I love living frugal! I don’t have a tv anymore and it has given me more time to do other things! I don’t go out to dinner because I love to cook! Thank you for your videos!!! I have a budget and I keep to it! I sold my $58,000 Jeep and bought a 2012 Nissan Sentra for $6,000 and have no car payment!!!🎉Life is simple but so freeing!!!!
I am a woman who is an emotional shopper. I withdraw all my money from the account, then divide the cash into saving, bills, groceries, sharing, needs, and wants/ recreation in envelopes. I keep the money home and only take what I allow myself to spend. Financially restricting myself prevented me from overspending. No credit cards needed, because I always have extra money that I don't touch. Thanks a lot!
Exactly. This was what I missed for many years because my life partner was a sneaky overspender! I've been living alone for 8 years and now see frugality as a fun(mostly) game.
Keep at it I found out doing lots of small things to save money helps to save more in the long run putting the cash you save no matter how small in envelopes so you can track progress helps.blessings to you always from the UK❤️🌈🌈😀
I been living below my means forever and retired at 53. Still live below my means at 67. Easy for me today. I own two properties and still save 25k a year which constantly grows. Good to see people talking about real stuff.
I am working towards paying off my student loan debt of about $18,000. Your videos are encouraging and help me stay grounded and self disciplined. Thank you for all the great tips. ❤
I took a 2nd job because the student loan company kept messing with my account. I knocked out 27K in two years. I was in my 50s when I did this (graduated at age 44, LOL). If you have the good health and energy to do this, I highly recommend it. That same second job, allowed me to save enough money for a 20% down payment on a home in a less expensive area (I moved there to cut my expenses). I wish you the very, very best on this journey to financial freedom.
Keep working hard to pay off those loans. I worked endless overtime to pay off my loans, save for a down payment, to do work on my home, and travel. Don't forget to contribute to your retirement funds too. It's a great way to live, so you are wise to pay off your loans and take control of your finances. You might like Dave Ramsey too. Good luck to you!
During my young life my grandmother was a big part of my life.She influenced my attitude to money, my parents were rubbish with money and I grew up believing grans way was the best. My mum lived frugally because she never had enough money, gran was frugal to preserve her money. When gran died I was a young mother and struggling with a low income. I on a lot of occasions stand and think what would gran do. Thankfully I have got through life to retirement without much debt(I had a little in early years ) and retired with a home which was paid off, a pension, and a fully funded emergency fund. How many times I have said THANK YOU GRAN.
Another thing - cnn on 2/17/23 announced that household debt hit a record 16.9 Trillion dollars last quarter, as consumers loaded up their credit cards. Thanks to you two I no longer have credit card debt, so I can proudly say I am not part of the 16.9 club!
I'm not either! I have been cash only all of my life, even while married to my late husband. I am now 64 and still don't have or ever applied for a credit card. CASH ONLY BABY!!!!! P.S. No food stamps or assistance of any kind!! The key is SAVE for your wants to buy later & use your money for NEEDS, INEXPENSIVE but FUN family entertainment, etc... You're not deprived, you really will strive STRESS FREE!!! You CAN do it folks!!!
I do use credit cards for the rewards I get but I always pay off the full balance every month. I never carry a balance unless it is part of a interest free reward offer and if that is the case I pay the amount due into a separate bank account earn interest on it and leave it there until the last month of the interest free offer then I pay the whole amount out of that account no move any money left in the account to long term savings.
This is very interesting. I decided last year that I wanted to have 2023 off work so I needed to save around $20,000 in order to do that. Cost of living was increasing but I ended up saving $23,000 and get to spend today with my baby niece and sister
I am surrounded by people in my life who think I'm crazy living severely below my means and taking on a second full time job to save cash and be completely debt free. I see this as a challenge and the road to living debt free. $144,000 cleared so far by doing the exact same advice you are giving. Thank you for the military for teaching me to live on next to nothing and thank you both for showing how a close cohesive unit and good decisions are key to reaching financial goals.
That sounds amazing! I just hope you’re taking care of your mental health. As someone who’s saving to buy a car outright; working 2 FT jobs can take a lot out of you. 😭❤❤ Good luck!!
There comes a time where you can’t save anymore,I make$40,000 a year therefore I can’t save $20,000 and I’ve done most everything you talk about .I don’t usually sell things I prefer to bless someone in need.I own my home,car and have a years wages in emergency fund.unfortunately I can’t work outside the home as I care for someone with a disability full time.great channel guys I really do appreciate your help,so thank you 🎉❤from Australia 🇦🇺
You guys are a wealth of wisdom! We are newly retired and have been living this way for many years - we can vouch for the fact that the ideas you are sharing WORK! At this point in life, we are so thankful for focusing in our younger years on becoming debt free, including paying the house off early, and living below our means, budgeting and saving money over the years. There is such peace in living this way, and it's amazing how the money multiplies over time when you spend less than you make! Great job - there is SO much value in the content you share!
I’ve been helping my parents with their financial advisor and retirement goal planning for a few years now. Unfortunately in 2023 their SS they have been receiving is significantly less than 2022.
@@TuliTuli_ I don't quite understand how that could be? There was an 8.7% increase to SS this year and the cost of Medicare actually went down a few dollars, too? Inflation is definitely more than eating up that increase though - so it often seems like less than the raise it was!
Thank you, Cruisepuppy. It's so encouraging to us to see the results of the hard work and planning this style of living produces. So glad you are also enjoying the fruits of the frugal life style.
Every time I get a raise or make overtime pay, I'm just so happy, because I can save more. Same with my husband. No lifestyle creep for us! Just more money to put away for our golden years!
Man, I love you guys. I love that you are extremely frugal and can give helpful tips to those of us who are frugal already, not just people who live normally and suddenly decide to get more on a budget. I also love your thought-out, well spoken style!
Thank you for sharing your story. It is inspiring what can happen when you have the right partner who shares the same goals and when you can reach that goal together.
This channel feels so genuine and honest. I'm glad I stumbled upon this channel while browsing. I'm not even halfway through the video, but I wanted to comment.
Living below your means is not that much “a drag”. 😬👏🏼🥰. My husband and I both ‘pretended’ he made $50 K a year which he did for about 10 years. Every raise and promotion money was banked as we continued to pretend he made 50K a year. Well, for the past 25 years he is now almost at $100K a year (he is an electrical engineer) so that EXTRA $50K has been put in the IRA. We are about to retire at 65 and we have almost half a million dollars just in money, not house or anything else. We always had one vehicle even though we each had a job. I had to drop him off at work and pick him up after I got off working at Walmart. We rarely ate out at restaurants (only anniversaries), I cooked at home, ironed his clothes. All of that. We have three Sons, all went to university on scholarships. All of this is hard work, but if one is not born rich, then one has to live below their means to have money for retirement. Social security in the USA is not much-especially now. I am so thankful that we pretended to have less income than we did as in our older years we can not be as worried.
