Are you thrifty?

[Indylady]

I just watched a program about extreme penny pinchers. They seemed to have a serious sense of competitiveness about it. It was really interesting to watch. The main interviewee was a man who ran a shelter rescuing dogs and finding new homes for them--that was his job, and it wasn't really one that "pays" well in terms of $$ (but was obviously very rewarding), so his thrifty habits seemed to come from one part necessity, and one part natural instinct.

What about you? Are you thrifty?

 

[MichelleCarmen]

I've not read up much on what exactly thrifty means...

I'm not sure if I am...if I prefer to buy organic foods so if there is a product on sale, I will stock up on it, so does that make me thrifty if the cereal is normally $3.99 a box and I pay $2.50 to save a bit (have a family of four to feed)? I could buy the generic version of non-organic in a larger size for $1.99, but I don't want non-organic.

I prefer certain brands of clothes and foods so I try to buy stuff on sale rather than pay full price, so I guess I'm thrifty to the extent that I purchase when there are sales/coupons, but I won't sacrifice quality to save a $ and I do pay a bit more for organic beef & chicken.

 

[Smith1942]

Thrifty is one thing. Downright meanness is another. I'm using "mean" in the sense of being very tight with money.

I had a flatmate who was so tight-fisted it was unbelievable. She wouldn't have the heating on in the depths of winter, with the result that our three-month electric bill received in February was eleven pounds. She had a fishcake but was too mean to heat the oven to cook just one fishcake, she said. And this girl was very wealthy, with a financial job in the City.

If you HAVE to penny-pinch to that extent, that's one thing and completely understandable.

But I've known a few wealthy people who will not spend one single penny, and give no gifts or cheap gifts to others. In my eyes, extreme meanness with money is a really ugly character trait. That is, when it's a character trait and not born of financial necessity.

I think people who choose to be extremely mean with money are mean in their hearts and souls and spirits. I try to keep away from people like that because I'm not mean with money at all. I love buying people gifts, and I'd rather have some nice jewellery, eat out a bit, live in a nice place and have some joy in life, than sit in my flat counting my pennies by candlelight, and go to my grave rich.

 

[dk168]

I wear Crocs to go to the shower at home, so that I do not need to put the under-floor heating on.

I do my weekly grocery shop at a time when the fresh produce/deli/hot food are reduced, usually pick up some bargains for the pets and myself. I love a food bargain, the best was 0.09 GBP for a piping hot roast chicken!!! Mind you, that was a while back, and was never repeated, as the young lad who looked after the hot food counter at the time got told off by the management for over-reducing.

DK

 

[TooPatient]

I won't buy any plants for the yard unless they are on clearance. The floral manager marked down bunches of stargazer lilies from $20/pot to $0.50/pot! Got bunches of them, tulips, daffodils, mini daffodils, and more for prices like that this last summer

Anything I can find on sale, I do. Clothing is great at the end of seasons!

Groceries is an odd mix of balancing the high quality we want with prices we can pay. I try to stock up on stuff as it goes on sale. Fruit/veggie stands in summer. In season stuff as much as possible.


I guess one way to put it is that DH and I hate waste and have both spent time without enough to meet basic needs. We like to buy on sale and get the most of our money where we can, but we also try to enjoy life and have some nice stuff too. We enjoy sending "A" on teen-group activities and buying gifts that people enjoy. Making wise decisions with our money (being thrifty) allows us to have enough extra to have savings and still enjoy some nice stuff.

 

[Polished]

I can't think of too many ways that I'm thrifty. However I remember one time when we were buying something that could only be got through a place here called Revolve - that sells second hand all sorts of things. There was a long queue at the check-out and I turned around to the person behind me who had a toaster in his hand and asked him how long he thought that was going to last. He replied that at $2.00 he didn't care. He then proceeded to tell me that he bought everything second-hand except for his underpants and socks and how much further his salary went through doing this. He told me about some of the real finds he had scored along the way, including an aga cooker. He neat casual clothes were in good order and well ironed! I suspect if you always did this you would get experienced at choosing, discerning the gems from out of the junk.

