These ideas are so helpful. I lost my job to Covid last year, I’m 68 so decided to retire. My husband is 74 and is going to retire in January. We have never lived on a budget and your budget seems easy to follow. We do own our home and are debt free. I’ve been taking notes & l’m going to live the budget. Thank you for all your awesome teachings.

@larryware1

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your nice comment. Being debt free is most of the battle. Once you get your budget set up you should be home free.

I start my Christmas shopping the day after Christmas. I get a ton of my stuff at garage sales, lots in my area and I find brand new stuff! Then every October I do a NO SPEND ..its a great way to use up stuff (knowing we are going to have an influx of new stuff for Christmas) and we eat up a lot of our odds and ends, then restock a bunch of pantry staples in November!

I decided to give bathroom tissue for Christmas because rationing limits are starting again in my area. Some of the best grocery deals were from salvage stores. Found 25 lbs bags of oatmeal, 13 bean soup mix, cornmeal, for 10-15 dollars a bag. Buckets came from bakery. Split pea soup mix 25 cents a package. $2.00 in regular grocery store. Sister's birthday bought from garage sale in April for her birthday in August. Full bathroom set of Winnie the Pooh in mint condition. Towels, shower curtain, rug, cup dispenser, soap dish, lotion bottle. She was happy to get it. Thrifting is in my DNA.

We no longer exchange Christmas gifts, thankfully. We just felt it was getting too commercialized, and there was no Christ centered meaning behind it for us. It was always so stressful! Lol. Now we bake holiday treats, include a card (some with money), and give to people that are alone, elderly, or very poor. We might also pay to get someone’s car fixed that can’t afford it, etc. It may not be for everyone, but for us personally, it has helped bring the meaning back into focus for us. My frugal tip: Some bags of candy that are out for Halloween, don’t actually have Halloween printed on the candy wrappers themselves…just the outside bag that it comes in. Watch for those to be on clearance on Nov. 1st, and stock up for Christmas! Same can be said for Christmas candy, and you can often stock up for Easter, and so on… 😊

@mariannewesten3638

2 жыл бұрын

Thats the Spirit👍 Love it That you Help Other people🥰

@tacos_are_life

2 жыл бұрын

@@mariannewesten3638 Thank you! We really love it as well! 😊

@larryware1

2 жыл бұрын

I love your idea, Kathy! What a meaningful way to celebrate the birth of Christ. Hope and I did something similar a few years ago. We got the boys to forego the amount we usually spend on them for Christmas and had them go through a giving booklet from World Vision. They took 50% of their usual amount we would give them and donated that to World Vision. It was really fun and gave a deeper meaning to the holiday.

@tacos_are_life

2 жыл бұрын

@@larryware1 I love that idea too! I just want to live a more God-centered life, so for me the transition was easy. For others in my family, I had to first start with “ Let’s draw a name for Christmas and just each buy for one person.” Then we transitioned to experience gifts, until we decided we have enough and would just find a lot more meaning in giving to others that do without so much of the tar (or their life). We are truly blessed, and it feels great to do for others. 😊🙏🏼❤️

@larryware1

2 жыл бұрын

@@tacos_are_life - we eliminated all the gift exchanges as well and only buy for our boys now. Makes it a lot simpler and puts the focus on Christ. Helping others does help drive that home.

I have to share my Thrift Store funny moment with you. Christmas of 2020 was my first year in my new home. I went through all my Christmas & holiday decorations. I took a couple of boxes to the thrift store (I donate to the store that gives the money back into the local businesses.). I only kept the bare minimum. I exchanged gifts with one of my best friends and the gift she gave me was one of the items I had donated to the store - so essentially, I got my donation back! It had a small nick in the bottom so I was able to identify it easily. I did not have the heart to tell her I had donated it just a few weeks earlier. My kids got a huge laugh out of it though. I will put it out this Christmas and then decide if if it is a keeper or not.

