I was raised in a household in which cooking, sewing, cutting hair, being able to repair stuff and build stuff was the norm. I got a lot of those skills myself and am glad about that. A lot of people seem to find it being a sign of having barely any money but I strongly disagree with that mindset. I actually find it very satisfying to handcraft something and having a finished product made by yourself. Also: it's so much fun to bring something to life that has previously only existed in your imagination.
I learned basic car maintenance like oil changes, preventative maintenance & how to swap out bad parts. Fixing computer issues so you don't have to hire a tech guy or buy new device. Doing your laundry correct so you can extend life of clothing. Learning to cook + batch meal prepping is also great you eat healthier, for cheaper & the food can actually taste good lol
My hubby and I are in our 50s and comfortably retired. I cut our hair, dye my own hair, do my own nails, we do minor plumbing/electrical/carpentry/paint, eat out once a week, go to libraries, read free ebooks, buy gifts for each other from wishlist only. This lets us do other things with our money (fully pay our kids education, travel extensively, gift moneys where we like etc…) frugality gives you freedom to choose where to spend.
Great list. I'd like to a few: 1.Shoe cobbling - i buy expensive dress shoes. But...i bought a shoe anvil and cobbler tools on ebay (super cheap) and put in heal taps, myself, that can be replaced, instead of the entire shoe. THen, i taught myself professional-level shoe shining and bought all the pro-level stuff. Now...my oldest shoes are about 14 years old, but after a cobble and shine, they look practically brand new. Leather care is an art. 2.Straight razor shaving - during the lockdown, I bought an old school straight razor and all the accoutrement. It took me about 3 weeks of tiny cuts, but I'll never have to buy another razor again and a bar of "shaving soap," seems to last for YEARS (I dont know how they do it...it might be that using the brush stretches LITTLE amount soap to lather up a LOT). Also, I feel like a cowboy. 3.$1 picture frames at Goodwill + a good "buddy shot selfie" from my phone makes an uber cheap gift and uber cheap decoration on my "Wall of Memories." The wall is FULL of framed pictures....if it's someone's birthday, i just grab their pic off the wall, wipe off any dust, and give it to them. No last minute hassle. 4.headlight replacement. Brand NEW headlights for my 9 year old Lexus cost about $400. One youtube video and a saturday morning later and the car looks 100% better. Fogged headlights age your car quick. I've tried every fogged-light remedy i can get my hands on, but they just never look "as advertised." Only NEW is good as new. So a complete headlight replacement has exactly the polish i'm looking for. Also, if i screw it up, i'd have to pay a mechanic ANYWAY, if I didnt do it myself. A few hundred bucks is pennies compared to the price of another car. 5.Scavenge movers. When my friends move, i offer them $20 to show up the day before their move with a cardboard box and take whatever they want to get rid off: specifically cleaning supplies, cooking liquids, and booze. I leave their home with 2/3 empty bottles of vodka, rum, stone mustard, balsamic vinegar, laundry detergent, dishwashing liquid, olive oil, etc.... These are all liquids that I will use anyway, but I get them on pennies on the dollar from friends that just want to get it out of the house before the movers get here but dont want to throw it away. I hardly drink at all, but my personal bar has at least 4 ounces of every imaginable alcohol and it's enough to make at least one of any kind of drink. I dont think I've bought any kind of liquid soap in YEARS. 6.ok...this one seems counterintuitive, but I invest in HIGH quality, expensive luggage - only in leather and canvas. Why these materials? When they get old, they look aged and get character, not look WORN OUT. Nylon and synthetics look frayed and worn out. Leather and canvas gets a patina. MOST important to me, is the patina reminds me of the travels and experiences of the past. ("See that scratch? Got that on a bus ride in Venezuela, kayaking the Amazon in 1999" "See that scuff? Road trip on Route 66 in 2005." "See that nick in the leather? Jagged ice gouged it outside Mt. Fiji. 2012") Why expensive? If you get a cheap bag (even leather), the actual stress of travel will tear seams, break zippers, and snap handles. We forget that a travel bag has to carry LOTS of weight, be stretched out, poked through by a sideways toothbrush, crushed, yanked out, drug, and man-handled by airport and hotel personnel. It is a LOT of abuse, and requires quality materials and workmanship to survive. I swear by Ghurka and Saddleback Leather travel bags, myself. (I dont profit from the plug)
I do most of these. I was raised in a household where if a button came off my clothes, my mom would take me downstairs and show me how to sew it back. If something tore: sewing machine lesson; if I was hungry: cooking lesson, if something broke, dad showed me how to fix it/build it/etc. I haven’t paid for a haircut in 30 years (even before I went bald), I cut my own hair with two mirrors. I have done major home renovations by myself (roof/sheathing for under $3k, replummed the entire house, painted, built furniture and cabinetry, built my own instruments to my own specs, the list goes on). One thing I don’t do, since I moved to the mountains to save money and live much more cheaply, is cancel Amazon Prime even though we also have Netflix. When you live 18 miles from the closest grocery store, and much further from other shopping, prime goes a long way and saves the travel time and fuel for lots of shopping trips (we go into civilization on Sundays and batch any shopping for that day, but many things I want or need aren’t available in the small ‘city’ we go to so Amazon is a huge important step in our frugality. Also, no public transportation where we live, so a good, cheap used car that’s good on gas is a necessity. It’s funny how little we really need to be happy and fulfilled…
I got engaged in 2001. Since then, I have paid for only two haircuts. (Our lives got busy.) My wife cuts my hair, and she also cuts her own hair. We have no doubt saved thousands of dollars through home haircuts.
Love this video! I always tell my family: for my birthday (fathers day, Christmas, etc.) please invest what you would have spent on me in a stock or ETF of your choice for yourself. Your financial well being is the best gift you can give me.
what a great idea! i'm going to try this. I have a young godson that keeps trying to get me "cool" gifts. I appreciate the sentiment, but i'm a middle aged man who needs little, buys less, and already has most of the things I want. Sure, "toys" are nice, but i'm not a kid: the toy ends up sitting on a shelf collecting dust. I'll ask him to "buy" me a certain stock....or S&P share....and his gift to ME, then, will be to have gotten started investing.
Thank you so much for including #15!!! This has been huge for our family, and it also pushes us to focus on time together as the true gift. It also removes the crazy pressure of finding the “perfect gift “ and takes so much stress out of holidays and birthdays.
why is it stressful? what is the point of money if I cant use it on others? I absolutely love giving to others and it is never a burden to me. Pure love is without condition and it doesn't matter what you get them because no matter what its about giving, not buying.
