I lived in my car for 6 months, and the motor blew up, so I became truly homeless! I was driven to the local senior center, and was put in touch with a woman who rented out an RV to me for $350 a month I've been here for 6 months now, and found a used car for $1600. My landlady is talking about selling me the RV I'm in, so God works in mysterious ways! She's taking me to a meeting being held by county extension office for gardening, and she's giving me part of her yard to put in a small garden.
Generation X female here. I’ve been saying this for years; “We need to get back to backyard gardening.” I watched my grandmother garden. It was wonderful. My mother also gardened when I was young. After a few failed attempts in south central Texas, I had my hubby build me raised garden beds. I’ve learned how to grow organic vegetables, herbs, flowers, etc. It cuts down the grocery bill and you know what’s in your food. Everything tastes so much better! When I stopped working (due to stress & insomnia) I taught myself how to homestead in the city. I learned how to make bread, soap, can etc. I had already learned how to make pasta. It’s important that we have an heirloom or organic collection of seeds, for reseeding. Unfortunately, before too long our states will not be able to keep up with food supply. We saw this in 2020.
AMEN! I love my little two bedroom (two and half garage converted into a home) and it was CHEAP! Thanks for the memories and the wonderful experience as a single person.
I want to tell you thank you for inspiring me to be frugal! I just bought my first house for $40k in a small town in the Midwest. It needed some work but still cheaper then anything like it on the market. It’s safe and my dogs love it! I use an antenna to get tv and streaming box for free movies and shows. Thank you for making these videos and educating people on a different type of lifestyle that has a lot of benefits!
My goodness! A level headed woman who lives a simple life cooking her own meals, not wanting for more, in a debt free existence. Thank you, I really enjoyed listening to you. You're a breath of fresh air.
My building was built in 1926. $550.00 a month. It's small but charming and I love it. I even have an office in my little place. One of my neighbors was in my apartment once and swore that mine was bigger than hers. Then she realized I don't have a TV and recliner. Lol. I bought a new loveseat and my coffee table is made out of a Styrofoam ice chest with a dumpster dive tray on top. I have a lovely $10 painting from a lawn sale. It really looks very nice and classy on the cheap. I make about 4k a month so I think I'm doing OK.
My daughter and her three children live with me. We live about 25 miles east of the Bay Area in California. Rent is beyond crazy along with paying utilities . Apartments rent from 2000 to over $3,000 a month. Thankfully, I paid off my house early and have no debt. I was able to retire at 54.
We are about 20 miles south of SF. Would love to move as the building craze is making me crazy. We owe nothing and house could be sold with a 2 mil profit. But where to move?
@annethall out of CA....lol. I wish I could, but I can't move out of CA because I would miss my family too much. I live over the Altamont Pass, and it's so crazy with traffic and crime now. It's really sad to see what has happened to the Bay Area and the surrounding areas. I have lived here all my life, 60 years, and the quality of life is bad.
@@carolbrazil1508 agree. I’ve been here 60 years. Hard to make a move at 73. The amount of apt buildings going up is all planned and our way of life is now becoming less quality. Very sad.
I found an apartment for $750 that includes all my utilities. I got lucky.. it is only 300 sq foot but it is just me. I love it. I didn't want to be house poor. 😂.
Thank you, for being a good person ( examples taking care of her Mom, her family's kids, giving good advice.) The world needs to hear, her messages of common sense, renewable living and self responsibility. Luv, her take on things keep on keeping on ...
Yes because their standards of living are sky high. Trying to keep up with the joneses. They are living well beyond their means which endless “free” and cheap money has allowed. But with rising interest rates they are hitting a brick wall.
Just moved back to Northern Maine and bought a 3 bed farmhouse for 169k. I out half down in it so my mortgage is super manageable. I secured a remote job. I have chickens and veg garden. Love it!
Our property taxes went up 50% from 2022 to 2023. People were on the Nextdoor app freaking out, wondering if the county tax commissioner's office had made a mistake. Nope. It was the fancy baseball stadium they built without our input. The stadium they promised would bring jobs and revenue. All it has brought is hellacious traffic, higher taxes and higher crime rates. Currently trying to sell our rental property and finding nobody is willing to buy a house with one bathroom. You have single people and young couples wanting 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. Everyone expects the upgraded kitchen, even though many people don't even cook🤦
2 years ago I moved out of an apartment that I was renting for 450 a month, utilities included, it was a very small basement apartment, washer and dryer up the stairs, no charge, we had laundry days for 4 apartments. only had a shower in the tiny bathroom, one tiny, and I mean tiny window in the bedroom, no a/c option, I would open the doors at night and use a fan to bring cool air in and I would cook at night and just warm my food by the microwave in the day. There were electric wall heaters for the winter, I didn't have to worry about yard work, had off road parking. I worked from home so had no weekly work gas bill. I continued to build my cooking skills in spite of the tiny kitchen. needed internet for work and had roku, still do. Now I have a house that's paid for with a new roof, amazing kitchen, nice roomy 2 bedroom ranch house in the country on over an acre, around 800 in property taxes a year, mountain view, river close, paid 119k, the hardest part was not being able to have a dog in that tiny apartment, now I have 12 chickens and a dog, household bills are about 300 a month. I have aquired a lot of household items from a second hand store that one day a week I can get everything I can load in my car for 20 bucks, tons of kitchen items and appliances, blackout curtains, towels, blankets, household decor, candles, camping items etc, the habbits I developed have stuck with me and I continue to live frugal
My husband and I originally wanted 5 acres of farmable land, and a three bedroom house. Then housing in NH doubled. What we were looking for went from 250k to 550k literally overnight. And my husband developed a heart condition. So we went in a different direction. We bought a trailer in an excellent trailer park, with privacy and a view. I'll have room for a victory garden and our mortgage is equivalent to a car payment. At 60, this is the best move we could have made in the economy we're in, and my husband's health. We have been here about 6 months and it has been a challenge to downsize. We have three storage units... two of them are my husband's, and he is struggling to close them. But in the end, we now have the best chance to stay in the state I grew up in and love through retirement - and, a rapidly rising asset should we want to move elsewhere, cheaper. As an official old person now, I see this as an absolute win! Frugality forever!
You are 100% correct. I had a MD friend who told me not to pay off my house. I had a friend who kept refinancing her house taking out equity. I bought my house at 10% interest rate. Put 10% down (all we had) and took a 10% balloon payment which was due in 5 years. Husband wanted to not pay that off in 5 years and to keep refinancing. I said "no" and paid it off. I did refinance but did not take a dime of equity and got a 4% rate and did not stretch it to the 30 years. Been debt free for years. Car is 28 years old and we share it. Now that we have so much money it is hard to spend when we have been so careful.
My husband and I did something similar. But downsized to a beautiful custom build home one acre with protected water views and water privileges. We were debt free and between us maxed out both retirement accounts and still lived well. At completion house and property were valued at $165k and just 4yr later it was valued at $450. But that didn’t matter because we weren’t moving. Taxes were at $165k value and could only go up a max of 7% a year due to state law. So slowly they rise, but rise they do.
@@kenyonbissett3512 May I ask where you moved to? I am in the suburbs but want more space between houses. Our problem is we don’t want snow, heat and humidity. We have almost perfect weather.
@@annethall sorry, we don’t have that weather. I’m in Calvert Co MD. Definitely space between houses except for a few subdivisions. Our county has rules that if you develop 100 acres, you can build 20 homes on 5 acre lots, but you can build 30 if they are clustered in 1 acre lots and the remainder of the land is left as a conservation area.
We moved away from the city and my husband commutes in 50min each way, to get a house with a decent size yard for under $200k and lower taxes. Fixer upper. We've been here 1yr now. Many improvements left to do, but very happy with our choice
I'm a Millennial as well. I bought my house for 90,000 it was also a fixer upper, very small and the area is just ok. I couldn't pay cash, but the small mortgage is definitely a relief compared to rent prices. I wish I would have learned money management when I was young, but it's helpful when people like you post. Thanks for sharing and being helpful!
