Common sense

[Jeanna]

I know I do not do the frugal thing sometimes, but it really amazes me how many people have no idea.
For example on GMA this morning the big budget segment was, not get this, to save money, shop thrift stores. I don't know, I guess it is true, common sense is not so common any more.
What about you? What have you seen or read that just surprises you because you assume that everyone should know that.

[Momto2Boyz]

Cooking at home, is a big one. We have friends (and family) that complain about their budget, yet they continue to eat out, saying that they don't know how to cook!

Even buying the swanson salsbury steak dinner and other convenience foods are way cheaper than eating out...and all you have to do is turn on an oven!

I think being frugal is very much linked to your personality. Some people just can't do it, without a major mental overhaul!

[Sara Noel]

In my early 20's, it wouldn't have dawned on me to shop at a thrift store. Initially I only started shopping them for resale items. It took a while to cross over. LOL

But now, I do think well duh.

[PrairieRose]

I saw something the other day about how shopping online for your movie tickets could really 'stretch your budget'..... I thought, "or how about reading a book from the library or just watching what's on tv? or having friends over to play cards....?". Yeah sometimes it blows me away the advice they give on saving money. I mean yeah, you might save a little by not buying your movie tickets at the counter but how much more could they have saved by staying home if they really need to save.....?

[AmyBoz]

I think the biggest piece of common sense that people ignore and when they figure it out I want to say "DUH!!!" is your avatar! If you don't need it, don't buy it! Cracks me up when people say "Oh, I almost bought it because it was such a great deal, but then I realized I didn't need it, so I didn't buy it. Aren't you proud of me?" Um...why were you considering buying something you didn't need in the first place???

[peanut]

If you don't need it, don't buy it! Cracks me up when people say "Oh, I almost bought it because it was such a great deal, but then I realized I didn't need it, so I didn't buy it. Aren't you proud of me?" Um...why were you considering buying something you didn't need in the first place???

LOL! This is soooo me. You have no idea how hard it is for we spontaneous impulsive people. It is a big deal when we don't buy something we want but don't need. I need the commendation to keep me motivated to stay focused and frugal. I try to only subject DH to it though... But those beautiful things just call my name...

[nancycg56]

LOL! This is soooo me. You have no idea how hard it is for we spontaneous impulsive people. It is a big deal when we don't buy something we want but don't need. I need the commendation to keep me motivated to stay focused and frugal. I try to only subject DH to it though... But those beautiful things just call my name...

I'm with you peanut! I can be an impulsive shopper and I'm proud of myself when I don't buy wants ~ and I love to tell my DH, too

I think cooking is a big one for me. Restaurant meals are so expensive!

[thefrug]

I find that common sense has taken a vacation on a lot of things these days. Like, do you really need a 3,000sq.ft. house for 2 people? Do you really need a vehicle that was/is for use of the military and will never go off road? Do you really need to spend more that you make to look good to others?
although, and I know I'm being bad here....do we really want everyone to know our secrets about shopping thrifts stores???! LMAO!

[forHISglory]

Another area that makes me wonder is on gift giving. I've read threads on FV about parents feeling that their kids will be scarred for life if they don't get a $500 gift, and this is for little kids! I went to a wedding shower recently, where the gifts were running about $250 each. I can't afford that. I also hear folks say, "Oh, you can't find anything nice for under $50." Well, I can find something nice for WELL under that amount.

I'm not against gift giving at all, but I'm against huge gift giving when you can't afford it.

[redhead68]

I think the thing to remember is that we're all starting at different places on the road to frugality, and everyone doesn't define frugality the same way. For example, I don't typically shop thrift stores, but what few things I buy new I keep for a very long time. I guess I'm more of a VS*-style rather than a BOGO**-style frugalista. My point is that there are lots of ways to approach a thrifty lifestyle.

As far as the segment goes, many people may have been turned off to thrift stores years ago, when they were generally dark and musty places, and might be surprised at how clean, bright, and well-organized they are today. I think GMA did a nice job promoting thrift stores to those who may not have given them a chance otherwise.

*voluntary simplicity
**buy one, get one

[mombottoo]

...many people may have been turned off to thrift stores years ago, when they were generally dark and musty places, and might be surprised at how clean, bright, and well-organized they are today.....

I was originally turned off by thrift stores, when I went in and found many of their prices to be high considering the stuff is donated and at that time thrift stores were geared towards the very poor. Now, the prices (around here anyway) are more in line with what used items should sell for.

I'm also a firm believer that some people just have more "common sense" than others and even those with "common sense" had to pick up the trait from somewhere.

[joyofsix]

The tip that drives me BONKERS~ Take your own water, bottled water is expensive. Argh!!!! It's free at every water fountain people. Yes, sometimes you are stuck and have to buy some, but buying cases and cases and drinking it at home??? My dad always says "the problem with common sense is it ain't common."

[jas]

eating out is a big one. heating and cooling those big houses with the ceilings that are so tall all that dead space. They look nice, but the cost has got to be high.

[georgiamom]

Girls I love ya'll I was wanting me a bread machine and a friend of mine has a thrift store told her what I needed she said I will call you if a good one comes in. Two days later one came in practically brand new works like a charm. Now if I want to make my own bread all I have to do is make it. I can drop in on my lunch hour if I need something or just call her with my needs list and when I need to clean out a closet during the spring or after winter she just ask that you organize it and have it cleaned before your drop it off and you can make a little money on the side if it is a consignment shop. I love it. I can find gifts for a shower still in boxes or I can go to my local more than mail and pickup a box from another friend for .50 and pakage it up and looks brand new. I grew up with very frugal parents (both had parents that were farmers also) who new that money was hard to come by so I pinch pennies. Now my dh he is not so much a penny pincher. I have to get on to him. He gets mad if he sees me wearing my jeans with holes in the knees but they are just getting broken in good. Good ole country girl like me marrying a city slicker. who'd a thunkit.

[gardening momma]

In my early 20's, it wouldn't have dawned on me to shop at a thrift store.

that was me too.