trip abroad and it was really one for the books spending quality time together with my bestfriend and our mothers. 3. My Longchamp Medium Le Pliage bag - again probably the most expensive (Philippine Standards) bag I ever own. But I love how versatile it is and can fit so many things. And since it’s foldable, I love how I can bring it to my travels and there’s an additional room for souvenirs or laundry after the trip. After buying this, I stopped buying other cheap fancy bags.
28 y.o. here and my best purchases: a condo when the market was still recovering, good mattress and pillows, sectional couch from a furniture outlet store, rice cooker (can cook more than rice like quinoa, lentils, etc.), quality pots/pans, and designer reading glasses (not because I'm a label snob but because I wanted something durable lol).
David Moore ditto! Paid off my undergrad debt as soon as I️ could (lived at home for a while). I’m going back to school in January for my masters which my employer is paying the majority of my tuition.
College. I know a lot of people are saying it is not worth it, but it was for me. My income was significantly higher than the people around me who never went. I say was because I retired early in life. Trade jobs are also big payers. No schooling after high school usually leads to permanent low paying jobs with slow growth unless you are an entrepreneur.
best investments so far have been a really good pair of black high heels, an amazing coat, and an art history certification and my translation certification (spanish to english and vice versa) but that deadline with a ticket to france thing is really calling to me right about now...
This channel has helped me HUGELY with anxiety around money and navigating my early 20’s. I feel so much more prepared having a trusted source for applicable information. Thank you so much to the TFD team!!
A+ sweater choice. I agree about pets. My dog is the first pet I ever adopted/paid for myself and he has been worth every penny. I'll have to look into getting a Dutch oven. Great video!
I went on a double date with a friend once and at a Mexican restaurant. I make Mexican rice in my Dutch oven so I asked if anyone had one. They all started giggling and I was very confused until my friend's date said, "Isn't that when you fart under the covers and then cover someone up in them?" I was so embarrassed and THEY WOULDN'T BELIEVE THAT IT WAS KITCHENWARE! I guess it just goes to show how much better at adulting I am then my friends 💁
I once told someone that I wanted a Magic Bullet (a blender that was really popular at the time), and the person (with whom I was on a date) thought it was a vibrator. *awkward*
It's all good----you'll be well off or wealthy in your elderly years while they'll be sleeping in a tenr under an underpass in their 90s. Be proud of yourself.
I LOVE that you included your pup in your best purchases. I feel the exact same way about mine. His rescue fees were pricey, but he makes me so happy and really does help with stress.
My best 20-something purchase was my car! It was my first "big" purchase besides school and the process required me to research and learn to negotiate. I also bought a manual transmition - without knowing how to drive it - and taught myself! It's now a solid story I use at interviews to illustrate my love of learning and willingness to be uncomfortable. My other favorite buys have been: my cast iron skillet, down filled winter coat, and my roku.
So funny for me as a Brit to hear someone is using stories about learning to drive a manual car (in our language, just a car!) to impress people :D Is it really so hard for Americans?!
Helena Haapamäki Yes it is a big deal in America - sadly! We're not taught to drive manual in drivers education and for those currently in their teens, early 20s, their parents may never have driven a manual either. Manual car sales are only around 3% of total new car sales in the US.
I’m 23 and I brought my first car this year, it’s mostly just been sitting because I’m used to not having one. I brought it to learn but I already know how to drive a tractor and it’s pretty similar it turns out so kind of a waste overall
I really appreciate the balance you do with sponsors and content. Most are just sponsored programming. You and your team do it best. A lot of people can learn from you in multiple ways. Thanks!
Hi Chelsea and the rest of TFD! First of all I want to say I love your videos so much, I feel that they are incredibly helpful and informative. I am very new to the "adult" world and was wondering if you had ever considered making (or maybe even already have) a video about the first things you should do as an adult in the adult world. I am still in college but I am very anxious about living and functioning on my own, and don't know where to start.
As someone who recently started feeling more comfortable as an adult, just a few words of encouragement! First of all, adulthood kinda sneaks up on you. When you're in college, it can feel like you have so much to tackle before you're confident as an adult. But it's more of a process of doing things for the first time that scare you, and then realizing you can do it, and not being scared of it anymore. So I realize now that I'm paying rent and scheduling my own dentist appointments and keeping an apartment fairly tidy generally making big life plans on my own, and while I didn't think I was capable of it a year ago, I am now. The other thing is knowing that, when you need to in life, you'll rise to the occasion. You'll get a decent job, and keep it because you'll work hard. You'll find out how to manage your life. Before you're in a place to do it, it seems huge, but then you'll be doing it, and you'll be okay :)
I'm only 23 but so far, a thrift store wardrobe of business casual clothes has done a LOT for my self esteem and I think it's part of what got me noticed by professors at school. Oh, also, a bra that actually fits. If you have breasts, especially large ones, it's important to invest in whatever you're using to support/bind them.
27. And so far, my block of regional land ($AU100,000 equity in two years in extra repayments and growth), my pressure cooker (use it twice a week to bulk cook), an electric toothbrush, a menstrual cup and a decent laptop are my top purchases.
Biggest investments in my twenties (although im only 24): 1. My cat, i always spend the extra dollar on her. 2. An amazing mattress, many people my age i know do not own one and when it comes time to move out choose to sleep on pull outs, i love my queen mattress. 3. My glasses. I dont wear contacts and i am pretty much blind without glasses. As an adult its hard getting glasses when they can be so expensive but i always save money for a few months to invest in a good pair of glasses. 4. A winter coat. I spent a pretty penny on a winter coat my freshman year of college and now 6 years later i still use that same coat and its in great shape. 5. Furniture. Even if its secondhand, having furniture to call my own makes me feel like wherever i go i can make it my home and it also makes me feel a level of ownership over my home even though im renting
Yeas I recently got a puppy and totally regretted it because I almost had to find a new place but the talk about Responsibility really is what kept me on Chelsea and the fact that they're awesome for snuggles and they're never going to be unexcited to see you!
"Investing in Outerwear"- TJMax has some pretty good clothing if you look about, for a decent price. I've found some really chic dresses that were made very well, people in my family have found nice wool blend coats for only 50$ and they hold up in terms of durability. Not sure what shoes are like there. Also; Thrift stores are amazing! I found a nice biker jacket, 100% leather for 13 dollars, the only thing wrong was a zipper but those are so easy to replace. My brother adored it!(it was a gift)
I recently just stumbled upon your channel and I just wanted to say that I am glad I did. As a 27 year old young professional trying to pave her way through adulthood I am glad to have your channel as an inspiring resource for financial education. Keep up the great work ladies :)
My fast fashion clothes tend to last. The key is in how and how often you launder them. Usually I will not wash my gentle care items every time I wear them, mostly just if it's been a few wears or if I had a sweatier day than usual while wearing them. I also rotate my clothes so I don't wear any one thing too often and the clothes get rest in between wears. When I do wash them, it's cold water only, and anything that seems delicate or shrinkable does not get dried in the dryer. Hang dry only (or lay out to dry in the case of sweaters).
