Frugal Living 2023 a collaboration

A sharing chat about how we will be living frugally in 2023.
This is a collaboration with four other great frugal KZbin channels:
Frugal Jo, Shoestring Jane, Claire's Journey and Tess - Frugal Living.
Links to their channels below:
Frugal Jo,
/ @frugaljo
Shoestring Jane,
/ @shoestringjane
Claire's Journey
/ @clairesjourney
Tess - Frugal Living.
/ @tess-frugalliving
Frugal Queen in France
Like the menu board & Budget Book? We have now started Amazon Affiliate Links its available here:
Kitchen Slate Board: amzn.to/2S2tWjW
Budget Book: amzn.to/3qISz2i
We are a British couple living in Brittany on a budget.
Frugal recipes, days out, home renovations and day to day making do in France.
We’ll give you hints, tips, advice and an insight into our life in France.
Website www.frugalquee...
FaceBook / frugalqueeni. .
Instagram / frugalqueen. .
Twitter / batt_jane
Equipment used
Camera : iPhone
Editing : iMovie on a Mac mini
Music:
Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommon....
Artist: audionautix.com/
Some Sound from Zapsplat.com
KZbin Audio Library
Apple iMovie*

[@carolbrownell950]

Love listening to your ideas, Jane. It reminds me that we don't need to buy much, just enjoy the beautiful life we already have!! Stuff doesn't make us more happy :) Blessings on you and Mike!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks very much

[@ShoestringJane]

I love the sound of your community and France generally. No delivery food, coffee in real cups, shops closed on Sundays, sounds like my childhood. Women allowed to have the odd wrinkle? It takes me back to simpler times 😊

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

It’s a reason to love living here

[@Ray-pt5bi]

Same in switzerland. Outside the odd "big" city you would never see Lip fillers etc..even makeup is rare in most places.

[@KarenReusch-j1u]

Everything sounds better in french!

[@dawnmorandin541]

It's a shame but my young tenants have had to move back in with his parents, they have good jobs, two lovely children but they couldn't or wouldn't live within their means. First the new massive truck, new suv, toys galore in the backyard, meals delivered daily, sometimes twice a day, the new hockey equipment, when the new boat showed up we got worried. All the neighbours said wow they are so rich, look at all the stuff they have, they had to park in my driveway, we don't drive. Anyway the cracks started to show, rent not paid until payday came, their relationship became rocky he moved out, now they are both in his parents basement. Meanwhile I'm still walking to the shop, baking bread and cooking from scratch.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Sad story

[@mysustainabilityjourney9321]

Just an idea.... Collect wild flower seeds and sow them. Wild flowers love poor soil. Good luck

[@elizaC3024]

We do pack snacks and a thermos of coffee or water bottles when we got out, and we save lots of money by doing so.

[@yellownightjar]

Raised beds with scrap wood layer at bottom , leaf’s & some dirt. Start seedlings in house in window area . Buckets garden works well too, simple cheap hydrophonics out doors work well to. Anyone can garden!!! Luv your videos

[@yellownightjar]

I really took to heart u saying & emphasizing in last several videos to cut back on clothes buying even though I thrift them & to quit buying pretties that I don’t need & take up cluttter space. Thx u for preaching as I needed that!!! Your words resonated to me & I started decluttering areas immediately as difficult to clean

[@angelaelsom9751]

Your videos are fab…I feel happy being frugal…..old cars, patched jeans, always a budget and my husband and I were able to go to University in our mid fifties…..for 6 years…got in before uni fees went up….still cut the toothpaste tube in half and peel our own potatoes😀

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Brilliant!

[@annmcnitt8749]

When we bought our small farmstead, the crop area had been farmed severely with the typical Midwest U.S. "corn/wheat/soybeans" for decades. The soil was pretty much dead. There was so much clay that we couldn't even put a shovel into it. We began to add huge amounts of manure, fall leaves, old straw, hay, composted food waste, and grass clippings. After a while, it became good garden soil, and after thirty years, we sink into the soil just walking into it. There is hope! With the odd economy and the pandemic situation, along with the four of us all having disabilities, we now look at it as a spot where we can raise a decent amount of our food. (We move slowly, but we can do more than we thought. 😉) Thank you, Jane. I love this video.

