Cutting back on social media consumption (except RUclips) has been one of the best financial decisions of my life. Less influence to buy things helps me save my willpower for more productive things. Great video!
Aw thank you! 😊 I'm always happy to hear what topics people would like me to cover so feel free to let me know if you're looking for something specific!
Yes I completely agree, get rid of expenses that do not bring you value. My small luxuries is a nice coffee out on the weekend while I walk my dog and a dining experience once a weekend.
I agree the most on social media influences. It's extremely tempting to be absorbing content that makes you want to buy things, own things, and just have things.
"You didn't save money, you spent money you weren't planning on spending in the first place" -- this is so true! Honestly it's hard to go anywhere online without being targeted with ads and shopping deals, but resisting those impulse purchases puts so much more money in the bank. We're not trying to impress anyone except ourselves!
Thanks for that junk email tip! I'm gonna use that one!! Alex you should introduce yourself and your channel at the beginning of your video, and suggest for people to like and subscribe in the first 30 seconds. Most people won't make it to the end and will forget!! BTW congrats on hitting 100 subs!!
Thanks for the feedback! I was using an intro for my first few videos but I've been testing out how the videos do without one. I'll be sure to at least mention my name and a reminder to like/subscribe in the future.
Round of applause 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 encore👏🏽👏🏽 I agree with all of this. From the streaming services, to the monthly expenses to the go-to meals. Rocking vid buddy
Great video, Alex. All such easy things to cut down which is literally going to earn you money! High phone contracts are madness, sharing subscriptions is a great idea and I too have starting planning my food ahead of time!
This video is so on point, Alex. The first area I focused on to cut down my expenses was FOOD. Omg, that was my single biggest expense. Then I cut off as many subscription plans as possible like Hulu, Netflix, etc. when you can literally use free movie websites online. I think it's all about mindset after that -- just be creative in how you hang out with friends, you don't need to buy drinks all the time and spend money to have fun. And have a clear goal as to why you're saving. -- love this video, keep it up!
Thanks for watching! I totally agree. Food was a big one - the pandemic caused me to stop eating out almost entirely, so that saved a lot of money. I also made the switch to a plant-based diet a few months ago which has saved me even more money, especially with the current meat shortages. I'm glad you enjoyed the video!
Alex Rae - Personal Finance interesting, i might go plant-based too then. Healthier and cheaper. Also Alex, I wanted to ask you how you get so much engagement for your videos. I’m struggling with that now 😟🥴
@@AkhilNova Going plant-based is definitely a great option for so many reasons!! I follow a lot of other small finance RUclipsrs and engage with their content. You end being part of a small community that way which is awesome!
Alex Rae - Personal Finance Thank you so much for the advice. Definitely going to work on that. Keep killing it, Alex. I’ll be here for your next upload 😌
It’s just as much about getting in the mindset of watching what you spend.. we know a £3 Coffee once a week won’t really BREAK the bank but the habit of making it at home will filter in to other things in your life .. it’s about getting your “pay yourself first” game on
I think it's amazing that you suggested that if we went down to exact essentials it would be a unfufilling life. There's a balance we need. Next time Im talking to a college student i NEED to show them this video. Thanks for the content. New subscriber here :)
Yep, minimalism has definitely helped on my path to financial independence. It's much easier to limit spending when you try to keep clutter out of your life!
The biggest killer is food! Especially fast food, but my big killer is energy drinks as I’m a caffeine addict. Luckily I use the subscriptions I pay for especially Spotify premium. Great job talking about this!
I've never heard of MVNOs before so maybe you could expand on it in a future FIRE video, but in the mean time: Did you switch from a normal mobile carrier? If so, did you notice a change in cell reception or customer service? Do you know which major provider's infrastructure your MVNO uses? I'm sure I'll have even more questions but since I'm just learning about this I don't even know what to ask (which is super exciting!!).
