UNfrugal things and why you do them - Page 2

purplefdu · 03-25-2008, 06:58 AM

I have big mean scary looking/sounding dogs to double as security (they will lick you to death if you come in the door and knock you over for petting) to make me feel less unfrugal about having one, let alone two. However since I've spent less for the two monthly since I got the puppy than I used to spend monthly for the one so its not all bad.

We also do our laundry at the laundry mat $3/load in the washer and $1.50 in the dryer, but we don't have access to the washer/dryer downstairs even when there are no tenants.

anitra · 03-25-2008, 09:18 AM

Hm...
1) Computers - we don't buy cutting edge, and we keep them for a long time, but we have FIVE, including one laptop. Three of them run continuously. We could get by with just two (one desktop/media PC/server plus the laptop), so that's pretty unfrugal.

2) Other electronic toys (iPods, gaming systems, etc.) We typically buy game systems brand new, and there are at least a few games each year that we MUST have the day they come out (rather than waiting & buying used). We are getting better, though - we still haven't bought a PS3, and we've cut down the number of games we buy in general (realizing we never have time to play everything).

Miss Rosie · 03-25-2008, 11:27 AM

Pets, video games, a few hobbies. I don't compromise on nutrition unless I absolutely must. A weekly pizza date with one of my son's friends. My venture into homemade personal care products has given us first-rate stuff at less than first-rate prices, but still more expensive than generic. I think. I haven't actually worked it out.

I'm not sure pets and video games are really unfrugal, though. Pets have several proven benefits, especially for sickies like me, and video games are a lot cheaper in the long run than a lot of other forms of entertainment. We have the cheapest current console out there (the Wii), and even though the games are expensive, they provide a lot of bang for the buck. The Nintendo DSes do the same and are portable. My son and I have killed time in waiting rooms playing Mario Kart DS together, turning dead time into quality time, and I've been playing Animal Crossing: Wild World for literally years.

My mother does her level best to strip her life down to bare essentials, just food, clothing and shelter, and she's waging a lifelong war with suicide-level depression. I'm not the only one who thinks these two phenomena are connected. I think we're driven to comfort and entertainment for a reason. I don't think they're really luxuries, and I think we try, as a culture, to deny them to certain populations as a punishment precisely because we know they're necessary.

This doesn't mean we have to spend thousands on the latest designer purse to get that need met. I don't think, though, that there's any reason to beat ourselves or each other up for finding ways to meet that need, and even budgeting for it. After a lot of soul-searching, I started setting aside an allowance for myself, just like I do for my kid, and letting myself blow it on whatever. It seems to ease certain kinds of stress.

rainysparadigm · 03-25-2008, 08:15 PM

Very valid point @ Miss Rosie, which I have also told friends in the past that have worked double jobs and scrutinized every penny to reach far off yet attainable goals. Burn out is just around the corner. Occasionally you should buy that extra shirt you dont NEED, or a video game, or what not. You only live once. The actual reason I read over 'frugal' tips, and do a little DIY is to have more $ for the things that matter most in life: good times with family and friends.

yourbeginnings · 03-26-2008, 04:36 AM

Miss Rosie, that was a great post.

khorrell · 03-26-2008, 01:48 PM

I don't even know where to start! When I scrutinize my life carefully, I wonder if I'm really frugal at all.

First, I admit to purchasing some foods in single serving size packages for school lunches (applesauce & pudding, primarily.) I justify it as mental health as packing four lunches every morning really wears on my happiness.

My kids own way more clothes than they need. I am quick to give things away once they are outgrown, but I have a hard time giving away things when someone still fits into them. Even when we have a surplus. I never know how long a child will remain a particular size and manage to destroy all her shirts, or shorts, or whatever. We are also blessed in that almost all their clothes are hand-me-downs.

I'll add more as I think of them!

Xin Lu · 03-26-2008, 04:36 PM

Okay...so here is my confession. I'm actually not that frugal when it comes to eating out. One reason is that I'm a horrible cook, and I also don't have much time to cook and clean. The hubby and I get home at night and it's already 8 to 8:30 so we just grab something to eat from a restaurant. Oh, and we buy new video games instead of renting or buying used. This is because the hubby is a game developer and he feels that he has to support his industry. He doesn't mind renting or borrowing movies, though. Oh, I think video games are a cheap form of entertainment,too! I wrote a post about it a while ago:

http://baglady.dreamhosters.com/2007...n-other-media/

khorrell · 03-26-2008, 05:40 PM

I forgot a big one: Hubby sends his shirts to the cleaners to be ironed. Neither of us want to do it, and it is sort of inexpensive, and he tries hard to get several wears out of a shirt. His job requires that he look nice so I rationalize it.

BamaRo · 03-26-2008, 07:02 PM

I buy magazines sometimes. I get People about once a month and Glamour every few months. I also bought some books off Amazon the other day, but they were for research on a health condition, and the library system in my city didn't have them.

FruWiki Meg · 02-01-2009, 11:57 AM

I love having lots of pretty -- but not so practical -- shoes

Thank goodness for Ross and T.J. Maxx!

