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#BudgetLife
Betty Gets Better

💸 5 Things We Stopped Spending Money On

Okay, because in this economy… we could all stand to save a buck 🥴 Here are 5 things my husband and I no longer spend money on — and don’t miss a single one: 1. Cleaning pods? Nope. We ditched laundry and dishwasher pods. They run out way too fast and cost more. We use powder detergent + liquid dishwasher soap — lasts us 4+ months and we run laundry daily. No going back! 2. Salon beauty treatments. No lash fills. No nail appointments. No spray tans. I do press-ons, at-home lash extensions, brow lamination, and my own tanning routine. Honestly? Feels so empowering to be my own aesthetician 💅✨ 3. Brand new home decor. I thrift 90% of my home. Skip the full-price aisles at Target and HomeGoods. My cozy, curated style? All from secondhand shops and a little imagination. 4. Starbucks runs. I recreate every drink at home — gingerbread lattes, sugar cookie cold brew, brown sugar espresso… It’s cheaper AND tastes better. Follow coffee DIY creators and you’ll never miss Starbucks again ☕️ 5. Overhyped skincare. TikTok made me buy it? Not anymore. Most skin doesn’t need 15-step routines. A good cleanser + moisturizer is plenty — and your face (and wallet) will thank you. ✨ You don’t have to sacrifice joy to save money. You just need to get creative with what you already have. #BudgetLife #FrugalLiving #SaveMoneyTips #ThriftyLiving #DIYBeauty #HomeOnABudget

💸 5 Things We Stopped Spending Money On
James Donaldson

My Mom Thinks Instant Coffee Is Artisanal

Remember when you swapped out Mom’s $18 coffee for a $4 jar of instant? And she loved it? Said it was “bright, balanced, with a smooth finish”? You almost died right there at the breakfast table. She was recovering, you were broke, and both of you were pretending things were okay. She canceled her yoga app, stopped impulse-buying candles—but the one thing she clung to? “Good coffee.” So you lied. You called it a “micro-lot Indonesian roast,” printed a fake label, and watched her fall in love with powdered beans from aisle 4. She tells everyone about her new favorite brand. You feel kinda evil. But she’s happy. And she hasn’t spent a dime on overpriced beans in two months. So maybe it’s not a lie. Maybe it’s love. Or maybe you’re just the cheapest barista alive. Either way… don’t forget to “restock.” – Me, 2AM, with guilt and a spoonful of “Java Bloom.” #NoFilter #MomHacks #BudgetLife #FamilyDrama #TinyLiesBigLove #AdultingFail #FrugalConfessions #MorningRituals

My Mom Thinks Instant Coffee Is Artisanal
Todd Johnson

Is My Car Really Worth $1,000/Month?

I just did the math and realized my car is costing me nearly $1,000/month between payments, insurance, gas, and maintenance. That’s a huge chunk of my budget. Now I’m seriously debating if it’s time to go car-free — maybe switch to biking, public transport, and the occasional Uber/Lyft. Here’s what I’m thinking: ✅ Potential Pros: Big monthly savings Fewer impulse food stops (it’s way easier to grab fast food with a car) Health boost from biking/walking more No more parking stress or repairs ❌ But the Cons: How would I get my dog to the vet in an emergency? Transit isn’t always reliable Winter could be rough without a car Groceries, errands, and life in general would need more planning I know plenty of folks have made the switch and survived — maybe even thrived — but I’m torn. Anyone here go car-free and never looked back? Or regretted it? Would love to hear your real pros and cons, especially with pets involved. #FrugalLiving #CarExpenses #BudgetLife #GoCarFree #MoneySavingMoves #PetOwnerLife #rFrugal

Is My Car Really Worth $1,000/Month?