Common "Necessities" That Frugal People Don't Buy

[@blessedbygod3430]

I don't own a clothes dryer, television or air fryer. I don't purchase frozen/ prepared foods. My vehicles are over 20 years old and I bought them used. My extended family members think I am NUTS!!! However I paid 100% cash for my little fixer upper house by being frugal and LOTS of prayer. I have never had a mortgage. PRAISE GOD!!

[@amg9163]

@blessedbygod3430 That's awesome! If you don't mind a nosey question, how much do your monthly expenses total? I am trying to get to that point (paying off the mortgage I have and downsizing everything else). Thanks!

[@danettewelborn5577]

Sounds like a miserable existence. Life is too short to struggle or deprive yourself like that.

[@PopsSinging]

No...air fryer...how are you even still alive? Just kidding. I love my air fryer, it actually saves me money, I make things like air fried green beans, homemade chips, french fries, etc. It also allows me to quickly making individual servings of things like biscuits, cakes, etc. My air fryer and Instapot clone have been game changers in the kitchen, nothing like a bowl of 15 bean soup out of the pressure cooker, paired with some Air Fryer cornbread...

[@DPryorAustralia]

You are so fortunate my friend. You are richer than 3/4 of the planet. Never take itfor granted ~ :)

[@choward8444]

we also paid cash for our fixer. Our friends and family think we are nuts to live in a small town instead of the big city. But, they can't afford to even buy a home or they have a huge mortgage. We are morgage free and able to retire early

[@Curious-Lass]

I just cut cable! Saving 190.00 a month!! Now using my Roku TV that my son bought for me for Christmas. Do I miss cable? NOPE!! Not for that price! Took the savings and increased my 401k contribution each month!🎉

[@beth3535]

I did the same several years ago and never looked back.

[@vickimartin6083]

I turned off my cable too. I pay for the Internet and have Hulu and the Hallmark channel

[@BrianW211]

Yes. I did that in 2012. I missed a couple of shows, but I got over it.

[@dudanunesbleff]

Cable is so expensive on the USA! I pay 34 euros a month for more than a 100 channels, internet and phone. And I thought things were expensive where I am from

[@Curious-Lass]

@@vickimartin6083 FYI- there is a channel on Roku that is just like the Hallmark Channel, and Roku is free. I can’t remember the name of the channel but I watch it and it’s just like Hallmark! Love it!

[@JesusSaves827]

It’s so nice when two frugal people find each other. They should have a “frugal people dating site”. ..lol

[@Judith-b3t]

I seriously agree.

[@DEE-o4v]

Back in college, I was semi-dating this one girl...she would only allow me to take her out to places where she HAD a good coupon (BOGO typically) raady to go. Yeah...l let that one get away (she was kind of wild though...interestingly enough) but my wife is the same and quite frugal.

[@CheapsKate77]

The app would have to be free, of course 😉

[@AmeyBrunel]

Yes! I need to find my frugal half 😂

[@garrettlundy3959]

They’d never be able to sell memberships! 😂

[@alekasmith9373]

Our air fryer is amazing for our small family of three. Doesn’t use much energy and saves time in the evening. May not be useful to some, but it’s been worth it to us!

[@nancy9478]

I use mine instead of the oven to save electricity.

[@JZJallday]

Yeah air fryer saves more money than it will cost tou

[@soniccookie655]

I just cook for me so countertop convection oven or air fryer is much better than heating up the whole house with the big oven.

[@BuffTaanJai99]

Our airfryer rocks

[@joycewright5386]

I bought mine used and I hate it. Used it maybe three times. Glad I didn’t pay full price.

[@nataschalorez8885]

In our house, we eat a lot of prozen pre prepared meals. The only difference is, that I make them in advance in bulk and then freeze them

[@paularobinson2352]

We do the same thing.

[@faustlove]

I do the same thing with meals for myself and for my pups cause they eat a raw diet. I've had friends over who ask me for recipes so they can do the same and I tell them that anything can be frozen as long as it's protected from freezer burn. It's also much cheaper than buying frozen meals. Not to mention that the quality is so much better!!

[@Sherle-y1f]

You two are kindred spirits. Ever since paying off my credit card debt and student loans-straight out of college, I never looked back. Thirty years later, cash is the way, everyday.

[@rochellethundercloud346]

Most frugal people will have meals ready to heat and eat. They cook larger batches of food,break up into portion control containers,label and freeze. Handy when life is hectic

[@angieprice7206]

Yup. They are planned-overs, not left-overs.

[@BrianW211]

My 82-year-old mother has done that her whole life. Back in the 70's, she would occasionally buy frozen "TV dinners" when they were on sale, but she would save the aluminum trays to refill them with batches of food she cooked and cover with aluminum foil. Eventually, the TV dinner trays became plastic and were microwavable and had to be covered with plastic wrap. Now she doesn't even have to buy the frozen dinners to get the trays since cheap plastic trays can be purchased on amazon.

[@amg9163]

@BrianW211 You disproved my theory about eating on and cooking on plastic! May your mother have continued good health!

[@LHLK-q2v]

we don't we have the food we want for that day and make fresh each day, cooking in smaller quantities

[@ingriddoerksen9518]

Too many "lemons" made me buy a bew car. At least I had real warranty, and I knew its history. I still drive it, 19 years later. Toyota Corolla. Other things, I am frugal, but I was tired of being lied to by used car dealers. It got too expensive 😅

[@suewolf3279]

I buy brand new clothing. I have clothing that is 15 years and 20 years old that I still wear. Which is why I buy brand new clothing, wash always in cold water with woolite, and always hang the clothes up to drip dry. They last forever

[@Myfavorites877]

As Hope and Larry always say by quality! You can even do that at the thrift store.

[@shewho333]

I have clothes that are older than me (53) that came from the thrift store when I was a teenager. New clothes in my experience don’t last. My husband can ruin his Levi’s now in less than a year when they used to last for ages. He’s 65 and does a lot less work now than he used to.

[@zhenren9703]

I get name brand jeans at Thrift stores for $7 each. They last at least 10 years... its fun to find those deals

[@Linda-zv8ky]

I buy brand new clothing but very little I will only buy natural fiber because synthetic or “fast fashion” will stay in the land fill until the end of time. Most of my brand new clothes are 10 to 15 years old and I’m helping the environment

[@barbarat5729]

​@@Myfavorites877BUY.

[@downtoearth1950]

Our daughter had to attend a very special event, dressing for which was going to be an expense she could not afford, she found a thrift shop in a wealthy area and purchased a designer dress for a fraction of a fraction of its origional price, she attended the event and so many admired her outfit!....Having no further events in the near future she advertised it for sale......sold it for more than she paid❗one happy daughter 😊

[@lizclarke4418]

As a disabled person, frozen and prepared food is super helpful but before getting sick meal prep was where the party was at.

[@KristelViljoen]

Invite your friends and family to your home for a meal prep cookout to help you fill up your freezer. Or start a club where you come together at a home once a week and everybody helps with meal prep. Then the next week it'll be someone else's turn.

[@merandasomnolentgamer8323]

@@KristelViljoen It's a blessing to have access to people who will do that for you. Not all of us are blessed in such a way.

[@KristelViljoen]

@@merandasomnolentgamer8323 Yes it is very true. I learned that the hard way. These days you need to be resilient. I have schleroderma and sclerosis in my hip socket. I use my good days to prepare and freeze food in advance. I also have an collapsed vertebra but I am blessed since I'm still mobile. My heart goes out to people who doesn't have any support system.

