7 ITEMS THAT SAVE US THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS | LIVE BELOW YOUR MEANS | Old Fashioned Frugal Tips

[@FrugalFitMom]

Thank you Helix Sleep for sponsoring! Click here helixsleep.com/frugalfitmom to get 25% off your Helix mattress during their Labor Day Sale. If you miss this limited time offer, you can still get 20% off using my link! Offers subject to change. #helixsleep

[@trish237]

Sitting here on my Helix mattress to watch this video. Love your tips. Thanks for the 30% off and link for the LUX, never have I had such good sleep. Good night :)

[@mai_world]

LOGAN!!! I mean, they're all cool... But I'm A Logan girlie!!!

[@eileenstasczak6606]

When I lived in a 4-unit apartment building in my esrly thirties, i had a B.J.s membership. My other neighbors were all eighty + year old women. Monthly i went shopping with their lists, and we'd split a 50 roll pack of bath tissue, 4 packs of dish detergent, twenty pounds of ground beef, ten pounds of potatoes, etc. We'd also split the membership cost (I never charged for gas). I felt good helping these ladies, three of whom didn't have family.❤

[@cathyphillips679]

Last month I had a very unanticipated and expensive car repair. I paid for it out of my emergency fund. Because of my fully stocked pantry, I am able to not spend any money in October on groceries! That money is going right back into my emergency fund.

[@ElePranaityte]

Same thing when my laptop died a year ago!

[@MsSarahJam]

Well done, that's amazing.

[@cathydiamond6573]

Same...2k truck paint & body shop

[@reneemorse5593]

@@cathyphillips679 my pantry gives me a lot of peace of mind ❤️

[@canonrebel626]

What about fruits, vegetables, milk, and other perishable foods?

[@williamwilkinson651]

ok so when kiddos are all in sports after school and weekend we would “tailgate” dinners… we drive an old suv and i wuld fix food put it in the cooler and pack the kids in the back with pillows and picnic baskets and we all wuld eat dinner right there at the fields. thermos full of soup and sandwich plates, i have even put a roast in a crockpot at home unpluged it and put in in the car, i bought a cheap adapter for a plug and put it on warm This has become popular with kids friends and we end up with xtra kids eating all the time. my kids love it we arent too tired after late night and figuring out what to eat when we get home

[@AGee2217]

The library is such an underrated tool. They even have info on all the things happening in the community, job search, resume writing…the list is endless.

[@patriciabernard8386]

I am 77 and live alone---yes, a second freezer saves me money. Having a well-stocked freezer helps when maybe you are just not up to going food shopping. For years a good hair clipper has saved me thousands. I do my own yard maintenance so having the best equipment to help me enjoy the work is a plus. I have riding mower and battery operated chain saws, blowers, power sprayers, and trimmers. I keep my cars for about 15 years on average. Basic sewing machine skills saves money also.

[@abigailg9188]

My sewing machine! My husband has two mochas each morning-which I make at home with a $15 old school espresso pot and a $10 milk frother. Not only are they way healthier than what you get at a coffee shop, but it saves us $3,000/year. I also think that the ability to entertain oneself at home is a skill that saves tons of money.

[@ellendunn559]

My college kids came home for spring break in 2020 and then were stuck at home during lockdown. Older son’s school was 1100 miles away, and five months later, he and my husband did a road trip to retrieve his stuff from his dorm room. I packed two coolers full of food to sustain them for four days so they wouldn’t have to go to restaurants or stop for snacks. It worked, and neither of them got COVID!

[@Midwestmomvolunteer365]

Awesome!

[@AWordofHope]

🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@UpstateGrammy]

My vegetable garden saves me substantial money. I am amazed at how much produce comes from one inexpensive pack of seeds.

[@AnnGreen-o9e]

My vegetables are self sown. Even my strawberries 🍓 were self sown. I do not buy any fruit, vegetables or herbs. Saves heaps. Shopping is once a month. A 2 person household costs $130 @ month

[@marywatkins6798]

My favorite top tip: buy pre-owned whenever and wherever you can. Clothes, cars, home decor, appliances, sports equipment, etc. Saves thousands.

[@Nicole-zv7ee]

I can't imagine life without the library........not only has it saved me thousands, but it's also what I do for "fun".

[@bethpeck8918]

I've been the same size for the last 40 years (excepting three pregnancies), so I just keep wearing the same clothes until they fail. I still wear clothes my long-dead grandmother made for me in high school!

[@darcyjane8031]

Im a senior living in a tiny studio apt with little space. I put my bed frame up on cinder blocks (use cardboard underneath and buy the inexpensive top cap pieces to support the legs of the bed frame ) and now have a ton of storage space under my bed. I keep large plastic totes ( free from neighbors ) of dry goods.spices, canned stuff, along with luggage, potting soil, extra cat litter,ART supplies.seasonal clothing., holiday items., my hand tools. The amount of SPACE is amazing and so helpful in my situation. This saves me money because I have SPACE to store stocked up items.

