"Living on Less" Blog Series - Who's In??

[SDSorority]

Hi everybody! I'm starting a "living on less" series on my blog, where I'm challenging myself to make lifestyle changes to spend less, without feeling "deprived". The first video I made for this series is a $100 or less weekly grocery shopping budget, showing how much I was actually able to get from Trader Joe's.

http://youtu.be/arkJFpd8UDI

Now those of you who know me know that I'm gluten-free and eat fairly healthy/organic, so I was excited to take on this challenge! If anyone wants to join in, I'd love to hear your tips on how you cut pennies out of your budget here and there, without feeling like you live in a treehouse off the grid (though, I think doing that is SO cool! )

The next video is going to be showing how to make your own "shampoo", but I'm looking for other ideas to share as well!

ETA: I'm going to update this first post with all of my videos, to hopefully give you all ideas on how to live on less The videos will be posted below.

1- (Healthy) Trader Joe's Shopping, Under $100 Per Week: http://youtu.be/arkJFpd8UDI
2- DIY Shampoo/Conditioner: http://youtu.be/K7bM9Kt8SC0
3- Homemade Almond Milk: http://youtu.be/NHehJQmWWa0
4- MASSIVE Dollar Tree Haul: http://youtu.be/zjEIwNVENms
5- How to Save Money on HEALTHY Groceries: http://youtu.be/VOSjdzHB_Ro
6- $100 Trader Joe's/Whole Foods Hybrid-Haul: http://youtu.be/_0zsKHSQq1c
7- DIY Beauty Products: http://youtu.be/sOn-S4aNYCA
8- DIY Cleaning Products: http://youtu.be/Ts0NCOTzd6k
9- $100 Trader Joe's / Whole Foods Grocery Haul: http://youtu.be/gwhW0UuMUas
10- BONUS VIDEO!! Gluten-Free (but good for everyone!) Banana Bread: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ep4hTYGWb4
11- Summer Essentials Haul: http://youtu.be/OpFg9npC7b4
12- Weekly Meal Plan: http://youtu.be/urVjIa6_Nsc
13- $95 Trader Joe's / Whole Foods Haul http://youtu.be/0SCB3BOV30o
14- Meijer Paper Towel Deal (June 1-7) http://youtu.be/2PS6oqaJokY
15- BONUS VIDEO!! My "From Scratch" Pantry (Requested): http://youtu.be/5bkCJooHnQs
16- BONUS VIDEO!! "Life Hack" TAG!: http://youtu.be/GYyi5eT-WzI
17- $105 Trader Joe's (only) Haul: http://youtu.be/2Ou7SULi7GU
18- $100.54 Trader Joe's Haul: http://youtu.be/tUIqOEQb-9I
19- Using What You Have: Oatmeal Cookies {Gluten Free, Dairy Free} http://youtu.be/fp-R_J1AqZg
20- $5 Goodwill Challenge, Summer Edition http://youtu.be/zhmBjXFL6s0
21- DIY Weed Killer http://youtu.be/d3RaLkPo8d0
22- DIY Jewelry Cleaner http://youtu.be/44_c3BbG-V0
23- Homemade Granola Bars http://youtu.be/s2EH2I0fGQM
24- 3-Ingredient Protein Pancakes http://youtu.be/IUXOX4wB_3M
25- DIY Ribbon/Washer Bracelet http://youtu.be/AoBbIgq7D9Q
26- DIY Holiday Gifts Collab with other YouTuber's http://youtu.be/Q22vsZ0zUgI

 

[SDSorority]

I added another video to my series! The "no poo" method of washing your hair, using baking soda, apple cider vinegar, and olive oil. The link is in the first post of this thread.

 

[aliceindisneyland]

I watched the TJs videos in the link and on your blog - very well done, and a great idea for a series.

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

I added another video to my series! The "no poo" method of washing your hair, using baking soda, apple cider vinegar, and olive oil. The link is in the first post of this thread.

Watch out for this formula of "no poo" if you have color treated hair. Baking soda will lighten and strip color. It's often recommended as a color remover if you accidentally go too dark.

Cheap conditioner (suave and V05) work great to no poo and won't damage color. They have no silicones and have enough surfactants to clean.

 

[SDSorority]

Watch out for this formula of "no poo" if you have color treated hair. Baking soda will lighten and strip color. It's often recommended as a color remover if you accidentally go too dark.

Cheap conditioner (suave and V05) work great to no poo and won't damage color. They have no silicones and have enough surfactants to clean.

Great tip! I don't color my hair, but that's good to know for others!

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

Love the video! I buy lots of the same stuff!
What do you do w the creamy goat cheese? I buy the crumbles sometimes and put in scrambled eggs.
And why does TJ organic celery usually look so bad??

 

[barkley]

Hi everybody! I'm starting a "living on less" series on my blog, where I'm challenging myself to make lifestyle changes to spend less, without feeling "deprived". The first video I made for this series is a $100 or less weekly grocery shopping budget, showing how much I was actually able to get from Trader Joe's.

http://youtu.be/arkJFpd8UDI

Now those of you who know me know that I'm gluten-free and eat fairly healthy/organic, so I was excited to take on this challenge! If anyone wants to join in, I'd love to hear your tips on how you cut pennies out of your budget here and there, without feeling like you live in a treehouse off the grid (though, I think doing that is SO cool! )

The next video is going to be showing how to make your own "shampoo", but I'm looking for other ideas to share as well!