[@KCtheSUNSHINE]

I bought 3 pairs of brand new sweat pants from Walmart in a moment of crisis when i was out of town. They were $2 each on clearance. They are more than that thrifting unless I go to the thrift outlet center. I believe it was God's gift to me that day for trusting he will always provide if I'm trying to follow him.

[@UndertheMedian]

Totally agree. Sometimes you hit the jackpot by being in the store when they have just done major markdowns. We just found long underwear at Walmart earlier this week for $1 per piece. We bought a new set for Larry and all our sons - plus a couple of extra bottoms for Larry.

[@dittohead7044]

I’ve been lucky too. Bought 4 pair of dress pants for $1 each. I wear them while at work so it was money well spent

[@georgettelikens3455]

I hang dry most of our laundry, but I use the dryer for towels and bedding.

[@kathleenpetrie816]

I hang comforters over the doors in the house. Bonus it makes house smell great

[@laurabobovich5724]

I replaced all my cotton terry cloth towels and bedding because they suck so many quarters at the laundromat. Switch to other fabrics and save a fortune

[@lindacgrace2973]

I am VERY hard to fit; and can't usually find clothes (and especially shoes!) that fit. OTOH, when I buy custom clothes from a Hong Kong tailor, they last me for 20+ years, so I feel the cost is sufficiently amortized. The real cost of clothing is not the tag price, it's the cost per wear. I flatly refuse to wear shoes that hurt, and spend beaucoup bucks for Munro, Rockport, and David Tate. However, I take very good care of them, and have them resoled and maintained regularly, so it still works out for me.

[@LHLK-q2v]

I order on line from out of the country and the clothes stand up very well , shoes are definatly not worth skimping on for me.

[@lindacgrace2973]

@@LHLK-q2v Exactly! Even Hope admits she can't buy used shoes for Larry; and frugality is NOT about suffering!

[@RaysIrishmum]

My vacuum went out after 19 years, I have wood floors with only two area carpets in my 800 sq ft home. I bought a broom and called it a day. 30 years ago my son was born, we were so low income, we didn't buy a bassinet, we took a drawer out of our dresser and put blankets in it and that was his bassinet 😅 They grow out of them so quickly.

[@mammacatp.i.6551]

heck Yah! I used a large rectangular laundry basket & put a firm pillow in it. Was perfect and u can pull kid & basket quickly to any room u want to.

[@jennyt7612]

I also use a broom & it does a good job! No need for expensive & noisy vacuum cleaners

[@GoingGreenMom]

In one of the Scandinavian countries the government sends new parents a baby box and after they pull the stuff out of it the box turns into a bassinet. Lol. I bought a cosleeper..... or actually my Mom did. It replaced the bassinet and the crib.

[@LindaKanagawa]

I tried the bureau drawer instead of the bassinet, but my daughter was too large. How did people use a bureau drawer?

[@Marthawendy-sz2mk]

@@GoingGreenMomhow lovely😊❤❤❤

[@dabneydee9109]

Over the years I've thrifted such high quality clothes, like cashmere sweaters/scarves/gloves, merino wool knits, winter parkas, barely-worn shoes, boots, sneakers, and sandals ... all at around 10% of the original cost. Now when I go to a regular store at the mall and see a sweater for $50 - I get sticker shock!

[@jessicabulloch5302]

Yes, I agree I search thrift stores for wool, linen and other natural fibers. Also I have 8 kids that are dressed very warm and stylish from theifting. Ll bean and Merrell boots all used. For about a dollar an item for kids clothes .

[@dabneydee9109]

@@jessicabulloch5302 8 kids! Wow! You're saving a small fortune by thrifting.

[@religion-free]

all those items are non-Vegan hence are _cruel_ I wouldn't pay a penny for cashmere. heck, I wouldn't take it in mY Closet if you paid me to

[@marylhere]

Sweater? Try tank tops and tee shirts. I hit the real store every now and then….so $4 for a Liz Claiborne tank top is a good deal. I’ve had a few I’ve had for a decade.

[@Robynhoodlum]

Same! I got a designer fur coat for 5% of the original cost and it still had the tags on it!😂

[@jeannetteshahenkari265]

Yes!! I use my clothes dryer and I’m very grateful to have it. I set a timer so that it doesn’t run too long and I take the clothes out immediately to hang or fold.

[@myaccount9498]

Tumble dryer was a luxury for decades, but now with my chronic pain - I put socks & underwear in dryer. I line dry other clothes or big linen items either inside or outside or both! I've cut back everywhere else so willing to spend on areas that help me cope with pain

[@momstheword11]

Sending you healing energy

[@tammiepowell2818]

I indoor rack dry all clothing other than socks and underwear, too. They take so long to put out and take up too much space so I use the dryer for those and have zero regrets about it.

[@myaccount9498]

@@momstheword11 Thank you 💞

[@myaccount9498]

@tammiepowell2818 Thanks for yr encouragement. Yes they're fiddly items & each item takes too much time & energy (from me)

[@Savannah-ed4rv]

The only clothing I put in my dryer is my jeans to get the wrinkles out and they're only in there about 10 minutes. Everything else is line dried and I started doing that because I was tired of my clothes shrinking. I also dry towels in my clothes dryer. I have no idea how anyone could dry towels without a dryer and have them come out usable?

[@elizabethlangheim7214]

I don’t trust used cars. Been burnt too many times. I buy new and drive them for decades. I don’t want to purchase someone else’s problem…which might be why they are selling the car. I don’t have anyone I can trust to check over the car. People say don’t go to a dealer repair area and go to a local Mom and Pop. Well I called a Mom and Pop shop (decades ago) about getting after market air conditioning put in. My husband called 4 days later. They quoted him $100 cheaper than they quoted me. No thanks! I’ll go where the price is standard for everyone. I paid off my car in 3 years and it will be 21 years old in April and it still runs great.

[@Savannah-ed4rv]

My car is 20 years old this year and it should go for another hundred thousand miles! Volvo is great!

[@MikeRakowski]

Not to mention the discount for used cars vs new is way too small and the factory warranty also has quite a bit of value nowadays.

[@CharTurner6928]

what's up, Twin! I bought my 2003 Corrola new from the dealership, and it's still serving me well,

[@LHLK-q2v]

We always buy used saving 10's of 1000's of dollars but add on extended warranty that covers problems but we always buy from the dealership

[@ccrbonline1752]

I'm a CarMax buyer, with their extended warranty and pay cash. Never been disappointed.

[@jedlevron]

Ive had to go without tv, smartphone and Internet at home for awhile when i was laid off. I had to use a prepaid phone, internet at library or family before.

[@pamforrester844]

If you are still lower income you can get low cost internet from human it, they allow I believe 200 pct of poverty level, great service and it's 14.99 a month. They are a charity and you can fill out a form online,

[@LHLK-q2v]

Bless you I know it isn't easy

[@jameserickson25]

How primitive.

[@wg8859]

@@jameserickson25 And proud.

[@wendyw4023]

Great points, but I buy new cars: My 1st husband died when I was 25. I had to replace our car, and my Dad went with me to buy it (with cash--Life insurance is a wonderful thing to have.) I was looking at used cars & my Dad told me to buy a new one. He said I lived alone now, and he would feel happier if he didn't have to worry about me having a used car that might break down on me. My 2nd husband & I usually bought new cars because we could afford them when we both worked, but we bought them when the new models hit the lots & twe bought last year's model that was on sale. A couple years after my 2nd husband died (I'm old now), my car reached the point where repairs were more expensive than the car was worth. I bought a new car, thinking about what my Dad said in 1978 when hubby 1 died. I've had that car for 7 years now and it only has 25k miles on it. I plan to keep it until I die.

