This Was HARD! Budget & Day In My Life Update #frugalliving #budget #expenses

May I mentioned (sorry just 7 mins into your video - I stopped buying dishwashing tabs when my favorite brand went to $20 at Samsclub.. I couldnt imagine having to buy at any grocery store because for the same amount Samsclub sells equals like $40 or more at the reg grocery.. anyhow I started making my own for a fraction of the cost and its better then any name brand on the market.. I also stopped buying my favorite Tide as that went to $29 ( also its proven to be loaded with Cancer causing chemicals along with so so many other cleaners.. anyhow I now make a homemade version again for a fraction of the cost.. I stopped buying cleaning supplies and now make orange peels infused in vinegar and pine needles from my trees infused in $1.25 rubbing alcohol for my bathroom cleaner.. next batch I will infuse in vinegar.. I even wash my windows with the orange peel cleaner n noticed that no mold has grown in at least 8-months which is what I have huge issues with in our bathroom until we can replace the 1960's exhaust fan. I have little by little reducing store bought products.. no more strofoam plates, disposable cups, plates or utensils.. I bought scrubbie yarn for $1.79 at Walmart n now crochet my kitchen kitchen scrubbies.. make a copycat Dawn dish foam soap until I learn to make my own castile soap using lye.. that is on my list over the next few months. Its truly endless on what you can make yourself that will help anyone stretch those dollars.

Having a milk cow opens so many doors for you.. you can make cheese, cottage cheese, cream cheese, yogurt, sour cream.. ALL can be sold if your Stare allows it. What about making shelf stable pickled eggs to sell?

April was hard here, too. We are retired and only have one vehicle that was hit by a big delivery truck. It has taken ten day to get to the point of the other insurance agreeing to fix our van. It was six days before they gave us a rental. I was so glad to have a well stocked pantry during that time.

We have salvage grocery stores here and they are a huge help to our grocery budget but we also primarily shop Aldi and Lidl. We have also found Sam's to be a very good value for fresh produce. If we store it properly the two of us rarely waste any of it. I go on the app and search for fresh vegetables and fresh fruit so that I can see what they have and the prices. I was really surprised at how much I could save there and even over Aldi prices.

I just found you. Love your sweet voice. Do you sale any eggs?

Very first time viewing your videos. Your son sure is a cutie! Keep your chin up- things will get better!

JUST FOUND YOUR CHANNEL THANKS FOR SHARING......YOU ARE SO BUSY!!!!!!!!!!!!! JUST WONDERING IF YOUR COW IS OKAY? SILLY QUESTION MAYBE ....BLESSINGS

We are a one income family lucky with some months when I'm doing my nanny job we're so lucky to have the extra money but I feel you it hard when your living off of one income my husband works full time he has mental health issues he has depression so sometimes it hard on him he comes home from work some days but those days it like we're lucky that I'm working. We just got solar that takes a big cut in our budget. I was telling my husband that it hard cutting back on the things that we need the most. But I try an keep my freezer full so that we hand the meets that way I can plan around what I have. I've notice just getting out of the house just walking around some we're really helps me out not to think of the money so much. Good luck.

You can use credit cards like cash just pay your cards balance every month and see your credit score soar

In other words don't spend more than you have

Congratulations on your thoughtful management.

If you donate items to charities, their value can be deducted at tax time. These would be items you no longer use that are in good repair. Cash is also deductible if donated to qualified organizations.

New here ❤

New subbie here.I ABSOLUTELY LOVE your channel. You put A lot of things into perspective. Thank you so much for sharing your daily life, and being so honest, helpful and transparent. 💓💓💓

Such a lovely and true video. My grandparents taught this way of living... simple, home cooked meals, no CC's except for a dire emergency, and watching every dollar spent. I try to follow the same ways. Online grocery shopping and pickup helps me. I buy the same things most every week and don't fall for the "deals" or impulse purchases in store. My biggest struggle is food/treats for my cats as I have many and they are the children I never had. 🙏

first time on this channel, but omg...you can see the cows ribs, feed the cow, thats cruelty! I married into a farming family, they never had a cow look that skinny, sad!

Fiest time viewer and now a new sub. Thank you for your candor its very refreshing and appreciated. I think we all need to know we are not alone in our set backs, everyone has them. In my town there are a couple produce carts in front of folks homes, they run them on the honor system. The cart has the veggies and a lock box for those purchasing to place their money's. If safe enough in your area that may be an idea so as not to tie your time up out sitting with it. Looking forward to watching other videos. Blessings and have a great week. 😊

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Definitely a bad month for cars. My car also died and I just purchased another car. Fortunately I had the money for down payment. I'm hoping to have it paid off by the end of next year. I'm retired at 60 so I will just work a part time job to get it paid off instead of spending down savings to pay the monthly payments.
I hate being in debt. Not being in debt was the reason I was able to retire early. However and fortunately I knew that at some point I would need a new car and my plan was to work a part time job to pay it off to lessen the stress a little bit. It's still a bummer though.

