Thursday 5 October 2017

Another money saving video. (edited)

Hello. Interesting comments on yesterdays post. I did wonder if I should post that video, was I being a bit unfair to show an example of how someone can make the wrong decisions, and should I only post what I consider best practices regarding money saving and budgeting? It clearly hit a nerve with one person who prefers to hide behind the Anonymous label

Ok, the reasoning behind my decision to post it was not to have a go at him, was not to embarrass him, and was not to ridicule him. He chose to make that video and publish it, presumably because he wanted the whole world to see it, and presumably because he believed that what he is doing is the right way to live for him. It is obvious to anyone watching that he is overweight, fact, which is a much publicized condition that is linked to an unfit body.

Think about how we learn. We look at how others do things, we learn from each other. As well as good habits we also learn bad habits. I learnt from my mother, she had some good ways of living on a small income. Today's youngsters do not have those mentors, times change and now it's anything goes, have what you want and get it now. But these bad habits of over indulging, of spending more than you earn, of buying and eating the wrong food, and eating more than you need, have long term consequences. They can wreck your life.

But who am I to say what is the right way and what is the wrong way. Every adult can make their own decisions, they do the best they can for themselves. We learn just as much from those who get it wrong, as those who get it right. How often do you see someone do something strange and say, 'I wouldn't do that'. How often do you look into someone's shopping trolley and say, 'I wouldn't buy that'. It's how we learn.

So, some people only feel comfortable seeking out the positives. The key to life is learning, I never stop, and I never close my eyes and ears to the things I feel are not in line with my own principles. I watch, I listen, I observe, and process the information. I may recall it at a later date, or I might file it into oblivion.

In contrast here is another money saving video. In my opinion this man has got it right. He got himself out of debt, now he is living comfortably.


It has been brought to my attention that this man is promoting his business, there is a link at the end of the video. I must admit that I hadn't noticed it. I am leaving the video in here because the money saving tips he talks about are valid. However, I advise you to NOT click on the link, DO NOT SEND HIM ANY MONEY. Take his free advice, and do a runner.

My day off today, I'll catch you later. Thanks for popping in.
Toodle pip

30 comments:

  1. Great video thankyou for sharing.

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  2. What a contrast! I think it's easy to be affected by appearance so I put the subtitles on and focused on them rather than the visual. Yesterday's chap was basically saying that it helps to have a stockpile and I agree. It's just that his definition of 'stockpile' and mine are somewhat different in both quantity and type. I stockpile tins of chopped tomatoes. :-)
    Today's chap talked more about general habits and lifestyle changes, it wasn't all about food. A more rounded, all-embracing approach really.
    J x

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  3. The difference is obvious - but how sad that yesterdays guy was judged by appearances and his physical condition. Today, a clean cut guy, in a nice clean home is presented, but they both have a point. Incidentally, the second guy doesn't look like he's going short of much either !
    Anyway, don't you just love these videos that tell you how to manage your money, create a budget and get out of debt ?
    How do you do that when you have more going out than coming in ? I'm not talking about cable TV, new or expensive car, holidays, hairdressers, nail extensions or even tattoos if that's what you like, I'm talking about after your rent is paid and a couple of other non-negotiable bills, there is literally nothing left ? how do you budget with that ? how do you save from that ? don't say 'yellow stickers' I am the yellow sticker Queen of the Midlands and can stretch money to infinity and beyond, fortunately - but the point is, you cant save what you haven't got, you can't cut back any more from the bone and through it, there's just nothing left.
    Work is not an option, in your mid 70's no one will employ you, there aren't enough jobs for the young people and their families let alone old wrinklies. Sell stuff on Ebay - that should be rephrased as 'put stuff on Ebay' there's no guarantee it will sell, and it's becoming increasingly difficult to sell on Ebay these days anyway. Etsy is the same.
    So while these 'help yourself out of debt' videos can be helpful in some small way, I find the people that put them out extremely smug and would like their opinion on how to save from nothing, cut back on nothing, and get out of debt !

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    1. And that, in a nutshell, is the crux of the problem. I do get tired of so called frugal blogs written by people who own two properties. Oh well we have them because we are frugal. Well some folk are frugal all their lives and are still struggling to put food on the table. What you haven't got in the first place you can't save. Thought provoking post Ilona. Good wishes to you x

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  4. I do think that one persons idea of a frugal life is different to someone elses.I hear all the time,from people i know,that are always saying how skint they are..as they are standing there with a cup of Starbucks or the latest must have trainers or mobile phone.One friend said to me,Oh are you going away again?...we have had 3 two night breaks this year and have enjoyed every one of them,eating out each night..ok,in Weatherspoons,but the food was great!!.We paid £34 for the room for both of us..£68 in total in Travelodge,round the corner from the seafront and made the last day a full day by booking train tickets for later on in the evening,again alot cheaper.And all booked well in advance.We live the frugal way,not because we are skint...it is so we can save!!..And then have the money for things we really need and short breaks to the seaside!!Debi,xx