[@MissMolly75]

I buy organic loose leaf tea on-line. I will only do organic since I drink about 3 cups a day and tea is one of the highest pesticide laden, and unregulated, foods. However, I was needing to save money and was considering buying cheap grocery store tea bags. Then I sat down and wrote out the math to figure out how much various teas cost per cup of tea. Well, my organic loose leaf was the cheapest! I was amazed and quite happy, LOL. But doing these price comparisons is a great thing to do now and again for various products just to see where your current products stand in the price line-up!

[@jillianevincent]

Definitely amen to the library card and coolers! We just packed all our food for two weeks vacation in two coolers and didn’t eat out at all except for ice cream! We got got audiobooks and even tablets for our kids from the library to keep them entertained on the way. We saved so much by driving, using the library, and packing our own food. It makes life and travel much more accessible for us. We even had the same old green hand me down cooler from my parents!

[@deborahhelm3488]

Love your program. I am single with no children. What saves me money and time is bulk cooking which I do most days-I do not like leftovers but tolerate them because I do not have to cook each day. I might purchase a roll of sausages and cook them in the oven or stovetop and store them in plastic bags or make a large batch of soup and store the rest in containers. I put a lot of meat and vegetables in the soup, it is very filling and tasty. Maybe boil several eggs and store them for breakfast or snacks. If I had the space, I would pantry everything. I am old enough to go to the food pantry and this helps a great deal. Maybe I would purchase bulk veggies at Sam's Club, cut them up, container them, r bag them, and store them in the freezer time savers when you are cooking. I am in school and working 2 independent contractor jobs and trying to start a business too so I am a really busy lady at 71 years old.

[@erikabloedorn7856]

Haha, I love that you used Julian Smith😂 My only caution for the extra fridge is that some older models can be energy suckers. When my husband and I first moved into my grandparents home we just kept the fridge that they had. It wasn't until it broke down, and we replaced it, that we realized how much it was adding to our energy bill. 😬

[@SlyTurtle00]

I bring my lunch bag to work every day. Even while working at a convenience store where I get a discount. Most days I only eat what I bring but in the days I buy food instead I use extra cash instead of our checking account. Sometimes lunch is just a sandwich, string cheese and fruit but it’s always cheaper than buying single serve food every day.

[@olderandwiser78]

When we purchased our one and only home in 1971 ( one acre of property) we planted a huge vegetable garden and then purchased a large freezer for the garage. I purposely purchased one that is not frost free. That way food can be in there for 2 years without freezer burn. I defrost it every other year which takes about 2 hours. I do this in the summer before new produce comes in. At one time we would purchase 1/4 of a steer to stock in it. It was a friend that raised the steer and our only cost was for animal feed and slaughter. Not only that but it was Prime beef. In the 53 years I have had only 2 freezers with the last one purchased in 1995. The brand was Woods made in Canada. I have always had a large pantry in the lower level. Outside of milk, eggs, and fresh produce I could live for 3 months or more off my stock. My son has chickens and last year he gave me a 2.5 gal bucket of water glassed eggs to use in the winter. These are perfect for scrambled eggs and baking. Otherwise he provides me with fresh eggs and honey from his hives. My father made me a drying rack that I still use. My mother never had an dryer. The basement was always warm from the hot water furnace and she hung clothes down there. My first phone had no dial and we had to ask the operator to connect a number. I never buy fast food, so no money spent there. When traveling I always have a cooler and when in a hotel I get a room with a fridge and microwave, plus free breakfast. Otherwise I stay in condos with full kitchens. I still have an old Thermaster cooler that my parents used when traveling in the 1950s.

[@marilyns6043]

Windows that open. This might not work for all climates - but where I live I love the ‘shoulder season’ …a few months of mild temps when I can shut down the HVAC system completely and roll with the temps and breezes that the heavens provide. Fresh air. Great sleeping weather. And lower electric / gas bills!

[@karenmclean2375]

When my kids were doing sports, I always kept bottled water and snacks in the car. That way they could have a snack & drink on the way home.

[@thetaekwondoe3887]

When mine was doing sports we all had a time when we had to bring drinks and snacks for ALL the kids on the team. WHY? I don' t know what the other kids like/can/can't eat. Why can't I just bring the snack and drink for my own kid every time? Don't know which moron came up with that.

[@joannereynolds69]

I have an insulated water bottle - it keeps old drinks cold and hot drinks warm - I always fill it up with whatever beverage I fancy and take it with me when I go out or to work - it has literally saved me thousands over the years by not having to buy drinks when I’m out. I also have a fancy lunch box that cost the earth back in 2011 - use it everyday to take my salad for lunch to work - that has also saved me so much money over the years 😊

[@nehashroff-marfatia2186]

Christine you look so fit and toned, please do a video on what you do to stay so fit, your exercise routine

[@JessicaBrunsen93]

Christine, you have been such an inspiration!! You’re the reason I started baking bread- which my family loves. Homemade bread changed their life. You’re also the reason I can go to Costco and not overspend. I’ll tell my husband “no that’s not a good price on ground beef” or “yes grab the 5 dozen eggs for $10, that’s a steal” and it’s all because of you! It’s a hard skill to train but so useful.

