12 Extreme Frugal Living Tips! | Clever Girl Finance

[@dchrysostom]

I’m FiRE…because of fugal living… I’m 54, retired . I’m still fugal because of habit.. but I don’t have to be anymore. Now I can give to friends and family.

[@barbarafallin2038]

I bake my own bread, hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, cookies, and homemade wine, cut back on eating out,and the salon I am natural now

[@evitachimpun]

It absolutely surprises me when people says “eat all your food or freeze it before expiring” as an extreme frugal living tip. I’ve done that my whole life, not as a frugal way of life but as a sustainable and responsible way of life. It’s not about the money for me, it’s about the good use of resources. Same with the less meat eating. There’s not a problem of money since there’s very cheap yet delicious pieces of meat, but it’s healthier eating more balanced and eat more plant based meals.

[@sparkdorable]

Yes I agree!!!

[@kimberlycoltrainrsrccr2626]

You're so right about it being responsible! I bought the smaller containers at $$store (like the little 4oz).ones w lids and put things like half my yogurt (because I can never finish a whole container anyway & I hate when the regular cup gets warm if I have to come back to it, and it helps me with portion control and I can have a variety of different things), or when I make my launch the day before, I can have a small container (like a 6 oz) that might have peas and rice and my chicken that I've already taken off the bone in one, cut up baked potato in another; & I can then make another w my salad (I have a 2 oz little vinyl container that I put my dressing in so it doesn't get soggy) ALL containers from $$ store & all rectangular/square so no wasted space in my lunch bag either 😅😊 Most times, I make an extra main meal container for the next day and just have it in the refrigerator ready to grab. I do things like apples (but a slicer from dollar store and you'll NEVER get the core again😊) and carrots, or orange, grapes & grapefruit slices & can take those as a snack in the containers as well as opposed to letting them go bad in the refrigerator or rot on the countertop. Once I've cut them, I put them in the little containers & sprinkle w lemon juice. It gives me incentive to eat them and it's healthier than grabbing chips. I buy fresh berries if they are on sale at the farmers market or grocery in bulk, wash, slice, and then lay them out on a baking sheet and put them in the freezer. Once they are frozen, I put them in a bag so that I can just scoop them out and make my fresh fruit smoothies. I can get about 2.5 weeks out of $5-6 of blueberries, strawberries, peaches, tangerines, raspberries and I KNOW what's in it (just because Smoothie King says no added sugar, that does not mean that the mix did not already have refined sugar in it. It just means that they are not adding any MORE sugar when they make it for you🙄) AND I can make 8-9 smoothies for the price of one and add my own antioxidants & 'power powder' (sage, oregano, cinnamon, tumeric, thyme, mint, all that I either buy or grow in a window box, dry, & crush in my mortar & pestle). I also clean my meats (chicken & fish, gave up beef back in the mad cow days 😁) and season them before freezing. Then I can just throw them in the crock pot or slow cooker while I'm at work. I also freeze smaller portions. I also keep 6-8 oz containers of homemade chicken stock (boiled down what's left over from a chicken meal. I add about a gallon & 1/2 of water, cut up onions, garlic, slice up oranges, lemons, bell pepper & let simmer for couple of hours until the rest of the meat is off ALL the bones! (I always joke that if that chicken wasn't dead, it was going to wish it would have been 🤣) When it's cool, I strain out the broth and put it in separate containers with plastic wrap under the lid and freeze it. Then I proceeded to take the rest of the meat and separate it from all of the bell pepper and the oranges etc and I put the meat in small containers for my salad or soup. When my daughter doesn't feel well, she just goes to the deep freezer and grabs a container and thaws it out slowly in a pot on the stove. She said it's better than medicine 😂

[@andrewmainprice2179]

I have an apple tree so use apples and homemade jam to make strudels. I even make my own pastry

[@janicelovett5457]

Meat is so expensive so three nights a week we have quiche and muffins, soup and salad and breakfast for dinner. When we retired we moved to a smaller ranch home and when we had to remodel our shower area we made it handicapped accessible . When we got a new roof I called the insurance company and after we sent them a copy of the payment they lowered our insurance . We also went down to one car which works just fine.

