Comments on: What Drives You to Be Frugal

By: Vin

Vin — Wed, 16 May 2012 11:43:02 +0000

Being frugal is a way of life that some people have to strive for. For others, it’s a natural instinct. Something that was instilled in them from birth. We learned how to save and not how to waste. Now, I can’t stop myself. I definetly ain’t buying anything that costs too much or rather took me many hours to earn money for. My dad always told me after I purchased something, “how many hours did you work to pay for that?”. After the first expensive purchase, I was left with such a bad feeling….a lot like I’d been taking advantage of. I learned after that and made wiser purchases and there ya have it!

By: Tayo

Tayo — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 22:15:12 +0000

Wow nice to see other people with similar ideologies. Though I do give myself some unexpected “expensive’ treats once in a while because it’s good for the reward system of the brain, I didn’t get a car until I had enough money to buy two of the same car. People who earn more than I do sometimes think I’ve got so much money, meanwhile they just have poor management of their finances and get plenty of clothes and shoes which probably they don’t need. I don’t usually keep more than 4 sets of work clothes and casual clothes because they just occupy space.

By: AJ

AJ — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 19:03:56 +0000

Christy,

I play a similar game. I like to “discover” the old ways of everything. What did our ancestors do before modern technology and marketing? How did they wash a pot or their teeth? What does a homemade apple pie taste like? Do I really need another gas powered tool? How was it done before? I’m enjoying the journey back in time. It’s way past frugality, it’s a way of life and I love it.

By: SusieQ

SusieQ — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 18:51:08 +0000

Also recently divorced, I would rather not have meaningless ‘things’ which clutter but would rather save for my own place in the near future. Taking better care of my health will save me real money now and in years to come. Conflicting money management issues were a huge factor which led to our divorce. As I stay in touch with my grown sons, I realize that they are quickly learning money management which they couldn’t/wouldn’t learn before due to the family dynamic.

By: amifrugalreallydeepdown

amifrugalreallydeepdown — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 18:08:23 +0000

I started denying myself newer and expensive stuff as I didn’t want to burden my parents in my teens. And showing off is vulgar is what my mom drilled into me, So it is second nature for me to use my brain instead of being lured by the ad-spin. I really do not need a lot of the ugly stuff to be considered civilized – a lot of that BHG , Martha Stewart, Nate Berjus stuff is plainly creating demand where none existed before. And then I splurge very occasionally on stuff I really LOVE. Which is not much. As I grow up I find I am more concerned about real stuff like my parent’s health, my kid’s education and living environment than being the best consumer. I am not concerned anymore of making a statement with my clothes, jewellery or shoes. I just am.

By: Cleo

Cleo — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 23:56:48 +0000

Because I feel the items that we are tempted to buy are huge ripoffs and totally unnecessary including video games. I always had a paperback copy of an Agatha Christie novel in my hand growing up – that was my toy.

By: Rafa

Rafa — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 21:42:46 +0000

The things own you. You do not own the things!!!!!

By: Frank

Frank — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 13:05:20 +0000

Although my father was a doctor, as a child my mother gave me dripping (beef fat) sandwiches with salt and pepper to remind me what they ate during the depression. My mother kept a stockpile of canned food in the storeroom ‘in case’.

Orphaned in my early teens, I became frugal a) because I was alone and didn’t have anyone to turn to, and b) for intellectual interest, as I like to do calculations (I have many budget/spending spreadsheets).

Agreeing with the article – I was intrigued with a student the other day who said he preferred to buy the most expensive because he assumed it would be the best quality – I prefer to spend least (buying top quality in perfect condition second-hand at garage sales for 1/10th of the new price works for me) and enjoy having money in the bank so I can, without hesitation, book an overseas holiday without a financial concern. Repair, reuse, recycle. Today I took home a perfect kitchen knife someone had put in the rubbish.

I rarely use cash, and have automatic savings plans, my credit card balance is paid automatically each month, and measure water/electricity cost, e.g. 2c/toilet flush, 30-60c/hot shower, and brew my own beer for about $15/23 liters so a 300mm bottle costs me about 25c rather than $3-6 from the pub.

We mostly cook at home, but enjoy a local cheap restaurant for about $10 once a week. I live in the city so mostly walk, and drive my 20yo car worth about $1000 about twice a week which irritates me as it loses value rather than growing like most of my investments.

Rather than the hedonic treadmill seeking good feelings from spending money, instead I get pleasure from saving money!

By: Susan

Susan — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 16:46:32 +0000

Wow, I never actually realized I was frugal until I read the comments above.
I also cook at home, buy fresh produce at the cheap Greek and Vietnamese markets (not Whole Foods, like my friends!) drive a 2004 Element (bought used after reading Consumer Reports about reliability) , always carry lunches, etc. We also only buy clothes on sale or off season.
Still, I feel like we could do more.
We’re thinking about selling our house to get our hands on the equity before prices fall yet.. It’s always been a bit pricey for us here, given our incomes, and we probably shouldn’t have bought it. Though we’ve saved/earned $20,000 per year in our retirement account, and have significant equity in our home, we don’t have any liquid assets, and I HATE that feeling!

By: Kathy

Kathy — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 11:54:51 +0000

For 34 years my mantra was “I can’t retire if I spend all my money.” Now that I’m retired (at 56), my mantra is, “I can’t stay retired if I spend all my money.”