5 Ways Amish SAVE MONEY (Food & More)

Some ideas from the Amish for saving money on food & other expenses.
Image credits: Don Burke (www.flickr.com/photos/ozarkin..., Cindy Cornett Seigle, Jim Halverson, S.I.
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Video: Michael Pilkinton (amishofethridge.com/)
My name is Erik Wesner and I'm not Amish. Back in 2004, I met the Amish while selling books. Since then, I've visited 5,000+ Amish homes & dozens of Amish communities. My book on Amish business, Success Made Simple: An Inside Look at Why Amish Businesses Thrive, was published in 2010. I run the Amish America website: amishamerica.com/

[@ajuma55]

Hanging clothes to dry instead of putting them in a dryer really saves not only money, but the clothing as well. All of that lint that you take out of the dryer is your clothes breaking down. For 20 years, I lived in a country that didn't have dryers and I still have most of my clothes from that time. You'd never know just by looking at them how old they really are. I still hang my clothes 99% of the time.

[@sewcrazybaker]

I am not Amish, but I learned how to do canning from the Amish when I was 20 years old. I'm now 70 years old and I still can or freeze a lot of food. I always freeze a lot of green beans from my garden because that is my favorite vegetable, but I freeze other vegetables too. I love to eat "fresh" peaches on Christmas Eve, so I can those in July and August. I buy those at a nearby orchard. If you don't know how to can, buy a Ball Canning book. If you're afraid of canning, find someone like me, who would be very willing to teach you what to do. The foods you put up yourself always taste better than what you bring home from the grocery store. And I bake too. For me, baking is fun and relaxing. Make time for these things. You will be so glad you did!

[@kagnewmp12]

The wife tried canning beans but they came out all hard and not soft like this Old Man likes

[@kagnewmp12]

@@debbyrabold6069 thankyou and my wife also drives the ladies sometimes and one has invited my wife to her canning days later in the year so I'm sure she will learn a great deal.

[@lindap.p.1337]

You are so right about freezing. I do not garden or can but, I am bad to let items I have cooked, like spaghetti or lasagna spoil, when I could have frozen them for another meal. I LOVE buying clothing and other things used.

[@royalpitamamma]

I lived with my Amish ma and da when I was small. There are a lot more things they do to save money. In general, they bought bulk flours and things for baking. All the vegetables were grown. My Amish da bought meat locally from other Amish and he had a milk share for me. The most cans we ever had was 1 quart to eat of each thing for each day. That meant 365 quarts of meat, 365 quarts of vegetables, and 365 quarts of fruit. What an accomplishment that was! I can't claim I did that ever. Clothing was all hand sewn at home. Lightings were candles or kerosene lamps. We had a hand washer and hung dry the clothing. My ma and da had no speed queen. They would buy me boots for winter and books for school. Sometimes we purchased some dye to make our clothes blackened. Some of the best days of my life.

[@Cecil_X]

I was raise country. Aside from horse and buggy, and plain clothes dress, we are not much different than the Amish. I still hang my clothes to dry. I buy my tools from household sales. I repair in order to reuse. My sister took care of mama, rather than pay for assisted living. I have a large garden, for health reasons, not financial reasons. Items like carrots, rutabagas, and potatoes can be kept in a root cellar, which I still have in my 1940's house. Sauerkraut also does not need canned or frozen.

[@loissecody321]

I miss my old college classmates. Some or the majority came from the Mennonite and Amish home towns. They were the friendliest group of people I've ever interacted with.

[@sabrinamiller4405]

My Grandfather who was raised in a Amish family. Never wasted stuff. He told how his mother would have a large garden and canned from it. My mom still has a garden and cans to this day.

[@Blaqjaqshellaq]

The government widely encouraged food gardens and canning during the rationing of World War II...

[@ourboy170]

yeh and look at all the money they save not washing

[@lpmoron6258]

@@ourboy170 by not washing? Like as in not bathing? Or not doing laundry? I don't believe they are dirty people.

[@ourboy170]

@@lpmoron6258 not washing

[@yesucansell2]

As do I. Gardens are a way of life.

[@reinab8168]

I want to live like this.

[@Paleface324]

You don't have to be Amish to live like this for the most part.

[@donhuber9131]

I drove the owner of the an Amish bulk foods store in Nearby Windsor, MO to the local hardware store. We picked up a solar panel that he would install on the roof of the store to run a few items, such as the cash register. Smart business man!

