Is this Thrifty? Or Cheap?

G

GoodEnuff

Member
Have found the "living on a shoestring" thread quite interesting and has made me consider my own spending habits in a different light.

For instance, I spend $0 on "entertainment". Never eat out, cook all my own food at home. Never purchase a movie or music nor do I subscribe to any online services if there is a fee involved. Keep my home heating turned down to 65F and heat only the living area during waking hours; at night, I turn it down to maintain 58F and open the bedroom door to let a bit of heat into the bedroom (sleep under several blankets). Shower every few days, hand wash dishes every two days, cut my long hair very short, wear the same clothes for several days (unless I'm doing something to get very dirty), all to save on water. Reuse aluminum foil when possible. Shop at the thrift (called charity in the UK, I read) stores.

I am happy with my ten year old car; recently moved to snow country and will not get snow tires when all I have to do is just not go out on snow days. I recently purchased airline tickets to visit family (first time in two years) and refused to pay extra to get an assigned seat or check a bag. Ended up in a middle seat for most of the flights, once in the very back row. It's just for a couple of hours, for cryin' out loud. No big deal. Pack light to carry on.

The strange thing about these "cost cutting" measures is that I can well afford to take a long shower every day, keep the house at a more comfortable temperature, go out whenever I want, put snow tires on the car, purchase a nice window seat on the plane and go visit every few months.

BUT... I won't do cheap on food. Nor will I do cheap on materials for home improvements (this house was a fixer when I bought it), appliances, tools and such. I am generous with gifts to those close to me and when tipping.

So, am I thrifty? Or cheap? And what about you?
 

GoodEnuff said:
So, am I thrifty? Or cheap? And what about you?
Click to expand...
Does it matter? 🤔

I have some similar habits.

My frugal habits and choices don’t do any harm or impact anyone but me.

I take exception to people’s cheap habits that involve taking advantage or gaming the system in some way.

The folks that fill their pockets with sugar packets or muffins from the complimentary breakfast buffet, you know who you are.
😉🤭😂
 

GoodEnuff said:
Have found the "living on a shoestring" thread quite interesting and has made me consider my own spending habits in a different light.

For instance, I spend $0 on "entertainment". Never eat out, cook all my own food at home. Never purchase a movie or music nor do I subscribe to any online services if there is a fee involved. Keep my home heating turned down to 65F and heat only the living area during waking hours; at night, I turn it down to maintain 58F and open the bedroom door to let a bit of heat into the bedroom (sleep under several blankets). Shower every few days, hand wash dishes every two days, cut my long hair very short, wear the same clothes for several days (unless I'm doing something to get very dirty), all to save on water. Reuse aluminum foil when possible. Shop at the thrift (called charity in the UK, I read) stores.

I am happy with my ten year old car; recently moved to snow country and will not get snow tires when all I have to do is just not go out on snow days. I recently purchased airline tickets to visit family (first time in two years) and refused to pay extra to get an assigned seat or check a bag. Ended up in a middle seat for most of the flights, once in the very back row. It's just for a couple of hours, for cryin' out loud. No big deal. Pack light to carry on.

The strange thing about these "cost cutting" measures is that I can well afford to take a long shower every day, keep the house at a more comfortable temperature, go out whenever I want, put snow tires on the car, purchase a nice window seat on the plane and go visit every few months.

BUT... I won't do cheap on food. Nor will I do cheap on materials for home improvements (this house was a fixer when I bought it), appliances, tools and such. I am generous with gifts to those close to me and when tipping.

So, am I thrifty? Or cheap? And what about you?
Click to expand...
Congratulations! You learned well from the previous generation, the original environmentalists (before it was cool).
All your efforts contribute to the good of the world. Thank you.
 
I have a lot of the habits of goodnuff, but I take longer showers. The hot water feels good on my bones. The one thing I am unwilling to compromise on is my housekeeper. She really saves me time and money by doing things I would have to pay extra for. She just does them and dos not charge extra.

As we age we must make some changes in the way we do things. I can care for myself fairly easily but then, there's always that box on the top shelf I can't manage.
 
