Quick, easy, convenient & it can keep people broke. #frugal #busy #convenience #delivery

Being busy is nothing new. But that doesn't mean you have to take the convenient, costly option...
Frugal Queen in France
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.frugalqueeninfrance.com/
Instagram frugalqueen...
Equipment used
Camera : iPhone
Editing : iMovie on a Mac mini
Music:
KZbin Copyright Free
Epidemic Sound
Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Artist: audionautix.com/
Some Sound from Zapsplat.com
KZbin Audio Library
Apple iMovie*

[@Lemonandvanilla]

You hit the bullseye with this video! I’m a millennial and my generation is addicted to convenience. Eating out and ordering from Uber Eats is the norm. Watching your videos has helped me cut my food delivery bill by 90% since I discovered your channel a year ago. Thank you!

[@tutuluvsminnie7129]

Hooray for you. If you have the right pots and pans and kitchen tools you will begin to enjoy cooking!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Well done, you'll be healthier for it.

[@carolwoodward6141]

I walk 3-5 miles every day, other than household chores. Plant based. Lots is water and a little wine. 75 years young.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

It'll keep you healthy

[@juliemoore6957]

I totally agree. Watching some people I know complain about not being able to afford a house; ordering pre-made meals every week, using a cleaning lady, going on numerous expensive vacations each year,etc. It's all I can do not to roll my eyes when they talk about it!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Yep, short term savings add up, at least people would have money for retirement

[@jbo5915]

I agree 100%. My great-aunt used to say: "It'sthe little expenses that add up". The secret to a frugal life is having no vices, in my opinion.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

She was right

[@loriella6250]

Oh the vices! How I wish I had all the money I spent on 🚬 over the years.

[@penelopeprimrose90]

I was just talking to my sister about this very thing. And isn't it ironic that we have all these conveniences that give us all this free time, yet people are more stressed and overwhelmed. People seem to be on a hamster wheel they don't know how to get off of.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

True

[@juliemoore6957]

So true!

[@user-jc3zm1ig7t]

In my working days I’m now retired 11 years I went to work every day with public transport . My husband drove a car because he couldn’t get to his work with public transport. Come home do errands cook washing up and do laundry . Cleaning was for the weekend . Made my own coffee every day for work and made sandwiches to eat . 10 hours everyday with the commute . Same for my husband and he drove a car. It wasn’t easy but we did it . I could save a lot of money by doing soo . Anyway greetings from Belgium ❤

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thank you

[@user-ev5cx4xx3x]

Everything you’ve said is so true. My neighbour claims she is too busy not to get meals delivered I despair she buys ready prepared fruit bags for her children! When my husband and I were both working I was up every morning at 5am to make his food for work. I was a chef so I got my food free I walked to work everyday so did he . If he was off he would do any housework while I worked. We worked hard but I don’t regret any of it. Oh and we still take a flask of coffee and cake if we are going out!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

I used to meal prep before work, put something in the crockpot and I left for work at 6am. I used to put the laundry on and hang it before I left. Women have been busy for centuries

[@user-tm5kc8oq4y]

Totally agree with you. You eat better at home and cheaper. Thanks so much Jane Mike and puppies.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

So true!

[@teresawalker1397]

Great video. We need to have this conversation in schools because children are growing up thinking a food delivery from McDonald’s is the norm. This mindset will follow them into adulthood 😢

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Blimey, eating junk is life threatening and you should be 21 before you're allowed to consume it

[@elizaC3024]

Oh my gosh I couldn't agree more!!! We are constantly frowned upon because we choose the harder life. We must be stupid, because we have found it necessary to work hard regularly. We refuse to hire professionals to do things that we are able to do ourselves. Out of 6 of us in one family, I am the only one who doesn't have everything done for me. And just think, I also am the only one of them that doesn't take dozens of medications for cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid, breathing problems, and anxiety. Is there a correlation between hard work, scratch cooking, and better health 🤔. We are also the only ones who didn't get the bug over the last few years. We had lost all of our investments 15 years ago, dye to a dishonest investment representative through our old bank. And we had no retribution, just start again. And we did. So we are enjoying our lives, but on a shoestring, doing it for ourselves. 😊

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Hard work, working with our hands, hauling wood, cooking from scratch does us good

[@juliemoore6957]

Good for you!

[@julesravvi]

Our adult son stayed with us for a couple of weeks recently and we noticed amongst other things that his boots (very much an essential part of his uniform) were damaged. He cried poverty and said he couldn’t afford a new pair. We had to point out he had spent more than they were worth (£130) on Currys and takeaways that we knew of in just those two weeks. He just didn’t connect the two. Great video. Good topic. Thanks Jane and Mike.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Well done for pointing it out, he could afford boots ....he ate them!