No mani for me. And now I am stopping summer pedis because they have gone up to $46 for a classic pedi. Not worth it. I always see people in the salon having both done. 😮 Can’t imagine the bill.
100% I could go my whole LIFE and never get through all the things I want to see at the library. Also, no commercials or commercial interruptions. EVER. When I watch the superbowl at a friend's house, the commercials drive me crazy....i'd forgetten how annoying it is to be interrupted every 7 minutes by Mint Mobile or Dorito adds. Score!
This goes out to all the homeowners: learn the basics of all the trades (i.e. plumbing, electrical, framing, drywall, etc.) Tackling your own home repairs will not only save you thousands of dollars, but also add thousands of dollars worth of value to your home. Remodeling a bathroom yourself will save you upwards of $5,000 in labor costs, and potentially add $20,000 to your home’s value. If you can remodel a bathroom from top to bottom, you can pretty much take on any home repair. There’s so much on RUclips to help you learn.
I had a German colleague who told me an interesting story. She was about to rent a house out to some American soldiers stationed in Germany. Her friend told her "make them pay the utilities." Apparently, most Germans get a rental price that includes utilities. However, her friend had told her that Americans crank up the heat in the winter while most locals wear warmer clothes at home. Not only that, but some of the American tenants would leave the heating on all day just because they wanted to feel warm the moment that the walked in the door. So, my colleague rented to the friendly US soldiers for slightly cheaper than she would ask from a local, but they had to pay for their own utilities.
I was also skeptical of the "no presents" rule but damn, I think you have a good point, I already buy expensive shit for myself year-round as I need them or when items break. On the other hand, a special outing can create memories that last a lifetime. It seems like spending time with the people you care about could happen anytime (like the "drawing contest" activity) but during special dates, you can spend a little more cash, just not on a physical gift?
i see no reason you cant be giving gifts for people if you want to. I love giving things to people because it makes me happy. Do it because you want to, not because you have to.
Thanks man, as a young person I see most ppl my age just brush off such skills, even I've been guilty of shrugging off my mom drilling into my brain to pay attention and learn these skills when she's teaching me, I just procrastinate and tell my self, "I'll learn when I'm older" but time is passing so fast and before I knew it I'm abt to enter young adult hood. You rly put into perspective exactly what I need, and I'm gonna go ask my mom to teach me to sew lol
I hope my nephew also figures these things out, he's 16 and about as lazy a person as I've ever seen. (It would help if his mom wasn't also completely lazy and entitled. Oh well.) I say the earlier you start practicing self-sufficiency in various areas of life, the better!
@@evage99 absolutely. It is a shame abt your nephew, it's usually our parents who must mold and help us be the best people we can be, and 50% our choice if we decide to listen or not. I hope he's much more intelligent and like u said, figures it out later on or accepts the advice of you or others who mean well.
Home making foods is certainly a skill people should get back to learning for sure. Most of my savings come from knowing how to home make everything i eat, and many are simple to maintain like making yogurt using the old yogurt over and over and over again, turning apple cores into apple cider vinegar, or even taking a bit of time to learn to make something more ambitious like cheese. Using what window and garden space you have for growing food, especially herbs is another simple thing anyone should try to do. Cleaning products at home at massive savers too, again most of them are very simple, starting from anti bac, to ambitious like soap, and knowing some of these ambitious ones can certainly be a way to make yourself a side hustle if you enjoy it. It’ll certainly be important going forward for my life, as i am not a fan of the mindless consumerism and convenience most people are drowning themselves in, i believe many people need to return to using their common sense, being disciplined, taking care of ourselves and putting in the effort to get the rewards we want in life again.
When it comes to coffee there is a way to make a latte quality brew using only a regular coffee machine. First make sure your coffee machine has that feature that let's you pull out the pitcher and stop the coffee flow. Let the coffee basket fill 1/2 - 3/4 full and stir the grounds. Put the pitcher back in before the coffee basket overfows and remove once the water in the basket goes below 1/2.
Just wanted to add learning to knit and crochet can help to save money. I'm in the process of learning how to fix holes in knitted and crocheted fabric.
The per unit cost is essential to figuring out if you are actually getting a good deal on something. I think retailers take advantage that people assume the bulk size version of an item always has the best price. One specific example I can think of is Jif peanut butter at Walmart. The big 4 lb can is actually more expensive than the two 40oz. jars shrink wrapped together. If a store puts the per unit cost on the price label, double check it. It's often wrong. Either someone messed up the math or the units being used are inconsistent making it hard to compare. You might get dollars per ounce on one item and dollars per pound on the other one.
I live in LA and take public transit and everyone thinks I'm crazy but it works and the scare tactics and fear about crime about it are all way over blown and fear driven
I dye my own hair. One time, there was a buy 1 take 1 sale on hair dye, and free application on one of the dyes, so I did that too. I learned how to cut my own bangs. I cold brew my own coffee. I meal prep, but not consistent. I avoid door dashing food by thinking "by the time, the food arrives, I've already finished cooking my own food" so that helped. During Christmas Parties in the office, I start putting in "gift certificates" on my wishlist. If someone asks what type of gift certificate I want, I would say "surprise me".
I love the moment goes he says that he spends a lot on haircuts with his super nice hair and goes "you know who I dont spend a lot on? My kids" and cuts to a bowl cut
I definitely do just about every hack on this video. My kids usually speak Japanese at home and I’m an English teacher. So what I do is when I plan my lessons, I’ll sometimes try them out on my kids and get feedback from them. They love my lessons and always give me great advice. Other hacks include save leftovers for the next day’s meals. Dollar stores and Daiso are great for shopping and for gift ideas. Always thanks for your videos.
Totally agree with the last one. No presents whatsoever. My wife and I don't do presents for birthdays, anniversary, or Christmas. One year, I bought her something for mothers day because it was the first year of her being a mother, so she felt obligated to buy for me as a father. This year, I finally just said, the hell with it. I won't get anything. She didn't care and yesterday was father's day. She didn't even wish me a happy fathers day until I pointed it out to her that it was today. Needless to say, she had no present either. If either of us need anything, we just buy it out right. If I see something that would make a great present for anybody, I'll buy it there and give it to them then because it's the perfect gift. Giving kids gifts for birthdays and Christmas however, we still subscribe to but really haven't bought anything. Both are too young to barely know what's going on anyway lol.
