Budgeting Relationships | Wedding Budget Hacks | Food Budgets & Toddlers

This Q&A podcast delves into the intricacies of family and personal finance, offering practical advice and insightful discussions on managing budgets effectively. Christine and Dave engage in candid conversations, addressing questions from the audience and sharing personal experiences to guide listeners on their financial journey. The podcast covers a range of topics including budgeting in relationships, saving strategies, side gigs for additional income, and smart spending tips.
Christine on IG: / frugalfitmom6
FrugalFitMom on YT: / @frugalfitmom
Key Topics Discussed:
Introduction to Season Two of the Podcast
Importance of Budgeting in Relationships
Strategies for Getting a Spouse Onboard with Budgeting
The Role of Collaboration and Agreement in Financial Planning
The Importance of Discussing Money in Relationships
Strategies for Saving Money for a Wedding
The Value of Investing in Good Photography for Special Occasions
Budgeting for Cell Phone Plans and Alternatives
Side Gig Ideas for Teachers to Increase Income
Discussing Different Strategies for Grocery Shopping and Budgeting
Dealing with Savings Burnout and the Importance of Fun in Budgeting
Birthday Party Planning on a Budget
Managing Food Costs and Snacking for Toddlers
Setting an Appropriate Grocery Budget for a Large Family
Finding New Financial Goals After Achieving Debt Freedom
Money Q&A: Answering Audience Questions on Various Financial Topics

[@jadeandersen6283]

Christine, to celebrate an upcoming anniversary, you need to splurge on a real wedding cake, you and Dave dress up, and take some beautiful photos!!! It's never too late! You won't regret it!❤

[@dianasimplifies]

Actually my cake was gross. And I was the one who picked it out. She could prob bake a better cake herself 😂😂😂😂😂

[@corinnespanelewski4732]

I would make those brownies.😊

[@youtubeacc]

We splurged on a “real” wedding cake even though we didn’t want to, everyone made us feel weird for not wanting one. The day came, we cut the cake and we didn’t even try the cake. It got thrown out at the end of the night. It was such a waste

[@tanyakeen466]

Brilliant idea!

[@lauradamato6332]

When my daughter was turning 3 (she is 28 now) she wanted a birthday party like her older sisters got. I took her and 3 of her friends to McDonald's and ordered them each a happy meal. I made and brought cupcakes and they played in the kid's zone. It cost me less than $20 and she thought she was a queen for the day.

[@danaa6283]

Over 37 years ago we got married. I regret NOTHING! We went to a wedding chapel with only two others. We have some pictures, had a small cake and our honeymoon was over the Labor Day weekend because we both had to work. I say to people all the time the wedding is for family and frankly it is. I am blessed and so thankful for our marriage! We work together on everything and always have, with the same goals in the process. I am probably "unique" in many ways. My husband is 19 years older than me for starters. But we have had it work and well for both of us. Trust your gut......:)

[@jenniferfulton4505]

My husband and I had a microwedding in 2015 before Covid made that a thing 😂. We got married in our backyard with our 9 closest family members. Then we had a delicious family-style meal at Maggiano's and a beautiful lemon cake we ordered from Williams Sonoma. My in-laws still rave abt that cake! I found the vintage wedding gown of my dreams on ebay for $100! Would I change anything? Nope! We were in our 30s and had recently bought a house. A party wasnt high priority. But we DID take a 2-week honeymoon worth every penny!

[@lorig.7127]

It's time to add an additional bucket for your family. The wedding bucket! Before long your kids will grow up and get married one after another and I'm sure you will want to contribute in some manner. This additional bucket helps you prepare

[@HomesteadingChicks]

We started doing a “yes day” on their birthday. $200 max budget. Eat what you want, one field trip, toys, cake etc. Nobody’s invited except who lives in our house. Works well for us!

