Save Your Hard Earned Money & Avoid These | Frugal Living

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Today I go over a few things that I'm trying to avoid to save a bit of money.
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Hey everyone. My name is Nicholas and I make videos most about my experiences with minimalism, frugal living, tech, and things of that nature 🌱. So if that sounds good to you consider subscribing and I'll see you in the next one ✏️

[@NicholasGarofola]

Sign up for Morning Brew 100% for free right here: morningbrewdaily.com/nicholasg

[@Betheother]

We do spend way too much on stupid stuff, and daily! Thats why we don’t notice the big amount that it adds up to. I am 2 months of finishing a full year without spending for unnecessary things. This is a great experiment that i would recommend to everyone. The amount of money you will have at the end of that year is going to blow your mind 💥 Great video 🙏🏼

[@NicholasGarofola]

That’s awesome!!

[@amyperry6884]

I live in the UK and tipping is not expected. Also when we go to the shops, the price on the shelf is the price you pay at the till - no nasty surprises when you go to pay!

[@bolbittu]

I mostly do it this way, I browse all the stuffs on Amazon until I’m satisfied and then add few items to my cart. When I think I have many items in my cart, I then move them to my “Saved for later” list. I trick my mind to buy them later and 95% of time I don’t. I keep the items in my list for as long I want and then I gradually remove them as my interest declines. I then realise I never wanted them for the first place and somehow I feel good about it as I managed to save money.

[@bunny_smith]

I do the same.

[@blank_line]

Same here

[@amyclemmons3671]

Loved the retail therapy part especially. As far as tipping goes, I went bowling last Saturday night for the first time in a long time and there was a tipping line when I paid. I paid for 2 games and shoes. Not sure what special service was required. I asked if people tip and he said if they are nice and I felt guilty. 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@cassiejacobs4197]

I'm so happy I made productive decisions about my finances that changed forever. I'm a single mother living in Vancouver Canada, bought my first house in October and hoping to retire soon if things keep going smoothly for me.

[@RhiannonT01]

Honestly, very thankful that tipping isn't a thing here in Australia. Cost of living is already expensive enough, especially with food prices going up too (ridiculous). Also, loved the Harry Potter reference!

[@NicholasGarofola]

Another thing I love about Australia mate 🇦🇺

[@RhiannonT01]

love that! @@NicholasGarofola

[@Brian_Vallejo]

All great points 👍. I’ll leave things in my shopping cart for months until I really need them or if there’s a substantial discount. Usually I’ll just delete them after I get tired of seeing them- problem solved 🙌

[@SimplyAby]

Huh! This is me exactly. The satisfaction every time I removed items from my cart after a few days or when i was able to checkout something with discount is among my wins. 😀 it's a game of outplaying consumerism 😂

[@58breezing]

".....in order to save money, things have to be less convenient and little more uncomfortable." Brilliant! I think you spoke to my core..... TY....

[@timothytherrien3624]

i just wanted to say that i have been watching you grow since just before 100k subs and its amazing to watch how quickly you have grown. you have clearly found a niche that works well, and your personality fits the bill. I wish i could sub again and boost the numbers. great job, an honest inspiration.

[@NicholasGarofola]

Thank you so much!! You’re too kind I appreciate it 🙌🏻

[@focusedfreebird]

Great ideas. We are truly bombarded with so much more than we need....being frugal takes work. 😮

[@taramcgriff1110]

Fantastic video looking forward to the next insight you share

[@LarsDahlin]

Thank you for another great video. I am on the same path. I do also check up my monthly subscriptions every six months just to evaluate if I use them enough to keep subscribe.

[@rahkkas]

"send the subscribe button to Azkaban" ! Siriusly?! Loved the B-roll in this video !

[@fabienneroure9995]

👍🤣❤

[@NicholasGarofola]

😄

[@Less.raquel]

Gracias por hacer los vídeos que te pedimos. Un abrazo fuerte 🤗 feliz día

[@kellya.jaramillo2386]

Love this!!

[@NicholasGarofola]

Thanks KJ!

[@RobEbbutt]

Brilliant as usual, Nicholas! Retail therapy was the one that applied to me, buying more books than I could possibly read, through boredom. I recognize that now, and cut down a lot, thanks! We don't eat out a lot, but tipping is a sore point with a lot of us in the UK (it's usually added to your bill and they predict you'll pay it through embarrassment at not wanting to bring the matter up!).

[@NicholasGarofola]

That method sounds a lot like something you’d see here in the US 😅 thank you as always Robert!

