Small Changes that Help You Save BIG Money

Рет қаралды 42,795

Жыл бұрын

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When it comes to saving money, we often “discount” the little things. We don’t really believe that changing a few weekly habits could actually make it possible for us to pay off that debt, take that vacation, or save toward great, big goals.
But, as you’ll see, it’s often the small things that make the biggest difference. In this video, we’ll cover 5 small changes you can make today that could save you THOUSANDS of dollars a year.
We’ll keep a running tab and reveal the total amount saved at the end of the video, we’ll reveal the total.
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We're Hope and Larry and we love practical frugality. We raised our four sons, debt-free, including paying cash for our home when our income was well under the national average. For tips on saving money, budgeting, paying off debt, and setting goals (while living with a spirit of joy and abundance), subscribe to us here on KZfaq and visit us at our website and on social media.
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Пікірлер: 352

@rongablue Жыл бұрын

My grandmother always taught us “Look after the cents and the dollars will take care of themselves.”

@deborahevans189 Жыл бұрын

I'm English we also say look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves

@margaret9522 Жыл бұрын

That's a good saying. I like it :)

@velocityakaslothmom8083 Жыл бұрын

Two years ago when my husband was alive, I was spending $800 a month on groceries and we were going out to eat at least five times a week now that my husband has passed I have me and my two adult daughters we are lucky to spend $350 a month on groceries and we go out to eat about twice a month and those two times have coupons involved. We went from 130,000 a year. Two 45,000 a year for the three of us and we are all adults. But with God‘s blessing, my house is paid for my cars are paid for everything is paid for. And I have a little bit of a cushion in the bank, but I have to guard every cent.

@carakerr4081 Жыл бұрын

Praise God! You are doing very well ❤

@happycook6737 Жыл бұрын

Your 2 adult daughters need to get jobs!

@terrihalligan1657 Жыл бұрын

I changed out the 6 can lights in my kitchen to LED LIGHTS . It made a huge difference. I also put up a clothes line and use the dryer very little. Also turned my heat/AC off unless absolutely necessary. My bill went from $180 to $80 per month.

@beth3535 Жыл бұрын

Im still eating meat, but much of the time it’s a few ounces added to stir fry dishes…almost a flavoring… but more than enough protein.

@YSLRD Жыл бұрын

Not nearly enough protein. 50 grams for a sedentary person. 150 or more for an active adult.

@beth3535 Жыл бұрын

@@YSLRD assuming what? No other protein sources in the meal or in total eaten for day?

@kaitlynyoung1766 Жыл бұрын

@Redneck Philosopher protien can come from lots of sources, it's actually very easy to hit protein needs with out a ton of meat

@user-zl4rr1ic7w 11 ай бұрын

I think many people are using meat as a "condiment" for flavoring now.

@mariahsmom9457 4 ай бұрын

50 grams of protein is not healthy People, this is not science, please don't listen to this.

@helenstory9924 Жыл бұрын

Well, what’s the old quote about if you think something is too small to make a difference, try sharing a bed with a mosquito? 😆

@CourtneyRobinson Жыл бұрын

I’ve gone into semi retirement and I have more time to scrutinize our expenses. I was trying to cut our groceries by 40% and was feeling defeated, after watching this I am going to do 20% and work from there. I gave up meat, dairy and eggs three years ago and never looked back. Best decision ever.

@happycook6737 Жыл бұрын

Would you like to save $60/year? Ditch paper products. We use thrift store cloth napkins (washed weekly), squares of old cotton T-shirts for Kleenex, and installed a toilet sprayer instead of toilet paper. I save an additional $160/year by cutting my own bob haircut using The Perfect Bob template I bought online. We quit buying treats and now make microwave mug cakes for pennies which taste great. I make slice & bake cookies rolls for my freezer and we bake a few in the toaster oven. Any 1970's cookbook has the recipe under "refrigerator cookies" name. In the summer I only cook outside. I use my toaster oven, crockpot, etc outside to keep heat out of my kitchen. So many ways to save it is like playing a fun game to see how low we can go.

@Mrsmadison45 Жыл бұрын

Cowgirl found 30 count medium eggs $3.29, she will buy 2 pkgs. This will last us one month it's just "Us" on our Retirement Ranch (3 bedroom 1.5 bathroom house) She has managed to grocery shop every other week for $65.00 for produce and dairy only. Our Retirement Ranch is all Electric we do not plug in anything that is not serving a purpose. We unplug every night lamps, tv, pcs, ect.... amazing how much one can save 🐴 As always Larry and Hope fantastic video 💕

@caroleminvielle9554 Жыл бұрын

We don’t have a tv, let alone extra services, but you prompted me to cut down my phone and internet package from £63 a month to £36. Thank you.

@brokendolly6967 Жыл бұрын

I purchased an Arial antenna kit from Amazon for just over $40.00 , that's a one time payment for FREE TV from now on.

@americafirst9144 Жыл бұрын

Double check your receipts. The stores around here try to overcharge me by about 6% each time I go. Then I have to stand in the customer service line for 20 minutes and get treated abysmally for wanting them to honor the advertised prices.

