9 Easy Frugal Living Tips that ACTUALLY WORK!

[@maha77]

'paste on the table, no plates, eating with hands' brilliant! sounds like so much fun. I love being frugal, its so empowering

[@Viriatha]

Keep including the "I didn't do this thing this month." They encourage me! And when I was growing up, egg-dying kits didn't hyet exist. We used food coloring. So yes, that does work really well :P

[@lemongeth]

I agree! The “I didn’t get X this month” is great. When I first became an adult I would order a $10 alcoholic drink at every sit-down restaurant I ate at. Now I barely drink, especially not from restaurants. Saves me hundreds a month

[@rettpanda6203]

Totally agree!!! My 'I didn't buy" nearly every day is...I didn't stop at a fast food place but instead packed a lunch or had leftovers.

[@queenfrankiesoup]

If you're putting your oven on anyway (for cupcakes, or bread, or whatever), bake a tray of potatoes at the same time. Keep them in the freezer and microwave them for when you Just Can't Cook. Top with cheese, or any leftovers, or salsa, or just with loads of butter and herbs.

[@Lill92]

I am downsizing my book collection this spring and was able to sell 11 books in march. The best part was when I discovered that a new online bookstore buys second hand books. I sent the owner an email with pictures of 7 books I have had no luck seiling on my own, and she emailed me back saying she'd like to buy them all. The money was in my account the same day and she also gave me a 20% discount code to use in her online store. There is a book I have in my budget to buy when it it released in september, so now I'll be able to save some money on that purchase as well😄

[@Homegrown_Hillary]

What’s the website?? I’ve got a ton of old books!

[@Lill92]

​@@Homegrown_Hillarynordicbookadventure.no, but they are based in Norway so not really relevant to other countries unfortunately! I doubt the concept is unique to Scandinavia though, so hopefully you'll be able to find a similar store where you live😊

[@Sonoragrove4]

Yes what is the book seller?

[@Jewelsmith]

Overpricing things and then marking them down as a "sale" is a psychological tactic that stores have used for decades. I remember my math teacher telling us about it in the 1980s.

[@jenduck5520]

It's not legal in every country either. In Australia there's v specific rules about how this can/can't be done.

[@Jewelsmith]

@@jenduck5520 It's illegal in the US too, there's been class action lawsuits over it

[@sallyprzybil2404]

Many ad flyers don’t list a discounted price at all they list the regular price of the item. Items are not “ on sale”, just “for sale”. Recently I bought a couch on line from a popular furniture store that was ‘discounted’ when I went to check out there was listed an additional $75 fee. It was not described what this fee was for, nor could I opt out of it. Then they wanted an additional $65 to set the couch up, which consisted of screwing the feet on the couch. The delivery people wanted a 15% to 20% tip. I paid with store credit card which said 0% interest for 1 year, however when I got each credit card statement there was a $25 processing fee. Somehow I don’t think I got a discount at all!

[@marilynrybak9154]

There are some really good sales, though. One just needs to know the regular prices of things to know rather or not a sale is actually a sale. In fact, I rarely buy anything anymore unless it’s on sale. But, I don’t buy something just because it is on sale!

[@janecraftswhen...8115]

In September when you split your vanilla essence put a bean in each little bottle and instructions to the recipient to top up their bottle with more vodka as they use the essence. It then keeps going for years. Everlasting vanilla!

[@artandsoulnj]

Our son just turned 31 on 4/2 and I’m still making him cupcakes because it’s his fave! With vanilla extract, I include several recipes and keep an eye out for measuring spoons when poking around hard and estate sales, flea mkts, thrift stores. (Not that I use a measuring spoon when adding vanilla to ANY recipe.) Love your channel and having morning coffee with you and the community here when you post. 🥰

[@sallyprzybil2404]

Keep in your arsenal of recipes some ‘I’m too tired to cook’ recipes. Some things that are quick and easy to make when you’re too tired to cook something complicated. Grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup is one idea. Add a slice of tomato to your grilled cheese sandwich, or a bit of tuna for tuna melt for variety. Breakfast for dinner is another simple thing. For kids clothes shop at end of season for next years clothes, store in box or bin with size labeled on outside of the box. Wal Marts Garanamals brand is a good brand. The Granamals wash well, don’t fall apart, retain their shape and wear well for little ones.