[@lindad6223]

The native soil here is desert dust, fine sand pulverized into a fine powder. I had to bring in topsoil (I was able to get two cubic yards at a really good price) and place into planned raised beds. The rest of the yard is just rocks. But those garden beds just grow everything like mad!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks very much for sharing

[@annmcnitt8749]

That's terrific, Linda!

[@vixxcottage]

I always thought you need a lot of land to grow your veggies. I discovered intense square foot gardening in raised beds. As Ann states adding lots of manure compost and plant matter make your soil rich. You can get a huge harvest from this soil. Raised beds make this easy. Rabbit manure can be placed in garden immediately. Other manure such as cow or chicken must be aged a year to be used. I love a garden and getting fresh off the vine vegetables prior to a meal.

[@jackiehowe8482]

I used to go shopping with my debit card , and it was so easy to put things in the trolly without touch thought as it was just a tap of the card at the checkout. So I decided on a budget and every Friday I draw that amount out of the cashpoint in cash. OMG how I have saved on my shopping bill . It really makes me think about what I need for the week as when the cash has gone I make myself wait until its Friday before I draw any more out . I have even had money left over at the end of the week so I put it in a jar for the weeks when I maybe need to stock up a bit more . I reccomend this to everyone , it really works as I don't spend anything like I used to . Thanks to your inspiration .

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks very much for watching and sharing

[@rhondacromer1474]

Good plans for cutting spending.

[@annmcnitt8749]

Thank you, Jane and Mike. Having frequent access to your videos is a good reminder to stick with frugality and its benefits.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Our pleasure!

[@rebacarmack8335]

I made banana bread today from some really ripe bananas- wish I had thought to put potatoes in to cook!!

[@lindajacquot5391]

Jane and Michael, you continue to be an inspiration to us. We've greatly cut back on eating out, eliminated fast food, reduced shopping for items other than food to almost zero, and because of our increased frugality our stress levels have dropped! We certainly have a ways to go, but we are off to a good start. Thanks for the encouragement and ideas! Lead by example... Happy to follow your lead.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

You can do it!

[@ann-uc2zx]

i have enjoyed your channel .I have been listening to video after video. I used my bathwater to flush the toilet. I did not know I could do that. Thank you.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ktkearns4744]

Thanks for the inspiration!!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

You are so welcome!

[@mrsf870]

Love love love your content. Best wishes from another teacher named Jane! 😊

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks so much

[@sandramorton5510]

Thank you for your continued inspiration. For 2023 we are stopping the eating out, we have researched the local and state parks for walking and picture taking, planted a vegetable garden and I opened a sinking fund account. I feel vindicated. Thank you.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

You can do it!

[@flufftronable]

Would love a collaboration with Karen from Prime of Midlife. She is also wonderful like yourselves.

[@tamandaflynn6090]

I agree. Karen is straight talking like yourself x

[@lindajacquot5391]

Definitely! That's a wonderful idea!

[@nikki27ish]

I love her channel too :)

[@lyndagray173]

I agree she is an amazing ladyy

[@danielintheantipodes6741]

Ironically, I find inexpensive entertainments far more entertaining when I have the money to play for the expensive stuff but freely choose not to do so! If I have no money at all,. suddenly I find myself wanting to do things that cost money! So if I am short of money, I try to keep $40 or $50 cash in my wallet, available to act as my 'illusion buffer'. It really does seem to help! Also, I try to stay home when money is short. If I am at home I can find countless fun things to do, not least of which is reading a book or watching a film. Thank you for the video! Have an amazing day!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks for sharing

[@cherylT321]

I’m a bit short on physical bills, but I have a large jar full of coins. I’m going to wrap them; I know I can get 50 or 60 dollars from the coins…Then, all I have to do is cash the coins in for paper bills which will last me until my regular pay check pops up!

[@rosewatkins6514]

I live in the south of louisiana in a small rural community. We also don’t have the things you mentioned. I love it. I have chickens and grow my own vegetables and herbs. I’m happy with this life style.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

That is awesome!

