9 *SIMPLE* Life Lessons That Drastically Improved My Finances {FRUGAL HACKS}

[@ruthwathen6876]

SLEEP 🛌 that is my number one advice. When I am tired I don't make good decisions. I grab from the grocery store the quickest thing I can prepare . I don't have the patience to look for the best deal. I just want to get it done. Oh not healthy and kills the budget. Sleep has changed my life and helped my budget.

[@saraconklinfrozenpennies]

oh my gosh YES! High priority!

[@foodmadewithlove324]

I totally agree with you on this one 👍

[@TraceyBergum]

OH MY Goodness!!!! Sleep now is #1 priority for me because menopause destroyed my sleep and I am on a quest to get rested I used to be such a good sleeper not a ton of hours but a good hard 7 now I'm lucky to get 3.5 straight and then another 2 after I get up to potty, then I'm just awake. Sleep, oh how I want it again : )

[@pishi1990]

Keep making these videos - Sara your videos are so helpful. ❤❤

[@kathleenhill5838]

I liked the Uncle Frank comment as my great Uncle Frank had lived a frugal and fruitful life. When he passed he left 20 people in my family 20000.00 each. I was a teenager and moved out at 18. Over the next few years I had gone through that money probably because being raised by a single mother with just barely enough was such a drag. I had purchased a real gas sipping vehicle that I filled every 3 weeks though! Over the years I have learned that wants are not as important as needs and paying yourself first is important. I finally started an IRA at 40 so it is never too late.

[@fourdayhomestead2839]

I'm in tears listening to this. I'm extremely frugal, but life happens. It has thrown 1 punch after another this past year. I'm heading into a foreclosure, if my budget doesn't get a bump in income (unexpectedly lost 1 of my 2 jobs) soon.

[@catherinewilke5583]

That’s a huge bummer. I really hope it works out. Losing a home in this housing market would be a real financial blow.

[@margueritegastanaga5156]

Praying you will find a job soon. Hang in there.❤

[@tawnaparko3388]

Is there a ministerium or church near you that can help you through an emergency?

[@cindyvoytilla7191]

Your new haircut is very flattering on you.

[@PeriwinkleRabbit]

I agree! Super good hair day for her! I was going to make a comment until I saw yours.🙂

[@simonefeaster5131]

One mindset that was a game changer for me was to tell myself that every dollar had the same amount of pennies..in other words, money isn’t magical and it won’t stretch to fit my wants. Now my budget and goals help me to avoid the trap of “magical money thinking”. Thanks for your honesty in this video, Sarah!

[@fredswartley9778]

I also shop at multiple grocery stores, which are all in close proximity. I shop at Walmart, Aldi and Super Saver. I find the best deals at each place. It definitely saves money.

[@Ginascottage]

I would LOVE a budget 101 video!!!! I write out a list of bills, their due dates and amounts each month but don’t have anything beyond that.

[@SkintLivingUK]

I have my bank pay my fixed price bills automatically so I know I've got them covered.

[@JaneCurtis-ob7ye]

@@SkintLivingUK😊 n😊😊😊😊u😊😊😊😊😊 n😅😊 nb😊in BMy ibubibuun

[@SkintLivingUK]

I've been doing the debt snowball since January this year. I had 8 debts, now I am down to one - the biggest one unfortunately. But it has made such a difference not paying out every month to lots of different companies. I have more money and less stress :0)

[@Erica-en2qz]

That's amazing that you've paid off so many debts so fast! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@nolongeranurse3369]

🎉 you got this

[@olafpamela]

Great video 👍🏻😄 This is what I say we need to start teaching this in junior high and continue this thru college 🤔👍🏻 Thanks for sharing 👋🏽👋🏽🤗

[@angelaromo224]

I have practiced and am working on many of these frugal tips

[@kerryberry142]

Baking sourdough bread right now for my grands…they love it and we know what’s in it, plus I love it lol

[@saraconklinfrozenpennies]

I think that’s on my list of things to do/ learn this winter!

[@anneard1674]

I hope you are including the grands in making it! stirring, measuring, flouring counter, shaping it, setting the timer, cover to rise... any age grand can do something and they will remember that time with you😊

[@lynnoorman2144]

For me it is the thought that I am beating the supermarkets at their own game and contributing as little as possible to greedy share holders. We live ( 2 adults) on foods that are on offer or reduced and I spend about £35 per week. We eat well, no junk food - meat and veg most days ( except for Meatless Mondays and Fishy Fridays). It is cheaper to eat fresh, provided you eat seasonally. Then comes my second reason for being frugal - i have better uses for the money - such as going out, once a month to eat at a very high end restaurant( s) which serves food i would not cook at home, which i throughly enjoy or going on a train trip or to the cinema!

