I’m a huge fan of UA-cam and Google. The thing about UA-cam is it they’ll show you how to use it right away whereas with Google then you have to hunt that article down.
This is the best ever advice on utube. Thank you. I am much over 18! But I thought I could live my last few years without digital literacy. No way. So, at 95 I learned a little. Now I couldn’t live without my iPad. And I google everything I don’t know, and that’s a lot. And this iiis how I survived the pandemic, and live independently still. Take ALL her advice
My late husband could fix anything. When I was a new widow, my toilet wouldn’t flush. I cried, and THEN I googled it and found pictures of a toilet that looked like mine inside and went off to Home Depot and got what I needed. Played a UA-cam video and worked along with it and fixed my toilet! There was some swearing but when it was done I felt like I had conquered the world! Onward and Upward. Thank you for your videos.
I came here to say this! You have to like yourself and be comfortable in your own (and no one else’s) company. If you can’t do that, you need to examine why. Learning to like yourself is a prerequisite to comfortably living alone!
I like that u had the courage to start a utube Chanel at 58 years s of age ALL of my friends in my age group which is also 58 are deathly afraid of social media and do not understand it neither did I until a year ago I now have instagram face book TikTok a web site a print on demand store a pod cast and have recently started a utube Chanel why wasn’t I doing these things all along? I have started an online art store and am writing a children’s book
After fussing with trying to change windshield wipers on my car, I usually ended up getting them at my oil change place. When I needed them now, and didn’t need an oil change, I googled how to put them on the exact make and model of my car. Not only did Google tell me the correct size in inches to buy for my model of car, but after watching the video and buying them at Walmart for A little more than $20 for two, I changed them myself in under two minutes and didn’t have to buy them for $29 EACH at the oil change place. But, being proud of myself was so … priceless! Sometimes it’s just the littlest things!!
I love living alone! I have always loved living alone the most, but was brainwashed into believing that living with a partner/being married is the way life should be. Well, thankfully I got over that eventually (happily divorced now) and will never, ever, ever ever live with anyone ever again. And as my marriage and, before that living with my family, I also learned that just because one lives with a person who is over 18 yo it doesn't mean one lives with an actual adult. My life has showed me that I was the only adult in the room since I am about 8 yo (yup, you read that correctly). So no, I will never again live with anyone, ever again. I can do all the things I need to do to live alone, support myself alone and, most importantly, be very happy and fulfilled alone. And since I also live on a completely different continent than the people I am related to by blood and others call family, I have to be able to live alone. And I am more than happy to do so because my ultimate nightmare is to ever having to move back closer to the hell of blood relatives. I fought too hard to find my freedom and I will never again give that up. I don't give one flying fuck what others think about my living situation because as long as I am the only one paying my bills, only I get to have an opinion about my life.
Excellent advice. After my husband died I realized there was so much I didn't know about some basic maintenance. Had taken it all for granted because my lovely man had done it all. He paid the bills, he negotiated with contractors, he wrote computer programs, invested, repaired, decorated, built everything himself. He knew electrics, was mechanically inclined and organized. Suddenly I was challenged with living on my own. Thankfully I am computer literate and have relied on Google and UA-cam for so much. Yesterday I even learned how to reprogram my garage door opener. Thank you UA-cam. Necessity is a good teacher.
Yes this is a great tip! I also make pasta sauce or gravy and freeze them in oversized icecube trays or cupcake trays and then I have single servings ready for when I want them. I do the same with meat - buy it and freeze it in portions. This way I can eat what I feel like (and don't need to eat the same thing for a whole week with meal prep!) without waste.
When I was 67 years old (F) I gutted my bathroom to the studs. Google was my new best friend. The bathroom turned out better than I imagined. : ) FIRST RULE OF LIVING ALONE : STOP BEING AFRAID ! If you can't do that, then move into a seniors building, make new friends, have more fun, join up for more activities. ENJOY YOUR LIFE ❗❗❗
Wow.. I need to renovate the bathroom and keep thinking to do it myself - but I never even used any tools. Did you do other works yourself before or first renovation work?
@@apip6387 - I have renovated every house I have ever owned. I watched DIY programs for decades BUT they really don't tell you the nuts and bolts things you need to know. Renovating the bathroom was a big deal for me bc I didn't know a thing about plumbing. I got VERY lucky and found a guy on UA-cam who was always doing bathroom Reno's so he was the best help I got. If you are thinking of doing it yourself then let me say do NOT, NOT, NOT, remove the toilet until most everything else is done. For some reason I just knew right off the bat don't touch it and let a handyman guy I knew come in at the end and do that for me. I researched on YT for 4 months before I did anything. The most complicated thing was replacing the plumbing drain that had been used for the bathtub, to install a pipe for the glass shower stall that required me to have to crawl under the house, something which I had to do repeatedly during the reno, in winter!. So, finally, watch some bathroom reno's on YT FIRST before you do anything and have a plan of attack. If you have more questions, feel free task. Good luck. : )
if I had the power, i'd make it mandatory that every adult should live alone for 2-3 yrs ....I'm 63 and have mostly lived alone ....I LOVE it!!! Today...I have an injury which makes walking painful and difficult and it would be nice to have someone here to bring me a couple things. Still, I'm in NYC and there is no better place for having things delivered and there is an urgent care a block behind me. I'm figuring out how to manage and still, with this injury (I'm Googling/YouTubing what to do) I absolutely prefer to live on my own.
I’ve been on my own for over 30 years. Raised a family by myself when my marriage unexpectedly ended and I was pregnant and had a toddler and an older child. I was determined to hang onto my home for my children, and I had to learn a lot of those skills you were talking about. I am now 71 and still in this home and every single day there is some chore or job to tackle and I rather enjoy it. It keeps me busy and fit and feeling accomplished.
Speaking of Google... Last night my central air AC wouldn't turn on. I asked google to show me how to troubleshoot the problem and voila, I found the issue in the furnace, the cover wasn't put back on correctly and the safety switch wasn't fully engaged. My house is now cool again
I’m a 60+ woman living alone. I fixed my washing machine by googling the problem. It had filled with water, then stopped working. It was an easy fix. UA-cam search is another great resource. Often the method of fixing something is demonstrated so you just follow along. Fantastic!
