15 Frugal Habits, Tips & Stories from Subscribers | FRUGAL LIVING | JENNIFER COOK

[@jodie923]

Ways I cut cost around the house. - dryer balls in my dryer to help cut down the length of drying time - I wash and dry my clothes when electric is in less demand - foam soap dispenser, put 1/4 of an inch ish of dish soap in it and fill the rest with water, I use to wash dishes and hands - I put water bottle in all my toilets to help save water - I no longer use paper towels, rags instead - I use less dishwasher detergent in dishwasher - I use reusable scrubbing pads to wash dishes - I challenge myself to a no spend challenge - I make fire bricks from cardboard and paper to use in my wood stove, free heat - I no longer have many cleaning supply, now I use vinegar to clean most of what needs cleaning - I close curtains to keep the sun out during the hot months - I put up a curtain up to my drafty front door - I keep a running list and do shopping 1-2 days a week - I switched over to using cast iron pan for cooking - I use a diffuser with essential oils instead of using sprays to make the house smell good - bargain shop for items - I keep a gratitude journal to see my blessings and to be happy and satisfied with what I have - we maintain the same car and a truck for 17 years now, we have the cheapest insurance around with having the same vehicles for so long and yes we keep full coverage on them - are eating out is a picnic in the back of are truck Here are some of the things we have changed so we can live with in are means after a 1/3 pay cut.

[@sm1..]

Frugal Tip: Once you pay off a mortgage, or a car, or layaway, or anything that you had to pay monthly for a while - after all of that is paid away, continue to take that amount out of your checking acct monthly and put it away into your savings. Pretend that you still have that bill to pay, except now you are paying yourself.

[@lindamcdermott5475]

Jennifer, I am so moved and honored that you included my story in your video today. I don’t know how I got to be 74, time flies. My life, was an adventure and I always made fun of whatever I did. I can’t say my garden was always weed free, but it fed us all year! My daughters still talk about sitting around the picnic table with their friends, each with a potato peeler, peeling apples for me to make applesauce. Just recently, I bought a new potato peeler, one of my neighbors asked why I owned six of the old ones.

[@brendasparks6234]

Thank you Linda.

[@karenbransome6978]

This story reminds me of my great grandmother and my Nan, which was her daughter. So many life lessons and wonderful memories. I have three daughters and I passed on the life lessons to them. Yes people mocked and made fun. However, when I became a single mother those lessons served us well. I have more fun being frugal than going shopping with friends. 😂 I don’t regret my frugal life choices. Thank you for sharing x

[@happybudgeter]

To expand on "See all that clutter? It used to be money." I always think, "See all that clutter? It used to be TIME." Money can come and go, but you'll never get time back. It seems to have a greater impact on my emotions.

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

YES!

[@anafernandez7237]

Exactamente

[@shoshanachavab]

That’s exactly how I,was,brought up. Mom,teaching is to sew and knit and making all our own clothes. We had,an acre of garden in which we Harmon orchard and food garden and were pretty much self sufficient in those ways. We would can,surplus goods and they would last us until the next crop. We did not have an option as we could not afford to buy clothes etc.

[@callalily_6084]

I do the same when I’m out running errands. I pack two bottles of water, a big cup of ice coffee, some keto bars, a meat bun of some sort, & some fruit already chopped in a container. I put everything in a thermos bag. This has saved me many occasions last year when stores were closely reopening up & sometimes there is nowhere to buy ready to eat food.

[@cynthiamyers4265]

My tip is to find frugal friends! We are lucky enough to be friends with another couple who looks at frugality like we do. When we go out for the day with them, we both pack lunches automatically. We trade garden produce and hand-me-downs (maybe we should call them hand-me-acrosses.) We help each other with do-it-yourself projects. We do things like hikes, picnics, and free concerts for fun. It's really encouraging when you find others who think like you do.

[@goodwillbunny5773]

I always ask for my Diet Coke, water, and coffee in a to-go container, and get a refill before I leave. Love the tip of taking a snack and taking a thermos along for the day. "See all of that clutter? It used to be money." Love it!