"It's not going to be easy to live below your means" Amen to that! Especially when you are a single mom, lower income worker... the less you make, the harder it is to live below your means, especially now with gas prices, food prices, through the roof electric prices, water prices going up.... It's harder and harder to just make enough money to get by, let alone live below that amount. Very challenging. But I am trying like heck! I have a mortgage and a house. I am saving like crazy, hoping to move in 18 months and really hoping to buy a house for cash. I don't have any windfalls... I'm highly motivated. I did no spend January. I have now only spent $143.32 total for food for the whole month of February (including ALL food, all groceries, laundry detergent, dish soap, everything...). DD and I are planning a trip for this summer to go almost 800 miles from here to check out the area we think we will be moving to...
Hey! A good diet and food purchasing takes thought, planning and budgeting, especially if you’re thinking/ planning/ budgeting for other people in the household. I’m sure that sharing those ideas you share are helping as many people as with the other ideas you share.
My goals are to pay off my car and my mortgage. I'm already retired. I don't have to spend much on food because I get free food from a senior center once a week.
You guys just got my sub! First time I've seen your content too! You both are so down to earth and REAL! Like a favorite aunt and uncle! My "why" is a retirement home in my country of birth! I've been building it by cash for the last 6 years, and it's getting close to completion! I save 60 to 75 percent of my salary each month. I work three jobs 7 days a week and then take off 2 months every summer to go build more on my house! It is all SO worth it!
I don't really have goals to pay off debt I'm a 50 man on dialysis and only have so much income per month and very little cash left after rent bills etc. Just trying to survive without starving 🙃 love the channel and keep up the great work
Story time! This explains where I am coming from. I got a job working in a Level 5 Psychiatric Hospital for the Criminally Insane. I made excellent money, but it came with a cost. I’m 47, and often worked a double shift, once or twice a week. (Close to 60 hours.) My Fiancé worked for a big box company as the night time manager in the Receiving department. He was making mediocre money. I lived below my means and could still afford nice things for my kids and I. (I had 4, he had 2 all under our roof.) Then, I got hurt at work. I had to file a lawsuit with the State of California because my employment tried to do some very sketchy things. This all happened in October of 2020, so we also had the shut down to deal with. My husband worked long hours, and lots of overtime, and STILL could not live within his means. We went for a year living on his mediocre wages and it hurt! He smokes, drinks alcohol. And has to have flavored carbonated waters to drink. I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, and I like ice water. I dye my own hair, do my own nails, and haven’t had a hair cut in almost 2 years. (I had a trim, and it’s past my waist.) We have to move out of California. I can’t live in our town anymore. I can’t go anywhere by myself, because I constantly run into people from the hospital. I am a prisoner in my own home. I cook food from our garden, and have a freezer stocked with food. We only have my son living with us, up until a year ago. My stepson and his girlfriend (and their newborn) were suddenly displaced. I couldn’t have my grandson living on the streets, so the 3 of them moved in. They just had their second child last week. (Nana’s arms are full! ❤) So I also cook for them. My goal is to save up $15,000 to pay for the move out of state, and another $10,000 for a rental and expenses in Arizona. I need the budgeting help, and I’m going to sit down with my husband and watch all your videos with him.❤
Brilliant presentation, this should be viewed by all young people (and maybe even some old ones). I am of the same thinking and have done so for 65 years. I still do so today on my fixed income.
I use a variant of the 30 day list. If I want something that isn't a absolute survival purchase it goes on my 30 day list. If it is above $50 it goes into my 60 day list and above $100 goes into the 90 day list. You'd be surprised at how many things gets dropped off the list. Plus it gives you time to figure a way to do it so you don't need the item or find something cheaper or free to take care of it. When shopping I only buy what's on my list. If I see something else I like, it gets added to the next trip's list ( most of these get dropped by the time I make the new list as well).
I’ve thought about doing that but I don’t like the idea that sites like that track everything you buy. Makes me wonder how much of my information is being sold to others!
Hi Hope and Larry, I love your ideas... I used the 10% challenge on my gas this month. On the 2nd fill up I still had gas left. This practice made me so aware of all the walking I could do. I will do this for my groceries for April 20 years ago, life as I knew it, disappeared down the creek, and I started again at 50 with absolutely nothing. No home, no work, no nothing. I am most particular about putting money aside for 'anything unintended'... Take care Florence
Hope and Larry: appreciate you both so much. You both do so much to inspire and teach us all how to move beyond the constraints of the modern American market system! You are brave and so very wise doing what you do and speaking truth to help us survive in very challenging times. Kudos to both of you!
I started by cutting cable. I can keep the WiFi and get plenty of channels at free or a few bucks. Next I chopped the lottery tickets 3x a week. It’s once a week only now. Next may seem small but i was spending 12$ a week in coffee creamer - so I learned to make my own for 1/4 the cost. I’m tryin lol
So glad I found your channel! We started to live below our means this year with a low spend year and several no spend months planned. We are able to save about $200 a month and then two extra paychecks ($3700) and our tax return goes to savings approximately $2800 per year and a $1200 bonus. We are trying to save more per month but it’s a pretty tight budget ❤goal is first to pay off student loan debt which will take us 4 years and then to save for a down payment on a home 🏡
My smart 18 year old son told me the other day his motto is Act broke, stay rich. There is a lot of sense in that and he has been saving for the past 3 years from his part time job. My husband makes a good income but expenses are high in Canada and climbing, don't even get me started on the food, I am doing pretty good keeping our grocery budget down. No eating in restaurants where one pays a tip, a treat is a take out pizza once or twice a month or on birthdays. That's about it. Yesterday I was tired so instead of getting take out, since it was a somewhat mild day, I took hot dogs out of the deep freeze and had hubby bbq then, opened a bag of garden salad and a small bag of ruffled chips. It was an enjoyable treat meal simple, easy clean up for a Sunday night far cheaper then take out and perhaps just a smidge healthier too.
I live in nyc and I use about 5 to 10 percent of my monthly salary. People say it can't be done but it can actually be done all due to change of mindframe. I'm so proud of you guys.
Not trying to be snarky, but I find it hard to believe you live in New York city and spend only 500 a month! Of course it might be possible if you have free rent and food, (aka living in your parents' basement) but even then, living on 500 bucks a month in New York city is so completely unrealistic as to be laughable! 😂
@iseektruth64 I'll give you the quick surface level math if you want. I own my coop in queens no mortgage, the monthly maintenance is $750 with all utilities included. Since then I gotten married and my wife paid for half the maintenance which means my out of pocket for the apt is $375 a month. The extra $125 is for food misc. We mostly cook at home and shop at aldi's.
This is my third video I've watched of yours. You two are so adorable together! The bloopers are funny! Also, thanks so much for not telling us, in every video like everyone else does, to like & subscribe. Anybody who's been on YT a while knows this. Personally, I find it very annoying to hear that all the time.
