You may know this already, but.. . In the US, each state has a land grant university (I think yours is Colorado State) that runs a Master Gardener program. These will provide free information on composting, seeds, growing in your locale, problems, etc. There are also local pollinator and native plant groups that offer free instruction on composting and run plant swaps/give aways. In my experience it is very friendly and people are more than happy to help. Volunteering at a park/community garden will likely result in free plants suitable for your zone. Good luck!
Adding onto this, there may be Master Naturalist programs as well! Similar to Master Gardener, but focused on the ecological environment of your region, native plants and wildlife, and volunteerism related to environmental protection and education.
Becoming a Master Gardener is great too. You have to apply, and if accepted it costs (for me in CA anyway) $200 for a stack of textbooks and 5 months of weekly courses.
Hey Immy :) most good bakeries who make sourdough would be happy to give you a little starter. Just bring your own jar and ask. It's part of the culture (pun intended) of sourdough communities to share a starter! If they say no or want to charge you, just move on and find a cooler place :) Then you'll get a starter that is already acclimatised!
I think maybe we also have an instinctual urge to hunt and gather. Some ways to meet this need: sort something in your home, “shop your own house,” looking for fun things you stored away but haven’t used in awhile, turning a small grocery shopping trip into a sensory delight. Love your channel.
Immy, you are such an inspiration, especially in communities/countries (like mine) where sustainable living isn't as prioritized as it should be. Thank you!
A budget pushes us to be HONEST with ourselves. It pushes us to ask the hard questions: What is necessary? What is not? What do I really need to buy? How do I want to spend my hard-earned money? A budget also pushes us to separate our spending habits from our emotions. Ultimately, for me, designing a budget, and also participating in challenges such as a “No Buy Month” prompts me to say “No” to unnecessary spending. “No” is not always easy… it is not a word we are conditioned to saying often. In many cases (especially when it comes to spending money), it can be so much easier to just say “Yes”. This is why I find a budget to be empowering. There is freedom and self-confidence that comes from saying that tiny word “No”. Sticking to my budget makes me feel emboldened. Great video today Immy… love this topic and your shared tips and experiences. Thanks so much, Ⓜary💕
I am doing a low buy (read 3, buy 1) for books and a no buy for everything else in my life outside of necessities for the first six months of this year and so far it is going great! I am excited to watch your journey with your no buy February =)
I just finished my no spend challenge (I did it in January) - and I was amazed at how much money I was able to save. You’re right, small amounts add up so quickly, which is why a low buy/no spend challenge over a month long period makes a big impact. 😊❤️ best of luck saving!
You mentioning Sprouts made me so nostalgic for it, haha (Don't live in a state with them anymore.) I don't know if it's common in England, but places like Sprouts tend to have "double ad" days where weekly deals for the previous and upcoming week are all available. It used to be on Wednesdays when I shopped there. The deals aren't always great, but sometimes it can save you a few extra dollars :) Also, you can sometimes find yeast in glass jars! Red Star and Fleischmann's both have jarred yeast - there may be others as well.
For the packaged yeast problem: I heard you can use a kombucha scoby as yeast in bread baking and I think that's very cool because the pellicles multiply on their own if you use them to make kombucha so not only do you get free yeast, you also get very cheap homemade kombucha!
Looking forward to your updates on this. I moved to a new country 2,5 years ago, and it's so easy to spend a lot when you are in a new environment. I still feel like I haven't gotten full control over my finances (gotten back into a solid saving routine) since the move, so this is very inspiring. Word of caution as well, gardening can be a big area of overspending. I for one have a patio and last year was a big investment year into getting my veggie beds set up, and I for sure took some short cuts that were not so economical. I think it can be even trickier when you rent, because things that you would otherwise benefit from over many years, could only last a short while until you move.
i find that living sustainably not only simplifies my life, but also saves me quite a bit of money. i am doing a no buy month in february, and the only thing that i am allowing myself to spend money on (aside from necessities) are my gym membership and carefully evaluated experiences as a treat. i am not spending money on any "things" this month. keep us updated on your journey and thank you as always for sharing.
Thank you for sharing your plans! I’d love some check-ins along the way if you can squeeze them in! I’m personally also having to be more careful about my budget what with the living expenses rising and people sharing their budgeting does help with the motivation for sure. On a totally unrelated note: my goodness how much I love the flooding of light in your kitchen! Absolutely gorgeous.
I needed this video today! I am saving for my wedding and a big trip and I absolutely cannot spend money right now. I love watching videos like this, they motivate me :-) you are doing great and we got this!
I am actually doing a no-buy February too, although I didn't know the terminology or that it was a thing people did. I simply set a goal to see how long I could go without buying anything that wasn't a need (groceries, medicine, etc.). It doesn't include things that are "normal" purchases like regular skincare items and such. Only things that are one-off desires or impulse buys, if that makes sense. My larger goal is to work on reintroducing delayed gratification to myself because I got into a bad habit of just easily buying anything when I wanted it and I want to break that habit.
Same here with literally everything you said lol I kind of went on a no limits buying what I wanted over the holidays and need to chill and save some money hahaha. But I’m also finally getting around to decluttering my space in an aggressive manner and it just makes me not want to get anything else at all because i have to deal with finding all this stuff new homes so it’s definitely motivating
@@mackenziemarien1252 Exactly! Less clutter makes you want to introduce less to your space. It's a helpful cycle once you can get it started. That's what I'm working on too.
Yeast for bread dough: Most normal grocery stores (like Safeway) will have a small glass jar of bulk yeast, I think it's 8 ounces. Or you can find a restaurant supply store (like GFS or Smart & Final) that sells to restaurants but is also open to the public. You can get a great deal on a 1lb container of yeast (that's what I usually buy). I would just take it out of the bag it comes in and pour it in a mason jar (or a reused jar with a super clean lid), then keep it in the fridge. It's a much much cheaper way to buy yeast, and the quality is just as good :D
Thank you! I’m doing a no buy year and it is soooo interesting. I did it once before maybe 10 years ago, it was definitely time for another. I recommend a whole year as I think the insights start coming thick n fast a couple months in... ❤
I hang all my clothes too! I think it's easier because I live in tropical weather. When I visited US for the first time, i was so excited to see a dryer.