[@physics12357]

I have learned a lot from your videos as a person. Thank you! Could you pls do a video on how to blend minimalism in to life as a student and enjoy life without being consumed by electronic devises? .I think most of us need it now for a peaceful mind.

[@hajnihercz]

Another helpful video, thank you. And huge congratulations on 100K subscribers, it's great to see your growth 👏

[@NicholasGarofola]

Thanks Hajni! Appreciate you sticking around for so long

[@matthewcain2880]

I’ve been biking waaaay more and driving way less! It has helped me save a ton of $$, not to mention I just feel way better 💪🏽

[@megatumair]

When ever i see this channel, it makes me want to clean my room. Haha, thanks to you Mr. Nicholas👍🏻.

[@AtHost98]

As someone who loves watching tech videos and hell it never ends. When I got my steam deck all I did afterwards was watch videos on the competitor handheld pcs.

[@nathanglynn7443]

I really need to sit down and evaluate how much I spend on subscription services, it’s crazy how we don’t even own our media anymore

[@carloskidde4776]

I really like the office chair that you have!

[@NicholasGarofola]

Thanks!

[@pcn_reyes]

New subscriber from Philippines! 🎉

[@OtherDianne]

I also find places that ask you tip beforehand, so that you can tip with your card when you pay in advance, are ridiculous. If tipping is for service provided, I have no clue what kind of service you'll give when so far, I have nothing. It's an atrocious practice, imho.

[@barbaracarbone4658]

Wow. I've never come across that. If I do, I would walk out. That's just plain greed.

[@OtherDianne]

@@barbaracarbone4658 If you ever do a mobile order for a restaurant, that's usually asked. Also, the automatic car washes are doing it when you pay at the beginning (good reason to have a subscription if you use them - LOL!). As if I'm supposed to tip because someone waved me into the tracks, held up their hand when I needed to stop, and pointed to a board that told me what to do and not do. {insert eye roll}

[@timyoungnc]

Excellent content.

[@NicholasGarofola]

Thanks Tim! Appreciate you being a viewer for so long

[@saravansomanchi5073]

Hey, Nicholas.. Use MOS to make scroll smooth with 3rd part mouse on mac. Just a suggestion.

[@IAmPhasion]

I love this video

[@JohnDoe-wi7eb]

This is a very good video

[@arecestravi]

I`m from eastern Europe and I was very surprised to find stories about almost essential 20% tips in USA. That is a strange thing, and I`m now interested about its roots in history. In my country waiters dont rely at tips so hard, and for tipping, by average opinion, there should be 3 things: servise was good, you have money and you want to tip. And noone gets frustrated or mad. Thank you for your video, its good.

[@gabewally]

Hope you have a lovely Thanksgiving and I’m living for the Harry Potter reference.

[@NicholasGarofola]

You too Gabe!! 🙌🏻

[@elpibejmp]

Hi Nicholas, I just recently subscribed and i've been enjoying your content a lot! I'd like to know your opinion on smartwatches. Specifically the Apple Watch, do you think this would help with spending less time on the phone and other devices? Or maybe end up being an even bigger distraction? Curios to hear from you on this topic. Thanks a lot!

[@notarant5107]

Dude you seem like a *kindred* spirit….I *DON’T* know what it is but I see myself a little I’m you and we’re probably a few years off in age. However, the fact still remains I like your content man. Thanks for sharing

[@NicholasGarofola]

Thanks for watching, and maybe we are distant relatives 😄

[@anaymakan6989]

as someone who went thru my first student load (government gives us money for living expenses during university which we have to pay back like tax when we earn mooney), this term, i'm going to spend as little on unnecessary items.

[@olovstener618]

I've heard that tipping is everywhere in USA now? Even when you fill up gas? Anyways, good content! Always my first pick among my prenumerations because I know I won't be bored or disappointed!

[@michaelbevan1081]

Nicholas yes mate, just in time. Tipping I would say in uk is optional - then again I don’t really go out to eat. Nicholas your magnet key clip: could give me a link or name the brand please? I tried your Amazon link and didn’t see it. Cheers.

