What to Include in Your August Budget

Summary

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Frugal Friends Podcast: What to Include in Your August Budget

Hosts: Jen Smith & Jill Sirianni
Episode Date: July 31, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode of the Frugal Friends Podcast dives deep into building a smart, practical, and flexible August budget. Jen and Jill guide listeners through often-overlooked expenses, seasonal sales, and strategic timing for big purchases. With plenty of relatable anecdotes and humor, they equip listeners to handle the August spending transition—back to school, the end of summer, and prepping for fall—while emphasizing intentional, value-based spending.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Importance of an August Spending Plan

(Start: 01:26)

• August is a major transitional month: Summer winds down, and in many regions, kids return to school.
• Key budgeting focus: Back-to-school costs, Labor Day plans, childcare shifts, and prepping for fall are all on the table.
• Quote:

  "August is a transitional month. Summer winding down for us in Florida. We are back to school the second week of August. Some people up north may be a little bit later. But there are some things that you just cannot avoid spending on in August." – Jen (04:25)

2. Back-to-School Spending

(04:25–07:25)

• Typical expenses: Supplies, clothes (especially uniforms and shoes), activity fees, and technology.
• Savings tip: Refurbished tech is a great option—lots of returns and trade-ins make it an ideal time to score deals.
• Check local tax-free days for school-related shopping.
• Childcare shifts post-summer: plan not just money, but also routines, to avoid unplanned (and potentially expensive) last-minute decisions.
• Quote:

  "When we're not prepared, that's when we spend more money." – Jill (07:16)

3. Labor Day and End-of-Summer Fun

(07:27–09:02)

• Plan Labor Day spending in advance.
  If spontaneous, set aside a small chunk to keep it in check.
• Use up any free summer passes—for kids' activities or local deals like "Kids Eat Free" at restaurants.
• Budget for spontaneity:

  "We can budget for spontaneity. That is something that we can plan for." – Jen (08:19)

4. Fall Prep

(09:02–10:32)

• Home weatherproofing:
  Many energy companies offer free energy audits and supplies to help prep for colder months.
• Wardrobe transitions:
  Shop secondhand for adults; minimize new purchases.
• Holiday travel:
  Start saving now (at least three months ahead) to minimize financial stress during the season.
• Quote:

  "...three months away from the start of the holiday season. That is not a lot of time, but it is enough time to start making some of those savings plans to be able to have a really enjoyable holiday season." – Jill (10:25)

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What to Buy (and Not Buy) in August

On Sale Now

(10:32–14:44)

• Back-to-school deals:
  Sales and tax-free shopping days benefit everyone, not just parents (think pens, laptops, backpacks).
• Patio furniture & summer gear:
  Huge clearances as stores make room for fall/holiday inventory. Great time for patio sets, grills, outdoor gear, sporting goods, and gardening supplies.
• Buy used gear:
  Check Facebook Marketplace for used grills or outdoor gear as others upgrade with new sale items.
• Quote:

  "Those of us who can think ahead can get the deal." – Jill (11:42)

Wait to Buy

(15:16–16:32)

• Mattresses & major appliances:
  Labor Day and Black Friday offer better deals—wait a few weeks.
• TV/Electronics:
  Hold out for Black Friday.
• Quote:

  "You've had that mattress 15 years. You can wait one more month." – Jen (15:45)

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Seasonal Meal Planning

(16:32–18:55)

Fruits

• Peaches, nectarines, watermelon, cherries (tail end), berries, tomatoes.

Vegetables

• Corn ("best corn happens in August" – Jill at 17:07), zucchini, yellow squash, eggplant, bell peppers, cucumbers.

• Meal ideas:

  • Zucchini corn fritters ("I always forget about being able to shave down veggies and turn them into, like, a veggie pancake fritter thing." – Jill, 17:55)
  • Tomato basil pasta, black bean stuffed peppers, peach crisp.

• Bonus tip: Freeze veggies/fruits if you get good deals.

• Notable exchange:
  Jen and Jill’s joyful confusion about Jewish vs. Italian holiday foods (18:39–19:20).

