1. Believe it is possible. 2. Don't wait for money. 3. Make this the life change you want most 4. See the benefits of owning less. 5. Sit down and do the financial math. 6. Admit that you probably spent more on non essentials. 7. Put your savings into a different account. 8. Embrace a no spend period. 9. Don't be afraid to consider drastic changes. 10. Be gentle with yourself and give yourself time.

Americans make plenty of money. We're so rich by most countries' standards, yet we're constantly comparing ourselves to people who have more, so it's never enough.

I don’t eat out. Buy my food at the produce section of the grocery store. Huge savings by doing this one thing.

The NO SPEND period really works! I'm on my debt free before retirement journey right now and I started doing the spending freeze in January 2023. For almost 6 months now I've only been spending my income on food and bills. NOT buying anything else!!!I do a budget on food and really use up all stuff in the pantry and fridge before doing my grocery ON LINE!!! No more grocery shopping in the store! I have a strict shopping list of essentials only! I also stopped buying bottled water and started making my own bread and pastries. It's just so amazing to see more money coming in towards savings and paying off debts!!!

When I got paid I would pay my tithes. Then I put 10% in savings. Then I paid my bills. What was left in my account I could spend. However, the day before my next check was deposited I would move what was left to savings. So a lot of times I would talk myself out of buying some stupid thing so I would have more to put in savings. Hope this makes sense

I'm a (single) 27 year old clinical psychologist. I make close to $100,000 per year and I drive a pre-owned 2012 Toyota Prius (Great condition), I live in a $1,500/ mo Condo in NC and don't wear names brand clothes. What you speak of is true sir. Also the strategies and practices you mentioned have definitely helped me save over the years.

I live in somalia Mogadishu for me if I get paycheck to paycheck it will be Iike I life in the heaven because we are facing hard times extreme poverty drought fighting no consistent electricity no safety no medical but I am looking upward and thinking where I can survive. that my kidneys are beating like my heart because of empty stomach and some times long time you don't get food but when you found that food you vomit But at least i have hope because I am not dead

Minimalism totally changed the way I spend money. I really question the value of anything I am buying and whether I want this item in my house. There are many questions I ask myself and so impulse spending doesn't happen anymore. I love living a minimal life where I either love or need everything I own. Great information in this video. :)

The no-buy month turned into many for us! It was so eye opening and motivating.

I did a no buy clothes for 2.5 years durig the pandemic 😃. That's because during the lockdown i realized i had way more clothes than i needed 😐😅. I also decluttered a lot and used your tips for doing so. Believe me i felt so light in life.

What opened my eyes was a friend who makes 4 times what I do and doesn't have a mortgage but is still paycheck to paycheck. That was my lightbulb moment. I also only get paid once a month so learning to budget was necessary. I now have a savings though not much (work in progress) and she had an emergency and had to borrow from me.

I’ve been budgeting per paycheck for years and it’s become ingrained in me that I feel weird if I don’t budget. I know every dollar that comes in and goes out and I have zero surprises when something is due because I saved up for it. I get paid weekly and I divide my bills by 4 and set that amount aside and when the bill is due I have the full amount ready ..that’s been the biggest game changer because I keep a good portion of my paycheck to allocate money to other expenses, debt and savings

I lived paycheque to paycheque for decades and never thought it was possible to be out of debt and have savings. I know now it is possible and I learnt is not about increasing income, it about stop spending on consumerism. Finally after being stupid, I changed 4 years ago and now live off such little money and have so much saved. I got it and it’s possible. Renew your mind.

what started as a want we began to think of as a need---yes, this right here, I realized it when my Amazon purchases were turning into 500 a month...and I always thought of that as where I got "necessities". I am on a spending freeze from there for the next 90 days, and I will see if I ever think it makes sense to go back

I do a low buy. I look at all the areas where I spend most and put a limit on it. For example I love bubble teas but they are $8 a pop. And If I bought one every day I would spend half of my monthly income. So I limit myself to no more than 2 a week. With my clothes I limit myself to no more than 10 new items a year. I have a capsule wardrobe and this is enough for me to replace things as they wear out and occasionally get something just for fun. I've been living like this for a few years and now it comes naturally for me to be aware if I'm going over my limits. It has been a trial and error process but has made a huge difference to how I manage my funds.

I use to be like this I was younger, now I'm way better with money. I'm just not impressed with a lot of material items anymore. Having a budget and having patience is something I had to practice over time.

