Old Fashioned Frugal Living Tips

I run through some frugal hacks that people may have forgotten from the past

Frugal Queen in France

Like the menu board & Budget Book? We have now started Amazon Affiliate Links its available here:

We are a British couple living in Brittany on a budget.
Frugal recipes, days out, home renovations and day to day making do in France.

We’ll give you hints, tips, advice and an insight into our life in France.

Equipment used
Camera : iPhone
Editing : iMovie on a Mac mini

Music:

YouTube Audio Library
Apple iMovie*

[gladyschandler]

In my time in school they gave home economics classes (sewing & cooking classes) we need those back.

[alfiep]

I'm a 24 year old heading off to complete studies in archaeology and history, and by proxy of my interest in these subjects, I have a firm belief in the idea that we can advance as humans by looking to the past. Not all of history was good, of course, but in the day-to-day survival of the common people (as we all would have been!), we can learn a lot. There's a reason things lasted longer, and I feel that in our modern world of hyper-consumerism and 'I want it now, but I also don't want to put effort into this', we've lost the art of helping things last just that little bit longer. I don't enjoy much that's 'brand new', because I *love* the history that second-hand items often have. Nothing warms me more than picking up a secondhand - or fifth, as it might be! - book, looking at the inside cover, and reading a personal dedication to someone from perhaps 1898. It's like getting little windows into the lives of people like us.

[christinestandeven]

My 10 year old son said to me the other day “Why do you never pay for anything?” as we were driving around looking for a parking space that didn’t involve me paying for it. He thinks I’m mean!! I know I’m frugal. Today we had “the best day of the holidays so far” (same child) at our local beach. My reply was “you know why it’s so good? IT’S FREE!!!” We took a picnic, we paddled and we played football and it was fabulous.

[gregsgirlau]

I used to say I'm "just" a housewife too now I take out the "just" and say I spend my life being happy and debt free with my husband and dog and taking care of my family the old school simple way 😊❤️

[temais]

I live in Saudi Arabia, life used to be luxury till the inflation hit. I started watching frugal living videos, it taught me a concept in life that I never learnt, life is not about materials and there are alot to enjoy in a simple life, I wish if I learnt this early, thank you so much for your videos💕❤️

[jeffreyskinner]

I am a senior, my hobbies saving money and not spending money . Good afternoon all watching .

[peterleprevost]

I am not dressed for the day without an apron, and have a family of them hanging in the pantry. Being older than you I grew up practicing these frugal ways and never left them behind. We live, with great respect, in a 200 year old house and have not forced her into the 21st century..keeping modern conveniences to a bare minimum...washing machine and modest size fridge freezer. A humble life and so rich in satisfaction. Thank you Jane for sharing your wisdom..much needed! Best wishes, Susan

[FrenchyTaylor]

Two ekstra tips. In Scandinavia we have very few daylight hours during the winter. We use a lot og candles and light during the day for month at the time. I keep all my candles bits and melt them to new one. I use a lots of Christmas led light to have lights on without it costing a fortune.
Tips number two: be prepared. We have a drawer with little presents bought on clearance or sale like nice candles, homemade tea towels, a nice package of tea or coffee, chapstick, fancy hair accessories, coloring books and coloring crayons, a good chokolade boks, cocoa container, with birthday and Christmas cards and nice paper to make cards. We use this drawer to kid’s birthday at school, teacher appreciation day, last minutes diner invitations, pick me up to a friend and so on. We don’t have to dash to the store at the last minute which is very practical when it is minus 15 outside and you get a brain freeze on the bike😬.
Thanks you for all your old fashion tips 😎

[sallybell]

My niece teaches at a low income, inner city school. This year I have been going to yard sales and collecting coats for her school. I take them home, make sure they are laundered and make any repairs necessary (like sewing pockets, fixing any obvious tears etc.). People get rid of coats so cheaply. The most I spent was $2 for an almost brand new Calvin Klein coat. Most cost me around 50 cents to a dollar.

[mrsm]

I always cut open tubes- toothpaste, hand cream etc then scrape out what I need and then pop the top back over the bottom until every bit is used up. Washing powder boxes are ripped apart to get at least another wash from the box. So just take apart all packaging to get to the bits that are always lurking in the bottom.

[dianamcnaught]

'We used to call that a duster' lol. You crack me up!

[pam]

I do most of these - Another good one is to rinse out bottles of detergent, shampoo, cleaners, anything where there’s a little left in the bottom. Don’t waste a drop. Thanks, Jane and Michael.

[sue]

My Mum used to peel potatoes onto a piece of newspaper and then wrap up the peeling to go into the old fashioned metal dustbin back in the day. I was always being sent out to rummage through the bin to find the potato peeler that had been wrapped up alongside the peelings 🙂

[Karen-trjo]

1. Always use towels / cloth napkins instead of paper products. 2. If you can, grow some of your own veggies 3. Use Goodwill or charity shops for clothing, items for home 4. Look online for free items that you can pick up in your neighborhood 5. Cook your own meals ! Bring your own coffee ! 😊6. Use less laundry soap and wash laundry in cold water 7. Shut off the lights and unplug things when not using 8. Turn down thermostat in winter 8. Try to do as much baking in one day as possible 9. Buy a used vehicle with cash, not one with a loan 10. Shop sales and discounts at grocery

[dianejay]

Use cheap bleach to soak dishcloths after washing up. Then reuse the bleach water to clean your toilet overnight. Using a flannel and having an old fashioned "strip wash" using old your bathroom sink of water to wash your face and working down to finish by washing your feet. Uses a lot less water than a shower or bath. I keep all my small ends of soap in an old ice cream tub. When the tub is full they get melted into new bars of soap for washing hands.

[karen]

Hello from the U.S. I love your videos! My husband & I are also early retirees, debt & mortgage free living on a budget.
We have a large garden, fruit trees & berry bushes that I make into jams, relish, pickles & chutney. I shop at thrift stores, make do with what we have, & barter when possible. Thank you for more frugal tips!

[gladyschandler]

I wear an outfit for working at home for several days. Change if going out on errands & rewear several times before washing.

[nuclearchick]

Peel your own potatoes! Lol!🤣 I couldn't believe when a coworker saw me eating left over mashed potatoes mid week and said she would never have time to make them from SCRATCH on a weekday. I was shocked. When you've peeled enough potatoes it is a lightning fast process. They cook without needing to be constantly stirred and tended to and mashing takes about 1 minute at the end. I've never once used boxed mashed potatoes and I can't imagine all the extra energy that goes into creating that product and it's packaging for such a tiny bit of convenience. Frugal is usually better for the environment while we're at it.

[emmalouise]

I was born in 1999 and I never really learned any old fashioned tips so these will definitely help as I learn how to live on my own for the first time. I'll be moving into my own flat soon.

[robinkline]

I cut my husband's hair and he hasn't been to a barber since we got married in 1970! I also never go get my nails done, but do my own.