I’ve been a divorcee for 39 years and this year I decided to NO longer provide financial assistance to my younger daughter because I have retired and she and her partner need to be on their own! Loving you videos because I have been an empty nester the last five years but my younger daughter (42) still assumed she can relay on my financial assistance but I am grateful that I have cut off ALl financially assistance to all now. Thank you because I am loving my freedom to just me to budget my own finances and assets on me and can now enjoy my retirement!! Thank you for your videos for you beautiful life that I am learning to be!!!!❤️❤️❤️👩🏼🌾
Hi rose I’m doing the same thing for my daughter as she and her fiancé earn so much more than me. It’s just been a habit to jump up and pay the bill at a restaurant or fill the car up although she shares it sometimes. Can I ask what her reaction was when you told her you will not financially assist her ? And how you managed that conversation, where do you start?
I’m 59 and been on my own for 17 years and maintaining my home too. I was raised to tackle projects and if I can’t figure it out on my own, YT almost always helps me out. Jen is right about the more you fix things around the house, the more confident and empowering you become! About five years ago my car’s gear shift wouldn’t go into reverse. I looked it up on YT & found a couple who had the same problem & fixed it. I had the confidence of fixing other things & ended up taking apart my entire center console & replaced the broken part. Four hours later I was done & it was fixed! I’m still so proud of myself! Plus, I saved at least $500! You can do it!!!😃👍
I love living alone. To me, the worst kind of "alone" is living with and/or being with people that aren't your people, including so-called "family". Do the work: Learn and live discernment; stay picky. For me, I seek, find, and retain sources of what I find inspirational, such as this channel...🕊️ I don't have enough life energy or time to spend on anything but, anymore - time is precious, waste it wisely... 🔆Thank you for sharing your life in this public way...🫂🪶🌻🏞️
I don’t live alone but I don’t like waiting forever to get something done when I’ve asked for help. My vacuum cleaner died Saturday…I watched a YT video, ordered the part, it arrived yesterday, viola good as new 🤓
Pet care. Know about your pet needs. I have a German Shepherd and she knows hand signals and German word commands. I live in US. I trained her in German. People don’t usually understand what I’m saying. That was my point. But she does. If she eats grass, it’s a signal to me that she ate something that didn’t agree with her. It could have been a new training treat, a new dog food, or something. She is a dog. She has logic and is highly intelligent. It’s fun and amazing how she can logically figure things out. Animals eat bugs, things from backyard, curious things on park walks. And grasses. Food is one issue. Getting hurt is another. Knowing how to bandage a paw can get you there safely to a veterinary clinic. So far this dog hasn’t been hurt. She challenges me daily. Tells me she hears something and comes to inform me. ‘Come look!’ her expression tells with her alert stance and slightly wagging tail. So yes, we communicate. I go look. I have had dogs since age 8. Mostly these large breed working dogs. These I call ‘animal children’. I am now age 75. Don’t bathe a dog weekly. I bathe her 1-3 times a year. Brushing daily is best. It relaxes my dog, helps with emotional bonding to the animal, and removes excess hair during shedding season. Have had beautiful horses in the past. But don’t own any now. Don’t ride often now. I named this rescue dog Journey. Because she has me on her life journey and she is on mine. We are loyal to each other. Great video! Stalwart
@@patrobinson6478 yes! Great breed! You understand. They are so intelligent it is scary. This was a rescue. First week we had her in 2021 May, we were on patio. Concrete was hot! She goes to bathroom, gets the rug, brings it out to lay on! Oh ho! Who do we have here that has logic?? So now 3 years later, she has trained me! I know what her needs are, how she communicates. She adores my husband! He has spoiled her. I’m the disciplinary trainer. She minds me. Feed her. We all love our ‘animal kids’. I know you miss your dogs. They need us. We need them.
I am forever misplacing my cell. I got so frustrated the other day I just said "Alexa call my phone!!" She did and heard my phone ringing downstairs! Went back up and heard my VM recording. Told Alexa to hang up and she did. Best thing ever!
My son bought me an iHome and I love it. I’ll have to try the cell phone thing and see if it works. It helps me with the recipes, weather, distances for travel, all sorts of things. 😊
I would never have thought about that. I’ve never bought an Alexa thinking that I never needed it. I do have a landline though, and I can call my cell from my landline.
When I was in college, about 40 years ago, a very wise instructor would tell use "you don't have to remember everything, just know where to look it up." I grew up in a DIY household (it wasn't called that back then), so my first instinct is to fix it myself. I also know when to draw the line and call a professional. This past weekend I realized the outlets in my laundry room were not working. Since there were 2 outlets not working, I knew it was more than I could take care of. The electrician had to replace the breaker for that room. But I had narrowed down what was and was not working before he got there.
I so agree! Being comfortable with your own company. Enjoying yourself. And being comfortable with the quiet and just the sound of your own voice and your own thoughts.
Have a safety plan. For example, I lock my front door when I’m in the backyard. I learned several of these other skills as a child helping my mom around the house and working on my parents rental properties. Thank you Jen for these tips.😢
I asked my son, through tears of guilt one day, if he felt cheated not having a father. His answer was, "Why would I? There's nothing he could teach me that I haven't already looked up on UA-cam."
I deep cleaned the cat litter box yesterday. I use the scoopable litter so I emptied the cat litter box, did the deep clean, and put in all new litter. I 100% agree on paying yourself first regardless of your situation. Things happen. I believe in using part of what you set aside to build an emergency fund. This month I will be paying myself first but because of 2 home projects I'm spending more than I'm bringing in. One of these projects was planned and the money has been set aside in a sinking fund to pay for it. So each month over the last couple of years I added some money to that fund to cover that planned project. Also I've been adding to my emergency fund each month for many years and that will be used to pay for the unplanned urgent project that was discovered a couple of days ago.
