Comments on: Is Frugality Deprivation? http://beingfrugal.net/2008/08/21/is-frugality-deprivation/ Saving money and getting out of debt from a Christian SAHM perspective Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:04:59 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Weird eBay http://beingfrugal.net/2008/08/21/is-frugality-deprivation/comment-page-1/#comment-11028 Weird eBay Mon, 25 Aug 2008 09:52:04 +0000 http://beingfrugal.net/2008/08/21/is-frugality-deprivation/#comment-11028 Being frugal doesn't deprive a person of anything. Being broke does deprive us. The difference is that we can choose to be frugal or not. If we're broke, chances are we didn't choose to be. We may have done something to contribute to the bad cash-flow situation, but we didn't choose it. Being frugal is nothing but choosing to wait to spend money later on other things--like a house or a car. Things we might not be able to buy if not for frugality. Being frugal doesn’t deprive a person of anything. Being broke does deprive us. The difference is that we can choose to be frugal or not. If we’re broke, chances are we didn’t choose to be. We may have done something to contribute to the bad cash-flow situation, but we didn’t choose it.

Being frugal is nothing but choosing to wait to spend money later on other things–like a house or a car. Things we might not be able to buy if not for frugality.

]]> By: Steward http://beingfrugal.net/2008/08/21/is-frugality-deprivation/comment-page-1/#comment-10988 Steward Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:52:59 +0000 http://beingfrugal.net/2008/08/21/is-frugality-deprivation/#comment-10988 <blockquote>That’s true deprivation, not having the freedom to do as you choose.</blockquote> I think that this is probably the most important statement from the post. Being frugal is about choosing to spend your money wisely, so if you can't stay away from a Quarter Pounder even though you have chosen to live a life the spends money wisely can you really free say you are free? Maybe our consumerist culture has deprived you of your will to choose.

That’s true deprivation, not having the freedom to do as you choose.

I think that this is probably the most important statement from the post. Being frugal is about choosing to spend your money wisely, so if you can’t stay away from a Quarter Pounder even though you have chosen to live a life the spends money wisely can you really free say you are free? Maybe our consumerist culture has deprived you of your will to choose.

]]> By: The Frugal Momma http://beingfrugal.net/2008/08/21/is-frugality-deprivation/comment-page-1/#comment-10984 The Frugal Momma Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:10:05 +0000 http://beingfrugal.net/2008/08/21/is-frugality-deprivation/#comment-10984 Sure, I'd love to update my wardrobe all at once, I really do miss the mall... But it isn't an option for us right now. We made a HUGE financial sacrifice buying the house we did. BUT, I have started to look around and see the "Stuff" that we seem to have had 4 ever & it makes me crazy. So I use that to motivate me when I'm out running errands. No more unnecessary stuff!!! Sure, I’d love to update my wardrobe all at once, I really do miss the mall… But it isn’t an option for us right now. We made a HUGE financial sacrifice buying the house we did.

BUT, I have started to look around and see the “Stuff” that we seem to have had 4 ever & it makes me crazy. So I use that to motivate me when I’m out running errands. No more unnecessary stuff!!!

]]> By: Rob in Madrid http://beingfrugal.net/2008/08/21/is-frugality-deprivation/comment-page-1/#comment-10976 Rob in Madrid Fri, 22 Aug 2008 02:21:41 +0000 http://beingfrugal.net/2008/08/21/is-frugality-deprivation/#comment-10976 Deprived? Not at all, my wife and I are in the middle of our first ever credit card free vacation. We'll come home without much money in the bank but there will be no nasty surprises waiting for us either. How did we do that, by cracking down and really putting a push on to save money. What ever deprivation I felt in not spending has been more than made up for in fun we've been having on vacation. Deprived? Not at all, my wife and I are in the middle of our first ever credit card free vacation. We’ll come home without much money in the bank but there will be no nasty surprises waiting for us either.

How did we do that, by cracking down and really putting a push on to save money. What ever deprivation I felt in not spending has been more than made up for in fun we’ve been having on vacation.

]]> By: dona http://beingfrugal.net/2008/08/21/is-frugality-deprivation/comment-page-1/#comment-10975 dona Fri, 22 Aug 2008 01:32:12 +0000 http://beingfrugal.net/2008/08/21/is-frugality-deprivation/#comment-10975 Ugghh I have been struggling with this so much lately. We keep getting hit with stuff that forces us to squeeze tighter and afer awhile I just want to scream. Today I sat on a blazing hot back yard patio---just wishing I had my screened in deck that I hope to someday have (like all my other neighbors) But then Dave Ramsey screams in my ear... "Live like no one else, so later you can live like no one else!" Then I pull out our Ez-up Canopy tent and sit in the shade and say "heck with all these people and their posh decks!"--some day I will have mine and it will truly be mine, not the credit card company. Then I sip my glass of water and clip my coupons. Ugghh I have been struggling with this so much lately. We keep getting hit with stuff that forces us to squeeze tighter and afer awhile I just want to scream. Today I sat on a blazing hot back yard patio—just wishing I had my screened in deck that I hope to someday have (like all my other neighbors)

But then Dave Ramsey screams in my ear…

“Live like no one else, so later you can live like no one else!”

Then I pull out our Ez-up Canopy tent and sit in the shade and say “heck with all these people and their posh decks!”–some day I will have mine and it will truly be mine, not the credit card company. Then I sip my glass of water and clip my coupons.

