I've been a stay-at-home mom for the last 15+ years. When finances get tight, I sometimes feel like I'm not contributing to the finances and start thinking about what I can do to help. But the truth is - by being dedicated to staying home I AM contributing to our finances. It isn't EXTRA money but it saves us money.
I’m pinning this to the top because it is so on point! It’s easy to feel like we aren’t doing our part…but in all reality we are able to save the family finances in so many ways. Thank you for saying this!!! ❤️❤️
I'm 59 and have 4 children. I have worked all my life. Biggest regret... not being at home to teach my children all the skills they need for life. Being at home and living wisely is a very important job.. do not underestimate this. Well done.
@@mysustainabilityjourney9321 Yep, I homeschooled and you can not replace that time spent with them. You did what you had to, do not regret it. You can now share your lessons learned with them. You can now make up for it by taking care of the grandkids and giving them some financial relief and time together as a couple which will help the family unit. There is still plenty of time left in your life. You are blessed.
I stayed home but when my husband came home at night I worked from 6pm to midnight and on weekends it wasn't easy on us but what we had to do to do the things we wanted to do. If I had a baby today I probably wouldn't but see what you can do. Watching another child or maybe doing something a couple nights a week, or watching another families animals when they go on vacation, taking care of an elderly person a couple hours a day, instacart on weekend that isn't busy, selling items online. I left my job eventually because it was toxic after 17 years and now work 3 hours a day doing something I enjoy, I sell stuff online I've done instacart which had added. We cut out a bunch of subscriptions. We refinanced the house and paid off a good portion of our credit cards we are making better financial decisions and can get by that way.
A savings of $538.11 is WONDERFUL ! GOOD JOB ! Spending $274 on animal feed is not bad at all. They provide you with quality food, teach your children lessons such as empathy, and hard work so they are worth the price.
April was a tough month for us, too. The best thing I can say about it is that it’s over! We also had a tax bill, we never get much back but I’m always hopeful. No such luck. I was put on furlough from the resort where I work, so no paychecks for me for two months. Then my sweet little Scottie got sick, she had acute kidney failure. We lost her, after big vet bills, which I still cry about now and then. I would have done anything, paid anything, to save her. Then four days later our kitty was hit by a car. PRAISE GOD he is going to be okay, but another vet bill. Our 20 year old son broke his wrist and as a result lost his job, and he needed help with his bills. Two of our tenants have only paid part of their rent, 2 out of 5 aren’t the best odds! Still. No one went hungry here, bills are paid, life goes on. Our kitty is going to be okay. Our son will heal, I’ll return to work, the sky did not fall. I respect and appreciate your candor and honesty, some people will never admit to their bumps in the road and it makes the rest of us feel like we’ve failed in some way! Sending you love, prayers and thanks. This too shall pass!❤
Wow. You have had it hard! Hope your son heals very quickly. Sorry about your dog. We lost our baby goat in April and it was so sad. Animals are just easy to get VERY close to. Hope things get better soon! ❤️
A milk cow/goat gives more than any homestead animal, she will touch every aspect of your home, garden, children, pets, livestock. Powerful health benefits. Glad you are working to retain her, she looks like a keeper
I work a second job to make ends meet and since then every year I owe on taxes, no matter the deductions. I felt this. Hang in there. He shall supply us with all that we need according to His glorious riches 🙌🙌🙌
Thank you for being so vulnerable. I'll be honest. When I saw the title and opening pic, I almost didn't watch it. The fact that you were so forthcoming about your troubles was...well moving. It was encouraging to me to hear you talk about things and to hear that we are not alone in the struggles of life. The Bible says, "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." Galations 6:2. Thank you for your honest suggestions and for sharing .
I completely understand your reaction. I try to be honest with my thumbnails and not be a click bait type of channel. I am glad you found it helpful and I appreciate the Bible verse. That is a very good one. The Lord knows exactly what we need!
The farm stand idea is great! We need to save a huge chunk of money fast and one of the places I'm cutting is our grocery budget. One month I cut out over $500 by eliminating snacks, quick food, etc. It adds up incredibly fast, especially with teenagers in the house. It's not their fault because they don't ask for the junk, but I was buying it because I remember being that age. However, we get along better if I make snacks from scratch. And it tastes better.....Carla H.
The food stand sounds good. You have some built in help with your teenagers. My grandmother sold, butter, eggs and milk to earn money on the family farm. Also, she sold extra vegetables they didn't need after freezing and canning for the rest of the year. Their main crop was peaches that my aunt, uncles and grandpa managed. Good luck. 💙
You are a sweet person and your family is very wholesome. It's a joy to watch you moving around your household and working like the Proverbs 31 woman. I know about financial difficulties, experienced some hard times. Right now I'm having plumbing troubles at my house. Some pipes are leaking, sump pump getting stuck, toilet has cracked, garbage disposal malfunctioning. Our local plumber will want lots of money for his work and I'm dreading this. I've noticed that stress makes me go to Aldi and buy lots of chocolates and cookies as comfort food. Then I regret the waste of money and promise to never again, but it's a closed circle.
Oh no!!! Plumbing is very expensive to get fixed. I’m glad when Chris can figure stuff out here because all I know to do is use the plunger 😂😂😂 You’re very kind to be encouraging. I’m certainly not anywhere close to where I want to be but I am working on getting to be the best version of myself. It takes time for me for sure.
South east girl here too. Our tax refund didn't even cover our property taxes this year, which we normally always pay (with some left over) with the refund. It's getting so hard to make it these days. Paid it yesterday and I had to shop for groceries today using our change bucket this week. You are not alone. 😒🤥 Also driving a piece of trash car that we can't afford to get fixed. Praying it doesn't seize up. I did get some good deals on local fresh veggies today that will plump up our meals this week so at least we are going to eat healthy. Thank goodness my plum trees are loaded this year, and I'm looking forward to making some money from them. I sell to several local restaurants and bakeries each year I have a good harvest, and trade my plum jams, jellies and chutneys with local friends for other grocery items I need, especially eggs! You should consider trading your egg gluts with folks like me to cut out the middle man, get better quality food for your family and save money on those grocery bills! Hard work but totally worth it!
Sorry for the troubles with your family, too. That is a great way to use your resources! I have one peach tree (a single pollinator) and it is FULL of peaches. I am so excited! Maybe I can add that to my farm stand if I make one-thanks for the tip!
Yes! Same here . Im GA girl and we used to get lot back and even with the kids turning 18 still have several dependents. I have farm here and retired in my 30s and now 40 and homeschool my youngest of 4 sons he is 16 and stay home now and my husband has successful business. My income is tax free and not counted (Im retired military) and I'm tax exempt on property and vehicles and some other things and have our Healthcare with them for family so that helps. Our animal feed has definitely gone up and about 400 and we spend a lot on food about 1200 in groceries (we buy lot of bulk items for long term storage )and not including eating out . Our utility bills have gone up but electric can be 1300 in summer from 450 normally. We also have lot of chickens and ducks and turkeys and pigs and horse and dogs and few other animals and looking for cow for milking. We bought new truck this month and now my new suv has been in shop but should be under warranty still but still costly and just having it not here has been issue but thankfully I have 2nd vehicle and my husband's truck is through and paid by work. Thankful and blessed but definitely last couple years surprised by taxes and having to pay (from husband income) instead of getting money back.
Good advice. I had a difficult time in December 2023. I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in August 2023 (genetic caused). In December my chemotherapy was to the point where I couldn't work anymore. I did have disability insurance, but I had to learn to live on 60% of my income. I save the most by shopping at Aldi with my daughter coming along as my helper.
This video gives me hope especially when everything seems to go wrong 😢my mom passed away 💔RIP and my brother and I are paying for the mortgage until the home sells. One thing I’ve added to my sinking fund is funeral expenses it’s extremely expensive and I don’t want my son to go through this difficult financial process. Sending prayers and thank you 🙏🏽
Back in January, I cleaned out my bathroom cabinets and found SO MANY duplicates of things -- razors, sunscreen, shampoo, etc. I now know what I have and won't buy things until I run out of them. I'm also working to keep my grocery bill down this year as I needed work done on my home.
Yes that is such a good point. Keeping up with things will help keep the costs down. And when I “stick up” I always end up forgetting that I have it! I’m so wasteful sometimes!
Yes. She would definitely be hard to replace. Have you considered a feeder to help reduce hay waste? Ours were the worst at step all over and wasting precious hay.
Man even without any changes to our tax situation, we owed a decent chunk! I’ve heard from friends they experienced similar issues this year with their taxes too. I feel for you…when it rains it pours!
A lot of people owed more taxes because hindsight the federal tax was taking out barely any tax because of inflation and wanted to give tax payers more income, which I think should of been a option for people to choose if they wanted to do that
You probably already do this but if we have left overs, I have a big container that I leave in the freezer for any leftovers that I think we won’t eat or there is not enough for a serving so I just add those items together and then when it’s full or we are low on groceries I make vegetable soup. I can add anything else that might make the soup better but it is a meal that you don’t need to buy anything else for. I think that you did really well with your food budget in April! Good luck!
