LIVING BELOW YOUR MEANS IN 2024! FRUGAL LIVING!
Вставка
- Опубліковано 12 вер 2024
- Practical and essential ways to live below your means in 2024! Cost effective ways to live below budget and have financial success! Save Money! Frugal Living! Learn how we save money everyday! Money saving hints and tips! Early retirement debt and mortgage free couple shows you how you can have a full abundant life spending less money!
FLASH FOOD VIDDEO- • OLD FASHIONED ZERO FOO...
Contact Me frugalmoneysaver@gmail.com
Follow me on Instagram frugalmoneysaver
Mailing Address:
Frugal Money Saver
P.O. Box 256
Jefferson Valley, NY 10535
**The information provided by FRUGAL MONEY SAVER channel is for general informational purposes only. These are our opinions only. Always use caution and care when following the procedures mentioned in Frugal Money Saver videos. The creators of these videos will not be held responsible for any negative effects that may arise from using methods mentioned in our videos.
Great advice Emmy! I was at Kroger this week and as we were pulling out of the parking lot, I checked the bill. I had not been given credit for my "digital coupons"! I told hubby to turn around and go back - I went to the customer service counter and got $13 back!!! Check those receipts!!
Good for you for being diligent!
In my house we call the dollar store "the fifty dollar store" because its so easy to go crazy in a place like that!. You feel you want to buy everything because it's cheap
Watch the food too much comes from china.
So true for me as well 😂
And it shows,too
I have the same problem in Ikeas here in the U.K.
I find as well coz it’s stuff like diy etc it’s, we may need that, that may be useful. Lol
Do you have a job for it? That’s my new question to myself … no.. don’t buy. Yes.. ok but just what’s called for
I plan on continuing to shop food sales. Keep our thermostat at 67/68. I came in way below budget on Christmas because I took my time. I was able to get the girls clothes at 50/60 percent off. Even toys they wanted I was able to get at a comfortable price. My prayer for everyone is a good next year. Merry Christmas to all .
Great job! Merry Christmas!
I quit going to Dollar Tree unless I need very specific item like a card, gift tissue, etc. No more browsing! I have my utensils in a drawer next to my stove. So handy! One thing I finally did after many years I took all the utensils that I rarely use but need for Thanksgiving, holidays, etc and put them in a basket that goes in a back corner of my pantry. They aren't cluttering my kitchen drawers but I have them when I need them.
Great idea!! Thank you!
Good idea! I need to get some things out of my utensil drawer. It's too crowded!
My goal is no drive thru windows in 2024. 👍🏾 Instead, each week, I’ll save what I would have spent as a savings challenge for me. I spent WAAAY to much money on eating out and fast food this year.
Wow, I should try that. I also spend WAAAY too much money on eating out and fast food. It's a bad habit I need to curb. Diane
Great idea!
@@jimmiepatrum Go for it! 😃
@@FrugalMoneySaver Thank you! 😊 I'm excited to start.
We get so used to having things in the same place. My aha! moment was when I realized I needed to change my cupboard contents. Why was I standing on a stool to reach the Pyrex dishes I use all the time when I hardly use the glasses on the lower shelves? And I’m short! 😀 I put the glasses up higher, moved the Pyrex down low and life was much easier. Why didn’t I change it long ago? Duh! 🙄🤣
Merry Christmas Emmy, Paul and family! 🎄❤️
Yes, that happens to all of us I guess LOL! Merry Christmas!
In the uk all the supermarkets are competing with the price of vegetables for christmas and they are at an all time low price,I been making space in my freezer and will take advantage of the offers by making up mixed bags of pre chopped vegetables that I can use in my slow cooker for stews,soups and other budget friendly meals for the next few months ❤
How wonderful!!
Love watching from a Dorset village called ‘Puddletown’, England . A Very Happy Christmas to you both 😊X
I’m in the uk. And I can’t understand why if they selling for 15/17p a bag now why can’t they do that year round…. Ahhh I forgot- they want profit. So charge more.
I couldn’t believe it 2dats ago we were in Sainsbury’s to get bits we couldn’t in Aldi and got mum a huge sweed for 19p instead of 89p …. But she won’t do what you do as my dad has to have fresh vegetables each week he doesn’t like frozen! Very hard to get around.
A wise idea! Merry Christmas from North Carolina!
Writing every single purchase down is a very good idea. I bet we’d all be surprised at how much we spend on ‘nothing’. Wishing you, Paul and your extended family a merry Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year
Merry Christmas!
So true. I revisited our budget planner and the first month we used it we "just" wrote everything down. We were flabbergasted. Than we budgeted and we brang our costs down by 30%, and we didn't even put much restriction on our habbits.
Writing everything down is the best advice ever!