Last 25 yrs worked retail along with going on four years another grocery retail . I do not vacation. I own a house and pay taxes. My only son lives with me he has two jobs and really and truly we are just still trying to make it . I pay for all my insurance and I am not married so single income. I feel blessed working both jobs My son helps me the best he can but he has a lower income than me . We are both American Latin and we do not have luxury but we know what hard work is and not afraid of it. We are do it yourself mindset to save money. Where there is a way there is a will is what my father always says 😉
🙌🙌🙌 Everyone gets so upset when they hear that it is still possible to live below your means. My family live in a three year old 4 bedroom, 2 bath home, but only took out a $30,000 mortgage....because we put in the sweat equity! We framed, wired, insulated, drywalled, painted, and trimmed every day for two years when we weren't at one of our TWO jobs each...which was supplying the money to pay cash for all the equipment and building supplies for the home. It is absolutely possible to pay cash or very little for a home, most just don't want to put in the blood, sweat, and tears that it takes. Which is so sad, because when you do the hard work, you appreciate the product so much more.
I agree with you about people wanting a luxurious home… My husband and I chose a small and modest (but still decent enough) flat , one that we could afford. In the current situation we are grateful about our choice. I never understood people who want to live above their means, it would be so stressful to be always at risk of bankruptcy
I dated somebody for a while, who used the phrase “must be nice“ whenever somebody had a windfall of any kind. He also couldn’t understand my desire for a simple, debt free lifestyle. Big incompatibility issues
I agree that the key to fighting inflation is to be debt free. It is also where you live. I see a lot of apartments and houses here an average of $750/mo. 2 or 3 beds and at least 1 bath. My one son is about 4 hrs away (different state)from me and pays 725/mo for 2 bed 2 bath townhouse totally remodeled. My other son is about 1 hour away and pays 750/ mo 3 bed 1 bath remodeled house. Both nice neighborhoods. I paid 87k cash right before the pandemic started for 4 beds 1 bath. 1955 and in original condition. I am still remodeling as cash and energy allow. If you are able to move I would do it. Groceries I buy mostly needs and not wants. I can buy whatever I want but I won't do it. If I want sweets I bake. Snacks are popcorn and fruits. The bill has gone up but not by much. It can be done but no one ever said its easy.
I’m in the UK. My first 2 houses needed work when I moved in. The second one had to be re plumbed, rewired, damp proofed, etc, etc. I learnt a lot of new skills working on both homes, and birthday presents for a while were power tools, paint, etc. A number of young people look at me as if I have 2 heads when I talk about what I did and what I learned. A lot of them don’t have a toolkit and call in decorators rather than decorate their own homes. And they won’t even consider a home that needs work. I do think that some people need a lesson on living within their means and not having unrealistic expectations.
What worked for my husband and me was to buy the cheapest (ugliest) house in a great neighborhood. It’s still not a showplace, but we fixed it up over the years. We’ve been happy and it’s now a great asset.
We are debt free here in Ohio. However inflation does affect us. We were just informed that because of high priced home sales in our area, our property values have gone up 100k, and our taxes will be adjusted accordingly. We are already paying 5k a year in taxes on an average sized house in a rural township, im guessing our taxes will go up another 2k a year. The price of propane and electric have increased as well. We are frugal and are still making it, but we are getting hit with price increases that are unavoidable.
You are not alone! We are in the same situation. Just pray you don't get sick or have an accident. Our neighbor's huge oak tree fell on our property after hurricane Idalia and he won't remove it. We are stuck with a 2k bill now. We have insurance but the deductible is 6k, have a 20 yo roof and fear being dropped. Life is rough for everyone now.
@@AprendeInglesConStephenwe are considering moving, even though we like our home. My husband is in public safety and can retire in the next couple of years, and we have a senior in college who will graduate in the spring. After he graduates and hubby retires, we will probably move, maybe out of Ohio. Hubby is 49, retirement age is 48 in Ohio for public safety, but waiting to retire after our son graduates and gets a job. Been looking for a warmer climate than Ohio, lol! Maybe the Carolinas.
There should be no property taxes. As long as we pay taxes on our property, the property is not ours. Property ownership should mean it’s 100% ours with no threat of the government ever having it taken away from us.
The ridiculous increase on our property taxes and Home Owners insurance really hit us hard this year. And we have a small house. I cried honestly. Managing for now. considering selling and combining resources with my mother who also is struggling and is starting to need more physical help. Electricity also went up 19% where I am.
I bought a house 30 years ago...brick rancher..3 bedrooms, 2 baths, double carport, double utility rooms, sunroom, fireplace and a pool...$50,000. Of course, that's in Alabama, not California, but hey, it works for me 😊 . I have a big garden, fruit trees all over and preserve what I grow and I've sneaked in a few chickens so I get about a dozen eggs a day. Yes, I share with friends and family
Question…I am thinking of moving to Alabama myself because of the cost of living, etc. are there any areas you would recommend for affordability and job market are decent?
My husband and I lived in a apartment in PA. It was a house devided into 3 apartments. They gave us a great deal on the price. The owner she was the one cleaning and getting it ready before we got there. It was a different set up when you walked into it. You walked into the kitchen first but it was a cute apartment and the she worked with us on various things like making a hookup for us to have a place to put our washer and dryer. So when we moved I made sure it was real clean so she could just rent it. I used to clean homes. I did it for close to 16 years on and off. So I feel I want to leave a place clean when I leave. Landlords like those kinds of renters and I paid my rent on time just like you.
I had one of those apartments. Walked into the kitchen from the driveway, then through the bedroom to get to the living room and bathroom. Always an incentive to keep the bedroom clean though! lol
The self-discipline to live within or below one's means and to say "no" to foolish purchases and expensive indulgences can be difficult to acquire. The pleasure from instant gratification via credit card purchases is much more meaningful to many people than the delayed pain of paying that excessive credit card debt. Delaying gratification and avoiding unnecessary debts are signs of mental maturity. Some people never reach this level of maturity and just keep trying to pass for being prosperous by living beyond their means and growing a crushing debt. And when they do go bankrupt, they tend to blame anyone but themselves for their own financial mismanagement.
Yes - brilliant! Debt-free is exactly the way to live! And the rising interest rates don't bother me because my savings account is now making hundreds of dollars a month.
The issue with housing is that residential property is being bought up by foreign investment firms, combined this with increased cost of property tax and insurance and you have a recipe for disaster. “You’ll have nothing and you’ll be happy. “
That’s why you go thru that struggle before you have kids … when the children come they should be coming in an ideal situation. People doing shit ass backwards
I never said move to a bad area. That is another misconception. Lower cost house = bad neighborhood. I went out and talked to 2 of my neighbors today. One gave me a big pile of black walnut firewood
I generally enjoy your content but your comments about rent are severely out of touch. I live in MONTANA and old 90s-80s trailers are renting for $1,500-$2,000/mth I've never lived luxuriously but the Rent really is that bad
I’m in Massachusetts and you can’t even find a fixer upper for under half a million. It’s absolutely crazy here. You are so right, the people complaining are the same people spending $9.00 on one Starbucks coffee or hundreds on a purse or a pair of shoes. No wonder they can’t make it.
Same here in Connecticut.. RIdiculously expensive and I am in a 2 bed 2 bath house but McMansions and 4 car garages are all around me. It's a different kind of reality down here in Southwestern CT. Expensive cars, expensive houses, etc., etc. It's not my world. I live beneath my means....that is a curse word down here!
@@amydecker6207 Not what I said. Just stop complaining if you’re going to waste money on stuff that you don’t need. No one needs a two hundred dollar purse or a $9.00 coffee. I did without a lot of wants, and now own my home and am debt free also retired early.
@@stephaniet9264 Most of the homes in my area were built in the late 50’s but builders are tearing them down and building McMansions. It’s crazy here too.
You mentioned someone renting for $2500 per month. I live in North GA about 35 minutes above Atlanta. We've lived here for 30 years and bought when homes were dirt cheap. The lady who rents the home behind us is a real estate agent. I mentioned to her that I once lived in Santa Monica California for 12 years. A month later she told me that she is the agent for the home across the street from her. She just rented the home to a family from Santa Monica California. This family paid $7,000 per month for the house they rented in Santa Monica! What's not so wonderful is, they are now paying $3,000 per month for the house here in N GA!
Considering that a home today is the biggest purchase one will likely make in their lifetime, my home was bought over 35 years ago with the intention that it would last a lifetime. My home's interior is dated (1980's) but the home was built by skilled carpenters who worked hard to put in custom bookcases, linen closets, custom kitchen cabinets with walk-in pantry, and built-in shelving in each closet. I've seen homes bought and sold over the years in my neighborhood, and it never fails that, no matter how nice the home and the quality of the construction, the new owner will gut it and remodel it spending tens of thousands of dollars on a new open floor plan or a new kitchen with an enormous island and countertops. It seems like everything today is disposable and people give more value to the latest trend over the quality of the workmanship. They also fail to understand how cyclical trends are but quality woodwork and craftsmanship will outlast and grow in value. In the years to come, this will change as people will again want and expect quality for their hard earned money that will last a lifetime.
