Frugality Will Be Absolutely Necessary in 2024
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- Опубліковано 12 лис 2023
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2024 is coming. Buckle up and tighten your belts. We all know prices are rising. But, what affect does this have on us, personally? In this video we’ll cover six economic indicators of a tightening economy and give you our best tips for how you can be frugal to survive (and thrive) in the new year.
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We're Hope and Larry and we love practical frugality. We raised our four sons, debt-free, including paying cash for our home when our income was well under the national average. For tips on saving money, budgeting, paying off debt, and setting goals (while living with a spirit of joy and abundance), subscribe to us here on UA-cam and visit us at our website and on social media.
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For younger viewers, DON'T MOVE OUT! having three incomes in one house (or more if you have siblings) makes it a lot easier.
Yes, and all in the house contribute to the upkeep, and everyone pitches in to keep the house clean and tidy.
If your parents aren't toxic. I would have loved to stay home, but my dad was a mean alcoholic. Not everyone has stable parents.
@@luannkelly5071this is also important to consider. Not everyone has good parents. I moved out last year because living with my parents was destroying my mental health.
you have to move in with friends which many are doing@@luannkelly5071
Back in the day before many of our days, young girls began to assemble hope chests of linens as soon as they were being taught needle skills. In a modern world, if you plan on moving out building a war chest of about $5000 to cover first, last, and rent deposits plus turning on utilities with thier deposits is a good idea; it could even be closer to $10,000 in today's world. Establishing a list of basic living necessities and beginning to collect is a good idea. Free as those you and your parents are clearing out, down sizing and decluttering is good too. Give it some thought and forgoodness sake don't forget a broom and maybe a vacuum. On the other hand, sticking around a while to begin some retirement accounts or maybe save for the down on a house of your own are good too.
I help my elderly parents with their expenses as well as paying my own. 2 years ago I began buying, dehydrating, canning, and preserving food. Looked at my basement pantry yesterday and simple BBQ sauce from last year went from 0.79 to $2.09! My husband thought I was crazy buying tons of canned goods, rice, pasta, sauces, soups, etc. He's not laughing now. I'm able to "shop" from my pantry to supplement my parents food stores without a huge cost to me.
The last two days we have been preparing food for Thanksgiving Day. I said to my husband isn't it nice to go shopping in our own pantry. I have always done the things that you mentioned. I am in my 70s and I was raised by grandparents. Buy when it's on sale or reduced price, stockpile, rotate your stock and you'll be ahead of the crowd. When covid hit I shipped toilet paper, tissues and other paper products to my sister in New York and my daughter in texas. My neighbor laughingly referred to my home as Sue Mart. I congratulate you on your thoughtfulness and your thriftiness. More power to you
I am combining different things..boiled carrots a bit of cream.of celery soup & oatmeal ..lots of black pepper..Very tasty and nutrious.
I did that too, but watch those expiration dates
@@johnhaug1747 Cans are good for a lot longer than the date. This channel did a video on that.
@@truthseeker3967some people like me, prefer to rotate out our canned goods preppers pantry. Helps keeps weekly shopping down and helps us review what we have for an immediate and meals in the near future. I add in frozen veggies to my mostly bean or canned soup stock. Place in the crockpot for maybe an hour or so. Biscuits from a doubled up batch. Yesterday, was able to do ten large and freeze off most for my bread supply, until my organic bread brand goes back on sale--the only store bought bread I can digest. Keeps the cost of bread down and the oven helps heat up my tiny apartment. Moved a year ago, about an hour a drive away and while the drive scenic, it is a bit of sometimes dangerous, windy road. Put things in storage but my CoVid stock of canned food, I ended up giving away. Limited moving resources, and I ended up stockpiling, squirreling away and forgetting what I actually purchased. Ended up way too much canned food and some items I realized I was just not going to eat or put in meal planning. Ended up donating my food supply. Last year, I had to restart my preppers kitchen pantry at high prices. The food pantries were helpful until I could financially recoup my moving costs. Am now only stocking only a few favorite canned beans. Varieties of soups I am open to. Do not want to have to make another move where I end up having to donate recently expired cans of food as most people, even me, will automatically refuse.
Not everyone can cut out 10% of budget. Jan. of '23, the COLA increase gave me $200 more a month. That extra knocked me out of eligibility for $600 worth of benefits I was receiving. So I've started out every month this year $400 in the hole. A lot of categories had to eliminated. The rest had to be cut to not only bare bones, but dry bare bones, which were ready to become dust again. I've lived a no-spend year, and done everything possible to keep all bills to extreme lows. It's been an impossible situation but I had to make work anyway. That's where God's provision comes in. Each month, I've come in under budget, with at least a little bit left over. Glory be to God!!!