Bay leaves you can purchase in the Ethnic aisle in grocery stores will keep your jars bugfree ( wevils, buggies , etc) My mom used to do it and yes it works!!! Merry Christmas to you all!!
Forgot to mention put a few in the jars of Flour,sugar,etc we all keep in our pantry!!
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
I have heard of this before but never knew anyone who used this tip. I was wondering if you ever noticed any alterations in the flavor of your sugar?
I'd like to try this out but I very much like my sugar the way it is 😊
Merry Christmas!
Great kitchen organizing advice..I hope you both have a wonderful holiday season!
Merry Christmas, Emmy and Paul. May the New Year bring you joy and prosperity and good health. God bless you both❤
I picked up some large glass jars from a local deli. They said they typically recycle them but were equally happy to give them away : ) They are wonderful for storage, flour, sugar, laundry soap, and kitty/dog kibble or treats. Merry Christmas wishes and prayers for a healthy and happy 2024🎄
Great idea!
Wonderful idea!
We have been in our home for 20 years. Hubby has been retired for several years. I fully retired two weeks ago 🎉
As time goes by, our needs and abilities change. I’m in the process of analyzing all our storage, including the kitchen drawers and cabinets, to maximize efficiency and improve my “workflows” like cooking, cleaning, and my creative hobbies.
My tip for living within your means is to look at everything in your house with a fresh and imaginative eye before buying something new. I’m saving money by repurposing a lot of items, from furniture to canisters in my re-organization adventure.
Edited to add that we are doing the Feast of Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve, and I’m counting crab dip as one of the fish 😂
Enjoy your retirement
Yes! That’s a great idea!
What I find helpful is being organized.
Know what you have,where it is,how much you have.
Saves time, and money.
Detailed inventory of everything in the home.
X cans of fruit cocktail
X cans peas,and so on.
Track spending.
You'd be shocked where all that money goes.
Have a written budget
@rochelle I wish I got the organization gene. Never been good at home. Was fine at work.
Add a meal plan. I just took inventory of our freezer (working on more oversight of our pantry in 2024😂)and I realised that I can easily make dinner for a month with it.
This is a great idea. I’m currently taking an inventory of all my lotions,etc. my goal is to use it all in 2024.
I am so blessed to have found your channel. You encourage me with your tips on living frugally. I am a widow and have limited funds but I know that I can be a better steward of my blessings. I want to make charity quilts with the abundant stash of fabric that I have accumulated. I believe that this will keep me busy and at home happy rather than shopping. My baby steps to no unnecessary spending. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!
Yes, baby steps! That's the way! Merry Christmas Season!
Good reminder on checking the tab at restaurants. Just last week, we were given the wrong check and would have overpaid between 5 to 6 dollars. Easy fix, fortunately. Emmy , I've been using the same kitchen for 28 years and am always looking for items to declutter and make meal prep more efficient. Nothing wrong with that!
Thanks for the encouragement, Julia!
I like how you call storing your food "a way to protect your investment." Hooray, you are continuing to live and learn like the rest of us. I have moved things around to try a more efficient way to work, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't, but I never would have known unless I tried. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching!
Merry Christmas to you and your family. Your message to reach out to those who may need encouragement truly touched my heart. I am so thankful for having Jesus to look to for comfort and for kind & thoughtful people like you.
God bless you!
A very merry Christmas!
I just added an easy expense app (at no cost) on my phone where I can keep track of all of my expenses. The app is easy to use and provides space to describe items that I purchase.
I also worked out my budget for the month of January for the no spend month.
This is the first time I'll be doing this, but am truly excited about it!
What app did you use?
So happy you are joining us, Susan!
When you have large amounts of flour you are storing put in the freezer for 24+ hours to kill the hatch, then into your air tight container to help keep it fresh and bug free😊 I Love your videos and have been watching you and Paul for a very long time!😊💗
Yes, thanks!
I also put my flour in the freezer to kill anything that may hatch later. I usually leave it in the freezer for a week. I might add that when I take the flour bag out of the freezer I let it sit out for at least 24 hours to let it come to room temperature before I store it in my containers so that any condensation on the bag from the freezer is not transferred to the containers.
I keep receipts in an envelope for each category of my budget. My categories are Auto, Clothing, Food, Housing, Medical, Miscellaneous, Savings, Tithe and Utilities. To limit the number of categories auto, housing and medical insurance go onto auto, housing or medical ledger pages. Property tax goes into housing. The only messy category I have is miscellaneous which if I have a question, it can be answered by looking at the receipt. At the end of the year, I save that year's receipts until the next year so today I trashed the 2022 receipts. Once you get in the habit of always asking for receipts, it's easy to come home from shopping and put items in the proper categories. I actually will write on the receipt the amount for food or the amount for miscellaneous so if I have to refer to it again, I don't have to re-do the math.