[@sallyprzybil2404]

One of my biggest savings came when I realized who says I have to grocery shop every week? So I reduced my grocery shopping to twice a month. Always make a list and decide beforehand the max amount of money you’re willing to spend, don’t go over that, try to spend less. I also do Dollar Tree run once a quarter. I spend a max of $100, and buy shampoos, body wash, liquid hand soap, toothpaste etc.. a bunch of each to last until the next quarter.

[@sarajane46321]

Great ideas! Especially the spaghetti idea. When we were little I remember not liking hot dogs. However, we didn't have a ton of money so my mom would make homemade pizza and put cut up hot dogs on it. For some reason I loved it like that. I didn't know it was a "cheap" meal, but I knew I loved those nights when we would have fun watching a movie together and eating. Those ideas will carry on to your kids....which means kids who grow up with fun AND frugal memories!

[@bnbtemple5936]

Yes for sure! Growing up, our big Sunday meal was about two-ish. That evening, after homework, mom always served us hot tea and toast for supper. So inexpensive a meal, but one of my fondest memories.

[@Becka034]

Canning Rings😂 is what they are called..the canning rings hold the canning flats on the jar❤

[@sylviahufer7019]

Could use a cake cooling rack if you don’t have canning rings

[@smc7929]

I enjoy your enthusiasm! I do the “ I didn’t purchase “ thing to! Lol When I come across the need for something that I need from the store, I stop and think what we already have that can be used. It’s fun being creative!

[@mary-louisehayward7160]

You can reuse the vanilla beans so don’t throw them out. You will love what the homemade extract does for your cooking. My sister likes it in her coffee.

[@Judith-b3t]

Great video. Love the idea of mushroom logs. The second commercial is 3 min but hey your videos are worth it! Especially for the off the wall savings items.

[@rettpanda6203]

I say we start making 2nd hand gifts a thing again. My daughter and I both have a love for vintage dishware. Found some adorable coffee mugs ans desert plates for $3.50. 2 mugs and 2 plates

[@beth3535]

I agree!

[@danringdahl41]

I just discovered your channel and you have such great tips! Thanks for sharing your knowledge 😊

[@leem200]

Went food shopping for the month accept fresh produce like lettuce, etc. Brought a hamburger, hot dog, and French bread pan to make my own bread. Made all whole wheat, healthy for your breads. Brought a sausage attachment for mixer to grind meat, cut whole turkey up, made cutlets, sausage and ground turkey. Saving 3.$ a pound. Brought bottles, products to make all my cleaning products including furniture polish. Huge savings. Our allergy systems have gone since.

[@rettpanda6203]

I recently bought a meat grinding attachment for my mixer. Thankfully. Ground beef was on sale for $3.97 lb and not the best fat %. But roasts were a loss leader @ $2.97 lb. Ground my own beef.

[@kenyonbissett3512]

@@rettpanda6203 I used to buy sale roasts and have the store butcher turn them into ground beef, nice savings. Don’t know if store butchers do that anymore. C-19 changed so many things. If your store still writes them, consider asking for a rain check to get more later at that great price.

[@rettpanda6203]

@@kenyonbissett3512 totally agree. C19 things changed. I actually don't know if they will grind it now

[@kenyonbissett3512]

@@rettpanda6203 my store accepts competitors coupons, one store offers $10 off $50. I use them regularly to lower my grocery store cost. Just check the store online coupon policy, 2 of 4 store in my area do this.

[@MsDoglover02]

I love the vanilla extract idea for gifts! I have a friend who used to forage for mushrooms when he was younger and had a blast. I love your enthusiasm! Congratulations on the camera sale too!

[@ladydhayney3700]

For a quick pizza use tortillas. I bought two pizza pans on clearance years ago. One has holes it. Make a layer of different size tortillas. Smear about 1 tbs oil on them. Sprinkle with oregano if desired. Add you jarred spag sauce. Then grated block cheese. Add a topping if desired. I add oregano again. Bake on hot oven for 10 to 15 min. Check on to see if getting too browned. I cut with kitchen shears. I also make a white pizza with garlic, cheeze & chopped clams. The tortillas will last a long time in your refrigerator drawer.

[@SherryEllesson]

If you were to look at the ingredient list on those egg-dying kits (which around here originate in China) you'd find there are things in it you don't even want your littles to pick at with their fingers, much less ingest bits of that permeate the shell. btw, I use beet juice for pink eggs, but that's just me. :) btw, the round things you used for trivets are "bands"

[@Homegrown_Hillary]

Ooo I’ll have to try beets next year!