@UndertheMedian

2 жыл бұрын

Your story gave me a laugh! We once let some friends borrow a book. After a while we forgot they had it. They cleaned off their bookshelves and sold the books to a local used book store. Larry was in the store later and recognized the title of the book. He thought, "I had a copy of that book a while back and can't remember what happened to it." He opened the front cover of the book at the used store to find his name written inside the front cover. Larry re-bought his own book and then called our friends to give them a hard time. We all laughed about it.

Have lots of question to ask today! Thank you for what is in my opinion, the best channel and resources on budgeting! I am very grateful to learn from you both especially as I am just starting out and life, so I can be sure to use and save my money wisely, the right way and avoid all these mistakes hopefully. Will be going back and watching all the videos, categorising them, and taking notes. Found y'all just a week ago.

@UndertheMedian

2 жыл бұрын

Mercry, welcome to the Under the Median family. We're go glad to have you with us.

My friend told me how she just likes to make a donation to the fundraiser and not buy the product. Then the full amount goes to help out instead of just a small amount. I really like that. 💕

While my colleagues we thinking black and orange for Halloween, we wrapped Christmas gifts by October. We purchased items through out the year so we had all the gifts ready. Now that our children are grown, we do not give gifts but donate time for various charity activities. Fun stuff as well as rewarding.

I shop for Christmas gifts all year long. I always look for things that are deeply discounted. I never pay full price for anything. I love thrift shopping and find a lot of new things for gifts also. Great video!!

@larryware1

2 жыл бұрын

Way to go, Michelle! That's the way to do it. Thank you for your kind comment.

@cherannretiredgran68

2 жыл бұрын

Same here. I just get stuck on what to buy son in laws and grandsons mostly. The younger ones want the layest coolest toys... I cannot afford those. When I worked at Walmart I would check the clearances almost daily. Now I am retired from working, on SSI, is been difficult. I may have to continue to buy the more repeat "lame" gifts. 🤷‍♀️

I'm pretty much finished Christmas shopping. Just need to sort and start wrapping. Yay!

@LadyBeeSting2434

2 жыл бұрын

That is awesome! How do you know each year what to buy for each person?

@katheryncompton2159

2 жыл бұрын

When talking with friends and family. I listen for their likes and wants and shop throughout the year. I also make a lot of my gifts.

Last year, when meat started to sky-rocket, I half-jokingly said at church that I needed to buy a cow for the freezer. One of my friends over-heard and said, "My cousin raises beef cattle. I'll give her your number!" So, for about $3.55/lb, we got enough beef that lasted our household of 7 for 13 months. Did the same thing this yr through another farmer and paid $3/lb! We also bought ½ a hog at $3.40/lb! Then, it dawned on me, "Duh. My son owns a restaurant!" So I'm able to order 50lb bags of flour and sugar at his rate. YAY!

@UndertheMedian

2 жыл бұрын

Good for you! You have some great, local sources. We bought 1/4 of a cow from local farmers when we ate meat. It was always so cheap per pound compared to the grocery store prices.

I love White Diamonds fragrance. Wal-Mart has gift sets on sale before Christmas. That is always what I want. My husband will buy 3 of those sets. They will last me the whole year!

@UndertheMedian

2 жыл бұрын

I remember when White Diamonds came out. The television commercials for it were unforgettable.

You guys have to pair up with Emmie and Paul from “Frugal Money Saver”. A channel similar to yours for a collaboration . I’m a fan, keep up the good work!

@UndertheMedian

2 жыл бұрын

We would love, love, love to do a collab with Emmie and Paul!

@robinmeier6048

2 жыл бұрын

I love them too!!!!!

Never fill up before a holiday. Gas goes up crazy high right before every holiday.. Get emergency supplies now,before cold weather hits. For those in the western hemisphere.

We also usually shop through the year but finish up in December. Not this year! We have a few things left to purchase but we’re almost finished. Husband and I felt concerned if we put it off there’d be a chance we couldn’t get the things we wanted so we allowed lots of time. What we have purchased is already wrapped as well. We were unwell the past two Christmases and I thought getting this job done might help if uncertain things come up. I also HATE going to town and fighting crowds so I know, for myself, being finished by Halloween means I can “hibernate” during the two busy shopping months. Lovely. 😊 I noticed a gift we bought our eldest son two years ago for $7.50 was up to $40. Another we bought two years ago had gone from $99 up to $160. The inflation is unbelievable. 😖😖

Oooooo! I didn't know thrift stores did a sort of black Friday deals. Will be keeping an eye out this year.

