Are you frugal?

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#1016949 2-Apr-2014 07:53

networkn:
macuser: I've stopped spending every dollar I have on gadgets, above and beyond a good but well priced laptop, phone and camera. I found that although I would tell myself its a good investment to feel good about buying it, it would remain flat for days in my bag (iPad, second laptop, second phone). I've found that since I've stopped buying gadgets all the time, my money lasts farrrrr longer

I've found that having more money in my bank account is a nice feeling, and being able to participate in activities is probably more rewarding than having two devices that can do the same job.

I shop frugally as I can, and tend to only go out to dinner if it's a grabone deal or an Asian BYO place. I tend to stay away from eateries are run by white people, a) because it's usually super ecpensive, and b)I could cook it at home

I'd really like to see you prepare food that compares to Sidart (though he is Asian), French Cafe, Clooney, or Merediths.

I have no issue with the idea that great food is sometimes expensive because its done so well, but I prefer the challenge of finding great food that's been made cheaply!

I'm more taking a dig at $17 eggs bene from any cafe

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#1016957 2-Apr-2014 08:13

I prefer cheap to frugal, because it's cheaper.

Sideface

floydbloke

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#1016991 2-Apr-2014 09:14

I like to think of myself as a ‘value for money’ kind of guy… my workmates call me tight. Most of them go out for coffee (at least) once a day, I may go with them once a fortnight because I don’t think $4.50 is value for money.
I make and bring my lunch 4 days out of 5, I think $8 - $10 for a Panini or sub (what happened to the good old filled roll?) is a rip.
Happy to spend money on gadgets (and tech toys) although usually wait a month or two from release for the price to drop, then I’ll shop around for the best deal. I’m happy to walk 10 minutes further down the road to get something for $10 cheaper. I’ll usually ask for a discount as well (don’t always get one though). Travel, accommodation, attractions, rental cars etc. I always trawl the web for price comparisons, discount codes, coupons etc. Saved hundreds during a trip to the US last year.

Thanks for explaining "plethora".

It means a lot.

Geektastic

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#1016992 2-Apr-2014 09:14

macuser:
networkn:
macuser: I've stopped spending every dollar I have on gadgets, above and beyond a good but well priced laptop, phone and camera. I found that although I would tell myself its a good investment to feel good about buying it, it would remain flat for days in my bag (iPad, second laptop, second phone). I've found that since I've stopped buying gadgets all the time, my money lasts farrrrr longer

I've found that having more money in my bank account is a nice feeling, and being able to participate in activities is probably more rewarding than having two devices that can do the same job.

I shop frugally as I can, and tend to only go out to dinner if it's a grabone deal or an Asian BYO place. I tend to stay away from eateries are run by white people, a) because it's usually super ecpensive, and b)I could cook it at home

I'd really like to see you prepare food that compares to Sidart (though he is Asian), French Cafe, Clooney, or Merediths.

I have no issue with the idea that great food is sometimes expensive because its done so well, but I prefer the challenge of finding great food that's been made cheaply!

I'm more taking a dig at $17 eggs bene from any cafe

Here in little rural Martinborough, a full breakfast is about $25!! Not including coffee.

You should hear the comments my US clients make about the price/quality ratio of eating out here when I am touring with them. Not good. They expect a full breakfast with 'bottomless' coffee for no more than $10, something you probably couldn't even manage here in Maccas!

Also a common view amongst them is "all the restaurants serve the same dishes!" which is often more or less true.

Satch

1985 posts

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#1017092 2-Apr-2014 11:45

I'm happy to pay $14 at a bar for a glass of wine without blinking. But that $1.29 app? That takes some consideration first!

We humans have some strange ways to look at things sometimes...

pctek

807 posts

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#1017440 2-Apr-2014 18:36

went to a Monteith place for dinner on a Monday 2 for 1 special.
I use basically is just web use, email, IM apps, GPS
I am still using my old dSLR for most regular things. When I travel I just need a tidy B&B room or a modest hotel to sleep

Hmm.

We don't eat out.
We buy a takeaway maybe once a year.

I make everything from scratch in the kitchen.

We don't travel unless it's stay with a relative. Even then maybe once every 2 or 3 years.

Camera - bought a new one after 9 years...off Trademe. I think this one is about 6 years old.

Fridge, bought one off TRademe for $50 when old Frigidaire died.

In fact barring PC components I buy most things from Trademe.

Have no credit card debt.

Have no time payments.

Grow own fruit and veges and do the old style preserving stuff with them.

Don't have a smartphone at all.

Don't have a GPS - do have a map book...although I google usually first.

Don't go to pubs. I don't drink at all. Husband makes his own beer.

Don't go to movies.

Do buy books online.