For bagels- barley malt syrup can be found at sprouts or whole foods and it really gives the bagels an authentic flavour. You add a few tablespoons to the water before boiling the bagels. It’s so worth it and a jar will last awhile. And Sourdough is so different in Colorado vs making it in the UK! When I visit my family in CO, I have to use a lot more water because it’s so dry, whereas at home our flour is basically damp so I use less. Bake with Jack has a fantastic easy sourdough recipe if you need one. Happy baking! 😊
I love how thoughtful and intentional you're being about all of this! As for yeast for baking, in the US you can get yeast in bulk at health food coops for much cheaper than the packets, as well as spices and flours and grains. I store my bag of yeast in the freezer. I haven't delved into sourdough yet... I'm intimidated! I need to just roll up my sleeves and give it a try sometime. 🍞🥖
I don't know about other countries, but as an American it's pretty common for hiking or (board) games to be like the only things people do for fun together that aren't expensive. It's a really really car centric country, and I'm from Phoenix so it's really common for virtually everything you do to cost at least some money because the public transit system is garbage and everyone lives miles apart. Even when I lived in Phoenix, I didn't see most of my college friends more than twice a year because it takes an hour and a half drive to get to opposite ends of the city It sucks to hear that Denver didn't turn out as walkable as you hoped, my grandpa lives a 15 minute drive from the university and at his age, he probably only uses his car for about an hour a week. He's able to walk down the street for the few things he goes out for and doesn't go out as much as people our age do
I've found huge success with buying larger bags of yeast at Asian supermarkets. Korean yeast allows the bread to rise higher and I think activate faster.
We are actually doing a "no buy" month in February, too! A good financial reset, especially as we are focusing on some savings goals for our family this year. We had two exeptions this month, one for a travel day and one for a $4 "kitchen lamp" we thrifted!
I've tried many no buy months and always fail. I just love vintage clothing and if something pops up online it can be gone the next day... But I have a method witch works for me, I sell and keep my wardrobe small, this is the only money I spend on the pieces I want to buy. Almost one in one out, and I can enjoy the vintage piece for a while, then it gets a new home and I can buy another piece to love in my wardrobe.
Your plans sound very sound! I always like your finance videos because they are reasonable and don't sound condescending. I'm doing the opposite of no-spend atm :D I started a new job with a much higher salary and finally have the money to buy some thing I wanted or needed for a long time, like equipment for hobbies, books for work (I'm a doctoral researcher) etc. But I'm still putting money to my savings account etc. and have a list of things I want to buy and when, so it's not a random splurge. I think in the second half of the year, I'll do a no or low buy phase to save up for trips next year :)
I think it was mentioned but Costco has active dry yeast and I use that to make your bread all the time! It's 7.99(used to be 3.49 for a hundred years)🇨🇦 for 32 ounces 😆I keep mine in the fridge in a jar and I have I for an eternity.Thanka for your videos
This has definitely been really inspiring to me as someone who's trying to do a low spend year! I have been changing up my categories month per month depending on the circumstances. This month my categories of no spend are books (using libby and borrowing books from friends/family/my local buy nothing group), eating out, and coffee out. I have 2 low spend categories with some parameters. One is maternity clothes (since I am in my third trimester and growing a ton) and I have a rule to buy second hand or ask my buy nothing group before I buy new. The other is I'm allowing myself to buy one cozy video game that's less $20 if I see one that I'm interested in.
Thanks for another great video. You can try to build in worm compost "towers" into your garden beds or raised beds. Composting in such towers is quick if you mix paper, coffee grounds and kitchen scraps. Any liquid ends up directly where it is needed as a fertilizer - at the roots of your plants. I even do this for my larger indoor plant containers. Just make sure you always cover the layer of kitchen scraps with paper and a bit of soil or sand so you do not attract fruit flies. If rats are a problem in your garden, you can also put a lid with small ventilation holes on top of your worm tower and strong mesh on the bottom.
This was very inspiring! I will be looking at my own spending/buying habits a little more now... you brought up some very good points. One thing I have found to be true for me... going to different stores to take advantage of "sales" can be counterproductive if it costs just as much or more in travel expenses [gas, bus, etc] as you save on the sales. Buying in bulk can save, too.
I’m really happy for you that you are so much happier now than last year. It must feel great to be together with your husband! ☺️ thanks for your info and tips!
You may want to consider finding somewhere that sells fresh yeast in blocks! If you're baking quite a bit it may be a bit more affordable than packaged. @The Fairly Local Family also has many videos on No-Spend months.
Most clothes can't actually go in the dryer and it's written in the manteinence tag inside your clothes, the one that has 5 simbols. People don't know what these means because no one talks about that or knows about them. Each simbol has a meaning like at what temperature it can be washed, if it can or not go in the dryer, what temperature you can iron that piece of clothing, if can or not go to the dry cleaner They are pretty simple to understand if you learn them, just reasearch mantainence clothing simbols. I do not own a dryer and even tho some of our clothes are fast fashion (i didn't know back then), we have had them for years and years (some even 5/6) and they are still looking decent
For worm compost check out Uncle Jim’s Worm farm. They have some set ups for doing worm compost inside. I have mine on our apartment patio! Also, for cheaper produce and tofu try shopping at Asian markets. They’re tend to be much cheaper and often don’t have as much packaging!
I’ve been able to find yeast in a glass jar-it’s the same brand as the packets, and not every store carries it, but you can definitely get it! I think when I lived in Denver I was able to buy it at the King Sooper’s grocery store on 14th.
Hi! I’m doing a “no sales” seasons. I have all clothes I need for this winter so no need to buy new ones for the moment. Unfortunately my backpack ripped yesterday so I’ll need to buy a new one. It’s an unexpected expense, but not indulging on sales made me save up for it! Thanks a lot for your thought and your video, it’s very relaxing and inspiring to ear from you. Xoxo from Italy 💓🌞
I am not doing a no buy year but a low buy one, since my budget is not so strict. I am also putting every penny I do not spend on a savings account and getting info about investing.