@jonnaborosky8836 Жыл бұрын

Never had cable. Haven't had a TV in decades and decades. Been a vegetarian since 1970. Worked in about 6 months of vegen-ism since 1975. I've saved extremely on electricity simply by unplugging EVERYTHING until I needed it! When I first did that, my bill went down 76%. I scrounged around to find anything else I could do to lower it and decreased it another 11%. I've lost too much mobility now to be able to climb around to unplug and plug in things as I use them, so I turn the whole fuse box off for 1-2 hours a day....maybe 1 in the morning and another in the afternoon. Big help. I do the same with the furnace, to save gas. I turn it off when it reaches the temp I want, and then turn it back on when my nose starts to get cold. I usually keep the house at 62°, but recently I've felt ill, so I set it at 66°. If it's not freezing outside, I turn it off at night. It's usually about 58° when I wake up, so I pop the thermostat to 62 and off I go, till I turn it off again for a couple of hours later in the day. I wear long johns, plus a sweater, shawl, or fleece. I also wear warm socks and UGG slippers...toasty warm! My bottom jaw nearly hit the floor when you announced the $10,000!! But then, I thought about the couple who saved $13,000 a year by cutting out impulse buys, and my experiment to see if that could be true, where I saved $6,500 in 6 months by doing the same. You're right: small changes can save tons of money. I saved up a down payment for a house by using these frugal measures. I had enough left over for several thousands in home repairs and renovations...and then to cover 2 and a half years of no income when I first became disabled.

@janetstonerook4552 Жыл бұрын

I've started itemizing my shopping purchases once I get home and then go over the tallies regularly to see where my money is going. My grocery spending was actually much less than I imagined as I was buying cleaning supplies, health and beauty aids and cat supplies on these trips. Many of these non food items were cheaper at a dollar store so now I usually stock up there monthly.

@rochellethundercloud346 Жыл бұрын

We save change. Reuse tea bags and coffee grounds.used coffee grounds and Vaseline make a fantastic body scrub. We eat one meal a day. We drink mostly water. We use meat as a condiment, rather than the entree. We eat simply. Oatmeal Rice Pasta Salads.things like that.

@maltarunner Жыл бұрын

Hi Rochelle. I’m interested in hearing more about using coffee grounds and Vaseline as a body scrub. What ratio to coffee grounds to you use?

@carakerr4081 Жыл бұрын

Wonderful tips thank you!

@rochellethundercloud346 Жыл бұрын

@@maltarunner it's generally one teaspoon of coffee grounds to one tablespoon Vaseline

@schmoopaloo Жыл бұрын

We cut the cable and it definitely helps the pocket book. I JUST finished paying off the last cc payment. I started about 5 years ago, remained very focused, kept snowballing it into the next one, and it's officially done! It feels so good achieving that goal. Finding your channel has helped a lot too. Thank you both. You are such an inspiration!

@heathertackett7956 Жыл бұрын

Awesome job on getting rid of the cc debt! It's shocking how much money you have for savings and needs once those bills are gone lol.. at least it was for us!

@TheOracleofWhimsy Жыл бұрын

Congratulations!

@shelleyjohnston2537 Жыл бұрын

thank you for sharing your success! VERY motivational 🥰

@bethanyg153 Жыл бұрын

I think you two are so successful because you plan and adjust together. I pay the bills, control the thermostat, and I’m the one to put the breaks on the spending. Usually my husband goes along with me on things, but I think if we fine tooth combed everything like you two do, we’d have a lot more success.

@MyThougths Жыл бұрын

I am on a no buy month. We are using anything we have (esp for kids). My mother in law has a non-profit organization and gets toooonsss of food donated. She gives us the opportunity to get a a lot of items which we didn't always do, but now we do! This allows for us to save a lot of money, and no need to eat out. I budget out my funds (mine only) and realized that by doing the math I can be credit card debt free by the first week of December. Small changes make BIG changes. I always think you two. Thanks!!!

@rosemoore5364 Жыл бұрын

I highly recommend downsizing if possible. I went for a 2500 sq ft home (5 bed 3 bath) to a 748 sq ft home (2 bed 2 bath with 3 adults) and love it. I have an oversized 2 car garage (has too much stuff but will be cleaned out in the spring). Our property taxes and utilities are so much less. I can turn heat up if cold now and no longer cringe when bill arrives. Thank you for the videos and have a nice day.

@bookiebird28 Жыл бұрын

I started unplugging everything I could after watching your videos. It really made a difference in my electric bill.

@auntiegliz737 Жыл бұрын

Me too -- so glad they recommended that.

@marisag8429 Жыл бұрын

Our grocery budget is $500/mo for family of 5 with three teenagers…all boys. My husband and two boys hunt which helps with the budget.

@elizaC3024 Жыл бұрын

We have been squeezing our budget for 5 months and have paid off debt, built an emergency fund covering 3 months of bills and have extra to invest. The work pays off.

@Vanessa-pe1fo Жыл бұрын

it's me and my husband, I have budgeted 600 dollars a month for food, I bake my own bread, we don't go out to restaurants, once in a while we will go to McDonalds for a ice cream cone. It's too expensive to eat out, we just cant afford it, period.. we take advantage of the free vegtable giveaway here in our town, it doesn't happen all the time, have to sit in our car for at least 1 hour to get it, but it's worth it. ... we canceled our television but not our internet, where we live we only have 1 option for internet, it's 125 dollars per month for internet service , the basic tv package was 35 dollars per month and we decided to cut the tv out.

@HouseOfOurLord Жыл бұрын

Hubs and I are 52 & 63 and we spend no more than $250 a MONTH for groceries. That also includes food for 3 little dogs, since I make their food for them. We eat a carnivore way of eating. Which includes lots of beef.

@malissachavira1412 Жыл бұрын

My husband is such a health fanatic that we really only eat out 2 or 3 times a year. We always have an ice cooler of food with us. I never kept track of how much I spent before I met him, so I have no idea how much I'm saving.

@angelafritz4917 Жыл бұрын

My goal is 250 / mo this year. Two adults and teenage boy. Not quite hitting it yet, but close, and learning...