I use a three-ring binder with regular notebook paper for my budget book with a page for each category. No fancy budget book is necessary. In fact, the binder was 50 cents at a garage sale and paper was purchased at back-to-school sales. Right now, I'm in the process of adding each category and dividing it by 12 as the first step in formulating my 2024 budget. Due to many unplanned expenses my housing for 2023 is $7,133.70 OVER budget.
A lot of people use computer programs for budgeting, but I find I pay more attention when I have to write everything down. I use cash for food, and I put my budgeted amount into the food envelope on the 1st of the month. Currently I have $7 left for December. If I only spend $60 in one month, the extra carries over in the food envelope for the next month. I also, keep cash in a miscellaneous envelope, but often charge larger expenses in that category. If I charge, I immediately enter the expense into my ledger even though the bill will not be paid until the next month. I always pay 100% of the credit card bill when the bill arrives.
Thank you for sharing that!
I have gallon pickle jars for food storage. Works great!
Great idea!
That's what my mom stored sugar and flour in my entire childhood. She got hers from the kitchen in the school where she worked at the time.
A big change due to your influence from last year to this winter is keeping my thermostat at 68. Last year I would turn it up in the morning or I would turn it up when I felt extra cold. My office, where I worked during the day is the coldest room in my apartment. This winter and going into the new year. I’m determined to follow through on keeping it at 68. There’s no reason I can’t put on layers of clothes and wrap blankets around me. Thank you so much. Merry Christmas!
I used a heating pad to keep warm at the office instead of drinking too many hot drinks with sugar
I also use blankets routinely during the winter to cut down on using heat.
I've tried this but failed because I hate being cold!
Great to hear!
My rule is 68 during the day and 62 at night. I insist on flannel sheets and lots of blankets on all the beds, and have afghans and throws on all the living room chairs. I remind my kids to wear layers. We keep the kettle going and try to keep things cozy without running up the gas bill.
I live alone, with animals, in a rain forest, 1 hour from shops. My entertainment is going down the mountain for breakfast, read the newspaper, and people watch. I got into the habit if going 4 to 5 times a week so food relatively cheap but petrol way too expensive. In 2024 I am going to set aside a small area in my sun room to be pretty, like I am going out to a nice cafe - not just a sit down in the kitchen
I also note bargains have disappeared. I used to keep my larder stocked up with items marked down as near srll by date, or damaged containers etc. but for the past 6 months there has hardly been anything. At least I have plenty of supplies of paper hankies, kitchen roll and zip lock bags as well as food but not able to restock.
Wow, near the rainforest. How amazing!
Merry Christmas Emmy and Paul, yes checking your receipts is very important, we bought a ham for Thanksgiving which we paid $22 for, I didn't check the receipt until we got home. I noticed the cashier had charged me twice for the ham. I went back and thankfully they did refund my $22.
Oh, that’s wonderful you caught that!
My tip for future shopping trips into the grocery store. Before I get out of the car I take a deep breath and say several times, spend low, spend low, spend low. I also say it while walking into the store....giggling....It has helped me. We also are keeping our thermostat at 67 - 68 and dress warm. My heating bill so far is much less that previous years.
That's a great idea!
My favorite "check your bill" story. Some of my friends and I were having dinner in a fantastic, seasonal restaurant in a tiny mountain town. It was very short- handed that Sunday evening and one owner was doing all the cooking while the other was handling the waiter and cashier positions. My bill was $24.64. When the receipt was handed back, it showed $.64 -- yes, 64 cents! When I asked the "cashier" to check my receipt, he immediately started apologizing for over-charging me. I actually had to explain the dollar amount had not gone through! Loved that place and the food was out-of-this-world!
Oh my goodness! Great point that we should point out even if it’s lower and we owe more!
Merry Christmas Emmy, Paul and Dixie! Lol, turns out, I have the same situation as you with the kitchen drawer...I'm going to change it this week :) One tip to live below your means on 2024 that has worked for me in the past: whenever you want to buy something new, think that eventually, that "cute" new item will become trash, and in the meantime you will have to deal with it...moving it, storing it, cleaning it.
Happy holidays to all the wonderful people in this community!
Same. Utensils are on the opposite side of oven
Thank you! Happy Holidays!
MANY years ago when my husband and I moved into this house, my Mom was here and said,"For heaven sake why do you have your silverware in this drawer?! " It was an easy answer, " That's the drawer the silverware organizer fits in!"😂 It remains in that drawer.
Lol! I love that!
in 2024 I want to do more (any) no-spend days. So I made a tracker for this. I mapped out the whole year and I will check off each day I do no-spend, save or make a very frugal decision (colour coded). Happy Holidays!
YAY! Great idea!
