Comments on: Women’s Magazines Sell Faux Frugality

By: yellowbird

yellowbird — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 17:43:55 +0000

When reading these I take it with a grain of salt; what they are trying to make you do is put your $ into THEIR hands; #1 rule is: to thine own self be true. I used to think that folks HATED women who made the “fashions”; the HUGE suitcases of purses look HORRID if you are a medium or small woman; CLUE! so DON”T BUY ONE even if it “says” somewhere that “THIS” is the thing to buy. Do not give up shopping; being frugal or thrifty is VOLUNTARILY choosing to use your brain the good Lord gave you! Don’t be “suckered” into the LINE “oh, you MUST get THIS to be “happy”. Only THEY will be happy as they laugh there way to the bank about yet another sucker falling for their sales pitch! The GAME is: EVERYONE wants your money; YOUR advantage is KNOWING this: and KEEPING your $! Yesterday at Goodwill I got a pair of Erika pants that I love they are 100% cotton for $2.99; look brand new; a beautiful lilac ribbed light sweater long sleeved with lace (looked like never even washed) for $2.99; I got a pair of life stride leather shoes that weigh no more than 3 ounces that had NO marks on the sole for $4.49; and I was ONLY looking for a pair of shoes! Don’t STOP shopping; just know WHERE to shop! SAW: 2 brand spanking new Denim & Co coats; reversable for $5.99 (as opposed to $50) if ordered thru QVC; beautiful dress $4.99 v neck with tiers of ruffles probably cost several hundred to buy new; I have found oodles of brand new shoes, purses, coats, jeans, sweaters etc all because some folks buy buy buy; hang in closet; put in closet; then clean out. I happily take the “cleaned out” closet remains for fractions & THAT folks is what “frugal” means; it may mean a lot of “looking” when on ways to other places; but always stop; I got a brand new $80 original price at thrift store, not from QVC, in wrapper in the summer; no one was looking for them then. I kept an eye on it; finally put on hanger & marked to $20; when it went on the 50 percent off rack I picked it up for daughter’s birthday for $10.00. Sure it was 100 degrees outside then: THAT is the time you get your best buys on winter things! Let others play the game of buying expensive: and you will thrive on saving!

By: Funny about Money

Funny about Money — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 02:12:03 +0000

Thank you!

Other than passing the time in the gynecologist’s waiting room, the only thing fashion magazines are good for, IMHO, is to give you a broad general idea of what’s in fashion. With that overview, you can (if you’re clever) buy or make clothes in the colors and styles that will make you feel au courant.

They’re good for getting ideas, but if you take them literally you’ll go nuts.

By: Nancy

Nancy — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 01:20:15 +0000

I LOVE magazines but steer clear of glamour and most other traditional women’s magazines for exactly these reasons. I hate the hypocrisy (this is more Ladies’ Home Journal or Women’s Day or those types) of pages of gorgeous-looking food followed by the latest fad diet or exercise regimen. Oy. And, of course, these days all the mags have to have these “50 Ways to Save Money” type articles and they’re nothing new, just the recycled info that you can find all over the ‘net for free.

I prefer Taste of Home (all recipes, no hype), Mary Engelbreit’s Home Companion (decorating/craft ideas), or Real Simple (except for the recipes full of expensive ingredients).

By: Rolanda

Rolanda — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 01:30:34 +0000

Good piece! I was recently sized at Lane Bryant and bought two bras. I had ordered several online using their size calculators and none of them fit well. The lady at Lane Bryant helped me figure out what was going on and what size I need to be “today” as she said. (smile!) Well worth the money, and one of the bras was half off. I look so much better than before.

By: MrsMoney

MrsMoney — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 17:41:40 +0000

$1500 for one outfit? Wow. I don’t think I’ve paid that for my entire wardrobe! lol

By: Mrs. Micah

Mrs. Micah — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 02:16:13 +0000

@Emily, whenever I pick up something like Real Simple I always end up admiring the rooms. But it’s not simple at all, it’s got a clean look but is very expensive. I love how much creativity your articles show. It gives me hope that I can have a beautiful home someday without being rich.

@Mary, that would be awesome but of course it wouldn’t go over well with advertisers. But if women’s magazines are writing primarily for advertisers, then who is writing for women? That’s one reason Ms. dropped advertisements for a while.

@Brenda, I live in a pretty poor county, but being around DC we do have access to places with richer people. I probably need to put in the distance and try out the thrift shops on the good side of town.

@Deb, I’ve found those kind of crushing. I’ll never be fashion magazine beautiful or a perfect cook or housekeeper. I’m glad I’m not the only one they make feel that way…

By: Emily @ Taking Charge

Emily @ Taking Charge — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 23:10:00 +0000

I HATE this! I read magazines and the luxury purchase is $1,200 or so, so the $400 item is a “total steal.” Yeah, for who? Lindsey Lohan? It drives me crazy, especially because it makes regular people think that they’re supposed to be spending crazy amounts of money.

By: Deb Burton

Deb Burton — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:31:55 +0000

As a young adult and newly married woman, I subscribed to a number of women’s magazines. I was finally convicted to drop the subscriptions since I found myself redefining myself according to the standards espoused in the magazines. That included fashion, beauty, home decorating and cooking.

We also have shopped at Goodwill stores in wealthy areas for outstanding gently used clothing. We have also saved a lot of money by shopping clearance racks at high-end stores, taking advantage of prices 75-90% off. We may only be able to wear the clothes the last few weeks of the season, but we have a brand new wardrobe for the following year.

By: M3

M3 — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:25:42 +0000

Thank you for this post! I crack up when I read the “splurge vs steal” in any magazine. Obviously, they don’t deal with my budget! I can’t think of any outfit I own, let alone a day to day outfit, that is $250!! As for redecorating, I feel the same way…

Now, I must confess, we all buy almost all of our clothes new (except for the two youngest who are still “normal” size!) because we are tall people, but I still choke at spending $40 on a pair of jeans! I love clearance (which tall sizes do sometimes fall into!)…

By: Brenda@CoffeeTeaBooks&Me

Brenda@CoffeeTeaBooks&Me — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 18:21:36 +0000

I had the same thing happen while reading a decorating magazine this week. Their “simple” furniture items each cost more than most people spend for an entire room.

We live near a rather high income community which has a Goodwill. All three of us (me, hubby, college age son) will shop there first and get very high end clothing. Only when there is an absolute necessity (like someone’s jeans are no longer wearable) will we go to the mall.