Cheerful Frugality Adds It Up
Recently a reader questioned some of my serendipitous finds, those bargains too good not to buy--or share.
"Sure, it's only $1 or 2, but have you added that up? What you spend on bargains could be paying off debt."
It's true. Watching your purchases at EVERY store is essential to the frugal life, whether you're shopping Neiman Marcus or Goodwill.
So how do you know when NOT to buy at a low, low bargain price?
Here are some of the questions I ask myself when it comes to non-essential purchases, like my gingerbread kit and icing tips:
- First and foremost, do I have the cash to buy this--and the space to store it?
- Is its entertainment value worth its price? ($1.29 Origami Christmas)
- Will the item enable me to DIY instead of paying for a service or product? (ribbon for bows)
- Does this item have resale value after I'm done? (boutique clothing)
- Will this purchase improve something else? (silk scarf for suit, designer gift wrap)
- How many times must the item be used in order to pay for itself?
Bargain non-essentials make it easy for me to save money--and enjoy doing it.
In fact, my biggest regrets are often the deals I left behind. I'm still kicking myself for not buying that $2 pizelle maker!
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4 Responses to “Cheerful Frugality Adds It Up”
December 8th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
It is true. Buying because it is a good deal but not what you use. Lost money. Or buying when you really can not afford an item. Also look for those shipping charges. Are they worth it too?
December 8th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
I’m the worst about this when shopping a good sale at a more expensive retailer. I have to take a breath before I purchase and say, regardless of the fact that this is a $200 shirt marked down to $50, do I want/need to spend $50 on a new shirt? Nine times out of ten the answer is no and I put it back.
December 9th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Those are all good questions to ask yourself! I just think that people need to ask themselves these questions honestly and really asses whether they can really afford it and is that the best use of their money. I think all those little trips to the thrift store add up after a while and if you don’t (not you but people in general) don’t have an emergency fund say or some food stockpiled in their pantries, wouldn’t it just be better to walk away and save that bit of money? I’m guilty of this all too often! Or wouldn’t it be better to be able to drop a few dollars into the Salvation army bowl then to buy another thing you don’t really need? I constantly struggle with this! Believe me I could go on and on! LOL!
Manuela
December 18th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
One thing about being a faithful thrift-shopper. When you see several of the same item on the shelf (seasonal junk that comes out every year –seemingly useful, but it quickly becomes a dust collector…), it jogs my thinking –if so many other people bought this at full-price and ended up throwing it out, do I really need it as much? Some items on the shelf in multiples just scream “BAD IDEA!” once you think it over.
!
My “$2 pizelle maker” –a $1.75 butter bell I passed up at Goodwill a few months back. Oh, that’s a painful memory (lol)! I’ll likely never see that again
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