]]> By: Tom http://beingfrugal.net/2008/08/21/is-frugality-deprivation/comment-page-1/#comment-10972 Tom Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:19:20 +0000 http://beingfrugal.net/2008/08/21/is-frugality-deprivation/#comment-10972 I find that frugality is a positive challenge for me. A sort of zen for better well being and control over my impulse buys. Being frugal (the technical term for tightwad), has given me the opportunity to set a goal for myself. It has given me the opportunity to become more focused on my expenses and a challenge to better myself. So I guess I don't see it as deprivation, but as a way to control my urges. I find that frugality is a positive challenge for me. A sort of zen for better well being and control over my impulse buys. Being frugal (the technical term for tightwad), has given me the opportunity to set a goal for myself. It has given me the opportunity to become more focused on my expenses and a challenge to better myself. So I guess I don’t see it as deprivation, but as a way to control my urges.

]]> By: beloml http://beingfrugal.net/2008/08/21/is-frugality-deprivation/comment-page-1/#comment-10971 beloml Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:02:55 +0000 http://beingfrugal.net/2008/08/21/is-frugality-deprivation/#comment-10971 Frugality is NOT deprivation. It is about getting the most for your money. I'd rather buy a $100 pair of shoes that are stylish and comfortable and will last for six or eight years than five pairs of $20 shoes. I'd rather buy a more expensive--and reliable--car and drive it for 12-15 years than get a new cheapo every five or six years. It's about cost per use. Frugality is NOT deprivation. It is about getting the most for your money. I’d rather buy a $100 pair of shoes that are stylish and comfortable and will last for six or eight years than five pairs of $20 shoes. I’d rather buy a more expensive–and reliable–car and drive it for 12-15 years than get a new cheapo every five or six years.

It’s about cost per use.

]]> By: Bellen http://beingfrugal.net/2008/08/21/is-frugality-deprivation/comment-page-1/#comment-10969 Bellen Thu, 21 Aug 2008 14:19:12 +0000 http://beingfrugal.net/2008/08/21/is-frugality-deprivation/#comment-10969 Deprivation or life choices? I've never been a 'shopper', or had hobbies that required continual replenishments of supplies. I get a thrill out of visiting museums, libraries, state parks, the beach, seeing a rainbow, eating the first ripe tomato. Do I ever feel deprived - maybe - but I know I'll never be homeless by default or hungry. I may not (actually never will) have the latest fashion, nor eat out once a week, nor have a McMansion, but I'm happy with my lifestyle and would not change it for a million dollars - I'd bank/invest that money instead. Deprivation or life choices? I’ve never been a ’shopper’, or had hobbies that required continual replenishments of supplies. I get a thrill out of visiting museums, libraries, state parks, the beach, seeing a rainbow, eating the first ripe tomato. Do I ever feel deprived – maybe – but I know I’ll never be homeless by default or hungry. I may not (actually never will) have the latest fashion, nor eat out once a week, nor have a McMansion, but I’m happy with my lifestyle and would not change it for a million dollars – I’d bank/invest that money instead.

]]> By: "Mo" Money http://beingfrugal.net/2008/08/21/is-frugality-deprivation/comment-page-1/#comment-10967 "Mo" Money Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:54:53 +0000 http://beingfrugal.net/2008/08/21/is-frugality-deprivation/#comment-10967 By adding a category called "Mad Money" to your budget, you can still spend somne money without the feeling of being deprived. Budgeting can make you feel too constricted in your spending and if you have that feeling, like dieting you probably won't be successful. So add a category to your budget where you do not have to account for the money in that category. It could mean the difference between success and failure! By adding a category called “Mad Money” to your budget, you can still spend somne money without the feeling of being deprived. Budgeting can make you feel too constricted in your spending and if you have that feeling, like dieting you probably won’t be successful. So add a category to your budget where you do not have to account for the money in that category. It could mean the difference between success and failure!

]]> By: Lorie http://beingfrugal.net/2008/08/21/is-frugality-deprivation/comment-page-1/#comment-10965 Lorie Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:09:12 +0000 http://beingfrugal.net/2008/08/21/is-frugality-deprivation/#comment-10965 Sometimes my husband &I do feel deprived because all he would like to have it a beer & all I would like is some new scrapbooking supplies. We tend to use our birthday money for things like this. We also realize that we have chosen this lifestyle for ourselves. We believe with all of our hearts that it's right for our family for me to stay home & for him to provide financially. We know that with time & effort our circumstances will change & perhaps we'll get to take that family vacation to Disney World some day. As much as I get anxious about our financial situation, I don't think I've ever been happier. I have a wonderful, hard-working husband who is trying to do something to strengthen our finances. I have a very good three year old boy who challenges me every day & I have a daughter on the way, which is another challenge right now. We have a secure roof over our heads, food on the table every night, & occasional splurges that keep us going. God has been so good, I can't ask for anything more. Sometimes my husband &I do feel deprived because all he would like to have it a beer & all I would like is some new scrapbooking supplies. We tend to use our birthday money for things like this. We also realize that we have chosen this lifestyle for ourselves. We believe with all of our hearts that it’s right for our family for me to stay home & for him to provide financially. We know that with time & effort our circumstances will change & perhaps we’ll get to take that family vacation to Disney World some day. As much as I get anxious about our financial situation, I don’t think I’ve ever been happier. I have a wonderful, hard-working husband who is trying to do something to strengthen our finances. I have a very good three year old boy who challenges me every day & I have a daughter on the way, which is another challenge right now. We have a secure roof over our heads, food on the table every night, & occasional splurges that keep us going. God has been so good, I can’t ask for anything more.

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