Luckily I have some food put back. Have not seen good sales in my grocery stores in a month. I am re doing how I shop. I will take a portion of our grocery allowance and stock up on foods we really like and will use. Hopefully they will be on sale but if not I will buy them anyway because every week they go up higher any way. I will pick one thing to stock up on per week be it a canned vegetable, canned fruit etc. I remember the good old days when we could stock up on a variety of things. In my area that looks to be if not over, or at least not happening for some time. I don’t hold out much hope that the old days will be returning anytime soon.
Yes, stock up when you can!
When I leave the grocery store I always sit in my car and check the receipt. I wait till I get to the car as cashier can do nothing anyway and send you to customer service desk. Upon checking my receipt last week I was overcharged on 6 items that equaled 38 dollars and some change. I took the items and recpt back in and they gave me the money back.
Check those receipts.
WOW! $38! That's quite a bit!
All sale items that did not ring up sale price. @@FrugalMoneySaver
My goal for the new year is reducing food waste. And, to clear out clutter in our home. I’m excited for getting things in order around here.
I feel that way about clutter right now too!
I’m thinking you were just trying to get more steps in by putting your cooking utensils across the kitchen 🤭🤭🤭
My tip to be more frugal in 2024: I’m in my 70s. I’m going to put my Social Security “cost of living raise” directly into my savings account. I’m going to setup an “ automatic transfer” of that amount as soon as it hits my checking account….that way it will be “out site, out of mind”.😊😊😊
What a wonderful idea. I'd like to do that too, but I'm not sure I'll be able to because the cost of everything keeps going up and up. I might try it for a month or two to see how it goes...such a great idea. Diane ps I'm in my 70s also.
Great idea!!
@@jimmiepatrum I totally understand.
I am going to reduce our food stores by about 50%. There are vegetables I froze, a few home-canned items and a fair amount of home-dehydrated foods from the last 2 years that need to be used before next gardening season. And I have too much in my freezers to keep track of what I have, so I’ll gain freezer space, save money and avoid wasting food!
That’s a wonderful idea!
Happy holidays to you all!!!
I will go over my budget in January and make changes after reviewing my last year’s spending. I will inventory my canned goods and use up as much of my older foods as possible. I usually take a box and fill with the foods I need to use up first and keep it handy. Good way to start my no spend January!
What a great idea thank you for sharing that!
Happy holodays to you
No judgment at all we recently did almost the same thing to have all my baking stuff in 1 drawer
Smart!
One of the "loss leaders" I bought a wk ago was a smoked ham. 50% off. No discount. So I went right back to the cashier & she was able to give me back my refund! You are so right with this. I always #1 if ordering food, know about how much its going to be so it can be resolved before I pay or like the grocery store #2.. double check your receipt!
Absolutely, right!
Auntie Emmy and Uncle Paul had wonderful tips as always. I think tracking expenses is so important to see where your money is going. It's something I plan to do going forward. The other thing is taking inventory of what we already have on hand. I have so many pantry and freezer items it's embarrassing because I have been distracted and not a good steward of this resource. No more! I will be going through everything to donate what we won't use, throw away expired and build out a weekly menu plan that uses this resource.
Wonderful!! Pleases don't be hard on yourself! You have worked so hard on your schooling!
Some restaurants here, in Canada, add a tip to the bill for parties of 8 or more, who knows why.
BUT they don’t say - so it’s very important to be sure you don’t tip a second time on such a bill.
It’s marked on the bill, gratuity, but it’s not the norm so it’s easy not to notice.
So absolutely check your bill.
Yes, you are so right!
I am going to focus on my portion sizes as one way to stretch my food budget. I should feel better too. And I am going to write all of my purchases down as well.
Thank you Emmy and Paul! Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Wonderful! A very merry Christmas to you and yours!
I keep all my receipts .And if I don't get a receipt I write it down on a little paper.I write the budget category at top and highlight total and date
Eating from our stored food, not shopping for 3 months for other than some fresh veggies. Staying home more out of the stores. No eating out. Doing home projects that need our attention.
WOW! 3 months! Great!
My temptation store is definitely Target. I suddenly need everything I see 😂 A gallon of milk easily turns into a $60 mini shopping spree. In 2024 I’d like to: Enter the stores less and shop online, cook healthier meals, be more social. Merry Christmas Emmy & Paul ❤😊🎉
Wonderful goals! Merry Christmas!
I loved your kind message at the end about reaching out to those around us who may be struggling with something during this time of joy. You are so very compassionate.
I intend to seriously cut back on all unnecessary spending in 2024 and enjoy what I have. 😊
I do too.
Emmy is one of the nicest, kindest woman I watch on videos.
Thank you so much!
