Anonymous
Post 02/06/2023 16:13     Subject: I have money, but this is where I cheap out
I don't wear expensive clothes or accessories, and we drive our cars until it is not worth it to repair them.

We don't buy iphones, it's Android all the way and keep the phones until the performance is an issue and then replace with another middling android. They are fine, and tend to last a long time without breaking.

Not only does all this save us money, but also helps us not be targeted for theft.
Anonymous
Post 02/06/2023 16:05     Subject: I have money, but this is where I cheap out
I clean my own house, we don't drive expensive cars and drive our cars until the wheels are about to fall off.

Recently I stopped shopping at Harris Teeter and I'm exclusively grocery shopping at Aldi, and I cut out all Amazon impulse purchases. I am shocked at how much more I am able to save every month by making these two small changes.
Anonymous
Post 01/20/2023 09:17     Subject: I have money, but this is where I cheap out
Anonymous wrote:Cars. We have one no frills car that we bought with cash that we will drive to the ground. It has a radio and that’s about it. When I am in my relative’s loaded BMW it feels like being in a spaceship.

I can’t ever pay for fancy/expensive hotels.

Part of me longs to have a cabin in the woods but even though I could easily buy one, it just seems like a waste of money when I could just rent other peoples’ when I want to go away for a weekend.

I hate paying for shipping.


If I could “easily buy” a cabin in the woods, I’d do it in a heartbeat. Especially if there was a sunny spot for a garden. It would make me so happy!
Anonymous
Post 01/19/2023 20:17     Subject: I have money, but this is where I cheap out
If my time is worth $100/hour, do I want to spend an extra hour to save .75c? No, it’s not worth my time. I could use this time to rest or do something more meaningful.
Anonymous
Post 01/18/2023 11:27     Subject: Re:I have money, but this is where I cheap out
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I do not wrap presents in gift wraps or gift bags. I gift most things in Ikea Spikrak bags. (https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/spikrak-shopping-bag-cotton-natural-00513364/)

It is a multi-use bag.




Its on sale right now.


Even at the sale price, you could save more money by going to the dollar store for $1 gift bags or rolls of paper. Or use newspaper, kraft paper, shopping bags, etc. if you're trying to promote reuse, then you could do better with $1 reusable bags from the grocery store.


There is a difference between being cheap and being frugal. Yes, PP could spend $1 on a bag, instead of $1.75. But the $1 bag is disposable and might last for one more use, if that. The plastic grocery store bags are usually $2 where I am and worth that much. They rip at the seams, can’t be machine washed, and last maybe a year with typical use. Cotton bags, on the other hand, tend to last forever. I can’t speak to these bags, but other canvas bags I have wear like iron. I can carry home meat in them and then throw in the hot wash and they are good as new. It’s a very thoughtful add to the gift.
Anonymous
Post 01/18/2023 10:11     Subject: I have money, but this is where I cheap out
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.


Many things on this list aren’t…

“MBA hat … BS experiences …” but then you spend on makeup and facials and massages.

I guess lol
Anonymous
Post 01/18/2023 07:28     Subject: Re:I have money, but this is where I cheap out
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I do not wrap presents in gift wraps or gift bags. I gift most things in Ikea Spikrak bags. (https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/spikrak-shopping-bag-cotton-natural-00513364/)

It is a multi-use bag.




Its on sale right now.


Even at the sale price, you could save more money by going to the dollar store for $1 gift bags or rolls of paper. Or use newspaper, kraft paper, shopping bags, etc. if you're trying to promote reuse, then you could do better with $1 reusable bags from the grocery store.
Anonymous
Post 01/17/2023 16:51     Subject: Re:I have money, but this is where I cheap out
Anonymous wrote:I cheap out on lots of stuff, primarily because the quality of certain things and services just don't justify the cost to me. Here's a rundown:
- Hair - I learned to cut and color my own hair. I do a WAY better job than the salon did. Kicking myself for not learning to do this sooner.
- Home and simple car repairs - I got sick of getting weird shady stories for why a certain repair costs so much or took so long. I now google my problem and find YouTube videos for how to make a repair. 9 times out of ten the fix is inexpensive and fairly easy.
- Cars - I just don't care about expensive cars. We buy new practical cars (think Subaru) and drive them for 15 years or until they require an uneconomic repair.
- Housekeeping - I have used numerous people and services over the years. None of them do a job that I consider to be "good".
- Landscape - I consider yardwork to count towards by workout.
- Airfare - I always opt for the cheapest non-refundable tickets and I don't buy travel insurance. If I can't go on my trip... oh well. It's cheaper than having purchased travel insurance for every trip I've made over the past 20 years.
- Clothes - never, ever, ever have I paid for a full-price item.
- Dining Out - I used to love going to a luxurious prix-fixe dinner. But over the years, the cost of this type of thing got so outrageous that it just isn't worth it. Example - Minibar was $60 a head when it first opened. It is now $325. $750 for spouse and I is more than we paid for our first apartment's monthly rent.