You can also use a steamer to help refresh clothes a bit in between washes. I will usually wear my clothes a few times too before washing them. When they lose the fresh smell or if they get dirty (as you mentioned sweaty days or when something gets on the clothing) is when I know it's time to wash them.
I think it's a little dangerous to encourage people with limited finances to get a pet. They are extremely expensive, and people make irrational financial choices because of pets.
This is by far the most useful channel I have stumbled upon. Even though I am a Chartered Accountant, there have been many financial decisions that I have not made correctly and paid a hefty price for. So hearing some tips on how to be wiser with my finances has been a great help!
Get a Staub Dutch oven. They are better built than Le Cruset ovens and they are self basting. I work at a kitchen store and those are the ones I always steer people to. They also always go on deep discount during black Friday.
Purchase #6 totally resonates with where I am in life right now. Subscribed and officially hooked to the succeeding videos (I've yet to watch) on this channel!
Two of the best purchases I've made in my 20s are a blender and a food processor. I use them all the time and they've allowed me to cook way more creative dishes and turn cooking into a full-blown hobby that I really enjoy. A plane ticket was also a super important purchase for me, but mine was to Germany. I booked my one-way ticket to Germany without a job or a plan of what I was going to do when I arrived, other than spending the next year with my German boyfriend. It forced me to get a plan lined up (I ended up being an au pair) and it completely changed my life: I still live in Germany four years later, have a masters degree that I never would have been able to afford in the US, and my then-boyfriend is now my husband. My career is also on a completely different and way better track than it would have been otherwise; instead of being completely confused career-wise after getting my bachelors degree in a subject that wasn't very specific or useful, I now have an education that is way more applicable to a career that I am super excited about.
I totally agree with #6. My fork in the road was changing careers. I switched from working(or lack thereof) in live theatre, into being a vet tech. I'm so happy I did it. I recently just got offered a job with the vet hospital that I've been taking my dog to for years. It's so worth it!
Immediately ordered your book! Wish it was easier to find! It took me a while to find the link to buy it on your website. I think you should include the link in your video description as well
Freaking love this channel!! The best purchase in my 20s was a used 2013 Mazda CX-5. The hand me down car that I was using was starting to feel unsafe to drive. So buying a bigger car with good gas mileage, and really good safety rating, and Bluetooth connection was necessary. Coming home with it was the proudest moment yet!!!
Yearly winter coat? I literally bought second hand coat from 100% wool two years ago and I am going to wear it for couple more years. Why would you need new coat every year?
I concur with the Dutch oven- we got ours as a gift for our wedding and it has been a real game changer. I use a crock-pot but the Dutch oven lets me cooks some of those things in two hours vs. four if I forgot to load the crockpot in the morning. Another splurge I am will never regret is my kitchenaid stand mixer. I use it for everything from cakes to mashed potatoes to grinding our own meat (with the attachment). I’ve had mine for almost 10 years and I am confident it will last a lifetime! I was so sure of it, I made sure to get a color that was likely to fit with whatever kitchen it went into instead of one of the alluring but ultimately trendy colors.
I was wondering if you've ever done a gift related Video. Do you have any tips on the gift giving season (read: Christmas consumerism) for staying on budget while giving gifts
I usually give useful gifts. My boyfriend has some plants and he's very enthusiastic about them, so I'm going to gift him some soil, since he's procrastinating his purchase. It's the thought, really. If you attach a nice handwritten letter it's even better.
Chelsea, I️ want to say thank you for your point about making deadlines for yourself and taking a risk (the plane ticket example) I️ recently took a big jump and moved to nyc to be with my fiancé (after being long distance for 4 years) and although it felt like it was always going to happen, having that deadline of a moving date, quitting jobs, leaving family was incredibly difficult. Thank you for reassuring me that this is the time to take risks and take the other “fork in the road”. This video came on a day when I️ really needed that reassurance and I️ cannot thank you enough 🙏❤️
The best purchases I’ve made so far (I’m almost 30) are paying off ALL my multiple credit cards from when I was fresh out of high school and did not to be anywhere near a credit card, my first international solo trip, and paying off my car in 2 years instead of 4. This video made me realize how far I’ve come and made me want to keep making improvements in my finances. Thanks so much!
I moved for an unpaid internship. I blew all my savings on prepaying a 6 month lease on a really shitty apartment. I had a part time job to pay my regular living expenses. This unpaid internship from a few years ago turned into a full-time job which I still have. I should note. I already knew people at the place I would be interning and was fairly confident if the internship went well that a job might come from it.
Hi Chlesea - would you be willing to discuss where you found an accountant for $300-$400 per year? I have been handling the accounting/taxes for my business on my own but this video has convinced me that maybe it's time to look for a proper accountant. Thanks!
Trip Hacks DC just don’t go to H & R Block because holy shit they are pros at ripping people off. I would seriously just ask around and see where your friends go. I have a family full of accountants and it’s amazing how many qualified people just work out of their own homes.
I loved this video, thank you! For some reason it only just popped up on my feed. I just paid off my student loan and felt that really financially empowered feeling and by the end of January I will be entirely debt free. I also learned to invest in good outerwear (living in Indiana forced me to!) and it's been a world changer. As I'm about to move back to London, I'm getting everything in order to set up my own limited company. My friends Emily and Charlie gave me a le creuset dutch oven as a housewarming present when I first moved to Indiana and omg, amazing. So now feeling pretty good about everything! Yay! Thanks Chelsea :)
The comment section is as good as the video. Its so cool the community this channel has created, people sharing their knowledge and zero bad energy going on!!! 👏🌸
Here are some more smart purchases that may be pricey, but are worth the investment: ua-cam.com/video/c3QkU3eiGvM/v-deo.html
My grandfather always told me to invest in the things between you and the earth. Buy high quality shoes, mattresses, and tires. Honestly the best advice I've ever gotten.
EdsGurlMitsuki my grandfather was the same always telling me to purchase high quality once a life time items.
Yes! I've been told the same and I swear by it!
You're usually using one all time time!
EdsGurlMitsuki That's great! I've never heard that before.
That's great advice! I also like the saying, if you buy cheap you will buy twice. Always reminds me to make sure I get something that lasts. And if I don't care if it lasts, I usually don't need it (trendy items) or can borrow it.