[@sue8319]

You know that toothpaste tube has been squeezed, used a box clip …squeeze…more. Well with the top closed, use scissors and cut tube 3 inches from the top. Ya daa, you have found 3-4 more brushings . I put a mouthwash cup over it when not in use. Waving to you from Michigan

[@booksboundnoveljourneys1122]

I do this, too! I do the same thing with my liquid foundation.

[@kittyfarmer9567]

I also cut the tube in half of any product..if it's toothpaste I use my toothbrush to get every last bit! Same goes with my prescription hand cream, I just dip my pinky in there and get every bit I can. You get the idea!

[@veemcg3682]

Thank you Jennifer for this great video! I really enjoyed hearing about the lady who grew all her produce as I grow as much as our Irish climate allows. This means we've always eaten organic fruit veg salads and fresh herbs as well as fresh eggs from our free ranging hens. There's no way we could have afforded to eat so well had we been paying shop prices! Our mum made our clothes and taught me to sew and I still sew knit crochet and embroider so that's handy for clothing but also for curtains and soft furnishings and best of all making very personal and meaningful gifts for family and friends! Now retired I've learned to make jewellery and am enjoying patchwork and quilting projects and making toys...never a dull moment when you just keep learning skills and keep your hands busy.

[@emiliehaillant9502]

I'm French, and you need to know something we do when we go out to eat. If the portion that we are served is too big for us, and we just can't finish our meal, we never ask for a container to bring it home. It would be rude, and weird, and we would be considered to be stingy. It's not even an option. We just waste the food... We really need to change this way of thinking! I love your channel, I learn a lot about how American people live, how they manage their finances and the cost of living in your country. It's really interesting.

[@botialoach1]

The leftover food is food that you paid for so it's yours so if the restaurant does not like asking for a "doggy bag," do not visit that restaurant again

[@emilywilson7308]

Italy is the same way.

[@lifebeyondthesalary2458]

In America it’s considered dumb & wasteful to not take home your leftovers from a restaurant. Unless you aren’t going straight home or have no way to keep your leftovers cold for an extended period of time.

[@jodiweiss8705]

Here's my weird tip: when I shave my legs and underarms, I put the shaving cream on ONE SIDE at a time. Instead of rinsing, I reapply the used shaving cream to the other side of my body. Makes the can last longer!

[@lifebeyondthesalary2458]

I tend to shave with just water. Now if you have dry skin you may not be able to do it so well, but if you can… just try it and see if it makes a difference. It may also be where when you were younger or used a different razor 🪒 you had to use shaving cream & just try it periodically to see if it’s a possibility. You can also use cheap conditioner instead of shaving cream. Haven’t had to use either (just water) to shave in close to a decade.

[@melissashimp7448]

Great video! I love hearing and reading people's tips. My tip is I use the plastic tabs that come with a loaf of bread as a scraper for pans and such. It doesn't scratch so if I need to scrape something I use those.

[@suecartin780]

So many times we have been out shopping for something specific such as outfits for special occasions and not found anything but come home having spent a fortune on eating out. I now not only take food for such occasions but also keep long life food in the car eg granola bars crisps (chips) water etc in case we are delayed and get hungry. It has saved us a fortune. Also as we are lactose and gluten intolerant it is much better knowing we always have foods we can eat.

[@hayleyb8405]

Me too. Always have food and water bottle in my bag and also have granola bars in my car. It's a huge saving. Even if I don't have any on hand, I'd rather buy bananas, berries or grapes to snack on when I am out. It is so much cheaper and healthier.

[@Candiegirl13]

I so agree with the last one. My one coworker friend is always spending money. And I have expressed no I don't live like that I'm frugal. She said well you have to be that way. Acting like I don't have money. She never keeps track of the bills she just pays it or has it on autopay. That's one of the biggest ways to pay extra. By taking a few minutes to look stuff over you can find the questionable items and you don't you pay that extra money. One day we went to Dunkin' and she said she gets coffee everyday I went once and the drink was almost 5 dollars I said I can't do this on a regular and she's like that's normal well maybe to a spender but not me. I don't think she understands being frugal allows me to spend on things that are important and not spend or spend less on things that don't.