[@alinewright1093]

Use half the amount of laundry detergent, use only a Pea size of toothpaste when you brush your teeth. Use a waterpick daily before you brush your teeth at bedtime will save you money at the dentist office. Anytime you drink coffee rinse your mouth afterwards. When you cook make enough for a couple extra meals and freeze for another time. I make the mess one time, saves time.

[@Clevergirlfinance]

Love these tips!!!!

[@debbiekoortzen1154]

Great advice.

[@doctork1708]

Detergent and soap are NOT the same thing. Most people make detergent using soap ie zote soap, this is a mistake and damages clothes and your washer.

[@cjhoward409]

I use 1/4 of what most people use in laundry soap and I line dry my clothes. They last longer ! Agree with all yeh Jt who great tips 👍🏻😀

[@aurorasanchez7922]

I agree with thos portions of detergent. If clothes are not to dirty water and little os detergent works well.

[@suicideshy451]

I got two frugal tips! 1) saving money not just cutting your own hair but by doing your own eyebrows, nails, braiding etc. Braiding costs up to 300$ a session in my city and finding a beginner style and looking at tutorials on KZbin is good. Just set aside one day to do parting, then one day for braiding and another for installation if you're SUPER new and overwhelmed. Just practice and don't be perfect. Eyebrows depend on if your eyebrows are thick. I have sparse brows so I just bought a tweezing kit and do that for 7$ and never pay anyone. If you got thicker brows it's a lot harder but for my husband and his ultra thick brows I use these face tools by flawless which was less than 20$ and can be found easily at discount stores. And shaving too! A lot of people over look the expense of shaving even if it's just razors. I haven't used money on razors or a waxer in so long! I bought an epilator and that for me gets rid of all the hair for up to a month. And the best part is that I don't need a new one ever. Only charge it. You could also use sugar wax which is way more healthy for your skin than regular waxing and can be made 100% free in your own kitchen. It's also good for sensitive skin I love sugar wax. 2) food scraps to feed your own at home garden. Even if it's just herbs and not tomatoes or onions it's still food you don't have to spend money on at the store! Making your own food for free is cracked. And there are also a load of organizations (specifically for black people) that invest and teach you how to have your own at home gardens that can fit in your apartment or community. I've met with a group who works on food towers, which is more vertical space for your crops, that you can feed with your food scraps. And this group in particular gives you the tower and shows you how to use it for free. And if you wanna go even more crazy with planting and getting free plants you can proplift in Walmarts or home Depot on your next visit. This is more of a hit and miss and does not work on every plant in the store but can end you up with a load of plants to sell for sure. And the best part is that propagation is a fairly easy and hands off thing to do for succulents. Almost passive income??

[@Clevergirlfinance]

Love this! Thanks for sharing!

[@ritalawson7020]

Dry clothes and linen and towels on clothes horse in a spare room or verandah or patio if possible you will avoid messages of love from birds too 😂😂😂😂

[@jillsuzanne9022]

Use your library instead buying cable, books and video games.

[@Clevergirlfinance]

Great tips!

[@daniellecomeau2996]

The Libby app for books and magazines and the Kanopy app for movies and video are available free through my library. Very good selections for free.

[@HNGuthrie]

Please, please, please do not make your own "detergents". Those recipes use soaps (in other words, they are not detergents at all), and they will ruin your modern appliances over time. That will cost you SO much more money to repair or replace than just shopping strategically for actual detergents. I always see this as a tip, and it drives me nuts because it's TERRIBLE as a long-term strategy for saving money. Just purchase store brands or shop sales, and make sure you're not using more than you need per wash. That will serve you so much better in the long run.

[@wendy-zarate]

Agree with this! People use so much detergent. Less is more when it comes to detergent and not using fabric softener is better for clothes. Cold water is also better for clothes, and the pocketbook. :)

[@jillgott6567]

I went to our local surplus store two years ago. I found 5 containers of laundry detergent 64 loads reduced to $.64. I bought them all and have 3 left. I am on the hunt now for 2 more for the future. Add Hydrogen Peroxide to your wash to boost your detergent and you will use less .

[@vivianhamilton616]

Thanks for the tips guys🙏

[@SuzanneU]

Many "soaps" are solidified detergent.

