Extreme frugality: 26 tips for thrifty living
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- Опубліковано 10 чер 2024
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Here I offer some more extreme money saving tips. My previous video on this subject can be seen here: • Extreme frugality 2022...
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I have loads of clothes, most of which I never wear but I won't get rid of them. Instead I started a no buy year in 2015 and haven't stopped except where I have needed to replace something that wore out where I couldn't replace it with something else I still had in storage. Given how much I have, I probably don't need to buy any clothes again for the rest of my life. I also repair and alter what I have giving things a new lease of life.
I am the same! I love thrift stores and have bought so many clothes over the years. I bought them because I loved them though and don't want to get rid of them. With that being said, I DO NOT need anymore and am basically clothed for life. I've been very good at staying away from the thrift shops the past year because I'm saving money, but if I find myself there I could possibly buy an item or two to treat myself, but I have learned how to rein myself in and really enjoy what I already have.
I think this same way. It is very satisfying to be able to shop in your own home, and find something that feels "new." I also repair as I go along, and that keeps things going a long time. I enjoy that, too.
I love that!!
I love that. I too have a lifetime worth of clothes and realized I don't need to buy any more. It is fun to go through items and be surprised, just like it's new since I forgot I had it.
@@marciaamino9679 Same here. I also love repairing and altering what I already own. It's far more satisfying than buying something new!
I use a steamer, potatoes boiling in water at the bottom, veg in next tier and salmon in foil in next tier. Using just one hob😊
I purchase items at after Christmas sales. I just purchased gorgeous plush faux fur winter infinity scarves at a pricy boutique for $5 each. They were buy 3, get one free then got another 10% off. I now have them for gifts for Christmas 2023!!
Bargains! I do sometimes do the sales rather than have a no spend month. There are some good deals.
@@ShoestringJane I just bought 17oz bags of Christmas shaped pasta noodles for $0.67 each at Aldi. You can’t buy 16 oz of pasta for anything less than $1 around my area anymore. I got 6 bags. I’d have bought all they had but I really have a good supply of pasta already!😂
I cut circles of fabric from old bedding or tea towels and stretch elastic around the edge and stitch with a zig zag stitch. I just pop these over bowls in the microwave. No fear of plastic contamination and they can go in the wash.
This is a a good idea!
Freakin brilliant!
You can pick up a shower curtain at Dollar General and do the same thing to cover your food rather than putting plastic wrap or foil over your food
Great idea! I am trying to get away from a lot of the plastics we have come to rely on.
We use gift bags and boxes over and over no wrapping paper ever❤️
Cake for dinner sounds like a fun idea when combined with a game night! I always like an "eat what is in the house" meal.
Cake for dinner is too tempting though 😂
Recently, I asked my Friday quilt group if they had any extra tomato cages, and sure enough , I have three coming on Friday for free!
I have my own kitchen garden of celery, two squashes and tomatoes. I do freeze extras and pass on some of the extras to my neighbors and friends❤
Nothing as nice as home-grown produce :)
I put my used tea bags in a pitcher of warm water and let them steep for awhile before putting in the fridge, to make a cold or iced tea.
Had roast pork with veg one night then pork and gravy low carb bread sandwich the next, then pork meat and salad, so easy. My daughter lost a heap of weight and gave me all her clothes...I'll never have to buy clothes again LOL!
I get hand me downs from my daughters too, plus makeup as they buy too much
I also have a favourite brand of coffee, but it isn't cheap. I have tried cheaper coffee and didn't like it, but I know a trick from my grandmother to make it palatable enough to finish the package: add a tsp. of cinnamon and it will taste slightly like a cappuccino. If I were reduced to having to buy the cheap brand, I could still manage. (Honestly, though, I'd prefer one cup of good coffee to three cups of bad.)
I tend to agree with coffee. The cinnamon trick sound interesting!
Totally agree 'cheap' foodstuff sometimes isn't the way to go. Using something you love is better than loading the shelves with cheap items you will never use. I am the same with appliances and household goods.. I buy the best I can afford and I save first, by the time I have saved for the item it is usually on sale and costs less.
