5 Easy Frugal Tweaks that are getting us through 2024
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- čas přidán 16. 03. 2024
- Need some help in 2024? I've got your back with these five frugal hacks to help you through the year.
Frugal Queen in France
We are a British couple living in Brittany on a budget.
Frugal recipes, days out, home renovations and day to day making do in France.
We’ll give you hints, tips, advice and an insight into our life in France.
Website www.frugalqueeninfrance.com/
Instagram / frugalqueen. .
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Editing : iMovie on a Mac mini
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Our neighbors are remodeling their entire home and yard. He came over and asked if we wanted their metal trellises. We just needed to carry it to our yard. I have been looking and looking for used one. I almost bought some . they were $40 each. But these were FREEEEE ! I plan on growing grapes and using the trellises for them :) thrilled !
Boom!
😮 CT@@FrugalQueeninFrance
My husband and I did some agency work at Dorset Cereals, and at House of Dorchester, a chocolate factory. At Dorset Cereals, they first made their own brand, then on the same line with the same ingredients made Waitrose muesli and then Lidl muesli. At the chocolate factory the same chocolates went into Tesco Finest, Sainsbury boxes and Fortnum and Mason amongst other retailers. Same contents, different prices.
Sounds right
My favorite treat was a pain au chocolat at a very pricey coffee shop. Turns out I can buy puff pastry, put in a little Nutella, roll it up and pop it in my toaster oven. It’s sooooooo good! My kids think it’s very fancy when I add strawberries or cut it into cookie shapes. ❤
Sounds great!
Another really good tip about pausing when shopping online is to log into Facebook - I was looking at buying a print as an Xmas present and when I logged into Facebook, the company targeted me with a buy one get one free offer! On a framed art print! Now it’s obviously scary the way the algorithm ‘knows’ but that’s another topic entirely!
Great tip!
I took a lot of landscaping rock out of borders. A road was diverted in front of house. So I put free sign on them so I didn't have to haul to dump. Ended up being one of my favorite neighbors. I gave her some cute flower planters too that were similar to her garden style. She has shared produce with me over years. I buy honey and irises from her. Great neighbor.
Love that!
I used to buy Dior eyebrow pencil. I believe it costs around 30€ these days. Now I buy a pencil from a drugstore brand called Catrice that is 3€. Looks just as good.
Now that's a saving!
I love Catrice! Some of these cheap brands are horrible but Catrice is very low cost and still their products are nice quality
I get all my make up for almost free from drug stores and my household and personal items.
I am stocked up.
Creme de la mer is $380 for 2 oz, it's dupe (same list of ingredients) is Nivea at $1.79 for 1 oz. I actually bought creme de la mer once, it was nice but not a miracle cream and I am quite happy with Nivea :)
The actual dupe of that with the same ingredients is Avene's cicalfate+
Joanna Lumley has only ever used Nivea all her life and she looks great
Your own homemade stinging nettle salve is not only excellent pain relief, it is also called, natures Botox. I slap it around my lined lips and where crows feet might take hold one day.
The multiple Google searches is a wonderful idea, and the idea of giving away items & asking for something small: wine, chocolates makes the person feel like they paid something & you got a double benefit: item gone & a re-giftable item!
Love ❤️ Nivea
A few days ago one of our grandsons asked why we don't shop for clothes any longer. We are past retirement age and have plenty of clothes. We wear them until they're worn out. We have a few outfits that are suitable for church, doctor's appointments, visiting, etc. Older clothes that are no longer fit for church, etc.then become work clothes. For instance, yesterday, I re-worked one of my husband's old oxford cloth dress shirts. He'd already been using it for a work shirt, but was frustrated with it because the collar wouldn't lie flat. I removed the collar and stitched the seam closed. Now he can probably get another 2-3 years use out of it. Tree branches had torn a small hole in one sleeve, so I patched that, too. All by hand because my sewing machine needs to be serviced. When the shirt is worn out, I'll probably cut the back off to make some napkins.....Carla H.