EdsGurlMitsuki Haha that's awesome :D Tires are definitely top priority for me as well. Wish more people realized their importance
Wow you went from being someone who can’t be trusted with a credit card, to running a successful business teaching thousands of others about personal finance. Now that’s an inspirational glow up.
right? I'm just poor and she is a god xD
That is the best incentive. Mine were my parents who are high earners but are financially illiterate. I am determined to find out how to make my meager earnings work for me well.
+Denise Sheehan Oh, I'm so grateful to them here! I make crap too, but if I made just a bit more I might actually be someone one day 😂😭
The best eye opening advice I have ever received is its not how much we earn, but how we spend it that makes the difference. The second best is make what you have work for you, ie invest. Focus and you will reach your financial goal! All the best!
My best purchases were: menstrual cup & cloth pads, ukulele (great to help me relax!), a lemon tree (it's in a huge pot in my balcony, and it gives me free lemons ALL YEAR), a good knife + knife sharpener, a decent smartphone (four years of use and counting!). Also, washing with cold water and almost no fabric softener and air-drying helps A LOT to extend the life-span of all my clothing and not waste so much electricity.
My best stopped buying: TV (kill that thing with fire, also it's great to not have another bill to pay), other cleaning products (you only need one for all the things except wood surfaces that are not barnished), make-up (don't wear it ever, except sometimes lipstick), newspapers & magazines (all digital and free now). Also thinking about how I'm going to use and recycle/dispose of the things helps to decide if it's worth buying, so it saves me a lot of money in the long run.
ojiverdeconfleco your comment is literally how I live (except the make up. I do use it, although I wish I wouldn’t) :)
Newspapers aren't free. Good journalism costs money; if we don't support them, we end up with journalists creating sloppy news pieces and buzzfeed-like headlines, because that will genereate clicks and therefore ad-money.
Yes, all that and I also use white (cleaning) vinegar (super cheap) instead of fabric softener (that can also be used to clean a tone of stuff in the house). And since I watch the Clean My Space channel, I make my own all purpose cleaner with water and 1 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid in a spray bottle (that I use on wood too).
Jacqueline You are right on that. Whenever at my house we need to be informed in a particular subject that requires good journalism (elections, reforms, international affairs), we do buy one or two good newspapers (one of them local) for that month and we find that's plenty enough to tell how digital media is treating the subject. But I meant to say that I don't buy for entertainment or "information" everyday/every sunday, because it really is not necessary (we live in Argentina, journalism is not that different here than in the US but you usually don't need on the hour everyday news to understand what's happening).
Love this. Also, emphatically seconding a sharp knife! Necessity.
1. House (my fiancé and I saved up for five years for a deposit which was the hardest thing we ever did but so worth it now)
2. Car. I bought a fiat 500 on a five year finance deal that I could afford, got it with 3000 miles on the clock for a third of the price of a new one. £30 road tax a year, £30 to fill it up a month. Over the four years I’ve had it it’s paid for itself countless times.
3. Cashmere. Got 3 cashmere jumpers I’ve had them for 3 years now, as good as the day I got them and boy do they keep me warm.
4. Paid off all our debt. Speaks for itself. Another hard two years for us.
5. My mattress. Didn’t know you didn’t have to have a bad back all of the time before investing in a good quality one.
6. Travel. We love to travel and our frugal adventures are the only thing that have cost money and made us richer.
1. Paying off defaulted credit card all at once
2. Investment outerwear
3. Getting an accountant and making an LLC
4. Her dog
5. Dutch oven
6. A ticket to France
You're welcome
were those really it? damn
Thank you soo much she took a phat minute
Some Heroes don't wear capes
@@naudjacobvolders1152 it's a cast iron pot that is used to Stew food for long periods of time. It's really good for slow baking and slow cooking and they last forever
Thank you!
One of my favorite quotes is "I'm not rich enough to buy cheap things".
OMG, I am going to remember and use that!
Solid advice overall, I did not appreciate the casual jab at "second hand clothes that who knows where they came from" or something to that effect. If you know what you're doing, second hand can be a great way to shop, and brings higher-quality pieces into the range of those of us who would have a much harder time buying them new. Also...they dont make furniture like they used to!
Buying second hand when you're starting out is a great strategy in general. Buying decent quality things second hand is much cheaper than buying poor quality things new. As your second hand placeholders wear out, you can replace them with what you actually want. I don't know why more people don't do this. I cringe so hard when people make the first apartment trip to IKEA. Buy what you need at the thrift store, or off Craigslist. As things wear out, replace them with gorgeous things you'll want to use for the rest of your life. You'll save money, it's better for the environment, and you'll have nicer things in the long run. Everybody wins.
“Yearly winter coat”- whoa girl your coats should be lasting multiple years. As a Northern Michigan native and Chicago transplant, up your coat game.
Taryn Good so true. I was wondering about that as well. Have my winter coat for four years now - wasn't that expensive and is still perfectly fine 😊
Im moving (probs) from california to the chicago and everyone keeps saying i should buy a big ass expensive coat but im broke at the same time lol so, would any of you be kind enough to suggest any brand or store i may fine some good ones that aint gonna cost a fortune?:(
i tried looking in thrift stores but once again since is california there arent many options
Seriously! Maybe go to MEC/ REI (not sure if they're all over North America or not) and get yourself something for a $150-$200. Done.
If it's wool and not lined with polyester it's amazing, also hella expensive. A cheaper option is ASOS. I bought a winter coat from ASOS that was around 100$ and has been keeping me warm for about 4/5 years now. I do still wear mittens and a hat (both knitted double layered wool, SUPER warm). I reccommend mittens over gloves, since the air in between your fingers in a mitten will help with keeping then warm. In addition, layers. Wear a cami, and tshirt and a sweater, and thin leggings and a pair of trousers. More layers is more warmth.
If you are able to purchase a jacket from The North Face you should. They are brilliantly made and are commonly used by customers that spend a lot of time outside. I use mine daily during the winter and every time I am filming outside. Some of them are layered so if you get too hot, you can take a section off. I got mines at an outlet store for £80 so not too much as an investment.
I appreciate what you're saying about pets, and I have one myself, but I'd be wary of encouraging it. The fact is, is that animals like dogs are commitments for over 10 years, and a lot of people won't consider that. In our rent generation, people won't always be able to find accommodation that is pet-friendly and that can lead to a pet ending up in a rescue home. That said, anyone devoted and with the means will be bringing a lot of joy to their lives - they just need to think about it really, really carefully.
Thank you for saying that! When I adopted my first cat (now my 'old girl' of 11 who's snoozing on my lap as I type), I consciously committed myself to being her owner for the rest of her life - and I knew how long that could be! My chickens and my younger cat were only added to my household when I actually had a household of my own (and not a rental) to add them to.
