Bottom line: stay out of debt. Have an initial emergency fund (1K). Do not buy on impulse. Most people who seem to be rich are probably maxed out on CC, etc.

Present day economy makes living below your means impossible but it is still very feasible. Money is just a tool, use it to create the life you want

I live below my means. I’m sitting in my cold, dark house, using my iPad, heating up my leftover instant coffee in a microwave and STILL, my power bill is close $500/month

I lik😢 this video. I am one who lives no-spend years. The 1st two years, I couldn't stick to it beyond October. The next year, I started out with a list of things I needed, like a small Dutch oven, a flashlight, etc. I gave myself the flexibility to get the items on the list if I found them at good prices... and I did. I found a small, light weight Dutch oven at Aldi's for only $19. Over the course of the year, I made purchases that added up to about $200. Every purchase was well under the $19 spent on the pot. Another example is that a doctor's appointment was delayed over lunch, so I got a $6 sandwich. That's something I would normally never do, but it was an unplanned event, so I gave myself the flexibility to spend that $6. And then continued on without spending for the rest of the year. I saved boat loads of money... and time. I didn't have to spend time thinking about whether or not to buy this, that or the other, because if it wasn't on my list, I wasn't buying it, so there was no need to ponder it. I live on Social Security Disability Income, which is very low...but I'm very thankful for it. At the beginning of 2023, when there was a large COLA increase (cost of living assessment), my income went up $200 a month. Then, I realized that extra $200 a month knocked me out of qualifying for $600 worth of benefits I was receiving. I started out each month $400 in the hole. By cutting out ALL unnecessary spending, plus keeping all utilities down as low as possible, I was able to come out just a bit into the black each month--not in the red. So, I overcame a $4800 deficit through the year by having my no-spend, with a little flexibility, year. This year I have no list, but by now, I don't want to shop. I don't want to spend on things that look like they'd be useful, but might not be. I'd rather see money in the bank.

I am so glad you mentioned the "cash stuffing", I never understood it need for it. I think many people spend so much money buying stickers, envelopes, budget folders, etc (more money wasted), but fail to really or understand that none of that is needed nor will it do you any good if you don't have the right mindset. I watch budget videos to keep me motivated. I paid off my home, and car in full, and now I am working on savings and all I used was my daughter's old school notebook. It's all possible, but you have to be committed to it, not just doing it for show.

Being content with what you have! Best line ever 🎉 good video

Great video, great advice :) Such an important point, being content with what you already have. It also helps you to stay present in the moment, in gratitude. I am thankful each day that I have a roof over my head, clean hot or cold water when I need it, lights come on when I choose and I have access to healthy ingredients to cook with - this is a blessed life!

I have two savings accounts. A short term and a long-term. I pay my long term account first. I treat my savings like a bill. I am obligated to my future self. Then i pay all of my bills, and over the course of my pay period take care of the essentials for household i.e. gas, groceries, small unexpected expenses (less than $50). When i get paid again, i transfer all the leftover money from the premises paycheck into my short term savings. Sometimes its $20 that i transfer, sometimes its $150. Usually it's somewhere in the middle. The sole purpose of it is to fund large unexpected costs. I.e. my car suddenly needs something. We've used it to buy plane tickets in the past, and to pay off a small credit card balance.

Budgeting challenges are good for evaluating what things you really need and should not be done for long periods of time.

With videos that say ‘3 ways to xxx’ or ‘5 ways to xxx’ I really appreciate when the video maker gets straight to the point and describes those 3 or 5 ways. I felt there was quite a long intro to this video and I think shorter, snappier is better especially when the title is very action oriented. Hope you don’t mind this feedback

I have started eating one meal a day. It’s saving me a fortune. Highly recommend.

We ate well 2 meal day breakfast n supper.n if we got hungry .al Ke peanut butter sandwich. We never once ate at a restaurant n always packed food when away for the day. N never stayed at a motel

Great informative video! Living below your means is so important for building wealth

I'm curious: What jobs you do from home? I need a side hustle to help pay debt down.