[@caroleashplant9032]

Hi Jane. I totally agree with you and we did all those things you’re suggesting. However, now if I didn’t go out with my friends twice a week I would be lonely. My husband died last year after 53 years of marriage and going out with my friends is my sanity. Love the channel.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Hi Carole. We do reciprocal visiting and drink coffee in each other's houses. Almost negligible costs.

[@carolinehayes3212]

❤

[@momof2momof2]

I enjoy little luxuries. It's what keeps me sane. And by little, I do mean little . The best coffee beans I can find, quality ingredients for our meals. We do go out to dinner 2 times a week on average, but I plan for that, as part of my budget. I enjoy being home, home making, but I also enjoy going out with family making memories. My husband passed away over 15 yrs ago, at age 57. He was extremely frugal. After he passed and I got my finances settled, I planned trips to Europe ( I live in the US) planned a year in advance to take advantage of much lower air fare in business class. . They were my dream trips. I have been hit hard currently with major home repairs this Summer, but that's why I have an emergency fund. I always keep adding to it. Being careful with finances should also mean living life.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks

[@craftycalley]

So true. I’ve been frugal for years. I couldn’t afford takeaways so don’t miss what I never had.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Nor us

[@caroleyates7664]

I work with ladies who stress over needing to pick up an extra shift at work, but at the same time they drive past work to get a coffee before they start. They also buy coffee from the coffee shop instead of using the free coffee machine in the staffroom and making their own. They also smoke which in Australia averages about $50 a packet so roughly $150 a week. Change your habits and you don't need to work yourself into the ground.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Less we spend, the less we need to work

[@dianamcnaught3173]

I have seen this also. People working mega shifts up til Xmas, not seeing their kids so they could buy loads of presents.

[@Litha-yz7xq]

We must work with the same people. I have coworkers who order food to be delivered to our hospital unit every shift they work. One spent $60.00 (US) on her individual size pizza lunch after the added Door Dash fees. Many stop daily for $7.00 coffees when we have free coffee and snacks in our break room. I take my lunch and snack for my 12 hour shift. I also drink the coffee, tea and water supplied for us. My coworkers are amazed that I don't pick up all the overtime they do and I'm not broke. Nurses make a good wage if we don't blow it all.

[@fishinghole333]

Your thoughts are more than frugality, they're wisdom and good sense. Well done!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thank you

[@michelehagerman216]

If I don’t feel like cooking much, I open a can of soup, have a sandwich, or eggs. So much cheaper.

[@chasingsimpledreams]

Same here! Or even a smoothie with protein powder

[@freddiestark1779]

Succinctly, you have described what is happening to keep one from planning for the future. It is an illusion that these convenient needs" are necessary. I once read of a missionary who saved out of his very small living expense and lived comfortably when he could no longer serve.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks, there’s many high earners who save nothing, and then there’s people with modest incomes who do.

[@jessieelliott3157]

Totally agree. I tell myself that my hobbies are taking care of my health, cooking from scratch and having a veg garden. They are more than hobbies, but it puts me in the mindset to enjoy it and i dont feel i need all the time saving services available. I covered the inside of my pantry with cut out beautiful photos of vegetables, veg gardens, walks in the mountains, beaches, people baking bread and bowls of hearty soup. If im tempted to think i deserve a trip to a nail salon, expensive takeaway or some such extravagance ive been opening my pantry and reminding myself of all the goodness ive got as a reward already.

[@evelynallen6966]

What a lovely mindset 😊

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks so much

[@juliemoore6957]

That is awesome!

[@bradlafferty]

Bottom line: think beyond the glitter and grab of the next five minutes and instead, think of the life you want in the future. Pay now or pay later. I’d rather skip some useless trinket now and not have to eat cat food for supper when I’m 75. Yes, I’ve seen it, and it’s sad.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Well said!

[@hazelnutbix5261]

When we lived in Andalucia in the 1970's, mum was looking at some tins of dog food for the dogs. An old man said to her, take that one it tastes the best. I know, I have tried all of them. This is just before the dictator Franco died... That's poverty in old age...

[@Sally-wm5jh]

We are retired and have a lot of hobbies we do at home. I always felt like I wasn't like everyone else, until watching your channel and others like it. Now I can relax and feel comfortable with my frugality. We don't live near fast food places and never have anyone do anything for us for comfort and ease except my hair stylist who cuts my hair and does my face and eyebrow waxing, since I can't see either without my glasses. You make a good point about everyone prefering to take advantage of the convenience of life. They won't realize their errors until they are thinking of retirement and discover they can't afford to retire. Great video!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks so much

[@CentsibleLivingWithMoneyMom]

You are so right. I do not buy drinks. I bring my water. It cost ZERO. Great idea for a video.