Great questions! I actually moved cities at the same time as I switched to an MVNO plan, so I can't comment on the change in service. But my friends seem to have very similar reception. My MVNO uses Verizon infrastructure for calls/SMS and Sprint for data. I've never actually had to contact customer service, but I imagine it can vary wildly by provider. MVNOs very rarely have brick-and-mortar stores, so it can be difficult to get quick assistance if you can only contact them via phone/email. I can definitely make a video with more information! I'll do some more research to add objective data to my subjective experience.
Would the MVNO be something like Mint Mobile? I remember them saying something like the big corporations have way more data then they will use, so they sell it for cheap to smaller companies, like mint mobile. And then Mint mobile can sell it to the consumer for also very cheap. Either way, awesome video, and early congrats on almost hitting 100!!
Exactly!! Mint Mobile is one of the more well-known ones but there are dozens of MVNOs on the market. It's a win-win-win for the big corporations, the MVNOs, and the consumers.
I need to check out Mint - I've heard great things about it. For car insurance, we increased our deductible to lower the premiums but also increased our liability coverage. It's scary to think that one bad accident could wipe out all of your savings, so having that extra coverage gives some piece of mind.
@@AlexQuinnYT Yup, increase liability. That is why an emergency fund is key for these reasons. Having a cash back credit card with a sign up bonus to make those insurances purchases certainly helps.
Absolutely! If I ever need to purchase something over $1,000 or so, I look around to see if there are any credit card deals going on with good sign-up bonuses. Credit card churning is a whole topic by itself!
@@AlexQuinnYT Yup, and I'm also gonna start bank account churning soon. I'm trying focus groups for side income, but I think a side hustle that is something you're passionate about (such as RUclips) is the best way for long-term happiness.
Haha "you stupid millennial!" You had really solid advice in this video. I really agree with what you said about subscription services. I need to work on the social media influences... I promise I will improve!
Hey Alex, the phone monthly subscriptions can be a big charge. It is wise to shop around and pick a more affordable service provider that meets your needs 🙂 Great video.
Those monthly box stuff :-D So many companies do that cause people actually subscribe. Well done for pointing it out! It really is an avenue that I agree you can save on! Cool content! Subscribed ***
Hey Alex, this video was very valuable - especially when you mentioned MVNO, because I’ve never heard about it. Right now I am looking for a new phone contract and definitely consider this way! Liked and subbed your channel :)
I really like your content delivery. You have an amazing personality. (Not sure if you would like some feedback but) it would be even better if you used some hand gestures if possible. Subbed!
Crockpots are awesome but if you want to upgrade at some point, I HIGHLY recommend getting an InstaPot. They're both a slow cooker and pressure cooker in one. It's also the only way I can make perfect rice!
About meat consumption we can definitely cut down on meat. It is indeed the most expensive part of a grocery list. Of course not everyone can go vegan or substitute meat with legumes. If you have food intolerance or IBS that will be a hard thing to do. During lockdown I found some delicious recipes with red lentils and cheap vegetables like potatoes and carrots. It was a great lunch for some stressful days working from home.
Definitely - everyone has their own dietary restrictions. But if you're able to eat legumes, they are a GREAT alternative to meat. It might just take your digestive track a little while to adjust! 😂
Such helpful Tips Alex! Hey I don't know... Those Starbucks and Avocado Toast DOES ADD up 👀 Lol Definitely solid advice on cutting out things not worth the money.
Such great advice. I use a family plan of spotify and headspace (for meditation) and I split it with friends. Then the cost is really low. Regarding avocado toast, I didnt know that was a thing before I saw Graham Stephan's video. Since then I buy avocado from turkish supermarkets, which sell 3 avocados for 1 euro. I make avocado toast at home :) !
Yes - you can save a lot of money doing that! Avocado toast is actually so good. I eat it many times a week with different toppings. We have a store here called Trader Joe's and they sell tiny, undersized avocados for much cheaper than the full-size ones. They're the perfect size for avocado toast and you're also not stuck with leftover avocado that goes bad in 4 hours.