Thanks for these tips! I have a great one to share: use a measuring spoon to measure out your washing up liquid. I wash my dishes in a washing up bowl and have found that a third of a teaspoon (I think that's the smallest measuring spoon) of washing up liquid is plenty. No more over squeezing the bottle and using more washing up liquid than needed. My washing up liquid has lasted much longer - and I use a 50p supermarket brand so this isn't just for your premium brand. Hope that's useful.
That's very interesting. I am sure I use too much when I wash up as it's a bit hit and miss how much squirts out.
Yessss , very good and I would add to rinse the plates , glasses , cuttery ... with cold water. Thank you
I have not done Christmas shopping for the 2 past years, as my children and grandchildren live in the UK and I live in South Africa. Now this year I will be travelling over for Christmas to visit them, so we will have a nice get together. Can't wait, all the money that I have saved will come in handy.
Aww that will be a lovely family get together!
I do Christmas shopping all year round as well also stock a present drawer very handy for last minute kids parties
Me too! Especially when my kids were small but I still do it
I shop 4 Christmas 4 llmonths and get great bargains.I buy all cards on sale.I wouldn.t insult my friend.s by making things as l don.t have talent.I would be wasting time too.
I usually swop my winter and summer clothes with the seasons. Put summer away and get out the winter clothes etc. So last week I got out all my summer blouses. This week I have worn 2 blouses that I have had for at least 10 years. There's plenty of life in them and I will continue to wear them for years to come.
That seems like a good system!
My children all had toys from a car boot wrapped in newspaper and I could get a lot more as the toys were a lot less expensive - they loved it!! It is remembered to this day.
That’s so true. They end up with more prezzies than if they had them new
This year I am making small gift hampers for each family member which will include some nice food treats, a nice hot water bottle/microwave heat pack, a book/DVD and a piece of secondhand clothing/gloves/scarf. I only have 4 people to buy for who are all adults so it will help me stay in budget
Sounds perfect :)
Ahhhh, the late great Shirley Goode. She also wrote Goode for One and Gave a Good Year. Both worth having if you can lay your hands in them. Waving to you from five miles down the road
👋 Waving back 😊
Pizza for dinner tonight so the dough is rising in the car as it is warm here today.
I discovered 20yrs ago if you leave a 300ml double cream in the car for half a day you have extra thick cream.
You’d need to get the timing just right on the cream. I fancy pizza for dinner now 😂
Rilliant!
Thank you for all these great frugal tips.
Some good tips there , many I use already but it's surprising how even the simplest ideas can save time and money. I really love the tip on 'appreciate what you already have.' being content with your life and what there is in it is priceless..... and when you do de clutter passing things on is great too.
Glad it was helpful. Love your UA-cam name :)
I’ve started buying Xmas food (non perishable) in June. My husband drinks ales so I got 15 bottles half price as they were reduced for Father’s Day. 99p each instead of £2. They’re in date until April 2023 and we’ve got more than enough for hubby and guests.
Good call! I would have to hide them from Justin if I did find some though...
If you cold brew tea, one bag to a quart jar, overnight in the fridge, it makes a stronger tea. You can heat it in the morning in the microwave in about 2 min. I think it is smoother.
Oh no! I am too British for that. It has to be fresh brewed. I love my tea. Possibly an addict …
@@ShoestringJane One tea bag per person and one for the pot, if using a pot... no reheating and no re-using tea bags, lol! I have terrible memories of my wealthy but stingy ex-mother in law making 5 cups of coloured water from one tea bag in a pot. It was supposed to be tea, but was quite undrinkable, so when visiting I only drank her instant coffee.
@@feanorian21maglor38 that’s a little extreme!
Yorkshire tea is strong and one tea bag makes two cups
Excellent tips! Thank you!
You’re welcome. Thanks for watching!
Hello from across the pond! Practical, and well thought out. Much I'm doing already, but you certainly put it all into focus. Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching!
For my side of the family we don’t buy gifts for adults, I’m the only one with children so some people do buy them some bits, but I ask that they don’t get too much as nowhere to store it all. My in laws there is 8 adults, and 7 children so all the adults buy buy for 1 adult and 1 child (my father in law doesn’t buy for the kids to make it simple). This works out great as we only each get one decent gift
We do that exact thing. We do a secret Santa draw for the adults
Brillant advice, thank you.
