Frugality

USAFpj · May 25, 2019

Can someone help me to understand the difference between being cheap, and being frugal?:laughing:

I absolutely love my 65yr old Dad, and he has been gracious to me in the past to give me some of his acreage$$$ without any expectations or hesitation. However, there is not an item on this green earth that he doesn't think is "too expensive". We have a great relationship, but it does not matter if its taxes, boots, ammunition, gasoline (he will drive $4.00 worth of gas to save .02 cents/gallon). He will then bust my b@llz if he finds out that I didn't do the same!

I say all of this in jest, but I really do wonder, psychologically, where that stems from? I am his polar opposite, however- I believe if you do your research, that quality goods cost quality money. If the old man knew I was thinking about a new Kubota M59, he'd lose his mind

Anyway- let me ask you 'thrifty' guys out there- what makes a person so concerned and critical with the price of EVERY good out there?

oosik · May 25, 2019

Well - at 77 I'm older than your Dad. I usually will spend the needed money and go for quality. A couple years ago I woke up one morning and realized - there is NO WAY I will be able to take it with me when it's my time.

With that in mind - I just dropped $60K on a new 2018 Ram Power Wagon. I've always wanted one and I'm pretty sure I better get it in the here and now. Doubt there will be anything like it where I'll be going.

Maybe your Dad knows something that I don't.

Chances are that your Dad isn't going to change his way of thinking - it will be up to you to learn to live with his concerns.

My next door( lives 4.5 miles away) neighbor is a BIG cattle rancher. He could afford to buy new. HOWEVER - he has always bought used equipment and fiddled with repairs/replacement for the 38 years I've known him. WHY??? WHO KNOWS............

USAFpj · May 25, 2019

With that in mind - I just dropped $60K on a new 2018 Ram Power Wagon

Nice truck! And the frugalness in me still drives my 98 Dodge Ram 1500:laughing:. Matter of fact- I'd place $60K into his/our land even before buying a pickup. But if I find out the 'going price' is around $60K for the specific object, well, that's what I pay..

Dad is definitely more patient, but if I make up my mind about something, I do it. Haven't regretted it yet..

Diggin It · May 25, 2019

I've been known to squeeze a dime hard enough to get three nickels out of it.

On the gas thing, I've done the same. It can be about principal. There are some places I will NOT buy from, no matter their price. Wally World is one. I drive past them all the time to go to stores miles further on. I don't care if Wally is 90% less.

I've never bought a new car and never will. I've never bought a new house and never will. This tractor is the first new big ticket item I've ever bought.

I believe if you do your research, that quality goods cost quality money.

I believe if you do your research, that 'quality' goods are more about perception of brand name recognition than a real difference in product quality. I found that orange and green paint added a lot to the price without really adding much else. Craftsman tools of the 1960s, 70s and into the 80s may have been better quality than other brands, but what about Craftsman tools of the 2020s?

USAFpj · May 25, 2019

I believe if you do your research, that 'quality' goods are more about perception of brand name recognition than a real difference in product quality. I found that orange and green paint added a lot to the price without really adding much else.

Hmmmm. Will definitely have to ponder that one for the future. That's also what is interesting. Principle. I know a guy that can tell you the immoral political leanings of every major business in a community, but guess where is the first place they will spend their money if its the best deal..

4get gto · May 25, 2019

Don't you believe it's a little about the generation we grew up in. There's nothing frugal about today's generation. College loans up the kazoo, 5/6 credits cards going on at one time. Think nothing of having a 300k house and a 50k car payment.
Living for today not tomorrow. Today's thinking is instant gratification. OP's dad was just brought up in a different world..!

USAFpj · May 25, 2019

Definitely a part of it! But let me say that when you announce that you're giving another Grandchild, the comment shouldn't be, "that's a lot of college money"

And if we compare paychecks and retirement income, the frugal isn't getting them very far...

4get gto · May 25, 2019

USAFpj said:
Definitely a part of it! But let me say that when you announce that you're giving another Grandchild, the comment shouldn't be, "that's a lot of college money"

And if we compare paychecks and retirement income, the frugal isn't getting them very far...

LOL....not sure what to say now...!

USAFpj · May 25, 2019

But he can make fun of himself, too. He told me one time that "I've held a penny hard enough to make Lincoln holler."...

Love my old man..

oosik · May 25, 2019

I grew up in - basically - the same era as your dad. Just ten years earlier. Now my parents........ they both lived thru and saw the great depression. My parents saved and scrimped and built a new house with the money they saved. A beautiful big ranch style home in Ea WA state - not too far from where I live now. When their house was completed - they owed nobody a red cent. That's the same way we did with our house here. When the house was completed, we owed nothing to anybody for the 80 acres nor the house. Same as I did with the Ram Power Wagon. I will scrimp/save and pay cash on the barrel head. It's just my way of life.

Doing things my way gives a guy a LOT of time to think about any future purchases.