Sort of - it tends to be more affordable than the big grocery stores, but I think the produce is much better than Aldi's. It's known for having a lot of natural, unprocessed foods and they have a lot of great vegan/vegetarian options! I love Trader Joe's because it feels a lot less "corporatey" than the big grocery chains.
I've actually never heard of MVNOs. Have you noticed a change in service? Do you use your own devices or do they also provide them at a set price? Social media has such a big impact on how we spend money! Thanks so much for this video! New subscriber :) Hope to support each other in the future!
Thank you! I moved cities at the same time as I switched to an MVNO plan, so I can't comment on a change in service, but I seem to have very similar reception as my friends. Most MVNO plans typically require that you own your phone outright, but I think there are some that do offer monthly payment plans.
Bring satisfied by what we have is best. My mind is locked to the bs. I treat my time and my money as the same resource. Takes a lot to get my time so it takes a lot to get my money. Are you vegan?
Totally agree. And no, I'm not 100% vegan yet, but I'm slowly working on it! Pretty much everything I cook at home is vegan, but I'm not as strict when I'm with friends. I have other motivations beyond just saving money like animal cruelty, environment, and health, but I only touched on the finance aspect in the video because this is a personal finance channel. I think everyone should aim for at least one vegan meal per week though - there are so many tasty dishes out there that don't include animal products!
![Diggy Graves - Red Vineyard [Official Lyric Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/8Ro085T0mnQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Cutting back on social media consumption (except RUclips) has been one of the best financial decisions of my life. Less influence to buy things helps me save my willpower for more productive things. Great video!
Thank you! I totally agree, it's just about being mindful of who you follow.
My new favorite channel.
Aw thank you! 😊 I'm always happy to hear what topics people would like me to cover so feel free to let me know if you're looking for something specific!
Yes I completely agree, get rid of expenses that do not bring you value. My small luxuries is a nice coffee out on the weekend while I walk my dog and a dining experience once a weekend.
Those sound awesome!
Very true. Cutting expenses is a very important key to success and financial freedom.
I agree the most on social media influences. It's extremely tempting to be absorbing content that makes you want to buy things, own things, and just have things.
Totally. And it's so hard to see that you're being influenced when you're in the middle of it!
This is definitely the time to start cutting back on expenses. Next concern would be keeping our income steady during these times too. Nice video!
Totally agree. 2020 has made a strong case for larger emergency funds. Thanks for watching!
"You didn't save money, you spent money you weren't planning on spending in the first place" -- this is so true! Honestly it's hard to go anywhere online without being targeted with ads and shopping deals, but resisting those impulse purchases puts so much more money in the bank. We're not trying to impress anyone except ourselves!
I totally agree! Thanks for watching. 😊
Awesome video Alex! So many ways to save money here and there and it certainly adds up over time!
Thanks so much Pierce!
@@AlexQuinnYT No problem!
Less browsing of the internet gives me more peace of mind too. I love this video
Thanks for watching!
Great video Alex, limiting social media influence was a GOOD one, many struggle with this and this tip is usually overlooked!
Thanks for watching!
Great video, Alex - you are absolutely right, small expenses definitely add up!
hey just came across your channel, looking forward to supporting! great vid!
Thanks so much for watching!
You’re good. Well explained and understood. And you mentioned some outside of the box points I could follow. Great share!
Thank you so much!
Some really good points here, thanks for the insight
So easy to see how everything adds up! Im defiantly guilty of spending on unnecessary things aswell
Great video... I didn't know about MVNO.
Thanks for watching!
6:10 its almost impossible to convince people how true this is... "it was on sale"
Thanks for that junk email tip! I'm gonna use that one!!
Alex you should introduce yourself and your channel at the beginning of your video, and suggest for people to like and subscribe in the first 30 seconds. Most people won't make it to the end and will forget!! BTW congrats on hitting 100 subs!!
