I am developing a new weekly habit. Each week when I return from my food shopping and errands, I carefully put them away, recheck my menu plans to be sure I have covered all meals, make a cup of tea, then sit down and feel thankful and satisfied that these needs for the week have been met. I do the same when I post my payments. I give thanks and then give myself a break from fussing over inflation and my fixed income. I read, go to book club, church, walk around the neighborhood, play the piano, and just not think about money all the time. I like my new habit. I feel so much more cheerful. And, I love to dress in my best and wear a bit of perfume. Thanks for your cheer.
This is an excellent tip/comment, thank you for leaving it. When I get my mind set on saving money, I approach it the way I approach everything; with ADHD hyperfocus & it's all consuming. Then I get bored or can't keep up the pace & drop the whole idea. I've genuinely never thought of structuring my life around not being so consumed with my newest projects lol. You're right. Achieve the task then find something nice to do like have a cuppa or go for a walk etc.
I do a couple of things to keep my money stresses in prospective. Once a week ( Sunday for me) I sit down and go through my finances for the coming week. I make any payments require for the week I write all my spending for the coming week in my budget book. I record any direct debits in it as well. I check my bank accounts to ensure there is funds for any payments going out in the coming week. This only takes me about 15 mins except on the last week of the month when I organise the next months budget. Once these tasks are done I can put finance on the back burner until next week. I always take extra care with my appearance when going out my mum use to say you never know who you might meet. I also find that people treat you differently dependent on how you look.
@@annewright3129 that’s a great idea, I’m going to give it a try. I do try to be thankful for what I have but I think I should remember to be a bit more consistent with it. Thanks for your post. 💐
People in our road hold “Progressive Dinner Parties”. Everyone is in walking distance of each other which is a plus. At the first house we have our Starter and then move on to another house for the Main Course and then another house for Dessert and finally somewhere else for coffee and mints. The next time everyone provides a different Course.
Vertical bird feeder hanging in a tree directly off my porch and I spread seed and bread on the ground at the bottom of the tree the little birds get the vertical feeder and the big birds get the bread and seed under the tree I love watching them and getting outside
I work alot, so I enjoy just being able to have a book & tea on my swing in the flower garden. It's peaceful & so good for my soul. I can see my horse in the pasture and listen to all the birds singing.
My friend has for years had her morning glass of orange juice in a beautiful once-expensive cut crystal footed goblet that she's had for years. She takes the time to savor her juice, no matter what. The juice could be from frozen concentrate, but she says it tastes "perfectly marvelous" when she drinks it from her gorgeous goblet. I love today's video. Diane in NC
I set the table light a candle have a crisp linen napkin. A glass of supermarket budget range sparkling water with my meals but like your friend I drink it out of a crystal wine glass. This makes all my meals feel special and it makes me sit down and concentrate on my meal. At dinner I always add a starter or a dessert to my meal. This may only be a small dish of soup, a slice of melon or a dish of fruit and yogurt as a dessert. In winter the dessert may be warm. It is so easy to make a single dessert in a small ramekin dish or even in a tea cup. A spoon of jam or stewed fruit with a little sponge mix on top popped in the microwave for a couple of mins, served with custard, cream of yogurt seems like a real treat.
Good tips, tfs for sharing. My suggestion is to make a little gift for someone. Just some biscuits, sew a pouch, pick some garden herbs or recycle a book. It will lift your spirits as much as the person you give to.
I am on a fixed income too and, due to a relationship breakdown, my adult son has moved in with me until he can get back on his feet again. It is so good to be living with a frugal companion! My electric usage has gone down since last year ( I keep records of kw used) he cooks a lot of Asian dishes which use less fuel and stops me falling asleep on the sofa with TV and heating on. But we make a point of having a little treat at least once a month - traveling a bit further to go for a walk along the Helford River ( in Cornwall) or maybe buying a pasty and eating it while sitting on the harbour ( mother's day this year!). Treats are important- 'man doth not live by bread alone'. We economise in some areas to achieve this!
I cleared my front patio last week and as the weather was so lovely 2 days ago I put my little table and a chair out there, made a coffee, had a bowl of grapes and my crochet and spent a lovely 2 hours crocheting whilst listening to a free audio book on RUclips. It was glorious.
Thank you so much for your excellent, helpful videos. Today I paid off my last amount of debt. Whew. The weight of debt is something I hate, yes hate. I’m looking forward to the feeling of freedom. ❤️
Well done and congratulations on your achievement. You will feel the weight of the world lifted off your shoulders knowing what ever happens the roof over your head is paid for and no one will be knocking on the door looking for the money you owe them. I now have a much reduced income but I always feel I have enough because without any debt or mortgage to pay I know I can live on very little or even live out of the pantry and freezer for a month if I need to.
Such Great advice , I have started to eat my meals at my table ( I am single ) instead of in the living room in front of the TV .I found that I enjoy my food better and most importantly I am honouring and respecting my food and the hard work it took to bring to my table ,,,, love your videos such great tips and so humble ,,😀🙏
I too am going to start to eat all my meals at the dining table. As a family we always eat at the table but since being widowed I have got out of the habit of setting the table when I am on my own. I have decided that I need to rekindle this. I love a comment I read which said eat at your own café. I will lay the table and light a candle for my evening meal. For breakfast and lunch it will be more relaxed but still at a nicely set table.
My husband, Mike and I have movie night at home. I make popcorn and we enjoy that and a drink. We sit together and enjoy our snack and most of all we enjoy each other.
My favourite thing to do is to get out with the dog for a big walk, I bring tea, sandwiches, fruit and a little cake treat. Even if I had lots of money to spend I think it would still be a favourite thing to do. I’ve been working on our budget this week and it’s scary how much more we’re having to pay for utilities and petrol. It’s so good to get out and take my mind off it for a while. Thanks Jane x
This is my 2nd favorite video you have done. I am saving it in my RUclips Best of Life videos. Some of your tips that really reasonated with me: Set the dining table, use the good stuff, have get-to-gethers with a appetizer and a desert, SET a financial goal (so important), and celebrate when you achieve it, and do something every week that is FREE. All of these will make life more special. Thank you very much for helping me raise the bar of fun and joy in the house.
We pack a car picnic and drive an hour from our home to a city along Lake Michigan in the USA. We sit and watch the waves crash up on the shore, visit the old places we used to live, take a walk in the parks and then head home. So calming to the soul.
Hi Jane. Some great ideas. Gonna start wearing those clothes, and not saving them for best. We can’t afford to go anywhere anyway😂 why shouldn’t we look nice when we go round the supermarket! Thanks for the pep talk, it was just what I needed.
My mum always use to say when you go out look your best you never know who you might meet. She also said people treat you how your look, looking well put together makes people think you deserve to be treat better. I know that’s rubbish I am the same person when I am wearing muddy wellies as when I am wearing well polished smart shoes but people assess you in the first minute of meeting you.
We are retired, mid 60's. On a nice sunny , warm day we'll pack a lunch and thermos and take a motorcycle trip way out into the country, go for a hike and have a picnic. It only costs money for gas and the bike is extremely fuel efficient getting around 70 miles to the gallon.
I do something similar. I have an E bike, ride about 5 miles to the local lake with a picnic lunch. Since I ride my bike , instead of taking the car, I don't have to pay for entrance fees.