Thanks for watching - glad it was helpful
I enjoy listening to you so much!
Thank you! Thanks for watching.
For Christmas we shop sales when the shops mark every thing down almost 90 percent off . One of the best ideas for sure . ( also im new to your channel) all wonderful ideas that some I didn't even think of. Thank you.
Welcome! Yes, January sales are good for Christmas stuff
Thanks for that advice Jane
Thanks for watching
Great ideas! Tfs, Laura 🌸🌸🌸
Thanks for watching 😊
Ooh didn't know about freezing flour, thanks.
I always freeze, flour, rice, pasta, oats etc for at least a week before storing them as I read somewhere that the pests that they may have, can take different times to hatch, depending on temperatures. Better safe than sorry. Also if i have space in the freezer I use bags of flour to fill the gaps for efficient freezer running.
Hi Jane, there's some brilliant tips and reminders here, I enjoyed it so much I'm going to watch it again 😊
Thanks!
Hi in the winter when my children lived here I used to go to the Laundrette to dry our clothes it cost about £2 or £3 to dry about 5 loads of washing and I was in and out of there in about half an hour and all luvly and dry and not drying in the house making the place damp and hanging around for ages.
I remember my mom hanging out clothes on the line in the cold winter. They freeze dried fast.
Wow so affordable ! Here it’s now €10 to do that ! I air dry clothes
Hello from Ottawa, Ontario in Canada. Great video... some of the stores/content not applicable as we have different stores but I also bargain shop and meal plan when I can... trying to do every week in 2023 especially during no spend January. The basics translates well. Happy New Year.... First video I've seen of yours and I am now subscribed.
Thank you, Nancy and welcome to my channel. I watch a few US frugal UA-camrs and, as you say, the basics translate. Happy New Year!
Thanks for sharing your ideas. Just want I needed to keep in the front of my thinking. I'm reprogramming my brain. Habits are hard to break.
They really are! Tracking your spending seems to help create a new way of thinking about finance.
I wouldn't be without Borrowbox for audio books. Have you tried Libby? I borrow ( forfree) magazines, from weekly to monthly high end mags.
Oh, Shirley Goode.....had and used the book you mentioned till it fell to pieces. Thank you for such sensible advice, many of which we have done for years. At nearly eighty and always lived frugally to tread lightly on the earth. Been vegetarian since 1965 too.
It's much less stressful..and cheaper to buy gifts thru out the year...its not like folks don't know Christmas..birthdays..events..repeat around every year..being prepared is being thrifty and frugal..just found your channel..great info...
Completely agree. Welcome to my channel and thanks for watching!
My children much to my happiness have become extremely wealthy and if I wait to give Christmas presents at Christmas time to my grandchildren I feel like what I have is so modest that it seems almost rude to give them such an inexpensive gift.. I have found that I give gifts and call it Christmas in July and it's a fun little thing and I'm not in competition with their wealthy gift-giving friends and family
@@KC-dr3cg I love this! What a fabulous idea
I've already decided to cancel xmas..... i've splashed out and bought myself a dehydrator and a vacuum sealer. I ummed and arred but they have turned out to be Gamechangers.
I only have a tiny L shaped yard and have succeeded, this year, in producing all my herbs and peppers for the year.....which i will either freeze, dehydrate and vacuum pack in 3 month portions. I use a lot of chillis, sweet peppers and herbs so i feel this is a win already.
I'm about to dehydrate a load of frozen veg to chuck in soups and stews. A back up for if the freezer packs in or we have a power cut.
I have been considering this for a while now. Most people find them very good it seems.
Hello from Cali! Just found you. You are DELIGHTFUL!
Welcome! And thanks very much
I like this Lady, talks slot of sense
Fantastic tips. Thank you Jane. Im a new subscriber from Australia :)
Welcome to my channel!
Thanks for the great tips! An old worn out bed sheet can be cut into strips and then braided to make a bath mat to step on when you get out of the bathtub or shower. To keep it from slipping on the floor, a few wide strips of elastic sewn across the bottom will help.
Never thought of that , thanks 😊
@@mimi1o8 Another option is to use the soles of "gripper socks".
