We live on social security retirement so very little. We also meal plan, don't eat meat, scratch cook, drink water or tea AND we eat everything we buy at the grocery store, nothing wasted. We also live where it is warm so we have $40-50 utility bills year round. We run more than one errand at a time. We live where we can walk or bicycle to several stores a park and beach. We save our money to travel or help others. Thanks for the tips, the key fob was great idea.
@lemonteapot10615 ай бұрын
I bet you are happier than most people who have far more money - well done! Where do you live where it’s so warm? Lucky - I’m in the uk 🤨🤣
@susanf48575 ай бұрын
As I am watching this I keep thinking of things to add! We have replaced all of our single pane windows too. No more little bugs, moisture or cold air coming in! Before we replaced them, one year during spring break my dog saw a squirrel out front. She went after the squirrel through the single pane glass window!!! Glass went everywhere and amazingly my dog wasn't injured but just shaken up. So glad not to have those cheap windows anymore!
@TheRealLydiaSenn5 ай бұрын
Keep the tips coming!
@valleygirl04545 ай бұрын
Thank you! I need a motivation boost..life is expensive
@TheRealLydiaSenn5 ай бұрын
You are so welcome!
@lizannz47115 ай бұрын
😊Lydia Thank you; In the midst of my stressful week, you're a Voice of: reason, of sanity, of emotional equilibrium, of peace. Your speaking style &personality remind me of the Bible verse "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, of love & of sound mind."🙏
@TheRealLydiaSenn5 ай бұрын
Amen
@DianaBarshaw5 ай бұрын
I try and reuse things. A small example: I don't buy garbage bags. Instead I use the plastic bags or boxes I get from other purchases for the garbage. I don't buy much Tupperware, instead I clean out the containers from things like yogurt etc. and use those. And we don't buy very much prepared food, but enjoy cooking form scratch. We love meat, but only eat it once or twice a week.
@rebeccawhite23275 ай бұрын
My hubby and I used to go buy whatever tool we needed for a task, this spring my hubby has been getting a lot of free fire wood. Unfortunately, lots of it needed a log splitter to be usable. 1: we have no place to store a large log splitter 2: they are hundreds of dollars. Thankfully my hubby found out one of his buddies has a log splitter. He brought it over one weekend and got all the logs ready to be dried and seasoned for winter. The kids also got to see some heavy equipment and play on it. It ended up being much more enjoyable for everyone involved than us spending a load of money and stressed about it the entire time.
@quuqeemonster5 ай бұрын
I love the picture in the background. Admirable mom you are!!
@TheRealLydiaSenn5 ай бұрын
Thank you. Our preachers wife took it.
@brg27435 ай бұрын
Also, when purchasing a used car make sure there are two sets of keys included in the purchase of the car. Sometimes dealerships have a locksmith come in after you purchased the car and you have to pay like $150 for a new key fob or $25 for a regular key. Make sure the cost is included in the price of the car deal.
@carmarasmussen81185 ай бұрын
Don't go to the grocery store hungry! Yes, it's a real thing. Ask me how I know. 😆
@piapedersen5 ай бұрын
Facts! 😅
@susanrobertson82515 ай бұрын
I think you are the best! Keep up the great work!
@TheRealLydiaSenn5 ай бұрын
You're the best!
@susanf48575 ай бұрын
Dealerships are ridiculous!!! I even quit going there for oil changes because it was taking ALL day for an oil change!! Now my husband does our oil changes. We try to fix as many things as possible ourselves. There are great YT videos out there for that! You are so right! All the small things add up!
@TheRealLydiaSenn5 ай бұрын
Thanks for sharing
@brg27435 ай бұрын
You are right about higher pricer there for oil changes or other repairs. Now, with the electric components in a car, most small mechanic places don't have the tools to fix electric parts due to the high cost of the tool to diagnose and fix it. Boy did that throw a wrench in a repair cost for us. How do you take a used car to a mechanic to check it over before purchasing when they don't have the high priced electric tools to check it over? Cars are getting too fancy. Basic car is fine, but they are making electrical components now. The auto industry imo is a racket.
@amyquillen25065 ай бұрын
We had to rebuild our enclosed front porch 10 years ago. The savings on the heat and A/C was significant!
@lauriec69485 ай бұрын
Great reminders! Thank you! The library is the best frugal place ever... So much to enjoy, all for free.