Wonderful! Yes.
Glory be to God.
Yes in deed. Last 3 months I have found 3 local food pantries, which helps so much.
The system is so badly broken.
I cut out my internet services only keeping the internet as i sell on fb and ebay. my phone i went with a 15.00 a month plan that under the median went with ... i have also followed the dollar tree meal ideas ex: buy 20.00 worth of groceries and make 12 meals ... every little bit helps ... caleb hammer is also a person i follow because of his budget planning to put his ethics into your own life ... i used be lazy and eat out alot and kept all my receipts just to see how much i was spending eating out ... i now save that money to take my grown kids out for a pizza on their birthdays ... i give my grandkids a 2.00 bill and a box or cereal for their christmas gifts ... one year i didnt and was told by them how important that 2.00 bill was to them ... its the memories not the gifts
@@marnasletten3988I went to my first pet food pantry for my rescue community cats. 3x a year is allowed. Greatly appreciated
After about 20 years in the workforce, I decided that the best that I could do for my mental health was to have no debt and at least a year of income saved. What a peaceful mind that gave me. I was able to decide my own fate vs. being on edge as others decided my next assignment, location, etc. I look at frugality as taking charge of your own life instead of the marketeers telling me what I need to spend my money on! I was able to retire much earlier that my coworkers. 😊
You have discovered the true meaning of wealth my friend !
In the words of I.F. Stone, " Once they get you to confuse what you want with what you need, they've got you for life ".
This I have been steadily paying of debt it’s freeing not owing anyone
So you must have already owned a home or was very close to paying the mortgage completely off. The younger generation won't have the ability to do this unless they make 6 figures a year.
I've bought my clothing second hand for years, and recently I went to a second hand store to buy clothes due to a recent weight gain. As I was trying on these bigger items, I thought, "eat less, lose weight and then the expense of buying more clothes won't be necessary." Great motivator to lose weight!
Same dollar tree or dd’s for my socks
Same! One Meal a Day (OMAD) and Intermittent Fasting (IF) helps my weight AND wallet 🙏🏾
Fr you can practically get brand new for cheaper than used now. It's crazy.
@@jessicathompson236 Oh yeah. Even some of the gently used stuff costs more than its worth, to the point Id rather buy new.
@@melindaroop1346 , I found a pair of jeans on sale at a bimart for $12.99 a few months back, and the same week I found a pair of the same jeans for $25 at a second hand store. Jackets and shoes at over $25-75 at the same second hand store. (No joke)
I’m working hard at not buying unnecessary items.
I was happy today when I found a two pound bag of jasmine rice for $.54. I bought two bags as four pounds of rice will last me all winter. I saved over $3 on two bags.
You got a fantastic price on that rice!
Have you checked out some local food pantries? That can really be a life savior.
@@UndertheMedian ..My 3-pound can of Walmart coffee went from $7.79 to $10.24 in two years! Now, I cannot even buy it, because it's "Out of Stock"...
That's indicative of Consumer Prices. 👉Footnote; I was a "Functional Alcoholic" (working drunk) for over three decades. I've now been sober over ten years.
I need my coffee...The only people who understand that are Sober alcoholics & x-drug users...Groceries are up 50%...Plus Tax..I'm crippled-up and on Disability.
Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃
@@lilblackduc7312: I switch to breakfast tea. After the first week, got used to it. Happy and saving money.
I'll usually buy larger amount of any non-spoiling item I know I'd eventually buy anyways, particularly if there's an unusual discount.
I bought 50 pounds of oats at a local mill that offered prices cheaper than those of the cheap brands at the super market from two years ago.
The quality is presumably even better, and I saved around 30 bucks for food I would eventually have bought anyways.
I resealed it into airtight buckets or zipper bags and put them in the cellar.
Admittedly, that is something not every household has. But those who do can definitely save a considerable amount of money by buying non-spoiling food in bulk.
Also saves you lots of time since you only have to go shopping for the fresh veggies - and perhaps not even that if you have a garden, too.
As a final bonus, I had less trouble with the packaging: Got all oats in one huge and sturdy paper bag, rather than 50 individual small ones.
I’ve tried to talk my husband into stop buying bottled water. It’s $7.49 a case, which is $30 a month. I bought a water filter and told him to just take a water bottle that you can refill, but he doesn’t want to do that 🫤. Plus he wants to go to Chick Fil A to get a breakfast biscuit once or twice a week which is $10 each time. That’s anywhere between $40-$80 a month. I tell him that every little bit counts and he gets mad at me. We end up getting in arguments and I usually go without because I’m trying to save money. Then I get resentful. Please pray 🙏🏻
@lorri you both need to have an allowance that is not justified to the other. Maybe $20 every 2 weeks. If he wants to spend his that way ok. Really saves a lot of disagreements.
