Does your frugality drive everyone nuts?

re: Does your frugality drive everyone nuts?

Amy — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 15:06:42 GMT

I love BIG LOTS! -the absolute best price on toys and all things holiday or seasonal-some at thrift store prices but it's all brand new. And believe it or not some antique stores actually sell the most beautiful furniture for cheap but I absolutely draw the line at mattresses and couches-and yeah-shoes and undergarments. Sorry-that's just gross. It's worth the cost of something new just to know I'm not inheriting someone else's funk.

re: Does your frugality drive everyone nuts?

BigMomma — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 11:40:33 GMT

Every month I keep a list of "free money". This would be coins I found, money saved by using coupons and Senior discounts, money I make by selling on Craigslist etc. I then take that money and divide it between my 2 children along with the list of how it was I "saved" the money. This is for the purpose of teaching them how "free money" can add up in hopes that they do will do the same for their children. Many months they get over $100 each. It's like a game and it's fun.

re: Does your frugality drive everyone nuts?

abrehearn@hotmail.com — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 01:57:43 GMT

Many of the ideas for economizing that I have read so far make good sense, and I practice many of them, such as picking up loose change on the sidewalk. That happens nearly every day, because I do a lot of walking, a cheap form of transportation. My job, my school, and most of the other places I go to are within walking distance. I make sure of that. If I need or want to go somewhere else, public transportation is available. It costs me less for a monthly bus pass than it would cost to insure an automobile, let alone own and operate one. Being independent of an automobile saves me a lot of hassle and expense; and I feel good about getting around on my own power instead of relying on half a ton or more of machinery to go from place to place.

I don't need to buy a membership at an exercise club and walk on a treadmill, going nowhere. The walking that I do gets me where I want or need to go, and it gives me the exercise I need to avoid becoming overweight. The walking can help keep me healthy and save on medical expenses. All this adds up to a considerable savings, not only moneywise, bit also timewise.

What I am describing is a low-maintenance lifestyle that frees me from the compulsion to earn or otherwise obtain a high income to support it. I end up actually living more, not just "working for a living."

re: Does your frugality drive everyone nuts?

FrugalScot — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:52:16 GMT

I (daughter) grew up in a single parent setting with no child support. We lived in the small cottage my grandfather had built. In order for my mother and I to be able to afford to have things done at home that we couldn't do ourselves, we had to figure out how to do as much as possible ourselves. We would buy the materials and install flooring, cut our own hair, put up fencing, paint etc. by ourselves. I learned how to do more and more. I realized that if I bought a tool to do something, it saved the money of having someone else do it, and then I had the tool for future use! Fortunately, I was studious, and ended up with a Master's Degree. I have a decent job. I chose never to move from my grandfather's home into something grander (and mortgaged) to impress other people. I have a washing machine, but not a dryer and dry my clothes on a line. I do not have television- I am learning to play an instrument instead, and if I am not doing that I am on the Internet or reading, or doing some do-it-yourself project. I use fans instead of air conditioning. I have a perfectly well running refridgerator that is 15 years old. I just repainted it and put new handles on it. Why not? It still works beautifully. I save catsup packs and napkins that are already in the bag on rare trips to McDonald's (I just buy the hamburger, not the fatty fries and sticky soda). I cut my own hair well enough that friends think it is professionally done. I reuse coffee filters several times and dry paper towels that clean but just wet with water. I have replaced all the light bulbs in my house with compact fluorescent bulbs and use a power strip with anything that has an LCD display that can't be shut off so I can shut it down. Yes, my friends think I'm a bit "out there", but they like me anyway. (The ones most upset with me seem to be the ones in deepest financial hot water!) I save 33% of my pretax income. In short, I don't pay anyone to do anything I can do myself, and I've learned to do a lot!

I rarely eat in restaurants--- but when I do--- I TIP! Being a waitress is one very, very difficult job and waitstaff frequently rely heavily on tips for their income. When coworkers are collecting for *** cancer or MS, they can always count on me for a generous donation. If friends need me for help, I am always there for them. I am described as a warm cheerful personality. I consider myself a happy, lucky person. I really don't want for anything. I felt sorry for many people during the economic downturn, because they have never learned to live that way, whereas I feel as though I had training in it!

I save for a sense of security and peacefulness, but the most interesting thing is that the more I save, the more I realize that the most important things in life cannot be bought, and are too vast to be contained in any wallet or bank.

re: Does your frugality drive everyone nuts?