[@nelliedean7088]

I use a stain removal bar on specific stains and use a washer ball from Amazon. It changes the surface tension of the water and washes your clothes. I wash clothes inside out to prevent pilling. I have found that I do not need laundry detergent at all regardless of how sweaty or stained the clothes are. The clothes always smell good if you line dry.I also make my own dishwasher pods.

[@cathyphillips679]

I started doing my main grocery trip once a month to stay safer during this pandemic. I am vegan and eat a lot of fresh stuff, but am now organized enough to only shop one other time during the month to replenish my produce. I am amazed at how much money this has saved me! Of course the less often I am in the store...the less I buy. I have also tried ordering online and picking up at my local grocery store. That saves even more since I can see the running total as I put things in the cart, which sometimes prompts me to remove things from my cart before checking out. This keeps me within my budget.

[@tonygirl42]

Loved the “I pray” comment. It’s so crazy how our society lives by TV and media news. Literally, they thrive on bad news and gossip. Don’t get me wrong, I think we should know a little about what is going on the world, but just that…what’s going on, not opinions and definitely not all the crazy stuff giving “villains” their 5 minutes of fame! (Sorry, my tangent). I sew, quilt, craft, bake, and have enough projects, as well as, household chores to keep me busy. I don’t need a TV bill to justify my time. So when people say they have nothing to do….I totally do not understand that! Not only do I always have things to do but I have a zillion things I want to do and they don’t include TV, media, or something “The Jones’” think I need to do or listen to. If any of your followers need a list of things they could do with their time besides TV, social media, text or post on Facebook 24/7-send them my way! I can give them plenty of fulfilling things to do to make them become creative and enjoy their time honestly. Can you tell all the new bigger & better things of this new age set me off?😉

[@m_a_r_a__]

I read every comment section of every vídeo, post, etc. Sometimes I learn more there than the post/video itself, lol. Great vídeo ✨💫

[@WiseWomanLola]

My mom used to use half a bag of chocolate chips in her cookies. Chocolate was like gold in our house and doled out sparingly. I actually hide my chocolate all over the house, just like gold.

[@WiseWomanLola]

@@mamacat393 ooh, I wish I had that aversion.

[@ywLDSforever]

(^.^) I use mini chocolate chips, so they're spread more. Also, because...mini chocolate chips. :D mini things make my heart happy.

[@dnurse3237]

I grow most of my veggies in the summer and fall. I save the seeds from my harvested foods to grow plants for next year..

[@suerhea2620]

Thank you so much for sharing the comments you received. It’s so encouraging to hear tips and ideas from others. I love your channel!! 💕💕💕

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

Thank you so much Sue! 🤗

[@jessical1969]

another tip on sock re-using, cut off the foot and add a hole in the side for your thumb, instant fingerless gloves. I embroider around the hole if I want them to last longer

[@factsoverfiction7826]

Years ago, I kept a daily journal of every penny I spent. Did it for two weeks ... and was shocked to see how much I spent on meals, snacks and beverages away from home. So yes! Carry your own and save thousand$.

[@booksboundnoveljourneys1122]

Here are a few of my frugal tips: 1. I don’t buy trash bags. Instead, I use plastic grocery sacks as trash bags. They work just as well and are free. 2. I don’t buy both shampoo and body wash. I buy one or the other and use that one product to was my hair and my body. I love multi-use products. 3. I also don’t buy separate blush, bronzer, eye shadow, and eyebrow products. I found an eye shadow palette that has all of those products in one. It saves money and space in your makeup bag because you’re only buying one product instead of five separate ones. 4. I also don’t buy eyeliner. Instead, I use my mascara and a $1 angled liner brush and lime my eyes that way. Then, I don’t have to buy another makeup product. 5. Every single item of clothing I own is thrifted. 6. I don’t buy snacks. Only meals. Saves money and reduces the amount of calories consumed each day. 7. I don’t drink coffee. I know a lot of people do, but coffee is very expensive. 8. No Starbucks or coffee shop visits unless I have a gift card from someone else. 9. I haven’t done this yet, but I’m going to ditch the Netflix and Amazon Prime Video subscriptions. I don’t need those and I can spend my time doing better things. I also don’t have cable. If I want to watch something, I prefer DVDs.

