10 Frugal Things - Catch Up Edition!

[@bridget_cat]

Awesome wins for you this time around!!!! Hubby and I just made our final payment on $17,000 worth of medical bills today and we were able to do it almost 2 years ahead of schedule!

[@marycahill546]

Re: Xmas and birthdays. I do spend a lot on gifts. I shop all year for appropriate gifts to get something nice and yet a bargain for my loved ones. I have a special book to keep track of inventory -- what I bought or want to buy for what person. Also I can look back to previous years so avoid giving the same thing twice to the same person.

[@katfangtastic1420]

That's exactly what I do!! I call it my "Book of Lists" and the current one goes back to 2011. I've kept track of all Christmas gifts, packing lists for a long weekend or a 2 week stay at the summer cottage, Life To Do's, things I want to buy in the long term.. it's so convenient. I've never "met" anyone else who keeps lists of past gifts, so I was delighted to read your comment 😀

[@Mary-pw1ki]

I know exactly what you mean in your pajama pants story! I hate paying shipping too, but I've done it a couple times just because I had to have the thing. No patience, and went with my feelings in the moment. It's so easy to press that order button! Great job on the apartment switch, I'm so happy for you!

[@Dexie2022]

Hi Sarah. I have just binge watched all your videos while being in bed with the flu. I currently have £16k debt and aim to pay it off before I’m 50 in 2 years. First debt paid in full today. Thank you so much for the inspiration, love Rory, your new hair and new home. Wish me luck from another Sarah 😊

[@ZELDAdog74]

Saw you do your debt free scream on the Dave Ramsey show and immediate found your channel! Congrats! My husband and I have 25 years of stupidity to dig ourselves out of, but I am READY! We just started FPU and are still on baby step 1...but it already feels good! Can’t wait to get our snowball going!

[@kleptolad]

I’ll be debt free on Friday Budget Girl IM SO EXCITED IM ABOUT TO POP!

[@BudgetGirl]

wahoooo!!!!!!!! Huge congrats!

[@melaniesmith1928]

Rasputin Thorpedo congrats!! 👏🏾🎉

[@sarahlewis4002]

Congratulations

[@ellieb8171]

Rasputin Thorpedo congrats 💵💵💵💵

[@kleptolad]

Okay. Payment made. I’ll be honest, I’ve left myself with nearly no cash to spend outside of food in Feb (£60) but I’m DEBT FREE! Watch out Baby Step 3. I’m coming...

[@MrTubby0402]

I now appreciate the emergency fund. Our furnace quit on the coldest day last week and I was able to pay for the repair (365.00) out of our emergency fund!! No credit card needed.

[@michelelara5982]

Angela Redman our car needed repairs... & we were able to pluck $500 from our efund. The hard part is building it back up again.. but its a must for those hard days. Huge lifesaver! It feels great not have to swipe, or borrow cash.

[@marycahill546]

In Ontario Canada I pay $22 monthly to Reliance which covers one furnace check up call, all service calls parts and labour. This plan has saved me thousands! Change/ clean your filter frequently -- it's worth the effort.

[@anitaroberts5980]

All great wins! I wondered, since you work at a college now, if you've done or considered doing any financial workshops to help the students avoid debt. Or maybe a column focused on that topic in the paper. Might be a good way to pay it forward.

[@badeend86]

I love your videos, you have inspired me. I just started budgeting that was very necessary for me and I'm really enjoying it. It kinda feels like a game :) thanks for being an inspiration, keep making these :)

[@MrMoneyGeek]

Coming to a theater near you this Spring 'The Negotiator' featuring Budget Girl lol. How awesome is that emergency fund? Glad everything worked out for you.

[@RavenTheMogul]

Hey Budget Girl! So happy you are back, thanks for sharing your frugal things for this week.

[@TexasGirl1633]

You are doing awesome. Love your videos! I hate shipping charges too....I will always add whatever I need in my cart to hit the free shipping amount and then just return it once my order arrives. I live pretty close to the stores I order from so it really does not cost me extra gas to do this. I always do this for Kohl's, Gap, Old Navy etc. One of my goals for 2018 is to reduce food waste. Keep up the great work.

[@rosiemc85]

Give yourself some grace on the Christmas food. You were dealing with an unexpected move over this holiday season, of course you weren't able to plan as well as previous years! Frugal win for me this week, my paperwork came in last night after having submitted for financial aid for my appendectomy and they took 45% off of the bill! :-) Frugal fail, I busted my restaurant budget this month. :-(

[@redfoxbudgeting4230]

Yay I missed these videos!!! You’re doing awesome!!