[@igitha..._]

I think one thing that has not been mentioned here is "repurposing" - reusing is one thing but repurposing takes things to a whole new level when you can see an item not just being able to be reused but reused in a different and potentially even more functional way. It invariably fosters creative and resourceful thinking and can facilitate a combination of ideas to have a multi-functional purpose and outcome.

[@AmishAmerica]

Definitely and you also see this among the Amish or at least creative combinations of tech & workarounds, often in response to church & cultural restrictions. The horse-pulled hay baler is one example

[@richardlove4287]

It looks like we could all learn somethings from the Amish.

[@simplelife0504]

I'm absolutely fascinated with Amish lifestyle. My family & I live as simply & as self sustaining as possible! I became a sahm 10 years ago & three kiddos later we're still making it happen. No cable/dish, no tablets/ipads, no computer, one tv & many books, plants & canned food.🪴 One of my favorite parts of the day is when our family sits around our Amish handmade dinner table. It's my favorite piece of furniture we own & we hope to add more of their beautiful work to our home over the years. The grocery store we frequent most is an Amish grocery store about 5 miles away. Gardening, canning, harvesting & preserving food/meals has become a passion of mine. Pressure canned meat is literally a game changer. I can only pray that our kiddos continue living the ways we do long after we're gone. Many people literally wouldn't be able to make it living in such simple ways but I wouldn't trade it for the world.

[@TeachingTinyDisciples]

This sounds so lovely ❤️

[@kerrydesilets4226]

This is exactly how I felt when I learned I could make my own canned meat. Game. Changer. I now can my own stews, chilis, even curry mixtures. So much cheaper and healthier while having the convenience of premade meals.

[@rosejohnson452]

Food presentation can be more than canning. You can pickle or brine, firment, dry, grind and freeze food stuffs. Amish in Lancaster, PA make quilts to provide cash for the family.

[@kagnewmp12]

Another good video and I have said before that I drive Amish up here in Northern Michigan and would like to mention an Accident that happened here in Michigan that unfortunately claimed the lives of an 11 year old Amish Girl and a 9 year old Amish Boy and critically injured a third Amish Girl when the Pony Cart was hit by a car at an intersection here in Manton Michigan. I only share this story because I ask everyone to keep an eye out for these carts and buggies especially arounds Schools as these children were on the way to school.

[@AmishAmerica]

This was a very sad accident. I'll also add that it appears the car driver was at no fault in this case, that the horse bolted. The Amish are overall comfortable with their 11-year-olds driving like this though you can imagine how most non-Amish react to that idea

[@kagnewmp12]

@@AmishAmerica One of my customers is a cousin to the Mother of these Children and has other health issues I won't mention and yes I have watched Amish Fathers teaching their children to handle horses from a very young age. I have seen the Pony Cart and it's easy to tell that the vehicle hit the cart just behind the horse and that the horse took off running the rest of the way to the School

[@Lost_AtSea_]

Here in Lancaster county, their are so many horse and buggies out at all times. I always notice people drive so fast everywhere in Pennsylvania and especially on our back roads. People always want to do 10-15 over the speed limit. I feel bad for these Amish having to deal with that. It would be terrifying riding a buggy here in Pennsylvania

[@shoppingbag6973]

We all need to take a deep breath and slow down no matter where we live. RIP

[@iamoldja7061]

As someone who does in fact make some of my own clothing I can assure you... Making clothing is the EXPENSIVE way to do it. You buy a decent dress shirt at almost any big box store for about $15-20. Even bargain fabric will cost you $10 plus per yard. It requires about two yards of fabric to make a nice dress shirt, more if you want long sleeves.

[@stacystacy6087]

Have you ever been to an Amish or Mennonite fabric store? The fabrics and so much cheaper and often of better quality than what you can get at an English fabric store.

[@iamoldja7061]

@@stacystacy6087 I have not shopped at an Amish store. There isn't one reasonable close to me. I shop at discount / discontinued fabric store and I do usually get some decent deals on the fabric I choose. However, for the average person making your own clothing will not be the cheaper option. Not only will the fabric cost more then the article of clothing, You will still have to invest hours of time crafting the article. Making your own clothing is very satisfying, just not likely to be cheaper than a bigbox store like walmart or even target.