Very sensible
Your post reminds me of how I was raised. 14:51 We sewed, and darned because there was no money for new stuff. I think we are returning to the old ways and that's a good thing zi yhink.
Love your beautiful hair, it suits you ‘down’ . Felt the need to tell you as you share so much with us. Xx
Oh thank you!
Looking very pretty ❤❤
I used to wear only Elizabeth Arden foundation! I stopped wearing it when it got over $30. I now use Cover Girl advanced radiance which I can get for about $9.
I've gotten some really nice freebies over the years from friends who were redecorating and wanted to get rid of some things without the bother of selling. For instance, our Nextdoor neighbor gave us a pair of perfectly good Ikea recliners that had been in their bedroom. They weren't a very pretty color (kind of mustardy beige), but they had never really been sat in. I put one in my sewing room with a slip cover and the other in our bedroom. Also twice a year here the city does a bulky item pick up. People put their unwanted items on the curb during the pick-up window. A lot of things are broken, but quite a few are just fine. We once got a broken wheelbarrow and used it to repair our own broken wheelbarrow. 😂
I love that
We discovered at our home improvement store if an item's price ends in .03 on the clearance shelf that is its lowest reduced price.(3rd reduction). If it is not sold by that price after a few weeks and they do not take it off the shelf, it can ring up as 1 cent! That has happened only once to us but knowing how a store codes clearance items can get you a great reduction on items.
That's brilliant
in the days before Marketplace, Ebay was our go to - Id won a Lloyd Loom ottoman & we travelled 40 miles to collect it. Got chatting, as you do ;-), & they were selling off their late Mothers items, opened the garage & the matching Lloyd Loom chair & chest were there waiting to be cleaned up before listing, had the 3 items for £40 - absolute steal 🙂
I love it when that happens
I love Starbucks but there isn't any Starbucks in my town - and honestly I am to frugal to buy it. I can buy a dividend paying stock for the price of one Starbucks latte with syrop.
And you're sending a message to Starbucks. Their leadership has been sued because of the retaliation they have done to employees who want to unionize. I never buy anything from Starbucks anymore.
Thank you Jane Mike and Puppies. Have a good day.
Thanks for watching
I have always found while shopping online, that coupons show up a day or two after I have looked online for an item. Makes me happy!
Spot on! I always look for voucher codes to save money
Such wonderful ideas!
Thank you! 😊
I just stopped buying anything except for my business, and then I'm really watching my bottom line. Found a really good sell on some meats and veggies last week, bought enough for the freezer. Will go back to the 20.00 a week grocery budget now, as much as I hate it. Thanks for the video.
Thanks Cathy
Thank you for the video, Jane! You are so resourceful. 😊
What a great point that time can be worth more than the money savings.
Thanks for the wonderful ideas
You are so welcome!
Lovely video! A lot of great ideas!! Thank you!! 🌷
You are so welcome!
Thanks Jane and Mike for another great video.
Our pleasure!
Such good ideas, Jane!! They're terrific!! ☺️❤
You're very welcome
Excellent video as always!
Thanks again!
Lovely as always thank you.
Thank you too!
Oooohh … love the idea of getting small gift for giveaways. Smart!
I like very much the perpetual gifting idea.
Your doggy is adorable
Thanks
These are great ideas. I especially like the perpetual budget idea. I can make it a game. Thanks for all your content.
Glad you like them!
Excellent Jane
Thanks so much
Great video and ideas thank you
You are so welcome!
Brilliant video, thanks. Learned a couple of new tips that I will definitely use.
Great to hear!
I bought a ( looked like new) pair of flats appropriate for church, all except really dressy wear at Goodwill yesterday for $6. Best thing I’ve bought there and price wise too, in a long while. Yay, save $40-$50
All great ideas. Thank you.
You are so welcome!
Thank you. i really enjoy watching your videos, always down to earth common sense advice. 😁
So nice of you
Our local home improvement store usually has cans of paint marked down drastically. They are ones that the customer didn’t like once it was mixed so they didn’t buy it. We have two hall closets that needed to be painted, it didn’t really matter what color they would be so we headed to the discounted paint first.