[@cynthiamason1028]

You hit the nail on the head with this one, Jane! We have become and entitled, lazy society with no care for the future.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks

[@Rach_M]

What a positive community this is. I was expecting to see the "Ok, boomer" comments and things like "So you had it hard, and you want us to too? Why should we have to?" etc. Couldn't agree more with this video, and I'm glad to see these conversations being had because this info can make your life actually easier and much less stressful.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

@@Rach_M thanks so much

[@evansbowen6897]

Hi Jane. People don’t realize what lifestyle inflation we have. We are the same age and in the 70’s and 80’s you didn’t eat out or get coffee or have manicures. Now that is deprivation if you don’t have them. Life is expensive because we expect more “life style”. And we never flew anywhere or had weekends away. Don’t get me started on the out of control weddings……

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

It's totally gone too far. People want luxuries on relatively low wages

[@jessieelliott3157]

Oh yes the weddings! Such extravagance for one day.

[@evelynallen6966]

A young couple I know were planning to get married. The cost of the wedding she wanted was $70,000 ! He refused saying " I am not paying that!" It still hasn't been resolved, so they still aren't married 😂

[@DendyA4321]

A friend of mine paid half of two weddings for her only son and his wife while the other set of parents paid for the other half. They got married between the covid lockdowns but the first was a small affair and she (the daughter in law) wanted a bigger wedding, so last year they had the wedding they wanted only to decide months later they wanted a divorce. Personally I'd have made the ungrateful brats pay for their own second wedding

[@juliemoore6957]

@@evelynallen6966 isn't that ridiculous? Does she want to even be married? Or is it all about the huge wedding?

[@jgrady9553]

I cant garden yet this year due to a bad hip, had surgery to replace it last week. Really glad for the the extra vegetables, fruits, sauces, condiments, meats and dry beans we canned, dried, and froze the past 2 years 'just in case'. Save for those rainy days, for rainy days always come.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Good job that you did

[@mariarooney6262]

I love being reminded of keeping on track with self control. Thank you.❤️

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

You go for it, you've got this

[@seekingtheminimumlevel1830]

No arguments from me. You are spot on! It's always amusing to me to listen to people talk about how they can't afford to pay cash for a larger purchase (we just replaced our roof after saving for two years to pay cash), but they can buy all their food pre-prepared and often have it delivered. Working in a small office, most people know now not to ask me if I want anything when they're ordering out. I always bring my lunch with me and pack it the night before just in case I'm running late the next morning.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Well done to you

[@sarahd4176]

I grew up in a fairly frugal but comfortable family - I didn't appreciate my parent's thrifty ways until I realised that others didn't grow up the same way. Implicitly, I received the message if you don't have the cash you don't buy it. My dad drove the same car from my birth (bought because the car seat wouldn't fit in his beloved mini) until well after I had finished university. Consequently, I am often astounded by what people spend money on. I love the saying "choose your hard". Cooking from scratch and doing your own cleaning, making do etc is "hard", but not doing those things and being 'broke' is also hard. You get to choose your hard.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

@@sarahd4176 absolutely perfectly explained

[@sharonparsons9804]

Wow! You sure ‘hit the nail on the head’ with your observations! I am frugal…..but I never really thought that we were being ‘sold’ the idea that we are too busy to do for ourselves these days. So true!!! We have been eased into this insidious way of thinking over decades, and now society feels entitled to do as little as possible for themselves (personally) if they have a job. I was really struck by your comments about mothers going to work a generation ago. My father worked full time, but there was never enough money for food, , clothing, school uniforms, dental care and doctors etc., My mother worked five days a week (Monday to Friday) as a domestic cleaner for people who ran local businesses, or worked full time. She walked several miles (each way!!) to go to these jobs….then walked home again to cook and clean in her own home. She worked for a pittance (just a few dollars) Boy oh boy, today’s youth has it good. Sharon from Australia 🇦🇺 🦘

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks so much

[@leeshy1902]

Great video. There's so many people out there with a "live for now, don't worry about tomorrow" mentality.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks

[@mariasinclair9718]

The wonderful thing about the internet is finding budget friendly recipes.😊 How far we've come in progress is good if we are wise about it. I love my free Libby library app because I'm trying to read a book a week.. 😊

[@nurseallie]

Great video as usual! Enjoy your content and your candor! My husband and I literally had this conversation with our daughter last night, she was complaining that everything is so expensive and how could she ever afford to buy anything, let alone a house, people forget that it takes a lifetime to get what your parents had. It took my husband and I 4 years after we got married to be able to afford a house. Everyone wants instant gratification today, that’s not the way it works, thankfully we’ve taught both our daughters to save so they’ll both be fine but this is the sentiment today! They think, “Well, it’s never going to happen so I might as well spend on this thing or that thing” It’s sad and self destructing

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks

[@teresaearl5688]

Watching this whilst eating my homemade soup, i agree with home cooking to save money for our retirement. ❤

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Love that!