[@CentsibleLivingWithMoneyMom]

I so hear you on making too much food. I have done that many times. I really love how honest you are my dear.

[@TruFinancials]

You handled your unexpected move really well (thank goodness for your emergency fund!). I had the car tracker in my car before and saved 15% on my car insurance. Totally worth it in the end.

[@marycahill546]

Re: cars, driving, repairs, parking expenses. For all my adult life I never owned a car and just made sure I lived close to a supermarket and good bus routes. I use my bike, take a bus, occasionally a taxi. My transportation costs are less than 10% of my car driver friends. Yes, you do have to get up earlier for work -- so what? Over the years not owning a car has saved me an absolute fortune!

[@HeyHeyCaseyRae]

I feel ya on that tracker thingy...that would probably bug me too. and lol the pajama pants thing is hilarious...i'm sorry I don't mean to laugh but...hahahaha we all fall victim to the lure of cute instagram pics sometimes!

[@BudgetGirl]

right!

[@shannonjohnson4314]

I’m thrilled that I found your channel a long time ago. Your such a strong willed person because I definitely would have bought from the cafe lol. Now however I’m motivated by you and I also have the driving tracker.

[@WanderingDreamer555]

Love that shirt from Torrid! I bought that one too. Any chance of seeing Christmas videos of the family and what you got for Christmas coming up?

[@BudgetGirl]

I chose not to film this year in favor of just enjoying the time with my family. But I do plan to vlog my friends trip to Dave Ramsey studios so you'll see that kind of footage soon!

[@bay32b]

Can you share what you got and gave for Christmas presents? ☺️ Would love to see even if it’s just an after the fact recap!🎄 That video of yours always inspires me!

[@bhepner1]

I'm assuming you raised the temp in fridge to save electricity. Lowing will make the fridge work more. Good shop Sarah!

[@HappilyNeverAfter]

I'm pretty sure if you lower the temp on your refrigerator, that will increase your utility costs since then the appliance must work even harder to maintain a cooler temp.

[@neoyum9699]

Fab video, thanks. :) ... I have extreme doubts about the safety of that driving-tracker thingie. We need to be able to drive in a completely relaxed manner that is appropriate to the situation. In an emergency situation where a drunk driver suddenly pulls out in front of you without warning, you may hesitate for half a second because you have trained yourself not to brake too hard. This half second may mean the difference between only a damaged car & you ending up in hospital. Imho, the small payoff is simply not worth the risk!... Plus, I need your wonderful channel to continue! ;)

[@wisdomandcommoncents6052]

You are really fortunate to work for a company that is offering "wellness" time. More companies need to realize that productivity goes up and sickness days go down if their employees have easy access to exercise.👍

[@prila.b13]

You should do some frugal meal prep lunch idea videos!

[@Lalalu74]

Sarah that new hair cut looks great on you.

[@meggadegs1978]

You’ve had some brilliant wins there BG! Loving the $70 skillet for such a bargainous price. Sorry about the food waste but you don’t normally have that and I imagine the majority of the nation are with you on that one. Your hair looks great!

[@kleptolad]

Meggadegs Christmas food waste is hard. You definitely don’t want to go short of food and stores close a lot over the period. So if you don’t run out and there’s a little waste and you’ve used as much of it as possible, then that’s okay :)

[@create_everything167]

So it's funny that 2 years later I'm watching this video and I just put one of those things in my car because I hardly use it due to Covid-19. I hope you're still using it and that it's giving you more discounts during this time. 😊😊

[@BudgetGirl]

what a great idea!

[@rebacarmack8335]

Kohl’s cash is pretty awesome, if, you actually need something

[@tasharichardson6131]

Another great one BG..my family and I are doing the "no spend" for the month of January...and honestly I'm hanging on by the threads😂😂😂your videos are soo motivating.

[@elizabethstamler9242]

Tasha Richardson me too... eight more days!!!!!

[@tasharichardson6131]

Elizabeth Stamler YES!!! 🎶You are not alone🎶😂😂

[@lorrybee2793]

You can save a tremendous amount of electricity by just changing your light bulbs into LED-ones. LEDs use only a fifth of electricity in comparison to "normal" bulbs and in addition to that live very much longer.

[@prila.b13]

I 2nd that! We have slowly been switching our lights(we have 3 rooms so far) to LED lights and not only has it started saving us money on our electric bill already, our house is lit so much better and things are so much easier to see. :)

[@michellesunshinestar]

We've had bed bugs, and they normally do heat treatments. But it's a pain. My dad is an architect.