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Notable Listener Moment: Bill of the Week

(26:50–30:21)

• Listener Alicia shares:
  $10,000 in credit card debt after a costly year (family trip, surgery for son, family wedding) paid off in about a year after discovering the podcast.
• Hosts’ reactions:
  Encouragement and congratulations; reminder that “looking at” the debt and starting the journey is the hardest but most essential step.
• Key quote:

  "You did. You looked at it, and then you found resources and you got motivated... and you did it." – Jill (29:53)

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August “Big Money Move”: Emergency Fund Audit

(21:52–25:46)

• Audit your emergency fund once a year:
  • Check if your income/spending has changed.
  • Make sure your fund covers 3–6 months basic living expenses (lean budget, not “everything goes great” budget).
  • Move funds to a high-yield savings account to keep up with inflation.
• Quote:

  "We save our emergency fund. We set it, we forget it. But we need to go in every year..." – Jen (22:10) "It’s three to six months of basic living expenses...not when everything’s going perfectly, we’re talking a little bit more of a bare bones budget..." – Jill (23:56)

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Hosts’ August Plans and Relatable Banter

(32:02–36:31)

• Jill’s birthday month: Planning a low-key staycation, splitting a box of 60 Georgia peaches with Jen.
• Jen’s son Atlas starts preschool: More convenient schedule, saves $100/week.
• Their peach obsession: Spirited discussion about “The Peach Truck” and justifying their spend as value-aligned.
• Quote:

  "Impulse shopping is not the enemy. The enemy is over consumption and unnecessary consumption out of alignment with values. And peaches are high value..." – Jen (39:34)

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Listener/Community Engagement

• Encourage listeners to share their August meal plans.
• Shout-outs to new and long-time listeners.
• Highlight from a recent positive book review.

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Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• [01:26] Jen: "Today's episode we are covering everything you should have in your August budget. The things you may have forgotten, not planned for, sales you may not have realized are coming up."
• [07:16] Jill: "When we're not prepared, that's when we spend more money."
• [10:25] Jill: "We are three months away from the start of the holiday season. That is not a lot of time, but it is enough time to start making some of those savings plans..."
• [15:45] Jen: "You've had that mattress 15 years. You can wait one more month."
• [17:07] Jill: "The best corn happens in August. If you're a corn person, get that cob, get that corn."
• [17:55] Jill: "I always forget about being able to shave down veggies and turn them into, like, a veggie pancake fritter thing."
• [22:10] Jen: "We save our emergency fund. We set it, we forget it. But we need to go in every year..."
• [23:56] Jill: "It's three to six months of basic living expenses...not the budget when everything's going perfectly..."
• [29:53] Jill: "You did. You looked at it, and then you found resources and you got motivated... and you did it."
• [39:34] Jen: "Impulse shopping is not the enemy. The enemy is over consumption and unnecessary consumption out of alignment with values. And peaches are high value..."

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Key Timestamps

• [01:26] – Episode topic introduction
• [04:25] – Back-to-school budgeting tips
• [07:27] – Labor Day/end of summer spending
• [09:02] – Fall prep and early holiday savings
• [10:32] – What’s on sale in August
• [15:16] – What not to buy in August
• [16:32] – Seasonal meal planning
• [21:52] – August “big money move”: emergency fund audit
• [26:50] – Bill of the Week: paying off $10k in debt
• [32:02] – Hosts’ plans and community talk
• [39:34] – Philosophy on impulse shopping vs. overconsumption

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Takeaways

• Plan early for inevitable August expenses: Back-to-school, Labor Day, and fall prep.
• Shop strategically: Stock up on back-to-school and summer clearance items, wait for September/Black Friday for big appliances and electronics.
• Seasonal meal planning can save money and reduce waste.
• Review and adjust your emergency fund annually.
• Value-based spending is key: Don’t fear impulse spends when aligned with your joy and needs (like peaches!).
• Community support is real: Listener stories, book reviews, and connection matter.

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If you’re looking to maximize your August savings, avoid common spending pitfalls, and prep for the busy last half of the year, this episode is a practical, uplifting listen!

Transcript

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[Jen]

Sleep what to include in your August Budget.

[Podcast Host]

Welcome to the Frugal Friends podcast where you'll learn to save money, embrace simplicity, and live a richer life. Here are your hosts, Jen and Jill.

[Jen]

Welcome Frugal Friends. I'm Jen.

[Jill]

I'm Jill.

[Jen]

And today's episode we are covering everything you should have in your August budget. The things you may have forgotten, not planned for, sales you may not have realized are coming up. Things you shouldn't buy because sales are on the way. We're covering all of that in today's episode.

[Jill]

We got you. But first, we also got you in another way. We announced something really big on Tuesday and we're just going to keep talking about it because we're super excited. For years we have wanted to create an app. Well, really, I've wanted to create an app. I felt like it would be a really good thing for us to have as Frugal Friends. And Jen's like, never. It's too expensive. I'm like, okay, it's not that I

[Jen]

didn't want it, it's that it was too expensive.

[Jill]

I have champagne taste on a Natty Light budget. I get it.