@patblack4332 Жыл бұрын

You think the small changes won't do much...boy I was wrong! Thanks to you both I have cut my electric bill almost in half...simple things like turning lights off, unplugging appliances not in use, using my electric dryer at off times. I admit I was surprised and gives you incentive to try other areas to save money. Love you both!!

@lindaertel7558 Жыл бұрын

Yes, I am doing the same things you are doing and it saves money.

@wishingb5859 Жыл бұрын

I ended up decorating with tap lights and with motion-detection night lights. They aren’t bright enough to read by, but they are perfect for getting up and going to the bathroom without turning on the lights and the tap lights are perfect for power outages. I also have glass jars with battery-operated Christmas lights.

@bhallmark3390 Жыл бұрын

We rarely eat out (maybe once every 4 months). We don’t have cable, so that’s a plus. But we DO have Netflix, Sling, and Amazon Prime. We used to also have Hulu and Discovery+. But we did get rid of them to save some money. The 3 platforms we do have are well used and we would have a hard time giving them up…..😢 However, I am intrigued to begin turning off unused lights and eating less meat. I like how you gently challenge us to start getting serious about saving money. It doesn’t do anyone any good to be chastised. Thank you for your dedication in showing the world how to think and be more frugal!

@angelahayman5405 Жыл бұрын

Last year, I paid $900 on average a month on groceries for my family of 3. This year, I'm budgeting under $200 for the 2 of us.

@carakerr4081 Жыл бұрын

Wow that’s amazing! ❤

@faithrada Жыл бұрын

One thing that has helped me is... forgetting to take something out of the freezer! Sometimes being lazy pays off. In doing so I'm forced to get creative with left overs and some basic pantry staples. I'm learning that hubby & I are not going to die if we skip an occasional meal. Better for our wastelines... as well as our wallets.

@KC-dr3cg Жыл бұрын

@@evasanz3466 Doctors this week advising against intermittent fasting

@YSLRD Жыл бұрын

@@evasanz3466 I do it. The benefits are multiple.

@faithrada Жыл бұрын

@K C personally I feel ( not so scientific) that allowing oneself to feel honestly hungry is probably a good idea.. however.. if your body thinks it is STARVING... that is likely NOT a good thing. I would avoid real stress.

@heathertackett7956 Жыл бұрын

We are spending $300 a month for 3 adults. I'm big on stocking up on sale prices ( found 1lb bags of lentils 4/$1 and bought a lot) so we often have money to roll over. We then use that money to purchase items required for seed buying, canning, processing, and freezing our summer garden.

@MaryEavey-dc3sk Жыл бұрын

Grocery expenitures; kinda hard to tell because I have been building my shelf-stable food inventory, so I am spending more money than what I am actually eating........however some of the things I am eating now the cost in the store is almost double what I paid when I bought it a year ago!

@kerryjames6312 Жыл бұрын

I spend $200 per month on groceries $2400 on groceries one person for year including cat food household items

@bluejayacreshomestead6529 Жыл бұрын

We are paying off our debt so we feed 6 to 8 people (depending on if college kids are home ) on $500 a month but I am going to try to get it to $400

@brendamcnutt8163 Жыл бұрын

I rarely eat out and I don’t miss it at all.

@jannancarvis3976 Жыл бұрын

I spend 200 month on groceries three adults one teenager. I make our meals and shop several stores discount racks weekly makes this easy to do :) Great channel ! Thank you both 🙏❤️

@carakerr4081 Жыл бұрын

You are my hero! My goal is $300 a month for 2 adults! ❤

@kaeros5521 Жыл бұрын

Wow! That’s unbelievable…well done! 🙌🏽

@teresaclark7654 Жыл бұрын

I’m so EMBARRASSED!! I paused your video when you said do the math…. and I did. 🫢🫣🤔 in 7 weeks from January 1st until now we have spent $1885 in eating out, take away food and coffee stops etc. That’s $270 per week average!!$14,000 per year at this pace. Oh my! I looked at my husband and said that $14k would pay off our credit card. The one we have a goal to pay off at the end of this year. Here on out, we are eating at home. Just finished my breakfast bowl of oatmeal and fruit.

@UndertheMedian Жыл бұрын

We love that you did the math and we will totally help you on your quest to save more and spend less. You can do this!

@jillghiati5761 Жыл бұрын

👍❤️

@melindashenker3075 Жыл бұрын

You are absolutely correct. In the past years by making changes. I have paid off my house.pd off credit card debt. Paid off my parents tombstone. And now working on saving for a new roof for my home. There will be no stopping there. I will continue saving for future home project especially now after learning a few new things from you both . Thank you both for all your time and advice.love ya both,

@goheen04 Жыл бұрын

Last year, 2 adults, we spent $897.96 from January 1st, 2022 to December 31st, 2022

@UndertheMedian Жыл бұрын

We LOVE that you exactly what you spent down to the penny. Well done!

@truthseeker6370 Жыл бұрын

Ohmygosh that was so me, too! Thanks for sharing. I've seriously cut eating out to a rare occasion. I've been cooking at home and packing my lunch with leftovers. I used to really dislike leftovers. Not sure how the taste bud change happened, but I am most grateful it did!

@goheen04 Жыл бұрын

@@truthseeker6370 we eat out maybe 4 times a year.... We are actually going out to eat Saturday night for the first time this year... It will be paid with a gift card we got for Christmas so the money we have budgeted for our to eat, will be used for "tipping the bill"

@KC-dr3cg Жыл бұрын

Love your content. I strayed from extreme frugality to frugal ar a time when I need to save for income tax time. Your videos got me back on track.. I live in one of the 22 states which the IRS hasn't decided whether or not they're going to charge us for our property tax refund..That will make a difference in my taxes due. I never pay extra into the federal or state tax throughout the year so I always know I'm going to have to write a check in April to both of those places

@auntiegliz737 Жыл бұрын

How?? That's amazing. Do you have a garden?