I would love to see more videos following your no spend February! I always find it easier to stick to a budget plan when I get to follow that budget with UA-camrs. The Fairly Local Family just finished a no spend January but I’d really like to continue my (attempt at) no spend through February so it’s so cool to see you’re trying a no spend month too!
There is no shame in needing to budget a bit to get back on track after an expensive life event like a move to another country and setting up your own household! I had extensive household repairs done this past fall and it wiped out my set aside account I had as well as my checking account. 😲 So I'm using the first few months of 2023 to go "way low budget" to plump up my financial cushion. The satisfaction I feel in having updated my home's exterior far outweighs any discomfort of low funds at present! I am challenging myself to see just how low I can go spending wise for the rest of the winter!!
Composting advice incoming: I'm not sure how that bucket compost system will work - you'll need to monitor the moisture of it and make sure it is not too dry or too soaking wet. I'd also add soil (eg from a park or woodland?) or any finished compost into the bucket as the compost needs microorganisms to break everything down and I'm not sure how they'd get in that bucket if it has no contact with the soil. The buckets also need sufficient air flow, which it seems you have with some holes drilled in. Also, don't quote me on this, but I think the size of a compost heap is important for maintaining the heat that forms as a result of microorganism activity, which is why the small buckets may not be sufficient. A wormery might actually be really good for your space, as you can do it in a container, such as the metal buckets you have. Worms won't do well in freezing temperatures but they also shouldn't be in the sun as they can boil. Worms will produce vermicompost faster than normal compost, esp in warmer months, but apparently this isn't compost that you can grow just anything in - I think folks recommend it more as a fertiliser than a compost. You should definitely look into it more!
The Brod proofer that you have came with a little recipe book. Their country sourdough bread is amazing. i can’t recommend it enough. it’s easy and hard to get it wrong. You might have to experiment with temperatures a bit (I need a bit higher temperatures than recommended to get a nice puffiness) but once you get that the bread is a breeze.
Thx for sharing! I rent as well and use a compost tumbler. It’s off the ground and you can wheel around. Since it’s off ground and sealed, no animal issues. Pretty quick turnaround if you turn daily. I’ve found two on eBay.
Colorado is a super expensive place to live unfortunately. Get a bunch of blankets and turn your furnace back at night and make as much food from scratch as possible. If you need outdoor gear go to REI downtown and check out their garage sale, I think it's upstairs. Amazing deals. Wash Park is a stunning park and fun to go and walk or run and it's always full of people. Libraries have all kinds of music, books, and movies that you can download for free.
I have been doing frugal February for years and love it! Its a great way to reset my spending and get creative with food and entertainment. In some ways i am happier spending more time at home and around my neighborhood.
I saw in your video that you visited Garden of the Gods and it made me wonder if you've discovered Roxborough State Park. It has a similar landscape but is probably closer to where you live. So beautiful. Love your videos!
I’m planning to do a low buy/ no buy month in May because that’s when our last frost is, so I’ll be busy in the garden. Thank you for a wonderful video full of motivation!
I love tori dunlaps approach to budgeting where you prioritize spending to the 3 categories that are the most meaningful to you. I love doing a no buy reset and seeing where my prioritizes are afterwords and what enriches my day to day without consuming for the sake of it. I loved your point where you’re not getting food out because there’s not anywhere yet that’s a favorite of yours. Such a good outlook for spending. As for composting, have you looked into the Denver city compost service? I think you can get soil from the municipality.
Thanks Immy for your videos, its one of my week's pleasure to watch you. I'm from Quebec Canada, prices are similar here and I always envied the affordability and availability of vegan items you had in the UK, it must be quite a change. Looking forward to the videos of your visit with Shelbi & Madison...I guess they must be your climbing friends nearby that recently moved to a new city!!
I’m from 🇨🇦 too, northern BC. I am told there are lots of vegan options in southern BC (where 90% of the population lives) but there are definitely no vegan options available in the north where I live, hence we cook at home… a lot!! I agree with you, the cost of groceries in 🇨🇦 is insane. (Groceries & fuel in BC are so expensive.) It makes me glad that we have a summer garden & green house, and a winter root cellar. We grow, harvest, and preserve a lot of our own food. This year we have a lot of squash (from our garden) cured and stored in our pantry. We are finding squash to be a very flexible veggie as it can be used in so many different ways. Experimenting with squash recipes has really helped us to cut food costs a lot. I hope you are staying warm and cozy this winter in la belle province Quebec. Ⓜ️ary
For bagels in Colorado, if the King Soopers nearest you is near an Einstein Bros they will sell Einstein Bros bagels repackaged in King Soopers packaging. From my understanding, they're from days the bagel store overmakes bagels.
Thank you for sharing your life. I have to do baby steps so I am allowing 100. A month to spend on myself I am plant based also and love to see what you are cooking
we're going to be moving halfway across the country in four months and there are some big ticket items i need to save for (like a mattress -- you recently got an avocado, right?) so this is just the kind of ~influencing~ i need in my life!
I'm very inspired by your channel and content, it cheers me up in my down days. Also love you recipes, have you ever considered doing a recipe step by step with measurements video? I'd like to try making bagels. Thank you 😁❤
Thanks for this video! I have been willing to go on a budget for a while put somehow always postponing it to "tomorrow"... but now I feel that your video very much inspires to start with my own budgeting for some future investments
Hi! I'm from Italy (so sorry for my bad english 🙈), I really appreciate this kind of your video and hope I could make something like this in the italian commuty 🥰
My son's wife is from the Lake Como area of Italy and they take the grandkids and go back to visit every summer. She worried at first about her Italian accent but she has done beautifully and we have stressed how important it is for the children to grow up being fluent in both languages. I love her accent! I've learned a little Italian over time and know how difficult it can be and respect her for that.
