Same here. Buying materialistic things is a waste, some are only trendy for awhile then they get tossed. I'd rather spend my money on a vacation and have an experience. That is something that you will always have with you (hopefully a good vacation).
A friend of mind that works in law enforcement said he doesn't have pictures of his family in his wallet. I've also followed this advice. Also, when traveling I carry a dummy wallet with a few dollars in it.
When I got shopping and I spot something that I didn't plan on, I stop myself to think if its something I really need or if I can get by without for a bit longer or just for good. Chances are if its an impulse purchase....you don't need it at all.
If you're someone who is trying to rebuild their credit, it can be frustrating if one or more of your good accounts that you pay on time doesn't sow up in all of your credit reports. Some creditors, like subprime lenders, won't even bother to report to the credit bureaus because they fear their competitors will try to take business away from them. If you find this happening, you can always just ask them to report your good behavior.
Call centers in India, errors by the very institutions that resell our credit info, drawn out procedures to issue corrections, good people get screwed because these clowns won't clean u their own industry. Can't wait until the lawsuits pour in.
Man, I'd flip if my dishwasher died. If it fits, it goes in the dishwasher. I have an aviary, and I clean all their toys, cups and perches in there (with a second run of vinegar to disinfect). I can recycle old plastic items, silk flowers, and large things that won't fit in the sink. I have kind an OCD fixation on dirt (sadly, not so much on clutter) and I have found that I can even get the refrigerator shelves in there as well as the plastic boxes and so forth I use to hold things. I've even washed aquarium parts and a small aquarium in it. Unparalleled for things like glass lampshades and a second-hand shop dealer I know swears by it for rejuvenating castoffs. I call it the OMNIWASHER. Now, about my washing machine....
You have listed here great items which make perfect baby gifts. Apart from being cheaper than other gift items available in stores, they will surely get appreciated by the baby's parents. At least they need not buy a few of the essential things they need.
I've never really had house plants because I've never been able to grow them. I seem to have a black thumb. Pardon my ignorance, but do these or most house plants need sunlight or are lights in the house enough for them? I only have a few windows that get sunlight and would love to try and have some plants in the house. Thanks!
I use aftershave for that reason. Sure, it's unnecessary. But the problem is more that people use the $50 bottle, rather than the $3 bottle I use.
Sure, you can get fit without a gym membership. But can you practice a training plan to exercise particular muscles? Not so easy. You could of course buy the bars and weights and machines yourself of course, but then it's a case of choosing between the gym and the gear.
And your advice for running is only partly true. In good weather all you need are a good pair of running shoes (seriously, don't skimp on these), socks and whatever else you need to stay decent. But you seriously appreciate the athletic clothing in wet or sub-zero conditions.
We tend to celebrate not on Valentine's Day itself, but somewhere in the surrounding week. For instance, if we're going out to dinner, there are plenty of discount deals that generally aren't accepted on 2/14...but make for a perfectly lovely evening other times that week...
Nice article, and I agree there is a distinct difference between being frugal and being cheap. However I must disagree with one point. You state that if you were not living frugally you would lose peace-of-mind because you are spending above your means.
I think there is a big separation between "being frugal" and "spending above your means". Many people can live their lives without being frugal, per-se, while at the same time not spending above their means.
Personally, this sounds like a frugal-bias...that anyone NOT being frugal is throwing their money away, thus must be in debt. Which is not true.To me it kind of hurts your argument.
I have no problem with extreme couponing, but when it goes OCD extreme like on that TLC show, that is the problem. Who need 77 bottles of anything? pop (soda for the rest of the world, pop for michigan people :) ) or mustard? That is insane! I am a couponer, a traditional one. I spend maybe 1-2 hours per week, and I have saved money and yes I have a stockpile, but on things that I use within six months. Once I am getting low, then it is time for the sales and then I stock up again. I do this to save money each month, each week. And it works. You don't have to spend hours to coupon. Thanks to the internet :)
This is a great giveaway for the Valentines. I save on Valentines Day by having a special dinner at home rather than having a fancy dinner in a restaurant.
To work from home you need the experience and knowledge more than anything. The trust is what is needed for you to bring clients in and earn money.
People also believe that they will be able to start out online, build a business and get sales straight away, it doesn't happen over time. My tip for working from home is to run it part time whilst you still slowly create a transition across.