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    1. I had a luvly time yesterday,I just nipped to get some cheap fruit and salad stuff at a street market and I had a surprise there was a Latin jazz band playing ,so I had dance and fun all for a small donation.It was wonderful.Today I got some winter gloves for 50p from a charity shop and another surprise another jazz musician-I lurv jazz x

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    2. Just seen your post Flis,What a great day you had!!,Oh,i would have been up there dancing with you to Latin jazz.I love all jazz music and have got quite a few CDs and LPs that i play alot..Even an old George Melly LP that i picked up in a charity shop for 25p!.I used to love a place called Pigalle,a jazz club in London,Never get those sort of places now...well not where i live anyway,lol.Looks like you got a good bargain with your winter gloves!,Debi,xx

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  5. Great post Ilona! I didn’t get chance to comment yesterday. I think there is stuff to be learned from both videos, and like you I look at a variety of things online, not always stuff I agree with or that would be for me in life. There is no denying that being overweight is bad for health. I think the rise in obesity has a number of factors - where I grew up in the 1960s a lot of people still did heavy manual work in factories as opposed to sitting looking at screens all day. Less people had cars and were forced to walk or cycle. Kids were out on their bikes all day during the holidays rather than playing video games. There was no “eating out” culture or coffee shops selling coffees with a billion calories. The list goes on.

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    1. I so agree Kate..Us 60s kids grew up so much more active.No laptops and video games to just sit n stare at!!.We would be playing rounders at the park,walking around the streets taking car numbers...although these days some of them just want to take your car!,We used to play double ball and do tiss ups with our dresses tucked in our knickers,lol.Infact,the only time we sat still was in class at school!,Debi,x

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  6. Yes, this chap was more rounded in his financial approaches, but right at the end there was a plug for his money-making scheme when he mentioned his website. Was the whole thing therefore just a build-up to this plug for his scheme, i.e. simply to make more money or to help others? I would like to think it was genuinely to help others.
    Margaret P

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  7. I haven’t looked at the other video yet because he was so unpleasant to look at. This guy was very positive and had good ideas. One of the best things to save money I’ve found is a suggestion you mentioned and that is to eat what you have before heading back to the store. I was so bad about looking at a recipe, running out to buy what I need and then six months later throwing the odd ingredient away that I never used again. Now I substitute and just use what I have on hand.

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  8. Today's chap if you listen to the end and click on the link is all about multi level marketing. A scam. Preying on people in debt and living pay check to pay check.

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  9. What a contrast I thought then saw that the second comment has already said that. This guy seems really sorted and sensible. I think he has a lot healthier attitude than the previous guy. He also looks a lot better and I have noted the criticism you have had for mentioning that the first guy is overweight but the fact of the matter is that he is and it must be healthier not to be overweight in my opinion and sorry if that offends anyone. Trying to live frugally but at the same time healthily has got to be the a good goal in my opinion.

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  10. Good advice! Tracking you spending is, I think, the single most important thing you can do when you're renovating your finances. Until you know where you money is going, you can't have any control over where it should be going. :-)

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  11. I'm 58 years young and I still am interested and excited about life and keeping myself as healthy as I can with the information I can receive from others.For me,I choose Ilona as a role model as I think she has the approach to life spot on-I have read a lot about various lifestyles,eating,spiritual books,herbs,crystals,reiki treatments every 3 weeks for a couple of years,lots of books on scrimping etc.I never get bored of Ilonas blog.Thanks Mean Queen -you're the best x

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  12. I didn't think you were being judgemental with yest's post, just stating things as you saw them. Surely if you put a video up on youtube then you know you are opening yourself up to getting both positive and negative comments - one reason why i'm not sure if i would want to do that myself, (plus the fact that I don't have a decent camera!!!!).

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    1. Hi, You don't need to pay a lot for a decent camera. My new point and shoot Cannon was £99, and my older Fuji was about the same. They have a video facility, just press the button and talk to it. Press button when finished, load it onto computer, and then to yoootoooob. You can edit it if you like, but I don't bother.

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  13. Todays video? I wasn't so keen on the plugging of his business at the end; but I definately agreed with the chap's comment on changing your attitude and trying to live within your means rather than accumulating debts with unnecessary spending.

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  14. This is your blog, and you have every right to say what you think. You do your best to be informative, helpful, entertaining & interesting. Keep it up. R/Tim

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  15. It's very simple. Who are you going to listen to and take financial advice from?
    Someone who has their act together, lives well, is neat and respectable, healthy, well dressed, well spoken and well fed?
    Or someone who is a slob, messy, overweight, lives in clutter and disarray, with food stocked in filthy containers, clothes stained with food droppings and snot?
    It's not a question of being fair and balanced. It's an answer of who is providing you by leading with good example.
    Whose kitchen would you stop in for a cup of tea and a biscuit?
    'Nuff said.