My husband is also a junk food addict. It sucks not being on the same page!
It's been proven that bottled water contains plastic particles that are way over the limit. Bottled water is bad for your health. Tell him that.
I volunteer as an usher for my local philharmonic orchestra. I get to see some wonderful concerts for free and each time I usher I can bring a guest for free.
Not only are prices higher, but the package sizes are being reduced.
Shrinkflation
My biggest gripe!
Makes me laugh they think were too stupid to notice tho.
Right greedy corporations
In uk their calling it greedflation. Which is exactly what it is.
Got my property taxes paid for the year, 24K in bank, a few thou in cash, house is paid off, I do have to pay for sister's car. Branson does not have a new theater play until 2025 so I'll have to figure somewhere else to go. Need new teeth, new kidney & keep losing weight, I think 50's high school reunion in three years, I hope to make an appearance. Things I hope will be better in 2024, so long as the sun shines & the creek don't rise.
Praying u get a kidney soon. 🏖🙏
Sorry spelt his name wrong... Greger
@@rg-mi5hh💜❤️❤️🇦🇺
And the Lord is willing...
I lost $35 over the summer. I’ve replaced my entire wardrobe by getting classic pieces at Thrift stores. I’m finding top brand, quality pieces for as little as $1.99 each. I’m absolutely living my new wardrobe, and thrilled at the low cost.
Isn't it amazing how many nice clothes you can find at Goodwill and thrift stores?! I can't tell you how many nice things I have found with tags still on them!!
Until Americans realize they can't have everything they want, they will always be financially strapped. If prices are too high, don't buy it. Learn to go without or make do with something else. Stop buying houses, cars and other items you can't afford. Don't have more children than you can afford to raise. It's fine to be frugal and save where you can, but the only way to be financially responsible is to accept sacrifice.
Save money live under an overpass
@@billyturner2396😆🔥
If people gave up homes, cars, families, we would have a world of corporate drones making money and no real society or community.
Art and literature also aren't "affordable" in your world.
What sacrifice are we then talking about?
Amen
@@billyturner2396😂
Been frugal for 3 months. I'm so thankful my savings rate has doubled and all I think about is owning a studio apartment so I don't spend the rest of my life paying for rent.
Can you buy a single apartment?
When my daughter was little, we tried collecting the McDonalds 101 Dalmatians. We probably had 80 different dogs and she grew out of them and sold all of them for 5 dollars at a garage sale. While it was fun, what a waste of money.
Community is so important in trying times. Let's take a moment and appreciate that we have this forum for sharing our experiences.
I cannot imagine life without it.
I will add that often the local library helps form that sense of community in many areas too.
@@terryhenderson424 So true. A decade or two ago, we thought libraries were on the way out but our three local libraries in three adjoining towns have new construction and have expanded greatly.
@@leagarner3675 Our greater area has always had a hankering for libraries and in what was a small relatively isolated town some 100 plus years ago, coming up with a "free library" created a strong inter-faith group; it wasnt formal because it was formed by the ladies and included faiths that didn't always join counsels together. We were always been slower to incorporate into cities until 20-30 years ago municipalities were required to come up with 10 year growth plans; folks wanted to have more control over thier local area than relying on a County Counsel. Libraries grew to become community centers of sort. 30, maybe 40, years ago there was a movement to create regional library systems, generally county wide, and when individual and city libraries joined they provided funds, turned over thier buildings and collections, and management to thier regional library system. The sharing of resources made the libraries more equal in terms of thier offerings, many of the fledgling cities additionally coordinated activities and even thier buildings with the libraries, and then we had a regional recession/ depression following 911. The libraries stepped up with all sorts of job hunting support including computer and printer access, wifi access, all the way to just plain meeting rooms for defecto support groups. The importance of libraries as a support institution wasn't lost on people including thier kids and also the libraries have increasingly responded with offerings which far surpass "just books". Library bond and levy ballot items tend to pass as well as fire and emergency services of the same; sometimes better. We don't have near what San Diego has and many individual libraries have far better "Friends of the Library" volunteer groups than others. Heck, one small library in the area that has probably a 40-50 person building capacity holds multiple little seminars of different types per week on all sorts of life skills and community services. As needed due to activity or number of people, they are out in the parking lot of the weather isnt too bad; then general attitude is that they aren't going to turn people away, aren't going to let library carpet get in the way, and aren't going to let the fire marshal shut them down.