@Skyla Meyer I have a cat of my own and I also foster! Great tip, just be sure to clear it with your rental first. One place I lived expected me to repay the non refundable deposit (which ranges anywhere from $150 to $450 around here) with every animal! Sometimes you only foster each one for a few weeks, so that would've gotten out of hand very fast.
Exactly. We now have four cats since one just started living with us and started happily procreating. There were times when we had 8 or 9 cats at a time. At first five kittens at a time are really cute and fun, but it is also a lot of work, especially if one falls ill! And finding new owners is also a pain in the ass. It took a long time for us to get all of 'our' cats nutered, because they were essentially wild cats and very hard to tame and catch. We made the mistake of feeding them because we felt sorry for them. Now I do love all of my remaining four cats, but let's be real nobody needs that many, cats are fine on their own, ours don't even like each other or get along. Trust me, if you want to get a pet, only buy one or two if they are the social kind.
00:57 #1 Paying off defaulted Credit Card all at once.
03:13 #2 Buying investment outerwear.
05:06 #3 Having an accountant and making and LLC.
07:36 #4 Getiing MONA! (the dog)
08:56 #5 Buying a dutch oven
10:20 #6 Buying a ticket to france
My best 20s purchase: one good knife. I was trying to teach myself to cook. I figured $60 sets were all i could have becuse i was trying to pay off debt. Every chef is obsessed with their knives, we are talking $1600 knives. However, a food writer said: "get one high quality knife that fits your hand" . I got one $250 Shuman Hikari 8" chef knife that fits my hand beautifully. Not only did I cut better and faster, I liked it so much I cooked every day. I still have that knife, it doesn't match any of my other knives, but it is my knife. I find myself reaching for it above all others andcarefully washing it with every use. Also it goes to a professional sharpener almost every year.
Amen. I discovered the chopping knife a few years ago (we never had one growing up) and it changed my cooking world.
andybearchan a good knife is something I hear A LOT of people say was the best purchase they made. So I'm going to take this advice.
One chef's knife, one boning knife (for flexibility alone), and a paring knife (when chef's knife is too big). Those are my only three cutting implements in the kitchen. (table obviously has some small dollar store knives for the rare occasion we have steak/chops, since I don't entertain much.)
To accompany the knives, I have one heavy wooden cutting board with a smooth prep side and a carving side. Wood is nicer to your knives, and when properly oiled, holds fewer contaminants than nicked plastic, and tends to wipe off easier if all you did was grate hard cheese or chop some non-runny veggies. I spend like, $5 on a food-grade oil for the board every two years to keep it practically new (no cracks/warping/rough surface). Way more durable than a plastic board.
One of my best 20s purchases was a last-minute ticket to a conference for a field of work I was really interested in. I discovered the 2-day conference about a week beforehand. I was in university, so I emailed them and asked if there was a student discount (there was, and it was substantial enough that I could afford to go). While I was there, I learned some valuable information about my, now, field of work, and I met someone who pointed me to an amazing (community) college program that got me exactly the education I was looking for!
Chelsea H that's a nice interesting story :)
Chelsea H That's wonderful :) I have to remember to always ask for student discounts! Which field of work was it?
Corporate Health and Wellness
Debt-free life is great.
WOOJONG you look like a real life anime character, you're so handsome and you're a christian, this is refreshing. Bye handsome
You're here too wow. I feel like I see you everywhere 😂😂
Wait...You get a new coat every year?! I hide my old coat in the back of my wardrobe every now and then pull it out as a surprise to pretend myself it's new 😂
I do that too😂 haha!
Martha Galea ohhh thats so cute and effective i do it too. coat xxx😁
I had the same thought, I live in Canada where a coat is mandatory for 8 months of the year, and I buy one every 3 or 4 years tops. I cant imagine one every year.
I am determined to get at least five years from my latest coat 😅
I even send it to the dry cleaners before it gets put away so it looks really new when I pull it out lol
Menstrual cup, knife sharpener, my Kindle, cordless vacuum and microfibre cloths for taking my makeup off. All of them are kind of good for the environment and save me money. Highly recommend.
I did it! I paid off my Discover card that I used in college this year! I'm so much happier and I feel so much more empowered! Plus your video on an emergency fund was a wake up call for me. After Irma, I had to get back home and I only had $30 dollars in savings. It was embarrassing to have to beg for gas for my car and I barely made it home. Now I live super frugally and my savings is in a much, much, better place!
Congratulations! Long may your financial empowerment last!
My best financial decision of my 20s so far was probably getting an apartment. I love my family, but it's hard when they are very energetic and I am not. Now I get peace and quiet in my studio, while still visiting them each week.
Family traitor
Indeed a great investment
That is definitely not an investment. Getting your own house is an investment.
Getting your own space is definitely one of the best investments ❤️ good on you.
I invested in full body laser hair removal (and got a killer deal) and adopted my dog. Definitely great investments into myself!!❤️ love your channel and all of it’s helpful tips.
Caira Button how did you find a deal on laser hair removal, it's so expensive but I'm thinking about it in the future 🤔
Not bad advice. As a guy I did this with all my facial hair so I could have nice skin and not have to shave again.
Buy a menstrual cup. It will change your life, & you will never have to buy tampons again. They take a bit of getting used to but soooo worth it..
yes!!
I just had my first month using one, and I definitely think I want a softer one, I bought the diva cup, (it was all I could find at the time, online isn't an option at the moment)
+ I love using mine with thinx underwear as a back up.
I'm lucky enough to have birth control medicine that lets me be period-free. Not to mention helps clear up hormonal acne issues.
Kestrels Call try the lily cup :) I had the diva cup and used it for over a year but it was too stiff and uncomfortable. The lily cup is game-changing! (The compact cup looks really awesome but it can be difficult to get used to ) good luck! 😁
For me I'm going to tell you the best purchases that I've actually made kind of recently. One is my Diva menstral cup and period underwear. It's so worth it in every way, more comfortable, easy to use, good for the environment, and saves money. Second is my bed. I was sleeping on a old, broken mattress for years and getting a new mattress with a new bed is made me feel so much better in many ways. Getting quality shoes for work is also something that is very important. People with good shoes are seen as more professional.
Cindy Giesbrecht 🖐🏾💯💯💯
So about clothing: it's so easy to save money on clothes by just taking care of them rather than continuing to buy constantly. Take care of stains properly use cold water on the majority of your clothing, low heat on your dryer, and fold things right away rather than let them cool down after the dryer in a heap. I've had the same four all weather jackets for the past three years and I plan on having them for the next three as well, because I take care of them, properly store them, and take the time to mend them if they have something small wrong with them rather than wait for it to get worse until it has to be thrown away
This is the comfiest looking financial education channel/video on UA-cam. I dig.
