Comments on: This Is What Frugal Looks Like: Spending Zero Dollars http://almostfrugal.com/2009/08/13/this-is-frugal-spending-zero-dollars/ Learning about frugality Wed, 25 Apr 2012 20:11:06 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Imenehttp://almostfrugal.com/2009/08/13/this-is-frugal-spending-zero-dollars/#comment-5583 Imene Mon, 17 Aug 2009 05:50:43 +0000 http://almostfrugal.com/?p=3445#comment-5583 I totally agry with you Meg. Being frugal is about valuing time and relationships and thinking of the consequences of our spending. .-= Imene´s last blog ..Ikea here I come =-. I totally agry with you Meg. Being frugal is about valuing time and relationships and thinking of the consequences of our spending.
.-= Imene´s last blog ..Ikea here I come =-.

]]> By: Meg from FruWikihttp://almostfrugal.com/2009/08/13/this-is-frugal-spending-zero-dollars/#comment-5576 Meg from FruWiki Fri, 14 Aug 2009 19:12:58 +0000 http://almostfrugal.com/?p=3445#comment-5576 @Carol I don't think there isn't some overlap! But I don't think being frugal is just a synonym for cheap. Also, there are different kinds of cheap, just as there are different kinds of being frugal. For me, *being* cheap isn't just about buying cheap things, it's about cutting costs at all costs, hurting yourself, others, the environment, etc. when you CAN afford better -- or when you should just do without. Frugal people, on the other hand, think more about the consequences of their actions. Example: stealing cable is cheap -- even if you can't afford to pay for it. Looking for other forms of LEGAL entertainment is frugal. @Carol

I don’t think there isn’t some overlap! But I don’t think being frugal is just a synonym for cheap.

Also, there are different kinds of cheap, just as there are different kinds of being frugal. For me, *being* cheap isn’t just about buying cheap things, it’s about cutting costs at all costs, hurting yourself, others, the environment, etc. when you CAN afford better — or when you should just do without.

Frugal people, on the other hand, think more about the consequences of their actions.

Example: stealing cable is cheap — even if you can’t afford to pay for it. Looking for other forms of LEGAL entertainment is frugal.

]]> By: Carolhttp://almostfrugal.com/2009/08/13/this-is-frugal-spending-zero-dollars/#comment-5575 Carol Fri, 14 Aug 2009 18:49:21 +0000 http://almostfrugal.com/?p=3445#comment-5575 Ya know, I sometimes wonder if saying that 'being frugal is NOT being cheap' is a cop-out. These are difficult times. I think we're frequently required to be just plain cheap because we need to keep a conservative idea in mind of what the cash flow will be. This is not to say we won't keep working our fingers to the bone--trying to be able to be simply 'frugal' and not 'cheap.' But it's a challenge. There's no question about it! Ya know, I sometimes wonder if saying that ‘being frugal is NOT being cheap’ is a cop-out. These are difficult times. I think we’re frequently required to be just plain cheap because we need to keep a conservative idea in mind of what the cash flow will be.

This is not to say we won’t keep working our fingers to the bone–trying to be able to be simply ‘frugal’ and not ‘cheap.’ But it’s a challenge. There’s no question about it!

]]> By: Jerryhttp://almostfrugal.com/2009/08/13/this-is-frugal-spending-zero-dollars/#comment-5572 Jerry Fri, 14 Aug 2009 10:40:42 +0000 http://almostfrugal.com/?p=3445#comment-5572 Frugality is definitely a state of mind and it is NOT being cheap. Being cheap is distasteful and will not lead to winning friends. However, being frugal is insurance for your life and budget. My only caution is about going to many stores. My wife does the same and when gas prices were outrageous it didn't make sense. But, we just happen to *need* things from different stores, she insisted. Ah, well. ;) Jerry Frugality is definitely a state of mind and it is NOT being cheap. Being cheap is distasteful and will not lead to winning friends. However, being frugal is insurance for your life and budget. My only caution is about going to many stores. My wife does the same and when gas prices were outrageous it didn’t make sense. But, we just happen to *need* things from different stores, she insisted. Ah, well. ;)
Jerry

