I’ll be honest, I’m scared! I’m 71 and I live with my dog. I’m all we have. We live on my social security. I don’t know how much longer we’ll be able to keep the house. Thankful that I have been putting food and medical supplies away for the last 3 years.
I am in a similar situation. I do not have a lot of food or meds.I am diabetic, so storing insulin is not really possible. Best of luck to you , and God bless.
Do you have anyone you know who is also struggling? Maybe ban together. I have been working that out, it may take a few in a household together to make it, have to learn to downsize, work together .
I think the best advise is something is better than nothing. People get paralyzed thinking they need to buy the case of beans or have hundreds of dollars...stop thinking of it as all or nothing. Go buy a $10 plastic tub one week. The next week buy 2 cans of veggies that you like and put it in the tub. The next week buy a box of spaghetti and one can of sauce to add to the tub. The next week buy a bag of rice and add to the tub. Continue adding something every week till full. When the tub is filled, repeat with another tub. Slow but steady.
When our kids were little I was a stay at home Mom. My husband lost his job. We would go to Aldis. If we were lucky 3 or 4 people would leave their carts would leave their carts in the parking lot and my kids would get out of the car quick and grab them. Before you knew it we had enough quarters to buy a jiffy mix and 2 cans of corn one regular corn and one creamed corn. All 25cents each. Filled up my babies bellies . Our boys thought we were playing a game. They didnt know how desperate times were.God helped us through.
@@g-mawmhatton4751 us too. We turn the heat really low to avoid frozen pipes but wear multiple layers inside to keep warm. A ski cap inside to keep your head warm is a must for me. I'm typing with fingerless mitts on my hands.
We all have that fabulous sweater with the pulled out neck, stain or that massive snag. Start keeping it in your pajama 14:23 drawer. At this moment I'm wearing PJ's, wool socks, fingerless gloves, a ski hat and a stained sweatshirt. Every little bit helps.
Eat at home and ditch anything that is not a necessity. I learned this lesson. I ditched so many things!! It really does help out financially. Also, spend more time outdoors in Gods world and pray your heart out to Him! Get saved if you haven’t yet ❤y’all and I am praying for all of us!! 🙏 🙏 🙏
The $6 Starbucks drink every day is not a necessity. Make your pb&j sandwich for your lunch at work instead of getting fast food. Cable,Netflix,other subscriptions are luxuries. Every $5 adds up quickly!
My biggest, most important tip is to never, ever waste even one little scrap of food. If you and your kids don't like leftovers, tough. Get used to eating every bit of food that comes into the house. Use every little bit of every product that comes into your house. Cut open your shampoo bottles to get the last little bit out. Cut open lotion bottles and scrape out the stuff that's stuck on the bottom. Squeeze that tube of toothpaste flat against the counter edge to get every little bit out. Also, don't buy something just because it's cheap, if you're not REALY going to use it.
Walmart discounts their day old rotisserie chicken the next day. They chill them over night. Mine reduces theirs to $3.03. Ask about them they may not be easily visible.
This may seem extreme to some, but this is what I do to get by every month on $1600 permanent disability income. - Learn to sew, even if it’s only by hand. I sew my own hygiene pads, wash, sterilize and reuse. I made critter pee pads also for when I help with local wildlife rescue. I made diapers and belly bands for my old pups. I cut up old t-shirts to use as rags for home and garden. I’ve sewn homemade handkerchiefs to use instead of buying disposable tissues. I sew handbags and wallets to sell out of scrap or donated fabrics. I crochet washable rugs out of yarn and sell or gift those. Some of the fabric and yarn was given to me in exchange for helping with estate sales. I fix or patch holes or tears in my clothes and socks. - I keep my heat down to around 65* in winter and air up to around 78-80* in summer. - I grow, can, freeze, dehydrate as much of my food as I can. I also shop sales when I can. I cook from scratch. My food, my dog’s food and my critters food when I have critters. I am on a renal diet which is very restrictive so I never eat fast food. I don’t drink pop for the same reason. At 59 years old, disabled, getting paid around $1600 once per month, I don’t qualify for food stamps. 🤷♀️ - I dropped my Internet service with AT&T and also my cell plan with Straight Talk. I do both with Xfinity now and have reduced my overall bill by $100/mo. I don’t have cable, just stream the Internet. I use the Internet for selling things I make and for a side hustle I do. - The side hustle I do is to manage a local flea/antique/vintage mall’s social media accounts in exchange for my own little booth and I make purses, bags, wallets, soaps, etc., to sell in the booth. - I am a disabled Registered Nurse and no longer work in that field at all because I just can’t do it anymore physically. I bought this house in a smallish town 5 years ago, paid $30,000 for it and took out a 15 year loan at a very low, fixed interest rate so thankfully my payments are cheap. This home is a fixer upper, but it’s mainly cosmetic and I’ve been slowly doing the work myself when I can afford materials. Otherwise, it’s an old, solid house built in 1932, but it’s comfortable and very livable as is. I got it mainly because it’s 4 houses down from my 83 year-old mom who still lives in her home. We help each other out. I do not get any government help other than SSDI. My utility bill was over $400 this month because of some bad weather (I live a couple hours south of Patara), but I’m making some further temporary cuts in this months budget and it’s getting paid. This bill was 3 times higher than my usual. Lights stay off and things not in use stay unplugged until needed. - I drive an older manual Kia (no car payment) and keep liability ins only. There’s so many more little things that I do, but I’ve written a book here so I’ll stop lol These little cuts don’t seem like much, but added together consistently they really do make a difference.
I'm using a small buddy heater for those frigid days. No central air/heating, my rental only has a wall unit that is expensive to use. I've been able to keep my bill under $100 a mth, I do have to purchase propane on occasion but It's still cheaper over all.
First, Im 77. Each month I make a grocery list of things I want. As the month goes by, I add and subtract items. By the time my only income arrives in the bank, I have a pretty lean list of food I actually need to supplement and fill in my pantry. I've stopped all my magazine subscriptions, stopped cable tv, and gotten rid of extraneous expenses. Plus, I've been doing online surveys for extra cash. So far this year I have earned $200 extra to get things from Amazon. Every penny helps.
Glad you're better! After my daughter died, I had full financial responsibility for her dog, who ended up my therapy dog. I'm on disability and I had to make food that the dog and I could eat like turnips, beets, greens, rice & and sometimes a little meat. He loved it & I was greatful for it.
We don't have cable,no computer. Don't go out to eat. I cook most meals from scratch.. We are on social security. Our disabled son lives with us. Go to food banks it helps. Never ever did we ever do anything like this before. God has truly blessed us our whole life. It's not been easy but we have done it.
Buy one bulk item per shopping trip, such as 20 lb sacks of rice, beans, flour, carrots, etc. They are much cheaper per unit cost than smaller packages. Save the bones or poultry carcasses and boil them for stock. Plant something, anything.
Wow thanks everyone. We've scraped the bottom of the barrel for a significant portion of our life together, and these ideas have carried us through. Blessings to all
Patara, we slaughtered our steer yesterday. My husband (62) our grandson (15) and me 63. We worked over 12 hours skinning, housting it and gutting it. It was almost midnight before we got that done. Very,very sore today. Tomorrow its the butchering out on our outside dining table. The temps were below freezing the whole time and we only took one inside break. Looking forward to that first steak.😊
Amy Dacyczyn’s Universal Casserole recipe from The Complete Tightwad Gazette 1 cup of protein 1-2 cups of veggies 1-2 cups of carbs 1 1/2 cups of sauce Spices Topping To make your casserole, combine your cooked meat, your frozen or canned veggies, your cooked carbs, your spices, and your sauce. Bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes, or until your sauce is bubbling. Then add your topping and bake it for another 5-10 minutes until it is crispy.
When the kids were small our money *WAS* that tight. I dug out of that hole just 50 cents at a time. For 50 cents I would buy a can of sting beans that were on sale, etc. After a year of that I realized that I no longer had to pay full price for food. If an item was not on sale I simply took from the shelf in the laundry room where I kept my food and instead of buying that item I bought an on-sale item. As my food bill dropped by at least 10% I then branched into buying cans of meat, chili, etc. Believe me, when you are living that close to the bone it is a great relief to know that you can feed the family with the food that you have set aside. And that is not even considering the money I no longer spent on food because our food bill had dropped in spite of inflation
I promised my mother before she passed away that would keep her porcelain dolls that she collected and each one of us ate girls have bought her throughout so many years I promised her that I would keep them but I can say this I can't eat those dolls and I know that she would understand but I am heartbroken to even have to think about getting rid of them but I am getting rid of them to clear out the space as I've been doing for days but I'm going to get rid of them because I know that she grew up in the depression and she would not want me to struggle due to a promise that I made her before she had passed away selling them would give me more funds to protect myself and my children and grandchildren
@@preciousstaceYes, and take pictures of one's you intend to sell and write notes on back of photo of any pertinent information like date, event or who gave your Mom the doll so you can have that memory to look back on.
One more thing i forgot to mention. Keep the heat down and have blankets or throws everywhere. My company is so used to using them now. Of course, that could be why i don't have much company, lol.
There was a coyote circling my chicken coop this morning. I know with all the snow that the pack is hungry. But I protect my own. The eggs are my basics cause my income is less than 1000 per month. Buy 1 pound rice and one pound beans Eat rice/beans/ eggs for a week.
