being thrifty

[Jullianna]

I heard on talk radio yesterday that men find frugality hot in women, but women aren't thrilled about frugal men. What do you think? We ARE supposed to be good stewards, right?

I kid around about shopping all the time, and it is fun. But, you know, we ladies can "shop" all day and actually BUY very little. Sometimes the thrill is in the hunt. We like to look at pretty/cool things. Sometimes I just like to look at things to get decorating ideas, etc., to see what styles, colors are out there.

I think it's fun to figure out when the best sales are for certain things, when things routinely go on clearance, where the best resale shops are, outlet stores, etc. And I love the bargain stores that sell the large dept store closeout stuff at prices Walmart wouldn't sneeze at.

One of the guys in chat made a good point the other day - if you don't wear a sport coat often, why not just go to Goodwill or a thrift store, buy a quality made jacket and have it cleaned? Sounded good to me!

 

[grace]

Obviously, by a number of my posts on the forums....people know that I LOVE my thrift stores etc.

For me, what I can't stand is someone that is *cheap*.

I have a friend who's husband is so tight that they are not allowed to buy anything because he will guilt them about it until they just give up. Seriosly, their kids wear pants too short to school etc. Its pretty bad.

So, that kind of *thrifty* in a guy is baaaadddddd! LOL

But a guy that would enjoy, or at least appreciate, my ability to get nice things for a good price because it has become a hobby for me would be great!
And I can appreciate what that person was saying about thinking outside the box for getting a sport coat etc that they may not have the use for very often. I think it is being a wonderful steward of what we have.

 

[REDMama]

Think for a moment about those of us who do not, for whatever reason, have money to even think should I be frugal or not frugal. And those of us without money are at always at fault, are bad, lazy, or whatever negative reason most people think of. All of us are blessed differently at times, and have different capabilities that allow or prevent us from earning a certain level of income.

How do you think the man, woman, girl, whomever that can't even buy a pair of underwear they need, or medicine for themself or their child or loved one, or proper medical care, or pay for it and then have endless years of stress because of it. And yes, some of it was their choice, especially in childbirth, now they owe the hospital.

But when they look at you, buying a $100 purse, or a $50 shirt, they think what in God's name is she thinking and she has no faith and no priorities and brain are not correct.

The Lord is with the poor and he is usually more on their side than the rich, as long as the rich acquired their wealth in the right way and use for proper means.

But those who walk around in the stores like as my mother used to say "money grows on trees" are frowned upon alot, even if they don't say it to your face.

So, you may begin to have the world at your back.

But on the otherhand, God commanded enjoyment of life, so spending and shopping is fun some times, enjoy. But then what will you have done with your money. I myself have felt guilt for wrong spending habits.

 

[seoulsearch]

I completely agree with not being able to stand someone who is so cheap that they make life miserable, both for themselves and everyone around them. Some of my relatives drive me batty because they leave the BAREST minimal tip at restaurants... Having worked in food service all my life (but never as a waitress--I'd be fired within the first 10 minutes for not being able to deal with people's attitudes), this is a PET peeve of mine. The Bible says a worker is worth their wages, and I think a good server deserves a good tip.

On the other hand, some Christians seem to glorify poverty as being Godly and slam anyone who has a few extra bucks in their pocket, which I believe is wrong as well. It's strange to me that many Christians will demonize material blessings (usually when they don't have them) and forget the people in the Bible such as Joseph, Isaac, Boaz, and Abraham, who were extremely wealthy (I have heard that in today's currency, Abraham was probably a billionaire--eat your heart out, Oprah!!)

I believe in being a good steward--using coupons, buying things on sale, all of that... but without cheating anyone else. If I can't afford to leave a good tip for a hard-working waiter, I don't go out to eat.

And I'm amazed at how people react when you do spend a little money. I have this thing of saving for a long time and then spending an allotted amount all at once. Some time ago, I went to Old Navy and bought 10 pairs of pants at once--this is because I'd saved for a good year, am hard to fit (pants especially), wear these kinds of pants every day at work, and rarely go shopping. The employees first followed me around like I was going to steal this mountain of pants!! And then when I did go to the register to pay for them, they gave me a LOOK, like "Who do you think you are?" I was a bit dumbfounded, but hey... it's what God gave me and that's how I chose to spend it. (By the way, it's been about 4 years and I'm still wearing those pants everyday--one pair had to go... had so many ratty places... but the others are going strong.)

(I know some people will think, "How could she afford to buy 10 pairs of pants?" They were on sale, and I had a coupon, so they wound up being about $15 each. I know the next question will be, "How can you save that kind of money?" Most people I know spend about $8 everyday on lunch and a beverage. I bring food and tap water from home... total cost is probably about $3. So, if I'm spending $3 compared to $8... that's $5 a day, times 5 days a week--$30 a week... $120 a month... In less that 2 months I have enough money to buy enough pairs of pants to last? Four years and going strong? Not a bad deal. Thrifty, even, in a different sort of way. )

 

[seoulsearch]

YIKES, I just realized my math is off in my previous post... but I think y'all get what I was trying to say . In the pants example... I'd saved about about $10 a week and that's what I spent part of it on... and the above is an actual example of how I "find" money to save (bringing food and water from home instead of, let's say, lunch at McDonald's or Subway for $6-$10 and a coffee or energy drink for another $3 per day).