Hi Jen... very good advice. Also UA-cam has the answer if Google doesn't. I replaced the fascia on my old gas cooker all by myself with help from UA-cam. Took the cooker apart and put it back together again. I was so proud of myself... 🙂
My no.1 is also google or if I need to see it I rely on youtube, but only for smaller problems 😊. For some other things that needs to be fixed, I need to call for help/pay.
Small maintenance things with regards to your vehicle (i.e. checking tire pressure, checking oil and other fluids, changing a tire, etc.). Some people don't even know how to wash their vehicle or how to take it through a car wash. That's important, too.
Love you blogs. I have lived on my own all my life, I had to learn self reliance as a child. I would add to your list - treasure your friendships and keep them in good repair.
Thank you for your advice. I live with my husband and we use Google and UA-cam when we need information to fix something that we can repair by ourselves and that has saved us a few hundred dollars.
One of my favorite things to do is fry up some meat, sauteed with veggies and then I add rice and Salsa. I will also add stewed tomatoes if I have them on hand.
6 years and it is still scary for me. I love my home, I don't have to worry about anyone telling me what to do, or how to spend my money, but it is lonely. I am adjusting, and I don't want to marry ever again, but there are days that I doubt myself. You are amazing and give us hope.
Using music, podcasts, and audibles can be helpful. Reach out to others - even if it’s on the phone. You have to have face to face contact with others, too. Good luck.
@@bernadettehuff2984 Here is my experience, My husband and I decided to move to Arizona from Washington State. He was working in Washington and I had a new job in Arizona. We had a home in WA that we were trying to sell. It required a new floor and siding plus lots of other fixing up. Anyway, it took 4 years to accomplish because my husband did all the work himself and had a full time job. I was lonely so I asked him to bring me the dog on his next trip down to Arizona. That dog made all the difference in the world! Now we are happily living our best life. Best of luck to you!
Meet-up groups , book groups, walking groups and foster-caring a senior animal. No long term commitment, it will change your whole attitude and outlook on life fostering an animal that needs love and security. You meet many like-minded people doing this and the benefits are so positive to you and the pet
Meals, while i live with my adult daughter, her dietary needs are different than mine. I some times use frozen meals but i pump up the volume. Add steamed veggies or pasta
I sing and dance a lot at home! Ok, I sound like a wailing banshee and look like a cat with two broken legs but I make myself smile. I find the silly helps to balance out the sensible.
Best thing I did for myself when I retired. All my monthly always bills are set up to auto pay and I my credit union sends txt any time they pay anything over fifty dollars. I have relieved all time worries and worries of someone using my account without my knowledge. Time is different for me since I retired so this has kept me organized and relieved most all stress in keeping track.
I don’t hate finance management. I love it. Even though I’m married, I take care of all the financial decisions. My husband doesn’t want to mess with it. I have been retired now since 2013. I do all of the stock management. When my daughter was born, I took a CPR class. We lived 5 miles out of town.
how did you know I messed up my led lightstrip? LOL ... gonna stop worrying and start researching how to fix it, starting with your video. I find you very reassuring and calm, thank you.
Thank you for this! I love to watch your videos and the positivity that comes with them. 🙂 I want to add, learn (if you’re a home owner) how to operate the sweet and different machines you know but maybe never touched, like me. The lawn mower or snow blower, the weed eater, drills and power tools and bits and pieces. It will give you so much confidence being able to use them. And boy….they can be fun! Have a lovely day! Much love from Nova Scotia ❤😊
I love your videos. There are so many women out there who either didn't marry and have children or whose husbands are deceased. I've been watching a lot of videos about "the orphaned elderly". That has very sad connotations. Instead I like to think of the privilege and freedom of living alone. Cheers from Northern Canada.
How to properly do laundry. I know so many who have no idea how to sort and do laundry correctly. Single, divorced, or widowed, it's a must skill along with those that you mentioned.
Google and UA-cam are my bffs! I fixed my electric recliner. Ordered replacement part from Amazon and it all worked! Yay! Almost 75 years young, solo 30 plus years and definitely silver! Love your channel! 👍🏻❤️
For the first one, save time and go directly to UA-cam. Often the printed instructions with things that need to be assembled are sorely lacking in steps or don't even resemble the actual item because the instructions are for several models. There's almost always a video of someone putting the thing together which has been a godsend. There are instructional videos of how to do almost everything. However, it's important to get a feel for if the person is actually giving good advice or you might wind up doing something that will cause damage that you'll have to call a professional out to fix. It's good to read the comments under the video because commenters will often point out bad advice. Under maintenance, I would say to make sure you have batteries for smoke alarms and stand alone battery chargers in case of power outages.
I agree. Google has been my #1 for work related things. But since retiring, Google is a backup to UA-cam. There’s nothing like seeing how something is done over reading about it. It’s great that we now have both of these tools.
Quite a lot of times Google has been able to show me how to fix stuff so easily. I love cooking lots of extras and building off of that for a week's worth of meals.
I just loved how you asked google about your LED fracture! Talking to google like a friend can lead to great results. When it doesn’t lead to crap info! 😂 But being able to discern the good v bad advice does come with time. If we’re truly investing our attention. Bravo!
My whole career was in the IT area. I started with an education in computer science. My first job was as a computer programmer for the WA State Patrol. From there I moved to a Systems Analyst, Project Manager then Program Manager. Missed you on Sunday.
The nice thing about googling your problems is how you find you're not alone in your ignorance..so many others gave asked the same questions. Plus if one explanation doesn't help you can try a few others !
Good advice, Jen! When you didn't post on Sunday, I got a little worried. Hope it was just life being itself. Maybe one skill could be building a community of folks who will notice if you break from your routine.
@@silverandsoloTake care of that knee! My right knee was giving me pain until I started taking supplements for joint health. It took about 6 weeks but now I’m pain free. Taking glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM and turmeric. In addition, I add collagen to my coffee each morning. You take care!