I had to pay a lot in taxes this year. Haven't done that before. Being a senior it is not easy but I have it better than most. Having my own milk and eggs goes a long way. One thing easy and cheap. Egg fajitas. Use eggs and spicy black beans instead of meat. Scramble eggs and place drained black beans, sautéed onions and peppers, salsa and sour cream with grated cheese on top in a tortilla. Delicious 😋
I had the same thing happen to me. I had to pay all my taxes because I have been on disability for a year and a half thru work AND my transmission blew about a month ago so I had to fork out 3000.00 to get that fixed. I was going to buy a different used car but the prices are ridiculous!!!!
April was hard! And May is starting out hard. We will be cutting our grocery bill for the next few months. Thankfully we sell our eggs and that pays for our feed. It’s a blessing!
I'm a single mom. In February, I was hit with a $3k tax bill. My daughter and I had to move suddenly the same month due to several leaks in our home, which was $2500 very unexpectedly. Next, in March, my daughter needed braces, which was $1400. It was hit after hit financially. But God provided overabundantly this month that I was able to replenish that money and still had some left over. Along the way, the Lord has been showing me how to cut back without lack. 😊
That’s a great perspective! I am also so grateful for the Lord’s provision, even in the hard times. He is ever present and always our Helper and Sustainer ❤️
Bless your heart for sharing. We' ve had many of those times. It is awesome that you were able to save so much on your budget. Praying you get through this❤
Such a lovely and true video. My grandparents taught this way of living... simple, home cooked meals, no CC's except for a dire emergency, and watching every dollar spent. I try to follow the same ways. Online grocery shopping and pickup helps me. I buy the same things most every week and don't fall for the "deals" or impulse purchases in store. My biggest struggle is food/treats for my cats as I have many and they are the children I never had. 🙏
I appreciate your videos Lori. Such good information and advice. I know that sometimes life throws us curve balls. We just do the best we can. God bless you and your family. ❤
Praying things get better for everyone. There is nothing that has not increased. More people are feeling it more than ever. Thanks Lori for sharing your journey. Love your videos. Trying to be more mindful and accountable for my spending! 😊
Thanks for watching. I think you’re right. Everyone is starting to feeling it more. I saw a video of a woman in NYC who bought 4 items and it cost $30! Milk, bread, 18 eggs and I can’t remember what the other was. I couldn’t believe it.
I dont have a lot of tips because I think your current plan is already amazing. What this video brought to me was the reminder of how ive been a bit careless with my spending lately and I really need to reel that in to meet our financial goals. Thank you for the reminder that every little bit counts and to not give up! ❤
I'm so proud of you Lori! Great job lowering your grocery bill. I can totally relate to lots of hits back to back. It all started in Oct for us with my vans transmission. Being over 20 years old and with so many miles it just seemed like the best decision was to buy another, even not new it was still way more than I would have liked. Then a vet bill, emergency surgery, our heat pump needed replacing in Jan, dental fillings and crown, other medical bills. It has been nonstop. We finally got everything paid off except the vehicle but I have been throwing everything extra at it and hope to have it paid off by the end of the year. It is so stressful when it comes like that especially when you try so hard to be frugal and a good steward. Times are so tough and the grocery store is basically our only flexible expenditure. With gardening season upon us it will help too. I encourage you to continue finding ways to save on groceries and pray that your vehicle situation will work out in the best possible way. You're not alone and God will help you through it all. ❤
Thank you!!! I need you to be my friend. I need people like you who will help me remember it will all be ok! Sorry for all the troubles yall have had. I’m hoping I can get some veggies growing but…..it isn’t looking too promising 😂
New subbie here.I ABSOLUTELY LOVE your channel. You put A lot of things into perspective. Thank you so much for sharing your daily life, and being so honest, helpful and transparent. 💓💓💓
You did a great job saving! We have been there with a surprise big tax bill -- it really takes the wind out of your sales, but you will get through this. I hope you get better news on your vehicle.
Fiest time viewer and now a new sub. Thank you for your candor its very refreshing and appreciated. I think we all need to know we are not alone in our set backs, everyone has them. In my town there are a couple produce carts in front of folks homes, they run them on the honor system. The cart has the veggies and a lock box for those purchasing to place their money's. If safe enough in your area that may be an idea so as not to tie your time up out sitting with it. Looking forward to watching other videos. Blessings and have a great week. 😊
April was hard here, too. We are retired and only have one vehicle that was hit by a big delivery truck. It has taken ten day to get to the point of the other insurance agreeing to fix our van. It was six days before they gave us a rental. I was so glad to have a well stocked pantry during that time. We have salvage grocery stores here and they are a huge help to our grocery budget but we also primarily shop Aldi and Lidl. We have also found Sam's to be a very good value for fresh produce. If we store it properly the two of us rarely waste any of it. I go on the app and search for fresh vegetables and fresh fruit so that I can see what they have and the prices. I was really surprised at how much I could save there and even over Aldi prices.
You're such an encouragement! We've cut our grocery budget way back and I'm researching grains I can ferment for our chickens to cut costs. My favorite chicken is allergic to corn so she can't have scratch grains anymore. I'm trying to do all the frugal things: homemade bone broth, vinegar, bread, a big garden, even saving the eggshells to dry and feed back to the chickens. I've been foraging greens for our bunny. I'm not saving a ton of money but, I am learning skills. One of our biggest money savers is shutting our furnace off until we need hot water. I hope your May is better with less stress.❤
You’ve got this, sister. The roadside stand is a good idea. Are you growing food in the garden? That helps me so much. Do a video that involves your purchases, for sure and expense the purchases. I’m stretching everything I can. We are all having a tough time making ends meet. I was saddened to hear that 53 percent of people in Canada are afraid that they can’t feed their family. That’s just too much. Tips: I save a bit from every pay check for my emergency fund. I also shop discount stores with food close to expiry. I grow food in my garden and I preserve it for winter. I eat a lot of home made soups, when money is tight. Set your goal, scrimp towards achieving it. Just scrimping without a goal can be unmotivating. Another tip: I never buy wants unless I have saved for them beforehand. It makes the purchase extra satisfying and cuts down on impulse buys.
Those are some great tips! I have started making shirts of each grocery trip….so maybe that will help next year on the deduction side of the taxes 🤷♀️
Wow, I loved watching you take care of your animals! I hope the stand idea helps defray the cost of keeping them. My best grocery tips: 1) buy bulk rice, oats, beans, and popcorn (flour or wheat, too; if you bake) 2) we have popcorn for snacks and homemade granola for cold cereal 3) we only have baked goods other than bread or crackers on the weekends 4) crackers are much, much cheaper to make than buy 5)Eat no or low meat 4 nights a week. (low meat might mean salt pork in the baked beans, or 1/3 lb. of Italian sausage in the soup 6) lunch meat is expensive, so we try to have leftovers or soup in the winter for lunch or leftovers or salad with a little beans or cheese or egg in the summer and deli sandwiches only once per week or so. 7) canned fish is your budget friend. All of these things allow us to spend money on fruits and vegetables since I don't really like frozen or canned (except tomatoes) and I have a black thumb.
I also wonder about your garden. You’re so much warmer than we are that I would think you’d have a lot of fresh produce to help out. You could also grow extra greens to throw to the chickens to help cut their feed costs. ❤
Well. The thing is, I put off starting seeds and now I’m going to have to buy plants. My onions are still in my beds so I have to pull them before I can plant other veggies. I have a neighbor friend that is really good at growing things so I plan to help him in his garden for some fresh produce. I wish I was a good gardener. I am just not there yet. But those are really good ideas that I want to implement more soon.
I agree April was financially hard. I had few work hours, and in June my rent increases, I need $600 for tires, I need new eyeglasses and so on. Knowing about the rent increase, I intentionally set aside an extra $100 in March for June, and wanted to do the same in April but extra money there had to go account for tires and a wheel bearing.
We had a rough financial month in April too. I just posted my let's talk money video for April last night. We cut way back and have worked very hard to make ends meet. Great video. I really enjoyed it. God always provides. You will be ok ❤
You are doing great! Don’t beat yourself up! I would love to be a stay at home mom! I’m a single mom and have to grind everyday to make ends meet. Thank the Lord He sees us through! You are blessed lady!!
We are a one income family lucky with some months when I'm doing my nanny job we're so lucky to have the extra money but I feel you it hard when your living off of one income my husband works full time he has mental health issues he has depression so sometimes it hard on him he comes home from work some days but those days it like we're lucky that I'm working. We just got solar that takes a big cut in our budget. I was telling my husband that it hard cutting back on the things that we need the most. But I try an keep my freezer full so that we hand the meets that way I can plan around what I have. I've notice just getting out of the house just walking around some we're really helps me out not to think of the money so much. Good luck.
