sharlag
Drama Llama
I like my artsy with a little bit of fartsy.
Posts: 6,586
Location: Kansas
Jun 26, 2014 12:57:48 GMT
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Post by sharlag on Mar 20, 2019 14:15:58 GMT
AT WORK: I'm cheap about paper clips. When I make a bank deposit, I hate that the bank keeps the paper clips I use to hold all of the checks together. Every time I go into my paperclip stash for this purpose, I feel a zing of resentment and try to choose the least desirable one to give away (NOT a colored one, NOT a giant one...) But I'm too embarrassed to ask for my paper clip back.
AT HOME: On small cleanups, I'll use 1/2 of a paper towel-- and these are already the ones that are perforated for halving the normal sized paper towel.
But I'll get a 90 minute massage, have my hair professionally colored.... the list goes on for self care stuff I'll pay for. (Except retin-a --- I have gotten that off Ebay from Indonesia...)
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Post by jennrs on Mar 20, 2019 14:24:46 GMT
We are pretty thrifty about everything. The closest we come to extravagant is we will rent a large beach house, right on the beach in a less crowded area, for only 4-5 of us, instead of a smaller house or condo.
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Post by mustlovecats on Mar 20, 2019 14:29:16 GMT
Thrifty - I don’t have a lot of clothes and I don’t buy expensive ones. It just isn’t worth it to me personally. We drive less expensive cars and live in a smaller house than maybe we could. I’m not into makeup or skin care and I don’t color my hair.
Extravagant - we eat out whenever we want to and we stay in nicer hotels when we travel.
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Post by warrior1991 on Mar 20, 2019 14:42:36 GMT
I'm cheap when it comes to clothes. They don't need to cost as much as they are sold for. Also, I get men's things when I can as they fit me better and are cheaper. lounge pants, sweatshirts, casual t-shirts. I get my hair professionally colored. I will pay whatever it costs to get my hair the way I want it.  I also will get food items that I want, not what is on sale. If I want a certain brand of lunch meat for example, I will get it. I don't get whatever is on sale. |
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Post by crazy4scraps on Mar 20, 2019 14:42:43 GMT
Thrifty: Clothes, shoes and purses, I don’t like spending a bunch of money on them so I always look for deals or try to buy on clearance.
Splurge: Good chocolate, specific Pilot ballpoint pens that I like, Apple products. I also spend more on haircuts but I only go 2-3 times a year and I have weird cowlicks so I need to go to someone who knows what they’re doing.
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Post by warrior1991 on Mar 20, 2019 14:44:42 GMT
AT WORK: I'm cheap about paper clips. When I make a bank deposit, I hate that the bank keeps the paper clips I use to hold all of the checks together. Every time I go into my paperclip stash for this purpose, I feel a zing of resentment and try to choose the least desirable one to give away (NOT a colored one, NOT a giant one...) But I'm too embarrassed to ask for my paper clip back.
At work, my bank always gives them back. I don't need them so it kind of drives me crazy. |
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Post by jloubier on Mar 20, 2019 14:51:39 GMT
I absolutely hate spending money to eat out. And when we do eat out, which is seldom, I choose the cheapest thing on the menu.
I'm pretty cheap when it comes to me. I buy second hand clothes, I have the same purse for years, I don't wear makeup or any fancy creams. I'll wear the same shoes until they start falling apart. I've worn the same winter coat for the last six years. You get the picture.
On the other hand, I will spend a small fortune on our pets. I guess you could say I love them more than I love myself.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 21:44:52 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2019 14:52:03 GMT
I buy the cheapest toilet paper. I have a hard time spending money for something that has that specific purpose. I don't buy laundry softener. It feels like an absolutely ridiculous first world item to me. Yet, I never check the price of fruit en vegetables I want. Also, my husband and I will go out for a nice dinner without blinking, even though we can cook at home just fine. And, I only wear pantyhose once. Then I toss them.  |
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rickmer
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,185 
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Post by rickmer on Mar 20, 2019 15:01:11 GMT
thrifty:
buy clothes/shoes exclusively from sale rack if not thrift store, colour my own hair from a box, get hair cut about every 8-10 months, drive a 2006 car.
not thrifty:
groceries - i buy mostly what i want, not buying something i don't like as much to save .75.
clothes - will go to value village and look for cute stuff even if i don't "need" it.
kids - they can do dance class or swim lessons, if they want. we did it for DD and boys deserve the same, even if STBX is suddenly crying poor.
eta: i would ask for paperclips back
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kibblesandbits
Pearl Clutcher
At the corner of Awesome and Bombdiggity
Posts: 3,305
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Post by kibblesandbits on Mar 20, 2019 15:13:04 GMT
Pretty thrifty on most things, but flights and hotels I get the best I can get my hands on.