[@suziebuckingham9053]

When we first got married, my MIL bought us a deep freeze. I was stupid then, and bought a chest freezer, at Montgomery Ward. Always regretted. Nonetheless, we kept it. Moved it twice. Last year we had to downsize and gave it to one of our kids as we didn’t have the room. 48 years later, it’s still working. Keeping frig or freezer on concrete ie; basement or garage makes them last forever. Also, I don’t think they make that kind of quality anymore either.

[@TheSwimmom1]

We bought a small chest freezer when we got married 36 years ago. I really wanted an upright one but they cost more. I said that I would replace it with an upright once it died. I'm still waiting lol.

[@thecatsmeow50]

Same! $99 chest freezer 34 years ago still works!

[@bethreisman8869]

Same here. We bought used chest freezer many years ago on Craigslist for $50. The manufacturer date was 1953. It is still working great!!

[@spmamabear]

I bought a new fridge for my laundry room this summer. $50 cash and some cinnamon rolls to a neighbor who hauled it home for me, and I have a refrigerator that's older than I am, that still runs. It's from the 70's, I'm from the 80's. I use the freezer a lot to pre-chill batch cooked items before they go into the chest freezer, because there's a large enough shelf for a cookie sheet in there.

[@joyceclark8163]

Definitely correct about the workmanship of appliances..my parents had a freezer that lasted for literally 50 years..at the time it died ..it was older than my brother..we always had a garden and butchered ..canned and froze our own meat and fruits and vegetables..now that is savings

[@lindapaddock254]

I turned my dining room into a hydroponic garden. There was some expense up front, but now I grow vegetables year around for almost nothing. The lights are LED, so they don't do much to my electric bill. I grow lettuce, kale, collards, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, basil, and dill at the moment. The possibilities are almost endless. I also grow some soil-based plants. I buy fertilizer in bulk (I have about a 10 year supply now), and my only other expense is seeds, which are so very cheap. The peace of mind knowing that I have a continuous supply of vegetables year around is worth the expense many times over!

[@1524scooter]

Just starting my own home garden too, looking forward to my own veggies!

[@ashleybain8583]

My little-known money-saving tip: WATCH PORTIONS! Like shampoo, detergent, and yes even food (especially things like nuts, meat, cheese) weigh out the portions and use the right amount. Toothpaste is a killer- the picture shows a huge glob, but actually we use a rice-sized tiny bit!

[@Js20639]

A pea size of toothpaste is what the dentists recommend.

[@sophianachtigall3598]

Meal prepping and planning is the thing that keeps my budget feasible. We do not order food to be delivered to us, nor buy takeout (really, never). So, if we need a meal fast- there are things that we know how to prepare fast, faster than a food would be delivered to us anyway. Dining out is an event for my family. It is a treat. We do that on occasion. We even go to Michelin star restaurants. Food that we cook is way better than any fast food option in our region. If we are out and about, and have nothing to snack on, we will stop by a bakery to take a pastry. This is very popular in Southern Germany where I live.

[@jacquelinebottenbley8021]

I'm single and right now I'm eating my way through my pantry and fridge. I'm a teacher and recently changed jobs. I work three jobs. Last month I went to bjs and stocked up on foods for snack and dinner, lunch and breakfast. Thought it would be enough for a month. Still haven't used it all will go another 2 to 3 weeks and not have to shop except for maybe produce.

[@mariad3743]

A Vitamix blender. It makes great smoothies, soups, chops veggies (with practice), pulverizes grains and even makes whipped cream. We waited for a deal on QVC. Totally worth it!

[@AAMtruthteller]

Life changing appliance, right there!

[@cheekysaver]

Canners. 1 we just rescued 30lbs of spuds from moms cold room and canned them up. Yes, it costs for lids... way cheaper than replacing potatoes. We also canned up some meat about to be toast. It was just starting to freezer burn.... carrots... they were going to spoil and got canned. All of that was saved and much more. Mom and dad who are elderly and disable have heat and eat meals.... that work within specific dietary needs.

[@sandiholden2295]

Dryer rack for the win! I do the same thing and it really does extend the life of your (and your kids) clothes!

[@elizabethlangheim7214]

It is amazing how much money I save by using the Library. Hubby goes through an audiobook about every 3 to 4 days. I’ve watched so many movies and tv series on my schedule it is ridiculous.

[@cometasporelcielo]

as a librarian your comment makes me very happy and keeps me in business!