[@CharisBombela]

The best thing I decided I wasn’t going to do before my first was born was not to buy snacks. Especially snacks that are highly addictive to kids. Occasionally I’ll buy a treat item but for the most part we do large tubs of yogurt, applesauce, inexpensive fruit, bricks of cheese I slice myself, and homemade baked goods. Saves us SO much money.

[@chelseafailla9887]

Yes!

[@danaa6283]

Love love Dave's comment about "adjusting" your budget goals. Because something happens and you have to adjust does NOT mean you failed. This is an every evolving process.....You have to roll with the flow as they say:) Dave is a great addition to the channel because he is a guy and his perspective as a guy must be understood!

[@frugalfitmompodcast]

So true!

[@sandrajiggins6303]

Our son is getting married this summer and it will be a private campground. Different family members are bringing food, the bride has purchased a "prom dress" as her wedding gown (less cost) and my husband I said we would pay for a photographer (they were just getting various friends to take pictures) because they are so special! Be frugal with everything else but splurge on the photos!

[@FrugalFamilyFocus]

That was my birthday party question! Our 4yo goes to a NICE daycare where everyone is wealthy. There are 24 kids in class and they require you to invite all when doing birthday invites at daycare. Candeeland is the fun house/jump house we are most often invited to, but when I looked it up 20+ kids 3 hour birthday party is $900, plus you still have to bring your own cake, decorations, and party favors! We have been attending $1k parties regularly. We had a 10 kid party at SkyZone the local trampoline park last year and it was $400 which I thought was outrageous. This year I decided to invite kids to our house, but I’m embarrassed because no one else is having at home parties like this. Also I have to assume if they’re affording these lavish parties, our 1400sqft 40yo house (not renovated) probably isn’t as nice as what they’re used to. 100% keeping up with the Jones’s. I care partially out of guilt. I didn’t realize they were spending so much on hosting us! I hate not feeling able to reciprocate… although there’s definitely some psychology about the transactional nature of these relationships in there! These are classmates, not friends or family friends we love and trust to love us no matter what.

[@aliciapearsall4099]

Go you! My kids have been asking for friend parties which is what we are doing this year because my husband's transmission died. So friend parties are home it is! It does seem weird because no one does it anymore but kids just want to play with other kids. I understand feeling guilty but you are doing the best you can. ❤ And welcoming people into your home and feeding them is what you can do right now and that's wonderful.

[@janiceallard2108]

I had the same situation when my kids were much younger. As far as inviting everyone to the party that was also the case at my children's daycare, BUT only if I planned on having the invitations distributed AT the daycare. Instead, you can ask your child which 3 or 4 children she would most like to invite and then snail mail the invitations to the homes of those children. You do not need to invite the entire group of children from the daycare that way. Then, have the invited children over to your house, or to a special place where the cost will be much more reasonable. You don't owe anyone an explanation. You do you. I myself only had one "official" kids birthday party as a child and that was my 8th birthday... and even that one was at my home. Pink and red balloons, cake and ice cream, and playing in the backyard. I can still remember it and I'm now 68 years old. The other reason I think it's important to limit the number of children invited is because receiving 20 gifts from 20 different children is way too much for any one child to receive. Rein it in. You might set a new trend.

[@carrieprivette3032]

Toddler snacks dont have to be outrageous. I have a ravenous 2yr old whos super active. Every meal and snack needs protein, fat and healthy carbs to make them feel full. Fruit with bread/ crackers, & PB/cheese. Homemade mini muffins that have whole wheat, pumpkin and greek yogurt in it. Pancakes with the same. I particularly like muffins and pancakes bc you can have a base mix, then do little batches of different flavors like chocolate chips, fruit, pb and bake at the same time. Especially sheet pan pancakes. Then freeze the bulk of it in smaller bags- just enough for a couple days. And if you toddler is addicted to a certain snack and goes to the cupboard begging for it, the transition is easier if you keep them out of the house most of the day being active. Take a "good" snack with you when you're out. Offer plenty of water. Sometimes thirst feels like hunger.