Lemon Drop yessss, I love it too!
At 22 I paid off my entire student loan in a few lump sum payments. Now at 24 these past two years have been easier since now I can save for other things
I completely agree with you on moving to another country. I was 22 when I bought a one-way ticket to Prague. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
Joanna T my husband came here at 25 and met meeee and got married, we are so happy and our lives have changed forever ! Travel!!!
Definitely our cast iron cookware have been staples in our kitchen. I would also say the vitamix, sewing machine, laptop, and Dyson vacuum have all gotten tons of use and are still going strong. Oh! And our fur baby
Sara French yes, I love my vitamix and cast iron. Definitely life time purchases!
A Dyson!! We just got a cordless one. Love it already.
Yes! We should be investing in our clothing. I’ve had my winter coat for about 6 years now and it’s still got plenty more years in it :) More is less; quantity over quality.
Melanie Anne Ahern quality over quantity?
Are expensive fashion clothes like really that much better? I never shopped anywhere but fast fashion but I usually keep my clothes for years and years. I've had my coat for 8 years. Most of my tshirts are older than 5 years... they're not falling apart or anything either.
I agree, maybe it depends how they wash or dry it? I mostly shop at fast stores too and I have had my coat for 3 years, still looks new
Yeah, maybe dryers really damage clothes? I've never owned a dryer.
Americans use tumble dryers so much! Even in California where they have great weather. In Europe, many ppl let clothes air dry, especially when weather allows. Tumble drying clothes will dramatically reduce their life span.
Yeah, I'm from Europe as well and we air-dry everything, always. Even in winter, even if you don't have a balcony, you can do it inside... There's a tip for saving on clothes!
Biathine
She had a high profile job, requiring her to look the part and doing so did pay (if you are still living, you do good enough) (I like second hand for knowing it won't shrink, stretch or discolor future)
Chelsea, go with a Staub dutch oven, not a Le Creuset one. Le Creuset is a way better known name but not actually better quality than Staub. I've been working in the cookware business for a while and although there are some differences, Staub will last you your whole life and makes just as yummy food as Le Creuset for less the cost (also they usually have basting bumps on the lids so your meats cook jucier and more tender)
My best purchase: our house. My mother lost our house in the recession-I was 18 and life wasn't the same for a long time. I started saving while in college and put anything extra (even $20 a week) toward it. My husband and I shared a tiny apartment and lived on the bare minimum for a few years (no cable, no Dunkin Donuts, no dinners out), aggressively saving whatever we could for that down payment. My income that year was only $26k, but we'd managed our credit card debt, kept our credit good, and had enough of a down payment saved.
Sure, we lived very simply for a long time, including the year or two after we bought the house, but I was a home owner at 25. Looking back almost 4 years later, there is nothing quite like that security of being in a home, at least for us.
One of the smartest purchases I ever made was a 50/50 ticket at a lacrosse game. I was so stressed about paying back $12,750 of student loans. One night after I got off a serving shift I decided to not worry about my money for a few hours and just let it go, and met my boyfriend and our friends at the game. Since they were all drinking I decided to spend ten dollars on the 50/50 since at least I knew that would help someone. I happened to have the right ticket and my half of the pot was $10,500. I had already paid down $2000 of my loans and so I threw the entire win onto my loan and had it paid off 11 months after graduating. I know that Luck and maybe a little bit of Law of Attraction was involved but I am so thankful. Now I always buy $10 of 50/50 tickets in the hopes that whoever wins it really needs it and feels the same relief and joy that I did.
nice story, thanks for sharing
Idk what y’all are doing with your clothes but I still have forever21, HM, and other “fast fashion” store clothes that I’ve had for years.
Robine Bien-aime me too lol my favourite stops for life lol
Robine Bien-aime The trick with those stores is to look at the fabric quality and the stitching.. you can find good quality there
The quality is very hit it miss imo, which can make it hard to tell when buying online. I've had some great quality forever 21 tops and H&M Jackets, but I've also had a lot if stuff from them that just fell apart. Always recommend looking in person and really inspecting the fabric and construction! I've also had more expensive brands fall apart on me.
Robine Bien-aime same
As others have said you have to pay attention to the clothes. The other issue is that if your weight fluctuates or if the piece of clothing is very of the moment then spending a lot of money on those clothes that you won't be able to wear in a few years can be a waste of money. If you are going to spend the money on nice clothes, a purse or shoes it should be ones that will never go out of style and you're not concerned about not fitting into it.
My best purchases have been: good quality boots (5 years! And I use them almost every day!) good quality coat (3 years!) hypoallergenic sheets, and a sewing machine.
My smartest purchases have been usually from having high standards and knowing what I like. I bought a $300 Roots satchel over 4 years ago and I haven't regretted it for a second. I also just bought myself my first new "hardcore winter jacket" in about 8 years for about $400 (I'm from Canada and I live in Ottawa--Winters can be around 0 F so having a really good jacket is important). Sometimes I've gotten some raised eyebrows from my parents for dropping more money on a good quality item, but most of the time I get full use out of the items I buy because I LOVE THEM and therefore don't feel like I am searching for "the best" jacket, because duh I already own it. Spending more for an item is only going to "cost you" if it isn't what you really want and/or really need.
I also just wanted to add: spending more money doesn't always mean better quality, but I've learned that it makes more sense in the long run to buy some things new and others used. I still have about 60% of my clothes from thrift stores, but it has made more sense to buy some stuff new because I would struggle to find EXACTLY what I wanted new. A bargain does not necessarily equate a good purchase.
CourageCaro i totally agree with this!!
CourageCaro The best item isn't always the most expensive, yet neither is it the cheapest. It falls in the middle.
Edit: just simplifying your message.
CourageCaro What jacket did you buy? As a person who lives in a cold place, I haven't found a really good jacket yet :)
I bought a patagonia hyperpuff jacket. It hasn't been super cold yet, but it has been doing a great job of keeping me warm. I think it should do me to at least -15 or -20 Celsius, (maybe colder) but depending on how windy this winter is, I may or may not decide to eventually buy a shell to go over top of it. Great coat.
It wasn't a purchase, but stepping into the Air Force Recruiters office when I was 22 and nearly homeless changed my life around for the better. Now I work as a defense contractor and make a six figure income. Best decision I ever made. Best part is, I have no crazy student debt hanging around my neck or any debt at all for that matter. I learned how to live frugally and manage my finances well in the military.