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Post by papercrafteradvocate on Mar 20, 2019 15:23:45 GMT
Splurge on:
Good chocolate
Ice cream
Shoes
Clothes (but I will wait to shop sales)
Salon (cut, color, mani’s, and massages)
Food
Don’t need to splurge on:
Handbags
Socks
Coffee (I do have favorites but it’s not expensive)
Jewelry (I have a few really nice pieces but I’m not a big wearer of jewelry)
Make up
Soaps, bath products (I make for our family and friends)
Fabric softener/dryer sheets (I use baking soda or vinegar when I need it)
We’re thrifty by most means, and shop sales but if there’s something we want and/or need, we will get it.
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Just T
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,145
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Post by Just T on Mar 20, 2019 15:37:43 GMT
I am thrifty with most things. I am not thrifty when it comes to: Hair coloring
toilet paper paper towels
peanut butter skincare
I think that is about it.
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Post by 950nancy on Mar 20, 2019 15:39:15 GMT
When I have a choice of a cheaper item and I don't think it is inferior, I'll always buy it. I need to buy my scrap stuff on sale or with a coupon or at least on double punch day at the LSS.
I no longer spend an arm and a leg on clothes and shoes and am happy with good fitting clothes. I don't like coffee, so don't go to places like Starbucks.
We do eat out on Friday nights. We go to places where a meal is $10 per meal or $30. It doesn't matter.
I can also spend $1200 per night on an awesome vacation if we find the right place.
My parents were so thrifty with their money. My mom was a stay at home mom, so money was limited. My husband and I both work and as long as we put away a good chunk for savings and emergencies, I don't mind spending. We both have pensions and income.
Sharlag, I have a thing with good paper clips too. When I retired, I bought a bunch of nice large, colored ones at Target on clearance. They generally don't leave the house.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 21:44:52 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2019 15:41:25 GMT
I will not spend money on haircuts. I have a very bland hair style. A trip to a cheaper place for a straight trim, no wash, no color is good enough for me. I no longer color my hair. I wear very little make up. The dollar store envelopes, paperclips, poster board, and similar items are good enough. Generic store brand items are bought for a lot of stuff so that we do not need to skimp on the brands we prefer.
While I prefer to shop the clearance rack for my clothes and shoes, I prefer certain brands and will pay full price if needed.
When we go out for dinner, we do not have a limit. We know how much our favorite places cost. We will pick the place to eat based on if we are feeling cheap or not.
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Post by jennrs on Mar 20, 2019 15:41:39 GMT
Someone else mentioned eating out and that reminded me of how thrifty we are about that.
We rarely eat out because I hate spending the money and I will just look around the table thinking how many groceries we could have bought for the price of dinner and tip. I enjoy it once in a great while but it’s definitely not a regular thing we do.
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Anita
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,891
Location: Kansas City -ish
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Post by Anita on Mar 20, 2019 15:43:22 GMT
I buy boxed hair coloring because I don't want to pay a fortune for that. I only buy clothing when it's on sale. I splurge on shoes because my feet are messed up and I have to get very good shoes. I don't want another operation. I also splurge on purses, although I only own two. But they're good ones. We also eat out far too much, and often it's a nice meal. |
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Post by workingclassdog on Mar 20, 2019 15:46:58 GMT
Thrifty:
Will always shop for the sale prices at the grocery store and will buy off brand (for certain items, see below for splurging)
Clothes always on sale from Target, Kohls or Pennys. I don't do thrift stores anymore because they never fit quite right and I ended up never wearing.. I totally would if I know they would fit. I still look though.
1/2 paper towel trick, lotions/shampoo I will do everything possible to get every single drop out.
Never organic anything as it is usually always more expensive and I am not buying that is is really organic.
Splurge:
Starbucks (NOT coffee though.. gross... it's always Chi tea or something non coffee)
Cereal has to be one of the big names (some bagged is okay) NONE of the store brands
Ketchup has to be Heinz
Eating out (which I really hate in theory but I HATE cooking more) We do love eating out. Which is totally opposite of my mom.. She would rather eat a sandwich than to eat out any day. My sister is like me though. Maybe we retaliate against her.. LOL.. Even growing up going to McDonald's was considered a luxury. (and it wasn't like we were poor poor, we were fine)
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Post by Tammiem2pnc1 on Mar 20, 2019 16:11:37 GMT
I'm pretty thrifty in general. We are a single income family, so our budget it tight.