[@coettahannah3403]

You could also buy an indoor antenna for $25 to $50 if live far out stronger antenna better. I get about 20 channels free..for years on same antenna.

[@UnStrungHero]

in Colorado by 2022 those little grocery bags will 10 cents as will paper bags.

[@lauramonahan9343]

Our public library has lots of free DVDs and movies to download

[@zoilacruz1843]

Not having a car payment has save us thousands of dollars!!!! Not having cable, and no expensive vacations also thousands of dollars saved. All that was used to pay mortgage in 12 years instead of 30 👏🏼

[@emilylyons1424]

I watch these for your tangents

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

🤣🤣🤣

[@brendasparks6234]

Thank you for sharing that wonderful story at the end. I don’t think we appreciate what we have and it makes me very sad too. Simpler times were much better in so many ways. And harder times because you grew as a family.

[@sharonbennett5675]

Ha ha ha. Found the Peppa Pig story. When my boys were little (now 22 &20) they loved the Disney channel and Nickoloadan etc. They spoke American 🇺🇸 which I found really funny. Especially walking in side walks (paths in U.K.) and wanting a flashlight 🔦 (a torch in 🇬🇧).

[@boofbaxley]

I do a big grocery haul monthly then send hubby to the store for perishables. He will only buy the few items on the list and not be tempted by goodies.

[@bridgetmcgrath3964]

We always picked blackcurrants and making jam

[@Emma-nm1qk]

Thank you for another great video, Jennifer! In regards to the comment about using dental floss when sewing, apparently that's what ballet dancers use in their shoes!

[@yeniruano43]

I love all your videos! Thank you

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

Thank you so much! 🤗

[@shancanrich899]

We are a family of 5 and often get seasons passes to a theme park nearby. We always pack a picnic for our visits. We bring enough to last us the whole day and save a ton of money! The food at the park is so expensive, unhealthy and the lines are so long. We went yesterday and didn’t spend a penny all day.

[@fabavb]

Speaking of the little soap leftovers, my Dad taught me already when I was little to save them, put them in a small plastic soap dish, add some water and let them sit fir a while, so they would get soft, and then mix them together into a new bar of soap. Remove the water and let it dry and you have a homemade “glue” soap -that’s what he called them. And then the dishwasher... I was talking to my neighbor recently and mentioned I didn’t have much time , I still had to take care of all dishes the kids had left in/at the sink. “Oh”, she said, “don’t your kids put them in the dishwasher?” “No”, I said, “ the dishwasher is broken. I have to wash them by hand.” She wrinkled her nose and said that I need to make a phone call immediately to have it looked at - saying between the lines how awful it was to not have dishwasher. I just told her that I was fine with washing dishes and mentioned that the dishwasher had been broken for a year and a half now

[@fabavb]

She almost fainte

[@fabavb]

She almost fainted ...

[@lauramonahan9343]

My husband has replaced the motor on my dishwasher twice now. He's a scientist, not a repairman, but KZbins everything.

[@carolwhitaker5880]

If your kids are old enough to stand at the sink with a step, have them start washing their own plates, cups and cutlery. Get a dish brush or scrub daddy and keep watered down dish liquid in a flat dish that they can access and have them wash their dishes. It will not be perfect and you may have to rewash them sometime but you are teaching a life skill at an early age. There will always be dishes to wash. They won’t feel like washing dishes is a punishment when get older and they have to start washing all the dishes for them family. I have two boys and they are better housekeepers than me. Also, they played with dolls and their pets. I think it made them nurturing adults.

