Nothing wrong with having a pre-made salad or meal especially if it saves you from eating out.

I see similarities in how you use up ingredients on hand. I saw this with the cabbage salad. When I have something that needs used I have it show up on our plates over and over until we’ve consumed it. The food looks delicious. Being in the US, especially growing up in Southern California near the Mexico border, we were very influenced by Mexican cuisine. So many of our “bits” meals are a form of taco. Instead of pie crust and breads we use a corn tortilla and fill it with bits. Instead of gravy we use fresh salsa. We use tomato, onion, jalapeños, lime, garlic cilantro. Everything different yet exactly the same goals Something out of nothing is what my family has named it. Always yummy and nutritious even if it is less than traditional for many outside the area we grew up.

Whoever says frugal people don't eat well should come and check this out! Bravo on the beautiful platings, Jane! Seeing pretty plating has been a sought-after hobby of mine. You are a good cook! Thank you for sharing! 😋🥰

lOVE YOUR CHANNEL, COULD YOU PLEASE FEATURE SOME VEGAN RECIPES / tHANKS

Thank you for sharing meal ideas, beautiful presentation❤❤❤❤❤

Eating outside makes the food taste even better. Our grandchildren looked forward to sunny days, with a combination of breakfast and lunch under the apple tree (so lovely when in bloom and thousands of bees buzzing above us). Thanks for triggering that memory. The meal today is what is called on the east coast of Canada, "Jigg's Dinner." Boil a smoked ham, add whole peeled potatoes, whole carrots, quartered rutabaga, large chunks of cabbage and whole onion. Cover it with water and let it cook until all is tender. Before serving, I use some of the liquid for a sauce and pour that over the vegetables. I expect there will be leftovers, unless someone joins us.

Lovely meals x

All looks delicious! Love coleslaw and also potato salad in warmer weather.

Looks delicious! I love to make coleslaw and potato salad in warmer weather and we are now getting some salads in the greenhouse.

Great meal Jane.

Sorry my computer acting crazy AGAIN !

Brilliant meals! Thank you for great meal ideas. Thank you Jane Mike and Puppies

Brilliant meals ! Thank you for great meal ideas. Thank you Jane Mike and Puppies.

Welcome? What's for dinner? What can we afford to eat on a budget? Can we healthily on a low income? Can we eat well when food is so expensive?

My stockpiling has saved me so many times. I broke my arm just under the shoulder socket and was off work for 5 wks and limited a few additional weeks. Managed mainly with what i had on hand. This was before home delivery and shipping items became so prevalent. I was ok during covid shortages, even able to help neighbors. Always put together a winter tote. Cold/flu meds, cough medicine, Ricolas, gatorade, puffs with lotion, cup of soup. I live alone, so it's a struggle when I don't feel well. I always keep things like gingerale, sherbert, soda crackers, protein drinks, and oj on hand. Also have a collection of small bills everywhere. Work bag, home, car, everyday purse. Love the way you budget the previous month's income. I'm building up the money in savings to start doing that. I'm going to have a setback in June. I've been called for jury duty in a large city an hour away. Daily stipend won't even cover parking fee. Employer will pay regular wage less stipend for up to 5 days. I'll also have to board my dog. Can't leave her in her crate 10 - 12 hrs.

I have fine hair and I only wash it twice a week. My shampoo lasts for 6 months. How's that for economy? 😊 Beautiful garden.

Than you for this fantastic video 👍 We have been slowly building a good supply of food and toiletries etc for years and I always thought of it as money in the bank but I know a lot of people just think "crazy prepper" because of what they see on tv. I am thankful a sensible person like you is educating people to think an alternative way. We are early retired in the UK no mortgage or debt and living on £1100 a month and some months are a little harder than others but with my stockpile we are never ever left feeling deprived and I know we can fix or replace anything we need to. Have a wonderful day ❤

This might not appeal to everyone, but I have started shopping estate sales. I go to the laundry area and garage and buy cleaning products for about a dollar each. These items cost 6 or 7 dollars in the grocery store.

what a great vlog !! thank you 😊

I had planned to do a pantry challenge this May, but having heard that my continuing treatment for a brain tumour will start at the end of this month, and continue daily for approximately 45 days involving a round trip journey of 90km each day, decided to top up everything instead and do the pantry challenge in June so we’ll have the extra money we need for the diesel xx I might never have thought of this without watching your channel so thank you for sharing

Hi Jane, here in the UK, paracetamol or ibuprofen can cost over £2 in a pharmacy while in Lidl, Aldi and Home Bargains you can get the same products for under 50p. I add a couple of packs to my shopping every couple of weeks. Thanks for sharing how you live frugally x

I am inspired to start an appliance replacement fund. Great ideas!!!

Supermarkets normally have really good deals on stationery during their back to school promotions in the summer. As well as getting anything my grandchildren need then I also get a stash of things I know they will run out of/loose during the year; this varies between each GC. Not only are the items cheaper then but avoids Sunday evening panics of “I don’t have/need a ……..”

Thank you for sharing these useful tips. You have a great way of breaking it down and making it easier to understand. Have a great weekend 😊.

Jane, thanks in part to your videos, I paid down a good chunk of my last remaining debt (credit card) yesterday. It felt soooo good to see the new lower balance on my bank app this morning.