ETA: I'm going to update this first post with all of my videos, to hopefully give you all ideas on how to live on less The videos will be posted below.

(Healthy) Trader Joe's Shopping, Under $100 Per Week: http://youtu.be/arkJFpd8UDI
DIY Shampoo/Conditioner: http://youtu.be/K7bM9Kt8SC0
Homemade Almond Milk: Coming soon!

I have not watched your videos as yet but am curious-is your grocery budget strictly consumables (vs. food prep items/pet food etc...)? how many people/pets (if applicable) is your $100 per week goal for?

curious b/c I love trader joes and despite others who claim it's overpriced I find tremendous values to stretch a family of 4's food budget (which was reduced by disability to a 75% decrease in income several years ago). we employ a number of cost cutting habits that seem alien to many yet as compared to others with larger budgets we are left feeling far less 'deprived'.

 

[SDSorority]

Love the video! I buy lots of the same stuff!
What do you do w the creamy goat cheese? I buy the crumbles sometimes and put in scrambled eggs.
And why does TJ organic celery usually look so bad??

My husband likes to use the goat cheese as a cream cheese type spread on his toast

Yeah the produce at my TJs is hit or miss. Sometimes it's all fresh, and other times it's lower quality. I'm ready for farmers market season, but that's a few weeks away still.

 

[SDSorority]

I have not watched your videos as yet but am curious-is your grocery budget strictly consumables (vs. food prep items/pet food etc...)? how many people/pets (if applicable) is your $100 per week goal for?

curious b/c I love trader joes and despite others who claim it's overpriced I find tremendous values to stretch a family of 4's food budget (which was reduced by disability to a 75% decrease in income several years ago). we employ a number of cost cutting habits that seem alien to many yet as compared to others with larger budgets we are left feeling far less 'deprived'.

YEP! My $100 budget is strictly consumables, and I have a separate smaller budget for things like toothpaste, toilet paper, etc. There are only two of us, no children or pets. Of course, some of the food I make I'll freeze, and will last somewhat into next week, which will allow me to buy other things during my next shopping trip. To be honest, this is a new adventure so I'm still feeling my way around

 

[SDSorority]

My next video is up!! How to make your own almond milk! The link is in the first post!

 

[lilysmommy]

I just tuned in yesterday to check out your grocery video. I enjoyed it. Keep up the good work. We keep to a $225 budget for groceries for 2 weeks (4 people- 2 adults 2 kiddos), of course around here organic is almost impossible to find so we do the best we can but we do work around allergies. Milk protein. keep it up.

 

[pjlla]

OOhhh.... I'm excited to check this out when I have a free minute.... and to share my "tips"! ........................P

 

[SDSorority]

My next video is up! I did a HUGE Dollar Tree haul to help a family member outfit a new apartment, and I was SHOCKED at how much I was able to get. The video is in the first post!

 

[pjlla]

Okay.... I MUST ask! Does the baking soda shampoo and ACV conditioner REALLY WORK? DD and I are both "hair" girls with long hair (DD can nearly sit on hers, mine is nearly to my elbows) and I am willing to give your method a try.... but DD is really leary.

My hair is getting drier as I get older and DD is a teen with oilier hair. Would it work equally well for both of us? TIA....................P

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

Okay.... I MUST ask! Does the baking soda shampoo and ACV conditioner REALLY WORK? DD and I are both "hair" girls with long hair (DD can nearly sit on hers, mine is nearly to my elbows) and I am willing to give your method a try.... but DD is really leary. My hair is getting drier as I get older and DD is a teen with oilier hair. Would it work equally well for both of us? TIA....................P

Be wary if you have color treated hair as the baking soda will strip the color

 

[pjlla]

Be wary if you have color treated hair as the baking soda will strip the color

Thanks for that head's up.... but neither of us color our hair, so we should be okay there. But maybe that is something that the OP should mention in her vlog? .....................P

 

[SDSorority]

Okay.... I MUST ask! Does the baking soda shampoo and ACV conditioner REALLY WORK? DD and I are both "hair" girls with long hair (DD can nearly sit on hers, mine is nearly to my elbows) and I am willing to give your method a try.... but DD is really leary.

My hair is getting drier as I get older and DD is a teen with oilier hair. Would it work equally well for both of us? TIA....................P

So for it's working really well for me. I don't color my hair either, so I too don't have to worry about that. My curls are so much LESS frizzy. There is an adjustment period (both physically and mentally ), but I have no complaints yet! You just have to really scrub it in to feel like it's cleaning. I used to lose CLUMPS of hair after washing my hair, and with this method, I can't believe how much LESS hair I'm now losing. I don't know why that is, but I'm not complaining! The next video in my series is uploading as I type

 

[SDSorority]

Ok guys, the next video is up! Tips on saving money on healthy groceries- link is in the first post!

 

[SDSorority]

I've got the next video up! I did a $100 Trader Joe's/Whole Foods hybrid grocery haul! Link is in the first post. Is anyone watching these? LOL.

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

I've got the next video up! I did a $100 Trader Joe's/Whole Foods hybrid grocery haul! Link is in the first post. Is anyone watching these? LOL.

I am I am a Trader Joe and Whole Foods shopper myself so I am enjoying the videos. I will check out that yogurt and that dressing!

I was wondering what you do w all that frozen fruit?