@lindaertel7558 Жыл бұрын

I live in California. Although the gov’t does not consider me low income, PG&E does. I also elected to get solar energy instead of regular electricity with no solar panels on my home. I get credits for doing this every month and every few months, rebates from PG&E that lower my bill.

@matthewellisor5835 Жыл бұрын

I'll mention the food part. USDA says that we should be around $900/mo thrifty. We're at $500, a little is budgeted for dining out, we give a portion which probably averages ~10% but taking a meal or two/wk to a family needing some help or comfort is not something we track, another portion of 15% it to put back for leaner times. We have chickens for meat and eggs and, while they need a few supplies and we supplement with some bagged feed/grain, a dozen eggs is roughly $1. It's nice to know what has fed your food. Other meat, our average in under $1.50/lb by raising some, harvesting some, getting to know the butcher (there's so much that no one seems to want and he's only so much freezer space. It's such a waste of resources and of that creatures life, makes me sick.) so that he can call when he's overstocked or needs to move something. I just subscribed today and appreciate the content. Thank you.

@zakeemsworld6619 Жыл бұрын

I'm been trying to stop eating out. I cut out about 3/4. I do notice that I have a little more money.

@nt6719 10 ай бұрын

$140 per month on groceries for 2 adults. No soda purchases. Occasionally we buy a bag of chips or cookies-it's about 4x a year. No cable and no streaming service. We've raised our thermostat in the summer, close drapes, etc. Lights aren't left on. We lower our thermostat in the winter. We dress warmer and we use throws. We won't save money by following your tips because we're already doing this. We might save a little on utilities if the temperatures cooperate and if the companies don't raise their rates.

@brendashort3294 Жыл бұрын

Hello, everyone and hope you're okay! I was raised in a home where both my parents worked including my older Siblings. We lived below our monthly income and it saved my Parents lots of money. They taught all three children how to save money, make money and how to use your money wisely. Each of us had a bank account coming up. Every week we would put some of our allowance money into our account. This gave us a more realistic view of how money works. To this day I still live below my monthly income. Now, with this crazy Inflation it's good I know how to make my dollars stretch. Thanks for sharing and have a blessed 2023. 👍

@mackenzieshelleyleejohnsto9744 Жыл бұрын

have reduced electricity bill an average of 70% and grocery bill by implementing all of your video suggestions THANK you 🌸

@UndertheMedian Жыл бұрын

We are SO excited for you!!

@mackenzieshelleyleejohnsto9744 Жыл бұрын

words cannot express my appreciation to you both

@KC-dr3cg Жыл бұрын

Because Under the Median ideas my electric bill drop from $101 a month to $14.42 a month with the furnace running in Minnesota. I use the savings go to the doctor for the first time in 10 years (Dr says "perfect health"), buy more produce, fill my gas tank, pay down a credit card.

@mackenzieshelleyleejohnsto9744 Жыл бұрын

@@KC-dr3cg exactly, frugality gives us the ability to focus on the bigger picture of life…so encouraging to hear of your positive outcome 🌸

@tracygolwitzer9978 Жыл бұрын

3 of us. I MIGHT spend $50 every other month. Milk, ect. I do all kinds of food preservation & storage...cook from scratch, ect...so 99% of the time, I'm cooking out of my pantry. People need to be frugal and more self- sufficient🤷

@mandydowney4381 Жыл бұрын

We moved to mint mobile and saving 130 a month. A year ago we cut cable since they were going to double the bill after the promo expired saving 70 a month.

@judithvallembois2744 Жыл бұрын

I moved to Mint Mobile also. Love those guys!

@beth3535 Жыл бұрын

That’s a nice amount to save on a monthly basis!

@carakerr4081 Жыл бұрын

We use mint as well we love it! $15 a month per phone ❤

@sabrenalewis8115 Жыл бұрын

We budget 300.00 a month for my husband and I for groceries each month. We are saving up for a new swamp cooler so last month we spent 50.00 and this month we’re keeping it to 150.00 and we’ll use what we didn’t spend toward the purchase.

@bangalorebobbel Жыл бұрын

Great advices! It is really astonishing how much the average American spends for eating out. On the other side this habit secures a lot of low income jobs in the States ... Yet, it isn't only the lunch or dinner which makes the bill. I've read, in average Americans spend 3,50 USD per head and day for coffee to go. And the number of sold sandwiches per day is more or less equivalent to the number of US citizens. You guys could save thousands by preparing your coffee for the day at home and fill it in a thermos flask and getting also your lunch box filled at home with whatever healthy food or sandwiches. As it was practised over centuries and up til 3 decades (or so) back. And I guess the change of another small habit could save the average American hundreds if not even thousands of dollars per year ... I mean eating industrially made chocolates and other ready made sweets. Seems there are 5 billions of chocolate candy units and another 3 billions of non chocolate candy units sold per year in the US. If you divide that through the population figure you know how much of these chocolates an average person consumes. If you prepare your sweets, cookies or chocolate bars, protein bars etc. at home you can surely save a lot ...

@terrihalligan1657 Жыл бұрын

We have a local grocery store that runs excellent sales on meats. I buy what I can and pressure can it in pintsl. One point will last my little dog and me at least two days as I don't eat a lot of meat. I have been also canning vegetables, fruit, soups and stews. Trying to stock what I can in case groceries get so high dollar I can't buy anything.

