You people have ruined me....

**Dancing Lotus** · 02-19-2009, 08:40 AM

LOL!

How long have I been here? It's been a long while. Man have a I changed. I think of everything in terms of value now. I'm so practical with my choices and sometime I forget to just enjoy something.

Take eating out for example. I don't enjoy eating out very much. Because when I get the bill I feel sick just thinking about how many groceries I could have bought with that money.

And shopping, oh lord. I used to love to shop. I was a mall rat. Now I can't remember the last thing i even bought at a mall. I recently made myself a nice hunk of change and thought I should treat myself. I went shopping and had decided I would just buy whatever I wanted.
What a joke, you should have seen me. I was shocked and appalled at the prices. So on the way home , I stopped to Goodwill and found myself something nice.

See what you have done to me!

**perSue** · 02-19-2009, 08:51 AM

LOL AnnK...
I feel the same way...but I've sorta always been that way - my parents used to send me to the car when we'd go shopping or leave me at home, cuz i'd constantly ask "do you/we REALLY need that?" or "look at the price... if you went [somewhere else], you could get it cheaper!"
and they refused to use thrift/consignment stores...

LOL
we're a special type of people i think. lol ok maybe it's just me. lol

i think being able to enjoy oneself on a splurge is ok... eating out for a special occassion - understanding it's WAY more than it's worth - but it's about the experience... the people... the occassion... not the money this time.
And that can be hard to accept sometimes.

Treat yourself however YOU feel comfy with tho... if goodwill makes you happy, then why not!?

Good for you for finding something enjoyable about frugality.

**frugalbabe** · 02-19-2009, 09:27 AM

Since I've joined I have become super vigilant about our electric usage, and now that we are showing our house before the people come to see it we have to turn on all of the lights and heat...it makes me twitch I hate leaving a room and the light is on!

**Milly** · 02-19-2009, 09:35 AM

I've been ruined in the other direction.

I hated to shop and only did so when it was absolutely critical. I'd run in, grab the first thing that seemed to fill the bill and run out again. Of course the item I bought was often way more expensive than the alternatives, had I had the sense to look for them.

Now I love to shop. I can take hours in the Goodwill or Salvation Army store and find only one item, but it's one I can actually use. I'm really looking forward to yard sale season - free entertainment for the summer months!

My relatives stopped making comments a long time ago. Now they just roll their eyes and sigh.

**Dancing Lotus** · 02-19-2009, 09:44 AM

Good for you for finding something enjoyable about frugality.

Mostly it's just that it makes me think other people are crazy

**Patty A** · 02-19-2009, 10:02 AM

I totally understand this, as I feel the same way about shopping or eating out. I do find that I enjoy it when I shop the thrift stores, dollar store, or yard sales as I feel I am saving in a huge way. I always question things when I get ready to buy anything, and the first thing that pops in to my mind (as funny as this may sound) is "what would the village think?" It really helps me, I find myself buying and looking at only things I need! Its like how would I explain this if the question was on the forum?? So I really pay attention to what I get, and what I pay for it. It really keeps me in line with spending, knowing that I really feel more responsibile for what I do. I even have my girls asking me things like "what would you village people (LOL) think if you bought that?" I guess I talk about this place more than I thought, but it really is a good thing as it has shown me ways I wasted more than I thought I did and taught me valued lessons on how to save on all kinds of things that make the money stretch better. You carry those lessons with you when you shop.....and eating out just makes me sick!
I look at the cost and all I can think of is how far that money would have gone if it had been spent on groceries! I never been much for eating out, but the prices of eating out just blow me away. I can't justify spending that kind of money when I am trying so hard to cut costs in other places. Its just a pet peeve I guess I really see it as a waste.
I really do love this site, and its the people that make it what it is!
I have been taught so many great things here, and the people are truly awesome!

**Milly** · 02-19-2009, 10:07 AM

You're right, Patty. I was re-reading the 'Tightwad Gazette' last night, and the author states that the gazette is meant as a form of support group for the frugal. So is this forum, and you seem to be making excellent use of it. Bravo.

**madhen** · 02-19-2009, 10:11 AM

Originally Posted by AnnK

I recently made myself a nice hunk of change and thought I should treat myself. I went shopping and had decided I would just buy whatever I wanted.

Well, at least you didn't "treat" yourself by running out and buying a butter churn or a new washing board, so you haven't hit rock-bottom yet!

(Personally, I would have bought a fruit tree.

)

**sabrelvssammy** · 02-19-2009, 10:34 AM

yup...i've only been here a month... i [I]cringe[I] to think what i am going to be like next year....

i probably will have moved out into the backyard and be eating the grass (so we won't have to waste the gas mowing it).....annd
i'll probably be wearing potato sacks for clothes.....

**tbs727** · 02-19-2009, 10:58 AM

I could have written this word for word myself. We are ruined indeed.

**LynnLC** · 02-19-2009, 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by perSue

LOL AnnK...
I feel the same way...but I've sorta always been that way - my parents used to send me to the car when we'd go shopping or leave me at home, cuz i'd constantly ask "do you/we REALLY need that?" or "look at the price... if you went [somewhere else], you could get it cheaper!"
and they refused to use thrift/consignment stores...

LOL
we're a special type of people i think. lol ok maybe it's just me. lol

i think being able to enjoy oneself on a splurge is ok... eating out for a special occassion - understanding it's WAY more than it's worth - but it's about the experience... the people... the occassion... not the money this time.
And that can be hard to accept sometimes.

Treat yourself however YOU feel comfy with tho... if goodwill makes you happy, then why not!?

Good for you for finding something enjoyable about frugality.

Couldn't have said it better PerSue! I have changed a lot too, Ann! I used to be a mall resident. Now my trips to Salvation Army are my outlet. Love that!

**Patty A** · 02-19-2009, 12:49 PM

Oh Madhen.....I have hit rock bottom!
I love fashion stuff like butter churns, scrubbing boards, #3 tubs!
What treasure! No wonder I love the thrift store!

**Thevail** · 02-19-2009, 01:31 PM

But now..we are not ruined..ALONE!

I'm going to go get a latte' (see not quite ruined yet) although the place I go..has FREE WiFi!

Maybe if I stole some sugar packets it'd balance out?

Seriously, I haven't been here long and I've already sunk to a new level...

I cleaned out some clutter, and when I donated it at goodwill they gave me a 30% off coupon.
Yesterday afternoon, a friend came by and we ended up going out to Goodwill in her van to drop off some more stuff (yup another coupon).
So we looked around and I found a nice club chair and ottoman. It was marked at $30..a pretty good price anyway. Then I used my 30% off coupon..final total $22.73..

Then the guys there loaded it in the back of her van and we brought it home..

I didn't even have to pay for the gas

Bwahhaahhaa

**madhen** · 02-19-2009, 08:57 PM

Originally Posted by Patty A

Oh Madhen.....I have hit rock bottom!
I love fashion stuff like butter churns, scrubbing boards, #3 tubs!
What treasure! No wonder I love the thrift store!

I have to admit, I wouldn't say no to a new butter churn.

**Debbie-cat** · 02-19-2009, 09:10 PM

I wouldn't say no to a butter churn or washing boards! Actually I have been looking online for a butter churn! LOL I found a recipe to make it. I love this site ... today I was happier than a pig in s**t at Goodwill! Man, I think about all the money I wasted in the past and cringe. My son even rethinks things now too and that makes me really pleased. He ONLY wants homemade bread now...not the 'store stuff' and for Christmas he asked for a recipe made by me for all the recipes of the things he loves to eat!! I thought it was a great idea for a gift and he will definitely be getting one.