This is a very timely post. I have been feeling very sorry for myself...just paying bills with nothing left over. This is very soul destroying. I will be trying some of your ideas over the next month combined with the spring sunshine hopefully my spirit will be renewed again.
One of my favorite things is to go to a canyon near my home and sit and watch the sun play on the canyon walls. Yes, I take a thermos and a sandwich and really enjoy myself.
I always make sure i look nice every day. For me, its important, at home and when I go out of the house. Fragrance is a must, makeup too, hair in place and nice comfortable clothes. I also like to keep my home neat and clean. Self care can mean many things. tfs 🥰💐🌷🌞🌛🐣🐤🐰💗✝🇺🇲
We are spoiled in British Columbia, Canada because we have access to mountains, ocean, valleys, waterfalls, beaches, forests, rivers and lakes. We like to walk around a lake in the morning and take pictures and then often visit the heritage village next door (free). There are many heritage buildings such as an old bank, general store, post office, theatre, black smith, ice cream parlor, tram car, working carousel, old houses, a printers, linen store and a little chapel (where my daughter got married). This year we will be taking kayaks that we got for Christmas to the lake. great video.
In the winter we have FIre Friday -where we spend the evening by the fire and it means we really enjoy the wood burning fireplace. In the summer we have a special fun family meal on the patio every Saturday night to enjoy the warm weather. We enjoy coming up with the special menu and cooking new things.
I used to live in Africa and the English love to mix with people. So we would decide who's house we were going to. Luckily we had pools so Adults and children had fun. But the Woman of the house would give all friends items of food to bring. We brought our own drinks but we also took foodstuffs that the hostess asked us to. So no one was out of pocket. We all shared the costs. I have suggested to my friends here in England that we implement the same thing here. They will for bbq's but can't get them to do dinner parties. But I will persist.
Walk! We are lucky enough to live in beautiful Wiltshire, and we have a few books of walks, some maps, and a free app or two. Without driving too far, we can go fir some stunning walks.
Great Ideas! I already do some but some are new to me. Regarding getting dressed up to go out. My mother, who grew during the great Depression, told me how proud she was of her mother when she would attend a school event. My grandmother always took the time to wear an nice dress and hat. She was as poor and tired as the other mothers who came in their faded house dresses but she stood out by making an effort. It was a wonderful no-cost memory of my mother's childhood.
I like to reward myself about once a week after finishing all my appointed tasks or chores by buying a little something for a room well cleaned, even a new dish towel. Or, perhaps, I might spend a little money on myself such as a tube of lipstick or a moisturizer for my skin. Recently, I have been buying flower seeds and herbs to cheer up my garden.
Great video.!!!. We love to go Sandringham and have a walk around with the dogs. Then go back to the car for a coffee and sandwiches. The only down side,we have to pay to park there now. Even the Queen must be having to watch her pennies. .xx
My favorite thing to do is to share time around the table with friends and family. I need to start scheduling a monthly time to invite a friend over for either a meal or just coffee and cake. Thanks for another great video.
Really interesting that you should say about wearing your best clothes, I was looking in my wardrobe today thinking I don't wear most of it. I think during covid, I sort of got used to not really bothering, because I wasn't going out. But I know it really does make you feel good to put in nice clothes on and have a squirt of perfume! So I'm going to sort my wardrobe and get wearing those bits. And maybe sell those bits I don't want anymore :)
Hi Jane Here in England we are too have a big extra hike in our gas and electric bills by about £700 per year.. you are lucky tha the french president has put a 4% cap on your gas and electric bills.. Your frugal tips have been very very helpful since I have been watching your programme for about last year since I retired 18 months ago.. I was nurse for 50 years. I now cook from scratch and bake too, my husband is delighted and we have lost weight as we don't snack in between meals anymore. My hope in the future is to get a refuge dog as we are quite near the country side and the sea Will certainly be looking at my best clothes wardrobe Thanks again
Since I moved I started to learn about vegetarian meals because my son has become vegetarian . I enjoy new recipes and we’ve always eaten lots of veggies . But balancing things is not so easy when one doesn’t know how to do .So I spend a lot of time on my tablet looking for meal plans , new recipes and I like that a lot .
We have a lovely forest about 30 mins, just car park fees and a visitor centre with wood burner and hot chocolate xxx We've gone there as a a family of 4 for 30 years. Even gone in January with a picnic of hot soup and crusty bread. Sadly we're down to 3 now since I lost hubby last June to cancer. The forest and the coast are faced x
We go for a hike in the woods and tote our lunches along for a picnic beside the trail. The highlight of the meal is that cup of tea we’ve made using our mini Pocket Rocket stove.
Yes a starter is called an appetizer. Twice a month I go to my daughters home to visit my grandchildren. Watch movies or play games with them. My happy time it won't last for ever as they grow older.
You have a wonderful channel Jane ! Something which never fails to make me happy is going to the local library and returning with lots of books for free.
We do this too! Our library system also allows us to check out movies, video games, music, and some fun, quirky items like telescopes and ukuleles. During the spring, they also have a seed library if you want a set of free seeds to start growing vegetables and flowers in your garden. Public libraries are a treasure trove of free or very low cost fun.
I always said 'u cant be poor and LOOK poor'. Always dressed up to go out. Even during the pandemic i wore my lipstick under the mask. I thought it was a bit pointless but it made me feel good and that was all that mattered
I like to make a small bouquet from the garden. Just a few blooms in a little jar or bottle in my kitchen window sill. If I don't have flowers blooming I'll cut some herbs from my herb bed and make an herb bouquet that I use to add to dishes during the week.
You Tube has tutorials for quite a few things that take supplies on hand, such as drawing, junk journaling, quite a few crafting/up-cycling tutorials, and other such things to learn. Thanks to my ADHD I have supplies for SO MANY art projects, and sewing projects, including using a treadle sewing machine I picked up last year (yay no electricity usage). I’m not sure about other countries but the libraries in the USA have not only books but they can also have tools you can borrow, electronics, all sorts of stuff you wouldn’t expect, as well as free classes, and lots have digital items you can access for free with your library membership like movies, music, audio books, digital books, and classes. My husband and I also like table top role playing games, we already own the books so the games are free. I just ran a game called Call of Cthulhu, and used all free to download resources, this one is based in the 1920’s in the world of H.P. Lovecraft stories. It’s basically telling a story together. I haven’t looked into it, but I’ll bet there is a wealth of card games you could find the rules for online if you only have a deck of cards. Making pizza is also nearly free since you have to eat a meal anyway, making dough and sauce from scratch will cut costs considerably and if you feel like getting creative with the toppings you could use up quite a bit of food that may have otherwise gone to waste.
I have just changed out of my frumpy clothes into something nicer and put on some make up even though I'm not going out and I feel so much better. It hasn't cost me anything. Thank you, great tip.
I have taken it upon myself to teach others how to start saving small but regular amounts just by changing the way they spend. I drive a taxi and it amazes me how many young (and older) people just use their cards without giving a second thought as to how much that is actually costing them. I now openly advertise that I accept Osko payments (direct instant bank transfers). If passengers pay by card in the cab, it costs them an extra 2,5% on top of their fare just for the convenience. One passenger in particular I mentioned Osko to and she has immediately started to pay using Osko, she informed me that with every one of her fares she was paying an extra 50c, now that doesn't sound like much but over the week for her, it added up to $3, which equates to one cab fare every 3.25 weeks. Her bank account is set up to round up all her purchases to the nearest dollar, with the round up amount put into a savings account. She was actually shocked to see the difference. This just proves it doesn't take much to make a difference, a little bit extra each day, gives you a little bit extra interest, which in turn grows your bank balance faster.