Great channel! You're going to grow quickly. This practical wisdom is so needed! And you're a great couple, pulling together for a common goal with plenty of love and laughter - loved the blooper reel at the end!
Thank you for sharing this wealth of information. I disconnected my cable and now just use a digital converter box and HD antenna. I grew up with free TV and radio. Never got use to paying for them. Also stopped my wifi and laptop. No printer at home anymore - ink is too expensive. If I need to write a letter, I do it the old school way ... longhand and snail mail. SS only goes so far.
Our WHY is: in Oktobre we want to build our own forest house. We bought 2 forest houses in 2 years and renovated them to rent them out. We live on "BBB" now and after building the house we want to retire next year. We will be 52 and 54 years old at that time :)
Me and my husband make about $300,000 and it’s ridiculous how little we have saved in comparison to our income. This video came to me by fate 🤣 Great info
I’ve done this for many years - modest house and car paid off - and put 26% of my pay into retirement savings every month. The inflation of this past year is making it harder, but it’s great knowing I can still pay my bills. My “why” is is I can retire comfortably in five more years.
You cannot express enough the ability to relax and have no stress!!! We retired 7 years early and are completely debt free. Its the best sleeping pill ever knowing you have no debt!!!!! Our why was to live rural on acreage in retirement.
Dear guys, you give the soundest and most valuable (to me) advice on frugality in all the internet. I have learnt so much from you! Besides, it is appliable in any part of the globe, not just in USA, and that is very important to me, who is been living in several Europe countries.
.....cut the cable and go antenna TV saved -$1,200.00 yr., sew most of your clothes, get free books from digital library's, cook your own food, cut your grass, clean your house etc. Cut your own hair....and most important, when you think you need something new...shop your house first. Sometime just re-arranging things gives you a new perspective on what is bothering you about it. I didn't need a new sofa or kitchen table, I needed to move them to use them better and change the flow. Give stuff away when you can, it's faster and your helping someone else. Karma works:)
I think a budget is so important, I use to live pay cheque to pay cheque and say I just have no extra money. I found out I was spending that extra money on take out, on tea with friends on gifts. I'm not in a position I can afford that.. so that was a harsh reality check.Last Christmas was first yr I told friends and family that I couldn't afford to buy things. ( still buy for my daughter a few needed gifts and than I just wrap boxes of money so she can save it instead of me buying her stuff she didnt want or need.) but my friends were relieved they couldn't afford it either. So now we do a potluck lunch at christmas instead of gifts. Now I have a struct budget and using extra money to pay off debt. Which will be done by end if april. Than come june all that extra money is going into savings.. That will be an absolute amazing feeling.
It’s easy to live with in your means when your house is payed off, when you make enough to save money or put money on the side and have an inheritance . It all adds up and it all helps to set you up and by the sounds of it you guys have good jobs and probably have a good career it’s easy when you have those odds on your side but when your talking to an average joe it’s not that easy , living paycheck to paycheck and not having a good career or paying job and having to rent all that makes it hard that’s why I like Dave Ramseys philosophy.
I started to watch your videos again to keep me on track... I was going crazy expending money. My husband got a raise but he is the first one to buy unnecessary things, just upgrades of whatever we already have and things that he always wanted. I don't know how to stop him without being the bad one, the one who wants to live "deprived" of living a "good" life.
My goal is to save so I am debt free live a frugual thrifty money saving life so when something unexpected occurs financially I have funds available one less thing to stress about gives me peace of mind and great joy
Hi guys !!!! We lived below our means for 7 years then bought our first house 6 months ago. Now we continue to do so to fix up the house slowly but surely. After that pay off house. Love your show.Always looking for good tips. Oh and our why ....We were in a neighborhood that was quickly changing and became dangerous so we moved across the state. Cheaper real estate too.
Stopped by today to let you know that thanks to your tips, we paid off our car this week. Mortgage is next. Thank you for helping us realize our dreams!
I started to live wayyyy below my means in order to pay off a medical credit card ,another medical payment (done!)and save for important things like medical ,annual bills and maintenance of house,to be able to get away from the winter and go into the desert and afford the gas and the fee annually and then to get back and I have to say that it has been successful so far. I have used so many of your videos to stay motivated and I’ve also added some envelopes apps to my phone and a budget program that I like for tracking and also a notebook so I can take notes and keep myself motivated . I have less than one year to pay off the credit card now and I have managed to save about $4000 , and also add a new goal of more padding in the checking. I have to agree that having a purpose is so important. and also getting organized- I just wasn’t organized enough previously. So thanks to y’all for many things that you had mentioned that I have taken advantage of in your videos keep up the good work!
I'd like to have you describe further how you're able to go to the desert and save money. After watching this video I am focusing on more DRASTIC frugal possibilities.
A home in the suburb that lets us keep Ducks. Paid off vehicles and my husband not having to work a job in the cold by 55. We are in our 40s and were chasing such a lie. Had to look at our goals not influenced by current societal pressure. Embracing older values like “saving for the vacation of a lifetime”. Something so beautiful to work toward rather than thinking we need amazing luxury vacations every few years when our kids just need us not extravagant memories.
One of the best decisions I made in my 20s was that I didn't care to pay to TV cable. I have paid for cable for only 1 year in my 42 years as an adult. Never missed it.
Our goal is to replace our 2008 Kia optima.However, due to the ridiculously high interest rates and our unwillingness to have a $700 a month payment, we decided for now to put some money into the car for shocks to improve the comfort of the ride and drive the car longer. In the meantime make saving what we can for the next car a priority. Applying many of these tips of frugality will help us reach our goal!!! Thanks for your sharing and guidance and yes even tough love sometimes 🙂 9:33
Good advice but I find every family’s situation is so nuanced that it’s not always easy to save. It especially depends on WHERE you live. My husband has an excellent job making over $100k at 30. But we live in the shadow of a big city and currently, a small family home in the suburbs is $400k+ We have paid cash for our old 2008 minivan, I cook everything at home, we don’t go on vacation, we are super minimalist with our clothing and accessories, no cable tv, no expensive phones, no credit card debt. It’s still difficult to save. A lot of people will say just move somewhere else but that is a huge undertaking when your job and family are all here. I like the idea though of “plugging holes” there may be a few areas where we can reevaluate.
Having somebody clear the sidewalk if you are not physically able is a requirement in Minneapolis and failure to do so is punishable by as much as $300 per incident
I live in the woods in a small township, so everyone without a plow truck or tractor is at the mercy of the snow drifts. Connecting with community is essential here.
I used to be like everyone else live paycheck to paycheck etc but one day I completely changed my mind frame. I no longer want material things it doesn't make me happy. For example I would only buy a new TV if my 14 year old TV stops working and not because there is some new high tech oled TV available in the market. I gotten myself to the point where I can be given a 50k giftcard to best buy walk into the store and walk out with nothing because I have no desire to replacement anything unless it's broken. I do not have a budget because of the way I change my mindset it's not even nessacry.