My Tip for 2024 is a one day a week, I call “no burn day” is: I pick a day once a week. And, literally use no electricity! I live in a Cold Climate and I must have electric heat on. But, I shut off my electric heat mid morning until the sun sets, about 4-5 hrs. Put on an extra sweater and have hot tea and run no lights, oven, tv, etc... When it’s time to put the electric back on. I make a quick heat of my dinner in the microwave. Plug in night-lights in each room, grab my flashlight, and use a battery-style lantern and enjoy the peace and quiet. I have started to do this last month ( November) and this month ( December ) and will continue into the new year.
The electricity you don’t use/ you don’t pay.
What a “sense able” frugal way to live. One day a week to live below your means and feel relaxed and confident that you’re not over spending on electricity!
I don’t think we could shut our heat off here. Our pipes would freeze.
Last year I totally rearranged my cupboards after 30 years. It is amazing how much more functional it is. In 2024 I am going to continue to learn how to make and prep more food for myself. I have been amazed at how much convenience shopping I was doing and how easy alot of stuff is to make ourselves.
Great goals!
I am just having a little fun with you, I guess like they say you just stopped and smelled the coffee is what you did, , when you moved those things in those drawers, heck I need to do a whole lot of that myself and I wouldn't run around in the kitchen like a chicken with my head cut off, like they live and learn. Thanks for your videos.
Thanks for watching!
I just totaled up our spending from 2023. Our household bills come out SS. Our savings for sinking funds also comes from SS. The rest from Retirement (required dispersement
) takes care of anything that comes up. We lived within our 51,000. BUT we can do much better in 2024. No spend January and February for us. We are prepped, all bills paid and the 2024 plan is mapped out. Now fingers crossed.
You can do it! That’s wonderful!
We put utensils in two large cookie jars on each side of the stove. We don't have to get in and out of drawers while cooking. So much easier for us. Everyone has their own system.
You’re absolutely right! Whatever works for you😊
I can relate about the cooking utinsels!! I lived for 3 years with my dish clothes and hand towels across the kitchen from the sink!!!
It truly was a aha moment for me that I know came from the Lord that day as my hands were dripping wet and no towel in sight.
It was that gentle small voice.. why don’t you swap drawers so the towels are close to the sink??!!
I know what my frustrated voice sounds like… this was calm and gentle!!! It was from the Lord😊…
Yes! All of a sudden it just occurs to you!
So many good suggestions! I just reorganized a cupboard that made no sense. When I moved in 7 years ago I put things in there and just left it like that without mindfully organizing. Never thought about it again until today. We are all just creatures of habit- no judgement!
Have a wonderful Christmas and will look forward to a video recap of your big,wonderful Italian family get togethers (fingers crossed!)
Yes, I think I might film it this year...if I don't get too overwhelmed LOL!
I think we're going to skip our vacation this year. We often take a small vacation in the summer, but this year I can't see it being in te budget and I don't want to cause financial stress by "crowding in" a vacation in our finances.
I also have to reign in our grocery budget. We eat a certain way and some allowances and exchanges are going to ave to be made so we aren't spending half of our money on food.
I would like to say that my Mom is VERY ill right now and I am experiencing the "not too excited" feeling this Christmas. I am trying to continue to be joyful and go ahead with celebrations to a certain extent--especially for our 14 yo's sake-- but it's hard when you're watching a close family member suffer. Please lift my Mom (Joy is her name) in prayer.
Merry Christmas, Emmy and Paul...and viewers!
🙏🙏🙏 Praying for your Mother...and for you!
I'm so sorry. Praying for all of you. ❤️🙏
What a beautiful name..be blessed in God's light Joy..
Just prayed for her! And for you! God bless!
Oh, I am so sorry to hear this. We will add Joy to our prayer list. Blessings to you and your family.
Emmy you are simply the best😊.
You are so kind Michelle! Thank you!
I have been saving to pay cash for a newish used car. I’m going to do a low spend for January and a no spend in February ❤️ blessings to you and Paul and your sweet dog.
Great idea!!
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas!
Thank You!
Drinking my coffee from home. ☕ 👍
Perfect!
I will be using my small appliances more. Make my bread with my breadmaker. Make soups in the crockpot. Make many pancakes with my electric griddle. And so on. If I have food ready to go, I save money and eat better. Merry Christmas!!
I just made 25 blueberry pancakes for my freezer,and 20 breakfast burritos.Working on 4 huge lasagna's for freezer also
Merry Christmas, Deborah!
I've had my cooking utensils in the drawer next to the stove for years, and I keep some I use a lot in a container on a small turntable next to the stove. I purchased the turntable at the Dollar Tree for $1.25 (same thing sells for over $11.00 at Walmart). I'm going to do a no-spend January.
That's great!
I meet up for brunch or lunch with a different friend each Friday to have a 1 on 1 visit with. A lot more engaged, conversation than being in a group and feel I am missing out of what friends are saying.