I dress up to go out anyway, since we've home for 2 years it lifts your mood. I'm in the U.S. and our gas has gone up every day. Combine those errand trips.
Hi Jane. Some great uplifting ideas. I trawl my garden most weeks and pick a bunch of flowers or greenery . We have fantastic wild flowers growing in our lanes. I take my scissors and the dogs for a walk breathe in the view come back with. Bunch of something to brighten up the lounge. All for free. Xx
I just love your calming and positive energy! Watched so many videos already over the past couple of days since I found your channel. My top tip to taking the pain out of penny pinching is to make good and healthy food and learn how to make gorgeous soups. Almost every night I eat a homemade soup with a piece of toast and either an egg, tuna salad or hummus or avocado. And it makes me feel so happy, balanced and comforted and it isn't an expensive meal. 🙂
Since the pandemic, my husband and I have rediscovered the genuine pleasure of simple activities... Thanks for those good suggestions. I love your enthusiasm ❤️
I love your sweater and scarf- it looks very flattering on you. I dress nicely each day-even if it’s only taking the dog for a walk or running errands. When I get home and I’m not going out the rest of the day I will take off my nice clothes and put on lounge wear. I’m sure to hang the clothes up after wearing them. It helps me feel better about myself.
If you wash your clothes on a shorter washing cycle it doesn't wear on your clothing as much. Blessings all Enjoy wearing your clothes it will cheer you up aswell
I live in South Alabama in the US. We have ice in our drinks every day. I never thought of it as special. But I really enjoy ice. Thanks for making me realize ice makes the meal special.
Just a Sunday drive is nice, although petrol is making it a bit pricey now. This was a very popular outing in Australian families when I was growing up. Pack a thermos and lunchbox and off you go. Listen to the car radio and go somewhere different. We haven't the time to do this every Sunday, but once a month usually. We will usually take bread rolls, tomato sauce and buy hot chips to fill them at our destination and eat. We love it. The kids do too. Making memories.
Jane you a bright star in not so bright times. Great video. Thank you. Instead of meeting my friend for lunch tomorrow it will be a coffee but I will now dress up:) One treat we did last year and will do again this summer, was take our pop up gazebo, picnic table and chairs and camping equipment to a very quiet beach near us and arrange with friends to meet for breakfast and cooked it there. We had a lovely time.
We always sit at our table each lunchtime and in the summer we lay the table in the sun lounge and eat in there at 3 o’clock we lay the tray with tea pot it’s a thing we have always done we have been doing for a lot of years we like you retired early debt free Bx
Really enjoyed that video today are yes my brother brought me painting on glass I've collected empty jam jars and waiting for friends to help me paint them going to do tea party over Easter and make tea light candle add garden wire to make handles x
We live on the coast so we enjoy walking along the beach, around the Bay, bush walking, climbing Mt Tomaree for amazing views of the coastline. Walking across Fingal Spit to a lighthouse. These all cost nothing.
I am saving on everything as I am going through a series of treatments for dry eyes. This is not covered by the Universal Healthcare, and is really expensive.. So, I am saving on everything, when everything is getting more and more expensive... One of my favourite things is to visit friends, we do not go overboard with cooking, just a sandwich or a cup of coffee will do. I went for lunch at a friends house the other day, she had decluttered her wardrobe, and picked out some items that thought would fit me. What a bliss 💕 I like to light a t-light on my coffee table every evening. It makes the room cozy. 🌸
We live close to the mountains so our favorite thing to do is take a picnic or dinner and go spend the day doing a few walks and enjoy being outside. Now that the nicer weather is coming we love taking our grandchildren to a nearby park where we can picnic and cook something over an open fire pit. We go for a walk afterwards and look for all the animals and bugs that are coming out. With the rising price of fuel I think we will be doing that more often this year than travelling further away. We also live in a lake community where we have access to a beach, playground , splash park and picnic area so we'll be taking the opportunity to spend lots of time there. Thank you for all the other good tips. I will be dressing up the table more often and planting some flowers this spring that we can enjoy as a centerpiece.
So true ~ you don't need to spend a lot of money to have a nice life. Simplicity is often best. Feeling under pressure is not great and many are feeling that way so looking for ways to enjoy the day is especially important.
I fully agree with you. We are blessed to have a garden and watching the antics of the birds is very simple and free, they give us great pleasure and make us smile. Appreciating the simple things in life is a wonderful way to live. Money cannot always give you these precious moments.
You are very entertaining! What I enjoy for free: A good book to read. Cheating, perhaps, because the book had to be paid for but books are oxygen for me! I always have them around so no need to buy one specially!
Hi Hi Jane and Mike you are so right in all your great ideas. We do a car picnic once a month and go to our favourite places I also organise an afternoon tea for myself and it just my lunch and a small scone or pancake that are in the freezer and put on music I love and dress up totally for my treat Anna.
I make a cheaper type of fish tasty every Monday as celebration " dinner night" . Enjoyed my terrace with a book and a homemade lemonade🌝already. We do movie night with free Netflix, a walk in the park surrounding / countryside watching tulips🌷 or on the beach ( 20 min) with lunchbox and a flask of tea. We did some carpicknick too when I was not able to walk for a long periode, that was so much fun!!!! Frugal life is so enjoyable 😍. I sometimes bake basic glutenfree cookies or cheesecake ( lactose free yoghurt, egg and corn flour, suger or stevia to taste) in the weekend for the "luxurious "feeling switching up the cookiedough with lemonzest, cinnamon, 15 grams of chocolate, a handfull chopped nuts, raisins or dried mint. Or plane with a bit of jam on top or icingsuger made out half a teaspoon of grounded suger ( way cheaper than buying icing suger)
We did a big supermarket shop yesterday and we’re astounded with the price increases! Everything was more expensive so cuts will certainly have to be made! A small treat will have to happen now and again to give us a bit of a lift and your ideas will come in very handy!
So many great tips there Jane, thank you. We always had family Saturday 'movie night' and still do even though only two of us now . l like to 'theme' the movie with a meal. This nk weeks movie is set in Greek Isles, so will plan a frugal Greek recipe. Last week Sat movie was set in the Caribbean, so l did a movie treat of sliced banana pancakes with Nuttella dip. So much fun on a Monday planning the following weekend movie and looking for frugal meal treats. Love the idea of sitting outside when having coffee break. If l like to sit outside when at a cafe why dont l do it at home and just stopping for once to look at my garden flowers. And if its raining , from now on, im going to set up a cozy corner by the window, take my coffee break and just enjoy the moments peace of watching the rain.
