topic Re: Are you frugal in Among Friends

Are you frugal

ccassaday — Sun, 06 May 2018 17:26:47 GMT

I was listening to some Dave Ramsey videos. Some of these calls just blow my mind. One they he said i thought was true. People who retire with a good nest egg have one trait. They live below their means and dont go into debt.

We just moved to a new build. We needed a new tv stand that wouldmatch the stain in our house. My parents are not ready to go and get nice furniture yet. They found a stend on a garage sale site for $30. Its super nice. It has a coulple scratches bur we have stain that was used for the house to fix it.

My parents never drove brand nee cars. My mom would usually get one that was about 3 years old or so. My dads car was just used to go back wnd forth to work. He would drive older cars and pay cash. He still has a very old car.

Its not like they couldnt afford those newer cars. But putting money into retirement and other things was more important. They also didnt spend money on things they could do themselves. They are still this way.

So are you frugal. What things are you frugal about?

Re: Are you frugal

IMW — Sun, 06 May 2018 17:35:19 GMT

I spend on things that matter to me or make my life easier: take out food, going out with dh, saving for grandsons college fund, skin care etc

Frugal: used car only, old furniture, keeping things if they still can be used, do my own cleaning, read library books only since I read so many, no fancy vacations etc.

Re: Are you frugal

Newgate — Sun, 06 May 2018 17:38:48 GMT

We were frugal when we were young and raising our family. My husband was handy and could fix most things in our house and our cars which we would buy new but they were not expensive cars! We made payments and always paid them off sooner than we had to.

Our children always had what they needed and never wore expensive clothes, nor did we!

Now we live a comfortable life in retirement and can afford a cleaning person and my husband can still repair some things himself but some jobs are too much for him now so we hire. His age has caught up with him!

Re: Are you frugal

ccassaday — Sun, 06 May 2018 17:43:09 GMT

People assume someone is broke because they drive old cars. But that sometimes is the opposite. They may have lots of money. But dont think they need to show it with a fancy car or other flashy things.

I remember when we sold our house. A older car was sitting outside our house looking at it. It turned lit she gave her daughter the cash to buy our house. She was going through a divorce so needed to get her finances seperated before getting a loan.

Re: Are you frugal

house_cat — Sun, 06 May 2018 17:46:08 GMT

I'm frugal with my time, not my money. Time is precious to me and growing more so as DH and I get older. I resent anything that I consider to be a waste of time.

Re: Are you frugal

Annabellethecat66 — Sun, 06 May 2018 17:46:32 GMT

Absolutely not! Not bragging. I don't think it's a good quality to NOT be frugal. I think middle of the road is the best way to be.

I figure at my age (71) if I want something (within reason) I get it. Might as well enjoy life.

The trick is to have enough til he end and enjoy life comfortably.

I have a friend who is frugal in many things. She is very generous in a lot of ways but mostly when it comes to herself, she skimps. It drives me crazy!

She has plenty of money, is retired. She is a widow, doesn't have children and has one older sister.

Re: Are you frugal

panda1234 — Sun, 06 May 2018 17:49:21 GMT

This is a great question. I think or would like to think I am frugal. Use coupons, only buy what is on sale at the market, condense my driving to use less gas, do my own cleaning and get take out once a month as a treat. I try to do what I can to save money.

Re: Are you frugal

Sooner — Sun, 06 May 2018 18:02:55 GMT

I don't think you can quantify "frugal". It depends on your income, your wants and needs and what you are cheap about. I think everyone has things they are cheap about, but it doesn't mean they are "frugal."

So you you mean tight, a tightwad, penny pencher, cheapskate, hoarder, etc.? Do you mean someone who won't buy anything? Someone who only buys what they need and quality items? So many possibilities.

Re: Are you frugal

Mominohio — Sun, 06 May 2018 18:05:48 GMT

I think most people could be considered frugal in some aspect or other of their spending/consumption. I think it varies for everyone, based on what is important to them and what is not.

Clothing, shoes, handbags, jewlery, beauty products mean virtually nothing to me. I have as little of those things as I can get by with, and I spend very little money on them. I'm more than happy to get shirts, jackets etc. at a thrift store for a couple of bucks.

But I want a new car when it's time to replace. And only because we will keep it for at least 10 years, usually much longer. It will never be one with many bells and whistles, but I want new to get more time out of it. I've had many used cars that served their purpose as well, though.

To be frugal I do the following.

Keep a car forever.

Do as many things for myself as I can. Clean my own house, do my own yard/landscaping, do my own painting, detail my own car, have my husband do all our mechanical work, do as many home repairs as we have the knowledge/capability of doing.

Stay home. Sometimes I like to run and see and do, but it costs money. I go through spells where I opt to stay home and stay busy here and it save gas, spending money, eating out etc. Not the way I want to live my entire life, but I go through spells that to afford something else, I stop the going and doing for a time.

Sell things I'm getting rid of rather than give them away. This isn't for everyone, but I got tired of simply donating things that I knew I could get a little money for. I used to have garage sales, but too much work for so little money. Instead I've been listing things on FB garage sale sites, and much less work, much better return. There is consignment selling too.

Cook at home and from scratch. I'm amazed at what some people spend eating out all the time, some I know that 'don't have two dimes to rub together', but eat out daily. I would say we might eat out (including take out) maybe a couple of times a month at the most.

Grow a lot of our own food. Big garden and fruit orchard here. Lots of work, and it's far from 'free', but we do it because we like the results as well as the process.