You’re the man Tae. Thanks for the information and can’t wait for the next video. Would you be able to make a video explaining a mega backdoor Roth? Cheers and happy Father’s Day!
First video I've seen of your channel. My frugal seems to in born. I haven't been to a hair dresser since the mid 90's. Almost all the bought new clothes I have came as gifts. If you haven't mentioned in another video, boxes and old blankets for kids to play with. My parents played cards with me. Very good for teaching math, strategy and losing being no big deal.
For "Fun Home Activities", if you have older children, I think giving them something with a high level of versatility can keep them busy. I would personally attest to the 3D printer. Your kid learns about 3D modeling, too!
These kinds of videos are great and even though you may have done something similar its great to keep coming out with these! And have be authentic! Every day is a fight 🔥
1)Along with cutting your own hair, stopping shaving is a great way to save tons of money. My husband just buys a beard trimmer once every 10 years or uses the hair clippers. Not only does it save a lot of money but it's more green. If you want to go farther with that you can sharpen your own blades but he finds that a trim once every few weeks doesn't wear out his trimmer and he can get many many years out of it. 2)Fueling up your car when you are at a low price station and keeping the tank fuller seems to save me tons of money every year. On average I save 5 or $10 every time I fill up. Sometimes gas price apps can be helpful too. How many times have you pulled over on the highway to fill up when you're running low only to find the next exit is $0.10 cheaper per gallon? 3)Buy everything in bulk that you can. This can require space that not everyone has but not only will it save you money on the front end, you'll save money and time from not having to run out as often to purchase the items. 4) buy used, barter, trade, scavenge. Not only is this a way to save money but it's much better for the planet. Some things are good to buy new but I've found that if I just have the patience to wait a little longer for some not immediate desires, I can save a ton of money. There are endless possibilities to find stuff locally or online. Sometimes you trade time for money but I just replaced some of my screen time for another hobby of looking for deals. Besides The traditional used shops and garage sales, I also skim online sources like craigslist or marketplace for free or cheap deals. Many people online are getting rid of stuff that they don't want or need. Sometimes it's things that others have left behind in like new condition but whomever possesses them at the moment has no need for it. I've furnished several houses completely for free, including appliances, clothing, cleaning supplies, even food and booze and all it took was a couple minutes of scrolling while eating my breakfast or taking a break at some point during the day. 5) going green. I mentioned it regarding some of the other time/money saving options but many green lifestyle choices have ended up saving me money in every direction. From using gray water in all its applications to making my own toiletries and cleaning supplies. This is also turned into a bit of a hobby because I have to source and produce some of the products I use. However if you make large batches the time and money you save in the end is worth it and you can feel good about being involved in a better future for yourself and your communities. 6) another thing I mentioned was turning frugality into hobbies. We have taken things like cooking, home brewing, home repair, gardening, etc and use them not only to save money but to enrich our lives. Overall I've found that I can live very well on a very low budget but it has been important to invest in a lifestyle that is more sustainable in every way. Not only is it important to get into frugal habits but to really assess what is important to sustain the lifestyle you desire. Once you assess your true priorities you will realize that so many things that you previously had thought you needed really are just a waste of time and money that could be more well spent on the things you truly enjoy.
Home brewing is great fun. I don't have a lot of downtime at home so having a hobby that gets better with neglect(ageing) is quite nice. I make mead btw, a friend gives me too much honey.
Freezing the same meal for the whole month sounds boring, but you could apply this principle to a lesser extent and periodically cook large meals and freeze portions, so you can still have variety when you are short on time.
I live in an area that is within 2 miles of a library a grocery store the post office by Dollar Tree and the Dollar General at a gas station. I am retired so I do not have to drive very much. I am switching to Nationwide car insurance by the mile..$60+ 7 cents a mile from what Ive read.. that will save me $72 a month😮
I figured out a way to section off a 6 by 6 ft area right outside of my bathroom which is big enough for my recliner a table and a lamp so I only air-conditioned the bathroom in that small area for about 2 hours out of the hottest part of the day. I live alone and so it is a realistic arrangement. I keep the temperature at about 80 degrees so that when I go outside it is not a harsh change
I would love to see a video on your wife’s clothing closet. I would love to see a frugal/minimalistic closet with some variety of color and style. Polo shirt and pants/khaki shorts is fine for you (and you look great) however, I would love a little more variety.
Great video! Could you do a video on Earthquake insurance? There is not a lot of info available if and when it might be worth it. I live in Southern California and have been a home owner for over 20 years. When do the premiums justify the equity? What percent of deductible is best? What guarantee insurance will pay out if the big one hits? This would help a lot. Thank you.
Great Insight and very practical. Two of our largest expenses are housing and taxes. Where we buy a house and how much house we buy can play a significant role in our financial health. Secondly, learn to invest your money in places where you can create large write offs. Such as rental property. There is no reason to hand over your hard earned dollars to a government agency if you don’t have to. Too many people feel like a victim to the taxes they pay. Rather than use the tax laws to their advantage.
I'd like to make an addendum to the subscription advice: I technically have multiple subscription services: amazon prime, hulu, disney+, and ESPN +, the latter three are bundled together at a very affordable price and are actually free with my verizon cellular + home internet bill. Amazon prime is also my primary shopping source and my credit card is linked to it, so my prime membership is functionally also my credit card annual fee and a reward system as I get points on all sorts of purchases, but especially ones on amazon. I buy food, clothes, technology, books, and all sort of miscellaneous items through amazon so I assessed it as great way to rack up points for my lifestyle. Aside from that, I don't have any netflix, HBO, paramount, etc.
Also, a HUGE one is IF you are eating out, resist the urge to buy beverages. Water is usually healthier anyway and drinks are often the most inflated items on menus, and by absurd margins.
Sweet I pretty much do all of these except travel hacking. I've done a bit but it's not as lucrative in Canada and a lot of the credit cards that are worth it for the travel points have too high of income requirements or super high spending requirements that wouldn't work for me personally at this stage of my life. But I do periodically look to see if there's anything better out there!
use your community to help with some of these!!! look up a barber school near you, and a repair cafe (to fix you clothes or appliances for a donation cost).
