Comments on: Frugality Is Not Black & White

By: Rachel

Rachel — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:03:20 +0000

Excellent insight, especially about consumer commentaries. I find myself asking all the time, “Should we really buy it just because we can?”

By: Samantha

Samantha — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:58:06 +0000

Everyone must make choices that are right for them but I would certainly take money from savings to buy a sofa to be comfortable in my own home. To me, not much is more than important than a relaxing home and I personally would not be very relaxed in I were falling thru my couch.

By: Link Love | Remodeling This Life

Link Love | Remodeling This Life — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 13:23:55 +0000

[...] Frugality Is Not Black and White [...]

By: Carol

Carol — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 02:17:58 +0000

I just don’t understand purchasing something you really need (like a new couch) if you have the money for it without going into debt or depriving yourself in some other way. I, personally, think being comfortable in your own home is important. Having the latest style, not so important, and I could certainly be happy with used furniture if I really liked it and it was comfortable.

By: Miss Mary

Miss Mary — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:32:07 +0000

you are right that things are very clear when you have no money. And, you have to decide what you value when you start getting money. It is hard to do.

I am considered “radically frugal” in my circle of friends. However, I feel like a wild woman – I buy what I want and when I want it (give or take a year or two). Today, I spent $75 on a new couch and love seat. A beautiful secondhand sofa purchased rather spur of the moment for me (6 months of looking).

We have money in the bank, money for retirement, and no debt, however, I am still frugal. I do value a bit of comfort. The couch and love seat we had were so loved that they needed boards to keep us from disappearing into them, and the slip covers were more slip than cover. But I wouldn’t go into debt, pull money out of saving or any other non-frugal choices to be comfortable in my living room.

I chose to show my values with my pocketbook. That is why I am frugal. I started off having no money and having to figure out how to stretch a dollar. Now, it my choice and my values I put in place.

It is hard, when I know I have the money, to resist the “gotta have it” urge. But when I made the mental shift to living my values, it became easier. And when I sat down to really examine what I valued, it became quite clear what I need, what I want and my budget to satisfy them both.

By: Carol

Carol — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:48:33 +0000

Maybe for her that was a good use of money at the time. It would seem one could make them at home for less, but I don’t know the circumstances. I do agree, though, that many will never “get it” regardless.

By: caryn verell

caryn verell — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:29:19 +0000

very good advice….a little foresight is far better than 20/20 hindsight. i have been trying to explain “the best use of money” to a friend who recently paid $8.00 for brownies when she does’nt have a nickel to spare..and believe me there are some people that just do not and will not ever “get it”.

By: kare anderson

kare anderson — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:00:34 +0000

this advice is so very apt and you have continued to provide a thoughtful helpful mix of valuable posts – thank you. I am tweeting this:
I don’t ask myself, “Can we afford this?” Instead, I ask:
Is this the BEST USE of our money?

Valuable guide.

It is akin to my mother’s advice when i was trying to decide whether to buy a lovely yet somewhat expensive sweater with my hard-earned money in high school: “Set asside the price, honey, what is the cost per wear?” I bought it and wore it happily for a decade – it was that well-made and in one of my 2 favorite colorx

By: Carol

Carol — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:27:05 +0000

That’s a good motto: Is this the best use of my money? I often think that. Sometimes a vacation or something totaly frivolous is a good use of money.

I remember one time when we were very broke. My husband had been transferred and was living out of town all week. One beautiful weekend when he was home, we decided on the spur of the moment, to take the kids out of school for a few days, take the time off work, and head to the beach. It went on a credit card, but it was off season, and we stayed in a room with a kitchen, so rather inexpensive. We paid it off very quickly. Do my children remember we were broke? No, they remember what fun we had just relaxing and playing for a few days. I’ve always thought that was a good use of our money, and even our credit card. The interest we paid for the month or two was small.

By: Shannon M

Shannon M — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:36:11 +0000

That’s an important distinction not jut for money but also for time.