Does spending money make you unfrugal?

[MMP]

I look at some of the ladies posts under the Frugal Challenge where they dont spend any money and I feel so unfrugal!!! I spent .65 today getting a soda and a tootsie roll for Bri and myself. I feel so unfrugal!!!!

I cant walk out of Walmart without buying half the store(it feels that way anyway) even when I stick to my list. Seems like we are always needing stuff.

[homesteadmamma]

Mary, I don't think spending money makes one unfrugal. I think what we might spend money on makes us unfrugal. For instance, when I purchase Pepsi, I feel unfrugal because it isn't something we really need and of course isn't good for us to boot.

When I spend money on quilting material, I don't feel unfrugal because I've saved in other areas in order to be able to spend on the type of material I want.

So for me, I feel unfrugal when I spend $$ on something we don't really need but I want anyways, kwim.

[guest2]

Don't begrudge yourself an occasional treat, it helps to keep you on the frugal wagon. I'll buy a pepsi or a snickers on occasion, but don't do it all the time. I also stay out of the stores quite a bit because I know myself and that temptation to spend is too much for me sometimes.

[Michelle]

I view frugality differently. I am frugal on most things to be able to spend money on other things.

[voodidit]

I think a treat once in a while isn't unfrugal, everyone deserves a tootsie roll once and a while

[MMP]

But the soda isnt a treat, perse, in fact if I had .55 more cents I would have gotten me another. I want one, BAD!!!! I am terrible!!!!

[AmyBoz]

Spending money does NOT make you frugal. I could have saved $4 extra bucks off of my grocery bill today by not buying Nestle Ice Cream bars, but dh and I like a little ice cream or sweet treat at night after the kids go to bed. It's a nice thing for us to share. If I cut those treats out, I'm sure I'd save $100's over the course of a year, but the truth is, we enjoy them. I've got a whole load of laundry drying on the line right now, so as Michelle said, I'm saving in one area so I can spend in another.

[Sinclairwife]

No way, it's the way you spend your money that makes you frugal. A 'cheap' person is one who doesn't allow for the once in a while treat that makes the effort to save money more enjoyable.

I have a Diet vanilla coke every now and then, but I drink ice water most of the time because I'm trying to lose a few pounds.

I quit smoking almost 2 years ago and that saves my family a lot so I won't worry too much about a few cokes.

[Jerseygirl]

I agree with most of these ladies. I save in the areas that are of less personal importance to me so that I don't have to think so hard about it when I actually want/need something.---Kellie

[Shell]

I think being frugal means you are wise with your money and careful how you spend it. I don't think it means you never give yourself a treat.