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  16. All is not as it appears!. The second man is preying on the poor to join him in his scam marketing company, read until the end click on the link. He is projecting what people wan,t to hear, how he got out of debt, appears to be in a caravan. On the link pictures of him in suits saying join him and earn big money, houses etc.
    I would have a cup of tea with anyone who was genuine and honest, would not care what they look like. Second man would run like hell from only trying to recruit desperate people in to his business. Surprised so many people did not see through the smooth talking scam merchant!.

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    1. I must admit that I did not notice the link at the end. I was concentrating more on the message he put across, which was full of good sensible suggestions on how to live frugally. I don't endorse his method of promoting his business, it was a mistake on my part to put it in this post. However, his money saving tips are valid, but as a warning to others I have inserted a message below the video, so no one is fooled.

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    2. Thank you Ilona!. Did not think for a minute you would support this mans scam.

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  17. I hadn't noticed either that he was just promoting his business. As you say though his message is still valid. I definitely would not have a cup of tea from the first guy's kitchen under any circumstances!

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  18. I have and would have a cup of tea in some of the most undesirable and deprived households!. Pride and bonding from the giver. One family has a pretty China tea cup for my visits and always a single biscuit on a tea plate. Makes them proud they can do that!. I can,t give them anymore than support. Ok some plums and apples from my trees. Only thing that matters in this world is people.

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  19. I couldn't hear all of his video anyway.It is good to have examples of how different people act.I think to some people I may look gullible,but I'm not.I like to listen,then say how interesting and then -goodday if there seems something not quite right.It's good to know though x

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  20. I didn't watch right to the end either because after a while he did get a bit boring!
    J x

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  21. Watched both videos. As regards the second, began to smell a rat towards the end, immediately the chap started on about this guy who "invited" him to come on board or whatever on a scheme. But as Ilona remarks, he had some sage advice for eg the ditch the Costa coffees and do it at home type of hint. But then again, that is almost the go-to example when folk talk about money saving. I did like the hint about free local activities though.
    As regards the first video, the poor chap really thought he was making economies, buying one of X each time he went shopping until he had a "buttload". Maybe some anxieties surfacing there. Maybe a lack of education as to nutrition, not necessarily his fault. He seemed a harmless and more likeable than not guy, inspiring pity more than contempt - or does that sound arrogant?
    I cannot agree with Ilona being called out for calling the chap overweight, ie "fat shaming". The guy is overweight, fact. And his revelation to the public,via youtube, of his lifestyle, showed pretty much how that had happened. If we saw someone staggering p*ss*d down the street on a Saturday night, we would say "that chap is drunk". He had decided to drink to excess, and that was his choice. If we point that out, are we then "drunk shaming"?. Come on people. Facts is facts.
    To finish, I hope I am permitted (if not, sort me out Ilona :) ! ) to post a link to another US video I found, of a lady sorting her life out after illness, she was once an upcycler till her health gave out, I think you Ilona will like her down to earth style. I loved her! Very cathartic watching her cleaning videos, this is one where's already feeling much better.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAH7giwLzSc. Feel free to edit this waffly post to your heart's content Ilona, and only keep whatever you feel is useful :D
    Elaine G

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  22. Dear Wean,
    Your stress levels must be sky high!!. Can you get legal advice if any of your debts are dischargeable in bankruptcy or practically uncollectable (judgment proof against creditors trying to collect blood from a stone)?? It means that you are limited to cash for several years, when your credit is rock bottom. My motto at a similar time, was "If I don't have the cash, then I can't afford it"!!
    2) Sign up for as many govt or charitable benefits as you can find out that you qualify for. High demand keeps all those bureaucrats employed as well!! Here in Oregon, USA, there are a few slots in programs for those 55+ year oldsters who wish to explore part time work by spending a few months in a subsidized volunteer job, that gives current experience...

    For nearly 18 months, I spent weekends helping an older handicapped lady by fixing meals, doing housecleaning or yardwork & general companionship. In return,she treated me sometimes to outside restaurant meals & a bit of gas money ($20/wk). As several others have said, you may have to go on the gray market, (de minimis cash only, but not involved with paper trails). Let your friends give you utility gift cards, birthday or holiday gifts, etc if they can. Unexpected spontaneous non-recurrent gifts don't count as income under most govt aid programs here in the USA...But they do require if a relative usually slips $50/month towards your rent for it to be reported as a resource available to you...

    With her reference, another friend's & caring for my own mother for 2-1/2 yrs, I looked around for a job as a housekeeping/personal home aide for seniors or handicapped persons... After applying for about 4 companies, I lucked out with one eldercare company run by an older woman (50s) who was willing to give people a chance... I will be working part-time as long as my health holds out, but it sure beats eating only twice a day to stretch the vegetarian meals...

    Another blog, besides Ilona's here, that has lots of poverty level senior citizen frugal ideas is "NaNa pinches her pennies", about someone who also has lived low-income her whole life long, yet has an unquenchable spirit!!

    Best to you & we are all rooting for you to keep pulling through your trials!! KAYTHEGARDENER

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