[@KerryJames-l6z]

Thank you for the idea to go to library borrow frugual books

[@truenetta533]

Keeping it simple……do not buy wants, just needs…..and downsizing unneeded items! 😊

[@jazziered142]

I think it's important to have a budget for wants. I have a savings account that I keep aside so if I see something expensive that I want, I start saving for it. I wanted an electrical bike, and it took me a moment, but I saved for it. I didn't go into debt for it.

[@jazziered142]

Plus, I'm an avid bike rider, and instead of going out to the malls, movies and restaurants, I go for bike rides and picnics. So it really technically saves me money cuz I'm not elsewhere blowing money.

[@Savannah-ed4rv]

I'm shocked that your bank or mortgage company wouldn't accept the late payment! I've never heard of that but I'm sorry to know that you went through that. It's one of those things that we learn and a hard way is younger people and it can be stomach-churning!

[@misslinda772]

Banks can be ruthless and callous. They say they don’t want to take your home away, but they don’t act like it. Glad to hear things worked out for you. ❤

[@arthurmantzouris4413]

I would really appreacite the time I spent reading fhe same book and it has helped me to stay debt free for all these years ever since I did my bankruptcy back in 2009...I got the book and it taught me to use the envelope method and a zero based budget.....and I use those methods till this day....😊😊😊

[@lisajoy9588]

I would very much like to see a demonstration of how to actually use a budget! I have never really been taught how.

[@reneespring834]

Great video! Thank you for all the ideas and perspectives. There was a post on my Ramsey group of a young mother struggling financially, 4 young kids, SAHM, etc. I feel like she should watch this to see life from the other side. Not all of us are vacationing in exotic locales every year. It’s just reality, some incomes are higher, some families are bigger. We are also state park campers and love it! Paid cash for a series of used RVs and had so many great family memories! 💜⛺️💜

[@Mike-ld4ou]

My most favorite money saving hack is to buy foaming soap for the pump mechanism. First of all I have bought 4 containers of foaming soap from dollar Tree. After using them up I will then buy the gel hand soap in the larger containers and put a 1/3 bottle warm water in an empty container and then fill it a third full with hand soap and then another third of warm water and mix them up. I can then use that mixture to use in the foaming pump container. Not only does the foaming soap go farther by using 1/4th of the clear hand soap in the larger containers. I usually find them on sale with Ibotta for Walmart. They use less soap and water because you can lather your hands up without turning on the water first to get your hands wet. I reuse the foaming soap dispensers all the time. I even use one at my kitchen sink. So I use Dawn for dishes. But if I want to wash my hands in general there then I don’t have to worry about using expensive dish soap to wash my hands. Which also saves me money. Saves me a good amount of money. I know some here have heard it before. But for the beginners. They will love it

[@andersonomo597]

OMG - I'm on the other side of the world in Australia and I do e x a c t l y the same thing!! I've peeled the labels off the dispensers (inexpensive generic brand) and I put a TEENY tiny bit of food colouring using a toothpick into the liquid just because it makes it prettier and that makes me happy. One pack of food colour is often a lifetime's supply and my 'set' is over 20 years old!! Using it up is also satisfying. I was given dish detergent from Aldi - it's WAAAY cheaper than from regular grocery stores, even on special, and does a great job, so that's my 'go to' from now on. I noticed how thick it was and a little goes a long way, so it's worth considering generic brands. Cheers from Oz!!

[@shirleyjohnson7284]

Good tips! You know I was told when I got my driver’s license go by a car. At the time I thought I would love to, but having a roof over my head was important, and yes i had to get to work I cough the bus, I had to weigh my options, and I had children so it wasn’t just me money was tight and I had to make that choice.

[@AmySimmonds-luv4Jesus]

Great video Sarah. Thank you for sharing your story. We all have had times when we thought we were doing what was best and it wasn't the right decision. My biggest frugal money saving habit has been knowledge. Keep finding videos to watch that share tips on frugality and do what works for you and your family.

[@SkintLivingUK]

I love your videos & I cook from scratch too. Its a definite necessity these days plus you need to know what is going into your food - as too many dodgy chemicals in food these days! :0)

[@crterwil]

I love my 2015 caravan .. fits all my grandchildren and room for more! Love your videos.

[@KatieGoesPlatinum]

Great advice! Thanks for being so open and honest with us about your prior struggles and how you overcame them. It's inspiring!

[@yvonnedulaney6292]

We also read and followed the Total Money Makeover Plan and it changed our lives!

[@lindaaustin-morin7781]

Yes! Yes! Yes please! A how to, hands on video of your “debt freedom roadmap”

[@readyornot316]

It helps to have a partner with the same values. Meal planning has saved us thousands over the years. I used to go to the grocery with a list and come home with double. Planning can be a challenge and meal prep is time consuming, but when we realized it would get us to our goals, we were able to decrease shopping trips to once per month and shop the freezer and pantry in between.