The thrifty me orders something that I wouldn’t normally prepare at home. While also ordering a meal that the serving size is big enough (which is most entrées, )I can take home half. Example: I don’t order burritos or tacos because I can & do make those at home. Instead I would order Sopes or Tamales.
It is also my way of supporting the many small local restaurants while catching up with a friend. After our meet up I take care of any errands I have in that area.
My motto is:
You do you
I’ll do me
& happy we both will be.
Love that so much! Thanks for sharing!
Your topic on streamlining your kitchen, my husband and I can that tweaking the systems. Every once in a while we will change something in our house and say, why didn’t we think of that sooner? Ha, ha! Thank you for your kind words at the end of your video, so many are going through hard times. My husband just had hand surgery, uncomfortable but not life threatening. His cousin recently had serious cancer surgery which will be a long recovery. And our niece with MS is facing the transition from her home to a nursing home. This is a joyous season but many are facing difficulties too. Thank you for being so kind about that.
Oh absolutely! We need to be sensitive not only this time of year but throughout the entire year!
When I purchase a bag of flour, I freeze it for a few days before I jar it. That is supposed to keep it from getting buggy. So far, that has worked. Have a Joyous Noel and wonderful year to come.
Great tip!
I do the same with flour. Also I store mine in an air tight container in my refrigerator.
I have kept a spending log for awhile but have only used broad categories. I thought I was doing good but you're right. Keeping an itemized tracker really brings your spending to a new level by truly tracking every cent that comes into and out of your home. That is going to be a new habit I'll doing this new year going forward. Although I think I'm going to have to get a bigger book.
Wonderful!
Don't forget to freeze the flour for a few days to kill any little bugs!
Thanks!
I freeze my rice for a couple of days then let it get back to room temperature before storing also I put bayleaves in there, bugs don't like it
Emmy, don’t feel bad. Unlike you, I have lived in 5 houses in 30 years, but I have the same experience with organization. It usually takes me about 2 years in a home to have my kitchen arranged efficiently, sometimes three. You actually have to see how you live in a house beforehand.
Yes, it takes me at least a year to learn how to live in a new house. I've been in my present house for three years now, but still don't have things going smoothly, due to some health situations that arose. Since feeling better, I am anxious to get busy organizing!
Yes, not sure what I was thinking lol!
Love your idea about preparing food the minute you get home from the grocery store. I did that today with my kale-stuck it right in the instant pot with seasonings, onions and garlic and cooked it right up. Usually, I let it get all crusty, yellow and brittle in the fridge. Not today, Satan! 😅 It’s cooked and stored in the freezer, ready for soups or side dishes.
YAY!! Love that! Good for you!
Oh my goodness!!! At 12:56, you said “…. the other DRAWER…” I actually heard 2 syllables! 😄
Thank you, thank you, thank you from all of your followers in the South! ❤️😘 And Merry Christmas from Texas, y’all!
Yes, I really struggle with that word
I am going to do a spending tracker in January. My husband and I want to retire early and I think this is a great way to really know how much money we will need for this. Thanks for the great advice and inspiration. Merry Christmas to you and Paul.
Wonderful! Merry Christmas!
We are very good about luving below our means and preach it. I carry a small amount of cash in my wallet. It wanders all over and before I know it is gone. I plan to cut that back even more.
That's a great idea!
The digital coupons are a nightmare for the customer and cashier alike. I had to go back as I was over charged 13 in coupons not being taken off and then hubby went a few days later and it was 7.00 overcharged. I always check and most times there is an over charge 😢
Well I'm glad you shared your kitchen drawers situation as I have my kitchen towels next to my stove(sink is right next to that. ) Will be changing things around 😊thanks and merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas!
Keeping better records of what I spend $ on. My first year in my new home, preparing for retirement. I need a good handle of exactly what my expenses are.
You got this!
I hear your words “”eat at home”” ringing in my ears today. I am craving Olive Garden, instead, I’m in the kitchen baking chicken ‼️
You, Paul & Dixie have a great Christmas 🎄 🎄🎄
YAY!!! So proud of you Susan!
We cringe when we have to eat out. I have learned to make so many things from the restaurants and fast food places,pennies on the dollar. Daughter bought egg bites at Sam's, oh so expensive. I have never tasted or odered them. Just follow a couple that goes to Starbucks that buys then. Well I started searching and figured out how to make them Daughter was like Mom spot on I think yours are way better. She has to have high protein on her cancer journey. So I have these warmed to take with us on the road. 29 grams of protein. Wow did I ever smile. I turned my stuffed bell peppers into a skillet meal done 20 min. i made orange chicken, Crab Rangoons,salisbury steak,gravy and potatoes that my family loves. So Please keep sharing recipes and giving us the courage to keep on making things and saving money.