I would also add that you should allow yourself to go out and have tons of fun and enjoy your freedom! There's so many Adventures to do and you don't have to wait for somebody to do them with when you're on your own which is the best thing ever! There are classes to take and theaters to go to an art galleries and museums and shopping and restaurants and trips the list goes on and on and on and on! The freedom that you have to just do whatever you want whenever you want is just amazing. Being solo is the best ever ever ever ever ever
Splint a broken bone? Fortunately, I live near the ER/Hospital, so it's a 911 call or I could drive myself there if it were a wrist or foot. (Perhaps this skill is needed if you live out in the country, not near a medical facility.) I keep my phone with me at all times for safety, including while bathing. I would add to the conversation to be careful of medications that can cause dizziness. I had falls because of them but since I discontinued them I no longer fall. But I'm still very cautious, of course!
I had a handyman come over. He showed me how to patch, but I ended up making a mess of things. This is just a garage wall! I am going to watch a couple more videos and try again. I am recently divorced and lost so much of myself in that marriage. I have some custody of my teenage son. I need to show him and myself that I am capable of so many things. I am even thinking about starting a You Tube channel to earn some extra income. I have posted a few Tik Tok ones.
Hello from Texas! Enjoy your Sunday walks and the music. So relaxing. From your knee pic it appears you had a knee replacement in your past. I am 3 months post surgery for the same. Very happy with the outcome and looking forward to getting out and about again.
Here’s an idea for a video: How to figure out if the UA-cam video you are watching has the best or good info. I’ve seen people make videos of the first time they ever did something and they did no research at all. Some people do dangerous stuff with power tools. It’s amazing.
The sauce in Eggs Benedict is hollandaise. Bearnaise usually goes with meats and it has shallots, black pepper, and tarragon. It would destroy the poached eggs.
I would add having Alexa or something like it where you can shout out for help if needed. Also a set up that detects if you are not moving that will alert someone. Technology is your friend even if you are not solo :-)
Thank you for sharing your journey. I'm glad I came across your channel. I'm older and started a channel a few years ago. Your stories and videos have inspired me to continue growing and developing my content. God bless 🙏
i love it how you emphasize that it's ok to put in long and very specific run-on sentences in the search box - google has enough people-sensitivity to not mind spelling/grammar/syntax goofs (thank goodness) and will lead to someone who's got the answer.
there's no reason not to "cook" at home. With today's appliances, most of the time, you only have to be able to dump a few ingredients into a pot, push a button, and you're done.
You are so practical and I love it! Google and UA-cam often help, but if you need expertise you have to pay for, ask your friends for help, advice, or a reference for someone tried and true.
I've lived alone (as a parent) for 30 years. These things all just seem so normal to me. It doesn't occur to me that someone can't manage their finances or do basic home maintenance. Things have to be done, so you do them. 🤷♀️
Hi, I’m very new (Started Today Saturday, June 8th, 2024) to your channel. Money Mom (Dawn) suggested I try your channel out. So, here I am! Looking forward to learning new things about your channel.
Hi, greetings from the U.K. just want to say thank you for a brilliant video. As someone on the other side of seventy-five and being solo for seven years after my Mom passed, I can relate to all these skills and use them daily along with a few more. Regarding Google, I wish it had been around during my twenties I know for sure I would be richer financially, and I have saved a lot of money on repairs by searching Google and UA-cam, and boy the feelgood factor when I do repair something myself and saved myself money is great. Thank you again, and looking forward to more of your videos.
I have to admit, since living on my own UA-cam has been my best friend 😂
UA-cam always has the answer !
I’m a huge fan of UA-cam and Google. The thing about UA-cam is it they’ll show you how to use it right away whereas with Google then you have to hunt that article down.
This is the best ever advice on utube. Thank you. I am much over 18! But I thought I could live my last few years without digital literacy. No way. So, at 95 I learned a little.
Now I couldn’t live without my iPad. And I google everything I don’t know, and that’s a lot. And this iiis how I survived the pandemic, and live independently still.
Take ALL her advice
I admire your strength 🙏
Wow! You’re an inspiration to us all! Thank you for sharing!!😃👍
You rock the “life long learner” moniker! Excellent.
You're my new hero!
This is just wonderful! God bless your soul!
My late husband could fix anything. When I was a new widow, my toilet wouldn’t flush. I cried, and THEN I googled it and found pictures of a toilet that looked like mine inside and went off to Home Depot and got what I needed. Played a UA-cam video and worked along with it and fixed my toilet! There was some swearing but when it was done I felt like I had conquered the world! Onward and Upward. Thank you for your videos.
@@margaretgerth1067 good for you, I feel the same when I can do something myself
Here’s one: Be ok with being alone. Be able to entertain yourself. Be your own best friend. ❤
I came here to say this! You have to like yourself and be comfortable in your own (and no one else’s) company. If you can’t do that, you need to examine why. Learning to like yourself is a prerequisite to comfortably living alone!
Well said ❤
I like that u had the courage to start a utube Chanel at 58 years s of age ALL of my friends in my age group which is also 58 are deathly afraid of social media and do not understand it neither did I until a year ago I now have instagram face book TikTok a web site a print on demand store a pod cast and have recently started a utube Chanel why wasn’t I doing these things all along? I have started an online art store and am writing a children’s book
After fussing with trying to change windshield wipers on my car, I usually ended up getting them at my oil change place. When I needed them now, and didn’t need an oil change, I googled how to put them on the exact make and model of my car. Not only did Google tell me the correct size in inches to buy for my model of car, but after watching the video and buying them at Walmart for A little more than $20 for two, I changed them myself in under two minutes and didn’t have to buy them for $29 EACH at the oil change place. But, being proud of myself was so … priceless! Sometimes it’s just the littlest things!!