Buying less requires lots of self discipline. It’s not that easy but wow will make you feel better. Thank you I needed this video.

I am not living paycheck to paycheck but am feeling the squeeze from higher food, utilities & gasoline. I looked at my budget constantly & finally realized that I was paying too much for cable, internet & home phone & cell phones. It is a pain to have to renegotiate yearly but really saves money. After watching many of these financial KZfaqs I have really been spending a lot less discretionary income & saving more!!! I already cook mostly at home & follow most of the rules. There really always are places in the budget to cut & pay yourself first really works also. No buy spending experiments make you realize how much extra you really spend.

Thanks for this content. I love your gentle but firm style. This is a topic that is so stressful and shameful. Frugality can be fun. Don't think I'm poor. Think I can do better and keep working toward your goals. Financial planning should be a more open topic. 😊

My budget update I do 10% tithes , 40% savings now I am debt free, live on 50% which includes rent.

Living below your means" adjust your lifest, be frugal, budget, save and invest. This helped me out as a 6 figure earner. I've grown over a million in retirement savings with this method

Cut up your credit cards, never, ever enter a Starbucks. Buy a cheap used Honda or Toyota and drive them till the wheels fall off.

For a long time there was an awful lot of month at the end of the money. Some of it was due to circumstances, some of it was due to bad decisions, but when I finally made up my mind that I didn't want to live like this anymore and asked for help, it changed my life. I think, however, that it is important to acknowledge that sometimes one's circumstances are, in fact, actively working against them, and that it really is a systemic issue that needs to be addressed.

We have two and a half years of living expenses so far.

By following your advices, I was able to pay the total balance of one credit card last week. I'm now working on my second one ,the last credit card. Thanks for your videos!

I learned the reverse budget where you set your priority for the year and pay yourself first, then put the rest on bills and what is left over at the end of the month put into your emergency fund.

Years ago we went from living paycheck to paycheck as a 2-income family to living paycheck to paycheck as a 1-income family. It was a leap of faith to stay home with my young children, but totally worth it. Many people told us it was impossible to live on 1 income, but we proved them wrong. 😁 Eventually, our only debt was our mortgage. It was never easy, but still worth it!

Thank you for helping people.

Awesome video! In New Zealand a lot of people live pay check to pay check, so I decided I'm going to be jumping on the path to my financial freedom now. Have two credit cards to pay off! Going to update this each month on how I am going! Already started savings into separate accounts that dont have cards and I cant transfer out of instantly, so no chance to spend it. Going to try a no buy month in January (expections on gym supplements and swims. as sport/gym is important and need to stay fueled and injury free)

It’s both. Our financial way of life absolutely needs to be blown up, but at the same time, people also need to be more responsible. I know for a fact that there’s a lot of people that simply don’t make enough money. I make roughly 100K a year and in California, rent prices alone eat up almost 3/4 of what I make. Throw in dependents, and other financial obligations and it’s easy to end up in the negative. It’s definitely not one size fits all. It’s both.

To cut costs, aim for zero food waste. Even though food prices are rising, careful meal planning and having a goal of eating all of the food that you buy can lead to significant savings. For me, the most expensive food that I purchase is the leftover stuff that I throw away. We have saved money by doing this. Thanks for another great video!

It’s so hard, I am now aware that I make excuses for shopping but everything I want seems so awesome, it’s very hard for me to let go.

I really enjoy your videos and need to continually watch them to stay on track or 🐿, i loose focus.

So Joshua, what can we seniors only able to live on social security supposed to do? We have already pared down to basically only essentials, so we are in a different group than what you describe...and with rising costs, I definitely have cut back on everything I can think of. I know this is not a group you normally recognize in your minimalism habits, but would like to know if you have any thoughts on this...Thanks from Wanda in FL.

I save one paycheck a month. When I was younger and lived with my parents I saved 3 paychecks a month. Everyone around me is always hurting for money. I just tell them so am I.

Inspirational as always. Thank you for sharing.

Thank you! We move to San Diego a couple of year ago and it was great, but we feel like living here doesnt allow us to travel as we used to and save some money. We think we will move after our lease is over. Looking forward to that!

I'm retired now, but toward the end of my earning years, I heard a talk about saving. I took 10% of gross pay and put it into savings and 10% for tithes. In months when I could, I put 20% into savings. When there was a layoff, I was able to still pay my mortgage and utilities, taxes and food. It was tight, but I survived with the help of part-time jobs until retirement was possible.