[@marilyns6043]

YES to seeing a counselor. Even if you have to go by yourself for your own sanity until your partner sees you’re serious OR even if they never get it - you can still have your sanity.

[@tanyakeen466]

My treat to myself now I've achieved "the goals", is to have a manicure once a fortnight. It's not that much money, but it makes me feel glamorous and special. There was no way I would have been able to justify that expense in the past, but now I probably love it more because I've earnt it.

[@abigailmuser5871]

Your dress is so cute! Green is beautiful and the sparkles are so fun! It seems very fitting for your personality, sparkly and fun but not overwhelming! Lol 😂

[@tressalewis7004]

Dave, that is very insightful! Soften the ground… Brilliant❤

[@karenflom9352]

For the last point of what to do when your financial goals are met....help others! My mom will hear of a person struggling (health issue, home repairs, etc) and she will secretly pay their water bill for a year.

[@suzie2080]

We have not done anything for so long, now that we don't have to live like that, we're not even sure how to handle it. I know we need to have more fun. Thanks for the motivation. If Christine and Dave can justify it then I can too!

[@tannif7455]

We live a very good life and live below our means. Thats the key. Hence we have paid off our house, have no debts whatsoever, contribute more into our retirement and my husband is the main income earner and I work for myself a few hours a day. The rest of the days I cook, clean, grocery shop the sales and so on and still catch up with friends for a coffee in between.The key is to live within your means, budget, be mindful what you spend your money on, declutter your house from stuff you dont need, want or value and go on a holiday.

[@yvonnepalmquist8676]

I'm not going to say pictures are not important. They absolutely are. But I can't say that the professional pictures are more important than the candid pictures. My most favorite pictures are the candid ones. You shared that photo from your wedding day before... of you and Dave arm in arm on a porch... I can't imagine a better picture.

[@emilylindholm3780]

with groceries, I started meal planning, but also ONLY buying for the week. I shop once a week for only what we need that week. I keep a few things on hand for those weeks I'm tired or out of food before I get to the store. I cut way back on excess snacks, drinks, etc. I also figure out the "non-negotiable" items, like name brand coffee, fresh veggies and cut corners on other stuff.

[@rosalielindley3583]

I got married two years ago. Wedding was done by my brother in law at their home. My sister blessed us with a cake and took pictures. Perfect!

[@michellecurrie5553]

I love watching you guys on the podcast, going over other people’s budget are my favorite

[@Loveofdecorating]

Parable of the sower…. was extremely good advice… full of wisdom… ❤🎉.. cause you won’t get anywhere if you don’t

[@FAM7531]

Super helpful your advices, love your view on money and approach on how not to be stingy and still love yourself ! ❤ watching you from România!!! 🤗

[@daniellecooper3639]

What you & Dave said about budgets & buckets & adjusting things as life happens were all very good. The only thing that I thought of to touch on with budgets is Christmas, i know its a scary topic. It comes every year, the season & date never change; but still its a hard financial season for most. I started years ago actually automatically saving for Christmas every month. I've never regretted it, my bank has a savers goal CD & x amount of $ is auto debited every single month straight away & come November i have a nice little chunk saved to use for that holiday season. I let it auto renew every single year & it has taken some of the $ stress out of the holidays. I think that its important to include it in your budget for every month through the whole year, so that come that time your not scrambling every year; year after year to pay for.

[@pb.health.wellness_coach]

My cake melted too!!! So did the marriage, but that's another story 😂😂

[@saradeaton687]

If you have time to be on social media or watch any shows, you have time to find the deals😊

[@JulsMWK1995]

I’ve thrown different birthday parties for my daughter, some were activities that cost more and others were cheap. By far her favorite birthday party was a sleepover at our house. And it didn’t cost much!