I love living alone! I have always loved living alone the most, but was brainwashed into believing that living with a partner/being married is the way life should be. Well, thankfully I got over that eventually (happily divorced now) and will never, ever, ever ever live with anyone ever again. And as my marriage and, before that living with my family, I also learned that just because one lives with a person who is over 18 yo it doesn't mean one lives with an actual adult. My life has showed me that I was the only adult in the room since I am about 8 yo (yup, you read that correctly). So no, I will never again live with anyone, ever again. I can do all the things I need to do to live alone, support myself alone and, most importantly, be very happy and fulfilled alone. And since I also live on a completely different continent than the people I am related to by blood and others call family, I have to be able to live alone. And I am more than happy to do so because my ultimate nightmare is to ever having to move back closer to the hell of blood relatives. I fought too hard to find my freedom and I will never again give that up. I don't give one flying fuck what others think about my living situation because as long as I am the only one paying my bills, only I get to have an opinion about my life.
Excellent advice. After my husband died I realized there was so much I didn't know about some basic maintenance. Had taken it all for granted because my lovely man had done it all. He paid the bills, he negotiated with contractors, he wrote computer programs, invested, repaired, decorated, built everything himself. He knew electrics, was mechanically inclined and organized. Suddenly I was challenged with living on my own. Thankfully I am computer literate and have relied on Google and UA-cam for so much. Yesterday I even learned how to reprogram my garage door opener. Thank you UA-cam. Necessity is a good teacher.
My husband did too. I lost him 6 months ago. I'm lost
I found frozen vegetables are an awesome staple because as a single person, I can defrost just what I need and there's no waste.
I totally agree; no waste and a varied selection over the week. Most evening meals are some kind of protein and a stir-fry.
Yes this is a great tip! I also make pasta sauce or gravy and freeze them in oversized icecube trays or cupcake trays and then I have single servings ready for when I want them. I do the same with meat - buy it and freeze it in portions. This way I can eat what I feel like (and don't need to eat the same thing for a whole week with meal prep!) without waste.
@@kaybee2801 Absolutely! The same can be done with some cooked food frozen in portions in case you can't cook on a certain day.
When I was 67 years old (F) I gutted my bathroom to the studs. Google was my new best friend. The bathroom turned out better than I imagined. : )
FIRST RULE OF LIVING ALONE : STOP BEING AFRAID ! If you can't do that, then move into a seniors building, make new friends, have more fun, join up for more activities. ENJOY YOUR LIFE ❗❗❗
Wow.. I need to renovate the bathroom and keep thinking to do it myself - but I never even used any tools. Did you do other works yourself before or first renovation work?
@@apip6387 - I have renovated every house I have ever owned. I watched DIY programs for decades BUT they really don't tell you the nuts and bolts things you need to know. Renovating the bathroom was a big deal for me bc I didn't know a thing about plumbing. I got VERY lucky and found a guy on UA-cam who was always doing bathroom Reno's so he was the best help I got. If you are thinking of doing it yourself then let me say do NOT, NOT, NOT, remove the toilet until most everything else is done. For some reason I just knew right off the bat don't touch it and let a handyman guy I knew come in at the end and do that for me. I researched on YT for 4 months before I did anything. The most complicated thing was replacing the plumbing drain that had been used for the bathtub, to install a pipe for the glass shower stall that required me to have to crawl under the house, something which I had to do repeatedly during the reno, in winter!. So, finally, watch some bathroom reno's on YT FIRST before you do anything and have a plan of attack. If you have more questions, feel free task. Good luck. : )
if I had the power, i'd make it mandatory that every adult should live alone for 2-3 yrs ....I'm 63 and have mostly lived alone ....I LOVE it!!! Today...I have an injury which makes walking painful and difficult and it would be nice to have someone here to bring me a couple things. Still, I'm in NYC and there is no better place for having things delivered and there is an urgent care a block behind me. I'm figuring out how to manage and still, with this injury (I'm Googling/YouTubing what to do) I absolutely prefer to live on my own.
❤
For sure that would change the way people see themselves. They would quickly see they are not the prize they thought they were.
I’ve been on my own for over 30 years. Raised a family by myself when my marriage unexpectedly ended and I was pregnant and had a toddler and an older child. I was determined to hang onto my home for my children, and I had to learn a lot of those skills you were talking about. I am now 71 and still in this home and every single day there is some chore or job to tackle and I rather enjoy it. It keeps me busy and fit and feeling accomplished.
Wow inspiring! Smiles to you.
Hi
I think the most best thing about living alone is to be tension free and worry free
Absolutely. You need to be at peace with yourself ❤
All day long!
And if you are ill?
As I have been and am-
It’s not quite so much perfect fun dears-
I hate being alone and I am stressed out 😢
Speaking of Google... Last night my central air AC wouldn't turn on. I asked google to show me how to troubleshoot the problem and voila, I found the issue in the furnace, the cover wasn't put back on correctly and the safety switch wasn't fully engaged. My house is now cool again
I love this!
I’m a 60+ woman living alone. I fixed my washing machine by googling the problem. It had filled with water, then stopped working. It was an easy fix. UA-cam search is another great resource. Often the method of fixing something is demonstrated so you just follow along. Fantastic!
I’ve been a divorcee for 39 years and this year I decided to NO longer provide financial assistance to my younger daughter because I have retired and she and her partner need to be on their own!
Loving you videos because I have been an empty nester the last five years but my younger daughter (42) still assumed she can relay on my financial assistance but I am grateful that I have cut off ALl financially assistance to all now.
Thank you because I am loving my freedom to just me to budget my own finances and assets on me and can now enjoy my retirement!!
Thank you for your videos for you beautiful life that I am learning to be!!!!❤️❤️❤️👩🏼🌾
Hi rose I’m doing the same thing for my daughter as she and her fiancé earn so much more than me. It’s just been a habit to jump up and pay the bill at a restaurant or fill the car up although she shares it sometimes. Can I ask what her reaction was when you told her you will not financially assist her ? And how you managed that conversation, where do you start?
“For the love of whatever it is you hold holy” I just love your videos. Non denominational!
I’m 59 and been on my own for 17 years and maintaining my home too. I was raised to tackle projects and if I can’t figure it out on my own, YT almost always helps me out. Jen is right about the more you fix things around the house, the more confident and empowering you become! About five years ago my car’s gear shift wouldn’t go into reverse. I looked it up on YT & found a couple who had the same problem & fixed it. I had the confidence of fixing other things & ended up taking apart my entire center console & replaced the broken part. Four hours later I was done & it was fixed! I’m still so proud of myself! Plus, I saved at least $500! You can do it!!!😃👍
SO true about becoming more confident, the more “wins” we get under our belts!