If you make a meal, make a double serving and freeze half for a rainy day that you may not be feeling well or have no extra money. This will build your freezer pantry at least.
For Saving - First thing I would look at for cost cutting is Cable TV - if your can't totally cut tv, keep the internet and stream cheaper (Sling is a good option); also, antenna in the attic or roof can pick up local channels for free if you're not too far out. Get rid of extra services you don't use (Netflix, HBO, etc.), or turn them on for a month if you want to binge something. Next, look at what you are buying as comfort or junk foods - things like chips, soda, beer, bottled water, water delivery, etc. If you have a water filling station at your grocery store or walmart, you can fill jugs for like 30 cents a gallon. I've cut out all of these things and am saving literally hundreds per month. Other ideas - utilities - turn the heat down, put on a sweater or extra blanket, unplug things that aren't in use, turn off lights when you leave the room, be strategic when you use the oven (i.e. bake several things at a time if you can, instead of one each day), do laundry in full loads, air dry your clothes, take shorter/cooler showers. Do you have an extra family car that could be sold, or downgrade? For purchases - Stock up when things are on sale (I always like to see how much I saved at the bottom of the receipt). Be mindful of needs vs. wants. Don't spoil the kids (sorry, but it will also teach them a more frugal lifestyle)...maybe allow yourself/family a treat or extra activity once in awhile, it will be that much more special. If you have a warehouse club, see if a few like minded relatives or close friends want to split a membership and split bulk item purchases if that helps - and if you shop together, maybe you can keep each other in check ;-) And beware the impulse purchases! (that's my biggest challenge sometimes). Lastly, I would say learn skills that will help you be more self-sufficient; trade those skills with others. Anything from sewing/mending clothes, gardening, herbal remedies, foraging, to building and doing your own home & car repairs. You don't have to be an expert at everything but enough to do some of the simpler things rather than paying someone else. Sorry, I know this was super long, but I hope it helps someone. 🙂
My husband works to support 5 of us, so that I can take care of our 3 children. He eats pb&j for lunch every day, we don't go out, no cigs or alcohol. There have been rough times when we have had to go to a food pantry. I watch for sales at kroger. I buy 1 extra spaghetti sauce or 1 extra peanut butter every grocery trip. Sometimes canned goods too. It's small, but it adds up. We just purchased a generator from a local pawn shop. It would have been close to $1,000 new. We got it used for $275 with a warranty. It works perfectly fine and there are lay away options if you can't pay it all at once. My grandmother was a widow, lived on a very limited income, and never drove a vehicle. She still managed to always have canned goods in her pantry. It can be done!
One thing to cut back on is TV. We have an antenna and get 30 or 40 channels. We don't even watch that much! I also am a big fan of freezer soup. Maybe drink tea instead of sodas.Oh, and cloth diapers for babies More work but you can save alot that way! Plus, I think babies potty train faster that way!!!
Because everyone situation is so nuanced, my best broad suggestion is for you to sit and think, if you had no income tomorrow what would be your first problem area? Do you have a lot of debts, would you have no food on the shelf? Whatever the biggest issue would be, start looking there for ways to save or consolidate.
I started a widow's Group here in our small town in '21 and that has seemed to be helpful to several members. They lift each other up, share info and I was just approached by someone a few days ago if I knew of someone who needed a roommate. It may come to friends helping friends.
We have recently moved to a rural location and decided as a family we wanted to live a simpler life. We have opted out of having cable, but did decide to get WiFi (mostly for schooling needs for my homeschooling kids and college student). But ways we have tried to save money on a single income is brew coffee at home, make meals at home, make our own dessert. Only purchasing items out of need not trends or I “deserve” this. It is tough in today’s world to try to live simply - but such a blessing in the long run! This doesn’t mean you can’t treat yourself to a coffee now and again or a pizza on a Friday night, but making sure you have the essentials in place at home before spending on something not really necessary. Hope some of these suggestions help! 💜🙏🤗
This is a new one for me. I bought the 80 0z bag of vegetables vs the 10 0z bag. My intention is to can the frozen vegetables. I don't have enough long term f Refrigerator space. The savings is 40%. The veggies could also be dehydrated for storage.
I dehydrated a bunch of frozen veggies that I found on clearance this past Summer at Walmart and Grocery Outlet. They are great to throw into homemade soups, pot pies, and stews.
I go to Family Dollar, Dollar General & The Dollar Tree. I only go through the Dollar isle. I get name brand & store brand canned vegetables, medication, soap, toothpaste, shampoo, cleaning supplies, etc. for $1.00. I'm having a big yard sale this spring & I'm using the money I make to stock up
This one may sound crazy but use only cash for shopping so you can’t overspend. Keep all change in a jar (no spend rule) on either change, one dollar bills, or if you can swing it-five dollar bills. This will add up for emergency cash stash.
My husband is disabled/retired so he gets a check. My 3 kids are disabled but some do work we just put everything together and hope that it works out. I work part-time but we try paying down things we have no car payments no credit cards no cable I do have wifi and definitely no eating out. We are an ingredient house so we want cake cookies or potato chips we cook em. The one child that can't work does the chores chickens dogs cleaning and some cooking 😊
I often thrift my canning jars. Garage sales are sometimes a great place to get jars too. If someone drinks coffee or soda, they can cut way back for a while to free up some money. I pack my breakfast and lunch to work. That saves a lot. We don’t have cable. We kept the internet. Buy generic when and where you can. These save money also. Pray for the Lord to open opportunities for you to prepare your home. He will come through for you!
Friends often will save jars for you. Used jars work fine. Those pickle jars will can even with pressure. In Europe, the norm is that pickle/salsa/jelly type lids are the regular canning type lids. They do not use the two piece lids like we do.
A local thrift shop was putting canning jars in the recycling,😮 lots of people want them! I couldn't believe it .I just bought 10 from my local opshop today, still cost me $50 but i have access to a food forest that hardly anyone is picking fruit from so i feel its worth the investment..
I keep a running list of all the things I buy at the different stores. I prioritize my purchases from Dollar Tree, Dollar General, Aldi and Target. I try to keep some extra cash in case there is something there on my list back in stock. The first couple of times you do it, it's more difficult, but once you've been doing it, it's easier. I also have found some "gaps" in my stuff--especially things like hot/cold patches and patches for muscle aches. I also try to make sure I have the storage containers for these things. I'm trying to start labeling things now to make sure things are in order. Working with a budget and making sure your house is well supplied is a lifestyle once you get used to it. Most importantly, start small, stay consistent and stay the course. One or two extra items every time you go to the store will help.
Yes disconnect cable & any type of special packages. Get on a relatives phone plan...as their 2nd phone....much cheaper....How about taking trash to a friend or relatives & cut out that bill! Quit smoking...$$$ saved ! Make your own lattes, make your own lunch & supper meals by scratch with your crock pot ect..or just make your sandwhiches! stop soft drinks & drink tea warm or iced at work depending the season... just write down your spending for one week & you will see what you can cut out to use for canned goods & basic baking items, flour, sugar, baking soda & powder. YOU CAN DO IT!
Buy an air fryer on sale, and make hot wings, fried chicken, seafood burgers, fries, ribs, etc at home, instead of going out. I recently bought a huge box of jalapeño poppers on sale, which have provided many "happy hours" for pennies on the dollar.
Sell aluminum cans that you've picked up while walking. Shovel a driveway, rake leaves, mow grass, weed flowerbed or garden, babysit shop for someone, cut hair, braid hair, take pictures, mend clothes, hem pants, clean house, organize someone's pantry or kitchen or attic, clean out attics, bake bread or cookies to sell, make a specialty food or dish for someone, help cater a party, USE A SKILL TO EARN, LEARN, OR BARTER.
A lot of money can be saved by cooking from scratch. You can make a pot roast last for 3-4 separate meals. That’s just an example of stretching the food budget.
We decided to Suspend the insurance on two of our vehicles and we’re not driving them. Doing that made it possible for us to have my husband off work for over 6 weeks. We will start them back up when we need to drive them. That’s one thing we did to save money over the winter. It’s not convenient but it’s what we decided to do to. I also canceled all subscription’s we didn’t need. We were able to do that and it helped a lot. I’m glad you’re feeling better. Take it easy so you don’t relapse. I’m a mom and I know it’s almost impossible to take the time but I’ve gotten much better with taking time to take care of myself.🙏🏼❤️
@@nolashiflett635 Exactly! My husband uses his vehicle everyday. If I need to go somewhere he works his schedule around my doctor appts. Or I schedule when I know he’s going to be home.