Stock up on sale. Whether it is groceries, household products, health and beauty aids, basic clothing etc. When it is on rock bottom sale prices, get enough to get through to the next big sale. This only works if you know what you will use, and actually use it in a timely manner.

Make saving a pattern. When you make it a 'pay yourself first' kind of thing, and do it on a regular basis, you might find that it becomes more fulfilling to save than to spend. I know I have come to that point.

Be generous. Giving to others helps establish a sense of gratitude and gratefulness for what one has, and puts into perspective how much we already have, and that we don't really need as much as we sometimes think we do.

Re: Are you frugal

KatieB — Sun, 06 May 2018 18:11:21 GMT

I wish I was and I wish I had been before I retired. My parents were extremely frugal, growing up thru the depression and being very poor farmers. My sister was frugal. Their motto was you don't buy it unless you absolutely need it. Need is the important word here. That's one lesson that if I had a do over I would learn from and take it to heart...

Re: Are you frugal

QVCkitty1 — Sun, 06 May 2018 18:16:47 GMT

I think that I'm careful since I'm retired and money is not as plentiful. I love to read and have a kindle, I never deny myself whatever books that I want. I HATE yard work, so I hire it done, to me that is a luxury. I enjoy myself within limits, and never feel deprived. I've only touched my savings once since I've bee retired, so I must be doing something right.

Re: Are you frugal

Big Joanie — Sun, 06 May 2018 18:35:41 GMT

I told Hubby .. the one thing I must have are my books .. i do do the

kindle .. but sometimes i just want a book .....

i too love reading ... ever since I picked up that first Nancy Drew !!!

Re: Are you frugal

ccassaday — Sun, 06 May 2018 18:36:45 GMT

We have a couple people we know who have house keepers. My mom always goes why would i pay someone to clean my house. I am calable of cleaning my own home. Its not lije she cant sfford it. She thinks its silly when she is able to do it herself. My dad is doing all the excavation and landscsping at our new house with my grandmas tractor. When we moved we saved probably a $1000 getting help and just getting a uhaul. It was a lot of work but we still have that money in our pocket.

Re: Are you frugal

ccassaday — Sun, 06 May 2018 18:45:34 GMT

@Sooner wrote:
I don't think you can quantify "frugal". It depends on your income, your wants and needs and what you are cheap about. I think everyone has things they are cheap about, but it doesn't mean they are "frugal."

So you you mean tight, a tightwad, penny pencher, cheapskate, hoarder, etc.? Do you mean someone who won't buy anything? Someone who only buys what they need and quality items? So many possibilities.

Basically what I am saying there are people who can buy all new and buy whatever they want. But theycfhoise not to. For instance we could of got a $800 tv stand. But for now we spent $30 and got a nice used one. Or the person who could afford that new car but they choose to drive s older car. I think the point Dave was making is every self made person who retires with a huge nest egg most likely didn’t splurge on fancy cars and found other ways to buy things that were cheaper. Even though they could of afforded it. I am amazed at just the average income I read of people who wealthy now in retirement. It really doesn’t take a lot. Just be smart with your money.

Re: Are you frugal

Fiero Woman — Sun, 06 May 2018 18:56:40 GMT

Being frugal comes in many forms. When it comes to my family and pets frugal never comes into play. Never frugal with food. I am not a a possessions person, those do not matter to me as I am 70, never loved clothes.. I enloy great sheets, cookware, things for everyday life. I gifted my grandaughter and daughter my jewelery and let them choose what they wanted from my house so I can see them enjoy the items. I rescue wildlife so that is my passion.

Re: Are you frugal

Skyegirl21 — Sun, 06 May 2018 18:58:51 GMT

Yes! I love being frugal, it’s a fun challenge. I rarely buy new, and if new, never pay full price. I take pride in DIYing everything, I’ve taken down wallpaper, painted many rooms, refinished tables and staircases, cook all the time, double meals, bring my lunch to work everyday, cut my dogs claws, trim her fur, brush her teeth, detail my car, anything to save money. I DIY anything that’s not brain surgery or rocket science!

But it balances because admittedly in the past, I bought Too Much Stuff. I am trying to break the habit.

Re: Are you frugal

GCR18 — Sun, 06 May 2018 19:00:12 GMT

I am not frugal. My buying habits though have changed over the years. I can see retirement out in the horizon. To prepare, I've been cutting back.

Re: Are you frugal

ccassaday — Sun, 06 May 2018 19:03:41 GMT

I do think its important that if you are frugal you still spend momey on some things to enjoy life. I mean what fun is it being frugal and being so tight you dont enjoy spending some money on the things you enjoy.

Re: Are you frugal

ccassaday — Sun, 06 May 2018 19:07:10 GMT

My sister was laughing the other day because my mom finally went out and bought new jeans for the first time in ten years. She says they still look good why buy more lol.

Re: Are you frugal

RedTop — Sun, 06 May 2018 19:09:56 GMT

Yes, I am frugal, and at times just plain cheap. We do live below our means, and have no debt.

I have, and always will spend the money for quality things for my home and family.

I’m not a shopper; no interest in clothes, shoes, jewelry, or CD’s. I don’t go to the movies or buy DVD’s. I don’t have any expensive hobbies, and am not into traveling, or eating out. My current vehicle is 5 years old and has 22,000 miles on it; I put gas in it about every 6 weeks. I do have a weakness for nice handbags, but $200 is the most I’ll spend for one and I keep it forever.