I swear April was a cursed month. We had to deplete our savings to save our puppy who ate something he shouldn't have. Vehicles going down randomly. My sister and her family were in a car accident. I just keep saying "May will be better!"
New subscriber. Loved listening to you. May and June will be difficult for me. Due to a lot of unexpected expenses. One is tax, like you, the other is a vet bill, and third, my car. I mealplan, and yesterday I went shopping after work. It takes time, as I had to go to 5 different stores, in order to get everything on my list. I do the shopping list on Sunday, when the digital sales flyers come out. I live remotely, but I work in an area with plenty of different stores to choose from. 🙂 It is worth the extra work to save the money each week.
Thanks for subbing! Nice to meet you!! It sounds like you have a great plan! It’s hard to stay on track sometimes and it sounds like you are doing really well! You’re right about the time investment, but I like to spend my time to save money when I can, too!
Careful vs careless? I know that you do not intend to offend anyone. Truth be told, a wise word is not always pleasant. If they feel the tinge or sting of the statement, for them it would be reason enough to look at. It is the reasons why I like your channel. Honesty, is not on many lips, and if they are here for the reason many of us are, we are all trying to navigate life as to be able for provide for our families without going broke. I believe you made some great choices. Keeping the cow, buying the layers and considering a food stand. We all got hit by the taxes this year. Didn’t see that coming. Keep up the good work. You and your husband have a beautiful family. Peace!
You also were buying healthier food so that probably helped budget. I had to stop buying heavily processed food due to health issues and have actually saved $. Appreciated your truthful video.
Praying for your family. I recently lost my husband and had to do 2023 taxes on my on. Holy Moly! God provided. Our taxes were almost double from last year even though we made less. I am very frugal. I only buy gas twice a month. But my car went in the shop and it cost $1300. Huge dip into my backup.
Such a nice video- thank you! I am an empty nester- battling professional burnout (healthcare). Last September, I made the decision to leave a corporate position that I felt was killing me and switch to a part time job- i have been on a frugal journey- learning how to live and thrive within my new budget- there have been challenges for sure, but it has been a joy to live simply again and embrace simple pleasures such as growing my own food and baking from scratch on my woodstove- wishing all a life of simplicity and love ❤
Same April sucked! Husband lost job, one of our cars has a compression issue, and im a pregnant sahm! So, thankfully, he has a small business to help us get by. I am now searching for employment at almost 7 months😂
You also could hatch the chicks sell some like that then you let them get to the laying stage and then you sell them as laying hens that's where you really make your money. Yes selling hatching eggs like silkies or heritage breeds you can do really good I think . Yes I've been trying to preserve the most of my eggs and use more out of my pantry but swap out things like condiments and make them homemade and making naan instead of buying it and then making English muffins instead of buying them I've made several swaps to save money .
Good idea! I’ve toyed with getting an incubator but I just haven’t. For some reason the feed store has had trouble selling their chicks so I’ve been really surprised by that.
@@homemadesimplewithlori cause sometimes they aren't taking good care of just a thought I wouldn't go crazy start small let some mature make money off the laying hens first then do it again I got the small 12 ct incubators off Amazon they have done me well and if all else fails have your chickens processed for you .
Shopping around for car insurance is something that saved me quite a bit. It always felt like a huge deal to call around and get different quotes so I neglected it but shopping around, even if it means just calling 3 different places can make a big difference. Also, if you keep the cash on hand to handle car emergencies, you can raise your deductible from $500 to $1K and save there, too.
Great points! I feel sort of obligated to my small town insurance guy, but Chris keeps talking about how we need to shop a bit…..we have HIGH deductibles for that very reason!
@@homemadesimplewithlori I had the same issue. Knew my agent well and went to church with him. I told him my situation and gave him an opportunity to keep my business. In the end, I had to change companies, though.
Making bone broth at moment. Tomorrow I will make a highly nutritious vegetable soup. We have a bowl of soup before every meal. Cuts down on portions and I know that my family has a good source of vege’s and protein.
I had something similar happen this month I actually had to buy a new to vehicle because I broke down with my kids and I was just fed up luckily I had 1500 in my emergency fund and was able to put that down on the vehicle I will rebuild my emergency fund 100$ a week maybe that will help you I watched all the way to the end hoping that helps ❤
Having a milk cow opens so many doors for you.. you can make cheese, cottage cheese, cream cheese, yogurt, sour cream.. ALL can be sold if your Stare allows it. What about making shelf stable pickled eggs to sell?
Is there a farmers market near you? If not go to your town/city’s chamber of commerce and see about starting one… you can start small lime you mentioned with baked goods, eggs, plants you can take cuttings from and root starting them off as your starter plants…plant fancy lettuces that you can harvest…also, if you have enough land, plant plenty of pumpkins, gourds etc. start a pumpkin patch with farm animals for a petting area/ zoo. Sell roasted peanuts, jams, jellies, soft drinks, bottled water, organic baby food made from things you can plant in a garden. Rent a hay bailer and let grass grow long enough to make bails of hay. People will drive hour to hour and half away just to bring their families for an outing in the countryside! One man from a very small town started one very small and grew into a business that supported he and his wife along with his children and their families! They put out bails of hay stacked for kids to climb on, a corn field maze, a hayride to go pick out your own pumpkin or pumpkins. They eventually opened a little general store that sold type of food you get at a fair…sold homemade pies, slices and whole, jams, jellies, pickles and canned goods. You could let the kids have a try milking your cow if she doesn’t mind. One farmer close by sets out picnicking tables and cooks up fried catfish, hush puppies, French fries, slaw and Ice Tea with a dessert…charges $20-25.00 a plate. He is booked solid through the months he is not farming. He houses it inside a barn when it is cold or raining. Just some ideas to help you think outside the box! Anything country, antique or reminds people of better times ( homemade pot holders, aprons, krafts for little ones to make a Christmas ornament, face painting etc. will be fun for the whole family)! Fourteen years ago we paid anywhere from $ 12-$14.00 a head for adults and children 10 and up was $8.00 each and children under ten was $2-$3.00 each. You could bring your own lunch or buy something at the general store. Schools, church groups, etc got a discount for so many. I think it was 15 or more.
Been there so many times. I always say when I can meet the bill, God is in charge. Then I revamp everything and do the same, cut out what I can and work harder to put it back. Hang in their God will not give you more than you can bare, where there is prayer there is an answer. We all have seasons in our lives. You have a roof, food, and clothes how very blessed we are. Also, what we consider other countries the average American is rich. You will figure it out. You are never alone lots of people have it harder than this. Well, you did purchase the chickens, so it was meant to be. Trump 2024! Peace!
We all are in a grocery crunch. Oboy Toilet paper watch coupons buy extra when sales. Tx HEB grocery store coupons and early bird meat discounts 25 % off. I buy Vegs 50% off also in season.
I try not to be political here, but I will say that the day after we paid our big bill and they sent a HUGE “relief package” to a lot of other countries, it made me feel very discouraged. We really could have used that money for our family……but, “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s” so, I just try to have the right heart and attitude ❤️
@@lindawilson8434 I’m sorry you thought I was being mean. I certainly did not mean to be unkind or unloving. I want everyone to be well. The only point I was making is that the extra money we spent on the tax bill was money we had set aside for things for our family. We had intentions for it. We had a plan for that money we had been saving. But, because the Lord has instructed us to pay to Caesar the things he requires of us, we took that money and paid our tax bill. The money that the government sent to those other countries may do good and I hope it does. I was simply making the point that we could have done good with it for our own family and community.
Something my husband and I did most of our working career was have extra money taken out of our taxes all year a extra $35 a week so we always ended with money coming back each year, my sister does the same thing with her paychecks. Look at how much you owed and put in more you'll get it back if you over pay but its never a good thing to owe Uncle Sam. I can't remember which president it was over 30 years ago I'm thinking Clinton? announced to the public "Oh we're going to give you more pay out of your paychecks but at the end of the year? You'll owe us is what it ended up being. My husband and I listened very carefully to his plan and realized exactly that and started having extra taken out and sure enough end of the year and everyone ended up owing that extra money back to the government. Lesson Learned.. don't listen to promises by the government. Anna In Ohio
That’s so good to pay close attention to what is ACTUALLY being said. Sometimes I don’t pay close attention and, I guess, that’s what caused our issue this year. I will definitely look into it in the future!
April was hard, $4,000 in vehicle repairs/maintenance. I was just glad I hadn’t paid off the last of our medical debt and had the cash to pay for that. 😅
Yes. The tax bill is hitting everyone. It is because the government wanted to give everyone more money in their paychecks but did not explain that they would still owe at tax time. We had made the decision last year to have more withdrawn each pay period. Not to get a payday on taxes but to try to minimize that tax bill over the course of the year.
