In other words..frugal or funny?

**Sara Noel** · 04-11-2005, 10:41 PM

http://www.thetandd.com/articles/200...d687967145.txt

**AmyMCGS** · 04-11-2005, 11:21 PM

Hmmmmm..... interesting.
I agree with the author to some extent-- if you're so concerned about penny pinching that you never buy yourself anything (ie:clothing, meals) and don't keep your home at a comfortable temperature.... well, that's just silly.
On the other hand, some of us (me!) manage to buy ourselves things AND still be very frugal-- using thrift shops, coupons, etc. I know the article was looking at the far end of the frugal spectrum, but, I can't imagine too many people who live that way all the time by choice.
Still, an interesting article!

**SewCrafty** · 04-12-2005, 12:57 AM

I agree with Amy, but I think that the author has never been forced to be frugal ( cheap in her words) to understand what may motivate some people. I agree, she was using extreme cases. I certainly wouldn't cough up the gas money to go to a fast food place for a/c or heat, LOL But then again I live in the country.

I'm only guessing here, but the author sounds like she grew up without sacrificing anything. I feel frugality is about saving, not only to make your earnings go farther, but to save the planet for future generations too. Another way of looking at it is, by my saving on certain items, be it heat, electricity consumption, groceries or whatever, I can go out and buy x amount of $$ of yarn or fabric for my hobbies which I enjoy immensely.

My Mom is going to laugh at this, but how many clothes does one person need? I am STILL getting rid of clothes I thought I just HAD to have and hope by doing so they are giving someone else a nice outfit to wear for a job interview or just knocking around. Maybe this lady bypasses the extra latte or lunch out so she can afford that new outfit at Belk?

Frugality is what you make it!

**Mommy2five** · 04-12-2005, 03:14 AM

I agree that frugality is what you make of it. For each of us it means something different.

**Darlene** · 04-12-2005, 07:44 AM

Gonna need a lotta cash to cover this bod.

**Hollyhandi** · 04-12-2005, 08:51 AM

I think she's been given everything she ever wanted so she expects it. Bet she'll get a rude awaking some day....
What would happen to her if we had a depression? Do you think she could survive it?
We could....
JMHO

**pip** · 04-12-2005, 09:10 AM

That was interesting to read. Some people might be frugal to an extreme and not really need to be going to that extreme in their lives. I would guess, though, that many people who live frugally do so because at some point in their lives, they NEEDED to.
Who knows where the author is coming from, but she didn't sound like she'd been at a point of "really needing". I'm not judging, just speculating.

**Michele Annette** · 04-12-2005, 09:27 AM

Sara, I couldn't get the thread to load for some reason.

**sunshine** · 04-12-2005, 10:36 AM

I think a lot of stuff was also probably taken out of context. We all say things that we do occasionally to save money- but that doesn't mean we do them ALL the time. So if someone said they went to the library to save on utilities- it doesn't mean they NEVER ran the heat or air conditioning!

Also, I thought the meals sounded just fine. Healthy, appetizing. . . . and it didn't say they NEVER go out to eat. Sheesh!

**mom22grls** · 04-12-2005, 11:28 AM

Maybe author feels guilt because *she* doesn't *want* to give up these luxuries (expensive clothes, meals out, etc)

You know, in the 1800's heat was to keep a person *alive* not necessarilty to be comfortable.

Have you seen the prices of some of those clothes some people buy........does it keep a body warmer or cover a body *better*?

How about a dinner at some upscale restaurant.....does that meal give your body *more & better* nourishment than a frugal meal at home? I don't think so.

How about the people who can only afford rice & beans because they cannot earn even enough for the cost of living....or to buy magazines or newspapers to pay her salary? How about people who are frugal in things like food & clothes so that they *can* afford mewspapers & magazines...to pay the author's salary?? Hmmmmm??

Am I in a "mood" or what????

I sound much more cranky than I really am.

**Michele Annette** · 04-12-2005, 01:03 PM

Okay I was able to load the link this time.

These two statements gave me that

feeling:

the frugal-minded don't mind eating out â€” as long as someone else foots the bill.

But do they have to adopt a "holier than thou" attitude and put down everyone else for wanting to enjoy life?

I would like to know where the heck she got this info? WHO is she talking about? Not ME and I'm sure not all of you either. I almost called the the number at the bottom of the page, but my frugal way of thinking said, "No, it's not a toll free number".

Maybe if this woman hung out at Frugal Village for a little while she would see how us frugal prople really are.

**pip** · 04-12-2005, 02:04 PM

Yeah....just where did she get her information, anyway?

**pita1213** · 04-12-2005, 02:14 PM

i was rather offended by this comment: the frugal-minded don't mind eating out â€” as long as someone else foots the bill.

comments like those annoying me because it makes frugalites like us look like freeloaders. we are not freeloaders, we are just more careful with our money for whatever reason we need to be.

**pip** · 04-12-2005, 02:19 PM

There is a difference between being frugal and being a cheapskate. She's lumping everybody into the same category..never a good idea. And, that comment WAS insulting, too. ( Maybe she has a history of dating a CHEAPSKATE boyfriend and has issues. I don't know.

)