[@AmishAmerica]

Nice input from someone who makes their own clothes (I do not :)) In the video I called this point "Simple clothing" rather than "Make your own clothing" b/c the main point here I think is choosing simple (ie cheaper) clothing vs. say designer clothing. And also, the time saved from a) simpler choice of what to wear each day and b) shopping for "new looks", styles etc. This is one I've been doing to some degree for awhile...I tend to find a shirt or shoes I like, and then buy multiples of it, either different color or the same (eg the shirt I'm wearing as I type this, I bought 3 others just like it). However it would be an interesting thing to analyze more closely, counting in typical prices in Amish fabric stores as Stacy mentions, and also when you consider labor costs. Especially since Amish women's occupational possibilities are even more limited than the men's (labor value). Anyway good question raised by you

[@edwardpearce1138]

@@AmishAmerica The savings in making their own clothing is the durability that comes from the quality of the fabric. The large merchandizers buy cheaply made cloths sewn by people that are barely paid, with cheap fabric, with the expectation that half of what they buy wholesale will go to a landfill before it is ever worn. I don't sew, but I buy mail order from a company that is the commercial uniforms business. I find their clothing lasts two or three times as long as what I would find at (name of store withheld).

[@libertylady1952]

@@edwardpearce1138 I was going to mention that the clothes you make yourself will last a very long time as compared to some of the stuff you buy in stores. I can sew, but most of my non work clothes come from the thrift stores run by Mennonites.

[@TheLizardKing1967]

Here's a New Order Amish Tip. When it's very cold outside in the Winter we hang all of our clothes inside the house on wooden clothes racks.. Since the air is so dry from the fire and the heat on the stove, the clothes dry very quickly without having to go outside to hang them up on the wash line. Plus, it replenishss much needed humidity back into the air. It really works!! Try it!!

[@anna-lenameijer9942]

I buy at a Bent and Dent store: I bought for $ 650 and came out with $ 1.100 in discounts in 2022.Good for me, even better for the environment. We mustn't waste perfectly good food because of a slightly smashed box or because the BBD expired last week. I buy all my nuts here, as they are very water intensive (1 almond uses 1 gallon of water while growing). They are $10/kg so I freeze them before they expire. The freezer is my best friend :). Discovering the connection between food = water usage has made me throw away zero food= water=money.

[@theodorenovak3363]

I can whatever I can from our garden. I repair my clothes rather than throw them out. And we still use a wringer washing machine up to this day. We can't see spending all that money for those modern digital front loaders that break down on a couple of years because they're all cheaply made in China so corporations can make more profit dollars. We line dry all our clothes. Our neighbors electric bill is usually over 400 a month. They cannot understand how ours is 65 to 90 a month and I've explained it twice.. We don't run 2 refrigerators. We don't have a frost free one. Proven the newest ones still use more electricity than any old manual defrost refrigerator. . We can our meats and dont run a big freezer like they do. We use double and triple pots that allow you to cook 2 or 3 things on one burner instead of three. We're not Amish, but I do believe we've pretty much are like them and give thanks to the Lord everyday.

[@user-zl4rr1ic7w]

Sounds like you have wisdom from God.

[@hicknopunk]

I am not Amish, but I live in the country and always shop at scratch and dent stores. 95% of the stuff is perfectly good and a fraction the price. I recently got family sized Rice Crispys in a valentines package for $1.15! These deals are too hard to pass up.

[@AmishAmerica]

In my experience I've rarely bought something that seemed "off" when I ate it

[@emmib1388]

yes, love buying chocolate from Christmas the day after Christmas next to the same chocolate with Valentine wrap discounted just because of the wrapping!

[@hicknopunk]

@@AmishAmerica I think it's usually because humidity has penetrated into bagged items

[@ARC3333]

In my experience 95% of the stuff is expired, still "good" but id rather spend the money for higher quality food

[@annemaguire657]

@@ARC3333 yep, I would agree, but maybe we are too fussy

[@stevehartman1730]

I was Amish as a wedding gift 2 calves were given n spring w shots. They grazed till fall when they were both steers. One was killed n ate all year long by famil n didn't have to buy beef that yr. The other was sold at stock sale money put n bank till spring when 2 more calves bought n cycle continues. This can b done with any livestock. Makes sense.

[@megangreene3955]

The other benefit to not following fashion is that you can use the same clothes year after year until it wears out. I know that because I wear dresses that are somewhat similar to the Amish and I am able to keep wearing them until they get thread bare. So, I am able to save myself both time and money because I stopped following modern fashion. It's better for the environment also to not buy into fast fashion.