03-25-2008, 06:58 AM	#11
purplefdu Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Berwick, ME Posts: 645 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts Reputation: (32)	I have big mean scary looking/sounding dogs to double as security (they will lick you to death if you come in the door and knock you over for petting) to make me feel less unfrugal about having one, let alone two. However since I've spent less for the two monthly since I got the puppy than I used to spend monthly for the one so its not all bad. We also do our laundry at the laundry mat $3/load in the washer and $1.50 in the dryer, but we don't have access to the washer/dryer downstairs even when there are no tenants. __________________ MainelyCoupons \| HomeWard Bound Puppy

03-26-2008, 04:36 AM	#15
yourbeginnings Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 120 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (41)	Miss Rosie, that was a great post. __________________ http://www.yourbeginnings.com - Free Genealogy Hosting Software

03-26-2008, 04:36 PM	#17
Xin Lu Wise Bread Blogger Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 439 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Reputation: (91)	Okay...so here is my confession. I'm actually not that frugal when it comes to eating out. One reason is that I'm a horrible cook, and I also don't have much time to cook and clean. The hubby and I get home at night and it's already 8 to 8:30 so we just grab something to eat from a restaurant. Oh, and we buy new video games instead of renting or buying used. This is because the hubby is a game developer and he feels that he has to support his industry. He doesn't mind renting or borrowing movies, though. Oh, I think video games are a cheap form of entertainment,too! I wrote a post about it a while ago: http://baglady.dreamhosters.com/2007...n-other-media/ __________________ The Baglady @ http://baglady.dreamhosters.com Wise Bread @ http://wisebread.com/xin-lu Following me @XinLuDJ

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03-25-2008, 09:18 AM	#12
anitra Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 27 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (15)	Hm... 1) Computers - we don't buy cutting edge, and we keep them for a long time, but we have FIVE, including one laptop. Three of them run continuously. We could get by with just two (one desktop/media PC/server plus the laptop), so that's pretty unfrugal. 2) Other electronic toys (iPods, gaming systems, etc.) We typically buy game systems brand new, and there are at least a few games each year that we MUST have the day they come out (rather than waiting & buying used). We are getting better, though - we still haven't bought a PS3, and we've cut down the number of games we buy in general (realizing we never have time to play everything).

03-25-2008, 11:27 AM	#13
Miss Rosie Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 100 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (27)	Pets, video games, a few hobbies. I don't compromise on nutrition unless I absolutely must. A weekly pizza date with one of my son's friends. My venture into homemade personal care products has given us first-rate stuff at less than first-rate prices, but still more expensive than generic. I think. I haven't actually worked it out. I'm not sure pets and video games are really unfrugal, though. Pets have several proven benefits, especially for sickies like me, and video games are a lot cheaper in the long run than a lot of other forms of entertainment. We have the cheapest current console out there (the Wii), and even though the games are expensive, they provide a lot of bang for the buck. The Nintendo DSes do the same and are portable. My son and I have killed time in waiting rooms playing Mario Kart DS together, turning dead time into quality time, and I've been playing Animal Crossing: Wild World for literally years. My mother does her level best to strip her life down to bare essentials, just food, clothing and shelter, and she's waging a lifelong war with suicide-level depression. I'm not the only one who thinks these two phenomena are connected. I think we're driven to comfort and entertainment for a reason. I don't think they're really luxuries, and I think we try, as a culture, to deny them to certain populations as a punishment precisely because we know they're necessary. This doesn't mean we have to spend thousands on the latest designer purse to get that need met. I don't think, though, that there's any reason to beat ourselves or each other up for finding ways to meet that need, and even budgeting for it. After a lot of soul-searching, I started setting aside an allowance for myself, just like I do for my kid, and letting myself blow it on whatever. It seems to ease certain kinds of stress.

03-25-2008, 08:15 PM	#14
rainysparadigm Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 55 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (12)	Very valid point @ Miss Rosie, which I have also told friends in the past that have worked double jobs and scrutinized every penny to reach far off yet attainable goals. Burn out is just around the corner. Occasionally you should buy that extra shirt you dont NEED, or a video game, or what not. You only live once. The actual reason I read over 'frugal' tips, and do a little DIY is to have more $ for the things that matter most in life: good times with family and friends.

03-26-2008, 01:48 PM	#16
khorrell Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: near Washington DC Posts: 610 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Reputation: (86)	I don't even know where to start! When I scrutinize my life carefully, I wonder if I'm really frugal at all. First, I admit to purchasing some foods in single serving size packages for school lunches (applesauce & pudding, primarily.) I justify it as mental health as packing four lunches every morning really wears on my happiness. My kids own way more clothes than they need. I am quick to give things away once they are outgrown, but I have a hard time giving away things when someone still fits into them. Even when we have a surplus. I never know how long a child will remain a particular size and manage to destroy all her shirts, or shorts, or whatever. We are also blessed in that almost all their clothes are hand-me-downs. I'll add more as I think of them!

03-26-2008, 05:40 PM	#18
khorrell Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: near Washington DC Posts: 610 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Reputation: (86)	I forgot a big one: Hubby sends his shirts to the cleaners to be ironed. Neither of us want to do it, and it is sort of inexpensive, and he tries hard to get several wears out of a shirt. His job requires that he look nice so I rationalize it.

03-26-2008, 07:02 PM	#19
BamaRo Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 30 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (10)	I buy magazines sometimes. I get People about once a month and Glamour every few months. I also bought some books off Amazon the other day, but they were for research on a health condition, and the library system in my city didn't have them.

02-01-2009, 11:57 AM	#20
FruWiki Meg Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 64 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Reputation: (11)	I love having lots of pretty -- but not so practical -- shoes Thank goodness for Ross and T.J. Maxx!