Great to see you feeling so much better Patara! We cancelled cable tv-that was $150 a month, changed trash companies and saving there, buy what we 'need' not want-cook meals and create new meals with leftovers. I'm not saying it's a cake walk and I love making a lot of these changes, it's hard and frustrating... but, the rubber hit the road and we have to be much wiser and more frugal than ever before. It's tough, we have to be creative and frugal and hang in there. Pray and get closer to God, He will never leave us, He is our only hope. God bless all and thanks for being here Patara-YOU are such an inspiration, big hugs
We cut cable, reviewed our car insurance and got it reduced $45/month. We went vegetarian 4 days a week. I opened one large jar of pork tenderloin and make it last for two dinners by using vegetables and rice and making a sweet and sour sauce. Then made split pea soup and homemade mac 'n cheese another couple of days. Mondays are always our egg and chips days...that's our English peeking through!! Friday is fish so we have salmon casserole which is made with a tin of sockeye salmon and pasta, with a homemade sauce. These are all filling foods. We haven't shopped in over a month and have been using all pantry foods which I canned and stored up. We buy 50lb bags of oatmeal from the local farmer and that oatmeal feeds us for two winters for breakfast. A 50 lb bag costs about $63 but provides 400 breakfasts. A darn sight cheaper than boxes of cereal. We have tightened our belts so much as we are on schedule to pay off our mortgage, line of credit and credit card in the next 26 months. It will make such a difference to our flow of cash. We suffer now for a brighter future later.
I’m senior lady, I cut out cable 4 years ago and canceled internet. I don’t miss tv cause most of its filth. There’s always items in our home that we can do without. Those extra kitchen gadgets that we don’t use, have a garage sale and get some extra funds to start prepping
I have gone with no cable, stopped paying for mani & pedi, for the last 2 years so that I can have enough to get my pantry ready. In addition, we do not eat out or visit the movies so that we can continue prepping. As a small family, we spend our time growing food, sewing and canning on a 50 year old canner that belonged to my granny,. At first my family thought I was going mad. Today, they thank me for the insight.
My grandma use to save bread bags in the 70s and 80s and my mom thought she was losing her marbles. My mom is no longer laughing, and I've been saving bread bags for a long time. 😁
I'm sitting here looking at my nails. I bought my polish at Dollar Tree and do my own manicure. Haircuts are spaced farther apart than normal. Don't go into a store unless I have a need and follow my list. I fix meals that will stretch and we eat leftovers. Reuse, recycle
When things feel tight may be a good time to tidy your place/your things. Get to know what you have; where it is; match up items; how old is it; what condition it is; clean it; take care of it, (sharpen knives, oil metal, tune it, mend fabric, etc.) Then, you can clear things; sell things; write your wish list. Spring clean.
And, if you are in a situation where you might lose your housing, try to get a vehicle you can sleep in. Your preps should be for camping gear, shelter, warm clothing, lightweight supplies. Work to build connections now with someone that might let you stay with them for a few daus or a week.
If you need 5 gal buckets for storage check with your grocery store bakery and deli's -they often give their used buckets away and they are food grade.
We are 74, retired and now only eat two meals a day and feel better for it. Maybe a tiny snack mid day. We fast from 5 pm until 11:30 and have either a breakfast or lunch. No snacks after 5PM. Just tea or flavored water or soda. Today we have spare ribs for lunch $5.50 cents for two large servings, large stuffed olive and peach jello. Dinner was bacon and eggs, rice cake with cheese and 1/2 Klondike bar and a cookie. We are stocked up on everything. Went to Dol. General for TP , PT and some Dollar Isle items. We a good to go. Keep out thermostat at 68. When chilly put on a sweater, throw or robe.
I have reduced the amount of food I eat. I also go to the discount food stores to help on things. I also have been going to my local food bank for meat that I can no longer afford to purchase.
You are having the conversation that you do every few months because people are flooding in from the dark feeling the major hits on groceries,and EVERYTHING. We began with the basics you mentioned....flour,sugar,spices, 5 canned goods a week, beans and rice.
Make food count. How many cans of vegetables can you buy for $5 instead of 1 bag of chips. Let the kids eat a filling bowl of oatmeal from a box that holds more and costs less than a box of sugared cold cereal. If you must have coffee, buy store brand. Stretch your meat...when i buy chicken breasts i cut them in half so one feeds 2. But i rarely buy breast anymore, we usually eat thighs for boneless or legs can be cheap. I also really stretch out ground beef. We slaughter a steer every 2 years. I will make 12 burgers out of a 2# pkg instead of 8. Eat simple and eat at home.
So glad to see you!! ♥️ You sound a bit better!!! Glad you slept! I never thought I would make it without cable tv. Guess what? We did it! All we kept was the Internet.
If you are feeling overwhelmed I recommend this. Get pen and paper and listen to this video again. Start and stop it if you have to but make a list of the suggestions. Once you have the list look it over and pick “one thing” to tackle. Focus on that. Often times what gets us overwhelmed is looking at the big picture and not knowing where to start. So break it down into smaller bites and tackle one at a time.
I had Comast Triple Play; it started at $99/month. Over the years, it climbed to $265.00/month. NO sports/extra packages. I dropped it. I have been a Verizon Wireless customer for years. Because of that, I got my landline ($25) and internet ($25)/mos guaranteed for 10 years. NO TV cable. I installed an exterior antennae on my house for digital TV. I am saving $215.00 A MONTH!!!! There is NOTHING on TV worth the cost I was paying. IF you don't want to make any changes, if you keep making excuses, your bills aren't going to change.
We cut our cable, but that verizondeal on the internet isway cheaper. Might have to check into it, oh wait...our cell reception isn't always great. Drats.
1. Dave Ramsey, live it. 2. When you put something in your cart ask yourself, Do I want this or do I need it? There's a difference. 3. Tracfone cel phone. 23.00 a month unlimited talk and text. You can't beat that with a stick! 4. Don't spend a penny without writing it down. At the end of the month, check your list and see where you can save. A penny saved turns into a dollar. A dollar saved turns into 10 and then it snowballs. I've been doing this for 40 years and I'm comfortable in retirement. I'm blessed.
God has blessed me with enough health to keep working at my landscaping business, a blessing for my family and the people I'm able to help. We are blessed in my community to have a food shelf for those in need. Do the best you can.
10 yrs ago we put our electric water heater on a timer. Shaved $40 mo off our bill. 6 mo ago timer died so we manually turn it off and on. On for 2.5 hours with a 50 gal tank is enough for 2 showers and a dishwasher run. Doing it manually saved us even more $
Two things I did that has really hit me hard and some days is a real struggle. I turned off my cable and I have Internet and my land line cause I live in the mtns and I have Roku you get a lot of good channels to watch TV, including RUclips and that’s where I watch most of my preppers from, my bill went from over $200 down to just about $120 depending on how long the month is. And the most difficult for me because my husband has passed and I have just me and my two dogs now is not eating out. It has been very difficult some days to eat at home alone and it was so much easier to run to McDonald’s or Subway or even go to Food City and eat in their deli. I have really made myself stop doing that. I figured I was spending more than $200 a month eating out. Those are just too small small things that I do and I also try real hard to run all my errands at one time. I hope this helps somebody. ❤️
I'm 72 and disabled so I hire someone to come twice a week to sweep, mop and clean the tub that I can't. There are others like me. Advertise on face book or market place and see if there are seniors like me who need help. She made 85 this week and she has her job for bills. Shop the sales. Every Wed. I look at all the sales in my area and stock up from them. Plan your meals out and stop buying snack foods. Make things from scratch, it will taste better. Want a muffin make a full pan. If something is getting ready to expire can it or freeze it. Go to food giveaways and plan meals around them. Write down every expense and see what you can live without.
It seems there are many who don't track their expenses because they *think* they know where every dollar goes, but putting pen to paper will really help. There is a lot of financial illiteracy in America. There are many RUclips channels that talk about frugality. One of the most practical with the easiest to implement methods is Under the Median with Hope and Larry. Their 10% challenge and goal-setting sheets for finding ways to decrease your budget are really helpful to me, and I've lived frugally my entire life.
A story that has always stuck with me... I'm from a yours-mine-ours family of 7 sibs. When we were little my Dad (actually step -dad) made a few remote control model airplanes. We would all pile into the station wagon, and he'd take us to an empty parking lot where we'd spend an afternoon flying those planes. Our Uncle and his wife and 3 kiddos joined us one day. This uncle and aunt were chain smokers and loved their soft drinks. He asked my Dad, how can you afford this (seemingly frivolous) luxury of model airplanes with such a big family to feed? My Dad quickly replied, I use our cigarette and soda pop money. That has been a one-liner for my husband and myself through the years. By the way, my Dad is 90 years old. He was the oldest of 9 and has outlived half of them. And boy does he have stories to tell, that i have gleaned from. 😊
For city folks: Don't forget to "save' water. When the grid goes down, you will have less than 3 days before the water runs out. You'll need water for everything. It will be what you run out of first.
Also: like I’ve stated before I am a believer. I stepped out in faith 20 years ago and dropped my health insurance when it went up a ghastly $500 on my husbands work insurance. I can’t even imagine what it must cost nowadays. Next it was house insurance and the 5th wheel. Just those 3 things alone are saving over a thousand a month. I know it scary and many won’t agree and oh yes(!) I got pretty sick couple months later. Guess what I became an expert at ? Taking responsibility for my own health. It was a test from Yahuah God! I keep the vehicle insurance only because it’s law. Btw- a very large if not most of those California residents that got flooded didn’t have insurance cause their policies wouldn’t cover since it wasn’t considered a flood zone. Insurance and the medical industry are such scams !!!
I don't go out to eat, have a garden. Turn your heat down to cut back on power company. I am handicap now and always looking for help around my house, like mowing, helping carry heavy items in the house for me. Cleaning out my car. Things like this is what I look for as I am sure others like me are.