[@gailnoll]

Boy is this video the truth!! I am amazed at what I see people doing with their money and then wonder how they can ever get ahead. Instead of " the more money you have the more you spend" it should be " the more money you have the more you save" they have it all backwards. Live below your means equals a much happier life. They just don't get it.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Broke people make themselves more broke if DoorDash delivers their dinner

[@gloval5187]

Your practical approach to preparing for retirement is great

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

@@gloval5187 thanks

[@leannejayne3545]

To me frugal is being mindful of my spending, having goals & being intentional. It’s about what brings value & enjoyment to my life & what doesn’t. I’m very careful with my money, however, I believe the occasional treat on things that bring us joy are vital! Xx ❤

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Love that!

[@courtneyhenderson16]

I agree with your observations. To me frugality dovetails with simplicity and self sufficiency. And self sufficiency doesn't mean you don't do for others and that others don't help you. But it means you live within your means as much as you can, and you don't EXPECT a celebrity lifestyle the minute you get out of school. You don't depend on your family or the government to bail you out of constant bad choices. One thing I have noticed is the addition of "snacks" to the grocery budget. I was born in 1962, and we just ate food. 😊

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

@@courtneyhenderson16 thanks

[@helenwilkins4337]

I used to work in Bristol and people felt sorry for me because where I live has no McDonald’s, KFC, Burger King or dominoes. I’m very glad I don’t live near them and no takeaways can be delivered

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

That's a good thing

[@KP-kp5ul]

You are 100% correct! My husband and I never pay for anyone to do anything that we can do ourselves. It’s the way we were both brought up, so it came naturally to us. Also if we haven’t done something before we will try before just calling for service. It helps that we are both very handy, but some things are new to us too. That’s when you watch KZbin and read “how to” books.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Good for you

[@jennil7797]

Ease and comfort is costing you money and your health, perhaps even a few years of life. We are not built for a sedentary and over-eating lifestyle.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

No we are not, we're designed to be active

[@LaundryFaerie]

Another thing: if you're paying someone to do things for you that you could do yourself, you are buying your ease and comfort at the expense of the person who provides you those things. That person has to spend his or her precious time on Earth working and sweating to provide wants for someone else's convenience. Most folks who provide these services are part of the gig economy and they are minimally paid for their work.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Good point

[@katworkstowander9853]

I have a very dear friend who never learned to cook and refuses to do housework because she considers it a representation of women being suppressed by society ( her words, not mine). She either goes thru the drive thru, or orders delivery. She will not even microwave food if she can help it. She has a cleaning lady to clean her 2 bedroom condo. Manicures and pedicures and daily drive thru coffees yet she cries broke at every turn and can’t retire. We both turned 60 this year. I retired last year, mortgage and debt free. Never had a cleaning lady or food delivery. She stated she’ll have to work to at least 67 and is unhappy about it. You are right, it’s all about choices.

[@penelopeprimrose90]

I too know someone like that. Absolutely refused to lift a finger in her own home. Had a housekeeper, nanny, didn't know how to cook and ordered food every night. Literally did nothing to the point that if the kids dropped a toy behind a table, it would sit there for days until the housekeeper moved it. And this woman didn't work, lived on her husband's income. These women who refuse to cook or do housework because they think it is beneath them, have no problem with other women doing the work! Someone has to do it and women haven't been liberated from it at all! It's honestly just laziness and I'd be ashamed to raise a daughter like that.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

It certainly is

[@BullyPorterJones]

Becky here - I have only once ever had food delivered….That was a pizza, back in 1984. That’s it. I was really sick, my baby daughter was sick and I just wasn’t up to cooking. Such a waste of money the way people eat out daily, and use Uber eats. And they wonder why they are sick all the time. Smh.

[@Alittlelady83]

What a great video!! Great job Jane and Mike!! Everything you said was so true!! Great advice!!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@kathywolfe6606]

Having a partner who is frugal too helps your success a lot. I speak from experience from having one who wanted to spend every penny.