[@ouvickie]

I have problems with food waste too. I know that part of my problem is overcooking for just two people, because hubby doesn't care too much for leftovers and after I've taken leftovers for a few days, I get bored with it. I don't have much freezer space, so freezing everything never works out well for me either. I've decided, if I cut down on the amount of food I cook, we will waste less and spend less. Hubby will not take his lunch, so if he's going to spend the money on buying lunch - it just needs to be considered a budget item for him.

[@70sfan64]

Love your shows!

[@rochellethundercloud346]

For future reference, look on wish for pots and pans. They had a ten piece set for $60.just a tip.

[@maryannraemisch6061]

I need to get back to using ebates! I signed up for it and then never actually followed through. Probably would have gotten a bunch back after Christmas 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@TheTinyHerd]

I avoided the car insurance tracker thing luckily haha I just switched to progressive and my insurance is now LESS THAN HALF of what it was before, for the same coverage and lower deductibles. It's insane! I was paying $2300 a year for it if I had kept my old insurance, it was going up every year for no reason.

[@laurelsnyder1855]

lov e your channel wish u would do more.

[@michelelara5982]

Loving that top! Congrats on being accepted for the debt free scream... whoo-hoo

[@docwimz]

Hi budget girl, thanks for all your great work. Do you by any chance remember the name of the app that GazelleIntents used to split the screen and their budgets? I have a new job that requires me to do video reports via skype and is requesting a split screen. Thanks!

[@samanthagray3201]

I am the same with paying shipping, I just can’t do it...it causes me physical pain! I can’t believe I never knew about ebates! I just opened an account and already earned almost $8 from companies I already order from.

[@ambermcclellan6920]

We paid off another credit card this past Friday and that marks 89% has been paid so far!!! Only $1507.64 left until we are DEBT-FREE!!!

[@misciasimmons5337]

Next Holiday food left over do an open house with friends. Play games and eat all the extra food.

[@JessParizek]

When you say lowered the temp on your fridge do you mean you turned it up? I would think if it's lower, it'll run more?

[@gaylaporritt5719]

One advantage to the tracker is you will drive slow and save on gas. It is very difficult I am sure. You can do it. You are already part way there. Hang in there. It will be interesting to see how it works out. I bet you will be letting your sweetie drive most of the time for awhile!lol Proud of all you do to try and move forward in life.

[@BudgetGirl]

OMG, Jacob is the craziest driver. :-( I told him he's suspended from driving my car for a couple months.

[@solck7286]

I always wondered about the driver tracker. Does it work the other way like if they disapprove of your driving can they raise your cost?

[@CentsibleLivingWithMoneyMom]

I love your shirt. It is so cute.

[@rochellethundercloud346]

Well, you have a full year to get ready for the holidays, and hopefully you learned to plan better,and not cook so much food.another thing you can look at is donating the food you don't want to a shelter or food pantry. If able, freeze

[@rashmikawa8968]

Dear Budget girl, please can l Lydia Senn link on saving electricity. Thanks, again love Rashmi xx

[@Mama.annalise]

Good job staying out of the restaurant! You couldve gotten two skillets! 😉

[@Tammy-xs8ic]

good luck with that tracker, im with progressive and my insurance got raised after i used it.

[@BudgetGirl]

My place promised it wouldn't raise, only stay the same or lower, but I'm still regretting signing up. :-(

[@Tammy-xs8ic]

good, hey i have a question---do you budget for things like yearly fees such as christmas, taxes, vet bills? i thought i remembered you said you do sinking funds for this. I am getting a 3000 tax return and i dont know if i should fund my annual stuff with it or put it towards debt, thoughts? ( i know dave says we shouldnt get refunds but i just started his plan)

[@BudgetGirl]

if you have a decent amount of time before you'll have to pay for these things, I'd sinking fund them - aka save a portion each month until its funded. Absolutely do that for xmas, taxes and annual pet expenses. Put the rest to debt after your baby efund, it'll be better served offsetting the debt interest.

[@Tammy-xs8ic]

thanks so much :) thats what ill do, i just gotta get my mind outta trying to save before paying off debt.

[@Yzabell0M]

Hey! Love the frugal wins videos. Wins for me this months: - combed my bank statements to catch any fees, insurances et others services not relevant for me anymore, and I'm saving almost 50€ every month. - dug up an old bank account, and retrieved 42€ ! - my company is offering free eyebrow waxing, so I'll get neat eyebrows and save 20€ monthly Fails: - I am not totally snowballing the monthly payement from the loan I paid off in December, to the following one on the list. But I did make an extra payement, so not a total fail - My microwave/oven died on me... so I had to spend 284€ on a new one. Luckily I'm getting a bonus next month to refund my emergency fund almost on the spot, so it could have been worse. BTW, love eBates too. I also use iGraal which is a French version of eBates.