I am still working, so I have been buying long term storage. I hate the prices but feel that's the area I needed to focus on. Next willbe more canned food. I do give to our food bank and also give them dog and cat food. I don't count on this job so trying to help while I can
I come from a family of 7.....mom, dad, 5 kids. My dad was a firefighter, my mom a stay at home raise your kids mama. The very best advice she ever gave me was separate your wants from your needs. If you are totally honest, most of the time you can find something to get rid of. In this day and age there are so many who think they "need" something when in fact it is a want...big difference .
Hubby was forced to retire in February 2023 due to back sugery and I haven't worked since November 2022 due to medial reasons so ou income dramatically dropped. There is a local food pantry that is open to everyone and is open 4 days a week. We go once a week or every other week. It's drive thru and convenient. They give us protein, dairy, fruit and veggies. We never dreamed that we would go to a food pantry, but unplanned circumstances happened. Fortunately, I did start stocking up 2 years ago but we've been going through those items. Thanks for all you do, I'm always learning from ya ❤
Food waste is a HUGE budget buster…and one I’m still struggling with. I love your magic soup idea…the family asked for it again…but it takes a while! 😄 At this moment I’m making leftover smoked pork chop quesadillas for supper from leftover bits (like the stuck on the bone bits) and one extra chop, cut from a pork butt on sale. They are AWEOSME!!! They were going to end up in the trash b/c I didn’t feel messing with them…but now I have a delicious dinner and the scraps from the scraps are going in the bean bone bag. 🎉
I cut out cable and internet and the gym.thats over 1200 a year being saved for more important items.Patara is right,look where you can pair it down and cut out items. Youd be surprised.
Use a mr buddy heater in one room that you'll live in. turn house t-stat around 40 to keep pipes from freezing. in summer get a window unit for this room.
Mr Buddy's are not cheap a canister on low last 24 hours and is around 6.49 a canister X 30 days=194.85. I guess it depends on the size of your house and how much you are paying for gas in your area. My gas bill for a 672 square foot house is less than $100 a month less in the summer. Anna In Ohio
I’ve been prepping for 4 years. No vacation no eating at restaurants. Cut off cable Stripped it down to bare minimum. It is very hard to see my family members going out all the time.
I don't miss going out to eat. As a matter of fact, a lot of times I get ill now if I do. No idea what in the hell is in the food from restaurants, how old it is, how its been handled, how old the grease is that they cook things in. 🤮 No thanks! The only thing I'm missing is a bout of food poisoning!
@@suehengemuehle1636 same. I changed the way I ate nearly 10 years ago, stopped eating fast and fried food, lost 124 lbs (half my weight). I don't dare eat fast or fried food now. End up sick in the bathroom every time. And it's fast! I get rumbly in my tumbly while eating and I know it's coming!
we was paycheck to paycheck-son got sick and he needed med's so i started to go to yard sales and auctions and buying things for a dollar or 2 and then found a once a month flea market and a antique store booth and made good money that way-also went to craft shows and made money on my crafty item's to get my son's med's-Prayers too all''
Donating plasma pays $102 a week/2 visits a week that takes approximately an hour each time-I save it up for the month and make an extra principle payment on the mortgage. But it's there if I need it for anything else.
One week. Rice. Another week beans, Another week flour and so on. Any way you can. Food pantries. Focus on getting started and go as you can to prepare anyway that you can Love and t good in, Christ Amen 🙏
Plant a garden. Buy heirloom seeds. You can seed save from the plants. Patara has a video on that. If you don't have a yard use containers on your deck. Do what you can. A little at a time. Seed saving will enable you to grow more next year.
Cut out softdrinks, make hot or cold tea for your drinks at work, when driving or home depending on the season..unplug appliances including tv, mucrowave ect until you use it.
My wife volunteers at Harvesters. They come to all of the local towns around Kansas City, once a month. Not sure what states they are in. They don't offer canned goods...but lots of other foods. It is free to anyone (no matter your income). There are food pantries in most towns. If you eat these foods...it might free up a little money for some canned goods. What about neighborhood garage sales to make a little extra money and get rid of things you don't need.
When I cook something like soup or chili, I try to can some of the leftovers so we don’t have to eat the same thing several days in a row. And I get to add a couple jars to my food stash!
Change cell phone service to a possible $30? Monthly plan (temporarily). If smoke; roll your own i.e. $300 vs $30 monthly. Grow from seeds of vegetables you buy instore, can start off in ice cube trays. 🙏🐾😎
I've canned my produce for years, but I've started dehydrating as well. That gives an additional option for food storage and it takes less space as canning. You can fit so much more dehydrated veggies and meats in a mason jar than canned of the same. Vacuum sealing after dehydrating will store these foods for a long time.
Watch thrifty prices. St Vinnie was selling canning quart jars for $3 per jar... outrageous! They are cheaper at Walmart. I'm in Upper Michigan. I can't afford raised beds this year. I'm going to plant in the ground. It hurts my back but you all know that story. I'm trying not to use any of my extras now. Thank you for your ideas!
![Noob To Max With DRAGON REWORK In Blox Fruits [FULL MOVIE]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/LnBMOinoOvA/mqdefault.jpg)
I’ll be honest, I’m scared! I’m 71 and I live with my dog. I’m all we have. We live on my social security. I don’t know how much longer we’ll be able to keep the house. Thankful that I have been putting food and medical supplies away for the last 3 years.
I am 80 and I understand where you are coming from NANA.
My German Shepard Belladonna died last spring I am also a senior citizen on social security I am so scared 😱 also
I am in a similar situation. I do not have a lot of food or meds.I am diabetic, so storing insulin is not really possible. Best of luck to you , and God bless.
Do you have anyone you know who is also struggling? Maybe ban together. I have been working that out, it may take a few in a household together to make it, have to learn to downsize, work together .
I’m with you I don’t have any income besides SSI and the way things are going that is not a guarantee income. Very scary indeed!
I think the best advise is something is better than nothing. People get paralyzed thinking they need to buy the case of beans or have hundreds of dollars...stop thinking of it as all or nothing. Go buy a $10 plastic tub one week. The next week buy 2 cans of veggies that you like and put it in the tub. The next week buy a box of spaghetti and one can of sauce to add to the tub. The next week buy a bag of rice and add to the tub. Continue adding something every week till full. When the tub is filled, repeat with another tub. Slow but steady.
Excellent suggestions!
I agree
Great idea! Thanks for sharing. Make it so much easier to think that way.
You're absolutely correct. Sometimes we think we have to do it all right now, when really we need to take it one step at a time.
Slow and steady wins the race.
When our kids were little I was a stay at home Mom. My husband lost his job.
We would go to Aldis. If we were lucky 3 or 4 people would leave their carts would leave their carts in the parking lot and my kids would get out of the car quick and grab them.
Before you knew it we had enough quarters to buy a jiffy mix and 2 cans of corn one regular corn and one creamed corn. All 25cents each. Filled up my babies bellies . Our boys thought we were playing a game. They didnt know how desperate times were.God helped us through.
Take that tax return check and stock up! No bling, no tattoos, no vape, no smokes, no beer no Starbucks, or eating out! Time is running out!
💯. People need to set priorities. Can't see how a tattoo is essential
@deborhgilmartin4192 I work with people who believe their next tattoo is is all that matters... and they have children!
My new neighbor plans to use theirs for a chicken coop. I'm hoping for low cost eggs and a place to give my kutchen scraps
Many, many people think alcohol and cigarettes are a necessity. They are not.
Some tax things have expired this year and alot of people are not getting returns.
Turn down the thermostat and keep a sweater and blanket, socks, and shoes on to keep warm
I haven't turned our heat on in several years now. Most days I'm in a sweatshirt and 2-3 jackets layered over it. Same scenario for nighttime.
Excellent idea! We keep extra throw blankets in the living room and bedrooms! Every degree makes a difference! 😉🙏
@@g-mawmhatton4751 us too. We turn the heat really low to avoid frozen pipes but wear multiple layers inside to keep warm. A ski cap inside to keep your head warm is a must for me. I'm typing with fingerless mitts on my hands.
@@seekingtheminimumlevel1830I keep m y heat set at 50° so if the wood stove goes out while I'm at work, my pipes don't burst
We all have that fabulous sweater with the pulled out neck, stain or that massive snag. Start keeping it in your pajama 14:23 drawer. At this moment I'm wearing PJ's, wool socks, fingerless gloves, a ski hat and a stained sweatshirt. Every little bit helps.
People should learn to question if what they are buying is a "need" or is it just a " want" item.
Amen !!!.... that is the difference that makes living paycheck to paycheck more comfortable !!
Yes, I still struggle with that.
Just told my son this today!!
Eat at home and ditch anything that is not a necessity. I learned this lesson. I ditched so many things!! It really does help out financially. Also, spend more time outdoors in Gods world and pray your heart out to Him! Get saved if you haven’t yet ❤y’all and I am praying for all of us!! 🙏 🙏 🙏
The $6 Starbucks drink every day is not a necessity. Make your pb&j sandwich for your lunch at work instead of getting fast food. Cable,Netflix,other subscriptions are luxuries. Every $5 adds up quickly!
True. So true.
Amen
I love a PB fold over.
Exactly!