I'll have to ask everyone's pardon, please--tomorrow is my 8th day straight of working and I've already told my co-workers to make sure I don't go postal on anyone... seeing as the proof is right here--that my basic functions, such as simple mathematics, are all going haywire as well!!

Sorry!!!

 

[Hommer]

I am a penny wise and a pound foolish........or something like that.........I just buy what I need, I dont like to look around for bargains just find what I need and buy it........

An old farmer once gave me two pieces of advise

1- spend less money than you make
2- if your going to have a hobby, have one that makes you money.....

Both very wise statements

 

[grace]

I am a penny wise and a pound foolish........or something like that.........I just buy what I need, I dont like to look around for bargains just find what I need and buy it........

An old farmer once gave me two pieces of advise

1- spend less money than you make
2- if your going to have a hobby, have one that makes you money.....

Both very wise statements

So me saying that I like/can get nice things for a good price and it has become a hobby....is sort of like a hobby that makes money? Right? (I'm going to go with yes....makes me feel happy.) lol

 

[NukePooch]

An old farmer once gave me two pieces of advise

1- spend less money than you make
2- if your going to have a hobby, have one that makes you money.....

Both very wise statements

So I guess my counterfeiting hobby is good to go then...that's good, cause I wasn't gonna give it up.

 

[thimsrebma]

I refuse to pay full price for clothes. I generally shop at bargain stores anyway but even there I use coupons. If I dont have one I aint afraid to ask the casheir if she has one behind the desk.

The other day I was doing some online browsing at Homedepot and I put something in my "shopping cart" but didnt purchase it. A few days later they sent me a coupon for 10% off for that exact item with limitless amounts of the item. Which is super because I need 30 of them. I am gonna wait until just before the coupon expires and see if they send me one for a greater discount.

 

[Liamson]

So I guess my counterfeiting hobby is good to go then...that's good, cause I wasn't gonna give it up.

With your counterfeiting hobby and my money laundering hobby, why we could get serious about our hobbies!

 

[thimsrebma]

With your counterfeiting hobby and my money laundering hobby, why we could get serious about our hobbies!

Seriously thrown in the pen!

 

[zeroturbulence]

I believe in paying the lowest price for the highest value product that I can afford. This means lots of pre-buying research and I find that to be half the fun. Like when I needed to buy a new computer I found a great deal on a factory refurbished HP that turned out to be a great computer. I also got a great deal when I bought my car and didn't have to haggle for it either. When it comes to buying, knowledge really is power!

 

[seoulsearch]

With your counterfeiting hobby and my money laundering hobby, why we could get serious about our hobbies!

Seriously thrown in the pen!

LOL!!! You guys are hilarious!! But don't worry--I like visiting inmates, so it's all good!!!

"I'm here to see inmates Liamson and NukePooch, please..."

Just don't ask me to try to smuggle any cash in during the visit... laundered, counterfeit, or otherwise!

 

[Jullianna]

If Liamson and Nuke go to prison, I hope they don't put them in charge of laundry. Then again, who cares if black stripes bleed onto the white stripes, right?

 

[NukePooch]

LOL!!! You guys are hilarious!! But don't worry--I like visiting inmates, so it's all good!!!

"I'm here to see inmates Liamson and NukePooch, please..."

Just don't ask me to try to smuggle any cash in during the visit... laundered, counterfeit, or otherwise!

Well, I will admit wondering if inmates have internet access...

 

[NukePooch]

If Liamson and Nuke go to prison, I hope they don't put them in charge of laundry. Then again, who cares if black stripes bleed onto the white stripes, right?

Isn't it all orange?

 

[Jullianna]

I do think that most of them are either orange, lime green or bright pink (someone has an awesome sense of humor) now.

 

[seoulsearch]

Well, I will admit wondering if inmates have internet access...

Many inmates do have access to the internet. Some... illegally (bribing officers to use their phones or bring them ones), some legally (through work situations with limited access), and some for purposes of email alone instead of communicating with people through regular letters.

At least, this is what's happening now as far as I know via the person I communicate with.

Sorry, off topic, but just wanted to answer Nuke's question!

 

[CatWoman]

OK , like I not only go to thrift stores I pick other peoples trash.I found some good dressers in the trash and some lamps. The last thing I picked was a doll cradle for my granddaughter.I do think its cool when guys do the same thing. Its good to be frugle when your needs are being met.I dont beleive in buying crappy things just because their cheap.

 

[Hommer]

So me saying that I like/can get nice things for a good price and it has become a hobby....is sort of like a hobby that makes money? Right? (I'm going to go with yes....makes me feel happy.) lol

I would totally agree with you grace!!!!