[@Tonick34]

A tip I stumbled upon this summer. I started working 12 hr shifts on Mondays. I absolutely will not go to the store on the weekends. So this left me to do the weekly shopping on Tuesdays-last day of the sales. Sometimes they are out of the sale items so I get a rain check. This has really come in handy towards the end of the month when I’m really trying to stretch the budget and don’t have as much discretionary funds to stock up on the sale items. So I’m able to get the savings a week or two later and stock up when I have more wiggle room- and sometimes more room in the freezer 👍🏻

[@darcyjane8031]

I do this too. Sometimes, i prefer to get the rainchecks instead. Freezer space can be a problem. I also ask for rain checks on items i dont need right then. In the Frugal Lifestyle Game plan, its another way to stretch the budget.( if the item is featured in a mailed ad circular I save the page its on to show if there is a question when i do buy it)

[@Tonick34]

@@darcyjane8031 I agree- sometimes I do prefer the rain check, this was just a kind of accidental strategy for me lol. I did have one instance where I was refused the rain check because the ad said ‘while supplies last” but I’ve been successful all the other times

[@evershade.after.dark.]

Super simple tip--I only buy miniature chocolate chips for baking chocolate chip cookies. Half a bag or one-third a bag will work splendidly. Since they are small, they spread throughout the cookie dough easily and make it so one bag can last for 2-3 batches of cookies.

[@ChantalM3]

So, you use a smaller amount?

[@GarouLady]

My family bread recipe that has been in our family for over 48+ yrs. my grandma gave my mom a cookbook that has it in it. and if we don't want bread, we take knobs of the dough and make "rolls" using muffin tins. Quick Yeast Bread 2 packages granular yeast 1 Cup Lukewarm water 1 tsp sugar 1 Cup milk scalded 2 1/2 tsp salt 1/3 Cup sugar 2 Eggs, well beaten 1/3 Cup melted half shortening & half butter 6 1/2 to 7 Cups sifted all-purpose flour Soften yeast in lukewarm water with 1 teaspoon sugar. Scald the milk, stir in salt and sugar, and cool to lukewarm. When cooled, stir in the yeast mixture combined with beaten eggs. Add about 4 cups of the flour and beat until smooth. Add cooled, melted shortening and again beat smooth. Stir and knead in enough (about another 2 cups) flour to make a smooth elastic, but not too stiff dough. Place in a lightly greased bowl, turn dough over. Cover and let rise in a cozy place (85 degrees F) about 1 hour until just double. Then turn out onto lightly floured board and shape into 3 loaves. Place in greased pan, cover and let rise again in warm place until double, about 45 minutes. Bake rolls 15-20 minutes in a moderately hot oven (400 degrees). Bake loaves 20 minutes at 400, then reduce heat to a moderate (350) and bake 20 minutes longer. Serve rolls hot but cool loaves before slicing. Makes about 2 dozen rolls or 3 small loaves. (for the big loaf and 3 small loaves we did 350 degrees for around 30-40 minutes till brown) ENJOY!!

[@crystalblair1408]

Thank you for sharing your recipe. I copied it to try 😊

[@cometasporelcielo]

i'm allergic to wheat *sobs* i need a GF recipe that works

[@diner51214..]

You are such and inspiration! i'm a former spendaholic , and you keep me on the path to not wasting food and money, thanks!

[@stephaniesundstrom3763]

Im currently watching you from the Hospital. Im doing better thank goodness.

[@tgayer1]

May God bring you healing and strength.😊

[@judymc4213]

So sorry. Get well and get back to saving!

[@cbstore6779]

I pray for your healing in Jesus name Amen 🙏

[@jennibennecke669]

Sending hugs and love

[@sarahhoffman6569]

Having a farm 🐷 🐄 saves us soo much money!! Every so often on Saturday or Sunday we make our own sausage, hamburger and bratwurst. We made 300 pounds of bratwurst one Saturday. We go to the local meat market and get the seasoning, casings and cut up small pieces of cheese and put them in. We have a vacuum sealed and buy the bags at Sam’s. Saves soo much money and lasts at least a year!!

[@marlelarmarlelar9547]

I hang clothes up on hangers and then put the hangers on the door frames going into the bedrooms. I can usually get 5 or 6 garments on each door. I do the same for my reusable mop heads.

[@colettelongo2080]

I'd love to hear more for apartment dwellers...no garden...no garage...no storage space for bulk purchases.

[@Bigboss-xe6lm]

Best decision ever. Went from huge house with millions of things to maintain to almost nothing now. Its perfect. We can focus on living instead of maintaining things we didnt care about. Its also a huge saver. We calculated we save (if invested) 200k every 10 years. YES. THAT much savings! Its ridiculous!

[@maiadean7053]

Use what you have. Under your bed. Under the couch. Get rid of stuff that doesn't serve you and use that space.

[@bethanyriver8232]

I use tall metal racks and can fit a fair amount of extra food. Also, there's great windows, so pots of herbs and one small cherry tomatoes plant. Also join a community garden if there is one nearby, or talk to friendly neighbors about using a corner of their yard.

[@brendakrause5639]

I put extra canned and dry foods in bins under my bed. I bought a bed frame that is 14" high. (Amazon foldable bedframe $60-100)

[@robinguertin574]

Thank you, Christine. We have always used a 2nd fridge/freezer. We have 6 children and we'd fly through milk, egg, orange juise, bread, etc... this was a money and time saver. I use a clothes line for sheets and light weight clothing spring through fall. Cooler for road trips, smaller cooler for trips around town. The kids were always "starving" when they were in the car.

