<p>I read “your good buy of the day” thread and spend carefully. If I have extra leftover, whether it be 50, 500 or 5000, I invest it. I don’t spend it.</p>
<p>I save mine- cause with those 20 & 40 year old vehicles you know pretty soon something is going to break!</p>
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<p>Actually got a “Schwinn Stress Free Bicycle Seat” on ebay for $23.30 delivered. Installed it today and really like it. </p>
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<p>Basically, we are talking about priority then. You save (frugal) $$ from some areas and the spend (no frugal) them all on others. Net net, there is no gain from saving. </p>
<p>My point is that sooner or later, you are going to spend that $$.</p>
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Not necessarily. The truly frugal saver has it in savings. Mgy get spent, but may get passed on to the next generation.</p>
<p>True, OR it can be donated to people/causes (including next generation) that are chosen by whomever owns/possesses the resource/asset.</p>
<p>My grandpa had a lambskin seat cover for his stationary bike- I think he saved $ on medical costs cause he stayed in good shape.</p>
<p>Re leaving a legacy.</p>
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[Nicole</a> Brodeur | A frugal friend leaves big legacy | Seattle Times Newspaper](<a href=“http://o.seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nicolebrodeur/2014158767_nicole08m.html]Nicole”>http://o.seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nicolebrodeur/2014158767_nicole08m.html)</p>
<p>BCeagle, that is very impressive that you lost all that weight. I imagine it will pay you back in so many ways!</p>
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<p>To me, it’s an environmental way to save on water. This is considered extremely normal in our neck of the woods (in the city). But also actually an almost necessity for those on well water and with a septic field.</p>
<p>I’m a student, but most of these I’ve learned from my parents: </p>
<p>-I only use personal heaters in the summer and fans in the summer. Our energy bills are ridiculously low.
-I take really quick showers. I’ve never understood people that take 30 minute+ long showers- what a waste!
-I don’t own make-up or many other beauty products.
-Almost all of my clothes come from Salvation Army. If I need something nicer (sometimes it’s hard to find nicer clothes at the SA closest to me), then I wait for great deals.
-If I do eat out, I eat out at super cheap places.
-Look for food deals and buy lots when things go on sale.
-Pack my own food for lunch and such so I don’t have to eat out on my break.
-Eat leftovers before making any new food.
-I don’t go shopping unless it’s absolutely necessary and I have a strict list about what I need (impulse buying will add up very quickly).
-I don’t own more than 4-5 pairs of shoes. They get used until they’re completely destroyed.
-Buy off-brand. </p>
<p>It’s not like I have a lot of money to throw around (college student will do that to ya), but I am rarely broke because I do so many things to save my money.</p>
<p>But also actually an almost necessity for those on well water and with a septic field.</p>
<p>or in an old house with old pipes</p>
<p>Both my spouse and I have always loved the idea of frugality. I think it comes from our upbringing (both of us come from families with very little money, so it was ingrained in us not to waste resources, and to find creative ways to make them go further). </p>
<p>Oddly, we now easily fit into the 1% category, but it is hard to shake the frugal mindset. But it’s not about saving so much as a way of thinking, a puzzle to solve, a game to play. Though as our youngest points out “you are frugal, but not cheap” (when it comes to supporting family or treating friends, or making donations, we aren’t pinching pennies; we just don’t like to waste money without a valid reason). </p>
<p>We keep cars a very long time. Buying a few years old is the best bargain. We have never carried debt, except in real estate. We don’t shop very often, almost only stuff on sale, and in my case at least, I see no point in buying clothing too similar to what I already have (e.g. one pair of black shoes works). But that is easy only because I don’t really like shopping. Make lots of soups and great use of leftovers, pack lunches to work. Cycle to work when we can. Do our own yard work. </p>
<p>Spouse and I have had to knock our irrational frugality out of each other at times. You know, convincing the other it IS okay to buy a new something or other. We had our big old TV for 16 years until we finally got a flat screen this year. I’d like a new washer and dryer but our current 10 year old basic set that came with the house is still going strong :(.</p>
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<p>Joining the diet/exercise thread made it a lot easier - there are others that have lost more.</p>
<p>Dad II…what is your point? The point in being frugal is to have money for the things that are important but not to WASTE money. I’m very careful about my spending…always have been. Living within a budget is one of the most important lessons we have passed on to our kids. To stretch that budget, we do things that might appear to be “frugal” to others.</p>
<p>When is that Cheapskates show on? I’d like to watch it. </p>
<p>Years ago there was a newsletter called the Tightwad Gazette. Does it still exist?</p>
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I would encourage you to use some face cream, especially ones with sunscreen. You only have one face and it needs to last a long time. It doesn’t need to be expensive, many generic face creams are very good.</p>
<p>^ Years ago, an independent study looking at moisturizers found the most effective was actually the cheapest: Lubriderm! And yes, you can buy it with sunscreen!</p>
<p>Yes, there is a difference between frugal and cheap.</p>
<p>When I am in NYC I have a hard time paying for a cab. I’ll take public transportation to almost every where. When I travel to foreign cities, if they have public transportaion, I would usually take it too. It is a good way to save money and a great way to watch people and see a city. My favorites are Bermuda’s pink buses and London’s double deckers.</p>
<p>There are some Tightwad Gazette Books…I think there are at least three in the series. Some of the suggestions are actually very good ones. Many of the things suggested also mirror the whole idea of sustainability which is very popular now…and really is a throwback to those Hippie days.</p>
<p>Nothing wrong with being frugal. And yes…very different than being cheap.</p>
<p>@oldfort- Maybe, when I have the time and money to experiment lol. The problem is that my skin is very sensitive and oily and I tend to have allergic reactions to most products. If you have suggestions, I would gladly give them a try.</p>
<p>Some of my favorite cities have great public transportation.
I agree it is a good way to get a sense of a city.</p>
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<p>I bought a Goodwill, bike three weeks ago just for for the bike seat and seat post.</p>