I LOVE seeing videos on this topic from folks my age. It seems the majority of videos on frugality are created by 20-somethings who haven't lived long enough to have had time to save much money. While these youngsters often have good content, I love getting advice from people who have lived long enough to have a LOT more experience and knowledge to impart. Thanks Hope and Larry, for the great videos, I just found you guys and subscribed today. 🙂
My husband prepared well for his performance review and got a raise. He pulled them back to the table on it though. He deserves more. He knows it, they know it, and he didn’t just walk away with his tail between his legs. Gotta stand up for yourself!
I’ve been focusing on ghost loads. Have tv unplugged and shut down desktop lights when done with work. That plus other things keeps my electric below 40 in winter. Summers coming and I love my ac. Trying to avoid turning it on before June 1 and try to live with it set above 70 this summer
I’m living below my means! I took a $50,000 cut in pay! It’s been tough but when I started the baby steps with Dave Ramsey, I’m able to live on a very low budget. I live in a very nice apartment and my largest expense.
Tracking your spending is essential to making a realistic budget. Lifestyle creep is a big thing that is tempting. Warren Buffet apparently lives in the same small home he has owned for decades. My goals are: Save for retirement, and moving home, and owning a small place to live, and saving for my next car so I can pay cash for it.
His house is not small. You can see it on-line. But yes, he didn’t upgrade. I wonder if he still eats breakfast at McDonald’s, or decided it’s become too expensive.
Thank you both. I really found this useful. I earn more now but my IRS tax bill is higher.😞 Especially since I divorced this year and ex wanted to file separately. So, already I am budgeting with far less income. My goal is to pay down the debt I have run up flying back and forth to take care of elderly parent. This has derailed any of my own goals. I'll have to start with paying off that debt first. But you showed me it is possible.
When you are doing this for some time, it starts feeling like a 'sport', a hobby. I enjoy living this frugal lifestyle. My 'why' is not only to save money for 'expenses in the future'. A very important reason for me is: I do not want to be in debt! Someone with debt is a slave to the bank (or to the one he/she owes the money). Someone with debt lives in stress to get the money needed to pay off the debt (which gets higher and higher the longer it takes to pay off). Another important reason why I don't want to spend more than necessary is: there's only one planet Earth, we can not consume more than there is. Yes, it's true: nature gives abundantly. But most of what humans consume/produce is exhausting the natural resources.
O btw ... I could spend a lot less than I do now. But my 'reasons why' lead me in a certain direction. I rather spend more money on healthy organic food and clothing made of natural materials then to buy 'cheap'! But still I find a way not to spend more than necessary. I ride my bicycle (with large panniers) to the organic farm for my weekly organic foods. I make most of my clothes myself. I search the internet for local 'makers' I like to support by buying their products (like sheep's and alpaca wool). And I don't buy what I don't need, of course.
Thank you for you answers and discussions on how to save. I’ve been divorced two years. But never budgeted my entire marriage or now. I’m in debt through the roof. Watching you explain how step by step makes sense. I’m also requesting your book. Can you please send a link. I also have to complete my divorce finances. It will be my first experience saving money to pay my lawyer. Pray for my success 🙏🏽
We're so sorry you're going through such a difficult time. Here's the link to the free eBook we offered in the description. www.subscribepage.com/radically-reduce-expenses
"If we can't eat it, we aren't buying it." Great line!
I quit cigarettes in March 2020. Three days ago I took the money that I saved, and bought a wind generator with it.
Awesome! And congratulations on quitting smoking!
Then a week later u lost interest in the product u bought the secret is buying asaetts w at least 10% of ur income
I love living frugal! I don’t have a tv anymore and it has given me more time to do other things! I don’t go out to dinner because I love to cook! Thank you for your videos!!! I have a budget and I keep to it! I sold my $58,000 Jeep and bought a 2012 Nissan Sentra for $6,000 and have no car payment!!!🎉Life is simple but so freeing!!!!
Inspiring!!!
Amazing! ❤
I am a woman who is an emotional shopper.
I withdraw all my money from the account, then divide the cash into saving, bills, groceries, sharing, needs, and wants/ recreation in envelopes.
I keep the money home and only take what I allow myself to spend.
Financially restricting myself prevented me from overspending. No credit cards needed, because I always have extra money that I don't touch.
Thanks a lot!
One thing I absolutely love is how you are unified and together on how you handle your money. That is HUGE and so important!!!!
Exactly. This was what I missed for many years because my life partner was a sneaky overspender! I've been living alone for 8 years and now see frugality as a fun(mostly) game.
My goals are to be debt free, get 4 good tires on the car, and to save for retirement. I have so many goals, a small paycheck, and I am 58.
Keep up the good job and you will see that day, blessings.
You can do it!
You can do it. One goal at a time!
Keep at it I found out doing lots of small things to save money helps to save more in the long run putting the cash you save no matter how small in envelopes so you can track progress helps.blessings to you always from the UK❤️🌈🌈😀
Doable! Stick with it! And good luck 👍
I been living below my means forever and retired at 53. Still live below my means at 67. Easy for me today. I own two properties and still save 25k a year which constantly grows. Good to see people talking about real stuff.
I am working towards paying off my student loan debt of about $18,000. Your videos are encouraging and help me stay grounded and self disciplined. Thank you for all the great tips. ❤
I took a 2nd job because the student loan company kept messing with my account. I knocked out 27K in two years. I was in my 50s when I did this (graduated at age 44, LOL). If you have the good health and energy to do this, I highly recommend it. That same second job, allowed me to save enough money for a 20% down payment on a home in a less expensive area (I moved there to cut my expenses). I wish you the very, very best on this journey to financial freedom.
Keep working hard to pay off those loans. I worked endless overtime to pay off my loans, save for a down payment, to do work on my home, and travel. Don't forget to contribute to your retirement funds too. It's a great way to live, so you are wise to pay off your loans and take control of your finances. You might like Dave Ramsey too. Good luck to you!
@@bria2596 So amazing! Thanks for sharing that it CAN be done.
We are working on paying off $34k of student loan debt ❤we can do this!
You got this!
If television was like this our nation would be in much better shape! Thank you guys and God bless you and yours!
During my young life my grandmother was a big part of my life.She influenced my attitude to money, my parents were rubbish with money and I grew up believing grans way was the best. My mum lived frugally because she never had enough money, gran was frugal to preserve her money. When gran died I was a young mother and struggling with a low income. I on a lot of occasions stand and think what would gran do. Thankfully I have got through life to retirement without much debt(I had a little in early years ) and retired with a home which was paid off, a pension, and a fully funded emergency fund. How many times I have said THANK YOU GRAN.