I need this thank u

Great list Joshua! #5 is key. For years I adopted the "ostrich philosophy" of buying my head in the sand when it came to truly looking at our finances (and I was the household CFO! Yikes!) When I started seeing that we were in the red I knew changes needed to be made. After the past decade we've done a much better job of living within our means and saving for retirement by paying off debt ala Dave Ramsey's method. Along the way I found you, adopted minimalism, and rarely spend outside of essentials. Staying on budget is a fun challenge for us, and we don't really lack for anything. Also, I have to say I chuckled at the clips of "shopping for black t-shirts". As I long time follower it was funny, lol!

Great advice thank you thank you

You reminded me of thinking outside the box. We get used to whatever circumstances and give up our power to change them. Great reminder to keep to financial goals.

Thank you

I got 10% deducted from my paycheck before I get my direct deposit. 10% goes into my 403b with an employer match. I lived on what’s left, saved for vacation and my wishlist of furniture, etc.

This is so encouraging! I am on a low spend no spend year in hopes to get the mortgage down to very little By the end of 2023. Keep the encouragement coming less is more ;-)

Thank you very much, these are great recommendations❤

I will be honest I don’t spend a-lot on buying ‘stuff’ in the house except a few things here and there.. however I do spend a lot in travel… 👀

Joshua, Great video! We were like this several yrs ago. Then I started saving $1, then $2, then $5, & I continued saving whatever possible to put towards our credit card until we were out of debt. It took years to get out of debt & pay off our house, but it has been so worth it. It's nice to be able to give to help others.

I'm on a fixed income, retired. You make some good points that anyone can follow. One just needs to decide the best way to save for themselves.

In February 2022 I decided to have a year of no spending except for the basics = housing (which is very expensive where I live), groceries, cleaning supplies, internet, phone service, etc. to see where it could get me. My small experiment lasted until the previous November when I started shopping for Christmas - mostly for my family and friends. And even with some health and family issues that unfortunately occurred last year, I saved way more than ever before. The extra expenses were significant, but thanks to my savings they weren't a killing burden, and I'm pretty close to the goal I originally set for 2022; I have more in my account than ever before. Therefore I know, what Joshua said is feasible, so, please give it a try! And the best and most surprising thing - it was less painful than I expected.

Thank you for another helpful and timely message. I have a spending plan, and I often wonder what I did with the discretionary money. Unfortunately, I have never gotten into the habit of saving. I will try again, with more intention and regularity. Using a separate account is an excellent idea! If I don't see the extra in my main account, I would be less inclined to spend it.

I earn £12,000 a year in the uk and I live well. I wish I did earn more because I know I could have a good pension. USA wages are crazy most British people are on £20,000 a year.

I am considering moving out from Florida. It is a hard decision, but Florida is getting to crowded and expensive

Great video 👍realtalk

Thank you Joshua, this is really great advice for a world that is stressed by increasing costs. Doing any one of these 10 steps will help to take back control from an industry that is built on making us think spending is good! I enjoy your videos, keep them coming!!!

Joshua, I have a 35 year old son who has a full Tim's job. He lives with my husband and myself.. How much should he be contributing to the household bills ?

As I've gotten older I like to have a cushion of money that I keep just in case it has saved me stress so many times.

I photograph things I think I want to buy. Oh my… I hardly ever go back & buy them!

Love this video. 👏❣

GREAT TIPS here!

cinnamon rolls lol omg i dont know why but that made me crack up.

Excellent video

What are your thoughts on the cbdc

Thanks you.

Love the fade out shot! Where is that?

2 years ago all of my bills could be paid in 1 check. Unfortunately, im now paycheck to paycheck. It wont always be like this but it definitely makes me feel very uncomfortable for now. Theres no room to trim fat.

a saying that i always really loved was "we work to live, not live to work". :) and living pay cheque to pay cheque definitely sounds like living to work.

A second account to save money is a Godsend!! Highly recommended!! 😊😊

How you are SOOOO right… thank you so much for your insights and not so radical tips

I truly appreciate this video and how you define reality bumps in the road to financial freedom. Thank a million 😊

Thank you for this video! I needed to be reminded to pull back on my spending. I did a no spend in January and put extra $ toward a credit card but my emergency savings is not where I want it. Adding one paycheck is a great goal that I will work toward for the remainder of this month. March is actually a 5 paycheck month for those of us who get paid weekly!

