I Live on $1,200 a Month at 52 — This Is What That Actually Looks Like

Three months ago I sat down at my kitchen table with a pencil and a notebook and I wrote a number at the top of the page. $1,200. That's what I give myself every month to cover my share of our household. Groceries, gas, personal care, savings, entertainment — everything. Today I'm opening my actual budget notebook and showing you where every single dollar goes. No sugarcoating. No pretending. From the $350 housing line to the $25 entertainment budget to the $95 emergency buffer that saved me when the car battery died last month. Every line. Every dollar. Every uncomfortable truth. 📖 My cookbook — "Grandmother's Kitchen: 50 Meals Under $5" (every recipe comes from this exact grocery budget): https://thriftyhazel.gumroad.com/l/grandmothers-kitchen-50-meals 📋 My printable planners & trackers: https://thriftyhazel.gumroad.com/l/frugal-home-kit 00:00 — The number at the top of the page 00:51 — How we got to $1,200 (the downsizing decision) 01:41 — Housing: $350 (why downsizing changed everything) 02:43 — Groceries: $200 (the $50/week system) 03:11 — Transportation: $150 (one car, two people) 03:49 — Healthcare: $80 (the honest truth about 52) 07:27 — The complete budget totaled: $1,200 08:15 — What this life actually feels like 09:46 — The one thing $1,200 gave me that money never could What's YOUR monthly number? If you're comfortable sharing, put it in the comments. No judgment here — just honesty. I read every single one. 👉 Depression-Era Rules My Grandmother Lived By: [https://youtu.be/vei2vD-PZU4] 👉 11 Things My Mother Never Bought: [https://youtu.be/lBuTeDYMsak] 👉 My $50 Grocery Week at 52: [https://youtu.be/SsZW6Xq-EyU] 👉 13 Boring Money Habits That Made Me Debt-Free: [https://youtu.be/YYREPg3Whxw] If you enjoy honest, no-nonsense money wisdom, hit Subscribe and turn on notifications. New videos every few days. This is my personal budget and reflects my specific situation. Your costs will vary based on location, housing, and circumstances. This is not fin