There's some great ideas here Jane 👍 I love to visit the coast in any weather/season but it's not possible at the moment, but one thing which I'm planning to do as the weather gets better is to go for a walk in the park/woodlands near where I live &/or sit in the garden just talking with a snack & a drink with my partner/cousin, the best things in life are the free/frugal meaningful moments and I think that we can appreciate them more than experiences that we pay for 😊
I love to lay the table up with candles and fabric napkins ! A lovely picnic out with a rug and my wicker hamper makes you feel special too ( not today though it’s snowing !) I always make time to sit for afternoon coffee in the garden in the summer to make the most of any sunny weather . We are an hours drive from the beach so I can’t see any trips just yet with fuel being as it is but we live on the edge of a forest so get out regularly in nature for forest walks . Movie night is another must for us too ( homemade popcorn !) We do a drinks and nibbles night with friends they bring a bottle we make a few tapas type things it’s so nice to get together especially when I’ve made elderflower champagne in may !!
I can still afford a coffee with a friend or a trip into town on the bus for a free music event or gallery exhibit. Sometimes it's a splurge on fuel to do a hike in the countryside or a picnic somewhere nice.
Jane, I put a tablecloth on my table every day. Why save them for the kids? They do not care or want them to make yourself happy and put on a tablecloth and enjoy!! Puts a smile on my face.
Loved your title!!! You have such a joyful way in today's discussion. This is a very timely subject. I am waiting for spring to come here in eastern lowa. Then I can work in the garden and yard. I like when you both go to your recycle center and thrift shops. You have created a wonderful home. I think when I get improvements done to our home, appreciate every thing because it is making a better place because we are home buddies. Kudos to Mike and you to the life you have made. Thank you.
Love the scarf Jane! Favorite thing ever is a picnic dinner on the beach when the weather permits - even in tourist season parking is free by then and it surely feels like we're on vacation.
We have started eating at the dining room table again instead of the kitchen we’d stopped doing it for some reason when the children left home. I like to light a scented candle and enjoy our meal there again. I was so looking forward to using my free bus pass when I got to 66 and so far it’s still unused since last July, I’d intended going somewhere different each week for free and having a nice walk with a picnic. Take care and keep producing these wonderful thought provoking video’s …….. Love Wendy ♥️💋🌈
Hi Jane and Mike, we use our dining room table for all our meals. No TV, a great time to enjoy some great conversations. Once a month, I visit my Mum and take afternoon tea, which I have prepared. It's such a treat especially for my Mum who has hardly been out in the last 2 years. Your garden is looking great.
Jane what can I say you've done it again! Ilove you and I have never met you. Your videos are so uplifting and helpful to me I have been deeply depressed for about 2 years and now I can see a light at the end of the depression . God bless you and your husband!😇
I've started reconnecting with dear old friends whom I'd lost touch with over time and geographic moves. Maybe just a card and a note (so only the cost of a postage stamp) and the results have been fabulous. They too are retired and feeling a bit isolated during the Pandemic so happy to catch up. Now that they and I have reconnected, we are texting and phoning much more regularly and even have some in person visits planned.
We used to go to the coast a lot, it's 90 minutes away. Now that we're disabled, we need something around the house. For a treat hub's might get an ice cream and I'll get Italian ice (dairy allergy). Or we'll play with the cats using the fishing pole with a toy on it. We may buy a fruit pie. Or he'll watch something on his computer and I'll watch something on mine. The past few days have been money talk. He noticed the money in the savings and still quite a bit of money in the checking to cover the last month of bills, property tax due next month, groceries and some left over. 🥰
@@NessaRossini... so sorry about the disabilities. It must be dreadful to have gone from health and mobility to being unable to do the things you used to do. It's a fear of mine. We do everything we can to avoid future problems. We're even given up sugar totally.
Loved this video...so positive and uplifting. We start out every morning with mugs of tea by the fire. We listen to CBC radio for the news of the day and then switch to jazz and discuss the day ahead. I love fashion so always have fun planning an outfit for going out for chores or just a walk.
Gardening makes me feel rich. My platons are shocked at the return of the snow, chilling on the windowsill. Eating outside makes me feel great also. Luckily the 4year old agrees, and those garden lunches really jazz up our mundane days. Tonight there is a community dance party I'll go to. Alcohol free and byod. So completely free of charge. A good idea for socializing is also a potluck!!
Wonderful Jane, this came at a perfect time, was feeling a bit low this week with all the NO NOT DOING/BUYING THAT this month, instead choosing FRUGAL options instead, this made my March Budget come out with more savings. Your videos are a sweet treat, and IN MY BUDGET ! Cheers to U & Honey Husband!
I have a time crunch as well as the money crunch so an uplifting thing for me would be to take a snack or lunch and a flask of some sort of drink and go for a walk in a park with a friend for a free little outing and have a picnic or having a few friends round to play board games one evening with tea and a cake or something. It's all about the little things and make memories with friends and loved ones. Loved all of your suggestions! Thanks for another great video!
I do enjoy going to the seaside with my young children I live only a 20 minute drive away from Cleethorpes. I don’t drive so have to take public transport admittedly we don’t go very often
Hi Jane and Michael, I said this before, but you two deliver great content. Always encouraging and uplifting, I truly love your channel, thank you! Sending warm wishes from South Africa. ⚘
To go to an old Elizabethan town and go for a walk with a friend. Or, to go to the same town, find my favourite coffee shop, take a book, sit in a window seat, have oat milk with turmeric or coffee and just relax for an afternoon.
Great video. One of the things I love doing that’s somewhat free (if you don’t count the cost of the notebook and pen) is journaling. I journal pretty much every day, but once a month. I like to bring my journal with me on a walk, sit on a bench with a lovely view and journal about my intentions for the next month. It makes me think back and see all my progress as well as focus in on what’s actually attainable for the next month.
Love listening to you, Jane! ❤ If I didn't have to pay for it, I'd go visit my bishop once a month and go to Church there. Baring that, I'd have some friends over for a meal. I might even get my car professionally cleaned once a month. I'd also have progression cleaners come to my house to clean! Looks like there are quite a few things I'd love to have it get done....hard to pick just one!☺
I'm going to take your advice and get back into spicing up things and enjoying the small pleasures of life as I go along. I've focused so much on frugality and safety during these Pandemic times that I've forgotten "fun"!
I am developing a new weekly habit. Each week when I return from my food shopping and errands, I carefully put them away, recheck my menu plans to be sure I have covered all meals, make a cup of tea, then sit down and feel thankful and satisfied that these needs for the week have been met. I do the same when I post my payments. I give thanks and then give myself a break from fussing over inflation and my fixed income. I read, go to book club, church, walk around the neighborhood, play the piano, and just not think about money all the time. I like my new habit. I feel so much more cheerful. And, I love to dress in my best and wear a bit of perfume. Thanks for your cheer.
This is an excellent tip/comment, thank you for leaving it. When I get my mind set on saving money, I approach it the way I approach everything; with ADHD hyperfocus & it's all consuming. Then I get bored or can't keep up the pace & drop the whole idea. I've genuinely never thought of structuring my life around not being so consumed with my newest projects lol. You're right. Achieve the task then find something nice to do like have a cuppa or go for a walk etc.
I do a couple of things to keep my money stresses in prospective. Once a week ( Sunday for me) I sit down and go through my finances for the coming week. I make any payments require for the week I write all my spending for the coming week in my budget book. I record any direct debits in it as well. I check my bank accounts to ensure there is funds for any payments going out in the coming week. This only takes me about 15 mins except on the last week of the month when I organise the next months budget. Once these tasks are done I can put finance on the back burner until next week.