[Jen]

Yeah. We're drinking Lacroix. We can't even afford Natty Light. Yeah.

[Jill]

And we, we want it to be attainable for our audience. We are not the people out here trying to sell coaching for insane amounts of money.

[Jen]

$5,000 program.

[Jill]

No, but we do think that helping ourselves and others learn how to spend better can make a massive difference in our day to day finances year over year. But we need that kind of regularity and reminders and we have found the solution. We have created the app and we think it's amazing. It's beautiful actually. We were able to essentially find a template for this app and kind of input all of our stuff into it so that you can have it in the palm of your hands and have access to daily check ins and challenges that is going to be tailored to you. So you put in some of your own inputs and it will morph to what it is that you need on a regular basis to help you spend more conscientiously to decrease some of that over consumption, get a handle on some of those impulse purchases and just overall become a better spender and feel more confident about it. So it is on sale the first week. We're offering it at 20% off. You can get it for a full year. You could do it just for three months. You decide how much coaching you need. Frugalfriendspodcast.com app yeah, I think the greatest

[Jen]

thing about it is that we have created a bunch of different daily lessons and activities. And based on what you input in your journal in the app, the app overnight customizes to to give you the next day will be most relevant to what you need based on your progress and your impulse and so in your inputs. It's custom to you every day, but it is based on what we have programmed in it.

[Jill]

And so I love we are voices still to you.

[Jen]

I love that about it. You get a spending coach in your pocket to be with you in real time when you are making spending decisions. Because whenever you're spending money what's nearest to you, you're either spending money on your phone or your phone is somewhere nearby. And this isn't going to stop you from all unplanned spending. But this is truly going to be an aid with you while you are trying to become a more intentional spender. And so it's a beautifully designed, easy to use. So frugalfriendspodcast.com app get it while it is on sale. Okay, so let's talk about August's spending plan. August is a transitional month. Summer winding down for us in Florida. We are back to school the second week of August. Some people up north may be a little bit later. But there are some things that you just cannot avoid spending on in August. The first of those is if you have a child or you are a student yourself back to school. This is when the biggest sales come for us. We did mention it in July because our sales start in July because our school year starts earlier. But so we're talking supplies, clothes, activity fees, tech, a lot of back to school items you have to buy new like notebooks, pens, all that stuff. You can find some, some used, you know, children's clothes. Uniforms specifically are going to be like very worn. So that's something that's good to buy new shoes, good to buy new on sale. Refurbished tech is good. People are buying new stuff on sale, they're selling back their old stuff or there's a lot of returns in this season. So for kids, I'm a big fan of refurbished tech and this is a good time to get all of that stuff.

[Jill]

Yeah. And look into your own area for when the tax free days are going to be to be able to make some of these back to school purchases for again, parents, childcare shifts. This is a huge one because kids have been out of school school but now they're and maybe they've been in camp, now they're going back to school. What's going to need to happen with your schedule, with costs? Is there going to be a more influx of cash? Is there going to be more outflows? What's going to happen there? Being ready and starting to make that plan not just with the money, but also with your schedule. Just like the beginning of summer can be whiplash, so can the beginning of the school year. So starting to even think about what your routines are going to look like can be helpful. Because when we're not prepared, that's when we spend more money.

[Jen]

Yeah. I am personally getting a hundred dollars a week back in my budget and we are done with daycare. We are done. I still have to pay for for vpk so don't get it twisted. Daycare did not cost me a hundred dollars a week, but I am saving $100 next are labor Day and end of summer fun? The thing is is that you never plan to do anything on Labor Day until like a couple days before Labor Day and then you're like oh what should I do? And then you spend money on it and so plan it in advance. But if you're not going to do anything, don't feel like you have to plan some kind of like weekend getaway. But if you already have something planned, know that there are some things that you're going to spend money on. Start researching restaurants, coffee shops activities and just start and put those in your budget and that can also help you have more fun. Or maybe you want to just put a chunk of money aside to spontaneously spend on your trip. Having your having your little weekend vacay 100% planned out isn't always fun. So we can budget for spontaneity. That is something that we can plan for to make sure we have money on and then take advantage of those end of summer, like last bit of a deal. So we have free bowling all summer for the kids. So make sure if you've got any of those like free passes for the summer, you're getting your last bits of use out of them.

[Jill]

Pay attention too. If you've got restaurants in the area that do kids eat free at all,

[Jen]

that does still happen.

