Our Frugal July Budget

[@Cheryl-gu1hv]

Trying something new a little different from what you do Jane. My husband and I are retired here in the USA. Every month we are starting a no spend week. For us every 2nd week of the month will work for us. Thank you Jane for continuing to educate. Love the puppies.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

@@Cheryl-gu1hv that’s absolutely brilliant, good for you!

[@gladyschandler6724]

Morning Jane, thank you for sharing your budget

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

@@gladyschandler6724 thanks for watching

[@lorelei9393]

Subscribed about a month ago. You've given me encouragement on this journey and much food for thought. Working my way thru your older videos. So many changes. Thank you

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

You got this!

[@jodieupton4000]

I like that you support a local charity.

[@stephanieboice8787]

The US is interesting. In my 20s I lived off 3k a month as a nurse in the Midwest with no problems. Able to save around 1k a month by having roomates. Excellent lifestyle- very money conscious but found lots of free fun things to do. Ten years later and the minimum amount a single person needs is around 4k in my opinion. Most still need a Roomate. It’s shocking how high cost of living has risen. I can’t imagine how expensive things would appear if a worker made less than 2k a month.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks for sharing! Wages here are low and life is difficult for most people

[@mlu18]

Thank you very much for sharing. I find it to be very helpful in managing my finances. No spend month to create a buffer is a brilliant idea.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for taking the time to comment

[@Annie-m4t3h]

I wonder where you got your income info for the U.S. i looked up income info and gross income per household averages around $4300/month. Income per the world bank for U.S. per capita ( that’s per person) is $1695/month gross (before taxes). My husband and I have about the income the world bank notes is the norm. We save 40% of our income long and short term. We pay rent and the usual utilities, insurance etc. We do not get any government help. We are older so we try to save as much as possible to make up for all of the lean years when our income was low. We also have chosen to live in a rural area where rent is much cheaper, however food and gasoline prices are quite high so we have a garden and don’t drive the 20 miles to town more than twice per month in summer and once per month in winter. We have cheap phones and phone service and no subscriptions such as Netflix. We also carry no debt. Our car is 25 years old which we are saving to replace if car prices ever come down to a sane amount. Being frugal is easy… just be happy with a roof over your head, good food to eat and clothing that fits the season. Everything else is gravy.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

US government census site .

[@lorelei9393]

She quoted median prices, not average prices

[@bonniewatson178]

Your methods are unique and easy for just about anyone to understand and put in practice, the local school should hire you to have a class for the children so they won’t fall into a debt trap. It’s needed here in the USA also, I started with my children young thank goodness, my parents and grandparents taught us but mainly my grandparents because they were a young couple during the Great Depression. The farm life is how they made it, and today I’m thankful they taught me.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks for your very kind feedback

[@allisonmodaff5635]

Jane, aren’t you a retired teacher? What grade and subject did you teach?

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

@@allisonmodaff5635 I was a secondary school English teacher and taught ages 11-19.

[@muttersmenu2422]

Inner French 🇫🇷 city living costs sound just like Oz 🇦🇺, very expensive. Australian 🇦🇺 banks also charge fees and make about 1 billion AUD profit per year! Thank you Jane and Mike for the budget update date also hello to the doggies.🐶.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks to you for watching and commenting

[@Dutch_Gonneke]

Another very educational video. Thank you so much! 🌷As a solo mom with very limited funds I always budgeted. But although it all looked good on paper the reality always messed everything up. Around 2 years ago I started my search for a budget system that would actually work after I was hospitalized twice and underwent 2 surgeries that took quite some time (and money) to recover. I found this channel and the bare bone budget and started it from my bed!! It changed my life. I am currently working parttime, earn around 1700-1800€ a month. Single. 59. No debt (anymore... 🙏) and my boys are old enough to take care of themselves. Your videos have been lifechanging. I know for sure that the lives of me and my family would have been so much less stressful if I had known the system back then. Every time I meet a single mom who struggles I ask her if she knows the bare bone budget system and if not I send them to your channel! I ordered the budget planner you recommended (clever fox) and was wondering how you incorporate the different sinking funds and savings in the planner? I am using pencil and eraser at the moment because I just started this month and I am still figuring out how and where to write everything down 😅

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

I use back pages titled savings trackers to track my sinking funds and different pages to track our long term savings,

[@Dutch_Gonneke]

@@FrugalQueeninFrance I never saw those pages until now 😂 Thank you... 🎉

[@tracyaf6084]

We’re planning a trip to France next year (which gave us 2 years to save for it). I was a little surprised at how expensive restaurants appeared when I was looking online, but I did have to remind myself that I don’t need to add tips. We have the illusion of cheap things here when we don’t list tax or tips in our prices. Either way I am sure most people do have to pay attention to expenses these days.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thank you. Stay away from the tourist areas and you’ll pay less.