Folks need to have someone else look over their budget... To them it's their standard and not necessarily a necessity.
I quit drinking alcohol...and going to work on quit smoking
Yes, by all means. Get rid of the vices in comfort. Don't wait until SHTF. YOU are smart! Good luck to you from one mama bear to another.
My biggest, most important tip is to never, ever waste even one little scrap of food. If you and your kids don't like leftovers, tough. Get used to eating every bit of food that comes into the house.
Use every little bit of every product that comes into your house. Cut open your shampoo bottles to get the last little bit out. Cut open lotion bottles and scrape out the stuff that's stuck on the bottom. Squeeze that tube of toothpaste flat against the counter edge to get every little bit out. Also, don't buy something just because it's cheap, if you're not REALY going to use it.
A way to use leftovers is in tacos, also pot pie
Keep a cup in the bathroom and put bottle in upside down
Gets every last bit
Cut open the end of your used flattened toothpaste tube. Put your toothbrush inside the tube. I can usually get 3 or 4 more uses out of the tube.
Scraps go into soup pot. Add carrot, and a tater. Add cornbread, too! Add water to dish soap stretches it.
I totally do that with lotions, makeup, toothpaste etc. never realized how much is left inside of a bottle/tube towards the end.
Good day
If you have a Costco near you rotisserie chickens at $4.99 for one person I can get five meals out of it. That’s $1 a meal for protein!
Walmart discounts their day old rotisserie chicken the next day. They chill them over night. Mine reduces theirs to $3.03. Ask about them they may not be easily visible.
Plus bones to make broth.
I boil the bones for soup and make my wet dog food out of all meat left on bones. Now that's using the whole buffalo! 😂
I pick off the breast meat and crockpot the leftover chicken for a day before giving it to my chickens.
Yiu’re right. Sam’s has them too! You can’t beat them! Great deal.
Grandma told me 1000 times it aint a bargain if u dont need it.
Exactly. Sometimes I see great buys but it’s something I don’t need. So I don’t buy it.
Anyone of us could become homeless at the drop of a hat. Let that sink in and prepare accordingly.
So true!
Absolutely!
This may seem extreme to some, but this is what I do to get by every month on $1600 permanent disability income.
- Learn to sew, even if it’s only by hand. I sew my own hygiene pads, wash, sterilize and reuse. I made critter pee pads also for when I help with local wildlife rescue. I made diapers and belly bands for my old pups. I cut up old t-shirts to use as rags for home and garden. I’ve sewn homemade handkerchiefs to use instead of buying disposable tissues. I sew handbags and wallets to sell out of scrap or donated fabrics. I crochet washable rugs out of yarn and sell or gift those. Some of the fabric and yarn was given to me in exchange for helping with estate sales. I fix or patch holes or tears in my clothes and socks.
- I keep my heat down to around 65* in winter and air up to around 78-80* in summer.
- I grow, can, freeze, dehydrate as much of my food as I can. I also shop sales when I can. I cook from scratch. My food, my dog’s food and my critters food when I have critters. I am on a renal diet which is very restrictive so I never eat fast food. I don’t drink pop for the same reason. At 59 years old, disabled, getting paid around $1600 once per month, I don’t qualify for food stamps. 🤷♀️
- I dropped my Internet service with AT&T and also my cell plan with Straight Talk. I do both with Xfinity now and have reduced my overall bill by $100/mo. I don’t have cable, just stream the Internet. I use the Internet for selling things I make and for a side hustle I do.
- The side hustle I do is to manage a local flea/antique/vintage mall’s social media accounts in exchange for my own little booth and I make purses, bags, wallets, soaps, etc., to sell in the booth.
- I am a disabled Registered Nurse and no longer work in that field at all because I just can’t do it anymore physically. I bought this house in a smallish town 5 years ago, paid $30,000 for it and took out a 15 year loan at a very low, fixed interest rate so thankfully my payments are cheap. This home is a fixer upper, but it’s mainly cosmetic and I’ve been slowly doing the work myself when I can afford materials. Otherwise, it’s an old, solid house built in 1932, but it’s comfortable and very livable as is. I got it mainly because it’s 4 houses down from my 83 year-old mom who still lives in her home. We help each other out. I do not get any government help other than SSDI. My utility bill was over $400 this month because of some bad weather (I live a couple hours south of Patara), but I’m making some further temporary cuts in this months budget and it’s getting paid. This bill was 3 times higher than my usual. Lights stay off and things not in use stay unplugged until needed.
- I drive an older manual Kia (no car payment) and keep liability ins only.
There’s so many more little things that I do, but I’ve written a book here so I’ll stop lol
These little cuts don’t seem like much, but added together consistently they really do make a difference.
I am a retired R.N. too. I had to retire on medical, have Mast Cell Disease. Would love to chat. JoAnn in Mississippi
I am right there with you!!! It is hard!! My dog and my two cats are my life.
Every dollar adds up!!
Wouldn’t you and your mom both be so much better off together?
I'm using a small buddy heater for those frigid days. No central air/heating, my rental only has a wall unit that is expensive to use. I've been able to keep my bill under $100 a mth, I do have to purchase propane on occasion but It's still cheaper over all.
If you don't give up something you may lose everything, 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
AMEN!!!❤❤
First, Im 77. Each month I make a grocery list of things I want. As the month goes by, I add and subtract items. By the time my only income arrives in the bank, I have a pretty lean list of food I actually need to supplement and fill in my pantry. I've stopped all my magazine subscriptions, stopped cable tv, and gotten rid of extraneous expenses. Plus, I've been doing online surveys for extra cash. So far this year I have earned $200 extra to get things from Amazon. Every penny helps.
Where do you go to do online surveys? I would like to do that!
Which surveys do you do if you don’t mind me asking? I’ve just downloaded the Survey Junkies app and was going to try that and see how it goes.
Yes, interested in the app or site that you do surveys on! Thank you
Glad you're better! After my daughter died, I had full financial responsibility for her dog, who ended up my therapy dog. I'm on disability and I had to make food that the dog and I could eat like turnips, beets, greens, rice & and sometimes a little meat. He loved it & I was greatful for it.
We are grateful too
Had tuna from food give away pantry for lunch
❤🙏
I learnt to eat very simple....
We don't have cable,no computer. Don't go out to eat. I cook most meals from scratch.. We are on social security. Our disabled son lives with us. Go to food banks it helps. Never ever did we ever do anything like this before. God has truly blessed us our whole life. It's not been easy but we have done it.
Buy one bulk item per shopping trip, such as 20 lb sacks of rice, beans, flour, carrots, etc. They are much cheaper per unit cost than smaller packages.
Save the bones or poultry carcasses and boil them for stock.
Plant something, anything.
Yes, yes and yes!!! ❤
👍
Great ideas.
Wow thanks everyone. We've scraped the bottom of the barrel for a significant portion of our life together, and these ideas have carried us through. Blessings to all
Just try to prepare , get bills paid off
I'm dying and on Government Hospice care myself.---and also a walking miracle thus far.
🙏🙏🙏🙏
Praying for you!
Prayers sent for you.
Will remember you in my prayers .
Just prayed for you.
Patara, we slaughtered our steer yesterday. My husband (62) our grandson (15) and me 63. We worked over 12 hours skinning, housting it and gutting it. It was almost midnight before we got that done. Very,very sore today. Tomorrow its the butchering out on our outside dining table. The temps were below freezing the whole time and we only took one inside break. Looking forward to that first steak.😊
That's such hard work! My hat is off to you, and what a great learning experience for your grandson!
Amy Dacyczyn’s Universal Casserole recipe from The Complete Tightwad Gazette
1 cup of protein
1-2 cups of veggies
1-2 cups of carbs
1 1/2 cups of sauce
Spices
Topping
To make your casserole, combine your cooked meat, your frozen or canned veggies, your cooked carbs, your spices, and your sauce.
Bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes, or until your sauce is bubbling. Then add your topping and bake it for another 5-10 minutes until it is crispy.
When the kids were small our money *WAS* that tight. I dug out of that hole just 50 cents at a time. For 50 cents I would buy a can of sting beans that were on sale, etc. After a year of that I realized that I no longer had to pay full price for food. If an item was not on sale I simply took from the shelf in the laundry room where I kept my food and instead of buying that item I bought an on-sale item. As my food bill dropped by at least 10% I then branched into buying cans of meat, chili, etc. Believe me, when you are living that close to the bone it is a great relief to know that you can feed the family with the food that you have set aside. And that is not even considering the money I no longer spent on food because our food bill had dropped in spite of inflation
Yeah. To quote Dickens? "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times"@@design2c436
I promised my mother before she passed away that would keep her porcelain dolls that she collected and each one of us ate girls have bought her throughout so many years I promised her that I would keep them but I can say this I can't eat those dolls and I know that she would understand but I am heartbroken to even have to think about getting rid of them but I am getting rid of them to clear out the space as I've been doing for days but I'm going to get rid of them because I know that she grew up in the depression and she would not want me to struggle due to a promise that I made her before she had passed away selling them would give me more funds to protect myself and my children and grandchildren
Get the best price you can!
just keep one. Your favorite. And remember your mom that way.
Keep a couple that are most sentimental.
@@preciousstaceYes, and take pictures of one's you intend to sell and write notes on back of photo of any pertinent information like date, event or who gave your Mom the doll so you can have that memory to look back on.