[@todddunn945]

We are pretty much the same.

[@tomfields3682]

I've bought new cars before, but I drive them till the wheels fall off!

[@iceWaterProductions1]

Anyone can justify things. I just save what I would have paid monthly for a car note so when it’s time to fix it there’s never a problem paying the repair bill. I’m never paying $25K or more for transportation.

[@jumpinjavajane8253]

When you mentioned the baby equipment, I just had to comment! In 1981, a neighbor woman noticed I was pregnant and offered me so many of her used baby items for $5 each - high chair, crib, playpen, stroller. When my DIL's had kids 6-10 years ago, they were buying strollers for $5-700! Then there were the carseats, attachments, etc. My kids survived just fine and those "Cadillac" strollers got broken, etc. I cannot bring myself to buy used clothes, but I go to the clearance section online (love JCP) and have found sweaters for $8-10, T-shirts for $3.99. That was recently.

[@TermiteVideo]

Quite honestly clearance sales in the UK shops are as cheap as our charity (goodwill) shops now, which have become pretty pricey over the last few years. For some people I know that not buying more manufactured clothing is a reason for buying used but it is possible to just purchase what you need not what you are tempted by!

[@pattibennett7293]

Glad that worked out for you but items such as cribs and car seats, high chairs, etc. become obsolete due to safety. Nothing wrong with used as long as you inspect carefully and look for recalls before using. I personally would never give someone a used car seat. The risk is too great for my comfort level.

[@monicaluketich6913]

I bought a small oven that does air frying and all those other things. I bought it to save money on electric bills. I make small pizzas from tortillas and top them with whatever sounds good to me at the time. It's maybe 25% of the space that my regular oven has, so it heats much faster. I keep it in the regular oven out of sight. My "new truck" that I bought about 3 months ago is a 1997! It's new to me! Need it to tow my small trailer for the goats that I raise.

[@jillpruett4772]

My favorite clothing store is the perfectly good clothes that people pitch in the trash. I particularly like the work clothing that I regularly find that fits me to a T, is totally comfortable, and looks like it just came off the rack. I hardly ever buy clothing. I have NEVER had: a car payment, a MORTGAGE payment, paid a dime in interest for the last 27 years. Once I got my credit cards paid off thirty years ago it was all clear. Money just sort of backed up in my checking account.

[@lustraveller717]

I bought my 2001 Toyota Highlander brand new. It has been such a great car and is still going strong. If I ever need another car, it will be used. When I retired I bought a used RV.

[@ybois3]

My 2008 Yaris is still going steady! No issues,, thanks to engineering and the Lords provision! Regular maintenance is key . I love a Toyo!

[@loiscampbell3510]

I bought my 2006 Nissan brand new (paid cash) and she's still in great shape. I sometimes think I'd like a new vehicle but then, at 81, I have to consider how much longer I'll allowed to drive so I quickly talk myself out of it.

[@brokendolly6967]

Lol, my version of a baby monitor with my children was a walky-talky with the button taped down, IT WORKED GREAT 😊

[@lindadenneypu6315]

Great idea

[@pnwflipper2089]

😂 did it make constant noise? Did the batteries need replacing all the time?

[@Savannah-ed4rv]

​@@pnwflipper2089yes that would be pretty noisy!😅

[@Nurse3811]

😂😂😂😂

[@maryolson411]

Actually, when my mother developed dementia, we had a baby monitor because she would get out of bed in the middle of the.and often times would fall It was a peace of mind that was invaluable.

[@Ozarkmountainoutback1]

We do the same with my mom.

[@robertadunaway7030]

My grandson has one of the stickon door bell that gets turned on at night on his bedroom door because he sleep walks and his parents wake up when they hear it and check on him.

[@familylifetoo9541]

God Bless You for taking care of your Mom and having her in your Home.

[@RebeccaTreeseed]

I did the same for my mom.

[@Kim-lg5sd]

Monitors for older parents and sleepwalkers are a great idea that I hadn't thought of. So smart!

[@sallybedwell1354]

No new cars, no bottled water, no eating out, no frozen entrees. It is fun to save up and pay cash!

[@pennynickels5216]

Only homemade batch cooked frozen meals!

[@KittyKat-vb1nd]

And I am a far better cook. Aside from occasional Thai or Vietnamese, I prefer my own cooking. Have friends who eat out constantly and always complain about the quality of food for which they've paid a fortune. I was shocked how much Americans eat out when moved here. It's unhealthy and very overpriced for the quality. Fast food is just garbage

[@bennylawrence6221]

We do buy new but I use my dept store reward card for nearly everything I would pay for with cash then pay it off: I get rewards buck back and use them coupled with sales to replace all our clothes, sheets towels etc I’ve gotten 9 towels new for 2$

[@Msfili]

I bought a brand new air fryer from the thrift store for $20 plus 20% off coupon

[@lynnw7155]

Same for us. Never a new car or a car that we can't buy for cash. No bottled water. We put in a reverse osmosis system for drinking water; replace the filters once in a while and don't add all those nasty bottles to the landfills. Eating out is a very rare thing (if we get the urge for junk food we go to the grocery store and buy one meal worth of junk...hot pockets, onion rings, a bag of chips, or whatever.)

[@kelleysciarrino8024]

Love church rummage sales. My dress winter coat is gorgeous and I paid 5$ for it.

[@Midwestmomvolunteer365]

Yes, our local church sales always have the best stuff.

[@deniseodaniels7356]

me too. i got a big bag of clothes and stuff for one dollar at a church rummage sale and i got a purse for 6 cents and its cute.

[@tanyaharrison7138]

I think there is a time and circumstance for everything. I am generally frugal but for peace of mind I have a new car. I live 300 km from the nearest mechanic and I don't want to be stranded on a deserted highway in the middle of winter.

[@katherinerichardson1767]

Living our in the country, I understand you must have reliable transportation. Tractors are not really welcomed in the city. LOL

[@katiejon17]

I understand that sentiment. We still don’t buy new, but we do feel we have to have an SUV. We live in an area that has a few different mountain ranges all around us, and numerous notches to drive through. One side of a notch might be 45 degrees and sunny, while driving through the notch is a white-out situation, only to find sleet on the other side. People who don’t live in this climate don’t believe there is ever a reason to drive SUV’s with 4x4’s, but there really is.

[@LHLK-q2v]

@@katherinerichardson1767 not everyone in the country is a farmer or has a tractor

[@LHLK-q2v]

@@katiejon17 we only live 30 miles from a major city but our elevation is such that we can be snowed in or 0 visibility and it is sunny in the city, we also have a beautiful area that the city doesn't have. We only have 1/2 tons and we are not farmers we are working people who choose to live in the country

[@tbarc1]

I've purchased 2 new vehicles over the course of my 66 years. I did so because I only have myself to count on so any problem on the road could/does lead to tow charges, repair charges plus my own transportation if there is a problem. My choice was new to ensure I could reliably get to/from work. I still drive my 2010 Ford Focus.

[@FloridaGrowing]

I'm a school bus driver, I have so many reusable water bottles (30 to 40 a year)that the students have left on my bus. They never claim them, so they go to the Good Will. I love your show.

[@UndertheMedian]

I'll bet getting a supply of water bottles was a perk you didn't consider when you took the job. LOL!

