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Something that really does need to be discussed. My sister used to be obsessed with Dave Ramsey and they had to save a million dollars or else they wouldn't be able to retire......and then my brother in law died at age 47. Life is short. People need balance.
I so agree with you here. My husband passed away last October at 68 from brain cancer. Would have, should have, could have.. life is short sometimes unfortunately. I don't know if Dave Ramsey promotes life insurance but I just have to say I think it's very important if you have loved ones you are leaving behind.
I am with you - my mother passed away a year after she retired from her full time job aged 66. Unbeknown to me she must have been saving hard her whole life in preparation for her retirement and had amassed quite a fortune - it makes me so sad to know that she never got to realise the benefits of her frugality xx
My husband passed away 12 years ago. I was advised to call all my creditors. Two credit cards offered me payoffs that were considerably less than what I owed. I was living very frugally, trying to save money to pass on to my children. Then I realized they made more than I do. Since I retired, I have gone on an Alaskan cruise and am planning a Mediterranean cruise for next year--paid for in cash. I have taken my children and grandchildren on a Carribean Cruise. I always put my church giving first. It is a such a good feeling. I know I won't always be able to go places so now is the time.
I will give you a story about how saving money helps your life. I broke a window on my house this week. It was my fault for being careless. My husband came out to take a look, and he didn't lose his temper, we didn't get into an argument. We just stood there and discussed what caused it and how to fix it. Afterwards he told me that ""We have the money put aside to take care of this, so there is no point in stressing over it." I can imagine how differently that situation would have gone down if we weren't in that position.
Tip the service-guys who might not expect it. The electrician who doesn't own the company. The guy from Comcast who stopped by to bury my cable and did a beautiful job. It's not a big deal to hand someone $20 and tell them you appreciate their work and you'd like to buy them lunch. But it makes their day. No job should be thankless. And yes to Doc Martens. Of course!
I always tip and give Christmas $$for regular jobs I have someone do (77yo & hubby 84) so we do need help. Everyone does more than I’ve asked and I can’t stop them. I think it’s because they know we appreciate their good work.
I have been watching your video's and love them. This one was the best! my Father worked in a factory and farmed. My Mom used to say that when he retires they will take a trip. well, He died of a heart attack at 60! They never took a real vacation. I learned from that and even though we had five children we always took them on vacation. We would load up the van with a cooler full of food, the kids and toys and off we would go. We stayed in medium priced hotels with a pool and the kids LOVED it. We went from Michigan to Florida, Out west and everywhere inbetween. And by being frugal, we still were able to retire comfortably. and guess what? My husband passed away at 64. a few years after he retired. SO, it's a good thing we enjoyed life when we did. No regrets! thank you
A fugal way to enjoy musical theater is to attend high school performances. They are usually under $20 and the talent of the students is often amazing. Plus, it's nice to support your local school theater program, and enjoy the enthusiasm of the students.
I've been debt-free for 4 days and I'm still getting used to the sense of relief! When selecting a charity, please don't forget your local animal rescue centres; there is so much they need, including time spent with the animals to socialise them.
Went to my local Kroger's store today. The total was $97.39. Considering all the marked-down, close-to-expiration date products I bought; the normal price total would have been $117.52. After specials discounts, digital & paper coupons, etc. were applied, I paid $53.48. i love being a frugal shopper. 🤣
Being a frugal shopper is fun and addictive like a slot machine. I have to remind myself if a food isn't healthy it doesn't matter how good the deal/savings because I need to value health. I realized this the day I got 4 big bags of name brand chips for just $10. What a savings! But health destroyer. How many bananas/beans/veggies could I get for $10? Sigh, I'm a pig at heart. Wait, is that ice cream over there marked down to 2 for $14???!!! 🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️💨
Hi. I’m a gig driver. I do mostly Instacart and Walmart Spark and I am a long time viewer and live your videos. Thank you for tipping $10 to the person who shops and delivers your groceries! You’d be surprised how many people don’t tip and it’s really sad because we often get offered $7 to shop for two customers and deliver in our own cars. Tips for great service is more than appreciated!😊
You made another video sometime last year that was also encouraging us to live a little, step out of our comfort zone (if it’s in the budget of course) and enjoy life. Wanted to tell you that you were the catalyst for my husband and I to finally buy a house in the country. We really wanted more peace and quiet; where we lived at the time was very close to a freeway and the yards in our neighborhood were very tiny. We felt like we had no privacy and was always bombarded by the noise of traffic. Our new home is smaller, but that works perfectly for us, and it’s located on wooded acreage. We see God’s creations like deer, rabbits, and birds galore daily and is such a blessing! We feel so grateful for watching that video last year because we realized that we are allowed to live more freely and make a change in our lives while we are still young and healthy enough to enjoy it. Thank you, Christine!
This tho. My plans in the near future also although I think I’m ok with even semi rural. I actually prefer a smaller house. And it is generally less expensive than living in town or suburbia, so it’s a win win for me.
Now my financial situation is very stable, I spend less time working and more time voluntering. It connects me to other people and it brings me great joy.
This is why I love watching your channel Christine! My husband and I have lived frugally since day 1, but always with a goal in mind! People have often thought we’ve done things in a really weird way, but it works for us. We spent our 1st year living downtown in a big city. Sounds ritzy right? We scored an amazing deal on a rental (studio), sold our car, and never ate out or bought anything. With us both working we saved enough money in a year to buy a mini van, travel around the states for 2 months, then move to a smaller town and start a business. (No we didn’t have fancy jobs. I was a barista /nanny and he was a barber) Currently we’re living completely debt free with 3 kids in a 2 bedroom condo and we’re living the dream! We live in a vacation property on the lake with a pool and this week we’re buying a boat! We’re able to do these things because we don’t do the every day extras, we live and work all in the same neighborhood so we have 1 vehicle and we walk and bike a lot, and I grocery shop exactly like you. No sale sticker? Sorry kids it’s not coming home. Thanks for your channel!
We went to Maui 15 years ago. I had enough American Airlines points for free flights. I had enough Marriott points for free hotel. Our only expenses were a rental car, gas, and food. We met a realtor while eating breakfast and she gave us a list of the best places locals go to eat. She did not steer us wrong! As far as the luau, the hotel next door to the Marriott had one. We did not go to eat. However, the luau was outdoors and the public sidewalk went right by it. We managed to stand there and watch the dancers and it was really fun and FREE.
I AGREE!! I think a good definition of frugal is to always be aware of your money and your spending. Be CONSCIOUS of where the money is going. This is a way of life....no matter how much money you make or have!!
My daughter-in-law and I just bought a new Cricut die cutting machine. We waited for it to go on sale and split the cost, it was a little over $400. This is how we splurged frugally. We are both crafters and this thing is awesome. It lives at her house, they have more room.
I took my daughter to see Elton John for her 30th BDay last year. Worth every penny spent! Thanks to living minimal/frugal I could afford it. We had so much fun. It was on my bucket list for years and hers. My Aunt passed away on her way home from my other aunts funeral last year. She had skipped dessert, took all the skin off of her chicken, all this stuff trying to be healthy. It ended up being her last meal. I will not diet or skip what I love any longer. Nor will I give up travel/experiences for the same reason. I want to get everything I can out of this life. And living minimalist/frugal seems like such an easy trade off to do that.
Being frugal is a difficult habit to break. We went camping for a week at the beach during the summer one time. Cheap and lots of fun. Off season beach trips are also fun and cheap. We would find a good hotel running an off season special and go eat at good restaurants. One year I was particularly broke during the kids' spring break so we stayed home and each day took a different arm of the local subway, stopping along the way to go to restaurants, museums and such.
I know quite a few people that lived so frugally that they never even took a vacation. They planned to travel after their retirement but some didn’t live that long. Others have health problems that limit what they can do. I try to save money in some areas but I also spend money on things I enjoy doing while I’m in good enough health to do them.