What a great video

Moving to a lower cost-of-living place - possibly across country - would be expensive in itself. You have to figure that moving expense into your living cost in the new place, say for the first year. Long distance moving ain't cheap. I know because I'm trying to decide anout this for myself right now. Also - unless youre living in a really expensive city - NYC, Boston, Miami, LA etc - most of the US isn't going to be a great deal cheaper than where you are now. Housing costs are up everywhere.

I like the idea of starting with a one pay check savings goal, then progressing to 1 month’s expenses, then 3, 6 etc. Thanks for these tips!

Buy only what you need not what you want

I love owning less , I live in australia

Too many blue collar workers believe that because they don't own a bunch of luxury items / fancy expenditures (e.g. brand name bags, fancy vacations, fancy cars, a house) means they aren't living a lifestyle of luxurious convenience -- paying $3.99 at Arco / 7-11 for a bag of chips you could have gotten for $0.50 in bulk at Walmart is a luxury. Choosing to not take 1 hour out of each month to draft a rough budget of how you plan to spend the next month's pay + how much to set aside as savings & emergency $, is a luxury (responsible people cannot mentally 'afford' not investing that 1 hour). Choosing to not discipline your kids and teach them how to TRULY budget & why mom and dad CANNOT take them to 7-11 is a luxury the easier route than shelling out $10-25/m per kid as their 'allowance' and allowing them to blow it on overpriced snacks or video games they don't need, especially when the kids' priorities are not straight (worried about the next game instead of the B they should turn into an A). The biggest hurdle I see is when parents dont' realize they are teaching their kids to live paycheck to paycheck when they're giving an allowance to their kid who then spends 100% of it, vs. teaching them to put 1/2 or all of it in the bank.... mom and dad are already paying the essentials right? And when mom and dad allow the kid to dip into the next month's allowance so they can get something they realllllyyy want but don't have enough $ for... that's called teaching your kids to ask for advanced pay for something they don't even need. Parents complain that schools don't teach money management... but the same parents don't realize they are the ones teaching their kids how to be financially irresponsible.

Excellent ❤

#4 really got me😊

In regards to the comment about the average person spending 1500/month on non-essentials - I bring home less than that per month, so I know I don't spend that much on non-essentials 😊 I'm curious if there is a stat which refers to a certain percentage of our monthly income instead of a dollar amount spent on non-essentials?

I did a no spend month in January and I was very pleased that I succeeded. I plan on doing another no spend month in the near future. Good video and advice. Thanks"😊

Great!

Keeping a budget is a virtue in itself.

Moving money out of the main account into a savings account only helps if both people keep track of what’s left in the account. If one just swipes away without knowing or caring then it’s not helpful 🙁

good video though, kudos

I like that small goal to start, thanks, that'll help.

Thanks, I really needed to here this today :)

Good points, Joshua. I do have one paycheck in an emergency fund but that's it.

Thanks for the video. By the way, you look like a mix of Jim Carrey & Andrew Garfield.

Really liked this video. We have been so programmed to spend and accumulate. I did a no-spend year last year and payed off my credit card. Also I recently started to track my spending and figured out what I actually needed! I’m on a fixed income but have a goal to build up my savings. Thanks for insights.🐇

Where did u get the photo in the background from?

But many people teach that its not good have bank accounts .whats your take on that?

You Americans are really lucky to have such high salaries 😢

Could you a spending plan layout where we can download free

I have tried these steps many times but the emergencies keep coming before I even have accrued an emergency fund. A $350 Vet bill, a $250 plumber bill for a leaky toilet, a $200 copay for a tooth extraction...not to mention car repairs. Am I just unlucky or is there some way I can make room for these unexpected expenses?

Take a shot every time he says “paycheck to paycheck”

I def don't spend 1500 on non Essentials lpl but maybe 800, yes

Brilliant !!!

I’m a CNA I have seen rich people save all there life to pay out everything they have for there spouse home care took it all 😢😢😢😢😢😢😢

Cut back on spending-my disability cheque? With respect, (1) someone else now pays my rent (and food!) so, I can exist. (2) Someone else bought me a used car so I could get some applicable work. (2) Someone else bought me a computer-again, so I could get some doable work. There’s no “cutting back”; there’s acquiring angels🙏🏽 who, frankly, got tired of me regularly asking for help so, chose to deal with the situation resoundingly.