[@stephaniegaddis1716]

Our teens get the same phones as your son. We pay for 1 year of service & a bunch of minutes. Once that's gone they have to pay for it. We've found it to be a good way of teaching them responsibility, budgeting, and connecting work to reward.

[@user-wo8xy9ln2m]

You look really love in that dress Christine!

[@terrip8451]

I've done the jump park party and a bowling alley party. We spent around 250. The kids understood it was a one time thing for the experience. We've had at home parties since. I'll buy a $25 plain sheet cake from Rosauers then print off a few of their favorite characters from shows or games, tape them to toothpicks, and let the kids stick them in their cakes. They simply have fun spending time with their friends and cousins.

[@lauriea.8718]

My son’s favorite birthday was when he was 8 and I bought a sheet cake with a green border and a bag of plastic army guys and let him do whatever he wanted. He did an awesome job and his friends thought it was the best cake they’d ever seen and he still remember it….he’s 24.

[@sierra5877]

Commenting for the algorithm! Where is the most impactful place for us to catch the podcast? Watch on KZbin? Listen on spotify? Apple Podcasts? What benefits you the most? I’m more apt to like and comment if I watch on KZbin vs a podcast app!

[@chelseafailla9887]

This is so thoughtful and sweet ♥️

[@frugalfitmompodcast]

It changes all the time. Currently it's YT. But honestly, do whatever is best for you. Thanks for watching.

[@tressalewis7004]

Christine, brilliant as well! Everyone works hard for the money, everyone! And, I hate to say it I deserve… Why do you/whoever deserve whatever? The statement drives me crazy

[@rachelt727]

I love watching y’all together! Y’all are so funny! 😂

[@peggypeters6676]

I dont know of anybody that has their money on track like you guys- must be a great feeling- love watching you😊

[@Urban-Mooose_Mom]

Re birthdays… I live near Seattle. It’s kinda crazy, but a real thing. I am one of the few parents that did a house party…. Interestingly we had 100% attendance and some parents who asked to leave older siblings as well.

[@carriek1192]

yes, please make these special Norwegian brownies!

[@CookingwithCatLover0330]

I had to watch the Door Dash part twice just to see Dave's face!! LOL! I laughed so hard. "I spend ZERO $$!!" So funny! Love these videos. Glad your back at them. PS. I'm watching you while paying the bills and I sold our twin bed on Marketplace today!!

[@addieladd-galliher6323]

We started out with a venue but in the end cancelled it and did all the food ourselves, used free land and had the reception at home. Honestly it felt more like US. More like party! The casual feeling of it (we legit did pizza and salad and byob) we did a unity ceremony but combined two different beers and then drank during the ceremony lol!!

[@patriciabellah9392]

We're talking about order of importance. You need to pay all bills before frivolous spending.

[@Michelle-js5kh]

We needed a second vehicle in our house after 3 years with only one. We found a cute little sedan for around 8k with good service records, manufactured in Japan. We think it has at least 100k left in it with good care. While doing the paperwork for the small amount we’re financing (it’s a cash flow thing, we’d pay cash usually) he had to run my credit for the loan. He came back saying I had the highest credit score he’d seen in a very long time and I could walk off the lot with any new car I wanted. Replied saying that that’s not how you get a credit score that looks like that! Both of our cars should be paid off in 2 years max, and they have years of life left in them. That feels better than a spaceship Subaru ever could!!!

[@caseyfairless8157]

For our wedding we had over 200 guests (I have a big family). We ordered pizza and wings from our favorite pizza place. In large quantities, they only charged $6 a pizza. They did the toppings in thirds. 1/3 cheese only, 1/3 pepperoni and 1/3 hamburger. The wings were a spicy mustard and delicious. My mom made an Italian salad. We had our reception in the church basement and hired the youth group to be wait staff. All Food was done family style at the table. Avoiding a buffet line was super important to me. Got married at Christmas time so the church was already decorated. 😊

[@danaa6283]

One more comment(I am annoying today lol)- I am almost 57 years old. Growing up if I was hungry(as a small child outside of normal meal time) I was offered a "balanced" snack. If I refused I was told "then you are not really hungry". People this defines hungry over needing sugar.....trust me:)

[@lauranewman564]

My son worked at the gun range in Fort Worth while teaching as an adjunct at Tarrant County College and Weatherford College and finishing writing his dissertation with 3 kids and a wife working full-time. He never slept, but the bills got paid. Chili is great at Wendy's. Just go get it.