I am retired on a fixed income and have a credit card for emergencies. My tv needed to be replaced last month, so that went on the card. Two weeks later my phone just stopped working so i had to replace it too. These are both necessities to me. Dont care what other people think about having a tv. I have to get these paid down soon as hurricane season is coming and that is the purpose of the credit card. We had to evacuate last august 2023 and also in september of 2022. I had to throw away everything in my refrigerator and freezer both times because we lost electricity and everything would spoil. Being on just social security, i had no other way to replace the food til the next month except to put it on the card. I also had to use an uber to get to the shelter and back both times. I have macular degeneration so im not comfortable taking a city bus to get there with my very poor vision. Im not complaining, just stating the facts. I enjoy watching your videos and wish you and your family all the best in these hard times.
Had a rough April too for quite a few reasons and we also owed a ton for taxes this year. Want to be more mindful with what I spend especially on line and on groceries. Sometimes I think I shop for entertainment and it releases that good old dopamine. I need to have more self-control for sure and ask myself before I get something, do I really need this or is this just a nice to have want?
I know exactly what you mean. My husband and I pay estimates and they were too low for the taxes that were due. That was a big surprise tax bill. Then my husband had a mobile rental in another county here in California. The family stopped paying rent last September, and it was cheap rent to boot as my husband has a good heart and never raised it in 15 years. After waiting until March when they finally had to move out after having to hire an attorney for the process, my husband went down to the property and the whole property was destroyed! There was nothing left of the mobile but scraps and a third of an acre of nothing but trash that all had to be hauled off. The police said it was a civil matter even though it's deliberate destruction of property and insurance won't cover damages deliberately done by a tenant, besides which you can't sue someone in the wind whose whereabouts are unknown. I knew I had to get the front brakes of my car done and so that was no surprise, but after I went to pick it up they said the rear ones needed to be done as well. That following weekend the chain on the garage door opener broke and I had to have someone come out and replace. No choice when the garage door is so heavy no one can manually lift it to get your car out. I can't picture any vacations or days off in my future for at least the rest of the year trying to catch up. No more words.
Same story here. We had a huge tax bill this year. I think next year will be worse especially if the Trump tax cuts are removed. Great money saving tips. Thank you!
With child care at such a premium, I wonder if you have considered taking in a child to watch? This could be a blessing to the person looking for good child care and bring in extra income for your family. It could even be part-time.
That’s a really good suggestion. I feel like I don’t have the time to devote to another child but maybe I should rethink that and put it on the table. Thanks for the suggestion!
If we got hit with a huge repair bill I would cut off the satellite tv and save over $100/mo. My husband wouldn’t like it but it would have to be done and because my pantry and freezers are full our grocery bill would be less than $100/mo buying only coffee, dairy and some fresh produce. We would adjust the thermostat and unplug absolutely everything that wasn’t being used to cut the electric bill too. Thankfully we didn’t have to pay any taxes this year but it was the smallest refund we have ever received with having dependents on it. I hope and pray that your second opinion gives you better news.
Definitely a bad month for cars. My car also died and I just purchased another car. Fortunately I had the money for down payment. I'm hoping to have it paid off by the end of next year. I'm retired at 60 so I will just work a part time job to get it paid off instead of spending down savings to pay the monthly payments. I hate being in debt. Not being in debt was the reason I was able to retire early. However and fortunately I knew that at some point I would need a new car and my plan was to work a part time job to pay it off to lessen the stress a little bit. It's still a bummer though.
WAY, way, way back - a woman named Amy Dacyczyn (pronounced decision) was writing a newsletter, which was later compiled into 3 books, called The Tighwad Gazette. She did the math for a working mom (second income) and a SAHM. This was back in the 80s, just before the financial crisis, agreed each financial crisis since then has gotten worse effecting more people each time. A SAHM saved the family more money than she would have brought home after expenses. Agreed some women's job are the primary income depending on the skill set of each spouse, but the ages and number of the children will effect the decision for one parent to stay home, Every now and gain I see the article that lists the "income a SAHM could earn if she was paid for everything she does from short order cook to nurse aid. The most important part of both spouses role in the family is to talk together (that means listening as well), and to the kids, about what is going on and what plans and suggestions can be agreed upon to minimize waste, cut costs and increase savings and stored food.
I've been a stay-at-home mom for the last 15+ years. When finances get tight, I sometimes feel like I'm not contributing to the finances and start thinking about what I can do to help. But the truth is - by being dedicated to staying home I AM contributing to our finances. It isn't EXTRA money but it saves us money.
I’m pinning this to the top because it is so on point! It’s easy to feel like we aren’t doing our part…but in all reality we are able to save the family finances in so many ways. Thank you for saying this!!! ❤️❤️
Exactly.
I'm 59 and have 4 children. I have worked all my life. Biggest regret... not being at home to teach my children all the skills they need for life. Being at home and living wisely is a very important job.. do not underestimate this. Well done.
@@mysustainabilityjourney9321 Yep, I homeschooled and you can not replace that time spent with them. You did what you had to, do not regret it. You can now share your lessons learned with them. You can now make up for it by taking care of the grandkids and giving them some financial relief and time together as a couple which will help the family unit. There is still plenty of time left in your life. You are blessed.
I stayed home but when my husband came home at night I worked from 6pm to midnight and on weekends it wasn't easy on us but what we had to do to do the things we wanted to do. If I had a baby today I probably wouldn't but see what you can do. Watching another child or maybe doing something a couple nights a week, or watching another families animals when they go on vacation, taking care of an elderly person a couple hours a day, instacart on weekend that isn't busy, selling items online. I left my job eventually because it was toxic after 17 years and now work 3 hours a day doing something I enjoy, I sell stuff online I've done instacart which had added. We cut out a bunch of subscriptions. We refinanced the house and paid off a good portion of our credit cards we are making better financial decisions and can get by that way.
A savings of $538.11 is WONDERFUL ! GOOD JOB ! Spending $274 on animal feed is not bad at all. They provide you with quality food, teach your children lessons such as empathy, and hard work so they are worth the price.
That is a very good point about the educational value of the animals! Thank you for that!
April was a tough month for us, too. The best thing I can say about it is that it’s over! We also had a tax bill, we never get much back but I’m always hopeful. No such luck. I was put on furlough from the resort where I work, so no paychecks for me for two months. Then my sweet little Scottie got sick, she had acute kidney failure. We lost her, after big vet bills, which I still cry about now and then. I would have done anything, paid anything, to save her. Then four days later our kitty was hit by a car. PRAISE GOD he is going to be okay, but another vet bill. Our 20 year old son broke his wrist and as a result lost his job, and he needed help with his bills. Two of our tenants have only paid part of their rent, 2 out of 5 aren’t the best odds! Still. No one went hungry here, bills are paid, life goes on. Our kitty is going to be okay. Our son will heal, I’ll return to work, the sky did not fall. I respect and appreciate your candor and honesty, some people will never admit to their bumps in the road and it makes the rest of us feel like we’ve failed in some way! Sending you love, prayers and thanks. This too shall pass!❤
Wow. You have had it hard! Hope your son heals very quickly. Sorry about your dog. We lost our baby goat in April and it was so sad. Animals are just easy to get VERY close to. Hope things get better soon! ❤️
@@homemadesimplewithlori Thank you! Things are already better, I just keep it in my mind that things could always be worse.
Praying for better days for you!
@@arraybabe8514 thank you, that’s so kind. We managed, things always seem to get better!
A milk cow/goat gives more than any homestead animal, she will touch every aspect of your home, garden, children, pets, livestock.
Powerful health benefits.
Glad you are working to retain her, she looks like a keeper
You’re so right. Thank you ❤️
I work a second job to make ends meet and since then every year I owe on taxes, no matter the deductions. I felt this. Hang in there. He shall supply us with all that we need according to His glorious riches 🙌🙌🙌
He is always so good to us! You are right.
I will be praying for you. You are so honest with your videos. We’ve got to stick together.
Thank you so much. Sending love and gratitude ❤️❤️
Thank you for sharing. We all have our struggles. God Bless Your Family 🙏🏼
Thank you for being so vulnerable. I'll be honest. When I saw the title and opening pic, I almost didn't watch it. The fact that you were so forthcoming about your troubles was...well moving. It was encouraging to me to hear you talk about things and to hear that we are not alone in the struggles of life. The Bible says, "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." Galations 6:2. Thank you for your honest suggestions and for sharing .
I completely understand your reaction. I try to be honest with my thumbnails and not be a click bait type of channel. I am glad you found it helpful and I appreciate the Bible verse. That is a very good one. The Lord knows exactly what we need!
@@homemadesimplewithlori Yes, ma'am, He does!❤️
The farm stand idea is great! We need to save a huge chunk of money fast and one of the places I'm cutting is our grocery budget. One month I cut out over $500 by eliminating snacks, quick food, etc. It adds up incredibly fast, especially with teenagers in the house. It's not their fault because they don't ask for the junk, but I was buying it because I remember being that age. However, we get along better if I make snacks from scratch. And it tastes better.....Carla H.