[@readyintn4829]

I admire your discipline to healthy eating and no snacking. Working on that at our house as well. What strikes me from your videos is how you live your life with daily contentment, not based on material things. I think most of us have lots to learn from you.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks so much

[@gems1734]

If you don’t have it in the house it soon becomes your new normal. 😊

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

@@gems1734 we’ve never had it or eaten like that. You don’t miss what you’ve never had

[@curlytop4625]

How you live with the stores around you, is how I remember growing up. What a shame we can’t return to those days. I know they aren’t for everyone but I personally do miss them. I tell my nieces and nephews of chocolate biscuits being a Sunday treat with our ‘high tea’ …usually sandwiches, biscuits, trifle. Biscuits through the week were plain ones like rich tea and once they were gone, they were gone. What different times

[@williamraybould8393]

Bring those days back.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks very much

[@janetlomax2295]

I'm in the u.k, and have been frugal and thrifty for a long time. I'm used to cutting back and doing without certain items. This coming year will be no different, but it is getting harder there's not much more cutting I can do. So it's time to keep fingers crossed and cope with it, and hope it doesn't continue for too much longer. Thankyou Jane and Michael for another brilliant video. ❤💕❤💕❤

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks Janet and good luck to all of us

[@andersonomo597]

I too have been frugal all my life - but with all the turmoil of the past few years plus other health issues for family and friends plus plus plus......yes, it's getting harder!! I'm looking for the little bits of joy, like bringing in a flower from the garden, 'saving' a sad apple into apple sauce for on top of my cereal, using one of my 'good cups' for my morning coffee, trying new inexpensive recipes (free cooking lessons via YT), pampering myself with DIY pedicures and facials. Seriously, if I don't look for these little freebie positives I know I'm going to fall down a deep dark hole! You're in the UK, I'm here in Australia - but we are on the same page. Hope it helps to know there's many of us out there. Cheers!

[@janetlomax2295]

@@andersonomo597 i think there's lots of people like us going through the same problems, and thinking the same way. Let's hope it gets better for all of us sooner rather than later. At least in Australia you can have such lovely weather, that's got to help a little bit. I love Australia, but doubt i will see it for real, it's just not in my budget. 🥰❤

[@WhippoorwillHoller]

This country gal from Arkansas Love Jane and Micheal, Sharing thier frugal , simple life will help others, and it's such a satisfying, Happy Life!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks so very much for your lovely comment

[@SKS33Sandra]

One of my favorite videos of yours! Thanks for your candor. We in the US are experiencing sticker shock with food prices. So, we’ve cut all cable and television. Dining out is now only twice. A month and since restaurants are less expensive at lunch, we’ve changed to daytime dates for my husband and I. I only buy store brands and sales and I grow almost all of my produce. Look forward to more tips and lessons from you!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks very much

[@frugalstu]

That was lovely to watch and listen too. A brilliant insight into frugal living 👏 👍👍

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks Stu, that means a lot coming from a fellow frugal

[@margaretbates6010]

Always love to see which quilt you have on your couch. Wonderful show again

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thank you so much!

[@wyyeti4004]

I’ve watched the other collaborators. (Nice to see Frugal Jo back & with a new home!) Your video was excellent! (Unfortunately, my husband is not letting go of his cookies, chips & candy 🙄)

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

He’s fine. He’s not hurting me.

[@clairekuchel-klassen7103]

We can only be responsible for our own choices

[@whoaracehorse323]

Such good sense on this channel.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks very much

[@mak2867]

Set up automatic savings and investing systems for every goal. No cell phones or computer working on weekends. Reading 2 or 3 books per week. Returning phone calls from family & friends in the order they are received. Completing every home project one at a time. Crochet or sewing, while porch rockin, going thru unimportant mail. Talking to neighbors briefly while on a walk.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Sounds great to me

[@annewright3129]

I love your attitude of enjoying all the good things right around you. Do you have a public library nearby ? I do and it is a lifesaver. When I have great reading going, I can make sacrifices more cheerfully and not feel punished by cutbacks. Thanks so much.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Yes, the books are in French.

[@clmierau]

I agree with you about self care. It's not about being vain. I get a pedicure every 4-5 weeks because I can no longer reach my toes to properly cut them. It's not that I'm being fussy it's that I can no longer do it however I don't do my nails as I can do those myself. Some things must be added to the budget as we age because of necessity not vanity.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks for watching

[@juliemoore6957]

Thank you Jane. I really appreciate your videos and your "can do" attitude.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

You are so welcome!

