How I Budget My £130 Weekly Budget | Frugal Living

[@barbarahughes6009]

The change in your voice is amazing.You may not realise it but you are clearly happier and far more able to plan and organise.You are doing a great job as usual.

[@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage]

Thank you 💜

[@rachaelw8738]

Had an electric car for years, traded back for petrol, such a relief, not worrying about the charge, trust me most chargers have people using them or they are broken, ages to charge, then we had the fun of the battery had a fault suddenly lost half the charge just gone, that was a worrying trip home, wouldn’t hold full charge anymore, thank God was a fault that the dealership took care of it but had to wait months worrying about charge. So happy with petrol again 😂

[@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage]

Oh that’s interesting to know, thank you for sharing!

[@GardenOfPeace86]

Really appreciate you showing how you can divvy up a low weekly budget. I really need to get onto this. X

[@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage]

Thank you for watching :)

[@mjax8614]

Thanks for this encouraging video. I don't stick to my budget very well, I'm usually in the red and repay it with interest from an investment. So it's not really budgeting, Dave Ramsey would say, it's expense tracking, but it does give me an idea of how much I am spending.

[@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage]

When you track your expenses you can then see where your money is going and make changes if you can ☺️

[@northfieldmoon5062]

Thank you for this video. I don't know how you do your weeks shop on so little. I just spent £120 for 4 for a week!! Anyway I hope this helps - take time out for a tasty coffee from Costa!! Katherine xx

[@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage]

Thank you so much 💜

[@thereisatide]

100% agree that spending with real physical cash is the single biggest thing someone can do to start taking control of their money. I have used this system for over 35 years, starting when I was a single mother, and would not be where I am today (still on a very tight budget!) without having used it. I just did a quick conversion, and after the mortgage is paid, I have a bit more than you do per week - which covers only the essentials - council tax, electricity, internet, insurance and food - and that is IT - there is NOTHING for clothes, pets, house maintenance, medical, xmas, birthdays or savings. I fund these things by selling surplus items. And at the moment the cost of living squeeze has slowed even that down. Thanks to the cash envelope system, I know I can survive and thrive. Long live Cash Envelopes!

[@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage]

Love this comment!

[@christinewright9273]

As you mentioned some people might have an even more limited budget so perhaps a cheaper way for those who have less could be to use your system as a guideline and buy a pack of cheap envelopes and a large notebook to use as a budget planner, if they have children perhaps they can decorate the envelopes with their own designs and learn about money at the same time maybe decorate a box to keep the envelopes in, the children could also have their own envelope if they have pocket money.

[@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage]

Great idea!

[@robyn_southafrica]

This is what I do!😃 In the beginning I was so stressed thinking I "needed" all these fancy accessories for budgeting until I realized my budget is tight and there's no way I could've bought those things without not going into a small debt, I've a ton of empty notebooks, packs of envelopes I haven't yet used, and decent enough stationery! I'm happy with this system until I can splurge on the "unnecessary but still functional" accessories 😊

[@redbudgets]

I don't know if it's something you'd consider/be able to do but I switched to grocery shopping every fortnight. I still can't work out how it makes such a difference but i used to budget £90/week and shop once a week and it was always super tight. I now budget £180/fortnight and do a main shop once a fortnight with a top up of fruit/veg/milk and i always have money leftover!

[@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage]

You know, I was just thinking this earlier! I might try it next time I go.

[@Joesmomma2011]

Ooooh i’m gonna try this xx

[@Joesmomma2011]

Tinned fruit is a hit here. Peaches pineapple pears manderins xx

[@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage]

Ooh yes! Not bought any in ages - thank you for the reminder 😍

[@barbarabruce7648]

My cat got leukemia and needed $5000 for chemo twenty five years ago. That was a lot of money back then. I had just bought a house and had a huge mortgage. I got a security job working the graveyard shift on weekends. It was tiring but worth it. Bonus was I made a lot of new friends .

[@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage]

Oh gosh, that must have been such a stressful time for you.

[@S-K.456]

I've just bought your planner. Can't wait to start it. Love this kind of videos.

[@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage]

Thank you for your order 💜

[@franchurch7581]

When my dog needed regular medication, I used an online pet medication supplier. You have to get a prescription from your vet before the online vet will prescribe,but I found that the drugs were half the price of my vets for exactly the same brand. Worth checking out. I am in the U.K. btw.

