My niece is a student now living in a shared house. During the summer holidays I found her a free brand new slow cooker on Amazon Marketplace. She came and stayed for a week and I taught her how to use the slow cooker and stretch meat to make more meals. We batch cooked minced beef and turned it into spaghetti bolognaise, chilli, moussaka and cottage pie. We also cooked a whole chicken and made lots of meals including stock for soup. I had a message from her this week saying thank you auntie lemon I am eating like a king while my house mates are living on beans on toast. She is now sharing her meals - just so very proud of her x
Good on her and *GOOD ON YOU* for setting her down that path! Learning basic cooking skills gives you the courage to keep trying and experimenting. As I keep saying to my daughter - give it a go, if it's not perfect, well, it's not a tattoo!! Cheers from Oz!
I hope she's asking for a contribution to the meal costs for regular diners. I lived in share houses as a student and my housemates inevitably came to think of my leftovers (my week of lunches!) as a charity service when they'd spent all their money at the pub on the weekend. But when they realised how inexpensive it was for homecooked meals split between 8, they were happy to share in good cheap meals.
Eleven years ago, at the age of 57, I was convinced I would have to work until I was 90 years old because at 90, I wouldn't be living much longer and therefore unlikely to run out of money. I was never a high earner. By continuing to live frugally and saving 65% of my after tax income, my investment portfolio grew and grew and I was able to retire comfortably 2 years ago at age 66. Frugality works wonders.
Jean we have done the same my husband and I are very frugal, and Jane has helped me fill in the nooks and crannies, but I am getting nervous about some of the prices and finding things in the store.
I'm 53 and often keep telling myself this very thing.....but I am really hoping to adopt more frugality over the next decade and maybe things won't be so bleak. I have a no knead loaf of bread on the counter right now. My first go at making my own bread. Fingers crossed!
@@azsubie3177 You can do it!! I used to think I was so frugal and there's no room for improvement but when I put my mind to it, there are so many more ways and every bit helps. All the best to you on your frugal journey.
I live in Scotland it is a lot colder than the south of England ice on windows old cardigans worn in bed, but dad would bring us all breakfast in bed cup of tea slice of bread with half a fried egg. He also lighted the fire so we could run downstairs with our clothes and dress in front of the fire.
Enjoyed the video. I grew up in the 1970's in the US. My childhood home was not insulated in Massachusetts where it got very cold in the winter. You could place your hands against the walls and they were ice cold. No air conditioning, had one box fan in the hallway. As a family we never ate out either. We were a family of five with one bathroom, kids bunked up together. House was 1000 square feet. My childhood was very happy, we sure don't need much to be happy. ❤
Perhaps we have lost the meaning of a blessed life. Food,.shelter, clothing, family,.friends and faith! No labels necessary or desired. I'm grateful foe all that we have and ever mindful of those who dont. Cheer from Canada
Absolutely, I stack my errands so they can be accomplished along the best route..AND..you likely do this, too- I do my best to run my errands and shopping during " off" times when roads and stores are less busy. This saves fuel and time ( and nerves, frankly).
In my youth, we didn't struggle as much as some people. We had a fully heated home, plenty to eat without a garden. My parents were frugal but we didn't want for anything. There were only a few things that surprised me. When my bike was stolen, they didn't buy me another one. I couldn't figure out why not. Then, several years later, my dad refurbished a neighbor's old bike to like new condition for me as my main Christmas present. It was beautiful and I loved it. My grandparents raised their children through the great depression and WWII.... so my parents grew up during those times. They were probably so thankful they had enough... but still managed to be frugal. My mother sewed some of my school clothes out of the clothing she'd saved from her high school days. As a teenager I ruined a wool sweater I had in the dryer. I didn't get a replacement. I had to use what I had. Clothing budget had already been spent and that was that. As an adult, I bought a 100 year old house. That's when I had ice on the inside of some windows in the winter. The house was exceptionally well built and had had many very good updates over the years -- like kitchen and bathroom modernized, central air, etc. It still needed some. I made a list of all the needed things and a list of all my wants. On of the first fixes was a new back door and new windows. I had a lot done: basement waterproofing, taking up 40 year old carpets and refinishing hardwood floors, some new electrical outlets installed, a second bathroom installed, etc. I had a good job, and the money to do these things. As soon as I finished the needs list and started planning for the first want, I got sick, eventually lost my income due to medical retirement, became disabled so I couldn't do things for myself anymore, etc. I'm going on too much. I'll stop now! 😏
While I can appreciate the comparison to other generations' struggles, the world is not at war or in a depression. The struggle is the system. The middle and lower classes are working longer and producing more than ever before. All of the productivity and abundance we are creating is being gobbled up by the very few at the top and that is why we have poverty in this age. We can't frugal our way into justice.
Even though the Gasoline price is cheaper than most places, I still try to be mindful regarding the cost. Today, I took my newly adopted dog to the local state park, rather than drive 30 minutes to my favorite hiking trail. Took some snacks and drinks with me, so the cost of my day trip was zero. Still enjoyed my day out.
I’ve noticed that ads are much longer than before. Not just your channel, but overall. I find it difficult to let them play right through, but seeing as I want to help your channel, I try to be patient.
As - It helps £€$ to let adverts run for the RUclips Creators. I put adverts on 'mute' (silence) and then read the comments. It's very tempting to hit 'skip' but I resist! As I want the likes of Jane/Mike to continue making their fabulous .. helpful .. encouraging .. realistic videos. Regards. Rose 🌻
I cannot say we had it rough when I was growing up in rural Alabama. We lived in the country and between both sets of grandparents and my parents they grew huge gardens and even corn fields for corn meal and grain to feed the cows, pigs, chickens. We ate the meat and cooked out our own lard. I remember my grandmother would sometimes go out and kill the chicken for lunch. It was creepy even as a little kid but I had no problem eating it! My grandpa took the dried corn to the mill to get cornmeal made. Sometimes he grew sugar and ribbon cane and we cooked out syrup with a mule pulling the thing around that crushed the liquid out of the stalks and it ran into a tub like trough where a fire was under it and it cooked until it was thick syrup. Nothing like it on biscuits. The hardest thing was the work but even that is a good memory. Both sets of grandparents had lived through the depression and were very frugal and didn’t waste anything. We grew up thinking that this life was completely normal and everyone was the same!😂😂 Hearing how you grew up there are a lot of similarities about doing things ourselves. We didn’t heat the whole house just the living area. All meals were cooked and there was nothing like waking up at my grandmother’s house stuck under the weight of the heavy cotton quilts smelling the breakfast cooking. So many good memories that I’m afraid unless you live on a farm couldn’t be replicated today. I was born in 1961.
I remember banking the fire at night so the coals would still be smoldering and ready to fire up the next morning. But it would get really cold overnight and the winter quilts were so heavy on my little kid body that my shoulders would ache. Mother would heat up bricks and wrap them in an old blanket to keep our feet warm overnight!
I think the financial issues are made worse by the lack of community that there is now, esp when you are on your own as I am. I don't have any family or even close friends living nearby. I have had to learn to be both frugal and resilient; to force myself into being positive when I am worried sick about the future. Yup you are def right, it is tough at the moment for a lot of us whatever our individ circumstances. Lots of times I have shed tears but i think that is ok to admit. I have had to give up my car and holidays cos of the cost, and I hate it.. again i think it's ok to feel that. I have really been helped by online channels like this. For me, thinking ahead of ways to save on spending this winter is going to be the most important thing to do in the coming weeks. gillian
Hiya One of the things I did ( and still do) was to state LOUDLY what I would like for Christmas in September and kept on repeating it so that I didn't get, frankly, useless gifts. So I asked for pickles and jams, biscuits and savoury crackers and asked my 2 boys to club together to buy me a slow cooker. A friend who was an excellent knitter I asked for a blanket to put over my lap in the evenings. I asked for shower gels and soaps. Smelly candles. Things I could actually use! Hope these ideas help.
The first Christmas with the royal family , The Princess of Wales gave each one a jar of chutney that she made herself, as their gift - and it went over splendidly.
@@lynnoorman2144 Love this idea. I’m still working my way through body lotion I was gifted last Christmas. I love wax melts,candles so I’ve asked for soya wax etc so I can do my own.
I'm the same age as you and remember ice on the bedroom windows and immersion switches to get hot water. My parents and grandparents growing food in the garden. I remember 15% mortgages in the late 80s. And here we are again as you say. Thank you for acknowledging single people as it's tough paying household costs without a partner to share them. My adult children are also struggling to pay bills but I do hope I've set a good example for them and they'll get through this one and be even better prepared for the next cost of living crisis!
