Sooooo tired of being the only one who.....

toile · 09-30-2008, 05:05 PM

Thanks goodness for this site is all I have to say.... and my best friends frugal family

This is a multi year vent oozing out of me today....

I am sooooo tired of being the only one here who:

-doesn't have $300-$1000 birthday parties to impress others
-who actually cooks food from scratch (not eating out "cheap" instead and calling it frugal
-who actually conserves gas during shortages
-who actually conserves water during drought water shortages
-who air dries some clothing
-who actually OPEN their windows (not relying on heat/air only)
-who uses free city mulch that others cringe at
-who actually cuts back instead of talking about it
-who doesnt own/use credit cards
-who only vacations with cash saved for it
-only has Christmas with cash saved for it
-who actually lives a cash/check/debit life, no cheating
-who actually lives 1000% on our own and doesnt rely on elderly parents to float our lifestyle

I could go on and on and on.....
I'm telling you, it's lonely out here actually living a chosen modest lifestyle in a world where NO ONE does that here.... (with the exception of my best friends family)

Anyone relate?

**stinkbug** · 09-30-2008, 05:09 PM

I can totally relate!

I know of no one IRL who lives like we do.....ugh.

**AmyBoz** · 09-30-2008, 05:15 PM

It can be tough, but easy if you focus less on what others do and more on how great your life is because of what you do!

**Starlight9803** · 09-30-2008, 05:42 PM

I can totally relate! I had someone come to look at something DH had for sale, and when they saw the clothes hanging out on the line, they were astonished and asked if my dryer had broken. They were even more surprised when they found out that it works fine!

**frugalbabe** · 09-30-2008, 06:24 PM

~sigh~sounds familiar. Whnever I start getting discouraged I take a look at my shrinking debt and my growing savings and then I just smile at all of the neighbors who think I am wasting my time at hanging clothes out, scratch cooking etc etc

**kettlecorn** · 09-30-2008, 07:35 PM

I can totally relate. It is such a struggle when I see friends and family always showing off their new goodies at the mall, hair newly done and freshly manicured. I hate it when I am the only one out of my friends who buys DS's baby clothes toys at thrift stores. I hate the comments my friends say about me being a cheap-o. But what I like is buying a name brand shirt for $3 knowing that someone else just bought it for $30. I like the satisfaction to know that although things are tight, we have a home and food on the table cause lots of people don't. I can't wait to have a peaceful night not worrying about debt but I know that someday I will be sleeping nice when everyone else begins to come to their sense and think about how their lifestyle is catching up. It is a very big struggle. You are lucky to have you BF share the same values. And you always have us cheap-os here at FV. I don't know where I would be if I hadnt found this place!

**frugalchick** · 09-30-2008, 08:05 PM

I am right there with you.....and we will all enjoy the ride!

**Momto2Boyz** · 09-30-2008, 08:10 PM

I can relate! When gas hit $3.50/gallon I sold my car and my friends thought I was nutso! But it didn't make sense paying a car payment and insurance on a car that was going to sit in the driveway! Now, DH and I share a car. I've learned to walk everywhere. I make one trip a week in the car (to get groceries and run errands that are too far away to walk).

My best friend thinks cooking from scratch is baking a birthday cake from a box instead of buying one! I think it is hilarious. I'm sure she laughs at my thrifty ways as much as I laugh at her spendy ways!

**virgo** · 09-30-2008, 08:12 PM

Yep I didnt do anything for my b-day and my family gave no presents because we couldnt afford it.

**rebecca** · 09-30-2008, 08:17 PM

I understand where you are all coming from, but at the same time you wonder how much debt they are in, are their jobs secure?, Are they acting like they have alot of money but really living pay check to pay check. Sure some people may not have the above problems, but I can almost guarantee you that most of them are struggling but not voicing it.

**PrairieRose** · 09-30-2008, 08:54 PM

Yeah we're pretty much isolated here too....sooooooo 'don't feel like the 'Lone Stranger' '.....

**madhen** · 09-30-2008, 08:59 PM

I suspect, as the economy continues to plunge, that you will find your lifestyle becoming more and more in vogue, and that you may be plagued by people asking you for advice!!

**alch** · 09-30-2008, 09:00 PM

I am a widow living on a fixed income. I am envious on how others live but I also know I owe no one while the ones I am envious of live paycheck to paycheck.I have a parttime job for fun money, paid off my house, have no car payment and savings in case of emergency.I stockpile and try to find free things to attend. i am so lucky.......

**HappyMama** · 09-30-2008, 09:03 PM

I can totally relate. My friends can't understand why I don't use any credit cards.....and I do all the above also except the free mulch...lol we don't have that here.

**Ilovesewing** · 09-30-2008, 09:17 PM

Hmm, I can honestly say that 'most' people I know live simply as I do. Naturally, I don't know who uses credit cards and who doesn't because that's none of my business, but the people I know live in houses they can afford, drive cars they can afford, and don't look like they shop for clothes at high end stores.

My family is probably the worst of anyone I know as in they all had to go out and buy big and bigger houses. And my sister only shops at Nordstroms for shoes and clothes. But, they can definitely afford it so that's up to them. I don't think I know anyone that tries to show up the Jones's!