[@sandywich7834]

I always shop sales and hate to pay retail for anything. I'll add grocery store membership cards to the money saver list. It doesn't cost anything to sign up, but there are often extra discounts, even on sale items, if you have the card. I usually save around 30% and sometimes close to 50% off the 'retail' grocery prices. And some cards let you earn points that can be redeemed for additional savings.

[@lisamorris4232]

My drying rack is my best friend too. Reason #3 is no shrinkage in clothing. I have a huge wooden one worth every penny!

[@jenniferharrington4694]

The word “No” has saved me thousands… when my kids ask for something, No, when my husband asks if I want something, No, when people come to my door asking if we need something, No, etc…

[@MsRene98]

In 1988 I paid $200 for a half sized Sesrs chest freezer. In 2021, after saving up for 3 years, i bought a huge upright freezer for $800 and sold that 33 year old chest freezer for $40. I still hug my upright and tell it i love it lol.i love being able to stock up on sales. My best tip - garage sale. I made $160 two weeks ago on what we would have donated to Goodwill.

[@Tryp-j9d]

$800. YOU got ROBBED!!!

[@susanharclerode1647]

My library has books online, so I don't even need to drive there to get a good read.

[@amitchell6419]

Every little bit helps. So many people never think of that. I've worked with men that will dig in their pockets for change for the snack machine and then toss the pennies, nickles and even dimes in the floor. They only use the quarters. That's money literally thrown away because it's just a little bit. Crazy!!!

[@yvonnelanese-coppola4999]

I’m a librarian in my area, libraries are the best way to save money. The bottom of the receipt it tells you how much you’ve saved.

[@DarlaLeuschen]

Paper and pen for meal planning! Saves so much because I look to see what I have and then we throw out so much less.

[@lauraelden1210]

Backyard clothesline ~ 6-7 months a year in Indiana.

[@thetaekwondoe3887]

Ew. If you hang clothes out here they come in smelling horrible. Thanks but no thanks.

[@Tryp-j9d]

INDOOR drying racks, 366 days a year!!!

[@CassieLino]

I live in Florida and we just lost ALL the food in our fridge/freezer because of the hurricanes extended power outage. Your videos are helping me a lot, thank you ❤

[@sarahwarlady]

My last road trip was just myself, my older son, and we met up with my dad at our family cabin. Packing a cooler was the best part of going on excursions! I have a limited diet, so it made my day easier- and we had more money for fun. Plus, I was able to get my favorite splurge, a souvenir t-shirt, from each spot without worrying about money! (A pro-tip, look for gift shop clothing clearance racks. The t-shirts are the same!)

[@dorothyduvall6503]

I wanted a bison T shirt the first time I went to Yellowstone, wouldn't spend the $, found it at a thrift store after returning home!

[@dorothyduvall6503]

Now no souvenirs as I don't need them & they just take up space

[@sarahwarlady]

@@dorothyduvall6503 Thats why I do t-shirts or coffee mugs, things I know I will use. No dust collectors. And as they go bad, the go bye. Nice on the shirt though- good find!

[@bthalsey5943]

I use coolers as well when I grocery shop. I go to 3-4 different places, depending on deals. Keeps all of my food cool!! I keep one in my trunk

[@FrugalFitMom]

I do that often as well!

[@lisaphares2286]

I’m team take a cooler when shopping too. Had someone see me putting meat and dairy in my cooler and she said what a smart idea! I’m going to start doing that! I also take beverages in double walled stainless steel bottles that maintain the temperature of my drink even in hot cars for hours. Turn my parents on to that one. Also great for flying. Hot beverages can be stored in it (after you pass security) as well as cold ones. Love having my LMNT when I’m out kayaking on a hot day. Or out mowing (takes me about 3 hours as I spread the grass under the trees and shrubs to kill weeds and bonus-it’s fertilizer too! Had an apple tree growing amongst the osage oranges that didn’t produce apples until the second year after I started this. The apples were even bigger this year! The wild animals have another food supply (tree is too tall so I can’t get the apples before they fall).

[@heatherj3030]

​@@lisaphares2286 they make a harvesting tool, that's an extendable pole with a cup on the end with claws. My elderly neighbors used one to harvest lemons, oranges and nectarines that were high up in their trees. It worked really well.

[@annroberts4593]

@@lisaphares2286they make these that lengthen for fruit picking. My tree is tall also but I can get most of them with this things

[@MyButtercup]

I live an hour from the store with New Mexico heat. I keep a cooler with blue ice packs in my car.

[@reneecailloux2573]

Logan! We also got a free fridge/freezer that we put in the garage. We buy at Costco and we freeze a lot. Even cookies, homemade or not so that I don't eat them all at once ;-) and I can have a little treat when I want one. We used to be 5 until this summer and now it's just the two of us but we are still cooking the same quantity. We just freeze 2/3 of it for days we don't want to cook. It's convenient and you're right it's worth the cost of electricity.