My husband and I are the same age as you and Mike are and remember the space heater in the living room that heated a portion of the house (not the upstairs where the bedrooms were lol). Ice on the windows, freezing cold bathroom floor, one car and 1 light on at night because why do you need a light on if your not in that room? Sorry being my Dad at the moment 😂. Fast forward to this year and we were fast tracking paying off our mortgage when I found out I had cancer. Im on permanent disability BUT though I'm not bringing in much money we still are able to put a little money extra on the mortgage because we don't have any other debt. We're doing what we can to be as frugal as possible as we know times are looking a bit frightening for the immediate future. I will admit that about every other week hubby and I go to our local town farmers market and we each spend $1 on a homemade donut that an older Amish lady makes fresh. Hubby gets so excited, rubs his hands together and announces its donut time lol. It's the simple things that bring you joy isn't it? PS we also heat our house with wood and I LOVE IT! Its a different heat and for me it's like a warm hug all winter 😊
I grew up in a tiny three bedroom, one bath home. We didn’t go out to eat, and my mom squeezed the last bit out of everything. We had chickens and geese, hunted and fished. My father still has a big garden every year. We heated with wood, because we couldn’t afford to replace the furnace. I never felt like I didn’t have enough, or that I was missing out.
I can so relate to all of what you said. With only social security now it gets harder and harder every month. I am starting to see more month than money. It takes thinking and planning to get through. Thanks for sharing your lives with us
So true,, it seems that every generation has had hard lessons to learn.,, The best we can do now is teach our grandchildren how to cope by being frugal. We have our work cut out for us.
My dad grew up in the 30s and 40s (WW2). Natural gas got so expensive, we couldn’t use much and heated with wood. We got free wood from trees that fell mostly. One year the prices were so high (70s) that many people also we’re using wood 🪵. Got extremely competitive. So my dad would bring home pallets from work, mostly oak then, and after school my siblings and I would dismantle them, remove all the nails and my dad used an electric saw to cut them to the right length once a week. He had us save the nails for him to use in other projects.
I enjoyed the information. It's hard in the US as well. I also live a very frugal life, which has made it somewhat easier for me. I took on a part-time job two days during the week in order to increase my savings and sinking funds.
As a child we had wood fires or heaters in our cold weather homes, ate lots of stews, grew vegies and chooks for eggs and meat. Hubby and I moved north to the tropics 30 years ago for a warmer life and we now have solar panels feeding to the grid for free power which also covers our air con in the summer, we still grow salad veg and eat stews and just one car, a ute, now. We live quietly on our age pension, cook at home, frugal but with an occasional adventure by taking a road or fishing trip with our old slide-on camper.
I live on a low income live well have food clothing and shelter even on a low income your solid advice WORKS WONDERS keep it up your videos have had. A HUGE IMPACT on the QUALITY of my life you just don't realize best to you and your family see ya Sunday❤
You hit the nail on the head! It IS hard at these times. My son is 24, has a good job, but he cannot move out, because there are no affordable rental apartments or no apartments at all.
I dobremember as a kid waking to frost on the inside of my bedroom window. My room was unheated but my bed was piled with cosy blankets. Sunday night was bath night and stabd up washes rest ofvthe week. Hot water was needed for laundry and pots so could not be wasted. I rode a bike from an early age in order to get to school or run errands for mum. All meals were cooked from scratch and we always had a pudding even if it was just cooked apple and custard. .i live in a similar way today but area too hilly for a bike and buses so infrequent. I make sure i run all errands at once and anything forgotten i do without until the next time. Coping with prices so far but being careful and thinking twice before picking things from the shelf. Love your midweek chats. So down to earth and love your reflectons.
Thank you for sharing your frugal wisdom with us. I’m a single person (divorced after 25 years) so I basically started over again. I’m busy paying extra principal on my mortgage each month. I have my daughter and my daughters friend paying rent each month so that is a great help (it works out well for all of us) I say that I’m very intentional with my spending.
The best thing that came out of the lockdowns, for me, was and still is cutting my own hair. Also no more highlights, I went au naturel. I have saved a lot of money and will continue to do so.
I grew up with Dolly Blue ( a sort of bag that went into a white wash to make the whites better ) and remember mixing up Robin starch ( a sort of cornflouer thing that stiffened collars and stuff ) was so proud when I did it so well that my Mum said I could mix the gravy next Sunday _ different times now - but glad I have skills to make do and mend
I am in your team, too. I am going to work by bike or walk in good times, dying my hair at home, like the wonen on my family fif while I grow up, not wasting anything, budgeting and not eating outside/taking our lunch to work snd school. Growing up in thr communist '80s was no joke but it has us prepared for all these hard times. It is not easy but manageable if you are prepared....Great post - you are a treasure to me❤❤❤❤
yet another fabulous vlog and thank you for remembering those of us who live alone, are single parents etc. I brought up 2 children on my own and they have always known how much money is coming in, how much bills are etc. which has stood them in good stead now that they have become young adults. My daughter has just bought a house with her partner - they fixed everything up themselves and are cooking everything from scratch - they actually get great pleasure learning new recipes and see shopping as something of a game by seeing how little they can get away with spending on their food shops. I have family who now all live close by and I have a lot of friends who always pop in for a visit with home made cakes or flowers they have picked from their gardens. I always use a teabag more than once. Just that 1 simple thing of seeing a mug in the kitchen with a teabag in it ready for it's second use is a constant reminder to keep a watch on other things such as turning off lights and everything else that is not being used. Today we had a special treat as my son's crop of sweetcorn has ripened so we had corn on the cob with melted butter for our dinner. A roof over our heads, enough garden space to have a few raised beds,warm duvets, a stocked pantry and also love - from family, friends,neighbours - there is no better feeling . A hug from my children or friends makes me feel so rich because there is nothing that I could buy that would give me more pleasure than those priceless hugs.
I remember my parents going through the 1970s and 80s. I'm so glad mum taught me how to run a home when things were really hard. I've started to eat more offal because the price of meat is so expensive. We have done lambs liver and onion roast dinners and frozen some in the freezer. It's an economical meal and healthy, though I find even offal is getting pricier. To save money on the electricity we try to do double or triple quantity cooking, big pan of mash ect. That way we can portion it and freeze it. We only have to put it into the microwave to reheat it. I really don't know how people are going to cope when Christmas comes around. Great video Jane and Mike, kind regards Angeline ❤️
My favorite videos are the ones in which you talk about how it was when you were growing up. I'm a baby boomer, but most of the things you mentioned applied to my childhood as well. We can learn a lot from the past....Carla H.
Jane - you are so right, we all need to look to the past and toughen up a bit. I worked with a lovely young woman from Nepal and she said to me, if you have food, a safe comfortable bed and clothes you are better off than so many people around the world. Yes it IS tough. Petrol prices and energy prices have skyrocketed here, all due to stupid government policies and it's ricocheting though everything. We built our house 24 years ago and figured that energy costs were only going to go up so we incorporated passive solar features and lots of insulation - and NO air con, here in Sydney. It would have cost thousands and we figured we could always retro fit it if needed. I'm all the more glad now that power prices are absolutely through the roof! We have celling fans in the bedrooms, floor fans that we put out in summer, windows that open to catch any breeze, a quick cold shower before bed, and if it's stinking hot for days we go to a shopping center to escape for a while. People thought we were nuts, but we have lived comfortably and have literally saved thousands. They're predicting a hot summer - like we had when I was a kid here, we survived!! Cheers from OZ! BTW, how did you go in the recent storm? It sounded worrying!
We have been together for 16 years, and we put in solar energy to reduce our electric bill, and we learned to greatly reduce our electric usage. We would run out of power if we didn't. When college students came back home for visits, I wouldn't have enough power to brew coffee or take a hot shower. They couldn't relate to limited power. We moved to a converted cabin as our retirement home, and we now have a hybrid system. We have solar energy for 30% of our energy needs, and utility for the rest. In the summer months we get 50% of our energy from solar. But in a northern climate that is the reality of it . And aging and being off grid is not for us. We heat primarily with wood, but we saved up and installed other sources of heat for the future. We have chosen to live simple frugal lives and we are happy doing that. Like you two, we both watched the struggles of our grandparents and parents and learned how to manage a tight budget. It's just normal for us. And yes we get through the tight times just fine.
Enjoyed the video. Helps us all feel we are in this together. Prices stink! We need to refocus on the simple blessings in our lives. This will be different for everyone, but we all have something we can be thankful for.😊
I am continually reducing my grocery bill for each fortnight .. taking the cost of ingredients into account I make 1kg of yogurt saving $5, bake my own sourdough bread ( wholemeal and fruit and nut loaf saving $4 -$5 per loaf, have chickens for eggs and fertilizer, apple cider vinegar made from peels and cores saving $5 per bottle. Process Oats in blender with water to make Oat milk, filter my own water, buy number 10 cans of food from foodbank and re can into smaller jars. Make preserves. Grow most of my own food. Just to name a few. Each week I search Utube to find ways of reducing every day items, recently I looked up dandelions, I know make tea, coffee, fritters, honey and wine... WOW.. hope this helps other who like me have time to do what I am doing. Love to all from Australia.❤
The times we are in are down right scary. There doesn't seem to be a light at the end of the tunnel. All we can do is keep our chins up and do the best we can. This seems to be one of those waves that we need to ride... In the meantime, I am being as frugal as I can.
Suggestion..If you are single or two or single parent, try looking at a Water meter. As you do with Gas and Electricity, you can measure how much water u are using. There is a Meter Calculator see if it could save you money. 😊
Per a recent video of Jane's, I've learnt how to monitor our daily electricity usage, and time spans, on our electric company's app. On to gas and water now!