Another thing - cnn on 2/17/23 announced that household debt hit a record 16.9 Trillion dollars last quarter, as consumers loaded up their credit cards. Thanks to you two I no longer have credit card debt, so I can proudly say I am not part of the 16.9 club!
Neither am I!
I'm not either! I have been cash only all of my life, even while married to my late husband.
I am now 64 and still don't have or ever applied for a credit card.
CASH ONLY BABY!!!!!
P.S. No food stamps or assistance of any kind!!
The key is SAVE for your wants to buy later & use your money for NEEDS, INEXPENSIVE but FUN family entertainment, etc...
You're not deprived, you really will strive STRESS FREE!!!
You CAN do it folks!!!
Same!
🎉Congrats on Freedom from Credit Card debt! 😁
I do use credit cards for the rewards I get but I always pay off the full balance every month. I never carry a balance unless it is part of a interest free reward offer and if that is the case I pay the amount due into a separate bank account earn interest on it and leave it there until the last month of the interest free offer then I pay the whole amount out of that account no move any money left in the account to long term savings.
Great advice. My goal this year is to make 6 extra mortgage payments. Last year I made 4 extra payments.
Good for u.
This is very interesting. I decided last year that I wanted to have 2023 off work so I needed to save around $20,000 in order to do that. Cost of living was increasing but I ended up saving $23,000 and get to spend today with my baby niece and sister
Awesome!
Wow, impressive !!!
I am surrounded by people in my life who think I'm crazy living severely below my means and taking on a second full time job to save cash and be completely debt free. I see this as a challenge and the road to living debt free. $144,000 cleared so far by doing the exact same advice you are giving. Thank you for the military for teaching me to live on next to nothing and thank you both for showing how a close cohesive unit and good decisions are key to reaching financial goals.
That sounds amazing! I just hope you’re taking care of your mental health. As someone who’s saving to buy a car outright; working 2 FT jobs can take a lot out of you. 😭❤❤ Good luck!!
There comes a time where you can’t save anymore,I make$40,000 a year therefore I can’t save $20,000 and I’ve done most everything you talk about .I don’t usually sell things I prefer to bless someone in need.I own my home,car and have a years wages in emergency fund.unfortunately I can’t work outside the home as I care for someone with a disability full time.great channel guys I really do appreciate your help,so thank you 🎉❤from Australia 🇦🇺
Thanks for sharing
You guys are a wealth of wisdom! We are newly retired and have been living this way for many years - we can vouch for the fact that the ideas you are sharing WORK! At this point in life, we are so thankful for focusing in our younger years on becoming debt free, including paying the house off early, and living below our means, budgeting and saving money over the years. There is such peace in living this way, and it's amazing how the money multiplies over time when you spend less than you make! Great job - there is SO much value in the content you share!
I’ve been helping my parents with their financial advisor and retirement goal planning for a few years now. Unfortunately in 2023 their SS they have been receiving is significantly less than 2022.
@@TuliTuli_ I don't quite understand how that could be? There was an 8.7% increase to SS this year and the cost of Medicare actually went down a few dollars, too? Inflation is definitely more than eating up that increase though - so it often seems like less than the raise it was!
Thank you, Cruisepuppy. It's so encouraging to us to see the results of the hard work and planning this style of living produces. So glad you are also enjoying the fruits of the frugal life style.
@@TuliTuli_ It should have increased. You should probably have them call the Social Security office in your area and check into what's happened.
@@larryware1 Ageed... S.S. payments have gone up. Better check on that.
Every time I get a raise or make overtime pay, I'm just so happy, because I can save more. Same with my husband. No lifestyle creep for us! Just more money to put away for our golden years!
Excellent, Savannah.
As long as your life isn't cut short before you get to enjoy it!
I loved adding a Saving to your monthly budget list. I just never thought of it as an item. Very very good ideas you both have
Dear Hope and Larry, I am so bad with money but I really like your friendliness and sincerity so much, I watch you for company!
Man, I love you guys. I love that you are extremely frugal and can give helpful tips to those of us who are frugal already, not just people who live normally and suddenly decide to get more on a budget. I also love your thought-out, well spoken style!
The work you both put into your videos is appreciated. Your ideas have helped so much. I can say I am out of credit card debt!!!Now the mortgage
Thank you, Pat. Wonderful!
Thank you for sharing your story. It is inspiring what can happen when you have the right partner who shares the same goals and when you can reach that goal together.
You can reach this goal on a single income! It does NOT take two! Budget wise and God bless
Thank you, Tuli. It helps when both are working together.
@@larryware1 you are blessed to have that person.
@@TuliTuli_ - yes indeed!
This channel feels so genuine and honest. I'm glad I stumbled upon this channel while browsing. I'm not even halfway through the video, but I wanted to comment.
Thank you. That is so kind of you.
Living below your means is not that much “a drag”. 😬👏🏼🥰. My husband and I both ‘pretended’ he made $50 K a year which he did for about 10 years. Every raise and promotion money was banked as we continued to pretend he made 50K a year. Well, for the past 25 years he is now almost at $100K a year (he is an electrical engineer) so that EXTRA $50K has been put in the IRA. We are about to retire at 65 and we have almost half a million dollars just in money, not house or anything else. We always had one vehicle even though we each had a job. I had to drop him off at work and pick him up after I got off working at Walmart. We rarely ate out at restaurants (only anniversaries), I cooked at home, ironed his clothes. All of that. We have three Sons, all went to university on scholarships. All of this is hard work, but if one is not born rich, then one has to live below their means to have money for retirement. Social security in the USA is not much-especially now. I am so thankful that we pretended to have less income than we did as in our older years we can not be as worried.
"It's not going to be easy to live below your means" Amen to that! Especially when you are a single mom, lower income worker... the less you make, the harder it is to live below your means, especially now with gas prices, food prices, through the roof electric prices, water prices going up.... It's harder and harder to just make enough money to get by, let alone live below that amount. Very challenging. But I am trying like heck! I have a mortgage and a house. I am saving like crazy, hoping to move in 18 months and really hoping to buy a house for cash. I don't have any windfalls... I'm highly motivated. I did no spend January. I have now only spent $143.32 total for food for the whole month of February (including ALL food, all groceries, laundry detergent, dish soap, everything...). DD and I are planning a trip for this summer to go almost 800 miles from here to check out the area we think we will be moving to...
Sheila, we love that you have a vision and you're making sure you know exactly how much progress you've made. Well done!
Wow!
Wow! That's amazing! Your story is very inspiring! Great job and thanks for sharing it here! ❤️🙏
Hey! A good diet and food purchasing takes thought, planning and budgeting, especially if you’re thinking/ planning/ budgeting for other people in the household. I’m sure that sharing those ideas you share are helping as many people as with the other ideas you share.
My goals are to pay off my car and my mortgage. I'm already retired. I don't have to spend much on food because I get free food from a senior center once a week.
You get a week's free food from the center ?