And Chapel! Our Chapel family have walked with us through all kinds - Praise The LORD x
One way we dont wastefully spend is that we do not buy drinks or snacks at the gas station. We drink our filtered well water. We refill empty bottles to take with us. We buy and eat fresh fruits and veggies while they are fresh. We eat with our good health in mind. If you take care of your body you will be able to accomplish more and enjoy your life. We wear the clothes we have regardless of fashion.
Also, if you're putting that water in glass bottles, you're avoiding that ever-present B.P.A. contamination. Great idea!
Another thing that i see a lot of people fail to do is take care of the stuff they already own. Replacement costs can really hurt a budget.
I couldn't help but notice that you both are wearing layers, drinking warm beverages. Larry's even rockin' the heated vest. Way to practice what you preach. ❤
I'm 72 and live in my car half the year to save my social security check. I've saved in two months $2k. January, February I will save $1500 each month to go and rent a place. But I drive an older car and have to be aware of costly mechanical problems. But I pray to God to protect me and help me find a place to live before it gets really hot
I wish you well. Blessings 🌹
I don't eat out, don't have cable, drive a $10,000 2010 truck, cut and color my own hair, do my own mani- pedis, and don't take expensive vacations. I do like fashion and usually spend about $150 per month on either clothing, or cowboy boots, which I collect. I'm single. My 3 black labs cost about $300 per month to feed and keep healthy. When I was married, my husband spent crazy on restaurants and cigarettes, and weed, which I hated and grew exceedingly resentful about. I earn about $5,000 per month after taxes.
So my vices are dogs and boots.
I’ve gotten to the point with my sewing that I feel confident I could sew anything I needed to wear (and feel cool stylish too, another priority hahaha) so I always thrift fabric that is quality and cheaper than Joanns and have a good stash of fabric on hand to make myself something quality and beautiful. Nothing I love more than doing to math to see how much I spent on my handmade wardrobe. And besides, it’s my favorite hobby and relaxes me. Thankful my Grammy taught me decades ago!
love it
Sounds like a good option as a side hustle if needed, too.
(and feel cool stylish too, another priority hahaha) 100% CORRECT! The better your mental health is, the better your decisions will be. Few people mention this, we don't make choices in a vacuum, we make our choices based on our mental health.
I wish I knew how. I took a class and was horrible at sewing. But I would love to have the freedom to make my own things. My former coworker used to make such beautiful clothes! I envied her.
Wow, that is impressive.........a talent few people have! Good for you....
Frugality and Prioritizing our lives will be necessary going forward.
We’ve been hit this last year with 23% of our spending going towards emergency expenses. They were slow, coming month to month, not just one big one. But because of that we didn’t know what the next month would hold. I’m proud to say that because of our discipline of learning how to be frugal over the years, we were able to pay for everything in cash. Yes, we reached into our emergency fund and it’s been stressful to keep paying big bills, but we are so thankful. God really has kept us this year.
Back in the 1950's and early 1960's, there were a number of books published for the female secretary and office worker. Many suggested a specific number of tops, bottoms, toppers, etc... which did vary from book to book. Most agreed on the 3 year replacement plan and far fewer pieces than what many own today. The 3 year replacement plan was to plan on wearing each office wear piece for 3 years and then replace items of office wear on a piece by piece basis every 3 years. Whennitems were retired from work or office wear, they went on to be used to go to meetings and shopping, then became items for wear at home, and lastly became items to wear when scrubbing, diy'ing, and gardening. This kept them in the closet for anitjer 2 to 5 years. The concept of cost per wearing was big too.
Legal and accountant office worker clothes are long known for sticking to 'neutral' colours. Tan, navy blue and black are the primary office colours. Boring.
I remember our cleaning lady wore old cocktail dresses to work ( cleaning my parents house) sometimes. She was a very small woman and at a certain point sometimes came to work in her sons out grown clothing.
@@jennyeagan1840 The way around neutrals is to accessorize. This is far more acceptable in today's world in which many old school rules are broken every day, every time. To look for ideas, try to rustle up some 1980's fashion magazines aimed at young women for turning a work outfit into an after-work cocktail and then clubbing outfit on a Friday. As the economy gets tighter, I expect to see more along these lines again. - Old school, you bought the highest quality (expensive) suits and basics in classical styles and neutral colors as you could afford. Over time, you bought quality shoes in black, navy, and off-white with matching bags (usually the same year as the shoes for a match) in a classic dress up and dress down styles. Then you expanded out gray, cordivan, tan/ cream, sometimes brown, sometimes white before going to outfit specific or evening shoes. Meanwhile you attempted to buy at least one fad fashion accessory or clothing piece per year and these were generally as inexpensive as possible because they generally only lasted a year. In between you might buy additional accessories. HOWEVEVER, you never got rid of an accessory because they can be infinitely styled and become fad-fashioned popular again every so many years.
