Frugal Friends Podcast

Life update! Because so much can change in two years. While the story remains the same, learning, perspective, and goals definitely change. But it’s a good thing to remind ourselves of the hard times we’ve come across and surpassed. In this episode, Jen and Jill rewind Jill’s debt pay-off journey to celebrate being debt-free and also, her very special day! 🎙️ Get full show notes here! https://bit....

Are you also one of those who goes “I’ll keep this, just in case ” and then years go by and you still haven’t used it, but when you revisit the item, you keep it in again just in case? If so, consider this a wake-up call: you don’t need all of this stuff! In this episode, Jen and Jill join Dawn Madsen of The Minimal Mom to share her life living with kids while maintaining a minimalist lifestyle. 🎙...

Repeat after me: I shop AT the grocery store, I am not THE grocery store! You are not a vending machine for snacks and definitely not a storage space for products that will end up going bad in the fridge without being used, so tell yourself, you’re not going to overbuy! In this episode, Jen and Jill read an article that shares helpful, realistic, and approachable tips for grocery shopping on a bud...

We want to walk with you through your financial journey. Therefore, we're giving you an exclusive sneak peek of our new book, "Buy What You Love Without Going Broke"! In this episode, Jen and Jill delve deeper into the heart of the book, which talks about values-based spending, principles we can hold on to, and the foundation for making financial decisions. 🎙️ Get full show notes here! https://bit...

There’s a saying that goes “a jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes is better than a master of one”! As we approach the last part of our Debt-Free Summer, let’s remember that we can do so much more! In this episode, Jen and Jill are joined by Denise to share a four year debt-free journey, and how switching jobs and good money mindset helped her get through debt.  🎙️ Get full show...

You know that feeling when you're on the verge of scoring a super good deal, only to realize it's just another impulsive spending moment? But, really, how do we even get away with a good deal in this world full of enticing discounts and irresistible offers? In this episode, Jen and Jill uncover the tricks and strategies of retailers to get us to spend more and how to overcome falling into the trap...

They often tell us that the way to pay off debt is to increase our income but what if we tell you there's a way to achieve it without all that hustle? In this episode, Jen and Jill are joined by Kait to uncover her inspiring journey and how she navigated her financial decisions, and used her income and time wisely! 🎙️ Get full show notes here! https://bit.ly/3XL6Rlu   💌 Want to save money and spe...

One is the darling of the personal finance world, the other is her outcast cousin. But we're shining a light on the 'ugly duckling' and telling you one might be right for you—and it might not be the one you think. In this episode, Jen and Jill shed light on FSAs and HSAs and provide tips to help you determine which one is right for you! 🎙️ Get full show notes here! https://bit.ly/4cm1jCz   💌 Want...

Paying off debt is one thing, but achieving your dream career alongside it is truly inspiring! In this episode, Jen and Jill are joined by Katelyn who shares her debt-free journey in 18 months through hard work, multiple jobs, and strategic budgeting, all while obtaining two master's degrees and pursuing a doctorate for FREE. 🎙️ Get full show notes here! https://bit.ly/3VPf8lA   💌 Want to save mo...

When signing up for loyalty programs, it is important to ask yourself: Am I actually saving? Because we never know, it might be a tricky marketing tactic to get you to spend more. In this episode, Jen and Jill uncover the realities of loyalty points and programs and how much they actually cost us. 🎙️ Get full show notes here! https://bit.ly/3W97QLf   💌 Want to save money and spend better in just...

There's no one way to approach a debt-free journey, as everyone's experiences differ. However, you can find ways to pay off debt without sacrificing what's important to you—like investments or lifestyle choices! In this episode, Jen and Jill are joined by Akeiva and Meshack as they share their 18-month debt-free journey and how they did it. 🎙️ Get full show notes here! https://bit.ly/3zjNUME   💌...

If you consider yourself bad at thrifting, think again, because you might have missed important tips for buying secondhand items online, or maybe you don’t know where to. In this episode, Jen and Jill give advice on how to make the most of buying secondhand items online and where to find the best online thrift stores for everything! 🎙️ Get full show notes here! https://bit.ly/3xuBPDD   💌 Want to...

Sacrificing the things we love most while saving can be tough. But don’t worry! We can choose to spend money on what we truly value all while meeting our financial goals! In this episode, Jen and Jill are joined by Nika to share her empowering three year debt-free journey including her mindset, hustles, as well as her motivations to finally get out of debt. 🎙️ Get full show notes here! https://bit...