[@tracyaf6084]

@@FrugalQueeninFrance we’re coming for Christmas time to see the markets and such. We’ll try to follow our usual vacation plan of one meal a day out and the rest we cook or do grocery take away type meals. We have free accommodation and only have to pay for one airplane ticket so it’s the opportunity of a lifetime for us. I can’t wait 😊

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

@@tracyaf6084 enjoy

[@evgeniagasumova4487]

Love your videos. They help me save money and organize my spending. It is so easy to overspend.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Glad you like them!

[@twinkletoes8099]

Currently doing my no spend July, so far so good, only food and bills, due to pay dates my months run from 23rd - 22nd so started on 23rd June and ends 22nd July. Hoping everyone has a good month with more money than month remaining. Another good one full of information, thank you both :)

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks for watching

[@suematile9078]

You do a great budget. How people manage is fun to see and educational.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

@@suematile9078 thanks Sue, we make it work by not buying or spending beyond needs

[@sarahd4176]

Love these videos Jane. There is always something to take away as food for thought.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

@@sarahd4176 thank you

[@ibislife]

Oh that is hard, a no spend July. Its the month I'm off from work, (working at a school) and there is and will be some extra spending for going out with friends. Hosting dinner parties, a little extra food, and I do small repairs and fixing up. For example. New to me curtains, I got them cleaned, and I had to buy a new curtain rod. It is the month where the strawberries grow, and I need canning sugar (sugar that contains pectin), and lids for my jars. Thanks for the video Jane.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Have a great time off

[@gladyschandler6724]

I've been to France it's expensive for sure.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Most people here would agree with you

[@mamat9678]

Great video as always!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks again!

[@sophiawolthof1238]

👍👍👍

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thank you

[@michelehagerman216]

I hope your better than usual income for the month means that you are making more from YT channel. That’s just my thinking, you don’t have to acknowledge. Great video, as usual.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

You tube income is variable. Some months vary by up to 500 in either direction.

[@lisadawson2652]

This was amazing thank you I can create a detailed spreadsheet that will help me stay focused ❤

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Glad it was helpful!

[@susanjacks8830]

Great Video!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@lynnegeddes7532]

Excellent, thank you xx 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

You’re welcome 😊

[@JulieRees-b7w]

Thankyou for sharing this months budget with us 👍.....I hope all is well at the Doctors for you both .Best wishes to you xx

[@debbiedorsey2371]

Love your method of budgeting! Thank you for sharing ❤

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

You are so welcome!

[@julieemig432]

Your mobile phone and internet is a lot cheaper than what we pay in the US. It’s very interesting to see the prices. Great budgeting!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks

[@CreamPuff-ek8fd]

Great idea to give the median income information ! Hoping you will hit 35 k soon!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

I hope so too!

[@k2712m]

Very high cost Country. I live in a self owned (0 Debt) 80 sqm Apt with lift in Mumbai Suburb, India and my total expenses per month is 200 Euros (Incl. daily part time domestic help). Unbelievable, yet true.

[@muttersmenu2422]

Waiting 👍🇦🇺

[@sandrawhitacre]

Very useful. Thank you so much Jane Mike and puppies.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Glad it was helpful!

[@CassandraMoya]

Waiting ❤ I love her vids!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks it's out now

[@Barneybudgets]

Great video Jane & Mike. I first started budgeting from your early blogs. I’m 60 this year never too late to start.I like that having different pots for clothes, car etc means I don’t feel guilty about buying but only when it’s needed and saved for. Am now a cash stuffer and it’s addictive so many young people now budgeting and saving. Radio 4 You and Yours did an interesting programme on budgeting on Tuesday and one about debt yesterday which may be worth a listen to some.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

I shall try and find it and listen

[@Mirth-l7l]

I'm in shock. I always thought that apartments in France have lift and their own private parking space, the same as in Spain.😮

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Heck no!