This is exactly what I do. A nice little bath basket with gels, creams and candles. Although, I have heard that the candles last a long time because Mommy time in the tub is often short lived.
I recently received a prepaid netspend card and I freaked out too. To those praising the card the point is we were sent real cards with our names on them. That would freak anyone out period. I'm shredding mine up and and sending in a complain. No company should try to lure in customer's this way.
I see frugality as not buying into the consumer mentality. The consumer mentality being that new is good.
Case in point. Clothing. Buy it new, wear it one day (or even not at all), try to sell it on Craigslist, get less than 1/2 for it.
Good is not exclusive to new. You can buy used that is also good.
Therefore New really only means now or convenient. If you want to pay for now or convenient, then go right ahead.
I'm patient, and I can wait, so I don't have to pay for new. Not buying new, I save lots of money.
Problem is, I can find nearly new for dirt cheap, so the problem is in restraining myself from buying stuff that I don't really need, because it-is-such-a-good-deal.
If I can buy a *brand new* Columbia Hexaholic Down Jacket ($260 retail) for $40, what's to say I should just go buy a new jacket every year even though this $40 jacket will last me a couple of years at least.
People ask me how do I live with so few expenses. It's because I treat it as a hobby, and this hobby became a life skill, and I learned to limit myself. It's when we live within our limits that we learn how to be happy with what we have. And when we break through our limits, we can experience a different type of joy.
My small business had internet and phone bills of $150 a month. I've now reduced it to $37.
My cell phone used to be $60/month. Now it's $7/month. That's with unlimited incoming and 1c/min outgoing.
People ask me how I did this for so cheap. It's because I always ask myself if there is a better way.
"If the government mandates that credit agencies must give you three free reports a year, then it must be pretty important for you to get those reports." <--Agreed!!!
Same here. Buying materialistic things is a waste, some are only trendy for awhile then they get tossed. I'd rather spend my money on a vacation and have an experience. That is something that you will always have with you (hopefully a good vacation).
A friend of mind that works in law enforcement said he doesn't have pictures of his family in his wallet. I've also followed this advice. Also, when traveling I carry a dummy wallet with a few dollars in it.
When I got shopping and I spot something that I didn't plan on, I stop myself to think if its something I really need or if I can get by without for a bit longer or just for good. Chances are if its an impulse purchase....you don't need it at all.
If you're someone who is trying to rebuild their credit, it can be frustrating if one or more of your good accounts that you pay on time doesn't sow up in all of your credit reports. Some creditors, like subprime lenders, won't even bother to report to the credit bureaus because they fear their competitors will try to take business away from them. If you find this happening, you can always just ask them to report your good behavior.
Call centers in India, errors by the very institutions that resell our credit info, drawn out procedures to issue corrections, good people get screwed because these clowns won't clean u their own industry. Can't wait until the lawsuits pour in.
I love fish but always think its too expensive. Will take advantage of the advice. Thank you.
Man, I'd flip if my dishwasher died. If it fits, it goes in the dishwasher. I have an aviary, and I clean all their toys, cups and perches in there (with a second run of vinegar to disinfect). I can recycle old plastic items, silk flowers, and large things that won't fit in the sink. I have kind an OCD fixation on dirt (sadly, not so much on clutter) and I have found that I can even get the refrigerator shelves in there as well as the plastic boxes and so forth I use to hold things. I've even washed aquarium parts and a small aquarium in it. Unparalleled for things like glass lampshades and a second-hand shop dealer I know swears by it for rejuvenating castoffs. I call it the OMNIWASHER. Now, about my washing machine....
You have listed here great items which make perfect baby gifts. Apart from being cheaper than other gift items available in stores, they will surely get appreciated by the baby's parents. At least they need not buy a few of the essential things they need.
I've never really had house plants because I've never been able to grow them. I seem to have a black thumb. Pardon my ignorance, but do these or most house plants need sunlight or are lights in the house enough for them? I only have a few windows that get sunlight and would love to try and have some plants in the house. Thanks!
What cellular carrier are you with for $7 per month?
I use aftershave for that reason. Sure, it's unnecessary. But the problem is more that people use the $50 bottle, rather than the $3 bottle I use.
