Comments on: Back to Basics: What is Frugality?

By: Chiot's Run

Chiot's Run — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 21:22:56 +0000

I think frugality gets a negative rap too because people often think it involves doing without, or sacrificing something. It’s more about learning to use the resources you have to solve your problems. It’s actually great for kid, teaches responsibility and creativity. My parents were extremely frugal. I don’t know that they ever bought anything.

Mr Chiots and I love to figure out to solve a problem with something we already have. It’s so much more fun than just running out and buying something!

By: Thrifty Florida Mama

Thrifty Florida Mama — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 14:58:34 +0000

I’m definitely frugal by choice and trying to pay off $25,000 in debt this year. Living in Florida, with a doom and gloom economy, and the threat of teacher pay-cuts, we are putting every dime into getting out of debt so that we will be able to live substantially below our means once debt-free. This is our goal and people think we’re weird. But that’s okay because as Dave says, “normal is broke”.

By: Alison @ This Wasn't In The Plan

Alison @ This Wasn't In The Plan — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 04:44:21 +0000

Love that definition! That’s why what’s frugal for me may not be frugal for others, it’s all about individual goals, and those are always different! Recession or not, we are doing better financially than ever before. We still live a fairly frugal lifestyle pretty much because it’s all we know! We’ve spent most of our married years in school, when frugality was a huge necessity. Now, it’s just a smart way of living.

By: Mr. Imperfect

Mr. Imperfect — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 03:32:54 +0000

I really enjoyed this post. Too many people equate frugal with miserly. Just recently we had to purchase a new refrigerator and somewhere in the mix the word “frugal” purchase was tossed out. The salesman immediately took us to the cheapest/smallest one is stock. We had to explain that we were interested in a) the energy consumption of the product, b) the average life span of the product, and c)lastly, the price.

Thanks again for being one of the few who have a clear focus on this lifestyle! Have a great day!

By: Candy

Candy — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 02:35:27 +0000

I think more people are hip to being frugal. I think it is being a good steward of what God has given you. Great post!

By: Brigitte

Brigitte — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 08:29:09 +0000

I grew up in a frugal household, but I take it to a whole new level–and I’m not even as frugal as many people I know or as I would like to be one day! But I find I get along best with people who brag about how little they paid for something–now how much. It’s still hard for me to buy brand new clothes for myself. Can’t spend more than $5 on a shirt, no more than $15 on a pair of well-fitting pants. Practically everything I own came from a thrift store. The only new things I really get are gifts. And I prefer it that way.

I started out being frugal from necessity and habit from upbringing. Now I choose it because it seems stupid to be otherwise. And I choose to embrace it and strive for further frugality because it IS sometimes fun. And rewarding!

By: Jane Anne Owen

Jane Anne Owen — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 08:21:49 +0000

Thank you for this post. It was very encouraging to me. (See: Wednesday Words)

By: rosemarie

rosemarie — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 23:09:21 +0000

I agree and I like the way you approach this topic. My father’s a miser, he cannot make any decision in life without thinking of the financial impact to the point where as a kid, my mom would whisper to me, “don’t ask dad for anything” as we walked around the free carnival. And my dad isn’t poor. It’s no wonder I don’t spend a lot of money, but I’ve tried to harness this into a positive thing. Not being wasteful, eco-conscious, and taking care of resources are important to me. I still call myself cheap, but that’s just for fun.

By: Maria -- WriterGig

Maria -- WriterGig — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 03:18:45 +0000

I grew up in a very frugal (read: poor) family and my husband’s family believed in buying quality, never overspending and making do when necessary. So frugality come naturally to us.

I’m praying we’ll get out of debt this year so our frugality can pay off and allow us to save for land and a home.

By: Jason

Jason — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 23:36:54 +0000

I don’t really know if I’m frugal or not – it’s certainly not a label I consciously go out to try and have applied to me :-) But I do try to keep my spending low, and make the most of what we have. I’m not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but I’m getting better all the time.

Unfortunately, for some people the concept of being careful with your money is a foreign one that they will never understand.