[@crystalh1402]

Yes please on meal plan and shopping videos 🙌 I struggle with my grocery budget and staying inspired on what to eat.

[@BackroadMoney]

Great video, I love the comment section also. I love the tangents, we think alot alike sometimes, it cracks me up🤣

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

Thank you so much! 🤗

[@FrugalOverFifty]

Hooray - I love learning from the frugal living community. Thank you for sharing these tips and highlighting this community's life/frugal experience and wisdom.

[@MsJackalMoon]

Your story about your daughter / Peppa Pig is so funny. I am in the UK and I have a two year old daughter who doesn’t watch Peppa Pig BUT does love a puddle. What she does watch is Ms Rachel on KZbin, who is from Maine, and now my British child says things with an American accent because of that 😂😂😂

[@missymurphy9996]

I have a tip: you do not need to fill your toothbrush completely to brush your teeth. Just use a pea size or so amount and you’ll save on toothpaste. Same with shampoo. Also, on TP, I use 3 or four squares when I go to the bathroom. I really save on TP that way. I hate shopping in general so I do what I can to make things last longer.

[@bridgetmcgrath3964]

Loved this great useful tips

[@sm1..]

Frugal Tip: You want to buy some bling but you don't need it. Just the bing is so shiny you want it. Say the bing is $200. Take the two hundred dollars from your acct and put it into you savings and now pretend that you don't have the money in your checking to afford the bling anymore. It works wonders.

[@debrabowie5141]

We both survived the no dishwasher "thingy.""Woo_Hoo"

[@terrikim4992]

This was great!

[@ruthsheffield8448]

I got an e mail from my local grocery store that they now have a machine where you could get your car license tabs instantly with out having to mail in the form. I thought this was great so I took my forms and started up the machine. When it got to the part where they would charge me $3.95 for each license tab and I had two cars to do this for. Which would have cost me $7.90 , I pressed the "NO" button and decided to mail in my forms for just the cost of a stamp. Do I sound too cheap?

[@Erin-pf5pp]

Not at all! Gotta watch those convenience fees. It could be paying online, using an out of bank atm, or even paying for a grocery bags instead of bringing your own. The only inconvenience is forgetting! Remember your coupons, go on an automatic withdrawal program for bills. Forgetting leads to late fees!

[@Erin-pf5pp]

Our Ameren (gas and electric) is free if paying from a bank account but a charge if paying with a card. Silly rules & each is different.

[@ruthsheffield8448]

@@Erin-pf5pp Thanks for your support. I was surprised at the charge for this service. Live and learn.

[@ruthsheffield8448]

@@Erin-pf5pp Thanks for your support. Guess we really have to watch for fees.

[@dora9368]

👍

[@magomago7819]

Dont buy fancy modern washing machines, buy SPEEDQUEEN. These are durable old fashion ones and last plus they have a 7yr warranty. Also may be a few hundred dollars more but well worth it. I still have mine running and sister is on her 3rd "Smart" washing machine🤔. Lastly, these are the brand at most Laundrymats which are meant to be used often.

[@UnStrungHero]

Also, I was told by a washer repairman that Amana appliances are now owned by Speed Queen.

[@magomago7819]

@@UnStrungHero I heard that too, it now confirms it.

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

I have never heard of speedqueen. I will look into that.

[@WiseWomanLola]

I have Speed Queen washer and dryer, basic, not electronic. Love them. No issues.

[@UnStrungHero]

@@WiseWomanLola I have an amana and don"t like it much. I thought the water pump had gone out and had only had it 2 years. The repairman just reset codes. He sais Amana isn"t so good anymore and clued me in on Speed Queen being as good as or better. Wish I'd known that sooner.

[@crystalh1402]

PS love your tangents ❤️

[@joyceinman9389]

Enjoyed this so much!

[@teribear928]

Did you already make a video about what exactly you are doing to actually pay your mortgage off? Are you paying extra every month? Bimonthly?

