Frugal Friends Podcast

Everyone says they’d be responsible with more money, but the problem is often how we define living below your means. It’s not about spending as little as possible. It’s about shifting your money mindset so you can spend intentionally without exceeding your means. Today, we’re talking about the mindset shifts that make living below your means feel less like restriction and more like financial freed...

We thought we were the only ones feeling this way, but we kept finding more and more reasons people have stopped shopping at Target, so that’s what we’re talking about today. Target has become something else, and Jen and Jill are digging into why shoppers are feeling differently, what’s changed, and whether the Target run is still worth it. 🥘 Spend less on takeout with our FREE 15 Easy Emergency...

Having a baby changes everything, including the way you think about money. Suddenly, you’re not just planning for your life. You’re planning for someone else’s future, too. In this episode, Jen and Jill break down the financial moves every new parent should think about, so you can feel more prepared for the costs, responsibilities, and big life changes that come with growing your family. 🥘 Spend...

You’ve probably heard of Dave Ramsey and his famous Baby Steps. But do you have to follow someone else’s financial blueprint to make progress with your money? In this rerun, Jen and Jill revisit Dave Ramsey’s advice, where they agree, where they’d do things differently, and how finding other voices in personal finance helped them figure out what actually works for them. 🥘 Spend less on takeout wi...

We love Halloween, but the endless stream of viral “must-haves” can make it feel like you need to spend more every October. In this episode, Jen and Jill explore how TikTok, social media, and influencer culture are fueling Halloween overconsumption, from trendy decorations to nostalgic must-haves. They also share how to enjoy Halloween, embrace the spooky season, and celebrate without letting unne...

A pumpkin one second, and then a cart full of candy, a bunch of costumes, and decors next. It’s quite hard to stop when you’ve reached a flow state in spending. But Jen and Jill are not here to cancel the fun. In this episode, they help to plan for the things you actually want to spend on so November doesn’t have to clean up October’s financial mess. 🥘 Spend less on takeout with our FREE 15 Easy...

Losing a home isn’t always one bad financial decision. Sometimes it’s about not having the resources, information, or support to know what to do next. In 2017, Jen’s mom lost the house Jen grew up in to foreclosure after eight years without making a mortgage payment. Today, Jen and Jill share what happened, what might have prevented the loss, and what every homeowner can do to protect their home....

It’s not you, it’s capitalism. When you start feeling like you have no control over what you spend, it’s easy to wonder if something is wrong with you. But the truth is, you’re not entirely to blame. In this episode, Jen and Jill break down the psychological tactics stores use to get you to spend more, how to recognize when they’re being used on you, and most importantly, how to avoid falling for...

A once-a-month bill can require major adjustments to the next month’s budget, especially with how much utility costs are rising these days. And we’re over artificial “hacks” that are really just designed to sell us another product. So in this episode, Jen and Jill turn to real people and share their best, practical ways to save on utilities. 📲 Download our Spend Smart App: frugalfriendspodcast.co...

IN THIS ECONOMY? When everything is “on sale” every other week, paying full price starts to feel like a choice. Jen and Jill are calling out the pricing tricks that make inflated “original” prices look like a bargain and revealing the products and services where you should never feel bad about asking for a better deal. 📲 Download our Spend Smart App: frugalfriendspodcast.com/app   🎙️ Get ful...

Whether 40 feels right around the corner or a lifetime away, these are the money decisions you’ll be glad you started thinking about now. In this episode, Jen and Jill walk us through the financial questions and decisions you’ll want to start thinking about before 40 that can help you make more intentional choices along the way.  📲 Download our Spend Smart App: frugalfriendspodcast.com/app &...

Many of us think buying generic brands means we’re being responsible with our finances, but navigating when to opt for off-brand versus name-brand can be a strategic decision between quality and savings. So today we’re replaying one of our most popular episodes of 2024, looking at what experts in their field buy and Tiktok product review videos to know which is worth our money. 📲 Download our Spe...

It’s crazy when choosing the flowers, venue, and dress feels like the easiest part than keeping the costs under control. And beyond the couple, guests can end up spending more than they expect, too. Today, Jen and Jill talk about the wedding costs nobody warns you about, the trends driving them up, and the frugal ways to make your wedding actually fit your budget. 📲 Download our Spend Smart App:...

