I have money, but this is where I cheap out

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

DP - you sound very sensible .

Re: folks critiquing your eating out 2-3 times a week at cheap eateries as not frugal - I am not a fan of the “gotcha” mentality of some on DCUM - nitpicking minor details and not seeing the bigger picture - your cost cutting measures spun sensible to me and balanced by a desire for sanity. Well done getting such a low mortgage in a good school district.

I often can’t make certain foods cheaper than you can buy them at lower prices eateries in the US so we do the same. Also you are both working and saving time counts .

I agree on need for cleaner and it being worth every penny.

I diverge though on spending a ton on makeup and shoes. Just the basics for me. But hey yiu save a ton by your house and car choices so you can afford that.

So I’m one of the “2-3 is not frugal” posters. I stand by that statement in that it is not particularly “cheap” of pp to eat out that often and that was her lead. The OP is asking what you are cheap about and this is not it. That doesn’t mean PP isn’t balancing well.

Why hyoer focus on one negative detail? She/he has a mortgage of $1600 a month in modest house in good school district and driving modest cars - saving herself tons of money - it smacked of gotcha !

Totally NP who has not participated in this discussion at all. I think PP's post implies that she lives fairly frugally. However the post here is not about living frugally overall, its about what you are cheap about in spite of your wealth. So I think of this much more like the rich person at the hotel driving to 7/11 to get drinks to avoid the extra $6 they would pay in the hotel store.

That PP opened with how they eat out twice a week. Eating out twice a week is not being cheap about eating out, it just isn't. There isn't anything wrong with eating out twice a week, but it isn't cheaping out on takeout. Which again, is fine, but when you're responding to a thread where the topic is, 'what do you cheap out on' and your answer is, 'we eat out twice a week' you're going to get people focused on it because it makes no sense and if you put it as your first sentence then everyone will pick up on it!

[Anonymous]

We have 1 basic car. I have 1 nice enough ($200) purse that I will use for years. Besides my nice engagement/wedding rings, I don’t wear nor want a bunch of expensive jewelry. My kids wear hand me downs (largely for environmental reasons) although I have started buying my oldest (3rd grade) a few nice/new things that will then be handed down to our younger kid. I don’t care about designer things. If I go into work I will pack a lunch and at home finish up leftovers (I hate wasting food, again for environmental reasons). I will search my Buy Nothing Group or FB Marketplace for anything that is not a long term investment like a high chair or whatever.

We did splurge on a house in a good school district in a safe, walkable close-in neighborhood because that is a quality of life expense. We also cut way back on travel and eating out when the kids were young to afford a nanny. We have house cleaners twice a month. I will spend on things that make my life more comfortable, but I will not spend on things just to show off a certain name brand or that I can afford a “luxury” car whatever. Even the mid level cars have really good safety features, heated seats, etc. these days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

DP - you sound very sensible .

Re: folks critiquing your eating out 2-3 times a week at cheap eateries as not frugal - I am not a fan of the “gotcha” mentality of some on DCUM - nitpicking minor details and not seeing the bigger picture - your cost cutting measures spun sensible to me and balanced by a desire for sanity. Well done getting such a low mortgage in a good school district.

I often can’t make certain foods cheaper than you can buy them at lower prices eateries in the US so we do the same. Also you are both working and saving time counts .

I agree on need for cleaner and it being worth every penny.

I diverge though on spending a ton on makeup and shoes. Just the basics for me. But hey yiu save a ton by your house and car choices so you can afford that.

So I’m one of the “2-3 is not frugal” posters. I stand by that statement in that it is not particularly “cheap” of pp to eat out that often and that was her lead. The OP is asking what you are cheap about and this is not it. That doesn’t mean PP isn’t balancing well.

Why hyoer focus on one negative detail? She/he has a mortgage of $1600 a month in modest house in good school district and driving modest cars - saving herself tons of money - it smacked of gotcha !

Totally NP who has not participated in this discussion at all. I think PP's post implies that she lives fairly frugally. However the post here is not about living frugally overall, its about what you are cheap about in spite of your wealth. So I think of this much more like the rich person at the hotel driving to 7/11 to get drinks to avoid the extra $6 they would pay in the hotel store.