[Jill]

So you can look that up and take advantage of those because of the routine changing and life is just going to be super busy. And maybe you can't fully afford to take the whole family out, but if there's a restaurant that does, kids eat free lessons go. Okay. Also, fall prep we want to be thinking about. So whatever we're going to need for preparing for the weather to be shifting, this might include some weatherproofing on your home. It may mean some wardrobe updates. Remember, especially for us adults, we don't always need to buy new. That can absolutely be a secondhand decision that we make. And remember, with updates to your house, especially the weatherproofing and thinking being energy efficient, you can reach out to your energy provider. A lot of times they'll do a free energy audit for you and provide you the supplies to be able to seal up your home a little bit better, make other systems a little more efficient. So before you buy, check that. And also start thinking about holiday travel plans. I know that sounds insane because we're talking back to school, but truly, in August, although it feels so, so hot and we cannot imagine it ever feeling cold ever again, we are three months away from the start of the holiday season. That is not a lot of time, but it is enough time to start making some of those savings plans to be able to have the funds that you need to have a really enjoyable holiday season.

[Jen]

Yeah, if you want to spend $800 for Christmas time, then that's $200 a month. You have to save August, September, October, November for you to have that $800 saved up. So the early you start to plan, the more time you have to spread out your savings. All right, so let's talk about what's on sale. We already talked about back to school sales. Check when your state, if your state does one, the tax free back to school savings. So that should be your, you know, priority even if you don't have kids because you're getting sales on pens, backpacks, even just like Bat like laptop bags, lunch boxes. Yeah. Basic sneakers, laptops, printers. So maybe printer ink. I don't know if printer ink goes on sale, that seems like it should, but it would be one of those weaselly ways that they would get out of giving you a sale. So I don't know. You'll have to check.

[Jill]

I just don't own a printer.

[Jen]

Yeah. Think about the things that you need that could be potentially back to school sale.

[Jill]

Patio furniture and outdoor gear is on sale this month. So retailers are trying to clear out a lot of that bulk from the summer, make room for all of the holiday stuff they're going to be about to be putting out. So if you have gone through this season and thought, yeah, that'd be really nice to have for next year, those of us who can think ahead can get the deal. So. And if you're an outdoorsy person. So patio sets, outdoor sectionals, umbrellas, gardening tools. Because there is a lot to do to prep your garden before the wintertime comes.

[Listener Alicia]

Yeah.

[Jill]

If you need any of those things, they're on sale.

[Jen]

Yeah, Patio furniture is one of those things where we're like, wait on it, wait on it, wait on it. And now is the time you can go and see those clearance sales and get that. Same with grills and just any summer seasonal inventory, it's time to get that. You know, people we've been saying are getting new grills, so it's a good time to look on Facebook Marketplace to get their old grills. And if you haven't found anything you like, then now we're in summer clearance time. So now it may be acceptable to buy one of those new grills if you haven't found anything yet. So we're, you know, we're looking at gas grills, charcoal grills, our outdoor cooking accessories, pool accessories that you want to save for the next year and then any summer sporting goods. So much can change from one summer to the next. And thinking about where our family might be a year from now is a good reminder that protecting the people you love can't keep getting pushed, pushed off. Getting life insurance sorted means you can actually be present this summer without the lingering to do list.

[Jill]

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[Jen]

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[Jill]

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[Jen]

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[Jill]

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[Jen]

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[Jill]

not buying in August because it's not always a good time to whatever we want. There are parameters here and sometimes there's going to be a much better sale on the horizon.

[Jen]

This is a good one to wait for a lot of good sales in September.

[Jill]

So mattresses is one of them. Some of the best sales on mattresses happen in Labor Day. So hold out. You've been doing it for how long? Hold out another couple of weeks.

[Jen]

You've had that natural is 15 years. You can wait one more month.

[Jill]

Yeah, you'll be okay. Major appliances so you might see appliance promotions in August, but again, they're going to be better in Labor Day.

[Jen]

These have good sales throughout the year. I would say July 4th and Labor Day and Black Friday are best times. Only times to be buying major appliances. Same with TV and electronics. I would say Black Friday. We all know best time. Probably only thing that's Worth getting on Black Friday at this point. So hold out and wait until Black Friday. All right, what are we cooking?

[Jill]

Our favorite part is to budget prep

[Jen]

to meal plan for the month. So we're looking at for fruit, fruits, peaches, nectarines, watermelon. We're still in that shoulder season of summer stuff. We're heading into the fall. We are on the tail end of cherries. We've got berries and tomatoes. So get that summer produce while it is still on sale. That is our goal for August because come September, it may not be on sale anymore.

[Jill]

As far as vegetables go, what's in season still is corn. The best corn happens in August. If you're a corn person, get that

[Jen]

cob, get that corn. Get that corn on the cob.