[@homesteadingwithapurpose9681]

We do several of these as a life style. It has definitely cut our expenses in more than half.💜

[@Clevergirlfinance]

That is awesome! Well done.

[@Gabi-lt4mx]

These are good tips, but none of them are extrem frugal. Extrem is when you use the rainwater for your toilet. Or the water from the bathtub. Stuff like this.

[@misslanapaulford]

I use water From my bath tube or from washing basin.

[@annetedder8202]

If you live in an area which has hard water, it's best to buy and use liquid detergent. Homemade dry detergents can gunk up the septic system badly.

[@Clevergirlfinance]

Great tip!

[@ellabella7071]

Some of these I can definitely incorporate into my daily life 💗

[@debkincaid2891]

There are many, many, homesteaders and others who make their own detergent and are able to use those homemade laundry soaps forever without damaging even the HE machines. However, it IS true that the ingredients you use, the process you use, & being sure to dilute the mixture sufficiently makes all the difference. Doing some more researching on homesteading You Tube channels rather than DIY channels I think will be helpful.

[@SuzanneU]

The most expensive part of my food spend is vegetables and fruit! This costs 50-60% of my bill. Meat comes to 8%, dairy and eggs to 8-10%. I buy meat on loss leader sales and from the Manager's Special bin. I buy whole sections, cut, portion, and freeze them at home. I recently bought a 10 pound bag of frozen chicken thighs for $5. In dollars: meat costs $30-$40/month for 2 adults. I can't eat legumes as they trigger excruciating migraines that can last for 72 hours. I was having chronic migraine until I identified the legumes as the cause! Because I keep a good stock at home, I can afford to wait for the sales. We consider a meat serving to be 3-4 ounces. We usually get 3 meals for each pound of meat. This is top-quality protein. We buy nuts for my husband (they give me migraine), good quality coffee beans (we grind them fresh daily), and high-quality black tea for me. These aren't the cheap options! We spend about half of the average for our area.

[@stevehartman1730]

Im off grid for everything except electric. I plan on paying off my debts personal loan then get a solar generator big enuf to to power mt freezer n fridge and im getting a pellet stove so just 3 things ill use my savings from being off grid to pay down mortgage principal.

[@marydawkins2673]

Thank you for sharing great tips👍

[@soflo4953]

Unfortunately I can't give up my smartphone. With my smartphone I am able to have extra incomes for the weekend just for using my smartphone.

[@superwizard7717]

Smartphone can be very useful. One needs to do your research there are ways to use with out it costing you a fortune. Embrace new technology.

[@johnclaybaugh9536]

Being vision impaired, I need the apps. And sure the phone itself is more expensive than a flip phone, but phone service is only 50ish dollars. How much is a landline these days?

[@mariateresacruz3434]

THANK YOU 🧩

[@Clevergirlfinance]

Thank you for watching.

[@JennyAnya]

No smart phone??? Yikes!!! 🥶🥶🥶

[@cherylT321]

@@bethanyg153 I had a flip phone for years. I only recently upgraded to a smartphone. I’m still not on it as much as some people are, but I must admit, that it does come in handy!

[@brendamiranda3732]

I hold onto my smartphones as long as I can. I haven’t purchased a new iPhone in like 4-5 years? But my AT&T price went up so now I need to look for another carrier because $81 a month is too expensive.

[@thiabrabson2533]

😍🤩😍🤩😍🤩😍🤩

[@mootrader7027]

Jesus the cheapery

[@ssim0n]

🤣

[@jimdrummer816]

Jesus the King of kings and Lord of Lords.

[@natalieguffey3936]

Since July my family and I have stopped eating out for the next 12 months and purchasing coffee at a coffee shop we make our coffee at home our goal is to save money especially for a down payment for our future home

[@Clevergirlfinance]

What an awesome goal! It will be worth it!

[@janinemcdonnell9221]

All the best Natalie, I am sure you will reach your home deposit goal. I actually prefer my home cooked meals, they are definitely healthier and cheaper. 🇦🇺🦘

[@Stephan__ox.]