[@tealkerberus748]

The schools need to remind families to label their bottles with the family name and a parental contact - phone or email - so they can be notified when these items arrive at lost property. Kids will be kids, but that's no reason to be wasteful.

[@Nurse3811]

Well I hope you keep the Stanley’s! Worth at least $45 each, lol

[@veronicaavsec6808]

I have actually found really nice clothes at the store cheaper than at salvation army or thrift stores

[@cherylrobinson517]

Exactly

[@GoingGreenMom]

Same around here.

[@GoingGreenMom]

Oddly enough, cars have been the same way around here the last couple years.

[@silmuffin86]

Unfortunately thrifting good items for cheap requires a lot of time. Time that with work and kids it's often hard to have

[@deborasmith5191]

Me too! I bought a pair of pajama pants for 3 dollars. Sometimes Goodwill is more expensive than Walmart for basic tops.

[@mysteryreader1]

No eating out. No new clothes. Cell phone 15 dollars. No cable. No foods that have no nutritional value (most snacks). Generic groceries. 7+ iPhone. One streaming service at a time. No paper towels, ever. No clothes dryer. No frozen dinners. No prepared meals. No credit ever. Debt and mortgage free for 35 years. Deal breaker: high end tea and coffee

[@mikes-wv3em]

costco offers good new clothes a couple bucks more than goodwill. no stains, and colors match. credit is good paid off

[@amg9163]

@mysteryreader1 iPhone 6 and iPhone 7 were the best!! When I tried to buy one from my phone provider's store, they nearly laughed in my face. So I left there and got a different phone brand altogether. Unless the iPhone can do something lifesaving, like restart my heart, there is no way in h3ll that I would ever pay $1k or more for a phone. Never understood the hype.

[@katiejon17]

I’ve learned that when you are frugal and pre-save for expenses, that having one or two categories where you spend a bit more doesn’t even make a dent! We are very frugal, but I just bought a perfume for $85 and I don’t feel guilty at all. It’ll last me for years, and I had the money set aside.

[@sue1473]

OUCH! I usually buy my clothes, food & whatever if I need it at Costco, even better when it’s on SALE.

[@tessramos8828]

😅

[@lightgiver7311]

I do not have an iPhone or cable TV. My clothing comes from the Salvation Army. I have never owned a new vehicle. I have only purchased "trade-Ins" when someone else bought a new one. I use a dryer. I'm 70 and cook from scratch, always have. Restaurants only for special occasions.

[@philipdefrancisco7540]

One last thing, I don't even ENJOY eating out, let alone think of the price! I am also lucky to not enjoy traveling/flying. 😃

[@harleyanne3720]

I’m the same. I wonder how the food is prepared.

[@Nurse3811]

This!!! You have no idea how the kitchen treated your food THAT IS GOING IN YOUR BODY!!!

[@jarabee2022]

I thought I was the only person like this.

[@celestebarrentine3922]

Made my own babyfood... had a little plastic gadget the food went in, grind it through the grater, put it on the babies plate. They ate what we did, and I didn’t use a lot of salt or spices.

[@marilynbrown5274]

That is smart...and I would do the same.

[@BrianW211]

Thank you Hope and Larry for this video. I was born and raised in poverty in urban and rural western Missouri. I am now 55 and considered a VHNWI, but I didn't do anything special. I just followed the frugality advice from my family, my friends, and my education, which was not so different from your advice. I hope that my answers inspire future millionaires, VHNWI and even UHNWI. 1. Brand New Clothing: Sort of a necessity. I don't care about fashion. I don't buy used, because... yuck, but I do buy cheap. I currently live in the Phoenix area and wear shorts an T-shirts year-round. I spend less than $100/year on clothes. My wife spends around $600/year (and I don't question it). 2. Disposable Bottles of Water: Not a necessity. I loath them. We bought cheap plastic refillable bottles for the kids when they were younger and nice vacuum insulated bottles when they were more responsible. 3. New cars: Definitely not a necessity. We each bought our first 2 cars used. However, the last 4 vehicles we've purchased, we DID purchase new and I have maintained them meticulously. We still own all 4 of those vehicles. They are now 28, 21, 15, and 10 years old. We are a family of 4 and, to put this in perspective, our two college-age kids are now driving the same vehicles that they were brought home from the hospital in after they were born. 4. Expensive Cell Phone Plans: Not a necessity. Get only what you need. We've had T-Mobile since before it was called T-Mobile (remember Voicestream wireless?). My wife is from Germany and I used to travel internationally a lot for work. T-Mobile was formerly the wireless division of Deutsche Telecom (the government-run German phone company), and it has always had the best international features for us. 5. Latest and greatest cell phone/device: Not a necessity. Our family has iPhones, but we always buy the oldest/cheapest models they have and keep them until they break. Our family of 4 currently has: iPhone SE2, iPhone XR, iPhone 8, iPhone SE3). 6. Paid Television Streaming Service: Not a necessity. We subscribe only to Netflix, but we could do without it. 7. Paper Towels: A necessity. Not as much for the kitchen, but for the garage, toolbox, and workshed. I'm a former engineer and I do my own auto repair, plumbing, electrical, landscaping, and almost anything you would have a contractor or handyman do for you. This is a whole different level of frugality for some people. Regardless, paper towels (or more expensive disposable shop towels) are an absolute necessity for some work. 8. Clothes Dryers: Somewhat of a necessity. Our family is divided on this topic. I prefer a clothes dryer because the clothes and sheets and towels come out softer. My wife prefers the feel of line-dried clothes and sheets. Humidity is low in the Phoenix area so clothes dry fast, but... the Phoenix area is also very dusty, so a little wind makes your clothes/sheets dirty again. In some areas like the Midwest, line drying isn't practical when the humidity is high or in the winter. Line drying indoors has diminishing returns depending on family size. 9. Prepared Baby Food: Not a necessity. We bought very little when our kids were babies. Mostly for travel. My wife just made it herself after researching the best foods for babies, and she enjoyed it. 10. Disposable Diapers: Definitely a necessity. My wife and I both agreed that we would give up a lot of other things before having to wash cloth diapers. 11. Fancy Baby Equipment: Not a necessity. We bought almost all of our baby stuff used. We never had a baby monitor. 12. Eating Out: Not a necessity. We eat out less than once per month. 13. Frozen or Prepared Food: Not a necessity. We occasionally buy things like prepared Lasagna or chicken tenders (at Costco) for convenience, but they aren't a necessity. 14. Paying Full Price: Usually not a necessity. Sometimes, you have to buy things for maintenance or repairs and you can't wait for a sale. 15. Loans: Never a necessity, except for a mortgage. My wife and I both worked our way through college. It took longer, but we had no student loans to pay off. We've had 3 auto loans. We could've paid cash but we got loans because we were able to negotiate a better deal through financing, and we paid all 3 of them off when the very first payment was due. We've had a balance on our credit cards only twice and that was to purchase some things for our house within a year after we bought it without depleting most of our emergency fund. We paid the balance within 3 months both times. In both cases, we should've just paid cash.

[@kimsrurallife8775]

Yeah I’ve gotta do paper towels but I use much less than I used to. Using rags more.

[@faithrada]

Yup.. tear my paper towels in quarters sometimes.. use rags sometimes. Occasionally a paper towel is just a better choice... just use wisely.

[@Tootsie806]

I do things with paper towels that are too yucky to even consider using cloth that needed to be washed.

[@RebeccaTreeseed]

I

[@Nurse3811]

Same😊

[@erinperez6083]

Same - we still have paper towels and Clorox wipes in the house, but I use a washable towel for everything except the nastiest jobs. Training my husband is harder.