Useful bandages
@@maryannparker4299 Yes! Bed sheets are great for those, too. Cotton nightgowns...thin shirts. In addition to removing buttons, snaps, hooks, and zippers from old clothes, my mom would also remove any elastic bands, rick-rack, and seam bindings. She would also unravel the sweaters we outgrew and use the yarn to knit or crochet slippers, dish cloths, table scarves, doilies, or whatever. Nothing went to waste at our house when I was young.
Cool
All great tipsxx
Thanks!
I'm in my 30s and always had a frugal mindset, got a dress for £6 from a charity shop last year for my brother's wedding :) cost me £6!
Brilliant!
@@ShoestringJane Thanks! I'm an actress too so don't know when my next job is coming so it makes you think on budget. I wasn't great at maths but I can do budgets profit and loss. :)
Thanks for these tips amazing
Thanks for watching!
Hello! I am new to your channel and your content is great! I do batch cooking and freeze or can what we do not eat for supper. Or, for example, I will make four or so lasagnas at a time and freeze them. I will make several shepherd’s pies or a bunch of already cooked barbecue meats and freeze it. This way, I can pull out complete meals to thaw and just heat it up for supper. I can buy grocery items in bulk that are on sale and it will save a ton over the long haul and I can buy in season items. Most suggestions you make I do minus the waxed cloth. I do have the stuff to make the cloth wax wraps, but I am using up the plastic wrap first. I do use a foam hand pump for washing. I put less than a tenth of hand soap in the bottle and fill it with water and give it a good shake. The soap lasts a long time and we use less because it is foam. I don’t know how to get away from paper towels when it comes to grease and how to dispose grease in pans without pouring it down the drain and clogging the pipes. If anyone has suggestions I would appreciate it. Thanks for having me as a subscriber from the Ozark Mountains in Missouri. 💕
Thanks for subbing! I love how batch cooking saves so much time too. With leftover oil, I keep an old container with a lid, and when it’s full I bin it. It’s best if you allow it to cool and solidify a bit first. It’s a tricky one!
That was fun!
Thanks 😊
I'm at the age where I don't need more stuff so I prefer nothing at Christmas but my family all like gift cards for dining out places like Goodwill and other shops. My one daughter did ask me what I wanted for my birthday this year and I said a gift card to my local Menards hardware store my ex-employer of 21 years I bought bird food canned cat food and a couple things for my daughter
That’s the kind of thing I do 😊
I can’t keep a surprise. One year I ended up giving my daughter her Christmas presents early and then I had to go out, at the last minute, and buy her new gifts so she would have presents to open on Christmas Day.
Oh dear! :) I am quite good at hiding them, sometimes so well I never find them....
@@ShoestringJane Lol I’ve done that, too!
Hi Jane! Christmas for me is all about the time with family, food, music and cheesy films. I don't get excited about gifts in the way I used to and prefer to see the reaction of others when opening a gift from me. I love crafting and also make around half of my Christmas cards each year, which works out cheaper than buying packs, I'm sure. The Works has a good range of stuff.
Nothing wrong with preping for Christmas in summer. I still recall a great winter gift from my cousin- her self-made fit version of jelly packed inside a jar which she decorated herself. It felt very personal, I really enjoyed fruits in winter , so if anyone makes home-made jam or jelly for winter consider such things also as somethign that could work as a great gift in winter.
That’s seems like a healthy approach
@@agatastaniak7459 yes I agree
I've started doing the flask one! I got hold of two free large flasks and they last me all day. :)
I’m sure it does save energy to boil once rather than multiple small amounts
@@ShoestringJane I'm going to do the same experiment using my electric kettle once I've had my next energy bill through, and see if it makes a difference. If it doesn't I'm going back to electric because I think I've pushed up my gas usage boiling on the hob even if it's only once a day.
I started Christmas ⛄ shopping in may and I save with the supermarkets too Christmas is a big thing in my family
I bought a few more bits today and have hidden them away!
@@ShoestringJane me too
Sauteed cabbage with ribs is delish.