One frugal tip i have learned is right now,before it gets really cold, check your winter gear.wash it.see if it fits.see if it needs repair or replacing. Seal drafts Have your hvac checked Have water heater checked Winterize vehicle Get the vehicle checked. Why is this frugal. Do you remember polar vortex?want to deal with this in 40 below zero weather?i didn't think so.

@UndertheMedian

2 жыл бұрын

Great tips. We have a video on getting your home ready for winter on the schedule to be shot soon.

@stowie5790

2 жыл бұрын

We recently had a cold morning so I turned on the furnace to warm up my home. It click on but no flame started…pilot light would not stay lit. Called for servicing and $150 later, they repaired the furnace and serviced it for winter!

@UndertheMedian

2 жыл бұрын

@@stowie5790 , you got a super good price on that repair!!

Regarding early Christmas shopping, I recommend shopping in your home first eg: remind myself what I picked up half price or less after Christmas or wrap and decorations etc that we have leftover and put in a box. In Victoria, Australia we are having delays with parcel post due to lockdown which may lead in Christmas shopping.

Yes I have started Christmas shopping and hope to get most of it done in October this year!!

Here in my country there is not the option to pay extra on your morgage principal. you can pay an extra amount, but you pay a fine when you do. that fine is the intrest on the amount you pay. So in the end, you may pay of the morgage faster, but you still pay the same amount as you would if you paid the normal amount every month

Yes, I've already started Christmas shopping. Like you, I pick up some things throughout the year.

I’ve got a few Christmas gifts so far, working on finishing up soon. Great tips, thanks!

The quarters were a total dad joke...love it!!!

@UndertheMedian

2 жыл бұрын

We're so glad you liked it. Larry begged me to do it and I'm glad we did. I thought it was funny, too.

Hi guys I’m already saving for Christmas. Now on one income I’m starting to put money in my high rate savings account to have money for Christmas and that way I will budget that way for gifts. I love your ideas and you both have really helped me. One thing I have done is cut my phone bill a few months ago since my husband and I both have cellphones. So I’m saving about 55$ a month on not having a home phone. Also just canceled my heating protection plan with my furnace. I spend about 27$ a month on that and only use this service once a year. For example this summer my air conditioner went out and I called them to service it and they were going to take a week to fix it. I decided to find a family owned company to do it. It cost 800$ but I paid cash and this man said to service the furnace it’s about 90$ once a year. So I’m saving 325$ a year on this protection plan. Too me it’s a waste of money.

@cherylT321

2 жыл бұрын

Awesome!

@larryware1

2 жыл бұрын

That's so encouraging, Janice. You are finding ways to save money and you can't beat that. Way to go.

Hope and Larry, God bless you! I have learnt so much from you both. I'm on my way to financial stability because of you. Thank you. - Peace, from Nairobi, Kenya 😊

@UndertheMedian

2 жыл бұрын

Malaika, it makes us so happy to hear this. We are delighted to be a part of your journey.

Sept - Dec is birthday season - 6 of the 8 grandchildren plus grown kids. Sinking funds for me for birthdays and Christmas.

@LadyBeeSting2434

2 жыл бұрын

Hi there Donna, that is awesome that you do this! I’m actually wanting to tell my parents to pass on my birthday to help them out since I don’t need anything. Is there a nice way to say that without hurting their feelings. They always feel guilty if it’s shipped late etc and I don’t like them to feel stressed.😳 I’m just happy to have great parents💛 Also, for in law Christmas gifts what kind do you expect or have given? I’m at a loss every year. 🤷‍♀️😳💖

Love Aussie! I have a lot of household and cleaning supplies. Personal and some first aid products. Laundry and paper products. Left is to stock the pet care items. I am going through the winter wardrobe items today.

