Embarassing Things You Do To Save Money

[Anonymous]

HHI $350

Nothing too radical but:
-I always buy our clothing on sale. Usually at Target.
-I shop at Value Village Thrift Store about 4 times per year. Many of my kids' clothes come from there.
-I donate everything we're done using, photograph it, and deduct it on our taxes. Every pair of infant socks, every old tee shirt, etc.
-We never go out to nice restaurants.
-We flex our work schedules to avoid paying for an after-school nanny. We pay for this by working evenings.

Spurges
-We take awesome vacations. Europe or Asia for a week/10 days each spring break (family of 5). Beach/mountains for 2 weeks each summer.
-We live in upper NW in a lovely house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow - there are some seriously cheap people out there.

Frugal isn't the same as cheap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow - there are some seriously cheap people out there.

Frugal isn't the same as cheap.

I used to buy all my kids clothes from the thrift store. I would look up on craigslist for clothing, furniture, everything
Price compared every item on the shelf in the grocery store
On Halloween, I would always cook the pumpkin that was used for decoration
Take my own food to work, but occationally spend
I used to knit my kids their sweaters, even learned to sow once

Sometimes I would buy discount coupons to stores from e-bay, bought some used brand name items from there as well. Always cooked meals, never did take out or restaurants. Movies was a rare occation.

Then I got sick of it and started spending. Now I am thinking of going back to my old ways. The over consumption of our society is out of hand.

And yes, I think being cheap is the same as being frugal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow - there are some seriously cheap people out there.

Frugal isn't the same as cheap.

I used to buy all my kids clothes from the thrift store. I would look up on craigslist for clothing, furniture, everything
Price compared every item on the shelf in the grocery store
On Halloween, I would always cook the pumpkin that was used for decoration
Take my own food to work, but occationally spend
I used to knit my kids their sweaters, even learned to sow once

Sometimes I would buy discount coupons to stores from e-bay, bought some used brand name items from there as well. Always cooked meals, never did take out or restaurants. Movies was a rare occation.

Then I got sick of it and started spending. Now I am thinking of going back to my old ways. The over consumption of our society is out of hand.

And yes, I think being cheap is the same as being frugal.

No. Frugality and cheapness both save you money, but the intent and philosophy behind them are different. Frugality involves a conscious and prudent use of funds in an attempt to get the most out of your money while still living a full life. Being cheap focuses on spending the least amount of money possible and often going without, even when doing so negatively affects your quality of life.

A cheap person will buy the least expensive pair of shoes that he or she can find, regardless of quality, and wear them even if they are uncomfortable or develop holes. A frugal person will research the best pair of shoes for their need and their budget, invest in the highest quality they feel they can afford, and take care of them properly so they last a long time.

[Anonymous]

Cheap pay twice. I'm deathly scared to bring in bed bugs with used furniture. Many things listed here cost more in time and effort spent acquiring them. People taking advantage of others' generosity pay with having no friends to turn to in time of real need. I am all for being frugal, just don't be cheap.

[Anonymous]

So is buying used name brand shoes from e-bay being frugal or being cheap?
When you do not have money, you go without even if you would not be frugal, and that would also negatively affect your quality of life.
What is a negative affect on a quality of life is also debatable. Some like houses that are cool, others want it hot. Some cannot do without air conditioning, others do not really like it. Some just have to get by with what they have.
A school friend of mine was raised to always switch off lights. They rarely used electricity in their home

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow - there are some seriously cheap people out there.

Frugal isn't the same as cheap.

I used to buy all my kids clothes from the thrift store. I would look up on craigslist for clothing, furniture, everything
Price compared every item on the shelf in the grocery store
On Halloween, I would always cook the pumpkin that was used for decoration
Take my own food to work, but occationally spend
I used to knit my kids their sweaters, even learned to sow once

Sometimes I would buy discount coupons to stores from e-bay, bought some used brand name items from there as well. Always cooked meals, never did take out or restaurants. Movies was a rare occation.

Then I got sick of it and started spending. Now I am thinking of going back to my old ways. The over consumption of our society is out of hand.

And yes, I think being cheap is the same as being frugal.

No. Frugality and cheapness both save you money, but the intent and philosophy behind them are different. Frugality involves a conscious and prudent use of funds in an attempt to get the most out of your money while still living a full life. Being cheap focuses on spending the least amount of money possible and often going without, even when doing so negatively affects your quality of life.

A cheap person will buy the least expensive pair of shoes that he or she can find, regardless of quality, and wear them even if they are uncomfortable or develop holes. A frugal person will research the best pair of shoes for their need and their budget, invest in the highest quality they feel they can afford, and take care of them properly so they last a long time.

