Jen Smith & Jill Sirianni | Backyard Ventures
Frugal Friends Podcast
Controlling your spending is hard to do. On every episode of Frugal Friends, we'll try to help you gain a little more control on one aspect of the countless directions your money is being pulled toward through frugality and a few laughs. If you're trying to save money, spend less, adopt minimalism, pay off debt or reach financial independence, we think you'll like the show.
Where to listen?
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Episodes
Frugal Living Tips From The Great Depression 25.07.2025 56:14
Before budgeting apps and finance gurus, people were making do with almost nothing yet somehow still thriving! In this episode, Jen and Jill go back in time to show just how timeless the tips from the Great Depression really are. Believe it or not, their wisdom and old-school ways still work today. 🎙️ Get full show notes here! https://bit.ly/ffpgreatdepressiontips 📘 Order the book here https://bi...
How to Save $10K FAST (When You Earn Less Than $100K) | Save Money Fast 22.07.2025 44:10
We all want to save as fast as we can but fast is relative. For some, it’s going to take months, for others, years. Either way, one isn’t better than the other because life moves differently for us all. Jen and Jill have been there, and now they’re sharing five easy steps to make your version of “fast” feel like the speed of light. 🎙️ Get full show notes here! https://bit.ly/fastsavings 📘 Order t...
She Spent HOW MUCH on Gifts!?!? | Spending Intervention 18.07.2025 1:09:28
Ever look at your bank statement and think… how did that happen ? In this first episode of our new Spending Intervention series, Jen and Jill sit down with a listener who bravely shares her 90-day transaction inventory, from surprise splurges to gift-giving gone wild. Together, they uncover what’s really driving her spending and explore how to shift toward choices that feel more intentional...
Deinfluencing Kid Stuff: These Parents are TEACHING OVERCONSUMPTION 15.07.2025 52:58
Parents want to give their kids the best—the toys, the experiences, the memories. But that desire, fueled by pressure to be the “perfect parent,” often leads to overspending and financial stress. In this episode, Jen and Jill explore why this happens, the three main areas parents overspend, and how to take a more mindful approach. 🎙️ Get full show notes here! https://bit.ly/ffpdeinfluencingki...
Save Money By Decluttering 11.07.2025 51:26
If you're in it for the thrill of the hunt, this one's for you—with a twist. Because this time, you actually get to save more. Ingrid Jensen joins us to talk all about the treasure hiding in your clutter like things you forgot you owned, surprise coupons, and the peace that comes with open space. In this episode, we’re revisiting the magic (and strategy) of decluttering! 🎙️ Get full show notes her...
How to Save Money on Medical Bills 08.07.2025 42:08
It’s so normal for us, as a society, to avoid health check-ups out of fear of shocking medical bills. But in most cases, what you see on your medical bill isn’t the amount you actually have to pay. In this episode, experts share the most common medical billing mistakes, how to spot them, and steps to challenge charges, get discounts, and find hidden financial aid. Quick correction: In this episode...
Propaganda: How Shopping Became Patriotic 04.07.2025 43:02
If you think about it, proving your love for your country almost sounds too easy—just shop, and you’re goods! Feels like a win-win. Only it’s not. And worse, it usually costs you more. In this episode, we unpack the propaganda that’s shaped the idea of shopping as a patriotic act. 🎙️ Get full show notes here! https://bit.ly/ffppatrioticshopping 📘 Order the book here https://bit.ly/BWYL-podcast...
What to Do if You Have More Debt Than You Make in a Year 01.07.2025 51:53
Debt can be a scary word, really . It keeps you up at night, brings on the stress, and makes everything feel heavier. But you’re not alone. Once upon a time, Jen and Jill were there too. So in this episode, they’re once again sharing how they got through it and reminding you that it is possible. 🎙️ Get full show notes here! https://bit.ly/debtbeyondincome 📘 Order the book here https://bit.ly/BW...
3-Day Digital Declutter Guide | Professional Organizer Explains with Tara Bremer 27.06.2025 47:04
Right when you're about to get something done, your phone interrupts: “Insufficient Storage.” Now, instead of working, you're cleaning out files or worse, paying for more space. In this episode, we’re breaking down why digital clutter can be just as costly as physical mess and the smartest ways to simplify your phone so it stays that way. 🎙️ Get full show notes here! https://bit.ly/ffpdigitalclutt...
What To Do If You Have Nothing Saved For Retirement 24.06.2025 56:47
One day you're sipping coffee, getting ready for work, and it hits you—you’ve got nothing saved for retirement. Cue the panic. But Jen and Jill are here to remind you once more: it’s never too late. In this episode, they talk about how just getting started now can still make a big difference. 🎙️ Get full show notes here! https://bit.ly/ffpretirementsaving 📘 Order the book here https://bit.ly/BW...
Collectibles are PEAK Consumerism | Labubu, Sonny Angels, Stanley & More 20.06.2025 42:33
Healing your inner child is one thing but giving in to every trending collectible might be saying more than you think, because the truth is, it is affecting your spending! This episode is not to deprive you of the fun, but to help you understand how these trendy (and sometimes irresistible) collectibles have hidden consequences and smart ways of luring you in. 🎙️ Get full show notes here! https://...
Should You Try a No-Spend Challenge? 17.06.2025 57:17
Propaganda we’re not falling for: That it’s impossible to do a no-spending challenge. Just because the world revolves around capitalism? Nuh-uh. If you know how to do it right you will do it right. There may be pros and cons along the way but the lessons and habits you pick up will benefit you no matter what. And that’s exactly what Jen and Jill are diving into in this episode. 🎙️ Get full show no...