I work in a courthouse so we are expected to dress appropriately for being in contact with the public. I decided on black, gray and navy dresses that aren’t wool. That way I can wear them year round and just change my shoe choice to reflect the seasons. I also now only buy clothes that don’t require dry cleaning. For the ones I still have, I use the Woolite dry cleaning cloths that go in the dryer. I can get at least two more wears from doing that before they have to go to the cleaners
@@katv1195Yes!
If you are already used to living frugally and within your means, things are going to get harder economically, but we already have good habits established. It's the people who constantly rely on credit to fuel their "lifestyle" and who constantly waste money on stupid stuff that are in for the hardest wake up call.
Yes I funded my lifestyle on credit cards because my lifestyle included buying asthma medicine for my little boy.
I live in a studio apartment, and I recently found a space heater, at a Goodwill, for $5. So far, I have not turned on my heat, at all this winter. I am going to try to go the entire winter, using just my space heater.
Definitely upping my frugality game. I avoid most packaged foods and make things from scratch as much as possible: pickles, sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, and beer. Clean my kitchen with baking soda and vinegar, make my own toothpaste. About to start growing vegetables and herbs and planning to make my own hard cider soon. Looking to save money abd make more income as well. I have worked since I was 19 and do not want to enter my 50s and retirement stressing out ober finances.
Can you please Let me know How To do so what you Say, Thank you
@cristinacabral2010 there's a ton on content on UA-cam on how to make the items I mentioned. You may need to get some equipment in the $200 range - Mason jars, fermenter, yeast, but once you get started you will be saving a ton of money.
Definitely being more frugal in 2024…husband was laid off and his new job is bringing in half of his previous income. I am up for the challenge!! Also figuring out what side gig I can get to bring in more!! Great video Hope & Larry🥰
Prayers & blessing! U can do this. Prayers
It sounds like your success includes counting your blessings.
Hello, I'm in Ohio. Everyone with illnesses is in need of plasma,. I donate plasma 2x's a week which brings me $460 extra a month. This is a win win situation. Check out your CSL plasma center near you and see what they're offering.
That's pretty scary. You do all the right things and you still get kicked in the butt.
Good u see it as a challenge and not a downfall face the challenges and see how u do
Love love love our Buy Nothing/Gifting community group!!!!
Its a behavior pattern, "Choose" to be frugal and debt free, its amazing ❤ Love Goodwill, & Consignment Shops, absolutely ❤
My plan to 2024 is save 30% of my income because if i lose my job i need to support myself
Move away from going over the top shopping in massive stores and return to the small family stores with a hand written shopping list. Amazing how little you think you need ❤
Good advice. I've started my frugality/minimalist ways in some parts of my life a while back (driving used reliable vehicles for years and getting into a modest 1556sq ft home here in San Antonio TX. My mortgage is only $1200 per month at 3.5%). My other part of my life HAS NOT been frugal, because I've spent thousands upon thousands of dollars in crap I didn't really need. That made me less happy with ridiculous credit card debt and personal loans. I've changed all that this year and I'm working on it. I do spend a little bit still, but it's like 5% or less than what I used to. And it's all CASH. As I age, I'll become even more frugal indeed. I've bought enough crap for like 30 years now! I just want to maintain my health and, my internal happiness and the happiness of my wife, two kids and other family. I don't need a lot of material crap for those goals! Material things don't make you happy inside if you buy too much and they become a BURDEN. Facts! Subscribed.
Have you considered selling items online or FB marketplace? I started selling on Poshmark. I love getting extra stuff out of my house and making some extra money. It's actually made me not want to but anything!
We have had one disaster after another. Broken car, job loss, vet bills, health concerns, the list goes on. It's frustrating to be constantly set back when trying to get back on track. A positive attitude and faith in yourself goes a long way.
That’s a lot all at once. Hang in there! Times are tough but when the going gets tough the tough get going.
My husband and I had the “cutting the cable “ debate for years and finally when cable hit $300 a month my husband’s eyes were finally opened. We dropped cable but just internet alone was $130. I called and found out that if we “bundled “ a house phone to our package it would only cost$95. What???
They must be really desperate to get people to have a landline for some reason. 😅
We've had a landline-internet "bundle" for 20 years because it's the cheapest!
@@PajaliIt's almost impossible to get a landline anymore and we haven't because should the electricity go out land lines. Still work and that's very critical when you have somebody with health issues in your house.
It is worth the $55 a month that we pay.
The reason that we have the landline is because it doesn't go out when the electricity goes out.