I have a system with groceries that works for us. My DH likes 3 or 4 different things for snacks. So I will buy what is on sale, the same goes for me and the kids with things like cereal and stuff like that. But there are certain things we get that I will buy whether it's on sale or not. I am cheap with clothes. I'm good going to a 2nd hand store, but I rarely find anything that fits me there, so I will buy stuff on sale at Kohls or Target. I splurge on good shoes for the whole family. I think that is really important. But DH and I will literally wear them out before getting new ones. The boys get a new pair generally twice a year or when they need new ones. Before any bigger purchase we always do our homework first and buy for the best deal we can get. We generally will eat out once a week or so, but it's usually pizza or fast food. We can get the $10 pizza box from Pizza Hut that feeds all 4 of us.
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Post by mikklynn on Mar 20, 2019 16:19:48 GMT
I drive my cars forever. I meal plan to save on groceries. We don't eat out very often. I brown bag my lunch. My splurges are my hair stylist, scrapbook supplies (although always on sale), and K-cups. Although, I almost never go to Starbucks now that I have Keurig on my desk at work, so the K-cups are actually frugal!) Oh, and I spoil my grandchildren  . |
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Post by MichyM on Mar 20, 2019 16:25:25 GMT
workingclassdog I'm not following this sentence other than the part where you state organic is more expensive. What does the second half mean? "Never organic anything as it is usually always more expensive and I am not buying that is is really organic. "
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Post by busy on Mar 20, 2019 16:26:51 GMT
workingclassdog I'm not following this sentence other than the part where you state organic is more expensive. What does the second half mean? I take it to mean she doesn't believe things marked organic are really organic. |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 21:44:52 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2019 16:28:13 GMT
I don't really get the concept of thrifty.
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Mar 20, 2019 16:29:09 GMT
I'm thrifty in that I always check for sales, coupons, mileage bonuses or cash rebates when shopping. When I run errands, I do them in a specific order to use as little gas/mileage as possible. DH drives willy nilly all over the place and it drives me up a wall! I will buy a nice car and drive it for years (12 yrs for the last one) because I hate having a car note.
Probably my biggest splurge now is travel. I won't fly in anything less than the extra legroom seats, even if I have to pay extra for it. We also prefer to stay in 4 and 5 star hotels now. I joke that my idea of camping is a hotel with no room service. I also don't hesitate to buy clothes/shoes full price now. The bonus for me on that is I find I am not spending much more but have less in my closet that never gets worn because it didn't fit/look just right. I finally admitted I just don't have the patience to hunt down clothing bargains at Marshall's, etc.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 21:44:52 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2019 16:38:20 GMT
Splurge: pet food, I am constantly buying dog food that our dog will eat. She is 18 , doesn’t have teeth and is going down hill fast. I did fresh pet but she hates the veggies in it. She would be happy with cat food.
We buy romaine lettuce for the outside birds.
I upgrade to comfort plus on delta. We like it.
Thrifty: Veggies on sale. Steak on sale. Fresh Friday sales.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 21:44:52 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2019 16:39:13 GMT
I don't really get the concept of thrifty. Waiting for sales? |
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Post by lbp on Mar 20, 2019 16:44:16 GMT
Thrifty- Clothes-always on sale, no name brand purses or shoes, I meal plan and check the ads for our groceries, I brown bag to work and always make our breakfast.
Splurges- My antique crock collection and my antique dolls- I have paid over $500.00 for one crock and if I see an antique doll I want, I buy it! I also insist on staying in nice hotel rooms and I want it to be ocean front if we are at the beach.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 21:44:52 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2019 16:53:32 GMT
I don't really get the concept of thrifty. Waiting for sales? I know what it means, that isn't what I meant. |
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Post by lesley on Mar 20, 2019 17:45:47 GMT
We never eat out as a family. I shop in Aldi and Lidl for most groceries, and always buy toiletries from a discount store. My clothes come from supermarkets, although I did splash out on a very warm winter coat from Marks & Spencer this winter. I have stopped buying stamps and dies, unless I can get them from Ali Express. I have stopped dying my hair, and I only visit the hairdresser about 3 times a year. I splurge on expensive Italian soaps for the shower and I can’t resist a nice pair of Skechers. When I installed a new kitchen a few months ago I went for the most expensive appliances I could afford (although I did scour the internet to get the best price I could find). And I love good quality chocolate.  |
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Post by quinlove on Mar 20, 2019 18:36:14 GMT
Thrifty ~ I try really hard to keep my electric bill down each month. I do the same with car trips around town.
Splurge ~ After raising three children and working all of my life ( I still work part time ) I buy whatever I want. Within reason.
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Post by belgravia on Mar 20, 2019 19:52:23 GMT
I don’t excel at thrift  I’m more of a high/low dichotomy. I like a mix. Like...Gap jeans and an Anthro cardigan with an Hermes scarf. |
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I’m more of a high/low dichotomy. I like a mix. Like...Gap jeans and an Anthro cardigan with an Hermes scarf.