I always take extra care with my appearance when going out my mum use to say you never know who you might meet. I also find that people treat you differently dependent on how you look.
@@annewright3129 that’s a great idea, I’m going to give it a try. I do try to be thankful for what I have but I think I should remember to be a bit more consistent with it. Thanks for your post. 💐
People in our road hold “Progressive Dinner Parties”. Everyone is in walking distance of each other which is a plus. At the first house we have our Starter and then move on to another house for the Main Course and then another house for Dessert and finally somewhere else for coffee and mints. The next time everyone provides a different Course.
life IS the special occasion 👍
I always make extra coffee and go sit outside if it’s cold wrap up warm but get out in the fresh air and listen to those wonderful birds
Vertical bird feeder hanging in a tree directly off my porch and I spread seed and bread on the ground at the bottom of the tree the little birds get the vertical feeder and the big birds get the bread and seed under the tree I love watching them and getting outside
@@rethadyches3704 how wonderful 🌞
We are those people who sit on the porch drinking coffee or iced tea. Love it even more just after the grass has been mowed!
I work alot, so I enjoy just being able to have a book & tea on my swing in the flower garden. It's peaceful & so good for my soul. I can see my horse in the pasture and listen to all the birds singing.
My friend has for years had her morning glass of orange juice in a beautiful once-expensive cut crystal footed goblet that she's had for years. She takes the time to savor her juice, no matter what. The juice could be from frozen concentrate, but she says it tastes "perfectly marvelous" when she drinks it from her gorgeous goblet. I love today's video. Diane in NC
I set the table light a candle have a crisp linen napkin. A glass of supermarket budget range sparkling water with my meals but like your friend I drink it out of a crystal wine glass. This makes all my meals feel special and it makes me sit down and concentrate on my meal. At dinner I always add a starter or a dessert to my meal. This may only be a small dish of soup, a slice of melon or a dish of fruit and yogurt as a dessert. In winter the dessert may be warm. It is so easy to make a single dessert in a small ramekin dish or even in a tea cup. A spoon of jam or stewed fruit with a little sponge mix on top popped in the microwave for a couple of mins, served with custard, cream of yogurt seems like a real treat.
Good tips, tfs for sharing. My suggestion is to make a little gift for someone. Just some biscuits, sew a pouch, pick some garden herbs or recycle a book. It will lift your spirits as much as the person you give to.
I am on a fixed income too and, due to a relationship breakdown, my adult son has moved in with me until he can get back on his feet again. It is so good to be living with a frugal companion! My electric usage has gone down since last year ( I keep records of kw used) he cooks a lot of Asian dishes which use less fuel and stops me falling asleep on the sofa with TV and heating on. But we make a point of having a little treat at least once a month - traveling a bit further to go for a walk along the Helford River ( in Cornwall) or maybe buying a pasty and eating it while sitting on the harbour ( mother's day this year!). Treats are important- 'man doth not live by bread alone'. We economise in some areas to achieve this!
I cleared my front patio last week and as the weather was so lovely 2 days ago I put my little table and a chair out there, made a coffee, had a bowl of grapes and my crochet and spent a lovely 2 hours crocheting whilst listening to a free audio book on RUclips. It was glorious.
Thank you so much for your excellent, helpful videos. Today I paid off my last amount of debt. Whew. The weight of debt is something I hate, yes hate. I’m looking forward to the feeling of freedom. ❤️
Congratulations and well done! 🥳🎈
@@cindybroussard893 Thank you Cindy.
Congrats!!
Well done and congratulations on your achievement. You will feel the weight of the world lifted off your shoulders knowing what ever happens the roof over your head is paid for and no one will be knocking on the door looking for the money you owe them. I now have a much reduced income but I always feel I have enough because without any debt or mortgage to pay I know I can live on very little or even live out of the pantry and freezer for a month if I need to.
That’s amazing 🎉🥳🙌❤️ Great job! I hope I can follow in your footsteps one day (we’re drowning in medical debt)
Such Great advice , I have started to eat my meals at my table ( I am single ) instead of in the living room in front of the TV .I found that I enjoy my food better and most importantly I am honouring and respecting my food and the hard work it took to bring to my table ,,,, love your videos such great tips and so humble ,,😀🙏
I agree! Pretend you're eating at your own cafe. Light a candle. Every day can be special if we let it.
@@zazicool6275 yes something I’m going to start doing making it more of occasion and appreciate our food
I too am going to start to eat all my meals at the dining table. As a family we always eat at the table but since being widowed I have got out of the habit of setting the table when I am on my own. I have decided that I need to rekindle this. I love a comment I read which said eat at your own café. I will lay the table and light a candle for my evening meal. For breakfast and lunch it will be more relaxed but still at a nicely set table.
My husband, Mike and I have movie night at home. I make popcorn and we enjoy that and a drink. We sit together and enjoy our snack and most of all we enjoy each other.
I always dress up when I run my errands. Even during shutdowns, my husband and I would dress up on Sunday, just to feel “on our weekend”.
My favourite thing to do is to get out with the dog for a big walk, I bring tea, sandwiches, fruit and a little cake treat. Even if I had lots of money to spend I think it would still be a favourite thing to do. I’ve been working on our budget this week and it’s scary how much more we’re having to pay for utilities and petrol. It’s so good to get out and take my mind off it for a while. Thanks Jane x
Thanks for watching
This is my 2nd favorite video you have done. I am saving it in my RUclips Best of Life videos. Some of your tips that really reasonated with me: Set the dining table, use the good stuff, have get-to-gethers with a appetizer and a desert, SET a financial goal (so important), and celebrate when you achieve it, and do something every week that is FREE. All of these will make life more special. Thank you very much for helping me raise the bar of fun and joy in the house.
Thank you
We pack a car picnic and drive an hour from our home to a city along Lake Michigan in the USA. We sit and watch the waves crash up on the shore, visit the old places we used to live, take a walk in the parks and then head home. So calming to the soul.
Hi Jane. Some great ideas. Gonna start wearing those clothes, and not saving them for best. We can’t afford to go anywhere anyway😂 why shouldn’t we look nice when we go round the supermarket! Thanks for the pep talk, it was just what I needed.
Good for you
My mum always use to say when you go out look your best you never know who you might meet. She also said people treat you how your look, looking well put together makes people think you deserve to be treat better. I know that’s rubbish I am the same person when I am wearing muddy wellies as when I am wearing well polished smart shoes but people assess you in the first minute of meeting you.
I found this channel a few weeks ago and now am watching as many of your episodes as I can find.
Thanks for watching
We are retired, mid 60's. On a nice sunny , warm day we'll pack a lunch and thermos and take a motorcycle trip way out into the country, go for a hike and have a picnic. It only costs money for gas and the bike is extremely fuel efficient getting around 70 miles to the gallon.
I do something similar. I have an E bike, ride about 5 miles to the local lake with a picnic lunch. Since I ride my bike , instead of taking the car, I don't have to pay for entrance fees.
This is a very timely post. I have been feeling very sorry for myself...just paying bills with nothing left over. This is very soul destroying. I will be trying some of your ideas over the next month combined with the spring sunshine hopefully my spirit will be renewed again.
One of my favorite things is to go to a canyon near my home and sit and watch the sun play on the canyon walls. Yes, I take a thermos and a sandwich and really enjoy myself.
