Where is your personal line...

[elphie]

between frugal and cheap?

Just out of curiosity where do you draw the line? This morning I had a memory of my grandfather telling us we could use two squares of toilet paper and dragging us into the bathroom demanding to know who'd put the roll on wrong. I personally will shop for the best deal on toilet paper (I usually pay 1 cent per square, never more than 2 cents), ask everyone to put it on the roll going over (and switch it if it isn't), and I'll even flatten the roll first to make it harder to roll and accidentally waste. I will not however become the TP monitor, yelling at people for using too much or putting the roll on wrong (although as I said before I'll switch it if they don't); it would feel like I'd crossed a line.

So, do you have a line? If so what is it? Is there a reason (like memories of skinflint grandpa) or is just who you are?

[cab54]

Oh, yeah. I have lines. The TP thing has not been that much of a hassle in my house, because as the only girl (ever) I am using it more, so I have to control myself, LOL. BUT dh insists on the most expensive TP in the store, so--there's the problem.

My lines would be:

I wash out quart and gallon size bags, but I won't wash out sandwich/snack size. I do buy the cheapo brands though. Anything disposable is bought el cheapo.

I don't do what my grandma did and make rugs/mats out of bread bags. BUT I hear my grandma's voice when I am peeling fruits and veggies---'don't take too much peel!'

I use regular store-bought soaps and detergents to clean. But I make them last a loooooooong time and eke them out, adding water, whatever. Same with shampoo, bath products, etc.....

Mine and DH's health relies on eating proteins and produce, not a lot of starchy/carby filler foods (like the old staple dinners we used to have ). I will not sacrifice our health to scrimp on this. I buy more meat/chicken/seafood/nuts than a lot of people might. And TONS of veggies. But it's cheaper than an amputation of our feet/legs, or open-heart bypass surgery. Our grocery bill has gone up, but I can deal.

I'll think of more later.....

[strezzed]

I'm with Cheryl on the healthy foods. A lot of times, it's cheaper to buy canned/processed foods when they're on sale. However, I'm always filling up on fruit, veggies, chicken, turkey and salmon even though they may cost more. I've seen what an unhealthy diet has done to my parents. It's not worth it to me.

[Telephus44]

I guess that my line is for most things, I will get the best deal possible, but I won't refuse to buy something. I mean, if I have my favorite shampoo, I'll use double coupons and buy it on sale, but I won't just not buy shampoo and do without. I will also make coffee at work in my french press (much cheaper than buying it at Starbucks or using K-cups at home), but I won't just give up my coffee.

[Contrary Housewife]

I don't look at the price of toilet paper. I buy the largest pack in a brand that has a quality we both like. I could probably get it cheaper, but there are personal comfort issues to consider.

Likewise, I buy food for quality or nutrition or flavor, not necessarily price. So I buy fresh vegs and not canned because we don't like the overcooked mushy texture with salt added. I buy brand name frozen vegs because I have found the generic ones to be mostly stems, or to have bruised/blackened bits or to be older and tougher texture.

[thesightofoneself]

depends on how much money i have

[nuisance26]

~My personal line when purchasing items is quality and long term value.
Searching for the best price on quality items = Frugal
Buying 'make-do' , inferior items = Cheap
My personal line at home is like Amy D's in TG. I try to be as thrifty as is comfortable. When we notice that something is making one of us unhappy we bump up that category/item's spending whether it be clothes, food, tp or whatever. Otherwise we feel we're being too cheap.~

[frugalwarrior]

I think that I am frugal where my DH is cheap.
cheap is landing where frugal should have ended.
When I go to a garage sale and I make an offer and the person says no then it's no. I have heard people be rude,seen them throw the item down,argue w/ the person. That is cheap.
I don't want to hurt or take anything away from someone else that is cheap.
I want a quality item at a good price. A lot of times cheap ends up costing you more in the long run. It will wear out faster or cause more effort to use.

[MommyBliss]

That is a hard one. There are certain things like my make up I only buy a certain kind, but when it comes to dish soap, whatever is cheapest. It really depends.

[Sassyclass]

My line involves my skin and allergies. I will not use soap. I will forever be itching and sneezing. I try different body washes but so far I really like Olay Ribbons and the cheapo Dollar Store brand. When hubby and I shower together he has to be real careful not to get any of his soap on me.

Cat

[elphie]

I don't want to hurt or take anything away from someone else that is cheap.

My personal line at home is like Amy D's in TG. I try to be as thrifty as is comfortable. When we notice that something is making one of us unhappy we bump up that category/item's spending whether it be clothes, food, tp or whatever. Otherwise we feel we're being too cheap.~

I like both of these- I think this sums it up pretty well for me and the toilet paper issue that I remembered this morning that prompted this thread. My grandpa, God rest his soul was being cheap because our hurt feelings and our personal comfort were less important to him than the few pennies he was saving. I understand his generation and why he was the way he was but to little children we only knew Grandpa was being mean, not that he survived the Great Depression, kwim? The balance is what I'm striving for.

[frugalfranny]

The first one that popped into my head was one ply toilet paper......I refuse to buy it, will not use it and if I have to go to using the phone book, one ply will not enter my house.

The rest would depend on what I will be doing with the item, how long I need it to last, and how important is it that I have good quality. (IE: a mattress....I would not buy a used one but don't buy the most expensive either.)

[phoeny_moonstar]

I refuse to reuse sanitary items. To me that's not frugal that's disgusting. Then again that's just my personal opinion. We buy the largest pack of TP for the cheapest price we can get it. I never understood the whole "how the tp rolls" thing. ?? I refuse to buy clothes that are uncomfortable for the sake of fashion or 'looking good' I can look good and be comfortable at the same time. I always try to buy dishsoap, laundry detergent, shampoo and conditioner on sale and most of the time it's almost free.

[ruderring]

I want a quality item at a good price. A lot of times cheap ends up costing you more in the long run. It will wear out faster or cause more effort to use.[/QUOTE]

I agree with you on this we've had to learn the hard way. My motto is buy quality at a good price and reap the benefits for much longer than if you buy cheap and have to buy again a few months later.

[TigerGirl1226]

I try to be thoughtful and frugal as often as possible without depriving myself. When I deprive myself of little things (occasional cups of Starbucks, good shampoo, and yummy food), I feel like I'm being a cheapo and it backfires and I go and spend copious amounts of money.