Comments on: Do You Find Frugality Embarrassing?

By: vicky

vicky — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 23:34:24 +0000

Two coments:

First, I really like this blog and look forward to your posts. You provide much value to readers.

Second, there is a simplicity that accompanies frugality that is a blessing, but we can look well-dressed at the same time. In fact, I think keeping things simple can convey a classic style.

By: In the Money

In the Money — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 22:28:33 +0000

I don’t find frugality embarrassing and I don’t believe in keeping up with the Jones, especially in fashion. I haven’t bought new clothes in over 2 years. However, I do believe that first impressions make a big difference and I do keep a few nice outfits for when I do business or I’m going somewhere where I might meet people who would care about the way I dress.

By: Rebekah

Rebekah — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:44:53 +0000

I fight this all the time, and have learned the best thing to do is to have a few nice outfits that I don’t wear very often. So when I need to dress up, I can. Dress pants, dress shirt, cardigan, dress (for weddings, cocktails), and a nice pair of heels that matches everything (red works). I buy in solids and dark colors, so everything matches. And I found a really nice seed pearl necklace at a craft fair for 1/3 of the cost it would be in stores. I’ve used it at every special event since.

By: kenyantykoon

kenyantykoon — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 06:34:59 +0000

i find it embarrassing when i am with my very stylish friends and i am in dirty faded 5 year old jeans and a plain t shirt that i bought in a yard sale. but other than that i really dont feel all that self conscious-i spend a lot of time alone working and whatnot. in my defense, my friends spend all the money that they dont even have and i invest it in my businesses and my portfolios. it is a case of delayed gratification for me. i win in the end

By: Wilson Pon

Wilson Pon — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 06:14:31 +0000

I’m a very optimistic person and I proud to be frugal, David!

By: Greg@eliminatethemuda.com

Greg@eliminatethemuda.com — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 04:56:00 +0000

I was just working on a post and learned that the average houshold spends about $1800 per year on clothing…..we spend nowhere near that for a family of 4.

We don’t dress like the Jones’ and we are proud that we don’t have the financial concerns of the Jones’ either.

My money looks better in my bank than on my body!

By: MoneyNing

MoneyNing — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 21:25:07 +0000

Welcome and glad you can join us in our little discussions every day!

I normally won’t buy something just because I see others have it, but our people watching trip at the mall the other day really made me realized that perhaps buying once a year isn’t so bad.

But then, Emma always say that I end up picking out the same shirts all the time anyway, so either
a) I will start always wearing the new pair of pants, and the investment becomes a great one. Or…
b) I never wear it, and will probably go return it!

By: Anthony K.

Anthony K. — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 21:05:18 +0000

First time commenter David, love what I have read since I have been here.

I must say that my wife and I are on two completely different spectrums when it comes to this.

I choose to RARELY buy anything, much less clothes, unless I am getting an absolutely great deal on whatever it is I am buying. My wife has to basically force me to buy things (this includes clothes; I still wear shirts from when I was in college…..six years ago).

As for my wife, she would change her name to Jones in a heartbeat if she could afford it. She loves nothing more than to buy a new pair of jeans or shoes or splurge on a purse or dress. Not that she doesn’t know that we are in debt or have a sense of wanting to be seen and known, but moreso because she tends to want to stay on top of whatever is going on in fashion, movies or Hollywood.

I will admit though, i have found myself in the same spot you did, in feeling that others were in fact dressed better then me. Yet, I still couldn’t bring myself to buy that new pair of pants.

By: MoneyNing

MoneyNing — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:16:40 +0000

I think it all boils down to experience. Once a person experiences pain due to his perception, he learns to adapt and be more open minded about potential clients. As it stands, he will probably not know what he missed because I will be hesitant to ever step back into his office.

By: Steve C @ MyWifeQuitHerJob.com

Steve C @ MyWifeQuitHerJob.com — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:17:50 +0000

Here in the silicon valley, you can never tell if someone is loaded. There are tons of twenty somethings running around that are multi-millionaires and still dress like college students. That accountant you met with would miss out on a lot of business up here. Perhaps perceptions matter more in LA.