[@NicholasGarofola]

I was curious if the UK had similar tipping culture. Here’s that link: www.amazon.com/Orbitkey-Magnetic-Fidlock-Release-Stainless/dp/B08T4LWCL4/ref=mp_s_a_1_12?crid=HU717HGXC0PO&keywords=orbitkey+ring+v2&qid=1700498562&sprefix=orbitkey+ring%2Caps%2C110&sr=8-12

[@cyberx1hfjghthththhththrhf84]

Hi

[@viniciusvini4297]

nich, Do you use any app to write down monthly bills? to write down the bills you pay monthly without forgetting

[@Bit2bi]

I'm a fiat minimalist and a Bitcoin maximalist. Love the frugal lifestyle 🧡

[@loveandjoy810]

I have an iPhone 8. 😂. I hate getting a new phone. I eat at home most days and yes, I hate being asked to tip at drive thrus so I avoid it most of the time. My favorite donut place had the swivel iPad that always asks for a tip so when it’s a family members birthday and I pick up donuts I pay with cash. Then they act like a drive thru again giving me my exact change and I drive away without that tip pressure that starts at 20%🤷🏽‍♀️

[@Mattb81]

Starts at 20%? That’s robbery!

[@zerokool-2058]

I just don’t tip. Nobody can force you to tip.

[@graciousme2258]

Tipping isn’t a thing in the uk. We tip if we want to. I’m be seen is gaining more popularity recently but it’s not mandatory. I wouldn’t go anywhere where I had to tip.

[@duppa]

The ‘optional’ service charge at restaurants basically acts as a tip here.

[@KrizThaRipper]

Budgeting is easy once you practice saying No to things you don’t urgently need.

[@IAmPhasion]

How did you mount your computer monitor?

[@SBTBG]

edc updateee plss

[@mendesd1065]

what camera do you have?

[@abdulmoiz574]

I want to be a Nicholas version of my country on YT Channel, in such inflammation it helps a lot

[@johnrecker]

Hi Nicholas! First let me say - I love your videos! As a fellow minimalist, I can really appreciate other persons view on this. I wanted to ask you about one specific thing - I have noticed you are a gamer like me, how do you go about it when it comes to minimalistic lifestyle? I always had a dream of building my own PC and now when I can and it is easily affordable, I have a lot of dissonance and clutter because something tells me I cannot justify such purchase and that it does not belong to a simple lifestyle.. Can I get your view on this? Thanks!

[@NicholasGarofola]

If gaming is something YOU enjoy, it’s something that fits into your simple lifestyle. When it comes to building a PC or not, I found Xbox Series X to be a more affordable option that scratched the itch I needed, hope this helps!!

[@jessicamarie5398]

Hi! Love your channel! Where is your wallet from?

[@NicholasGarofola]

Thanks! It’s called Ridge wallet.

[@jessicamarie5398]

Thank you! I thought that was the brand. Have a great holiday!

[@simini1837]

Tips are given in sectors in which people don't really make a lot of money and struggle to get by. If the service is good, I tip and I tip generously.

[@RomlenWycocoBlog]

Sirius Black

[@NicholasGarofola]

Best comment ever

[@RomlenWycocoBlog]

@@NicholasGarofola thank you :)

[@RobbK94]

I only tip food delivery drivers. They are actually doing something and also my food comes faster. I’m a dasher and I know if you don’t tip I’m just not going to deliver your food faster. You live 8 miles away from McDonald’s? Ok well I’m only getting $3 so I’m going to take an hour to deliver your food

[@PetroSabat]

do you use only natural light?

[@NicholasGarofola]

I do!

[@Morichika-qv2hf]

Make a video about your tattoo and your life story. Request from India 🇮🇳

[@lowwastehighmelanin]

That shopping cart thing was the baby step my mom needed to start getting her clinically diagnosed shopping addiction under control. I think most Americans are on some level addicted to it, we all have too many things, but she was really struggling and the overall culture of buy buy buy didn't help. It actually ruined my family tbh. P sure if my dad had had more empathy they might not have gotten divorced (he regrets that decision his current wife is worse lol) As for keeping old tech, I have had the same iPad Pro since like a decade ago. I find buying secondhand gives me the same enjoyment of getting something new, I get to stop contributing to the cycle of eWaste and mining of new materials and the harm that comes with that downstream? I love learning to fix my own things too, that's been so much fun. It's also funny about the tipping thing because what you mentioned about food? I went to Panda Express today, I got a bowl. The server was crabby, it cost ⅓ of my weekly grocery budget to get that single thing. I was really hungry and shipped something I forgot I ordered to the store in the mall so I just grabbed something quick on the way out. Lesson learned. Never going to the mall again 😂 I worked there for over a decade so I don't like being there anyway but now I REALLY don't want to. The only shop I even liked there closed during the pandemic (and had actually tasty, quality food for the price I paid for the damn Panda bowl.)

[@hellosaysandrew]

Looking handsome, Nicholas! Love that you grew your hair out. 😮

[@NicholasGarofola]

Thanks!

[@polunocspb4064]

Чаевые у нас по желанию тока в ресторане, доставка как правило у нас бесплатно, также бесплатно школа, садик, медицина. Повезло родиться в России, тут можно думать а духовной жизни а не деньгах.