@paulascheib5347 Жыл бұрын

And for those who really need cable....call the company. Tell them you want to cancel your subscription because you can't afford it. Nine times out of ten they will offer you lower rates to keep you as a customer. Each time you come to end of the discount rate call again. It actually worked. When i had cable I actually paid on average 30% less. Of course my cost was perfect when i cancelled cable all together🙂

@MELISSA-zj8rb Жыл бұрын

when there was 5 of us i spent around 350.00 a month now there is two and i spend around 250 since prices have gone up. i do use coupons and i buy sale items and generic items and i dont over eat like alot of families do . i portion control because doing so makes the food go farther and there is no waste .i love the fetch ap i been using for a year now and ive gotten 5 gift cards to use to purchase things i need.i dont have cable and havent for 6 yrs. there is alot of ways you can watch things online for free and you tube has never ending videos.

@allisonspeer6837 Жыл бұрын

You are so right about eating out. Its something we struggle with, my husband enjoys eating out even through we don't eat at high price places, alot of convenience, etc. which isn't even very good. On my part I need to meal plan so that I'm not like... there's nothing to eat or I don't want to cook, so we are both guilty. LOL. Althought we don't spend nearly what the "average family spends. I'm weaning my husband off of Dish TV and hoping to discontinue it in the near future. We do eat meat and eggs, but we have our own laying hens, raise our own beef and goats and pigs and we do all of our own slaughtering so not processing costs. Small farming in my husbands thing now that he is retired so even though we have alot of costs in feed, etc. he enjoys his mini-farm. We garden and freeze, can, dehydrate alot of our own food as well so are grocery costs are low already. Working on electric useage. Love the tips. I would love to save 5000.00.

@sheilafreisthler4421 Жыл бұрын

I budget a certain amount for eating out each month. As I am a widow, I only go out with friends about once a month. I spend about $200 a month on groceries, but that includes household products, cat food and kitty litter. As I didn't get cable until after my husband passed, I consider it my splurge in my budget!! I tend to go meatless at least three dats a week. It probably wouldn't take much for me to go completely meatless.

@patmartin9727 Жыл бұрын

I too live alone I find I save on my grocery bill by bulk cooking. I make meals for 4 but can usually get 5 portions out of each one. I eat today tomorrow and freeze the rest. 2 days a week I go to classes so need a quick meal when I get in so those days I have a meal from the freezer. It usually means I cook about twice a week. I also make soup about twice a week which is my lunches most days with a small bread roll. I have celery, carrots sticks apple orange as my snacks if I need one. I don’t buy junk food, I do buy a box of cereal bars each week and use that with a coffee as my sweet treat at some time during the day.

@heatherwhittaker6169 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for another great video.I haven't paid for cable ever, no TV payments,don't eat any meat and haven't for decades.I treT family to dinner out about once a year,don't smoke ,don't drink anything to speak of. I manage to travel on a budget 😊,and wear good shoes new Clark's that's on thing important,and never pay full price for clothes.. I buy consignment clothes or find new and good quality at charity shops.I can give my grand chiLoren and their parents quality gifts and I sleep at night ,peacefully. ❤

@AZCanner Жыл бұрын

I managed to lower my winter gas bill by closing both bedroom doors and using the space heater. The electric bill increased a minimal amount but no where near the difference in the gas bill.

@truthseeker6370 Жыл бұрын

Good to know!

@heather333 Жыл бұрын

I've done the same. It works out cheaper for me too.

@hello-vs4me Жыл бұрын

We just close the house early we turned our gas off we use air fryer instead of oven

@sharons4611 Жыл бұрын

I bought an inexpensive skillet to replace using my gas stove

@karenw9996 Жыл бұрын

It's been 28 months since I last ate out, so no savings there...I stopped watching TV almost 24 years ago, so no savings there...if I reduce electrical usage by 30% I can save $125/year...I don't separate my meat from my grocery, so the combined total savings there would be $380/year (household of one). Considering nearly all cancer patients show nutrient deficiencies that can be met by eating red meat, and having had cancer (and tests showing that I was, in fact, deficient in those nutrients) not only will I continue to eat red meat, I won't be cutting back at all (I've doubled or tripled what I was eating when the cancer was found, but I'm still 30% lower than the average consumption you mention). I buy my grass fed/grass finished meat from regenerative/organic farmers within 50 miles of me, I buy raw dairy from a friend's son, I buy eggs from a friend's daughter, I buy raw honey from a local family who have acreage devoted to a mix of native wildflowers...all of those things cost more than store-bought...up front...but I'm saving tens (if not hundreds) of thousands of dollars on medical care over time. TOTAL SAVINGS PER YEAR = $505. TOTAL SAVINGS OVER THE REST OF MY LIFE, BASED ON CURRENT COSTS, LESS THAN $10,000 (less than half the cost of one round of chemo 'therapy'...or as I like to think of it, toxin saturation. I'll keep eating my GOOD FOOD!!!

@andreatifft1939 Жыл бұрын

We live in Maine and our electricity bill doubled. We really appreciate all your tips and tricks to save money.

@lavieestduresansconfiture4939 Жыл бұрын

We're vegan, have a strict overview over our expenses, are eating out once a year, never had cable tv (btw we didn't have tv at all) and have a need of electricity by 700 kWh per year. We're using more but we have some solar appliances around the house. They are helping out with roundabout 500kWh per year.. For groceries we're still spending between 180 and 220€ per month for the two of us. We are living rent- and mortgagefree in the European south.

@ewkelch Жыл бұрын

Wow, that USDA food cost planner is a trip! For a family of 3, the "thrift" cost is a few cents higher than the "low" cost", confusingly. I'm also a little bummed that there's no locality adjustment. I know my city prices are much higher than friends' in better locales. Even so, I'm thriftier than I thought. Fewer snacks and special beverages really saves.