Everything comes at once. I don’t know why that happens. We have to always have that emergency funds. We just have too. ☮️☮️👍👍

REMIND people to subscribe each video.

Making bone broth at moment. Tomorrow I will make a highly nutritious vegetable soup. We have a bowl of soup before every meal. Cuts down on portions and I know that my family has a good source of vege’s and protein.

Janet Andrews hello from Virginia: New subscriber here. The way I'm able to save money and stay on a budget is following Dave Ramsey peace University 7 baby steps please check it out it literally saved my life. Baby step one save $1,000 dollars in an emergency fund, step 2 pay off all debt it goes on until you get to baby step 7. we have reach baby step 6 paid our home off and are looking forward to being generous givers.

Sell cart is an excellent idea,. If i lived near you, i would buy some!

When Trump tax cut expires your going to be in worse shape. And every month is just going to get worse. We owed 2800.00 and then you have to prepay 706.00 for 4 quarters, yes you have to prepay next years because they can't wait for the money. So, get prepared for the taxes owed for 2024 when you file next year. I am debtfree and still struggle.

That poor cow looks like she is starving. She is nothing but bones. Please see if you can feed her better. So sorry for your situation.

April gave you a hard time with budgeting, but June is going to give me a tough time budgeting, you know why? Because June 10 is the last day of school and I work at 2 schools. I am a teacher. Omg I am saving like crazy because school is about to end, I got 22 more days to stack my dough. I don't even know how I am going to pay my bills when July come.😮 God please help me. I got $8,000.00 saved up and that's it. That's nothing.

I know exactly what you mean. My husband and I pay estimates and they were too low for the taxes that were due. That was a big surprise tax bill. Then my husband had a mobile rental in another county here in California. The family stopped paying rent last September, and it was cheap rent to boot as my husband has a good heart and never raised it in 15 years. After waiting until March when they finally had to move out after having to hire an attorney for the process, my husband went down to the property and the whole property was destroyed! There was nothing left of the mobile but scraps and a third of an acre of nothing but trash that all had to be hauled off. The police said it was a civil matter even though it's deliberate destruction of property and insurance won't cover damages deliberately done by a tenant, besides which you can't sue someone in the wind whose whereabouts are unknown. I knew I had to get the front brakes of my car done and so that was no surprise, but after I went to pick it up they said the rear ones needed to be done as well. That following weekend the chain on the garage door opener broke and I had to have someone come out and replace. No choice when the garage door is so heavy no one can manually lift it to get your car out. I can't picture any vacations or days off in my future for at least the rest of the year trying to catch up. No more words.

New subscriber here.
April was absolute chaos. 🤪

Your kitchen counters are gorgeous. What kind of wood are they?

We had a rough financial month in April too. I just posted my let's talk money video for April last night. We cut way back and have worked very hard to make ends meet. Great video. I really enjoyed it. God always provides. You will be ok ❤

I'm a single mom. In February, I was hit with a $3k tax bill. My daughter and I had to move suddenly the same month due to several leaks in our home, which was $2500 very unexpectedly. Next, in March, my daughter needed braces, which was $1400. It was hit after hit financially. But God provided overabundantly this month that I was able to replenish that money and still had some left over. Along the way, the Lord has been showing me how to cut back without lack. 😊

I think when seniors hit retirement age, they shouldn't have to pay property taxes!!

Your little guy is so sweet. 🤓
I know that it can be quite distressing to be hit with financial or health issues.

This is the first time I have watched your channel. I do not intend to be critical, but do wonder why if you are trying to be frugal you are paying Cosco and Sam's memberships? One would be enough. I also noticed a Keurig coffee maker and an expensive watch, neither of which are frugal or necessary purchases. I would also follow Prepper Princess for wonderful advice on how to be truly frugal. Good luck with your channel. You have a lovely way of presenting and filming.

I got 2 old cars and high mileage 180k for both..so scared they will break down and will have to buy another..prices are just crazy

New subscriber. Loved listening to you. May and June will be difficult for me. Due to a lot of unexpected expenses. One is tax, like you, the other is a vet bill, and third, my car. I mealplan, and yesterday I went shopping after work. It takes time, as I had to go to 5 different stores, in order to get everything on my list. I do the shopping list on Sunday, when the digital sales flyers come out. I live remotely, but I work in an area with plenty of different stores to choose from. 🙂 It is worth the extra work to save the money each week.