I raised a child with a brain tumor… 25 years of terrible medical debt, even with good insurance. Yes we have a modest house, but it took everything we had (I was a full-time teacher, taught two nights at local community college and taught two additional online university classes, AND did freelance writing. My husband worked two jobs). We aren’t leaving much of an inheritance for our living child, but we’ve never filed bankruptcy and we have a quarter-century of good memories with our oldest son… Just saying. Don’t judge.
Hay vidas muy duras pero llenas de Amor .Toda mi admiración y cariño , en mi país esos gastos los cubre la seguridad social , se me rompe el alma ver tanto esfuerzo y trabajo en una situación social y sanitaria que debería cubrir el estado , en España lo hace.😡💔😚
This morning, before going to work, I prepared my last cherry tomatoes for soup, cleaned some onions from my garden for this winter. Little things add up
I am a 66 year old widow my husband has been gone 10 years we had a lot of bad habits but my goal is to be more frugal as i will most likely be paying for a place to live the rest of my life
My son graduated from Penn State a few years ago. There were lots of apartment buildings going up. The signs out front all said Luxury Student Apartments! Granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, ect. Why do students need luxury apartments? Because mom and dad will pay for it! My son got a basement studio apartment ( nice not luxury) for at least 1/3 less
Never apologize, please! You are absolutely amazing on your RUclips channel! You make such a difference in your subscribers lives. Blessing to all in the frightening world we are watching day in and out.
An occasional can of pop or soda for 2.50, as a treat, will not make one iota of a difference. I get Tim Hortons coffee and a bagel every Sunday morning, once a week, everyone deserves a treat every once and awhile.
I live in a one bedroom apartment that is 570$ a month. All gas and water paid. I pay for 2 dogs pet rent or I would pay 520$. I live in KY and ironically work at Walmart lol😅My truck and car is paid for and very minimal debt. Not many job opportunities where I live, and I’m 51 years old, so I’m limited to what kind of work I can physically do. I make it work and am working on my savings and retirement.
I think the media has something to do with this as well. So many TV shows feature beautiful, expansive homes -- as if that's how most people live. They don't.
When we were young and dumb we lived an extremely frugal lifestyle. Most people would not have lived as low as we did. However we were doing it so we can make the payments on a fancy vehicle that we did not need not to mention the expense of insurance. I'm glad we wised up.
And then have their second most expensive asset just sit outside, susceptible to bad weather and theft. I 🙄every time I see a two car garage house and all the cars sit outside full time.
Used to be me. Well, maybe still is a bit. lol. I've gone through about 5 rounds of getting rid of stuff ... trying to minimize.. a lot of it is in the head/ how you were raised, etc. Now one section is for motorcycle, bikes, lawn equipment. One section for an old VW (show car that does run, not junker), area for the jeep, and an area with lots and lots of tools. Unfortunately a lot of work on our fixer upper so need all those tools. hopefully wont for long, or in the next house. :)
One thing I will say is that when looking for a place to live be sure to factor in the cost of transportation. Sometimes it can be cheaper to live closer to your place of employment where you can walk or drive very little. Car maintenance is expensive and so is gas so it is an important consideration. My husband and I always shopped for houses close to our work. Thanks for the tips. We are fortunate to be retired and debt free!
Keeping up appearances in your circle of friends and acquaintances enslaved us. Starts in childhood when kids are not taught living below their means and the evils of debt.
Not been from America but live in Canada I noticed that people will go in debt for there children’s activities . I see kids get big presents for there birthdays plus eating out in restaurants for there special day. It’s gone overboard in mhop.
I carpooled with a young man his first house was well over $400k in 2007 because his mom told him "he deserved it" That is the mindset that must be changed. You deserve air, water and food and God willing shelter.
My son bought a fixer upper, not a bad, place in a nice neighborhood. Not a castle, needs some updating. But, He's paying $500/month less than he was renting and is building equity.
Left real estate a decade ago, and people with NO money were already snobby, to the point where sellers had to make everything “sterile gray” or “sterile beige “ to even get a second look. I’ll take 70’s decor ANY day over the hotel look of today. Beautiful old homes getting ripped on by the broke HGTV generation…. I couldn’t take it anymore
Proverbs 13:22. Excellent idea of helping out your family. I just love how you share your wisdom on helping us how to save money & get out of debt. Thaaaaank you!
Since inflation is caused by excessive government spending which is hidden via the game of money printing, the way to reduce inflation is to reduce government spending, then take bills out of circulation.
I can say that this doesn't apply in cities like New York City where the cost of living is already high. Also, if living in a bad neighborhood means kids being exposed to gun violence and crack, meth or fentanyl, working two jobs to live in a safer place is worth it.
I never said unsafe. As I stated…I live in a nice safe town and paid less than half of what most pay. I didn’t even factor the fact that CA average home price is nearing $800k. No drugs, homeless, crime where I live and jobs are plentiful
@@abbe1abbe156 That's why you move. This is a huge country with plenty of land and opportunity. You are choosing to live in one of the most expensive cities in the world. That's on you.
@@90voltsActually, we have multiple homes in several states and two other countries.I'm speaking hypothetically. The current state of the economy doesn't affect my lifestyle or that of my family. Also, it takes money to move which many low income struggling families don't have. Further, in some places landlords require proof of a job in the state you're moving to before renting which makes it difficult for people looking to move.
I love your ideas. I live in Canada, but I sure love your ideas. I am a fixer-upper. I have done that to many houses. I know how to cook from scratch. I eat beans and rice a lot.
I moved into a Rv to get my rent down. 1200 sqft house 2bed1bath rented $2070. Now paid cash for $9,000 for Rv. Rent lot beachside walking distance for stores, banks etc $1,100 includes utilities. No mortgage, interest, HOA...No one living above me where I can hear someone pee in the middle of the night.
I lived in a small house for a couple of years while in college that most people wouldn't have used as a storage building. People need to be adaptable, living in your own "dump" is so much better than living in your parents' basement.
We bought a too small condo in 94 with a first-time buyers grant. I can't say it is paid for. But excellent investment - now a rental. People have priorities twisted. A few times, I have told friends on the verge of homelessness, I wish I had another condo for them. Ironically, the response was that my condo wasn't big enough for their stuff. And, yes, a lot of people feel entitled. Our tax dollars are going to "entitled" who avoid taxes and yet avoid claiming income..Girl you got me on rant. Luv ya
I've actually been talking about this. Inflation hasn't affected me. I either cut costs another way or make more money. Since I buy and sell stuff, all of my wants and needs, I typically get cheaper. Gas prices don't bother me because I rarely drive anywhere. I make more money at home working for myself than if I go to my part-time job and have to drive. Food prices don't bother me much other than feeding my dog. A 100lb dog on a raw meat diet is crazy expensive but I often buy bulk meat and split it between human and dog.
😂 so funny about hearing your neighbor farting every morning 😂. Thank you for sharing about how people won't downsize or reduce their amenities but are willing to complain about prices and be in debt! Your right people don't want to change just complain and when you give them advice on how they can change their Situation they come up with all kinds of excuses why they can't.
I'm in a weird place... so 10 years ago I bought my house that is way more than I need... my money fell off,but I refinanced down to a 15 year mortgage at a little over 3 percent... Now my place is cheaper than any house I could buy but way more than I need... kind of a cursed blessing but in happy
Was interested in this. Years ago I worked in a lighting showroom. No one darkened the door for 3 weeks when mortgage rates hit 19%. We later bought a 1900 sqft home built in the early 60’s. Now I have 3 grown children. One Son is in a house bought before the COVID crisis blew up the economy. Currently my Daughter is trying to buy a modest house. We are frugal debt free type family. I do think inflation is a GREAT scourge on the younger generation. But rent is so high you are better off trying to buy. A real strain for most of the younger ppl. Love your channel.