We drove to Florida for vacation last year and the favorite activity of my kids was stopping at Buffalo National River in Arkansas. It cost NOTHING! We played in the river and they begged us to come back another time.
Last year my husband had a stroke. Unexpected, he’s in pretty good health, and under 50. It threw us for a loop. We always said we were going to travel more but somehow just didn’t. Months later we took a once in a lifetime trip to Florida and did as much as we possibly could. This year we did the same and just went on spring break to Seattle and ran down our bucket list. We do day trips (Texas is huge yall!) and really try to not only enjoy our lives but build memories with our kids. We want to save money and pay off debt, but we want to also do things that we can while we are physically fit to do so. We did 3 separate hikes in Seattle area and out of everything we did, our 15 year old told us that was his favorite thing we did. Those were free/cheap. It has really hit home for us that our quality of life is a priority.
I finally did it I splurged Instead of buying the least expensive vacuum as I always have... Having to replace it every few years (if lucky) I bought a more expensive cordless vacuum!!! It was a $800+ model But I wanted.... I watched... And it paid off because I got it for under $300!!!! AND I got an extra part's kit on top of it for FREE!!!! I love it, it's so easy to use and it's really lite so it doesn't hurt my back! Yyyyyyyyyyyaaaaaa ME 😁
My parents bought a pricey Electrolux as newlyweds and used it regularly for some 30 years. They still have it but bought a lighter, easier to move vacuum for regular cleaning.
My current "charity" is leaving a huge tip for the girl who cuts my hair at the Walmart salon. She has like 4 kids and needs it more than I do. Very frugal but we also treat ourselves to breakfast out once a week. Life is short. ❤
I really appreciate this video. I like to call it mindful spending. Last year we invested in really nice patio furniture, we all work long hours and I am a gardener, so we often go outside and just enjoy the sun and the flowers. We created a seating area that is comfy and cozy. I even have meetings out there now. This year we will add a few umbrellas for shade . It is important to savor time as well, I do pick up for most things to buy my time back, love that phrasing by the way. Great topic.
Exactly!!! I like the frugal life but I like to splurge now and then, in something that I really need. Cheap sometimes is not the best...you get what you pay for...BTW, I love how you rephrased frugal as "mindful spending"..so true..
WE did the same thing. We used savings, divided up the "payments" to pay ourselves back and bought a beautiful patio set. WE LOVE IT. and so do our family and friends.
I've been learning to get to the happy medium for a while. I went from a full time job that I was making $18/hr and killing myself to a part time job that I make $11.75/hr and I have an actual life! Its been so life changing. I have learned so many things. Now I'm hoping to be working even less by the end of the year and still thriving.
I'm 67. I have always had a struggle with weight. My 3 bikes were expensive, but so worth the cost. My philosophy: you can buy the good things like bikes, shoes and gym memberships and be healthy, or pay it to the Dr. and or pharmacy. Pretty simple.
We feel the same way. We shop at Whole Foods when we can and our family thinks we’re crazy. We’d rather buy the healthy expensive food than😊 pay for doctors visits and prescriptions.
Couldn’t agree more. After years of getting in a really good financial situation the hubs was ready to build our dream lake house. I was so scared and reluctant to let go and do it. It’s done, it’s beautiful and we’re still financially strong. I’ve thanked him more than once recently for pushing me out of the comfort zone. It was the right time to live the life we’ve dreamed of while we can enjoy it.
Omg….mind blown having meal kits delivered to you air bnb. I’m always borrowing my moms timeshare and find it overwhelming to pack all the necessity food items. I will start doing this what a great idea.
Just love your points in this video! About the splurging, I once read this story about two men with different income levels. They both needed to buy winter boots; the first one could only afford a $20 pair and they only lasted one season because of the quality, so next winter he had to buy a new pair for $20. The other man could afford a good quality pair for $50 and they lasted for many many season. This story goes go show how poor people stay poor and the wealthier people stay wealthy- and also, everyone should know when to splurge, and save for it if needed. ☺️
My husband and I got married last year after losing both of our spouses the year before. This February, we took my three teenagers to Israel for 9 days. It was a splurge, but it was an amazing, life changing trip. I'm so glad we did it!
lol we know better, that's why I watch you. I do agree though that we need to also enjoy life because you never know when it will be over. Just enjoy within your means.
I agree with the experiences 100%. We paid off our house last year and one trip is 1 months house payment! What a trade off and still saving money for retirement!!
Good friends had planned a trip to Europe for 4 weeks and were talking about it at dinner. After dinner they invited me to join them in the last country. I smiled and thanked then said I'd give it serious consideration. Talked to my 34 yo son and he shouted "GO!!!". I'm in my 60s, divorced and living very frugally. Two nights later I booked a flight in business class for the 10 hr flight. Big...huge splurge for me. How often will I have the opportunity to join great friends, loads of fun while I'm able to? I'm always frugal...shop at discount stores, used to sew a lot, cut my kids hair, cut and color my own hair etc. I'm stocked up for at least year and rarely shop anymore. If I cancel my cable plan to internet only I could pay for that $2000 plane ticket. Life is short
I finally saw Cats at the the-a-ter, lol. But my sister and I went on an off night. Not too crowded, great seats, and only $25. But I still enjoy the Science Center, the Art Center, and the Botanical Gardens- all free admission. House is paid, car is paid, $600 left on CC debt. Pantry/freezer so stocked I could skip grocery store for at least 6 months other than milk, etc. (Thanks Christine!). Garden about ready to go in. Camping (off grid cheap) is my go to for recharging and I have an inflatable kayak so I’m doing pretty well. But yes, if I want something I can buy it. Lots of things on my shopping list but I always wait to pull the trigger at LEAST a week. It’s my version of window shopping 😂.
I'm a little off kilter in the current economy, since I normally do ok grocery shopping and am struggling to find bargains and save on things we use. However, we will occasionally splurge on say dinner in a nice restaurant or event to celebrate a birthday or event.
GIRL!! HOW DID YOU SCORE TS ERA TOUR TICKETS!! Lol... I took the day off work, moved money around, fixed the budget to give my daughters the DREAM Christmas gift (bc they are HUGE SWIFTIES!). UNFORTUNATELY we fell victim to the Ticketmaster site crash fiasco! I've watched your channel for quite some time. you inspire me. We all want to LIVE LIFE! That's the goal, right?! I want to get to a point that I can do the things you are able to do with your family. You have shown us that by being frugal for a period of time and paying off debt, that you can get to a point where you can truly enjoy life! I just wish I had started sooner! You rock Christine and are an inspiration to me!
Love this video! So much truth in making the most of each moment and living life rather than waiting. Getting a cancer diagnosis at 40 and hearing that there was an 85% chance of dying within 5 years changed my outlook on life. I choose to find joy each day and experiences over stuff.
Doc Martins! I got them for my birthday, only because I missed out on a family event out, so the money could be spent on the actual Docs and not the off brand-totally worth it!🤚🏽
Last October I started hiking and I've been lucky enough to score all my gear ( good quality gear) on sale or clearance anywhere from 50% off to 80% off and since I'm out 3-4 times a week my cost pre use is crazy low. It also serves as entertainment , dates and foraging we pack a picnic lunch with hot tea, birdwatch and collect wild edibles and our dogs love it as well.