My husband and I are also mortgage and debt free. We are not yet retired. I wish I could like this video 10X!! Having been married now 40 years(10 years in Norway), living very frugality we are able to live comfortably even on a much lower income than most people. We also are introverts and enjoy being home in our cabin in the woods that we also heat with wood. Our garden did not do well this year but I am able to find bargains around town and I do make most all our food from scratch. I am so grateful for the money saving ways I learned from my parents and what I am seeing my children also carry-on.
It has been rough before and it is rough now. It will be rough again and again. We are currently keeping our big house in retirement so that we can house family that might need to come back home, no fault of their own. This world is backwards, upside and inside out. We live in N. Idaho, USA.
ive taught my children how to stock up for a rainy day (buy a deep freezer to stock up on everything) they saw myself shopping and breaking down meats, cheese, bread etc... i make sure i buy extra household things, and when they get low build that stock pile back up. As you said ( i learned how to stock things for the household when my kids were young and i still do) the way of the world as it is NOW we all have to do as much as we can
Frugal folk just put our shoulders to the wheel and plod on. Perhaps reviving a few previous habits such making stock from bones in slow cookers or sitting under a blanket while watching tv now that the nights are getting colder. And really, really appreciating that we know how to live like this with gratitude fir the small things, a hot cup of tea- the beauty of raindrops on spiders webs etc...
In colder weather I always have a blanket when I'm sitting. I also wear shoes in the house, my husband goes around in socks only and complains of cold feet. So, wear your shoes (or slippers) inside to help stay warm. Seems like common sense to me but evidently it isn't to everyone (hubby)!
Super video. I remember the winter of discontent very well, it certainly helped me to prepare as I raised my young family in the 80s, made sure there was always food, if nothing else, going from shop to shop for the best bargains available. They always joked that I had a 'war pantry' of supplies, and still do this to this day. Keeping staples on hand has seen us through some lean times. So this current cost of living crisis we're better prepared. As you say, we've had the experience before. This time round though I don't switch on my hot water system at all, if I need hot water I will boil a kettle, and the shower heats as it runs the water through it. I've done this for the last 2 years and has knocked around £200 a year off my bills. It's no hardship, again, being used to living without hot water on tap as we grew up, I think it's easier to revert to being frugal with energy when we've had the prior experience. 👍
Lovely video as always. I grew up in the sixties we didn't have much but never felt deprived of the essentials. It has stood me in good stead in these trying times but l find your videos such an inspiration and a joy to watch. Thankyou
Growing up, my parents raised us with an sye for always getting the best value, caring for what you already had, snd to save early and consistently. I have been so grateful for the lessons that greatly impact me to this day-particularly where the majority of us find ourselves today. Enjoy your videos so much.
I think here in the US more people are realizing we are going to be in this for longer than they first thought and that it is going to get worse long before it gets better.
Ladies if you colour your hair did you know you can freeze any leftover mixed solution, my wife and her friend buy two simlar colours (blondish)and layer the colours for a natural look .
Yep. Yesterday, I left work and headed towards home. I stopped at the dry cleaners to pick up two skirts that I had to have taken in because I’ve lost quite a bit of weight, that hasn’t come back on in two years. The library is next door to the cleaners so I returned some books, then, picked up a couple of things from the supermarket two blocks away from there; then I headed home!
I feel we are paying a premium for everything we do, went to buy a book of stamps today £8.80 so I bought 2nd class instead food prices are set to increase I had my haircut for a family wedding not been to the hairdresser in 3 years £30.00 which is the going rate fortunately my daughter gave me a dress and shoes to wear as I refuse to buy an occasion outfit that will very likely not see the light of day I've budgeted for haircut but this month I've really messed up switchedaway from BT has my monthly bill was £ 57 .00 and I rarely use my landlines went with another provider as they are half the cost didn't realise that my new provider doesn't automatically inform BT off the switch over as they are on a different network so ive ended up paying 2 different providers for their services costly mistake on my part.
There is house building going on in my town however it’s all 4,5 and 6 bedroom homes with no pretence of building affordable housing. Until the last local election, the council was Tory controlled and they sanctioned this. They are also building on green belt including local woodland which is also a green burial site so no respect or consideration to the site, local wildlife and habitat or peoples loved ones. It’s ordinary people who are bearing the brunt of the current crisis and it’s disgraceful.
Your honestly is always refreshing , it’s very hard at the moment with the price of oil and diesel constantly creeping up in Ireland at , we just have to as my nanny use to say pull our socks up and get on with it do the best we can with what we have and people need to remember it’s ok to ask for help it’s not charity when it’s a necessity to keep going
You are right Jane, it is not the first time that life has been hard. We lived through the high interest rates & inflation of the 1970s. & then the financial crash in the late 1980s. And we got through but it does mean living frugally. Fortunately I had frugal parenst who had lived though war. You can manage if you are willing to cut down & not do what everyone else does. It is OK not to have holidays & not to eat out all the time. You have to be strong & do what you can afford, not what " people " expect.
In the 70's when I was growing up, we had it better than most people in that we had a store (Canada). All of our income was made mostly in 4 months during the summer, however we got all of our food at wholesale prices year round. I learned at any early age how to shop loss leaders which has served me well throughout time. It was when I got out of high school in the early 80's that the big recession was on. It was hard watching everyone struggle. Mortgages being foreclosed, families moving in the night, factories shutting down , farmers struggling etc, but we managed to get through it. Being frugal saved many people. Now we are looking at retirement and have lots of plans and back up plans in place but it is still scary. because we now live in one of the most expensive city in North America (Vancouver) Thanks for the video.
I feel lucky, my grandparents grew up in the depression and taught me (as well as my mom) how to be smart with my shopping and meal planning savings. I was never able to afford a house being single till my 40s but here in the US, I don't see how we will ever be able to retire, it's gotten so expensive. I wish I could retire in Europe, but having a hard time convincing my mate. My newest frugal success: I learned to cut my own hair this month from RUclips and it looks fantastic! Saved myself $100!
These kinds of economic problems seem to keep coming back, don’t they? I feel very fortunate that I’m married bc it certainly helps to have two incomes. I always had it in the back of my mind that if things ever got really tough I would invite my sister and/or parents to live with us. We all do better together!
I too grew up frugally and have lived that way ever since. It has been very hard for a long time. What I think is a particular challenge is how we single people deal with the situation we find ourselves in during these challenging times.
Thank you Jane; great advice as always. I bought my winter logs early this year in case the price went up. Kindling I can get for free from the garden.
Great video. When I was growing up my Mom always cut our hair and her own. She still cuts her own hair at age 83. We ate a lot of cheap meals. We were taught to keep our home very clean. Going out to eat was a treat. My Mom and I go out to eat once a week. We really watch our utilities. It has helped that I was raised this way. It does make a difference. Really like your tips.
Jane you are so on the money with cooking skills. You can do so much with little if you learn to cook! Everyone can cook. You keep it simple. You have so many videos now that show you step by step. You just have to make the effort. Thank you for such a great video.
You look so beautiful in those colors, not that you aren't any other day. But I really love those colors on you. You are a very cute couple. You both look so happy in the picture. We grew up like you and Mike did, and we've lived our adult lives the same way, and our children live their lives in a similar fashion. Our daughter is disabled and recently divorced, so she is really struggling in these economic times, and we help her as much as we can. She is very conservative with her money and is making a comfortable life for herself. We are getting by and videos like yours helps us a lot. Especially to know we aren't alone in this frugal life.
There definitely is a cost of living crisis everywhere. Totally ridiculous. However, frugal people will likely fare better than people who are not accustomed to managing money in the first place. By that, i am referring to people who make a high income and waste it.
This was such a good video !! I love how you went back generations! My Great Grandparents (paternal) had a ranch so they did ok, but the maternal side were city dwellers and really struggled. So I grew up with a Father who wanted the garden and animals and a Mother who didn't want any of it and didn't even like to cook ! So out of 9 of us there are 2 of us who garden and just me who makes or tries to make everything from scratch. Daily I am reading on social media so many people asking for help with food, pet food and to pay their utilities. And I do believe it will get worse.
Hi Jane, I love your presentations and am a subscriber. There is one issue that I have and also maybe some of your RURAL watchers on which you may be able to shed some light. Here in the U.S. every single store is a chain store - Walmart, Albertsons, Target and so on. There are no mom and pop stores anymore where you can shop for cheaper prices. The prices don't vary that much from store to store. Do you have any advice for this situation? Also, since I'm on one paycheck a month - Social Security - I don't watch the ads that much because I only go to town once a month on payday because where I am it's a 70-mile round trip and I have to buy everything I need for the month coming up and if something is 50 cents cheaper from Target to Walmart, it would cost that much gas to change stores. It's a real problem here in the U.S. Also, I love sewing and used to sew all my own clothes because fabric was made in the U.S. and was around 50 cents a yard. Now it runs anywhere from $12/yard up to $25 a yard depending on what type of fabric you are buying. I'm always buying just plain 100% cotton and it runs anywhere from $12/yard up to $15 a yard. They do have sales but for rural customers who have to drive long distances to town we don't usually go to town for a sale on cotton fabric. It would cost that much in gas. So now we have a choice of buying low quality clothes or fabric made in China or spending a fortune making our own. I honestly don't know how to fix this. Again, I love your channel and keep putting out your wonderful videos.
