Comments on: Frugal Living Is Not A Competition http://frugaldad.com/2009/05/23/frugal-living-competition/ Tips for living frugal while still having a life Sat, 20 Mar 2010 20:06:24 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: marci http://frugaldad.com/2009/05/23/frugal-living-competition/comment-page-1/#comment-25203 marci Tue, 26 May 2009 13:29:58 +0000 http://frugaldad.com/?p=2559#comment-25203 I don't know that frugal living is just about living within one's means, but to me it is more about living at a simpler level I am personally comfortable with, and living closer to nature... Meaning, I could still live within my means and spend a lot more money doing so, but I chose to "Not spend more", because I see no reason to spend just for the sake of spending. Like how much money was spent this weekend? I've got about $7 in my totally fun filled weekend. My weekend was sunshiny great, thoroughly enjoyable, and put free food on the table besides! Went clam digging all 3 mornings, stopped to pump sand shrimp for bait, and went perch fishing (and catching!) Cleaned clams and fish and worked in the gardens, sun bathed in the back yard, enjoyed company over, and ate clams and fish all weekend long. Doesn't get any better than that! And the total cost was gas money - 15 miles round trip each day - so 3 gallons of gas. That to me is enjoying nature to it's fullest, and living life simply, yet extremely enjoyable for very very little money! That's my take on frugal fun! OK - for those who say what about the fishing/clamming licenses - that cost is about $40 for the year, divided by 12 months of usage. Still cheap :) I don’t know that frugal living is just about living within one’s means, but to me it is more about living at a simpler level I am personally comfortable with, and living closer to nature… Meaning, I could still live within my means and spend a lot more money doing so, but I chose to “Not spend more”, because I see no reason to spend just for the sake of spending.

Like how much money was spent this weekend?
I’ve got about $7 in my totally fun filled weekend. My weekend was sunshiny great, thoroughly enjoyable, and put free food on the table besides! Went clam digging all 3 mornings, stopped to pump sand shrimp for bait, and went perch fishing (and catching!) Cleaned clams and fish and worked in the gardens, sun bathed in the back yard, enjoyed company over, and ate clams and fish all weekend long. Doesn’t get any better than that! And the total cost was gas money – 15 miles round trip each day – so 3 gallons of gas. That to me is enjoying nature to it’s fullest, and living life simply, yet extremely enjoyable for very very little money! That’s my take on frugal fun!

OK – for those who say what about the fishing/clamming licenses – that cost is about $40 for the year, divided by 12 months of usage. Still cheap :)

]]> By: Leah Ingram http://frugaldad.com/2009/05/23/frugal-living-competition/comment-page-1/#comment-25195 Leah Ingram Tue, 26 May 2009 12:19:50 +0000 http://frugaldad.com/?p=2559#comment-25195 What really gets me is when people post comments on my Suddenly Frugal blog and accuse me of being a hypocrite or wishing they could live as "frugally" as I do, since I enjoy some nice things in my life. What I think these folks are missing is the fact that frugal isn't just about living cheaply to me. I see living frugally as living wisely within one's own means. That may mean spending a little bit more for a quality product, but it's a product I know will last longer and therefore give me a better return on my investment (i.e. what I spent for it). I once did a blog posting on the <a href="http://suddenlyfrugal.wordpress.com/2008/11/11/are-you-frugal-a-spendthrift-or-a-tightwad/" rel="nofollow">difference between frugals, tightwads and spendthrifts. </a>It was eye-opening researching it. Maybe you'll check it out. Leah What really gets me is when people post comments on my Suddenly Frugal blog and accuse me of being a hypocrite or wishing they could live as “frugally” as I do, since I enjoy some nice things in my life.

What I think these folks are missing is the fact that frugal isn’t just about living cheaply to me. I see living frugally as living wisely within one’s own means. That may mean spending a little bit more for a quality product, but it’s a product I know will last longer and therefore give me a better return on my investment (i.e. what I spent for it).

I once did a blog posting on the difference between frugals, tightwads and spendthrifts. It was eye-opening researching it. Maybe you’ll check it out.