[@iluvtwbf]

Go Coyotes!!!!!

[@kathiholland3554]

We did many a McDonald's birthday parties for 30.00. That was in the 90s. My kids loved it.

[@ktjomeyers]

I really like Dave's perspective. 😊

[@karenfragale7268]

Mint mobile is great

[@machelletenbroeck2214]

Dave said it keeping up with the Jones. That is a marriage killer.

[@sherryr1222]

There’s a local indoor play place that my son wanted to go to…even at 15 kids and the 2 hour minimum was $600. Add $220 to extend to 3 hours. Bigger room was $999 for 2 hours. Plus food, cake etc. and taxes! So even the smaller group would hit $1000. I gave the choice of max 7 guest ($300) or a bigger group of friends at a cheaper venue. And we don’t buy packaged snacks. Period. Not even cheese strings. I have a knife, I can cut cheese into smaller pieces all by myself. I include a few - like 6 - chips in the lunch box for school cred. And I make lots of homemade treats!

[@bridgetbuer150]

Christine with everything going on in life I have no energy to count toilet paper squares. Lol

[@amywaldheim]

Just to note with Door Dash I've compared the price of buying something through door dash versus buying in the store and they actually charge a higher price for the item through door dash. That 4 dollar item might only be 3.50 normally. So when they scam you with no delivery fee it's because they raised the price on the item.

[@dianasimplifies]

Also the base pay for drivers is terrible. I tried driving for them awhile and the only time I made money was if someone gave me a huge tip..😢

[@emilylindholm3780]

for us, once we realized the cycle of get debt, pay debt that we were in got us both on the same page of not just put a budget together but put it into action. We used Ramsay's Every Dollar app. it shows us where every penny was going and much we actually spend on the "small" stuff. we got married in FL, on the beach with two friends. the resort had a planner so it was all one lump price. I used my work bonus to pay it off three months later. no family drama, private evening, beach pics.

[@kimberlyalbert2400]

Love this type of video!! Thank you!

[@meghancoonce1330]

Got married at a state park with beautiful overlooks and arches! Total cost less than $1000.

[@leepayk-bann3489]

Thankyou for your online budget I had an emergency fund to fix the car! Now it needs a rebuild!

[@katie19765]

Christene, i love your dress!❤

[@kirstybrown2480]

OK you’re going to have to show us these pictures. I bet they’re not as bad as what you think they are.❤

[@unamary57]

When my children were little if the wanted a snack it was an apple or veggies. I would always tell them if they were hungry the would eat the apple. As they had children they followed the same rule. My daughters are now in their late 40’s my grands are between 15 and 22. All very healthy and no one starved. Hahaha

[@youtubeacc]

It can also have the opposite reaction. My mom did this to us and the minute I got a job at 15, I gained 50 pounds because I had access to whatever I wanted to eat with my own money. You should teach your kids a balance of both so they can learn themselves how to manage in a world with anything they want to eat someday

[@strobelight1000]

We do the Costco 30 roll blue and I think that it's amazing comfort and I would love to meet you and Dave

[@dianasimplifies]

Actually I had a great photographer and I don't even revisit the pictures. But maybe I'm weird. Been married 32 years. Also I agree on the sams TP. I watch couponers and it's cheaper to get tp and paper towels at Sams than to coupon for it. The packages are SO tiny.