[@catherinewilke5583]

Thank you for your videos, I’m sure there are people who need to learn some money lessons. I feel pretty financially secure. I just love to listen to you, and your home is so beautiful 😻

[@goodenoughgirl8102]

Yes please. Budgeting 101 video would be great. I guess for me it was sort of trial and error evolving (like most of us, I suppose lol). I do think it all starts in the mind tho. Mindsets, how we think about money and possessions, ourselves, common sense, being realistic, dealing with past trauma that might come out as self defeating money practices, get to know yourself better, self esteem and work on ability to make better money…and then that flows down to moderating our feelings and behaviors, etc. I would say mostly, positive self attitude, (such as I can do this etc), being more intentional, living within your means, patience, temperance and gratitude. We can do all sorts of specific things and methods etc, but I think it is easier (down the line) when we do the “hard mental work” up front with it. Although I don’t think I’ll ever be one to cook everything from scratch. Lol.

[@KerryJames-l6z]

My frugual lessons i learnt are live debt free and beneath your means save caß wuality over quantity meal prep needs verses wants no spend low spend weeks

[@Joyce-m8z]

I would love a How to Budget 101 video. Thank you

[@KLC777]

Contentment and following a budget. Great video.

[@marilynrybak9154]

I feel confident you are a much better “cook” / “chef” than you give yourself credit for! Making cookies and other things completely from scratch isn’t easy. I love to cook and we are so much healthier by eating our fresh homemade meals. And, of course, the meals I cook taste so much better than any restaurant! I can also say that with confidence. 😇

[@SkintLivingUK]

I have my bank pay my fixed price bills automatically each month so I know I am covered and don't have to worry about getting them paid.

[@wandahall4435]

❤❤❤😮😮😮 Sarah Great job

[@TanyaHodges-tp6yw]

The book that literally saved my financial life was Suze Ornan 7 steps to Financial Freedom…. I Thank God followed the steps and made a will got life insurance and paid for my grave plots… I was 27 when I read the book and my husband passed away at age 35 … if I had not of followed the book My 9 year old daughter and I would had to have paid over 50000 in medical bills alone … Thank God we had the life insurance to pay it all off… it took every dime however we were debt free … I will always be thankful for the advice I read 😀

[@AgnesVandenBosch]

Cooking is not my passion either, but we very rarely go out eating.

[@sherriesummerlin2237]

Need BUDGET 101 🙌👍👏

[@kimhawkins586]

Do you have any recommendations for a good investment book for beginners?

[@KerryJames-l6z]

I am a life long learner to like low key romance books

[@Savannah-ed4rv]

One of the silly money things I remember doing was when I first started working and was living in my apartment I had cash that I put in an envelope from the bank, and I must have had it sitting with papers and envelopes to be thrown away and not too long after that I couldn't find my money! I looked through the trash and realized I literally threw my money away. 😂😂😂 it was about $100 and at that time that was a lot of money

[@loriloristuff]

Yes, please, but not for me. I took my adult daughter through an irregular income monthly budget. I had to make drawings and examples on paper, take photos, and text them to her! I bet she's not the only one who could use it.

[@dizzysdoings]

Unfortunately, the thing that helped me the most was the death of my husband. 😢 If he wanted something, he bought it. My house is full of stuff I don't need. He also spent a ton on lottery tickets, dining out and alcohol.

[@jane6517]

Been there and done that. He was a gambler and a drinker. Kmpnow how you feel

[@asavannah7439]

The Minimal Mom and A to Zen Life can help you to declutter

[@dizzysdoings]

@@asavannah7439 my problem with getting everything done is I had heart surgery in February. I was doing good until then. ☹️

[@kathleenhill5838]

I divorced the super spender after 18 years together. He has filed bankruptcy 3 times since. Guess that was a good decision. If you can't be on the same page financially, find someone who is or go it alone. It's a lot less stressful.

[@catherinewilke5583]

I’m so much better off now that I’m divorced. Had to give my freeloader ex half of my net worth and it’s still the best decision I made. No more sticky fingers in the bank account. He loved to throw my money around.

[@leannejayne3545]

Hi Sarah, I was brave and posted my first EVER youtube video yesterday! partly inspired by you, you have taught me so much!

[@saraconklinfrozenpennies]

Thats AMAZING! Good for you and welcome to the cool kids club! 😊

[@MrYessyess]

and what did he pay?

[@blessedbygod3430]

Avoid debt like the plague..establish and keep a emergency fund...a 20 year old well maintained car paid with 100% cash will get me from point a to point b as well as a newer car with payments, drop boyfriends who refer to me as " cheap a$$" when observing my frugal habits,

[@Pkeats817]

Using cash does not work for me at all. We do cook more at home than we used to. For us, it’s just perseverance with tackling debt. I’m good with money, but not frugal. 🙂

[@KerryJames-l6z]

Take your food drink coffee snacks go for pucinic to park walking grow small garden watch music library