You always encourage me with your great ideals
I'm so glad!
Thanks Jane. Great advice. Will try the online pause, and search. Didn’t know about that. Thanks to you both. ❤️
You are so welcome!
Some great ideas, thanks I enjoy the vidio.
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the pause & wait idea!! I’ll certainly be using that idea next time I purchase something online!! Thanks for all your wisdom 😘🥰
You're welcome
Your hair down is really stunning ❤
I learned five really good ideas today! Thank you Jane and Michael for sharing with us. Lots of love to your beautiful Mary and Dolly, too! ❤❤❤
You're welcome
Good morning Jane I'm enjoying a cup of coffee ☕️. People sunny day in seattle. Enjoyed your video Jane. Your ideas are awesome.
Thanks for your feedback
Thumbs up everyone!! Jane, your nails look so pretty!!
Thanks
Great tips Jane. I’d like to use the perpetual budget. I’ve never thought of it like that.
Glad it was helpful!
Great idea with the asking for a little gift of chocolates etc for giving for free! Makes the receiver feel better!
Yes it does!
Oh my goodness this truly hits home for us. We are rotating out so many of our solar system items from what we used with our flooded lead acid batteries. The funds from that will go towards covering the expense of going to Lithium Iron Phosphate. A no maintenance battery system. As we get older, we realize that all of the tending to flooded batteries is not something we enjoy in the winter months, and we have to try to avoid getting any acid on you.
Cute couple❤
Great Video ❤❤❤
Glad you enjoyed it
Good ideas.
In Australia 🇦🇺 we use the swap-a-roo, if you don’t need it possibly I do 😊
Thank you Jane and Mike for another great video 👍
Great idea!
Thank you for tips. Your content is so worthwhile, I always let a few ads play lol. I’m glad I just checked because CZcams had unsubscribed me, again.
Thanks so much for your support
It’s a great idea, Jane, to trade something you give for a tiny food gift. This inicite the people who receive the thing freely not to see shame of it, since it is not alms but an exchange. Thank you for sharing!
So true!
Love the idea of a perpetual budget, I definitely do this with books! I also give and receive books for free in our local community via a small free book stall in a neighbours front garden.
Wonderful!
I thought of you this morning Jane as I prepped dinner for tonight in the slow cooker - I'm making Cottage Pie & bulked out the mince I cooked with 2 cans of lentils & a can of mushrooms. I now have a really generous serving for dinner which will provide us leftover's, as well as a serving to pop in my freezer for another day!
Yay! 😀
Some great tips there Jane. 😃 The buying and selling idea definitely makes money last. Thanks to you both for sharing this. 🤗🥰
You are so welcome!
Long before prices went through the roof, I used to buy a big bag of potato chips or tortilla chips, cookies, etc. and maybe order a pizza to be delivered on long weekends in the spring and summer. As prices rose, I started to question paying more for these things that offered very little nutrition to speak of. I looked for options. Now for long weekends or special occasions, I opt for sandwiches I like and I make my own pizza. I even invested in cookie cutters and crumpet rings. In the summer buying a jug of fruit juice can be much more economical than buying colas and other soft drinks, too. I still feel like I've had a treat when I make any of these things, but I didn't spend nearly as much as I would have buying them ready-made and packaged. I can't say that I miss the potato chips, etc. at all now. 🙂
We do that too. We call it a fakeaway . I make curry or pizza
@@FrugalQueeninFrance 😼👍
I'm going to call my pizzas " takeaway " now also. Thank you.
@@gerardkelly6316 In Canada we call "takeaway" orders "take out" orders, so I guess I can call my pizza a "fake out". 🙂
All great tips. Thanks for sharing! Love the term "fakeaway"!!! Also want to thank all who comment on your videos. I often learn many valuable ideas from them! ❤ from Nova Scotia, Canada 🇨🇦.
I have done this for years. Selling or giving away items that I/we no longer needed/ wanted or grew out of. Saved the Money and bought a washer and dryer with it. I like your idea about asking if they have anything else to sell. Give free here would not be a problem…. Thanks for some more food for thought.