I am so happy to hear you talk about buying your time back! Part of that can also be choosing to earn less or trading earnings for savings/frugality. As one's financial needs get more met, it is so important to start thinking about the cost benefit analysis of the things you buy - what are you willing to trade to have time now? For me, I started following you to enable me to replace part of my income with time - because I'd rather garden and can and clearance shop with my time than give it all to my employer. I cut our groceries to a quarter of what we were spending (partially due to your tips!); this let me be home more. I watched both my parents and my FIL work until they were physically unable; and their savings haven't gone to all the things they wanted - like travel - because they can't now. Plan for the future but live today. I so enjoy your channel, and now even more❤
I don't think you'll ever be comfortable without trying to find the best deal on just about everything you spend your money on as long as it's worth your time. It's in my DNA, too. When you're bringing in money, don't have any debt, maximizing your retirement plans, and making great investments for the future then whatever is left over as disposable income is worth splurging towards enjoyment. Tipping is a priority, so is charity, and paying full retail at mom and pops. Your videos are always inspiring. I'll try to be more visible with comments to help push the algorithm.
I grew up frugal too. Had single mom raising us two in the 70s. Never ate out or even had a vacation until I graduated high school. I still love being frugal, im debt free, but since my moms death I spend money on what is important but still find ways to do it cheaper. Its a balance
I agree! Frugality is personal! I am older and saved late...very late! So retirement savings is a must and I live a good life. I buy quality clothes that last...I get haircuts once every three to four months...I live simply....I am on vacation for a few days..so I am fine with renting a movie, indulging in takeout for a night or so and spending time reading and with friends...I finally got tired so tired of spending money on things! Great video!
I love this so much! My husband and I have definitely been guilty of being frugal but not enjoying the savings enough. We recently had a friend to die suddenly at a young age. It was a real wake up call for both of us. We’re not promised tomorrow.
if you can, take your whole family to a coldplay concert. i promise you it will be an experience all of you will never forget! i feel like being frugal has some negative connotation to it when in fact thinking about how you can spend you money more wisely is actually extremely clever and it eventually becomes a lifestyle where you don´t see why you should spend x amount on stupid things when you can also have it cheaper. i think you are the best example that this lifestyle completely pays off. i also changed my lifestyle drastically in the last few years and how far i get with very little money is insane. when i think about how much money i blew in the last 20 years for nothing it gives me anxiety!
My mother in law gives us cash at Christmas to be used on ourselves. Not allowed to pay bills with it. My husband and I use it toward Broadway shows. We know we can pick better seats because we have the Christmas money. That’s how we saw Hamilton last year and we’ll be seeing Aladdin this year. All my MIL wants in return is a picture of us at the show. It brings her joy!
My parents were born in 32 and 36, they were from big families and were dirt poor. They were savers and had retirement, no debt, raised 4 kids with no debt. In 1980 my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, got thru it and survived, about 15 years later she got it again, survived, but the third time, she did not survive, she was gone 6 weeks after her 57th bday. My dad followed her less than 2 years later, he just missed her so bad. Moral of the story… enjoy your life, you only get 1.
I had a pair of doc martens. They were the best shoes I’ve ever owned. Definitely worth getting them. Love this video. Should have been a April Fool’s joke type of video.
So true, treating yourself or spending money on things that are worth it one in awhile is ok when you're being financially responsible. Last summer my husband and I went on the most amazing trip to Europe. We had saved a long time and knew we could afford it without putting anything on credit cards, borrowing money, etc. And yet we were both feeling so stressed about how much we were spending. We had to just give ourselves permission and say we earned this experience.
I love being able to tip generously. I have lived very, very frugally for decades and am now in a position to tip well. The people who are working in service professions work hard and aren't always rewarded with a paycheck that reflects it, so to me it feels like a luxury to give a little more than maybe some others are unable to right now. Not everyone is able to give as much as they might like, I get that, but if I can make up the difference even a little I feel good and I hope the recipient does, too.
I 100% agree. I am finally in a place where I can pay bills, put money away, donate to charity and buy what I want when I want. I am still frugal, but I know I will be okay when I am older and life is short,.
You will NEVER stop being frugal. It's built in your genes. If you can change you will drive me bonkers. I need your tips. I'm disabled and can't stand at the stove to cook. Use a slow cooker. That way I don't have to stand over what I'm trying to cook. I know your not going to stop what your doing. Love you girl. Have a great Christmas. Blessings to you and your family.
I'm going to my first concert in about 15years in a couple of weeks. Going to see Home Free, and while base tickets were only $29, my mother paid for me to get the VIP experience as I rarely go out a side from work and she wanted me to really enjoy it. (Also I am taking my first vacation days at my job in 2 years to see them)
I have learned so much from you! I look for deals more often, go to more than one store, and check ads. It isn't always perfect but it has certainly made a difference.
I love your videos and look forward to them. Besides life being short sometimes your health and physical abilities become limiting. Thanks for the reminder to treat ourselves once in a while.
This is so me. Frugal has a definition and deprivation isn't part of it. Its being mindful with your dollars. We carry no debt, but were go on vacation, we have dependable cars, etc.
My in laws and their friends said this Saturday night. They’re tired of talking about doing stuff because they’ll never go and actually do it. We are trying to encourage them to get off the front porch and enjoy life!
Thank you for this. We have lived simply and frugally for many years now. House is paid off, bills are paid off and we're saving for our retirement. But we've also started loosening up on the purse strings a bit. And it's nice for us to go out to lunch/dinner whenever we feel like it (seriously, this is like twice a month but it's a big deal for us). My husband got a job that's a farther drive and instead of hoping his 8 year old/121,000 miles having truck would survive, we got more reliable transportation. Reaping the benefits of our hard work, I've got to say, is really nice.
Fabulous! However, I have now STOPPED going to concerts and events - fed up being ripped off with extortionate ticket prices and booking fees and then the very over-inflated food and drink prices. Looking forward to some nice holidays now, though x
Ticket prices are ridiculous and the older I get the less I like crowds so no big concerts for me lol. We’ve been going to small venues to concerts by tribute bands. Black Jacket Symphony puts on some great shows and tickets are about $50 We recently saw a Pink Floyd tribute band that was really good for $20
Great video! Balance is key. I'm frugal but I also splurge. I'm 51 and friends my age are spending like crazy. One friend is vacationing once a month outside of the country at a resort. At a certain point, it's not creating memories. I have a friend who always dines out. No it's not cheaper to dine out. I have a friend with a $2k bike but doesn't have a dependable car to get to work. I was a young mother and grandmother. My oldest daughter's husband left for basic training 3 days after they got married. Road trips to see her and my grandkids became a part of our lives. We love being frugal and getting great deals. It has allowed our family to invest in real estate and be secure. I live 150ft from a vacation spot. My youngest daughter comments about how people spend so much money to vacation here. To us, its home.
Thanks for great content. I love the generous aspect of your video. Our family is proud of "slaying" events. We never spend more money that we are comfortable. No other family can keep up with us. No other family has MORE fun. We've never gone on epic, once in a lifetime trips(AFRICA/AUSTRALIA...yet) but wherever we go, WE SLAY IT and LOVE IT! Love you!
Same here.We have 9 children and we are the ones to throw 3 family barbecues each summer and we invite whomever wants to come.We spend very little and I coupon.Everyone just can't understand how much fun we have without going to fancy places or vacations.11 people throwing frisbees at once and playing trampoline dodgeball..better than any trip and it's free.
I think vacations visiting family is wonderful instead of spending tons of money on expensive vacations. Memories made are more important to me then spending money
I found your CZcams channel last week and I'm obsessed (in a good way 😂) with your videos! Love to see you and your husband laughing together! Well done 👊🏼
When I tell people that the only vacations I've been on were Boy Scout camping trips (which were awesome, tbh) they think it's SO COOL and wonder why we did that. Like man, we were POOR.
Haha same. I’m 36 and when I tell people I’ve never been on vacation they look at me like a 3 headed alien. Debt free though🎉. Going on vacation next year finally.
Buying back your time is a great way to think about it. I find it saves me money to shop online and have groceries delivered because I'm not buying impulse purchases like I tend to do when I shop at the store.