Last year I did a no-buy which felt more like a chore than a motivation, so this year I'm doing a modified low-buy/zero based budget. My only rule/guideline is basically that I can't buy something if I didn't plan ahead for it. I currently use sinking funds (SFs) for saving money, and each SF has a list of things I need or want relating to that category (garden, household, reno etc). For example I'm doing my third year of gardening this year and I've saved 500€ that I can spend on things for the garden, should I find myself needing something. I found my 2022 no-buy very stressful and by the end I started feeling guilt over any extra expenses. So this year I'm just going to have a budget where income-expenses-savings equals zero, and if I want or need something outside of my monthly budget I'm going to save up for it; even if it's just 20 or 50 euros. It makes the out-of-the-ordinary purchase feel more mindful and intentional, rather than mindless and impulsive. Not to mention the amount of unnecessary things I won't buy simply because it's not worth the hassle!
Immi if you start your vermi composter in the speing it should have enough dirt by ne t winter. Yes the recommendation for eisenia is no less than 10C but my survived in - 15C. I just make aure the dirt is moist and they still have food. The wont be as active tho. You can make at home composter for free.
Not a no buy but a low buy year! I’ve given myself a 3 purchase allowance each month but trying to stick to one and a 12 ‘new’ clothes limit as despite rarely buying them I seemed to have amassed a lot recently and want to curb that. My proper exception is audiobooks as I’m unable to read text it means what my library has to offer is definitely limited and reading is super important for my mental health but I am tracking every time I buy one and trying to be intentional about if I could read something else and getting them as ethically as possible (XigXag etc). Overall I’m just trying to be more intentional and thoughtful about purchases :)
I track my purchases too… it makes a big difference to one’s future spending habits when one looks back at their previous spending habits. I hope you find lots of audiobooks to satisfy your reading hobby. Ⓜary📚
Hi Immy I always take a lot from your videos. You’re my little nudge to keep myself healthy and organised and for that I thank you so much ! We are trying incredibly hard to keep to our budget , it’s seems balance is key. But like you say our surroundings are completely free , so those too are our treats . Oh Immy I’ve not long been vegan , could you give me any tips for essential foods to be eaten regularly? Sending love . From Zoe Uk 💐
I'm interested in your thoughts on the loomi. I have been considering buying one but I'm concerned about the ongoing costs of the pods and filters. How much do you think it is costing you per month to run between the electricity, pods and filters? Thanks!
Omg I just started watched ur channel and I'm also in Denver! Absolutely love your vids!! And if you ever need a climbing partner lmk! I go to a gym in downtown Denver 😄
I'll probably try something like this because I'm saving for a summer trip for my family. BUT I am making one none necessary purchase because it's my anniversary this month and the present I want to give him isn't something I can make
Coffee cuppings are AWESOME. It's so cool to find out what coffees you like. I happen to love African coffees which are very light and fruity and bright, but also acidic (which a lot of people don't like). One of my good friends loves American coffees because they are very well rounded and balanced and calming. Another friend loves Pacific Rim coffees because they have a dark chocolate flavor with a hint of Jamaican Blue Mountain.
Hi there… just a note of encouragement for you. The first time I did a “No Buy Month” it was sooo difficult, I think because I felt deprived or perhaps a slight bit of self-punishment. I can honestly say that it gets easier with practice. For me, there is this feeling of empowerment and self-confidence that comes from saying “No” to unnecessary purchases and from saving money over time. I just did a “No Buy January” (my story is in a comment above or below yours here in the comments sections) and although I did make an unexpected purchase, I didn’t by any other non-essential items in January and I saved a bunch of money. I really want to encourage you to perhaps shorten your goal to a “No Buy Week” or even “No Buy Monday”. Start small, do what works for you, and then build up to a “No Buy Month”. You can do it… don’t beat yourself up if it doesn’t go perfectly at first. Like most other things in life, It gets better with practice and experience. Good luck Hals Library… you can do it!! Ⓜ️ary
I’m curious if you’re on your husbands health insurance through the company he works for. I work for a school district and I’m able to have my husband on my plan for substantially less than if he was insured on his own.
I have decided to try and read a lot more and my goal is a book a month. I decided not to buy any books and read books I already have or borrow my mums that she has already read or won't be reading before we donate them to charity
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
You may know this already, but.. . In the US, each state has a land grant university (I think yours is Colorado State) that runs a Master Gardener program. These will provide free information on composting, seeds, growing in your locale, problems, etc. There are also local pollinator and native plant groups that offer free instruction on composting and run plant swaps/give aways. In my experience it is very friendly and people are more than happy to help. Volunteering at a park/community garden will likely result in free plants suitable for your zone. Good luck!
Adding onto this, there may be Master Naturalist programs as well! Similar to Master Gardener, but focused on the ecological environment of your region, native plants and wildlife, and volunteerism related to environmental protection and education.
Denver Urban Gardens network has very affordable community garden plots, and classes, as well!
Becoming a Master Gardener is great too. You have to apply, and if accepted it costs (for me in CA anyway) $200 for a stack of textbooks and 5 months of weekly courses.
I am a student at Colorado State, and this is such an amazing program!
Hey Immy :) most good bakeries who make sourdough would be happy to give you a little starter. Just bring your own jar and ask. It's part of the culture (pun intended) of sourdough communities to share a starter! If they say no or want to charge you, just move on and find a cooler place :) Then you'll get a starter that is already acclimatised!
I think maybe we also have an instinctual urge to hunt and gather. Some ways to meet this need: sort something in your home, “shop your own house,” looking for fun things you stored away but haven’t used in awhile, turning a small grocery shopping trip into a sensory delight. Love your channel.
Immy, you are such an inspiration, especially in communities/countries (like mine) where sustainable living isn't as prioritized as it should be. Thank you!
Thank you so much for watching and for your incredibly kind words!! If there's ever a topic you'd like me to cover please do let me know!!