WAY, way, way back - a woman named Amy Dacyczyn (pronounced decision) was writing a newsletter, which was later compiled into 3 books, called The Tighwad Gazette. She did the math for a working mom (second income) and a SAHM. This was back in the 80s, just before the financial crisis, agreed each financial crisis since then has gotten worse effecting more people each time. A SAHM saved the family more money than she would have brought home after expenses.
Agreed some women's job are the primary income depending on the skill set of each spouse, but the ages and number of the children will effect the decision for one parent to stay home,

Every now and gain I see the article that lists the "income a SAHM could earn if she was paid for everything she does from short order cook to nurse aid. The most important part of both spouses role in the family is to talk together (that means listening as well), and to the kids, about what is going on and what plans and suggestions can be agreed upon to minimize waste, cut costs and increase savings and stored food.

Hi iam new to the channel and I really love what you do and loved the video. You are a really honest and lovely lady

With child care at such a premium, I wonder if you have considered taking in a child to watch? This could be a blessing to the person looking for good child care and bring in extra income for your family. It could even be part-time.

You are doing great! Don’t beat yourself up! I would love to be a stay at home mom! I’m a single mom and have to grind everyday to make ends meet. Thank the Lord He sees us through! You are blessed lady!!

you've got this

That cow looks so skinny

Such a nice video- thank you! I am an empty nester- battling professional burnout (healthcare). Last September, I made the decision to leave a corporate position that I felt was killing me and switch to a part time job- i have been on a frugal journey- learning how to live and thrive within my new budget- there have been challenges for sure, but it has been a joy to live simply again and embrace simple pleasures such as growing my own food and baking from scratch on my woodstove- wishing all a life of simplicity and love ❤

Is Minnie too thin??

Yes keeping meals simple and pantry helps keep a budget. Shop season sales🎉.

We all are in a grocery crunch. Oboy Toilet paper watch coupons buy extra when sales. Tx HEB grocery store coupons and early bird meat discounts 25 % off. I buy Vegs 50% off also in season.

Is there a farmers market near you? If not go to your town/city’s chamber of commerce and see about starting one… you can start small lime you mentioned with baked goods, eggs, plants you can take cuttings from and root starting them off as your starter plants…plant fancy lettuces that you can harvest…also, if you have enough land, plant plenty of pumpkins, gourds etc. start a pumpkin patch with farm animals for a petting area/ zoo. Sell roasted peanuts, jams, jellies, soft drinks, bottled water, organic baby food made from things you can plant in a garden. Rent a hay bailer and let grass grow long enough to make bails of hay. People will drive hour to hour and half away just to bring their families for an outing in the countryside! One man from a very small town started one very small and grew into a business that supported he and his wife along with his children and their families! They put out bails of hay stacked for kids to climb on, a corn field maze, a hayride to go pick out your own pumpkin or pumpkins. They eventually opened a little general store that sold type of food you get at a fair…sold homemade pies, slices and whole, jams, jellies, pickles and canned goods. You could let the kids have a try milking your cow if she doesn’t mind. One farmer close by sets out picnicking tables and cooks up fried catfish, hush puppies, French fries, slaw and Ice Tea with a dessert…charges $20-25.00 a plate. He is booked solid through the months he is not farming. He houses it inside a barn when it is cold or raining. Just some ideas to help you think outside the box! Anything country, antique or reminds people of better times ( homemade pot holders, aprons, krafts for little ones to make a Christmas ornament, face painting etc. will be fun for the whole family)! Fourteen years ago we paid anywhere from $ 12-$14.00 a head for adults and children 10 and up was $8.00 each and children under ten was $2-$3.00 each. You could bring your own lunch or buy something at the general store. Schools, church groups, etc got a discount for so many. I think it was 15 or more.

Had a rough April too for quite a few reasons and we also owed a ton for taxes this year. Want to be more mindful with what I spend especially on line and on groceries. Sometimes I think I shop for entertainment and it releases that good old dopamine. I need to have more self-control for sure and ask myself before I get something, do I really need this or is this just a nice to have want?

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I've been a stay-at-home mom for the last 15+ years. When finances get tight, I sometimes feel like I'm not contributing to the finances and start thinking about what I can do to help. But the truth is - by being dedicated to staying home I AM contributing to our finances. It isn't EXTRA money but it saves us money.