I love that you take your kids to concerts! My mom did that with me when I was a teen - especially when they were farther away. She liked the music well enough as well, so they were definitely great bonding time. I look back very fondly at those memories and am super thankful that she made the effort for me :)
My dad grew up in the great depression (yes my dad was much older than My mom).. so being frugal was normal. I couldn't get CK jeans.. it was Lerners.. crazy how times have changed.. I remember getting pop at aldi for $.20 a can..
My son and I regularly go to concerts together too. Our next one is Blink182, in February 2024. His choice so I now have 10 months to learn their songs. That will be here in Australia. We don't tip here but do when we visit family. 11 years ago hubby and I were in San Francisco. We usually buy our foods from supermarkets but once a week ate out. You should have seen our servers face (a look of surprise) when we left her $10 for a $12 breakfast bill. And the server at Applebee's got $50. My personal splurge is good quality shoes, as I have a serious back problem. I wait until Nike or Vans go on sale. I only have 1 of those brands at a time but always get a new pair when I feel them not being their best.
I agree with you on the entertainment. Last year, I saw alot of live music/concerts. Richard Marx, Beach Boys/Wilson gals of Wilson Phillips, Artemis Pyle Band, and a few others. There's a venue called the Des Plaines Theater in Illinois that has top acts for a fraction of the price at the arenas. I did a couple of almost staycations too. I live just outside of Chicago. I went to Bloomington IL for the weekend. All of about 130 miles from my house. It's kinda cool to explore what my state looks like outside of Chicago! And I am a fan (for the most part) of the home delivery. I use Target and Amazon Fresh alot. I just hate it when Amazon limits some things or does a crappy replacement. Like I love fizzy water (no calories or sugar) and they replaced it with a fizzy water/juice drink one time. Bleh. And it's OK to have nice things. I'm a purse fanatic! But I go to thrift and consignment stores to get them. Why pay $300 for a Coach bag when I could get it for $50????
Such and important lesson to be taught/learned! I too have young deaths in the family (friends too) and it's really an eye opener that we're not guaranteed tomorrow. So take a bite of the cake, have a little fun, go somewhere new, just don't go completely crazy with it.
I really appreciate your channel! I am a 22 year old young woman who was never taught all of these important things about life. I come from a divorced family. My mom was the bread winner but she was/still is horrible with money. My dad basically upheld all the responsibilities by paying the bills on time, etc. I do not want to be financially irresponsible like my parents.
Read The Psychology of Money book. Small book. Everyone I know is reading it now and we all wish we read it at your age! (No affiliation). Also save long term for retirement now. Even $50 per month in an IRA. You have 40+ years of compounding interest!
If I could go back to my 22 year old self: Put the max in a Roth IRA because you don't pay taxes on the money's growth you pay when you put the money in. It will grow to a gigantic amount by the time you retire, 2) avoid debt except maybe a mortgage, 3) furnish your home with yard sales you get great stuff very cheap. Until I could find what I wanted at yard sales, I had a $15 air mattress, $8 table and folding chairs. 3)For every purchase/habit calculate the cost over 80 years, 4)Only marry someone who shares your values and money values because divorce is expensive, 5)DIY as much as possible. Lastly buy quality for things that you use a lot for example a car. I pay more for a Toyota but they last so long and with few problems. I bought their smallest, cheapest car. Wish I were 22 with the know how I have now.
A few months ago I realized how important it is to spend money on our kids (within reason and within our personal budget). I had a great time spending money on things they will love for their Easter Baskets!
We are in the same mindset with balancing being financially responsible with finding joy today and not holding everything off for "some day", while also being charitable. Question: how do you get Walmart+ for only $50.00. Mine is more like $80 (or maybe more) in Michigan. Thanks Christine!
I hear you on the Doc Martens. I bought mine in Ireland (studying abroad), they were much cheaper than buying them in the states. Back in the 90s (in college) I owned 3 pairs of shoes: sneakers (for working out), motorcycle boots I thrifted and the Doc Martens (which I wore with literally EVERYTHING).
I'm taking my nephew to Foo Fighters in June; I promised him 5 years ago I was going to take him but it's fallen through twice; third time is the charm :) Can't wait!
You HAVE to eat at Paia Fish Market when you're in Maui! We've always saved money on our trips there by hitting Costco first thing and eating breakfasts and lunches in our VRBO, and only eating out for dinner. Paia Fish Market (the original in Paia or the one in Kihei), Da Kitchen, Pinatas, and Flatbread are some of our repeat faves. Maui has so many fun and free activities. (Don't miss the Iao Valley hiking.) You'll have a blast!
i feel this, i lived so carefully with my finances for so long, that after recently switching to a new job, which has given me the option of more financial liberty. It's just hard to spend now, or spending more than i used to is always associated with feelings of guilt/remorse. (again this is not big or mindless spending either) I have watched your channel for years and this video really made me feel comforted and understood, it felt good hearing these words from you because it is from someone who also went through the same transition and that did not happen over a short period of time. ❤
I have lived off coupons and discounts for most of my life, not spending a lot of money for things, buy one get one free,etc. Now being debt free from a mortage . LOL but now that i have gotten older ,i have learned to enjoy what i spend my money on, even if it's just great food!
Have to remember to live along the way. Too many people save up everything and postpone trips so they'll be set later in life. But there's no guarantee you'll be able to DO those things later in life, or even alive for that matter. Our old neighbors, worst example ever. They lived in their starter home forever, lived like paupers, had everything set up so they could retire at 50. Pretty awesome, really. He literally died at his last day of work, heart attack. His wife went full crazy for about 3 years, was convinced the FBI was in the trees and after her, refused to get help, would only talk to my mother and her sister, nobody else could be trusted. They were all in with the FBI. (Why would the FBI be after her? Who knows!) Poor thing just snapped. She eventually got help, but after that, my outlook on life and living changed completely. I'm still very frugal, but I'm not going the no-vacations-save-everything route. No way.
Totally skipped the Docs back in the day. Instead, found a pair of boots at Goodwill and spent 4 hours painting them with nail polish because I was a cheap 14 year-old! Also, love your NFG shirt. :)
Thank you Helix for sponsoring! Visit helixsleep.com/frugalfitmom to get 20% off your Helix mattress, plus two free pillows. Offers subject to change. #helixsleep
Stop playing😂❤
Something that really does need to be discussed. My sister used to be obsessed with Dave Ramsey and they had to save a million dollars or else they wouldn't be able to retire......and then my brother in law died at age 47. Life is short. People need balance.
I so agree with you here. My husband passed away last October at 68 from brain cancer. Would have, should have, could have.. life is short sometimes unfortunately. I don't know if Dave Ramsey promotes life insurance but I just have to say I think it's very important if you have loved ones you are leaving behind.
@@esteeb42 Dave Ramsey promotes term life insurance, yes. But not whole life... I'm sorry for your families loss.
So much this! I’m so sorry for your loss! My father passed at 42, the same age I am now, my life was forever put into a different perspective.
I am with you - my mother passed away a year after she retired from her full time job aged 66. Unbeknown to me she must have been saving hard her whole life in preparation for her retirement and had amassed quite a fortune - it makes me so sad to know that she never got to realise the benefits of her frugality xx
My father was a teacher and he died 5 weeks before his retirement. I am frugal but we live our lives and make memories now.
My husband passed away 12 years ago. I was advised to call all my creditors. Two credit cards offered me payoffs that were considerably less than what I owed. I was living very frugally, trying to save money to pass on to my children. Then I realized they made more than I do. Since I retired, I have gone on an Alaskan cruise and am planning a Mediterranean cruise for next year--paid for in cash. I have taken my children and grandchildren on a Carribean Cruise. I always put my church giving first. It is a such a good feeling. I know I won't always be able to go places so now is the time.