[@alexandras5347]

I use the dryer for sheets, towels and athletic clothing. Everything else dries on the rack including all my kids' clothes. Also buy my kids pjs 1-2 sizes too big (which is only really the length of the wrist and ankle cuffs). Roll the cuffs once when they are on the small size and undo as needed. Was looking at pics from a few years ago and my 5 year old is wearing the same pjs as in a pic of him at age 3! Still in great condition cause they dont go in the dryer.

[@sherrywoodrum7577]

Garage/shop freezer!!! Buy in bulk, divide into portions that work for you, freeze, & save $$$. Great video!❤

[@lisam5744]

Buying large packs of meat are usually less expensive than the small packs. I save my bread and tortilla bags and use them for freezing the divided up meat.

[@thejourney1369]

When I was growing up, we rarely ate out. That money was saved for vacation since my parents didn’t have paid vacations. Mom and Dad always cooked at our campsite and on traveling days, we would pull into a parking lot or rest area and go into the camper for lunch. My parents grew up during the Depression and knew how to save. They had to to be able to take a week to two weeks off without pay and still pay the bills. I think we’d go out to eat once while we were on vacation. This was back in the 70’s. Cheapest live streaming service is Frindly tv. Ten dollars a month.

[@brentbraten6680]

😂 I learned how to bake whole wheat bagels almost 40 years ago. Whole wheat bread (starting with a sponge) is just two steps shy of baking bagels. I have been baking home made bagels and bread almost every day for the past almost 40years.

[@wallashakalla]

I do the same. Freeze your meals and meat flat. It will save freezer space and they thaw faster. The other thing I do to save money is to walk everywhere I can. If I walk to the local market I’m not going to buy a bunch of stuff because I have to carry it all home.

[@karlacase5755]

I’ve been freezing stuff flat for years but in the last 5 years, anything with liquid (soups, sauces) leaks out from the top when I’m thawing them. I’ve tried both generic and name brand freezer bags with the same results. Anyone have any ideas for how to solve that problem? I’ve had to start freezing things with sauce in the upright position instead of flat.

[@darcyjane8031]

i do this too. My store is 1.3 miles each way. I have a back pack and a reuseable grocery bag that fits over my shoulder. After doing this or so long, i am able to tell who much will fit and how much I can carry at one time. Ususally 20lbs is the max. NO fluid milk or juice or soda etc it weighs too much. Now and then i take a bus home. The walk is a nice workout helping my health and fitness, i save gas. i dont buy too much at once. Im 67. Exercise is super important. I accomplish a lot of goals shopping this way !

[@LynnSJ]

Love the drying rack! Cuts electric bill by $200 in summer. For winter shower towels, small items, (not long beach towels etc.) use a portable clothes dryer. 600-watt hook to back of door. Works great and helps with costly winter bills.

[@chelseafailla9887]

I'm with Grandma on the sourdough starter! I keep it in the fridge until I want to use it again, feed it, use it, back in the fridge! Huge sourdough fan, its not as intimidating as i once thought

[@ariels6284]

I do 11-12 hour days 5 days a week. And we have a very social family. Weekends are not always free. I rely on emergency fast food when I am exhausted. The “good” chicken strips, pizza, home canned soup, lunch meat and bread. Things I can make fast that I can pull out of the freezer, and still feel like we went out. Feels fun but I get a rest day. 🐓 🍜 ❤

[@lidijazivanovic2810]

When you opend your garage fridge with all that butter in it, you got me laughing 😂. To be honest I live half a word away, and of course I don't have access to stores you do, but love, love your recipes! Lots of love from Belgrade, Serbia 🇷🇸

[@louisedudley6478]

Just finished packing food for our vacation. Been planning this for a month. I made freezer meals with the extra food I had during this month and put them away until I needed them. No impact on my grocery budget but will benefit our vacation budget. No fighting the crowds in the restaurants and eating our favorite foods from home! win, win!

[@michelleprice5945]

Love our chest freezer! Bought it at the grocery store and it came with over $100 of free stuff coupons, so really it only cost $50ish.

[@wendyboglarsky9309]

I use less laundry detergent it calls for on the bottle saves $$

[@sandragoodman2059]

Absolutely! It saves money, the clothes get just as clean, the washer stays cleaner, and (as a single person) I buy laundry detergent about once every two years.

[@Urban-Mooose_Mom]

Same. and wirecutter recommends it as well.

[@charlenecastaldo3602]

@@wendyboglarsky9309 I've been doing the same thing for year. I don't buy pods for that very reason.

[@reneemorse5593]

I make my own at about $6/year

[@MarianaMendozaBotero]

@@reneemorse5593would you mind sharing it?