Same here man. Im 40. Never made more than 25k/year in my life. Got a house about the same sq footage as your current one after the 2008 crash for 60k. Paid it off so fast. Always been a saver, looking for the next DIY so i dont have to buy it such as detangler/ hairspray/teeth whitener/household cleaner. It's fun. I still don't come close to spending $100 a month on groceries. Maybe like $60ish. I shop at Aldi and eat eggs a lot which are great for you and 1 dollar a dozen there. Grab those, cheese, pound of carrots, giant cucumber and I'm still under $5. I live in FL, my prop taxes are $500/yr. Car is paid & old, but still cool. People just don't understand. Save money & seize opportunities. Eyes open.
13:18 just follow the money. The guy in charge of the military budget lost track of 2 trillion bucks more than once recently. That money isn't pocketed by our soldiers.
Great info PP ! When my wife and I got together we had very good incomes and I asked her if she would rather live large in a big house on the golf course or live below our income level and save as much as possible towards our retirement. She/we chose to save our $$ and retire early. We retired in our late 50s and never looked back. Payed cash for our current house which needed a bit of updating and is now valued at more than double what we paid for it. When we were younger DEBT was a four letter word to be avoided at all costs, sadly that is no longer the case.
A coworker made One of the dumbest comments I have ever heard, “Just because I can’t afford it doesn’t mean I shouldn’t have it!” That was said about 30 years ago, and it still cracks me up.
I'll say, I'm married for forty years, and our married history includes two kids ... we never bought a house, never owned a car. Presently we live in Milan, in a casa populare that is a tram ride away from the piazza Duomo. Still, no car and we can buy this apartment for 50,000. I can tell you, you can raise kids and live frugally, as we have but you've got to lower your 'standards' or just change your priorities. We were cheated out of our inheritances, by the tune of millions of dollars, as well. Our kids went to the best schools, in NYC, London, Milan and Novara. It can be done.
I bought my condo as an investment property 5 years ago, and I paid with cash from the sale of my house in CA. At the time, my condo was $140k - it would now go for about $250k. Little did I know I would end up divorced, and I'm so glad that I had this place to move into. It's modest, no garage, which can be a pain during a New England winter. BUT - while I have had opportunities to sell/upgrade, I don't want to. I'm debt-free, my bills are cheap (heating a condo is MUCH cheaper than a house), and I live in a very pleasant area with hiking trails, etc. nearby. It's far from perfect, but it is enough. I'm retired, my life is pretty simple, and I haven't been this happy for a very long time. It's not about the fancy stuff. That said, I know how very lucky I am to be in my position, even though I worked my butt off to get here.
Ms. Prepper, I liked the coffee chat feel of this video. And I liked your inserting humor/laughter in it as well. One thing I would like to add is that we had low inflation for 25 or 30 years before this. That gave people plenty of time to structure their lives the way you did....and to a lesser extent, the way I did. Why didn't other people do that? Forget debt free, I am making money on my savings for the first time in twenty years!!!!! It is a tremendous benefit for me right now. And I truly started with zero. And after my divorce at age 40, I had zero again. I feel lucky to be where I am now, but, truth be told, it was all savings from a life of physical labor. (I am a stock market failure.) Love your channel.
I am on traveling ban since 2019. No trips outside my country. Saved me so much money, even if never paid for it with debt. I changed that with trips on mountain bike in my country. You can see so many great places for much less money! You'd absolutely have no desire to travel outside for the thrill after seeing the real thrills in your beautiful country!
You are so right...I am debt free I work full time and pick plums to preserve after I get off work. I have a garden I can up and live off of. It can be done....I did it with children ! You go gurl your the best!
I would guess that is most likely infrastructure improvements rather than inflation. Happening everywhere as the lines are getting quite old as the country ages.
In 1973, we were just married. We bought a house in a less desirable suburb of Chicago. Three years later, we sold that house to move to a more desirable suburb. We bought the smallest house in the best school district we could afford. 25 years later, our youngest finished college, we retired and bought a "luxury" condo. Someone asked how we could afford an apartment where the rents started at $1800/ month. I said, we don't rent, we own. Tina, Al's wife
Your right. Those of us that don't live paycheck to paycheck doesn't feel the burden of inflation like many do. Sure we see higher gas prices and yes we see higher food prices. But when you live below your means, you can handle the hit on things like that. You can't do much about gas except drive less, but with food you can get cheaper brands and shop only store sales. I really don't feel the inflation at all cause if something is too expensive, I don't buy it.
Vickie C, you are smart enough not to buy something if it is too expensive. The problem is with people who keep buying wildly overpriced things at the grocery . stores. If the stores know that people are stupid enough to keep spending money on overpriced items, they will continue to keep overcharging, All of this causes soaring inflation, which of course causes interest rates to rise in order to control overspending.
This is a subject that should be tough at home as well as Schools, instead kids learn to consume and blame others for their own choices, on top of that, when people go to a shelter, they have people assigned to teach them how to apply for welfare. The perpetual chain of "the victim".
My 24 year old daughter and my 2 grandchildren still live with my husband and I. She can't afford to even get a place to rent. Around where we live a three bedroom to rent is $1300 a month
Wow that rent is great. How is it so low. May I ask what city or town that you live in? I live in California and the rent is sky high thanks to our governor.
she should take "advantage" of the situation and try to save as much as possible to pay all of her current debt (if she has any), save for emergencies, and possibly for a down payment. Not sure if she pays you anything/buys own groceries
I lived in my car for 6 months, and the motor blew up, so I became truly homeless! I was driven to the local senior center, and was put in touch with a woman who rented out an RV to me for $350 a month I've been here for 6 months now, and found a used car for $1600. My landlady is talking about selling me the RV I'm in, so God works in mysterious ways! She's taking me to a meeting being held by county extension office for gardening, and she's giving me part of her yard to put in a small garden.
Thats awesome!!!🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽 keep going!!!
Blessed
Generation X female here. I’ve been saying this for years; “We need to get back to backyard gardening.” I watched my grandmother garden. It was wonderful. My mother also gardened when I was young. After a few failed attempts in south central Texas, I had my hubby build me raised garden beds. I’ve learned how to grow organic vegetables, herbs, flowers, etc. It cuts down the grocery bill and you know what’s in your food. Everything tastes so much better! When I stopped working (due to stress & insomnia) I taught myself how to homestead in the city. I learned how to make bread, soap, can etc. I had already learned how to make pasta. It’s important that we have an heirloom or organic collection of seeds, for reseeding. Unfortunately, before too long our states will not be able to keep up with food supply. We saw this in 2020.
Smaller house......less maintenance,less heating cooling cost...less taxes, less space to collect stuff. Smaller is better.
AMEN! I love my little two bedroom (two and half garage converted into a home) and it was CHEAP! Thanks for the memories and the wonderful experience as a single person.
Maybe even safer by being less of a target for your “stuff “ lol
Or move farther out and get a larger house for the same price.
@@poodledaddles1091Or less safe, depending on the neighborhood.
All the small houses where I live are already occupied 😞
I want to tell you thank you for inspiring me to be frugal! I just bought my first house for $40k in a small town in the Midwest. It needed some work but still cheaper then anything like it on the market. It’s safe and my dogs love it! I use an antenna to get tv and streaming box for free movies and shows. Thank you for making these videos and educating people on a different type of lifestyle that has a lot of benefits!
Well done !!!!!! Absolutely agree with you .
CONGRATS!!! That is awesome🎉🎉🎉🎉
My goodness! A level headed woman who lives a simple life cooking her own meals, not wanting for more, in a debt free existence. Thank you, I really enjoyed listening to you. You're a breath of fresh air.
I heard something interesting today. A study in America showed that one third of millionaires never made over $100,000 per year.
I think I did twice. That’s it…and not likely to happen this year.
“The only way to beat inflation is to be debt free” is wise advice
Inflation , I just stopped buying a lot of junk . I’m over it
My building was built in 1926. $550.00 a month. It's small but charming and I love it. I even have an office in my little place. One of my neighbors was in my apartment once and swore that mine was bigger than hers. Then she realized I don't have a TV and recliner. Lol. I bought a new loveseat and my coffee table is made out of a Styrofoam ice chest with a dumpster dive tray on top. I have a lovely $10 painting from a lawn sale. It really looks very nice and classy on the cheap. I make about 4k a month so I think I'm doing OK.
My daughter and her three children live with me. We live about 25 miles east of the Bay Area in California. Rent is beyond crazy along with paying utilities . Apartments rent from 2000 to over $3,000 a month. Thankfully, I paid off my house early and have no debt. I was able to retire at 54.
