Beating Broke

Who is your tribe?  With whom do you surround yourself?  Too often, our friends seem to be those we accidentally meet.  Someone at the gym we clicked with or a co-worker we have a connection with.  These friendships are usually made because we have at least one thing in common, something we both love that connects us.

If you’re of a money mind, perhaps being frugal and avoiding debt, you may find that most of your friends don’t share this trait with you.  In real life, finding friends who share your passion for saving and pinching pennies can be very difficult.

Luckily, you can look online and find your frugal tribe and save even more money.

Find Your Frugal Tribe and Save Even More Money

Thanks to technology, there are many ways to find a frugal tribe.

YouTube Tribes

My husband and I are looking to save money, especially on groceries, because we’ve been facing hundreds of dollars in medical expenses each month.  The amount we spend on groceries is a place where we can reduce our expenses.

However, asking friends in real life what they spend on groceries and how they save money is a bit awkward, especially because most of my friends don’t seem to be money minded.

Enter YouTube.  I discovered one woman on YouTube who feeds her family of 5 for $30 to $35 a week!!  Insane, isn’t it?  I know I’ll never get my grocery bill that low, but it is encouraging to know that there is definitely room to cut the grocery budget.

Facebook Tribes

The same vlogger I mentioned above also runs a Facebook group, 11,000+ members strong, solely devoted to frugal meals and groceries.  I joined that group, and I’m learning a lot.

But you can find your frugal tribe in a range of topics.  I belong to several Facebook groups–one on saving on groceries, one on frugal living in general, and one about frugal ways to send your kids to college.

Change Your Tribe, Change Your Habits

Here’s the thing.  Whether you realize it or not, the people you surround yourself with, even if they are vastly different than you, affect your thoughts.  If you’re around spendthrifts, you unconsciously become a little looser with your money because that’s what you see others doing.  You may still be the most frugal person among your friends, but you’re likely less frugal than you used to be because of the influence of your peers.

Of course, the reverse is also true.  Since watching YouTube videos and joining the Facebook group, I have slashed my grocery spending by 25% every month.  Each day I learn new strategies for saving.

True, I don’t emulate a lot of what I learn.  One vlogger on YouTube made two big meals at the beginning of the week and then fed her family the leftovers for the next four days.  That definitely wouldn’t fly in my house, but it was a lesson in how to morph leftovers into other meals.

How to Find Your Tribe

If you can find a tribe in real life, that’s the best.  If you have a frugal friend, perhaps she can help you connect with more frugal people.

However, if you don’t, the Internet is a great tool.  The best starting place is YouTube and blogs.  Facebook is a close second.  Once you find one good frugal person, you can likely find more she is connected with.  If you find someone via social media or YouTube, don’t be afraid to reach out electronically and say “hi.”  Who knows, you may become friends in real life.

How do you find like-minded frugal friends?

When you have a family member in the hospital, the last thing that you want to think about is money.  Yet, money is often a pressing concern because if you eat in the hospital cafeteria, pay for parking at the hospital, and stay in a hotel if the hospital is far from home, you will quickly rack up an expensive tab.  You may already be anxious about your hospitalized family member; there’s no need to also worry about finances.  There are several ways to save when a family member is in the hospital.

Ways to Save When a Family Member Is in the Hospital

Bring Your Own Food

My mom was in the hospital for a few days after a knee replacement, and one of the best things I did was to bring my own food.  I bought a $13 dollar thermos from Amazon and brought my lunch in the thermos every day.  It was piping hot when I was ready to eat.  I also brought something cold like a sandwich in a little portable cooler for dinner, so my meals were covered.  This also meant that I could keep my mom company all day without leaving to go down to the hospital cafeteria.

If you don’t have a thermos or portable cooler, check with the nurses.  Many hospitals have a refrigerator visitors can use, and nurses may be willing to heat up your food for you.  However, if your family member will be in the hospital for more than a few days, I highly recommend buying a thermos and portable cooler.

Don’t forget to also bring snacks like granola bars, fig newtons, and other small, shelf-stable, filling snacks.

Discounted Parking

I was lucky in that the hospital my mom stayed at did not charge parking.  However, many do.  Again, check with the hospital because some hospitals offer discounted or free parking if you get your parking ticket validated.

Also, if family friends or other relatives ask how they can help, don’t be shy about asking for money to pay for parking.  When my mom was in the hospital, one family member generously gave me money to cover all of my accrued expenses, knowing how quickly they add up.

Discounted Hotel Stays

If your family member is in a hospital far from home, your expenses will likely add up even more quickly.  One way to make a significant difference in your expenses is to find a discounted place to stay.  Many cities have Ronald McDonald Houses nearby.  These facilities offer families with kids in the hospital free lodging and food.

In addition, some hospitals have Ronald McDonald rooms right in the hospital.  In the room, you can heat up food, sleep, take a shower, do laundry or watch TV.

Finally, some hotels near hospitals offer a discounted “hospital rate” for people who have family members in the hospital.  Ask the hospital if they partner with any hotels for this rate.  Also, when calling around for a hotel to stay in, make sure to mention your situation.  The hotel may give you a discount.

Final Thoughts

If you have a family member in the hospital, remember that there are many ways you can save on food, parking, and lodging.  The last thing you want to do is worry about money, so use some of these strategies to save money while caring for a sick relative.