[@johnwilliams6900]

Evening Jane and Mike - brilliant advice especially for the younger generation

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks

[@rebeccazaidi254]

Totally agree. I do think the pandemic normalised food delivery. Altho living in London it was starting already.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

It's just marketing to The easily persuaded

[@josephhoag2366]

We're older than you and Mike by several years, and not in great health. Most of our life I cooked from scratch, and still prefer to, but am having to adjust (both in meal planning and shopping) to our current circumstances. I've made a list of easy to fix and eat meals, many of which some of your viewers would disapprove of, like peanut butter and apples or baked potatoes (with only the easiest of toppings). I do need more ideas for days when neither of us are able to fix. One of the hardest things for me is to restrain myself at the grocery store from buying loads of produce.....Carla H.......P.S. You were right on target about the high cost of convenience and the mistaken notion that modern women have less time than previous generations.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks Carla

[@janetstraw191]

Absolutely spot-on, Jane! 👏👏👍🙋‍♀️🇺🇸💖‼️

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks so much!

[@muttersmenu2422]

Years ago when I was a young married woman with a child all of those comfort things were not there - washing machine nope, takeaway food nope instead I returned to work and females only received 60% of the male wage. There was zero time or money for hairdressers etc.work. I am now very grateful and quite positive about those early years it teaches you resilience for the hard knocks in life 👍 Now in my senior years I am still capable of cooking, laundry and feel privileged that life taught me some good lessons. Gardening is a bit more of a challenge due to a stiff hip so a service is used. The thing I am trying to come up to speed with is doing the videos and editing for social media, it is those skills that I do envy the youngsters for.😊 Thank you Jane and Mike for a great talk✔️🇦🇺

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks

[@DendyA4321]

Your life sounds very much like mine, except i hate technology and am always messing something up on my phone or the computer and wish they'd never been invented

[@tuttsclumpcottage7911]

Great video, Jane and Mike. Hit the nail on the head. I did without most things other people take for granted but it means that in my old age I can afford to pay for the help I need to stay in my own home...repairs, grass cutting and snow removal. Those jobs that require climbing a ladder or scrabbling on the ground are paid for by me too. Yes it means I wear 2nd hand clothes, most of my furnishings are scrounged, but my car is in good running order and my home is well maintained. I think that bringing a thermos of coffee and lunch to work each day has been a good trade off to the piece of mind I have now.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

@@tuttsclumpcottage7911 thanks so much

[@sandyhumphreys3646]

Well done Jane they have it too easy, I loved my twin tub,

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

They washed so well

[@user-ev5cx4xx3x]

I loved my twin tub too the best washer I ever had and it was second hand too!

[@sandyhumphreys3646]

@@user-ev5cx4xx3x my twin tub was second had too, it was my mums she had a new machine so I had this one

[@gregsgirl23au]

The other day both my husband and i were feeling exhausted..we always cook from scratch and cant remember the last time we got takeaway. I was so tempted to do it but after talking about the cost and usually the food is sub par we decided on a toasted sandwich and some soup from the pantry. We rustled this up in no time and although i felt really good about it and it was healthier too. Enjoyed the video 😊

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

We do something similar when we're tired

[@laurithomasson6979]

We have to drive anywhere to get to a restaurant or fast food place. Haven't had pizza delivered for probably 15 years. I like to cook and bake and when I was working full-time coming home to cook dinner/supper was my stress relief. Now that I work part time I love coming up with ways to make our food go further. We're in the states so I make a lot of Mexican and Chinese food because it's delicious and cheap to make. I've never used Uber Eats or other food delivery services because by the time you add their charges on your cost has been doubled. Also the food is cold on arrival, if it arrives at all. Besides my husband says that what I make is better than in the restaurants.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

I’m sure, good for you

[@user-bf5de3wp9g]

i worked 3 jobs from the age of 14.and sold plants from our drive. never brought into fasion and saved most of my money and invested it. so glad i did, now been retired 10 years at the age of 43. was worth the effort in the long run. if i can do it others can 2.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks for sharing

[@nzmoneykarma]

So true- we find ways all the time of making ours and our kids lives harder than they need to be. I think it keeps people broke but also less resilient too- I don't want that for my kids. I think now there is not so much "busy-ness" as time wastes like social media which people give their time to!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks for your reply

[@bonstar3221]

When my partner and i when for our home loan one of the 1st questions the bank asked us is how often we get takeaway and when i said about 4 or 5 times a year they said that was great because were i live family's spend at least half their wage or more on take away 😮 i just don't understand how anyone can eat so much junk😢 Nothing better than home cooked meals and if you can grow some or most of the ingredients your self even better 😊