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I am loving reading the comments. Jane you will like this but I keep a lot of fabric and craft supplies... mostly found in thrift stores. But with these I can make so much including gifts. I can also do repairs. I do keep an extensive pantry and also a laundry, medical, hygiene and pet pantry.

the weather world wide will lead to food shortages pushing up the price foods that are easy to store are better than money in the bank. also beets inflation a win win

Really helpful video and have picked up some new meal ideas! I have six children, so planning and stretching and getting good deals is so important! My children's favourite mince recipe is keema curry and leftovers can be made into a keema cottage pie with sweet potato, sour cream and chive topping.x

My late husband was self employed and had a very variable income. I have shopped this way for a lot of years I tried to carry 3-6 month supply of everything we needed to buy regularly. This allowed me to have no spend months on the months when our income was low. This has got me out of many a scrape over the years.

Old coffee jars are my go to for oats, pulses, lentils, rice and other dried goods, decanted, makes it easy to use and grab when I need to 'bulk up' a dish. Going through them this week, I realised that I hadn't used 2 jars or dried beans because they needed soaking before cooking. So, I bulk soaked and bulk cooked them up, cooled them and froze them. Now they are ready to go in a freezer bag to be added to soups, salads, bakes and stews and will be used up over the coming months. I guess I'm saying that some 'rainy day' items need to be processed at home so that I will use them easily. This has made me look again at what I am not using, that I could be using....

Great topic and really good practical advice thankyou

In 2017, I was made redundant from work. I knew ahead of time and started stocking up on everything, especially the more expensive items (e.g. laundry detergent, dishwasher tablets, toothpaste, cat food). Luckily, I did, because 9 days after losing my job, I ended up in hospital with a bilateral embolism. I was very, very ill but had everything I needed. Ever since, I have stockpiled and lived frugally. I absolutely love it. The fact that I have everything in the house was such a revelation, especially since I live in rural UK and can't just pop out to get things. I used to live in Amsterdam and did my shopping almost daily. Always said: "I can't think what I want to eat in 3 days' time". Now I have all the ingredients and can make loads of things. I have been ill/hospitalised many times since 2017 (3x bilateral embolisms and a stroke), and I couldn't live any other way. Especially since I am on my own.

I appreciate your perspective on the value of stocked items as part of an emergency fund. Very interesting and so true. I have become very vigilent about budgeting and expenses since retiring. However, in the past year I have taken some huge hits - some I was already planning for that came early and some that were not expected. I can cover them but now am rebuilding. The information and ideas in your content is always thoughful. Thank you.

Lots of great ideas. Thank you!

Tucking away 2,000 each month!

You did so well on your shopping.

When my grandchildren were born I set up a college fund for each of them. I buy very few gifts for them but monthly I put money in their college funds. I feel like I’m really helping them.

What a great topic. I’ve never looked at an emergency fund this way. I’ve only looked at it as financially. Thank you. ❤

I've just had a mini dental emergency. My bridgework came loose and had to be re-cemented for the 4th time. I was told to baby that part of my mouth and start saving. Thank goodness for "advance notice!"

Loved the new puppy pics at the end! :)

I have been working on our emergency fund/sinking funds for a couple of years. So far in 2024 I have had to replace my 12 year old desktop computer and printer, spend $1,800 on car repairs and now a new subfloor and flooring in kitchen due to water damage. Estimated $1500 to $1800. Now my husband thinks 4 tires for his car are in the near future. I do stock my food pantry for several weeks, cleaners and paper products. Due to a small freeze only a couple of weeks for frozen items. No room for bigger freezer. Thanks for sharing your ideas. So glad for the emergency funds.

Thanks Jane! I always appreciate your helpful ideas.

We call these "investment purchases". Some are small and relatively inexpensive. Some are not. This year, we have an emphasis on the 2024 Bigger Ticket Item Fund with 5 items on the list. The priority order is subject to change and we've done #1 and #2 already. Both were vehicle maintenance/ repair related, both morphed beyond thier original scope, and both should set the vehicle good to go for a while. All but the alternator got taken care of before they went to complete failure. Umph, the truck runs much better now. Item #3 is to get the septic tank pumped and is scheduled. We are cognizant and careful of the septic tank but we're not sure when it was pumped last. Septic tanks tend to have back-up problems at the worst times, holidays and week-ends, and when money is short. The goal is to get another many years afterwards. We are likely to switch #4 and item #5's order. Item #5 is going to take more money and labor than #4 so,were aiming for #5 first. Either which way, all five items on the list will eliminate specific emergency fund emergencies and tide us over for more time than a lot of other things we could spend money on.

As always great video ! Really makes you think! I like you purchased a years' worth of detergent. I finally started using laundry sheets. No more big jugs of soap to take up room. It is atrocious how much toilet paper is here in the US. Living in the desert you have to have to have to keep plenty of bottled water on hand, so I am buying that every time it goes on sale.

I bulk buy toiletries and cleaning products when they are on offer. There is always a sizeable reserve in the pantry. There is an emergency fund for appliances, unpredicted car maintenance etc, however, this isn't in labelled categories, which I need in order that sinking funds are set up and ready to go.

I think that's a great idea to stock up on toothpaste laundry detergent etc. I just buy by the week so if I bought ahead I could save money

This totally hit home. I put away sunscreen last fall on clearance and also stocked up on burn salve, and pain relief cream and spray. And between sore backs from wood splitting, and a wasp sting, and a oops chainsaw burn while trying to shoo away the wasp, each of these were needed. 😮 Having ice packs, and the needed medication/first aid on hand was relieving. Both for my husband's injuries, and for my piece of mind knowing that he will be comfortable in no time. I shop for our clothes off season. We just got winter slippers on clearance, in January we got sandals on sale. I am able to do that because we have a good food pantry, of stores that allow me to do months of the year with little or no grocery shopping.

I don’t have kids, and at my age, won’t be having any. But your idea of stocking up on children’s future needs is brilliant!