Hey my plant friend! Great to see you, I hope you're doing well!

I did as well. I left my job as a nurse to be a SAHM and homeschool, smartphones are such time vampires. I got a flip phone that can only text and call, and a prepaid service plan of $100/year. I do feel “out of the loop”, but I’ve come to see that “the loop” is very toxic. Bring me back to 2008 or earlier and I’d be a happy woman!

May I ask, what company? I'm paying 170 per month for 4 lines😬😬😬?

@@magomago7819 I use Tello, they actually just lowered a lot of their prices too, so check it out! Even if you do unlimited data + calling/texting, it'll be $100 for 4 lines with them

@@katiejon17 that sounds so lovely 😊

Same here, but 48 years next month :)

Same!

You can have church wedding, low cost as well.

I agree. Weddings are out of control.

Me too. Going on 10 years next month. Best decision ever. We used our savings to buy our first home. Not a wedding.

I can’t wait to be a grandma! Kids are the best!!!

Amen! Mom of 6 and Grandma to 7 soon to be 8 but we have financial freedom even with a large family!

I can’t wait to be a grandma family is priceless. Plus you never know they might be an investment 😅.

Agree, it broke my heart when she said that. Its a lie that you'll have more happiness and money without kids. Quite the opposite.

Having kids and grandkids is the highlight of my life!

Ok great, I'd be happy to make a video on negotiation tips. Thank you friend! 🙏

until she posts it try reading "getting to yes" it's a classic. thought a bit more aggressive -- Never Split the Difference.

@@christinekobzeff hi Christine can you please do a video on nontoxic makeup 💄 I'm trying to avoid toxic chemicals going on my skin or body.. I will highly appreciate it thank you 😊💕🙏

+J9 85y88

Would love to know several options for high quality safe, organic and humane ( no animal testing , on any of the ingredients) beauty products. There are sooo many makeup professionals on KZfaq showing great application but though they may focus on some inexpensive and good options to try in lieu of high end brands, they do not seem to care at all about the many highly toxic ingredients and unethical brand practices with animal testing 😢 I search out clean companies but it’s nice to see what someone else has found also . There are definitely many out there now, I just wish the big companies would care . But they won’t care in the United States as long as our government continues to all toxic chemicals into our products ( and food) or to ban animal testing across the board forever … unless We the People start demanding it. Our power is our dollar. Be careful where you spend it .

I can’t imagine life without my kids and grandkids. Nothing else compares, and while I really appreciate these great tips, money is definitely not more important than family.

I am so thankful I decided to be child free. Back to college at 40 for Registered Nurse. Married again at 65. Now retired. Hubby had 2 son/daughter. 6 grandkids. They have lots, lots of needs.

Yes! World is already overpopulated. Look it up. World's resources are going to run out the way we are going.

I lost my son when he was 15. He was the sunshine of our lives. I have no regrets about having him

The idea is to save money not having her own children. So why would she want to adopt/foster/etc?

Omg! May I ask what provider you’re using and what you did? I am so tired of our phone bill. We finally got our married daughters off of our plan and my iPad doesn’t have roaming Wi-Fi. That helped a little but not as much as we thought it would.

@@MRF9699 spectrum

That is fantastic! I wish I would have learned how to sew. Maybe I can still learn! I also phased out paper towels. Love it! now just have to get the husband on board with it. Would also love to phase out the TV but I doubt he will budge on that one! Ha ha.

Get married!

@@jeanetteh7752 why ?

❤

@@lisaa9361yes, you can readily learn to sew! Wonderful skill to have and satisfying to do. You can probably find an inexpensive used machine in any number of places. There are free tutorials online, I think - and check out your library. Mine has the use of machines, too. Great for learning!

Do you put it directly in the wash or in the bleach compartment?

@@lilarose9348 I put it in the bleach compartment

@@lilarose9348I put the white vinegar in the softener compartment, no longer use softener. I also add 1/3 cup baking soda in the washer.

@@lilarose9348 I put it in right before adding the clothes.

In the tub

Same! It's been 15 for me too

20 for me and I agree 100% - the best decision ever.

Me too .. now the challenge is to find a partner who is okay with that. 😊

@@lapope2568 look for one in the library or someone that's likes the outdoors. Best of luck 🍀

Maybe silly question, but how did you adjust to no TV? Any substitutes, for example? My mind goes to missing readily available sports broadcasts, concerts, educational programs

Doing the same. Changed my phone number to live a quiet life

Quality over quantity 😊

Socializing can be expensive, especially if you go to bars and restaurants. I understand completely.

My friend Gayle and I invited each other over to watch a good movie, or for a glass of ice tea and to enjoy each other's back yards. Socializing need not cost money or involve bars.