As I read your post , I thought about online shopping. I don't like to do it, but it might make sense for you in order to save money. If you don't have a computer, libraries offer free computer use. You'd probably still have to drive the same distance, but you could then save a lot of money on the shopping. It's also possible to buy used but good items in a thrift store, just for the fabric, or you can re-make the garment into something that you like. I've used sheets to make kitchen and bathroom curtains. I've used clothes I loved but couldn't fit into anymore to make children's clothes. As Jane can attest, quilting is always available to use older fabrics. These are some ideas you might want to try.
Hi Jonna, I'm very rural and the only thrift shop in town is Goodwill and they don't carry fabric. I've gone to the second hand stores and picked out a few things for fabric but there's not a good selection. Amazon costs $15/month as a member so you don't have to pay shipping but that's $180/year and I'd rather save that. I'm afraid I'm just in a location where I have to do the best I can. However, I absolutely love that you responded with all those good ideas so thanks very much for your thoughtfulness. @@jonnaborosky8836
You certainly hit the nail on the head! Our generation didn't have HVAC, we didn't see fast food as a staple,we ate out as special treats, we shopped very carefully, we switched off lights, there was a family car (one car total!)...it was our way of life. We're fortunate enough to live where going car-free is a viable option. We walk or take public transportation. We gave up our car five years ago and that has saved large amounts of money! we bought our car used, for cash, but we still had insurance, smogging, fuel, parking, maintenance, and repairs to cover. Plus there were parking fines during the period that my spouse insisted on driving 10 minutes to work instead of taking the bus. If he didn't move the car every two hours, that was $90 each time.
I got a couple of chickens, The amount of eggs they produce is sort of amazing. Six chickens could supply a family of 4. I realized chickens have been helping humans survive for eons.
We MUST LOOK AT OUR SPENDING. You have to be honest with yourself. There are lots of wasteful spending and ego driven choices like new trucks and cars with big price tags and the expenses that come with it. Houses that are ridiculously large and the mortgages that go with them. Vacation trips you can’t afford but book them anyway. THEN…the credit cards are maxed and your work hours are cut or your job eliminated!!! We made some tough choices early on to live simply within or below our means. Frugality means freedom not deprivation. YOU get to choose where you use YOUR money.
I appear to be doing well. After massive monthly mortgage overpayments I finially finished my mortgage earlier this year. This has been a gamechanger, I've never had the amount of disposable income as I do now. The frugal & thrifty traits that I followed & learnt during the mortgage payoff marathon are still being followed today in my mortgage free world. This has resulted in real peace of mind and financial stability. There are no other debts. By the way - I too remember the ice on the inside of the window as a kid!!!
We are coping the way that have always coped. I personally don't feel the difference. Why? My attitude never changes no matter how well I am doing: "a crust of bread and a corner to sleep in"- Paul Lawrence Dunbar.
You are absolutely right about just tapping your heat down just 1 notch. Last month mt electric bill was $223. This month my electric bill was $122. I did not leave lights on in rooms im not in and doubled my cooking to ony turn on my stove 3 times in the week instead of 7 times. I tapped my heat down from 70 to 69 is all and made a huge difference. Thank you for all of your tips!
Great video! My son taught me the name for the route you use to make the most of your trip. It's called an oiler route in the U.S. Had been doing it for years - just didn't know it had a name. We too are "stay at home" people and are perfectly content living a similar life. Thanks!
Addendum: That same son used to say you had to open the refrigerator to get warm at our house. Told him to go get a lap robe. He now tries to make it November to turn on heat in Midwestern U.S. life changes when you're responsible for the bills.😏
I’m just amazed sometimes when going through RUclips and seeing all the influencers talking about their shopping hauls and newly decorated houses. I know they get many products for free. I tell my kids not to watch those channels. It just makes them feel bad that they can’t change their decor and wardrobe ever week.
Ive just moved my energy company onto a cheaper deal saves us about £20 per mth. If using comparisons sites, also get a quote from the company site your interested in. The quotes can be lower.
DITTO. I've just done that with my phone Bill. It had gone up from £20 to £25 that extra £5 adds up..I've got down to £16. What takes the piss Is that if I was a new customer they would only charge me £20. So someone making a bucket load.
Theyre not supposed to charge you more than a new customer.if you are in the uk try 1p mobile all my family are with them, very basic but had no probs.mayb of use to you. All thats going on is a big scam
You make a great point. It’s the tick-to-it-ivness that is key. When you have no option but to stick to a budget to make this work, it builds a discipline. In a study of millionaires in the US, the number of teacher (ahem!) and accountant millionaires top the list and the one thing they have is the stick-to-it-ivness that you speak of.
Ty as always for your videos Jane. It is tough out there but all generations have been through it in one way or another. I have completely changed my tune on adult children living at home. I moved out when I was finished with college at age 22. I am now 60. My 30 yr old middle son (I have 3!💙💙💙😊) still lives at home with his dad (my ex) in Chicagoland area. He is in the contractor’s union as well as an artist, travelling most weekends for art shows. However, as the high cost of especially housing is , especially outside Chicago/IL in general, he cannot afford to move out. Thanks again as always for you and Mike’s videos. Enjoy them and so does my husband.😊
I remember shoveling heavy snow to get to the oudoor primitive tiolet. And having to carry and heat water for cooking and bathing. Woe be unto the one who forgot to carry several buckets of water before nightfall! I've often bathed in what water was left in the kettle on the back of the stove after dinner! Sometimes barely a pint in the basin! But I didn't go dirty!😊
Jane, I just became aware of the price of TEA a simple teabag. In the United States the price has really increased. I usually buy boxes about 20 at a time and I got down to my last 2 boxes and I went to order more and I have been floored at the price. What happened and how long has this been going on.
I did the same thing last year, when the grocery store had boxes on clearance for 40 cents a box. Not sure why they were put on discount. I am now down the to the last box. Will have to be on the look out for discounts again
If you have Trader Joes''s near you in the US, you'll find that their selection of teas has maintained between 2.49 -2.99 depending on what type of tea you like. I have found their tea quality much better than the ones offered in large supermarkets.
Tea bags at the Dollar Tree are 100 bags for $1.25. Not sure if the quality is right for you. In the past I made ice tea with several bags and loved it.
Hi, great video as always. We are starting to feel the cost of living crisis, weve been frugal for many years, but have definitely seen a change recently. We have a set percentage of our income that we save for the future and i think we are going to have to reduce this as we are not managing as well as we did. In particular, we have noticed how much DIY materials have gone up. We are making sure we help our daughter setting up home, even a tin of left over paint makes a difference. Thanks Jane for keeping us all on track.
I think it’s particularly tough for those beginning their frugal life journey. Those of us who lived this way for decades are stronger and better prepared. The party is over for many, which is sad.
Hi, Jane! I'm a newish subscriber and I treasure your videos so much. I'm an older millenial who is also an extrovert so saving money doesn't come naturally to me. 😅 your videos help so much. I was wondering if you could please say more about how you insulated your house? We live in an older house in the UK and the damp can be quite an issue in the colder months.
My husband and I have always had just one car since we married! We still combine and consolidate all our shopping as much as possible into one trip! …Deb
My niece is a student now living in a shared house. During the summer holidays I found her a free brand new slow cooker on Amazon Marketplace. She came and stayed for a week and I taught her how to use the slow cooker and stretch meat to make more meals. We batch cooked minced beef and turned it into spaghetti bolognaise, chilli, moussaka and cottage pie. We also cooked a whole chicken and made lots of meals including stock for soup. I had a message from her this week saying thank you auntie lemon I am eating like a king while my house mates are living on beans on toast. She is now sharing her meals - just so very proud of her x
Proud of you.
Good on her and *GOOD ON YOU* for setting her down that path! Learning basic cooking skills gives you the courage to keep trying and experimenting. As I keep saying to my daughter - give it a go, if it's not perfect, well, it's not a tattoo!! Cheers from Oz!
Great gift as she can cook her meals while sitting in the lecture room.😊
I hope she's asking for a contribution to the meal costs for regular diners. I lived in share houses as a student and my housemates inevitably came to think of my leftovers (my week of lunches!) as a charity service when they'd spent all their money at the pub on the weekend. But when they realised how inexpensive it was for homecooked meals split between 8, they were happy to share in good cheap meals.
What a great gift to give her the mental tools to do this, and not just the cooker itself. Win for her, and great memories for you both!
Eleven years ago, at the age of 57, I was convinced I would have to work until I was 90 years old because at 90, I wouldn't be living much longer and therefore unlikely to run out of money. I was never a high earner. By continuing to live frugally and saving 65% of my after tax income, my investment portfolio grew and grew and I was able to retire comfortably 2 years ago at age 66. Frugality works wonders.
Jean we have done the same my husband and I are very frugal, and Jane has helped me fill in the nooks and crannies, but I am getting nervous about some of the prices and finding things in the store.