[@nancysaffield5337]

I love bragging about things that I get second hand or the deal I got for something that I bought used. It just gives me a sense of contentment and happiness

[@rg-mi5hh]

Oh the things we can. do without! Probably most things other than the four walls of transportation, utilities, food, and shelter we don't need. Gotta live a little though.

[@Milomuffin771]

@@rg-mi5hh I am frugal with cleaning products - I have 3 spray bottles - one with vinegar, one with water mixed with bleach and one with water mixed with washing up liquid. All my cleaning needs are met with those.

[@AluminumCloud74]

We keep some bottled waters in the freezers. We can’t keep them in the garage here in Texas and we have some extra freezer space so the bottles of water help fill up space and will keep frozen food cold in the event of a brief power outage. They’re great ice packs for picnics/coolers too.

[@goheen04]

Brand new clothing... NOT a necessity

[@DEE-o4v]

True...more like a SCAM.

[@marilynbrown5274]

Sometimes..if it's laundered before putting on. If there is a smell amongst those clothes...move on. New is good..as long as you love it.

[@faithrada]

On cars.. We got a 2 year old Camry from Car Max.. (great car), kept it 4 years, and re-sold it for the SAME amount we paid for it. The world has gone crazy. 😮

[@hollynauss6359]

Should have kept that Camry. Our college age son has a 13 yo Camry that's still going strong! Other college age son has a 13yo Celica. Quality lasts.

[@tomfields3682]

Had a Camry I bought new. Drove it for years then the speedo cable broke at 240k miles. Didn't fix it but drove it several more months, then gave it to my college student son. He traded it in when he bought his first new car I'm sure the dealer gave him a few bucks for it on paper to not lose the sale, then likely scrapped it.

[@cindyballard7585]

I thrift almost all my clothes. I just thrifted a $350 purse for 4 dollars and its in oerfect shape! Also, paid $2 for a cast iron pan! I drive a 20 yr old car, no new cars for us!

[@robbiegleason4462]

I have a full grain leather Coach purse I bought like new at a garage sale for $20. I still carry it 10 years later. It just needs a good leather conditioner.

[@nannettegonzalez8776]

I have no cable and no tv and saved $130 a month!!! I don’t even miss the tv!!! More time to listen you!❤

[@celestebarrentine3922]

Used cloth diapers with all 3.... had 3 in 5 years. Even when we lived in an apartment for 8 months with no washer and dryer while I had two. And I hung dried all my clothes, including those diapers, except when we were in the apartment. I moved to Tampa to be there when my husband was flying back and forth as a courier during the Gulf war.

[@celestebarrentine3922]

Joce123. I had leather shoes in the closet while in Tampa that I didn't wear for about 3 months. When I went to get them out to wear, they were covered in mildew!!! In an air conditioned apartment!! Ugh on that humidity. I would take my girls to the park every morning before going back to the apartment to take naps while it rained, every afternoon!!! We were there from early March through late October and it was just thick air the whole time.

[@CheapsKate77]

We use a dryer because we live in a townhouse without a yard and it’s also not allowed per HOA. Plus, south Florida is so humid I doubt anything would dry.

[@GoingGreenMom]

I hang dry inside because outside lines aren't allowed.

[@kimlaffoon5039]

I'm in Northern IN. I line dry as long as the temps are 60 or above. When it gets cold, I hang dry inside, and tos in the dryer for a few minutes on low to fluff and remove wrinkles. Towels and blankets go in the dryer in the winter.

[@KateBurt-b4e]

I 100% agree we don't have or need any of these things. We do have a cell phone we didn't want. Our daughter bought it and is paying the monthly payments. ( we live 700 miles from "home" and she worries about us) We still have our home phone though. We do have to buy bottled water. Our water is horrible in our town and we never seem to get the boil orders.

[@josi4381]

This is very thoughtful of her❤

[@KateBurt-b4e]

@@josi4381 Yes- very much so. She is very good to us and makes sure we have everything we need or want.

[@maryrichardson1318]

Everything my husband and I wear, except for socks and underwear, was purchased at either a thrift store or a vintage store. Most of the dresses I wear are around 75-90 years old. They are still in amazing shape, and have so many beautiful details and stitching. I even wear shoes from the 1930s and 40s. Some of them were what they call "new old stock" which means they were never sold and never worn. And as for thrift stores, I love being able to have an entire wardrobe for less than the cost of a new pair of jeans.

[@gaycorley3480]

I bought a “baby monitor” to keep an eye on my elderly mother when she goes to bed. Keeps me from having to go back and forth every few minutes to check on her. Money well spent.

[@carolinebrett2634]

With the tech, you do need to check that it will still be updated and supported for a few years....

[@Mary-w7c4z]

Your hair looks real pretty Hope!

[@UndertheMedian]

Thanks. I'm getting it cut shorter next week. I want it styled for our son's wedding.

[@PoetiqueMs]

I used disposable diapers overnight, too. My sleep was more important at the time. Yes, some of the new baby things are ridiculously priced. I do use my dryer, but I have lived without one before. I agree with all of these, although I have trouble finding clothing for myself. My husband is well stocked, though.

[@loribratcher8933]

Paper towels, dryer, & disposable diapers are necessities for me. However, you peaked my interest with the rag pile in place of paper towels. I’m going to work toward my own rag pile for spills.

[@cropduster8798]

Paper towels are an American luxury. We in the rest of the world don't use them.

[@dudanunesbleff]

Dryer isn't a necessity, we can hang clothes to dry.

[@catedennis8241]

FYI - it's piqued my interest.

[@TC-vq6yz]

Paper towels: YES!! So many situations that keeping a used cloth towel is not desirable. Dog sick, accidents, etc. I typically use a cloth hand towel, but to avoid cross contamination always have them for company use. Paper is VERY convenient in the kitchen. Cleaning greasy, stained kitchen towels is not happening here.

[@cindyjenkins1784]

Hopefully if you are eating out, expecially fast food, or even getting a napkin at a place, you are saving them. I still have to use up my stash, but have a roll of paper towel in the drawer. Of course the same one has been in there for years.

[@chapman1569]

I use paper towels to wipe greasy pans, It I used rages I would have to throw them because I would not wash them to reuse them! Wiping greasy pans is good practice to avoid fat deposits in the drains.

[@MeMyself-y5n]

@@chapman1569 Yes, good for your drains to wipe out greasy cookware and dishes, and the local wastewater treatment people appreciate it, too.

[@joannejordan2510]

@@chapman1569 we use the blue shop towels for that because they're designed for soaking up oils. More expensive off the top but long term you use wayyyy fewer of them to get the same jobs done. It usually takes us about 18-24 mos to go through a Costco pack of them.

[@kimmoore1738]

Yes, I could probably do without paper towels, if I didn't have dogs.

[@celestebarrentine3922]

I shop at Goodwill / Hospice Mart / local mission store / etc for all my clothes other than unmentionables. Haven't had a TV since they instituted the black box for getting channels... and only had what we could get through antenna before that.... usually CBS and PBS. Have had 2 new cars in my life.... the one my dad bought me for birthday/Chrismas/graduation from college and I was moving 7 hours away from home: and my current vehicle which is already 8 years old now and will last me till it dies. All other cars over 21 years purchased used, including the starter cars for my 3 adult kids. They all 3 have never purchased a new car. My husband had a Scottish soul. 😂

[@celestebarrentine3922]

Sorry, 41 years

[@celestebarrentine3922]

Don't have Netflix, Prime, Disney, or any of that on my phone either. And my phone is 4 years old... won't upgrade til it just won't function anymore. My first cell was a Nikia brick which I had until they said they wouldn't support it anymore. 😂

[@johnhaller5851]

My aunt's mother died while she was very young. Her family was traveling from Europe to the US to immigrate in the 1920s. The relatives prechewed food for my aunt, as there was no baby food available at the time, especially on the ship. She lived through that period, so prechewed food is the traditional baby food. It may seem gross to our modern tastes, but it worked in the old days.