[@amishgirl1000]

Kids watch the Australian kids show Bluey and end up with Aussie accents. 🐨

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

Julie my daughter loves that one too! She teaches us all the games they play.

[@intentionalhousewife908]

Yes! all of my little kids watch Bluey and Peppa Pig and they speak a different language then me lol. I had to watch Bluey to figure out why they were calling the bathroom the dunny.

[@lindseycassick4100]

Jennifer that's my pet peeve i just can not do dishes

[@bzlivingsimply5364]

I was laughing so hard when you asked if anyone else's child has a British accent because they watch Peppa Pig. I heard my grandson speaking and I was wondering why was speaking in a British accent. Soooo funny. We are from Texas. Lol.

[@suefrack2958]

I had 2 boys that, when they were little, would go out of their way to jump in every puddle they could find.

[@sachelnoman4348]

Great video and tips! You got me at zippy do da 🤣

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

My oh my what a wonderful day 🤣🤣🤣

[@gaelenoconnell-bidabadi]

Hi Jennifer, I really loved this video, thank you! Have so much to learn still from other people and I have lots of tips to share as well. This is an enthusiastic vote, please, for more future videos like this :) If you are open to this type of video again, what is the best way to share our suggestions with you - just leave in comments or email you or do you have a form we might fill out?

[@shancanrich899]

Use dental floss to sew? I never thought about that. Pure genius!

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

I know right! I hadn't thought of it either.

[@sue8319]

I need help with a budgeting how do you all do it?

[@thosewhowander5815]

British things I've caught my American kids saying. Torch = Flashlight, Trousers = Pants. Lmao

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

🤣🤣🤣 love it!

[@coettahannah3403]

I like fo hear the British accent..but since they call vacations holidays..I wonder what they call the real holidays..like Christmas..one doesnt necessiarly go away on for Christmas but its a holiday still. Some new tips in this video.

[@emmalou4794]

Hello Coetta Hannah, here in England we call Christmas and Easter just by their names or we will say "Christmas Holidays" "Easter Holidays'" when talking about the period of time covering both. We do like to confuse things with the great English language- I mean look at homophones.

[@karenmiller955]

This is one of my most favorite tips and have used it for years. If you use a soap pad aka SOS pads to clean items do this. Cut the pad into fourths and when you go to use the pad wet the dirty thing and scrub. But don't wet the pad. Keeps the pad cleaner for further uses. It rarely rusts and depending on how dirty your dirty stuff I can usually get maybe 4 uses from one forth piece. No waste. No ugly rusted dish pads.

[@emilylyons1424]

Lol Jennifer 5:10 😆

[@emilylyons1424]

One time I went to say sign that sheet and sign in and I ended up saying sign that shit 🤣

[@terrieaho9350]

I heard recently on the news that the English accent IS a thing here now in the USA with young children because of Peppa Pig and one other show which I can’t recall the name of…

[@THEJENNIFERCOOK]

Hi Terrie! That is interesting! I think the other one is Bluey which is an Australian cartoon. It is funny too.

[@kallistoindrani5689]

Yeah, the 'order a container and only eat half the food' is just not something we do here. It's just kinda weird? Just hearing her read that tip out loud sounds so strange.

[@lauramonahan9343]

I'm sure your mortgage rate is very low, as mine is. Does it really make sense to be paying off your mortgage as fast as possible when investments are running at 8-20% right now? I am making a point NOT to pay my mortgage off early and putting as much as possible in my investments and retirement account (which are balanced for my age and retirement date).

[@lifebeyondthesalary2458]

Get organized!!! Once I really got organized especially in my stockpiles - food, toothpaste, office supplies, etc… I realized JUST HOW MUCH I HAVE & how little I truly need to buy 😂 I still have a ridiculous amount of toothpaste 😂😂😂

[@lifebeyondthesalary2458]

Never leave home without your own travel mug/water bottle of ice water 😂 have done this for almost 20 years now.