That PP opened with how they eat out twice a week. Eating out twice a week is not being cheap about eating out, it just isn't. There isn't anything wrong with eating out twice a week, but it isn't cheaping out on takeout. Which again, is fine, but when you're responding to a thread where the topic is, 'what do you cheap out on' and your answer is, 'we eat out twice a week' you're going to get people focused on it because it makes no sense and if you put it as your first sentence then everyone will pick up on it!

well- we get takeout 2x a week but my spouse definitely thinks im being cheap b/c I'll get one super loaded salad at sweet green/cava and then go home and add a whole other bowl of greens and my own lemon and oil if needed and make it dinner for 3 people. I get that kind of take out a lot- it saves time and money b/c if I shopped for all of those salad fixings it would be more expensive. I'll also get takeout like cumin lamb or something (one dish) and then make extra rice and stir fry veggies to go along with it at home. That works out to be cheaper than doing full on home cooked meal.

[Anonymous]

Clothes...I don't buy new clothes. I have had most of mine for a decade. I toss them when they break a zipper or get holes. When I do buy clothes, I tend to shop Sam's.

Vehicles...I drive a 14 year old truck with plenty of rust and dings. Not going to upgrade for a few more years/until it is unreliable.

I clean my own house and my 12 yo mows the lawn.

I'm an avid bargain shopper when I need something, and use FB Marketplace, etc. to save substantially on certain items. I try not to buy things I don't need -- but if I know I am going to need something, I will purchase ahead if I find a deal.

I'll pay by check or cash rather than pay a 3% credit card fee.

I always fly coach and stay in cheap hotels. Personal comfort just isn't a huge deal to me.

[Anonymous]

Buying used cars (though I am about to change that and buy my first new car at age 55)
Live in a smaller, cheaper house in a less desirable neighborhood/ school zone than most people
When I eat out, don’t eat at expensive places

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had no idea that people thought shopping at Old Navy and Target was frugal. I think The Gap and Loft prices are shameful as it is.

Where would you find cheaper clothes? Maybe Costco, maybe a thrift store, but it's hard to get everything you need. But I also think all retail clothes are overpriced.

[Anonymous]

No Botox, fillers, eyelash extensions, or the like - my hair is kind of expensive but that’s my only “beauty” expense.
No gym membership or expensive classes
Use family for rare babysitting
Buy clothes thrifted, from target, or on sale - my DH is a MAJOR clothes horse but also an incredible shopper and he sells a ton on eBay as well
Not much travel
Cars bought used, paid off, driven into the ground (but we don’t skimp on maintenance!)

Where we spend a ton is on food - but it’s super important to my DH! I cook a lot but we also go out a fair amount and not to cheap places.

[Anonymous]

Stuff. I can't justify a lot on clothes, bags, jewelry, makeup, cars. Just don't care.

I'm more open to spending money on my home and furnishings as that's where I spend my time and it affects quality of time spent.

I will spend money on experiences every single time and not think twice about it. A nice hotel, a nice meal, good seats for an event, flights at the time I want to take them.

Bottom line is I value my time and having a nice experience.

[Anonymous]

Some personal care stuff - I do my own gel manicures, keratin treatments, and facials at home instead of at a salon. It's mostly a time thing versus a money thing, since it's a pain to schedule appointments (sometimes months out) and have to block out hours in the middle of the day for that stuff. We also don't order food delivery due to the costs - we either eat out, where you at least get out of the house and can enjoy the atmosphere, or we cook at home. Mid-7 figure income.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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

Which one do you use?
Simple mobile?

No straight talk which was just bought out by verizon so you think it would get better right????? NO HORRIBLE phone horrible service one of our two phones legit doesn't work at all few days a week. I haven't had a chance to go to boost mobile or some where else to port my phone but in the next week or two I'm porting my # out. Is simple bad too?

[Anonymous]

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?