Wonderful recipes! Good for you!
Thanks Emmy. I love your channel. I am 63 and a seasoned homemaker, but I had moved away from my extended family 36 years ago and did not have have elders to show me stuff, so I still learn stuff. Also, we were in survival mode most of our marriage, so we did not have things that a lot of people had.
Thank you so much for being here!
Most large grocery stores have self checkouts. I always use it, as I can see the prices on the screen in front of me as I am scanning my groceries. Thank you for all the good tips :-). Happy holidays to you and your family from us in Steamboat Springs, Colorado
I have hated the self checkouts at Walmart, but for the same reason as you, I'm beginning to like them - especially now that I've learned how to use the produce weighing part. It does still bother me a bit that I have to bag my own groceries at the self checkout. Also gone are the days when the bag boy took your groceries to your car and unloaded them into the car. Diane
@@jimmiepatrumIf you do the Walmart grocery pickup, they load the groceries in your car for free. No tip necessary
I also use the self checkout at Walmart. I like to control my checkout. I do feel that grocery stores, mostly Walmart, are putting more on customers. Even if you don't check yourself out you still have to put your groceries on the counter. That being said the people that work there don't have the best working conditions and pay.
Happy Holidays!
Writing down all purchases is soooo helpful when you do it! It's mind blowing when people first start trying to budget and save money.
I'm definitely trying to live more frugally in 2024 so I just subscribed to your channel. Looking forward to more videos!
Welcome! So happy you found us! Thank you!
I keep thinking of more to add! 🤣 My dad's cousin and his wife were invited to my parents for Christmas but chose to go to a neighbor's house who is in extremely poor health and doesn't have family around. ☹️ I'm so happy they chose to do that. Also, as a mother of 2 daughters who have been restaurant servers, please don't forget to tip well during this holiday season. They certainly appreciate it! Merry Christmas Paul and Emmy!
Merry Christmas!
The one thing that I am definitely going to do in 2024 is not only writing the budget….but actually sticking to it!!!! And tracking!!!
2023 saw me clear debt (the only thing left is my phone contract - I bought a new phone as my old one went kaput! I bought a more expensive one than I can afford and regret it now, but once I pay it off- hoping by July - I will have just the service to pay each month and not the phone)
How wonderful, Sharon! Congrats!
My dollar store has some great glass jars with silver covers for $1.25. They come in all different sizes. Sometimes they just have the large size. Other times they have just the small size. But for only $1.25 each they hold a lot of my baking needs and cereal. Then I make labels for them so I know exactly what I have. Keeps the food clean.
Thanks!
Hi Emmie and Paul. I hope you have a blessed New Year 🎉 I don't think I'll change many of my frugal habits this year, but my goal in 2024 is to be more generous. I'm not sure what that will look like, but I know I can bless someone with both my time and money. I'm comfortable with what I have, but so many people are struggling. That is my goal for 2024.
WONDERFUL! How much do we love that!
One thing I'm planning on doing is before purchasing anything online is to wait 2-3 days before checking out. That often gives me time to think, "Do I really need this?" "Can I get it cheaper elsewhere?" More often than not, the answer is no, I don't need it! Have a Merry Christmas!
Yes, that is a wonderful way to save money!
Finally a frugal living channel that's actually about frugal living. I can't understand why channels supposedly about this topic pop up for me with people in over cluttered homes showing their recent junk purchases. Hoarding, shopping and living" what if "isn't for me. Being clutter free and realistic about what I own and buy is what I'm looking for. Thank you, Vicki
So happy you found us! Thank you!
This coming year, I’d like to be a better steward for food purchases - everything from taking an inventory of present food stuffs in the pantry, freezers and garage, to prepping appropriate foods once they are home from the store. Thanks for all your tips, suggestions and encouragement. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
You can do it! A very merry Christmas. Season to you as well!
Im 76 yes old I was nve catered but I dint bake anymore. I needed more space in the cabinets. So I emptied one if the cabinets that had all the baking oans I had snowman, santa, little purse s u name it. I asked my girls what they wanted I think they took one each. I asked s friend who is taising her grandchildren loves yo bake and diesnt nhave much money fir presents she was delighted yi take them on and now I have wondetful space
Bless you
Ellen, what a wonderful kind thing to do!
Emmy, I think life should be all about continuous improvement, so good for you for reorganizing your kitchen to suit you!
Allison, so well said! Thank you!
My kitchen organization moment was when our daughter asked why we weren't storing everything we measure with in the same place. I was storing large measuring cups, small measuring cups and measuring spoons in 3 separate places!
I totally understand!
I have decided that my pantry is well organised and stocked now. We are a vegan family and have a large variety of nuts, seeds, grains, different flours etc. All stored in repurposed coffee jars.