I dye and cut my own hair. Buy clothes from thrift stores and learn how to alter clothing to make it fit. I have found beautiful blouses on clearance that were to small for me but I altered them and love wearing them. Growing a garden. It’s amazing the amount of food you can get from a little package of seeds. When an appliance won’t work, Google or RUclips it and you might be able to fix it yourself. I am a woman and did that with my washer this morning 😊.
Walmart. 9 pairs of diabetic socks (which just means they stretch more) for 7 dollars. I would never fix a sock when they are torn. Unless they are thick winter socks
Cutting my own hair saves a TON of money and time, and personally, I like my hair cut by myself vs. a barber. This wasn't the case my 1st 20 cuts. Now, the barber can't compete.
the point of presents isn't to get a physical item of a certain monetary value, the entire point is someone else's thoughtfulness and consideration without prompting. The item should ideally be something you wouldn't get yourself. It doesn't even have to cost money, it can be an act of service or something you created. There are much better ways of doing frugal gifts than handing someone cash and telling them to get whatever they want.
I think expecting gifts for birthdays and holidays counts as "prompting", haha. "How thoughtful and considerate of you to get me an obligatory present because it's my birthday!" hopefully said no-one ever. I absolutely hate shopping - for myself or anyone else - and only buy gifts if I happen to run across something that immediately makes me think of another person. (Such as the pretty watering-can outdoor lamp I saw in an ad and knew would look awesome in my mom's flower garden.) I don't think "Oh, my sister's birthday is in a month, I'll mindlessly browse Amazon until I find something she might enjoy." My brain just doesn't work that way. I also feel guilty when someone gives me a gift that I neither enjoy nor want to use...which is almost every time I receive one. I honestly prefer a hug and a "Happy birthday!" Following the Golden Rule, I treat others that same way, especially since I know I'm generally bad at deciding what someone might like as a present. I've personally really enjoyed gifts that came outside of the "prompted" designated birthday-and-Christmas zones, like when a friend very randomly brought me sushi from a trip to the city because she remembered that I said I liked it. THAT was fantastic and touching, and unexpected. I felt very special. Also..."The item should ideally be something you wouldn't get yourself"...how is everyone else supposed to know things you WOULDN'T buy for yourself?? And if you wouldn't buy it for yourself, why would you want someone else to buy it for you? xD
I like the birthday event idea, that’s is smart to create a memory instead or just a gift they will forget in a year. They are all good and effective practices though.
One of the best decisions I made a few years ago was to get a straight razor and a clipper kit. I save a couple hundred a year on cutting my own hair, at only the cost of a few nicks while learning
Good listening and so agree i always cook at home always did once a week coupon it for dinner when home late it is much cheaper to cook at home and i freeze a few meals too my old clothes worn torn i use for pjs and for cooking so i dont ruin good clothes thrifting is also a great way to save money and you can get discounts on thrifting when they put items 50 off and 25 off
It’s funny because I’ve unknowingly been doing these a lot of these things for awhile now! I guess I’m frugal, I just don’t like to waste money/resources. Plus acquiring skills like cutting your own hair and sewing are interesting pursuits.
@@evage99 if you don't believe just search Google for which one is cheaper and more convenient. I use a Great value brand for 3.49 bucks it easily gets me 45 days of instant coffee. and takes only a minute to be ready in the microwave
We like to sit around coloring in coloring books with crayons, markers or color pencils. It’s very low cost. We also get puzzles from the thrift or dollar store. Instead of a subscription service, we go to the library to check out movies and shows. Your tax dollars pay for it anyway, you might as well use it.
![Oasis - Oasis Live '25 [Official Trailer]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/gol_JnuEtKM/mqdefault.jpg)
I was raised in a household in which cooking, sewing, cutting hair, being able to repair stuff and build stuff was the norm. I got a lot of those skills myself and am glad about that. A lot of people seem to find it being a sign of having barely any money but I strongly disagree with that mindset. I actually find it very satisfying to handcraft something and having a finished product made by yourself. Also: it's so much fun to bring something to life that has previously only existed in your imagination.
Absolutely!
Indeed
As trippy as knowledge and communication themselves. Just the fucking mind and body, really.
I learned basic car maintenance like oil changes, preventative maintenance & how to swap out bad parts. Fixing computer issues so you don't have to hire a tech guy or buy new device. Doing your laundry correct so you can extend life of clothing. Learning to cook + batch meal prepping is also great you eat healthier, for cheaper & the food can actually taste good lol
Oil change is easy but ever since I know someone who got smashed to death under a car, I now have anxiety going under a car…
My hubby and I are in our 50s and comfortably retired. I cut our hair, dye my own hair, do my own nails, we do minor plumbing/electrical/carpentry/paint, eat out once a week, go to libraries, read free ebooks, buy gifts for each other from wishlist only. This lets us do other things with our money (fully pay our kids education, travel extensively, gift moneys where we like etc…) frugality gives you freedom to choose where to spend.
buy gifts from wishlists!
great idea for a relationship.
I do this for myself, but never thought of it as a thing to do together.
Basic sewing is a huge deal! Its enabled us to buy used and then keep it nice forever. Also swap skills with friends can save you alot
Step 1 : find friends XD
Wish me luck! XD (80% joking but you know…)
I learn this skill from my mother during covid as a blue collar I always have holes in my socks. It’s lasted me 3 extra years 😅
i needa patch 20 pairs of socks
Absolutely love the swapping of skill idea with friends and family. Absolutely love it.🎉
Great list. I'd like to a few:
1.Shoe cobbling - i buy expensive dress shoes. But...i bought a shoe anvil and cobbler tools on ebay (super cheap) and put in heal taps, myself, that can be replaced, instead of the entire shoe. THen, i taught myself professional-level shoe shining and bought all the pro-level stuff. Now...my oldest shoes are about 14 years old, but after a cobble and shine, they look practically brand new. Leather care is an art.
2.Straight razor shaving - during the lockdown, I bought an old school straight razor and all the accoutrement. It took me about 3 weeks of tiny cuts, but I'll never have to buy another razor again and a bar of "shaving soap," seems to last for YEARS (I dont know how they do it...it might be that using the brush stretches LITTLE amount soap to lather up a LOT). Also, I feel like a cowboy.
3.$1 picture frames at Goodwill + a good "buddy shot selfie" from my phone makes an uber cheap gift and uber cheap decoration on my "Wall of Memories." The wall is FULL of framed pictures....if it's someone's birthday, i just grab their pic off the wall, wipe off any dust, and give it to them. No last minute hassle.