[Jill]

Zucchini, yellow squash, eggplant, bell peppers, cucumbers. We're still just enjoying the best that summer has to offer. Let's take advantage of it, add it to our meal plan, and freeze it.

[Jen]

If you can get a good, good sale on some fresh stuff. You know, I'm a big fan of buying frozen, but if you like it in a certain way that you only, you know, if you don't like it cut like they do in the frozen bags, then you can get it whole and freeze it whole, you know, if you like it better like that. So just be aware that stuff can be frozen. If you don't like the frozen version,

[Jill]

We've got some really great recipe ideas, which we have in the friend letter. If you're not getting the friend letter, you should start because we give a consolidated list of what we're talking about here, so you can have it in front of you and go through it. And we add these recipes there, too. So frugalfriendspodcast.com, get the friend letter, but we'll also say it. Zucchini, corn fritters. I always forget about being able to shave down veggies and turn them into, like, a veggie pancake fritter thing. It's like the perfect savory way of getting some vegetables in your diet.

[Jen]

A savory pancake.

[Jill]

Oh, it's so good. A little sour cream on top.

[Jen]

I'm not Jewish, but I love a little latke with a little applesauce on top.

[Jill]

You're allowed to like other cultures.

[Sleep Number Announcer]

I know.

[Jen]

I. I know, but it's a, like, I usually only have them on, like, Jewish religious holidays.

[Jill]

Oh, wow.

[Listener Alicia]

Okay.

[Jen]

So.

[Jill]

All right.

[Jen]

But I would have them other times. Do you have them other times? I don't I've.

[Jill]

You can either.

[Jen]

If you're Jewish. I don't know. Do you have them regularly or you just us do them on, like, religious holidays? Let me know in the comments.

[Jill]

Tomato basil pasta. It's Italian, but you're allowed to enjoy it whatever you want.

[Jen]

But Italians don't have religious holidays where they, like, specifically eat certain things. Okay.

[Jill]

Of course they do.

[Jen]

What do they have?

[Jill]

Pizza?

[Podcast Host]

No,

[Jen]

no, it's different. I'm sorry. I'm not sorry. Actually, I'm not sorry. It's black.

[Jill]

Me feel bad. Black bean stuffed peppers, Peach crisp. Oh, I was just saying the airs. Okay.

[Listener Alicia]

This is.

[Jill]

This is wild and out there. But you know what?

[Jen]

We have time. That's my podcast.

[Jill]

We are going on a walk every single morning, and we passed by this house that has chickens. And just this morning, they have. I don't know the different names of the different types of chickens, but it's the kind that are much more like red, amber type of feathering on them. They look like kind of a classic chicken, like. Like the reddish orange kind. And. And for some reason, I realized anytime I see chickens like that, I think of peach cobbler. I don't know why. Maybe it's just kind of this, like, homesteady image that I have. Like, they just look like classic chickens. And I just think about peach cobbler sitting out on a table with a gingham tablecloth, and it really made me want some peach cobbler. So I'm glad we have it on the list because your girl gonna do this.

[Jen]

Yeah. Peach crisp is so good. I love. They have like, like peach trucks, like, come through in the summer and where. I don't know. You can just literally google the peach truck and it comes.

[Jill]

Is this a Florida thing?

[Jen]

No, it's a Georgia thing. Come on. Where does peaches come from?

[Podcast Host]

Sure.

[Jill]

But does the peach truck exist in Florida?

[Jen]

The peach truck comes from Georgia to Florida. It goes all over.

[Jill]

That's what I'm saying. Like, is it. Is it only kind of available

[Jen]

beach truck?

[Jill]

I'm like, I don't know. It's like a 4x4 pickup for driving on sand.

[Jen]

Okay. It's a different. It's an actual truck company called the Peach Truck.

[Jill]

Where do they go?

[Jen]

All over. Where do they go?

[Jill]

Yeah, well, we're not finding it fast enough. We are so sorry.

[Jen]

So, I mean, they're going to be. Hey, they're going to be here very soon, in a couple. In two weeks.

[Jill]

Oh, I love peaches so much.

[Jen]

So there you go.

[Jill]

Okay.

[Jen]

Anyways, so there you Go. Anyways, where were we?

[Jill]

Big money move.

[Jen]

Okay, yes. So add, definitely add those things. And in the comments, tell us what is in your August meal plan or what will be in your August meal plan or what was in your July meal plan that you are going to add again to your August meal plan.

[Jill]

What slap in July?

[Jen]

We want to know because a lot of the same produce. All right, August, big money move. Every month we give you one money move to make sure your finances are organized. You're on top of it. You're not forgetting about anything. Okay? Very short, very small. This month, audit your emergency fund. Okay, so we save our emergency fund. We set it, we forget it.