I always make sure i look nice every day. For me, its important, at home and when I go out of the house. Fragrance is a must, makeup too, hair in place and nice comfortable clothes. I also like to keep my home neat and clean. Self care can mean many things. tfs 🥰💐🌷🌞🌛🐣🐤🐰💗✝🇺🇲
We are spoiled in British Columbia, Canada because we have access to mountains, ocean, valleys, waterfalls, beaches, forests, rivers and lakes. We like to walk around a lake in the morning and take pictures and then often visit the heritage village next door (free). There are many heritage buildings such as an old bank, general store, post office, theatre, black smith, ice cream parlor, tram car, working carousel, old houses, a printers, linen store and a little chapel (where my daughter got married). This year we will be taking kayaks that we got for Christmas to the lake. great video.
My son & I eat at our dining table. I put a nice table cloth & cloth napkins. We had a roasted chicken, quinoa & roasted carrots. It time to catch-up.
In the winter we have FIre Friday -where we spend the evening by the fire and it means we really enjoy the wood burning fireplace. In the summer we have a special fun family meal on the patio every Saturday night to enjoy the warm weather. We enjoy coming up with the special menu and cooking new things.
I used to live in Africa and the English love to mix with people. So we would decide who's house we were going to. Luckily we had pools so Adults and children had fun. But the Woman of the house would give all friends items of food to bring. We brought our own drinks but we also took foodstuffs that the hostess asked us to. So no one was out of pocket. We all shared the costs. I have suggested to my friends here in England that we implement the same thing here. They will for bbq's but can't get them to do dinner parties. But I will persist.
Walk! We are lucky enough to live in beautiful Wiltshire, and we have a few books of walks, some maps, and a free app or two. Without driving too far, we can go fir some stunning walks.
Great Ideas! I already do some but some are new to me. Regarding getting dressed up to go out. My mother, who grew during the great Depression, told me how proud she was of her mother when she would attend a school event. My grandmother always took the time to wear an nice dress and hat. She was as poor and tired as the other mothers who came in their faded house dresses but she stood out by making an effort. It was a wonderful no-cost memory of my mother's childhood.
I like to reward myself about once a week after finishing all my appointed tasks or chores by buying a little something for a room well cleaned, even a new dish towel. Or, perhaps, I might spend a little money on myself such as a tube of lipstick or a moisturizer for my skin. Recently, I have been buying flower seeds and herbs to cheer up my garden.
Autumn here in Australia, but still beautiful weather,thankfully not too hot.
Great video.!!!. We love to go Sandringham and have a walk around with the dogs. Then go back to the car for a coffee and sandwiches. The only down side,we have to pay to park there now. Even the Queen must be having to watch her pennies. .xx
My favorite thing to do is to share time around the table with friends and family. I need to start scheduling a monthly time to invite a friend over for either a meal or just coffee and cake. Thanks for another great video.
Really interesting that you should say about wearing your best clothes, I was looking in my wardrobe today thinking I don't wear most of it. I think during covid, I sort of got used to not really bothering, because I wasn't going out. But I know it really does make you feel good to put in nice clothes on and have a squirt of perfume! So I'm going to sort my wardrobe and get wearing those bits. And maybe sell those bits I don't want anymore :)
I love perfume, it’s something I wear every day
Some lovely ideas here! I have stopped saving most of my nice dresses for 'best' and today I am wearing a new one to go and meet some friends :)
Hi Jane Here in England we are too have a big extra hike in our gas and electric bills by about £700 per year.. you are lucky tha the french president has put a 4% cap on your gas and electric bills.. Your frugal tips have been very very helpful since I have been watching your programme for about last year since I retired 18 months ago.. I was nurse for 50 years. I now cook from scratch and bake too, my husband is delighted and we have lost weight as we don't snack in between meals anymore. My hope in the future is to get a refuge dog as we are quite near the country side and the sea Will certainly be looking at my best clothes wardrobe Thanks again
Thanks for the feedback
Since I moved I started to learn about vegetarian meals because my son has become vegetarian . I enjoy new recipes and we’ve always eaten lots of veggies . But balancing things is not so easy when one doesn’t know how to do .So I spend a lot of time on my tablet looking for meal plans , new recipes and I like that a lot .
We have a lovely forest about 30 mins, just car park fees and a visitor centre with wood burner and hot chocolate xxx We've gone there as a a family of 4 for 30 years. Even gone in January with a picnic of hot soup and crusty bread. Sadly we're down to 3 now since I lost hubby last June to cancer. The forest and the coast are faced x
That should say faves 😆 🤣
We go for a hike in the woods and tote our lunches along for a picnic beside the trail. The highlight of the meal is that cup of tea we’ve made using our mini Pocket Rocket stove.
Yes a starter is called an appetizer. Twice a month I go to my daughters home to visit my grandchildren. Watch movies or play games with them. My happy time it won't last for ever as they grow older.
You have a wonderful channel Jane ! Something which never fails to make me happy is going to the local library and returning with lots of books for free.
Thanks Iris
We do this too! Our library system also allows us to check out movies, video games, music, and some fun, quirky items like telescopes and ukuleles. During the spring, they also have a seed library if you want a set of free seeds to start growing vegetables and flowers in your garden. Public libraries are a treasure trove of free or very low cost fun.
I always said 'u cant be poor and LOOK poor'. Always dressed up to go out. Even during the pandemic i wore my lipstick under the mask. I thought it was a bit pointless but it made me feel good and that was all that mattered
Good for you
Lorraine, I did the same thing. Lipstick under the mask made sense to me and, in fact, I purchased lipstick that would not smear onto my mask.
I like to make a small bouquet from the garden. Just a few blooms in a little jar or bottle in my kitchen window sill. If I don't have flowers blooming I'll cut some herbs from my herb bed and make an herb bouquet that I use to add to dishes during the week.
You Tube has tutorials for quite a few things that take supplies on hand, such as drawing, junk journaling, quite a few crafting/up-cycling tutorials, and other such things to learn. Thanks to my ADHD I have supplies for SO MANY art projects, and sewing projects, including using a treadle sewing machine I picked up last year (yay no electricity usage). I’m not sure about other countries but the libraries in the USA have not only books but they can also have tools you can borrow, electronics, all sorts of stuff you wouldn’t expect, as well as free classes, and lots have digital items you can access for free with your library membership like movies, music, audio books, digital books, and classes. My husband and I also like table top role playing games, we already own the books so the games are free. I just ran a game called Call of Cthulhu, and used all free to download resources, this one is based in the 1920’s in the world of H.P. Lovecraft stories. It’s basically telling a story together. I haven’t looked into it, but I’ll bet there is a wealth of card games you could find the rules for online if you only have a deck of cards. Making pizza is also nearly free since you have to eat a meal anyway, making dough and sauce from scratch will cut costs considerably and if you feel like getting creative with the toppings you could use up quite a bit of food that may have otherwise gone to waste.
I have just changed out of my frumpy clothes into something nicer and put on some make up even though I'm not going out and I feel so much better. It hasn't cost me anything. Thank you, great tip.
We have Happy hour at the house appetizers & a glass a wine.