[@VitalBigras]

Is buying guitars considered retail therapy?

[@xylo5750]

Not if you tell yourself it's an investment and that that guitar will surely go up in value in a few years.

[@VitalBigras]

@@xylo5750 Thank You for your wisdom 😇

[@Brian_Vallejo]

I’ve had a number of guitars on my Sweetwater wishlist, but can’t justify buying another one until I can get rid of at least 3 already in my collection. 😅

[@HiiipowerdanniRuns]

What would you recommend as a good desk chair for sub ~$100 Totally understand that retail therapy. I am a tech content creator and techie in general. I have to understand that you don’t need to get everything as soon as it drops. It’s not that serious. I’m still going to email you as well.

[@NicholasGarofola]

It’s kind of squeaky but I had this for years: www.amazon.com/Furmax-Support-Computer-Ergonomic-Armrest/dp/B07B7K7N3P/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?hvadid=294051996933&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9012036&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=5046699144838523326&hvtargid=kwd-308738100375&keywords=desk+chair&qid=1700498319&s=furniture&sr=1-4

[@WanderingWelshGirl]

Loving the longer hair 😉

[@HiiipowerdanniRuns]

I was just thinking the same thing!

[@NicholasGarofola]

Thanks!

[@Free_Range_4x4]

Your hair is looking super glorious in this video. Very Aquaman indeed

[@NicholasGarofola]

😂

[@user-hw9vf4pl9s]

Great content Nicholas G. and you're looking very handsome, love the hair! Are you still cutting it yourself? Tipping everyone for everything has made me not want to go anywhere : (

[@NicholasGarofola]

Thanks! I haven’t had a haircut in a long time but it’ll still be me doing it when I do

[@Metaris]

"I truly don't know how anyone would use delivery apps on a regular basis." Speaking from experience, the answer is depression.

[@syafiqroos]

yo, i'm early

[@samuelfernandes3301]

I don't know if it's good to ask, but why do you live alone?

[@NicholasGarofola]

I don’t

[@drez8242]

Are you married or have friends? Going to dinner is main stay entertainment for couples in their 30s lol.

[@sammy_sam_leonardo]

US tipping culture is out of control imo…

[@barbaracarbone4658]

I hear ya. Eating out is rare. Just not worth it. And there's no diversity...no matter where I go. Lol. Thanks.

[@kamloopscruiser874]

I agree- the tip has become a real deterrent to those places where it’s expected. I tip when I’m there but it’s based as a % of the charge so if that cost went up, the tip is even more. That’s not counting in the way 10% used to be a normal “good” tip back in the 60s and 70s. Yeah I am old. NOW it’s 15-20% and 10% is an insult. I can’t clip my toenails anymore (age) so I go to the spa for a pedicure. She does a great job so yes I tip 20% BUT RECENTLY the spa changed their automated tip feature on the card machine to include a 25% tip. WHAT??? Is 30% next? Or 50%? How do we even keep up?

[@NicholasGarofola]

All very true. The price is always passed onto the consumer

[@icing_on_the_cake]

🇺🇦😀

[@links2000]

I don’t tip. This tipping automatically, it’s for the birds.

[@xS1nuXx]

Lifehack no. 1: Stop tipping, workers need a living pay without the need for tips.

[@1esk192]

If you don't actively change the system, you have no business doing that. Stop eating out

[@xS1nuXx]

@@1esk192 Customers always have the power to change things. Inevitably restaurants, etc. just will have to pay more in order to attract workers, or go bankrupt. If your business model sucks, so you have to exploit the people, you're better off gone.

[@PrettyStraightforwardBudgets]

You eat at home. Tipping shouldn’t make you poor.

[@woahthatscaroline]

as a server please no. we go through a lot behind the scenes to take care of our guests and i go beyond what i should. not even just for the money. just to give good service.

[@marystar588]

@@woahthatscarolinebut what if you only have money for the food and not for tip.

[@vincenthaegebaert1854]

The hair is getting out of controle.😅😅😅

[@AnaGonzalez-fh9eq]

Just not, dude. There are people who make a living basically on tips bc they don't have a salary. If you can't give tips maybe it is better don't go to that type of place.

[@kamloopscruiser874]

You might have missed where he explained several times that he DOES tip when he rarely does go somewhere that tips are part of the wages. He also explained that he isn’t recommending people not tip. The point is that he and others are avoiding places where tips are part of the costs.

[@NicholasGarofola]

Thank you

[@rokkuri2501]

Hi