Tell me more about this. Color I can do ok but how does one cut their own hair? Do you have a really simple short style? Or do you have your spouse cut the back for you?
Anonymous
Post 01/17/2023 16:47     Subject: I have money, but this is where I cheap out
We don’t eat out or do takeout or delivery.
No Amazon prime or subscriptions
We do all our own cleaning, yard work, and as much home repair and maintenance as possible.
We don’t hire babysitters since we rarely go out.
We have purchased gently used Japanese fuel efficient vehicles.
Thrift shop clothing, books, etc.
These behaviors are the reason we can travel 1x year (based on wherever I can find a sale airfare) as a family of 4 on a $70k/annual income.
Anonymous
Post 01/17/2023 16:36     Subject: I have money, but this is where I cheap out
We clean our own house and do our own yard work
We drive our cars for 10+ years
He does not golf, I wear mostly Amazon essentials and only own three pairs of shoes

We spend it on: Eating out, a gym membership, spa trips, vacations
Anonymous
Post 01/17/2023 14:38     Subject: I have money, but this is where I cheap out
Pretty much lived like I had no money until mid-30s.. now in my late 30's plan to "live" a little.

Two big changes:

Bought a few items of expensive jewelry
Decided to not travel coach for longer flights.

Continue to be frugal
- Eat in (I do it more because its healthier + I enjoy cooking somewhat)

I buy clothing items only when needed or on sale. I do not like a cluttered closet, so it works out. I do not mind spending a bit on nicer brands for items that I know I will get a use out of.
Anonymous
Post 01/17/2023 14:38     Subject: I have money, but this is where I cheap out
Perennials over annuals.
Anonymous
Post 01/17/2023 14:17     Subject: Re:I have money, but this is where I cheap out
Anonymous wrote:I do not wrap presents in gift wraps or gift bags. I gift most things in Ikea Spikrak bags. (https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/spikrak-shopping-bag-cotton-natural-00513364/)

It is a multi-use bag.




Its on sale right now.
Anonymous
Post 01/17/2023 14:16     Subject: Re:I have money, but this is where I cheap out
I do not wrap presents in gift wraps or gift bags. I gift most things in Ikea Spikrak bags. (https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/spikrak-shopping-bag-cotton-natural-00513364/)

It is a multi-use bag.
Anonymous
Post 01/17/2023 14:10     Subject: Re:I have money, but this is where I cheap out
I don't buy second hand anything. Definitely not clothes. But, I buy new clothes mostly from Costco, Kohls, Target, Macy's, Old Navy, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Amazon, Lands End and Nordstrom Rack. I buy clothes on sale. If I buy something name brand, I will buy it on sale. Like buying NorthFace parkas on sale.

I do not buy souvenirs or mementos from my trips abroad. I only buy fridge magnets and anything that can be consumed quickly (chocolate, wine, snacks, cheese, coffee...).

I get a haircut every month, but I do all my beauty treatments at home from coloring my hair to skin treatments, waxing, mani pedi etc.

I host a lot and I hire a helper for the event but I cook all the food myself because I can control quality, taste and cost. (I am an excellent cook).

We do not have pets though we lavish love on our parents's dog. Pets cost a lot of money and also I cannot stand pet hair, smell and taking care of them.

I do not pay for lawn treatments. I have seeded clover on top of the existing grass, and reseed every year.

I buy my groceries from a number of stores. I am not store loyal at all. My favorite stores for groceries - Costco, Whole Foods, Great Wall (Chinese store), Patel Brothers (Indian store). I will visit Aldis, Target, Walmart, Traders Joe and Giant for miscellaneous grocery items. I buy wine in bulk from Costco in VA.