[@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage]

I need to investigate this :)

[@cefwyn7878]

My vet told me to do this. I needed insulin and the first bottle was over £70. The vet wrote me a prescription (which I paid for) and I got the next few bottles for around £10! After a few bottles I needed a repeat prescription that I had to pay for but it was still considerably cheaper than buying from the vet and paying the dispensing fee (which is a total rip off! )

[@christinemcloughlin7025]

You have 2 boys if I remember well,do you have any relatives that can take your boys fishing.After the initial layout for basics, they might fall inlve with fishing. That means that you are not having to pay entrance fees into places etc. Or if one of your relatives loves gardening and has a plot to learn about growing veggies . This may be something they are interested in, you could pack up home made picnics to take along. Things that don't need you to pay exorbitant fees for. 😊

[@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage]

That’s a great idea, thank you :)

[@ireneroland3070]

Canned fruit is canned fresh and cheaper then fresh fruit .

[@christinah2376]

Your doing a great job. Let's hope all prices drop soon xx

[@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage]

Here’s hoping 🤞

[@mjax8614]

I didn't expect them to fall, but I can't understand why food prices are still rising.

[@kimberly-mo5cp]

Have been meaning to do one of these budget planners for years. Will get onto it right away. I used to be a fantastic saver, bought my house and a brand new car in cash. The last few years I;ve wasted so much $$ on takeaway food and stuff we don't need. Hoping to travel to New York for my 50th in a few years so need to knuckle down and save every cent from now on.

[@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage]

Good luck with your savings! You can do it :)

[@kimberly-mo5cp]

@@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage Thank you so much!

[@vickiuridge3375]

Love ❤️ your video. I started cash stuffing a few weeks ago and really didn't believe it would make a difference. Omg i was so wrong, it's really helping me to stay on track and be more strict with my spending. Have a great week xx

[@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage]

Thank you 💜 hope your week goes well ☺️

[@minimalist_romantic]

Morning! Is there any chance you could find a job closer to home or remote? Personally I don’t think electric car technology is there just yet and battery replacement would be disastrous for your finances but perhaps leasing a hybrid car would work better for your finances? You’re doing great, keep it up! 👍🏻

[@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage]

I definitely need to do more research.

[@joanneL2649]

Thank you for this interesting video. A few ideas to help with your food bill is to make homemade quiches and freeze them using leftover cheese and veg as fillings. I have also just bought a yogurt maker and this has saved me a lot of money as individual pots are really expensive to buy now. You can create lots of flavours using fruit. My son’s favourite fruit are blueberries, so I have recently invested in four blueberry bushes, grown in tubs. Hoping over the next few years they will save me some blueberry money 😅

[@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage]

It’s raspberries for us! I might have a look at growing some ☺️

[@MistakesWereMade-MWM]

Your video came up in my feed and I'm glad I gave it a click. Great video, thank you for sharing!

[@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage]

Thank you for watching ☺️

[@lin90210]

Buying fruit in general from Aldi or Lidl by looking at their weekly 5 or 6 picks where they sell at a lower price is a good way to buy fruit "cheaply". The other way is to eat in season. Buy more of it when it is cheaper/in season :) also if you have markets near by who sell fruit by the bowl they will sell it cheaper at the end of the trade day so they dont have stock left over :)

[@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage]

Good tip ☺️

[@ShoestringJane]

I think you do amazingly on your budget with two kids. The cash envelope system is great! I might have a go

[@ShoestringJane]

Also, the cost of cat litter is silly. I get the cheap one from Lidl, but I’m considering actually getting dirt out of the garden! Might be messy though 😮

[@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage]

Thank you! You should ☺️

[@paularoberts2129]

Hi Nicola You sound very happy today I’m so pleased I’m still only spending £20 on food a week Years ago it was £60 Lidle have been giving away free fruit for the past month daily only one purchase if you spent even just 50p you could win strawberry etc its been amazing I’ve had well over £30 free fruit it’s all what they were selling just pick it up from the shelves It’s the last day today I’m excited as to know what I’ll be winning as everyone wins Amazing thank you lidle Take care Nicola xx

[@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage]

You’re doing amazing 💜

[@paularoberts2129]

Thank you I really only try to buy reduced food There is so much of it about these days xx

[@softscribbles]

@@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage I'd also recommend the too good to go app - you can get coffees, treats, lunch and even groceries at WILDLY reduced prices. And Shopmium - just got a free bag of maltesers and all I needed to do was scan my receipt and barcode.