[@traceyszostek6264]

I grew up in an Amish neighborhood, and I must say, even their plants , flowers, mulch and shrubs are so beautiful! I wish I knew their secret!

[@RockinRavenVA]

Rarely going to restaurants and packing a lunch for work and school helps a lot. And of course they don't have TVs/cable bills/streaming subscriptions to eat up their budget, or expensive electronics in general.

[@AmishAmerica]

Digital subscriptions, signed up once and forgotten for months or years (and often enough not even really used) can take a good chunk out of people's budgets. I know I've been guilty of that

[@ingevankeirsbilck9601]

I find that getting rid of your TV set frees up lots of time which you can spend on growing your own food. This in turn improves your health, which saves money, too.

[@annlockey8552]

A sense of community, if something needs built or a crisis hits they group to help their fellow man/woman. Their sewing and woodwork skills are true art forms, beautiful. The food is wonderful.

[@MrMockingbird1313]

Hey Eric, One thing I noticed traveling in Amish country was that almost every adult has a certain skill which they can market. Obviously, carpentry, metal work, and gardening. But, I saw a man pulled onto the corner of a highway selling odds and ends. He had many baskets his sister-in-law made. Her husband made thin slats and somehow they bought long strips of seaweed which she dyed and wove into her baskets. The brother-in-law sold stuff for several family members there on the roadside.

[@AmishAmerica]

That sounds like a Swartzentruber business. They often sell baskets on the roadside. Very simple setup. You are right everyone seems to have something they can make or produce for sale

[@philsajtar7487]

My wife & I do pretty much all of the above ! I was beginning to wonder if I was Amish while watching your video 😁.We found out about the Bulk food & bent & dent stores in Shipshewana,In. & also in SW Mich., about 10 yrs. ago. As far as canning,we do that & have found that the prices on canning supplies are much cheaper at Amish stores.Our pantry & freezer is well stocked, thanks to these stores. Thanks for another great video.

[@AmishAmerica]

Hah thanks, yes sometimes the videos can have that effect:) Sounds like you are already doing a lot of these

[@mamma8786]

Where is the bent and dent in Shipshewana?

[@SomewhereInIndiana1816]

I love the bulk food and dent stores in Shipshewana! We shop there several times a year. always great buys!

[@DoubleD19788]

@@mamma8786 It's between Middlebury and Shipshewana. It's a store called Rise and Shine. They have fantastic stuff there!

[@mamma8786]

@@DoubleD19788 Thank you so very much for letting us know we will stop there on our next trip west!!

[@elwood9675]

I live in a large Amish area in northern Indiana/southern Michigan. In my area, the Amish are big on yard sales, estate sales & Auctions, too.

[@angieb7733]

In the past few years, I have taken up gardening and canning. My family did this when I was growing up. I can't believe I waited this long to get started myself. I don't know that I save much money doing it, but I enjoy it and might get to a level of proficiency where it is also helpful financially.

[@oldfarmshow]

My mother had a 5 acre garden

[@mistyize]

I LOVE the Amish stores around me! I always get all my spice there, a lot of my flour, salt, sugar, molasses, butter, staples like that. Then I'll go look to see if they have any dried okra, local honey, meat sticks, just odds and ends that are bulk type stuff, then I'll look to see what scratch and dent stuff they have. Sometimes there's something I'll use there, sometimes not. I ALWAYS end up with a sweet or two that's fresh baked, and one time they did a slaughter during the big cough, and we bought a half beef (half a cow) that worked out to be $1.59 a pound per pound, regardless of whether it was rib eye or hamburger. Guys... if you ever get this chance, TAKE IT. The beef is phenomenal, and WAY cheaper than you're gonna find elsewhere. It's a pretty penny to buy the whole half at once, but we're a family of three big meat eaters, and it lasted well over a year. WORTH IT. (Need an empty deep freeze though, because a half will fill it right up! 😅)

[@mnemosynevermont5524]

When they spend more on fabrics for clothes, they are making clothes that will be worn for many years, not just worn for a season and thrown away.

[@susiecox8413]

Erik, My mother-in-law would always say " waste not, want not" and this definitely applies to the Amish. The food they can has to be the healthiest and most economical of everything they do. Plus, making/mending their clothes also. Great vid, thanks for sharing!