@lemonteapot10615 ай бұрын
I love that you said you can help people in the community. If only everyone was like that! And it doesn’t have to be financial necessarily but supportive 👏🥰
@angeladenmark31645 ай бұрын
Being an Accountant/Minister/Frugal Person, My Father would say "Don't spend dollars to save pennies". Remember to add ALL cost when to deciding to purchase and planning your budget!!! I buy most of my furniture on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. You must include the travel cost into the purchase price of the furniture items. Do I travel 10 or 25 or 100 miles to purchase that furniture? Do I look for "designer name-West Elm,CB,RH,RL" furniture or Ikea or Ashley brand furniture? What is the "zip code" of the seller of the furniture? Remember that "Your Money Can Spend Anywhere" Make sure you get the "best quality" for the cheapest price"!!!!
@booksandbreggs5 ай бұрын
YES!!! I love these vlogs. I grocery shop in my parent's pantry and they do so in mine (they bought the house next door so we can keep an eye on them in the mature...lol...stages). If I'm missing one dinner component, I shop in their pantry and they do the same. We often call each other and share veggies and fruit so we don't waste. It teaches us to rely on our pantry instead of using gas to run to the store for one thing or going out to eat in desperation. My hubby and I also rate our date nights. So if food is not great at a restaurant, we decide to recreate the meal at home, but better. It's cheaper, healthier, and much more cost-saving. Eating out is so ridiculous on our finances.
@susanf48575 ай бұрын
I ate at a new restaurant with my college daughter who was home for Spring break. It was awful! The appetizer was the only good thing. I kept thinking that I could make better food at home 😕
@beth35355 ай бұрын
Brilliant!
@PeaceDayCortez5 ай бұрын
My favorite coffee went from $12 to $22. I've tried other coffees but don't like any so far. My fix, I only drink coffee on weekends now. I drink hot tea the rest of the week. 😊
@TheRealLydiaSenn5 ай бұрын
Oh wow!
@jaimeshore99895 ай бұрын
I have been doing this too.
@Magdalena2873 ай бұрын
You may have just saved me a ton of money with the key fob because we are in the same boat
@marykayesugerman68435 ай бұрын
Meal planning, ordering groceries online to be delivered keeps me out of the stores and I spend less money. Eating breakfast for dinner at least once a week keeps my food budget as low as possible
@geralynneeson29115 ай бұрын
I love all your videos and recycling ideas is a great idea! Hope you have a great day!❤
@TheRealLydiaSenn5 ай бұрын
❤
@chavaspropheticlife5 ай бұрын
I installed new flooring in our living room and dining room and although it was A LOT of work it was SUCH a HUGE improvement and saved us money! Also we shop Temu for a lot of things and thrifting! It’s amazing what you can find in a good thrift store! Great content and always a good reminder! 😊👍🏼
@TheRealLydiaSenn5 ай бұрын
That is awesome!
@chavaspropheticlife5 ай бұрын
@@TheRealLydiaSenn Thank you! It looks so much better with the black marble tiles than the old brown carpet. My husband and I were so impressed with the improvement!
@MsSarahJam5 ай бұрын
Thanks for another great video. It's always lovely to see you 🌺 Hello from Nottingham, UK.
@TheRealLydiaSenn5 ай бұрын
Thank you 🌻
@kerriestimpson40025 ай бұрын
You can help reduce your food costs by planning what you like and buying seasonally and any really good specials.
@granitemoss14515 ай бұрын
WOW great job saving on the key fob story!
@TheRealLydiaSenn5 ай бұрын
Thanks!
@edinahalliday64795 ай бұрын
Love your lip color. It looks so good on you 😊
@TheRealLydiaSenn5 ай бұрын
Thank you. It’s 14 by peripera. It’s liquid and lasts all day.
@LifeHappens-LiveLoveDocument4 ай бұрын
One big thing I changed was physically going shopping. I stopped shopping. I utilize grocery pickup as much as possible & this prevents me from impulse buys. I did a big closet clean out/organization and realized I had plenty of clothes. I do not need any new clothes. Unless it's something like bras, undies & socks, I most likely have what I need in my closet and dresser.
@cindy77025 ай бұрын
when we were close to retirement we moved to a more convenient location.. I can if needed walk to everything.. Dr. Dentist grocery store, library.bank.. etc etc.. We make sure our Credit cards are pain each month and that makes you take stock before using it.
@grettalemabouchou67795 ай бұрын
Our Grandparents would tell us.....is it need or want? If you are a gardener, ask people if they would be willing to divide their plants and flowers..... usually they are happy to share.... this can save you bundles and you will have a friend. Win! Recently I was able to obtain olde brick from the town brickyard and made a wishing well and a courtyard wall just for the price of adhesive. If you veg garden, share and swap with neighbors. Win. Pray for God to bless you and yours and watch what happens!!!! 💖
@TheRealLydiaSenn5 ай бұрын
So true.