I love your videos 🎉❤

Hello. Great advice.

Good advice

I think that so many people don’t have financial goals and just live reactionary day to day.

Great Content

Ive just started my "no spend" month for February. Canceled my subscriptions. Eating leftovers, etc.

Needed this video in my life

NUMBER ONE WAY. Don't buy brand new cars, especially trucks and SUVs, STAY AWAY from them!

It hasn't helped our lives. It feels like someone is always trying to sell us something, usually something we don't need. I live within my means by no longer shopping in search of contentment. I treasure my small apartment, my 7 year old car, my friends, and my boyfriend. I do subscribe to 2 streaming services a month, either Britbox or Acorn, and PBS.

My biggest expenses are skin care, hair care, perfume products...In the past, when I tried to cut down on them, I ended up with horrible skin problems, bad hair and being smelly, so ended up with no confidence...So, these are the products I really can't do without...So, I'll just have to earn a bigger income, in order to pay for them...:O

Best way to save is to have a bank account linked to your saving account so you can transfer as soon as you have worked out your budget ,

I carry cash and that way is hard for me to let it go out of my hands to buy something lol, that’s not needed! So I look at the item and say is this actually worth it or can I find it cheaper.

Cash stuffing actually works for our family and enjoy doing it too lol

How about the high cost of healthcare? How do you save for unexpected sicknesses? Or do you live where there is government healthcare? I’m not for government healthcare. We need to get back to the doctor patient relationship. But, corporate healthcare has driven up the costs.

i went backto zero euro; am rebuilding now

This year for fixed expenses I am deciding if I should stop Netflix and Brit box because I haven’t really watched anything in 2022 and 2023. I am also shopping for better Wi-Fi rate and cell phone plan. I decide to keep Amazon Prime because I buy grocery at Amazon Fresh (in person) and get supplements and pantry staples on line. 2924 definitely put a stop to shopping. Prior 6 years of indulgence left me with 2 rooms at home filled with wardrobe items and art/craft supplies. I can pretty much never have to buy anything new for the next 20+ years. The motivation? I want to build my cash reserve back up. I only have one year’s living in the bank at the moment due to cash buy my retirement home and remodeling it in 2021/2022. I have new roof, teeth implants, water heater, 2 new sheds, AC/heater replacement, car repair or replacement, and overseas travel in the next 3 to 5 years. Without adequate reserve, I’d feel financial pressure. It is not a good feeling to have.

every time I save a bunch of money I start thinking about what if I die tomorrow then I run out and start spending it.

Less is more ❤ content

Just a tip to add - if you contact your pension provider, they can also give you projections to a date of your choosing.

I have adhd. I always make plans but almost never stick to it 😟

Our gas is $3.09 for cheap gas. My in laws gas is $2.67 just 2 hours away. Im sick of getting screwed by greedy companies!!

Keep away from shopping centres so that you do not get tempted to buy food or coffee or clothes.

i chose not to have kids, so i don't have to pinch pennies. i grew up in a home where money was always tight, and i'm NOT living that way as an adult.

I made a comment on another comment but I don't know where it went, if your electric bill is like outrageous and it's never been that way...... Investigate. In a town I used to work at, the head honcho of the electric department was sleeping with certain clients so they didn't have to pay their bills.... But they had to make money somehow so they padded the bills on to other customers. And I'm talking outrageous amounts. This is scandalous and robbery, but it happens.

I live so below my means i wear clothes with holes in them. I don’t even eat everyday ! Now I have to pay for water. So may have to sell the car.

Save ...and when the wolves come calling at your door, they just turn up being poodles.

These aren't original ideas.

Who gives too shits what other bloody people are doing!!!!

Sorry luv but it’s not possible to live below means with a growing family with the cost of housing and basic bills. It’s an incredible privilege to live below your means and the only way is to earn substantially more and few have opportunity to do that.

We all know this. It is called common sense. This video is just so Vicky can make some money. Shame on you Vicky. Shame