[@AmishAmerica]

Very true and a good thing to be reminded of from time to time. I know I could be better at finishing what's in my fridge in a more timely manner 🙄

[@bondee5865]

Susie, We need to pass this invaluable wisdom to the next generations

[@glindamarine8248]

We like visiting the Amish grocery, I buy my favorite spices in bulk, store in covered containers for all winter...they also sell large bulk packages of bulk meat, we save $$ buying in bulk. Our Amish grocery is large 2 floors, even a bakery we always enjoy a trip there. We love the simple life here in this part of Kentucky ❤️

[@angeliquelivezey2216]

I love shopping at BBs in Quarryville.

[@janetrichardson2644]

I make a point to shop thrift stores, yard sales and flea markets for items when I can. Before I retired and had to wear dress shoes everyday for work, when I bought a new pair of dress shoes, I had heel guards put on for just a couple dollars and it made the shoes last twice as long.

[@SomewhereInIndiana1816]

I love shopping at the Amish bulk and dent stores in Shipshewana! They always have fantastic buys!

[@JS-jh4cy]

One way to save is to eat less

[@ad6417]

I live near an Amish community and they have their own store. I don't know how they save money but I can tell you how they make money. All of their products are 3 times as high as you would get in a regular grocery store. They buy items in bulk from wholesalers and repackage it under their own name. It's a total racket.

[@megantousignant18]

I haven't tried bent and dent grocery stores yet, but I am fortunate enough to have food pantries near me.

[@susanwidner794]

I do a lot of canning, buy large #10 cans and recan into smaller ball jars and process in a pressure canner. It's cheap and shelf stable. Also dehydrate frozen veggies.

[@brandi8040]

I find the Amish folk truly fascinating. I would love to visit an Amish community one day and learn from them.

[@mrs.g.9816]

One of my favorite sayings is "Waste not, want not." My mom taught me to be respectful of what I eat, to be careful with money, and to think before I buy something.

[@AmishAmerica]

Those three lessons from your mom go a long way

[@philrogers8160]

Up here in northern NY, the Amish community is seen at Aldis by van or by horse and buggy

[@theresastrauss550]

I make jams and jellies. Love the work. So satisfying.

[@brendahaire8824]

Always good videos from you. Thank you

[@wordawakeningny]

Another great video Mr. Wesner

[@patricebowen3513]

Amazing Insight, Thank you.

[@lindaedwards9756]

I certainly do a lot of those types of things myself and just wonder why people wouldn’t take advantage of what is available in their community’s.

[@howardpeck2464]

Great video!

[@180pottery]

I taught myself how to can more than 40 years ago. I still do a lot of canning when I can find good bargains. I do not have a garden space here or I would be gardening for sure. Recently I canned 20 lbs of bacon. Yummy!! I have a small deep freezer that I am slowly working my way through and canning everything. I just don't want to rely on the freezer any more. Last June our power was knocked out for 4 days. Luckily, I was prepared, placed frozen jugs of water in the freezer, added reflectives in the freezer top to reflect the cold back down to the food. Did the same thing for the refrigerator freezer as well as a cooler that I put the refrigerator items in with jugs of frozen water. We lost no food!! But I am not sure how much longer we could have gone if the power was out longer. I am also saving up to get a portable solar system. I also put reflectives in the top half of all my windows. They reflect the heat away and the a/c back in the house in the summer time and they reflect the heat back in the house and the cold out in the winter time. I cut my utility bill by about $50 a month. I also use window a/c rather than central a/c and only cool the room I am using at the time. Save money on cooking gas by doing most of your cooking on top of the stove instead of in the oven. You would be surprised the difference it makes.

[@user-ko2tu3ss3o]

More please. What a great channel. Thank you very much.

[@sunset6010]

Excellent info ✅️

[@stantonmagid4126]

Nothing wrong with being frugal. Thanks Erik always enjoy your videos

[@karengunia5451]

Love this video especially learning about scratch and dent stores. God bless!

[@debrapalmer9772]

Well worn jeans can be turned into tote bags, aprons, and pot holders, etc. Google it for other ideas.

[@1TsuNami]

Great video and a wonderful reminder to just live simply. I have learned many things on this channel and I truly enjoy going to my local Amish community. They know us well. Hahaha. Anyway, thank you for your videos.

[@KiltedDaddyBear]

We have been baking our own bread, and am finally getting the bulk item purchase as an good deal in my household. These options are clearly most helpful.