[@biblioholic7139]

I would say my smart thermostat, which is much simpler to adjust than the old programmable one I had and, therefore, encourages me to actually make changes for when I'm away for extended periods saves me money. Also, my new heat pump seems to save me, but that is somewhat dependent on the weather, fuel oil prices, and electric prices in any given heating season, so too soon to tell at this point. Also also, robe and slippers let me keep the set temperature lower in winter and a fan lets me keep the set temperature higher in summer.

[@bluedragon1979]

Having a wholesale membership and buying in bulk has saved me quite a bit. Even though it's just my daughter and me.

[@WI_Woman]

I've done most of these my entire life so it's just second nature. Great ways to save lots of money! You've mentioned it in previous videos but I try to borrow seldom-used items like special tools, equipment etc. instead of just running out and buying them. My friends and family lend things back and forth all the time.

[@hizgrase]

OK, you got me. Another channel to take me down a big rabbit hole of binging because I have no life you better do me proud.

[@Tryp-j9d]

Try BINGEING instead of binging!!!

[@janaimaughan3599]

I love my garage fridge and my stand up freezer. Make ahead freezer meals make it so I’m not calling for pizza when I don’t have time to prep something. I also have a big garden (currently juicing grapes, making applesauce and canning tomato soup) that supplements our pantry for months and we got chickens this year. They free range part of our garden so we aren’t having to fill up their feed very often right now, they’re taking care of the bugs (so no pest control needed) and eating fallen fruit so I can spend my time doing other things beside orchard clean up. They’re also enriching my soil so I don’t have to fertilize and they’re super cute to watch. 😊

[@judymc4213]

I buy in bulk when I can, even though it's only my husband and I. I shop mostly at a Grocery Outlet. I do reverse meal planning.And, we eat leftovers. We seldom eat out. I don't frequent the drive through coffee stands. Unless it's rainy [I live in the PNW] or icy, I walk or ride my bike. My car stays in the garage.If your budget allows, buy a Foodsaver or similar type vacuum sealer. I can buy things on sale, especially meats, and vacuum seal them. Game changer.

[@liebling3133]

I don't even have a dryer. Saves more then you think. Would love an extra freezer for my harvest of appels and cherries. Harvesting saves money too. 😊

[@mjackson780]

My Birch mattress is organic and also made in Arizona. I love that American made products are so easy to find these days.

[@nancykaufman1645]

Our fridge in the garage has been called the Beer Fridge since day one, but it rarely has any beer in it… mainly eggs, milk, and things I have pulled out of the freezer to thaw😉

[@stacyfausett5436]

You amaze me!!! We have 4 in the house but feed our grown kids/their families a few times a week. But I’m lucky to spend only $1,000. And I already reverse meal plan. I HATE meal planning but I’m good at cooking based on what needs to be used or we have on hand.

[@ericawarren]

I miss my basement fridge we used to have, and wow do I agree with you about the library card. My library is so cool, they have never turned me down when I've requested that they get a book.

[@kimberlyann8960]

Yes! Just recently discovered our library has Libby app for magazines, ebooks and audio books. Free with library card!

[@Rpol_404]

Amen to the drying racks! We’ve been doing it for a couple of years now and it really saves on electricity. Plus you get the added bonus of a bit of humidity added during the winter.

[@christinemossop9659]

I'm the same as you use a cooler to take our own food on vacation every time.

[@charlenecastaldo3602]

I still use the coolers I received by hosting a Discovery Toy party over 35 years ago. We always keep at least one in our vehicle.

[@melaniea8301]

This summer we spent a weekend away with one night at a hotel and I was devastated when I realized that all the food I packed (to save money) for the weekend would essentially cook in the car in the few hours we had before being able to check in...I didn't think this through and had counted on the hotel fridge. I have now invested in a large cooler and that thing will be coming with us every trip from now on!

[@flightlessphoenix77]

I have a heated drying rack- in the summer I don't turn the power on, but in the winter I can still dry clothes in a day, for pennies per hour without the damage from tumble drying. I love the library! Congrats on your win and the cooler- what a great prize!

[@janjackson7732]

Oh my gosh~. I live in Oregon and a heat drying rack would be just miracle work, right there. Thank you!!

[@flightlessphoenix77]

@@janjackson7732 it changed my life! I'm in the UK but the brand I have is called Dry Soon. I hope they are available where you are. If they are, get the cover- it helps so much!

[@janjackson7732]

@@flightlessphoenix77 Thank you! I will look that up~ I think Oregon and the UK have very similar climates. Lots of rain and drying our laundry outside is hit and miss! Thank you again!

[@flightlessphoenix77]

@@janjackson7732 yes I think they are very similar!

[@sharonwittmayer1221]

Oh my goodness, I LOVE my drying racks, too ❤Those drying racks literally save me hundreds of dollars each month as electricity is crazy expensive in Southern California… so do my solar panels AND my solar powered generator as well!

[@christinek5935]

First time viewer. Not a Mom, but have always been frugal. Love your energy! Subscribed!