[@roxannehernandez3131]

hope you guys do another one of these =]

[@annelaidlaw8634]

All 4 of my kids have birthdays with in 3 weeks of each other. Every few years we throw "Birthdaypaloza" rent the pool or movie theater. To be honest, costs the same in the end.

[@brookebales2931]

Love these! 👏 thanks y’all 🙏

[@williamwarren9448]

Both so right ! When you win with money you can always help others ! Niece nephew friend NO LOANS anonymous gifts 🎁 make someone else’s life better ! Pay it forward ! Glenda

[@Budgetingflamingo]

I have mint mobile and I use the phone I had from when I was with Verizon i.e. a frills phone. I can use whatever phone I want for $20 a month. I love mint mobile.

[@kathiholland3554]

Married 33 yrs ago on a budget. Had no money. On a tight budget. Everything was homemade. It was beautiful. Got married in a little log cabin like wedding chapel at the American rose center in Louisiana. My parents went a ND got the grapevines for the dozen wreaths we hand made from our family cemetery. Got a coupon for our wedding cake. Got my dress from a resale shop for 75.00. It was hand made. My cousin was a professional photographer and took pictures. Had no money for food for reception. Just cake and punch. It was beautiful.

[@33snowgal]

Im in the 'ten years ago' little bucket, little kid era. Im so looking forward to the extra 500$ phase lol!!!

[@aliciacalderoni1865]

To expand upon what you both said about expensive kids birthday parties.. Comparison is the thief of joy. Your children can have an awesome birthday party at home if you put in the effort to make it special for them! Make their favorite food, create a small craft activity, set up some outdoor games or toys, decorate the cake. You can do all these things yourself for very little money! And all your child will care about is that you thought of them and made them feel special and loved. It doesn't matter if the party guests feel impressed with how you've decorated or how gourmet the food is. The party is about YOUR CHILD. Not the guests!

[@machelletenbroeck2214]

Kid's are better in life if they learn to play with what is available and use their imagination. That is what will help them when they become adults and it teaches them to adapt as adults.

[@carlastiksma2678]

I regret not getting a professional photographer as well. And my husband was so sick with a stomach bug that was going around on our wedding day that he had to walk out after our vows to throw up and he missed the dinner. So our pictures might not have been great anyway but we have no good pictures to display of just the two of us.

[@honeywell7892]

Dear Dave, I just got a chilli from Wendy’s yesterday in the drive through.

[@chandascott1136]

I need a beginner's guide to budgeting!

[@rosegray9933]

Love you videos

[@christi3411]

Our wedding was on a tiny budget. I also regret not hiring a photographer.

[@arthrodea]

So when you don’t have the babysitter excuse- how do you handle constantly being asked by friends to go out to eat, get $7 coffee, get your nails done together, go on mini vacations? But you don’t or can’t spend the money. You can only ask them to cheap dinner at your own house so many times (and even that costs money)

[@janiceallard2108]

When I was getting my finances on track I would say "It's not in my budget this month". I never felt I needed to explain beyond that. But, to keep the friendships going, I would occasionally invite them over to play cards and told them BYOB and I'll provide some chips and salsa or popcorn to snack on. They each would usually also bring a snack or a dessert. Now that I'm in a much better financial situation it's almost comical that these same friends spent when they shouldn't have, and now we rotate having dinner at each other's homes once a month because THEY can't afford to go out to eat anymore.

[@davidnandreabird7618]

What podcast was it that Dave mentioned when talking about the toddler snacks?

[@MC-fv8gs]

I always try to do meal prep bur if we are having it for dinner, it won't last cuz my husband will have 2 or 3 servings. He says its taste so good. Then I have no lunch then I have to spend money for lunch the next day.

[@denselypackedfancy]

I’ve had this problem, too. I’ve found if I pack up lunches before calling the family to dinner, no one misses having 2nds and 3rds because it is not on the table and available.