[Listener Alicia]

That's great.

[Jen]

But we need to go in every year with two things. The first, our jobs. What are we making? What? Oh, okay. What are we making? And has it changed at all? Am I earning more? Less? Were we a two income household and now we're a one income household? Did one income really shoot up?

[Sponsor Announcer]

Up?

[Jen]

And now we've increased our lifestyle to where if we lost that income, the other one's not going to be enough to save, you know, to live on. So that's what we're looking for because that tells us if we have three or six months of expenses. If you have, you know, two incomes and they're both pretty much the same and, and you're living good then, and you're both working for different companies. Because if you, if both incomes are coming from the same company, that's kind of like a single income, then you're good with three. All other experiences, single income, really different income, all that you want, six months. So that's the first thing we look at. And the second is what are we spending? We want to say, are we spending the same? Is three months of expenses now the same as it was when I first made my emergency fund? It's not. Well, then we've got to change up how much is in the emergency fund.

[Jill]

And it's three to six months of basic living expenses. So going through and looking at definitely your fixed expenses, your bills and your rent or mortgage, as well as your variable expenses, but knowing that we could cut down on some takeout or some entertainment spending or some impulse spending if those are big line items. I mean, there's going to be other work that you'd have to do to be able to cut that down. But we're primarily looking at the food, some basic miscellaneous stuff. So we're not talking the budget when everything's going perfectly, we're talking a little bit more of a bare bones budget that we know we could make work for us and be livable for those three to six months if there were to be a job loss or a crisis of some sort.

[Jen]

Of yeah. And you also want to make sure that your emergency fund is in a high yield savings account. So inflation is 3%, usually year over year, which means your Emergency Fund loses 3% of its spending power. However, if it's in a high yield savings account, you're typically going to be getting around 3% annually on that money. So a high yield savings account makes sure your emergency fund and buying power keeps up with inflation. So we really like the one at CIT. You can go to frugalfriendspodcast.com CIT for emergency funds. We particularly like their platinum account, which is frugalfriendspodcast.com Platinum because that gives a little bit higher APY for balances over $5,000. And, and let's honest, let's be real. Most of our emergency funds need to be more than $5,000.

[Jill]

So you gotta start somewhere. It's okay if it's not that yet, but you do need to be looking at that. Figure out a strategy and plan to bulk it up and be keeping it in that high yield savings account so that bank helps you to bulk it up with the interest that you're earning. Do you know what else I like to bulk up on?

[Jen]

Oh, it's why we, we have so many and we are always so behind because we stay bulked so swole with the middle of the week.

[Podcast Host]

That's right. It's time for the best minute of your entire week. Maybe a baby was born and his name is William. Maybe you paid off your mortgage, maybe your car died and you're happy to not have to pay that bill anymore. Duck bills, Buffalo Bills, Bill Clinton. This is the bill of the week.

[Listener Alicia]

Hi frugal friends. My name is Alicia. 2025 was an expensive year for my family. My credit card got utilized a lot. In February, our family took a trip to Hawaii with my parents and my siblings family. In May, our oldest son graduated high school and we had to throw a graduation party. In June, our youngest son had his fourth heart surgery. So time off of work, hotel expenses, hospital expenses, all of that was starting to add up. And then in September, we flew our family of five out to Washington state from Minnesota for a family wedding. So by October, when I got my credit card bill, it was the highest that it has ever been in my 38 years of life. Price at just under $10,000. And I hated that for me. So I went on a new financial journey. Found your podcast changed my spending habits and my spending mentality. And now today, In March of 2026, I made my final payment to have that $10,000 paid off. I'm thankful for your podcast, for all of your wonderful advice, and now I'm excited to apply that same payoff energy to saving and investing. Thank you guys so much for being so amazing.

[Jen]

That was so fast.

[Jill]

That's amazing.

[Jen]

You can do anything.

[Jill]

You can do a lot of stuff.

[Podcast Host]

Wow.

[Jill]

Yeah. That's incredible.

[Jen]

Congratulations.

[Jill]

I don't know why I think that our listeners are just the people who have been with us for years. I forget that there are sometimes, sometimes new people finding us. I don't know why. It just is not anywhere on my radar.

[Jen]

We are shocked when we find out people are listening to us.

[Jill]

Honestly, people are starting to listen to us. I think. I've just thought, oh, the people who started to like us years ago, and they're just. They're our community.

[Jen]

Yeah. Like, we know them.

[Jill]

Yeah. But we're getting more people in our community, and that's so thrilling.

