Are You Frugal?

My life long friend blew it as soon as he got it all of his life and died penniless as did my brother. I worked and saved as a kid and had a bank account. My dad hounded me on the importance of money in the frame of "try living without it". I'm far from being a cheapskate but I check and compare prices. I just hate waste no matter the application. Being retired with X number of years left on Earth I spend knowing I can't take it with me. What's left goes to my charity.
 
I am frugal - within certain limits.
When I'm paying people to do work in my house - like plumbers, etc. I never bargain; I pay whatever they ask, especially if the work is physical, like major plumbing. I think it's insulting to bargain someone down for their labor.
I may shop around for a few estimates for major home repairs, but once I decide on someone, I don't bargain.

I do price shop extensively when buying things.
 

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OneEyedDiva said:
If so, are you frugal because you want to be or have to be? I'm frugal because I want to be and finding bargains is fun. In what ways are you frugal?
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I'm really frugal. I hate to throw anything away. I end up trying to repair everything that breaks no matter how inexpensive it is. You learn a lot when you take something apart.
I keep track of all my expenses.
My mother was very frugal especially when it came to food. I didn't really appreciate her efforts when I was small. She was a terrific gardener and used to preserve everything for winter use.
I have a friend who phones me when he spots a bargain and I do the same for him.
The other day Walmart was clearing out pants and shorts. $5.00 a pair.
I also have a sewing machine and hem all my pants.
 
jujube said:
I'm not much for coupons but I can sniff out a bargain a mile away. I drive a 14-year-old car as it still looks good and runs good, because I took good care of it. I have a dumb phone with inexpensive service. I live in a small, plain house. I get most of my clothes (and I mostly live in shorts, t-shirts and jeans) at resale boutiques, Ross and Walmart.

I'm not afraid to spend money, though, when I see something I really want. I just bought a piece of art for $350....it was an internal battle as I didn't need it, but dammit, I wanted it so I bought it! I travel for exactly the same reason....I want to.
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"A thing of beauty, is a joy forever"
 
I don't know if I would call myself frugal or cheap. Years ago hubby and I were shopping. I saw a dress I liked and he told me to buy it. I said "No I don't need it now". He said "that's what I mean when I call you your cheap." So I answered "If I wasn't cheap you couldn't afford a $400.00 suit." It's many years later now and he has never called me cheap again.
 
I've always been a saver. Since I'm single now with relatively more disposable income, I still don't feel I have to splurge just because. While I give money to my family overseas, I make sure not to overdo it. I have charities I support like the Operation Smile, which I volunteered my services years ago. It gave me much joy to see lives of kids transformed after surgeries. I also take pride of my World Vision scholars, they send me pictures every year I'm happy to know I'm making a positive difference in their lives even if we'll never meet.

I made a rule for myself when buying luxury items even if money is not an issue. I ask myself, "How long will (insert item here) give me happiness? If it's just a day or two, I don't buy it. BUT, if myself tells me it's not only practical but will be a good investment for a long time, I sleep over it for two days and if I'm still thinking about it, I buy it. IF by chance, it's no longer available, I have learned to accept that it wasn't meant for me. Life goes on.
 
I was raised to "understand value" rather than being "frugal" or cheap.

Bowmore does all the grocery shopping for example, and we have a large exterior pantry we call our grocery store. Nearly everything in there he found at bargain prices. We love good meat, and have an extra freezer, so all those expensive cuts of meat were found by him at bargain prices too. He loves playing the game of bargain hunting for quality food, and adores my cooking. He is even my Sous Chef and it makes cooking my pleasure as the Chef de Cuisine (Head Chef) ... 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨 We make a monthly ongoing cash donation to our local food bank because it's the right thing to do, and is paying forward the bargain hunting he enjoys.

We have few expenses since our home is paid for and we each paid cash for new cars. We buy nothing on time, ever. Even with all the world traveling we've done, nothing was ever financed.
I think "understanding value" would describe us.
 
Ruthanne said:
I'm frugal but not enough...so I am becoming more frugal after paying a large car repair and not having enough money left for much.
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That's definitely not the fun way to be frugal.

Sorry to hear of the unexpected bill, Ruthanne.

Hoping you can weather the storm and get back on your feet comfortably once again.

Being behind the eight-ball is no fun.
 
Aunt Marg said:
That's definitely not the fun way to be frugal.

Sorry to hear of the unexpected bill, Ruthanne.

Hoping you can weather the storm and get back on your feet comfortably once again.

Being behind the eight-ball is no fun.
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No, it's not fun at all, and makes me worried about more unexpected things popping up....I need to meditate about now :LOL:
 
I'm not penny-pinching, I love spending money but I hate paying more for something than it is worth. For instance, I don't have a car but I'm willing to walk 3 miles to the pet store on the other side of town because their hay is cheaper than the store which is closer to me.
 
I'm not frugal. I'm cheap.

I don't buy much of anything. I take about $20 out of our "cash drawer" and it usually lasts me a couple of weeks. I eat almost all of my meals at home. Entertainment is reading, piano, online bridge, bicycling. Our house is full of books so now I usually get books out of the library.

The paradox is that as a couple we spend a lot of money. We belong to a club where we play golf, tennis and swim. We have a dog (expensive). We travel in non-pandemic times. Our grocery bills seem astronomical to me.

I think of it as brakes and accelerator. Guess who plays the role of the brakes?
 
JimBob1952 said:
I'm not frugal. I'm cheap.

I don't buy much of anything. I take about $20 out of our "cash drawer" and it usually lasts me a couple of weeks. I eat almost all of my meals at home. Entertainment is reading, piano, online bridge, bicycling. Our house is full of books so now I usually get books out of the library.

The paradox is that as a couple we spend a lot of money. We belong to a club where we play golf, tennis and swim. We have a dog (expensive). We travel in non-pandemic times. Our grocery bills seem astronomical to me.

I think of it as brakes and accelerator. Guess who plays the role of the brakes?
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Your empty wallet? :)
 
Understood, and there have been plenty of times when the tank has been empty/overdrawn.
 

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