Thanks for the feedback! I was using an intro for my first few videos but I've been testing out how the videos do without one. I'll be sure to at least mention my name and a reminder to like/subscribe in the future.
Love the video! Those large recurring payments really add up, especially when you lose track of how many you have
Definitely!
Great video love saving money.
“Get rid of expenses you don’t find worth the money”. Solid advice. Gotta stop and realize what we are spending on so we can stop. Thanks
Thanks for watching!
awesome video and the +junkmail tip is great
Round of applause 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 encore👏🏽👏🏽 I agree with all of this. From the streaming services, to the monthly expenses to the go-to meals. Rocking vid buddy
Thanks so much for watching!
Love this practical information!
Thanks!
Great video, Alex. All such easy things to cut down which is literally going to earn you money! High phone contracts are madness, sharing subscriptions is a great idea and I too have starting planning my food ahead of time!
Thanks so much for watching!
Liked and watched in RT! Great video!
Joe
Thanks for watching!
This video was really engaging. I was constantly intrigued!
Thank you!
Great ways! This was my first time hearing about that phone service. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching!
These are some great tips! I’ll definitely make sure to avoid these purchases! Great video!
Thanks for watching!
This video is so on point, Alex.
The first area I focused on to cut down my expenses was FOOD. Omg, that was my single biggest expense. Then I cut off as many subscription plans as possible like Hulu, Netflix, etc. when you can literally use free movie websites online. I think it's all about mindset after that -- just be creative in how you hang out with friends, you don't need to buy drinks all the time and spend money to have fun. And have a clear goal as to why you're saving. -- love this video, keep it up!
Thanks for watching! I totally agree. Food was a big one - the pandemic caused me to stop eating out almost entirely, so that saved a lot of money. I also made the switch to a plant-based diet a few months ago which has saved me even more money, especially with the current meat shortages. I'm glad you enjoyed the video!
Alex Rae - Personal Finance interesting, i might go plant-based too then. Healthier and cheaper. Also Alex, I wanted to ask you how you get so much engagement for your videos. I’m struggling with that now 😟🥴
@@AkhilNova Going plant-based is definitely a great option for so many reasons!! I follow a lot of other small finance RUclipsrs and engage with their content. You end being part of a small community that way which is awesome!
Alex Rae - Personal Finance Thank you so much for the advice. Definitely going to work on that. Keep killing it, Alex. I’ll be here for your next upload 😌
Thank you!! You too!
It’s just as much about getting in the mindset of watching what you spend.. we know a £3 Coffee once a week won’t really BREAK the bank but the habit of making it at home will filter in to other things in your life .. it’s about getting your “pay yourself first” game on
Definitely - I totally agree!
love the tips!
Thank you!
The Starbucks and avocado toast jokes are my favorite 😂
I can't remember the last time I drank coffee, but I eat avocado toast at least 4 times a week. Good thing I'm not technically a Millennial. 😂
I think it's amazing that you suggested that if we went down to exact essentials it would be a unfufilling life. There's a balance we need. Next time Im talking to a college student i NEED to show them this video. Thanks for the content. New subscriber here :)
Thanks for watching and welcome!! 😊
Such good tips! Definitely something to think about :) just liked and subscribed!
Thank you!
Awesome video!
Thank you!
Excellent advice, just subscribed. :D
Thank you!
I didn't know you were a minimalist. That's awesome. I think most personal finance RUclipsrs are minimalists. I guess it goes with the territory.
Yep, minimalism has definitely helped on my path to financial independence. It's much easier to limit spending when you try to keep clutter out of your life!
Subbed to you!!! Keep up the good content
Thank you!
The biggest killer is food! Especially fast food, but my big killer is energy drinks as I’m a caffeine addict. Luckily I use the subscriptions I pay for especially Spotify premium. Great job talking about this!
Definitely! Thanks for watching.