Thanks
Lost our greenhouse in the storm in January a friend offered us one for free as she doesn't use it , all we have to do is help take it down another friend will pick it up and deliver to our allotment . She also has a large rain barrel and possible some tools as well .
That's lovely
Thank you for your tips. I live in Spain and have just done my supermarket shop and I thought of your advice. I bought 2 generic brands of products I usually buy branded, bought loose potatoes instead of a sack as cheaper and only bought the items on my list. I really appreciate you helping me and my family to save. Also, as soon as we get paid, we're going to start an emergency fund, as we don't have one and you've opened my eyes to how essential this is.
That's wonderful, you're doing great. 👍
❤❤❤
Our previous trash service kept raising their monthly fees. So I called around to a few different companies and signed up for one that was around $12 per month cheaper. It doesn't hurt to shop around for cheaper home services.
Good news
Good ideas here.
We keep an envelope of money from the thing we sell for things we might need to buy. We do so much secondhand shopping that I really feel the sticker shock of items priced at retail.
Sometimes I’ll buy a group of items secondhand so that we can use one item and then sell the rest to make up for the initial cost. This week that worked out for us. I bought two rugs very unexpensively for a set price, we put one to use and the other I cleaned with a pressure washer, then sold for a nice profit. This will be helpful as we seek to improve our outdoor spaces and garden.
We keep an envelope of the perpetual budget too
👍👍👍
Make capsule wardrobe , saves on money & space & choicestress . Starting a capsule pantry.
I shop at Aldi frequently so lots of dupes! My best dupe: I used to use the gel version of Clinique’s yellow moisturizer. Then I went looking and found a lovely Garnier gel moisturizer. The Clinique gel is currently $33. I pay $8 for the Garnier version.
I love it!😍
I learned that putting a container of rocks in the toilet tank makes you use less water. Not flushing when you do no. 1 also uses less water (you have to have the blue stuff in the bowl though to keep things fresh). Being strict with the thermostat... so, 67 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 63 degrees in the night time has significantly lowered our bill. I am still trying very hard to stick to my grocery budget and am getting better at that. I keep a budget book that I am getting so good at using and this is thanks to you... I am eternally grateful, Jane. It's fun and I love writing in it!
Great tip
Sorry, Jane, but I got a kick out of watching you think out loud… The hand gesture, vocalizing wavy metal, then the lightbulb moment, corrugated roofing. It was amusing to watch - in a cute way. 😉
Thanks
A funny story about store brands, particularly Aldi. We have always shopped at Aldi. In our area, Aldi is usually the least expensive option for any item they carry. My children liked the Aldi brand of most items better than the national brands. We never bought much pre-prepared foods because it wasn't in our budget, but Aldi pretzels and Aldi toasted oats cereal were preferred by our children over the national brands they sometimes had at their friends' houses.
Thank you for all the good tips. We all need to stay on top of frugal strategies to manage the ever-increasing prices.
Thanks so much
Just discovered you today and so happy!
Wonder if you could help me with an issue. I have a very large tapestry thats been hanging up for a while. It needs to be cleaned but the cost would be way more than I can afford. Do you have a suggestion on another less expensive way to clean it. Thanks.
Do you have a patio? Lay it on the patio on a sunny day, soak it with a hose pipe or bucket of water. Apply some gentle liquid soap and rinse. Lèave in the sun to dry
@@FrugalQueeninFrance thank you very much. I will do that.
The internet shop-pause! I discovered that accidentally last year, and use it religiously. That’s a great tip to share. Also, remember, companies may charge you more for the same item based on your demographic info than they charge someone who they think has a lower income. That ugly trick has followed us into “retirement.” Check prices with a relative or neighbor, if it might be a big enough difference to matter to you.
Thanks
When you "google" things, do you do it in French or in English? Thank you for all the tips!
You can use any language
Im wondering if asking chat gpt where to get the best price on particular products has been successful for anyone?