I'm 53 and often keep telling myself this very thing.....but I am really hoping to adopt more frugality over the next decade and maybe things won't be so bleak. I have a no knead loaf of bread on the counter right now. My first go at making my own bread. Fingers crossed!
well done to you!
@@azsubie3177 You can do it!! I used to think I was so frugal and there's no room for improvement but when I put my mind to it, there are so many more ways and every bit helps. All the best to you on your frugal journey.
@@marykeen4462 Yes Jane and Mike are wonderful teachers. Persevere with your frugality and I'm sure you'll get there.
I live in Scotland it is a lot colder than the south of England ice on windows old cardigans worn in bed, but dad would bring us all breakfast in bed cup of tea slice of bread with half a fried egg. He also lighted the fire so we could run downstairs with our clothes and dress in front of the fire.
Beautiful to read this about your dad❤
Lovely Dad❤
Enjoyed the video. I grew up in the 1970's in the US. My childhood home was not insulated in Massachusetts where it got very cold in the winter. You could place your hands against the walls and they were ice cold. No air conditioning, had one box fan in the hallway. As a family we never ate out either. We were a family of five with one bathroom, kids bunked up together. House was 1000 square feet. My childhood was very happy, we sure don't need much to be happy. ❤
It sounds a lot like my childhood in the 70’s In Massachusetts. We did have heat though my mother never wanted to turn it on 😂
Amen! We grew up in MA as well. Working class family who always lived well but always within our means.
Perhaps we have lost the meaning of a blessed life. Food,.shelter, clothing, family,.friends and faith! No labels necessary or desired. I'm grateful foe all that we have and ever mindful of those who dont. Cheer from Canada
The economic downturn must be a real eye opener to people who have grown up with a sense of entitlement. 😧
Absolutely, I stack my errands so they can be accomplished along the best route..AND..you likely do this, too- I do my best to run my errands and shopping during " off" times when roads and stores are less busy. This saves fuel and time ( and nerves, frankly).
Yes to saving the nerves as well! ❤
In my youth, we didn't struggle as much as some people. We had a fully heated home, plenty to eat without a garden. My parents were frugal but we didn't want for anything. There were only a few things that surprised me. When my bike was stolen, they didn't buy me another one. I couldn't figure out why not. Then, several years later, my dad refurbished a neighbor's old bike to like new condition for me as my main Christmas present. It was beautiful and I loved it.
My grandparents raised their children through the great depression and WWII.... so my parents grew up during those times. They were probably so thankful they had enough... but still managed to be frugal. My mother sewed some of my school clothes out of the clothing she'd saved from her high school days. As a teenager I ruined a wool sweater I had in the dryer. I didn't get a replacement. I had to use what I had. Clothing budget had already been spent and that was that.
As an adult, I bought a 100 year old house. That's when I had ice on the inside of some windows in the winter. The house was exceptionally well built and had had many very good updates over the years -- like kitchen and bathroom modernized, central air, etc. It still needed some. I made a list of all the needed things and a list of all my wants. On of the first fixes was a new back door and new windows. I had a lot done: basement waterproofing, taking up 40 year old carpets and refinishing hardwood floors, some new electrical outlets installed, a second bathroom installed, etc. I had a good job, and the money to do these things. As soon as I finished the needs list and started planning for the first want, I got sick, eventually lost my income due to medical retirement, became disabled so I couldn't do things for myself anymore, etc.
I'm going on too much. I'll stop now! 😏
All your needs were met.
While I can appreciate the comparison to other generations' struggles, the world is not at war or in a depression. The struggle is the system. The middle and lower classes are working longer and producing more than ever before. All of the productivity and abundance we are creating is being gobbled up by the very few at the top and that is why we have poverty in this age. We can't frugal our way into justice.
What she said!
Spot on!👏👏👏
100% correct! It seem like every time I turn around its one more thing. Its exhausting.
Wow, that was very powerful. Well said. It makes things very clear what and who we are battling really, thank you for that.
YES.
Even though the Gasoline price is cheaper than most places, I still try to be mindful regarding the cost. Today, I took my newly adopted dog to the local state park, rather than drive 30 minutes to my favorite hiking trail. Took some snacks and drinks with me, so the cost of my day trip was zero. Still enjoyed my day out.
I’ve noticed that ads are much longer than before. Not just your channel, but overall. I find it difficult to let them play right through, but seeing as I want to help your channel, I try to be patient.
That’s kind of you, if you let one run per video, that’s a huge support and we genuinely want to thank you for that.
I just read the comments while the ads are running.
As - It helps £€$ to let adverts run for the RUclips Creators.
I put adverts on 'mute' (silence) and then read the comments. It's very tempting to hit 'skip' but I resist! As I want the likes of Jane/Mike to continue making their fabulous .. helpful .. encouraging .. realistic videos. Regards. Rose 🌻
I just can't sit through the ads that are 1 hr 20 min long.
@@decdavey6470 nor would I. I do sit through 30 seconds ads.
I cannot say we had it rough when I was growing up in rural Alabama. We lived in the country and between both sets of grandparents and my parents they grew huge gardens and even corn fields for corn meal and grain to feed the cows, pigs, chickens. We ate the meat and cooked out our own lard. I remember my grandmother would sometimes go out and kill the chicken for lunch. It was creepy even as a little kid but I had no problem eating it! My grandpa took the dried corn to the mill to get cornmeal made. Sometimes he grew sugar and ribbon cane and we cooked out syrup with a mule pulling the thing around that crushed the liquid out of the stalks and it ran into a tub like trough where a fire was under it and it cooked until it was thick syrup. Nothing like it on biscuits. The hardest thing was the work but even that is a good memory. Both sets of grandparents had lived through the depression and were very frugal and didn’t waste anything. We grew up thinking that this life was completely normal and everyone was the same!😂😂 Hearing how you grew up there are a lot of similarities about doing things ourselves. We didn’t heat the whole house just the living area. All meals were cooked and there was nothing like waking up at my grandmother’s house stuck under the weight of the heavy cotton quilts smelling the breakfast cooking. So many good memories that I’m afraid unless you live on a farm couldn’t be replicated today. I was born in 1961.
I remember banking the fire at night so the coals would still be smoldering and ready to fire up the next morning. But it would get really cold overnight and the winter quilts were so heavy on my little kid body that my shoulders would ache. Mother would heat up bricks and wrap them in an old blanket to keep our feet warm overnight!
@@Changedmynameagain To eat for greens?
I think the financial issues are made worse by the lack of community that there is now, esp when you are on your own as I am. I don't have any family or even close friends living nearby. I have had to learn to be both frugal and resilient; to force myself into being positive when I am worried sick about the future. Yup you are def right, it is tough at the moment for a lot of us whatever our individ circumstances. Lots of times I have shed tears but i think that is ok to admit. I have had to give up my car and holidays cos of the cost, and I hate it.. again i think it's ok to feel that. I have really been helped by online channels like this. For me, thinking ahead of ways to save on spending this winter is going to be the most important thing to do in the coming weeks. gillian
Hiya
One of the things I did ( and still do) was to state LOUDLY what I would like for Christmas in September and kept on repeating it so that I didn't get, frankly, useless gifts. So I asked for pickles and jams, biscuits and savoury crackers and asked my 2 boys to club together to buy me a slow cooker. A friend who was an excellent knitter I asked for a blanket to put over my lap in the evenings. I asked for shower gels and soaps. Smelly candles. Things I could actually use! Hope these ideas help.
The first Christmas with the royal family , The Princess of Wales gave each one a jar of chutney that she made herself, as their gift - and it went over splendidly.
@@lynnoorman2144 Love this idea. I’m still working my way through body lotion I was gifted last Christmas. I love wax melts,candles so I’ve asked for soya wax etc so I can do my own.
I'm the same age as you and remember ice on the bedroom windows and immersion switches to get hot water. My parents and grandparents growing food in the garden. I remember 15% mortgages in the late 80s. And here we are again as you say. Thank you for acknowledging single people as it's tough paying household costs without a partner to share them. My adult children are also struggling to pay bills but I do hope I've set a good example for them and they'll get through this one and be even better prepared for the next cost of living crisis!
My husband and I are the same age as you and Mike are and remember the space heater in the living room that heated a portion of the house (not the upstairs where the bedrooms were lol). Ice on the windows, freezing cold bathroom floor, one car and 1 light on at night because why do you need a light on if your not in that room? Sorry being my Dad at the moment 😂. Fast forward to this year and we were fast tracking paying off our mortgage when I found out I had cancer. Im on permanent disability BUT though I'm not bringing in much money we still are able to put a little money extra on the mortgage because we don't have any other debt. We're doing what we can to be as frugal as possible as we know times are looking a bit frightening for the immediate future. I will admit that about every other week hubby and I go to our local town farmers market and we each spend $1 on a homemade donut that an older Amish lady makes fresh. Hubby gets so excited, rubs his hands together and announces its donut time lol. It's the simple things that bring you joy isn't it?
PS we also heat our house with wood and I LOVE IT! Its a different heat and for me it's like a warm hug all winter 😊
sending you wishes,prayers and blessings on the journey you are now on and for your recovery.
@@kerstinkiel5314 thank you so much for the prayers Kerstin!
