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Thread: Am I being overreactive?
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03-04-2009, 01:57 PM #1Registered User
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Am I being overreactive?
http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/03/04...hic/index.html
The title of the article really struck a negative nerve with me. "In a recession, cheap is chic" paints a negative depiction of frugality to me, at least in my mind it does. I wonder if these people realize that calling frugal "cheap" is offensive in nature to the people who have been frugal for a long time now.
Is it supposed to appeal to people and make it ok for them to refer to frugality as being "cheap"?
Any thoughts?Wife to DH since 10/31/2002!
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03-04-2009, 02:04 PM #2Founder
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Headlines are just headlines. They need short, eye catching titles. I can't tell you how often editors change the titles of my column and often times to titles that have little to do with what I wrote.
The fact it gave you a reaction means it was a good title. Not necessarily good as in accurate, but good as in it worked.If you'd like to help support Frugal Living by Sara Noel, my syndicated column, e-mail, write, or call the managing editor at your local newspaper and ask them to publish it in print or online. It's internationally syndicated through Universal Uclick. Thank you for supporting Frugal Village.
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03-04-2009, 02:12 PM #3Licence to Kill
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Don't know that the headline bothers me that much...but the article sure was dumb!!! Yeah...just get the $7500 watch instead of the $250,000 one!!!
Do they know you can get one that'll run just fine for $10, brand new??? (Or cheaper, depending on your area??). ARGH!!!
Kace - married to Dh 12 years
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03-04-2009, 02:21 PM #4Master Dollar Stretcher
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These people don't understand the common person.
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03-04-2009, 02:25 PM #5Registered User
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I dislike being called "cheap", but *shrug* watcha gonna do.
The majority of the public think they just figured out something NEW..they have no idea that anyone has been frugal at any time since their grandparents.
Hence the whole..you could buy the $40 shoes instead of the $160 shoes wierdo advice.
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03-04-2009, 02:26 PM #6
personally, the word cheap doesnt bother me.
i prefer the word frugal, sure, it sounds nicer. but they basically mean the same thing, so i dont care.
what can be degrading is when someone uses the word cheap in a negative context... such as "she only wears cheap clothing."
someone once said this of me, and i didnt like it, but i dont have the desire to buy 100+$ jeans or designer products that are simply not within my budget nor is it being practical for me.
I think it's how it's said. otherwise, simply using the word "cheap" doesnt offend me.
but that's my opinion.
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03-04-2009, 02:27 PM #7Registered User
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That article had nothing to do with "real people" come on a watch for 7,500.00 instead of a 250,000.00 one. Come on. Fashion week, blah, blah, blah...
For 250,000.00 I could pay off my mortgage, all my debt, buy a brand new 20,000.00 car for dh,ds,dd, and me(not that I would, but I could) and still have 6000.00 left over to have one heck of a stockpile!!!!!!!Married 22 years to Mark
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03-04-2009, 02:45 PM #8Registered User
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Just ignore it......it demonstrates the size of their brains.
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03-04-2009, 03:11 PM #9Registered User
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yes I agree, it's just a catchy title to get people to read the article
I for one don't mind if people think I am cheap, frugal, or a bottom feeder. to me it is a compliment.
At least I have a plan and I'm not panicking about the "current economic conditions" like everyone else is !!
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03-04-2009, 03:31 PM #10Registered User
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I completely agree.
Originally Posted by Luv2BeFrugal
Don't know that the headline bothers me that much...but the article sure was dumb!!! Yeah...just get the $7500 watch instead of the $250,000 one!!! Do they know you can get one that'll run just fine for $10, brand new??? (Or cheaper, depending on your area??). ARGH!!!
The remark, "'Goodwill had stylists put together things off their racks and put them on the runway models,' Huling said. 'I was surprised, because everything really looked good.'" really struck a sour note with me. I mean really...was she that surprised that nice clothes could be found at Goodwill?
I think "frugal" has a way of sounding negative to a lot of people but that gives more opportunity to people like us FVers to sound the trumpet and promote how positive a frugal lifestyle can be!!!!May Goals:
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03-04-2009, 03:40 PM #11Registered User
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We refer to ourselves as cheapskates and we are. Who cares? I don't see anything negative unless, like perSue says, it's used negatively.
Being cheap isn't the same as being a freeloader. That to me is offensive. We pay our own way. We don't expect others to pay our way for us or mooch off others to save our own money. If we choose not to participate in some activity because we choose not to pay for it, that's our business and if it appears to be cheap to others, big deal. It's none of their business how we spend our money or don't and they can call us whatever they want to.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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03-04-2009, 04:42 PM #12Registered User
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(i have been soooo wanting to use this smiley.....)
who cares what they say...
i have been a 'weirdo' my whole life (due to vegetarian/vegan).... now i am considered 'cheap' too...
i guess that just makes me a 'cheap weirdo'.....
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03-04-2009, 07:15 PM #13Registered User
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I actually saw this online, and I never see anything. LOL!
What caught my eye was something about people 'not buying that Ferrari THIS year' or something to that effect. Not buying a Ferrari? That's frugal?
Ummmm........some people think WAY differently than me, that's all I can say.______
Cheryl
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03-04-2009, 07:57 PM #14Registered User
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that article really is ridiculous. i can't imagine what the author was thinking. it just sounds snarky to me.
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03-04-2009, 08:31 PM #15Registered User
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The whole article is pathetic from start to finish. Believe it or not, I feel sorry for those people. To have your self-worth based on what you own must be an awful way to live.
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