[@bundydata]

Make a permant grocery list put on fridge...great idea

[@janejdough2230]

I bought a ski jacket at the church rummage sale for 27 cents ... worn it for 15 years.. washes up fine.. still get complements.

[@lisabethdavis2280]

I still draw the line on underware.

[@HazelCotton]

We found two work jackets on a curb that the lady was giving away. John wore them for years. I found two nice coats at a garage sale in August for 50 cents each and used them until I lost 75 lbs and they got too big.

[@janejdough2230]

A woman after my own heart!@@HazelCotton

[@user-gs3fm2rh3j]

Funny, listening to your list, I have most years also operated super frugal in these and many other areas. But the Lord has also brought new seasons in my life, especially where time has been an issue, that I had to also learn to creatively manage some other more expensive options along the way and choose to come from a different approach. But I enjoyed all the frugal DIY, etc. options we did, but the Lord taught me to navigate a variety of paths, to meet goals and needs. And I love to listen to others like you two to glean new ideas or perspectives ❤️ thanks for sharing. As I prepare for a type of retirement season I want to remember these choices to help in the new upcoming season of life.

[@LinnyBlackwell]

Disposable diapers a must. I have 5 grand babies and I can’t imagine the work it would create to use cloth diapers.

[@pnwflipper2089]

We cloth diapered our kids and it was not too bad. The more kids, the more savings too!

[@karenanderson7067]

It's not that bad. Modern cloth nappies are pretty easy. I do them part time as I don't like them over night or when going out. You need to clean the poop off clothes because of blowouts anyway. It's not much extra to wash some nappies. Disposable Nappies are so incredibly bad for the environment!!😢😢

[@tamaraking8259]

Three kids full time in cloth nappies at the same time generated two loads of nappies a week. I have a washing machine and a tumble dryer and it was maybe 20 minutes of actual work a week.

[@trishthedish-n9u]

Four children, used cloth diapers.

[@manfredbergmann2672]

Raised 6 kids cloth diapers...saved SO MUCH!

[@kl3258]

Necessity vs want is in the eye of the beholder. Example; baby foods and diapers. Each person must prioritize things for themselves and their own families! Additionally, remember to be kind and respect others choices!❤

[@LifePrepared]

I am in a very odd circumstance that makes 2 of these items a necessity for the most part. Water plays a role in both. I do buy drinking water because our well water is very high in sodium and is not healthy to drink. I do not though buy individual bottles but get 5 gallon refills that we fill ourselves. It does cost 45¢ a gallon. The other is paper towels depending on the time of year. Our well is shallow at only 27 ft deep and often runs out in the summer so we have to reduce laundry to the bare minimum.

[@LHLK-q2v]

we put in a water filtration system which cost some but compared to the water we were buying to drink is really costing us a lot less

[@dfreak01]

Our well was 390' and was dry half the year. We did get 20 gallons a day sometimes. 5 people, 16 chickens, 1 dog, 2 cats. You learn quick.

[@LHLK-q2v]

We put filtration on just the drinking water as the rest is not really that important unless you are drinking large amounts of it cost around $1000 for sediament etc and nitrates

[@LHLK-q2v]

some people just dig n a cistern and have water delivered to the cistern and no problems

[@karencfromcanada8589]

As a canadian, I wish we had these very inexpensive cell phone plans. I have the cheapest I can but don't get cell service in the house so need a landline. But I can't get rid of the cell phone for when out and about, being on a back road and its 45 minutes to 'town' for groceries in N.Ont. I feel its a safety issue to have it despite the lack of use. It sure did come in handy when broken down on the side of the road on a major highway in S.Ont. last Sept calling our son in N.Ontario--an 8 hour drive away and in getting assistance. I used cloth diapers when our kids were young [4 of them] and homemade baby food. Usually I do use a refillable water bottle when we go for groceries [45 min away] but occ'ly I need more water or have forgotten to bring it. So a case of water left in the vehicles are also for safety. Though we're gone for hours--typically 11ish til 4ish for our groceries and travel time, we don't eat out but bring apples or at that point, have bought bananas which we snack on til we get home. I cook from scratch but we usually do buy fish and fries or a frozen pizza to eat that night after groceries. Being up here in the north, where its winter -and COLD--often well under 0F and more with windchill, we do use a dryer and not the line outside. No room in the house and no basement/garage here. We do have a wonderful thrift store in the town where last week, we were able to stuff a garbage bag with clothes for $10-nonprofit--all proceeds go to the rescue of pets in the area-all ran by volunteers only...so yes, we do not buy new. Also got 2 king size pillows--brand new for $3 each and books were 10 for $1. I got some Rodale gardening books that years ago were very expensive--I actually have them already but got these for my daughter who is getting into gardening. Who can go wrong for ten cents? They have everything there so we always check before buying brand new here. Its a win-win for animals and people with this thrift store. I can't recall all the other 'categories' but we have two older vehicles that we drive and husband/son repair themselves. [sorry this is so long!!!]

[@LHLK-q2v]

why doesn't your phone work in the house? Under 0F sorry but this is not the -30 we get here

[@fayewhite7541]

⁠@@LHLK-q2vCell phone reception is poor in some areas. Sometimes you have to go out to get enough signal to get through. Where I live in Canada we have dead zones where you can get any reception.

[@nancysheffield4353]

She may have mistaken F for C.

[@frontiervirtcharter]

@@LHLK-q2v areas far from major towns and highways often are so far from the nearest cell antenna that the signal is weak even before it tries to get through the walls of the house, and if those walls are masonry or have sheet metal the signal might as well not be there. When visiting some relatives in a rural area I'd have to go outside on the porch or in the front yard to get signal.

[@karencfromcanada8589]

@@LHLK-q2v I think it is to do with the steel roof that we don't get cell service. As well, there are areas here that do not get cell service coverage on our back road. My husband says down the road, there is sporadic cell service. We live around bush and field. Have 73 acres and lots of properties with 160 acres--like across the road. Our nearest neighbours are 1/4 mile east and west and 1 mile away north and south. We get 0F -and under into the -40F. Though Canada uses Celsius, I'm old school and still use Farenheit. Not only do I know it but its accurate; not a guesstimate as Celsius is.

[@simonefeaster5131]

We agree about not buying prepared or frozen foods; I reduced our weekly food cost by 40% by focusing on single item foods. Such a win, if you have the time to make a lot from scratch. Got rid of single use kitchen wipes. Husband still likes paper towels but we have largely switched to microfiber cloths for cleaning and cloth napkins for mealtimes. I confess I prefer a dryer but have been using the drying rack more and more. Every little bit helps! Thank you, Hope and Larry. Just love your enthusiasm and joy as well as the great tips.

[@loiscampbell3510]

Can you please explain what you mean by "single item foods"? Thanks.

[@teresahunt5521]

I don't have many modern conveniences. No tv, mixer, air fryer, keurig, instantpot.. I do just fine and I work 55-60 hurs a week as a nurse.