Being frugal is like minimalism. You don't do it for the sake of doing it. You do it to focus on what you really want. Thank you.
I will give you a story about how saving money helps your life. I broke a window on my house this week. It was my fault for being careless. My husband came out to take a look, and he didn't lose his temper, we didn't get into an argument. We just stood there and discussed what caused it and how to fix it. Afterwards he told me that ""We have the money put aside to take care of this, so there is no point in stressing over it." I can imagine how differently that situation would have gone down if we weren't in that position.
Accidents happen.
Tip the service-guys who might not expect it. The electrician who doesn't own the company. The guy from Comcast who stopped by to bury my cable and did a beautiful job. It's not a big deal to hand someone $20 and tell them you appreciate their work and you'd like to buy them lunch. But it makes their day. No job should be thankless.
And yes to Doc Martens. Of course!
I always tip and give Christmas $$for regular jobs I have someone do (77yo & hubby 84) so we do need help. Everyone does more than I’ve asked and I can’t stop them. I think it’s because they know we appreciate their good work.
I have been watching your video's and love them. This one was the best! my Father worked in a factory and farmed. My Mom used to say that when he retires they will take a trip. well, He died of a heart attack at 60! They never took a real vacation. I learned from that and even though we had five children we always took them on vacation. We would load up the van with a cooler full of food, the kids and toys and off we would go. We stayed in medium priced hotels with a pool and the kids LOVED it. We went from Michigan to Florida, Out west and everywhere inbetween. And by being frugal, we still were able to retire comfortably. and guess what? My husband passed away at 64. a few years after he retired. SO, it's a good thing we enjoyed life when we did. No regrets! thank you
A fugal way to enjoy musical theater is to attend high school performances. They are usually under $20 and the talent of the students is often amazing. Plus, it's nice to support your local school theater program, and enjoy the enthusiasm of the students.
I've been debt-free for 4 days and I'm still getting used to the sense of relief! When selecting a charity, please don't forget your local animal rescue centres; there is so much they need, including time spent with the animals to socialise them.
Haven't even seen it yet but nope. It's in your blood. You're not cheap, but you'll always be frugal. 😂😂❤❤❤❤
Went to my local Kroger's store today. The total was $97.39. Considering all the marked-down, close-to-expiration date products I bought; the normal price total would have been $117.52. After specials discounts, digital & paper coupons, etc. were applied, I paid $53.48. i love being a frugal shopper. 🤣
So awesome!!❤❤❤
Being a frugal shopper is fun and addictive like a slot machine. I have to remind myself if a food isn't healthy it doesn't matter how good the deal/savings because I need to value health. I realized this the day I got 4 big bags of name brand chips for just $10. What a savings! But health destroyer. How many bananas/beans/veggies could I get for $10? Sigh, I'm a pig at heart. Wait, is that ice cream over there marked down to 2 for $14???!!! 🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️💨
I saved about the same - 48% - last time I went there.
Hi. I’m a gig driver. I do mostly Instacart and Walmart Spark and I am a long time viewer and live your videos.
Thank you for tipping $10 to the person who shops and delivers your groceries!
You’d be surprised how many people don’t tip and it’s really sad because we often get offered $7 to shop for two customers and deliver in our own cars.
Tips for great service is more than appreciated!😊
You made another video sometime last year that was also encouraging us to live a little, step out of our comfort zone (if it’s in the budget of course) and enjoy life. Wanted to tell you that you were the catalyst for my husband and I to finally buy a house in the country. We really wanted more peace and quiet; where we lived at the time was very close to a freeway and the yards in our neighborhood were very tiny. We felt like we had no privacy and was always bombarded by the noise of traffic. Our new home is smaller, but that works perfectly for us, and it’s located on wooded acreage. We see God’s creations like deer, rabbits, and birds galore daily and is such a blessing! We feel so grateful for watching that video last year because we realized that we are allowed to live more freely and make a change in our lives while we are still young and healthy enough to enjoy it. Thank you, Christine!
This tho. My plans in the near future also although I think I’m ok with even semi rural. I actually prefer a smaller house. And it is generally less expensive than living in town or suburbia, so it’s a win win for me.
Same! Working for this!
Now my financial situation is very stable, I spend less time working and more time voluntering. It connects me to other people and it brings me great joy.
This is why I love watching your channel Christine! My husband and I have lived frugally since day 1, but always with a goal in mind! People have often thought we’ve done things in a really weird way, but it works for us. We spent our 1st year living downtown in a big city. Sounds ritzy right? We scored an amazing deal on a rental (studio), sold our car, and never ate out or bought anything. With us both working we saved enough money in a year to buy a mini van, travel around the states for 2 months, then move to a smaller town and start a business. (No we didn’t have fancy jobs. I was a barista /nanny and he was a barber) Currently we’re living completely debt free with 3 kids in a 2 bedroom condo and we’re living the dream! We live in a vacation property on the lake with a pool and this week we’re buying a boat! We’re able to do these things because we don’t do the every day extras, we live and work all in the same neighborhood so we have 1 vehicle and we walk and bike a lot, and I grocery shop exactly like you. No sale sticker? Sorry kids it’s not coming home. Thanks for your channel!
We went to Maui 15 years ago. I had enough American Airlines points for free flights. I had enough Marriott points for free hotel. Our only expenses were a rental car, gas, and food. We met a realtor while eating breakfast and she gave us a list of the best places locals go to eat. She did not steer us wrong! As far as the luau, the hotel next door to the Marriott had one. We did not go to eat. However, the luau was outdoors and the public sidewalk went right by it. We managed to stand there and watch the dancers and it was really fun and FREE.
I AGREE!! I think a good definition of frugal is to always be aware of your money and your spending. Be CONSCIOUS of where the money is going. This is a way of life....no matter how much money you make or have!!
This should have been an April Fools video! 😂
I honestly thought she probably did this video on April 1st and it was an April Fools video😄
Her actual April Fool’s post on instagram was gold 😂
My daughter-in-law and I just bought a new Cricut die cutting machine. We waited for it to go on sale and split the cost, it was a little over $400. This is how we splurged frugally. We are both crafters and this thing is awesome. It lives at her house, they have more room.
I took my daughter to see Elton John for her 30th BDay last year. Worth every penny spent! Thanks to living minimal/frugal I could afford it. We had so much fun. It was on my bucket list for years and hers.
My Aunt passed away on her way home from my other aunts funeral last year. She had skipped dessert, took all the skin off of her chicken, all this stuff trying to be healthy. It ended up being her last meal. I will not diet or skip what I love any longer. Nor will I give up travel/experiences for the same reason. I want to get everything I can out of this life. And living minimalist/frugal seems like such an easy trade off to do that.
I love saving money in my day to day life, but I also love to travel. Save where you can, so you can spend where you want!
Being frugal is a difficult habit to break. We went camping for a week at the beach during the summer one time. Cheap and lots of fun. Off season beach trips are also fun and cheap. We would find a good hotel running an off season special and go eat at good restaurants. One year I was particularly broke during the kids' spring break so we stayed home and each day took a different arm of the local subway, stopping along the way to go to restaurants, museums and such.
I know quite a few people that lived so frugally that they never even took a vacation. They planned to travel after their retirement but some didn’t live that long. Others have health problems that limit what they can do. I try to save money in some areas but I also spend money on things I enjoy doing while I’m in good enough health to do them.
We drove to Florida for vacation last year and the favorite activity of my kids was stopping at Buffalo National River in Arkansas. It cost NOTHING! We played in the river and they begged us to come back another time.