[@SherryEllesson]

@@Homegrown_Hillary They work like a charm. Have a great week!

[@katherinetyrrell8810]

I am not trying to be critical, but using blueberries seems like a very expensive way to go. Locally, a small pint of blueberries is at least $3.99. You would end up spending more than an egg dying kit. In the past, we have used, worn out men's silk ties (available for almost free at some thrift stores locally) to dye eggs. It seems counterintuitive, but it can save $.

[@SherryEllesson]

@@katherinetyrrell8810 I like preserving my health over doing whatever is cheapest.

[@Savage11-b7e]

I save money by getting $20.00 in discount veggies and fruit also tell store manager I will pay $60.00 for the food which keeps them from writing off as waste ($148.00 total) this helps me and the store manager too it's a win for both of us 😊😊😊😊

[@lillynevers7305]

I boil eggs in the IP with nothing underneath them every time, didn't even know that you were supposed to put something on the bottom! And you can color eggs with just regular food coloring in water & vinegar. We don't heat the water or vinegar either since I don't want kids hands burned. It's what I always did as a kid so we just continue the tradition. And then the leftover colors are used to make different color "volcanoes" with baking soda in the bathtub.

[@Homegrown_Hillary]

Oh good to know! And the volcano idea is brilliant!

[@Magdalena287]

I have 5 kids and I make a lot of hard boiled eggs for breakfast in the instant pot and I’ve actually never used the trivet for the pot, occasionally one cracks but almost never does it happen for me. I put as many as I can then 1 cup of water high for 5 and natural release for 3, never fails me 🎉

[@Homegrown_Hillary]

Oh this is awesome advice. Thank you!!

[@Magdalena287]

@@Homegrown_Hillary I did forget to mention as many as I can WITHOUT stacking them lol make sure they’re flat

[@Homegrown_Hillary]

@@Magdalena287 hahaha ok super important because I was about to go 3-4 layers high 😂😂

[@Magdalena287]

@@Homegrown_Hillary 😂😂 sorry about that, kids running around screaming and mom trying to type on KZbin is a bad combination I’m sure you understand 🤣

[@sylviahufer7019]

With your vanilla beans 11:09 add them to white sugar and leave them in there indefinitely to make vanilla sugar , I have been topping up my sugar for years , smells delicious every time I open the container .

[@dillin16]

I would look at the vanilla as a costs savings on gifts, since you wouldn’t personally use it anyway. So who are you giving it to/what would you have spent on them if you didn’t make the vanilla? - bet it’s quite a savings!

[@Homegrown_Hillary]

Oh that would have been a good way to do the math!

[@robertdean52]

“Really good picture” of things for sale: Amen! The quantity of things I see for sale on eBay with out of focus picutres or pictures so badly lit that you can’t actually see the details of the object never ceases to amaze me …

[@anneliespieterse2590]

As always great Hillary! Thanks. One tip for vanilla extract. I always keep adding wodka and vanilla beans, you know when you only need the inside of the beans. And you can go on and on for years!

[@Gotsomethingtosaynow]

Your kids will remember those fun dinners.

[@joybeetz8256]

You are so amazing. I am so glad I found you

[@katnockel2983]

I count the - too tired to cook, but eat at home anyway as savings often! We are both retired,so we eat all three meals , plus snacks at home. We have been cooking from the freezer and pantry, with small purchases of fresh food and a few good sales since January. I think we’ve spent around a total of $400-$500 ($133- $167 a month )the first three months to feed 2-3 people. We share dinner meals with my mom, several days a week. We favor simple meals, so that helps. I’ve just started learning how to make candy and since it was a copycat recipe for one of my favorites, I think we saved over $30 for the two #s. I’ve taken to a loose quote - you can eat anything you want as long as you make it from scratch. So candy making it is. So enjoy your videos!

[@ladydhayney3700]

To make liquid anise. Buy dried star anise at a bulk food store. Put a couple in cheap vodka. Same method as vanilla. Good for when you make pizzelle.

[@NOVAFrugalFamily]

They are called rings 😊 I have heard people used balled up aluminum foil in bottom of the instant pot too. I am lucky my hand me down came with the trivet.

[@Homegrown_Hillary]

Oh good idea!

[@shelleychastagner69]

The McDonald's in our area gives away their used coffee grounds for gardens. If yours doesn't do this I bet they would if you asked. Green gardening!