Sounds yummy
This was lovely. I'm from the US so hearing that your prescriptions cost $12 made me green with envy. I'm leaving a job but still need to have insurance and I found out from our human resource director that one month of insurance just for me wil be $569.82 thru COBRA! My next job doesn't start till the end of January so I have to have coverage from January 1st to the 31st. I love all the tips and tricks, implement many of them. But there's no way you can escape healthcare here. A separate charge is each doctor's appointment being a $40 copay. 💩
Wow, that is nuts!! For one month? We really are so fortunate to have a good health system here accessible to everyone. It's not perfect but better than having to find that sort of money.
I use toastie pockets, I would use them in the toaster and make cheese and ham or put anything in, much cheaper than pizza.xx🐝
Got to love a toastie! I have never tried the pockets though
What is a toastie or a pocket?
I’ve always been a January sales girl when it comes to prezzies.
I used to do it a lot. Now I am nearly always on a no spend January! (And my daughters are very particular now so no point buying gift sets generally)
I just don't get how giving or throwing out extra clothes is considered frugal unless someone has totally hoarded their home. I'm prone to weight and size fluctuations so I have clothes in multiple sizes. When something doesn't fit I box it up until my next size change. I can alter it or repurpose it if it's not something I'd want to wear anymore.
I think if you declutter you find stuff you forgot you had and start to use it. But you sound organised already! Sometimes I sell my old stuff too.
You are my favourite you tuber 👍
Thanks! :)
Moving to a Secret Santa for adults at Xmas made a huge difference to my budget. I buy gifts for my 2 granddaughters though: 1 shop bought the rest op shop.
Same! It saves money, time and stress.
New subscriber!
Welcome!
I am not the only one who shops for Christmas all year round
Definitely not! I did it more when my kids were young and was always on the lookout for toys.
All great tips! I love videos like this. I kept looking at your beautiful green wall. Do you happen to remember what the color is?
Actually I do! It’s from Wilko and is sage green I think. Their paint is great value
@@ShoestringJane thank you! It’s such a pretty color. 💚
I use a bar off soap to wash my body and hair that's it I use vinegar dish soap bicarb of sofa and Dettol for cleaning that's it salt and water to soak dirty clothes amazing
Used tea bags are good to polish wooden surfaces or place on puffy eyes it reduces puffiness and good source for composting
@@kerryjames4026 I found soap dried my hair a bit when I did that. But your cleaning regime sounds awesome
I understand about Christmas I have a cedar chest would I find good deals I buy them for my grandkids I have 21 of them. The little cedar chest stays full because of birthdays on top of it. That's a very good tip to people
21 grandchildren! That’s amazing (but expensive!)
You can also keep yeast in the freezer to extend its life. One thing I always put in the freezer for a few days is rice to kill any weevils. I started 2 years ago. Don't ask how I discovered that they can be in there too lol
Yes, that makes sense. Although I have never come across weevils in rice or flour!
@@ShoestringJane you are very fortunate. I saw flour weevils once as a kid but have never had them. I freeze the flour just to be on the safe side. We've been buying rice for the 30 years we've been married without thinking anything about it. Two years ago I went to make some rice and they were in the container, the bulk rice bag and in everything that was open in the pantry & not in a glass jar. It was pretty awful and expensive because everything had to be thrown out. I did some research and found out that they can infest almost every kind of dry good including dry beans. I'm never going through that again lol
@@ShoestringJane they are really bad in hot humid climates very seldom get them in the uk, but if you have had had them you never want it again. They eat through plastic and get into everything. My kitchen shelves are white so I can see them right away, everything is in glass bottles. I live with flying two inch cockroaches but not weevil’s.
@@moirasutherland7443 yuck! It’s pretty hot and humid here right now so let’s hope I don’t start seeing them
@@ShoestringJane This is not hot and humid, it was a bit warm for a few days. I know people are not used to it but believe me I had summer clothes on for two days , it was lovely I went cycling and walking, I am now back in heavy trousers and a jumper. I do not even wear this much clothes in winter. We love the UK in summer, as we can walk in the cool weather during the day rather than walking at 5 in the morning. It is just what you are used to.
good tips. regarding Rxs here in the U.S. it startling, horrible high prices. Some have to choose between food and their medication.
That’s awful. We are very lucky to have the NHS, even if the current bunch are trying to privatise it by stealth 😠
@@ShoestringJane fight to keep your NHS, here in the USA, health insurances are a disgrace.