I had a friend whose husband was a real scrooge. He never bought nice clothes, wore the same clothes most days, I think he arrived in this country in the same clothes. Yet he had a cellar of the most expensive wines. He never bought his wife a present for her birthday. or Christmas. His mother-in-law whispered to me "He'll be the richest man in the cemetery".
 
oscash said:
I had a friend whose husband was a real scrooge. He never bought nice clothes, wore the same clothes most days, I think he arrived in this country in the same clothes. Yet he had a cellar of the most expensive wines. He never bought his wife a present for her birthday. or Christmas. His mother-in-law whispered to me "He'll be the richest man in the cemetery".
Click to expand...
Good thing he can't take it with him. ... :coffee: ... More golden roads in heaven.
 
dusty said:
I have a lot of the habits of goodnuff, but I take longer showers. The hot water feels good on my bones. The one thing I am unwilling to compromise on is my housekeeper. She really saves me time and money by doing things I would have to pay extra for. She just does them and dos not charge extra.

As we age we must make some changes in the way we do things. I can care for myself fairly easily but then, there's always that box on the top shelf I can't manage.
Click to expand...
U should not have had that Elf on a Shelf removed Dusty. ... :ROFLMAO: ...
 
GoodEnuff said:
Have found the "living on a shoestring" thread quite interesting and has made me consider my own spending habits in a different light.

For instance, I spend $0 on "entertainment". Never eat out, cook all my own food at home. Never purchase a movie or music nor do I subscribe to any online services if there is a fee involved. Keep my home heating turned down to 65F and heat only the living area during waking hours; at night, I turn it down to maintain 58F and open the bedroom door to let a bit of heat into the bedroom (sleep under several blankets). Shower every few days, hand wash dishes every two days, cut my long hair very short, wear the same clothes for several days (unless I'm doing something to get very dirty), all to save on water. Reuse aluminum foil when possible. Shop at the thrift (called charity in the UK, I read) stores.

I am happy with my ten year old car; recently moved to snow country and will not get snow tires when all I have to do is just not go out on snow days. I recently purchased airline tickets to visit family (first time in two years) and refused to pay extra to get an assigned seat or check a bag. Ended up in a middle seat for most of the flights, once in the very back row. It's just for a couple of hours, for cryin' out loud. No big deal. Pack light to carry on.

The strange thing about these "cost cutting" measures is that I can well afford to take a long shower every day, keep the house at a more comfortable temperature, go out whenever I want, put snow tires on the car, purchase a nice window seat on the plane and go visit every few months.

BUT... I won't do cheap on food. Nor will I do cheap on materials for home improvements (this house was a fixer when I bought it), appliances, tools and such. I am generous with gifts to those close to me and when tipping.

So, am I thrifty? Or cheap? And what about you?
Click to expand...
I don't think you're one bit cheap. We all have to adjust our spending to meet or match our income. You have quite a few good habits you're following. Keep up the good work. Too much stuff is bought without a plan to dispose of it when it becomes unusable.
 
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Thrifty is buying a car that you KNOW is going to last forever due to it's reputation and build quality, no huge parts replacement issues.
Cheap is buying a "new" car "because it has wheels and is just transportation" and the quality is such that its paint, trim and wheels fall off next week. (One is better off doing bus routes and Uber for transportation when all is said and done).
 
I am thrifty and live a frugal lifestyle. I don't need much nor want for anything and rarely spend outside of my needs and live decently. People call me cheap because I won't do things like eat out at restaurants when I have food at home, or won't pay for dates or lend people money. That's just being cautious and using common sense.
 
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oscash said:
I had a friend whose husband was a real scrooge. He never bought nice clothes, wore the same clothes most days, I think he arrived in this country in the same clothes. Yet he had a cellar of the most expensive wines. He never bought his wife a present for her birthday. or Christmas. His mother-in-law whispered to me "He'll be the richest man in the cemetery".
Click to expand...
A rich man died and just before the casket is closed, his widow tucks a slip of paper in his pocket.

A friend asks what was on the paper she put in his pocket.

"Oh, he made me promise that I'd bury all his money with him when he died. So I wrote him a check."
 
Are you happy? If so, great.

If not, and spending more will eliminate some aggravating problem or give you the opportunity to be more fulfilled then do it.

Based upon what you wrote, you sound like you are doing well. Why change things?
 
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