4.headlight replacement. Brand NEW headlights for my 9 year old Lexus cost about $400. One youtube video and a saturday morning later and the car looks 100% better. Fogged headlights age your car quick. I've tried every fogged-light remedy i can get my hands on, but they just never look "as advertised." Only NEW is good as new. So a complete headlight replacement has exactly the polish i'm looking for. Also, if i screw it up, i'd have to pay a mechanic ANYWAY, if I didnt do it myself. A few hundred bucks is pennies compared to the price of another car.
5.Scavenge movers. When my friends move, i offer them $20 to show up the day before their move with a cardboard box and take whatever they want to get rid off: specifically cleaning supplies, cooking liquids, and booze. I leave their home with 2/3 empty bottles of vodka, rum, stone mustard, balsamic vinegar, laundry detergent, dishwashing liquid, olive oil, etc.... These are all liquids that I will use anyway, but I get them on pennies on the dollar from friends that just want to get it out of the house before the movers get here but dont want to throw it away. I hardly drink at all, but my personal bar has at least 4 ounces of every imaginable alcohol and it's enough to make at least one of any kind of drink. I dont think I've bought any kind of liquid soap in YEARS.
6.ok...this one seems counterintuitive, but I invest in HIGH quality, expensive luggage - only in leather and canvas. Why these materials? When they get old, they look aged and get character, not look WORN OUT. Nylon and synthetics look frayed and worn out. Leather and canvas gets a patina. MOST important to me, is the patina reminds me of the travels and experiences of the past. ("See that scratch? Got that on a bus ride in Venezuela, kayaking the Amazon in 1999" "See that scuff? Road trip on Route 66 in 2005." "See that nick in the leather? Jagged ice gouged it outside Mt. Fiji. 2012") Why expensive? If you get a cheap bag (even leather), the actual stress of travel will tear seams, break zippers, and snap handles. We forget that a travel bag has to carry LOTS of weight, be stretched out, poked through by a sideways toothbrush, crushed, yanked out, drug, and man-handled by airport and hotel personnel. It is a LOT of abuse, and requires quality materials and workmanship to survive. I swear by Ghurka and Saddleback Leather travel bags, myself. (I dont profit from the plug)
Thanks for interesting advice.
I do most of these. I was raised in a household where if a button came off my clothes, my mom would take me downstairs and show me how to sew it back. If something tore: sewing machine lesson; if I was hungry: cooking lesson, if something broke, dad showed me how to fix it/build it/etc. I haven’t paid for a haircut in 30 years (even before I went bald), I cut my own hair with two mirrors. I have done major home renovations by myself (roof/sheathing for under $3k, replummed the entire house, painted, built furniture and cabinetry, built my own instruments to my own specs, the list goes on). One thing I don’t do, since I moved to the mountains to save money and live much more cheaply, is cancel Amazon Prime even though we also have Netflix. When you live 18 miles from the closest grocery store, and much further from other shopping, prime goes a long way and saves the travel time and fuel for lots of shopping trips (we go into civilization on Sundays and batch any shopping for that day, but many things I want or need aren’t available in the small ‘city’ we go to so Amazon is a huge important step in our frugality. Also, no public transportation where we live, so a good, cheap used car that’s good on gas is a necessity. It’s funny how little we really need to be happy and fulfilled…
I like how your parents incorporated learning into life on a real time basis.
wow, that's a helluvan admirable life you have there. you've given me something to shoot for. well done, sir
If there's one thing I've learnt from the video, it's how deep into this frugal lifestyle I really am.
I got engaged in 2001. Since then, I have paid for only two haircuts. (Our lives got busy.) My wife cuts my hair, and she also cuts her own hair. We have no doubt saved thousands of dollars through home haircuts.
Another tip: try to move to a less expensive state.
Just not Texas it’s full.
I think this is huge.
Cant move from Mpls. 3% mortgage, 25% of my income..brutal winters😢
Or just another country. Or even just your car.
What states do you recommend? I’m kind of over living in WI.
Love this video! I always tell my family: for my birthday (fathers day, Christmas, etc.) please invest what you would have spent on me in a stock or ETF of your choice for yourself. Your financial well being is the best gift you can give me.
what a great idea! i'm going to try this. I have a young godson that keeps trying to get me "cool" gifts. I appreciate the sentiment, but i'm a middle aged man who needs little, buys less, and already has most of the things I want. Sure, "toys" are nice, but i'm not a kid: the toy ends up sitting on a shelf collecting dust. I'll ask him to "buy" me a certain stock....or S&P share....and his gift to ME, then, will be to have gotten started investing.
WASH and GROOM your own fur babies! I love bonding with my dog each time. She’s a Bischon Frise and I have gotten better over time.
Thank you so much for including #15!!! This has been huge for our family, and it also pushes us to focus on time together as the true gift. It also removes the crazy pressure of finding the “perfect gift “ and takes so much stress out of holidays and birthdays.
why is it stressful? what is the point of money if I cant use it on others? I absolutely love giving to others and it is never a burden to me. Pure love is without condition and it doesn't matter what you get them because no matter what its about giving, not buying.
For the ladies perhaps add doing Mani Pedi at home. Boy that's adds up quickly.😊
No mani for me. And now I am stopping summer pedis because they have gone up to $46 for a classic pedi. Not worth it. I always see people in the salon having both done. 😮 Can’t imagine the bill.
I’ll raise you one. Get rid of all subscription services and get free DVDs from the library. Endless choices all for free.
100% I could go my whole LIFE and never get through all the things I want to see at the library. Also, no commercials or commercial interruptions. EVER. When I watch the superbowl at a friend's house, the commercials drive me crazy....i'd forgetten how annoying it is to be interrupted every 7 minutes by Mint Mobile or Dorito adds. Score!
This goes out to all the homeowners: learn the basics of all the trades (i.e. plumbing, electrical, framing, drywall, etc.) Tackling your own home repairs will not only save you thousands of dollars, but also add thousands of dollars worth of value to your home. Remodeling a bathroom yourself will save you upwards of $5,000 in labor costs, and potentially add $20,000 to your home’s value. If you can remodel a bathroom from top to bottom, you can pretty much take on any home repair. There’s so much on RUclips to help you learn.
I had a German colleague who told me an interesting story. She was about to rent a house out to some American soldiers stationed in Germany. Her friend told her "make them pay the utilities." Apparently, most Germans get a rental price that includes utilities. However, her friend had told her that Americans crank up the heat in the winter while most locals wear warmer clothes at home. Not only that, but some of the American tenants would leave the heating on all day just because they wanted to feel warm the moment that the walked in the door.