I've never heard of MVNOs before so maybe you could expand on it in a future FIRE video, but in the mean time:
Did you switch from a normal mobile carrier? If so, did you notice a change in cell reception or customer service? Do you know which major provider's infrastructure your MVNO uses?
I'm sure I'll have even more questions but since I'm just learning about this I don't even know what to ask (which is super exciting!!).
Great questions! I actually moved cities at the same time as I switched to an MVNO plan, so I can't comment on the change in service. But my friends seem to have very similar reception. My MVNO uses Verizon infrastructure for calls/SMS and Sprint for data.
I've never actually had to contact customer service, but I imagine it can vary wildly by provider. MVNOs very rarely have brick-and-mortar stores, so it can be difficult to get quick assistance if you can only contact them via phone/email.
I can definitely make a video with more information! I'll do some more research to add objective data to my subjective experience.
@@AlexQuinnYT Awesome! Hopefully it makes for a good video as well! :D
Yeah I'm starting to question the 50gb of data I use to watch tiktok videos ...
Would the MVNO be something like Mint Mobile? I remember them saying something like the big corporations have way more data then they will use, so they sell it for cheap to smaller companies, like mint mobile. And then Mint mobile can sell it to the consumer for also very cheap. Either way, awesome video, and early congrats on almost hitting 100!!
Exactly!! Mint Mobile is one of the more well-known ones but there are dozens of MVNOs on the market. It's a win-win-win for the big corporations, the MVNOs, and the consumers.
I pay $15/month for Mint Mobile. Also, having $1000 deductibles on comprehensive and collision coverage for car insurance lowers your premiums.
I need to check out Mint - I've heard great things about it.
For car insurance, we increased our deductible to lower the premiums but also increased our liability coverage. It's scary to think that one bad accident could wipe out all of your savings, so having that extra coverage gives some piece of mind.
@@AlexQuinnYT Yup, increase liability. That is why an emergency fund is key for these reasons. Having a cash back credit card with a sign up bonus to make those insurances purchases certainly helps.
Absolutely! If I ever need to purchase something over $1,000 or so, I look around to see if there are any credit card deals going on with good sign-up bonuses. Credit card churning is a whole topic by itself!
@@AlexQuinnYT Yup, and I'm also gonna start bank account churning soon. I'm trying focus groups for side income, but I think a side hustle that is something you're passionate about (such as RUclips) is the best way for long-term happiness.
Bank account churning is awesome. I've made over $1,000 doing it over the last 2-3 months. You just need to stay organized!
Good job!!! 😁
Thanks Mindy!! 😊
I watched it all! 😁
Thanks Mindy I appreciate it :)
😁✌️
Haha "you stupid millennial!" You had really solid advice in this video. I really agree with what you said about subscription services. I need to work on the social media influences... I promise I will improve!
Thanks for watching! Good luck 😊
Hey Alex, the phone monthly subscriptions can be a big charge. It is wise to shop around and pick a more affordable service provider that meets your needs 🙂 Great video.
Definitely! You can shop around for so many things - rarely do I buy something without researching other options.
@@AlexQuinnYT That is definitely a smart strategy 👍🙂
Those monthly box stuff :-D So many companies do that cause people actually subscribe. Well done for pointing it out! It really is an avenue that I agree you can save on! Cool content! Subscribed ***
Thanks so much! I think subscription boxes are like gyms - the sellers are banking on you being too lazy/forgetful to cancel your subscription.
Hey Alex, this video was very valuable - especially when you mentioned MVNO, because I’ve never heard about it. Right now I am looking for a new phone contract and definitely consider this way! Liked and subbed your channel :)
Thanks for watching! MVNO is definitely a good option to consider.
Thanks for sharing such idea sis on how to stop wasting money.. new friend here..Let's stay connected..see u
I will look into MVNO. Thank you for sharing very useful info.👍👍48 😍😎. Just subbed, 131, hope to stay connected with you.
I really like your content delivery. You have an amazing personality. (Not sure if you would like some feedback but) it would be even better if you used some hand gestures if possible. Subbed!