Leah

]]> By: Kristy @ Master Your Card http://frugaldad.com/2009/05/23/frugal-living-competition/comment-page-1/#comment-25127 Kristy @ Master Your Card Tue, 26 May 2009 04:23:32 +0000 http://frugaldad.com/?p=2559#comment-25127 I recently wrote a post about spending $750 on a shopping trip. Granted, while I needed the clothes, the trip could have waited. However, I had the money and made the decision to spend it. But, there were several people who felt I was setting a bad example and that I wasted money. I can see their point, the bad thing was that it was an impulse trip - which I fully admitted to. However, my bills were paid and my retirement accounts funded. I made the choice to live a little. But, your point resonates well with me, not just with the online experienced, but also in life in general. I have people at work telling me constantly that I spend too much money on DVDs, that I really need to cut back. But, the thing is, that's where I choose to spend my money. I don't harp on them for buying bedroom outfits or purses or any other item they choose to spend their money on. In fact, they're always saying how broke they are, yet they continue to spend. Frankly, I think they're projecting their own concerns for themselves on me, but the point is that people do go with the current fad and ridicule others for not performing to the expectations as they see them. It's weird to me. If someone is clearly struggling with something and you're having an intervention, that's one thing. But, I'm not complaining about my finances at all, yet they feel the need to tell me what I should and shouldn't be doing. I sincerely hope those who've jumped on the frugal train will stay there once the economy rebounds, but you're certainly right in stating it's not a competition. I recently wrote a post about spending $750 on a shopping trip. Granted, while I needed the clothes, the trip could have waited. However, I had the money and made the decision to spend it. But, there were several people who felt I was setting a bad example and that I wasted money. I can see their point, the bad thing was that it was an impulse trip – which I fully admitted to. However, my bills were paid and my retirement accounts funded. I made the choice to live a little. But, your point resonates well with me, not just with the online experienced, but also in life in general. I have people at work telling me constantly that I spend too much money on DVDs, that I really need to cut back. But, the thing is, that’s where I choose to spend my money. I don’t harp on them for buying bedroom outfits or purses or any other item they choose to spend their money on. In fact, they’re always saying how broke they are, yet they continue to spend. Frankly, I think they’re projecting their own concerns for themselves on me, but the point is that people do go with the current fad and ridicule others for not performing to the expectations as they see them. It’s weird to me. If someone is clearly struggling with something and you’re having an intervention, that’s one thing. But, I’m not complaining about my finances at all, yet they feel the need to tell me what I should and shouldn’t be doing.

I sincerely hope those who’ve jumped on the frugal train will stay there once the economy rebounds, but you’re certainly right in stating it’s not a competition.

]]> By: Subu http://frugaldad.com/2009/05/23/frugal-living-competition/comment-page-1/#comment-25029 Subu Sun, 24 May 2009 20:09:58 +0000 http://frugaldad.com/?p=2559#comment-25029 Great post! I agree being frugal is not a competition. The funny thing is that once you stop competing with others to own things, you are already on the right road. Great post! I agree being frugal is not a competition. The funny thing is that once you stop competing with others to own things, you are already on the right road.

]]> By: suby032 http://frugaldad.com/2009/05/23/frugal-living-competition/comment-page-1/#comment-24979 suby032 Sun, 24 May 2009 02:34:56 +0000 http://frugaldad.com/?p=2559#comment-24979 Hey! Great Post! What people forget is saving money isn't only about "frugal living" it's about living within your means...and if that means no cable because you can't afford cable on top of rent, food and clothes...then you shouldn't have cable. BUT, when you're on the plus side, everyone has decisions to make for yourself about how much you need to have saved, how much you can spend on cable etc, and what brings enjoyment and value to your life! Having said that, I think cutting back on luxuries once in a while (like eating out, cable, pedicures etc) makes us re-evaluate if we really need them, and also makes us enjoy them more! Thanks for your Blog, Frugal Dad! Hey! Great Post!

What people forget is saving money isn’t only about “frugal living” it’s about living within your means…and if that means no cable because you can’t afford cable on top of rent, food and clothes…then you shouldn’t have cable. BUT, when you’re on the plus side, everyone has decisions to make for yourself about how much you need to have saved, how much you can spend on cable etc, and what brings enjoyment and value to your life!

Having said that, I think cutting back on luxuries once in a while (like eating out, cable, pedicures etc) makes us re-evaluate if we really need them, and also makes us enjoy them more!

Thanks for your Blog, Frugal Dad!