Sure, you can get fit without a gym membership. But can you practice a training plan to exercise particular muscles? Not so easy. You could of course buy the bars and weights and machines yourself of course, but then it's a case of choosing between the gym and the gear.
And your advice for running is only partly true. In good weather all you need are a good pair of running shoes (seriously, don't skimp on these), socks and whatever else you need to stay decent. But you seriously appreciate the athletic clothing in wet or sub-zero conditions.
I spend time and typically make my own gift!
We tend to celebrate not on Valentine's Day itself, but somewhere in the surrounding week. For instance, if we're going out to dinner, there are plenty of discount deals that generally aren't accepted on 2/14...but make for a perfectly lovely evening other times that week...
Nice article, and I agree there is a distinct difference between being frugal and being cheap. However I must disagree with one point. You state that if you were not living frugally you would lose peace-of-mind because you are spending above your means.
I think there is a big separation between "being frugal" and "spending above your means". Many people can live their lives without being frugal, per-se, while at the same time not spending above their means.
Personally, this sounds like a frugal-bias...that anyone NOT being frugal is throwing their money away, thus must be in debt. Which is not true.To me it kind of hurts your argument.
I have no problem with extreme couponing, but when it goes OCD extreme like on that TLC show, that is the problem. Who need 77 bottles of anything? pop (soda for the rest of the world, pop for michigan people :) ) or mustard? That is insane! I am a couponer, a traditional one. I spend maybe 1-2 hours per week, and I have saved money and yes I have a stockpile, but on things that I use within six months. Once I am getting low, then it is time for the sales and then I stock up again. I do this to save money each month, each week. And it works. You don't have to spend hours to coupon. Thanks to the internet :)
Nova Scotia is an EASTern province; not west of Ontario.
Wonderful gift ideas that just right for the budget. I am fond of giving pacifiers to babies. I really find babies with pacifiers extra cute.
This is a great giveaway for the Valentines. I save on Valentines Day by having a special dinner at home rather than having a fancy dinner in a restaurant.
To work from home you need the experience and knowledge more than anything. The trust is what is needed for you to bring clients in and earn money.
People also believe that they will be able to start out online, build a business and get sales straight away, it doesn't happen over time. My tip for working from home is to run it part time whilst you still slowly create a transition across.
This is exactly what I do. A nice little bath basket with gels, creams and candles. Although, I have heard that the candles last a long time because Mommy time in the tub is often short lived.
I recently received a prepaid netspend card and I freaked out too. To those praising the card the point is we were sent real cards with our names on them. That would freak anyone out period. I'm shredding mine up and and sending in a complain. No company should try to lure in customer's this way.
I see frugality as not buying into the consumer mentality. The consumer mentality being that new is good.
Case in point. Clothing. Buy it new, wear it one day (or even not at all), try to sell it on Craigslist, get less than 1/2 for it.
Good is not exclusive to new. You can buy used that is also good.
Therefore New really only means now or convenient. If you want to pay for now or convenient, then go right ahead.
I'm patient, and I can wait, so I don't have to pay for new. Not buying new, I save lots of money.
Problem is, I can find nearly new for dirt cheap, so the problem is in restraining myself from buying stuff that I don't really need, because it-is-such-a-good-deal.
If I can buy a *brand new* Columbia Hexaholic Down Jacket ($260 retail) for $40, what's to say I should just go buy a new jacket every year even though this $40 jacket will last me a couple of years at least.
People ask me how do I live with so few expenses. It's because I treat it as a hobby, and this hobby became a life skill, and I learned to limit myself. It's when we live within our limits that we learn how to be happy with what we have. And when we break through our limits, we can experience a different type of joy.
My small business had internet and phone bills of $150 a month. I've now reduced it to $37.
My cell phone used to be $60/month. Now it's $7/month. That's with unlimited incoming and 1c/min outgoing.
People ask me how I did this for so cheap. It's because I always ask myself if there is a better way.
"If the government mandates that credit agencies must give you three free reports a year, then it must be pretty important for you to get those reports." <--Agreed!!!
Great tip Kevin! So true, that would definitely be a giveaway that someone may have stolen your identity!
Thanks for the positive feedback! Glad to hear you take advantage of your ability to check your report. It's definitely an important thing to do!