So, my colleague rented to the friendly US soldiers for slightly cheaper than she would ask from a local, but they had to pay for their own utilities.
Best Tip I ever found: Save money on entertainment, heating and food costs by going to bed and sleep
@_TaekimFinancialTortoise.. thank you. Do I give you the credit card number here or on your whatapp
I was also skeptical of the "no presents" rule but damn, I think you have a good point, I already buy expensive shit for myself year-round as I need them or when items break. On the other hand, a special outing can create memories that last a lifetime. It seems like spending time with the people you care about could happen anytime (like the "drawing contest" activity) but during special dates, you can spend a little more cash, just not on a physical gift?
i see no reason you cant be giving gifts for people if you want to. I love giving things to people because it makes me happy. Do it because you want to, not because you have to.
Indeed😊
Thanks man, as a young person I see most ppl my age just brush off such skills, even I've been guilty of shrugging off my mom drilling into my brain to pay attention and learn these skills when she's teaching me, I just procrastinate and tell my self, "I'll learn when I'm older" but time is passing so fast and before I knew it I'm abt to enter young adult hood. You rly put into perspective exactly what I need, and I'm gonna go ask my mom to teach me to sew lol
You sounds like thoughtful, intelligent young person with a bright future! Thanks for sharing!
I hope my nephew also figures these things out, he's 16 and about as lazy a person as I've ever seen. (It would help if his mom wasn't also completely lazy and entitled. Oh well.)
I say the earlier you start practicing self-sufficiency in various areas of life, the better!
@@heidibonjour thank you :)
@@evage99 absolutely. It is a shame abt your nephew, it's usually our parents who must mold and help us be the best people we can be, and 50% our choice if we decide to listen or not. I hope he's much more intelligent and like u said, figures it out later on or accepts the advice of you or others who mean well.
Home making foods is certainly a skill people should get back to learning for sure.
Most of my savings come from knowing how to home make everything i eat, and many are simple to maintain like making yogurt using the old yogurt over and over and over again, turning apple cores into apple cider vinegar, or even taking a bit of time to learn to make something more ambitious like cheese.
Using what window and garden space you have for growing food, especially herbs is another simple thing anyone should try to do.
Cleaning products at home at massive savers too, again most of them are very simple, starting from anti bac, to ambitious like soap, and knowing some of these ambitious ones can certainly be a way to make yourself a side hustle if you enjoy it.
It’ll certainly be important going forward for my life, as i am not a fan of the mindless consumerism and convenience most people are drowning themselves in, i believe many people need to return to using their common sense, being disciplined, taking care of ourselves and putting in the effort to get the rewards we want in life again.
When it comes to coffee there is a way to make a latte quality brew using only a regular coffee machine. First make sure your coffee machine has that feature that let's you pull out the pitcher and stop the coffee flow. Let the coffee basket fill 1/2 - 3/4 full and stir the grounds. Put the pitcher back in before the coffee basket overfows and remove once the water in the basket goes below 1/2.
We rotate our streaming service every 6months or so. One subscription at a time and so exciting when you switch to the next.
Just wanted to add learning to knit and crochet can help to save money. I'm in the process of learning how to fix holes in knitted and crocheted fabric.
Learning to sew and make my own clothes right now. Also learning alterations skills because it adds up every time you get your clothes altered.
The per unit cost is essential to figuring out if you are actually getting a good deal on something. I think retailers take advantage that people assume the bulk size version of an item always has the best price. One specific example I can think of is Jif peanut butter at Walmart. The big 4 lb can is actually more expensive than the two 40oz. jars shrink wrapped together.
If a store puts the per unit cost on the price label, double check it. It's often wrong. Either someone messed up the math or the units being used are inconsistent making it hard to compare. You might get dollars per ounce on one item and dollars per pound on the other one.
Should include learning basic car maintenance and things like changing your own brakes, etc. Its really not that hard.
I live in LA and take public transit and everyone thinks I'm crazy but it works and the scare tactics and fear about crime about it are all way over blown and fear driven
It's soothing to have these skills , relaxing for the mind as a hobby like cooking , growing own veggies etc
Hey! I've mastered 10/15 & am learning 2 more 😊 So happy for myself 😂 Thanks, Tae, for your resources & brilliant ideas!
I still use my storage from ikea that I've had for nearly 40 years. My parent taught me to take care of furniture as a kid.
Excellent video, highly insightful! "use only 1 streaming service" is such an underrated statement!
I dye my own hair. One time, there was a buy 1 take 1 sale on hair dye, and free application on one of the dyes, so I did that too. I learned how to cut my own bangs. I cold brew my own coffee. I meal prep, but not consistent. I avoid door dashing food by thinking "by the time, the food arrives, I've already finished cooking my own food" so that helped. During Christmas Parties in the office, I start putting in "gift certificates" on my wishlist. If someone asks what type of gift certificate I want, I would say "surprise me".
I love the moment goes he says that he spends a lot on haircuts with his super nice hair and goes "you know who I dont spend a lot on? My kids" and cuts to a bowl cut
If you remember MacGyver then you remember The Flowbee 💇♂️
😂😂
My dad bought one and cut my hair with it in the mid 90’s, did the job!
I definitely do just about every hack on this video. My kids usually speak Japanese at home and I’m an English teacher. So what I do is when I plan my lessons, I’ll sometimes try them out on my kids and get feedback from them. They love my lessons and always give me great advice. Other hacks include save leftovers for the next day’s meals. Dollar stores and Daiso are great for shopping and for gift ideas. Always thanks for your videos.
Great tips and video; I replay quite a few of your videos regularly as a reminder.
Totally agree with the last one. No presents whatsoever. My wife and I don't do presents for birthdays, anniversary, or Christmas. One year, I bought her something for mothers day because it was the first year of her being a mother, so she felt obligated to buy for me as a father.
This year, I finally just said, the hell with it. I won't get anything. She didn't care and yesterday was father's day. She didn't even wish me a happy fathers day until I pointed it out to her that it was today. Needless to say, she had no present either. If either of us need anything, we just buy it out right. If I see something that would make a great present for anybody, I'll buy it there and give it to them then because it's the perfect gift. Giving kids gifts for birthdays and Christmas however, we still subscribe to but really haven't bought anything. Both are too young to barely know what's going on anyway lol.