Yesssss me tooo ❤

Beautifully said!! 💗

Agreed!! But definitely be frugal when it comes to big corporations. Then, by all means!

you’re right! The current market might give opportunities to maximize profit within a short term, but in order to execute such strategy , you must be a skilled practitioner

I've been in touch with a financial advisor ever since I started my business. Knowing today's culture The challenge is knowing when to purchase or sell when investing in trending stocks, which is pretty simple. On my portfolio, which has grown over $900k in a little over a year, my adviser chooses entry and exit orders.

Mind if I ask you recommend this particular professional you use their service? i have quite a lot of marketing problems

Finding financial advisors like Aileen Gertrude Tippy who can assist you shape your portfolio would be a very creative option. There will be difficult times ahead, and prudent personal money management will be essential to navigating them.

I just looked up this person out of curiosity, and surprisingly she seems really proficient. I thought this was just some overrated BS, I appreciate this.

Yes same here, best spent money ever but kids do cost and I think it's totally okay to not wanting to have kids as well. 🙂

100% agree!!!!!!!

And that's fine. It's also fine not to have kids. Sadly, so much pressure is put on women to have kids.

Not having kids is against nature, i dont think childless people can completely happy. Inside they know something is missing.

@@RandyLibertadF Yeah

Sounds wonderful

Cool! We sold our house near the capital and moved three hours away. We got a much bigger house so cheap. So now we own our house and don't owe the bank anything. Feels great and we love the more low tempo here.

What does the rent cost you yearly, if you don't mind saying?

Sounds awesome but I wouldn't feel safe tbh

We sold the house & bought a boat. Living on the boat was great. Easy to clean,no clutter. That was life for 3 years. Now rent because of work commitments. Still have the boat & are hoping to return to boat life.

Anything white I always wash in hot water, especially my underwear. I just don't feel that it's clean without hot water. Diane

Actually that’s not true as a hot dryer also kills any mites.

Or wash in cold water and then dry outside in the sun...

same here. bedding and towels in hot water. cold for everything else. and very little detergent

I heard that the dust mites get back on your sheets the minute you put them back on as they are in the mattress.

Agreed. No kids as a money saving measure is a very odd way to look at the decision.

I believe that raising kids should be for whoever wants them, not dictated by society….. and saving money by not raising any is only a by-product of that decision; for most people, it doesn’t drive it

We have a 2003 Mercury Sable with almost 400K miles on it. The body is going to wear out before the motor lol

Toyotas really are the way to go! My 2003 Camry has 220K miles, and it’s far from the end of its life

Camrys are

Toyotas are AWESOME ❤

Love this story!

Yeah blah blah and goodluck when youre sitting in an old peoples home with no one coming to visit especially you've chosen not to have kids. No kids equals no visits right? 😂

@@jpowell2603 sure cause there's absolutely no lonely people that had children in the nursing homes right? Just live and let others live how they want.

I use CC for rewards money every other month. About $200 a year, 😍.

Same!

Same here. I use my cc to pay for everything then pay it off every month. It helps me have near perfect credit and rewards pay for my airfare when I travel. It also helps reduce insurance costs.

@@dianareddell1496same here. Curious, though: how does it save insurance costs?

Many years ago, we started a tradition to spend $10 at the Dollar Store for our Christmas gifts to each other. This was back when it was still a dollar! It is still our tradition and is so much fun. Usually one or two of the gifts are things we keep and use throughout the year, the rest we donate. We have found the fun is in the selection and wrapping (not the amount of money) and the joy of opening them on Christmas day. It’s a tradition we started right after we got married and we love it. We also will use beach towels, hand towels, etc. as gift wrap and make them look pretty with ribbon without having to use actual Christmas paper.

@@lisaa9361love these ideas!

Thank you so much Nicole! 🙏

I do the same thing but with dishwashing soap.

Oh my dear, don't blame yourself. The times were different then and so was the lifestyle. You did what you enjoyed then and now you at least have some good memories. Things are different now, and you have adapted by changing your views. No need for regrets, you did the best you knew at the time. 🌿

❤❤❤

Pets too!

Learning to care for a water heater can make it more efficient and last many years longer.

@@TH-eb5ro Speaking truth! I used to flip houses. I can not tell you how many times the non-functional furnace had been killed by an ignorant occupant who never changed the filters! My husband and I regularly saved thousands by flushing hot water heaters, cleaning out ducts (when the toddler shoves stuffed toys in there, it cuts off the air flow and creates back-pressure that damages the unit) and changing filters.

Finally 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏

My husband and I use our Costco Citi Bank card & charge all our purchases on it & earn 2% cash back through Citi Bank as well as through Costco. We then pay off the bill in full each month to avoid paying any interest fees. However, some companies, especially restaurants these days will charge a service fee for using a credit card. If that's the case I will avoid that fee by paying cash.