[@susanwebster9218]

A great video! It's so important to have an attitude of gratitude. This makes for a joyful life...no matter our circumstances.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks very much

[@mrsf870]

Beautifully put Susan. 💕

[@YorkshireGirlinDarwin]

Thank you, Jane ❤

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

You are so welcome!

[@anniec6420]

a brilliant positive video full of hopeful and useful suggestions.....everytime i see you mowing the lawn i think of those clippings that can be used as compost which can be used as soil.....which can be used to grow pumpkins in compost mounds.....and they look after themselves so easy to grow and store for ages...makes lovely soup etc...

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

I compost everything, Thanks for watching

[@Sally-wm5jh]

We have just moved to a small apartment from a large house. We downsized our belongings and sold or donated about 3/4 of what we had. We are now in the process of organizing what we've kept. When we moved our freezer, we were shocked at how much was in it. Meal plans to use up the older items, and a plan not to go shopping until we greatly reduce what we have in the freezer and pantry. We just have to walk out our door and the walking trail is right there. It runs along a river and leads to the local library, where we can obtain lots of free entertainment and take classes for free. We will continue to have picnics in the parks, visit with friends in their home or ours. Great content in your videos. You should both be proud of your channel. I love it.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks Sally

[@healinginteriors]

Really enjoying your channel as we are tightening our belts here in NY, USA. Many thanks. 🙏🏼✨

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Our pleasure!

[@deedavies887]

We have had 4 years of virtually no spend on clothes, house repairs, holidays, etc., due to trying to clear my fathers burial costs (he had no insurance and sister refused to help) and contract work drying up. This year we have money coming in at last so we are having to get things fixed, such as new seating, flooring, shower, new kitchen, as we want to retire to France in 18mths. So still living frugally as we need as much of a buffer as we can build for our new life in France!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Well done on that big payment and good luck with your French plans. Which region has taken your fancy?

[@elizabethwilson1357]

Thank you so much for this video, so positive and great tips for saving money. I love the no spend week at the end of each month and will certainly be trying to do this! Your life in France sounds like life used to be everywhere, so much simpler and eco friendly too! Thanks again

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Glad it was helpful!

[@johnmelissaziech6207]

I do enjoy your talks. It helps me stay on the path of sustainability and responsible money management. Thanks!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

You are so welcome!

[@denisesantana355]

Love your channel Jane and Mike. I have watched for years. You are real, authentic and inspiring. You provide some of the best frugal content on KZbin. Thank you both for your hard work and consistency in producing your videos.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Wow, thank you!

[@deborahpullen9940]

One way I saved over the past several years is to make use of our library. I used to love to purchase books, but my niece gave me an electronic book reader and I love it. I can borrow books online for 3 weeks at a time and as many as I can read. This was peticularly useful at the beginning of the pandemic, when I would read a book a day. Use your public library!!

[@deborahpullen9940]

@@debbieframpton3857 Yes, but I find being able to adjust the print size as I age is very helpful.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks very much for sharing

[@thefrugalvegans]

Absolutely love libraries. Here in the uk most libraries offer Libby app for free giving you access to hundreds of magazines and newspapers. The library offers some super free courses too ❤

[@michelehagerman216]

Libby app available here in the US as well. I love to read The Economist magazine from the UK. A subscription costs hundreds a year. I can get the digital version of the print magazine for free each week.

[@minimalist_romantic]

My family has spent time in Normandy and Bordeaux this summer and we really enjoyed the picnic spots that are everywhere! So much better than UK. I cooked throughout the month and we only had one meal out… probably because service was so bad ( at expensive restaurant) it’s just easier to eat at home if you have any additional needs. Anyway in 2023 I’m not planning on buying any clothing or shoes ( unless something is beyond repair and needs replacing and I really can’t do without) no takeaways, no books and no toys for kids, no house decor apart from planned furniture purchases we already saved up for. All the best!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks very much

[@patmartin9727]