 

[Smith1942]

In terms of household purchases, I'm thrifty. I always use coupons at CVS and have store rewards cards to earn points. I look at the price-per-oz label and bulk-buy the most economical sizes. I get the generic brands where the item is as good as the name brand. I never buy clothes or shoes full-price. Except with jewellery, I don't invest in brands at all. Example: I needed a snow coat for this winter. I could have bought the North Face one at $399, waited for the Thanksgiving sale to get it for $300, or buy a Land's End with the same down fill/waterproof specs for $160 on sale. I bought the latter.

I'm not so thrifty with lighting and heating. To me, home is a place that is filled with light and warmth, and that is part of having a nice home - which in turn is part of the joy of life. We use the eco-friendly bulbs, though.

I'm quite thrifty with food. I eat plain stuff. No foie gras or Moet et Chandon here! Meat and potatoes, and fruit for dessert.

I also don't really like clothes or shoes. I like plain clothes so that the jewellery can do the talking.

I spend big on jewellery, Folio Society books, high-quality skincare, light and heat, and gifts for others. That's really it. I don't have a car, I don't like to travel, I don't really care about clothes and shoes, and I have no expensive hobbies. I do pay $114 a month for a nice women's gym with a permanent locker. But that's great for my health, and the locker saves my back, from hauling my stuff around the city (no car) in addition to other stuff I'm carrying.

When I buy jewellery, I put it all on my Gap and Banana Republic credit cards, to get the points. I've had so many free pairs of jeans and tops, it's ridiculous! When I had my flu jab, I made sure to get it at CVS and not the doctor (free both places) because if you have a flu jab at CVS you get a 20% off shopping pass, so I stocked up on household cleaning items with that. I also check out the weekly offers there, and get whatever laundry detergent/toothpaste etc is on sale. And we make our own bread using a breadmaker (we don't knead it ourselves). We put in flax seed, milk powder etc for nutrients, and use organic dark rye flour. A loaf costs about $1.25 as opposed to $5.00 for an organic loaf with extras from Wholefoods.

So in some ways I'm thrifty, but I never think of myself as thrifty due to the amount I'm willing to spend on jewellery. Having said that, I buy jewellery pre-owned, in sales, and on the tax-free weekend. I rarely pay full price for jewellery, and when I do, it's usually at least a fair price. In all the jewellery I've bought over the last two-three years, I don't think I've ever been ripped off.

 

[OreoRosies86]

Not really. I can't remember the last time I used a coupon and I never buy generic versions of items (like dental floss and medicine). Basically if I want it I will pay full price for it. Maybe I should try couponing, think of the bling I could buy with the savings

 

[Smith1942]

Oh, Emproctor, you could buy LOADS of bling with the savings! Re. dental floss, the Johnson and Johnson one is HALF the price of the other brands! If you look at prices this way - and as described in my post above - you will have LOADS of extra money for bling! I have no idea how much I save per year by not going for brands and using store rewards, coupons, etc, but it must be at least a thousand. That's a nice gold necklace from Tiffany, or a pair of diamond drop earrings from Blue Nile - if you wait for one of their fab sales and then wait for a promo code to get 20% off the sale price!!

 

[Smith1942]

Not really. I can't remember the last time I used a coupon and I never buy generic versions of items (like dental floss and medicine). Basically if I want it I will pay full price for it. Maybe I should try couponing, think of the bling I could buy with the savings

If you mean those vast books of coupons that you get in the papers, I don't use those. I tried once and it was always for the smaller sizes so it made sense to buy the bigger size without the coupon, or it was never for stuff I wanted, or they were for brands which aren't stocked in the main supermarket in Boston. I gave up in the end. But I always use the money-off coupons that I get with my CVS rewards card. For example, I just got CVS coupons for money off batteries, vitamins, and Swiffer wipes. I use all those things all the time, so I'd have to buy them anyway. Therefore, I'll use the coupons tomorrow and that will immediately save me $8.50.

Another example of thriftiness, our wall clock broke. Instead of throwing it away, I called round three places to get someone to fix it, and I lugged it downtown (no car). It's a really big clock - too big to fit under my arm. So I just had to carry this huge thing, about two feet across, and people kept asking me what the time was! It's taken loads of time - I've still got to go and pick it up, and walk home with it - but it's still cheaper than buying a new clock!

 

[Smith1942]

I can't think of too many ways that I'm thrifty. However I remember one time when we were buying something that could only be got through a place here called Revolve - that sells second hand all sorts of things. There was a long queue at the check-out and I turned around to the person behind me who had a toaster in his hand and asked him how long he thought that was going to last. He replied that at $2.00 he didn't care. He then proceeded to tell me that he bought everything second-hand except for his underpants and socks and how much further his salary went through doing this. He told me about some of the real finds he had scored along the way, including an aga cooker. He neat casual clothes were in good order and well ironed! I suspect if you always did this you would get experienced at choosing, discerning the gems from out of the junk.

Polished - I've heard of people doing that. It always sounds good. I think I've read articles in various newspapers about people who get all their stuff from the dump, etc.

It CAN work out in some ways, because people sometimes dump perfectly good stuff. I'm quite sure you can score some great things, like your friend's Aga. In the most expensive postcodes in London, apparently the charity shops are great places to get designer gear. I've heard it said that some of the Queen's old clothes get donated to them!

But, in the articles about people who did this, all their stuff in their houses looked mismatched. Things that people have thrown away tend to be dirty, old broken, etc. And surely secondhand appliances such as toasters could be dangerous. And also, second-hand clothes wouldn't fit as well as if you'd bought them new and tried on lots of different styles and sizes. I'm someone who buys Levi's for $35, so I don't wear Sevens or anything like that, but getting them secondhand would be too much for me.

I'm sure your friend's salary does stretch much further, but seriously, everything secondhand except socks and underpants?? However resourceful he is, I wouldn't want to be married to someone like that, I really would not. I guess you'd have to be with someone of like mind.

 

[Smith1942]

I guess my current determination to wear my chunky silver Tiffany jewellery a lot, no matter how "out" it is, is an example of thriftiness. I'm getting the most out of my jewellery box and out of the money I spent on the Tiffany silver years ago, whilst saving the "good" and more expensive stuff from too much wear and tear!

My love for eyeclean S12s is also an example of thriftiness, I guess. I really hate to pay for something I can't even see.

 

[missy]

I would say I am not but my dh disagrees(he's sitting on the couch next to me so I asked him). He said I am thrifty because I like Costco, I like sales and I rarely pay for shipping for my online purchases and I look for the best price on what I buy. All true but I do buy what I want and do not deprive myself or my loved ones so I don't consider myself thrifty. Just a smart shopper. And if I love something and it's not on sale I will buy it. I just don't like overpaying so if that makes me thrifty then I guess I am but if you asked my family they would laugh that anyone considers me thrifty. My dh is definitely the opposite of thrifty that's for sure lol so I guess we balance each other out and we have both met more towards the middle over the years we have been together.

ETA: Also, I like saving on purchases where I can because that allows more $$$ for bling!

 

[MichelleCarmen]

I'm not so thrifty with lighting and heating. To me, home is a place that is filled with light and warmth, and that is part of having a nice home - which in turn is part of the joy of life. We use the eco-friendly bulbs, though..

This is how I feel, too...I came home the other day and turned on certain lights b/c it creates a warm atmosphere and looks inviting (so when friends came over, it's be that way visually from the outside). I also always make sure the heat is on when we have guests over. We usually keep it on, anyways, but I think it's especially important when friends are over that they're comfortable. There was one gal I knew who's house was so cold, I'd have always remember to wear a coat INSIDE her house...there were a few times I'd forget and I'd have goosebumps.

 

[Smith1942]

I'm not so thrifty with lighting and heating. To me, home is a place that is filled with light and warmth, and that is part of having a nice home - which in turn is part of the joy of life. We use the eco-friendly bulbs, though..

This is how I feel, too...I came home the other day and turned on certain lights b/c it creates a warm atmosphere and looks inviting (so when friends came over, it's be that way visually from the outside). I also always make sure the heat is on when we have guests over. We usually keep it on, anyways, but I think it's especially important when friends are over that they're comfortable. There was one gal I knew who's house was so cold, I'd have always remember to wear a coat INSIDE her house...there were a few times I'd forget and I'd have goosebumps.

I figured out that this was how I felt about light and heat after living with the flatmate who wouldn't have the heating on or cook a fishcake because it was too much energy! She also wouldn't clean...so my life consisted of living in a cold, dark, dirty place. (I did all the cleaning but I really couldn't keep up with her mess.) Also, she would go to bed at 9pm and turn off all the lights and the little heat we had, despite the fact I stayed up till 11 or 12. I've had lots of friends, too, whose flatmates would go to bed mid-evening and just turn everything off, as if there wasn't another person living in the house! My sister had one who used to do that. I don't know, people are so selfish. I leapt for joy when I moved in on my own, I can tell you - and I never missed that flatshare! And I've never skimped on light or heat, having lived so miserably before.

 

[TooPatient]

I'm not so thrifty with lighting and heating. To me, home is a place that is filled with light and warmth, and that is part of having a nice home - which in turn is part of the joy of life. We use the eco-friendly bulbs, though..

This is how I feel, too...I came home the other day and turned on certain lights b/c it creates a warm atmosphere and looks inviting (so when friends came over, it's be that way visually from the outside). I also always make sure the heat is on when we have guests over. We usually keep it on, anyways, but I think it's especially important when friends are over that they're comfortable. There was one gal I knew who's house was so cold, I'd have always remember to wear a coat INSIDE her house...there were a few times I'd forget and I'd have goosebumps.

We have almost exclusively LED lighting in our house (and outside). Especially as the days are getting shorter, I LOVE to be able to just turn on lights and enjoy. They make a very nice light too so that helps me feel less miserable as winter goes on!

Getting all of the LEDs was not exactly thrifty up front, but they have been lasting a long time (some have been in for 4+ years) and we did see a drop in our monthly electric bills. We tried to buy on sale and clearance where possible, but also bought the latest technology at times for brighter better lights.

My mother always kept the house dimly lit with lamps and I hated it. My father was even worse as he kept most lights off (the TV was on so why should you need a light anyway ). I don't want to live like that again!

 

[diamondringlover]

I try to save a buck where I can, I am really good at lowering the cost of my groceries and I don't buy anything unless it is on sale (unless it is a absolute must have and cant wait for a sale). I hate the fact that sometimes when I come out of my office and all our TV's are on in various rooms in our house and no one is watching them...that makes me crazy...I turn off lights where I can, I will line dry some clothes in the spring/summer/fall to save on electric. I can't say I am thrifty like those people on that TV show..that is way to extreme for me.....

 

[rosetta]

I shop around online, wait for the sales and hunt on ebay. I don't think I'm thrifty, just sensible!

For example, my last three purchases were

1. Clothing from a recent sale £440 worth bought for £112

2. Rimowa luggage bought online for £525 compared to £845 at Selfridges

3. Chie mihara shoes bought for £45 compared to full retail at £225


I spend a lot of money, and have a love for well made clothing, shoes and bags, so I have to be super vigilant about sales and online searching to find the best deals, or I'd be very poor! I can't remember when I last bought anything full price.

 

[chrono]

I like to get good value for my money. It may not be the most expensive or the cheapest but it does a good job and holds up well for the price I paid. I dislike going to extremes such as shutting off the heat / AC completely when the weather is too much, being stingy or having the family suffer undue stress just to save a few cents. Costco, some generics, sales, clearances, coupons and free shipping are all good.

 

[Circe]

I think it depends on who you ask! If you ask me, YES. If you ask my husband ... not so much.

See, I love vintage shopping, charity shops, flea markets, you name it, and the result is that I have a bulging wardrobe of velvet opera cloaks, crinolines, silk poets shirts, and designer coats. My husband is the kind of guy who thinks people should have three pairs of shoes to be rotated in an orderly fashion, and when one wears out, he replaces it at full retail.

I think his wardrobe probably costs more than mine. But I think I get more bang for my buck!

 

[Laila619]

Yes, but not to an extreme. I use coupons and buy stuff on sale. I got the Target Red Card so I could save 5% on everything I buy at Target. I also buy generic/store brand quite a bit. But I will also splurge on gourmet food items that are pretty expensive.

 

[kenny]

Yes and no.
I'm an absolute OCD tightwad on most things, but have no problem buying the best of XYZ when I want to.

 

[iluvshinythings]

I'm thrifty about some things but not everything. For years I was a divorced mom and had to live frugally due to my small income. Now that my income has increased (and my DD is self supporting), I'm still frugal about some things.

I typically eat Ramen noodles for lunch each day and don't really enjoy spending money on food. If I do go out to eat, I get what I want and leave a nice tip but I drink water. I turn nearly empty bottles upside down and cut the end off of tubes of toothpaste, cream etc to get the last drop. I keep the temperature in my house comfortable but I remember when that was a luxury. I hardly ever buy clothes or shoes and when I do I buy them on sale or second hand. My car is a 2008 but it has heated, leather seats and I can't find anything comparable with a reasonable price tag so I guess I'll drive it until the wheels fall off.

I spend all my excess income on jewelry and travel. Once in a while, I get "the look" from family or friends regarding my travel/jewelry purchases but I don't give a sh*t. I pay my bills. I have savings. I do without things. I live in an area no one in their right mind would live in because my skills are in demand. I choose to spend lavishly on sparkly things and frugally on purses. Get over it.

 

[monarch64]

I don't know...I follow the 3 R's (reduce, reuse, recycle) for the most part, but I don't think that makes me thrifty, necessarily.

We shop for groceries within a budget. I grow veggies, greens, and herbs year round so we can consume fewer chemicals and to cut down on grocery costs, but I'm not married to buying nothing but organic when I need something to round out a recipe.

I worked in retail for a long time. For a couple years in the recent past I was a buyer. I was given a ton of footwear and clothing by vendors that will probably last me ten+ years. I have a few fill-ins I would like to purchase for my current wardrobe, but those can be obtained at Target or something. I have so many nice pairs of wool socks that were given to me in the same job that I have given some away and still have no need to buy any for years.

I only run errands when I have several in the same vicinity so I can save on gas and parking. I plan my schedule according to which side of town I'll be on for the most important ones.

Penny pinching? Probably not. I call it sensible. Spending QT at home with my family is top priority to me, so whatever can be done to achieve that is what I do. I don't clip coupons for major manufacturers' stuff. We usually buy the store brand instead when it's processed food. I'm not too proud to admit that we DO buy some processed things that we like to indulge in every now and then. (Olives, boxed cereals, frozen veggies, etc.)

I do also try to buy a lot of our necessities at one store who gives fuel points as an incentive. We can save $.30/gallon on a fill-up once or twice a month, which helps because my vehicle has an 18 gallon tank.

I don't have a perfect system, but I try to just keep in mind the 3 R's and doing things sensibly instead of wastefully. That's all.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I think I am a lot like Missy. I try to buy things on sale whenever possible, such as clothes (and I don't care that much about clothes, so I don't overspend in that area). If I buy a Coach purse, I buy it with the coupon or on sale. I don't buy super expensive designer purses. I bought most of my new furniture at a discount from various manufacturer outlets (since I live in a major furniture manufacturing state). I have high quality organic meat delivered to my home a couple of times a year, and then I buy cereals, paper products, canned goods, etc. at WalMart. I buy an AVR or diamond hoops at retail, and then I buy Tiffany or Roberto Coin pieces, and so on, on ebay (or pre-loved). I would never have the patience to grocery shop with coupons or anything like that. So I agree with Missy that I'd label myself a smart shopper. I don't think I'd throw money away even if I were very wealthy.

 

[decodelighted]

\
3. Chie mihara shoes bought for £45 compared to full retail at £225

When? Where? How? These are the deals *I* need!!!!!

 

[zoebartlett]

Not really. I like getting a good deal on things, but I don't bother clipping coupons or scouring the Internet for coupon codes. I don't have the patience.