A budget pushes us to be HONEST with ourselves. It pushes us to ask the hard questions: What is necessary? What is not? What do I really need to buy? How do I want to spend my hard-earned money? A budget also pushes us to separate our spending habits from our emotions. Ultimately, for me, designing a budget, and also participating in challenges such as a “No Buy Month” prompts me to say “No” to unnecessary spending. “No” is not always easy… it is not a word we are conditioned to saying often. In many cases (especially when it comes to spending money), it can be so much easier to just say “Yes”. This is why I find a budget to be empowering. There is freedom and self-confidence that comes from saying that tiny word “No”. Sticking to my budget makes me feel emboldened. Great video today Immy… love this topic and your shared tips and experiences. Thanks so much, Ⓜary💕
Love that you are covering this with your channel. Personal finance is so important to discuss and adjust for our own situations and goals
Absolutely!!
I am doing a low buy (read 3, buy 1) for books and a no buy for everything else in my life outside of necessities for the first six months of this year and so far it is going great! I am excited to watch your journey with your no buy February =)
what a cool idea! thanks!
I just finished my no spend challenge (I did it in January) - and I was amazed at how much money I was able to save. You’re right, small amounts add up so quickly, which is why a low buy/no spend challenge over a month long period makes a big impact. 😊❤️ best of luck saving!
Congratulations yay 🎉
You mentioning Sprouts made me so nostalgic for it, haha (Don't live in a state with them anymore.) I don't know if it's common in England, but places like Sprouts tend to have "double ad" days where weekly deals for the previous and upcoming week are all available. It used to be on Wednesdays when I shopped there. The deals aren't always great, but sometimes it can save you a few extra dollars :)
Also, you can sometimes find yeast in glass jars! Red Star and Fleischmann's both have jarred yeast - there may be others as well.
Yessss visiting your M&S friends! I hope to see you on their channels and them on yours. 💗😊 Enjoy!!
For the packaged yeast problem: I heard you can use a kombucha scoby as yeast in bread baking and I think that's very cool because the pellicles multiply on their own if you use them to make kombucha so not only do you get free yeast, you also get very cheap homemade kombucha!
Looking forward to your updates on this. I moved to a new country 2,5 years ago, and it's so easy to spend a lot when you are in a new environment. I still feel like I haven't gotten full control over my finances (gotten back into a solid saving routine) since the move, so this is very inspiring. Word of caution as well, gardening can be a big area of overspending. I for one have a patio and last year was a big investment year into getting my veggie beds set up, and I for sure took some short cuts that were not so economical. I think it can be even trickier when you rent, because things that you would otherwise benefit from over many years, could only last a short while until you move.
i find that living sustainably not only simplifies my life, but also saves me quite a bit of money. i am doing a no buy month in february, and the only thing that i am allowing myself to spend money on (aside from necessities) are my gym membership and carefully evaluated experiences as a treat. i am not spending money on any "things" this month. keep us updated on your journey and thank you as always for sharing.
Thank you for sharing your plans! I’d love some check-ins along the way if you can squeeze them in! I’m personally also having to be more careful about my budget what with the living expenses rising and people sharing their budgeting does help with the motivation for sure. On a totally unrelated note: my goodness how much I love the flooding of light in your kitchen! Absolutely gorgeous.
I needed this video today! I am saving for my wedding and a big trip and I absolutely cannot spend money right now. I love watching videos like this, they motivate me :-) you are doing great and we got this!
I am actually doing a no-buy February too, although I didn't know the terminology or that it was a thing people did. I simply set a goal to see how long I could go without buying anything that wasn't a need (groceries, medicine, etc.). It doesn't include things that are "normal" purchases like regular skincare items and such. Only things that are one-off desires or impulse buys, if that makes sense. My larger goal is to work on reintroducing delayed gratification to myself because I got into a bad habit of just easily buying anything when I wanted it and I want to break that habit.
Same here with literally everything you said lol I kind of went on a no limits buying what I wanted over the holidays and need to chill and save some money hahaha. But I’m also finally getting around to decluttering my space in an aggressive manner and it just makes me not want to get anything else at all because i have to deal with finding all this stuff new homes so it’s definitely motivating
@@mackenziemarien1252 Exactly! Less clutter makes you want to introduce less to your space. It's a helpful cycle once you can get it started. That's what I'm working on too.
Yeast for bread dough: Most normal grocery stores (like Safeway) will have a small glass jar of bulk yeast, I think it's 8 ounces. Or you can find a restaurant supply store (like GFS or Smart & Final) that sells to restaurants but is also open to the public. You can get a great deal on a 1lb container of yeast (that's what I usually buy). I would just take it out of the bag it comes in and pour it in a mason jar (or a reused jar with a super clean lid), then keep it in the fridge. It's a much much cheaper way to buy yeast, and the quality is just as good :D
Welcome to Colorado! If you’re ever up north in the FoCo/Loveland area, I’m also always looking for new friends! ♥️
Thank you! I’m doing a no buy year and it is soooo interesting. I did it once before maybe 10 years ago, it was definitely time for another. I recommend a whole year as I think the insights start coming thick n fast a couple months in... ❤
I hang all my clothes too! I think it's easier because I live in tropical weather. When I visited US for the first time, i was so excited to see a dryer.
For bagels- barley malt syrup can be found at sprouts or whole foods and it really gives the bagels an authentic flavour. You add a few tablespoons to the water before boiling the bagels. It’s so worth it and a jar will last awhile.