💕@@misfit7610
@@Changedmynameagain yes,my dad worked a distance from home. Old beaters but they were his old beaters lol
I grew up in a tiny three bedroom, one bath home. We didn’t go out to eat, and my mom squeezed the last bit out of everything. We had chickens and geese, hunted and fished. My father still has a big garden every year. We heated with wood, because we couldn’t afford to replace the furnace. I never felt like I didn’t have enough, or that I was missing out.
That aqua scarf is just lovely on you Jane.
I can so relate to all of what you said. With only social security now it gets harder and harder every month. I am starting to see more month than money. It takes thinking and planning to get through. Thanks for sharing your lives with us
So true,, it seems that every generation has had hard lessons to learn.,, The best we can do now is teach our grandchildren how to cope by being frugal. We have our work cut out for us.
My dad grew up in the 30s and 40s (WW2). Natural gas got so expensive, we couldn’t use much and heated with wood. We got free wood from trees that fell mostly. One year the prices were so high (70s) that many people also we’re using wood 🪵. Got extremely competitive. So my dad would bring home pallets from work, mostly oak then, and after school my siblings and I would dismantle them, remove all the nails and my dad used an electric saw to cut them to the right length once a week. He had us save the nails for him to use in other projects.
I enjoyed the information. It's hard in the US as well. I also live a very frugal life, which has made it somewhat easier for me. I took on a part-time job two days during the week in order to increase my savings and sinking funds.
As a child we had wood fires or heaters in our cold weather homes, ate lots of stews, grew vegies and chooks for eggs and meat. Hubby and I moved north to the tropics 30 years ago for a warmer life and we now have solar panels feeding to the grid for free power which also covers our air con in the summer, we still grow salad veg and eat stews and just one car, a ute, now. We live quietly on our age pension, cook at home, frugal but with an occasional adventure by taking a road or fishing trip with our old slide-on camper.
I live on a low income live well have food clothing and shelter even on a low income your solid advice WORKS WONDERS keep it up your videos have had. A HUGE IMPACT on the QUALITY of my life you just don't realize best to you and your family see ya Sunday❤
You hit the nail on the head! It IS hard at these times. My son is 24, has a good job, but he cannot move out, because there are no affordable rental apartments or no apartments at all.
I dobremember as a kid waking to frost on the inside of my bedroom window. My room was unheated but my bed was piled with cosy blankets. Sunday night was bath night and stabd up washes rest ofvthe week. Hot water was needed for laundry and pots so could not be wasted. I rode a bike from an early age in order to get to school or run errands for mum. All meals were cooked from scratch and we always had a pudding even if it was just cooked apple and custard. .i live in a similar way today but area too hilly for a bike and buses so infrequent. I make sure i run all errands at once and anything forgotten i do without until the next time.
Coping with prices so far but being careful and thinking twice before picking things from the shelf.
Love your midweek chats. So down to earth and love your reflectons.
Thank you for sharing your frugal wisdom with us. I’m a single person (divorced after 25 years) so I basically started over again. I’m busy paying extra principal on my mortgage each month. I have my daughter and my daughters friend paying rent each month so that is a great help (it works out well for all of us) I say that I’m very intentional with my spending.
The best thing that came out of the lockdowns, for me, was and still is cutting my own hair. Also no more highlights, I went au naturel. I have saved a lot of money and will continue to do so.
I grew up with Dolly Blue ( a sort of bag that went into a white wash to make the whites better ) and remember mixing up Robin starch ( a sort of cornflouer thing that stiffened collars and stuff ) was so proud when I did it so well that my Mum said I could mix the gravy next Sunday _ different times now - but glad I have skills to make do and mend
I am in your team, too. I am going to work by bike or walk in good times, dying my hair at home, like the wonen on my family fif while I grow up, not wasting anything, budgeting and not eating outside/taking our lunch to work snd school. Growing up in thr communist '80s was no joke but it has us prepared for all these hard times. It is not easy but manageable if you are prepared....Great post - you are a treasure to me❤❤❤❤
yet another fabulous vlog and thank you for remembering those of us who live alone, are single parents etc. I brought up 2 children on my own and they have always known how much money is coming in, how much bills are etc. which has stood them in good stead now that they have become young adults. My daughter has just bought a house with her partner - they fixed everything up themselves and are cooking everything from scratch - they actually get great pleasure learning new recipes and see shopping as something of a game by seeing how little they can get away with spending on their food shops. I have family who now all live close by and I have a lot of friends who always pop in for a visit with home made cakes or flowers they have picked from their gardens. I always use a teabag more than once. Just that 1 simple thing of seeing a mug in the kitchen with a teabag in it ready for it's second use is a constant reminder to keep a watch on other things such as turning off lights and everything else that is not being used. Today we had a special treat as my son's crop of sweetcorn has ripened so we had corn on the cob with melted butter for our dinner. A roof over our heads, enough garden space to have a few raised beds,warm duvets, a stocked pantry and also love - from family, friends,neighbours - there is no better feeling . A hug from my children or friends makes me feel so rich because there is nothing that I could buy that would give me more pleasure than those priceless hugs.
I remember my parents going through the 1970s and 80s. I'm so glad mum taught me how to run a home when things were really hard.
I've started to eat more offal because the price of meat is so expensive. We have done lambs liver and onion roast dinners and frozen some in the freezer. It's an economical meal and healthy, though I find even offal is getting pricier. To save money on the electricity we try to do double or triple quantity cooking, big pan of mash ect. That way we can portion it and freeze it. We only have to put it into the microwave to reheat it. I really don't know how people are going to cope when Christmas comes around. Great video Jane and Mike, kind regards Angeline ❤️
Thanks so much
My favorite videos are the ones in which you talk about how it was when you were growing up. I'm a baby boomer, but most of the things you mentioned applied to my childhood as well. We can learn a lot from the past....Carla H.
Jane - you are so right, we all need to look to the past and toughen up a bit. I worked with a lovely young woman from Nepal and she said to me, if you have food, a safe comfortable bed and clothes you are better off than so many people around the world. Yes it IS tough. Petrol prices and energy prices have skyrocketed here, all due to stupid government policies and it's ricocheting though everything.
We built our house 24 years ago and figured that energy costs were only going to go up so we incorporated passive solar features and lots of insulation - and NO air con, here in Sydney. It would have cost thousands and we figured we could always retro fit it if needed. I'm all the more glad now that power prices are absolutely through the roof! We have celling fans in the bedrooms, floor fans that we put out in summer, windows that open to catch any breeze, a quick cold shower before bed, and if it's stinking hot for days we go to a shopping center to escape for a while. People thought we were nuts, but we have lived comfortably and have literally saved thousands. They're predicting a hot summer - like we had when I was a kid here, we survived!! Cheers from OZ! BTW, how did you go in the recent storm? It sounded worrying!
We're ok but no ferries or planes or high sided vehicles could operate
We have been together for 16 years, and we put in solar energy to reduce our electric bill, and we learned to greatly reduce our electric usage. We would run out of power if we didn't. When college students came back home for visits, I wouldn't have enough power to brew coffee or take a hot shower. They couldn't relate to limited power. We moved to a converted cabin as our retirement home, and we now have a hybrid system. We have solar energy for 30% of our energy needs, and utility for the rest. In the summer months we get 50% of our energy from solar. But in a northern climate that is the reality of it . And aging and being off grid is not for us. We heat primarily with wood, but we saved up and installed other sources of heat for the future. We have chosen to live simple frugal lives and we are happy doing that. Like you two, we both watched the struggles of our grandparents and parents and learned how to manage a tight budget. It's just normal for us. And yes we get through the tight times just fine.
Thanks for sharing
Enjoyed the video. Helps us all feel we are in this together. Prices stink! We need to refocus on the simple blessings in our lives. This will be different for everyone, but we all have something we can be thankful for.😊
I am continually reducing my grocery bill for each fortnight .. taking the cost of ingredients into account I make 1kg of yogurt saving $5, bake my own sourdough bread ( wholemeal and fruit and nut loaf saving $4 -$5 per loaf, have chickens for eggs and fertilizer, apple cider vinegar made from peels and cores saving $5 per bottle. Process Oats in blender with water to make Oat milk, filter my own water, buy number 10 cans of food from foodbank and re can into smaller jars. Make preserves. Grow most of my own food. Just to name a few. Each week I search Utube to find ways of reducing every day items, recently I looked up dandelions, I know make tea, coffee, fritters, honey and wine... WOW.. hope this helps other who like me have time to do what I am doing. Love to all from Australia.❤
The times we are in are down right scary. There doesn't seem to be a light at the end of the tunnel. All we can do is keep our chins up and do the best we can. This seems to be one of those waves that we need to ride... In the meantime, I am being as frugal as I can.
Thank you for another great video. I grew up in the 70’s and much of this video resonates with me.
Suggestion..If you are single or two or single parent, try looking at a Water meter. As you do with Gas and Electricity, you can measure how much water u are using. There is a Meter Calculator see if it could save you money. 😊
Per a recent video of Jane's, I've learnt how to monitor our daily electricity usage, and time spans, on our electric company's app. On to gas and water now!
