Frugality

[USAFpj]

He has forgotten about some of his "treasures". . .

Hahahah! Guess what, Molalla?! That's exactly what Dad and I call our stuff when explaining to the wives.

I bought a WW2 truck a few years back, and am still restoring it with my older son. That truck was/has been my pride and joy with all of its rare and intact 80 year old bits- so much potential. My youngest son was 6 at the time, and was overheard telling somebody that it was "a rusty piece of junk". My wife still reminds me that he's more her son...

 

[Molalla1]

Hahahah! Guess what, Molalla?! That's exactly what Dad and I call our stuff when explaining to the wives.

I bought a WW2 truck a few years back, and am still restoring it with my older son. That truck was/has been my pride and joy with all of its rare and intact 80 year old bits- so much potential. My youngest son was 6 at the time, and was overheard telling somebody that it was "a rusty piece of junk". My wife still reminds me that he's more her son...

Ya but the apple does not fall from the tree . . . He (your son) is watching you . . .

 

[Fuddy1952]

One thing I've always thought was there are two forces with frugality, material and labor.
As a kid there were no big box stores and at that time (and previously) labor meant nothing.
In the 90s I had a contractor remodel parents kitchen, nothing fancy just better. When he installed a new sink he needed a drain. Luckily Dad was close at hand to help. So over to the barn they go. Three hours later Dad had rigged all the pieces he found together and he and contractor had it installed and working.
Contractor calls me..."what do I do? Three hours, Lowe's has the entire drain kit for $9.00 which I could have installed in 15 minutes!!!".
He calmed down after I explained during the great depression Dad delivered groceries on his bicycle using sections of old garden hose with a wire through it for wheels because he couldn't afford tires.
In his 80s Dad would pick trash up on their highway frontage using a stick with a nail in it, patches all over his clothes. People would often stop to see if he needed help. One guy stopped asking him "I've heard there's a rich old lady who lives down this driveway"...Dad replied "There is, and she even let's me sleep with her".
Dad was great!

 

[USAFpj]

One thing I've always thought was there are two forces with frugality, material and labor.

Another great thought! If Dad and I are different in any way, it's that I say Time = Money. I have 3 kids still at home, and the wife schools them. My job carries me overseas for 84 days at a time, so when I finally get home, it ain't time to spend my days working on projects!

Perhaps when I get older, I'll move to the opposite spectrum where my money needs to be stretched further... but for now? Time is the most precious.

 

[Industrial Toys]

My Dad was bad for hiring professionals and then giving them a pile of useless stuff they were supposed to do the job with.

 

[ultrarunner]

Interesting in just how abundant material things have become. Many recession era folks carefully measure out toilet paper and some patients told me they never had TP growing up

 

[CADplans]

To me, the difference between frugal and cheap,, is whether the person understands math,,

many people just do not understand math,,, and many other people just calculate things the wrong way,,

In post #1,, the price of gas is mentioned,,
virtually 100% of the population will measure "miles per gallon" to evaluate fuel economy,,

There is a better way,, in my opinion,,
rather than calculate miles per gallon, or M/G I always calculate dollars per mile,, or $/M

You take the total amount you spend for an amount of fuel, divide by the miles traveled,, then you get a number that can be used to compare ,,

When I have done this in the past,, I have found,,,
there is almost no difference in the cost to drive a car that gets 30 MPG and 40 MPG
try it,, the numbers will shock you,, if gas is under $2.50 per gallon,,,

there is almost no difference in driving my Chevy 2500HD and our Honda CR-V,, if I am only going <5 miles,,

My truck is WAY cheap to drive when gas is <$1 per gallon,,

My truck is WAY expensive to drive,,, when gas is >$4 per gallon,,
in the two cases above, the gas mileage did not change,, but, frugal me will not drive the truck @$4 per gallon.
If I am cheap,, I will not enjoy my truck @$1 per gallon,,, (I ALWAYS drive my truck when gas is under $2.50 per gallon,, it is worth the fun)