1. Make your own detergent & cleaning products 2. Borrow everything 3. Don’t throw away food (freezing food, meal planning, etc) 4. Go vegan or vegetarian (cut out expensive meat) 5. Aggressively cut expenses (unplug appliances, take cold showers) 6. Give up your smartphone (rely on the landline) 7. Sell things you own 8. Stop gift giving 9. Use cloth diapers & reusable menstrual products 10. Cut your own hair 11. Stop eating out completely 12. Downsize your home

[@preciousglorious233]

Thanks dear 👏👏👏🥰🥰

[@gazelle20111]

Basically be a pauper

[@cherylT321]

Thank you!

[@kenyonbissett3512]

I like the term Rightsize instead of downsize.

[@sparkdorable]

I consistently meal planning and freezing food so everything is under control amount with no much leftover. My cleaning lady in my house said to my neighbour. I AM cheap on my food😂 because of that!!! What's wrong with society. That is food management and money management!!

[@afrikurl]

I do a few of these things but I didn’t think that they were extreme. I stopped gift giving a long time ago. I am a vegan and I cook at home about 90% of the time. I maintain my hair and mine and my daughter’s hair and all other beauty treatments. Nails, pedicures and facials.

[@evenatandnico3771]

I have tried reusable menstrual products and I was like...where have you been all my life... never going back to disposable ones it has been 2 years now

[@kaylawaters2691]

Those might work for people with light periods, but a lot of women that I have had period conversations with have heavy to super heavy "soaking" (clothes and everything else) periods. It will not work for those.

[@FreeAsABird53]

I just purchased your book from Barnes & Nobles. Proud to see a fellow Nigerian making a difference in so many lives. Looking forward to reading the book. Now I’m going to rewind and watch this video fully 😊🙏🏽

[@maxinesasyer2371]

What I enjoyed about your video you went straight into the frugal tips alot of the videos I've been watching do far to much talking before it gets into the video so yours was very freshing well done ,

[@kimberlycoltrainrsrccr2626]

Hub's first meal he made for me was a homemade pizza Including homemade dough. It was THE first time my stomach didn't get upset! The sauce was fresh tomato mixed w a little tomato paste seasoned with oregano & thyme from the farmer's market & he grated the mozzarella and parmesan cheese himself. He had my heart as soon as he took out the cast iron skillet 😂

[@LynnSJ]

As one income for 2 adults i must be extreme to be without debt supporting our current and our future house. Saving to move, pay taxes, emergencies, burthdays, xmas..reasons to spend never end. Budget is everything! I just started doing my own nails. Had to buy many tool, polishes, uv light to get set up. But its saving me time from sitting in the salon for hrs and money... as gels.. w foil or stamp fancy designs would cost a lot. Same w homemade detergent have to buy several things initially but once set up can last for yrs. I dabble in doing my own haircuts since C. Seema no matter where i took my very thick hair to it was sub par cuts often going back to fix the cuts and upset leaving salons. Now if i make a mistake its my fault and a learning point. When i made much less $ yrs ago i made cheese from our spoiling milk, made home made bread, used crock pot several days a week and took bfast and lunch to work. Now that i make more and budget right i can eat out cheaply if i chose, if not money rolls over.

[@Clevergirlfinance]

Thanks for sharing these gems!

[@sassytangel88]

Use WIFI as much as you can to cut back on the data plans

[@johnclaybaugh9536]

I can't take the chance of being without data, so for 50ish a month I get unlimited. Without data I'll be lost. Vision impairment can be a difficult thing to deal with.

[@jamesdvorak6525]

Had a 3 bedroom, 2 bath house. Husband passed on to a better place. Downsized to 1 bedroom apt, then rented a room with bath. Now live in 440 sq ft with bf. Even have space for indoor greenhouse for growing veggies & flowers. Love the simplicity. James gf

[@esthermutua1287]

Thanks alot this tips @ Bola 💥💥💯

[@Clevergirlfinance]

Thanks for always supporting!

[@lavieestduresansconfiture4939]

Extreme tips? Welcome to my life! 😉 But I didn't sell my belongings. We're minimalists with a lot of stuff, living in the countryside and it's important to have items to replace a broken tool, to do some diy if something is missing. I stopped buying things but I didn't stop using things. We're living on a very small income and all I have I havn't to buy.

[@SuzanneU]

Regarding cell phones: we use Mint Mobile. This costs us $30/month plus taxes for both lines, (it comes to $33.67 in total), and we get 4GB each.

