Why are you frugal?

re: Why are you frugal?

SonyaAnn — Mon, 18 May 2009 13:14:45 GMT

Donna- Another wonderful article, thanking you for always bring together everyone's opinions and pointing out the purpose.

And I think you need to make more than one geysers! You need a practice run and unfortunately I'm speaking from experience. And don't let him try it in his mouth. Don't ask.

re: Why are you frugal?

jackie — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 21:29:56 GMT

I refer to my life as the "simple" life rather than frugal. By simlifying my life and eliminating the "unnecessary" stuff I find that my life is very fulfilling and enriching. I don't have a house full of crap or a closet full of clothes. I can entertain guests on short notice without panicing that the house is a mess. I eat healthier as I make just about all my meals from scratch, resulting in lower blood pressure and cholesterol. Upgrading my DSL now enables me to watch TV over the internet so a $75 a month satellite bill is history. I still look professional for my job and stylish--yet my day-to-day expenses have decreased considerably. Yeah--I DO have to have the "thick skin" as I'll get a few catty remarks (from women) about wearing the same clothes (although washed and clean) and the "library books" instead of the latest Barnes and Noble hardback.. but I can handle it. I was the one taking the trip to Rome last year (paid for in cash) not them..boy were they jealous...

re: Why are you frugal?

R, T. Kohuth — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 03:21:40 GMT

Excerpt from: Casiowiz (Posted 12.08.07 2:29 PM)

Moral judgement is not mine to pass; however, even being tight I love to give to church, charity, and children. Being frugal is one thing, but being cheap is entirely something different entirely.

Mr. or Ms. Casiowiiz, Here is a philosophical question for you or any other readers. You "love to give....". Presumably those generous gifts make you feel good because you said you LOVE to give. Do you regard yourself as generous or do you regard yourself as greedy>

re: Why are you frugal?

R. T. Kohuth — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 03:11:47 GMT

Money is merely the consequence of labor, the residual of your efforts. Frugality comes naturally to most of those who survived the depression, especially if your grandparents were immigrants as were mine. I save and reuse bent nails and wear clothes that were left in the properties I rehab and flip. I multi-task in whichever direction I go. I pick up rusty nuts and bolts for later use. I pick pennies out of urinals and drive ten to twenty year old vehicles. The foregoing and working at least 145 hours weekly for many years has made me richer than I can count,

Frugality becomes a self-rewarding life-style, the money simply accumulates and no longer matters other than for keeping score. If you accumulate enough you discover that money is three things (other than 'score keeping'): a ticket, a tool, or a weapon.

re: Why are you frugal?

ALBERT — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 01:09:21 GMT

I USED TO KNOW AN OLD TIMER FROM THE OLD COUNTRY.. HE HAD NO ELECTRICTIY, CAR, SLEPT ON OLD PAPER BAGS,,,, LIVED IN A SHACK,,,, WALKED FROM NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR FOR MEALS,, HE WAS HAPPY.... BUT HE MUST HAVE BEEN VERY, VERY POOR WHEN HE WAS YOUNG...

re: Why are you frugal?

anon — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:35:26 GMT

my grandfather who bought three pairs of pants for each suit liked to remind people that there is a difference between thrift and penury. He was a wealthy yet generous man who lived well but saved and invested aggressively all f his life.

re: Why are you frugal?

Careful in Columbia — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:04:09 GMT

I am frugal. My Toyota lasted until 219,000 miles. I have a comfortable job, and house and eat out whenever my husband and I want. We support his sister and his mom. Making frugal choices is the right way to live for me. I was 50 yrs old before I allowed myself the $300 Dooney & Bourkes purse. We just bought new furniture after 20 years of the old family room sofa. I never have to worry about my FICO score or having enough money for Christmas. My mother is always in debt and I don't know how she stands to be in $30,000 of credit card debt. That would make me a nervous wreck.

re: Why are you frugal?

Mallorie — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 22:00:07 GMT

I agree partially with Anon. It is wise to be frugal to an extent, and in many areas, people make excuses to spend needlessly. HOWEVER, I disagree with Anon in that one should not stop eating properly to help save money!! One thing that CANNOT be replaced is one's health. There are plenty of penny pinching meals that can be whipped up quickly that are also fresh and nutritious. Eating healthly does not have to mean an instant money hog from a paycheck. Still, a person's health should NEVER be compromised just to save some $$$. That is one area with me that gets only the best, after all, my body is worth it!!! ( But I still get great deals on fresh food, fruits and veggies when I can) :)

re: Why are you frugal?

Jez Rourke — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 20:26:51 GMT

Money is a tool for living a better life. I am most definitely not frugal. I overtip, buy what I want, spend money on toys for the kids in my life. Life is short and hard and treating yourself and those you love the best you can helps. I can't tell you how many elderly people I knew who lived their last ten years like paupers because they were so used to be frugal. They could have used their money to make their old age more comfortable but instead died with hundreds of thousands of dollars which they left to their children.

That just doesn't make sense. Being frugal becomes an addiction. Eighty year olds with money saving string when they can't even use scissors because they have arthritis is absurd.

Also, to the poster who talked about driving old cars and buying muscle cars for their sons to repair..... doesn't make sense either. An old car is unsafe, unreliable, and costs money to drive as well. It makes far better sense economically to buy the most inexpensive new car you can. You'll have a lot less headaches, which is a good thing to spend your money on: making your life easier. Also, I have "fixed up" old cars for years and years. I used to collect old cars. And let me tell you this: it costs more money to fix an old car than it does to buy a new one... and when you fix up an old car, you have an old piece of junk that is essentially a money pit.

Trying so hard to save money very often one can't see the big picture. That cheap old car you bought requires $6,000 in parts, work, paint and never runs right. Buy the cheapest new car and you'll have a decent car for years. Your old "fixed up" will never be a decent car.

Also, building an empire of money while depriving yourself makes no sense whatsoever. Life is short. You can't take your empire with you. Use your money to make your life as comfortable and pleasant as possible. Also, we're all handcuffed to a job. I don't know too many people who can afford not to work and be able to have even the necessities of life like a roof over their heads, food, clothing. And believe me, not too many people like their jobs.

re: Why are you frugal?

Jo — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 18:39:16 GMT

Frugality is mostly a good thing I think - but it can do some strange things to people. My MIL grew up living sometimes in the family car - they had nothing and lots of it. When she got married they were not much better she was VERY good at stretching the family dollar. They once ate chicken for 3 months straight every lunch & dinner as she got a great deal on frozen poultry. My DH grew up in this household - where they never bought anything just because they wanted to. We have been together almost 20 years - and have almost nothing saved due to he buys what he wants just because he wants it.