Of course she would understand... she would pick her child over her hobby.
One more thing i forgot to mention. Keep the heat down and have blankets or throws everywhere. My company is so used to using them now. Of course, that could be why i don't have much company, lol.
That works 😂❤
There was a coyote circling my chicken coop this morning. I know with all the snow that the pack is hungry. But I protect my own. The eggs are my basics cause my income is less than 1000 per month. Buy 1 pound rice and one pound beans
Eat rice/beans/ eggs for a week.
A trash panda is better eating.
My dad raised on possum!
If you make a meal, make a double serving and freeze half for a rainy day that you may not be feeling well or have no extra money. This will build your freezer pantry at least.
I find that paying my tithes is what works best. God will provide. 🙏🏻
Yes!
👍❤️🙏
Amen
This is the BEST place to start❤
Yes, every month .
For Saving - First thing I would look at for cost cutting is Cable TV - if your can't totally cut tv, keep the internet and stream cheaper (Sling is a good option); also, antenna in the attic or roof can pick up local channels for free if you're not too far out. Get rid of extra services you don't use (Netflix, HBO, etc.), or turn them on for a month if you want to binge something. Next, look at what you are buying as comfort or junk foods - things like chips, soda, beer, bottled water, water delivery, etc. If you have a water filling station at your grocery store or walmart, you can fill jugs for like 30 cents a gallon. I've cut out all of these things and am saving literally hundreds per month. Other ideas - utilities - turn the heat down, put on a sweater or extra blanket, unplug things that aren't in use, turn off lights when you leave the room, be strategic when you use the oven (i.e. bake several things at a time if you can, instead of one each day), do laundry in full loads, air dry your clothes, take shorter/cooler showers. Do you have an extra family car that could be sold, or downgrade?
For purchases - Stock up when things are on sale (I always like to see how much I saved at the bottom of the receipt). Be mindful of needs vs. wants. Don't spoil the kids (sorry, but it will also teach them a more frugal lifestyle)...maybe allow yourself/family a treat or extra activity once in awhile, it will be that much more special. If you have a warehouse club, see if a few like minded relatives or close friends want to split a membership and split bulk item purchases if that helps - and if you shop together, maybe you can keep each other in check ;-) And beware the impulse purchases! (that's my biggest challenge sometimes).
Lastly, I would say learn skills that will help you be more self-sufficient; trade those skills with others. Anything from sewing/mending clothes, gardening, herbal remedies, foraging, to building and doing your own home & car repairs. You don't have to be an expert at everything but enough to do some of the simpler things rather than paying someone else.
Sorry, I know this was super long, but I hope it helps someone. 🙂
My husband works to support 5 of us, so that I can take care of our 3 children. He eats pb&j for lunch every day, we don't go out, no cigs or alcohol. There have been rough times when we have had to go to a food pantry. I watch for sales at kroger. I buy 1 extra spaghetti sauce or 1 extra peanut butter every grocery trip. Sometimes canned goods too. It's small, but it adds up. We just purchased a generator from a local pawn shop. It would have been close to $1,000 new. We got it used for $275 with a warranty. It works perfectly fine and there are lay away options if you can't pay it all at once. My grandmother was a widow, lived on a very limited income, and never drove a vehicle. She still managed to always have canned goods in her pantry. It can be done!
WOW I NEVER THOUGHT OF CHECKING OUT PAWN SHOPS. FOR NEEDS...GREAT IDEA THX A MILLION😂👍
Even when you are sick....you are thinking of others.❤
Bless you, Patara!!
I make it a goal to not spend money. I cook my own food, grow my own food, herbs, and only meat on sale
One thing to cut back on is TV. We have an antenna and get 30 or 40 channels. We don't even watch that much! I also am a big fan of freezer soup. Maybe drink tea instead of sodas.Oh, and cloth diapers for babies More work but you can save alot that way! Plus, I think babies potty train faster that way!!!
They do! And, far fewer rashes! Less trash!
Because everyone situation is so nuanced, my best broad suggestion is for you to sit and think, if you had no income tomorrow what would be your first problem area? Do you have a lot of debts, would you have no food on the shelf? Whatever the biggest issue would be, start looking there for ways to save or consolidate.
I started a widow's Group here in our small town in '21 and that has seemed to be helpful to several members. They lift each other up, share info and I was just approached by someone a few days ago if I knew of someone who needed a roommate. It may come to friends helping friends.
I actually started a dandelion garden, and a garden of things that return every year.
Asparagus is great and perennial onions multiply. Regrow food from produce.
Dandelions are wonderful medicinally and are nutritious as well. Thumbs up to you!
I have a dandlion garden too. Only I didn't plant mine on purpose. Lol
My daughter is planning on planting dandelions, not that we need anymore. 😅
But that's ok, 100% support it.
@@padillas4357😅😅😅
We have recently moved to a rural location and decided as a family we wanted to live a simpler life. We have opted out of having cable, but did decide to get WiFi (mostly for schooling needs for my homeschooling kids and college student).
But ways we have tried to save money on a single income is brew coffee at home, make meals at home, make our own dessert. Only purchasing items out of need not trends or I “deserve” this. It is tough in today’s world to try to live simply - but such a blessing in the long run! This doesn’t mean you can’t treat yourself to a coffee now and again or a pizza on a Friday night, but making sure you have the essentials in place at home before spending on something not really necessary. Hope some of these suggestions help! 💜🙏🤗
This is a new one for me. I bought the 80 0z bag of vegetables vs the 10 0z bag. My intention is to can the frozen vegetables. I don't have enough long term f
Refrigerator space. The savings is 40%. The veggies could also be dehydrated for storage.
I dehydrated a bunch of frozen veggies that I found on clearance this past Summer at Walmart and Grocery Outlet. They are great to throw into homemade soups, pot pies, and stews.
I go to Family Dollar, Dollar General & The Dollar Tree. I only go through the Dollar isle. I get name brand & store brand canned vegetables, medication, soap, toothpaste, shampoo, cleaning supplies, etc. for $1.00. I'm having a big yard sale this spring & I'm using the money I make to stock up
That's a great idea!
Hi, cleaning stuff. Dawn, vinegar for bathroom wall. Otherwise, just wash down everything.
This one may sound crazy but use only cash for shopping so you can’t overspend. Keep all change in a jar (no spend rule) on either change, one dollar bills, or if you can swing it-five dollar bills. This will add up for emergency cash stash.
Honestly, these are valuable videos. People who are living on a reduced income are starving for community.
My husband is disabled/retired so he gets a check. My 3 kids are disabled but some do work we just put everything together and hope that it works out. I work part-time but we try paying down things we have no car payments no credit cards no cable I do have wifi and definitely no eating out. We are an ingredient house so we want cake cookies or potato chips we cook em. The one child that can't work does the chores chickens dogs cleaning and some cooking 😊
I often thrift my canning jars. Garage sales are sometimes a great place to get jars too. If someone drinks coffee or soda, they can cut way back for a while to free up some money. I pack my breakfast and lunch to work. That saves a lot. We don’t have cable. We kept the internet. Buy generic when and where you can. These save money also. Pray for the Lord to open opportunities for you to prepare your home. He will come through for you!
Friends often will save jars for you. Used jars work fine. Those pickle jars will can even with pressure. In Europe, the norm is that pickle/salsa/jelly type lids are the regular canning type lids. They do not use the two piece lids like we do.
Villageria
Typi
A local thrift shop was putting canning jars in the recycling,😮 lots of people want them! I couldn't believe it .I just bought 10 from my local opshop today, still cost me $50 but i have access to a food forest that hardly anyone is picking fruit from so i feel its worth the investment..
I keep a running list of all the things I buy at the different stores. I prioritize my purchases from Dollar Tree, Dollar General, Aldi and Target. I try to keep some extra cash in case there is something there on my list back in stock. The first couple of times you do it, it's more difficult, but once you've been doing it, it's easier. I also have found some "gaps" in my stuff--especially things like hot/cold patches and patches for muscle aches. I also try to make sure I have the storage containers for these things. I'm trying to start labeling things now to make sure things are in order. Working with a budget and making sure your house is well supplied is a lifestyle once you get used to it. Most importantly, start small, stay consistent and stay the course. One or two extra items every time you go to the store will help.
Yes disconnect cable & any type of special packages. Get on a relatives phone plan...as their 2nd phone....much cheaper....How about taking trash to a friend or relatives & cut out that bill! Quit smoking...$$$ saved ! Make your own lattes, make your own lunch & supper meals by scratch with your crock pot ect..or just make your sandwhiches!
stop soft drinks & drink tea warm or iced at work depending the season... just write down your spending for one week & you will see what you can cut out to use for canned goods & basic baking items, flour, sugar, baking soda & powder. YOU CAN DO IT!
Buy an air fryer on sale, and make hot wings, fried chicken, seafood burgers, fries, ribs, etc at home, instead of going out. I recently bought a huge box of jalapeño poppers on sale, which have provided many "happy hours" for pennies on the dollar.
Neighbor and i split the trash bill. I make a pot of coffee, store it in a jar in refrig, twice a week. Get half a cup in the morning and done.