I love living alone. To me, the worst kind of "alone" is living with and/or being with people that aren't your people, including so-called "family". Do the work: Learn and live discernment; stay picky. For me, I seek, find, and retain sources of what I find inspirational, such as this channel...🕊️ I don't have enough life energy or time to spend on anything but, anymore - time is precious, waste it wisely...
🔆Thank you for sharing your life in this public way...🫂🪶🌻🏞️
I'm so grateful for youtube and google and the internet in general 🙏. It's fun, entertaining and educational at the same time.
I don’t live alone but I don’t like waiting forever to get something done when I’ve asked for help. My vacuum cleaner died Saturday…I watched a YT video, ordered the part, it arrived yesterday, viola good as new 🤓
Pet care. Know about your pet needs. I have a German Shepherd and she knows hand signals and German word commands. I live in US. I trained her in German. People don’t usually understand what I’m saying. That was my point. But she does.
If she eats grass, it’s a signal to me that she ate something that didn’t agree with her. It could have been a new training treat, a new dog food, or something. She is a dog. She has logic and is highly intelligent. It’s fun and amazing how she can logically figure things out.
Animals eat bugs, things from backyard, curious things on park walks. And grasses.
Food is one issue. Getting hurt is another. Knowing how to bandage a paw can get you there safely to a veterinary clinic.
So far this dog hasn’t been hurt. She challenges me daily. Tells me she hears something and comes to inform me. ‘Come look!’ her expression tells with her alert stance and slightly wagging tail. So yes, we communicate. I go look. I have had dogs since age 8. Mostly these large breed working dogs. These I call ‘animal children’. I am now age 75.
Don’t bathe a dog weekly. I bathe her 1-3 times a year. Brushing daily is best. It relaxes my dog, helps with emotional bonding to the animal, and removes excess hair during shedding season.
Have had beautiful horses in the past. But don’t own any now. Don’t ride often now.
I named this rescue dog Journey. Because she has me on her life journey and she is on mine. We are loyal to each other.
Great video! Stalwart
GSD is my go to breed! Raised one and rescued one. Miss those girls! I sit for my rescue grand dog these days! 👍🏻❤️👵🐕🦺
@@patrobinson6478 yes! Great breed! You understand. They are so intelligent it is scary.
This was a rescue. First week we had her in 2021 May, we were on patio. Concrete was hot! She goes to bathroom, gets the rug, brings it out to lay on!
Oh ho! Who do we have here that has logic?? So now 3 years later, she has trained me! I know what her needs are, how she communicates.
She adores my husband! He has spoiled her.
I’m the disciplinary trainer. She minds me. Feed her.
We all love our ‘animal kids’.
I know you miss your dogs. They need us. We need them.
A knew someone that trained their dog in German also. Great idea!
I am forever misplacing my cell. I got so frustrated the other day I just said "Alexa call my phone!!" She did and heard my phone ringing downstairs! Went back up and heard my VM recording. Told Alexa to hang up and she did. Best thing ever!
My son bought me an iHome and I love it. I’ll have to try the cell phone thing and see if it works. It helps me with the recipes, weather, distances for travel, all sorts of things. 😊
I would never have thought about that. I’ve never bought an Alexa thinking that I never needed it. I do have a landline though, and I can call my cell from my landline.
You always make me feel better with your positive attitude and happy demeanor. I still have a lot to learn. Love your videos. 🥰🥰
Long time single here… love your channel!
I get asked how I know to do so many things… my response is “I have too😂 it’s just me” but honestly I like knowing how to do stuff
When I was in college, about 40 years ago, a very wise instructor would tell use "you don't have to remember everything, just know where to look it up." I grew up in a DIY household (it wasn't called that back then), so my first instinct is to fix it myself. I also know when to draw the line and call a professional. This past weekend I realized the outlets in my laundry room were not working. Since there were 2 outlets not working, I knew it was more than I could take care of. The electrician had to replace the breaker for that room. But I had narrowed down what was and was not working before he got there.
Home security is essential when living alone.
I You Tube it! I love step by step visuals! Works everytime! Same goes for recipes! You Tube has been my savior and friend!
I so agree! Being comfortable with your own company. Enjoying yourself. And being comfortable with the quiet and just the sound of your own voice and your own thoughts.
Have a safety plan. For example, I lock my front door when I’m in the backyard. I learned several of these other skills as a child helping my mom around the house and working on my parents rental properties. Thank you Jen for these tips.😢
I asked my son, through tears of guilt one day, if he felt cheated not having a father. His answer was, "Why would I? There's nothing he could teach me that I haven't already looked up on UA-cam."
I deep cleaned the cat litter box yesterday. I use the scoopable litter so I emptied the cat litter box, did the deep clean, and put in all new litter. I 100% agree on paying yourself first regardless of your situation. Things happen. I believe in using part of what you set aside to build an emergency fund. This month I will be paying myself first but because of 2 home projects I'm spending more than I'm bringing in. One of these projects was planned and the money has been set aside in a sinking fund to pay for it. So each month over the last couple of years I added some money to that fund to cover that planned project. Also I've been adding to my emergency fund each month for many years and that will be used to pay for the unplanned urgent project that was discovered a couple of days ago.
Hi Jen... very good advice. Also UA-cam has the answer if Google doesn't. I replaced the fascia on my old gas cooker all by myself with help from UA-cam. Took the cooker apart and put it back together again. I was so proud of myself... 🙂
Proud of you!
I work in a parts warehouse and bring up videos for people to show them their answers can be found on UA-cam. That is how I fixed my own washer.
My no.1 is also google or if I need to see it I rely on youtube, but only for smaller problems 😊. For some other things that needs to be fixed, I need to call for help/pay.