@UndertheMedian Жыл бұрын

I agree. It's always felt pretty imprecise to me. Way too many variables when it comes to food However, I will say that they have an 80-page document which describes their methodology for determining the prices of the thrifty plan and they did approach scientifically as a study. Pretty interesting.

@vickyjansen3544 Жыл бұрын

We ate out twice a week but now it's like once a week or sometimes we don't. I've been making sure to take down the meat and veggies out for supper. We've been saving on our energy except when we had our ceiling fix. That was $90 dollars, we pay half that. My mother pays $300 on cable. Love you guys...

@PaulNelson392 Жыл бұрын

I cut my cable years ago. I put an antenna on my home and I receive over 20 channels over the air for free.

@thressapratt7150 Жыл бұрын

I'm low income with get this $84 a month assistance. 8 pounds of pinto beans was $6 where steak was $20 guess who has the beans. look up vegan recipes, they're cheap, easy, delicious, and beans can be, jam, cheese, meat, cake, and you can plant them and have greens plus plants to mature for more. they're the gift that keeps giving for sure. I did get oats and rice to go with as well. for electricity i taped a bunch of dollar tree solar lights to my windows, turn the lights off and go to bed when they start going out, it's enough to see by but not enough to craft by, so crafting happens during the day.

@vpfeffer Жыл бұрын

@thressa pratt. I am interested in how are use beans for jam cheese cake etc. we eat plant based, but I have not used much creativity with beans.

@thressapratt7150 Жыл бұрын

@@vpfeffer i looked up recipes . the cheese doesn't melt, it's made from tofu, which was made from chick peas. I make it at home from recipes I've looked up and messed around with other types of beans in this manner. The "jam is based off of a Japanese red bean paste. the cake is I ground chick peas in a coffee grinder and used it along with ground oats as flour. Aquafaba (chickpea juice) and chia can be used as eggs. milk can be made from rice, chick peas, or oatmeal. most things I personally use chick peas because they have little to no flavor on their own.

@andyvillarreal4789 Жыл бұрын

Absolutely great advice! I am now eating a vegetarian meal 4 time's a week. Healthy, delicious and not expensive! Thanks to you.

@stream_of_conscious9591 Жыл бұрын

My husband was diagnosed with a blood disorder to which he can no longer eat meat. We have saved so much money! I love our new food life style. We spend $500 a month for a family of 4, but I include diapers, wipes, medicine, cleaning & kitchen supplies in that too! So more likely $400 a month in food.

@jannancarvis3976 Жыл бұрын

I see on utube about making cleaning wipes and baby wipes . Easy to make saves a bundle :)

@jvnd2785 Жыл бұрын

If he's got PKU then I have news for you. Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid found in *both* plant and animal foods. If he's got PKU it is jus as bad to eat grains and legumes (the base of the vegan baloney)- with a bonus: insulin going through the roof, leptins causing inflammation etc. Oh, and congratulations on passing this disease to your kids (more likely then not, they are prone to develop PKU)- that's quite an achievement right there!

@kathryncooper4001 Жыл бұрын

For me, it started with homemade laundry detergent, the best I've ever used (and I'm a Procter & Gamble investor!). Then I started making all my own cleaning and personal care products, including air freshener and underarm deodorant. Saved $35 a week, so decided to cut out meat and saved $45 a week (this was years ago). Keep in mind that livestock production is the most environmentally injurious agricultural pursuit on the planet, so giving up meat makes sense on multiple levels. I'm old, so for safety's sake I must burn a little lamp in my hallway, but I monitor household power consumption like a hawk. The biggest change in my electric bill came when my power company partnered with an environmental group and allowed me to sign up. I pay for only wind power, and the price is considerably less than conventional commercial power. My general tightwad ways have saved enough in the past six months to pay cash to replace my 63-year-old HVAC system this spring, then a California vacation in the fall. Energy efficient furnace and a/c should cut my utility costs even more. Those pennies do indeed add up! Keep spreading the word.

@cynthiadies9055 Жыл бұрын

I love your channel! I I downloaded Fetch and submitted a few receipts. Looking forward to a few gift card rewards for buying basic groceries. :) I haven't had paid tv in YEARS! No need with my Amazon Prime subscription. Amazon is useful to me and worth the monthly premium of just over $16. I've reduced my cell phone bill as far as possible with autopay, paperless billing, and senior discount. I have an unlimited plan now because my teaching job uses a lot of data so no more costly overages. I think it's a crime that my district doesn't have employee access for cell phone usage they require. My last district made it possible to not need an unlimited plan. Oh well, welcome to teaching in a rural district. I do most of my meals from scratch and I am working to reduce my meat consumption. Thank you for helping me keep myself accountable!

@ellendunn559 10 ай бұрын

Electricity rates in Maine have recently increased significantly, and our household bill has gone up by about 50% (ouch!). My husband is a mechanical engineer, and he taught me to look at the biggest “energy hogs” first: fridge, range, freezer, washer and dryer, A/C. We bought the most energy-efficient appliances we could afford, and try to use them carefully. Replaced electric range with gas. Only run a full load of laundry, use mostly cold water, air-dry as much laundry as possible. Keep basement freezer as full as possible. Use A/C in only one or two rooms and only when it’s so hot and humid that we can’t work or sleep. We also made “smaller” changes like gradually changing to LED lights, but going after the “energy hogs” first will make a real difference. Keeping an eye on our monthly usage numbers (shown on our bill) helps, too.

@rochellethundercloud346 Жыл бұрын

Family of two adults.we spent pre inflation $200 a month for groceries.this includes treats. Such as my flavored waters, creamer,diet Pepsi,diet sugar. Now,it's about $350 a month.plus we use a food pantry when needed to fill in the gaps.