Sell aluminum cans that you've picked up while walking. Shovel a driveway, rake leaves, mow grass, weed flowerbed or garden, babysit shop for someone, cut hair, braid hair, take pictures, mend clothes, hem pants, clean house, organize someone's pantry or kitchen or attic, clean out attics, bake bread or cookies to sell, make a specialty food or dish for someone, help cater a party, USE A SKILL TO EARN, LEARN, OR BARTER.
A lot of money can be saved by cooking from scratch. You can make a pot roast last for 3-4 separate meals. That’s just an example of stretching the food budget.
We decided to Suspend the insurance on two of our vehicles and we’re not driving them. Doing that made it possible for us to have my husband off work for over 6 weeks. We will start them back up when we need to drive them.
That’s one thing we did to save money over the winter. It’s not convenient but it’s what we decided to do to. I also canceled all subscription’s we didn’t need.
We were able to do that and it helped a lot.
I’m glad you’re feeling better. Take it easy so you don’t relapse. I’m a mom and I know it’s almost impossible to take the time but I’ve gotten much better with taking time to take care of myself.🙏🏼❤️
Maybe you only need one car for each worker or driver.
how if they suspend your licence if insurence lapsed?
@@nolashiflett635 Exactly! My husband uses his vehicle everyday. If I need to go somewhere he works his schedule around my doctor appts. Or I schedule when I know he’s going to be home.
Did that on my S10 it needs a head gasket, I'll rebuild it in warm weather.
❤
Great to see you feeling so much better Patara!
We cancelled cable tv-that was $150 a month, changed trash companies and saving there, buy what we 'need' not want-cook meals and create new meals with leftovers. I'm not saying it's a cake walk and I love making a lot of these changes, it's hard and frustrating... but, the rubber hit the road and we have to be much wiser and more frugal than ever before.
It's tough, we have to be creative and frugal and hang in there. Pray and get closer to God, He will never leave us, He is our only hope. God bless all and thanks for being here Patara-YOU are such an inspiration, big hugs
He is our only true hope
We cut cable, reviewed our car insurance and got it reduced $45/month. We went vegetarian 4 days a week. I opened one large jar of pork tenderloin and make it last for two dinners by using vegetables and rice and making a sweet and sour sauce. Then made split pea soup and homemade mac 'n cheese another couple of days. Mondays are always our egg and chips days...that's our English peeking through!! Friday is fish so we have salmon casserole which is made with a tin of sockeye salmon and pasta, with a homemade sauce. These are all filling foods. We haven't shopped in over a month and have been using all pantry foods which I canned and stored up. We buy 50lb bags of oatmeal from the local farmer and that oatmeal feeds us for two winters for breakfast. A 50 lb bag costs about $63 but provides 400 breakfasts. A darn sight cheaper than boxes of cereal. We have tightened our belts so much as we are on schedule to pay off our mortgage, line of credit and credit card in the next 26 months. It will make such a difference to our flow of cash. We suffer now for a brighter future later.
I’m senior lady, I cut out cable 4 years ago and canceled internet. I don’t miss tv cause most of its filth. There’s always items in our home that we can do without. Those extra kitchen gadgets that we don’t use, have a garage sale and get some extra funds to start prepping
I have gone with no cable, stopped paying for mani & pedi, for the last 2 years so that I can have enough to get my pantry ready. In addition, we do not eat out or visit the movies so that we can continue prepping. As a small family, we spend our time growing food, sewing and canning on a 50 year old canner that belonged to my granny,. At first my family thought I was going mad. Today, they thank me for the insight.
My grandma use to save bread bags in the 70s and 80s and my mom thought she was losing her marbles. My mom is no longer laughing, and I've been saving bread bags for a long time. 😁
I'm sitting here looking at my nails. I bought my polish at Dollar Tree and do my own manicure. Haircuts are spaced farther apart than normal. Don't go into a store unless I have a need and follow my list. I fix meals that will stretch and we eat leftovers. Reuse, recycle
When things feel tight may be a good time to tidy your place/your things. Get to know what you have; where it is; match up items; how old is it; what condition it is; clean it; take care of it, (sharpen knives, oil metal, tune it, mend fabric, etc.) Then, you can clear things; sell things; write your wish list. Spring clean.
And, if you are in a situation where you might lose your housing, try to get a vehicle you can sleep in. Your preps should be for camping gear, shelter, warm clothing, lightweight supplies. Work to build connections now with someone that might let you stay with them for a few daus or a week.
This is the best comment on here so far.🎉
Conversion vans are the best to live in.
@@HumbleServant-uy9xe just not when you can’t get spare parts.
If you need 5 gal buckets for storage check with your grocery store bakery and deli's -they often give their used buckets away and they are food grade.
Or restaurants.
Be sure to ask for the lids
Wow, great idea!
I use those for container gardening.
Walmart sells the in the baked for 1 buck.
Please go to food banks to help in feeding your family and stocking your pantry.
Excellent!
The food banks are struggling too
Look for a local gleaning organization
@@justmecinnamonbecause of I l l * ga ls
We are 74, retired and now only eat two meals a day and feel better for it. Maybe a tiny snack mid day. We fast from 5 pm until 11:30 and have either a breakfast or lunch. No snacks after 5PM. Just tea or flavored water or soda. Today we have spare ribs for lunch $5.50 cents for two large servings, large stuffed olive and peach jello. Dinner was bacon and eggs, rice cake with cheese and 1/2 Klondike bar and a cookie. We are stocked up on everything. Went to Dol. General for TP , PT and some Dollar Isle items. We a good to go. Keep out thermostat at 68. When chilly put on a sweater, throw or robe.
I have reduced the amount of food I eat. I also go to the discount food stores to help on things. I also have been going to my local food bank for meat that I can no longer afford to purchase.
Shop early morning, if possible. I found twin packs of TYSON whole chickens for $8.00. $4.00 per whole chicken👍🏽 Last Week!
If you live near news go to kosher section Friday afternoon
Everything meat marked down!
Husband did this in new jersey
You are having the conversation that you do every few months because people are flooding in from the dark feeling the major hits on groceries,and EVERYTHING. We began with the basics you mentioned....flour,sugar,spices, 5 canned goods a week, beans and rice.
I did a budget, I removed things that were not totally necessary.
I agree cut out all unnecessary spending. Beans and rice are pretty cheap to put back. Start small and keep building your pantry.
Make food count. How many cans of vegetables can you buy for $5 instead of 1 bag of chips. Let the kids eat a filling bowl of oatmeal from a box that holds more and costs less than a box of sugared cold cereal. If you must have coffee, buy store brand. Stretch your meat...when i buy chicken breasts i cut them in half so one feeds 2. But i rarely buy breast anymore, we usually eat thighs for boneless or legs can be cheap. I also really stretch out ground beef. We slaughter a steer every 2 years. I will make 12 burgers out of a 2# pkg instead of 8. Eat simple and eat at home.
Great advice! One caveat: beware of non-organic oat products. They're dowsing oat crops in chlormequat in addition to glyphosate.
Chicken thighs add way more flavor than breast meat and never come out too dry.
So glad to see you!! ♥️ You sound a bit better!!! Glad you slept! I never thought I would make it without cable tv. Guess what? We did it! All we kept was the Internet.
If you are feeling overwhelmed I recommend this. Get pen and paper and listen to this video again. Start and stop it if you have to but make a list of the suggestions. Once you have the list look it over and pick “one thing” to tackle. Focus on that. Often times what gets us overwhelmed is looking at the big picture and not knowing where to start. So break it down into smaller bites and tackle one at a time.
I had Comast Triple Play; it started at $99/month. Over the years, it climbed to $265.00/month. NO sports/extra packages. I dropped it. I have been a Verizon Wireless customer for years. Because of that, I got my landline ($25) and internet ($25)/mos guaranteed for 10 years. NO TV cable. I installed an exterior antennae on my house for digital TV. I am saving $215.00 A MONTH!!!! There is NOTHING on TV worth the cost I was paying. IF you don't want to make any changes, if you keep making excuses, your bills aren't going to change.
What part of the country do you live?
We cut our cable, but that verizondeal on the internet isway cheaper. Might have to check into it, oh wait...our cell reception isn't always great. Drats.
Barter, barter, barter. Won't cost you but whatever you don't need anymore. We ALL need to start practicing a barter/trade economy.
I love to use the Buy Nothing FB group.
I love that idea, but bartering is taxable and sounds like a huge pain to keep track of.
Our grocery store has buy one get one free. Use one for now and save one.
Excellent idea!
I found that is helpful, even for stores who prices tend to be higher
1. Dave Ramsey, live it.
2. When you put something in your cart ask yourself, Do I want this or do I need it? There's a difference.
3. Tracfone cel phone. 23.00 a month unlimited talk and text. You can't beat that with a stick!
4. Don't spend a penny without writing it down. At the end of the month, check your list and see where you can save.
A penny saved turns into a dollar. A dollar saved turns into 10 and then it snowballs. I've been doing this for 40 years and I'm comfortable in retirement. I'm blessed.
God has blessed me with enough health to keep working at my landscaping business, a blessing for my family and the people I'm able to help. We are blessed in my community to have a food shelf for those in need. Do the best you can.
