While reading some financial stuff elsewhere, it occurred to me just how a frugal person can be so distinctly different from a non-frugal. Not in a "I'm better than you" sort of way (although I admit I do think frugality is a better way of living), but... I'm just musing how because we are different, I sometimes forget that not everyone is like us.
For example, I believe frugal people actually enjoy doing their budget. I know I do. But it's easy to forget that many people find it daunting, or at the very least boring.
Another example is that hunting bargains and even clipping coupons may scratch a certain itch that non-frugals may not possess. It gets us rubbing our hands together, perhaps even doing a victory dance, while non-frugals think we've fell off our rockers.
Yet another example is that non-frugals only find joy in spending I think. Therefore, saving and even investing is often times seen as a lamentable exercise in necessary evil rather than giving one warm, fuzzy vibes.
Last but not least, I think frugals might find all this to be "perfectly normal" while the rest of the world may think of us as odd or even extreme. For example, I think debt is generally a "bad thing", best to be avoided unless it can't be helped, or it somehow pays back even more (such as a cash-back credit card). Non-frugal people may think that having debt is as normal and American as apple pie and Fourth of July. Yuck.
That said, I don't consider myself as a natural frugal though. I think there are some people who just seem to have a knack for this, and therefore, didn't have to "train" to become frugal. I, on the other hand, had to be re-born and taught from scratch. But at least I'm on the path now eh? It's also heartening to know that anyone can learn to be frugal, even if they didn't start out that way.
So, do you think there are differences between frugals and non-frugals, and if so, what other distinctions do you think there are?
You're a frugal if....
August 31st, 2009 at 05:44 am
August 31st, 2009 at 06:37 am 1251697067
August 31st, 2009 at 07:06 am 1251698772
August 31st, 2009 at 10:06 am 1251709588
August 31st, 2009 at 01:13 pm 1251720825
you understand the reasoning behind picking up coins from the ground.
you do not throw pennies in wishing wells.
your idea of a "splurge" is a starbucks coffee or a little gadget amounting to less than $10.00.
August 31st, 2009 at 02:31 pm 1251725492
August 31st, 2009 at 04:36 pm 1251732972
August 31st, 2009 at 05:08 pm 1251734883
August 31st, 2009 at 05:32 pm 1251736357
or a facsimile thereto, I found this quote on
http://www.quotegarden.com
August 31st, 2009 at 05:40 pm 1251736806
August 31st, 2009 at 05:57 pm 1251737869
Baselle (& others) nail it on the head. Saving for later is the end goal of most frugies. Delayed gratification is often misconstrued as "Cheap" and "deprived."
August 31st, 2009 at 06:30 pm 1251739833
August 31st, 2009 at 07:53 pm 1251744784
I have also taken largely to second hand items. I discovered Craigslist and now it is the first place I go when I want or need something. This is very satisfying to my newly found desire to contribute less waste into the landfills and to get something for a bargain. For example, we need new closet doors, a wall hung sink, and a rug. I can wait on each of these items. They will, eventually, show up on Craigslist and I will get them for a steal!
This brings my frugal heart much joy!
August 31st, 2009 at 08:39 pm 1251747549
I am also not driven AT ALL to have the newest, trendiest, anything. Not clothes, not technology, not cars. I am a satisfied person. I have everything I need to be happy, productive, and safe.
That's a big difference between frugal and not-so-much.
September 2nd, 2009 at 02:25 am 1251854712
Those who enjoy nice things, good quality, beauty, new experiences, great food... Those who are kind of hedonistic, but think debt is not normal and not ok.
Those who enjoy doing their budget, but not stick to it exactly.
Those who save, and know how much they spend and save, but could/should save more.
Those who can control their impulses to meet their obligations and responsibilities, but have difficulty restraining themselves after that point....
Are they just confused frugals or confused non-frugals?
September 2nd, 2009 at 02:54 am 1251856445
Please see my entry on "Viva Frugality"!
September 2nd, 2009 at 03:00 pm 1251900022
I was just thinking about it yesterday because I picked up the kids yesterday and LM had a video game and about TWENTY games in a plastic bag, that go with it. Dh is a gamer and we have every game system known to man. Thing is, if you look at our budget, it is not something we spend money on. I said, "Holy cow LM. Where did you get all those games??????" No doubt dh found most of them on Craigslist and bought them with his game buy/sell profits. It just occurred to me someone could look at us and assume we were insane to have so many games. If we paid full price for all that, yes, I would consider that insane. They would probably be surprised to see no games in my budget, at all. (I personally can't keep track - and just had no idea LM had amassed so many games). As a score, he is about to outgrow this particular game system. Could probably sell it plus games for $100 when all is said and done. Probably more if we individually ebay the more popular games. Which will probably pay for his next system (DS?). BM got a used DS for his birthday. It didn't cost us a dime.