+1

From moneycrashers.com:

Frugal
•Looking for deals and taking advantage of sales and promotions when you were already planning on purchasing something
•Delaying pleasure and instant gratification to make a big purchase
•Not making a point to tell friends and family every time you saved money
•Not obsessed with brands
•Does not sacrifice quality to buy something only because it is cheaper

Cheap
•Your cheapness affects the quality of life of others such as spouse or family
•Your basic needs are of lesser quality
•You never splurge a little when you have the money to spend
•You will sacrifice quality to buy what is the cheapest

Budgetsimple.com:

https://www.budgetsimple.com/blog/the-difference-between-being-frugal-and-being-cheap/

See also:

http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/blog/cheap-versus-frugal/

[Anonymous]

Poster from way back:

I forgot to add I have started buying spices from the Hispanic section of the grocery store. Much, much cheaper, just as flavorful. And they are also FDA inspected.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I too am a high income thrift store shopper. I dress rather simply, but when I go to those stores, I generally feel like I'm the richest person there. I feel a bit embarassed, as if I should be shopping elsewhere. But this thread is showing me that there are plenty of wealthy thrift store shoppers. They probably even dress down to look the part.

I'm having difficulty understanding the thrift store shopping when sales at department/mall stores are so good. Thrift stores in my area either have really threadbare/trendy out-of-date clothing or the good clothing they have is priced on-par with finding it on sale new at the store. Buying designer there is such a risk, especially purses, as the knock-off rate is SO high.

I can see going to look for vintage pieces, but to simply get Ann Taylor clothing or designer jeans that Nordstrom's Rack carries for the same price or $10 new? Makes no sense to me.

I do, however, understand the thrill of the hunt.

Bottom line is I'm understanding the importance of investment pieces as I age. Paying $250 for a 3K Carolina Herrera dress at Saks Off-Fifth will take me farther than an Ann Taylor thrift store purchase. When I decide to sell that, I will get close to - if not more - than 3K. Especially if I hold it long enough to make it considered vintage.

V
+1

I can't believe how many high income earners shop at thrift stores. I used to but don't anymore. Frankly they are kindof gross and I'd rather focus on getting a raise or saving on big ticket items like furniture or a car.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I copy music and movies from my friend who downloads them for free. I buy pirated DVDs sometimes. Mostly because there is a place that sells them near me. I am rich and I should be able to buy this stuff. As I type, I do feel slightly guilty but I haven't quite been able to stop myself yet.

My flawed logic is that millions of people are doing the same thing. This could be a subject for another thread.

That's awful.

[Anonymous]

I also think thrift shops are gross.
These poor kids in used clothes.
I would rather have my kids wear walmart, gasp than used crap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I also think thrift shops are gross.
These poor kids in used clothes.
I would rather have my kids wear walmart, gasp than used crap.

I don't know what thrift shops you have looked at but here is what I see happening at Value Village:
They get mountains of donated clothes. Who do you think donates used clothes in our area? Poor families with lots of kids? No, they will pass them down until they are worn out. The clothes come from middle class and upper middle class families who have more clothes than they need or can pass down to others in their family/circle of friends. We buy Gap, Gymboree, Lands End, Brooks Brothers, LL Bean and Talbots at Value Village.

Unless you talked to us, you would not know that we are wearing (gasp, clutch your pearls) used clothes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I also think thrift shops are gross.
These poor kids in used clothes.
I would rather have my kids wear walmart, gasp than used crap.

Please don't feel sorry for my kids in their used clothes. My thriftiness in an area where I don't place a lot of value, allows me to travel with my kids and expose them to things we otherwise would not be able to see/do if I allocated my money differently. Ask my sons if they would rather wear a perfectly good pair of used levi's and hike to waterfalls in a South American rainforest or wear designer clothing right off the rack.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I also think thrift shops are gross.
These poor kids in used clothes.
I would rather have my kids wear walmart, gasp than used crap.

Please don't feel sorry for my kids in their used clothes. My thriftiness in an area where I don't place a lot of value, allows me to travel with my kids and expose them to things we otherwise would not be able to see/do if I allocated my money differently. Ask my sons if they would rather wear a perfectly good pair of used levi's and hike to waterfalls in a South American rainforest or wear designer clothing right off the rack.

I meant to add and only be able to travel to the local pool over summer break.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I too am a high income thrift store shopper. I dress rather simply, but when I go to those stores, I generally feel like I'm the richest person there. I feel a bit embarassed, as if I should be shopping elsewhere. But this thread is showing me that there are plenty of wealthy thrift store shoppers. They probably even dress down to look the part.

I'm having difficulty understanding the thrift store shopping when sales at department/mall stores are so good. Thrift stores in my area either have really threadbare/trendy out-of-date clothing or the good clothing they have is priced on-par with finding it on sale new at the store. Buying designer there is such a risk, especially purses, as the knock-off rate is SO high.

I can see going to look for vintage pieces, but to simply get Ann Taylor clothing or designer jeans that Nordstrom's Rack carries for the same price or $10 new? Makes no sense to me.

I do, however, understand the thrill of the hunt.

Bottom line is I'm understanding the importance of investment pieces as I age. Paying $250 for a 3K Carolina Herrera dress at Saks Off-Fifth will take me farther than an Ann Taylor thrift store purchase. When I decide to sell that, I will get close to - if not more - than 3K. Especially if I hold it long enough to make it considered vintage.

I agree. You can get much better deals on new clothes if you shop online with discount codes and use a cashback site like ebates. I went to a few kids consignment shops after having my baby and the prices were higher than what I can find on sale for clothes. Maybe thrift stores are less but you truly can get great prices online.