@Joce123 neither does my cellphone. They have solar chargers people use for camping that helps if your battery is the problem!
Every time a product gets higher than I am willing to pay for it I learn to make it myself. Having a good variety of ingredients helps me to save quite a bit. Pancake syrup hit $4 a bottle so I bought a small bottle of Maple extract for $2.50 which will make several bottles worth of syrup for the cost of a little sugar, water and time. A lot of things are very simple and quick to make yourself.
I was wanting to do a no spent November for food. I have home canned turkey, non gluten stove dressing ( bought on sale), powdered potatoes and various vegetables home canned. But you mentioned the 5 lbs of carrots for $5 - got 2 packages and made 18 pints of canned carrots. Krogers have their turkeys at 79 cents or 99 cents for name brand that had less salt water. Baked it and am making bone broth for the liquid in the jars and to make the gravy. Got raspberries on sale and made sauce as gifts for friends for Christmas (wonderful on pancakes, ice cream...). So I spent money but I can eat the left overs for quite some time since it is mostly canned! Plus since I am over 65 now, my property taxes were cut by about half! Very nice surprise.
It's not every state cuts property taxes for people 65 and older.
Or certainly not 50 percent. Most states are far less and you have to apply every year and hope that it works out.
Grocery frugality is the only way to save money. Have any sized stock pile and shop sales every week to replenish what is depleated and is what your family eats. Sales come around about every 6 weeks. Use and slowly combine out of your stockpile but keep replenishing it and get it when its cheap! Hang On World!
I only shop sales also🌻
Portion control also helps keep the budget low.
I learned so few Americans dont even have $1000 emergency fund almost 10 years ago. It’s beyond shocking that this is the case because $1K is nothing when it comes to emergencies. We drive used cars. mine is a 2009 Scion I bought new. (best car ever) I have had normal wear repairs like brakes that cost WAY more than that. People should have at least $2k emergency funds these days AND a fully stocked pantry to boot! 😊
Want to dry the laundry without the dryer? Hang on hangers and towel racks in the bathroom. Turn on a small electric heater, and put a small fan on the floo pointed up at the permant press things . It's sort of like hanging out in the breeze.
I’m so blessed I found you guys!!! We are really struggling and I made a budget and now I see we can do better. We were just spending $ frivolously and not keeping track of our balance. You’ve given me hope and the tools needed to get on track!!! Thanks for all you do!
Aww... your kind words made my day. Thank you.
I agree. I think next year things will be tight. I’m retired on a fixed income. My rent went up $200 a month. The cost of living raise that Social Security gives us won’t cover the increase in rent. Things are going to be tighter next year. I’m bracing myself for that.
The raise is awful!
My lease is up in 2025. Hopefully, I can find what i have for less. I'm definitely struggling until then with this rent increase.
The core cpi is going up , not down..The Federal Reserve has actually stated that they don't know what they are doing omg..They sure get a lot of money to not know they are doing! They expect inflation to be at 4%..many of my grocery items like frozen vegetables, dog food, saltiness crackers, have DOUBLED over the last 2 montgs..
That's 100%...not 4%
Can you find another senior to be a roommate?
Living expenses in South Africa has really shot up in costs . It's really impacting people's living standards negatively, and tightening of the money belt is what I'm trying to implement, especially as 2024 will be financially challenging for majority of RSA people.😢
Brushing up on your skills- I’m doing a handmade Christmas and for everyone who’s buying gifts this year I asked for only practical things that will help towards being more frugal. I just dusted off my sewing machine and my crochet hooks and padding those skills on to my daughter and friends who are interested.
I eat one meal a day and costs on average $3. I’m now saving $500 per month on food
Our car insurance went up $100/ 6 months in Michigan !! Home insurance don't know yet. I've kept a excel spreadsheet budget for decades. I revise it every year and pad it so I always come out ahead. I stick to it religiously. Mother taught me well. I also always round up to the next dollar in my checkbook and when logging my debit card purchases. Over the years I have accumulated over $1000 in my checking account over what my register says. Yeay! I also found a local bank that pays great interest rates. Considering now getting rid of Spectrum TV. So expensive and nothing worth watching. Thanks guys for all your great tips
I am 71 and make soup if things are tight.I have lived through 2008 recession and lots more.I have stayed home more and am going to work part-time at local grocery.😊
Good grief. I just figured out my one time a day $3 drink at McDonald's for 365 days a year is $1,100 a year! That's
$ 11,000 in 10 years. A decent used car.
Tracking every penny you spend is very important, living the frugality way knowing what you have come in and what money 💵 goes out. 20 years plus still doing this ❤
Rent went up, student loans hit me and my insurance went up. I can do it but there's almost no wiggle room. No extras at all. Im low maintenance and easily amused. Ill do okay .