My husband and I are also mortgage and debt free. We are not yet retired. I wish I could like this video 10X!! Having been married now 40 years(10 years in Norway), living very frugality we are able to live comfortably even on a much lower income than most people. We also are introverts and enjoy being home in our cabin in the woods that we also heat with wood. Our garden did not do well this year but I am able to find bargains around town and I do make most all our food from scratch. I am so grateful for the money saving ways I learned from my parents and what I am seeing my children also carry-on.
It has been rough before and it is rough now. It will be rough again and again. We are currently keeping our big house in retirement so that we can house family that might need to come back home, no fault of their own. This world is backwards, upside and inside out. We live in N. Idaho, USA.
ive taught my children how to stock up for a rainy day (buy a deep freezer to stock up on everything) they saw myself shopping and breaking down meats, cheese, bread etc... i make sure i buy extra household things, and when they get low build that stock pile back up. As you said ( i learned how to stock things for the household when my kids were young and i still do) the way of the world as it is NOW we all have to do as much as we can
Frugal folk just put our shoulders to the wheel and plod on. Perhaps reviving a few previous habits such making stock from bones in slow cookers or sitting under a blanket while watching tv now that the nights are getting colder. And really, really appreciating that we know how to live like this with gratitude fir the small things, a hot cup of tea- the beauty of raindrops on spiders webs etc...
In colder weather I always have a blanket when I'm sitting. I also wear shoes in the house, my husband goes around in socks only and complains of cold feet. So, wear your shoes (or slippers) inside to help stay warm. Seems like common sense to me but evidently it isn't to everyone (hubby)!
I wish we could heat or cool just a portion of this house. S much for the modern American "open plan" house!😁
It’s getting so hard here in Australia. Prices have started going up again. Milk has just gone up 10 cents a litre and petrol has gone up.
Super video. I remember the winter of discontent very well, it certainly helped me to prepare as I raised my young family in the 80s, made sure there was always food, if nothing else, going from shop to shop for the best bargains available. They always joked that I had a 'war pantry' of supplies, and still do this to this day. Keeping staples on hand has seen us through some lean times. So this current cost of living crisis we're better prepared. As you say, we've had the experience before. This time round though I don't switch on my hot water system at all, if I need hot water I will boil a kettle, and the shower heats as it runs the water through it. I've done this for the last 2 years and has knocked around £200 a year off my bills. It's no hardship, again, being used to living without hot water on tap as we grew up, I think it's easier to revert to being frugal with energy when we've had the prior experience. 👍
Lovely video as always. I grew up in the sixties we didn't have much but never felt deprived of the essentials. It has stood me in good stead in these trying times but l find your videos such an inspiration and a joy to watch. Thankyou
Growing up, my parents raised us with an sye for always getting the best value, caring for what you already had, snd to save early and consistently. I have been so grateful for the lessons that greatly impact me to this day-particularly where the majority of us find ourselves today. Enjoy your videos so much.
I think here in the US more people are realizing we are going to be in this for longer than they first thought and that it is going to get worse long before it gets better.
Ladies if you colour your hair did you know you can freeze any leftover mixed solution, my wife and her friend buy two simlar colours (blondish)and layer the colours for a natural look .
Exactly. I'm preparing for a much harder future while living simply now. It's something I know how to do.
The grouping of car trips really helps me be so much more organized. I’ve done it for decades.
Yep. Yesterday, I left work and headed towards home. I stopped at the dry cleaners to pick up two skirts that I had to have taken in because I’ve lost quite a bit of weight, that hasn’t come back on in two years. The library is next door to the cleaners so I returned some books, then, picked up a couple of things from the supermarket two blocks away from there; then I headed home!
I have seen it done in the 80th by my nan an parents and put those skills in action to have a "good" live without worry ( but without prada😉)
Thank you Jane. Really enjoyed the chat; the voice of reason as ever!🧡
I feel we are paying a premium for everything we do, went to buy a book of stamps today £8.80 so I bought 2nd class instead food prices are set to increase I had my haircut for a family wedding not been to the hairdresser in 3 years £30.00 which is the going rate fortunately my daughter gave me a dress and shoes to wear as I refuse to buy an occasion outfit that will very likely not see the light of day I've budgeted for haircut but this month I've really messed up switchedaway from BT has my monthly bill was £ 57 .00 and I rarely use my landlines went with another provider as they are half the cost didn't realise that my new provider doesn't automatically inform BT off the switch over as they are on a different network so ive ended up paying 2 different providers for their services costly mistake on my part.
There is house building going on in my town however it’s all 4,5 and 6 bedroom homes with no pretence of building affordable housing. Until the last local election, the council was Tory controlled and they sanctioned this. They are also building on green belt including local woodland which is also a green burial site so no respect or consideration to the site, local wildlife and habitat or peoples loved ones. It’s ordinary people who are bearing the brunt of the current crisis and it’s disgraceful.
Your honestly is always refreshing , it’s very hard at the moment with the price of oil and diesel constantly creeping up in Ireland at , we just have to as my nanny use to say pull our socks up and get on with it do the best we can with what we have and people need to remember it’s ok to ask for help it’s not charity when it’s a necessity to keep going
You are right Jane, it is not the first time that life has been hard. We lived through the high interest rates & inflation of the 1970s. & then the financial crash in the late 1980s.
And we got through but it does mean living frugally. Fortunately I had frugal parenst who had lived though war. You can manage if you are willing to cut down & not do what
everyone else does. It is OK not to have holidays & not to eat out all the time. You have to be strong & do what you can afford, not what " people " expect.
It feels like community here, and I really appreciate your video and the comments on this topic.🤗
In the 70's when I was growing up, we had it better than most people in that we had a store (Canada). All of our income was made mostly in 4 months during the summer, however we got all of our food at wholesale prices year round. I learned at any early age how to shop loss leaders which has served me well throughout time. It was when I got out of high school in the early 80's that the big recession was on. It was hard watching everyone struggle. Mortgages being foreclosed, families moving in the night, factories shutting down , farmers struggling etc, but we managed to get through it. Being frugal saved many people. Now we are looking at retirement and have lots of plans and back up plans in place but it is still scary. because we now live in one of the most expensive city in North America (Vancouver) Thanks for the video.
I feel lucky, my grandparents grew up in the depression and taught me (as well as my mom) how to be smart with my shopping and meal planning savings. I was never able to afford a house being single till my 40s but here in the US, I don't see how we will ever be able to retire, it's gotten so expensive. I wish I could retire in Europe, but having a hard time convincing my mate. My newest frugal success: I learned to cut my own hair this month from RUclips and it looks fantastic! Saved myself $100!
These kinds of economic problems seem to keep coming back, don’t they? I feel very fortunate that I’m married bc it certainly helps to have two incomes. I always had it in the back of my mind that if things ever got really tough I would invite my sister and/or parents to live with us. We all do better together!
I too grew up frugally and have lived that way ever since. It has been very hard for a long time. What I think is a particular challenge is how we single people deal with the situation we find ourselves in during these challenging times.
Yes, I’ve always been single so I’m used to one salary to pay for everything!
Unfortunately, multigenerational living is robbing adults of their independence and freedom of life.
Yes I'm very careful about errands etc
Fantastic video! Great tips of less usage and being realistic with a budget x
Thank you Jane; great advice as always. I bought my winter logs early this year in case the price went up. Kindling I can get for free from the garden.
Wonderful!
Consider getting extra logs in case it’s a bad winter.
Great video. When I was growing up my Mom always cut our hair and her own. She still cuts her own hair at age 83. We ate a lot of cheap meals. We were taught to keep our home very clean. Going out to eat was a treat. My Mom and I go out to eat once a week. We really watch our utilities. It has helped that I was raised this way. It does make a difference. Really like your tips.
Thanks for sharing!!
Jane you are so on the money with cooking skills. You can do so much with little if you learn to cook! Everyone can cook. You keep it simple. You have so many videos now that show you step by step. You just have to make the effort. Thank you for such a great video.
Thanks so much
You look so beautiful in those colors, not that you aren't any other day. But I really love those colors on you. You are a very cute couple. You both look so happy in the picture. We grew up like you and Mike did, and we've lived our adult lives the same way, and our children live their lives in a similar fashion. Our daughter is disabled and recently divorced, so she is really struggling in these economic times, and we help her as much as we can. She is very conservative with her money and is making a comfortable life for herself. We are getting by and videos like yours helps us a lot. Especially to know we aren't alone in this frugal life.
There definitely is a cost of living crisis everywhere. Totally ridiculous.
However, frugal people will likely fare better than people who are not accustomed to managing money in the first place. By that, i am referring to people who make a high income and waste it.
This was such a good video !! I love how you went back generations! My Great Grandparents (paternal) had a ranch so they did ok, but the maternal side were city dwellers and really struggled. So I grew up with a Father who wanted the garden and animals and a Mother who didn't want any of it and didn't even like to cook ! So out of 9 of us there are 2 of us who garden and just me who makes or tries to make everything from scratch. Daily I am reading on social media so many people asking for help with food, pet food and to pay their utilities. And I do believe it will get worse.
The Great Depression was much harder in the big cities than in the country, even though there were victory gardens.