[@nanettemorton4054]

$17 skillet?! Dang, that's good!

[@OrangeConcerto]

Our most recent Money Milestone was paying off our car loan! We paid off a 5-year, $8,000 car loan off in a year! And even though it worked out okay, we're determined not to get another car on credit. We'll get what we can pay cash for and trade up when we can. Our most recent frugal win is getting a second cat through a program with our local shelter that lets us "rent" (their term) her for up to 60 days to see if we're a good fit. If anything medical comes up in that time, they will take care of it free of charge. We also aren't being charged pet rent by our rental company (thankfully, they think it's an awesome program). And if it works out for us to be her forever family, we'll be able to adopt her at a lower cost!

[@my8yroldlife107]

U didnt link the lydia article Would u pls do so

[@BudgetGirl]

It's there, but here it is again www.frugaldebtfreelife.com/main/6tipsforlwoeringbills?rq=electricity

[@angelalivingston7270]

Where'd you get that cute shirt BG???

[@BudgetGirl]

torrid on black friday

[@stacysklar7825]

Where are you with Baby Step 3?

[@marycahill546]

I am slim and trim and in good shape. How? Very little junk food, using stairs, walking and riding my bike, doing landscaping work in summer and shovelling snow in winter. No gym necessary. Need to lift weights? Try lifting your heavy cans of tomatoes at home!

[@Annette70able]

Frugal win: I only need to do minor shopping for next week, because I stuck to my Neal plans this month and have leftovers (as I had planned to have) for the last dass of the week. I saved 50 € of my grocery-Money. Also I Managed to put aside 50 € for several future expenses this year. Fail: I spent about 20 € in Fun-money, for minor office and home-dekor, I really didn‘t need. But at least I got some bonus point,that I can add to my grocery Shopping. Oh and one more win: I got 5 different scented candles for free from a giftcard and the change of about 24 Cents to keep. 😏

[@lisabeishline578]

Geico sent me a birthday card (birthday on 1-21) but I do not own a vehicle & haven't for 18 years, therefore I do not need car insurance---lol It's a mystery how Geico got my name, address & personal info!!

[@davidperlman1697]

Have you considered subleasing your extra room to earn extra cash

[@bonnyroggenbauer6518]

Love your hair! You are an inspiration to me. I am working on baby step 1. Step 2, will be only $900 for credit cards. Then I am starting sinking funds. I have 3 daughters. So last year school supplies and clothes killed us. So I would like to have $1000 put away for that. And my other sinking funds will be a birthday and Christmas fund, also $1000. All my daughters have winter birthdays and then Christmas is upon us. We haven't used credit cards around that time but we were living paycheck to paycheck. And I work from home as a closed captioned. In summer and winter our work slows down. And this year, I want to enjoy that time and not be stressed about money. I have done my taxes and am expecting $6000 back. So, this should easily cover stuff. So what's next? Do I fully fund my emergency fund? I am going to need a new car too. And I am planning a wedding for next October. What should I do money wise? I would appreciate any advice. Love you and your channel. 😆💕

[@BudgetGirl]

I follow the Dave Ramsey Baby steps. So debt payoff then full efund.

[@neoyum9699]

Doesn't Rory miss the rats? ;)

[@Joanna-ho8ph]

The car tracker is no good I had it yes I brought my insurance down buy a few bucks but it cost more to have it for a year so there wasn't no real money Savings in it whatsoever it's just a scam

[@freedominabudget]

I forgot to use my Khol's Cash... #MoneyFail

[@BudgetGirl]

I did that once and felt so guilty.... I could have gone in and bought a gift or something. Just free money wasted!

[@bay32b]

I forgot too! Ugh, still kicking myself for that... a tip - I usually write in my calendar when it is going to expire so I can see it coming up (forgot to do it this time though) won’t let it happen again 💪🏼💰 haha!

[@gayesims1293]

This makes me wonder how many more state universities have "wellness release" programs while public school teachers dare not miss a day because it's more difficult to write the plans and catch up the next day. I apologize in advance for my jealousy and general curmudgeoness. ;)

[@MetalMike56]

SKILLET

[@ceejpeej14]

God I wish I had your rent price in Boston.

[@kimberlymasick1752]

You are looking fierce girlfriend😘

[@antoniahernandez5741]

I just paid off 2 credit cards yay it feels so good

[@cookingfrugalwithholly2087]

I love your channel, i hope you stop by mine, its new but i am going to be posting frugal meals if you are interested

[@MD-ul3sd]

My auto tracker saved me 4.00$ whole dollars on my 6 month paid in full insurance. Wow! And I drove their rules 98% perfect. Pissed me off!