I will never likely go naked. But I have some clothing items older than some of my adult children.
Our homeowners insurance jumped significantly this year, I was floored. I did some reading and found that almost all companies did this, blaming it on all of the weather events that caused so many claims.
This is the worst for me-the ever increasing home insurance. Tripled from 2021 to 2023. 1600 sq feet over 6k per year. Never a claim.
I'm on a disability pension in Australia. The vast majority of my clothing is from charity shops, I use minimal heating and cooling by wearing appropriate clothing to the weather. I'm fortunate to be able to pick up free and low priced food from charity organisations each week. I'm paying a mortgage and always pay more than the minimum repayment each fortnight. We have solar panels, which really do significantly reduce our energy costs. I make a point of not driving my car every day. Petrol, insurance and maintenance are big costs for me. In the year ahead, I'm hoping to save a big financial buffer for unforeseen expenses. Sending love, best wishes, and gratitude for your financial advice x
You rock!
I've come across quite a few social media posts recently, that turn their noses up at frugal living, suggesting it's a mindset focused on lack. This is total nonsense. I'd say, a frugal mindset is the basis for success. I wouldn't have it any other way. So glad that we're frugal and debt free at this point. We will continue being frugal, and if that means moving, for example, because another living arrangement makes more sense, then that's what we'd do.
My goal for 2024 is to stop over spending and have some money in savings. Thankfully we don’t have any debts or credit cards.
I am so grateful that my commute to work is to sit up on my sleeping mat (which then becomes my "chair"), swing my work computer over my lap and log in.
Thank you for the tips.
Thanks for keeping us on track all year long! Merry Christmas to your whole frugal fam!
Thanks for another great video. Really helpful.
I got into a car accident that caused injuries so I’m still not back at work and the car is written off. I got a payout which I put in savings and I am saving my income. We live off hubby’s income which currently isn’t enough so we decided to move under my mums house in a flat she has. Saving rent and big utilities means we can save a large percentage of his income too. We have big goals and hoping to achieve them in a year or two. We’ve reduced our expenses significantly. All our bills were growing and I was sick of wasting my money to live. I was already living in a tiny home and living more simply but I needed to make more sacrifices to reach my goals. I feel incredibly blessed I can move with family and live in a country whereby I get good income.
My neighbours are doing the same. The neighbour across the street lives with his mum. The neighbour next door lives with her sister and husband. The neighbour next door has a man living in a flat under house. Smart.
Thank you for the ebook. I can't wait to dive into new ideas for frugality!!!
You guys give great tips! Thank you.
Thank you so much for making this video for us! ❤
I appreciate you both so much!
Love you guys simplicity of living!
Just love your channel! such wisdom and helpful tips! bless you both! 🙏😊💐
My auto insurance went up $15/mo. (2 vehicles and a camper).
Had to buy a newer used car in August, which meant a car pmt I did NOT want. I lost my husband in January, hence a chunck of monthly income. For a 9 yr-old, excellent condition car, I paid only $3000 LESS than what it had cost NEW! UGH!😢 To help off-set a car pmt, I canceled cable. I kept high speed internet, but still cut $200/mo off the xfinity bill. That was half the car pmt. I chose a car that gets 28/34 mgp instead of the 18 mpg my old vehicle got! I'm saving $120-$150/mo in gas! Yay!
Thanks again for another great video. When I go astray spending wise watching you two helps get me back on track. Also I like how you will tell us how to be prepared without all the fear. Thanks.
So glad to hear y'all are Ramsey Fans! Thanks for the great advice, being frugal has always worked for me
Price hike happened this last week. I buy same groceries and saw prices 40 to 60 cents price increase and less choices available on shelf. 🤷♀️
Saving is paying yourself FIRST. If you have direct deposit, you can usually split it between your checking and savings account. If that 10% doesn't make it into your checking account, you won't spend it
Love your videos,,so helpful and you both are sooo entertaining,,,,I am use in your ideas and saving money..thank you both so ,much!
Great content! I'm interested in hearing from any of your children about how it was like growing up living with frugality.
Great share, guys. And yes, we are seeing that car insurance increase, too. We already had a pretty reasonably priced insurance, so it's not looking like we are going to find anything cheaper. At least, it wasn't a huge increase.