We are about 20 miles south of SF. Would love to move as the building craze is making me crazy. We owe nothing and house could be sold with a 2 mil profit. But where to move?
@annethall out of CA....lol. I wish I could, but I can't move out of CA because I would miss my family too much. I live over the Altamont Pass, and it's so crazy with traffic and crime now. It's really sad to see what has happened to the Bay Area and the surrounding areas. I have lived here all my life, 60 years, and the quality of life is bad.
@@carolbrazil1508 agree. I’ve been here 60 years. Hard to make a move at 73. The amount of apt buildings going up is all planned and our way of life is now becoming less quality. Very sad.
@annethall you got that right about the apartments. Do they even stop and think where the food is going to be grown for the next generations?
Look what's happened to Dublin. It's all apartments now that rent for crazy amounts of money.
I found an apartment for $750 that includes all my utilities. I got lucky.. it is only 300 sq foot but it is just me. I love it. I didn't want to be house poor. 😂.
Roof and foundation issues can cost a fortune and negate the very savings you would obtain by purchasing a cheap house
Learn how to cook from scratch - amazing how low your food bill will be if you do this.
I agree! I make my own bread and tortillas and learning to make other things from scratch. I also buy produce discount and freeze it.
Thank you, for being a good person ( examples taking care of her Mom, her family's kids, giving good advice.) The world needs to hear, her messages of common sense, renewable living and self responsibility. Luv, her take on things keep on keeping on ...
Just read an article saying many Americans earning 150k or more live paycheck to paycheck. That is so insane.
Yes because their standards of living are sky high. Trying to keep up with the joneses. They are living well beyond their means which endless “free” and cheap money has allowed. But with rising interest rates they are hitting a brick wall.
62% of households are living paycheck to paycheck.
Just moved back to Northern Maine and bought a 3 bed farmhouse for 169k. I out half down in it so my mortgage is super manageable. I secured a remote job. I have chickens and veg garden. Love it!
That must cost a lot of $ to heat tho. Then, all that snow to deal with. 🙁
Our property taxes went up 50% from 2022 to 2023. People were on the Nextdoor app freaking out, wondering if the county tax commissioner's office had made a mistake. Nope. It was the fancy baseball stadium they built without our input. The stadium they promised would bring jobs and revenue. All it has brought is hellacious traffic, higher taxes and higher crime rates. Currently trying to sell our rental property and finding nobody is willing to buy a house with one bathroom. You have single people and young couples wanting 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. Everyone expects the upgraded kitchen, even though many people don't even cook🤦
2 years ago I moved out of an apartment that I was renting for 450 a month, utilities included, it was a very small basement apartment, washer and dryer up the stairs, no charge, we had laundry days for 4 apartments. only had a shower in the tiny bathroom, one tiny, and I mean tiny window in the bedroom, no a/c option, I would open the doors at night and use a fan to bring cool air in and I would cook at night and just warm my food by the microwave in the day. There were electric wall heaters for the winter, I didn't have to worry about yard work, had off road parking. I worked from home so had no weekly work gas bill. I continued to build my cooking skills in spite of the tiny kitchen. needed internet for work and had roku, still do. Now I have a house that's paid for with a new roof, amazing kitchen, nice roomy 2 bedroom ranch house in the country on over an acre, around 800 in property taxes a year, mountain view, river close, paid 119k, the hardest part was not being able to have a dog in that tiny apartment, now I have 12 chickens and a dog, household bills are about 300 a month. I have aquired a lot of household items from a second hand store that one day a week I can get everything I can load in my car for 20 bucks, tons of kitchen items and appliances, blackout curtains, towels, blankets, household decor, candles, camping items etc, the habbits I developed have stuck with me and I continue to live frugal
My husband and I originally wanted 5 acres of farmable land, and a three bedroom house. Then housing in NH doubled. What we were looking for went from 250k to 550k literally overnight. And my husband developed a heart condition.
So we went in a different direction. We bought a trailer in an excellent trailer park, with privacy and a view. I'll have room for a victory garden and our mortgage is equivalent to a car payment. At 60, this is the best move we could have made in the economy we're in, and my husband's health.
We have been here about 6 months and it has been a challenge to downsize. We have three storage units... two of them are my husband's, and he is struggling to close them. But in the end, we now have the best chance to stay in the state I grew up in and love through retirement - and, a rapidly rising asset should we want to move elsewhere, cheaper.
As an official old person now, I see this as an absolute win!
Frugality forever!
@@missreynolds3637 If that happens, I'll sell.
Where I am at, the rent increases yearly. Also rules and restrictions. Have to get permission to sell and potential buyer has to ve approved, etc.
Because if your advice we are debt free, I have decluttered probably 70 percent of my possessions and now my house is calm instead of chaotic.
And did you make money from selling any of your clutter?
@@PrepperPrincessdonated it all to charity that helps abused women.
@@trainboy192❤
You are 100% correct. I had a MD friend who told me not to pay off my house. I had a friend who kept refinancing her house taking out equity. I bought my house at 10% interest rate. Put 10% down (all we had) and took a 10% balloon payment which was due in 5 years. Husband wanted to not pay that off in 5 years and to keep refinancing. I said "no" and paid it off. I did refinance but did not take a dime of equity and got a 4% rate and did not stretch it to the 30 years. Been debt free for years. Car is 28 years old and we share it. Now that we have so much money it is hard to spend when we have been so careful.
My husband and I did something similar. But downsized to a beautiful custom build home one acre with protected water views and water privileges. We were debt free and between us maxed out both retirement accounts and still lived well. At completion house and property were valued at $165k and just 4yr later it was valued at $450. But that didn’t matter because we weren’t moving. Taxes were at $165k value and could only go up a max of 7% a year due to state law. So slowly they rise, but rise they do.
@@kenyonbissett3512 May I ask where you moved to? I am in the suburbs but want more space between houses. Our problem is we don’t want snow, heat and humidity. We have almost perfect weather.
@@annethall sorry, we don’t have that weather. I’m in Calvert Co MD. Definitely space between houses except for a few subdivisions. Our county has rules that if you develop 100 acres, you can build 20 homes on 5 acre lots, but you can build 30 if they are clustered in 1 acre lots and the remainder of the land is left as a conservation area.
We moved away from the city and my husband commutes in 50min each way, to get a house with a decent size yard for under $200k and lower taxes. Fixer upper. We've been here 1yr now. Many improvements left to do, but very happy with our choice
I'm a Millennial as well. I bought my house for 90,000 it was also a fixer upper, very small and the area is just ok. I couldn't pay cash, but the small mortgage is definitely a relief compared to rent prices. I wish I would have learned money management when I was young, but it's helpful when people like you post. Thanks for sharing and being helpful!
Last 25 yrs worked retail along with going on four years another grocery retail . I do not vacation. I own a house and pay taxes. My only son lives with me he has two jobs and really and truly we are just still trying to make it . I pay for all my insurance and I am not married so single income. I feel blessed working both jobs
My son helps me the best he can but he has a lower income than me . We are both American Latin and we do not have luxury but we know what hard work is and not afraid of it. We are do it yourself mindset to save money. Where there is a way there is a will is what my father always says 😉
🙌🙌🙌 Everyone gets so upset when they hear that it is still possible to live below your means. My family live in a three year old 4 bedroom, 2 bath home, but only took out a $30,000 mortgage....because we put in the sweat equity! We framed, wired, insulated, drywalled, painted, and trimmed every day for two years when we weren't at one of our TWO jobs each...which was supplying the money to pay cash for all the equipment and building supplies for the home. It is absolutely possible to pay cash or very little for a home, most just don't want to put in the blood, sweat, and tears that it takes. Which is so sad, because when you do the hard work, you appreciate the product so much more.
I agree with you about people wanting a luxurious home… My husband and I chose a small and modest (but still decent enough) flat , one that we could afford. In the current situation we are grateful about our choice. I never understood people who want to live above their means, it would be so stressful to be always at risk of bankruptcy
Heard a coworker say his water bill was over $200 last month because his grass was turning brown
I dated somebody for a while, who used the phrase “must be nice“ whenever somebody had a windfall of any kind. He also couldn’t understand my desire for a simple, debt free lifestyle. Big incompatibility issues
I agree that the key to fighting inflation is to be debt free. It is also where you live. I see a lot of apartments and houses here an average of $750/mo. 2 or 3 beds and at least 1 bath. My one son is about 4 hrs away (different state)from me and pays 725/mo for 2 bed 2 bath townhouse totally remodeled. My other son is about 1 hour away and pays 750/ mo 3 bed 1 bath remodeled house. Both nice neighborhoods. I paid 87k cash right before the pandemic started for 4 beds 1 bath. 1955 and in original condition. I am still remodeling as cash and energy allow. If you are able to move I would do it. Groceries I buy mostly needs and not wants. I can buy whatever I want but I won't do it. If I want sweets I bake. Snacks are popcorn and fruits. The bill has gone up but not by much. It can be done but no one ever said its easy.