I have taken it upon myself to teach others how to start saving small but regular amounts just by changing the way they spend. I drive a taxi and it amazes me how many young (and older) people just use their cards without giving a second thought as to how much that is actually costing them. I now openly advertise that I accept Osko payments (direct instant bank transfers). If passengers pay by card in the cab, it costs them an extra 2,5% on top of their fare just for the convenience. One passenger in particular I mentioned Osko to and she has immediately started to pay using Osko, she informed me that with every one of her fares she was paying an extra 50c, now that doesn't sound like much but over the week for her, it added up to $3, which equates to one cab fare every 3.25 weeks. Her bank account is set up to round up all her purchases to the nearest dollar, with the round up amount put into a savings account. She was actually shocked to see the difference. This just proves it doesn't take much to make a difference, a little bit extra each day, gives you a little bit extra interest, which in turn grows your bank balance faster.
I dress up to go out anyway, since we've home for 2 years it lifts your mood. I'm in the U.S. and our gas has gone up every day. Combine those errand trips.
Hi Jane. Some great uplifting ideas. I trawl my garden most weeks and pick a bunch of flowers or greenery . We have fantastic wild flowers growing in our lanes. I take my scissors and the dogs for a walk breathe in the view come back with. Bunch of something to brighten up the lounge. All for free. Xx
I just love your calming and positive energy! Watched so many videos already over the past couple of days since I found your channel. My top tip to taking the pain out of penny pinching is to make good and healthy food and learn how to make gorgeous soups. Almost every night I eat a homemade soup with a piece of toast and either an egg, tuna salad or hummus or avocado. And it makes me feel so happy, balanced and comforted and it isn't an expensive meal. 🙂
Thanks very much everyone your feedback
Since the pandemic, my husband and I have rediscovered the genuine pleasure of simple activities... Thanks for those good suggestions. I love your enthusiasm ❤️
Thanks very much
I love your sweater and scarf- it looks very flattering on you. I dress nicely each day-even if it’s only taking the dog for a walk or running errands. When I get home and I’m not going out the rest of the day I will take off my nice clothes and put on lounge wear. I’m sure to hang the clothes up after wearing them. It helps me feel better about myself.
Hello from Ireland
If you wash your clothes on a shorter washing cycle it doesn't wear on your clothing as much. Blessings all Enjoy wearing your clothes it will cheer you up aswell
I live in South Alabama in the US. We have ice in our drinks every day. I never thought of it as special. But I really enjoy ice. Thanks for making me realize ice makes the meal special.
Just a Sunday drive is nice, although petrol is making it a bit pricey now. This was a very popular outing in Australian families when I was growing up. Pack a thermos and lunchbox and off you go. Listen to the car radio and go somewhere different. We haven't the time to do this every Sunday, but once a month usually. We will usually take bread rolls, tomato sauce and buy hot chips to fill them at our destination and eat. We love it. The kids do too. Making memories.
Yes, in the U.S., it's an appetizer. Thanks for these great suggestions! I'm going to dig out a tablecloth & cloth napkins for my table.
Jane you a bright star in not so bright times. Great video. Thank you. Instead of meeting my friend for lunch tomorrow it will be a coffee but I will now dress up:) One treat we did last year and will do again this summer, was take our pop up gazebo, picnic table and chairs and camping equipment to a very quiet beach near us and arrange with friends to meet for breakfast and cooked it there. We had a lovely time.
Thanks for watching
We always sit at our table each lunchtime and in the summer we lay the table in the sun lounge and eat in there at 3 o’clock we lay the tray with tea pot it’s a thing we have always done we have been doing for a lot of years we like you retired early debt free Bx
Really enjoyed that video today are yes my brother brought me painting on glass I've collected empty jam jars and waiting for friends to help me paint them going to do tea party over Easter and make tea light candle add garden wire to make handles x
We live on the coast so we enjoy walking along the beach, around the Bay, bush walking, climbing Mt Tomaree for amazing views of the coastline. Walking across Fingal Spit to a lighthouse. These all cost nothing.
I love your ideas: I love watching movies and listening to music
I am saving on everything as I am going through a series of treatments for dry eyes. This is not covered by the Universal Healthcare, and is really expensive.. So, I am saving on everything, when everything is getting more and more expensive... One of my favourite things is to visit friends, we do not go overboard with cooking, just a sandwich or a cup of coffee will do. I went for lunch at a friends house the other day, she had decluttered her wardrobe, and picked out some items that thought would fit me. What a bliss 💕 I like to light a t-light on my coffee table every evening. It makes the room cozy. 🌸
The ocean..I love the ocean..Eat at home then pop a fruit and a refillable bottle of water and just enjoy the ocean.
We live close to the mountains so our favorite thing to do is take a picnic or dinner and go spend the day doing a few walks and enjoy being outside. Now that the nicer weather is coming we love taking our grandchildren to a nearby park where we can picnic and cook something over an open fire pit. We go for a walk afterwards and look for all the animals and bugs that are coming out. With the rising price of fuel I think we will be doing that more often this year than travelling further away. We also live in a lake community where we have access to a beach, playground , splash park and picnic area so we'll be taking the opportunity to spend lots of time there. Thank you for all the other good tips. I will be dressing up the table more often and planting some flowers this spring that we can enjoy as a centerpiece.
So true ~ you don't need to spend a lot of money to have a nice life. Simplicity is often best. Feeling under pressure is not great and many are feeling that way so looking for ways to enjoy the day is especially important.
I fully agree with you. We are blessed to have a garden and watching the antics of the birds is very simple and free, they give us great pleasure and make us smile. Appreciating the simple things in life is a wonderful way to live. Money cannot always give you these precious moments.
You are very entertaining! What I enjoy for free: A good book to read. Cheating, perhaps, because the book had to be paid for but books are oxygen for me! I always have them around so no need to buy one specially!
Hi Hi Jane and Mike you are so right in all your great ideas. We do a car picnic once a month and go to our favourite places I also organise an afternoon tea for myself and it just my lunch and a small scone or pancake that are in the freezer and put on music I love and dress up totally for my treat Anna.
you have an excellent buoyant attitude and joyful spirit. God bless you🌻👏🌻👏🌻
I make a cheaper type of fish tasty every Monday as celebration " dinner night" . Enjoyed my terrace with a book and a homemade lemonade🌝already. We do movie night with free Netflix, a walk in the park surrounding / countryside watching tulips🌷 or on the beach ( 20 min) with lunchbox and a flask of tea. We did some carpicknick too when I was not able to walk for a long periode, that was so much fun!!!! Frugal life is so enjoyable 😍. I sometimes bake basic glutenfree cookies or cheesecake ( lactose free yoghurt, egg and corn flour, suger or stevia to taste) in the weekend for the "luxurious "feeling switching up the cookiedough with lemonzest, cinnamon, 15 grams of chocolate, a handfull chopped nuts, raisins or dried mint. Or plane with a bit of jam on top or icingsuger made out half a teaspoon of grounded suger ( way cheaper than buying icing suger)
Loved your ideas! I’m trying to think of something special I could do once a month.
We did a big supermarket shop yesterday and we’re astounded with the price increases! Everything was more expensive so cuts will certainly have to be made! A small treat will have to happen now and again to give us a bit of a lift and your ideas will come in very handy!
Exactly the same for us. We’ve cut anything that isn’t good for us. We still need to eat but will focus on the good stuff only.