Great Video Jane, I will be watching the others in the collaboration later in the day. They are all people I follow anyway so will enjoy them. I to believe that 2023 is going to be a hard year with costs continuing rise. I also think when we do come out of this recession it will be with prices remaining high. I will be trying to have a really low cost year in 2023 only spending on the bare essentials. No cloths spending only replacing thing in the house that are past economical repair. I will still also be doing my 3 no spend months and also no spend on the last week of each month living on of what I have making meals from the pantry and freezer. I will be continuing using up and stocking up when I see things I use regularly at a bargain price. I will continue to keep a tight rein on waste using up the last little bit of everything.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks very much

[@monicaram2379]

I won’t be buying any new clothes. I have plenty and generally like to add to my wardrobe each season. We also won’t be doing any upgrades to our home. Entertainment will be cut back as well. One of our children lives in another country and it’s very important for us to visit him yearly (we also have family there) so this is a priority and we will continue to fund that trip.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

That's a great idea!

[@tikacalifornia7876]

I know what you mean about using up the fabric you have. I, too, am a quilter and I have pounds and pounds of fabric that I need to transform into my favorite artwork. For me, the designwork and the execution is far more entertainment than I would ever get from going out to a movie.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

I know exactly what you mean

[@susanbell4528]

Forgot to say. Excellent and useful as usual. Thank you Jane.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

You're very welcome!

[@marypeterson1053]

We are watching the money because property taxes and health insurance costs in the states have skyrocketed.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks for sharing

[@susanbell4528]

Ive done a two week shop today. I continue to be shocked about the increase in the cost of food for my two cats and my daughter-in-law is amazed that the food she buys for her two terriers has increased by almost a third in the past fifteen months. Friends here in France agree.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Great job!

[@jimmiepatrum]

I am experiencing the same shock when I go to buy cat food. Small cans of cat food at Aldi have been steadily climbing from 34 cents a can to now 54 cents a can. I don't buy Aldi dry cat food, but my local grocery store dry food is terribly expensive and sometimes the shelves are empty of it. Thank goodness, I've been stocking up on the cats' food for a while now and have about a six months supply, which I add to each week. My cats don't understand supply chain issues of price increases. There's no way I will be getting rid of my cats, so I will just have to bear the increased costs. Diane in NC

[@juttadestiny6810]

@@jimmiepatrum thats very cheap compared to australia! I look after a homeless cat its nearly $2 oo a small tin! (1 meal) im lucky puss loves sardines! And chicken! The sardines cost me 85 cents (2 meals) i add some chicken from my meals and some dry food and sometimes some other wet cat food 😺🇦🇺❤️

[@oliviafox6745]

Thank you for your perspective. //Our electricity costs have been increasing, so we're seeking to be more conscious of the small things, unplugging, turning off, whole laundry loads, etc. We rent, and our landlord has kindly been making the house more energy efficient. That should help some too.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

My pleasure!

[@janeburke147]

Good Afternoon 😊

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks

[@gems1734]

We do not eat out much at all as we like cooking, and we can make a meal that is just as nice at home and at a fraction of the price. Funnily enough when we do eat out we pop over to Edinburgh and go to a French brasserie and it’s 3 courses for about £12 at lunchtime (chez jules). My partner used to work in environmental health and we are very fussy about other peoples personal hygiene so we find a place we like and stick to it. You would think we high cost of living people would stay away from the takeaways that are now very expensive but the opposite seems to be true. They seem to pop up everywhere in the town next to our village. That’s what we love about Rural France, it reminds us when we go right up into the highlands and there isn’t a takeaway for miles.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks very much for sharing

[@ezza8832]

Hi..i like your accent

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks very much

[@gladyschandler6724]

I roasted a 10.25 lbs today. 1/2 went into the freezer, 1/2 for meals, and a carcass in the freezer for making bone broth this weekend.

[@trinarae6564]

No Sippy Cups Here 🤣

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Cup and saucer like grown ups

[@sophiawolthof1238]

👍👍👍

[@milda0820]

💖💖💖

[@carakerr4081]

Thank you for another wonderful video! We are eating out once a month for a special date night and all meals are home cooked. My husband just did a DYI side mirror car repair himself that would have cost about $300 if we had brought it to a repair shop and we only spent $30 on parts and it is fixed! Thank you for suggesting that we learn to do things ourselves! Many blessings to you Jane and Michael!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

You are so welcome!