[@chrisk4053]

Christine is that a jumpsuit you are wearing???? I have the same if it is

[@marciaburcham5141]

I've missed your videos

[@joys577]

My husband tried doing doordash and Uber but wasn’t making any money. At his full-time job he meets a lot of illegal immigrants who are just arriving to the US and they all do doordash and Uber under other peoples names. So at least in our area delivery isn’t even worth the effort because it’s oversaturated.

[@dianasimplifies]

I tried it in an affluent area. I hardly got any orders! Crazy! Plus DD base pay is AWFUL and I think it's less now than when I was doing it.

[@rebeccasladky1138]

My daughter and I live together and now we’re at the point where we have $1000 extra income a month so I made all these plans for paying off debt, sinking fund bucket etc. And surprise surprise I find out she had two other huge loans I did not know about. The first one was a PAYDAY LOAN! oh my gosh why??!!!!! At 400% interest! She finally has good credit and now that’s probably shot. The other one is from Advance Financial. Don’t know anything about that. So fustrated!

[@frugalfitmompodcast]

Ufffff. I feel that. One day she’ll realize how awesome you are and adopt your frugal strategies.

[@arthrodea]

Are you combining finances with an adult daughter? If so, I would recommend separate finances. Legally you are not responsible for each other and she needs to learn responsibility- not having mom bail her out

[@lennyburdick3192]

I don’t know if she still does it, but once upon a time, Damaris Phillips (food network chef) and her husband had a goal to have cool, cheap as possible dates. They would go to community park concerts. During the summer my town has free movies as the park.

[@marilynmitchell4385]

A couple years ago i worked with two girls who both spend over 500 just for cake for there one year olds. One had the money but I still wouldnt have. The other got snap.

[@strobelight1000]

Poor golf ball getting hit by the beast

[@lauranewman564]

Find your spouse's currency and use it. With marriage therapy!

[@greenlantern1986]

You think someone who feels the need to count squares per cent of toilet paper has a Sam's or Costco membership!?

[@joys577]

Yup! I have a Sam’s membership and my husband loves to count the squares🤦🏻‍♀️ he tried telling me how many I could use but that didn’t last long😂

[@dianasimplifies]

​@@joys577oh my word 😂😂😂😂

[@rockstarfan886]

I have the unpopular opinion that kids these days are given everything they dont have to work for what they want like we did as kid's (i was born in the 80's. I have 4 teenagers myself and none of them have cell phones and other parents look at us like we just killed someone. We have a rule if you want a phone get a job and pay for it yourself they need to learn responsibility when left high school in 2001 cell phones were barley coming out. Virgin mobile and trac phones were out and cricket had just made a splash. I ran all around my town from age 13 till i graduated just fine. We are lucky that we live in a community where everything is within a 15min walk there are 5 schools and grocery stores restaurants its really convenient so the kids dont really need phones and honestly what are they used for in 2024 %75 social media %20 texting %5 making a call if that. I know people that are a family of 6 like me and they pay 300 400 a month for phones yikes.

[@youtubeacc]

I think it depends on safety. If your child is old enough to be places alone or walk alone, they need a phone or those new kids watches for texting only. We all have to realize that this day and age is more dangerous than when we were raised. My son is 1 so luckily I don’t have to worry yet, but I assume probably around 10/12 is the norm for a child safe phone these days. Also, if you raise your children right, you can give them what they want in life and they will still learn how to work hard in the future.

[@haileybowman2958]

Got married at a public waterfall- had a picnic in the park. Only regret- pictures! Please hire a professional photographer

[@youtubeacc]

It’s funny that’s your regret!! We hired a professional and honestly I wish we saved the $$ and took some iPhone pics lol

[@meganrasey4377]

You know what else just went away? Ringback tones.

[@Bittersweetss83]

Why wouldn't you save for a car? Your going to need it when your current car breaks down.

[@arthrodea]

Agree- I keep adding to a car fund to pay for future repairs and eventually a new car.

[@SeanNewhouse-mv9ez]

Money walks, bullshit talks 😂