I’m in the UK. My first 2 houses needed work when I moved in. The second one had to be re plumbed, rewired, damp proofed, etc, etc. I learnt a lot of new skills working on both homes, and birthday presents for a while were power tools, paint, etc. A number of young people look at me as if I have 2 heads when I talk about what I did and what I learned. A lot of them don’t have a toolkit and call in decorators rather than decorate their own homes. And they won’t even consider a home that needs work. I do think that some people need a lesson on living within their means and not having unrealistic expectations.
I wish I had been money smart when I was younger. Was never taught and made plenty mistakes. Never too late to start.
What worked for my husband and me was to buy the cheapest (ugliest) house in a great neighborhood. It’s still not a showplace, but we fixed it up over the years. We’ve been happy and it’s now a great asset.
We are debt free here in Ohio. However inflation does affect us. We were just informed that because of high priced home sales in our area, our property values have gone up 100k, and our taxes will be adjusted accordingly. We are already paying 5k a year in taxes on an average sized house in a rural township, im guessing our taxes will go up another 2k a year. The price of propane and electric have increased as well. We are frugal and are still making it, but we are getting hit with price increases that are unavoidable.
Do you think you’ll stay there or move somewhere cheaper?
You are not alone! We are in the same situation. Just pray you don't get sick or have an accident. Our neighbor's huge oak tree fell on our property after hurricane Idalia and he won't remove it. We are stuck with a 2k bill now. We have insurance but the deductible is 6k, have a 20 yo roof and fear being dropped. Life is rough for everyone now.
@@annterrywilliams2304check out small claims court if he is liable.
@@AprendeInglesConStephenwe are considering moving, even though we like our home. My husband is in public safety and can retire in the next couple of years, and we have a senior in college who will graduate in the spring. After he graduates and hubby retires, we will probably move, maybe out of Ohio. Hubby is 49, retirement age is 48 in Ohio for public safety, but waiting to retire after our son graduates and gets a job. Been looking for a warmer climate than Ohio, lol! Maybe the Carolinas.
There should be no property taxes. As long as we pay taxes on our property, the property is not ours. Property ownership should mean it’s 100% ours with no threat of the government ever having it taken away from us.
You are so right. I have (almost) always chosen peace of mind (living below my means) over luxury and have never regretted it. Great video❤
The ridiculous increase on our property taxes and Home Owners insurance really hit us hard this year. And we have a small house. I cried honestly. Managing for now. considering selling and combining resources with my mother who also is struggling and is starting to need more physical help. Electricity also went up 19% where I am.
I bought a house 30 years ago...brick rancher..3 bedrooms, 2 baths, double carport, double utility rooms, sunroom, fireplace and a pool...$50,000. Of course, that's in Alabama, not California, but hey, it works for me 😊 . I have a big garden, fruit trees all over and preserve what I grow and I've sneaked in a few chickens so I get about a dozen eggs a day. Yes, I share with friends and family
Question…I am thinking of moving to Alabama myself because of the cost of living, etc. are there any areas you would recommend for affordability and job market are decent?
My husband and I lived in a apartment in PA. It was a house devided into 3 apartments. They gave us a great deal on the price. The owner she was the one cleaning and getting it ready before we got there. It was a different set up when you walked into it. You walked into the kitchen first but it was a cute apartment and the she worked with us on various things like making a hookup for us to have a place to put our washer and dryer. So when we moved I made sure it was real clean so she could just rent it. I used to clean homes. I did it for close to 16 years on and off. So I feel I want to leave a place clean when I leave. Landlords like those kinds of renters and I paid my rent on time just like you.
I had one of those apartments. Walked into the kitchen from the driveway, then through the bedroom to get to the living room and bathroom. Always an incentive to keep the bedroom clean though! lol
The self-discipline to live within or below one's means and to say "no" to foolish purchases and expensive indulgences can be difficult to acquire. The pleasure from instant gratification via credit card purchases is much more meaningful to many people than the delayed pain of paying that excessive credit card debt. Delaying gratification and avoiding unnecessary debts are signs of mental maturity. Some people never reach this level of maturity and just keep trying to pass for being prosperous by living beyond their means and growing a crushing debt. And when they do go bankrupt, they tend to blame anyone but themselves for their own financial mismanagement.
Yes - brilliant! Debt-free is exactly the way to live! And the rising interest rates don't bother me because my savings account is now making hundreds of dollars a month.
The issue with housing is that residential property is being bought up by foreign investment firms, combined this with increased cost of property tax and insurance and you have a recipe for disaster. “You’ll have nothing and you’ll be happy. “
These are facts. Government must stop these investments, not only from foreign countries, but from American investors...it's so unfair.
People aren't going to put their kids in a bad area to save on rent. Single yes but not with kids.
Exactly.
I wouldn’t rent or buy a house in a bad neighborhood because I have a child.
Nnnnno but...PP:s area (NICE ONE) are welcoming these families.
She never advises people to do that. She tells you to live somewhere you can actually afford.
That’s why you go thru that struggle before you have kids … when the children come they should be coming in an ideal situation. People doing shit ass backwards
I never said move to a bad area. That is another misconception. Lower cost house = bad neighborhood. I went out and talked to 2 of my neighbors today. One gave me a big pile of black walnut firewood
Give up Amazon! I know plenty of people fighting inflation by closing their Amazon accounts!
I've never bought from Amazon and I never will. I refuse to make Bezos richer.
I generally enjoy your content but your comments about rent are severely out of touch. I live in MONTANA and old 90s-80s trailers are renting for $1,500-$2,000/mth
I've never lived luxuriously but the Rent really is that bad
I see studio apartments here in CA in the $600 range.
Here in Delaware, that's a mortgage payment. Consider a move back East. Between NJ and Maryland things aren't expensive.
@@PrepperPrincess I'll move right into that studio with my 5 kids...
“Then you didn’t leave them an inheritance, you left them money.” Such truth!
I’m in Massachusetts and you can’t even find a fixer upper for under half a million. It’s absolutely crazy here. You are so right, the people complaining are the same people spending $9.00 on one Starbucks coffee or hundreds on a purse or a pair of shoes. No wonder they can’t make it.
Do you really think that if they stopped buying purses and coffees that they would have half a million dollars for a fixer-upper?
Same here in Connecticut.. RIdiculously expensive and I am in a 2 bed 2 bath house but McMansions and 4 car garages are all around me. It's a different kind of reality down here in Southwestern CT. Expensive cars, expensive houses, etc., etc. It's not my world. I live beneath my means....that is a curse word down here!
@@amydecker6207 Not what I said. Just stop complaining if you’re going to waste money on stuff that you don’t need. No one needs a two hundred dollar purse or a $9.00 coffee. I did without a lot of wants, and now own my home and am debt free also retired early.
@@stephaniet9264 Most of the homes in my area were built in the late 50’s but builders are tearing them down and building McMansions. It’s crazy here too.
I’m In Massachusetts near Umass, plenty of house around 300,000
You mentioned someone renting for $2500 per month. I live in North GA about 35 minutes above Atlanta. We've lived here for 30 years and bought when homes were dirt cheap. The lady who rents the home behind us is a real estate agent. I mentioned to her that I once lived in Santa Monica California for 12 years. A month later she told me that she is the agent for the home across the street from her. She just rented the home to a family from Santa Monica California. This family paid $7,000 per month for the house they rented in Santa Monica! What's not so wonderful is, they are now paying $3,000 per month for the house here in N GA!
Considering that a home today is the biggest purchase one will likely make in their lifetime, my home was bought over 35 years ago with the intention that it would last a lifetime. My home's interior is dated (1980's) but the home was built by skilled carpenters who worked hard to put in custom bookcases, linen closets, custom kitchen cabinets with walk-in pantry, and built-in shelving in each closet. I've seen homes bought and sold over the years in my neighborhood, and it never fails that, no matter how nice the home and the quality of the construction, the new owner will gut it and remodel it spending tens of thousands of dollars on a new open floor plan or a new kitchen with an enormous island and countertops. It seems like everything today is disposable and people give more value to the latest trend over the quality of the workmanship. They also fail to understand how cyclical trends are but quality woodwork and craftsmanship will outlast and grow in value. In the years to come, this will change as people will again want and expect quality for their hard earned money that will last a lifetime.