September brings new expenses, seasonal spending, and plenty of opportunities to save. In this episode, we’re breaking down what to budget for, what’s worth buying, and what to skip this month. Plus, one simple money move could help you lower your bills with a quick phone call. 📲 Download our Spend Smart App: frugalfriendspodcast.com/app   🎙️ Get full show notes here! https://bit.ly/septembe...

Jen and Jill have been cooking up something for their Frugal Friends for a while now. They’ve shared a few things they’ve been preparing for, but this time, they’re talking about that and so much more. In this episode, it’s plot twist after plot twist as Jen and Jill reveal some of the biggest news happening in their lives recently. 📲 Download our Spend Smart App: frugalfriendspodcast.com/app &nb...

We’ve all got that drawer, closet, or random corner filled with things we barely use anymore. But somehow, we keep bringing more stuff home. In this episode, Jen and Jill get honest about the purchases that didn’t live up to expectations, from overhyped products to things that simply aren’t worth the money. They also explore why sometimes the smartest purchase is the one we skip. 📲 Download our S...

Saving $4,000 was never the goal. Getting healthier was. But as Jen changed her daily routines and built healthier habits, she naturally started spending less in some surprising areas. In this episode, Jen and Jill breaks down the story of how Jen lost 20 pounds, saved $4,000, and the unexpected spending habits that helped her achieve both. 📲 Download our Spend Smart App: frugalfriendspodcast.com...

And that’s a wrap! For the final episode of the DIY Financial Plan series, Jen and Jill dives into money-saving strategies and the tools that can help you keep more of your hard-earned money. From tax-saving opportunities to college and estate planning, they’re covering the strategies that can make a real difference in your financial plan. 📲 Download our Spend Smart App: frugalfriendspodcast.com/...

For the third part of this series, Jen and Jill tackle one of the most important and often most intimidating money topics. After all, we'll all grow older, and the goal is to reach retirement without constantly worrying about money. They break down the basics of retirement planning, explain where to invest, and share practical guidance to help you start preparing for the future with confidence. 📲...

Now that you've built the foundation of your financial plan, it's time to prepare for the unexpected. In part two of this four-part series, Jen and Jill shift the focus to two of the biggest pillars of financial security: paying off debt and building an emergency fund. Together, they break down how to create a plan that helps you tackle today's financial challenges while protecting your future. 📲...

There are a lot of financial goals you can pursue and it can be confusing to know which ones to pursue first and to what extent. In this episode, Jen and Jill kick off a four-part series on building a comprehensive financial plan that helps you sort through the numbers, the emotions, and the real-life limitations of your finances. 📲 Download our Spend Smart App: frugalfriendspodcast.com/app &nbsp...

Before August starts emptying your wallet, let's build a budget that's ready for it all. In this episode, we're covering everything to include in your August budget from back-to-school expenses and end-of-summer spending to the seasonal foods and best buys that can help you save money all month long. 📲 Download our Spend Smart App: frugalfriendspodcast.com/app 🎙️ Get full show notes here! https:/...

Now we have access to better everything. Better vacations, better homes, better routines, better storage systems, better skincare, but even with all this “better” we are still financially stretched and emotionally exhausted trying to maintain lifestyles we don’t even fully enjoy. In this episode, we’re exploring why buying more stuff isn’t resulting in a better life.  📲 Download our Spend Sm...

We frugal people are built different. Not in a weird way, but in a smart, practical one. If this episode resonated with you the first time, you're going to love revisiting it. We're diving back into the underconsumption core trend on TikTok—a trend we'd love to see more of, but probably won't, because it's not rage-bait, and it doesn't make platforms much money. 🎙️ Get full show notes here! https:...

At some point, many of us will face a reality we didn’t plan for: helping our parents financially. Whether it’s covering bills, helping with housing, or stepping into a caregiving role, almost no one is talking about how to prepare for it. In this episode, Jen and Jill share their personal experiences and break down what you need to know before it becomes a crisis. 🎙️ Get full show notes here! htt...