Erich Lavelle Great comment
Thank you
Living the military retired life is nice if you manage your money correctly while you’re in the military. Look into Stocks, Bonds, IRAs and purchasing a house with your VA home loan. Make sure you get a warranty paid by the owners for a year just in case any appliances need to be replaced. You can use your VA home loan 3 times. You can easily pay off a 30 year mortgage in 16.5 years or less. I use coupons at the commissary. I get them out of the Paraglide. I’m not sure what the Air Force calla theirs. I only know about the Army.
Mine are an Instantpot and a programmable coffeemaker. The Instantpot saves me so much money because it makes cooking dry beans almost effortless and I can also batch cook soups, dog food, and oatmeal. Unlike a crock pot you can sautee in it, no need to get an extra pan dirty, and it is a good size to store in the fridge so you don't have to put it in a different dish for storing.You can basically set it and forget it. On that note, my programmable coffeemaker helps me wake up early every morning. Knowing my coffee is ready helps me get out of bed and prepping everything the night before is very relaxing and helps me get a better night's rest.
This video popped up on my recommended page and WOW I wasn't expecting this to be so moving. I needed to hear all of this so badly right now. I'm 22 about to embark on an almost 4 week stay in Costa Rica to become a yoga teacher. I never attended college, even though everyone was pushing it,because huge student loans for something I had no passion for never felt right to me. I sat down this morning to write a few more resolutions for the new year, the first being pay off credit card debt before 2018 with the new income I'll be making teaching yoga. Then I come across this video, and it's like it was speaking right to me from the very beginning. The parts regarding credit card debt, filing taxes as an LLC, having pets, and booking a big, monumental trip could not have been more relatable to me right now. It's crazy how the universe works sometimes. Thank you for this, I'll definitely be subscribing!
I hope Costa Rica was amazing and you're now a kickass yoga teacher!
How are u doing now? ☺️
I would love to see a video talking about your time in France (why you went, what you were doing there, etc)! Love the videos :)
Megan Corsano me too !!!!
For me a deep freezer/chest freezer was a smart purchase! Can buy items like bread and meat in bulk and save money that way as well as meal prep and freeze food so when I don’t have time to cook I don’t have to eat out as something is ready in my freezer.
I am so blessed and glad that I saw this clip.
All the things you said are going on with me RIGHT NOW. I keep saving for a year from my first job and just paid off my credit card at once yesterday. I m leaving out of the US to Korea this week, with a fluency level 4th Language skill, and a dream school offer. And a thought of starting my startup is growing, so I m learning how to star in from the scratch.
Somehow feel like meet a old friend, even though I only have known for a short time.
My very first UA-cam comment , is here ahahah
The best purchases I've made so far haven't just helped me financially, they've also helped my body/health. I bought Doc Martens that I've worn almost every day for 4 years and people still think they're new, I bought an expensive bra that actually fits me properly and doesn't strain my back and neck, and I bought expensive skin care (now I don't spend money on make up to try and cover up the problems I was having).
I’m 24, lives in the Philippines and been working professionaly for 3 and a half years and so far my smart purchases were:
1. My Nike running shoes - it’s probably the most expensive shoes I’ve ever owned but it really helped me to be better in running which I really love and regularly do on weekends.
2. The trip to Taipei with my my Mom, BFF and her Mom - I shouldered all the expenses for me and my Mom. It was my Mom’s first trip abroad and it was really one for the books spending quality time together with my bestfriend and our mothers.
3. My Longchamp Medium Le Pliage bag - again probably the most expensive (Philippine Standards) bag I ever own. But I love how versatile it is and can fit so many things. And since it’s foldable, I love how I can bring it to my travels and there’s an additional room for souvenirs or laundry after the trip. After buying this, I stopped buying other cheap fancy bags.
Thanks for this! I'm actually looking for advices like this in the PH context.
You're welcome Farah! Happy to be of help :)
28 y.o. here and my best purchases: a condo when the market was still recovering, good mattress and pillows, sectional couch from a furniture outlet store, rice cooker (can cook more than rice like quinoa, lentils, etc.), quality pots/pans, and designer reading glasses (not because I'm a label snob but because I wanted something durable lol).
My best purchase was going to school.
David Moore ditto! Paid off my undergrad debt as soon as I️ could (lived at home for a while). I’m going back to school in January for my masters which my employer is paying the majority of my tuition.
Amen to that!
chapsticky00 Community college is cheap, so yeah.
I'm actually from Canada. Community college can be cheap yes but still expensive
College. I know a lot of people are saying it is not worth it, but it was for me. My income was significantly higher than the people around me who never went. I say was because I retired early in life. Trade jobs are also big payers. No schooling after high school usually leads to permanent low paying jobs with slow growth unless you are an entrepreneur.
best investments so far have been a really good pair of black high heels, an amazing coat, and an art history certification and my translation certification (spanish to english and vice versa) but that deadline with a ticket to france thing is really calling to me right about now...
Sisu Garcia can I ask where/how you got your translation certificate?
This channel has helped me HUGELY with anxiety around money and navigating my early 20’s. I feel so much more prepared having a trusted source for applicable information. Thank you so much to the TFD team!!
"cardboard and saran wrap and whatever else H&M clothes are made out of"
Kayla I died😂😂😂
The blood sweat and tears of the toddlers being beaten in the sweatshop when they don’t work fast enough
And cheap labor 😓
A+ sweater choice. I agree about pets. My dog is the first pet I ever adopted/paid for myself and he has been worth every penny. I'll have to look into getting a Dutch oven. Great video!
I went on a double date with a friend once and at a Mexican restaurant. I make Mexican rice in my Dutch oven so I asked if anyone had one. They all started giggling and I was very confused until my friend's date said, "Isn't that when you fart under the covers and then cover someone up in them?" I was so embarrassed and THEY WOULDN'T BELIEVE THAT IT WAS KITCHENWARE! I guess it just goes to show how much better at adulting I am then my friends 💁
Tatum Borealis: don't feel bad, you're obviously smarter thanks your friends.
Tatum Borealis This happened to me too -______-
I once told someone that I wanted a Magic Bullet (a blender that was really popular at the time), and the person (with whom I was on a date) thought it was a vibrator. *awkward*
Yeah I was confused too, I know it as a crock pot
It's all good----you'll be well off or wealthy in your elderly years while they'll be sleeping in a tenr under an underpass in their 90s. Be proud of yourself.
I LOVE that you included your pup in your best purchases. I feel the exact same way about mine. His rescue fees were pricey, but he makes me so happy and really does help with stress.
My best 20-something purchase was my car! It was my first "big" purchase besides school and the process required me to research and learn to negotiate. I also bought a manual transmition - without knowing how to drive it - and taught myself! It's now a solid story I use at interviews to illustrate my love of learning and willingness to be uncomfortable.