So, frugal,, cheap,, it depends on how you calculate it,,, :cool2:

 

[4570Man]

The 3 hours labor to rig up a drain ( that you probably can’t take apart to clean out ) to save $15 is a prime example of something my grandpa would do. Better yet go to the hardware store 7 times and use all day and burn $10 in gas to avoid buying unnecessary fittings that are like 40 cents each.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I am just thrilled if I can find something I have to use on a project. I will never or rarely use something that would detract from the over-all quality of the finished project. So different from my Dad. Nothing needs to match if it saves you even a nickle! He in fact wears all kinds of mismatched socks, turned around so the holes in one pair cover the other.

But my all time favourite and one I have adopted, although it makes little "cents" is cutting open a toothpaste tube and using a heavy tube and flat surface, walk on the tube, flattening it out and obtaining the last bit of paste. I could imagine, falling while balanced on the tube, hitting your face on the vice and causing twelve thousand dollars in dental work!

 

[USAFpj]

walk on the tube, flattening it out and obtaining the last bit of paste.

Now that's frugal. Cheap would be to just go without paste as it really doesn't provide anything that a brush alone can't do...

 

[Diggin It]

My Dad was bad for hiring professionals and then giving them a pile of useless stuff they were supposed to do the job with.

I'm bad for digging out a pile of useless stuff and doing something I should have hired a professional to do.

 

[USAFpj]

I'm bad for digging out a pile of useless stuff and doing something I should have hired a professional to do.

Have mercy, that was funny.

 

[Deere Dude]

There was a time when doing a project I would always get 3 pieces if I need one, just in case. Three handfuls of bolts if I need a couple bolts. I always kept whatever I bought and never took stuff back unless it was a very unique expensive item. I just stored it in a bin.

The last few years I find myself buying what I know I need plus one extra. When the job is done I will take the extra part back (when in the neighborhood) even if it is 50 cents worth. I don't accumulate nowhere as much stuff when I was actually doing quite a bit of work in the garage. Cheap or frugal, I don't know.

 

[Industrial Toys]

When someone at his work bought my Dad a Toy Tractor to match the one he had bought (6200), my father wanted ME to take it to the dealership and get money for it, or a credit. I refused and it didn't go over very well. Then I had to hear about money growing on trees and so forth.

 

[Gary Fowler]

My Mom and Dad lived thru the Great Depression and like many have discussed here, he never threw away anything, even if it was broken. We lived on what we grew and bought very little groceries in the store other than coffee and sugar. I inherited a bit of their frugality in that I try to fix anything that breaks prior to just buying a new one. I dont buy stuff just to be buying or just because the neighbor has one. I dont buy Snap-on tools for something that I use just occasionally when Harbor Freight wrenches do the job just as well (is that cheap or frugal).

I just gave my daughter my 2003 car with only 110K on the meter and in great shape that we were still driving while a 2013 model sat in the garage with less than 10K on the odometer. My truck is a 2007 and no plans to buy anything new. Driving a car for more than a decade, is that cheap or frugal.

I save most of my scrap lumber and all my scrap metal and often find what I need for a project in my scrap pile. I do finally throw away the smallest of small pieces though.

When I go out to eat, I order what ever I want without considering the price. Food is one thing that I dont scrimp on quality or quantity. Why gnaw on a tough cut of meat when rib eye is just a few bucks more. I doubt that is either cheap or frugal, but we need to live a little. I buy what I want when I want it and pay cash when I do and I think I am being frugal. I dont owe anything on my cars, house or toys and the reason why is because I have been a bit frugal for my lifetime.
I tip generously when I eat out because I realize the young wait staff is likely living on minimum wage so they have to be cheap and they are likely deep in credit card debt because their parents gave them everything they wanted while growing up and didn't teach them to be frugal. I do feel a bit sorry for all the young folks growing up now with the "I want it all and I want it now" attitudes and dont save anything for their future.