And Sourdough is so different in Colorado vs making it in the UK! When I visit my family in CO, I have to use a lot more water because it’s so dry, whereas at home our flour is basically damp so I use less. Bake with Jack has a fantastic easy sourdough recipe if you need one. Happy baking! 😊
I love how thoughtful and intentional you're being about all of this! As for yeast for baking, in the US you can get yeast in bulk at health food coops for much cheaper than the packets, as well as spices and flours and grains. I store my bag of yeast in the freezer. I haven't delved into sourdough yet... I'm intimidated! I need to just roll up my sleeves and give it a try sometime. 🍞🥖
I don't know about other countries, but as an American it's pretty common for hiking or (board) games to be like the only things people do for fun together that aren't expensive. It's a really really car centric country, and I'm from Phoenix so it's really common for virtually everything you do to cost at least some money because the public transit system is garbage and everyone lives miles apart. Even when I lived in Phoenix, I didn't see most of my college friends more than twice a year because it takes an hour and a half drive to get to opposite ends of the city
It sucks to hear that Denver didn't turn out as walkable as you hoped, my grandpa lives a 15 minute drive from the university and at his age, he probably only uses his car for about an hour a week. He's able to walk down the street for the few things he goes out for and doesn't go out as much as people our age do
I've found huge success with buying larger bags of yeast at Asian supermarkets. Korean yeast allows the bread to rise higher and I think activate faster.
We are actually doing a "no buy" month in February, too! A good financial reset, especially as we are focusing on some savings goals for our family this year. We had two exeptions this month, one for a travel day and one for a $4 "kitchen lamp" we thrifted!
I've tried many no buy months and always fail. I just love vintage clothing and if something pops up online it can be gone the next day... But I have a method witch works for me, I sell and keep my wardrobe small, this is the only money I spend on the pieces I want to buy. Almost one in one out, and I can enjoy the vintage piece for a while, then it gets a new home and I can buy another piece to love in my wardrobe.
Your plans sound very sound! I always like your finance videos because they are reasonable and don't sound condescending. I'm doing the opposite of no-spend atm :D I started a new job with a much higher salary and finally have the money to buy some thing I wanted or needed for a long time, like equipment for hobbies, books for work (I'm a doctoral researcher) etc. But I'm still putting money to my savings account etc. and have a list of things I want to buy and when, so it's not a random splurge. I think in the second half of the year, I'll do a no or low buy phase to save up for trips next year :)
I think it was mentioned but Costco has active dry yeast and I use that to make your bread all the time! It's 7.99(used to be 3.49 for a hundred years)🇨🇦 for 32 ounces 😆I keep mine in the fridge in a jar and I have I for an eternity.Thanka for your videos
This has definitely been really inspiring to me as someone who's trying to do a low spend year! I have been changing up my categories month per month depending on the circumstances. This month my categories of no spend are books (using libby and borrowing books from friends/family/my local buy nothing group), eating out, and coffee out. I have 2 low spend categories with some parameters. One is maternity clothes (since I am in my third trimester and growing a ton) and I have a rule to buy second hand or ask my buy nothing group before I buy new. The other is I'm allowing myself to buy one cozy video game that's less $20 if I see one that I'm interested in.
Thanks for another great video. You can try to build in worm compost "towers" into your garden beds or raised beds. Composting in such towers is quick if you mix paper, coffee grounds and kitchen scraps. Any liquid ends up directly where it is needed as a fertilizer - at the roots of your plants. I even do this for my larger indoor plant containers. Just make sure you always cover the layer of kitchen scraps with paper and a bit of soil or sand so you do not attract fruit flies. If rats are a problem in your garden, you can also put a lid with small ventilation holes on top of your worm tower and strong mesh on the bottom.
This was very inspiring! I will be looking at my own spending/buying habits a little more now... you brought up some very good points. One thing I have found to be true for me... going to different stores to take advantage of "sales" can be counterproductive if it costs just as much or more in travel expenses [gas, bus, etc] as you save on the sales. Buying in bulk can save, too.
I’m really happy for you that you are so much happier now than last year. It must feel great to be together with your husband! ☺️ thanks for your info and tips!
You may want to consider finding somewhere that sells fresh yeast in blocks! If you're baking quite a bit it may be a bit more affordable than packaged.
@The Fairly Local Family also has many videos on No-Spend months.
Most clothes can't actually go in the dryer and it's written in the manteinence tag inside your clothes, the one that has 5 simbols. People don't know what these means because no one talks about that or knows about them. Each simbol has a meaning like at what temperature it can be washed, if it can or not go in the dryer, what temperature you can iron that piece of clothing, if can or not go to the dry cleaner They are pretty simple to understand if you learn them, just reasearch mantainence clothing simbols.
I do not own a dryer and even tho some of our clothes are fast fashion (i didn't know back then), we have had them for years and years (some even 5/6) and they are still looking decent
Sometimes i buy unnecessary things from small business because I want to support them. I mean I don't really need it but I think I can help them.
Just wanted to say how cute the little drawing of the golden syrup/stock cubes/custard pot is on your fridge
So nice you're feeling so much happier
For worm compost check out Uncle Jim’s Worm farm. They have some set ups for doing worm compost inside. I have mine on our apartment patio!
Also, for cheaper produce and tofu try shopping at Asian markets. They’re tend to be much cheaper and often don’t have as much packaging!
I’ve been able to find yeast in a glass jar-it’s the same brand as the packets, and not every store carries it, but you can definitely get it! I think when I lived in Denver I was able to buy it at the King Sooper’s grocery store on 14th.
Hi! I’m doing a “no sales” seasons. I have all clothes I need for this winter so no need to buy new ones for the moment. Unfortunately my backpack ripped yesterday so I’ll need to buy a new one. It’s an unexpected expense, but not indulging on sales made me save up for it! Thanks a lot for your thought and your video, it’s very relaxing and inspiring to ear from you. Xoxo from Italy 💓🌞
Fleischmann’s Yeast often is sold in packets but there is a version in a glass jar. Hopefully you’re able to spot some in Denver!
I was going to suggest the same thing. Safeway usually has the jars.
I am not doing a no buy year but a low buy one, since my budget is not so strict. I am also putting every penny I do not spend on a savings account and getting info about investing.
I would love to see more videos following your no spend February! I always find it easier to stick to a budget plan when I get to follow that budget with UA-camrs. The Fairly Local Family just finished a no spend January but I’d really like to continue my (attempt at) no spend through February so it’s so cool to see you’re trying a no spend month too!