My other favorite buys have been: my cast iron skillet, down filled winter coat, and my roku.
So funny for me as a Brit to hear someone is using stories about learning to drive a manual car (in our language, just a car!) to impress people :D Is it really so hard for Americans?!
Helena Haapamäki Yes it is a big deal in America - sadly! We're not taught to drive manual in drivers education and for those currently in their teens, early 20s, their parents may never have driven a manual either. Manual car sales are only around 3% of total new car sales in the US.
I’m 23 and I brought my first car this year, it’s mostly just been sitting because I’m used to not having one. I brought it to learn but I already know how to drive a tractor and it’s pretty similar it turns out so kind of a waste overall
Allie Doak so sell it.
I really appreciate the balance you do with sponsors and content. Most are just sponsored programming. You and your team do it best. A lot of people can learn from you in multiple ways. Thanks!
At 12:47 her dog peeping out of the window on the couch 😂❤️
Stefna Dsouza so cute!!!
Hi Chelsea and the rest of TFD! First of all I want to say I love your videos so much, I feel that they are incredibly helpful and informative. I am very new to the "adult" world and was wondering if you had ever considered making (or maybe even already have) a video about the first things you should do as an adult in the adult world. I am still in college but I am very anxious about living and functioning on my own, and don't know where to start.
Cailyn Rossiter yes!! That would be a great and veery useful video!
Do you know the channel 'How to adult'? If not, you should check it out.
I feel the exact same! I’ve just graduated and have began my “adulting” journey 😂
As someone who recently started feeling more comfortable as an adult, just a few words of encouragement! First of all, adulthood kinda sneaks up on you. When you're in college, it can feel like you have so much to tackle before you're confident as an adult. But it's more of a process of doing things for the first time that scare you, and then realizing you can do it, and not being scared of it anymore. So I realize now that I'm paying rent and scheduling my own dentist appointments and keeping an apartment fairly tidy generally making big life plans on my own, and while I didn't think I was capable of it a year ago, I am now. The other thing is knowing that, when you need to in life, you'll rise to the occasion. You'll get a decent job, and keep it because you'll work hard. You'll find out how to manage your life. Before you're in a place to do it, it seems huge, but then you'll be doing it, and you'll be okay :)
Sarahlily thank you for this!
I'm only 23 but so far, a thrift store wardrobe of business casual clothes has done a LOT for my self esteem and I think it's part of what got me noticed by professors at school. Oh, also, a bra that actually fits. If you have breasts, especially large ones, it's important to invest in whatever you're using to support/bind them.
I just love all of your vids. To meet someone that is finally on the same page is SUCH a breath of fresh air (more like a life saver, really).
Lol "it was all dumb bullshit" I love her blatant vulgarity
your advice has gotten much better over time. glad to see your channel grow
27. And so far, my block of regional land ($AU100,000 equity in two years in extra repayments and growth), my pressure cooker (use it twice a week to bulk cook), an electric toothbrush, a menstrual cup and a decent laptop are my top purchases.
There needs to be one of these for your 30s
camille bowen exactly why do ppl assume we have it together in our 30s
I'm not sure they're in their 30s yet. They'd have to bring someone in. It is a great idea though!
Biggest investments in my twenties (although im only 24): 1. My cat, i always spend the extra dollar on her. 2. An amazing mattress, many people my age i know do not own one and when it comes time to move out choose to sleep on pull outs, i love my queen mattress. 3. My glasses. I dont wear contacts and i am pretty much blind without glasses. As an adult its hard getting glasses when they can be so expensive but i always save money for a few months to invest in a good pair of glasses. 4. A winter coat. I spent a pretty penny on a winter coat my freshman year of college and now 6 years later i still use that same coat and its in great shape. 5. Furniture. Even if its secondhand, having furniture to call my own makes me feel like wherever i go i can make it my home and it also makes me feel a level of ownership over my home even though im renting
Yeas I recently got a puppy and totally regretted it because I almost had to find a new place but the talk about Responsibility really is what kept me on Chelsea and the fact that they're awesome for snuggles and they're never going to be unexcited to see you!
"Investing in Outerwear"- TJMax has some pretty good clothing if you look about, for a decent price. I've found some really chic dresses that were made very well, people in my family have found nice wool blend coats for only 50$ and they hold up in terms of durability. Not sure what shoes are like there. Also; Thrift stores are amazing! I found a nice biker jacket, 100% leather for 13 dollars, the only thing wrong was a zipper but those are so easy to replace. My brother adored it!(it was a gift)
Thank you so much for making these videos! they really help diminish the anxiety of accidentally making bad decisions in early 20s/ late teens.
I'm obsessed with this channel! Love from South Africa :)
Neo Magnolia hi fellow south african
Strawberry Cheesecake fellow African living in the U.S
Neo Magnolia Another Saffa here living in Florida 😊🇿🇦👋🏻
Neo Magnolia I like your name!
Omg ME TOOO!! A lot of what she says is stuff I say to myself all the time, and say it literally out loud. (I'm a writer as well, go figure)
I recently just stumbled upon your channel and I just wanted to say that I am glad I did. As a 27 year old young professional trying to pave her way through adulthood I am glad to have your channel as an inspiring resource for financial education. Keep up the great work ladies :)
My fast fashion clothes tend to last. The key is in how and how often you launder them. Usually I will not wash my gentle care items every time I wear them, mostly just if it's been a few wears or if I had a sweatier day than usual while wearing them. I also rotate my clothes so I don't wear any one thing too often and the clothes get rest in between wears. When I do wash them, it's cold water only, and anything that seems delicate or shrinkable does not get dried in the dryer. Hang dry only (or lay out to dry in the case of sweaters).
You can also use a steamer to help refresh clothes a bit in between washes. I will usually wear my clothes a few times too before washing them. When they lose the fresh smell or if they get dirty (as you mentioned sweaty days or when something gets on the clothing) is when I know it's time to wash them.
Love the advice about getting an accountant and becoming an LLC. It seems like a big step but sounds totally worth it.
I think it's a little dangerous to encourage people with limited finances to get a pet. They are extremely expensive, and people make irrational financial choices because of pets.
Christopher Yee she did say there's other pets you can get. It's not just a dog. A fish is very inexpensive.
She literally said “if you’re in a place where you’re able to care for it.”
This is by far the most useful channel I have stumbled upon. Even though I am a Chartered Accountant, there have been many financial decisions that I have not made correctly and paid a hefty price for. So hearing some tips on how to be wiser with my finances has been a great help!
