LOW INCOME LIVING (EXTREME BUDGETING)

Extreme Budgeting...Cutting the cable, lowering bills, reducing expenses.

[WilletteB]

I was a frugal entertainer with my kids before I knew it was cool. We have spent many days at the local small lake in our town. Feeding ducks, catfish, and a picnic lunch was some of my happiest times with my children. Now, they do the same thing with their children. It was nice to have off days during the week, since I worked every other weekend as a nurse. I miss those sweet times with them. 🤗💗😢

[abcxyz]

Our grandparents never had all these fancy detergents and cleaning products which, quite frankly, actually smell nasty and make me cough. They simply used soap and water and a marvelous thing called ”elbow grease“. And their homes, clothes and bodies were always spotlessly clean. So well done all of you reverting to the old fashioned standards.

[Kiwiwanderer]

My tips -
- fill my car with petrol only once every 8 weeks. I walk everywhere. Healthy and keeps me fit
- no cable, once I retire and stop working from home I will cancel my internet
- prepay mobile phone $19 per month - no contract
- cook everything from scratch. No processed foods.
All my appliances, phone, tv - all over 10-15 years old. Look after your stuff.
- wear jumpers and use the sun to heat your home - I don’t have air con
- be a minimalist
- non drinker and I don’t like malls and shopping
- save, save, save

I became a single mother at 28 yr olds, took on 2 jobs and foreign students as boarder to help pay the mortgage. Became mortgage free at 46.
Saved and at 56 could help my daughter into her own home.

Now saving again for a tiny home and retirement. Will rent my main home out as additional income.

Live below your means. Stop wanting more, want less.

[uphillhomestead]

I love A Home of Our Own!! I'm a single mom trying to thrive...I use vinegar and baking soda for cleaners, I go to the Dollar Tree for detergent and dish soap and yep, I water them down. I shop deals using grocery store apps and store clearance for shampoo etc so I get all the brands for $1 or less. My wood stove is dual purpose like yours..heating and cooking . I have ducks and chickens for eggs to both eat and sell. I live by the motto "reduce, reuse and repurpose"

[AnnMitt]

We dropped cable over 10 years. We have an antenna, but rarely turn on our TV. Between exercising at night, taking art classes, cooking, reading, and working fulltime, I don't miss TV at all.

[MJSTAMAND]

Mind set of solving ALL problems in life WITHOUT USING MONEY! Love it. Lived by it. Now a millionaire.

[guykenniker]

Best times of my childhood. Raised by single mom 3 of us. The park and once a month a small ice cream cone

[kimb]

I’m not sure which of your videos recommended weighing the 5 pound bags of potatoes at the grocery store but I wanted to tell you thank you. Great tip. Today I weighed two bags. One was 4 1/2 pounds and the other was almost 5 1/2 pounds! Guess which one I bought? 😆

[Europa]

Growing up on a farm I had books and black and white tv with two channels. That was it and life was great. These days we're saturated with entertainment options.

[Kirstie]

I clean with vinegar and baking soda. It’s environmentally friendly and super cheap. It also does a great job. I mix half and half of vinegar and water in an old Windex bottle. It works better than any store bought cleaner. We have really hard water in Florida and I haven’t had a problem with buildup since I’ve been using the vinegar. The baking soda is like comet since it’s got a mild abrasive component. I use it to clean my toilet, bathtub and kitchen sink. I haven’t bought “regular” household cleaning supplies in a few years, and it has saved me so much money!

[clagle]

Don't scrimp on healthy food. Use the money saved from other areas to buy high quality meats and veggies. Grow as much as you can. Poor health comes from bad diet and will cost you time and money for doctor visits and medications.

[carlosnajera]

"the most beautiful thing you can have on your face is a smile" omg so true! she sees things as they really are.

[paulabell]

A tip for carpet stains from a carpet installer: Use a terrycloth towel and dab up as much of the stain as possible. Spray the stain liberally with Windex and then dab up the rest of the stain.

Using this method removed successfully, black India ink from my Mother's white carpet. It's my "go to" method for all carpet stains.

[sissycarolina]

How about no TV at all. TV is a big time waster as well as brain washer. Haven't had TV in years and I can tell you I have more time now then ever before and enjoy life so much more.

[CentsibleLivingWithMoneyMom]

I have to say that there are many things people think are a need, that really are not. I love how your goal is to live a good quality life for less.

[bellen]

Lots of good advice from you and your commenters. I have an extensive wardrobe (30 tops, 15 pants, 12 pairs shoes, 10 lightweight jackets, etc) all for $309 I added it up. Church thrift stores are the way to go - all clothes $1 -$3, shoes usually $4 same for purses. I've even bought Victoria Secret and Christian Dior bras with the tags still on for $2. My local church thrift sets aside jigsaw puzzles and size 5 or 6 shoes for me. Multi-use items genius, Roku can't live without it, library my best friend, adding water to liquids to extend brilliant. Free entertainment - local parks, walking the neighborhood, check the newspaper for free events but be aware of parking fees. Look at your area as if you were a tourist - what would you recommend, where would you go? Have neighbors in their 30s-40s? Ask them for recommendations for YouTube shows, Roku channels - I'm in my 70s and am amazed at what they have gotten me hooked on - Taskmaster for one. Also for houseplants, landscape plants, veggies and flowers ask neighbors for cuttings as long as you are willing to wait for growth and Dollar Tree has veggie and flower seeds at 4/$1 - small packets but good seeds.

[grannyc]

I don’t watch much tv. My husband is addicted to it! Thinking of you and Rocky today while you are moving. Wishing you many Blessings in your new home.

[kakelinga]

We went from only using Fekai Shampoo to Pantene and now VO5. It works just the same. I also went from strictly using Mac or Clinique makeup to using elf brand that I buy at Walmart and it looks just fine. I don't buy any brand name clothing I get all my Jeans for $7.78 at WalMart.

[chrisalbert]

We need more women like you living with this philosophy! :-)

[Europa]

I dont watch TV anymore. Its youtube, Netflix and reading books that provide me with plenty of entertainment.... Left over meat makes a next day stir fry.