[@KiltedDaddyBear]

A video on Amish ways with storing home canned foods might be interesting. :)

[@12hunter100]

I started baking bread 1 year ago it has saved me a lot of money, I can't believe I didn't start doing this year's ago.

[@susanschuck8124]

Excellent video. More young folks should be taught the art of canning! Thanks again for an interesting video

[@Paleface324]

Beachy's Bulk Store in rural Arthur, Il. is popular for miles around even among non-Amish. That community also has several salvage stores.

[@paulamcgarghanpeter4662]

Great insight and photos. I'm a Vermonter living in rural South Australia.... And I once went into an Amish store in Upstate NY.... I bought 6 cookbooks to bring back to South Australia and was AMAZED that the recipes weren't all from scratch. I assumed... Blessings. P.S. The doughnuts were out of this world TAAAAASTY

[@12hunter100]

Baking bread has saved me a lot of money. I follow a dinner roll recipe with that we make sandwiches , breakfast sandwiches and cinnomin rolls.

[@jendyson6729]

Your showing all the stores (like the route 10 market) near me! Fun, thanks for the video

[@TheMtggrl]

Awesome ways of saving money, sometimes frugality can take you a long way in making life a little easier to live. I don't can, or garden for that matter, but I do shop sales and I pre-plan my meals the best that I can so I'm not shopping aimlessly, so less money on splurges. Trying to set a basic budget helps as well and I try to go through my cupboards before shopping to I'm not buying things I don't need. Thanks for sharing today.

[@AmishAmerica]

Good ideas sensible ideas by you there. I figured it was a pretty relevant topic these days. Happy hearing all the ideas from people here

[@larrylewis3573]

Dear Erik, Another great video on a very important and timely topic. You covered all the main ways of saving money. Once again I really liked all the visuals you fit in. Very nicely done and a great joy to watch. Sincerely, Larry Lewis Ontario, Canada.

[@AmishAmerica]

Thanks again Larry! I hope people find this one practical. Tip #1 by itself can make a big difference in the grocery budget

[@sandydaniels2668]

I learned how to coupon about 10 years ago and combine that with using apps to get money back so I am able to save a tremendous amount of money. Herbs are a great item to grow and dry because of how expensive they are.

[@user-yy3jv1yw8n]

Having an earthfridge in your garden will also help storing caned foods in a more fridge-like environment.

[@Caratdarla]

We love shopping at BBs but really miss the Hayloft Fabric store that was located above the grocery!

[@jerriscollins-ruth9019]

Good video Eric

[@AmishAmerica]

Thanks!

[@momsworld2528]

I liked your tips on Amish and their clothing.

[@sharonholmes2470]

👩‍🌾 🧑‍🌾 Good work ethics. My grandfather's quote... Always do what you can do today...never know what tomorrow may bring.

[@sandivernay6569]

I do almost all of my clothing purchases in thrift stores and garage sales.

[@Blaqjaqshellaq]

Good for them!

[@candyrenee2152]

Good video.

[@AmishAmerica]

Thanks!

[@rachelo3548]

The communal meals (even if just on Sundays), would help with food costs. I would assume everyone brings something to share (or the host family feeds everyone?) Either way, when you are cooking a lot of one thing, it is much cheaper than cooking a lot of different things. Even if the host family covers the cost of the entire meal for the next several weeks (or months) they will not have to worry about Sunday supper. I am sure trading and bartering lends itself more to the Amish as well. If someone has a fantastic vegetable garden and you tap maple trees for syrup and raise honey bees, trading for what you need would work out really well.

[@juanitadudley4788]

I think they usually do simple meals on Sundays when they have church. Like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Of course, they make their own peanut butter.

[@whyohwhy3407]

You are right. We are so consumed by the excesses, we have forgotten to re-use, recycle, and re-purpose! In my household, every purchase happens after asking “ do I need it? Have I got room for it? Will I use it? Can I afford it? If one of th answers is NO , it stays in the shop! Simple.

[@silviamagda]

This was in my recommendation but I received a pop up from youtube asking me if I think this is a good video/recommendation? That's sketchy. So I will watch it, to learn. Thank you!

[@silviamagda]

And I subscribed.

[@vernonbowling5136]

It should be fair to add that most commercial canned foods are recanned in a glass canning jar using the water-bath method.

