Comments on: Concepts in Frugality: Know What You Want

By: Roshawn @ Watson Inc

Roshawn @ Watson Inc — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 09:19:24 +0000

I loved the honesty in this post; interestingly, I just wrote a post on whether frugality is hurting the economy. Best Regards, Shawn Roshawn @ Watson Inc´s last blog post..Thrift Paradox - Is Frugality Hurting Economy?

By: jodi @ bpr

jodi @ bpr — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 14:35:25 +0000

Great post - we only buy with cash and it's such a great feeling! I have gotten to where I don't spend much time in the mall or other stores, unless I have a need, and that has greatly diminished my wants! I also try not to buy much of anything the first time I see it...if my mind continues to go back to it for days/weeks afterwards, and it's in our budget, I can buy it with confidence...but oftentimes I find that I never think of it again and it would have been a total waste! jodi @ bpr´s last blog post..Looking Forward at 2009

By: Fabulously Broke

Fabulously Broke — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 12:30:48 +0000

I never had restraint before, then I got my real job, realized I had $60k in student loans, and buckled down... Now, I feel better if I buy myself something (like an iPod shuffle) if I really wanted it with justified reasons, and if I could do a task I hated to get it (like organizing my corporation) Fabulously Broke in the City Just a girl trying to find a balance between being a Shopaholic and a Saver...

By: Ste[j

Ste[j — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 04:37:41 +0000

I wait for everything, it seems. Right now I’m trying to teach myself *not* to wait so long on the small stuff. I just bought myself a whisk because it was the second Christmas in a row that it was on my wish list and didn’t get it. A $5.99 whisk. (And for the record, I’m really enjoying having it.)

By: Eponine

Eponine — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 00:43:21 +0000

I waited a year and a half before buying a new, larger TV after I moved to Texas. Until I got it, I used the 15-year-old TV which I had had since grad school. It was about the size of an old computer monitor. I admit that I didn't actually save for the new TV: I bought it with part of my stimulus check. But the fact that I waited until I had cash in hand instead of running out and using my credit card was still a victory for me! Eponine´s last blog post..First Day Back

By: Jason

Jason — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 00:27:48 +0000

Layaway (called layby here) is still commonly available in Australia (and sometimes even advertised – “layby now for Christmas”), but not surprisingly store credit is being pushed more and more

The last “big” thing we bought was paid for with cash – we got a Playstation 3, which we’d been waiting to get for 8 months (bought with part of my tax return at the time). The next big thing I’ll have to get will be a new computer, which will also be paid for with cash.

Jason´s last blog post..Do You Have The Best Bank Account?

By: pam munro

pam munro — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 23:32:16 +0000

I wait with a shopping list in my head – as I never could find what I was looking for on a specific shopping trip, anyway – let alone at a good price! So, in the meantime, I look and I look and I look – and bingo! the bargain usually appears. I know shopping in Europe for clothes is generally more difficult – as they go for more enduring styles at higher prices – Have you thought about getting things online? U.S. prices are a bargain in Euros.

By: Craig

Craig — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 22:35:51 +0000

Nice post Kelly, I am trying to retrain myself as well. It’s all about getting in the mindset and establishing a routine. When you can establish with the mindset not to buy, then it helps one become frugal and can help save money.

By: Lucie @ Unconvention

Lucie @ Unconvention — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 17:43:47 +0000

Kelly, I feel your pain on needing an updated work wardrobe! I have been going through that myself. I am no frugal queen (far from it) but since I have been paying more attention to how I spend I have noticed a marked difference in my attitude towards shopping. I am thoughtful about every single purchase I make, and that helps a lot.

I like this series – it's good to remember the concepts that motivated us to be frugal in the first place!

Lucie @ Unconventional Origins´s last blog post..Amos and Andy Come to Dinner

By: Abigail

Abigail — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 16:50:17 +0000

I know the agony of having to wait. I have one or two expensive hobbies, and so when I want to indulge in one, it requires the waiting game. Very painful.

And I definitely feel you on the “ooooooh, shiiiiiny” front. Whenever we go to Sam’s Club, my husband and I stop to drool at the large LCD/plasma TVs. Sometimes also at the jewelry sections. (Which is more “oooooh, sparkly!”) But we know that we’d rather get out of debt and then reward our hard work than put ourselves further in the hole.

Our new deal is for us each to get $10 per week to spend however we want. Given that we both have expensive hobbies, that money will almost certainly go there. But it’s nice to know that when we do buy items, the money will be in our hot little hands.

I suppose what’s both gratifying — and mortifying — about waiting is just how easily it turns out you don’t need an item. Gratifying because you held off and didn’t spend the money. Mortifying because you really thought that it was a life necessity. It’s a little terrifying and embarrassing just how easily your brain can trick you.

Abigail´s last blog post..Another sale of interest