[@xiovandijk933]

I love your video's and your energetic personality :) Great job on the sale of the camera! Greetings from subbie from the Netherlands

[@TN-bi9qf]

Pasta alla Tavola for St Joseph’s Feast day!

[@sophiasouthern]

I bake a ton so this vanilla hack will save me hundreds a year!! Thank you!

[@AishaMBudgets]

I coupon. I'm not extreme like some, but I do have a small stockpile. We won't have to buy body wash, deodorant, shampoo/conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrushes, laundry detergent, hand soap, dish washing detergent (like Dawn and Palmolive), cleaning supplies, or trash bags for at least two years. Also have a good stockpile of toilet paper that'll last about a year. So every month for household, I put aside the money I've allocated for household supplies in the emergency fund instead.

[@RobinBaich]

Many years ago, I tried the onion skin dying method for the kids' Easter eggs. Made interesting designs and was free dye!

[@ginapiano5593]

I really enjoy your videos 😊

[@gailwentz8296]

If you leave the vanilla beans in the extract, whomever you give the vodka to can top it off and keep it going! I did this for Christmas gifts a few years ago!

[@kristencobb230]

I make vanilla for gifts almost every year. People love it! ❤. I have a large jar I’ve been refilling and using for years!

[@ParkDari]

We have given vanilla sugar as a Christmas gift for years. Unfortunately, sugar is a bit more expensive now, but you can save up small glass jars over the year and snipped the vanilla bean down to the size of the jar fill with sugar, putting in a dark place, and by the time it’s Christmas, the sugar is fragrant

[@kearymchugh7454]

3:00 My mom rarely if ever bought the Easter egg dying kits growing up. She just used regular old food dyes and a white crayon for making designs and my memory was it worked great!

[@anita_R]

Thanks for the camera tip about selling x

[@barbarabruce7648]

Hillary, I am also a mushroom lover. Definitely would be my execution meal!My son and I have recently bought three lions main kits from Aldi ! Fingers crossed. I fantasize about buying an acreage with a cave where I can start a mushroom farm in the distant future. My parents are Polish and took us mushroom 🍄 picking every Autumn. We have to travel to state pine forests. It's such a fun day out. Dad is 101 and we're taking him this weekend. Can't wait. My fondest childhood memories are mushroom picking. So fun for kids. Make sure you go and take your kids. They taste so good and you compete with each other...who finds the biggest one.....who finds the most. Rizi ( also called saffron caps or pine mushroom) are so delicious. My dad's favourite are Mushluki ( I call them MushYucki, common name Slippery Jack). They texture to me is how I imagine if a dish sponge and slug would have a baby! I am now going to hunt down if anyone is selling mushroom logs in Australia! Great video. Your last video inspired me to tidy up my front garden which is large. I got a lot of excess plants from my dad but spent some money buying some much needed flowering seedlings. Whilst at the nursery there were tonnes of markdown vegetable seedling. At 20 and 50 cents a pop I could not resist. Put my young teenage son to work and he planted them all for me. Lovely way to spend our weekend.

[@marilynrybak9154]

A good tip is to always look online before making a purchase to see if there’s a discount coupon. For example, my husband said he was going out to have the oil changed in his vehicle. He was about to head out the door. I said, “wait!” I found an online discount coupon for $10 off the exact oil change he was about to go out (to the place where he goes). I always tell him, a dollar saved is a dollar earned! Now, if we could- we would do our own oil changes. In fact, my son used to do our oil changes for us. However, the price of oil and oil filter started coming out to the same price as just taking the vehicle(s) to the local shop for an oil change. And, with the online discount coupon, it’s actually less expensive!

[@evelynsaungikar3553]

A dollar saved is actually $1.25 earned, when you figure for income tax!

[@surekhagalagoda4047]

Pls do a video on your gardening

[@Homegrown_Hillary]

I’ve done one so far! 😊 22 Budget-Friendly Hacks for Growing Your Own Food kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHzJiJ6ch5t0r80

[@janicearant6407]

Here in the South we call them canning rings.

[@TheRosielikesvideos]

Love the channel. Thanks for what you do! Could you consider talking about making stock please? I can’t convince myself the hours of electricity to make the stock is cheaper than my little cubes. Again, many thanks!

[@Homegrown_Hillary]

Sounds like a great idea!