[Jen]

Let us know in the comments on YouTube. And if you're new here, like, past, like, year, we would love to. We'd love to welcome you to the compound.

[Listener Alicia]

Yeah.

[Jill]

This is incredible. And you know what's so amazing about what you did here? You looked at it. You looked at your credit card bill. Here's the thing. You knew it was going to be high because you had graduation, you had vacation, you had tons of stuff going on in life. We know. Yeah. Goodness. And, yeah. When those things happen, a lot of times our concerns about money kind of do need to go out the window because we just gotta do what we gotta do to survive. And so yet we know I'm about to see something real big. And that can lead a lot of us to say, I don't even want to look at it. Because I don't know what I did back there. I backed out, and I don't want to have to deal with it. But you did. You looked at it, and then you found resources and you got motivated and you were encouraged by other people and you did it.

[Listener Alicia]

Yes.

[Jen]

I'm so pumped up. I'm so swollen.

[Jill]

This bill of the week. Well done, Alicia. If you are listening and you have a bill that you want to share, if it has to do with being a new listener and implementing some of the things that we talk about or paying down debt or paying for a bill that you don't mind paying for your name is Bill anything bill related frugalfriendspodcast.com bill can't wait for it.

[Sponsor Announcer]

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[Grainger Announcer]

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[Jill]

And now it's time for.

[Jen]

What are you looking forward to most this August?

[Jill]

Well, August is my birthday month, so

[Jen]

Jill will join me in the 37

[Jill]

Club, which I we were quoted. Well, they did kind of a the new we were in a New York Times article recently and I'm pretty sure that they put my age as 38. I'm like, first of all, you didn't need to put my age in there. Second of all, at that point in time, it was two years older than what I actually am.

[Jen]

Well, when we did the interview, I it was like right before my birthday. So I was like, I'm 36, but by the time it comes out I'll be 37. And Jill was like, I'm 36. I was like, well she's gonna be 37 in like three months. Like, don't get it twisted. Yeah, and I'm so pleased they put you at 38.

[Jill]

Yeah, I time traveled so I don't know, I maybe we'll like do a little weekend we'. Staycation. Something.

[Jen]

Something a little fun.

[Jill]

Yeah, well, because most of our summer went to CFP stuff. So August.

[Jen]

Gotta do something fun.

[Jill]

August is the real deal. That's when the peach cobbler poolside sitting the weight night.

[Jen]

Should we split a £25 box of peaches?

[Jill]

I. I don't know how much it is, but I would love.

[Jen]

It's 55 for like 60 peaches.

[Jill]

Yes. Done.

[Jen]

55 to 60 peaches.

[Jill]

Pull the trigger. Don't even think about it.

[Jen]

No. Oopsies.

[Jill]

Oh, no. Oh, no. That was recording. You caught me.

[Jen]

It's okay. I am behind the screen, so I'm not just doing it. We'll talk about it. All right.

[Jill]

What are you looking forward to this August?

[Jen]

Well, Atlas is starting VPK3.

[Jill]

Okay. Most of the world doesn't know what that means.

[Jen]

Okay. Pre K3. Okay. He's starting preschool.

[Jill]

Yep.

[Jen]

There you go.

[Jill]

He's preschool.

[Jen]

Good.

[Listener Alicia]

Good.

[Jill]

When I move down here and everyone's like, vpk this, vpk that, I'm like, I don't. You have a very important kid. I don't understand.

[Jen]

A very pretty kid. So, yeah, I am excited for that. Say, like I said, saves me a hundred dollars a week. Still costs money, but a hundred dollars less. And it's the same time and near Chi school, so it'll just be like a more convenient pickup schedule. So I'm. I'm excited for that. I am so Sad he's leaving Ms. Isabelle at daycare. Like.

[Jill]

Like.

[Listener Alicia]

Yeah.

[Jen]

You're so. Yeah. And I. I told her the reason I had Atlas, because I wasn't ready to leave her. I knew Kai was ready to leave, but I wasn't ready. But I'm not having any more kids. Lord willing. So I am ready to leave the Lord willing.

[Jill]

Wait, what are you saying?

[Jen]

I mean, there's. There's always like a chance, right? But Lord willing, we've taken every precaution to prevent that.

[Jill]

Right.

[Jen]

Okay. You know? Okay. So that's what I am most excited about. And oh, he's gonna be so cute going to school.

[Jill]

Oh, I can't wait for those first day of school pics.

[Jen]

I know he's gonna wear a little uniform.

[Jill]

Oh, goodness. Yeah, I'm gonna need to get my hands on that picture. On that picture.