It's true that when we pay in cash we spend more consciously, but I love to travel, so I use credit cards for every purchase. I sign with airline credit card companies that cover my travel region, carefully check if they have rental car insurance and medical repatriation (I was in a car accident abroad and it was very helpful!). I pay diligently within the billing cycle and never carry a balance. I realize it doesn't work for everyone, but I traveled a lot just paying airport taxes. I see them as knives: utensils, and as such to be used with caution.

I use 2 credit cards to get cash back of 2-4% which I redeem for statement credits. Most of our purchases are for food, gas, insurance and utilities.

I use a credit card that gives me back 1% a month, on certain categories 5 %for 3 months. I pay it off every month. I regularly get back about $400 a year that I can put towards my balance whenever.

@@mariah3654 yes, I forgot to mention the cash back option for a few stores I frequent

I still have a 32 year old Corolla! And a newer Camry. Corolla has 287xxx miles. Super low maintenance 🚗

YES!!! I had a Toyot Tercel EZ that lasted 300,000 miles, till I sold it for a good buck. 49 mph, and the only things it ever needed were tires and a battery! It had no radio or air conditioning-- but it was a GREAT ride!!

@@mariah3654wow! That’s fantastic!

@@mariah3654my Lexus SUV is 23 years old now, but only 120,000 miles. It has some mechanical problems that I must figure out - like automatic door locks don’t work & a window doesn’t work (must figure out where to get those fixed!) but rides really well

Same here, except my husband and I were kicked out of our families because they couldn't imagine or accept someone not wanting to have kids (my father literally told me that's why I was put on this earth) - and because we're not religious (another issue). But there is nothing like laying your head on your pillow at night with a clean conscience because you've made the right decisions for you.

Same here. Honestly it shouldn't be a bad thing for people who don't want kids not to have them. What is worse than to have a child you didn't want just because of societal pressure..? Both for you and the child. I swear some people only think of principles/religion, not to a logical future or with joy of living in mind.

When I was in my late 20s I also couldn't care less about having children. Then in my 30s when I wanted a child more, I couldn't get pregnant, I got pregnant and had my son at almost 39. I couldn't be happier! Children are the most amazing "things" that can happen to a woman. Now I'm 43 and can't understand myself how selfish and self-centered I used to be. Now I share my life and happiness not only with my husband but also my 4 year old, and it's unbelievably amazing seeing him grow into a little, independent man.

​@carriestandridge4043 Not being religious and having a "clean" conscience just don't go together😕

@@martaszyszka7654 Unfortunately, I could tell a lot of stories about religious people in my life who would have been better off with clean consciences.

I do that when my stuff goes on sale at Costco. :)

Holy crap you’re my hero! Retiring at 34 !!!

@@maryelvington you should read “early retirement extreme” or “your money or your life”. I’m not the only one! You have to think outside the model you grow up with.

What are all the extreme tips? How can I find this info if you don't mind sharing?

Googling now thanks!

What fabulous ideas! I’ve been frugal all my life , having been raised by parents who lived thru the Depression, & have done most of them, (I DO have kids & pets) but you challenged me with buying used appliances from estate sales/stores! I will do that! The only thing I can add that’s as not covered, which you don’t have to think about in Maui, is the heating/cooling bill, which most people spend a huge amt on. We live in IA & we keep our winter heat at 63 (64 for a splurge!) during the day and 58 at night. Sleep is more healthful (deeper) at a lower temp, and a layer of fleece (& often a vest, too) keeps the body warm in Winter. Working out creates more muscle, and muscle is what keeps us warm. Drying clothes on racks adds humidity. In Summer, we only run AC when it’s swelteringly hot, just enough to remove some humidity, like 77 or 78 degrees. I like what Dave Ramsey says about living like no one else now so that we can live like no one else later! These self-discipline tips allowed us to retire comfortably. I’ve also told my children, “Do NOT get divorced.” (I realize that it’s a must sometimes.) Not only is it horribly expensive, but years of compounded interest are lost when assets are divided. I am divorced & remarried & had to work SO hard to play catch-up so that retirement was possible. Be more careful BEFORE getting married, and be the person you’d want to marry. Thanks again for all the ideas! One challenge I have for you: Reconsider the multidimensional joys and challenges/personal growth of having children. We have two friends who wish they’d had children. Yes, they have poured into nieces & nephews, but it’s just not the same, they say, and at a certain age, it’s too late to reconsider. Our $ and desires are not the most important things in life, and they do not build character like learning to be selfless and sacrificial does. That said, I do NOT think anyone should have children if they don’t want them.