You guys just got my sub! First time I've seen your content too! You both are so down to earth and REAL! Like a favorite aunt and uncle! My "why" is a retirement home in my country of birth! I've been building it by cash for the last 6 years, and it's getting close to completion! I save 60 to 75 percent of my salary each month. I work three jobs 7 days a week and then take off 2 months every summer to go build more on my house! It is all SO worth it!
We’re working hard to pay off our mortgage next year. This video will really help us achieve that goal! Thank you so much 😊
I don't really have goals to pay off debt I'm a 50 man on dialysis and only have so much income per month and very little cash left after rent bills etc. Just trying to survive without starving 🙃 love the channel and keep up the great work
Stay strong! Been there and will be back at it again soon! Enjoy anything free! Weather, birds!
It’s smart of you to keep company with people who are sharing ideas that can help you.
God bless you!
God bless. Sending love and prayers.
Bless you, Charles. Prayers for God to provide.
Story time! This explains where I am coming from. I got a job working in a Level 5 Psychiatric Hospital for the Criminally Insane. I made excellent money, but it came with a cost. I’m 47, and often worked a double shift, once or twice a week. (Close to 60 hours.) My Fiancé worked for a big box company as the night time manager in the Receiving department. He was making mediocre money. I lived below my means and could still afford nice things for my kids and I. (I had 4, he had 2 all under our roof.)
Then, I got hurt at work. I had to file a lawsuit with the State of California because my employment tried to do some very sketchy things. This all happened in October of 2020, so we also had the shut down to deal with.
My husband worked long hours, and lots of overtime, and STILL could not live within his means. We went for a year living on his mediocre wages and it hurt! He smokes, drinks alcohol. And has to have flavored carbonated waters to drink. I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, and I like ice water. I dye my own hair, do my own nails, and haven’t had a hair cut in almost 2 years. (I had a trim, and it’s past my waist.)
We have to move out of California. I can’t live in our town anymore. I can’t go anywhere by myself, because I constantly run into people from the hospital. I am a prisoner in my own home. I cook food from our garden, and have a freezer stocked with food. We only have my son living with us, up until a year ago. My stepson and his girlfriend (and their newborn) were suddenly displaced. I couldn’t have my grandson living on the streets, so the 3 of them moved in. They just had their second child last week. (Nana’s arms are full! ❤) So I also cook for them.
My goal is to save up $15,000 to pay for the move out of state, and another $10,000 for a rental and expenses in Arizona. I need the budgeting help, and I’m going to sit down with my husband and watch all your videos with him.❤
You're Good person doing a good job😀
Brilliant presentation, this should be viewed by all young people (and maybe even some old ones). I am of the same thinking and have done so for 65 years. I still do so today on my fixed income.
I use a variant of the 30 day list. If I want something that isn't a absolute survival purchase it goes on my 30 day list. If it is above $50 it goes into my 60 day list and above $100 goes into the 90 day list. You'd be surprised at how many things gets dropped off the list. Plus it gives you time to figure a way to do it so you don't need the item or find something cheaper or free to take care of it. When shopping I only buy what's on my list. If I see something else I like, it gets added to the next trip's list ( most of these get dropped by the time I make the new list as well).
What a GREAT idea! I’m a horrible impulse shopper.
LOVE IT!!!
I love Fetch,my coworker are now bringing me their receipts. They don’t see the value and think it’s a waste of time. Well it a true blessing for me!
I’ve thought about doing that but I don’t like the idea that sites like that track everything you buy. Makes me wonder how much of my information is being sold to others!
Hi Hope and Larry,
I love your ideas...
I used the 10% challenge on my gas this month. On the 2nd fill up I still had gas left.
This practice made me so aware of all the walking I could do.
I will do this for my groceries for April
20 years ago, life as I knew it, disappeared down the creek, and I started again at 50 with absolutely nothing. No home, no work, no nothing.
I am most particular about putting money aside for 'anything unintended'...
Take care
Florence
We love hearing that the challenge worked so well for you! Thanks for sharing.
Hope and Larry: appreciate you both so much. You both do so much to inspire and teach us all how to move beyond the constraints of the modern American market system! You are brave and so very wise doing what you do and speaking truth to help us survive in very challenging times. Kudos to both of you!
I like how you take turns explaining things. It makes for a very balanced video. Great tips! Thank you!
I started by cutting cable. I can keep the WiFi and get plenty of channels at free or a few bucks. Next I chopped the lottery tickets 3x a week. It’s once a week only now. Next may seem small but i was spending 12$ a week in coffee creamer - so I learned to make my own for 1/4 the cost. I’m tryin lol
So glad I found your channel! We started to live below our means this year with a low spend year and several no spend months planned. We are able to save about $200 a month and then two extra paychecks ($3700) and our tax return goes to savings approximately $2800 per year and a $1200 bonus. We are trying to save more per month but it’s a pretty tight budget ❤goal is first to pay off student loan debt which will take us 4 years and then to save for a down payment on a home 🏡
My smart 18 year old son told me the other day his motto is
Act broke, stay rich.
There is a lot of sense in that and he has been saving for the past 3 years from his part time job.
My husband makes a good income but expenses are high in Canada and climbing, don't even get me started on the food, I am doing pretty good keeping our grocery budget down. No eating in restaurants where one pays a tip, a treat is a take out pizza once or twice a month or on birthdays. That's about it. Yesterday I was tired so instead of getting take out, since it was a somewhat mild day, I took hot dogs out of the deep freeze and had hubby bbq then, opened a bag of garden salad and a small bag of ruffled chips.
It was an enjoyable treat meal simple, easy clean up for a Sunday night far cheaper then take out and perhaps just a smidge healthier too.
We LOVE your son's motto! Well said!
❤y’all are absolutely gems 💎 I can’t wait to see y’all channel grow even more.
I live in nyc and I use about 5 to 10 percent of my monthly salary. People say it can't be done but it can actually be done all due to change of mindframe. I'm so proud of you guys.
@spirals 73 I do not make a lot but my monthly expense is $500. I just work hard and save and I don't spend my money on things that I do not need.
Not trying to be snarky, but I find it hard to believe you live in New York city and spend only 500 a month! Of course it might be possible if you have free rent and food, (aka living in your parents' basement) but even then, living on 500 bucks a month in New York city is so completely unrealistic as to be laughable! 😂
B Right, thank you for sharing. I believe you.
@iseektruth64 I'll give you the quick surface level math if you want. I own my coop in queens no mortgage, the monthly maintenance is $750 with all utilities included. Since then I gotten married and my wife paid for half the maintenance which means my out of pocket for the apt is $375 a month. The extra $125 is for food misc. We mostly cook at home and shop at aldi's.
@P thank you, no reason for me to lie about this so I just gave him the breakdown.
Prayers for Larry! I'm just now finding out about his accident! Hugs!