Just a reminder: You have food at home! It's easy to make excuses not to eat what's at home, but little do we realize it costs us more. In this episode, Jen and Jill help us have the internal motivation and the external hacks to choose the food we have at home over take-outs or food in restaurants. 🎙️ Get full show notes here! https://bit.ly/3z6ux9P   💌 Want to save money and spend better in just...

Being too focused on paying off debt can sometimes lead you to extremes. In this episode, Jen and Jill are joined by Jason to share his two-year journey in overcoming debt with his wife—how they did it, what they cut back on, how they got rid of extra belongings, and how they lived more intentionally. 🎙️ Get full show notes here! https://bit.ly/4eoGOqg   💌 Want to save money and spend better in j...

Everyone loves a good deal that also offers good quality. Therefore, it's a good thing there are salvage stores to help us shop more with less guilt. In this episode, Jen and Jill discuss salvage stores, how to find and identify them, and tips for shopping for them. 🎙️ Get full show notes here! https://bit.ly/3VzLHFq   💌 Want to save money and spend better in just 5 minutes? Get The Friendletter!...

The burden of debt may seem endless and enduring, leaving one feeling behind when starting their own debt-free journey. In this episode, Jen and Jill are joined by Tina to share her inspiring 15-year debt-free journey, including creative strategies, benefits, and mindset shifts to overcome being in debt.  🎙️ Get full show notes here! https://bit.ly/3VAWYWa   💌 Want to save money and spend better...

Looking to start your skincare journey or make your skincare routine more minimalist? Or you are already minimalist but want to get better at it? In this episode, Jen and Jill share why we must minimize our skincare routine, what it can look like, and what their skincare routines are. 🎙️ Get full show notes here! https://bit.ly/45gACfC   💌 Want to save money and spend better in just 5 minutes? Ge...

Social media is vast and can distort intentions and messages, affecting our motivation. However, its communities are often overlooked for their incredible power to support and uplift each other. In this episode, Jen and Jill celebrate Kelly’s successful payoff journey of $46,000 in student loan debt with the help of social media. 🎙️ Get full show notes here! https://bit.ly/3x3Qaa8   💌 Want to sav...

The summer has begun, and the laziness, or perhaps, as we would like to call it, a “restful” season, has finally kicked in. I know many of you want to rest and slow down this summer, so let’s capitalize on that! In this episode, Jen and Jill share tips on simplifying your meal planning and recipes that require fewer ingredients! 🎙️ Get full show notes here!  https://bit.ly/4ehOcnk   💌 Want to sav...

Life after school is daunting, perhaps due to the desire to prove to oneself that we can be adults with a bright and stable life, but life isn’t a movie and adulthood is far from a steady life pace. In this episode, Jen and Jill listen to Catherine’s story of paying off her $27,000 student loan in just 5 months after graduating. 🎙️ Get full show notes here!  https://bit.ly/3VuxKsa   💌 Want to sav...

Why travel far when you can enjoy the gorgeous places nearby? It’s convenient and budget-friendly! Grab a pen and paper, because in this episode, Jen and Jill revisit staycation ideas for your summer, sparking creativity in frugality. 🎙️ Get full show notes here!  https://bit.ly/453GmJw   💌 Want to save money and spend better in just 5 minutes? Get The Friendletter! Our FREE 3x weekly newsletter...

We don’t often give much credit to our teachers that they get paid less than what they deserve. Many of them are struggling to pay off ballooning debts and are forced to live paycheck to paycheck. In this episode, Jen and Jill are joined by Megan to share her debt free journey including creative strategies to save money and mindset shifts as a teacher.  🎙️ Get full show notes here!  https://bit.ly...

What will you do when you have planned and prepared the best meal you could possibly make, but then your kids say no and leave the plate untouched? Now, throwing it away is the easiest answer, but food waste is a big money waste too. In this episode, Jen and Jill answer how we can reduce our food waste with kids in easy and manageable ways. 🎙️ Get full show notes here!  https://bit.ly/4bAdlI6   💌...

What time is it? Summertime! It’s your vacation…but maybe not your finances! Summer is the second season, next to winter, wherein everyone is expected to spend more. Let’s find out in this episode as Jen and Jill share what to look out for and prepare for this summer in order to stay on budget and enjoy this season’s freedom! 🎙️ Get full show notes here!  https://bit.ly/3QXA9ZI   💌 Want to save m...