[@dennisbeers]

Thank you again for you well done videos, I really enjoy it when I see a new video I was wondering if know anything about the Amish in Ca.

[@AmishAmerica]

Hi Dennis thanks a lot! I wasn't sure if you meant Canada or California? amishamerica.com/california-amish-community/ amishamerica.com/canada-amish/ amishamerica.com/amish-moving-to-fourth-canadian-province/ amishamerica.com/first-amish-settlement-canada/

[@dennisbeers]

@@AmishAmerica Ah, yes, I should have made California clear. Thank you for the link. I come from Oakland across from San Francisco and way out in our valleys we had Amish, but that was a number of years ago. Thank you again.

[@AmishAmerica]

The only CA horse and buggy Amish community is described at that link though there may have been some related groups

[@michellesunshinestar]

My friend and I were talking about Trader Joe's today. Then we talked about CostCo and Sam's Club. My one aunt shopped at Sam's, she had 3 big boys when they were at home.

[@garthwunsch]

To compensate for not having large families, I think non Amish folks really need to learn to work together to achieve similar ends.

[@randysurline4651]

Spend it all. I just talked to an amish man, prosoerity is the amish biggest problem according to him. Don't feel bad, everyone person in this country is wrong in every way right now, it's how totalitarianism takes hold, interesting and exciting times to live.

[@craigmiller4259]

Another money saving is not having an insurance bill. When you figure how much is spent every month on insurance( life, auto, health& homeowners) tremendous amount spent for something that might happen.

[@AmishAmerica]

An example worth discussing, I may need to do a part 2 video on this topic. Of course that also means carrying additional risk that one is unprotected in the case a catastrophe happens. Though Amish mitigate that risk through the church community & mutual aid

[@craigmiller4259]

@@AmishAmerica when you consider your monthly premium on insurance, if a family was diligent enough to put that money in a separate account, you would be surprised at the amount that would be on hand in case of an emergency.

[@AmishAmerica]

I would agree with that but also distinguish between emergency and catastrophic (eg 6-7-figure hospital bills for major accidents and long rehab, or say very serious long term and or rare illnesses)

[@codyleeser392]

@@AmishAmerica I do not have health insurance but I do put away 400 each month in a special account for health needs. Luckily , I have only used this for a yearly dentist check-up for the past 13 years. When my account reaches 18k I take out half and put it into a higher yield CD at my credit union to save even more money.

[@markbajek2541]

careful on almonds , I bought some chocolate covered almonds at a dented store and they were a bit on the hard side, until I hit a very hard one and it blew apart a crown... just be careful with near expired product . (the mfg opted to pay for the replacement crown once they tested how hard that almond was)

[@thirzapeevey2395]

You can buy in bulk with a smaller family. Just get a chest freezer, and keep those goods frozen so they don't go rancid or get bugs. If you don't have electricity, store it in gamma seal buckets and keep it in a cool place like a basement. I grew up among the Amish in Pennsylvania, and have lived like this all my life. I have taught my daughter to do the same.

[@deanframe9095]

Very cool

[@wendyzimmerman6002]

I shop bent and dent stores or salvage grocery stores I get good food at a great price !

[@squirrelcovers6340]

To me, this is just common sense. My family was very poor and valued everything we had, NOTHING was wasted.

[@margarethawk3073]

I wish we had a bent and dent type store here. I would love to shop in one with the high prices.

[@ChanaMoss]

Just thinking of every way to live simply and save money as well as product. I enjoy the simplicity of raising windows rather than running the A/C, enjoy the fresh clean air and heat doesn’t bother me. Thanks for sharing this video. We travel to many Amish communities and each are different with some similarities…

[@traceyszostek6264]

It’s a shame they can’t have stores Ike this in a lot of small towns

[@DollyJohanne]

Hi! English is my second language, just have to say that before coming with trying to spell some Amish words 😂❤🙈 You have made so many videos and I have seen a lot of them. I have heard that the more strict/conservative groups like the Swartzen… (you get the group), may not be as wealthy as some others. Do you have a video or an article on Amish America site about the different economy situation for the different groups? I know that this is a more “sensitive” subject that need to be handle with respect, I just find it a bit interesting that more well of groups also have more “fancy” clothing. A bit like “English people”. Thank you for sharing! I really love this channel and your site 😊 Johanne, Norway 🇳🇴 Edit: I did find a video form January 2022 that touched on the subject 😊 If there are more and you or other see this and know, and what to share, thank you for that 😊

[@AmishAmerica]

Hi Johanne great question and I'm glad you found the channel. Sounds like you found the video on Amish & wealth but I also have a couple pieces on the site: amishamerica.com/amish-wealth-and-poverty/ - that one links to a paper which goes into more detail. Also: amishamerica.com/comparing-amish-affluence-in-berne-shipshewana/ It's also covered in the book An Amish Paradox. Hope that's of use!