@TheOracleofWhimsy Жыл бұрын

If you eliminate meat you have to replace it with something. So you have to calculate the meat substitute. I would love to see a daily diet and menu prep more often. I don't think I will ever give up meat but, your menus and how to prepare decent-tasting veggie food are so interesting to me. My total household cost for one person and her cat is $350. And that included delivery to my home of organic food, cat food, and home stuff like toilet paper, and kitty litter. I can certainly cut this down. I eat some meat and a lot of organic milk and occasionally cheese.

@shelly8387 Жыл бұрын

I have absolutely never spent that much on groceries even when I had 3 teenage boys living at home. With 3 adults and one teenage girl we spend less than a $100/week.

@donnaallison7462 Жыл бұрын

Small changes add up like a leak faught adds up on a water bill!!! Alot of people were stocking up to try and get ahead of out of shortages! Plus groceries are sooo much higher

@spencers-adventures Жыл бұрын

Like you guys I was sharing a netflix account with family members, but that is no more with the new rules. Thanks to your last video I got a digital TV antenna yesterday and now I have nearly 35 channels of free television in my home! Thanks Hope and Larry for the tip!

@sleepycat8887 Жыл бұрын

I love your channel. So many good ideas and help on cutting down on spending. I do £240 a month for a family of four and a cat 🐈‍⬛. 🎉 We don’t pay tax on many foods here in the U.K. so I we save a lot compared with the USA, plus our food is cheaper too. Many vegetarian meals, and others in between. My motto is- nothing goes to waste. Eat it as lunch, add it to something else or eat it as is. Transform, recycle reuse and spend money on more needed things. 🎉🎉

@rg-mi5hh Жыл бұрын

We try to flex with sales. We use Walmart and Aldi for most things whichever is cheaper. Then we use local grocery store for sale ads on mostly meat. General Dollar had a few cheaper items we get there too. To save money, you just have to keep trying to change and learn better ways to help yourself. It's a challenge, but thankfully it has worked so far.

@pimkas Жыл бұрын

The electricity prices in sweden has been realy high this year and the prices in december were record high. We spent only 900kwh during the month and paid approximately 500 USD! We had a power plant go down during what was already an energy crisis.

@debbielovett3087 Жыл бұрын

Omg! It's ridiculous what utilities are charging!!

@pimkas Жыл бұрын

@@debbielovett3087 Yes, the cost has trippled for us due to the energy crisis.

@darleneblakely7726 Жыл бұрын

I do a food audit every Thursday to make my weekly menu and grocery list.

@melindashenker3075 Жыл бұрын

Great ideal.

@thefinefrugalline3232 Жыл бұрын

We finally did it and cut cable! So liberating !Don’t know why it took us so long.

@nancyinboise2160 Жыл бұрын

Can you give a tour of your pantry closet sometime? Until you have your kitchen setup,? It's helpful to see what other people do for efficiency and Storage

@catherinearrowsmith9460 Жыл бұрын

I ao appreciate your Vlogs, I live in the UK, and we have seen our utility bills have bumped up so much, and we have really noticed that food prices have crept up so much, it makes you think so much more as to what you can purchase. We are becoming so much more thoughtful as to what we buy, and conscious of how often we go out to shop. Keep up the brilliant work that you both do.....love from Oxfordshire UK>

@chloboshoka Жыл бұрын

I am also from Oxfordshire. Everything is so expensive nowadays.

@EnigmaticEvee Жыл бұрын

One day I went to the grocery store and observed many people looking at prices and taking more time when choosing items. People are definitely more conscious about what they are putting in the grocery cart.

@goodlifeliving1667 Жыл бұрын

I'm UK too definatly feels tough these days April really worries me. No evidence food is falling even if inflation is think make minimal effect as we have supply issues. My last energy billl was £470. Wonder if hunt will up fuel by 12p a litre the next budget he seems fine with energy rise of 40%.

@lwolfmovingon2886 Жыл бұрын

Lowered my electric to 50 but I live alone. One way I save is having a indoor motion light in areas I don't stay in for long. It also saves stubbing my toes or tripping over my cats. I also cut most meat out of my diet. I can't compute my grocery budget too good. Buy hydrated food in bulk so some months maybe 30 but some months more when buying bulk. Thank you for your great tips!

@KC-dr3cg Жыл бұрын

What a great idea I never thought of that

@happycook6737 Жыл бұрын

We use the dollar tree solar lights. I put them out to charge during the day. To make them "stand up" I put their stakes inside empty washed 2 liter soda bottles.

@carakerr4081 Жыл бұрын

Wonderful video thank you! I wanted to put a word in for Mint Mobile. We only pay $15 a month per phone and the service is very good! This may be a small thing but it allows us to put more money to savings goals. We are vegan and for 2 adults we are at $400 a month and trying to get it to $300 a month utilizing a food bank and meal planning. Many blessings and very thankful for you both! ❤

@megb9700 Жыл бұрын

I kept my electric bill to 30$ a month by putting everything on power strips and turning electrics off, except the refrigerator like you guys suggest. Then I vacuumed behind the fridge and boom, bill stayed down! This is for a family of 2.

@annabrusa8004 Жыл бұрын

Small things really add up -per one of your videos I called the credit card company and although they could not help me on the balance that was there already they lowered my rate for any new purchases in the future by 3 1/2% and I was amazed that they were willing to do that I got brave I called them up they did it thanks for that! I also took some advice about starting a cash budget for my variable expenses and that has made a big difference!

