Frugal Confessions

**Squirt** · 11-20-2007, 02:47 PM

1. What do you do that's so beyond the word "frugal" you are almost embarrassed to admit you do it?

2. What do you do that's so not-frugal that it would horrify some frugalites?

**stinkbug** · 11-20-2007, 03:49 PM

1. Can't think of anything really embarrassing. I'm sure there are people who would be horrified to know I shop at thrift stores....

2. Plenty.

**nuisance26** · 11-20-2007, 03:49 PM

1.Brush off flour from the counter back into the jar after rolling something out. I bleach my counters so I feel safe doing this.

2.VS undies and things. I try to get them deeply discounted or at an outlet but they're still twice as much as the cheaper options.

**ms. frugal kugel** · 11-20-2007, 07:00 PM

1. Poured unfinished milks back in the jug! Really gross and dangerous, and I don't do it often, but since my 7yo is the chief milk drinker, chief milk waster, and a gallon never hangs about more than 3 days, well...I know...I think that is the worst thing I do and I need

I'd never offer it to anyone outside of the family!

2. sometimes I really relapse on buying coffee out and I'll spend $10 in one day on coffee for myself and husband. Again

**peanut** · 11-20-2007, 08:10 PM

Hmm...I've been told the homemade sanitary napkins were a bit over the top. But they've all disintegrated from soaking too long in cleaners, so they're gone. Don't do that anymore.

My not frugal thing to do is to go to the spa. But I try to get free pool passes through Air Miles, and the food there is actually good and cheap!

Jean

**latierra84** · 11-20-2007, 08:26 PM

mega frugal - when our vacuum died, i couldnt justify going out and spending the money on a new one so i started 'sweeping' the carpet to clean it instead. it takes a lot of arm power to do the whole house but it saves me $$. some people might think it takes up too much time, and it is time consuming.. but i kind of enjoy it now. dh just bought me a new vacuum cleaner but i refuse to use it. uses too much electricity in my eyes right now.

also... im moving away from using the fridge. we've cut down on meat and i am THIS CLOSE to disconnecting that sucker. its the only thing that really uses a constant amount of power. we live in texas and last month (even with high 80 degree weather) i was able to get our electric bill down to $27! yes, $27. thats the number to beat next month

not so frugal - dh and i eat pizza ugh..... at least twice week. its bad when omar @ papa john's knows what kinds of pizza both dh and i like. and when we havent been in in a while.. he's like.. i was starting to wonder about you two...

**Mamaw** · 11-20-2007, 09:10 PM

Recycling the used bath water to flush the toilet

Spending to get my hair done each month. First month is only a cut. Second month is always a cut and color. I just can't bring myself to try and do this at home!

**Jessesbride** · 11-20-2007, 10:25 PM

1... the "too frugal"... maybe that I usually use cold water for my towels/linens (unless someone has been sick or whatever)... also, I use "recycled" water from our drinking cups for doggie water (I know some people have issues w/this, but come on now... they sniff each other's butts and lick in unmentionable places on each other & people still think they care if it's leftover water or not?)

and even to "flush" toilets! AND while washing my hands, I turn off water during duration of me soaping hands (to the toon of the ABC's), then turn it back on when ready for rinse! (also I dilute the soap around here)...

2... When I work in the early am

(doesn't happen very often) ... I get a cappacino from 7-11 AND BREAKFAST at Micky-d's!!

Hope this was entertaining...

Kim

**baxjul** · 11-20-2007, 10:30 PM

1. What do you do that's so beyond the word "frugal" you are almost embarrassed to admit you do it? I water everything down. Dish soap, Laundry soap, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, cleaners, etc... My dh hates that I do this!

2. What do you do that's so not-frugal that it would horrify some frugalites? I'm a Starbuck's snob. I buy it out, I buy it to brew at home, I love it. I also am addicted to buying books, non fiction type!

**joyofsix** · 11-20-2007, 10:35 PM

1) I let the three littles use the same bath water (unless it's very dirty) I wash everything, underwear and towels included, in cold.

2) Every three months or so I splurge on a massage. I figure it's cheaper than prozac.

**mikandmari** · 11-20-2007, 10:37 PM

I save money by feeding my pets cheap food mixed with scraps. They love me for it although they are a bit overweight.... they are fat & happy! Some people really cringe at this, but I was raised doing it, and our pets were always healthy. Also, I only do rabies shots, at the SPCA rabies clinic, and no other shots. I have 2 cats & 1 dog, and they are inside most of the time and not exposed to a lot of other animals & diseases. However, we did have an emergency this summer, and I spent over $500 at the animal emergency room. So I'm not being neglectful when real care is needed. But I just think all the overspending on pets in this country is ridiculous.

Another thing I do is wear my 2-week disposable contact lenses for 4 weeks.

Indulgent? Well, I spend $45 on a haircut. My hair is long so I only get it cut twice a year. Every time I schedule I feel guilty and think I should go somewhere cheaper, but I guess because it's a good cut it grows out nice, and lasts longer. I cut my own bangs every couple of weeks. I also buy good shampoo, but I've started cutting down how much I use & trying to stretch it.

**Jamauk** · 11-20-2007, 10:57 PM

I really can't think of anything I do that is that frugal - to the point of embarassment. I refuse to turn the heaters on (we have wall heaters, each room has its own thermostat). We use a wood burning stove for heat - sometimes I get it sooooo hot just before bed that we're all sweating even without covers - but the heat lasts through the night and I usually have a good bed of coals so I don't have to remake the fire in the morning!

As for not so frugal - we get our milk delivered. Its $2.89/half gallon

But, its organic, from grass fed cows, with no hormones - its something we believe in, so we make room for it in our budget.

**sdrjeolsen** · 11-20-2007, 11:31 PM

Originally Posted by joyofsix

Every three months or so I splurge on a massage. I figure it's cheaper than prozac.

ROFL!!

Frugal thing: Use shower water to do laundry.

Not so frugal: Starbucks, although I've only had it a few times since we moved.

**cherrie79** · 11-21-2007, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by Jamauk

As for not so frugal - we get our milk delivered. Its $2.89/half gallon

But, its organic, from grass fed cows, with no hormones - its something we believe in, so we make room for it in our budget.

This is when health beats any frugalness! Love my organic milk... Plus it's delievered, WELL worth it IMO

**paintedsky** · 11-21-2007, 11:08 AM

I can't think of anything I'm embarassed of. In fact I should probably try to find embarassing things to save me more money! lol

For not so frugal probably coffee out. I know it adds up... And also shopping for *gasp* name brand sometimes instead of target lol Also yesterday I got a pedicure. However it is the second one in my life and yesterdays was a lot better than my first experience so I think I might be hooked to do that more often!