So I recently decided to spend only Aus$25 a day. That allows me enough money to buy fresh fruit and vegetable for the day and top up of anything I have run out of eg. Walnuts or soyamilk.
This is a game changer for me. Yesterday I bought half a watermelon, lots of Soyamilk etc. I only spent Aus$19.
My grocery budget had crept up to $300 a week. For four people.
Im under budget now and this works better for me as I have a small fridge and freezer and travel past several supermarkets daily.
That's wonderful you found what works for you!
Left handed in a right handed kitchen! I can relate Emmy! My kitchen has never felt organized.
I can understand!
In 2024 Im going to start preparing snacks in advance so I dont buy outside . Merry Christmas from Portugal.
Merry Christmas, Paula!
We kept decorations very simple and had a tabletop tree instead of our 7' tree. We found gifts for $10 for our adult kids, along with canned homemade chili (for a night they don't want to cook) and cash. Simple and they loved it! Each family brought a crockpot dish and dessert. I furnished a couple sides with hot rolls. We had a meal buffet, gift exchange, games followed by a dessert buffet. We face timed with out of state family who got to see all of us. It was more simple and meaningful and everyone had a wonderful time. Thankful for the birth of our Savior and the eternal gift of family.❤
Sounds like a perfect holiday!
I use a recycled large cottage container for my utensils right beside my stove so I don't have too walk across the room. And will make a marble top island this up coming year. For housing my pans and large bowls and cook books.
That's a great idea!
Merry Christmas to both of you!! Thank you for your awesome videos. I’m always learning something new from you both…although I did know to put my cooking utensils near the stove 😚 😉. In our town we have a Dollar Tree, but we call it the Dollar Twig because it is a really small store and the parking lot is even smaller (12 cars). Like you, I was generalizing my shopping receipts into food and non-food but I will get a notebook and start keeping more detailed notes on what I am buying, when and where. You were so right that we spend money and have no idea what we spent it on. I am doing a no-spend January and possibly February. I will also be freezer/pantry cooking until the food runs out (at least the older items that are set to expire in 2024). I am doing a monthly meal plan as both my freezer and pantry are full. Time to use up all the panic food we bought in the early months of the pandemic.
Oh my goodness, I laughed out loud “Dollar Twig.”
A very Merry & Blessed Christmas to you & your family!🎄🎁. Your wonderful videos are a gift to us! Thank you for your gift of yourselves, knowledge, wisdom & encouragement😀🤗. Happy Safe Blessed Healthy 2024 to you!
Merry Christmas to you and yours, Mary!
Merry Christmas dear people! You are one special couple!!🎉
Thank you so much! Merry Christmas!
Thank you so much Emmy and Paul for your great tips. You are truly a blessing to this community. I love to look through the comments there are so many random tips which you never would have heard of. There’s an house come vacant across from us come and move to the UK Emmy! Sending lots of love to you both and to all the community, let us all never take things for granted and thank our God for all the blessings that he gives us!
LOL! Thank you for that offer! Yes, we need to practice thanks daily!
One thing in kitchen that would be nice, would be a slide out & pull up kitchen aid stand (in the lower cabinet). A deep drawer for attachments would round out the system..😊
Yes! I agree!
Aha moment.....The same thing happened to me a few months ago. I realized one day that after 20 years I had kept the glasses in the wrong cabinet. Once I moved them it made it so much easier to put them away after washing them. You just have to take a fresh look at things once in a while.
Exactly!!
A streamline tip for the kitchen is separating out your baking spices from your cooking spices, not many of the spices overlap, and if they do, you could get two containers such as salt. When I am making a baked good, I can literally stand in one spot and have all my spices, mixing bowls, and anything I use for mixing,I do the same with cooking😊❤️ Thank you for sharing your tips❤️
Thanks for the idea!
From Maggie's Place free items available I chose a huge roll of saran plastic wrap.Still lots left.Roll has stamp of 2013 on it.One thing havent needed to purchase.Always convenient.Thrifty.
Thank you for saying that about the cashiers and the waitresses so may people forget that now a days. ❤
Absolutely!!
That's ok Emmy. I didn't realize until I moved out of my house of 20 years into a new place that I should have all of the cooking utensils next to the stove and all of the prep utensils on my Island where I do the prep!!?? I don't know why I didn't think of it sooner either! I'm not a stupid person sometimes we're just so busy that we don't think things out we just do it! 😂
Yes, thank you! Exactly lol
You guys are kind and gentle souls. Have a wonderful Christmas!
Thank you, Karen! You as well!
Thankyou for the beautiful reminder at the end of what is actually the main focus of Christmas. I hope you receive an abundance of those most important gifts Emmy as you share with and love those around you. 💕
Lovely comment! Thank you!