Small maintenance things with regards to your vehicle (i.e. checking tire pressure, checking oil and other fluids, changing a tire, etc.). Some people don't even know how to wash their vehicle or how to take it through a car wash. That's important, too.
Love you blogs. I have lived on my own all my life, I had to learn self reliance as a child. I would add to your list - treasure your friendships and keep them in good repair.
Thank you for your advice. I live with my husband and we use Google and UA-cam when we need information to fix something that we can repair by ourselves and that has saved us a few hundred dollars.
One of my favorite things to do is fry up some meat, sauteed with veggies and then I add rice and Salsa. I will also add stewed tomatoes if I have them on hand.
6 years and it is still scary for me. I love my home, I don't have to worry about anyone telling me what to do, or how to spend my money, but it is lonely. I am adjusting, and I don't want to marry ever again, but there are days that I doubt myself. You are amazing and give us hope.
Using music, podcasts, and audibles can be helpful. Reach out to others - even if it’s on the phone. You have to have face to face contact with others, too. Good luck.
Do you have pets? They really help with loneliness.
@@Keep-on-ok no pets, not yet.
@@bernadettehuff2984 Here is my experience, My husband and I decided to move to Arizona from Washington State. He was working in Washington and I had a new job in Arizona. We had a home in WA that we were trying to sell. It required a new floor and siding plus lots of other fixing up. Anyway, it took 4 years to accomplish because my husband did all the work himself and had a full time job. I was lonely so I asked him to bring me the dog on his next trip down to Arizona. That dog made all the difference in the world! Now we are happily living our best life. Best of luck to you!
Meet-up groups , book groups, walking groups and foster-caring a senior animal. No long term commitment, it will change your whole attitude and outlook on life fostering an animal that needs love and security. You meet many like-minded people doing this and the benefits are so positive to you and the pet
Good advice 👍 I'd like to add, don't answer your door when it's unannounced and keep your doors and windows locked
Meals, while i live with my adult daughter, her dietary needs are different than mine. I some times use frozen meals but i pump up the volume. Add steamed veggies or pasta
Jen, your videos are getting better and better!
I sing and dance a lot at home! Ok, I sound like a wailing banshee and look like a cat with two broken legs but I make myself smile. I find the silly helps to balance out the sensible.
Best thing I did for myself when I retired. All my monthly always bills are set up to auto pay and I my credit union sends txt any time they pay anything over fifty dollars. I have relieved all time worries and worries of someone using my account without my knowledge. Time is different for me since I retired so this has kept me organized and relieved most all stress in keeping track.
Yes I love encouraging us to do it ourselves. As a woman I have always wanted to learn to do it myself partner or not! Thanks for this clear advice
I don’t hate finance management. I love it. Even though I’m married, I take care of all the financial decisions. My husband doesn’t want to mess with it. I have been retired now since 2013. I do all of the stock management. When my daughter was born, I took a CPR class. We lived 5 miles out of town.
how did you know I messed up my led lightstrip? LOL ... gonna stop worrying and start researching how to fix it, starting with your video. I find you very reassuring and calm, thank you.
Thank you for this!
I love to watch your videos and the positivity that comes with them. 🙂
I want to add, learn (if you’re a home owner) how to operate the sweet and different machines you know but maybe never touched, like me. The lawn mower or snow blower, the weed eater, drills and power tools and bits and pieces. It will give you so much confidence being able to use them. And boy….they can be fun!
Have a lovely day!
Much love from Nova Scotia ❤😊
Good advice! Google and UA-cam are my go to friends. I can’t tell you how many times UA-cam has saved my bacon. 🤪
I love your videos. There are so many women out there who either didn't marry and have children or whose husbands are deceased. I've been watching a lot of videos about "the orphaned elderly". That has very sad connotations. Instead I like to think of the privilege and freedom of living alone. Cheers from Northern Canada.
Become comfortable with saying "no"........and not feeling like you have to explain or apologise for it.
This is Great! Jen I'm going to share these principles with my son, before he leaves home at 18! He will live alone and he will need these skills.
How to properly do laundry. I know so many who have no idea how to sort and do laundry correctly. Single, divorced, or widowed, it's a must skill along with those that you mentioned.
Thank you 🥰 You inspire me so much. Thank for encouragement to cook a meal for myself and clean. It has been overwhelming sometimes.
I am a nurse and older, semi retired. I too live alone in my own home. Your advice is spot on. Thank you
Google and UA-cam are my bffs! I fixed my electric recliner. Ordered replacement part from Amazon and it all worked! Yay! Almost 75 years young, solo 30 plus years and definitely silver! Love your channel! 👍🏻❤️
Enjoy the time alone! It's great!
I have lived alone for many years and "google" has served me well along with now AI. Keep going!!!
Excellent skill suggestions! All very important to think about.
For the first one, save time and go directly to UA-cam. Often the printed instructions with things that need to be assembled are sorely lacking in steps or don't even resemble the actual item because the instructions are for several models. There's almost always a video of someone putting the thing together which has been a godsend. There are instructional videos of how to do almost everything. However, it's important to get a feel for if the person is actually giving good advice or you might wind up doing something that will cause damage that you'll have to call a professional out to fix. It's good to read the comments under the video because commenters will often point out bad advice. Under maintenance, I would say to make sure you have batteries for smoke alarms and stand alone battery chargers in case of power outages.
I agree. Google has been my #1 for work related things. But since retiring, Google is a backup to UA-cam. There’s nothing like seeing how something is done over reading about it. It’s great that we now have both of these tools.
Quite a lot of times Google has been able to show me how to fix stuff so easily. I love cooking lots of extras and building off of that for a week's worth of meals.
I just loved how you asked google about your LED fracture! Talking to google like a friend can lead to great results. When it doesn’t lead to crap info! 😂 But being able to discern the good v bad advice does come with time. If we’re truly investing our attention. Bravo!
My whole career was in the IT area. I started with an education in computer science. My first job was as a computer programmer for the WA State Patrol. From there I moved to a Systems Analyst, Project Manager then Program Manager. Missed you on Sunday.