Solid advice. All of these we already do, except the presents one. What we do have is a strict, per present budget.
You’re the man Tae. Thanks for the information and can’t wait for the next video. Would you be able to make a video explaining a mega backdoor Roth? Cheers and happy Father’s Day!
First video I've seen of your channel. My frugal seems to in born. I haven't been to a hair dresser since the mid 90's. Almost all the bought new clothes I have came as gifts. If you haven't mentioned in another video, boxes and old blankets for kids to play with. My parents played cards with me. Very good for teaching math, strategy and losing being no big deal.
Pinterest has tons of ideas for frugal living. Frugal meals, frugal date activities, frugal family activities, frugal parties.
For "Fun Home Activities", if you have older children, I think giving them something with a high level of versatility can keep them busy. I would personally attest to the 3D printer. Your kid learns about 3D modeling, too!
These kinds of videos are great and even though you may have done something similar its great to keep coming out with these! And have be authentic! Every day is a fight 🔥
1)Along with cutting your own hair, stopping shaving is a great way to save tons of money. My husband just buys a beard trimmer once every 10 years or uses the hair clippers. Not only does it save a lot of money but it's more green. If you want to go farther with that you can sharpen your own blades but he finds that a trim once every few weeks doesn't wear out his trimmer and he can get many many years out of it.
2)Fueling up your car when you are at a low price station and keeping the tank fuller seems to save me tons of money every year. On average I save 5 or $10 every time I fill up. Sometimes gas price apps can be helpful too. How many times have you pulled over on the highway to fill up when you're running low only to find the next exit is $0.10 cheaper per gallon?
3)Buy everything in bulk that you can. This can require space that not everyone has but not only will it save you money on the front end, you'll save money and time from not having to run out as often to purchase the items.
4) buy used, barter, trade, scavenge. Not only is this a way to save money but it's much better for the planet. Some things are good to buy new but I've found that if I just have the patience to wait a little longer for some not immediate desires, I can save a ton of money. There are endless possibilities to find stuff locally or online. Sometimes you trade time for money but I just replaced some of my screen time for another hobby of looking for deals. Besides The traditional used shops and garage sales, I also skim online sources like craigslist or marketplace for free or cheap deals. Many people online are getting rid of stuff that they don't want or need. Sometimes it's things that others have left behind in like new condition but whomever possesses them at the moment has no need for it. I've furnished several houses completely for free, including appliances, clothing, cleaning supplies, even food and booze and all it took was a couple minutes of scrolling while eating my breakfast or taking a break at some point during the day.
5) going green. I mentioned it regarding some of the other time/money saving options but many green lifestyle choices have ended up saving me money in every direction. From using gray water in all its applications to making my own toiletries and cleaning supplies. This is also turned into a bit of a hobby because I have to source and produce some of the products I use. However if you make large batches the time and money you save in the end is worth it and you can feel good about being involved in a better future for yourself and your communities.
6) another thing I mentioned was turning frugality into hobbies. We have taken things like cooking, home brewing, home repair, gardening, etc and use them not only to save money but to enrich our lives.
Overall I've found that I can live very well on a very low budget but it has been important to invest in a lifestyle that is more sustainable in every way. Not only is it important to get into frugal habits but to really assess what is important to sustain the lifestyle you desire. Once you assess your true priorities you will realize that so many things that you previously had thought you needed really are just a waste of time and money that could be more well spent on the things you truly enjoy.
Home brewing is great fun. I don't have a lot of downtime at home so having a hobby that gets better with neglect(ageing) is quite nice. I make mead btw, a friend gives me too much honey.
Freezing the same meal for the whole month sounds boring, but you could apply this principle to a lesser extent and periodically cook large meals and freeze portions, so you can still have variety when you are short on time.
I live in an area that is within 2 miles of a library a grocery store the post office by Dollar Tree and the Dollar General at a gas station. I am retired so I do not have to drive very much. I am switching to Nationwide car insurance by the mile..$60+ 7 cents a mile from what Ive read.. that will save me $72 a month😮
I figured out a way to section off a 6 by 6 ft area right outside of my bathroom which is big enough for my recliner a table and a lamp so I only air-conditioned the bathroom in that small area for about 2 hours out of the hottest part of the day. I live alone and so it is a realistic arrangement. I keep the temperature at about 80 degrees so that when I go outside it is not a harsh change
I do something slightly similar: I bought insulated closeable vents and only air condition about one room at a time.
I would love to see a video on your wife’s clothing closet. I would love to see a frugal/minimalistic closet with some variety of color and style. Polo shirt and pants/khaki shorts is fine for you (and you look great) however, I would love a little more variety.
Thanks for this reminding.
Another great tip for fun with your kids is have them help you with meal planning and preparations.
We quit drinking coffee. That saves much more.
It's a drug, not food. You live better without it.
Great video! Could you do a video on Earthquake insurance? There is not a lot of info available if and when it might be worth it. I live in Southern California and have been a home owner for over 20 years. When do the premiums justify the equity? What percent of deductible is best? What guarantee insurance will pay out if the big one hits? This would help a lot. Thank you.
Steven He would probably say his parents learned how to sew while waiting for his grandparents to give birth to them
Pretty sound advice. You got a new subscriber - Thanks!
Meal prep has been life changing for me. The Gift giving is inspiring I might try it n
My last name sounds like "MacGyver" but I unfortunately possess 0 of his engineering skills. At least I can be frugal!
Great Insight and very practical.
Two of our largest expenses are housing and taxes. Where we buy a house and how much house we buy can play a significant role in our financial health. Secondly, learn to invest your money in places where you can create large write offs. Such as rental property. There is no reason to hand over your hard earned dollars to a government agency if you don’t have to. Too many people feel like a victim to the taxes they pay. Rather than use the tax laws to their advantage.
I'd like to make an addendum to the subscription advice: I technically have multiple subscription services: amazon prime, hulu, disney+, and ESPN +, the latter three are bundled together at a very affordable price and are actually free with my verizon cellular + home internet bill. Amazon prime is also my primary shopping source and my credit card is linked to it, so my prime membership is functionally also my credit card annual fee and a reward system as I get points on all sorts of purchases, but especially ones on amazon. I buy food, clothes, technology, books, and all sort of miscellaneous items through amazon so I assessed it as great way to rack up points for my lifestyle. Aside from that, I don't have any netflix, HBO, paramount, etc.