Because we’ve tried all those things and they didn’t make us any happier than the more affordable options. We tried several cleaners - all sucked in various ways. My husband likes mowing the lawn. We do pay 1x a year for spring weeding/pruning and new mulch but that’s only $500 one time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

Which one do you use?
Simple mobile?

No straight talk which was just bought out by verizon so you think it would get better right????? NO HORRIBLE phone horrible service one of our two phones legit doesn't work at all few days a week. I haven't had a chance to go to boost mobile or some where else to port my phone but in the next week or two I'm porting my # out. Is simple bad too?

Mixed
As long as your credit card is working ( and we had a lot of fraud) it is OK. Fairly decent coverage - bought out by T Mobile io think … but if your credit card is blocked they are merciless with not reconnecting until you are paid up.

Their phone customer service is way better that online chat help which is useless.

You have to have one of their SIM cards to activate your phone and that can take a while to get.

Don’t buy their phones - I bought a used phone from them and it turned out to be stolen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'll start -- I buy luxury cars, but only used.

I will never buy a luxury vehicle, used or not. Huge waste of money. Give me fuel efficiency, a radio, and a/c and heat, and I'm good. We drive our cars into the ground before being forced to upgrade.

Just not our thing. We don't care about cars. And it literally pains me to have to buy a new one.

[Anonymous]

I won't buy personal care items (toothpaste, shampoo, etc) or cleaning products at a grocery store. I can afford it, but I'm not paying that markup.

I get all of those items from Target, Walmart, Costco, or Amazon.

Also, I never stay in hotels better than 3 stars if I'm paying. When I'm on vacation, I'm there to do things outside of the room. As long as it's clean, that's all I care about.

I don't want a Super 8 but I also don't need a luxury hotel. A HoJo or Holiday Inn Express are fine in my book.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

DP - you sound very sensible .

Re: folks critiquing your eating out 2-3 times a week at cheap eateries as not frugal - I am not a fan of the “gotcha” mentality of some on DCUM - nitpicking minor details and not seeing the bigger picture - your cost cutting measures spun sensible to me and balanced by a desire for sanity. Well done getting such a low mortgage in a good school district.

I often can’t make certain foods cheaper than you can buy them at lower prices eateries in the US so we do the same. Also you are both working and saving time counts .

I agree on need for cleaner and it being worth every penny.

I diverge though on spending a ton on makeup and shoes. Just the basics for me. But hey yiu save a ton by your house and car choices so you can afford that.

So I’m one of the “2-3 is not frugal” posters. I stand by that statement in that it is not particularly “cheap” of pp to eat out that often and that was her lead. The OP is asking what you are cheap about and this is not it. That doesn’t mean PP isn’t balancing well.

Why hyoer focus on one negative detail? She/he has a mortgage of $1600 a month in modest house in good school district and driving modest cars - saving herself tons of money - it smacked of gotcha !

Totally NP who has not participated in this discussion at all. I think PP's post implies that she lives fairly frugally. However the post here is not about living frugally overall, its about what you are cheap about in spite of your wealth. So I think of this much more like the rich person at the hotel driving to 7/11 to get drinks to avoid the extra $6 they would pay in the hotel store.

That PP opened with how they eat out twice a week. Eating out twice a week is not being cheap about eating out, it just isn't. There isn't anything wrong with eating out twice a week, but it isn't cheaping out on takeout. Which again, is fine, but when you're responding to a thread where the topic is, 'what do you cheap out on' and your answer is, 'we eat out twice a week' you're going to get people focused on it because it makes no sense and if you put it as your first sentence then everyone will pick up on it!

well- we get takeout 2x a week but my spouse definitely thinks im being cheap b/c I'll get one super loaded salad at sweet green/cava and then go home and add a whole other bowl of greens and my own lemon and oil if needed and make it dinner for 3 people. I get that kind of take out a lot- it saves time and money b/c if I shopped for all of those salad fixings it would be more expensive. I'll also get takeout like cumin lamb or something (one dish) and then make extra rice and stir fry veggies to go along with it at home. That works out to be cheaper than doing full on home cooked meal.

I love this kind of takeout too. It really can be more affordable than buying all the ingredients and cooking from scratch.