[@trishgibbons8726]

Thank you Jane, another excellent blog... We actually intend to cut down on our coffees out, nothing fancy really just a local cafe. it's sounds trivial, but it's an old habit, hard to break. We have decided to cur down to once or twice a week, once if possible..... Here's to a Happy Frugal 2023 xx

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

That's a great idea!

[@laetitialogan2017]

Excellent upload Jane..

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Many thanks!

[@Michelle-bw1xg]

Thank you for taking time to share in such detail your local lifestyle and frugal efforts, and all the ways you keep your spending trim so you have room to save, vacation, and maintain/improve your beautiful property.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

You are so welcome!

[@lesleylovatt]

im in new zealand haveing to cut back on food , power income does not keep up with cost of living on ACC which is accident compensation only pays 80% average wage , cut to using car ones a week . I own my own home . thancks to you and making my budget every month doing ok so fa r look forward to your copeing stratergys each week . meat and veg cost a lot here, and if you mrent it is high too

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks very much for sharing your story

[@RN-mn3jn]

There are no charity shops for me this year. I can always justify why I need a bargain I find in there.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

I can SO easily do that too

[@__sab__]

Love hearing your take on this, gives me lots of food for thought. Very valuable. Thank you.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kenneth7610]

Awesome video!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks!

[@suematile9078]

Thank you again for a good video. One thing my friends and I do is to go to one's house for lunch. Food is a BYOL-bring your own lunch. Some times the hostess offers drinks, most of us drink water. Sometimes attendees bring their own drink. Sometimes the hostess makes a dessert and sometime another one brings a dessert. If the weather is not too cold, like all day in the 30's F and both of us will be gone most of the day, I turn off the heat. I then will get home before my husband and turn the heat back on so we do not get chilled in the evening. He has severe spinal athritis and does not like to get chilled. My sister lives in a very big house with two furnaces. She has not turned on the upstairs furnace this year. She turns off the downstairs furnace at night.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks Sue

[@teresagalloway1313]

Having cordon bleu, your recipe, for meal today. Thank you for your sharing. 💜

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

My pleasure 😊

[@carolunsworth5253]

Found you about 3 months ago and have worked my way through all of your vlogs, love your reflective conversations. We both retired in our 50 s too ( me at 55) and were blessed with a grandaughter the following year who kept us busy! We went a bit mad the first few years, until Covid hit, with trips to New York, Florida etc, but lockdown made me realise what is really important, and it’s the peace of mind that knowing you are in control of your money and not the other way around brings. We are lucky that we have enough for a good life, like yourselves, but we don’t waste money on take always or eating it, don’t drink or smoke, have enough clothes for a year or two! I love watching your vlogs, reassures me we are on the right path and it’s ok to not care if you’re not changing your sofa every couple of years . You and Mike come across as genuine, with genuine views, I’m fairly certain you are living the lives you say you are, unlike some other frugal KZbinrs! Anyway, keep up the good work!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks Carol, it’s just us, as we are. Thanks for watching.

[@renusingh8573]

Thanks for sharing your frugal tips...you keep me motivated, lots of love from India

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

You are so welcome!

[@barbaratolker4366]

We're drastically cutting down on eating out and takeout. Also, reducing our grocery budget.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks Barbara

[@jeannebowes2898]

Our biggest bill is Health insurance and copays. After that is insurance and taxes, then utilities. We will have some electrical work done this spring. 😊

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Our private top up medical insurance is 50€ each a month

[@9FatraBbits]

Well I’ve watched all four of you! Thank you for great videos! Meal planning, walking, tracking spending, free-cycle, and DIY are all in my future. Take care.🌷🌷

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@gladyschandler6724]

Our only snack is popcorn, and we pop our own.

[@Fritz0616]

Great budget!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks very much

[@lindawhite5006]

Sound advice. Thanks for sharing!!!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ivanahanus5101]

Thank you Jane and Michael, for your inspirational videos. I have learned a lot from your frugal channel. This year I have planned to do a no spend year. I also save towards my holiday with my family in the UK. I have just recently returned from my December/x mass. It was well worth the cost, to see my family and friends after 3 years. Here in South Africa, we have electricity cuts almost daily, for about 2 hours at a time. I am also doing meal planning and cook from scratch.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks for watching

[@bookmagicroe9553]

My clothes are all based on what goes with the color black. Black pants, black tee shirts. Then a sweater or vest or scarf in a color .I buy very few clothes, but when I do, it's a good quality that will last for years. The one purchase for this year is a cardigan sweater in a wool, nylon, polyester. On sale, and it will last forever with the wool in it.