@UndertheMedian

2 жыл бұрын

As hard as I try, it seems that something trips me up every year. I'm doing an extensive food inventory this weekend and we hope to make one more trip to the Amish store before cold weather sets in. It's an hour drive and the roads just aren't that good when snow covered. So, we head there in late October or early November t and wait until the spring thaw for our next trip.

New subscriber here! Love your channel! I am learning so much. You both are a wealth of information!

@UndertheMedian

2 жыл бұрын

Welcome to the Under the Median family! We are so happy to have you with us.

You guys are so helpful with all your tips.

shoping last minute..equal=paying top price plus no choice left..so true! keep the good work ..im e fan! :)

I've always shopped early for Christmas but expenses especially when working in an office seem to spiral upwards in November/December. These days I shop for Christmas all throughout the year and limit spending other than travel out of town to visit family. The travel didn't happen last year and won't happen this year either. Once or twice, I donated to charities (for Christmas) instead of shopping for friends and family. I love your shopping off season tip and a tip I heard on another of your videos. I never, ever pay full price for anything and am always shopping for the very best deal. I enjoy it especially when I think of the money saved (and used for another important purpose).

My husband and I started Christmas shopping the day after Christmas last year 🤣 but it was only light shopping. We budget for Christmas all year in case we find the perfect gift for someone early on (such as the prayer beads for my grandfather from James *shameless plug* 😂 they are beautiful!!). We're amping it up now and have knocked out well over half the people on our list 🙂 we went on a day trip date to Nashville on Sunday and were able to find all sorts of fantastic Christmas gifts for very reasonable prices since we are shopping early!

You're spot on when it comes to Xmas -- shipping will take longer and there probably will be supply chain issues -- I already have 50% of my shopping done. As soon as the Xmas stuff is on the shelf, I will be getting the "stocking stuffers" (hopefully right after Halloween).

I’ve nearly finished my Christmas shopping. My friend and myself have agreed to only give each other and our kids gifts from the charity shop(thrift) . I got her son an amazing laxer tag and game a diary of wimpy kid books and her amazing vintage shot glasses

I do a tax credit to St Mary’s Food Bank. It reduces my state and federal taxes. This 2022, we can o $400.00 single and $800.00 couple in AZ We get it all back in reduced taxes. I usually get money back when I do a tax credit, not a c heritable deduction, but a tax credit! Try it you ll like it😀

I’ve got my Christmas shopping done now. I just did one big shopping spree for it in September. I don’t always get done that early, but it sure feels good!

@awilliams935

2 жыл бұрын

Snap x Feel quite proud of myself 😂 Just got to buy some food and goodies wk before x Feels lovely not having to stress about it now x☺️

I am almost done ☑️ Christmas shopping except for some of my gift. Cards which I’m buying Nov and Dec to make things easier for budgeting.

@UndertheMedian

2 жыл бұрын

Yay! Good for you! I'm maybe half way done. We're getting gift lists from our grown kids this week and I'm shopping for matching shirts for all 4 boys (one of our holiday traditions). So, I'll be mainly on Amazon this weekend. I saw some really good clearance prices at Kohls, though, too.

Almost all of my Christmas shopping is done. I plan to get the remaining items and get everything wrapped by Halloween. I'm getting gift cards for nieces and nephews. Amazon has cute gift card shaped tins for free when you get the gift cards, so they don't even need wrapped. I bought all cards, wrapping paper, ribbons and bows at 90% off after Christmas last year. I strongly suggest buying early so that packages can be mailed early. I used to be a mailman, and I know that shipping this year is going to be delayed quite a bit. Also that takes some stress off of the mailman when not all the parcels show up at the same time. Don't forget to give your mailman a gift - it is always appreciated, and believe me mailmen remember who did that nice thing for them all year long, and they will help you if you need some help.

You two are so sweet .I just love you both.

Daniel is handsome 😀. I don't buy Christmas gifts anymore for my 3 boys since the last 5 years ( clutter !!). I give 50 Eur each or 100 Eur. I tell them to save half of it.

@UndertheMedian

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Dian. He's a wonderful young man. It's hard for me to believe that he's a senior in high school this year.