Our goal is to pay off consumer debt and take a European vacation that we pay for with cash! I adore you two and I love your content!! ❤
We love that goal!
This is my third video I've watched of yours. You two are so adorable together! The bloopers are funny!
Also, thanks so much for not telling us, in every video like everyone else does, to like & subscribe. Anybody who's been on YT a while knows this. Personally, I find it very annoying to hear that all the time.
Great channel! You're going to grow quickly. This practical wisdom is so needed! And you're a great couple, pulling together for a common goal with plenty of love and laughter - loved the blooper reel at the end!
my "bare bones budget" is under $8k yearly per person - that covers property taxes and utilities, and unlimited food and public transit
Thank you for sharing this wealth of information. I disconnected my cable and now just use a digital converter box and HD antenna. I grew up with free TV and radio. Never got use to paying for them. Also stopped my wifi and laptop. No printer at home anymore - ink is too expensive. If I need to write a letter, I do it the old school way ... longhand and snail mail. SS only goes so far.
Our WHY is: in Oktobre we want to build our own forest house. We bought 2 forest houses in 2 years and renovated them to rent them out. We live on "BBB" now and after building the house we want to retire next year. We will be 52 and 54 years old at that time :)
Me and my husband make about $300,000 and it’s ridiculous how little we have saved in comparison to our income. This video came to me by fate 🤣
Great info
I’ve done this for many years - modest house and car paid off - and put 26% of my pay into retirement savings every month. The inflation of this past year is making it harder, but it’s great knowing I can still pay my bills. My “why” is is I can retire comfortably in five more years.
We are working on paying off our solar panels of over $60k. Now, that my four boys have left home, we have saved oh so much in our budget!!
I love how you two flow as a couple. I wish you were my next door neighbor. I am so encouraged even though I have failed at it every time 😢.
You cannot express enough the ability to relax and have no stress!!! We retired 7 years early and are completely debt free. Its the best sleeping pill ever knowing you have no debt!!!!! Our why was to live rural on acreage in retirement.
Dear guys, you give the soundest and most valuable (to me) advice on frugality in all the internet. I have learnt so much from you! Besides, it is appliable in any part of the globe, not just in USA, and that is very important to me, who is been living in several Europe countries.
I'M79 and virtuAlly bedridden--expenses are high--but remain hopeful ofhhearing a tip I can benefit from. Somehow you keep y hopes up. Thank you.
.....cut the cable and go antenna TV saved -$1,200.00 yr., sew most of your clothes, get free books from digital library's, cook your own food, cut your grass, clean your house etc. Cut your own hair....and most important, when you think you need something new...shop your house first. Sometime just re-arranging things gives you a new perspective on what is bothering you about it. I didn't need a new sofa or kitchen table, I needed to move them to use them better and change the flow. Give stuff away when you can, it's faster and your helping someone else. Karma works:)
I think a budget is so important, I use to live pay cheque to pay cheque and say I just have no extra money. I found out I was spending that extra money on take out, on tea with friends on gifts. I'm not in a position I can afford that.. so that was a harsh reality check.Last Christmas was first yr I told friends and family that I couldn't afford to buy things. ( still buy for my daughter a few needed gifts and than I just wrap boxes of money so she can save it instead of me buying her stuff she didnt want or need.) but my friends were relieved they couldn't afford it either. So now we do a potluck lunch at christmas instead of gifts. Now I have a struct budget and using extra money to pay off debt. Which will be done by end if april. Than come june all that extra money is going into savings.. That will be an absolute amazing feeling.
It’s easy to live with in your means when your house is payed off, when you make enough to save money or put money on the side and have an inheritance . It all adds up and it all helps to set you up and by the sounds of it you guys have good jobs and probably have a good career it’s easy when you have those odds on your side but when your talking to an average joe it’s not that easy , living paycheck to paycheck and not having a good career or paying job and having to rent all that makes it hard that’s why I like Dave Ramseys philosophy.
Trying so hard to pay off my mortgage. I got it in 2019 and if I stay on track I’ll be able to in 7yrs from now. 💸💰💪🏼✌🏼
Stay on track as much as possible. I have a similar goal. I did pause for 3 mos and then got back on track.
I started to watch your videos again to keep me on track... I was going crazy expending money. My husband got a raise but he is the first one to buy unnecessary things, just upgrades of whatever we already have and things that he always wanted. I don't know how to stop him without being the bad one, the one who wants to live "deprived" of living a "good" life.
yes same...and it is hard when our partner dont track their expenses and continue to spend lavishly..we dont have the same goals
I’ve lived on a budget since I was in high school. Now at age 68 I can’t imagine any other way to live. I love tracking my spending every month.
I have had mint mobile for years, love it.
Yes living below my means makes sense
My goal is to save so I am debt free live a frugual thrifty money saving life so when something unexpected occurs financially I have funds available one less thing to stress about gives me peace of mind and great joy
Great goal, Kerry.
Mid April is my Mennonite store haul month. Saving 1/2 of a side gig $$ to cover. Spare room pantry needs more shelves built too.
Hi guys !!!! We lived below our means for 7 years then bought our first house 6 months ago. Now we continue to do so to fix up the house slowly but surely. After that pay off house. Love your show.Always looking for good tips. Oh and our why ....We were in a neighborhood that was quickly changing and became dangerous so we moved across the state. Cheaper real estate too.
Brilliant to know that you recommend that change. Amazing that you took on that change.
I’ve done shopping that way for a long time.
Seriously awesome. Just one way partners/spouses can work together as a team to grow their relationship!!!
I love "plugging the holes" with BBC. Thanks!
First off I love your videos!! We are currently working on a $20,000 emergency fund but we just sarted so you videos are helping us
Love it. Great goal!
Stopped by today to let you know that thanks to your tips, we paid off our car this week. Mortgage is next. Thank you for helping us realize our dreams!
Congrats on your hard work! Nicely done!
It was very helpful to hear that you were living extremely below your income for the period of 20 months in order to buy your house
I just started saving my change and i love to see my money add up
I started to live wayyyy below my means in order to pay off a medical credit card ,another medical payment (done!)and save for important things like medical ,annual bills and maintenance of house,to be able to get away from the winter and go into the desert and afford the gas and the fee annually and then to get back and I have to say that it has been successful so far. I have used so many of your videos to stay motivated and I’ve also added some envelopes apps to my phone and a budget program that I like for tracking and also a notebook so I can take notes and keep myself motivated .
I have less than one year to pay off the credit card now and I have managed to save about $4000 , and also add a new goal of more padding in the checking. I have to agree that having a purpose is so important. and also getting organized- I just wasn’t organized enough previously. So thanks to y’all for many things that you had mentioned that I have taken advantage of in your videos keep up the good work!
I'd like to have you describe further how you're able to go to the desert and save money. After watching this video I am focusing on more DRASTIC frugal possibilities.
Awesome video. We've been doing an envelope system for 12 years, and it's been backbone of our budget.
