I have money, but this is where I cheap out

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Cheap prepaid cell phone service which is terrible..

Which one do you use?
Simple mobile?

[Anonymous]

Food. We eat out maybe 2-3 times a week, and even then it's pretty basic (wings, Chinese). I also am vigilant about not wasting food and we eat simply at home unless it's a special occasion - lots of pasta, soup, sandwiches. I do splurge on sourdough from our local bakery - $7 a loaf!

We share a car and it is a non-luxury brand.

Clothes. I will occasionally get a nice dress from Nordstrom but only for a wedding or similar. Day to day my family wears clothes from TJ Maxx, Target, and Walmart (esp the kids). We also don't buy clothes that often. I do have a LOT of shoes - my weakness - but nothing designer. I've been using the same handbags for years.

Our house. We bought a small and not updated house and I have no interest in moving or expanding our existing space. Our mortgage is $1600 a month and we live in an excellent school district.

I do have cleaners. I consider it worth every penny.

I spend a lot on makeup (Dior, Chanel) and perfume. And I will get a professional massage/facial every month or two, which I recognize is a total splurge.

We do spend on vacations/travel.

Combined we make a very comfortable HHI. (Low-to-mid six figures.)

Both my DH and I are spenders by nature but I manage the finances, and just approach it as I would a small business. I put on my MBA hat to manage our finances and recognize that I would much rather have cash in reserves than have had a bunch of BS experiences and things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Paying more than something is worth, like a $6 soda at a hotel, even though I can afford it (I also don’t drink soda but my kids get it on vacation). I really dislike paying such a markup for things so I’ll go to convenience stores to buy things instead.

This. I can pay for convenience for many things (cleaners, yard, better travel) but stupid stuff like airport food or stopping for takeout when I can eat cereal at home in 5 minutes or zip to the grocery store. I'll be frugal even if it's inconvenient.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Food. We eat out maybe 2-3 times a week, and even then it's pretty basic (wings, Chinese). I also am vigilant about not wasting food and we eat simply at home unless it's a special occasion - lots of pasta, soup, sandwiches. I do splurge on sourdough from our local bakery - $7 a loaf!

We share a car and it is a non-luxury brand.

Clothes. I will occasionally get a nice dress from Nordstrom but only for a wedding or similar. Day to day my family wears clothes from TJ Maxx, Target, and Walmart (esp the kids). We also don't buy clothes that often. I do have a LOT of shoes - my weakness - but nothing designer. I've been using the same handbags for years.

Our house. We bought a small and not updated house and I have no interest in moving or expanding our existing space. Our mortgage is $1600 a month and we live in an excellent school district.

I do have cleaners. I consider it worth every penny.

I spend a lot on makeup (Dior, Chanel) and perfume. And I will get a professional massage/facial every month or two, which I recognize is a total splurge.

We do spend on vacations/travel.

Combined we make a very comfortable HHI. (Low-to-mid six figures.)

Both my DH and I are spenders by nature but I manage the finances, and just approach it as I would a small business. I put on my MBA hat to manage our finances and recognize that I would much rather have cash in reserves than have had a bunch of BS experiences and things.

Eating out 2-3 times a week is not frugal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Clothes. We are UMC and I just can’t make myself shop for nice clothes. I still hunt for sales and shop at Target. I need help.

You don't really need help.

Here's my solution. Pants and shirts at Target or Macy's. Suites and dresses that last a long time, Nordstrom or Brooks Brothers. So I have a fantastic new suite, cost hundereds, but I have a nice H&M shell under it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Food. We eat out maybe 2-3 times a week, and even then it's pretty basic (wings, Chinese). I also am vigilant about not wasting food and we eat simply at home unless it's a special occasion - lots of pasta, soup, sandwiches. I do splurge on sourdough from our local bakery - $7 a loaf!

We share a car and it is a non-luxury brand.

Clothes. I will occasionally get a nice dress from Nordstrom but only for a wedding or similar. Day to day my family wears clothes from TJ Maxx, Target, and Walmart (esp the kids). We also don't buy clothes that often. I do have a LOT of shoes - my weakness - but nothing designer. I've been using the same handbags for years.

Our house. We bought a small and not updated house and I have no interest in moving or expanding our existing space. Our mortgage is $1600 a month and we live in an excellent school district.

I do have cleaners. I consider it worth every penny.

I spend a lot on makeup (Dior, Chanel) and perfume. And I will get a professional massage/facial every month or two, which I recognize is a total splurge.

We do spend on vacations/travel.

Combined we make a very comfortable HHI. (Low-to-mid six figures.)

Both my DH and I are spenders by nature but I manage the finances, and just approach it as I would a small business. I put on my MBA hat to manage our finances and recognize that I would much rather have cash in reserves than have had a bunch of BS experiences and things.

Eating out 2-3 times a week is not frugal.

Thank you for this meaningful feedback.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most things.

Clothes. Don’t do big home renos. We drive acuras but keep them 10-12 years. No cable king before it was cool. No cleaners or yard people.

Out of curiosity, why?

More specifically, do you prefer to save a lot of money instead?

I"m not this poster but I was born and raised poor. I never want to be cold, hot, wet, hungry or unsafe again. Being "cheap" is how I guarantee that.

[Anonymous]

Second hand fuel efficient Japanese cars
Cheap prepaid cell phone service
Buy clothes from TJ Maxx, Target or Amazon on special
Buy lot of items at dollar store
Get three quotes before doing major work related to home (new roof/ replacing heating system or appliances and go with best price as long as they have good reviews)

For sanity and health’s sake, we do have
weekly deep cleaning
basic yard service but so much myself
Yoga and gym classes

So on average, we are probably average on the frugality spectrum.

[Anonymous]

I’m puzzled, eating out 2-3 times per week, but only for special occasions?

[Anonymous]

Furniture from Amazon

[Anonymous]

Rarely eat out
Clean our own house
Mow our own lawn
Love to shop in consignment stores
Fly coach
Drive cars forever until they look a little rough

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m puzzled, eating out 2-3 times per week, but only for special occasions?

No. Food eaten at home is simple unless it’s a special occasion (Christmas dinner or a birthday, for example).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Clothes. We are UMC and I just can’t make myself shop for nice clothes. I still hunt for sales and shop at Target. I need help.

You don't really need help.

Here's my solution. Pants and shirts at Target or Macy's. Suites and dresses that last a long time, Nordstrom or Brooks Brothers. So I have a fantastic new suite, cost hundereds, but I have a nice H&M shell under it.

Or you can buy second-hand (poshmark, thredup, therealreal, etc).

[Anonymous]

I buy almost 90% of my preschoolers’ clothes at thrift shops or through BST groups. And we rarely shop for adult clothes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Paying more than something is worth, like a $6 soda at a hotel, even though I can afford it (I also don’t drink soda but my kids get it on vacation). I really dislike paying such a markup for things so I’ll go to convenience stores to buy things instead.

Same. I try to bring a water bottle when I travel. I hate paying $5 for water. It's also bad for the environment!!