A homemaker from Pennsylvania, 30-year-old Amy, has learned how to sustain a family of five on a single income and now she shares the secrets of her comfortable yet frugal lifestyle.
After graduating from college, Amy initially worked as a caregiver for individuals with developmental and physical disabilities before managing the human resources department of a medium-sized company.
Before becoming parents, Amy and her husband Zack, who works as a contractor, relied on two incomes, leading a different lifestyle. They dined out, subscribed to TV programs, and went out to eat frequently without worrying about financial constraints.
However, after the birth of their first child, the couple decided that Amy would stay at home as a full-time mother instead of working outside. Making this wish come true was not without its challenges.
“When we dropped down to a single income, we had to make some significant adjustments,” Amy told Epoch Times. “I live by the old saying of ‘make do, wear it out, use it up, do without.'”
“We not only survived but thrived by being very intentional with our spending and cutting out a lot of unnecessary expenses,” she added.
The traditional way of living played a crucial role in this shift. Amy now cooks at home instead of dining out or using meal subscriptions.
“I’ve always been dedicated to cooking most of our food from scratch, mending our clothes, and making do with what we have on hand rather than constantly buying new things,” she said.
Her daily routine includes homeschooling her children, doing household chores, and baking.
Throughout the week, she engages her children in fun activities like dance classes, trips to the library, and game nights.
“Being able to stay at home is a privilege,” Amy said. “Childcare is incredibly expensive in our area, so going back to work outside the home didn’t make sense for us. I enjoy the time at home.”
Amy acknowledges that frugal living requires “quite a bit of work.” However, she has gained extensive knowledge through years of experience. She shared her five tips for living a happy life within a budget:
1. Keep staple ingredients in your pantry to make a variety of meals.
2. Learn new skills like basic repairs and home maintenance.
3. Plant a vegetable garden and learn to preserve food. Invest in a large freezer to store the vegetables you’ve grown. If gardening isn’t feasible, shop wisely according to the seasons since fruits and vegetables are much cheaper during their growing season.
4. Stop comparing your life to others. Enjoy the present. Even if you’re pinching every penny, remember to count your savings each day.
5. Find your community. Life can feel suffocating when you’re doing it all alone.
Amy founded a mom’s group and has a close-knit circle of friends. From swapping clothes and toys to sharing burdens, she says her group has been “very helpful.”
Moreover, whenever she or her family falls ill, the group steps in to help, and she does her best to give back to the community as well.
Amy initially shared her large garden on her Instagram account. Her account gained popularity when she posted a video featuring retro family recipes from the Great Depression era.
“Then I started sharing how to live stylishly or comfortably on a budget, and that’s how my channel grew,” she said.
The response to her content has been incredible, with over 118,000 people following her journey.
“We’re all trying to cut costs and make every penny count,” Amy said.
Her videos cover recipes from the Great Depression era, suggestions, budgeting tips, and more.
“It’s amazing to see how many people are inspired by what I share and the connections I’ve made with others who live similarly have been so fun and empowering.”
Her success on social media has led her to start writing a book about frugal living where she shares the skills she’s accumulated over 30 years.
As she shares her journey with others, Amy hopes people understand that she’s just a regular mom.
“I’m not perfect, and my life isn’t cookie-cutter,” she said. “My story isn’t unique; there are many other parents living a similar lifestyle to me and my family. We just want to live happily.”