Tiana — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 04:10:23 GMT

I've probably always been frugal, but I've learned to 'get by' in a lot of things. I lived 10 years in a 19' Travel Trailer. I learned 'Vertical'. I lived in Nashville, TN and had a ball! I was living on a fixed income, and started saving aluminum for extra money. I also learned I had to sell everything a couple times a year... But then I discovered Thrift Stores. I bought things I sold for three and four times what I paid for them. For instance, a really nice night stand, painted navy blue, I got for $4. I sold it for $20. I bought a microwave for $15 and sold it for $45. Bought another microwave for $15 and sold it for $45. Then I couldn't find another one... finally paid $37.50 for one and kept it!

Moved to Ohio. Lost my 'network'...everything was higher... couldn't even afford a phone for 2 years. Finally got my feet under me, quit 'buying' cigarettes, bought a house (cigarette money!), a duplex, at that. Moved in upstairs when first tenant moved out. Furnished it from the alley! I am shocked, amazed and thrilled by what people throw out! More Thrift Stores in Columbus than in Nashville. Don't really sell much, but I have now furnished BOTH apartments, live downstairs and charge more rent for upper unit than my payment is. Life is good.

re: Does your frugality drive everyone nuts?

Nick — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 21:22:43 GMT

I used to be frugal myself, then I learned how to make more money. I also learned to STOP letting money control my life. Also, NOT spending money hurts our economy. NOT tipping our servers, hurts their bottom line. AND being frugal with family and friends, can hurt relationships. I noticed one of the 'Frugal' people, was divorced.

Please...seek help.

And I'm serious about how I used ot be SUPER frugal. I also had very few freinds and had low self esteem. Don't live your life like this!

re: Does your frugality drive everyone nuts?

laverne — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 03:39:11 GMT

washing diapers is not gross. not fun but not gross either. what did moms do before they made pampers? and kotex and tampons? our grandmothers used rags and washed them to use again. i love hanging my clothes on the line. even in january. i hang out always unless it is raining of course. always use coupons. match them up with sales for the best bargains. and i also take a few extra napkins at the fast food places when we go. never catsup. do not like the catsup in those packets. always pick up change when i see it. hey it is money. the girls i work with make me cringe when they talk about the things they buy and how much money they owe. no wonder everyone is in the pickle we are in today. i just found a recipe for homemade laundry soap. i purchased everthing and plan on trying it.

re: Does your frugality drive everyone nuts?

KC4KUJhox — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 19:48:53 GMT

I have been a frugal person for over 35 years and it makes some of my family laugh. I don't care how much amusement they get from my tightwad ways, I benefit greatly and so do they. I used the extra money I had from thrifty living to invest in a few companies (Wal-mart, Johnson & Johnson, McDonalds are real winners and out-performed the losers 10 to 1) and these investments, which have totaled about $100,000 over the last 35 years, allowed me to retire 8 years ago at age 50. I didn't live a life of total deprivation during that time. We traveled, ate at restaurants 3 or 4 times a week, own a house free and clear, and sent all three children through college debt-free. All the change we find goes to the church food pantry every year. They got $124.50 one year and about $90 to $100 most years. They all think it is funny when I find some other way to save a dime here or there, but they do the same thing because it pays off so well.

re: Does your frugality drive everyone nuts?

Jennifer — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 04:52:08 GMT

"I once watched a woman gather leftovers from the tables of a fast food then sit outside feeding it to cats who were homeless themselves. Frugality is just the wise positioning of resources to those who need it most." I think bojig pretty much sums up the concept of frugality. Personally, I refuse to pay full price for something if I know that I can get it for cheaper somewhere else-what's the sense of paying more? It simply allows you to allocate more resources for something else. I'm not a penny-pincher, but I will buy something online vs. buying in the store if it will save me $10-$15. Anyone who has a "problem" with that can start paying my bills. At least I have the peace of mind and security that accompanies being debt-free, not having creditors call my house, being approved for a mortgage, etc...

re: Does your frugality drive everyone nuts?

DaveC — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 20:48:28 GMT

I use coupons every time I shop and save between 35% and 42% off my grocery bill.

Certianly I get comments about being cheap. But the fact of the matter is I have money left over that is invested for my next vacation. Cash in King. I could easily take a year off from work and would do OK. The people that spend more than they make will always be scrambling to make ends meet. I also donate some of my surplus food and monye to local charities so they benefit also. So it is not about greed in any way.