There is no shame in needing to budget a bit to get back on track after an expensive life event like a move to another country and setting up your own household! I had extensive household repairs done this past fall and it wiped out my set aside account I had as well as my checking account. 😲 So I'm using the first few months of 2023 to go "way low budget" to plump up my financial cushion. The satisfaction I feel in having updated my home's exterior far outweighs any discomfort of low funds at present! I am challenging myself to see just how low I can go spending wise for the rest of the winter!!
Composting advice incoming: I'm not sure how that bucket compost system will work - you'll need to monitor the moisture of it and make sure it is not too dry or too soaking wet. I'd also add soil (eg from a park or woodland?) or any finished compost into the bucket as the compost needs microorganisms to break everything down and I'm not sure how they'd get in that bucket if it has no contact with the soil. The buckets also need sufficient air flow, which it seems you have with some holes drilled in. Also, don't quote me on this, but I think the size of a compost heap is important for maintaining the heat that forms as a result of microorganism activity, which is why the small buckets may not be sufficient.
A wormery might actually be really good for your space, as you can do it in a container, such as the metal buckets you have. Worms won't do well in freezing temperatures but they also shouldn't be in the sun as they can boil. Worms will produce vermicompost faster than normal compost, esp in warmer months, but apparently this isn't compost that you can grow just anything in - I think folks recommend it more as a fertiliser than a compost. You should definitely look into it more!
The Brod proofer that you have came with a little recipe book. Their country sourdough bread is amazing. i can’t recommend it enough. it’s easy and hard to get it wrong. You might have to experiment with temperatures a bit (I need a bit higher temperatures than recommended to get a nice puffiness) but once you get that the bread is a breeze.
Thx for sharing! I rent as well and use a compost tumbler. It’s off the ground and you can wheel around. Since it’s off ground and sealed, no animal issues. Pretty quick turnaround if you turn daily. I’ve found two on eBay.
Colorado is a super expensive place to live unfortunately. Get a bunch of blankets and turn your furnace back at night and make as much food from scratch as possible. If you need outdoor gear go to REI downtown and check out their garage sale, I think it's upstairs. Amazing deals. Wash Park is a stunning park and fun to go and walk or run and it's always full of people. Libraries have all kinds of music, books, and movies that you can download for free.
I have been doing frugal February for years and love it! Its a great way to reset my spending and get creative with food and entertainment. In some ways i am happier spending more time at home and around my neighborhood.
good luck on the marathon training! I've done many of them so if you need any suggestions, I could probably help.
Oh I only buy yeast in glass jars! Most stores have the active dry yeast but some also have bread machine aka fast rising yeast too
I saw in your video that you visited Garden of the Gods and it made me wonder if you've discovered Roxborough State Park. It has a similar landscape but is probably closer to where you live. So beautiful. Love your videos!
I’m planning to do a low buy/ no buy month in May because that’s when our last frost is, so I’ll be busy in the garden. Thank you for a wonderful video full of motivation!
I love tori dunlaps approach to budgeting where you prioritize spending to the 3 categories that are the most meaningful to you. I love doing a no buy reset and seeing where my prioritizes are afterwords and what enriches my day to day without consuming for the sake of it. I loved your point where you’re not getting food out because there’s not anywhere yet that’s a favorite of yours. Such a good outlook for spending. As for composting, have you looked into the Denver city compost service? I think you can get soil from the municipality.
Yeast usually they have a little dark glass container near the packets and it’s like bulk yeast
Thanks Immy for your videos, its one of my week's pleasure to watch you. I'm from Quebec Canada, prices are similar here and I always envied the affordability and availability of vegan items you had in the UK, it must be quite a change. Looking forward to the videos of your visit with Shelbi & Madison...I guess they must be your climbing friends nearby that recently moved to a new city!!
I’m from 🇨🇦 too, northern BC. I am told there are lots of vegan options in southern BC (where 90% of the population lives) but there are definitely no vegan options available in the north where I live, hence we cook at home… a lot!! I agree with you, the cost of groceries in 🇨🇦 is insane. (Groceries & fuel in BC are so expensive.) It makes me glad that we have a summer garden & green house, and a winter root cellar. We grow, harvest, and preserve a lot of our own food. This year we have a lot of squash (from our garden) cured and stored in our pantry. We are finding squash to be a very flexible veggie as it can be used in so many different ways. Experimenting with squash recipes has really helped us to cut food costs a lot. I hope you are staying warm and cozy this winter in la belle province Quebec. Ⓜ️ary
It’s fun to hear you list US things like Safeway :)
For bagels in Colorado, if the King Soopers nearest you is near an Einstein Bros they will sell Einstein Bros bagels repackaged in King Soopers packaging. From my understanding, they're from days the bagel store overmakes bagels.
Thank you for sharing your life. I have to do baby steps so I am allowing 100. A month to spend on myself I am plant based also and love to see what you are cooking
we're going to be moving halfway across the country in four months and there are some big ticket items i need to save for (like a mattress -- you recently got an avocado, right?) so this is just the kind of ~influencing~ i need in my life!
I'm very inspired by your channel and content, it cheers me up in my down days. Also love you recipes, have you ever considered doing a recipe step by step with measurements video? I'd like to try making bagels. Thank you 😁❤
Thank you ❤❤
Thanks for this video! I have been willing to go on a budget for a while put somehow always postponing it to "tomorrow"... but now I feel that your video very much inspires to start with my own budgeting for some future investments
Hi! I'm from Italy (so sorry for my bad english 🙈), I really appreciate this kind of your video and hope I could make something like this in the italian commuty 🥰
Your English is perfect! Much better than my Italian haha - thank you so much for taking the time to watch xx
My son's wife is from the Lake Como area of Italy and they take the grandkids and go back to visit every summer. She worried at first about her Italian accent but she has done beautifully and we have stressed how important it is for the children to grow up being fluent in both languages. I love her accent! I've learned a little Italian over time and know how difficult it can be and respect her for that.
Hi Immy, Costco tends to have a big pack of bulk yeast if you are near one.