[Listener Alicia]

Yeah.

[Jill]

All right, everyone. Thanks for being here. Thanks for. For watching, for spending time with us. For being new listeners, if you are being old listeners. For being readers of our book and then reviewers. You're so many things to us and we love it. Like this review left for our book by Claudia. Five stars. Wonderful book. This book teaches you a Strategy. It is not just random frugal things like some other frugal help books. You will really get insights into how you're spending and how you can tweak your spending. It will also help your savings. Amazing. Claudia.

[Jen]

Yes, thank you for the point. If you want to get our book, buy what you love without going broke. It [e-mail] and pretty much anywhere you buy books online or the library. So dig into that if you want to learn how to spend in alignment with your values and how to identify what you value. And if you liked this, this video episode, then please subscribe to the YouTube channel. That would be so wonderful. It helps us spread this message further and wider. And don't forget about our new spending app. It is in your hand, in your pocket, wherever your phone is. A daily coach to help guide you in your spending journey to becoming a more intentional spender with daily lessons that are tailored to your inputs in the app. So check that [e-mail] app. It will rock your spending world.

[Jill]

And it's on sale 20% off right now. So speaking of things on sale, go get it. Let's go.

[Jen]

Frugal Friends is produced by Eric Sirianni. Okay, I, I mean I think it's totally, it's definitely cheaper to get a 25 pound, 125 pound box than for both of us to get individual 12 pound peach boxes.

[Listener Alicia]

Yeah.

[Jen]

So it's 55 bucks versus 40 and

[Jill]

55 split or 55 per person.

[Jen]

55 split.

[Jill]

Oh yeah, yeah. That's an amount I would spend on peaches.

[Jen]

Yeah, on a bunch of peaches.

[Jill]

Oh, peaches are so, they are so good. And getting them from the source. How so a truck just shows up at your door with peaches?

[Jen]

No, the truck shows up to Tyrone Square Mall and you show up to the truck.

[Jill]

Ooh, even better.

[Jen]

Yeah. And it's going to be there on June 24, which is spoiler alert after we recorded this episode. So, yeah, I think that's great. It's going to be there from 9:30 to 11:00am and I, I think we get the peaches. I've had their peaches before.

[Jill]

I think I remember having their peaches before too.

[Jen]

Yeah.

[Jill]

I love a recommendation, you know, I love peaches.

[Jen]

This is something I want for the truck. I, I feel like anytime we talk about something they should be paying us an unhealthy way to live, but here we are.

[Jill]

Well, people watched us make an impulse buy in real time.

[Jen]

We didn't make an impulse buy. We talked about it and then now we've decided to buy the

[Jill]

span of five minutes.

[Jen]

And I'd like to reiterate, impulse shopping is not the enemy. The enemy is over consumption and unnecessary consumption out of alignment with values. And peaches are high value and they're consumable too.

[Jill]

And I'm gonna use it all.

[Jen]

And it's on sale.

[Jill]

I'm gonna make peach cobbler, Peach crisp frozen peaches. Just regular raw peaches.

[Jen]

You could put peaches on a. On a flatbread pizza. Like a nice flatbread.

[Jill]

Do you know, one of balsamic best, best flatbread pizza situations that I've ever had was at this restaurant in Sedona, Arizona where they did. It was like peaches. Oh, gosh. Pancetta, ricotta. Probably a honey drizzle. It was to die for. We were on this vacation in Sedona. We were only there for a couple of days. We went to that restaurant twice to get that peach pizza.

[Jen]

Whoa.

[Jill]

Oh. Do you know what else is good? Peach mascarpone. And I think like a mint leaf with a drizzle of honey on a little baguette. Little toasted baguette.

[Jen]

My computer automatically added a discount code and so now it's only gonna be

[Jill]

$50, $25 a piece. Quick math.

[Jen]

Yeah. So now we gotta.

[Jill]

I love this for us.

[Jen]

Let's see.

[Jill]

All right.

[Jen]

Well, okay. You don't need to be here. Let's hide. Let's not share all of our shame.

[Jill]

Hot little bit of it.

[Jen]

You can teach us anytime.

[Jill]

Anytime.

[Jen]

Okay.

[Jill]

See ya.

[Grainger Announcer]

When you're a maintenance engineer in a beverage manufacturing plant, you keep production lines moving and quality off on track because there is no room for slowdowns. With Grainger's vast selection of high quality motors, sensors, belts, and hard to find parts, you can get what you need fast and all in one place. So nothing gets in the way of getting the job done. Call 1-800-GRAINGER click granger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.

[Sleep Number Announcer]

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