Hi Jane, I love your presentations and am a subscriber. There is one issue that I have and also maybe some of your RURAL watchers on which you may be able to shed some light. Here in the U.S. every single store is a chain store - Walmart, Albertsons, Target and so on. There are no mom and pop stores anymore where you can shop for cheaper prices. The prices don't vary that much from store to store. Do you have any advice for this situation? Also, since I'm on one paycheck a month - Social Security - I don't watch the ads that much because I only go to town once a month on payday because where I am it's a 70-mile round trip and I have to buy everything I need for the month coming up and if something is 50 cents cheaper from Target to Walmart, it would cost that much gas to change stores. It's a real problem here in the U.S. Also, I love sewing and used to sew all my own clothes because fabric was made in the U.S. and was around 50 cents a yard. Now it runs anywhere from $12/yard up to $25 a yard depending on what type of fabric you are buying. I'm always buying just plain 100% cotton and it runs anywhere from $12/yard up to $15 a yard. They do have sales but for rural customers who have to drive long distances to town we don't usually go to town for a sale on cotton fabric. It would cost that much in gas. So now we have a choice of buying low quality clothes or fabric made in China or spending a fortune making our own. I honestly don't know how to fix this. Again, I love your channel and keep putting out your wonderful videos.
As I read your post , I thought about online shopping. I don't like to do it, but it might make sense for you in order to save money. If you don't have a computer, libraries offer free computer use. You'd probably still have to drive the same distance, but you could then save a lot of money on the shopping.
It's also possible to buy used but good items in a thrift store, just for the fabric, or you can re-make the garment into something that you like. I've used sheets to make kitchen and bathroom curtains. I've used clothes I loved but couldn't fit into anymore to make children's clothes. As Jane can attest, quilting is always available to use older fabrics.
These are some ideas you might want to try.
Hi Jonna, I'm very rural and the only thrift shop in town is Goodwill and they don't carry fabric. I've gone to the second hand stores and picked out a few things for fabric but there's not a good selection. Amazon costs $15/month as a member so you don't have to pay shipping but that's $180/year and I'd rather save that. I'm afraid I'm just in a location where I have to do the best I can. However, I absolutely love that you responded with all those good ideas so thanks very much for your thoughtfulness. @@jonnaborosky8836
You certainly hit the nail on the head! Our generation didn't have HVAC, we didn't see fast food as a staple,we ate out as special treats, we shopped very carefully, we switched off lights, there was a family car (one car total!)...it was our way of life.
We're fortunate enough to live where going car-free is a viable option. We walk or take public transportation. We gave up our car five years ago and that has saved large amounts of money! we bought our car used, for cash, but we still had insurance, smogging, fuel, parking, maintenance, and repairs to cover. Plus there were parking fines during the period that my spouse insisted on driving 10 minutes to work instead of taking the bus. If he didn't move the car every two hours, that was $90 each time.
Thanks for watching and commenting
Thank you for all your acknowledgements! So true and so considerate!!!❤
You are so welcome
I got a couple of chickens, The amount of eggs they produce is sort of amazing. Six chickens could supply a family of 4. I realized chickens have been helping humans survive for eons.
We MUST LOOK AT OUR SPENDING. You have to be honest with yourself. There are lots of wasteful spending and ego driven choices like new trucks and cars with big price tags and the expenses that come with it. Houses that are ridiculously large and the mortgages that go with them. Vacation trips you can’t afford but book them anyway. THEN…the credit cards are maxed and your work hours are cut or your job eliminated!!! We made some tough choices early on to live simply within or below our means. Frugality means freedom not deprivation. YOU get to choose where you use YOUR money.
I appear to be doing well. After massive monthly mortgage overpayments I finially finished my mortgage earlier this year.
This has been a gamechanger, I've never had the amount of disposable income as I do now.
The frugal & thrifty traits that I followed & learnt during the mortgage payoff marathon are still being followed today in my mortgage free world. This has resulted in real peace of mind and financial stability. There are no other debts.
By the way - I too remember the ice on the inside of the window as a kid!!!
Congratulations
We are coping the way that have always coped. I personally don't feel the difference. Why? My attitude never changes no matter how well I am doing:
"a crust of bread and a corner to sleep in"- Paul Lawrence Dunbar.
Thanks
You are absolutely right about just tapping your heat down just 1 notch. Last month mt electric bill was $223. This month my electric bill was $122. I did not leave lights on in rooms im not in and doubled my cooking to ony turn on my stove 3 times in the week instead of 7 times. I tapped my heat down from 70 to 69 is all and made a huge difference. Thank you for all of your tips!
Thanks for your feedback
Hi everyone!
Great chat, thank you Jane and Mike.😊
Hi Jane and Mike
Great video. Always good tips.
Jane brilliant completely agree with you
Hi Jane and Mike - spot on both
Great video! My son taught me the name for the route you use to make the most of your trip. It's called an oiler route in the U.S. Had been doing it for years - just didn't know it had a name. We too are "stay at home" people and are perfectly content living a similar life. Thanks!
Addendum: That same son used to say you had to open the refrigerator to get warm at our house. Told him to go get a lap robe. He now tries to make it November to turn on heat in Midwestern U.S. life changes when you're responsible for the bills.😏
I’m just amazed sometimes when going through RUclips and seeing all the influencers talking about their shopping hauls and newly decorated houses. I know they get many products for free. I tell my kids not to watch those channels. It just makes them feel bad that they can’t change their decor and wardrobe ever week.
Ive just moved my energy company onto a cheaper deal saves us about £20 per mth. If using comparisons sites, also get a quote from the company site your interested in. The quotes can be lower.
DITTO. I've just done that with my phone Bill. It had gone up from £20 to £25 that extra £5 adds up..I've got down to £16. What takes the piss Is that if I was a new customer they would only charge me £20. So someone making a bucket load.
Theyre not supposed to charge you more than a new customer.if you are in the uk try 1p mobile all my family are with them, very basic but had no probs.mayb of use to you. All thats going on is a big scam
I have four stores in my town and I shop at all of them.
Looking forward to this video, Jane!
You make a great point. It’s the tick-to-it-ivness that is key. When you have no option but to stick to a budget to make this work, it builds a discipline. In a study of millionaires in the US, the number of teacher (ahem!) and accountant millionaires top the list and the one thing they have is the stick-to-it-ivness that you speak of.
Ty as always for your videos Jane. It is tough out there but all generations have been through it in one way or another. I have completely changed my tune on adult children living at home. I moved out when I was finished with college at age 22.
I am now 60.
My 30 yr old middle son (I have 3!💙💙💙😊) still lives at home with his dad (my ex) in Chicagoland area. He is in the contractor’s union as well as an artist, travelling most weekends for art shows. However, as the high cost of especially housing is , especially outside Chicago/IL in general, he cannot afford to move out.
Thanks again as always for you and Mike’s videos. Enjoy them and so does my husband.😊
Really thoughtful video ❤
I remember shoveling heavy snow to get to the oudoor primitive tiolet.
And having to carry and heat water for cooking and bathing. Woe be unto the one who forgot to carry several buckets of water before nightfall! I've often bathed in what water was left in the kettle on the back of the stove after dinner! Sometimes barely a pint in the basin! But I didn't go dirty!😊
Jane, I just became aware of the price of TEA a simple teabag. In the United States the price has really increased. I usually buy boxes about 20 at a time and I got down to my last 2 boxes and I went to order more and I have been floored at the price. What happened and how long has this been going on.
I did the same thing last year, when the grocery store had boxes on clearance for 40 cents a box. Not sure why they were put on discount. I am now down the to the last box. Will have to be on the look out for discounts again
If you have Trader Joes''s near you in the US, you'll find that their selection of teas has maintained between 2.49 -2.99 depending on what type of tea you like. I have found their tea quality much better than the ones offered in large supermarkets.
Tea bags at the Dollar Tree are 100 bags for $1.25. Not sure if the quality is right for you. In the past I made ice tea with several bags and loved it.
@@churchofpos2279we buy 1100 tea bags at a time 😁
They're cheap because it's filled with pesticides. Always but Organic teas
Hi, great video as always.
We are starting to feel the cost of living crisis, weve been frugal for many years, but have definitely seen a change recently.
We have a set percentage of our income that we save for the future and i think we are going to have to reduce this as we are not managing as well as we did.
In particular, we have noticed how much DIY materials have gone up. We are making sure we help our daughter setting up home, even a tin of left over paint makes a difference.
Thanks Jane for keeping us all on track.
Thanks for watching
I think it’s particularly tough for those beginning their frugal life journey. Those of us who lived this way for decades are stronger and better prepared. The party is over for many, which is sad.
Hi, Jane! I'm a newish subscriber and I treasure your videos so much. I'm an older millenial who is also an extrovert so saving money doesn't come naturally to me. 😅 your videos help so much. I was wondering if you could please say more about how you insulated your house? We live in an older house in the UK and the damp can be quite an issue in the colder months.
We can but we stripped our house to a shell down to the earth and started again.
My husband and I have always had just one car since we married! We still combine and consolidate all our shopping as much as possible into one trip! …Deb
👍👍👍