@debbielovett3087 Жыл бұрын

Great job! Most credit cards will try and work with you. They would rather keep you as a customer. I had a target visa card, they suggested double payment and be paid sooner. Hell froze over got rid of that.

@Karie419 Жыл бұрын

We grind our own ground beef at home. We look for beef roasts on sale for $3.99/lb or less and make our own.

@b.elizabethzermeno6339 Жыл бұрын

Omg I had to pay 200 just last month that's over 80 drls more then what had pay in the last 2 years and definitely changing my habits for sure

@villamathilda6984 Жыл бұрын

I live in Sweden. Its true, my electricity bill has trippled! Food has almost doubbled, and gasoline prices are crazy! 🥺

@NOVAFrugalFamily Жыл бұрын

We only spend $20 eating out a month which I think is a reasonable splurge. Our grocery budget is $200 a month and I do buy some fun extras like 2 liter bottles of soda. I could certainly cut those out but we like enjoying a fun Friday pizza night with soda. No cable for over 20 years. We do eat meat but we buy meat under $2 and a splurge for ground beef which we eat three times a month under $4. I tracked the serving sizes bags we use of meat so I could see how much we use but we often go low meat with pasta, pizza and panini night but I don’t know in pounds.

@davidcody6255 Жыл бұрын

I'ma 66 year old man and one of my responsibilities is Grocery shopping I usually shop once per week at a store called Winco which is only found in Washington, Idaho,Nevada , California, and Oregon. There employee owned and there prices are cheaper than mainstream grocery chains. It's just my wife and me, but our children are here at least one day a week for dinner. I'm retired and my wife is still working. I spend on average $80 per week on groceries. I always try to buy the store brand where possible. If you could give me some some insight i follow you on youtube frequently. Thankyou.

@rochellethundercloud346 Жыл бұрын

Hi,all. Larry, Hope,next time you go to Aldi,get the holiday flavors of coffee. Mint mocha Gingerbread White chocolate. So good. And the almond milk creamer is good,too

@UndertheMedian Жыл бұрын

I didn't see the mint mocha the last time I looked. I'll have to see if they have it in stock. Our kids have gotten us the gingerbread coffee as a gift in the past. It's really good, too.

@rosemarie3908 Жыл бұрын

omg $10500 a year. ???!!! geez louise. i really had no idea. i need to watch this video again. and really make a huge list and save more.

@dmblin13 Жыл бұрын

I am working with $1,000 per month for 5 adults. Two parents and three 22 year old college kids. This also includes the food for two dogs and one cat (we feed them a DIY raw meat diet) all household non food products and beauty and health items. It's a struggle though.

@maltarunner Жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing your tips on saving money! I’m curious what your grocery bill includes if you’re feeding four people for $240 a month. Would you mind sharing some more details? Is that $240 on food alone or does that include toiletries, cleaning supplies, etc.?

@cindyhaferbecker2966 Жыл бұрын

Omg, no wonder people are living pay check to pay check if their grocery budget is $ 1000. + a month!! It has to be all the processed, bagged, snack foods, sodas, etc... because regular FOOD is not that much. I feel stressed if mine is over $600. For family of 4, + 2 dogs.

@K.Frizzy Жыл бұрын

I'm about to have a mortgage payment with today's interest rates as well as a car payment and I have been watching your videos to help me budget and make it work. They have been so helpful to me and I thank you so very much!

@TheOracleofWhimsy Жыл бұрын

I love your channel. Could you please do a video about quick food prep for the week? I am a single woman, trying to eat mostly vegan, and I just do not have the energy to be spending that much time in the kitchen. Thank you! quick cooking tips for the week, please! Another burger recipe! :-)

@bonnieingram5916 Жыл бұрын

i told my sons about fetch they are doing it i save my receipts for them too i dont have a smart phone thank you xxxx

@charletteprzybylski3417 7 ай бұрын

I really like the idea of the grocery receipt audit. We've reduced our grocery bill by shopping our freezer and pantry before shopping the past couple of months. By doing this and creating meals from on-hand staples, it so far averages out to 20%. I'm excited to see if I can't raise that average by auditing the grocery receipts😊

@debbielovett3087 Жыл бұрын

I live in Indianapolis and my heat bill went up by $30.00. I was shocked. I keep my furnace set at 68 degrees. It blows me away to think New Jersey was double and Sweden triple. It is wonderful to hear what what is going on in other parts of the world. You guys do such great work and have a tremendous following. Thank you for all that you do it helps so many people 💕 💗.

@monicaambs Жыл бұрын

I live in Canada and my fee for natural gas for heat is $110.00/month. It was $130/month but I now have the heat ALL day at 63. I use to have it at 72. Yes I am cold and wear 2 sweaters and honestly sometimes gloves.

@debbielovett3087 Жыл бұрын

@@monicaambs oh my goodness. It's crazy. I feel so bad for people who are living on low income. This is so frustrating the words just don't come right #@!%.

@auntiegliz737 Жыл бұрын

Our electricity supplier in CT just doubled the rate. Doubled. So I switched suppliers to one whose rate is about 60% less than that. Friends of mine (two adults in a 1500 sq ft all electric house) had an $880 bill last month. so they also switched suppliers. I lowered my electricity usage by 42% over the same month last year, and my bill was still $320 (this is before the new supplier kicks in this month).

@debbielovett3087 Жыл бұрын

At least your able to switch.

@Officialmonicajohnson Жыл бұрын

I keep my heat on 58

@Janey234 Жыл бұрын

We went from .10 cents a kilowatt hour to .26!!! 160% increase for eight months until Aug. 1st 2023. April 1st, they have flexible, meaning flexible for the month at .17 cents, then May, June and July .14 cents we won't take the flexible by th e hour