You are so right!!
The food stand sounds good. You have some built in help with your teenagers. My grandmother sold, butter, eggs and milk to earn money on the family farm. Also, she sold extra vegetables they didn't need after freezing and canning for the rest of the year. Their main crop was peaches that my aunt, uncles and grandpa managed.
Good luck. 💙
March was extremely stressful mentally. April was another exhausting month. i am praying tonight before bed that May does not follow the same pattern.
I hope May is better for you and us, too!!!!
You are a sweet person and your family is very wholesome. It's a joy to watch you moving around your household and working like the Proverbs 31 woman. I know about financial difficulties, experienced some hard times. Right now I'm having plumbing troubles at my house. Some pipes are leaking, sump pump getting stuck, toilet has cracked, garbage disposal malfunctioning. Our local plumber will want lots of money for his work and I'm dreading this. I've noticed that stress makes me go to Aldi and buy lots of chocolates and cookies as comfort food. Then I regret the waste of money and promise to never again, but it's a closed circle.
Oh no!!! Plumbing is very expensive to get fixed. I’m glad when Chris can figure stuff out here because all I know to do is use the plunger 😂😂😂
You’re very kind to be encouraging. I’m certainly not anywhere close to where I want to be but I am working on getting to be the best version of myself. It takes time for me for sure.
South east girl here too. Our tax refund didn't even cover our property taxes this year, which we normally always pay (with some left over) with the refund. It's getting so hard to make it these days. Paid it yesterday and I had to shop for groceries today using our change bucket this week. You are not alone. 😒🤥 Also driving a piece of trash car that we can't afford to get fixed. Praying it doesn't seize up. I did get some good deals on local fresh veggies today that will plump up our meals this week so at least we are going to eat healthy. Thank goodness my plum trees are loaded this year, and I'm looking forward to making some money from them. I sell to several local restaurants and bakeries each year I have a good harvest, and trade my plum jams, jellies and chutneys with local friends for other grocery items I need, especially eggs! You should consider trading your egg gluts with folks like me to cut out the middle man, get better quality food for your family and save money on those grocery bills! Hard work but totally worth it!
Sorry for the troubles with your family, too.
That is a great way to use your resources!
I have one peach tree (a single pollinator) and it is FULL of peaches. I am so excited! Maybe I can add that to my farm stand if I make one-thanks for the tip!
Yes! Same here . Im GA girl and we used to get lot back and even with the kids turning 18 still have several dependents. I have farm here and retired in my 30s and now 40 and homeschool my youngest of 4 sons he is 16 and stay home now and my husband has successful business. My income is tax free and not counted (Im retired military) and I'm tax exempt on property and vehicles and some other things and have our Healthcare with them for family so that helps. Our animal feed has definitely gone up and about 400 and we spend a lot on food about 1200 in groceries (we buy lot of bulk items for long term storage )and not including eating out . Our utility bills have gone up but electric can be 1300 in summer from 450 normally. We also have lot of chickens and ducks and turkeys and pigs and horse and dogs and few other animals and looking for cow for milking. We bought new truck this month and now my new suv has been in shop but should be under warranty still but still costly and just having it not here has been issue but thankfully I have 2nd vehicle and my husband's truck is through and paid by work. Thankful and blessed but definitely last couple years surprised by taxes and having to pay (from husband income) instead of getting money back.
Good advice. I had a difficult time in December 2023. I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in August 2023 (genetic caused). In December my chemotherapy was to the point where I couldn't work anymore. I did have disability insurance, but I had to learn to live on 60% of my income. I save the most by shopping at Aldi with my daughter coming along as my helper.
I hope things are going better. I had breast cancer 21 years ago. Good luck with your treatments.
Oh I’m sorry to hear that. I hope you are all well very very soon. I will be praying for you ❤️
So sorry to hear this sweetie, I will be praying for you, I am a 31year survivor, and had a mastectomy
Praying for you 🙏
5 year survivor here. You’re in my prayers. Treatment is so tough!
had a very similar tax experience, it really set me back emotionally and financially. I felt like I was drowning. Prayers for you and your family.
I’m so sorry. Maybe we can make it up somehow if we get creative ❤️❤️
This video gives me hope especially when everything seems to go wrong 😢my mom passed away 💔RIP and my brother and I are paying for the mortgage until the home sells. One thing I’ve added to my sinking fund is funeral expenses it’s extremely expensive and I don’t want my son to go through this difficult financial process. Sending prayers and thank you 🙏🏽
Back in January, I cleaned out my bathroom cabinets and found SO MANY duplicates of things -- razors, sunscreen, shampoo, etc. I now know what I have and won't buy things until I run out of them. I'm also working to keep my grocery bill down this year as I needed work done on my home.
Yes that is such a good point. Keeping up with things will help keep the costs down. And when I “stick up” I always end up forgetting that I have it! I’m so wasteful sometimes!
@@homemadesimplewithlori me, too! But we're working on it! I'm trying to not throw away food, too.
Good for you not giving up the milk cow!....Carla H.
I am so glad I could keep her
Yes. She would definitely be hard to replace. Have you considered a feeder to help reduce hay waste? Ours were the worst at step all over and wasting precious hay.
Man even without any changes to our tax situation, we owed a decent chunk! I’ve heard from friends they experienced similar issues this year with their taxes too. I feel for you…when it rains it pours!
This is the refrain I keep hearing! This is very interesting that it isn’t just us!
us, too. not just a few hundred either.
@@loniivanovskis1239 add a zero to that 😣
It might be worthwhile to figure out why your taxes are higher so you can plan for next time.
A lot of people owed more taxes because hindsight the federal tax was taking out barely any tax because of inflation and wanted to give tax payers more income, which I think should of been a option for people to choose if they wanted to do that
I feel you, nothing changed for us this year…same charitable….same dependents…write offs…but we owed a significant amount.
Wow. That’s so interesting.
You probably already do this but if we have left overs, I have a big container that I leave in the freezer for any leftovers that I think we won’t eat or there is not enough for a serving so I just add those items together and then when it’s full or we are low on groceries I make vegetable soup. I can add anything else that might make the soup better but it is a meal that you don’t need to buy anything else for. I think that you did really well with your food budget in April! Good luck!
That’s a great idea. I don’t do that…..I end up feeding it to the chickens if it’s just odds and ends. This is a much better idea!
I had to pay a lot in taxes this year. Haven't done that before. Being a senior it is not easy but I have it better than most. Having my own milk and eggs goes a long way. One thing easy and cheap. Egg fajitas. Use eggs and spicy black beans instead of meat. Scramble eggs and place drained black beans, sautéed onions and peppers, salsa and sour cream with grated cheese on top in a tortilla. Delicious 😋
Yum! That sounds great!!
Love that fajitas idea. Thank you.
I had the same thing happen to me. I had to pay all my taxes because I have been on disability for a year and a half thru work AND my transmission blew about a month ago so I had to fork out 3000.00 to get that fixed. I was going to buy a different used car but the prices are ridiculous!!!!
Oh no! So sorry!! Hope things look up ❤️❤️❤️
April was hard! And May is starting out hard. We will be cutting our grocery bill for the next few months. Thankfully we sell our eggs and that pays for our feed. It’s a blessing!
It’s great when at least the chicken math works out!
Hope things improve. Sending love.
I'm a single mom. In February, I was hit with a $3k tax bill. My daughter and I had to move suddenly the same month due to several leaks in our home, which was $2500 very unexpectedly. Next, in March, my daughter needed braces, which was $1400. It was hit after hit financially. But God provided overabundantly this month that I was able to replenish that money and still had some left over. Along the way, the Lord has been showing me how to cut back without lack. 😊
That’s a great perspective!
I am also so grateful for the Lord’s provision, even in the hard times. He is ever present and always our Helper and Sustainer ❤️
Bless your heart for sharing. We' ve had many of those times. It is awesome that you were able to save so much on your budget. Praying you get through this❤
Thank you! I’m more and more hopeful about the car so maybe it won’t be a total loss….❤️❤️❤️❤️
Such a lovely and true video. My grandparents taught this way of living... simple, home cooked meals, no CC's except for a dire emergency, and watching every dollar spent. I try to follow the same ways. Online grocery shopping and pickup helps me. I buy the same things most every week and don't fall for the "deals" or impulse purchases in store. My biggest struggle is food/treats for my cats as I have many and they are the children I never had. 🙏
Yes. You are right about pick up. It definitely saves on the impulse buys
I appreciate your videos Lori. Such good information and advice.
I know that sometimes life throws us curve balls. We just do the best we can. God bless you and your family. ❤
Yes for sure. But life is good and I’m thankful. Thanks for the encouragement. ❤️❤️
Praying things get better for everyone. There is nothing that has not increased. More people are feeling it more than ever. Thanks Lori for sharing your journey. Love your videos. Trying to be more mindful and accountable for my spending! 😊
Thanks for watching. I think you’re right. Everyone is starting to feeling it more.