[@lilybee_]

I appreciate you sharing your life. We'r early retirees and debt free except our mortgage. We saved last year but spent more than we'd like so 2023 will be much more frugal. In considering what we won't be buying and doing I really wrestled with my beauty expenses. I finally decided that I'd cut back elsewhere so I can keep going to the salon. I allowed my hair to go gray and didn't color it for three years. I decided I'm not ready to be gray so I'll bear that expense as long as I can. I think one of the most important things you share is that we get to do frugal our way. Thank you for that!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks for watching

[@heathertucker7056]

Really enjoy comparing French prices to UK and hearing how you are managing. We are still cutting back where we can and will be for the foreseeable future! Good job we enjoy walking in the great outdoors for most of out entertainment. Continue with your great videos- they are so inspiring!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks very much

[@1940sExperiment]

8:10 same here, if it's in the house and it's mine, I'd eat it! I think I'm going to have to live the rest of my life the way you are describing. Really interesting video! C xxxx

[@1940sExperiment]

and 9:49 absolutely!!! xxxx

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

We are greedy beggars! If it’s there, we eat it!

[@rachelkieffer8707]

Excellent video, thanks so much Jane and Michael. I am making many changes, I have been tracking all our expenses in the last 4 months, this year I am creating a budget and one of the things I am reducing is eating out in restaurants with my family. We used to eat out all the time, we reduced it to monthly and in 2023 I will reduce it to once a season.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Good for you, you sound like your keeping that budget in check

[@belindacopson2390]

Great encouragement Jane, thanks as ever!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

You are so welcome!

[@gladyschandler6724]

I do a lot of day trips mostly on my Fridays. I am new to Texas, so there's lots to see within an hour's drive. Also, I love discovering parks and places to walk.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Sounds good

[@CharlesAvilaMeasInst]

Our frugal plans for 2023 include a no spend January and a more concentrated look at everything we spend our money on. We are determined and mortgage free but costs for everything are rising. We are eating out of our pantry and freezer more than ever before and plan to buy only what's needed (what we actually) eat. We like the challenge of learning to see where we can save or cut back.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks for watching

[@lin90210]

It is so much healthier cooking from scratch and not eating outside :) we do not know how much salt, sugar and fats they are cooking with

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks very much

[@gerriwalsh9846]

Your sound advice is much appreciated - thanks from Newfoundland, Canada :)

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

You are so welcome!

[@juttadestiny6810]

And australia! Tk u ! 💜💚❤️🇦🇺

[@allisonspeer6837]

We raise alot of our food, eggs, beef, huge garden which I can and dehydrate and freeze. I went to the grocery and walked around today... I only purchased loss leader items, but I was just shocked by the prices. Things that I would treat myself to occassionally... Oreo cookies totally out of the question. I just won't buy that much. Organic eggs are over 8.00 now. This year I'm trying no/low spend Jan, Feb and hopefully March. Working on paying off some credit card debt. No new or used clothing this year for either of us and definitely no household decor, in fact I'm decluttering what I can. Our entertaining besides cutting wood, gardening and working around our 10 acres will be going to state parks and fishing. We will try to stay close to home to save on gas. Cooking and backing from scratch most of the time and trying not to go out to eat, carrying snacks/food and drinks with us whereever we go. Love your videos and you give great advice.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks for watching and commenting

[@yukofreeman4483]

Thank you for your insights!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

My pleasure!

[@carolined3058]

Nice video, When you cut the grass do you leave the cuttings? And when they are growing dandelions do you leave them to grow? I leave the cuttings and leave the dandelions to grow and in two years time the lawn looks much better. No need to sprinkle nutrient to let the grass grow.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

We have 2.5 acres in the middle of thousands and thousands of acres of forest and national park. If I cut grass, the bees have the rest of the forest around us that’s untouched. I compost the grass. The only nutrients we ‘sprinkle’ is horse muck.