[@isabelsebastiao-vieira2152]

This was awesome Jane... I hardly ever went out for food until I was about 30 years of age.. Then, I had off and on periods. I studied and worked weekends until I was 19. Then I worked 8 hours a day and studied at College and University part-time until I was 32. There were about 3 years in there that I also worked a second job for about 3 hours a day for 2 days during the week. After that I worked 8 hours a day 5 days a week until I was 40 when I became disabled with more than one illness. I have been on disability since and I am 61 years of age now. My downfall is eating out for about 4 euros a day for about 5 days now. I have been doing this for approx. 4 years. I have no debt... my mortgage is payed... but I really can´t afford it... between being a widow and having very many disabilities now, including fibromyalgia, arthritis and cardiac insufficiency I really can´t afford it. I take babysteps in regards to this. One step forward two steps back. My willpower is up and down. All I can say is please keep me in your prayers.. Izzy, a Canadian living in Portugal.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

If you can't afford it, what should you do?

[@mg5111]

You are so right. Beeing busy is not something new in our time. Wanting (and beeing able to buy) free time is the difference I think, why people nowadays feel they need conveniencefood. The concept of free time is the new thing that makes us feel we have not enough time to make healthy foods or eat homecooked diners.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

And yet they do have time, they choose otherwise

[@mary7692]

Great talk/ encouragement! Thank you Miss Jane.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

@@mary7692 thank you

[@lmr691]

Early in my 30’s I struggled to keep a house and pay bills. It was a great lesson! I knew from that year I never wanted to live like that ever again. For over 30 years I put paying my retirement fund first, then necessities came next. I keep logs on spending and saving. It paid off for a comfortable retirement. Yet, I observe young families eating out. Newest local trend, a tea shop. Five dollars or more for brewed tea, various flavors.Hmmm, not for me. However, driving by that new tea shop are cars backed up for drive through all hours of the day. Tea shop owner must be very pleased. You are right conveniences are budget killers.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

They certainly are

[@charlottemacgregor5061]

I do occasionally get a takeaway, as I’m disabled and sometimes it can be a lot easier for me, than cooking. But the cost does really add up, so I’m trying to reduce this

[@carole7627]

I've always thought busy is somewhat a state of mind - we are just coming out of our stage in life of kids in sports and activities. You can say no you dont have to be in every activity or in the least competitive sports (hockey, gymnastics etc). I take snacks and plan meals in crockpots it can be done.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

You're on your game Carole

[@cindiblazer8621]

30 minutes to make a delicious meal. If you mow your yard and do your yard work a gym is not necessary. Get out and walk several miles a day, good for heart and lungs. We have no debt, I still don't want to throw my money away. An example 16 dollars a day for coffee 5 days a week, people could meet up with friend a couple times a month would spend a fraction than buying coffee or what ever daily. Just my thoughts.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Very true

[@terrypelletti8535]

Wow best video ever. Thank you soooo much Jane and Mike. Love your content so much. ❤❤

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Our pleasure!

[@mandydbx]

Same age as you and you're exactly right. Also working people actually save time compared to years ago as most have a car. I was going to add something, but then you said it... living in central Brittany there are no take aways or deliveries or coffee that isnt coffee....saves a fortune.

[@lynnhensley4326]

People complain about the cost of living and maybe the things you mentioned are running up credit card bills. If you spent $10 every weekday for coffee that is $2,600 per year that you could put into a retirement fund or saving.I just retired from my last part time tutoring public school job. I made coffee at home and took water to school. So many teachers ordered coffee out, delivered to school. I taught full time until 2004. No one did that. There was a coffee pot and you donated money each week. Small amounts can turn into large amounts over time. Enjoys the pups at the end.🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

That's great. We topped up our pensions with thrifty living too.

[@DendyA4321]

I was shocked the other day when someone informed me that just spending £27.49 a day adds up to £10.000 a year. My sister, when she was working had to buy herself something every day to make her feel good. Even if it's only a bra she would say. Omg have you seen the prices of bras

[@pamelawalton1255]

I've just nipped to b&q as my husband is fitting a stair runner and hall carpet , and noted that at Starbucks a coffee and a croissant is a fiver a pop I can buy a pack of 8 frozen croissants for about £2.00 pop 1 in the airfryer coffee beans per pack that I hand grind for £1.80 and that lasts me the month. If I want a treat.There are loads of online recipes if you fancy a fake away, uber eats at the click of a phone may be convient but generally they are not all nutritious ladened with salt and sugar E numbers and goodness knows what, I always take my food from home into work, its crazy just how easy it is to spend £10.00 in a chippy or in the bakery at lunch time.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks , frozen croissants is a good idea

[@julieemig432]

So true! I never went out to eat as a kid we couldn’t afford it. I don’t go out now. I choose other things for my $. As you say debt free, find your retirement, have an emergency fund.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks Julie

[@trishgibbons8726]

Thank you so much Jane xx

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

You are so welcome

[@user-es2iz6wh8l]

Everything you highlighted here is so true!! Thanks for another great vlog 😊xx

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks

[@denarupp991]

Bravo!