 

[4570Man]

I think driving a garbage vehicle is either cheap or poor. Driving an old vehicle that still gets the job done is frugal. If a vehicle is still reliable and drives good and is still in pretty good shape what more could you ask for?

 

[Industrial Toys]

I had tough times, but mostly of my own making. I feel sorry for the young people because they simply won't have the options we had. In my days, you could be a blue collar worker and if you lived cleanly and wisely, you could become very comfortable with an old age to look forward to. Those days are gone for most.

My Dad bought his Dodge Sprinter and had to "DELETE" the AC. Probably saved a hundred bucks and the two hundred dollar tax. He has never owned an AC unit. Is that Frugal?

He was touring the US when the heater fan quit. He was quite delayed, because they kept sending the dealer the fan motor that the AC equiped vehicles have, because, well, there can't be any such thing as a Sprinter with no AC!

 

[Diggin It]

I buy used cars only. Last several have been 5-6 years old when I bought. I drive them til they die. Both of mine now are mid 90s models and I've had them around 15 years. They both still look and run fine, but have had some mechanical problems. Some things I was able to fix, others had to go to a shop. But all totaled, with what I paid and the cumulative repairs, I've still got considerably less into them than I would if I had bought them new.

 

[Alien]

I have a buddy who has a very well off father.
He was an aircraft refueller and engineer/technician. He worked very long hours and was on call 24/7 . He has worn overalls every day of his life. (And still does)
He invested in real estate and made a killing. Now he is reaping the benefits.

He bought 2 new Holden Coarado trucks. One he drives, the other he straight away pulled the motor and transmission so he can put something 'decent' in it.
He owns a pretty new Cessna and a Citabria. (I would kill for either)
A week or so ago he was in the local city airport and spotted a Cessna sitting there with no motor. He bought it on the spot. He is going to fit a new motor and do some mods on it.
I don't know where he finds the time to do all this but my buddy helps him with things. (He had his own mechanical shop)
He has taken a leaf off his father and is a successful property developer and just purchased a real estate business as well. I know he will do very well.
There is no frugal nature to either of them but they can spot a bargain from miles away.
No buying rubbish either. It has to be the best.
My buddy just built 2 new houses, one for himself and one to rent right next door. (He has others)
His new home has everything remote controlled from cameras in the fridge to self filling baths..... you name it.

Me? I would be burnt out doing what they do so I am classed as 'frugal'.

 

[Molalla1]

My Mom and Dad lived thru the Great Depression and like many have discussed here, he never threw away anything, even if it was broken. We lived on what we grew and bought very little groceries in the store other than coffee and sugar. I inherited a bit of their frugality in that I try to fix anything that breaks prior to just buying a new one. I dont buy stuff just to be buying or just because the neighbor has one. I dont buy Snap-on tools for something that I use just occasionally when Harbor Freight wrenches do the job just as well (is that cheap or frugal).

I just gave my daughter my 2003 car with only 110K on the meter and in great shape that we were still driving while a 2013 model sat in the garage with less than 10K on the odometer. My truck is a 2007 and no plans to buy anything new. Driving a car for more than a decade, is that cheap or frugal.

I save most of my scrap lumber and all my scrap metal and often find what I need for a project in my scrap pile. I do finally throw away the smallest of small pieces though.

When I go out to eat, I order what ever I want without considering the price. Food is one thing that I dont scrimp on quality or quantity. Why gnaw on a tough cut of meat when rib eye is just a few bucks more. I doubt that is either cheap or frugal, but we need to live a little. I buy what I want when I want it and pay cash when I do and I think I am being frugal. I dont owe anything on my cars, house or toys and the reason why is because I have been a bit frugal for my lifetime.
I tip generously when I eat out because I realize the young wait staff is likely living on minimum wage so they have to be cheap and they are likely deep in credit card debt because their parents gave them everything they wanted while growing up and didn't teach them to be frugal. I do feel a bit sorry for all the young folks growing up now with the "I want it all and I want it now" attitudes and dont save anything for their future.

Very astute Gary . . .