[@kamicrum4408]

Im a snall house hold I buy a gallon of milk( its cheaper that way) get home& I pour off 2quarts off into canning jars, leaveibg roomsesl with a pkastic lid& freeze! As I notice the milk is gettibgnlow,I pull a frozen quart out if my freezer it thawsnin about 2 days in the fridge & I use the entire gallon no waste!😊

[@Clevergirlfinance]

Thanks for sharing This awesome tip!

[@soniamerritt5278]

Great tips tfs!

[@Clevergirlfinance]

Thanks for being here!

[@emilywilson7308]

Great ideas! I already do most of them!

[@kishaanderson2947]

Some of these I've adopted or have done in the past. I stopped some of these tips because I started to adopt a lack mentality. You're totally right, Bola on how to approach these tips.

[@rough-hewnhomestead5737]

New sub here....glad to have found your channel. Great tips!

[@heatherbowser4216]

An alternative to stopping gift-giving entirely is to make gifts for people. I am a weaver. I buy yarn at thrift stores for incredibly cheap and make things for people. They love them, and it only costs my time. I also make my own holiday cards. I have a friend who crochets her gifts. I have another friend who makes jewelry. Thus this love language can be honored and fulfilled, but our wallets do not have to suffer. Our family also draws names at Christmas, so everyone gets something, but no one has to spend a lot.

[@llynnt6428]

Cloth diapers became really time consuming to clean/they leaked so I potty trained my 3 month old! It's called elimination communication and I don't regret doing it at all! The average family spends about $2,000 on diapers from the time a baby's born through when their potty trained

[@TomikaKelly]

Agreed. Some odd these "tips" while we'll intentioned end up costing you on the back end instead of on the front end because there's no way around them. You either pay for diapers or spend extra time cleaning cloth diapers.

[@jimdrummer816]

We used the plastic pants that go over cloth diapers.

[@debkincaid2891]

I love your ideas about the smart phone. I'm way too attached to it. I'm thinking hard.

[@sjordan7085]

Never a borrower of a lender be, was something my mother taught me decades ago. Both are very poor judgement, cause ill feelings and have the potential to destroy perfectly good relationships. Not something I have ever chosen to do. Far better to be self-reliant!

[@siakelley2345]

I feel u need good food to fuel your body I can do everything else but. Not skimp on good food cooked at home

[@marthaC495]

I'm a grandma and I've told the adults in the family to NOT buy me gifts (if I need something I'll buy it for myself). But I do buy gifts, Christmas & birthdays -- only for the children! Also, the adults in our family did not buy gifts, for me or my brother when we were kids. But we had an aunt who brought a homemade cake every time she came to visit...we loved that!

[@alittleabouteverything4784]

I have cut down on all types of meat to save cost

[@cherylfindeisen6088]

Just found your channel and I love listening to your voice! I never understood people being mad cause someone didn’t buy you a gift. In my family it’s rare to get a gift. I would rather spend time with them. I already do some of these and will incorporate more plus anxious to buy at least one of your books on payday as well as check out your free courses. Thank you for what you do!

[@Clevergirlfinance]

Thank you so much for being here and for sharing!!

[@arthurmantzouris4413]

One way i save money is by not buyujg any processed food which isnt good for me. Ive been able to save a TON of money from stopping myself from eating highly processed food to chips to cookies to frozen pizza to anything that has a package or box.

[@Clevergirlfinance]

This is such a great tip!

[@mdee9337]

That thermostat one doesn't make sense ... might as well turn it off

[@samu6874]

Like half if Europa does These days.

[@johnclaybaugh9536]

My smart phone is essential. It's not just a want. Anyone who disagrees doesn't know my life. Going anywhere? I need my smart phone.

[@laszloneduka8875]

Szep napot kivanok.....

[@letuswalkinthelightofthelo5350]

Numbers 2 and 8 go against the principles of God as found in the Bible. Otherwise, your suggestions are doable on a certain level.

[@suicideshy451]

Clean my space on KZbin has super easy diy cleaning products. Most of the recipes involve things like dish soap/Castile soap, baking soda, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide... Etc

[@Clevergirlfinance]

Great tip!

[@preciousglorious233]

Wow,am always greatful 👏👏👏🧏‍♀️ @CleverGirl