[@alegna4132]

Weirdly I never buy a lottery ticket these days. However I found an old purse with my late mother's lottery numbers she had written on a slip of paper years ago. I bought a lottery ticket that day and won £30. Thank you Mum. Xx

[@SimplyKatieWalks]

Great video! Thanks 🎉

[@Katie-ng4dp]

❤love your videos Watching from Ireland 😊

[@emmkaa2099]

NICE!! 🙌

[@sashawilkinson6978]

Mushroom logs is also my dream, but I’ll be making them from scratch as it saves ££… you can also make mushroom buckets for oyster mushrooms? I don’t know if you have seen these? … also if you do go foraging please film it, these are my favourite to watch, you could do a good for free video ❤

[@coffeegame4628]

Hi, Hillary!

[@Homegrown_Hillary]

Morning! 😊

[@ladydhayney3700]

Red beets are good for dying eggs.

[@kenyonbissett3512]

You are an arbitrage Queen! Congratulations on your profit! Did the additional energy cost to make your dyes come to less than the $1.25 Dollar Tree kits you would need? I used to buy next year’s kits just after Easter of this year, yes they do last one year, or they used to. We gave in to the Pizza “need” last month. I only agreed because Dominos had the 2 (1) topping pizzas, 1 knob garlic butter, 1 cinnamon sticks and a 2 liter bottle of soda for $20. That’s food for several days for us. It was a once a month thing. I could have lowered the cost by purchasing a discounted gift card but was too lazy.

[@WhitneyAbrina]

Wow you keep track of everything. I literally have no idea how much is in my checking right now. Do you do that for the channel or would you keep track anyways? ❤

[@Homegrown_Hillary]

We do do a zero-based budget every month, so we do track where every dollar goes! But I only bother writing down things like “didn’t buy a lottery ticket today” for videos like these 😂

[@shannonbradshaw1425]

Goat and Donkey manure isn't as good as Horse or Cattle manure. It is the way they digest the food. Goat manure is pellets and donkey manure is very dry. We had these animals for years and it didn't do much for the garden. Good luck and thanks for the videos

[@TheSusanhunter]

Leave those vanilla beans in there. You can continue to replenish for a very long time, vanilla extract for infinity!

[@uberbubble]

I think I've bought two lottery tickets in the last 15 years. I buy one when I have that feeling, the impulse that comes out of nowhere. I won $70 on the first and $43 on the second so technically I have never unsuccessfully played the lottery; super low divisions and tiny amounts but still. I listen to the impulse, but don't listen to the dream.

[@marygem]

Lottery tickets are my only entertainmemt. Dreaming of riches occupies my brain and give me endorphines, so add enjoyment to my life quite cheaply.

[@kenyonbissett3512]

I look at it as less than a movie ticket, I do limit myself to 1 ticket.

[@off-gridsimplyhappyrodriguez]

My husband buys lottery tickets every once in awhile 😀 I don't I take the money to the dollar tree 😂 My grandma bought a 2 dollar ticket and won 500 dollars. She was so happy 🎉😂

[@teresanorris4769]

But someone did win. 😂

[@melindastookey3831]

Rings( canning rings)

[@marciethorn3624]

Canning rings??

[@Homegrown_Hillary]

RINGS. oh my goodness. Yes. 😂😂

[@jacquefessenden9570]

If they are metal they are lids, rubber, rings

[@kirstenscholz4482]

😀😄😊

[@ozarkpicker873]

👍😀

[@ella_encantada]

I’m still shocked that you paid them to pick up their manure. 😮

[@sissycarolina4863]

Lottery is fixed like everything else except your rent.

[@retiredsockmonkey7257]

Lottery tickets are the worst “investment “. Poor people tend to want the instant $$$ but don’t win. Lol

[@robertneville2022]

I used to buy lottery tickets till after a year I had only "won" 83 dollars :/ womp womp womp

[@Ozarkmountainoutback1]

Be very careful about animal manures from grazing animals because so much of the hay is sprayed with a chemical called grazeon which will annihilate your garden for years. Ask!

[@Homegrown_Hillary]

Yes! Luckily another viewer warned me and I was able to confirm the farm is pesticide-free before applying. Phew!

[@lifebeyondthesalary2458]

Don’t forget to use the used vanilla beans with sugar to make vanilla sugar.

[@debnelson3979]

How do you make vanilla sugar and then what is it used for?

[@lifebeyondthesalary2458]

Instead of a trivet you can also use stainless steel colanders

[@kenyonbissett3512]

Thanks, I was trying to think of the word colander.