I have a handful of people to buy Christmas gifts (younger relatives, teenagers and in their early twenties), and look forward to your upcoming tips. 🙂

You both look tanned and happy. Did you get a vacation in? I enjoy your channel very much. Wise financial advice. Our children went to private Christian school for 12 years and had to sell items every year. That being said - some 25 years later we seldom say no to kids selling stuff.

Great video!

Love your new background! It's soothing! In years past (no longer), I had all my Christmas shopping done by the end of October. This was before online shopping was possible. I couldn't stand trying to shop in crowds, so I just finished it early. That did not include wrapping, though. I've kept a gift basket in a closet so I could buy things when I saw them and keep them until the appropriate occasion. Love your trackers. I've always been a quarterly budget assessor, too, for all the same reasons you mentioned. Love and appreciate you for all you do to help folks...I love listening to you! You seem to make such a cohesive and adorable couple! Your love and respect for each other really shows through. That, in itself, is encouraging and instructive! Financial info is icing on the cake! God bless you and your family! P.S. I Christmas shop for the next year on December 26 when sales are massive.

@larryware1

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you, Jonna, for all your kind comments. Hope and I really do respect and appreciate each other. I'm glad it's showing through on the videos. Doing your Christmas shopping early is a great way to enjoy the holiday more. We need to be doing more of that. I think we're a little behind this year. So nice having you with us.

Such a cute couple!

@larryware1

2 жыл бұрын

Awe, thank you, Nancy!

Larry & Hope, I’ve become addicted to your channel! I live in the very expensive northeast and homeschool 7 kiddos, and your tips and tricks are very helpful and inspiring to me! Thanks for your work, guys.

@larryware1

2 жыл бұрын

Wonderful, Jillian! So glad Hope and I can be of help to you.

@UndertheMedian

2 жыл бұрын

Jillian, we are delighted that you are part of the Under the Median family! Kuddos to homeschooling all those kiddos. I've homeschooled 21 years and I have 4 more to go before I "retire".

I have several categories. By keeping my reconciliation on a spreadsheet, I have each month summed. Then those figures are connected to a table similar to yours. I keep an average at the bottom and under that the planned budget amount. This gives me an indication of being on or off track annually throughout the year.

I just have a few little things I need to pick up for stockings.

We buy an 8 pack of dial or irish spring for $6 at dollar general. I.get the family size suave shampoo for$2,and family size conditioner$2. Hubby uses selsun blue,$7.razors are roughly $5 a pack for men's. Deoderant,twin pack old spice high endurance$7.shave cream,barbasol,$2.toothbrushes,5 pack for a dollar at dollar tree.toothpaste$1 per tube dollar spot at dollar general.

@Itsme-tp3bq

2 жыл бұрын

I buy a 20 bar Irish Spring pack at Sam’s for $7.84..ea bar is 3.7 oz. might want to check out Sam’s a much better deal! They have it in Original and Aloe ‘flavors’. You get the whole ‘flavor’ in the 20 pack….like 20 bars original or 20 bars aloe Irish Spring.

@mizzmiami3242

2 жыл бұрын

What about laundry detergent? Cleaning supplies? Dish sponge, dish soap? Toilet tissue? Lysol wipes? Lotion ? Makeup? The list goes on and on for me.. are you guys spending $50 per month on all of these items???

@rochellethundercloud346

2 жыл бұрын

@@mizzmiami3242 everything except makeup.and as needed.some months we really stock up.and replace as needed.

I buy holiday food items early, as they go on sale. I find that holiday weeks, they may have a few losing leaders, but overall, they sell a lot of luxury items. Also, when confronted with an upcoming holiday, it's easy to go overboard at the grocery store.

Beautiful forms!

@UndertheMedian

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Ashley. I had such a good time creating them.

Here in Ontario, the amount spent on eating out is way down. The most expensive form of eating out is sit-down meals. The menu prices are higher and tipping percentages are higher. Even as the economy slowly reopens, many restaurants are closing down their sit-down meals and offering only take-out due to staff shortages and to protect who's left on staff from backlash from angry customers who refuse to show proof of compliance of new measures in place. For example, one friend and I enjoy our lunch picnic-style rather than spend at an establishment. All provinces except one require customers to show proof of compliance.