Who pays for all this? Surely all these young people do not make an income to afford that lifestyle.
VERY well said!
I raised a child with a brain tumor… 25 years of terrible medical debt, even with good insurance. Yes we have a modest house, but it took everything we had (I was a full-time teacher, taught two nights at local community college and taught two additional online university classes, AND did freelance writing. My husband worked two jobs). We aren’t leaving much of an inheritance for our living child, but we’ve never filed bankruptcy and we have a quarter-century of good memories with our oldest son… Just saying. Don’t judge.
Hay vidas muy duras pero llenas de Amor .Toda mi admiración y cariño , en mi país esos gastos los cubre la seguridad social , se me rompe el alma ver tanto esfuerzo y trabajo en una situación social y sanitaria que debería cubrir el estado , en España lo hace.😡💔😚
I'm shocked your property taxes are that low in California. I'm in Iowa in a 700 square foot house over 100 years old paying $1600 a year.
Thank you!! Do a video on not going into debt for the holidays
So many go into debt ❤
This morning, before going to work, I prepared my last cherry tomatoes for soup, cleaned some onions from my garden for this winter. Little things add up
I am a 66 year old widow my husband has been gone 10 years we had a lot of bad habits but my goal is to be more frugal as i will most likely be paying for a place to live the rest of my life
My son graduated from Penn State a few years ago. There were lots of apartment buildings going up. The signs out front all said Luxury Student Apartments! Granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, ect. Why do students need luxury apartments? Because mom and dad will pay for it! My son got a basement studio apartment ( nice not luxury) for at least 1/3 less
@@christined4842 yes!!!
Fixer uppers are $300K where I live. If you have kids, you definitely do not want to be in a not so nice neighborhood.
Never apologize, please! You are absolutely amazing on your RUclips channel! You make such a difference in your subscribers lives.
Blessing to all in the frightening world we are watching day in and out.
I wish more people would stop buying stuff. 2.35 for a bottle of soda. NOPE.... But people are crazy.
An occasional can of pop or soda for 2.50, as a treat, will not make one iota of a difference.
I get Tim Hortons coffee and a bagel every Sunday morning, once a week, everyone deserves a treat every once and awhile.
@@terrylynn9984 “nope” is my new term for moving through the stores.
And look at the lines at expensive coffee shops. People aren't hurting bad enough yet
@@daytonvalleydeals6056they still have room on their credit cards. When they are all full, everyone's in trouble. ❣️😊
My Aldi has a dozen eggs for about a buck. Rather get the 24 eggs & drink water.
I live in a one bedroom apartment that is 570$ a month. All gas and water paid. I pay for 2 dogs pet rent or I would pay 520$. I live in KY and ironically work at Walmart lol😅My truck and car is paid for and very minimal debt. Not many job opportunities where I live, and I’m 51 years old, so I’m limited to what kind of work I can physically do. I make it work and am working on my savings and retirement.
I think the media has something to do with this as well. So many TV shows feature beautiful, expansive homes -- as if that's how most people live. They don't.
I remember “Friends” where a cook and waitress somehow lived in a 2,000 sq ft apartment in Manhattan. Yeah, right!
When we were young and dumb we lived an extremely frugal lifestyle. Most people would not have lived as low as we did. However we were doing it so we can make the payments on a fancy vehicle that we did not need not to mention the expense of insurance. I'm glad we wised up.
How many people who have a garage only fill it with junk that they don’t need
And then have their second most expensive asset just sit outside, susceptible to bad weather and theft. I 🙄every time I see a two car garage house and all the cars sit outside full time.
Used to be me. Well, maybe still is a bit. lol. I've gone through about 5 rounds of getting rid of stuff ... trying to minimize.. a lot of it is in the head/ how you were raised, etc. Now one section is for motorcycle, bikes, lawn equipment. One section for an old VW (show car that does run, not junker), area for the jeep, and an area with lots and lots of tools. Unfortunately a lot of work on our fixer upper so need all those tools. hopefully wont for long, or in the next house. :)
One thing I will say is that when looking for a place to live be sure to factor in the cost of transportation. Sometimes it can be cheaper to live closer to your place of employment where you can walk or drive very little. Car maintenance is expensive and so is gas so it is an important consideration. My husband and I always shopped for houses close to our work. Thanks for the tips. We are fortunate to be retired and debt free!
Keeping up appearances in your circle of friends and acquaintances enslaved us. Starts in childhood when kids are not taught living below their means and the evils of debt.
Not been from America but live in Canada I noticed that people will go in debt for there children’s activities . I see kids get big presents for there birthdays plus eating out in restaurants for there special day.
It’s gone overboard in mhop.
@EvelinHolmes Agreed.. and it boggles my mind.
One birthday I asked for a pony... I got a pet mouse. 😅
People may not want to hear what you have to say but they should listen anyway. You're speaking the truth .
I carpooled with a young man his first house was well over $400k in 2007 because his mom told him "he deserved it" That is the mindset that must be changed. You deserve air, water and food and God willing shelter.
My son bought a fixer upper, not a bad, place in a nice neighborhood. Not a castle, needs some updating. But, He's paying $500/month less than he was renting and is building equity.
Yes, yes, yes! Choose wisely and choose modestly! On my second home, bought for 150,000 nine years ago and almost paid off.
Left real estate a decade ago, and people with NO money were already snobby, to the point where sellers had to make everything “sterile gray” or “sterile beige “ to even get a second look. I’ll take 70’s decor ANY day over the hotel look of today. Beautiful old homes getting ripped on by the broke HGTV generation…. I couldn’t take it anymore
I remember! I sold a house and the realtor said just paint every room beige. It worked. House buyers love their beige, man 😂
ROFL 🤣 I could hear her wake up and fart every morning! So caught me off guard, too funny!! My lol broke the silence in office 😅 🤭
Proverbs 13:22. Excellent idea of helping out your family. I just love how you share your wisdom on helping us how to save money & get out of debt. Thaaaaank you!
Since inflation is caused by excessive government spending which is hidden via the game of money printing, the way to reduce inflation is to reduce government spending, then take bills out of circulation.
Lol, the ( fart) in the morning, was your alarm, P.P. 🤣 that really made me lol..
I can say that this doesn't apply in cities like New York City where the cost of living is already high. Also, if living in a bad neighborhood means kids being exposed to gun violence and crack, meth or fentanyl, working two jobs to live in a safer place is worth it.
I never said unsafe. As I stated…I live in a nice safe town and paid less than half of what most pay. I didn’t even factor the fact that CA average home price is nearing $800k. No drugs, homeless, crime where I live and jobs are plentiful
@@PrepperPrincess Bad neighborhoods are generally unsafe. That's why they're considered bad because bad things happen there.
@@abbe1abbe156 That's why you move. This is a huge country with plenty of land and opportunity. You are choosing to live in one of the most expensive cities in the world. That's on you.
@@90voltsActually, we have multiple homes in several states and two other countries.I'm speaking hypothetically. The current state of the economy doesn't affect my lifestyle or that of my family. Also, it takes money to move which many low income struggling families don't have. Further, in some places landlords require proof of a job in the state you're moving to before renting which makes it difficult for people looking to move.
It's about adjusting your spending and learning to cut corners where you can. Appreciate the information. I am learning to adjust and stay ahead.
Great video. I work cleaning houses (and offices) and there sure are a lot of huge homes with not many people even living in them.
I love your ideas. I live in Canada, but I sure love your ideas. I am a fixer-upper. I have done that to many houses. I know how to cook from scratch. I eat beans and rice a lot.
I like beans and rice too...and avocados
I moved into a Rv to get my rent down. 1200 sqft house 2bed1bath rented $2070. Now paid cash for $9,000 for Rv. Rent lot beachside walking distance for stores, banks etc $1,100 includes utilities. No mortgage, interest, HOA...No one living above me where I can hear someone pee in the middle of the night.
Which beach? Beachside van life is a goal for me!
@@mmoore0325satellite Beach, FL
Good informational video. All my utility bills have gone up and I use less and less.
Me too!!!!