]]> By: Monroe on a Budgethttp://almostfrugal.com/2009/08/13/this-is-frugal-spending-zero-dollars/#comment-5566 Monroe on a Budget Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:31:31 +0000 http://almostfrugal.com/?p=3445#comment-5566 Shopping around works if you make smart choices based on geography. In my city, CVS (drugstore) and Kroger (grocery) are directly across the street from each other. I've been known to include both stores on same shopping trip. One of my friends works as a cleaning lady and she shops at stores around her city as she goes back and forth to her clients' homes. .-= Monroe on a Budget´s last blog ..<a href="http://www.blogsmonroe.com/budget/2009/08/how-i-cut-my-grocery-bill/" rel="nofollow">Here's how I cut my grocery bill</a> =-. Shopping around works if you make smart choices based on geography. In my city, CVS (drugstore) and Kroger (grocery) are directly across the street from each other. I’ve been known to include both stores on same shopping trip.

One of my friends works as a cleaning lady and she shops at stores around her city as she goes back and forth to her clients’ homes.
.-= Monroe on a Budget´s last blog ..Here’s how I cut my grocery bill =-.

]]> By: Meg from FruWikihttp://almostfrugal.com/2009/08/13/this-is-frugal-spending-zero-dollars/#comment-5565 Meg from FruWiki Thu, 13 Aug 2009 20:18:18 +0000 http://almostfrugal.com/?p=3445#comment-5565 "I have finally realized that frugality is NOT being cheap! To me, frugality is awareness. Being aware of what I can truly afford, not spending more than I earn each month, having the patience to save up for items I really want- that's what frugality is all about." Amen! I can't say enough, frugality is NOT the same as being cheap. “I have finally realized that frugality is NOT being cheap! To me, frugality is awareness. Being aware of what I can truly afford, not spending more than I earn each month, having the patience to save up for items I really want- that’s what frugality is all about.”

Amen! I can’t say enough, frugality is NOT the same as being cheap.

]]> By: Nancyhttp://almostfrugal.com/2009/08/13/this-is-frugal-spending-zero-dollars/#comment-5564 Nancy Thu, 13 Aug 2009 18:48:42 +0000 http://almostfrugal.com/?p=3445#comment-5564 Kelly, I'm enjoying this series. I completely agree with FruGal's comments to question #1 -- there IS a difference between being frugal and cheap. .-= Nancy´s last blog ..<a href="http://3blondesandthelaw.blogspot.com/2009/08/cook-book-flash-back.html" rel="nofollow">An Addition to My Collection</a> =-. Kelly, I’m enjoying this series. I completely agree with FruGal’s comments to question #1 — there IS a difference between being frugal and cheap.
.-= Nancy´s last blog ..An Addition to My Collection =-.

]]> By: Amy Reads Good Bookshttp://almostfrugal.com/2009/08/13/this-is-frugal-spending-zero-dollars/#comment-5562 Amy Reads Good Books Thu, 13 Aug 2009 18:04:39 +0000 http://almostfrugal.com/?p=3445#comment-5562 This is a great series. I can't wait to read more! :) .-= Amy Reads Good Books´s last blog ..<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/amyreadscom/~3/17njW_ndmrs/" rel="nofollow">Booking Through the Worst</a> =-. This is a great series. I can’t wait to read more! :)
.-= Amy Reads Good Books´s last blog ..Booking Through the Worst =-.

]]> By: Zoehttp://almostfrugal.com/2009/08/13/this-is-frugal-spending-zero-dollars/#comment-5558 Zoe Thu, 13 Aug 2009 13:18:02 +0000 http://almostfrugal.com/?p=3445#comment-5558 I've never really understood the whole "shopping around" argument. Sure, you might save money on your purchases, but if you're driving, you're just wasting gas getting to all these destinations, so really, the gas you're burning isn't saving you anything in the long run. I’ve never really understood the whole “shopping around” argument. Sure, you might save money on your purchases, but if you’re driving, you’re just wasting gas getting to all these destinations, so really, the gas you’re burning isn’t saving you anything in the long run.

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