I shop Christmas starting in June every year. Simple things that won’t make a mess by being stored (example: we got my brother and his wife a mixing bowl set for Christmas) and stuff the kids won’t outgrow by Christmas. As a single income family, it’s so much easier to spread it out through six months versus two or three. We have a Christmas sinking fund that all the money goes into from my husband’s paychecks that I use to shop throughout the last six months of the year. It’s also helpful because I have four extra months to get really good coupons that would not be around during November and December!

I make all my Christmas gifts...or give money.. nothing to buy 😃

@UndertheMedian

2 жыл бұрын

I have a sneaking suspicion that more people are going to be doing this as the shelves at retailers become pretty bare pretty quickly this year.

@fredrika8011

2 жыл бұрын

My Husband and I buy nice bulk Christmas cards at Costco. At Christmas time we just add money or Gift cards. We have a smaller family so this is doable. 😊

We don’t celebrate Halloween 🎃 as such in my family, I normally cook a nice meal and we watch a movie and have some sweets I bought half price few weeks before 😀 Bonfire night we live on a hill so we sit outside with hot chocolate and watch the local display for free we luckily get an amazing view ❤️ Then we have burgers and fries x Xmas I gave up trying to please everyone and cut my budget massively, Parents get a voucher was fed up of seeing gifts I bought not used or given back to us months down the line, My children have a budget and write a list I try with all my might to get what I can but once budgets been hit Thats it x Don’t give Xmas cards no more I make a donation to our local food bank for the cost of cards and the food bank are more thankful x New Year’s Eve we have a buffet and watch movies ☺️ School fund raising I usually offer my time to help instead of giving money x Xmas food I start buying half price items and make a Xmas treat basket up 🎄 x anddd I’ve bought a half price bed electric blanket and I’m hoping it’ll help a lot this winter instead of putting heating on x 🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿❤️

My only tip/thought is to watch your video. :) I've never thought of it in quarters before. Thank you.

@larryware1

2 жыл бұрын

You are so welcome Esther.

Oh my goodness! $300 on food? 😳😳 Wow how I wish 🥴 We budget $1300/mth. 2 adults and 2 teens - ugh

Christmas cards .25 cents a box clerance Walmart after Christmas I bought 10 boxes and beautiful cards.

I make a lot of gifts for friends and family. I also have a Christmas/gift budget line every month, so if I find a great gift throughout the year I have the cash! I’ve ordered all my online gifts already and will buy the rest local or send a gift card. Shipping is supposed to be a nightmare this year!😬

Got a good win fall, now to keep from letting it burn a hole in my pocket.

Absolutely Indiana 4 Seasons ❤🙋🏼‍♀️

Larry I know you like lentils. One of the few recipes I tried and liked was lentil sloppy Joe’s. Really good.

@UndertheMedian

2 жыл бұрын

Love lentil sloppy joes. I made them last night with the regular green lentils. The smaller, red lentils would make it the texture more like meat, though, I'll bet.

@Itsme-tp3bq

2 жыл бұрын

@@UndertheMedian recipe, please! Sounds really good. Thx!

@larryware1

2 жыл бұрын

Yes. Hope does a number of entrees with lentils. I love them no matter how they are presented.

I started Christmas shopping 🛍 already.

@LadyBeeSting2434

2 жыл бұрын

I’m starting with you :)

Good morning... I missed most of the show and the chat is closed but i will rewind and watch from the beginning... I'm making a list and checking it twice... Lol I will start Christmas shopping soon ... The shelves are already empty and I'm afraid i won't be able to find anything at all... I did buy on clearance... Lots of Christmas decorations and gift wrapping ribbons bows and more right after last Christmas.

@UndertheMedian

2 жыл бұрын

Lisa, we went Christmas shopping this week and I was super stressed to find that there were already a lot of empty shelves. We like to get the boys matching shirts every year. I found shirts with Marvel characters on them. The only size on the rack was "large" and "extra-large". So, I struck out there. None of my boys wears anything above a medium. I'm Amazon shopping, now, hoping to find the perfect shirt for all of them.