[@droolbunnyxo9565]

Re frugality, cooking from scratch at home helps too. Spending $20 on one OK restaurant dinner vs. buying a bag of budget groceries & cooking something you customize to enjoy is a no-brainer to me. I only eat out once or twice a year & afterwards usually wonder why? It's typically that mediocre. But since cooking from scratch is time consuming, suggest looking for quick simple 3-4 ingredient recipes to try. To help get you into cooking more. It's usually much healthier too.

[@AmishAmerica]

I think the number of people you are cooking for matters too... the more people generally more efficient and less potential for waste

[@droolbunnyxo9565]

@@AmishAmerica You're right. Not cooking for yourself can become a lazy habit. It's just easier to buy something pre-made at the deli station or frozen food aisle. But when others are counting on you to feed them it's just too expensive to do this, yes. (But maybe OK once a week or every other week, as a treat :)

[@lynnettemurphy8243]

@@AmishAmerica Actually I think its the other way around. More people more potential for waste. I live alone, never waste. Because its only me I can keep better control. I live on other side of the Atlantic, no Amish stores here. No shops selling dented or short dated stock. Though some supermarkets, if its available do reduce stock nearing sell by date. Shopping at Aldi & Lidl help to keep prices lower. Being mindful is key. Have a budget, shop with a list, and avoid debt.

[@lynnettemurphy8243]

@@droolbunnyxo9565 Buying premade food is very expensive whenever you live. So many living on their own cant be bothered cooking, but its a terrible way to treat your body. So much of that premade food is processed rubbish. Good health depends on many factors, but eating the best you can afford has to be top of list. Batch cook & there's always a dinner ready in freezer. With the high cost of medical care in USA I can't understand why so many abuse their health.

[@droolbunnyxo9565]

@@lynnettemurphy8243 All that you say is so true. I cook about 90% from scratch. Six years ago I drastically dropped processed carbs & sugar from my diet for health reasons - glucose levels were edging into the diabetic range. It worked, no medications necessary. Also lost a lot of dangerous weight. Eating mostly meat, eggs, greens is expensive though. Even after dropping massive amounts of junk food my grocery bill is higher than before. Esp the past year or so. I found it amusing (not) that the FDA now claims boxed cereals, many loaded with hidden sugar & empty carbs, are good for health. It's sad that so many people believe anything the govt tells them. It's a huge part of why Americans are so sick & fatally overweight but people ignore well documented common sense info anyway.

[@Mrsmadison45]

Cowgirl makes her own breads inspired by Amish ❤

[@keithatkins9783]

And the one video your sitting down around the campfire in the back yard with the propain tanks along the driveway and the big rocks I pick up a kid or teenager there and take him to and from a job he works at in the area

[@charlottecmgh3791]

How healthy they look !

[@beckyshell4649]

I am shocked at the number of people with children of the same sex who are close in age that don't save clothes for hand-me-downs. People also don't want to wear clothes when they no longer look "new".Patches on clothes are unheard of and lots of people can't or rather won't hem a garment, sew a button back on or sew a ripped seam. I worked in a store that threw clothes away because there was a minor defect or a bit of dirt or makeup on them. People can't afford to buy food yet food is tossed in the trash.

[@judithvallembois2744]

And preripped jeans are very expensive.🎉

[@KellyS_77]

A great way to save money is also by not driving a car, or driving a lot less. Many of rips can be made by bicycle or on foot.

[@keithatkins9783]

That bbs and brandywine shoe store and the bulk store along rt 10 I live about 20 minutes south of there in parkesburg pa and every year if your in the area around the time in the middle of July that brandywine shoe store dose a huge chicken BBQ and home made ice cream very good

[@1timbarrett]

Great tips. As for the packagedfood-like products however, that stuff is a false economy.

[@larrymccomas8448]

They will by holiday candy the day after a holiday and reuse..at a discount. Like buying in bulk...all the store has.

[@lilsumpn]

no cable, phone interned bill