If your from Scotland you do not need to pay for prescriptions. We have just started buying Xmas stuff today on Amazon prime day. Also make my youngest's baby food because she is dairy intolerant but making it is cheaper.
Healthier too for your baby, I am sure. Yes, I have been told that prescriptions are free in Scotland. Another thing done better when our lot aren't in charge :)
And Wales
Hi, I’m new to your channel. I’m American and have no idea what a nut roast is. Will you explain? Nuts are very expensive here but your roast sounds interesting.
Welcome! It’s a vegetarian savoury dish of crushed nuts, bread crumbs, onions and various veg, baked in a loaf tin. Like a meat loaf, but with nuts!
@@ShoestringJane I’m going to look up a recipe and try it. It sounds very interesting. Thank you.
Yes nuts are more than frugal meats
What bar soap do you use on your hands? I tried before use bar soap, but my hands get dry.. 😞
Any soap really. My hands get dry too whatever I use
Sometimes it's best to ask the chemist if your drugs are cheaper to buy rather than pay for a prescription
When I worked in a pharmacy we would always let a customer know if an item was cheaper over the counter.
Always pays to buy generic I ahtee
Made a black bean chilli, it was nice but spiked hubby's insulin, so I'll continue to have a lot of meat and few veg/beans, etc.
Ah, yes. He will need to keep his carbs on the low side I guess
I need to stick with meat too as it’s so much kinder on the insulin spiking.
Yes frugal is not health except in very rare instances
Frugal=carbs
Carbs are not good for most ppl
Animal foods are so expensive tho 😵💫
Mom always froze her whole wheat flour, bran, wheat germ. The oils in them can go rancid.
I have never done it but guess living in a cooker climate helps
@@ShoestringJane Cooler than....?
It really should be done in any climate, it's not from excessive heat.
We don’t pay for our prescriptions in Scotland
So I understand! That should be the case here for sure.
For your prescripion tıp you shoulf have said that it is only applicable for viewers in ENGLAND, as prescriptions in Scotland and Wales are free (not sure about NI).
Ooh, I didn’t know that! Typical that the devolved governments do things better…
@@ShoestringJane free eye tests in Scotland too.
Scripts free here in NI
I don't pay for my prescriptions for my underactive thyroid and get any other prescriptions I may need free as well. Seems very unfair you have to pay charges for your thyroid condition.
Great video with great tips, thankyou
Actually I don’t! I got awarded the exemption 😊
What about people in poor countries who have to pay for everything?We get too dependent on the government paying for everything.
The government or, actually, the state, is us. So, the prescriptions are paid by us via the taxes we pay, including VAT on products we buy. And in a show of solidarity helps those who are, often, poor through disability or shitty wages, rather than using charity, as in many countries, where their workforce is exploited. Still, i suppose it makes the 'kind' better off feel better offering 'charity' (and reducing their taxes)
Don’t let them get rid of the NHS, the government here were I live doesn’t control medication prices, even if you have insurance, prices can be so high, we are talking about hundred and thousands of dollars a year. It’s a nightmare to get old and sick, that’s why many retirees are leaving the country,.Glad to hear people there can still but there meds.
I know - it's very worrying as that's clearly where this government would like to go. I am hoping people will vote them out before they cause any more damage! We are being run by a group of incompetents, sadly.
@@ShoestringJane Agree Jane. Best wishes .
What about a mattress anything I can do?
Not sure what you mean?
Tear it apart. Sell it for scrap metal! Some guy in our area picks it up. Slowly pitch the pieces of the cloth in trash each week.
Don't do Christmas anymore. Don't have small kids around.
I can see the appeal of not doing it!
Stop using milk in your tea. Black tea is more refreshing and you definitley save money.
i dont like weering clothes........................
That might get chilly!
Shower with your clothes on so you don't have to use your washing machine. You'll save money on soap, electricity and repair bills.
wtf?!
This is strange I'm watching this episode today I just got borrow.box with library yesterday and it's great I'm listening to ann cleaves at the moment 10 hour book in sections I love it so much better than the paid for audio books and huge choice for me x
I listen to something most days. It's a gem!
@@ShoestringJane I'm on my third book already now listening to Billy Connelly