I've been to Leclerc. And fabulous even flour is at the same price 🥰
So many great tips there Jane, thank you. We always had family Saturday 'movie night' and still do even though only two of us now . l like to 'theme' the movie with a meal. This nk weeks movie is set in Greek Isles, so will plan a frugal Greek recipe. Last week Sat movie was set in the Caribbean, so l did a movie treat of sliced banana pancakes with Nuttella dip. So much fun on a Monday planning the following weekend movie and looking for frugal meal treats. Love the idea of sitting outside when having coffee break. If l like to sit outside when at a cafe why dont l do it at home and just stopping for once to look at my garden flowers. And if its raining , from now on, im going to set up a cozy corner by the window, take my coffee break and just enjoy the moments peace of watching the rain.
Thanks for sharing
There's some great ideas here Jane 👍 I love to visit the coast in any weather/season but it's not possible at the moment, but one thing which I'm planning to do as the weather gets better is to go for a walk in the park/woodlands near where I live &/or sit in the garden just talking with a snack & a drink with my partner/cousin, the best things in life are the free/frugal meaningful moments and I think that we can appreciate them more than experiences that we pay for 😊
I love a leisurely drive and a picnic also!!
I love to lay the table up with candles and fabric napkins ! A lovely picnic out with a rug and my wicker hamper makes you feel special too ( not today though it’s snowing !) I always make time to sit for afternoon coffee in the garden in the summer to make the most of any sunny weather . We are an hours drive from the beach so I can’t see any trips just yet with fuel being as it is but we live on the edge of a forest so get out regularly in nature for forest walks . Movie night is another must for us too ( homemade popcorn !) We do a drinks and nibbles night with friends they bring a bottle we make a few tapas type things it’s so nice to get together especially when I’ve made elderflower champagne in may !!
I can still afford a coffee with a friend or a trip into town on the bus for a free music event or gallery exhibit. Sometimes it's a splurge on fuel to do a hike in the countryside or a picnic somewhere nice.
Jane, I put a tablecloth on my table every day. Why save them for the kids? They do not care or want them to make yourself happy and put on a tablecloth and enjoy!! Puts a smile on my face.
Thanks for watching
Loved your title!!! You have such a joyful way in today's discussion. This is a very timely subject. I am waiting for spring to come here in eastern lowa. Then I can work in the garden and yard. I like when you both go to your recycle center and thrift shops. You have created a wonderful home. I think when I get improvements done to our home, appreciate every thing because it is making a better place because we are home buddies. Kudos to Mike and you to the life you have made. Thank you.
Love the scarf Jane! Favorite thing ever is a picnic dinner on the beach when the weather permits - even in tourist season parking is free by then and it surely feels like we're on vacation.
We have started eating at the dining room table again instead of the kitchen we’d stopped doing it for some reason when the children left home. I like to light a scented candle and enjoy our meal there again. I was so looking forward to using my free bus pass when I got to 66 and so far it’s still unused since last July, I’d intended going somewhere different each week for free and having a nice walk with a picnic. Take care and keep producing these wonderful thought provoking video’s …….. Love Wendy ♥️💋🌈
Thanks for watching
Hi Jane and Mike, we use our dining room table for all our meals. No TV, a great time to enjoy some great conversations. Once a month, I visit my Mum and take afternoon tea, which I have prepared. It's such a treat especially for my Mum who has hardly been out in the last 2 years. Your garden is looking great.
Jane what can I say you've done it again! Ilove you and I have never met you. Your videos are so uplifting and helpful to me I have been deeply depressed for about 2 years and now I can see a light at the end of the depression . God bless you and your husband!😇
Great reminders to take consistent breaks to celebrate the little things. Thanks!
Entree here in Australia. Great ideas and reminders on what we can do.
I've started reconnecting with dear old friends whom I'd lost touch with over time and geographic moves. Maybe just a card and a note (so only the cost of a postage stamp) and the results have been fabulous. They too are retired and feeling a bit isolated during the Pandemic so happy to catch up. Now that they and I have reconnected, we are texting and phoning much more regularly and even have some in person visits planned.
We used to go to the coast a lot, it's 90 minutes away. Now that we're disabled, we need something around the house. For a treat hub's might get an ice cream and I'll get Italian ice (dairy allergy). Or we'll play with the cats using the fishing pole with a toy on it. We may buy a fruit pie. Or he'll watch something on his computer and I'll watch something on mine. The past few days have been money talk. He noticed the money in the savings and still quite a bit of money in the checking to cover the last month of bills, property tax due next month, groceries and some left over. 🥰
@@NessaRossini... so sorry about the disabilities. It must be dreadful to have gone from health and mobility to being unable to do the things you used to do. It's a fear of mine. We do everything we can to avoid future problems. We're even given up sugar totally.
Thank you Jan for your inspiration
Loved this video...so positive and uplifting. We start out every morning with mugs of tea by the fire. We listen to CBC radio for the news of the day and then switch to jazz and discuss the day ahead. I love fashion so always have fun planning an outfit for going out for chores or just a walk.
Gardening makes me feel rich. My platons are shocked at the return of the snow, chilling on the windowsill.
Eating outside makes me feel great also. Luckily the 4year old agrees, and those garden lunches really jazz up our mundane days. Tonight there is a community dance party I'll go to. Alcohol free and byod. So completely free of charge.
A good idea for socializing is also a potluck!!
Wonderful Jane, this came at a perfect time, was feeling a bit low this week with all the NO NOT DOING/BUYING THAT this month, instead choosing FRUGAL options instead, this made my March Budget come out with more savings. Your videos are a sweet treat, and IN MY BUDGET ! Cheers to U & Honey Husband!
I have a time crunch as well as the money crunch so an uplifting thing for me would be to take a snack or lunch and a flask of some sort of drink and go for a walk in a park with a friend for a free little outing and have a picnic or having a few friends round to play board games one evening with tea and a cake or something. It's all about the little things and make memories with friends and loved ones. Loved all of your suggestions! Thanks for another great video!
I do enjoy going to the seaside with my young children I live only a 20 minute drive away from Cleethorpes. I don’t drive so have to take public transport admittedly we don’t go very often
Hi Jane and Michael, I said this before, but you two deliver great content. Always encouraging and uplifting, I truly love your channel, thank you! Sending warm wishes from South Africa. ⚘
Thank you
To go to an old Elizabethan town and go for a walk with a friend. Or, to go to the same town, find my favourite coffee shop, take a book, sit in a window seat, have oat milk with turmeric or coffee and just relax for an afternoon.
Great video. One of the things I love doing that’s somewhat free (if you don’t count the cost of the notebook and pen) is journaling. I journal pretty much every day, but once a month. I like to bring my journal with me on a walk, sit on a bench with a lovely view and journal about my intentions for the next month. It makes me think back and see all my progress as well as focus in on what’s actually attainable for the next month.
Love listening to you, Jane! ❤
If I didn't have to pay for it, I'd go visit my bishop once a month and go to Church there. Baring that, I'd have some friends over for a meal. I might even get my car professionally cleaned once a month. I'd also have progression cleaners come to my house to clean! Looks like there are quite a few things I'd love to have it get done....hard to pick just one!☺
Hello from America 😘
I'm going to take your advice and get back into spicing up things and enjoying the small pleasures of life as I go along.
I've focused so much on frugality and safety during these Pandemic times that I've forgotten "fun"!