I lived in a small house for a couple of years while in college that most people wouldn't have used as a storage building. People need to be adaptable, living in your own "dump" is so much better than living in your parents' basement.
It's not how much money you make.......It's what you do with it.
We bought a too small condo in 94 with a first-time buyers grant. I can't say it is paid for. But excellent investment - now a rental. People have priorities twisted. A few times, I have told friends on the verge of homelessness, I wish I had another condo for them. Ironically, the response was that my condo wasn't big enough for their stuff. And, yes, a lot of people feel entitled. Our tax dollars are going to "entitled" who avoid taxes and yet avoid claiming income..Girl you got me on rant. Luv ya
I've actually been talking about this. Inflation hasn't affected me. I either cut costs another way or make more money. Since I buy and sell stuff, all of my wants and needs, I typically get cheaper.
Gas prices don't bother me because I rarely drive anywhere. I make more money at home working for myself than if I go to my part-time job and have to drive.
Food prices don't bother me much other than feeding my dog. A 100lb dog on a raw meat diet is crazy expensive but I often buy bulk meat and split it between human and dog.
😂 so funny about hearing your neighbor farting every morning 😂. Thank you for sharing about how people won't downsize or reduce their amenities but are willing to complain about prices and be in debt! Your right people don't want to change just complain and when you give them advice on how they can change their Situation they come up with all kinds of excuses why they can't.
I'm in a weird place... so 10 years ago I bought my house that is way more than I need... my money fell off,but I refinanced down to a 15 year mortgage at a little over 3 percent... Now my place is cheaper than any house I could buy but way more than I need... kind of a cursed blessing but in happy
We were able to refinance also. Maybe interest will go down to help this group of higher interest buyers. I hope so.
Was interested in this. Years ago I worked in a lighting showroom. No one darkened the door for 3 weeks when mortgage rates hit 19%. We later bought a 1900 sqft home built in the early 60’s. Now I have 3 grown children.
One Son is in a house bought before the COVID crisis blew up the economy. Currently my Daughter is trying to buy a modest house. We are frugal debt free type family. I do think inflation is a GREAT scourge on the younger generation. But rent is so high you are better off trying to buy. A real strain for most of the younger ppl.
Love your channel.
Agreed. . for the young starting out now it is definitely more of a challenge.
Same here man. Im 40. Never made more than 25k/year in my life. Got a house about the same sq footage as your current one after the 2008 crash for 60k. Paid it off so fast. Always been a saver, looking for the next DIY so i dont have to buy it such as detangler/ hairspray/teeth whitener/household cleaner. It's fun. I still don't come close to spending $100 a month on groceries. Maybe like $60ish. I shop at Aldi and eat eggs a lot which are great for you and 1 dollar a dozen there. Grab those, cheese, pound of carrots, giant cucumber and I'm still under $5. I live in FL, my prop taxes are $500/yr. Car is paid & old, but still cool. People just don't understand. Save money & seize opportunities. Eyes open.
13:18 just follow the money. The guy in charge of the military budget lost track of 2 trillion bucks more than once recently. That money isn't pocketed by our soldiers.
Great info PP ! When my wife and I got together we had very good incomes and I asked her if she would rather live large in a big house on the golf course or live below our income level and save as much as possible towards our retirement. She/we chose to save our $$ and retire early. We retired in our late 50s and never looked back. Payed cash for our current house which needed a bit of updating and is now valued at more than double what we paid for it. When we were younger DEBT was a four letter word to be avoided at all costs, sadly that is no longer the case.
I love your explanation of taxation taking half our money❤ nailed it
I think it is more than 50% but I live in the mid-Atlantic states where taxes and fees are crazy.
I heard my downstair neighbor hum "God bless America " while brushing his teeth. I'd forgotten that til your story reminded me.😅
PP -- you're my inspiration, I've listened to your way a life for only a short time, I'm learning and changing my ways to live a better peaceful life.
A coworker made One of the dumbest comments I have ever heard, “Just because I can’t afford it doesn’t mean I shouldn’t have it!” That was said about 30 years ago, and it still cracks me up.
I'll say, I'm married for forty years, and our married history includes two kids ... we never bought a house, never owned a car. Presently we live in Milan, in a casa populare that is a tram ride away from the piazza Duomo. Still, no car and we can buy this apartment for 50,000. I can tell you, you can raise kids and live frugally, as we have but you've got to lower your 'standards' or just change your priorities. We were cheated out of our inheritances, by the tune of millions of dollars, as well. Our kids went to the best schools, in NYC, London, Milan and Novara. It can be done.
I bought my condo as an investment property 5 years ago, and I paid with cash from the sale of my house in CA. At the time, my condo was $140k - it would now go for about $250k. Little did I know I would end up divorced, and I'm so glad that I had this place to move into. It's modest, no garage, which can be a pain during a New England winter. BUT - while I have had opportunities to sell/upgrade, I don't want to. I'm debt-free, my bills are cheap (heating a condo is MUCH cheaper than a house), and I live in a very pleasant area with hiking trails, etc. nearby. It's far from perfect, but it is enough. I'm retired, my life is pretty simple, and I haven't been this happy for a very long time. It's not about the fancy stuff. That said, I know how very lucky I am to be in my position, even though I worked my butt off to get here.
Thanks for describing your way of life... a great inspiration to us all...
Ms. Prepper, I liked the coffee chat feel of this video. And I liked your inserting humor/laughter in it as well. One thing I would like to add is that we had low inflation for 25 or 30 years before this. That gave people plenty of time to structure their lives the way you did....and to a lesser extent, the way I did. Why didn't other people do that? Forget debt free, I am making money on my savings for the first time in twenty years!!!!! It is a tremendous benefit for me right now. And I truly started with zero. And after my divorce at age 40, I had zero again. I feel lucky to be where I am now, but, truth be told, it was all savings from a life of physical labor. (I am a stock market failure.) Love your channel.
I am on traveling ban since 2019. No trips outside my country. Saved me so much money, even if never paid for it with debt. I changed that with trips on mountain bike in my country.
You can see so many great places for much less money! You'd absolutely have no desire to travel outside for the thrill after seeing the real thrills in your beautiful country!
You are so right...I am debt free I work full time and pick plums to preserve after I get off work. I have a garden I can up and live off of. It can be done....I did it with children ! You go gurl your the best!
My water bill went from $54 to $80 in 3 years. That's inflation.
I would guess that is most likely infrastructure improvements rather than inflation. Happening everywhere as the lines are getting quite old as the country ages.
In 1973, we were just married. We bought a house in a less desirable suburb of Chicago. Three years later, we sold that house to move to a more desirable
suburb. We bought the smallest house in the best school district we could afford. 25 years later, our youngest finished college, we retired and bought a "luxury"
condo. Someone asked how we could afford an apartment where the rents started at $1800/ month. I said, we don't rent, we own. Tina, Al's wife
Your right. Those of us that don't live paycheck to paycheck doesn't feel the burden of inflation like many do. Sure we see higher gas prices and yes we see higher food prices. But when you live below your means, you can handle the hit on things like that. You can't do much about gas except drive less, but with food you can get cheaper brands and shop only store sales. I really don't feel the inflation at all cause if something is too expensive, I don't buy it.
Vickie C, you are smart enough not to buy something if it is too expensive. The problem is with people who keep buying wildly overpriced things at the grocery . stores. If the stores know that people are stupid enough to keep spending money on overpriced items, they will continue to keep overcharging, All of this causes soaring inflation, which of course causes interest rates to rise in order to control overspending.
My goal is to become debt free in the next 5 years if I live that long.
This is a subject that should be tough at home as well as Schools, instead kids learn to consume and blame others for their own choices, on top of that, when people go to a shelter, they have people assigned to teach them how to apply for welfare. The perpetual chain of "the victim".
My 24 year old daughter and my 2 grandchildren still live with my husband and I. She can't afford to even get a place to rent. Around where we live a three bedroom to rent is $1300 a month
One bedroom flat here in London U.K. is £1850
What a bargain! Efficiencies are $1K here. 2br is about $2100...
Wow that rent is great. How is it so low. May I ask what city or town that you live in? I live in California and the rent is sky high thanks to our governor.
Where im at a2/1 is $1400, NO pets.
she should take "advantage" of the situation and try to save as much as possible to pay all of her current debt (if she has any), save for emergencies, and possibly for a down payment. Not sure if she pays you anything/buys own groceries