[@Nurse3811]

Whoa! I have all those items and only work 12-15 hours as a sedation RN and I still save money ( yes , I’m married too) . You must have a HUGE SAVINGS ACCT , gal!!!!

[@teresahunt5521]

@@Nurse3811 I'm a widow. Kids are grown. No grandkids. My husband died in 2020 and left me in a financial pickle. He secretly left his life insurance to his adult children from his first marriage. Me and my children got nothing. His family had strange thoughts about money. We were married for 22 years and I took care of him after he became disabled in a terrible work accident. I will FINALLY be debt free in 3 months. His legit thinking was that I could just marry someone else when he died and that man would take care of me financially. 🤯🤯 We did get a big settlement after his work accident but he spent all of it on things to make himself happy since he knew he was dying. He considered my paycheck as his money too. I started over with nothing in 2017. I'm 58 now. Making up for lost time .... kinda. I will NEVER marry again.

[@lwilliams7094]

I tried cloth diapers with my first baby. Used the plastic over the diapers and found I was having to also wash the bedding, pajamas and diapers in special detergent, wash all in hot water and rinse twice in hot water. And also dealing with stinky diaper pails. Ended up stocking up with Kmart brand diapers for $2.50 for a bag of 60. Used the nice Birds Eye diapers for spit up towe!s over our shoulders. Figured the extra electricity it was going to cost for the hot water wash and double rinsing would negate the cost of the diapers. Besides, those disposables were much easier to remove and replace. Cut way down on rashes. Those plastic pants didn't keep the leaks from happening. And no baby got stuck with a diaper pin...

[@lindaeliis8239]

All my friends have an air fryer and say it is the best. I don't have one, don't need it, and don't want to store it in my small kitchen.

[@pennynickels5216]

😊😊😊 I have no small appliances, no dishwasher, no microwave, not even a coffee pot today lol, just the bean grinder. The coffeepot died and I dropped the French press carafe lol. Less electricity!

[@pnwflipper2089]

I was shocked by how many minimalism gurus on KZbin all bought instant pots, then all bought air fryers. There’s nothing wrong with buying a few kitchen appliances if you really use them- but those are a couple of big clunky items to keep in the kitchen for just occasional use! I haven’t purchased either.

[@pspears2153]

My mother has one and she loves it but it takes up a LOT of space and I do not like food made from it. It's very dry.

[@vanessapage8863]

@@pennynickels5216 I have an air fryer only because my brother gave me one for Christmas two years ago. I have only used it about a dozen times.

[@W3ndyPearc3]

I have an air fryer that I use instead of heating up my large oven. I love it. 😊

[@OpalMaydew]

I am working on debt right now and am trying to buy less new but I work at a retail store and try to watch for clearance for my kids clothes. Best time is when the season is about to change. I recently bought several dresses for my 4 year old and some light cardigans for myself for a dollar a piece

[@teresabuie7440]

Clothing I don't buy for long periods of time! When I do some times new ,sometimes thrifted. Thruster more often than new!😊

[@elizabethshaw6727]

I have been so encouraged by your channel. I watch it weekly. You are Larry really do give good tips but my husband and I say the best tip is that you are both so joyful. Life is not meant to scrimp and do without. Yes, I use my dryer and yes, I have Netflix as entertainment for my family to enjoy with homemade popcorn! Much cheaper than many other activities. Thank you for your openness and for sharing all your frugal tips as well as your delicious recipes . Love from Texas!

[@peterpiper487]

Expensive cell phone plans? LOL!!! I have not had a cell phone in 14 years! I tossed my phone and never looked back. And I'm glad I did. Most people think they NEED a cell phone, but they don't. Honestly, you don't NEED a cell phone... nor a TV. I tossed my TV at the same time I tossed my cell phone....not needed. I have a laptop computer that has everything I need and I find that I can e-mail back and forth with people in about the same time as I could talk with them on a phone. When I tossed my cell phone, I alerted my friends that I would no longer have a phone and I gave them my e-mail address. Worked fine. Just so you know, I'm a doctor. YOU DON'T NEED A CELL PHONE.

[@AcmeRacing]

Perhaps you don't need a cell phone, Doc. I work from home for a multi-channel retailer, and having a cell phone for two factor authentication of my logins is a must. However, since I have to have a phone for work, I no longer need a land line.

[@giraffezebra2698]

If you’re a woman driving down the road at night and your car breaks down - you need a cell phone. There are no pay phones anymore.

[@Msfili]

You don’t need a smart phone you do need a cellphone in terms of emergencies on the road or when out and about

[@Nurse3811]

I assume you don’t take Call then???

[@Andrea-jx9ob]

I work as an admin assistant for the hospitalist service and my docs have to have a cellphone. Their job requires it.

[@pinschrunner]

Florida sunshine dries out clothes. 🌞. And yes, we do have a dryer and there is a laundromat 1\2 mile down the road as backup

[@femaleKCRoyalsFan]

Not everybody lives in Florida. I live in the Midwest in the central part of the United States. Call Nebraska where we actually experience winter with snow and wind. Last thing I want to do is have my clothes, either freeze or get wet or worse blown off the line. And then there’s a chance of bird droppings and squirrels.

[@michellejennings3232]

New shoes? Yes.....new underwear and socks? Yes. New outerwear? Absolutely

[@michellejennings3232]

Well, I got cut off.....New outerwear- absolutely not!

[@JaneDay]

totally agree 😊

[@chaoshome34]

Shoes for sure especially for teens and adults where we can wear them 6months to 10yrs 😅 But kids where they barely wear them 3 or 4 months I'm OK buying used. And sometimes I find great adult shoes used cheap! But not so often for our big feet

[@ItsWhoIAmItsHowILive]

@@chaoshome34kids shoes you get the best deal at Ross. I went to a used store and they were charging $35 vs $12 at Ross. Anything for Kids go to clearance or Ross.

[@ashleym.9682]

Lmao, I was thinking all of the too. However, I did buy a new winter coat this year... I found it for $30, which I thought was an absolutely fair price!

[@barbararichard718]

I used to buy used clothing, but now many people wash and dry their clothing with fragrant, toxic laundry products which are very difficult, if not impossible to remove. Vinegar and baking soda and multiple washings just won’t remove the chemicals anymore. I am chemically sensitive, so new clothing is a necessity for me. I do look for sales and bargains.

[@soniateach]

Same here!

[@adrabruzzese7610]

I agree, it's awful.

[@loretta1261]

I agree about smells from goodwill etc. On the other hand I’ve often bought new clothes that have disgusting smells. I’m guessing you buy organic chemical free smelling clothes?

[@barbararichard718]

I usually buy new clothes. I’ve found that the new smell is easier to remove with vinegar and baking soda than the used clothes smell. Occasionally I do take a chance on something used if I don’t smell anything. Sometimes that works and sometimes not. Mostly I wear the clothes I have for a long time.

[@marylhere]

I’ve found that new clothes have way more chemicals. Especially those made overseas. I can detect insecticide on fabrics immediately.

[@solidstate9451]

Frozen, prepared food from the grocery store is still cheaper than eating out. So before eating out, take these.

[@LAnnMcK]

YES! I always resolve to have a couple of ready meals in the freezer for my kids to fix on busy nights. I would rather have a pizza night (rarely) than have to pay for 6 of us to eat out.

[@sarahrigg6000]

Yup, same here. I'll put a vegetarian lasagna in my cart a few times a month so that I have something easy to make if I've had a hard day.