@kimandmikedial95825 ай бұрын
Thanks for the book rec, Psychology of Money. Love your videos, but you already knew that 😊- kim
@TheRealLydiaSenn5 ай бұрын
Glad it was helpful!
@sandrafromscotland5 ай бұрын
Thanks lydia. There's a reason/reasons for being frugal 👍
@TheRealLydiaSenn5 ай бұрын
Absolutely.
@joyganster46505 ай бұрын
Lydia have an amazing day. Win on the 🗝️ fob. We found we can use Honda service coupons from another location at dealer nearer us saves us as they coupon match. Ps dont listen to the haterade comments ever!
@TheRealLydiaSenn5 ай бұрын
That is awesome!
@alexdeaton51075 ай бұрын
Thank you for this reminder, sweet friend! I love seeing this kind of conent from you. Video idea - would you consider explaing 401k and the like? :)
@TheRealLydiaSenn5 ай бұрын
Absolutely!!
@janetbosch67515 ай бұрын
Greatful for the much needed remainder, thank you so much ❤
@TheRealLydiaSenn5 ай бұрын
Thank you
@lisakohlman64625 ай бұрын
Jimmy John’s gives away their day old bread for free and you don’t even need to make a purchase to ask for it!
@nesser13525 ай бұрын
Love this video. I feel the opposite of frugal right now as I prepare for a new puppy. Thank goodness for a budget buffer
@TheRealLydiaSenn5 ай бұрын
A puppy! 🥰🥰 what kind?
@nesser13525 ай бұрын
@@TheRealLydiaSenn a maltipoo
@ArtAnimeEmerly5 ай бұрын
Knowing when your limits are exceeded is so important! Electrical is one thing I won't touch, even if it could save me a bit of money. My mind just doesn't get it and whenever I try someone needs to clean up the mess 😅
@TheRealLydiaSenn5 ай бұрын
Absolutely!
@YazWhyNY5 ай бұрын
Podcast rec: Frugal Friends Podcast!
@TheRealLydiaSenn5 ай бұрын
I LOOOOOVE Jen and Jill 🥰
@kylieschamens38255 ай бұрын
Wait can you please break down the key fob thing? We need to get one but the $500 is stopping us (Its for a spare that broke). Which kind of key fob did you get and how was the locksmith able to program it?
@TheRealLydiaSenn5 ай бұрын
I typed in my car make and model with the words “key fob” on Amazon. And then I called locksmiths and asked if they programmed keys.
@kylieschamens38255 ай бұрын
@@TheRealLydiaSenn this is legit a lifesaver of advice!!!! So glad I watched this one today.
@andreaarias20855 ай бұрын
Great tips!
@TheRealLydiaSenn5 ай бұрын
Glad you think so!
@traceems15 ай бұрын
If you don’t hire a professional and something happens does it make your insurance null and void?
@TheRealLydiaSenn5 ай бұрын
That is a good question to ask your insurance in the state where you live. We had to get a permit and my husbands background is in construction.
@shelleyandtheother10605 ай бұрын
Yes, yes, yes!!!
@janefromthecountry18205 ай бұрын
We decided no more home projects until mortgage is completely paid off…
@TheRealLydiaSenn5 ай бұрын
That’s such a good idea when you’re so close!
@jamesching415 ай бұрын
SHE IS RECYCLING OLD IDEAS! DON'T LISTEN TO HER!
@TheRealLydiaSenn5 ай бұрын
Yes, I am. As I said in the top of the video: I am revisiting an old idea. Do you know why? Because new people who have never seen my content before will find this video and hopefully be inspired. People are struggling today with rising prices and need encouragement from people who have been there. I see that you're a subscriber, if my content is no longer serving you, perhaps you should unsubscribe and find someone who aligns more with what you're looking for. It might help to ask yourself why that triggers you so much and then go for a walk outside. Either way have a great day, James.
@tenthousanddaysofgratitude5 ай бұрын
These are tried and true. There is nothing wrong with old ideas that work. For frugal people it’s a good reminder. For people new to frugality, these are not old to them.
@tanyafulton5835 ай бұрын
Well James, if you're bothered why not just go someplace else?
@booksandbreggs5 ай бұрын
And I usually need to hear things twice to let them sink in. Some of us made mistakes (more than once) with credit or bad spending practices. We are human and make mistakes. I love listening to Lydia talk about finances because she is honest and doesn't teach things she hasn't gone through personally. It's so ridiculous to attempt to be hurtful to someone trying to help others. For what purpose? Just because you are bored? Maybe you could start a channel with all your free time.
@xlerb22865 ай бұрын
Hmm, recycling? Sounds like part of the frugal triangle to me: Reduce, Reuse, recycle :) So I think I'll give the video a listen.