I saw a video of a woman in NYC who bought 4 items and it cost $30! Milk, bread, 18 eggs and I can’t remember what the other was. I couldn’t believe it.
Everything will be okay. Trust in God. ❤
Yes ma’am. Thank you very much ❤️
Thank you for sharing your very personal challenges. May your perseverance and wisdom pay off! ❤
You’re sweet. I’m not sure I have much wisdom but I appreciate your kindness ❤️
Prayers for you and your family. Loved seeing those cute chickens running.
🥰🥰
I dont have a lot of tips because I think your current plan is already amazing. What this video brought to me was the reminder of how ive been a bit careless with my spending lately and I really need to reel that in to meet our financial goals. Thank you for the reminder that every little bit counts and to not give up! ❤
I do it all the time--spend when I shouldn’t. It’s so easy to do. Thanks for watching and the encouragement ❤️
I'm so proud of you Lori! Great job lowering your grocery bill. I can totally relate to lots of hits back to back. It all started in Oct for us with my vans transmission. Being over 20 years old and with so many miles it just seemed like the best decision was to buy another, even not new it was still way more than I would have liked. Then a vet bill, emergency surgery, our heat pump needed replacing in Jan, dental fillings and crown, other medical bills. It has been nonstop. We finally got everything paid off except the vehicle but I have been throwing everything extra at it and hope to have it paid off by the end of the year. It is so stressful when it comes like that especially when you try so hard to be frugal and a good steward. Times are so tough and the grocery store is basically our only flexible expenditure. With gardening season upon us it will help too. I encourage you to continue finding ways to save on groceries and pray that your vehicle situation will work out in the best possible way. You're not alone and God will help you through it all. ❤
Thank you!!! I need you to be my friend. I need people like you who will help me remember it will all be ok!
Sorry for all the troubles yall have had.
I’m hoping I can get some veggies growing but…..it isn’t looking too promising 😂
New subbie here.I ABSOLUTELY LOVE your channel. You put A lot of things into perspective. Thank you so much for sharing your daily life, and being so honest, helpful and transparent. 💓💓💓
Thank you so much!
Gorgeous sink, cute outfit, love your kitchen!
Thanks so much! 😊
You did a great job saving! We have been there with a surprise big tax bill -- it really takes the wind out of your sales, but you will get through this. I hope you get better news on your vehicle.
Thank you! I am hopeful that it might just be a wiring issue. But…..then again I know NOTHING about cars 😂
Fiest time viewer and now a new sub. Thank you for your candor its very refreshing and appreciated. I think we all need to know we are not alone in our set backs, everyone has them. In my town there are a couple produce carts in front of folks homes, they run them on the honor system. The cart has the veggies and a lock box for those purchasing to place their money's. If safe enough in your area that may be an idea so as not to tie your time up out sitting with it. Looking forward to watching other videos. Blessings and have a great week. 😊
That sounds perfect!! Thank you!
The basket of eggs! 🥚 😍beautiful!
Got a lot of good food there with just the eggs!
Yes!!
Congratulations on your thoughtful management.
Thank you!
I always enjoy your videos!
Thank you so much.
April was hard here, too. We are retired and only have one vehicle that was hit by a big delivery truck. It has taken ten day to get to the point of the other insurance agreeing to fix our van. It was six days before they gave us a rental. I was so glad to have a well stocked pantry during that time.
We have salvage grocery stores here and they are a huge help to our grocery budget but we also primarily shop Aldi and Lidl. We have also found Sam's to be a very good value for fresh produce. If we store it properly the two of us rarely waste any of it. I go on the app and search for fresh vegetables and fresh fruit so that I can see what they have and the prices. I was really surprised at how much I could save there and even over Aldi prices.
I really wish I could find one of those around here!
And I hope your van is as good as new soon. I hope no one was hurt!
You're such an encouragement! We've cut our grocery budget way back and I'm researching grains I can ferment for our chickens to cut costs. My favorite chicken is allergic to corn so she can't have scratch grains anymore. I'm trying to do all the frugal things: homemade bone broth, vinegar, bread, a big garden, even saving the eggshells to dry and feed back to the chickens. I've been foraging greens for our bunny. I'm not saving a ton of money but, I am learning skills. One of our biggest money savers is shutting our furnace off until we need hot water. I hope your May is better with less stress.❤
I have started fermenting wheat for my chickens. And sunflower seeds. I don’t have a clue if it is better or not but….its worth a try.
That's a great idea! I'm going to research it further. If I find anything life changing, I will let you know.😁
Thanks!!
@@homemadesimplewithloriyou can sprout lentils and beans to feed to the chickens.
An amazing video! God bless you!
You’re sweet. Thank you ❤️❤️
Thank you for the video and the encouragement .... And happy to be the first comment. ❤
Yay!! Thanks for watching ❤️❤️❤️
@@homemadesimplewithlori totally relatable.
You’ve got this, sister. The roadside stand is a good idea. Are you growing food in the garden? That helps me so much. Do a video that involves your purchases, for sure and expense the purchases. I’m stretching everything I can. We are all having a tough time making ends meet. I was saddened to hear that 53 percent of people in Canada are afraid that they can’t feed their family. That’s just too much.
Tips: I save a bit from every pay check for my emergency fund. I also shop discount stores with food close to expiry. I grow food in my garden and I preserve it for winter. I eat a lot of home made soups, when money is tight. Set your goal, scrimp towards achieving it. Just scrimping without a goal can be unmotivating. Another tip: I never buy wants unless I have saved for them beforehand. It makes the purchase extra satisfying and cuts down on impulse buys.
Those are some great tips!
I have started making shirts of each grocery trip….so maybe that will help next year on the deduction side of the taxes 🤷♀️
I needed this little pep talk. Also taxes. Also car issues. And a vet bill.
Sorry. Life is hard sometimes. Things will get better. ❤️❤️
Wow, I loved watching you take care of your animals! I hope the stand idea helps defray the cost of keeping them. My best grocery tips: 1) buy bulk rice, oats, beans, and popcorn (flour or wheat, too; if you bake) 2) we have popcorn for snacks and homemade granola for cold cereal 3) we only have baked goods other than bread or crackers on the weekends 4) crackers are much, much cheaper to make than buy 5)Eat no or low meat 4 nights a week. (low meat might mean salt pork in the baked beans, or 1/3 lb. of Italian sausage in the soup 6) lunch meat is expensive, so we try to have leftovers or soup in the winter for lunch or leftovers or salad with a little beans or cheese or egg in the summer and deli sandwiches only once per week or so. 7) canned fish is your budget friend. All of these things allow us to spend money on fruits and vegetables since I don't really like frozen or canned (except tomatoes) and I have a black thumb.
Great tips!!!!! Thank you!
Great tips, thanks
I think when seniors hit retirement age, they shouldn't have to pay property taxes!!
👍🏻
I also wonder about your garden. You’re so much warmer than we are that I would think you’d have a lot of fresh produce to help out. You could also grow extra greens to throw to the chickens to help cut their feed costs. ❤
Well. The thing is, I put off starting seeds and now I’m going to have to buy plants. My onions are still in my beds so I have to pull them before I can plant other veggies. I have a neighbor friend that is really good at growing things so I plan to help him in his garden for some fresh produce. I wish I was a good gardener. I am just not there yet. But those are really good ideas that I want to implement more soon.
I agree April was financially hard. I had few work hours, and in June my rent increases, I need $600 for tires, I need new eyeglasses and so on. Knowing about the rent increase, I intentionally set aside an extra $100 in March for June, and wanted to do the same in April but extra money there had to go account for tires and a wheel bearing.
Oh no! That’s awful. So sorry. Maybe May will give you some buffer to set aside ❤️
We had a rough financial month in April too. I just posted my let's talk money video for April last night. We cut way back and have worked very hard to make ends meet. Great video. I really enjoyed it. God always provides. You will be ok ❤
I’ll check it out! Thanks for the encouragement.
You are doing great! Don’t beat yourself up! I would love to be a stay at home mom! I’m a single mom and have to grind everyday to make ends meet. Thank the Lord He sees us through! You are blessed lady!!
❤️❤️❤️❤️. Maybe you can find a way soon. Sending love. Thanks for the encouragement. The Lord is so good ❤️❤️
We are a one income family lucky with some months when I'm doing my nanny job we're so lucky to have the extra money but I feel you it hard when your living off of one income my husband works full time he has mental health issues he has depression so sometimes it hard on him he comes home from work some days but those days it like we're lucky that I'm working. We just got solar that takes a big cut in our budget. I was telling my husband that it hard cutting back on the things that we need the most. But I try an keep my freezer full so that we hand the meets that way I can plan around what I have. I've notice just getting out of the house just walking around some we're really helps me out not to think of the money so much. Good luck.