[@debbiegnagey2095]

We bought a custom made grandfather clock with money that we saved by me giving my husband haircuts and nail trims and my doing all my own self care.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

That's lovely

[@marypeterson1053]

Wonderful video Thank you!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thank you too!

[@tracyaf6084]

It’s the old tale of the grasshopper and the ant that keeps me from wasting too much money on conveniences. It’s all about balance and how much the convenience adds to your life. If it’s not really adding to your life then it’s wasted money.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

I know that story well

[@lynnegeddes7532]

So well put Jane, I got my first part time job age 12, and I have worked ever since. I hate the premium you have to pay for skinless boneless meat etc 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@happydodson6920]

I often thought that my obese brother would have been so much better off if he had done his own yard work instead of paying people to keep his property up for him. After listening to your comments today, I looked back and realized his wanting other people to look after him, to take care of him, probably began when as a 6 year old he contracted polio and was in hospital for two months with an iron lung breathing for him much of that time. He was not expected to live but he did live. He was not expected to reach age 40 but he did. But he always wanted someone else to take care of him, and usually they did.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Sorry to hear that

[@rachmc34]

Totally agree with everything you said, we have a rule in our house that if you want something you have to go to the actual shop and buy it, no Uber Eats for us!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Well done

[@sophiawolthof1238]

👍👍👍

[@carolwoodward6141]

Good morning from Virginia!😎

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks

[@carol.luna.stella]

My daughter learned how to layer cut her own hair with a youtube tutorial. She also cuts mine and my husbands. Her haidresser used to charge £60 for a cut.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Oh wow!

[@preppernut]

Housing is horribly expensive here, and it seems to be an excuse for people to not even try to save. When I see how some young people live, the waste, buying clothes instead of doing their own laundry, for example, I just shake my head. When my husband and I got married, we could afford some bare land and built the house ourselves over one summer, moved in the fall, there was no running water, but I did have electricity. The house was unfinished on the inside, plywood floor, and on the outside, it was quickly wrapped in what we could afford, heavy tar roofing "paper". No cupboards, just a big sturdy box, no living room furniture, ha ha. But we were together, dry and warm, ready to face a -40 degree winter.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

They could at least save for retirement.

[@maryb211]

Exactly. You hit the nail on the proverbial head! And complicit in that process of getting us to spend here and there all day and all weekend on things we can make better ourselves? We need to think about how credit cards were the main catalyst. No more running to the bank all the time to get out a few bucks for this or that. We don't need any cash any more!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks for your reply

[@paulinewright160]

Yes, people are addicted to convenience. BUT life expectancy.... My parents/inlaws only helped out /visited their parents the odd weekend or in an emergency. I am now in a position of looking after (with husband) 90, 91 and 94 people, one with dementia. Helping them to support independent living. How does this look? Hub does his mother's veg garden, something she did on her own till recently, takes her shopping, I take her shopping occasionally too, assisting with financial stuff, practical stuff (new phone to organise, landline and mobile, sorting computer/ipad issues). My parents come to me for a 5 day trip every month to give my father a break from his care duties, I am now visiting them for a couple of nights more often as well to help with things. There isn't ever a visit where nothing happens, always stuff to sort out for them. My parents didn't deal with this as life expectancy on the whole was less. This is one aspect I notice in the modern life. Lots of people my kind of age doing the same. Plus more people my age seem to be helping out with the grandchildren. It all takes time!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

I don't know where you live but life expectancy here is 77 years. Women might live a bit longer as widows.

[@Dutch_Gonneke]

@@FrugalQueeninFrancehere in Netherlands it is 85,6 right now for women my age (born in 1965) and 83,3 for men. For my parent's age group (born in 1940) it is 91,5 for women and 90,5 for men!! (My dad never made it that far, died of lung cancer at age 60)

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Most people I know past 80 are not living. They're existing in poor health.