Thanks, I appreciate the feedback! I think that's a fair point.
::drinking avocado frappuccino:: I'm doubling-down on being a millennial 😃
Smart *taps head*
Lol, I make lentil soup to save money. I started doing it in the crockpot earlier this year.
Crockpots are awesome but if you want to upgrade at some point, I HIGHLY recommend getting an InstaPot. They're both a slow cooker and pressure cooker in one. It's also the only way I can make perfect rice!
Great tips....so much junk we can actually cut out. If folks track all their regular expenses they’d probably notice a lot of these things 😁👍
Thanks! I totally agree.
About meat consumption we can definitely cut down on meat. It is indeed the most expensive part of a grocery list. Of course not everyone can go vegan or substitute meat with legumes. If you have food intolerance or IBS that will be a hard thing to do. During lockdown I found some delicious recipes with red lentils and cheap vegetables like potatoes and carrots. It was a great lunch for some stressful days working from home.
Definitely - everyone has their own dietary restrictions. But if you're able to eat legumes, they are a GREAT alternative to meat. It might just take your digestive track a little while to adjust! 😂
@@AlexQuinnYT well now working from home I don't have to worry about the side effects of eating beans and lentils 😂😂😂.
Such helpful Tips Alex!
Hey I don't know... Those Starbucks and Avocado Toast DOES ADD up 👀 Lol
Definitely solid advice on cutting out things not worth the money.
Thanks for watching!
Such great advice. I use a family plan of spotify and headspace (for meditation) and I split it with friends. Then the cost is really low. Regarding avocado toast, I didnt know that was a thing before I saw Graham Stephan's video. Since then I buy avocado from turkish supermarkets, which sell 3 avocados for 1 euro. I make avocado toast at home :) !
Yes - you can save a lot of money doing that! Avocado toast is actually so good. I eat it many times a week with different toppings. We have a store here called Trader Joe's and they sell tiny, undersized avocados for much cheaper than the full-size ones. They're the perfect size for avocado toast and you're also not stuck with leftover avocado that goes bad in 4 hours.
@@AlexQuinnYT is trader Joe's something like Aldi?
Sort of - it tends to be more affordable than the big grocery stores, but I think the produce is much better than Aldi's. It's known for having a lot of natural, unprocessed foods and they have a lot of great vegan/vegetarian options! I love Trader Joe's because it feels a lot less "corporatey" than the big grocery chains.
House hacking is a really good way to cut down your expenses as well
Definitely! I plan on doing this for my first home purchase.
I've actually never heard of MVNOs. Have you noticed a change in service? Do you use your own devices or do they also provide them at a set price? Social media has such a big impact on how we spend money! Thanks so much for this video! New subscriber :) Hope to support each other in the future!
Thank you! I moved cities at the same time as I switched to an MVNO plan, so I can't comment on a change in service, but I seem to have very similar reception as my friends. Most MVNO plans typically require that you own your phone outright, but I think there are some that do offer monthly payment plans.
Great video new friend here sending my genuine love and support stay con.
Hey! Great video! I also want to recommend the app TextNow - Its a free calling and texting app in usa and Canada that work if you have WiFI...
I'll have to check it out! Thanks for the tip.
@@AlexQuinnYT My pleasure!
Bring satisfied by what we have is best. My mind is locked to the bs.
I treat my time and my money as the same resource. Takes a lot to get my time so it takes a lot to get my money.
Are you vegan?
Totally agree. And no, I'm not 100% vegan yet, but I'm slowly working on it! Pretty much everything I cook at home is vegan, but I'm not as strict when I'm with friends. I have other motivations beyond just saving money like animal cruelty, environment, and health, but I only touched on the finance aspect in the video because this is a personal finance channel. I think everyone should aim for at least one vegan meal per week though - there are so many tasty dishes out there that don't include animal products!
Alex Rae - Personal Finance
Agreed. And same here.