[@lynnhensley4326]

Thanks for sharing. One question I have for you is at the end of the year if you have any category with funds left over what do you do with it? I am trying to decide this for my budget. Roll it over or add to long term savings?

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

@@lynnhensley4326 with short term savings, it’s designed to be rolling continuous savings. Long term savings is just put away until needed.

[@adventuretomoremoney]

Your tv,internet,car and home insurances are so cheap. I wish I could get those rates here!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

They're not cheap for people here. Thanks so much watching.

[@cruise799]

Your right and even though our incomes are higher here so are most expenses.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Which means neither of us are better off or worse off than the other

[@Mirth-l7l]

Just wondering do you need to top up your health insurance because some things are not covered in France by social security? Thank you for such detailed video.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

It's because we're immigrants, it's law for us to be 'more than covered'

[@emmacampbell1663]

Hi J&M Does this mean you pay utilities annually without direct debits please??……… 😊❤

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

@@emmacampbell1663 Electric monthly and water once a year. No other utilities.

[@emmacampbell1663]

Sorry… as explained further into video you pay annually!! If you pay monthly any advice as to how to wean off that to an annual payment?? Wait until each one comes up for renewal?? 🤷‍♀️🙏💙💜😊

[@JasminBisch]

Hello Jane, could you please share with which insurance you have your house insurance? I am also in the North of France and pay double of what you are paying. By the way, thank you so much for sharing your EDF electricity subscription a couple of weeks ago. Since I have switched to the same option and clearly see the savings! 🌻

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

@@JasminBisch I'm with generali who are absolutely **** and don't recommend them. They took 7 months to pay an insurance claim.

[@JasminBisch]

@@FrugalQueeninFrance ok, good to know. I will avoid them in that case.

[@Amanda-pv9kz]

Always interesting! Thanks for sharing.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks for watching!

[@rebacarmack8335]

I am in the USA BUT- no where near that income

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

So, you'll be part of the 50% below

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

@@ireneroy8820 median income means 50% earn more, 50% earn less

[@SuzanneT-i9h]

How many square feet is your house?

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

100m square including the basement and bathrooms.

[@juliemoore6957]

Great video.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks so much

[@beverlyanntaylor9652]

😊 💜

[@BuzzRetirementGarage]

I liked your video! Very well done!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thank you very much!

[@elizaC3024]

Another informative video you two.😊

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@rachelkieffer8707]

These are always useful, Jane and Mike, thank you. I am working my way to a zero based balanced, so far I am estimating the expenses as many of them vary from month to month, as well as our income.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

You can do it!

[@katherineskaggs4490]

Thank you for sharing your budget. My budget has to be higher for insurances because my health insurance is $325 per month. Basic life and car insurance is higher too. Also basic internet that i can do my work on and not run out of data is higher.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

@@katherineskaggs4490 thanks, we hope that sharing medium term savings so there’s no surprises helps people.

[@annbeth6730]

I’m pleased you take the time to research the facts . People tend to believe everything without doing research.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

@@annbeth6730 we always do and cross reference.

[@belindacopson2390]

Very interesting to see some of the different costs in France. I am a colour-coded spreadsheet person so I love the detail in your budget!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks, I do love checking the numbers

[@janicepritchard4871]

Can you give income in pounds sterling please?

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

£2518

[@ireneroy8820]

Wow 😮 KZbin pays people a lot of money for videos!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

@@ireneroy8820 creators get 50% of the revenue from Advertising. Viewers get content to watch for nothing. Most of our income comes from our pensions. Thanks for watching as it takes hours to make and edit the videos.

[@carolnewman4890]

@@FrugalQueeninFrance ❤🧡💛💚💙💜Thank you and Mike for all your hard work and long hours bringing us this excellent site...you all are making a difference in people's lives!!!🥰

[@terrypelletti8535]

Thank you Jane and Mike for all your hard work and great content ❤

[@TracyOwen-y9t]

Great video 😊

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks for the visit

[@SharonMcGee-b2i]

Enjoyed

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks