The New Frugality

**Sara Noel** · 01-02-2006, 11:52 PM

http://www.timesunion.com/aspstories...storyID=435016

**SHOPGIRL** · 01-03-2006, 01:40 AM

Interesting article.

**Darlene** · 01-03-2006, 05:30 AM

Come into the light dear children.

Nice to see more people rethinking their spending habits.:

**dina** · 01-03-2006, 04:15 PM

Thank you for posting that Sara Noel. It explains a lot of what I've been seeing around here and other places. Seems to be Tightwad Gazette kind of thinking which I do not agree with. I don't think you cut down on essentials to have "luxuries."

For me being frugal is a lifestyle -- it's not about being cheap or being a tightwad. The lifestyle reaches into all aspects of life. I would never have even thought about being frugal in some areas to not be in others. It just doesn't make sense to me.

**AmyBoz** · 01-03-2006, 04:51 PM

I'm intrigued by your response to this, dina. I, too, believe that frugality is a lifestyle that reaches into all aspects of life, and I believe that the vast majority, if not all, of the members at the Frugal Village believe the same thing.

That being said, I believe that you can practice a frugal lifestyle and still have certain areas where you are unwilling to compromise. It will be different areas for all people, but I believe that even the most frugal of us do have a point where we say, "I will cut corners here, there, and everywhere, but this is something that enhances the quality of my life and I am not willing to cut corners here."

In my case, my family and I have cut many, many things out, but one area that I am not willing to cut corners on are disposable diapers. To me, cloth diapers are not worth the monetary savings. Does it drive up my grocery bill a bit more each month? You bet. Do I need to cut down in other areas even more to be able to afford disposables? Yep, again. However, for MY life, disposable diapers make things easier and if you would call that a "luxury," then, so be it.

Some people save everywhere except for on buying books. Others save everywhere except on hobbies. Unless there is some new, free technology out there that I haven't heard of yet, all of us have purchased computers and pay for internet access or we wouldn't be here at all. Certainly, due to the expense, a computer and web access could be considered by some to be a "luxury" and yet it's an area we are all spending our hard earned money. Does this make us any less frugal? Does this make us not as dedicated to saving money?

I certainly mean no disrespect with my response, but again, I was intrigued by your insinuation that frugality has to be all or nothing. To me, that's just not realistic.

**homesteadmamma** · 01-03-2006, 04:55 PM

Amy I agree with you 100%.

**kaykwilts** · 01-04-2006, 04:13 AM

Good point Amy. Even Amy Dacyzn the queen of frugality has said in her book that because she is frugal she can enjoy antiques.

**missmollymayhem** · 01-05-2006, 05:55 PM

That article was interesting. It's becoming "hip" to be frugal, but I guess everone's idea of frugal varies from one person to the next. If the first gal they mentioned didn't shop AT the Children's Place then I wouldn;t find her castoffs at Goodwill, right?

I got a free subscription to one of the magazines they mentioned- Budget Living. I found it to be laughable. It was FAR from my idea of frugality and "budget living". HOWEVER I'm sure others find it to be very helpful.

I think it's great that more people are examining ways to save money. Although I may consider what they are doing un-frugal, we all live different lifestyles and we all have different comfort levels. And thier money is really none of my business, anyway, LOL

**Pepper** · 01-16-2006, 07:09 AM

That was a very good article!!

Buying the computer and having (cable) internet is not cheap, but I wouldn't give it up unless I absolutely had too!!

I used to buy cheaply on some things so as to get something I really wanted, usely unneccassary stuff, but now I am buying cheaply on some things, because it is no different, to me, than the expensive things. The money I am saving now is going towards savings instead of another purse, which we all know I don't need anymore!!