Sweet bloom is one of my fave coffees! My fave cafe here in Harlem sells it 🤩
Last year I did a no-buy which felt more like a chore than a motivation, so this year I'm doing a modified low-buy/zero based budget. My only rule/guideline is basically that I can't buy something if I didn't plan ahead for it. I currently use sinking funds (SFs) for saving money, and each SF has a list of things I need or want relating to that category (garden, household, reno etc). For example I'm doing my third year of gardening this year and I've saved 500€ that I can spend on things for the garden, should I find myself needing something.
I found my 2022 no-buy very stressful and by the end I started feeling guilt over any extra expenses. So this year I'm just going to have a budget where income-expenses-savings equals zero, and if I want or need something outside of my monthly budget I'm going to save up for it; even if it's just 20 or 50 euros. It makes the out-of-the-ordinary purchase feel more mindful and intentional, rather than mindless and impulsive. Not to mention the amount of unnecessary things I won't buy simply because it's not worth the hassle!
Immi if you start your vermi composter in the speing it should have enough dirt by ne t winter. Yes the recommendation for eisenia is no less than 10C but my survived in - 15C. I just make aure the dirt is moist and they still have food. The wont be as active tho. You can make at home composter for free.
Not a no buy but a low buy year! I’ve given myself a 3 purchase allowance each month but trying to stick to one and a 12 ‘new’ clothes limit as despite rarely buying them I seemed to have amassed a lot recently and want to curb that. My proper exception is audiobooks as I’m unable to read text it means what my library has to offer is definitely limited and reading is super important for my mental health but I am tracking every time I buy one and trying to be intentional about if I could read something else and getting them as ethically as possible (XigXag etc). Overall I’m just trying to be more intentional and thoughtful about purchases :)
I track my purchases too… it makes a big difference to one’s future spending habits when one looks back at their previous spending habits. I hope you find lots of audiobooks to satisfy your reading hobby. Ⓜary📚
Immy wishing you much success on your no buy. ❤
yey! big kudos for joining the climbing gym!
Hi Immy I always take a lot from your videos. You’re my little nudge to keep myself healthy and organised and for that I thank you so much ! We are trying incredibly hard to keep to our budget , it’s seems balance is key. But like you say our surroundings are completely free , so those too are our treats . Oh Immy I’ve not long been vegan , could you give me any tips for essential foods to be eaten regularly? Sending love .
From Zoe Uk 💐
If you haven’t already, try Huckleberry coffee in Denver. They’re wonderful and sell delicious beans.
Friends who live in a new city, who like climbing, couple hours away (by plane)...Shelbi & Madison by any chance? ;)
Hi Immy I can really recommend the book Your money or your life by Vicky Robin (2018)!
Love this, and it’s very inspiring. I did a low buy in January and might try for a no buy this month. So far so good haha
I'm interested in your thoughts on the loomi. I have been considering buying one but I'm concerned about the ongoing costs of the pods and filters. How much do you think it is costing you per month to run between the electricity, pods and filters? Thanks!
Check out Aldi to grocery shop if you have one near you😁 best of luck with your no spend month😁
Omg I just started watched ur channel and I'm also in Denver! Absolutely love your vids!! And if you ever need a climbing partner lmk! I go to a gym in downtown Denver 😄
What is the name of your vertical herb tower?
Just wondering what kind of growing tower that is?
I'll probably try something like this because I'm saving for a summer trip for my family. BUT I am making one none necessary purchase because it's my anniversary this month and the present I want to give him isn't something I can make
You’ve totally inspired me to do this. Just found your channel 😊
You've inspected me to start making bread instead of buying. I wanna try bagels as well
How easy/difficult is it to stock to a tight budget and buy zero-waste and organic?
Coffee cuppings are AWESOME. It's so cool to find out what coffees you like. I happen to love African coffees which are very light and fruity and bright, but also acidic (which a lot of people don't like). One of my good friends loves American coffees because they are very well rounded and balanced and calming. Another friend loves Pacific Rim coffees because they have a dark chocolate flavor with a hint of Jamaican Blue Mountain.
Would love to know where you get your dungarees from?
What do you do for a living?
Is it just patron?
We buy our yeast in bulk at Costco, very inexpensive for a large quantity
I always think of doing a no- buy month but I can’t ever stick to it. I really need to though 😅
Hi there… just a note of encouragement for you. The first time I did a “No Buy Month” it was sooo difficult, I think because I felt deprived or perhaps a slight bit of self-punishment. I can honestly say that it gets easier with practice. For me, there is this feeling of empowerment and self-confidence that comes from saying “No” to unnecessary purchases and from saving money over time. I just did a “No Buy January” (my story is in a comment above or below yours here in the comments sections) and although I did make an unexpected purchase, I didn’t by any other non-essential items in January and I saved a bunch of money. I really want to encourage you to perhaps shorten your goal to a “No Buy Week” or even “No Buy Monday”. Start small, do what works for you, and then build up to a “No Buy Month”. You can do it… don’t beat yourself up if it doesn’t go perfectly at first. Like most other things in life, It gets better with practice and experience. Good luck Hals Library… you can do it!! Ⓜ️ary
Oh wow, congrats to moving to the U.S!!
Thank you xx its been quite the transition!
I buy my yeast at bulk health food stores, they have much bigger bags :)
I’m curious if you’re on your husbands health insurance through the company he works for. I work for a school district and I’m able to have my husband on my plan for substantially less than if he was insured on his own.
I believe Trader Joe’s bagels are vegan, you can get 6 for $2 and pick up their vegan cream cheese while you’re there too!
lové this❤❤❤
The weather looks great but maybe close your door so you don't waste the heat.
Effie! Where are the Raspberry and white chocolate cookies!!! 🫠
I had the same question in my mind… BUT… then I thought to myself… maybe they’re going to make a special appearance on Valentine’s Day?? 💕Ⓜary💕
I have decided to try and read a lot more and my goal is a book a month. I decided not to buy any books and read books I already have or borrow my mums that she has already read or won't be reading before we donate them to charity
Look into a garden club.
Do you have a business mailing address where a sub. can send you something?