@lisacats4531

2 жыл бұрын

@@UndertheMedian a lot of empty shelves everywhere... Amazon is great but also selling out fast... I tried to buy boots and cat food last night and the brand that i need is sold out

@UndertheMedian

2 жыл бұрын

@@lisacats4531 , I have some photos that I just took last week in Kroger. I'm going to add some of them to the grocery shopping tips video in a couple of weeks. You're right. I noticed big holes in the pet food section.

I'm so thankful to have my car paid off and don't ever have to use the words car payment again. I have a water softener contract to pay off and then save for emergencies. I do have a mortgage but I'm not sure how long I will live in my house

@UndertheMedian

2 жыл бұрын

There are circumstances in which pre-paying a mortgage doesn't make a lot of sense. We usually say that when you'll be moving before you've owned the home seven years that you may not want to pay it off.

Do you do outdoor /home mainteance

We are giving cash for Christmas this year.

@UndertheMedian

2 жыл бұрын

We call cash the "universal gift card". You can spend it anywhere.

👌❤️❤️

👍👍👍

I always shop for Christmas gifs and decorations after Christmas for the next year. I usually have all my gifts by end of January. This year I'll be shipping gifts by November 1st. I'm also in the process of purchasing non-perishable for our holiday meals.

@larryware1

2 жыл бұрын

You are WAY ahead of the game, J G. Wow!

The major holidays, birthdays and events usually come around every year. Why are people surprised?🤷‍♀️🤦‍♀️

@UndertheMedian

2 жыл бұрын

LOL! Great point.

I have recently discovered your channel and I am binge watching all your previous videos. I love you both - you give such practical advice without being condescending. You are both so endearing. Thank you, thank you. I wanted to ask you though how you separate all your expenses whilst using a bank account. I love the idea of cash envelopes but realistically they aren’t always practical especially as I pay for things (like pet food and toilet rolls) on a subscription basis via direct debit. I have averaged out the amount I pay for these things on a monthly basis but where do I keep the money in the meantime? 16 different bank accounts seems ludicrous 😂. XX

@robinsutton577

2 жыл бұрын

For me, I keep all of my money in one account and have a ledger at home with all of the different categories and sinking funds. It plays out on paper.

@mishypeas2959

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you - I’ll try doing it that way. 👍 Sending greetings from Wales 💕

Just curious in asking a question. Why do some channels not want their viewers to know they get money (ad money) for the viewer watching the ads? On another channel I very friendly and politely (Truth) I encouraged other viewers to share the video and like the video as this helped the channel help others as well as get monetized. Well she deleted my comment. I was hurt. Why would a channel do that?

Question for you Larry and Hope. When you purchase gifts during the year for each other without the others knowledge, how do you do the money so the other one doesn’t know?

@larryware1

2 жыл бұрын

Hope records here purchases as she goes because I never see the on-line entries. I save receipts for gifts for her and then give them to her after the holiday or birthday.

The last 2 minutes of the game.

Why am I just catching on to "I'm Moe" and "I'm Larry" 🤣 Where is brother or Sister Curly?

I just had a thought…the month that you guys went on vacation might reflect a little less in utilities if you were gone for a week. 😊

@UndertheMedian

2 жыл бұрын

Oh yes. I hadn't thought of that! You may be right. The could account for smaller than usual utility bills.

As a fellow vegan, my question is, do you stay within your food budget for a celebratory meal or do you splurge? I have purchased wonderful analog turkey with stuffing every Thanksgiving but just ONE of those is not enough for 8 people and buying two is quite cost prohibitive. Have you ever tried to make your own meat analogs? I hope you and your family enjoy a lovely holiday season.

@UndertheMedian

2 жыл бұрын

We have sometimes splurged. You might want to get just one "turkey" and then serve a lot of side dishes. OR pre-fill the plates to serve guests (like a restaurant would). That way everyone gets a taste of the turkey. Honestly, though we tend to ignore what it considered traditional. For several years we have done a soup bar with different kinds of vegan soups. I make a whole bunch of side dishes and they can go through the line as many times as they want. I try to include holiday flavors, but at a fraction of the cost of buying vegan meat substitutes.