Last year my husband had a stroke. Unexpected, he’s in pretty good health, and under 50. It threw us for a loop. We always said we were going to travel more but somehow just didn’t. Months later we took a once in a lifetime trip to Florida and did as much as we possibly could. This year we did the same and just went on spring break to Seattle and ran down our bucket list. We do day trips (Texas is huge yall!) and really try to not only enjoy our lives but build memories with our kids. We want to save money and pay off debt, but we want to also do things that we can while we are physically fit to do so. We did 3 separate hikes in Seattle area and out of everything we did, our 15 year old told us that was his favorite thing we did. Those were free/cheap. It has really hit home for us that our quality of life is a priority.
I finally did it
I splurged
Instead of buying the least expensive vacuum as I always have... Having to replace it every few years (if lucky)
I bought a more expensive cordless vacuum!!!
It was a $800+ model
But
I wanted.... I watched... And it paid off because I got it for under $300!!!! AND I got an extra part's kit on top of it for FREE!!!!
I love it, it's so easy to use and it's really lite so it doesn't hurt my back!
Yyyyyyyyyyyaaaaaa ME 😁
That is way cool! My husband bought an expensive Dyson vacuum before I met him. Absolutely LOVE the thing and still going strong 12 years later. 😁
My parents bought a pricey Electrolux as newlyweds and used it regularly for some 30 years. They still have it but bought a lighter, easier to move vacuum for regular cleaning.
My current "charity" is leaving a huge tip for the girl who cuts my hair at the Walmart salon. She has like 4 kids and needs it more than I do. Very frugal but we also treat ourselves to breakfast out once a week. Life is short. ❤
I am 75, and I still have my Docs that I bought in the 90's. AND they look as good as when I first purchased them. Love my Docs. ❣
I really appreciate this video. I like to call it mindful spending. Last year we invested in really nice patio furniture, we all work long hours and I am a gardener, so we often go outside and just enjoy the sun and the flowers. We created a seating area that is comfy and cozy. I even have meetings out there now. This year we will add a few umbrellas for shade . It is important to savor time as well, I do pick up for most things to buy my time back, love that phrasing by the way. Great topic.
Exactly!!! I like the frugal life but I like to splurge now and then, in something that I really need. Cheap sometimes is not the best...you get what you pay for...BTW, I love how you rephrased frugal as "mindful spending"..so true..
WE did the same thing. We used savings, divided up the "payments" to pay ourselves back and bought a beautiful patio set. WE LOVE IT. and so do our family and friends.
😮
I've been learning to get to the happy medium for a while. I went from a full time job that I was making $18/hr and killing myself to a part time job that I make $11.75/hr and I have an actual life! Its been so life changing. I have learned so many things. Now I'm hoping to be working even less by the end of the year and still thriving.
I'm 67. I have always had a struggle with weight. My 3 bikes were expensive, but so worth the cost. My philosophy: you can buy the good things like bikes, shoes and gym memberships and be healthy, or pay it to the Dr. and or pharmacy. Pretty simple.
We feel the same way. We shop at Whole Foods when we can and our family thinks we’re crazy. We’d rather buy the healthy expensive food than😊 pay for doctors visits and prescriptions.
Couldn’t agree more. After years of getting in a really good financial situation the hubs was ready to build our dream lake house. I was so scared and reluctant to let go and do it. It’s done, it’s beautiful and we’re still financially strong. I’ve thanked him more than once recently for pushing me out of the comfort zone. It was the right time to live the life we’ve dreamed of while we can enjoy it.
That is so cool you didn't let your fears get the best of you. That's inspiring to me! 🎉
Omg….mind blown having meal kits delivered to you air bnb. I’m always borrowing my moms timeshare and find it overwhelming to pack all the necessity food items. I will start doing this what a great idea.
Just love your points in this video!
About the splurging, I once read this story about two men with different income levels. They both needed to buy winter boots; the first one could only afford a $20 pair and they only lasted one season because of the quality, so next winter he had to buy a new pair for $20. The other man could afford a good quality pair for $50 and they lasted for many many season. This story goes go show how poor people stay poor and the wealthier people stay wealthy- and also, everyone should know when to splurge, and save for it if needed. ☺️
My husband and I got married last year after losing both of our spouses the year before. This February, we took my three teenagers to Israel for 9 days. It was a splurge, but it was an amazing, life changing trip. I'm so glad we did it!
Awesome! I lived going to Israel.
lol we know better, that's why I watch you. I do agree though that we need to also enjoy life because you never know when it will be over. Just enjoy within your means.
I agree with the experiences 100%. We paid off our house last year and one trip is 1 months house payment! What a trade off and still saving money for retirement!!
Good friends had planned a trip to Europe for 4 weeks and were talking about it at dinner. After dinner they invited me to join them in the last country. I smiled and thanked then said I'd give it serious consideration. Talked to my 34 yo son and he shouted "GO!!!". I'm in my 60s, divorced and living very frugally. Two nights later I booked a flight in business class for the 10 hr flight. Big...huge splurge for me. How often will I have the opportunity to join great friends, loads of fun while I'm able to? I'm always frugal...shop at discount stores, used to sew a lot, cut my kids hair, cut and color my own hair etc. I'm stocked up for at least year and rarely shop anymore. If I cancel my cable plan to internet only I could pay for that $2000 plane ticket. Life is short
We are finally taking a family vacation! 🎉
I finally saw Cats at the the-a-ter, lol. But my sister and I went on an off night. Not too crowded, great seats, and only $25. But I still enjoy the Science Center, the Art Center, and the Botanical Gardens- all free admission. House is paid, car is paid, $600 left on CC debt. Pantry/freezer so stocked I could skip grocery store for at least 6 months other than milk, etc. (Thanks Christine!). Garden about ready to go in. Camping (off grid cheap) is my go to for recharging and I have an inflatable kayak so I’m doing pretty well. But yes, if I want something I can buy it. Lots of things on my shopping list but I always wait to pull the trigger at LEAST a week. It’s my version of window shopping 😂.
A great reminder to still enjoy life…and the benefit of saving up for quality. High quality things lasts and gets used more often
I'm a little off kilter in the current economy, since I normally do ok grocery shopping and am struggling to find bargains and save on things we use. However, we will occasionally splurge on say dinner in a nice restaurant or event to celebrate a birthday or event.
I'm 100% disabled but I am blessed that everything I own is paid off & also have an emergency fund thank's 2 your advice ❤
GIRL!! HOW DID YOU SCORE TS ERA TOUR TICKETS!! Lol... I took the day off work, moved money around, fixed the budget to give my daughters the DREAM Christmas gift (bc they are HUGE SWIFTIES!). UNFORTUNATELY we fell victim to the Ticketmaster site crash fiasco! I've watched your channel for quite some time. you inspire me. We all want to LIVE LIFE! That's the goal, right?! I want to get to a point that I can do the things you are able to do with your family. You have shown us that by being frugal for a period of time and paying off debt, that you can get to a point where you can truly enjoy life! I just wish I had started sooner! You rock Christine and are an inspiration to me!
Love this video! So much truth in making the most of each moment and living life rather than waiting. Getting a cancer diagnosis at 40 and hearing that there was an 85% chance of dying within 5 years changed my outlook on life. I choose to find joy each day and experiences over stuff.
Doc Martins! I got them for my birthday, only because I missed out on a family event out, so the money could be spent on the actual Docs and not the off brand-totally worth it!🤚🏽
Last October I started hiking and I've been lucky enough to score all my gear ( good quality gear) on sale or clearance anywhere from 50% off to 80% off and since I'm out 3-4 times a week my cost pre use is crazy low. It also serves as entertainment , dates and foraging we pack a picnic lunch with hot tea, birdwatch and collect wild edibles and our dogs love it as well.