10 yrs ago we put our electric water heater on a timer. Shaved $40 mo off our bill. 6 mo ago timer died so we manually turn it off and on. On for 2.5 hours with a 50 gal tank is enough for 2 showers and a dishwasher run. Doing it manually saved us even more $
Two things I did that has really hit me hard and some days is a real struggle. I turned off my cable and I have Internet and my land line cause I live in the mtns and I have Roku you get a lot of good channels to watch TV, including RUclips and that’s where I watch most of my preppers from, my bill went from over $200 down to just about $120 depending on how long the month is. And the most difficult for me because my husband has passed and I have just me and my two dogs now is not eating out. It has been very difficult some days to eat at home alone and it was so much easier to run to McDonald’s or Subway or even go to Food City and eat in their deli. I have really made myself stop doing that. I figured I was spending more than $200 a month eating out. Those are just too small small things that I do and I also try real hard to run all my errands at one time. I hope this helps somebody. ❤️
Maybe you could eat with friends sometime.
I'm 72 and disabled so I hire someone to come twice a week to sweep, mop and clean the tub that I can't. There are others like me. Advertise on face book or market place and see if there are seniors like me who need help. She made 85 this week and she has her job for bills. Shop the sales. Every Wed. I look at all the sales in my area and stock up from them. Plan your meals out and stop buying snack foods. Make things from scratch, it will taste better. Want a muffin make a full pan. If something is getting ready to expire can it or freeze it. Go to food giveaways and plan meals around them. Write down every expense and see what you can live without.
It seems there are many who don't track their expenses because they *think* they know where every dollar goes, but putting pen to paper will really help. There is a lot of financial illiteracy in America. There are many RUclips channels that talk about frugality. One of the most practical with the easiest to implement methods is Under the Median with Hope and Larry. Their 10% challenge and goal-setting sheets for finding ways to decrease your budget are really helpful to me, and I've lived frugally my entire life.
A story that has always stuck with me... I'm from a yours-mine-ours family of 7 sibs. When we were little my Dad (actually step -dad) made a few remote control model airplanes. We would all pile into the station wagon, and he'd take us to an empty parking lot where we'd spend an afternoon flying those planes. Our Uncle and his wife and 3 kiddos joined us one day. This uncle and aunt were chain smokers and loved their soft drinks. He asked my Dad, how can you afford this (seemingly frivolous) luxury of model airplanes with such a big family to feed? My Dad quickly replied, I use our cigarette and soda pop money. That has been a one-liner for my husband and myself through the years. By the way, my Dad is 90 years old. He was the oldest of 9 and has outlived half of them. And boy does he have stories to tell, that i have gleaned from. 😊
For city folks: Don't forget to "save' water. When the grid goes down, you will have less than 3 days before the water runs out. You'll need water for everything. It will be what you run out of first.
Also: like I’ve stated before I am a believer. I stepped out in faith 20 years ago and dropped my health insurance when it went up a ghastly $500 on my husbands work insurance. I can’t even imagine what it must cost nowadays. Next it was house insurance and the 5th wheel. Just those 3 things alone are saving over a thousand a month. I know it scary and many won’t agree and oh yes(!) I got pretty sick couple months later. Guess what I became an expert at ? Taking responsibility for my own health. It was a test from Yahuah God! I keep the vehicle insurance only because it’s law. Btw- a very large if not most of those California residents that got flooded didn’t have insurance cause their policies wouldn’t cover since it wasn’t considered a flood zone. Insurance and the medical industry are such scams !!!
Most mortgages require insurance.
Definitely a scam
Hospital here has charity
You fill in the. Back of the bill to apply for it
You might want to reconsider that house insurance. Shop around.
I don't go out to eat, have a garden. Turn your heat down to cut back on power company.
I am handicap now and always looking for help around my house, like mowing, helping carry heavy items in the house for me. Cleaning out my car. Things like this is what I look for as I am sure others like me are.
I am still working, so I have been buying long term storage. I hate the prices but feel that's the area I needed to focus on. Next willbe more canned food. I do give to our food bank and also give them dog and cat food. I don't count on this job so trying to help while I can
Thanks for donating pet food
It is such a worry for some and their animals are such comfort and companionship
I come from a family of 7.....mom, dad, 5 kids. My dad was a firefighter, my mom a stay at home raise your kids mama. The very best advice she ever gave me was separate your wants from your needs. If you are totally honest, most of the time you can find something to get rid of. In this day and age there are so many who think they "need" something when in fact it is a want...big difference .
Hubby was forced to retire in February 2023 due to back sugery and I haven't worked since November 2022 due to medial reasons so ou income dramatically dropped. There is a local food pantry that is open to everyone and is open 4 days a week. We go once a week or every other week. It's drive thru and convenient. They give us protein, dairy, fruit and veggies. We never dreamed that we would go to a food pantry, but unplanned circumstances happened. Fortunately, I did start stocking up 2 years ago but we've been going through those items. Thanks for all you do, I'm always learning from ya ❤
Food waste is a HUGE budget buster…and one I’m still struggling with. I love your magic soup idea…the family asked for it again…but it takes a while! 😄
At this moment I’m making leftover smoked pork chop quesadillas for supper from leftover bits (like the stuck on the bone bits) and one extra chop, cut from a pork butt on sale. They are AWEOSME!!! They were going to end up in the trash b/c I didn’t feel messing with them…but now I have a delicious dinner and the scraps from the scraps are going in the bean bone bag. 🎉
We love using leftover meat bits for quesadillas!!
Casseroles are a forgotten art!😊
I cut out cable and internet and the gym.thats over 1200 a year being saved for more important items.Patara is right,look where you can pair it down and cut out items. Youd be surprised.
Use a mr buddy heater in one room that you'll live in. turn house t-stat around 40 to keep pipes from freezing. in summer get a window unit for this room.
Mr Buddy's are not cheap a canister on low last 24 hours and is around 6.49 a canister X 30 days=194.85. I guess it depends on the size of your house and how much you are paying for gas in your area. My gas bill for a 672 square foot house is less than $100 a month less in the summer. Anna In Ohio
I’ve been prepping for 4 years. No vacation no eating at restaurants. Cut off cable Stripped it down to bare minimum. It is very hard to see my family members going out all the time.
I don't miss going out to eat. As a matter of fact, a lot of times I get ill now if I do. No idea what in the hell is in the food from restaurants, how old it is, how its been handled, how old the grease is that they cook things in. 🤮 No thanks! The only thing I'm missing is a bout of food poisoning!
@@suehengemuehle1636 same. I changed the way I ate nearly 10 years ago, stopped eating fast and fried food, lost 124 lbs (half my weight). I don't dare eat fast or fried food now. End up sick in the bathroom every time. And it's fast! I get rumbly in my tumbly while eating and I know it's coming!
we was paycheck to paycheck-son got sick and he needed med's so i started to go to yard sales and auctions and buying things for a dollar or 2 and then found a once a month flea market and a antique store booth and made good money that way-also went to craft shows and made money on my crafty item's to get my son's med's-Prayers too all''
Donating plasma pays $102 a week/2 visits a week that takes approximately an hour each time-I save it up for the month and make an extra principle payment on the mortgage. But it's there if I need it for anything else.
Is that healthy? Maybe you could do Instacart or DoorDash instead for some extra $….?
Didn't know that, I thought all they give you is a thank you, possibly. Wow
One week. Rice. Another week beans, Another week flour and so on. Any way you can. Food pantries. Focus on getting started and go as you can to prepare anyway that you can Love and t good in, Christ Amen 🙏
My job just got outsourced, turned off the cable $175 a month now in my pocket~
Plant a garden. Buy heirloom seeds. You can seed save from the plants. Patara has a video on that. If you don't have a yard use containers on your deck. Do what you can. A little at a time. Seed saving will enable you to grow more next year.
Cut out softdrinks, make hot or cold tea for your drinks at work, when driving or home depending on the season..unplug appliances including tv, mucrowave ect until you use it.
Freeze Evan smallest of leftovers. Once a week have a buffet with them
My wife volunteers at Harvesters. They come to all of the local towns around Kansas City, once a month. Not sure what states they are in. They don't offer canned goods...but lots of other foods. It is free to anyone (no matter your income). There are food pantries in most towns. If you eat these foods...it might free up a little money for some canned goods. What about neighborhood garage sales to make a little extra money and get rid of things you don't need.
When I cook something like soup or chili, I try to can some of the leftovers so we don’t have to eat the same thing several days in a row. And I get to add a couple jars to my food stash!
Change cell phone service to a possible $30? Monthly plan (temporarily). If smoke; roll your own i.e. $300 vs $30 monthly. Grow from seeds of vegetables you buy instore, can start off in ice cube trays. 🙏🐾😎
Or use egg cartons to start seedlings.
I've canned my produce for years, but I've started dehydrating as well. That gives an additional option for food storage and it takes less space as canning. You can fit so much more dehydrated veggies and meats in a mason jar than canned of the same. Vacuum sealing after dehydrating will store these foods for a long time.
I love dehydrated foods - fruits especially!
Watch thrifty prices. St Vinnie was selling canning quart jars for $3 per jar... outrageous! They are cheaper at Walmart. I'm in Upper Michigan. I can't afford raised beds this year. I'm going to plant in the ground. It hurts my back but you all know that story. I'm trying not to use any of my extras now. Thank you for your ideas!
What a sweet dog. Just the best