[@bser3973]

One of the best cleaning rags are old cloth diapers. I use my dryer to get some of the wrinkles from my cloths when I take them out of the washer, than hang them up.

[@UndertheMedian]

Totally agree! I still have a few cloth diapers left that I use as cleaning rags.

[@bser3973]

Does any one sell them anymore?

[@bser3973]

I'm from a family of 12 kids, Iv learned money don't grow on trees. Separate needs from wants.

[@kristenmarie9248]

​@@bser3973 Target sells them still.

[@terryhenderson424]

In '23, when the '89 lost 2nd gear we upgraded to a '94 truck.

[@victorbaird8220]

Great choice 😊

[@ashleym.9682]

Sorry for your loss Terry

[@canadafree2087]

I have been paying more for used clothing, and it has saved me money. I've used to pay $10 on avg for a piece of used clothing, $20 is a jacket. Recently though I've paid $50-$60 for a 100% wool sweater made in Ireland, another made in Canada of English wool. That Canada sweater costs $250 new. Because I am paying more, I also make sure it fits perfectly, is of top quality material, well below the cost of new, etc. So paying more helps me buy less. Now would I still bought those sweaters if they were $5? Yes, but quilty goods are snapped up at the cheap stores and sold at places that mark them up, but that saves me time from sorting through all the junk.

[@Revert2017]

Once I started by debt free journey and started cooking…. Anything packaged or from a restaurant just tastes like nothing. Then, I need to drink water all day. (Full disclosure- I will get fried chicken once in a blue moon).

[@CynthiaSteele-o2g]

I have found the exact same thing!!! They don’t take the time to season the food appropriately!!!!

[@sar8349]

I wash everything before I wear it - brand-new or not. Often brand new fits before and not after. That is one of the reasons I like thrifting clothes. You can tell if they have held up after a wash and are still good to go. I also am good at sewing and can alter clothes to look like they were made for me. that also goes for brand new. Seldom does anything brand new fit well. Never bought a new car. Had a sis in law that thought you based your budget on how many payments you could make a month. For real.

[@lindadenneypu6315]

I have a 2000 Toyota torago van best car I've ever had not looking at it going any we're in a hurry

[@brendalong3852]

I live in Phoenix AZ. When we first moved here I tried hanging out clothes and they always smelled very bad so I use a dryer. We use about 1 roll of paper towels every 6 weeks for those things I don't want to go into my washer. I've owned 4 new vehicles in my life and averaged 12 plus years where I only get 3 to 6 years out of a used car. We used disposable and cloth diapers as we both worked around 60 hour per week. We eat out 2-3 times a week but those meals generally cover 2 meals. Pretty much agree with the rest though I like new clothes occasionally.

[@jacqueline-i9h]

my son who is quadraplegic and loves his touchscreen computer broke it last November one week before black friday. I knew if we waited I could have probably got a better deal but as this is his only pleasure it wasn't an option and I just paid full price and replaced it same day. Sometimes being frugal just means you can afford the splurge when you have to.

[@OleensEmbroidery]

I must be frugal because I have done all of your tips for most of my life. Now retired, house and cars are paid for, money is in the bank. I love my life so much. I don't need to be frugal anymore but it is a hard habit to break.

[@karenanderson7067]

I'm very frugal but I still have a dryer. I hang dry 95% of the time but it's there for when we have multiple days of rain or when we are sick etc. We work and have a kid in school. Sometimes a dryer is worth the money. To be honest though, I live in Australia and I have solar panels. It offsets the cost during the day most of the time. Also, I was given a video baby monitor and I've never used it. I can hear when my baby/child cries. My house isn't that big.

[@BarbaraSmith-fc3uo]

I buy new clothes usually. However I do not use a clothes dryer. I hang my clothes up to dry. The dryer does beat the fibers out of your clothes making your clothes show wear faster than hanging up to dry. Plus in the winter it puts moisture back into the air that is dry cause of heating your home.

[@FrancisMagdalen-ve5ko]

Some baby items, depending on where you are, you can not sell second hand. For example cribs and car seats.

[@spudspuddy]

I'm in the UK, we only buy water if out on a trip and want a drink, we ALL drink tap water at home, proof is only a small area given over to bottled water in our supermarkets

[@DM-ql6ps]

I keep bottled water on hand for emergencies. Most disaster preparation recommendations suggest keeping 3 days' worth of water on hand.

[@MsKatalind]

I use my air fryer several times a a day everyday. My toaster broke and I never replaced it. The air fryer toast my bread nicely. I use it for just about everything. I do have a instapot and I use that a lot also especially during the fall and winter months. These are items that if they stopped working I would replace bc I use them so much.

[@Teresa-o3i]

I also have a few disposable water bottles, water for when people come over. If i grab one ever to use in th car , i dont toss after drinking, i refill it many times.

[@RedShoesWalking]

I have a clothes dryer, but I hang dry my clothes on hangers. Living in a desert, I am able to hang dry my clothes pretty much year round, any hours of the day. I do use the dryer for towels, bedding, and sometimes socks.

[@pnwflipper2089]

I made so much puréed pumpkin, squash, chicken, blueberries, green beans etc. for my kids when they were babies and it saved so much money. I would cook big batches in the crock pot and blend with a immersion blender and then freeze in little portions in ice cube trays. Then when baby was hungry I’d pop one of each flavor out. If they were complimentary flavors I’d mix them together. If they were too runny I would thicken it a little with baby cereal or if it was too thick I would thin with breast milk or water.

[@CarmenMarie13]

I purchase paper towels but mainly only use them for the grease left in a pan when I'm not making gravy. I don't use to many. Trift stores there is only one chain left in my area that is outrageously priced. I try to buy new pants for 50% off as I'm tall so I need the taller length which cost more. Shirts and sweaters I've gotten for $5 to $10 which is same price as Trift store. I hang dry most of my clothes. Sheets and towels I use dryer. I purchase a lot of items on sale / clearance especially around the holidays. I do some extra's on sale. Hope I'm still recovering from a broken arm also so I know that pain. I'm in Iowa we had wind gusts up to 50 - 60 mph. Not a good time to hang dry clothes outdoors! Blessing to you and your family 🙏

[@jenniferholter7610]

We have bottled water for our earthquake supplies 👍🏻 otherwise we don’t use them. Dryer is a must here. Gets pretty cold in Canada 🤣 Never used a baby monitor!

[@KathrynTanner-t8f]

Balance! I don't buy a lot of new stuff and live fairly frugally, but there's nothing wrong with spending money to make your life easier or more pleasurable, if you are able to. Have been poor and had to penny-pinch. Lived okay, but it was not fun! Cutting up old clothes and towels to use instead of paper towels sounds nuts to me. I don't have a dishwasher or want one, but a clothes dryer is a major step up in one's quality of life.

[@lindadenneypu6315]

I have 9 kids 6 still at home 2 washers 2 big clothes lines 2 lines in the garage and 6 aires very rarely use the dryer line dry is always the best or my airers

[@Houseatnumber9]

Our neighbour had a fab little car but it needed work done which he didn’t want to do as he wanted a new one, we bought it for under $900 cash the job was a simple fix and 9 years later we still have it and still looks great 😊

[@lindastroot8905]

The dryer is a must have.

[@sallyloda8038]

Libraries are not just for books and eBooks. We don't buy or rent movies or TV series anymore. Libraries are great places for DVDs. We were able to watch all seasons of Game of Thrones! Most libraries share with other local libraries and if yours doesn't have what you want, they may be able to get it for you. Also many libraries will purchase movies or TV series if you request it.