Frugality

[Alan W.]

My dad turns 80 this year. He will be crazy frugal on most things. But then there is his motor home and car and nothing is good enough for them. Moms the same way.

It drives him crazy that we spend money on things we like. Then he will turn around and tell me I should put Michelins on my old ranger instead of the cheap goodyears from walmart.

 

[Citydude]

For me, being frugal is living within your means and having a monitary retirement strategy while your working. When I retired, I became cheap. I cant explain the change but I did have grandparents that lamented about the great depression who scrimped and saved. It must have rubbed off on me.

 

[ruffdog]

Inflation......in 29 years the cost of living went up 95.5%. For a person with some gray in their hair, we can't understand where the value of the dollar went. Someone buys a 1500 truck for $60k....is it really worth that much? How many hours did us gray people have to work to net $60k and do we drive enough to think that is a good value? I started saving for retirement when I was a teen and I'm glad I did. Just because the retail price for an item is what someone else is willing to pay, it doesn't mean that is what I'm willing to pay.

Inflation Calculator | Find US Dollar's Value from 1913-219

 

[cqaigy2]

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 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?

I had to double check to see if i posted this.

 

[USAFpj]

He has worked a lot, and hard, for most of his life. At 64, I felt bad for him because he was working 12hr shifts for 6 days a week as a machinist. No sitting down for him for most, if not all, of his shift. He would leave the house before sunup, and come home at dark. He did this for years.

I told him that's no way to live, and that he would work himself into the grave. I asked him if he had a choice, would he take the time off, or have the money(overtime)? He didn't hesitate to say money with a smile on his face!

I reckon I'm different..

 

[Industrial Toys]

Much has to do with manifesting ones reality. Many people never have money, because that is what they want, and they get what they want which is wanting money. Believe you already have it and you won't probably want for money, ever.

My Father and I are at great odds about money. He has lots of money but dumpster dives for old bread and collects beer bottles out of peoples garbage in his upper middle class neghbourhood. A lady came out and offered him money, which he declined, saying he has plenty. Too funny. But to me, in the grand scheme of things, ten cents here and there won't make a bit of difference. I think to him, it's like money put out to the garbage, but he has lost a sense for how little it's worth. And more of an obsession.

 

[bunyip]

I won't buy cheap if it is not going to do the job, same with food items that just don't taste right, cheap clothing has let me down or just doesn't last, shoes don't feel right or hurt after a while.
And if I don't have the money I wait until i do.
So many people have credit cards to maintain a lifestyle, I have one so i don't have to carry cash but pay it off so have never paid interest but benefit from the points accumulated to buy that bottle of single malt i love.
My late ex was up to her *** in borrowed money and lost everything....... twice then tells me I am lucky, can't figure that one out.
Don't gamble or smoke, enjoy outdoor cooking which is cheaper than eating out and probably better.
is this frugal or just plain careful of where my money goes.
Wife says always turn a dollar in your hand twice before parting with it which I suppose is the same as the saying, a wise man has a pipe to give him time to think, a fool something to put in his mouth.

 

[RustyA]

To me frugal is buying the best quality stuff you can afford to pay cash for and taking good care of it so it lasts a long time whether it's tools, vehicles, lawn mowers, etc. Cheap is buying the least expensive version of anything and crying when it's junk in a year or two. Frugal people plan and save up of what they want and make it last. Cheap people end up spending more money in the long run whether it's equipment, tools, chainsaws, etc. When I buy something it's not always the price but the value for the dollar, cheap people just want the cheapest thing that accomplishes the task for now.

 

[USAFpj]

Wow, Industrial Toys, that speaks volumes...

 

[Industrial Toys]

There is volumes to tell, if people would just put their Egos aside and speak the truth. Open and honest. Most live behind a facade. Can you imagine a world where no one would care what new truck at what trim level the Jones just bought, Err, I mean paid zero down on?

I don't equate "cheap" with buying poor quality stuff at all. To me, cheap means more often selfish.