Great tips! Hope your hubby has a million good days ❤️
I swear April was a cursed month. We had to deplete our savings to save our puppy who ate something he shouldn't have. Vehicles going down randomly. My sister and her family were in a car accident. I just keep saying "May will be better!"
I’m so sorry and yes I think you’re right-May is our month to shine!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️ Hope your sister and her family are ok! And your puppy. ❤️❤️
New subscriber here.
April was absolute chaos. 🤪
Thanks for watching and subbing!! You are so right. I’m hoping for a better May ❤️❤️
New subscriber. Loved listening to you. May and June will be difficult for me. Due to a lot of unexpected expenses. One is tax, like you, the other is a vet bill, and third, my car. I mealplan, and yesterday I went shopping after work. It takes time, as I had to go to 5 different stores, in order to get everything on my list. I do the shopping list on Sunday, when the digital sales flyers come out. I live remotely, but I work in an area with plenty of different stores to choose from. 🙂 It is worth the extra work to save the money each week.
Thanks for subbing!
Nice to meet you!!
It sounds like you have a great plan! It’s hard to stay on track sometimes and it sounds like you are doing really well! You’re right about the time investment, but I like to spend my time to save money when I can, too!
Careful vs careless? I know that you do not intend to offend anyone. Truth be told, a wise word is not always pleasant. If they feel the tinge or sting of the statement, for them it would be reason enough to look at. It is the reasons why I like your channel. Honesty, is not on many lips, and if they are here for the reason many of us are, we are all trying to navigate life as to be able for provide for our families without going broke. I believe you made some great choices. Keeping the cow, buying the layers and considering a food stand. We all got hit by the taxes this year. Didn’t see that coming. Keep up the good work. You and your husband have a beautiful family. Peace!
Thank you so much ❤️. Your words mean a lot.
You also were buying healthier food so that probably helped budget. I had to stop buying heavily processed food due to health issues and have actually saved $. Appreciated your truthful video.
It is certainly cheaper to cut out all those unneeded snacks and treats! I like feeling better from the healthier food too!!
So sorry. My heart hurts for you. This has been a hard month.
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Thank you. We are ok! ❤️❤️
Hi iam new to the channel and I really love what you do and loved the video. You are a really honest and lovely lady
Thank you so much for being here!!!
Sell cart is an excellent idea,. If i lived near you, i would buy some!
I’ll keep yall posted!
Praying for your family. I recently lost my husband and had to do 2023 taxes on my on. Holy Moly! God provided. Our taxes were almost double from last year even though we made less. I am very frugal. I only buy gas twice a month. But my car went in the shop and it cost $1300. Huge dip into my backup.
Sorry for your loss. And the hard times. I hope things look up soon. ❤️❤️
You gave some great tips!
❤lifeatthenutthouse
Thank you!
Such a nice video- thank you! I am an empty nester- battling professional burnout (healthcare). Last September, I made the decision to leave a corporate position that I felt was killing me and switch to a part time job- i have been on a frugal journey- learning how to live and thrive within my new budget- there have been challenges for sure, but it has been a joy to live simply again and embrace simple pleasures such as growing my own food and baking from scratch on my woodstove- wishing all a life of simplicity and love ❤
Oh that sounds amazing
Same April sucked! Husband lost job, one of our cars has a compression issue, and im a pregnant sahm! So, thankfully, he has a small business to help us get by. I am now searching for employment at almost 7 months😂
I’m so sorry about all of that! Congratulations on your baby!! Let me know when they are born!!! Hope all goes well ❤️❤️❤️
You also could hatch the chicks sell some like that then you let them get to the laying stage and then you sell them as laying hens that's where you really make your money. Yes selling hatching eggs like silkies or heritage breeds you can do really good I think . Yes I've been trying to preserve the most of my eggs and use more out of my pantry but swap out things like condiments and make them homemade and making naan instead of buying it and then making English muffins instead of buying them I've made several swaps to save money .
Good idea! I’ve toyed with getting an incubator but I just haven’t. For some reason the feed store has had trouble selling their chicks so I’ve been really surprised by that.
@@homemadesimplewithlori cause sometimes they aren't taking good care of just a thought I wouldn't go crazy start small let some mature make money off the laying hens first then do it again I got the small 12 ct incubators off Amazon they have done me well and if all else fails have your chickens processed for you .
Shopping around for car insurance is something that saved me quite a bit. It always felt like a huge deal to call around and get different quotes so I neglected it but shopping around, even if it means just calling 3 different places can make a big difference. Also, if you keep the cash on hand to handle car emergencies, you can raise your deductible from $500 to $1K and save there, too.
Great points! I feel sort of obligated to my small town insurance guy, but Chris keeps talking about how we need to shop a bit…..we have HIGH deductibles for that very reason!
Good ideas! Changing insurance and cell phone carriers helped us save!
@@homemadesimplewithlori I had the same issue. Knew my agent well and went to church with him. I told him my situation and gave him an opportunity to keep my business. In the end, I had to change companies, though.
That’s what Chris said…he’s just gonna go in there and talk with him and see what he can offer.
@@homemadesimplewithlori you could get a couple quotes and see if he’ll match
Making bone broth at moment. Tomorrow I will make a highly nutritious vegetable soup. We have a bowl of soup before every meal. Cuts down on portions and I know that my family has a good source of vege’s and protein.
Good idea!
Yes keeping meals simple and pantry helps keep a budget. Shop season sales🎉.
Yes!
I had something similar happen this month I actually had to buy a new to vehicle because I broke down with my kids and I was just fed up luckily I had 1500 in my emergency fund and was able to put that down on the vehicle I will rebuild my emergency fund 100$ a week maybe that will help you I watched all the way to the end hoping that helps ❤
That’s really terrible! What’s going on with everyone’s cars!?!? Glad you can build it back up quickly ❤️❤️
Having a milk cow opens so many doors for you.. you can make cheese, cottage cheese, cream cheese, yogurt, sour cream.. ALL can be sold if your Stare allows it. What about making shelf stable pickled eggs to sell?
My state allows a cow share and pet consumption so I sell the milk under a cow share set up. ❤️
Is there a farmers market near you? If not go to your town/city’s chamber of commerce and see about starting one… you can start small lime you mentioned with baked goods, eggs, plants you can take cuttings from and root starting them off as your starter plants…plant fancy lettuces that you can harvest…also, if you have enough land, plant plenty of pumpkins, gourds etc. start a pumpkin patch with farm animals for a petting area/ zoo. Sell roasted peanuts, jams, jellies, soft drinks, bottled water, organic baby food made from things you can plant in a garden. Rent a hay bailer and let grass grow long enough to make bails of hay. People will drive hour to hour and half away just to bring their families for an outing in the countryside! One man from a very small town started one very small and grew into a business that supported he and his wife along with his children and their families! They put out bails of hay stacked for kids to climb on, a corn field maze, a hayride to go pick out your own pumpkin or pumpkins. They eventually opened a little general store that sold type of food you get at a fair…sold homemade pies, slices and whole, jams, jellies, pickles and canned goods. You could let the kids have a try milking your cow if she doesn’t mind. One farmer close by sets out picnicking tables and cooks up fried catfish, hush puppies, French fries, slaw and Ice Tea with a dessert…charges $20-25.00 a plate. He is booked solid through the months he is not farming. He houses it inside a barn when it is cold or raining. Just some ideas to help you think outside the box! Anything country, antique or reminds people of better times ( homemade pot holders, aprons, krafts for little ones to make a Christmas ornament, face painting etc. will be fun for the whole family)! Fourteen years ago we paid anywhere from $ 12-$14.00 a head for adults and children 10 and up was $8.00 each and children under ten was $2-$3.00 each. You could bring your own lunch or buy something at the general store. Schools, church groups, etc got a discount for so many. I think it was 15 or more.
There actually was a market that closed last month. Maybe if my garden does anything I can have a road side stand.
Been there so many times. I always say when I can meet the bill, God is in charge. Then I revamp everything and do the same, cut out what I can and work harder to put it back. Hang in their God will not give you more than you can bare, where there is prayer there is an answer. We all have seasons in our lives. You have a roof, food, and clothes how very blessed we are. Also, what we consider other countries the average American is rich. You will figure it out. You are never alone lots of people have it harder than this. Well, you did purchase the chickens, so it was meant to be. Trump 2024! Peace!
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Amen!!! Gratitude makes what you have enough. 😊
Your little guy is so sweet. 🤓
I know that it can be quite distressing to be hit with financial or health issues.
Thank you ❤️ we love him and enjoy him so much 💙❤️💙
Everyone is feeling the big pinch in today’s world.
Yes. I see that everywhere. People are just struggling a bit more.
Everything comes at once. I don’t know why that happens. We have to always have that emergency funds. We just have too. ☮️☮️👍👍
Yes!
Last year I had to pay over $13,000 in taxes!!! Luckily I had the money but it did hurt to see it go. Takes longer to save than spend for sure!!!