[@jenniwilliams3089]

Are your cats allowed outside? If they are, do they really need a litter tray? If they do, then perhaps look at bulk buying or google for alternatives, when I had guinea-pigs, I was using wood pellets for them which absorbed the urine and swelled up... they were cheaper than any bedding and smelled better too.... to save money on cleaning products, i only buy bleach and put a squeeze of it into the bottom of an empty spray bottle then top it up with water, I use it for everything... you can get a prescription from your vet and then order meds online... cost it up, your vet will charge for the prescription but it might work out cheaper than buying from your vet each month... or there might be a different brand of the same med that is cheaper....

[@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage]

They do go outside but one of them is really reluctant so needs a litter tray. Learned that the hard way recently 🤢

[@kirstyhicks6640]

Thank you for sharing Nicola 🙂

[@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage]

Thank you for watching ☺️

[@catsandchums]

I buy frozen berries fruit for my breakfast, much cheaper than fresh

[@KrystalsKash]

Not sure if you have space but growing things like rhubarb and raspberries are really easy. They should be in a container, they come back yearly for us and are basically like weeds! Very hard to kill and have provided more and more each year. Check local allotments and see if some are willing to see you some for cheaper. My friend grows as she loves it and gives away surplus as returns are normally good each year.

[@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage]

I need to look at growing raspberries as they’re so expensive!

[@katiegeorge6587]

Do it!! I used to put £80 in my car which would get me 280 miles. Now I pay £6 for a little over 300 miles. It's definitely worth it

[@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage]

Did you find the insurance was more?

[@hayleypearce646]

I really admire how far you have come what with purchasing your home and providing for your boys. Apologies in advance if this is too personal a question but does your boys father not provide any financial assistance towards their upbringing? I understand if you cannot answer this question x

[@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage]

Thank you 💜

[@gurrrrlish]

i feel for you... decisions with no good answer are very difficult to make. i always improvise & use low spend as my guide. and i rarely listen to other people. when i bought my beach cottage everyone thought i should gut it to frame & completely remodel . - instead because i wanted it to be as cheap as possible but still livable. i improvised it mostly myself. i used a nice dresser i found on side of the road as my counter and another dresser as an island. a coat of paint & voila. my cooker is induction $150 and very cheap to run. for an oven i use a nicer toaster oven air fryer. the kitchen sink was stand alone from the early 190ss - - i left it alone - the water ran % drained.. i simply swapped out the faucet for a nice bling. dishes are washed by hand - no dish washer. i painted all the walls myself .and even pained some floors because they were dreadful and needed to be replaced. in the end - it came out amazing. i loved it so much that i decided to advertise it for summer rentals when i was not using it.. it is 300 steps from a tranquil sandy beach and my guests love it. the tiny cottage came out so cozy and now it is also a source of income.

[@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage]

Love this 💜

[@patmartin9727]

Lots of people are struggling to afford the cost of their pets. It’s another area of cost of living rises. People should not judge other people’s financal life, if people don’t find you videos helpful why do they watch them. It’s about frugal people trying to support each other and help others.

[@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage]

I don’t know 💔

[@Nwladylaura369]

Trying to make my dog’s food since she is not supposed to have regular dog food. If I buy from the vet it’s $80 per bad. If I make her food (chicken/rice,) it’s about $50. Before I was paying $15, then $30 a bag once prices went up. Just crazy!

[@NotRubensDad]

I changed from a diesel car that did 50 mpg to a petrol that is doing up to 68 mpg, for just a few hundred cost to change and it is saving me a huge chunk off my fuel costs, whereas an electric car would cost much more to change to and it won't be long before government looks to tax them more heavily as fuel duty revenues dip, so I can't see a frugal case for trading up to one now. My current car even has the £20 a year road tax, so it is about as cheap as motoring gets.

[@HM-em2zf]

Love all of your planners, it must be difficult to keep up with though!xx

[@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage]

You mean the binders? Just wish there was more money to spread across them ☺️

[@maggiefriend2146]

Feel for you especially with the cats. They are our best friends and we always try to do our best for them. Like humans they get health problems as they get older. Your doing okay…, hang on in. You’ve had a lot to contend with recently.

[@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage]

💜

[@deborahbain9915]

You could get soil from a garden for litter tray instead of buying kitty litter the cats love it

[@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage]

Oh really? Is that messy? 🤔

[@CDN1975]

As you haven't spent a winter in your new home yet, do you have an idea of what your utility bills will be? Hopefully your realtor was able to give you an approximate idea so you are not in for a shock this winter.