I am so happy to hear you talk about buying your time back! Part of that can also be choosing to earn less or trading earnings for savings/frugality. As one's financial needs get more met, it is so important to start thinking about the cost benefit analysis of the things you buy - what are you willing to trade to have time now? For me, I started following you to enable me to replace part of my income with time - because I'd rather garden and can and clearance shop with my time than give it all to my employer. I cut our groceries to a quarter of what we were spending (partially due to your tips!); this let me be home more. I watched both my parents and my FIL work until they were physically unable; and their savings haven't gone to all the things they wanted - like travel - because they can't now. Plan for the future but live today. I so enjoy your channel, and now even more❤
Agree 💯
I don't think you'll ever be comfortable without trying to find the best deal on just about everything you spend your money on as long as it's worth your time. It's in my DNA, too. When you're bringing in money, don't have any debt, maximizing your retirement plans, and making great investments for the future then whatever is left over as disposable income is worth splurging towards enjoyment. Tipping is a priority, so is charity, and paying full retail at mom and pops. Your videos are always inspiring. I'll try to be more visible with comments to help push the algorithm.
I grew up frugal too. Had single mom raising us two in the 70s. Never ate out or even had a vacation until I graduated high school. I still love being frugal, im debt free, but since my moms death I spend money on what is important but still find ways to do it cheaper. Its a balance
I agree! Frugality is personal! I am older and saved late...very late! So retirement savings is a must and I live a good life. I buy quality clothes that last...I get haircuts once every three to four months...I live simply....I am on vacation for a few days..so I am fine with renting a movie, indulging in takeout for a night or so and spending time reading and with friends...I finally got tired so tired of spending money on things! Great video!
I love this so much! My husband and I have definitely been guilty of being frugal but not enjoying the savings enough. We recently had a friend to die suddenly at a young age. It was a real wake up call for both of us. We’re not promised tomorrow.
if you can, take your whole family to a coldplay concert. i promise you it will be an experience all of you will never forget!
i feel like being frugal has some negative connotation to it when in fact thinking about how you can spend you money more wisely is actually extremely clever and it eventually becomes a lifestyle where you don´t see why you should spend x amount on stupid things when you can also have it cheaper. i think you are the best example that this lifestyle completely pays off. i also changed my lifestyle drastically in the last few years and how far i get with very little money is insane. when i think about how much money i blew in the last 20 years for nothing it gives me anxiety!
My mother in law gives us cash at Christmas to be used on ourselves. Not allowed to pay bills with it. My husband and I use it toward Broadway shows. We know we can pick better seats because we have the Christmas money. That’s how we saw Hamilton last year and we’ll be seeing Aladdin this year. All my MIL wants in return is a picture of us at the show. It brings her joy!
I can’t stand mine, when she gives me money I pay bills with it. I just love her.😂
Yesterday, thanks to you, I actually went to the clearance rack at Albertsons and picked up some mixes that were 50% off.
My parents were born in 32 and 36, they were from big families and were dirt poor. They were savers and had retirement, no debt, raised 4 kids with no debt. In 1980 my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, got thru it and survived, about 15 years later she got it again, survived, but the third time, she did not survive, she was gone 6 weeks after her 57th bday. My dad followed her less than 2 years later, he just missed her so bad. Moral of the story… enjoy your life, you only get 1.
So sorry for your tremendous losses. Yes, tomorrow is not promised to anyone. My mom died in an operating room accident. It was a hard lesson to bear.
I am devoted to grocery pick up for the same reasons no impulse buying and I get 2 hours a week back in my life.
I really appreciate this. I struggle sometimes with being a little too frugal but balance is key
You don't stop being frugal. Once you have the mindset you never go back. You just become willing to spend more on what matters to you.
I had a pair of doc martens. They were the best shoes I’ve ever owned. Definitely worth getting them.
Love this video. Should have been a April Fool’s joke type of video.
So true, treating yourself or spending money on things that are worth it one in awhile is ok when you're being financially responsible. Last summer my husband and I went on the most amazing trip to Europe. We had saved a long time and knew we could afford it without putting anything on credit cards, borrowing money, etc. And yet we were both feeling so stressed about how much we were spending. We had to just give ourselves permission and say we earned this experience.
Ty for a great tip to the drivers as my husband is one. ❤️❤️❤️
I love being able to tip generously. I have lived very, very frugally for decades and am now in a position to tip well. The people who are working in service professions work hard and aren't always rewarded with a paycheck that reflects it, so to me it feels like a luxury to give a little more than maybe some others are unable to right now. Not everyone is able to give as much as they might like, I get that, but if I can make up the difference even a little I feel good and I hope the recipient does, too.
We both lost our moms last year. Losing a loved one, definitely challenges your priorities! We love to travel, so now doing it responsibly!
I 100% agree. I am finally in a place where I can pay bills, put money away, donate to charity and buy what I want when I want. I am still frugal, but I know I will be okay when I am older and life is short,.
You will NEVER stop being frugal. It's built in your genes. If you can change you will drive me bonkers. I need your tips. I'm disabled and can't stand at the stove to cook. Use a slow cooker. That way I don't have to stand over what I'm trying to cook. I know your not going to stop what your doing. Love you girl. Have a great Christmas. Blessings to you and your family.
Comedy at it's finest, you're a very funny lady Christine 😂😂😂
So glad you touched on this. Frugal does not equal cheap stake.
I'm going to my first concert in about 15years in a couple of weeks. Going to see Home Free, and while base tickets were only $29, my mother paid for me to get the VIP experience as I rarely go out a side from work and she wanted me to really enjoy it. (Also I am taking my first vacation days at my job in 2 years to see them)
I have learned so much from you! I look for deals more often, go to more than one store, and check ads. It isn't always perfect but it has certainly made a difference.
I love your videos and look forward to them. Besides life being short sometimes your health and physical abilities become limiting. Thanks for the reminder to treat ourselves once in a while.
This is so me. Frugal has a definition and deprivation isn't part of it. Its being mindful with your dollars. We carry no debt, but were go on vacation, we have dependable cars, etc.
My in laws and their friends said this Saturday night. They’re tired of talking about doing stuff because they’ll never go and actually do it. We are trying to encourage them to get off the front porch and enjoy life!
Thank you for this. We have lived simply and frugally for many years now. House is paid off, bills are paid off and we're saving for our retirement. But we've also started loosening up on the purse strings a bit. And it's nice for us to go out to lunch/dinner whenever we feel like it (seriously, this is like twice a month but it's a big deal for us). My husband got a job that's a farther drive and instead of hoping his 8 year old/121,000 miles having truck would survive, we got more reliable transportation. Reaping the benefits of our hard work, I've got to say, is really nice.
Fabulous! However, I have now STOPPED going to concerts and events - fed up being ripped off with extortionate ticket prices and booking fees and then the very over-inflated food and drink prices. Looking forward to some nice holidays now, though x
Ticket prices are ridiculous and the older I get the less I like crowds so no big concerts for me lol. We’ve been going to small venues to concerts by tribute bands. Black Jacket Symphony puts on some great shows and tickets are about $50 We recently saw a Pink Floyd tribute band that was really good for $20
@@TC-fx5zu yes, seen some very good tribute bands/artists for a fraction of the price. Oh yes, I forgot about disliking the crowds too!
Yes 5SOS! I saw them in 2016. Put on such a good show. I’d see them again in a heartbeat.
Great video! Balance is key. I'm frugal but I also splurge. I'm 51 and friends my age are spending like crazy. One friend is vacationing once a month outside of the country at a resort. At a certain point, it's not creating memories. I have a friend who always dines out. No it's not cheaper to dine out. I have a friend with a $2k bike but doesn't have a dependable car to get to work.
I was a young mother and grandmother. My oldest daughter's husband left for basic training 3 days after they got married. Road trips to see her and my grandkids became a part of our lives.
We love being frugal and getting great deals. It has allowed our family to invest in real estate and be secure. I live 150ft from a vacation spot. My youngest daughter comments about how people spend so much money to vacation here. To us, its home.