Enjoy your tips! Still trying to find other ways to save with being retired. We are in good standings, thank you God, but would love to be more frugal. Thank you for your input with your videos.🙂
I really appreciate all of your videos! You do a great job the pointing out things that most people should be aware of in can you have good ideas on how to live a more frugal life ❤❤
Hi Hope and Larry, Dropping by here to say Happy Thanksgiving ❤❤to you and your lovely family! Love you both and much respect as always. I am thankful for you both and so grateful that I got to get to know you for a few years now. I had been shy but I am trying to get out of my shell and making comments here and making money saving videos weekly. Hope that you both can visit me someday. The funny thing is I tried to contact you to give away our brand new Kerosene Heater before we moved from STL to FL.
You're advise Is really good ,,thanks ,,new subscriber 😊
Some of us on SSDI or SSI don't stand a chance. We live under the poverty level
Depends on work history and income. If made minimum wage that is amount upon retirement. Most young people don't think about this in their future.
I have a washer/dryer combo in my condo but find I save on utilities to use the community washers/dryers …they are cheaper then a public laundry mat clean and within walking distance..also I have started watching videos like your…Became a subscriber..
The dynamic duo!
I am so happy I found your channel. I have gone over my budget and cut out a lot of nonsense. I am almost at the point of reaching my goal (on paper) for 2024 to save 1000.00 a month. Definitely downloading your helpful tools!
Yes both car and house insurance has gone up dramatically. Especially house insurance in the Western part of the United States. I have already started the buckle up process. Thanks for the information.
The thing that is hitting us hard is medical and dental issues now that we are retired. Health issues as we age and no dental coverage for root canals and caps for both of us were big $$$$. So far we are managing but it stresses me out lots.
My neighbor is a mountain biker with a $3500 bike. He was describing bikes that are around $13,000...he and his friends call them 'Dentist bikes'.
I would suggest getting 2nd opinion on dental work. A dentist told me I needed a new bridge. The 2nd opinion dentist said I did not need it
@@cherylkeller5181 sadly, I had abcess under crown, dentist, specialist and oral surgeon all said the same thing. Out it came!
In the u.k. people get a warning before a direct debit payment is taken,so they can make sure they dont get overdrawn. So many people have no actual reservoir in their account. If that was me I would be absolutely terrified.
In the UK, they can also take your payment a few days before the scheduled date, so we were warned not to schedule bills until a few days after your paycheck is supposed to drop. It’s wild.
Do we??
Depends on your bank?
You guys are awesome!
the mamaw and papa I’ve never had!!! Thank you!
Love the bare bones budget. We call ours scorched earth. We found that just to run our house ( keep the lights on so to speak ) is a few thousand bucks above the federal poverty level for a household of 2. Everything above that is a luxury. Going out to eat, going to movies, wineries, festivals, travel. That is all a want not a need. Brings great piece of mind knowing we can live in very little should we have to. We have plenty of margin to move the goal posts from quarter to quarter or year to year.
Grateful we have choices and not being bombed almost every day like some folks, so so sad, ty for your tips
Awesome information!
Today is the last day of November 2023 I’m starting today to pinpoint what needs to go and what has to stay for this new upcoming year. Hello this new normal America!!! Frugality can save any one!!! TY for your powerful advice. This is real!!!
Appreciate what you have and share what you can .
I will try😮
Dave Ramsey talks about the 4 walls which come first. That's why using credit to buy things you don't have the cash to pay for can and does come back to bite you. Making hard decisions to get out of debt are necessary. It's how you learn a lesson to keep from making the same dumb mistakes.
We receive social security and a small retirement monthly. We pay our bills monthly and when done … we don’t have money for groceries.. are gas in vehicles doesn’t last the whole month. We don’t eat out every. We can’t afford to drive to thrift stores let alone buy clothes there. I’ve listed seven things on Marketplace and received 3 desires to buy one thing. Set up arrangements for each to pick up then would text early in the morning and said they changed their minds. Upsetting. We are to get cost of living raise for SS in January. Well we have received notice heath insurance, Electric KWH has raised to 45 cents. Then found inside the flier that our “AVAILABILITY CHARGE WENT FROM $29 to $40 a month. Then water bill doubled due to another crazy charge. Trash rose to double as well. It’s so hard for us.
Please call your local churches. Many can help with rides to food pantries. See what's available in your area. My area has a senior club that serves a hot lunch for $2 and provides a bus to pick up/drop off seniors. Look for an office of the aged to ask. Hospitals also have social workers you can ask. Please see if you qualify for food stamps. There is no shame in getting help.
Understatement.
Yes my car insurance went up around 25% back when renewal was due in August 2023.
In UK 🇬🇧 here by the way.
great video
This week in the Minneapolis area dogfood doubled and frozen vegetables if you can get them are double in price.
Nice analysis.
We found a 4 person tent is perfect and a really good shopping cart or a yard cart also important is good spot within 3 blocks or so from the local mission.