[@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage]

I have a bit of idea, it’s going to be tough I think. Cross that when we get there 😬

[@CDN1975]

​@@NicolaatTheFrugalCottagehere's hoping it is a mild winter. For the UK and for me in Canada :).

[@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage]

Absolutely 💜

[@johadfield3816]

Re your cats can you get their med online? You are doing a super job x

[@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage]

I don’t know? Didn’t know you could do that! I shall investigate ☺️

[@johadfield3816]

@@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage we did it for our woofie. You need to pay for the written prescription but you can get the meds cheaper!

[@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage]

Thank you for sharing this tip!

[@natashalocke6743]

Hey Nicola, I have just done that. I asked my vet for a prescription of flea treatment has the one I use for our cat needs a vet prescription. I paid 23 pound but can use it twice over 6 months. I use the site AniMed which is great and the cost of the treatment and and wormer was so much cheaper and got lots for what you buy. Got it delivered by post too. Xx

[@debslifestyle2063]

We've also done this for our dog. We paid for a six month prescription at the vets and then bought the medication on line. It was one third of the cost that it would have been from the actual vet. Hope this helps x

[@NanaSaves]

Fab job love my planner Nicola Thankyou ❤

[@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage]

I’m so glad you love it 💜

[@misslanapaulford]

Fantastic videos ❤😁👍 More videos like this please....😊

[@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage]

Thank you ☺️

[@HM-em2zf]

Great video Nicola!xx

[@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage]

Thank you!

[@ireneroland3070]

Why don’t you cut out the other binders until you build up a buffer . ?

[@budgetingandbeyond]

Lovely channel 😊

[@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage]

Thank you 🥰

[@ianmorrison5474]

Animal food purchased from supermarkets and potential vet bills are very expensive, food inflation and increases in taxes is making it harder to afford the basics, people now need as much income as possible.

[@Toryscashenvelopes]

Lovely video xx❤

[@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage]

Thank you ☺️

[@louiseroe778]

Look at getting a hybrid car to save on petrol. Dont get anything over a 1.6 litre engine as thats what uses more petrol. You must be doing high mileage to spend that much on petrol x

[@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage]

I average about 280 miles a week 😕

[@naibunty8909]

You are doing so an amazing job. The cash envelope system is great. I love cats, by the way. But I had to make a conscious decision not to have any pets atm. Pets are like family, and they should be treated as such. But they are like extra children.... and children cost money....

[@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage]

They certainly do.

[@joannedaniels6694]

I highly recommend an electric car. I changed over a year ago. You need to do some research thou and would lease new or buy second hand. Most have a long guarantee for the battery. You would probably save about £45 a week on petrol if you get a home charger.

[@trisarahtops8928]

Do you have a PDSA or RSPCA clinic near you? If so, they offer lower cost vet care, including medication, for people who meet certain criteria. Worth checking out if you haven't already! I'd post a link, but I think it'd make KZbin put my comment in jail 😂

[@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage]

Ooh I don’t know. I’ll have a look ☺️

[@Mirth-l7l]

Do you do the same quantity, 130, when the month has 5 weeks?

[@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage]

Yes, every week.

[@gypsywhispers9224]

30 for cats? What do you have a tiger lol on benefits you get Pdsa help for the poorly kitty

[@zoedodd3748]

I aw an advert saying lidl were doing free fruit somehow, might be worh looking into? Also on your savings challenges, do tou have a goal for what you are saving for? Or is it a page full of £2 coins?

[@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage]

I’ll have a look at that - thanks! And I’m not sure; just having something just in case atm ☺️

[@irenedombryant2023]

The fact well over a third of your budget goes to petrol, leaves you very little to work with on a weekly basis. Pets are expensive Nichola once they have any sort of medical condition.

[@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage]

It really does 😕

[@AbidaS0301]

Hi nicola u can buy too ro go bag and yellow stickers shopping or discounts on food hope it goes well for you ❤.Good luck with your channnal hope it goes qell well 😊 😘 ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage]

Thank you 💜

[@sheenamaclean8324]

Your camera keeps going in and out of focus

[@-_-11k52]

Soon there will be no more cash. All digital..

[@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage]

I don’t agree with you there :)

[@ireneroy8820]

So many saved nags binders! I can hardly understand what you are 🗣️ speaking So I’m not getting much out of your video First time watching

[@kimberly-mo5cp]

Agree, she's a bit hard to understand but the information I can understand is great :)

[@VMM34]

You mumble a lot

[@NicolaatTheFrugalCottage]

Not something I’ve been made aware of before!