Thanks for great content. I love the generous aspect of your video. Our family is proud of "slaying" events. We never spend more money that we are comfortable. No other family can keep up with us. No other family has MORE fun. We've never gone on epic, once in a lifetime trips(AFRICA/AUSTRALIA...yet) but wherever we go, WE SLAY IT and LOVE IT! Love you!
Same here.We have 9 children and we are the ones to throw 3 family barbecues each summer and we invite whomever wants to come.We spend very little and I coupon.Everyone just can't understand how much fun we have without going to fancy places or vacations.11 people throwing frisbees at once and playing trampoline dodgeball..better than any trip and it's free.
I’m sorry for yours and your moms loss😢 it’s always hard
Its really about what makes you happy if you have no debt and you are not happy then money doesn't buy happiness
I think vacations visiting family is wonderful instead of spending tons of money on expensive vacations. Memories made are more important to me then spending money
I found your CZcams channel last week and I'm obsessed (in a good way 😂) with your videos! Love to see you and your husband laughing together! Well done 👊🏼
When I tell people that the only vacations I've been on were Boy Scout camping trips (which were awesome, tbh) they think it's SO COOL and wonder why we did that. Like man, we were POOR.
Haha same. I’m 36 and when I tell people I’ve never been on vacation they look at me like a 3 headed alien. Debt free though🎉. Going on vacation next year finally.
Buying back your time is a great way to think about it. I find it saves me money to shop online and have groceries delivered because I'm not buying impulse purchases like I tend to do when I shop at the store.
I love that you take your kids to concerts! My mom did that with me when I was a teen - especially when they were farther away. She liked the music well enough as well, so they were definitely great bonding time. I look back very fondly at those memories and am super thankful that she made the effort for me :)
My dad grew up in the great depression (yes my dad was much older than My mom).. so being frugal was normal. I couldn't get CK jeans.. it was Lerners.. crazy how times have changed.. I remember getting pop at aldi for $.20 a can..
My son and I regularly go to concerts together too. Our next one is Blink182, in February 2024. His choice so I now have 10 months to learn their songs. That will be here in Australia.
We don't tip here but do when we visit family. 11 years ago hubby and I were in San Francisco. We usually buy our foods from supermarkets but once a week ate out. You should have seen our servers face (a look of surprise) when we left her $10 for a $12 breakfast bill. And the server at Applebee's got $50.
My personal splurge is good quality shoes, as I have a serious back problem. I wait until Nike or Vans go on sale. I only have 1 of those brands at a time but always get a new pair when I feel them not being their best.
I agree with you on the entertainment.
Last year, I saw alot of live music/concerts. Richard Marx, Beach Boys/Wilson gals of Wilson Phillips, Artemis Pyle Band, and a few others. There's a venue called the Des Plaines Theater in Illinois that has top acts for a fraction of the price at the arenas.
I did a couple of almost staycations too. I live just outside of Chicago. I went to Bloomington IL for the weekend. All of about 130 miles from my house. It's kinda cool to explore what my state looks like outside of Chicago!
And I am a fan (for the most part) of the home delivery. I use Target and Amazon Fresh alot. I just hate it when Amazon limits some things or does a crappy replacement. Like I love fizzy water (no calories or sugar) and they replaced it with a fizzy water/juice drink one time. Bleh.
And it's OK to have nice things. I'm a purse fanatic! But I go to thrift and consignment stores to get them. Why pay $300 for a Coach bag when I could get it for $50????
Such and important lesson to be taught/learned! I too have young deaths in the family (friends too) and it's really an eye opener that we're not guaranteed tomorrow. So take a bite of the cake, have a little fun, go somewhere new, just don't go completely crazy with it.
I really appreciate your channel! I am a 22 year old young woman who was never taught all of these important things about life.
I come from a divorced family. My mom was the bread winner but she was/still is horrible with money. My dad basically upheld all the responsibilities by paying the bills on time, etc. I do not want to be financially irresponsible like my parents.
Read The Psychology of Money book. Small book. Everyone I know is reading it now and we all wish we read it at your age! (No affiliation). Also save long term for retirement now. Even $50 per month in an IRA. You have 40+ years of compounding interest!
If I could go back to my 22 year old self: Put the max in a Roth IRA because you don't pay taxes on the money's growth you pay when you put the money in. It will grow to a gigantic amount by the time you retire, 2) avoid debt except maybe a mortgage, 3) furnish your home with yard sales you get great stuff very cheap. Until I could find what I wanted at yard sales, I had a $15 air mattress, $8 table and folding chairs. 3)For every purchase/habit calculate the cost over 80 years, 4)Only marry someone who shares your values and money values because divorce is expensive, 5)DIY as much as possible. Lastly buy quality for things that you use a lot for example a car. I pay more for a Toyota but they last so long and with few problems. I bought their smallest, cheapest car. Wish I were 22 with the know how I have now.
@@happycook6737 that was very sweet of you! Thank you ♥️
A few months ago I realized how important it is to spend money on our kids (within reason and within our personal budget). I had a great time spending money on things they will love for their Easter Baskets!
We are in the same mindset with balancing being financially responsible with finding joy today and not holding everything off for "some day", while also being charitable. Question: how do you get Walmart+ for only $50.00. Mine is more like $80 (or maybe more) in Michigan. Thanks Christine!
Totally agree, nothing worth more than making memories with the family 💖
I hear you on the Doc Martens. I bought mine in Ireland (studying abroad), they were much cheaper than buying them in the states. Back in the 90s (in college) I owned 3 pairs of shoes: sneakers (for working out), motorcycle boots I thrifted and the Doc Martens (which I wore with literally EVERYTHING).
I'm taking my nephew to Foo Fighters in June; I promised him 5 years ago I was going to take him but it's fallen through twice; third time is the charm :) Can't wait!
You HAVE to eat at Paia Fish Market when you're in Maui! We've always saved money on our trips there by hitting Costco first thing and eating breakfasts and lunches in our VRBO, and only eating out for dinner. Paia Fish Market (the original in Paia or the one in Kihei), Da Kitchen, Pinatas, and Flatbread are some of our repeat faves. Maui has so many fun and free activities. (Don't miss the Iao Valley hiking.) You'll have a blast!
i feel this, i lived so carefully with my finances for so long, that after recently switching to a new job, which has given me the option of more financial liberty. It's just hard to spend now, or spending more than i used to is always associated with feelings of guilt/remorse. (again this is not big or mindless spending either) I have watched your channel for years and this video really made me feel comforted and understood, it felt good hearing these words from you because it is from someone who also went through the same transition and that did not happen over a short period of time. ❤
I have lived off coupons and discounts for most of my life, not spending a lot of money for things, buy one get one free,etc. Now being debt free from a mortage . LOL but now that i have gotten older ,i have learned to enjoy what i spend my money on, even if it's just great food!
Have to remember to live along the way. Too many people save up everything and postpone trips so they'll be set later in life. But there's no guarantee you'll be able to DO those things later in life, or even alive for that matter.
Our old neighbors, worst example ever. They lived in their starter home forever, lived like paupers, had everything set up so they could retire at 50. Pretty awesome, really. He literally died at his last day of work, heart attack. His wife went full crazy for about 3 years, was convinced the FBI was in the trees and after her, refused to get help, would only talk to my mother and her sister, nobody else could be trusted. They were all in with the FBI. (Why would the FBI be after her? Who knows!) Poor thing just snapped. She eventually got help, but after that, my outlook on life and living changed completely. I'm still very frugal, but I'm not going the no-vacations-save-everything route. No way.
Totally skipped the Docs back in the day. Instead, found a pair of boots at Goodwill and spent 4 hours painting them with nail polish because I was a cheap 14 year-old! Also, love your NFG shirt. :)