Also, a HUGE one is IF you are eating out, resist the urge to buy beverages. Water is usually healthier anyway and drinks are often the most inflated items on menus, and by absurd margins.
I agree about hair cuts I’m 42 been cutting my hair sense 7th grade they laughed the girls at school but I saw the vision now I’m a master.
Sweet I pretty much do all of these except travel hacking. I've done a bit but it's not as lucrative in Canada and a lot of the credit cards that are worth it for the travel points have too high of income requirements or super high spending requirements that wouldn't work for me personally at this stage of my life. But I do periodically look to see if there's anything better out there!
use your community to help with some of these!!! look up a barber school near you, and a repair cafe (to fix you clothes or appliances for a donation cost).
I dye and cut my own hair. Buy clothes from thrift stores and learn how to alter clothing to make it fit. I have found beautiful blouses on clearance that were to small for me but I altered them and love wearing them. Growing a garden. It’s amazing the amount of food you can get from a little package of seeds. When an appliance won’t work, Google or RUclips it and you might be able to fix it yourself. I am a woman and did that with my washer this morning 😊.
Lololol my dad cut the three daughters’ hair for 18 years, until we got tired of the exact same hair style, we did appreciate saving money tho 😂
I would argue that the younger generations are far better at cooking, especially healthy food than our parents were.
Walmart. 9 pairs of diabetic socks (which just means they stretch more) for 7 dollars.
I would never fix a sock when they are torn.
Unless they are thick winter socks
Oodles of good advice and philosophies that can really help to save a lot of money over time.
I must find the discipline.
Cutting my own hair saves a TON of money and time, and personally, I like my hair cut by myself vs. a barber. This wasn't the case my 1st 20 cuts. Now, the barber can't compete.
Watching this made me realise how frugal I've become simply by tracking my expenses and budgetting. Youll be shocked at where the small fees add up
the point of presents isn't to get a physical item of a certain monetary value, the entire point is someone else's thoughtfulness and consideration without prompting. The item should ideally be something you wouldn't get yourself. It doesn't even have to cost money, it can be an act of service or something you created. There are much better ways of doing frugal gifts than handing someone cash and telling them to get whatever they want.
I think expecting gifts for birthdays and holidays counts as "prompting", haha. "How thoughtful and considerate of you to get me an obligatory present because it's my birthday!" hopefully said no-one ever.
I absolutely hate shopping - for myself or anyone else - and only buy gifts if I happen to run across something that immediately makes me think of another person. (Such as the pretty watering-can outdoor lamp I saw in an ad and knew would look awesome in my mom's flower garden.) I don't think "Oh, my sister's birthday is in a month, I'll mindlessly browse Amazon until I find something she might enjoy." My brain just doesn't work that way. I also feel guilty when someone gives me a gift that I neither enjoy nor want to use...which is almost every time I receive one. I honestly prefer a hug and a "Happy birthday!" Following the Golden Rule, I treat others that same way, especially since I know I'm generally bad at deciding what someone might like as a present.
I've personally really enjoyed gifts that came outside of the "prompted" designated birthday-and-Christmas zones, like when a friend very randomly brought me sushi from a trip to the city because she remembered that I said I liked it. THAT was fantastic and touching, and unexpected. I felt very special.
Also..."The item should ideally be something you wouldn't get yourself"...how is everyone else supposed to know things you WOULDN'T buy for yourself?? And if you wouldn't buy it for yourself, why would you want someone else to buy it for you? xD
a great experience with family will almost always beat a great present ... amazing how that works
I love to make and repair my own stuff. Always learning.😊
I like the birthday event idea, that’s is smart to create a memory instead or just a gift they will forget in a year. They are all good and effective practices though.
Great list, and thank you for the suggestions.
Love this guy!
Well made video. I appreciate all the little hacks for saving money .Thank you Tae. You have just earned my subscriber ship.
Definitely MacGyver is a source of inspiration for me since childhood 😊👍🏾. Great video post, thank you.
Instead of thermal clothing, I go with LLBean wool sweaters and down sweaters. The LLBean winter clothing does wonders in my cool house.
Wash your own vehicle. I use a waterless spray.
You are a wise man.
Love these !
Great video thank you
One of the best decisions I made a few years ago was to get a straight razor and a clipper kit. I save a couple hundred a year on cutting my own hair, at only the cost of a few nicks while learning
😂😂😂😂😂 love this video😂Gen X here ❤ ♥ 😍
Always look forward to your videos. Thank you!
another great video, keep it up sir! btw, let's help reach its 1st 100K let's go!!!
Really a great video!
” mental bandwidth” I love that term😂
Great video and I really enjoyed the family pictures! 👍🏼🌹
i dont have to worry about expensive haircuts cuz im gonna be bald pretty soon. your hair on the other hand is fabulous my guy
Thank you for homemade food recommendations. ❤
Great video! Thank you.
Most of these points doesn't seem like being frugal to me, but in fact means mindful about spending and not being consumerist
Great video, Tae. I guess I'm already quite frugal 😊
Good listening and so agree i always cook at home always did once a week coupon it for dinner when home late it is much cheaper to cook at home and i freeze a few meals too my old clothes worn torn i use for pjs and for cooking so i dont ruin good clothes thrifting is also a great way to save money and you can get discounts on thrifting when they put items 50 off and 25 off
For public transportation, don't forget that you can also do ride-sharing, and other cheaper ways to use cars!
It’s funny because I’ve unknowingly been doing these a lot of these things for awhile now! I guess I’m frugal, I just don’t like to waste money/resources. Plus acquiring skills like cutting your own hair and sewing are interesting pursuits.
I'm Bald, I shave my hair. By the way, I don't brew my coffee rather use the instant one. Much cheaper than brew coffee. True minimalism 😎
Instant coffee is cheaper than grounds? Where? My grounds are definitely cheaper than instant for the same brand...both cheap to begin with :)
@@evage99 if you don't believe just search Google for which one is cheaper and more convenient. I use a Great value brand for 3.49 bucks it easily gets me 45 days of instant coffee. and takes only a minute to be ready in the microwave
Thanks for the tips!
This is a great video
We like to sit around coloring in coloring books with crayons, markers or color pencils. It’s very low cost. We also get puzzles from the thrift or dollar store. Instead of a subscription service, we go to the library to check out movies and shows. Your tax dollars pay for it anyway, you might as well use it.