I use visible, a prepaid “verizon” service. I pay 25.00 unlimited everything. The one thing they don’t provide is call up customer service, it’s all done online. I’ve used them since 2018. This company is amazing. T-Mobile also has a senior plan. That’s awesome and if you let them withdraw the payment from your account, you save five dollars. 75.00-5.00 70.00 for 2 lines. And there’s plenty of other services that are even cheaper than this. You just have to look around.

Those who don't have children are like those who never marry. They have no idea what they're missing, and boast about it. signed, Grandma in Vegas (who now understands WHY we're called "Grand")

​@@Pamsmith59Well, I do. Lol ❤

I agree. A bit stunning. I couldn't have any. That choice was taken from me. I've accepted that but wouldn't have thought of it as part of my budget 😅 even though yes of course a big expense but wow, I was surprised 😊

Yes, I found that disturbing too.

@@dianetrue2396 Same for us. We wanted children, but it didn't work out for us. I find people who don't want children, sounding so cold about it, disturbing. Of course, if that is their attitude, it is better for any prospective children they might have had! It is just unnatural, definitely shouldn't be "normalized".

Thrift shop save you so much money on clothes. Also if you have kids consignment sales! ;)

I love it!! Eating healthy vegan meals and living the no buy life! 🙌🌱💚

My family is coming to visit, would love to prepare a vegan meal, any specific recommendations?

I keep trying to eat down my freezers (fridge and small chest one), but I've not been very successful. That's because I can't seem to pass up reduced meat that I bring home and freeze. Sigh. I'll keep trying. Diane

@@susiestaton5544 Thanks, Susie. I do like having enough food, but when the freezers get so full that I have a hard time closing them, that's a problem. I also think about how awful it would be if the power went off for a while and I lost all my food. There has to be a happy medium, whatever that is! Diane

Haven't figured out how to use a Dive cup but I did is make my own cloth pads and has been 13 year for me.

@@jedijessic oh nice! How do you make your own pads?

Clean people was cheaper for me. Great idea.

thank you

Thanks for he info

I don’t eat greens, though never heard they are washed with chemicals!

Tv is cheaper than projector.

You beat me to the library suggestion! The library offers so many more services along with loaning books. I'm an avid reader however will not buy books. There are lots of little free libraries around my community where you can take a book and/or leave a book.

I have gone to Estate Sales and Used Clothing Shops I know were donated by high income people. Myself and my house look so expensive.

Yes , this , I have always shopped by what’s on sale and buy meat in bulk on sale and freeze . I am in South Dakota so I don’t know how Walmarts do it elsewhere but we have an Academy training Walmart store here. They look the same you would never know, but my friend works there and their discounts and clearances are random throughout the store and they are not highlighted. It is just a change in price. Before Christmas they had double packs of Land O Lakes brand butter for $3.98, I get cereal for a dollar a box candy bars for a quarter. Just the most random things but sometimes we hit the jackpot..

Most washers have settings for hot vs cold water. If set for hot, the hot water heater will turn on, increasing cost. When set at cold, no heating cost. Also, I set my water level at small to save water and water costs, which are high in California.

When was the world not "cruel"? As long as humans have been on this planet, there's been sadness and pain but always love and laughter as well.

You won't regret it until you're old and all alone with no one.

@@Karen-jp1nsif it works for you, great! But it’s not for others and that’s ok too.

I work in admissions in a senior living community, and I have come to see that having children is no guarantee they will be in your lives as adults.

I thought I understood what love/happiness is- until the birth of my daughter. Holding a newborn, beautiful baby girl in your arms immediately after birth gave a rush of oxytocin (the human bonding hormone) unlike anything I could ever imagine. Immediately my former focus on self dissolved into the past as there was now a wonderful baby I was given the privilege to raise. If you want the full human experience; please have children! It’s rewarding beyond comprehension. As for the rest of the extreme frugal list, I agree and do most of these things. However, also focus on aspiring to have an abundance lifestyle due to higher incomes based on a doing a profession you love. The mental health reward from having a rewarding career cannot be minimized. Lastly, invest all your savings in the stock market. Doing these things resulted in a great family, lifestyle, and a couple million in net worth by age 40 for our family of 4.

You’re not really supposed to ask a woman that because what if they have fertility issues or have had miscarriages. Super selfish and honestly none of your business.

@@Narfyak2you can find fulfillment in yourself instead of children if you’re willing to work for it 👍

@@aIysssa I agree 100%!

@@aIysssa well having lived until age 30 without kids, then having a daughter and a son, I can only speak to what I have experienced in life…just like you and Christine. Those who haven’t experienced parenthood…cannot dismiss its value since they haven’t lived it.