We spend 1000 a month for our family of 4 - this includes a teen 😀 - this also includes all food and all non food groceries like tp, cleaners, laundry and dishwasher detergent, etc. Wondering how this compares to others budgets. And we live in Utah where all 4 seasons happen every fall and every spring - seriously 😂

@sgist7824

2 жыл бұрын

Family of 4 here and we spend £380 on average Inc all food, toiletries, cleaning cat food etc. Lots of food cooked in bulk but some easy dinners as well.

@Barnyard_Dreams

2 жыл бұрын

We can do $200 in groceries for our family of 6 a month. That includes athletes. That cuts convince food.

Do you save for sons weddings

@UndertheMedian

2 жыл бұрын

It's always the responsibility of the parents of the groom to pay for the rehearsal dinner. I'm guessing we'll have enough time between the engagement announcement and the day before the wedding to save enough for the rehearsal dinner. So, we've not stressed too much about that.

The theme this year is home made, I'm either making or buying handmade items from small buisnesses

@UndertheMedian

2 жыл бұрын

I think a lot of others will be doing the same thing this year. I must admit, I don't think that's altogether a terrible thing. It may help us to be able to focus on family, instead of expensive gifts.

@paulasajjad4549

2 жыл бұрын

@@UndertheMedian it ensures two things they know the time and effort and a true personalised gift. I don't ruggest quilts tho as spent several months on my mum in laws one lol.?

Could you two be advisors to the government? 😂

❤️👍

what state do you live in

Hahaha thanks Daniel

@didderbugakakatie

2 жыл бұрын

For the PSA

@larryware1

2 жыл бұрын

I'll pass that on to him. Thank you, Katie.

@UndertheMedian

2 жыл бұрын

He had a great time doing that. We'll maybe have to plan a program where the younger boys come on with us.

@didderbugakakatie

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah that could definitely be a video if they are comfortable with being in front of the camera. I’d love to see their perspective of growing up with financially responsible and aware parents. How’s it’s shaped them and if they always take your advice haha.

I’m curious, what kind of gifts have you given to in-laws or parents? I’m always at a loss 🤷‍♀️😳 Also, at what point do we stop giving to adult siblings? We have tried communicating but nothing seems to work on finding out how Christmas will work each year. Now I just buy for everyone but it’s so expensive 😳🤷‍♀️

@UndertheMedian

2 жыл бұрын

Both of Larry's parents are deceased and my mom is my only living parent The thing with parents is that they really have everything that they need. So, we focus on giving practical things. If they still enjoy going out to eat, then gift certificates are always nice. I think that parents always like clothing items, too that are themed - matching is nice, too. My mom has schnauzer dogs. So, I may get her a sweatshirt that says, "Schnauzer Mom" on the front. She just had a birthday and I gave her some fancy soap that she wouldn't normally buy for herself.

@LadyBeeSting2434

2 жыл бұрын

@@UndertheMedian Thank you for your tips! It’s tough trying to figure things out but I guess it’s all about the heart of the gifter. I just want my heart to always be in the right place 💛 I am truly sorry to hear about Larry’s parents and your Father. 🙏🥺

@sgist7824

2 жыл бұрын

We do hamper of food for hubby's mum and partner, we know they do not treat themselves very much. So wine, nice jams, Marmots, olives, crackers etc etc

we are thinking about not celebrate the holidays

Is Aussie vegan? I have a hard time finding vegan skin hair.

@UndertheMedian

2 жыл бұрын

I have to be honest. I've never checked to see if it's vegan or not.

@paulamoors

2 жыл бұрын

@@UndertheMedian unfortunately it’s not. I just checked, but as my grandson told me “you have to pick your battles”. I have very short hair so it doesn’t matter what I use. If I had your hair I would be inclined to use a better shampoo.

@UndertheMedian

2 жыл бұрын

@@paulamoors , hey, thanks for the heads up. I appreciate it.

bikini 🤣😂🤣 👙 oh my goodness Larry cracks me up

@larryware1

2 жыл бұрын

LOL! So glad to give you a chuckle. Hope reminded me that women her age don't wear them anymore...