Returning this week!
❤Thank you for sharing,because I am learning from you😊
Always helpful
The nice thing about googling your problems is how you find you're not alone in your ignorance..so many others gave asked the same questions. Plus if one explanation doesn't help you can try a few others !
Good advice, Jen! When you didn't post on Sunday, I got a little worried. Hope it was just life being itself. Maybe one skill could be building a community of folks who will notice if you break from your routine.
Yes, just out of town visiting family and hurt my knee so walking was slow, decided to take a break....back this Sunday!
@@silverandsoloTake care of that knee! My right knee was giving me pain until I started taking supplements for joint health. It took about 6 weeks but now I’m pain free. Taking glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM and turmeric. In addition, I add collagen to my coffee each morning. You take care!
You know there is a UA-cam video for every situation.
I'm from the Philippines. I'm in my late 40's. I like your vlogs! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
I would also add that you should allow yourself to go out and have tons of fun and enjoy your freedom! There's so many Adventures to do and you don't have to wait for somebody to do them with when you're on your own which is the best thing ever! There are classes to take and theaters to go to an art galleries and museums and shopping and restaurants and trips the list goes on and on and on and on! The freedom that you have to just do whatever you want whenever you want is just amazing. Being solo is the best ever ever ever ever ever
Splint a broken bone? Fortunately, I live near the ER/Hospital, so it's a 911 call or I could drive myself there if it were a wrist or foot. (Perhaps this skill is needed if you live out in the country, not near a medical facility.) I keep my phone with me at all times for safety, including while bathing. I would add to the conversation to be careful of medications that can cause dizziness. I had falls because of them but since I discontinued them I no longer fall. But I'm still very cautious, of course!
I keep my phone with me at all times. Can’t see paying for a emergency pendant
@@edgrossman8929 Exactly!😄
Thank you Jen! I’m so thankful to have found your channel and recommend to others when I can! Keep up the great videos!
Great --- TU! And with a "How" ask the "Why" --- followed by, "What does the _how to why_ lead to for SoloAging Confidently?" Onwaord!!!
All 6 points are on point! Thank you for these excellent reminders.
"See it? You don't see it, do you? No, there was a hole there. I patched it. You can't even tell." I love that.
I had a handyman come over. He showed me how to patch, but I ended up making a mess of things. This is just a garage wall! I am going to watch a couple more videos and try again. I am recently divorced and lost so much of myself in that marriage. I have some custody of my teenage son. I need to show him and myself that I am capable of so many things. I am even thinking about starting a You Tube channel to earn some extra income. I have posted a few Tik Tok ones.
If you take any medications have a list pinned to your fridge for easy access in case of emergency
Hello from Texas! Enjoy your Sunday walks and the music. So relaxing. From your knee pic it appears you had a knee replacement in your past. I am 3 months post surgery for the same. Very happy with the outcome and looking forward to getting out and about again.
Here’s an idea for a video: How to figure out if the UA-cam video you are watching has the best or good info. I’ve seen people make videos of the first time they ever did something and they did no research at all. Some people do dangerous stuff with power tools. It’s amazing.
That's why I always turn down requests from everyone to make a video on "How to"....
Very informative. Hearing a smoke detector and plan for you and pet.
The sauce in Eggs Benedict is hollandaise. Bearnaise usually goes with meats and it has shallots, black pepper, and tarragon. It would destroy the poached eggs.
I stand corrected!
I would add having Alexa or something like it where you can shout out for help if needed. Also a set up that detects if you are not moving that will alert someone. Technology is your friend even if you are not solo :-)
Great video. Basic car stuff-how to check tire pressure, check oil, pump gas.
So glad I found you! You are so awesome ! You are my new BFF❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for sharing your journey. I'm glad I came across your channel. I'm older and started a channel a few years ago. Your stories and videos have inspired me to continue growing and developing my content. God bless 🙏
You are so welcome!
I’ve been living on my own for 18 years (and off and on before that) but I still have a bunch I can profitably learn. Google and UA-cam really help!
i love it how you emphasize that it's ok to put in long and very specific run-on sentences in the search box - google has enough people-sensitivity to not mind spelling/grammar/syntax goofs (thank goodness) and will lead to someone who's got the answer.
there's no reason not to "cook" at home. With today's appliances, most of the time, you only have to be able to dump a few ingredients into a pot, push a button, and you're done.
I am so glad I found you, I am an older creator too. I am just starting. I’m learning to write scripts using chat gpt. I’m going watch all your vids!
You are so practical and I love it! Google and UA-cam often help, but if you need expertise you have to pay for, ask your friends for help, advice, or a reference for someone tried and true.
I've lived alone (as a parent) for 30 years. These things all just seem so normal to me. It doesn't occur to me that someone can't manage their finances or do basic home maintenance. Things have to be done, so you do them. 🤷♀️
I had to learn to light my water heater pilot light. I played the YT video over and over and over again lol
Lots of hobbies to entertain yourself
I’m enjoying your videos
I admire you. Since watching your videos I decided to start my channel, still learning and hope one day it will blossoms,I may chat you for advice 😍
Best of luck!
Hi, I’m very new (Started Today Saturday, June 8th, 2024) to your channel. Money Mom (Dawn) suggested I try your channel out. So, here I am! Looking forward to learning new things about your channel.
UA-cam is my main resource .
You're so awesome
My first time watching your videos. You've inspired me to pursue doing my own videos! Thank you.
That is awesome!
more great words of wisdom Jenn - 👍
Hi, greetings from the U.K. just want to say thank you for a brilliant video. As someone on the other side of seventy-five and being solo for seven years after my Mom passed, I can relate to all these skills and use them daily along with a few more. Regarding Google, I wish it had been around during my twenties I know for sure I would be richer financially, and I have saved a lot of money on repairs by searching Google and UA-cam, and boy the feelgood factor when I do repair something myself and saved myself money is great. Thank you again, and looking forward to more of your videos.
Get an airfyer! I am a gourmet cook, but if you are in hurray and if you want to eat healthy the air fryer is great 😊