Get a Staub Dutch oven. They are better built than Le Cruset ovens and they are self basting. I work at a kitchen store and those are the ones I always steer people to. They also always go on deep discount during black Friday.
Purchase #6 totally resonates with where I am in life right now. Subscribed and officially hooked to the succeeding videos (I've yet to watch) on this channel!
I'm at that fork in the road but I dont know where I need to go to get out of this rut. I'm just going through the motions right now.
Two of the best purchases I've made in my 20s are a blender and a food processor. I use them all the time and they've allowed me to cook way more creative dishes and turn cooking into a full-blown hobby that I really enjoy.
A plane ticket was also a super important purchase for me, but mine was to Germany. I booked my one-way ticket to Germany without a job or a plan of what I was going to do when I arrived, other than spending the next year with my German boyfriend. It forced me to get a plan lined up (I ended up being an au pair) and it completely changed my life: I still live in Germany four years later, have a masters degree that I never would have been able to afford in the US, and my then-boyfriend is now my husband. My career is also on a completely different and way better track than it would have been otherwise; instead of being completely confused career-wise after getting my bachelors degree in a subject that wasn't very specific or useful, I now have an education that is way more applicable to a career that I am super excited about.
I'm still in my 20s and I think one of my best purchases was a rice cooker!!! It wasn't very expensive, and I use it several times a week!
I totally agree with #6. My fork in the road was changing careers. I switched from working(or lack thereof) in live theatre, into being a vet tech. I'm so happy I did it. I recently just got offered a job with the vet hospital that I've been taking my dog to for years. It's so worth it!
That doggo is the cutest distraction on UA-cam.
Every time I watch something from this channel I'm relieved to have found it. It's helped me in so many ways! Keep up the amazing work.
Immediately ordered your book! Wish it was easier to find! It took me a while to find the link to buy it on your website. I think you should include the link in your video description as well
Breathlless what's the name of her book ?
Freaking love this channel!! The best purchase in my 20s was a used 2013 Mazda CX-5. The hand me down car that I was using was starting to feel unsafe to drive. So buying a bigger car with good gas mileage, and really good safety rating, and Bluetooth connection was necessary. Coming home with it was the proudest moment yet!!!
Yearly winter coat? I literally bought second hand coat from 100% wool two years ago and I am going to wear it for couple more years. Why would you need new coat every year?
I concur with the Dutch oven- we got ours as a gift for our wedding and it has been a real game changer. I use a crock-pot but the Dutch oven lets me cooks some of those things in two hours vs. four if I forgot to load the crockpot in the morning. Another splurge I am will never regret is my kitchenaid stand mixer. I use it for everything from cakes to mashed potatoes to grinding our own meat (with the attachment). I’ve had mine for almost 10 years and I am confident it will last a lifetime! I was so sure of it, I made sure to get a color that was likely to fit with whatever kitchen it went into instead of one of the alluring but ultimately trendy colors.
I want one of the Kitchenaid stand mixer. Everyone I know that has one loves it. I just don't have the space for it.
Wow, #6 was exactly what I need to hear. Thank you!
The Girl Gone Green omg, I love your channel! So cool that you watch TFD too! :)
The Girl Gone Green j
Me too
Literally made me think of you- that's so funny!
Same here!! I loved it, encouraged and inspired me too much ♥
I love how intuitive and realistic the advice are. Just awesome!
I was wondering if you've ever done a gift related Video. Do you have any tips on the gift giving season (read: Christmas consumerism) for staying on budget while giving gifts
I usually give useful gifts. My boyfriend has some plants and he's very enthusiastic about them, so I'm going to gift him some soil, since he's procrastinating his purchase. It's the thought, really. If you attach a nice handwritten letter it's even better.
Chelsea, I️ want to say thank you for your point about making deadlines for yourself and taking a risk (the plane ticket example) I️ recently took a big jump and moved to nyc to be with my fiancé (after being long distance for 4 years) and although it felt like it was always going to happen, having that deadline of a moving date, quitting jobs, leaving family was incredibly difficult. Thank you for reassuring me that this is the time to take risks and take the other “fork in the road”. This video came on a day when I️ really needed that reassurance and I️ cannot thank you enough 🙏❤️
*Mandatory viewing for everyone in their twenties!* Excellent video
The best purchases I’ve made so far (I’m almost 30) are paying off ALL my multiple credit cards from when I was fresh out of high school and did not to be anywhere near a credit card, my first international solo trip, and paying off my car in 2 years instead of 4. This video made me realize how far I’ve come and made me want to keep making improvements in my finances. Thanks so much!
I moved for an unpaid internship. I blew all my savings on prepaying a 6 month lease on a really shitty apartment. I had a part time job to pay my regular living expenses. This unpaid internship from a few years ago turned into a full-time job which I still have.
I should note. I already knew people at the place I would be interning and was fairly confident if the internship went well that a job might come from it.
if you don't mind me asking - what field/position was the internship for, and in which state? just curious how it worked
The part you show of your house is so aesthetically pleasing I almost can't take my eyes off it
The Six Smartest Purchases I Made In My 20s Featuring the Cutest Dog You’ve Ever Seen
I'm just here to say I love how excited and happy you looked when you started talking about Mona.
Hi Mona!
Hi Chlesea - would you be willing to discuss where you found an accountant for $300-$400 per year? I have been handling the accounting/taxes for my business on my own but this video has convinced me that maybe it's time to look for a proper accountant. Thanks!
Trip Hacks DC just don’t go to H & R Block because holy shit they are pros at ripping people off. I would seriously just ask around and see where your friends go. I have a family full of accountants and it’s amazing how many qualified people just work out of their own homes.
She has links in the description box
I loved this video, thank you! For some reason it only just popped up on my feed. I just paid off my student loan and felt that really financially empowered feeling and by the end of January I will be entirely debt free. I also learned to invest in good outerwear (living in Indiana forced me to!) and it's been a world changer. As I'm about to move back to London, I'm getting everything in order to set up my own limited company. My friends Emily and Charlie gave me a le creuset dutch oven as a housewarming present when I first moved to Indiana and omg, amazing. So now feeling pretty good about everything! Yay! Thanks Chelsea :)
too much plastic in the blue apron
These videos are only getting better! And Mona's couch-curling & window-perching is veryyyy cute & funny!!
Can you recommend specific stores that you shop at, please. Tia.
The comment section is as good as the video. Its so cool the community this channel has created, people sharing their knowledge and zero bad energy going on!!! 👏🌸
Can you guys do a video on tips for getting out of debt for people who have a fixed income/are loving on disability?
Topknot spend within your means?
That last big purchase was pretty much an answer to a prayer. Thank you Chelsea! I'm going back to school.