]]> By: Mandi http://frugaldad.com/2009/05/23/frugal-living-competition/comment-page-1/#comment-24965 Mandi Sat, 23 May 2009 22:12:33 +0000 http://frugaldad.com/?p=2559#comment-24965 Awesome post, and I think it needed to be said! For us, it's that we LOVE to eat out. We enjoy the good food (neither of is a great cook) and the experience of going out to eat and just enjoying each other without having to worry about dishes or clean up. Of course we'd cut it out if we had to, but for now, we'd rather scrimp in other areas so that we can continue to enjoy that treat, whether others view it as a waste or not! Awesome post, and I think it needed to be said! For us, it’s that we LOVE to eat out. We enjoy the good food (neither of is a great cook) and the experience of going out to eat and just enjoying each other without having to worry about dishes or clean up. Of course we’d cut it out if we had to, but for now, we’d rather scrimp in other areas so that we can continue to enjoy that treat, whether others view it as a waste or not!

]]> By: Susanne http://frugaldad.com/2009/05/23/frugal-living-competition/comment-page-1/#comment-24959 Susanne Sat, 23 May 2009 19:00:52 +0000 http://frugaldad.com/?p=2559#comment-24959 I've noticed this trend, too. A few years ago, people were trying to best one another on cars, houses, vacations... Now I feel a little anxious admitting when I've purchased something in a less-than-frugal way. Everyone's in a slightly different position. For us, we've cut back on bigger items like trips and expensive meals, and we've taken on more work when it's been offered. We haven't eliminated smaller things like the occasional coffee from Starbucks or bagels on Saturday morning. I see our savings increasing and our debt decreasing, though, so I think we're on the right track. We're adopting a level of frugality that works for us. I’ve noticed this trend, too. A few years ago, people were trying to best one another on cars, houses, vacations… Now I feel a little anxious admitting when I’ve purchased something in a less-than-frugal way.

Everyone’s in a slightly different position. For us, we’ve cut back on bigger items like trips and expensive meals, and we’ve taken on more work when it’s been offered. We haven’t eliminated smaller things like the occasional coffee from Starbucks or bagels on Saturday morning. I see our savings increasing and our debt decreasing, though, so I think we’re on the right track. We’re adopting a level of frugality that works for us.

]]> By: Frugal Urbanite http://frugaldad.com/2009/05/23/frugal-living-competition/comment-page-1/#comment-24951 Frugal Urbanite Sat, 23 May 2009 17:08:27 +0000 http://frugaldad.com/?p=2559#comment-24951 I actually see quite a bit of hostility online when people perceive a blogger as 'not being frugal enough' and it always gives me a little spike of anger when I see people dumping on someone else's decision to enjoy life. I actually don't blog about my actual finances because I don't feel like submitting myself to that kind of scrutiny. (Although I do kinda enjoy watching people on forums have a virtual pissing contest on who turns their thermostat down the lowest in the winter.) I actually see quite a bit of hostility online when people perceive a blogger as ‘not being frugal enough’ and it always gives me a little spike of anger when I see people dumping on someone else’s decision to enjoy life. I actually don’t blog about my actual finances because I don’t feel like submitting myself to that kind of scrutiny.

(Although I do kinda enjoy watching people on forums have a virtual pissing contest on who turns their thermostat down the lowest in the winter.)

]]> By: Ima http://frugaldad.com/2009/05/23/frugal-living-competition/comment-page-1/#comment-24948 Ima Sat, 23 May 2009 15:51:00 +0000 http://frugaldad.com/?p=2559#comment-24948 Queen of the Road...great post and website. You are really good! I would buy your book because I'd love to read it, but I am having to cut back and live a very frugal livestyle! So...no more books for me! Or much of anything else for that matter. Just wanted to tell me how much I admire your 'spunk'! Queen of the Road…great post and website. You are really good! I would buy your book because I’d love to read it, but I am having to cut back and live a very frugal livestyle! So…no more books for me! Or much of anything else for that matter. Just wanted to tell me how much I admire your ’spunk’!

]]> By: Queen of the Road http://frugaldad.com/2009/05/23/frugal-living-competition/comment-page-1/#comment-24944 Queen of the Road Sat, 23 May 2009 14:58:22 +0000 http://frugaldad.com/?p=2559#comment-24944 I'm a relatively new convert and I sincerely hope I won't revert. As a shrink, I wrote an essay, The Upside of Downsizing which is on my website and may be of use/interest for your readers: http://doreenorion.com/orion-upside.htm I’m a relatively new convert and I sincerely hope I won’t revert. As a shrink, I wrote an essay, The Upside of Downsizing which is on my website and may be of use/interest for your readers:

http://doreenorion.com/orion-upside.htm

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