Wow. Now that is a big chunk. We pay a lot but we don’t see it so it doesn’t hurt as bad as having to fork it over in one big chunk!
We all are in a grocery crunch. Oboy Toilet paper watch coupons buy extra when sales. Tx HEB grocery store coupons and early bird meat discounts 25 % off. I buy Vegs 50% off also in season.
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Zelinsky is glad you had money in savings to pay your Ukraine, I mean tax, bill.
I try not to be political here, but I will say that the day after we paid our big bill and they sent a HUGE “relief package” to a lot of other countries, it made me feel very discouraged. We really could have used that money for our family……but, “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s” so, I just try to have the right heart and attitude ❤️
@@homemadesimplewithlori Same here. The things out of our control are useless to worry about.
That was so mean
No one in this country is suffering like the people in ukraine
God sees all and will provide
beacuse of your comment i have unsubscribed
God sees our heart
@@lindawilson8434 I’m sorry you thought I was being mean. I certainly did not mean to be unkind or unloving. I want everyone to be well. The only point I was making is that the extra money we spent on the tax bill was money we had set aside for things for our family. We had intentions for it. We had a plan for that money we had been saving. But, because the Lord has instructed us to pay to Caesar the things he requires of us, we took that money and paid our tax bill. The money that the government sent to those other countries may do good and I hope it does. I was simply making the point that we could have done good with it for our own family and community.
The times are getting so hard for the people, with the disappearance of our middle class. It’s hard to not impulse buy. Blessings 🙏
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Something my husband and I did most of our working career was have extra money taken out of our taxes all year a extra $35 a week so we always ended with money coming back each year, my sister does the same thing with her paychecks. Look at how much you owed and put in more you'll get it back if you over pay but its never a good thing to owe Uncle Sam. I can't remember which president it was over 30 years ago I'm thinking Clinton? announced to the public "Oh we're going to give you more pay out of your paychecks but at the end of the year? You'll owe us is what it ended up being. My husband and I listened very carefully to his plan and realized exactly that and started having extra taken out and sure enough end of the year and everyone ended up owing that extra money back to the government. Lesson Learned.. don't listen to promises by the government. Anna In Ohio
That’s so good to pay close attention to what is ACTUALLY being said. Sometimes I don’t pay close attention and, I guess, that’s what caused our issue this year. I will definitely look into it in the future!
April was hard, $4,000 in vehicle repairs/maintenance. I was just glad I hadn’t paid off the last of our medical debt and had the cash to pay for that. 😅
Oh no! Medical bills 🤪🤪🤪 those are tough too! Sorry for the car trouble. With that repair maybe it will be good for another 200,000 miles!
you've got this
Thanks! I feel much better already!!
We have friends that also had been hammered with taxes over $5,000+
Additional charges...
Ouch
Couldnt imagine shopping monthly or even weekly
Wow that’s a lot
Yes. The tax bill is hitting everyone. It is because the government wanted to give everyone more money in their paychecks but did not explain that they would still owe at tax time. We had made the decision last year to have more withdrawn each pay period. Not to get a payday on taxes but to try to minimize that tax bill over the course of the year.
I did not realize that! Wow. I will make sure and get Chris to check for next year!
Your kitchen counters are gorgeous. What kind of wood are they?
Oh thank you. They are walnut butcher board.
I love them because I don’t have to worry about them. If they get dinged up or stained, it just adds to their appeal to me 😂
Very first time viewing your videos. Your son sure is a cutie! Keep your chin up- things will get better!
Thank you! We think he’s a dream come true ❤️
I am retired on a fixed income and have a credit card for emergencies. My tv needed to be replaced last month, so that went on the card. Two weeks later my phone just stopped working so i had to replace it too. These are both necessities to me. Dont care what other people think about having a tv. I have to get these paid down soon as hurricane season is coming and that is the purpose of the credit card. We had to evacuate last august 2023 and also in september of 2022. I had to throw away everything in my refrigerator and freezer both times because we lost electricity and everything would spoil. Being on just social security, i had no other way to replace the food til the next month except to put it on the card. I also had to use an uber to get to the shelter and back both times. I have macular degeneration so im not comfortable taking a city bus to get there with my very poor vision. Im not complaining, just stating the facts. I enjoy watching your videos and wish you and your family all the best in these hard times.
So sorry you had a rough month too!!! Hope things look up and hurricane season goes around you this time! ❤️
Had a rough April too for quite a few reasons and we also owed a ton for taxes this year. Want to be more mindful with what I spend especially on line and on groceries. Sometimes I think I shop for entertainment and it releases that good old dopamine. I need to have more self-control for sure and ask myself before I get something, do I really need this or is this just a nice to have want?
Same here.
I know exactly what you mean. My husband and I pay estimates and they were too low for the taxes that were due. That was a big surprise tax bill. Then my husband had a mobile rental in another county here in California. The family stopped paying rent last September, and it was cheap rent to boot as my husband has a good heart and never raised it in 15 years. After waiting until March when they finally had to move out after having to hire an attorney for the process, my husband went down to the property and the whole property was destroyed! There was nothing left of the mobile but scraps and a third of an acre of nothing but trash that all had to be hauled off. The police said it was a civil matter even though it's deliberate destruction of property and insurance won't cover damages deliberately done by a tenant, besides which you can't sue someone in the wind whose whereabouts are unknown. I knew I had to get the front brakes of my car done and so that was no surprise, but after I went to pick it up they said the rear ones needed to be done as well. That following weekend the chain on the garage door opener broke and I had to have someone come out and replace. No choice when the garage door is so heavy no one can manually lift it to get your car out. I can't picture any vacations or days off in my future for at least the rest of the year trying to catch up. No more words.
That all just sounds terrible. So sorry! People are just so uncaring! I can’t imagine doing that to someone else’s property!
Same story here. We had a huge tax bill this year. I think next year will be worse especially if the Trump tax cuts are removed. Great money saving tips. Thank you!
The good thing is now at least we know what to expect a little more closely to what we will owe anyway…..that will help
i use food pantries all the time to help save money and get fresh veggies.
That’s a really good resource for so many! I’m glad you do!
With child care at such a premium, I wonder if you have considered taking in a child to watch? This could be a blessing to the person looking for good child care and bring in extra income for your family. It could even be part-time.
That’s a really good suggestion. I feel like I don’t have the time to devote to another child but maybe I should rethink that and put it on the table. Thanks for the suggestion!
@@homemadesimplewithloripet sitting too
If we got hit with a huge repair bill I would cut off the satellite tv and save over $100/mo. My husband wouldn’t like it but it would have to be done and because my pantry and freezers are full our grocery bill would be less than $100/mo buying only coffee, dairy and some fresh produce. We would adjust the thermostat and unplug absolutely everything that wasn’t being used to cut the electric bill too.
Thankfully we didn’t have to pay any taxes this year but it was the smallest refund we have ever received with having dependents on it.
I hope and pray that your second opinion gives you better news.
Thanks. And it’s so good that you have some good food storage! That will really help in a pinch!
@@homemadesimplewithlori this is why I have the food storage because you just Never know what might happen in life.
New here ❤
Welcome! Thanks for letting me know!! ❤️❤️
We owe $15,000 this year and I’m late on mine so tell me about it!
Woah. That’s awful
Definitely a bad month for cars. My car also died and I just purchased another car. Fortunately I had the money for down payment. I'm hoping to have it paid off by the end of next year. I'm retired at 60 so I will just work a part time job to get it paid off instead of spending down savings to pay the monthly payments.
I hate being in debt. Not being in debt was the reason I was able to retire early. However and fortunately I knew that at some point I would need a new car and my plan was to work a part time job to pay it off to lessen the stress a little bit. It's still a bummer though.
It is such a bummer! So sorry!
I’m so sorry about the car and taxes. But you did really great on groceries. You got eggs. Can sell eggs to help?
Yes! I have started finding more customers!
WAY, way, way back - a woman named Amy Dacyczyn (pronounced decision) was writing a newsletter, which was later compiled into 3 books, called The Tighwad Gazette. She did the math for a working mom (second income) and a SAHM. This was back in the 80s, just before the financial crisis, agreed each financial crisis since then has gotten worse effecting more people each time. A SAHM saved the family more money than she would have brought home after expenses.
Agreed some women's job are the primary income depending on the skill set of each spouse, but the ages and number of the children will effect the decision for one parent to stay home,
Every now and gain I see the article that lists the "income a SAHM could earn if she was paid for everything she does from short order cook to nurse aid. The most important part of both spouses role in the family is to talk together (that means listening as well), and to the kids, about what is going on and what plans and suggestions can be agreed upon to minimize waste, cut costs and increase savings and stored food.
Very interesting!
You can use credit cards like cash just pay your cards balance every month and see your credit score soar
That is a good possibility if you have self control! Thanks for the tip ❤️