[@Dutch_Gonneke]

@@FrugalQueeninFrancetrue and therefore even more pressure/work for a lot of kids of those elders. Here in practical Holland there is a growing political movement to make euthanasia possible after the age of 75 WITHOUT any physical/mental suffering. Feeling of ' having fulfilled your life' is enough reason to end it legally!!! This infuriates me. Working in different health care roles since the age of 16 I witnessed the decline of care for elders - who often suffer from loneliness.. children often far away. Instead of spending more tax money to help the elderly government is now actively choosing a cheaper option which will also help solve the housing problem 😮

[@clarem2772]

If people have no time it's because social media and email takes up all their time. There is one food I will always buy and not make myself - Tuna cause I hate the smell of it when I open the can. When I buy it out I have them load it up with onions so I can't smell it, however, I probably only eat it 4 to 6 times per year.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks

[@lizscott6911]

People are shocked when I say I have never ordered A Take Away. Never. Besides fish and chips. Had a take away from a cafe.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

You've not missed much

[@beverlyanntaylor9652]

😊💜 thank you for the great reminders.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

You are so welcome

[@sheila1013]

Spot on Jane. It can save thousands of pounds in the long run. Okay in moderation and when in a position to do so, but it's definitely been priorities first for me. Think I would have still been working otherwise. 🤗

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Absolutely!!

[@rachelkieffer8707]

Jane, sometimes I can be so full of regrets that I didn't learn these lessons sooner, I spent so much money on a lifestyle I could not afford and woke up too near our retirement age. I know it's better late than never and that I am learning skills that would serve me for life but I wish I would have done things differently.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

@@rachelkieffer8707 I'm so sorry to hear that

[@carolgraham6669]

❤❤❤👍

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks

[@anitaberg9838]

Yep true...all of it. Back in the early 2002 so called fast food was much less expansive, but still something i was not willing to pay. Prices today are unfathomable to me😮. Quality is nonexistant. Wow people are robbing their future selves AND their health😢. Yes it has always been a challenge at times. It's fine...we can still try the best we can with what we got

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

@@anitaberg9838 thank you

[@johnswan9766]

Fantastic job 🤙

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@karenjones-tr2uo]

Right on target! I have to be waxed by someone else too!! Lol

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks

[@susanbell4528]

Obviously I agree with your comments about the waste of money, but heck I think that people should eat better quality food than the average takeaway/home delivery. I do not understand that people still fail to understand about eating over processed food as opposed to meat/pulses/fish and two or three veg.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Exactly, no one needs junks

[@englishlearningexpert3595]

Fab video as always. The other day I saw Jane had done an interview with another channel but now I can’t find it. Can you tell me the name? 😊

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Here it is kzbin.info/www/bejne/b321iWabnpqAgJYsi=czWbqWd_H762sJBz

[@englishlearningexpert3595]

@@FrugalQueeninFrance thanks ☺️

[@adoptedscot]

Takeaways are so expensive just don’t do it our nearest to this is the very very occasional Tesco Chinese or Indian box takeaway- had one last week and even better it was on Clubcard price of £6 ( it serves 2 ) instead of £8.50 I don’t think I could have made it for that price.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks

[@tabiTalks59]

We have the Tesco box curries, so easy to do, delicious and a fraction of the price of an Indian takeaway, had one recently on the £6 offer 🎉🎉🎉

[@susanjacks8830]

I will be 70 end of July so I am a baby boomer. During my growing up years we lived in a small rural area. No delivery of anything. We made our own pizza at home, drank water, milk, or Kool-aid. My parents grew a garden so at the end of the school year we canned, made jams etc all summer. My Dad was retired Navy but then worked in a factory. Took the only car we had. We didn't think much about it because nearly everyone was trying to live frugal.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks

[@georgiawise8375]

Go sister cookie...young people have not a CLUE what work is.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

I think they have, I think they're very much under the control of commercialism

[@sandyhumphreys3646]

Where we live they don’t delivery takeaways or coffee so we safe a lot, not that we would get it anyway

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Nor us. What happened to going to a bar or cafe for a coffee

[@carrieh2409]

my husband works for a delivery company, and I honestly don’t know why anyone would ever use the services (he looks like he wants to clobber me every time I say that, 😂!)…. the delivery menu costs more than the dine-in prices, you have to pay the delivery fee AND a tip to the driver, and rare is the food that can sit wrapped up in take-away packaging while it waits for the driver to arrive and then drive it to you. By the time it arrives you’ve often got a ruined, overpriced meal and no one wants any of it. You still have to do the clean up, and too you may have a creepy driver to deal with if he thinks you’re a woman at home alone. No thank you! If I want to eat at a restaurant, I’m going out to dine there, eat the food at it’s finest, and make it a fun evening out. But we rarely eat out now. All of us in the family can cook just as well now, and for far less money and with fresher ingredients.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

@@carrieh2409 home cooked is always the best option