[@yoltwysse]

New subscriber here from Frugal Jo. Looking forward to catching up on your existing videos and future releases. Blessings from the US.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks for watching. We make three videos a week, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, there’s plenty of our previous videos to enjoy too.

[@gladyschandler6724]

I walked to our local lake yesterday.

[@ceezee9179]

Here from Claire's!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

You’re so welcome and thanks very much for watching

[@vixxcottage]

Here in USA many adjustments to budget must be made. There will be no eating out or expenses not absolutely needed. Caution when spending and preparing for emergencies. This year will be raised bed gardening for needed vegetables, chickens for eggs and rabbits to improve garden soil. Enjoying and spending time at home. Getting some minor work done on house. My roof and car will be paid off which is a big expense. On the way to being debt free!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Good luck

[@corinneleppard1933]

I really enjoyed this video and the positivity you project, especially at the end. I try and keep a positive outlook on life, but it's not always easy, with health problems, worries about my teen son's school and now the threat of massive energy increases in April, when the end of the Government scheme and the expected increase in energy prices mean we will need to find an additional £120 a month. We rarely eat out, but don't miss it, and I like to try out new dishes at home. As for hobbies, we are lucky living in a rural area with access to countryside, we all love to walk and enjoy nature. I have budgeted for a trip to a well-known transport museum in February half-term, largely to celebrate the end of my son's gcse mock exams (very stressful!). I also share your views on gardening. We live on clay oil, think there were brick works near here until quite a way into the last century. My aim is to grow as much of our food as I can, but last year's temperatures put paid to a lot of that; in the summer, our ground cracked and we had deep crevices running from our vegetable area down into the lawn at the end of our plot. We then got a lot of rain and snow, which left the soil sticky and unworkable. I know that gardening over the last 12 months cost me more than the money saved from what I harvested. This year, I have decided to just grow minimal amounts of veg, possibly just beans and courgettes, to save money and frustration.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks for watching and commenting

[@lynnoorman2144]

Or try raised beds in a no dig way? Lots of videos on here about that. Even if you try one bed this year to see how it goes?

[@corinneleppard1933]

@@lynnoorman2144 Thank you, that's def something to consider. I have lots of compost made over the last few years, plus additional "fertiliser" rotting down from when we had chickens. If we can source some cheap wood, this would be ideal to try. Our beds are currently separated up by brick and slab pathways, at ground level, was like that when we moved in six years ago, so would need some kind of edging/building up around the sides. We had allotments before, in a different part of the south east, they backed on to some heathland and the soil was fantastic.

[@loriwidener7342]

I'm being more mindful of everything. Have a limited group of authors whose ebooks I will purchase and other ones that I will wait for from the library. Save Amazon points and gift cards from work to cover the cost. My rescue dog goes to daycare once a week or so to help her socialize in a safe environment. I stopped taking her when I knew they would be busy or when it's raining and everyone would be stuck inside. I'm entitled to breakfast at work. I've been bringing home something even if main selections are not appetizing. Failed at that this morning because there was too much chaos and I just wanted to leave.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks for sharing

[@kerstinkiel5314]

your lifestyle is very inspirational and rather than making frugalism look hard you make it look comforting and achievable. one thing i love about France is how life seems to be centred around the dining table.. visits to family and friends always result in a cup of coffee and some home made cake or biscuits, nothing fancy but it's all about the company and the bon homie. I don't think I've been to anyone's house in France and actually sat on the sofa ! With your help (thank you so much x) i have cleared the majority of my debt so this year includes no clothes shopping or anything for the house except for maintenance, trips to france which for me are cheap luckily having access to airports and cheap flights will still be included in my budget. Less meat and more veg - I've just invested in a slow cooker which will provide healthier meal options. Thank you so much to you and Mike for your vlogs and for establishing a frugal queen community in which you don't judge but make us all feel very welcome.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

That’s so kind

[@bradlafferty]

Excellent talk! Many good points I will take and fit to my situ. Planning for now will help relieve anxious reacting to later. Happy new year!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Glad it was helpful!

[@raymondtwitchett488]

Absolutely agree with everything except the mooching around yard sales charity shops . They cheer me up no end . I volunteer in a charity shop as well.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks for watching