Great idea. 👍
Good video! You have to live below your means.
Thank you, BR.
A home in the suburb that lets us keep Ducks. Paid off vehicles and my husband not having to work a job in the cold by 55. We are in our 40s and were chasing such a lie. Had to look at our goals not influenced by current societal pressure. Embracing older values like “saving for the vacation of a lifetime”. Something so beautiful to work toward rather than thinking we need amazing luxury vacations every few years when our kids just need us not extravagant memories.
We love the way you have created a new set of goals and made them fit your family's core values.
I really like this both. This feels like down to earth practical advice. Subscribed!
One of the best decisions I made in my 20s was that I didn't care to pay to TV cable. I have paid for cable for only 1 year in my 42 years as an adult. Never missed it.
We just cleared off credit card debt,
Next our house . Very confident we can do this.
I am extreme cheapskate, saved up to 50-60 % from payroll, all you say is so true. There is no savings with spending only!
A practical, sane approach.Already downsized on the house. Less is more because there a peace that comes with that.I'm not fancy.
Right! It’s not the amount of money you make, is the amount of money you keep!
Our goal is to replace our 2008 Kia optima.However, due to the ridiculously high interest rates and our unwillingness to have a $700 a month payment, we decided for now to put some money into the car for shocks to improve the comfort of the ride and drive the car longer.
In the meantime make saving what we can for the next car a priority.
Applying many of these tips of frugality will help us reach our goal!!!
Thanks for your sharing and guidance and yes even tough love sometimes 🙂 9:33
Good advice but I find every family’s situation is so nuanced that it’s not always easy to save. It especially depends on WHERE you live. My husband has an excellent job making over $100k at 30. But we live in the shadow of a big city and currently, a small family home in the suburbs is $400k+ We have paid cash for our old 2008 minivan, I cook everything at home, we don’t go on vacation, we are super minimalist with our clothing and accessories, no cable tv, no expensive phones, no credit card debt. It’s still difficult to save. A lot of people will say just move somewhere else but that is a huge undertaking when your job and family are all here. I like the idea though of “plugging holes” there may be a few areas where we can reevaluate.
Nice to know you don't mix up your wants with your needs.
Missed it, but will listen now. Below means up here this winter is 2 side gigs this year. Plowing expenses doubled (more dependable company though).
Having somebody clear the sidewalk if you are not physically able is a requirement in Minneapolis and failure to do so is punishable by as much as $300 per incident
I have to pay somebody $85 per month to shovel 30 ft of city sidewalk and it does not include shoveling up to my door from the city sidewalk
I live in the woods in a small township, so everyone without a plow truck or tractor is at the mercy of the snow drifts. Connecting with community is essential here.
@@KC-dr3cg - how awful! And you get a lot of snow, too.
I used to be like everyone else live paycheck to paycheck etc but one day I completely changed my mind frame. I no longer want material things it doesn't make me happy. For example I would only buy a new TV if my 14 year old TV stops working and not because there is some new high tech oled TV available in the market. I gotten myself to the point where I can be given a 50k giftcard to best buy walk into the store and walk out with nothing because I have no desire to replacement anything unless it's broken. I do not have a budget because of the way I change my mindset it's not even nessacry.
I LOVE seeing videos on this topic from folks my age. It seems the majority of videos on frugality are created by 20-somethings who haven't lived long enough to have had time to save much money. While these youngsters often have good content, I love getting advice from people who have lived long enough to have a LOT more experience and knowledge to impart. Thanks Hope and Larry, for the great videos, I just found you guys and subscribed today. 🙂
My husband prepared well for his performance review and got a raise. He pulled them back to the table on it though. He deserves more. He knows it, they know it, and he didn’t just walk away with his tail between his legs. Gotta stand up for yourself!
Good to read, well done ✨️
I’ve been focusing on ghost loads. Have tv unplugged and shut down desktop lights when done with work. That plus other things keeps my electric below 40 in winter. Summers coming and I love my ac. Trying to avoid turning it on before June 1 and try to live with it set above 70 this summer
Good idea, especially to start buying in bulk to stash for winter months...
I’m living below my means! I took a $50,000 cut in pay! It’s been tough but when I started the baby steps with Dave Ramsey, I’m able to live on a very low budget. I live in a very nice apartment and my largest expense.
Tracking your spending is essential to making a realistic budget. Lifestyle creep is a big thing that is tempting. Warren Buffet apparently lives in the same small home he has owned for decades.
My goals are: Save for retirement, and moving home, and owning a small place to live, and saving for my next car so I can pay cash for it.
All good goals!
His house is not small. You can see it on-line. But yes, he didn’t upgrade. I wonder if he still eats breakfast at McDonald’s, or decided it’s become too expensive.
Thank you both. I really found this useful. I earn more now but my IRS tax bill is higher.😞 Especially since I divorced this year and ex wanted to file separately. So, already I am budgeting with far less income. My goal is to pay down the debt I have run up flying back and forth to take care of elderly parent. This has derailed any of my own goals. I'll have to start with paying off that debt first. But you showed me it is possible.
Good idea I need to reduce my spending
Get rid of 2 rental storage units ($500). Keep my outgoing low.
Where on Earth do you live that storage facilities are there at expensive? How much stuff do you store?
Super!
I am a new follower of your channel Greetings from Sweden
Welcome! We're happy to have you with us.
When you are doing this for some time, it starts feeling like a 'sport', a hobby. I enjoy living this frugal lifestyle.
My 'why' is not only to save money for 'expenses in the future'. A very important reason for me is: I do not want to be in debt!
Someone with debt is a slave to the bank (or to the one he/she owes the money). Someone with debt lives in stress to get the money needed to pay off the debt (which gets higher and higher the longer it takes to pay off).
Another important reason why I don't want to spend more than necessary is: there's only one planet Earth, we can not consume more than there is. Yes, it's true: nature gives abundantly. But most of what humans consume/produce is exhausting the natural resources.
O btw ... I could spend a lot less than I do now. But my 'reasons why' lead me in a certain direction.
I rather spend more money on healthy organic food and clothing made of natural materials then to buy 'cheap'! But still I find a way not to spend more than necessary. I ride my bicycle (with large panniers) to the organic farm for my weekly organic foods. I make most of my clothes myself. I search the internet for local 'makers' I like to support by buying their products (like sheep's and alpaca wool). And I don't buy what I don't need, of course.
Thank you for you answers and discussions on how to save. I’ve been divorced two years. But never budgeted my entire marriage or now. I’m in debt through the roof. Watching you explain how step by step makes sense. I’m also requesting your book. Can you please send a link. I also have to complete my divorce finances. It will be my first experience saving money to pay my lawyer. Pray for my success 🙏🏽
We're so sorry you're going through such a difficult time. Here's the link to the free eBook we offered in the description. www.subscribepage.com/radically-reduce-expenses