[@shesatitagain234]

Years ago when our daughter was young, we’d go on trips with other families to places like Branson. The other families always went out to eat at restaurants while we prepared much of our own meals in our room (nothing stinky or offensive smelling that would linger long after we left). My husband and daughter were visibly embarrassed and would resort to pouting about having to eat homemade food and not getting to go spend lots of money at restaurants….until the other families started hanging out in our hotel room because we had fabulous food. I would precook bacon and sausage (homemade sausage) before we left home and store it in zip top bags, make pancake mix (homemade) then combine the oil, egg, and buttermilk in glass jars to add to the mix. I’d take an electric griddle and make pancakes. That was a HUGE hit with the friends. I made chili at home then brought it with us along with a slow cooker, which heated it up and kept it warm until we returned from our daily adventures. Needless to say, the embarrassment turned into joy and the trip were things we still remember fondly to this day. I now have a KZbin channel and although it’s mostly cooking (better choices in what we eat), I sometimes throw in videos of household hacks. Love watching your videos; you do a great job!

[@freeasabird5187]

Love the drier rack or even the clothesline when the sun is shining🌞

[@lisam5744]

Small number of meals and rotate them. Simple (limited ingredients) meals. Planned-overs... planned leftovers. Cooking large meal and freezing half for another meal later.

[@karencroft1322]

Hi I use your bread recipe all the time and I haven't used a dryer in over a year I had a clothes line put in my house it's out of the way and it's great I have saved alot thanks❤

[@gwenbuckingham9351]

We got a “scratch & dent” large side by side frig for our spare frig. Great for storing the “deals”🎉

[@kathyfanchi2557]

Love your enthusiasm, Christine! You are very motivating!

[@karenminten6292]

A travel mug saves me money. I don't buy coffee when I'm out in town.

[@colleenpakkianathan3151]

Yes!!!! And investing a little more in good home coffee so the coffee shop isn’t even tempting! Still major savings!

[@crystaljohnson9354]

When I got my house, the old owners had left a fridge/freeze in the garage. I kept it and it works great. I shop the sales and plan meals like you for my whole life; it's how my mom's mom did it. But lately I'm working on preserving food in jars as well, like my dad did the whole of my life. Combining the two saves lots of money on groceries.

[@lauriemayne9475]

I do have a chest freezer, helps out tremendously. I found hard-sided totes on Amazon, and they help to keep it organized & easier to clean!

[@lp7931]

Team Jess I’m looking forward to making more bread as the weather gets cooler. So much better than store bought.

[@Larissa-iw5wy]

We’ve been using an indoor dryer rack for at least 12 years. My clothes stay in good shape and we definitely save on electricity. And the downstairs fridge and deep freezer for buying good deals and being well stocked. Yes!!!!

[@andreahall6007]

Christine would you consider putting together a printable list of foods that can be frozen i never know whats safe to freeze or not would happily pay for it xxx

[@marlelarmarlelar9547]

You can find such lists on the internet.

[@YourPinayMomma]

I 'inherited' a freezer from my Aunt-in-law in 2019 and it was the best decision specially when Covid hit. We became a 1 income household and I went to the food drives to sustain us. Made a lot of stuff from scratch and that got us through that year. I now have my summer garden and with how intense the prices are, the financial aspect is more manageable. 😊

[@deltorres2100]

I had to shop the sales. We have a store here in Houston. You might know it. It’s called Jovi‘s. It is related to H-E-B and it’s almost like a slot sell so I just went the other day and restart. My whole car was full in the hatchback and even in THE VACCINE and it was only $217 it was full. I had a case of spaghetti sauce, two cases of corn a case of pasta, I brought five tubes of ground beef one pounders five tubes of chorizo. I bought so much but I hadn’t been to Joe ‘s in so long and I haven’t bought in so long because we still had plenty to eat out of our pantry and our deep freezers, which I have two, but I’m gonna downsize to one, and someone is gifting me, a fridge which I really need the fridge to help me defrost items because my new refrigerator is also very small very very small. My house is 1929. That’s why it is small area. I needed a small fridge but freezer is in my garage and the fridge that I’m gonna be gifted soon will go also go in my garage.

[@Urban-Mooose_Mom]

I know this doesn’t play well to all markets, but I got solar (near net zero annual production) for near free after rebates and tax programs. I then bought a USED ev. I don’t buy car gas. I make the power I consume annually on my roof. My power company currently charges $.14 a kilowatt. I make my own kilowatts.

[@cometasporelcielo]

i can't wait to get an electric car and never go to the pump again. $200 a month for our family!

[@robinbrandi4663]

Solar was our best decision we made.

[@mandy3486]

Christine and the drying rack watching tv😂. I feel that way about my counter top aerogarden that makes me fresh spinach in the winter

[@aliciakay4725]

I love your ideas. I grocery shop for my daughter who is in college so I have her make me a list of things she needs and when I see them on sale I grab them and stockpile until the next time I see her. (non-perishables and frozen food). She is only an hour away and it is easy to take them to her but it saves a lot of money when I can hit up the sales and not go there and buy everything on her list at once.