How to Get Off The Hot Girl Hamster Wheel with Katie Gatti Tassin 13.06.2025 47:59
Sorry, not sorry—we’re done falling for the societal pressure trap. We’re getting the bag and living that rich girl vibe. In this episode, Katie from Money with Katie joins us to break down the industries profiting off our insecurities, how to navigate negotiation as a woman, and how to give your budget a full-on Hot Girl Detox. 🎙️ Get full show notes here! https://bit.ly/hotgirldetox 📘 Order t...
How to Save Money on Organic Groceries 10.06.2025 41:11
Life isn’t always perfect and neither are fruits and veggies. So they don’t have to be the freshest or most expensive to nourish you. The truth is, being well doesn’t have to cost a lot. In this episode, we’re diving into all things organic and sharing how you can find them for free, on a budget, and totally guilt-free. 🎙️ Get full show notes here! https://bit.ly/ffporganicgroceries 📘 Order the...
Social Media Scams THAT ALMOST FOOLED US! 06.06.2025 49:13
It’s a different kind of heartbreak having to fall into scams especially when your intentions were pure. We can’t stop scammers from being shady, but we can learn how to spot the signs and steer clear. In this episode, we’re talking about the latest scam trends and how AI is making them sneakier and we’re sharing easy ways to protect yourself so it doesn’t happen again. 🎙️ Get full show notes here...
Why You Keep Self-Sabotaging Your Budget (& How to Stop!) 03.06.2025 1:00:37
Budgeting needs some tender, loving care. If you ignore it and don’t check in, it’ll turn its back on you and that’s when self-sabotage sneaks in and everything starts to fall apart. Take a deep breath, because in this episode, we’re diving into the reasons you might find yourself stuck in that cycle and sharing simple, powerful tips to help you break free for good. 🎙️ Get full show notes here! ht...
Deinfluencing Summer 30.05.2025 45:56
That lobster bag is everywhere. Your FYP, your DMs, even your dreams. And as summer hits its stride, so does the relentless push to book, buy, and binge every trend in sight. In this episode, we're calling out the sneaky ways social media makes us want things we don't need. It’s a fun, eye-opening look at what’s actually worth it versus what's just really good (or bad) marketing. 🎙️ Get full show...
How to Save Money on MEAT at the Grocery Store with Jenny Mitich 27.05.2025 48:57
Calling all meat lovers, this is your time to shine! In this episode, Jen and Jill, along with Jenny Mitich, explore all the ways you can get high-quality meat at a great price. Plus, they share how to stretch it into multiple meals down to the very last bone. No waste, just full tummies and good food. 🎙️ Get full show notes here! https://bit.ly/3ZmllYV 📘 Order the book here https://bit.ly/BWYL...
Going Plant-Based on a Budget With Toni Okamoto 23.05.2025 55:21
See how eating healthy doesn’t have to be pricey? Very demure, very mindful. If you’ve been wanting to eat a little better, try more veggies, or just stop spending a lot at the grocery store, this episode’s for you. Back with a listener favorite, Toni Okamoto is here to prove that plant-based living doesn’t mean sad meals or empty wallets. 🎙️ Get full show notes here! https://bit.ly/4kaIdD9 📘 O...
Deinfluencing Memorial Day Sales 20.05.2025 44:13
We’re about to get so real—and by that, we mean we’re taking deinfluencing to the next level. In this episode, Jen and Jill react to actual videos of how influencers try to get us to spend. They break down what you’re seeing on social media, what it’s doing to you psychologically, and why you don’t need to spend money on Memorial Day. 🎙️ Get full show notes here! https://bit.ly/4kgub2k 📘 Order...
How to Save Money on Lululemon (& More Fashion Brands!) 16.05.2025 46:32
We’re here to remind you: No need to feel guilty about what you bought or what you paid when you’ve gone through the effort to get it at the best price. In this episode, Jen and Jill take you along on Jen’s shopping spree! Jen shares the behind-the-scenes of her mission to find high-quality workout clothes that fit her lifestyle, without overspending. 🎙️ Get full show notes here! https://bit.ly/3E...
Frugal Ways to Stretch Everyday Products with Hope Ware 13.05.2025 57:31
Why downgrade when you can stretch that one product you love? A little goes a long way and by that, we mean two more weeks of that beloved shampoo or everyday essential! In this episode, we sit down with Hope Ware to talk about simple ways to stretch what you already have, make things last longer, and save money without sacrificing what works. 🎙️ Get full show notes here! https://bit.ly/43ddOxR ...
Is it OK to Have a Car Payment? & How To Avoid an Auto Loan 09.05.2025 55:52
Auto loans aren’t automatically bad. But they’re not automatically good either. In this episode, Jen and Jill talk through when taking on car loan debt makes sense and when it’s a financial trap in disguise. They share their own experiences with auto loans, why a long loan term could cost you big time, and the rising interest rates that might surprise you (even with good credit). 🎙️ Get full show...
Start Here to Become Frugal in 2025 | Frugal Living Tips 06.05.2025 46:22
Frugality is not a dirty F-word that so many people associate it with. In this episode, we are chatting about the heart of what frugality means to us (our “frugal manifesto” if you will!). We're flipping the script on frugality and ditching the idea that it’s all about restriction. Instead, we’re talking about how being intentional with our money, time, energy, and space can actually lead to a ful...
How to Save Money on Food: Takeout, Restaurants, & More! 02.05.2025 47:40
Do you know what’s the secret to a flavorful meal or the perfect snack and drink? Getting it for a price that feels like a total steal! We’re talking free, low-cost, and guilt-free restaurant and takeout deals. In this episode, Jen and Jill share their favorite apps and tips for scoring awesome food that other people made at even better prices! 🎙️ Get full show notes here! https://bit.ly/44N6me1...
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