Don't buy clothes often, once a year a couple of replacement things, Warehouse, Kmart, Farmers and the local Indian shop where nothing is more than $30.
(No I am not indian, yes I am female)

Haven't bought a pair of shoes in 3 years. Last ones were from Number One shoe...$20 on sale. Work shoes, no heels.

Own 3 pairs all up, including my jandals.

Never paid more than $5000 ever, for a car. Last one was $3000. Off Trademe.
Yes, it's great, I can check a car actually....

House - DIY almost everything. Painted recently, paved a path recently.

Did hire guys to asphalt the drive though...probably the biggest expensive since buying the house.

Got given a water tank, hooked it up to laundry, loo. Saves on water - well not the last 2 months, but most of the year it does.

Shop mostly where-ever food is cheap - not supermarkets.

Buy pets their food direct from Jimbos, they prefer it and it's way cheaper that way.

Your budget dictates frugal...ours is rubbish so yeah, we have learned all about frugal.

afe66

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#1017445 2-Apr-2014 18:46

I was when I had no money.
Now not so much.
Important to find balance between saving and spending.

A.

mattwnz

20105 posts

Uber Geek

#1017470 2-Apr-2014 19:21

Geektastic:
macuser:
networkn:
macuser: I've stopped spending every dollar I have on gadgets, above and beyond a good but well priced laptop, phone and camera. I found that although I would tell myself its a good investment to feel good about buying it, it would remain flat for days in my bag (iPad, second laptop, second phone). I've found that since I've stopped buying gadgets all the time, my money lasts farrrrr longer

I've found that having more money in my bank account is a nice feeling, and being able to participate in activities is probably more rewarding than having two devices that can do the same job.

I shop frugally as I can, and tend to only go out to dinner if it's a grabone deal or an Asian BYO place. I tend to stay away from eateries are run by white people, a) because it's usually super ecpensive, and b)I could cook it at home

I'd really like to see you prepare food that compares to Sidart (though he is Asian), French Cafe, Clooney, or Merediths.

I have no issue with the idea that great food is sometimes expensive because its done so well, but I prefer the challenge of finding great food that's been made cheaply!

I'm more taking a dig at $17 eggs bene from any cafe

Here in little rural Martinborough, a full breakfast is about $25!! Not including coffee.

You should hear the comments my US clients make about the price/quality ratio of eating out here when I am touring with them. Not good. They expect a full breakfast with 'bottomless' coffee for no more than $10, something you probably couldn't even manage here in Maccas!

Also a common view amongst them is "all the restaurants serve the same dishes!" which is often more or less true.

A lot of that is to do with the exchange rate, as the US dollar is weak as. So $10 US prior to the GFC, could buy you close to $NZ 20 of goods. This is also the reason my NZ retailers having such problems US pricing is so good value at the moment as the NZ dollar is so high. That said, after my last visit to the US, the food wasn't that great a quality. You may not be comparing apples with apples when it comes to the quality for the meals. Our supermarket prices are also pretty high, so the raw ingredients cost more too.

scuwp

3880 posts

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#1017483 2-Apr-2014 19:50

pctek:

went to a Monteith place for dinner on a Monday 2 for 1 special.
I use basically is just web use, email, IM apps, GPS
I am still using my old dSLR for most regular things. When I travel I just need a tidy B&B room or a modest hotel to sleep

Hmm.

We don't eat out.
We buy a takeaway maybe once a year.

I make everything from scratch in the kitchen.

We don't travel unless it's stay with a relative. Even then maybe once every 2 or 3 years.

Camera - bought a new one after 9 years...off Trademe. I think this one is about 6 years old.

Fridge, bought one off TRademe for $50 when old Frigidaire died.

In fact barring PC components I buy most things from Trademe.

Have no credit card debt.

Have no time payments.

Grow own fruit and veges and do the old style preserving stuff with them.

Don't have a smartphone at all.

Don't have a GPS - do have a map book...although I google usually first.

Don't go to pubs. I don't drink at all. Husband makes his own beer.

Don't go to movies.

Do buy books online.

Don't buy clothes often, once a year a couple of replacement things, Warehouse, Kmart, Farmers and the local Indian shop where nothing is more than $30.
(No I am not indian, yes I am female)

Haven't bought a pair of shoes in 3 years. Last ones were from Number One shoe...$20 on sale. Work shoes, no heels.

Own 3 pairs all up, including my jandals.

Never paid more than $5000 ever, for a car. Last one was $3000. Off Trademe.
Yes, it's great, I can check a car actually....

House - DIY almost everything. Painted recently, paved a path recently.

Did hire guys to asphalt the drive though...probably the biggest expensive since buying the house.

Got given a water tank, hooked it up to laundry, loo. Saves on water - well not the last 2 months, but most of the year it does.

Shop mostly where-ever food is cheap - not supermarkets.

Buy pets their food direct from Jimbos, they prefer it and it's way cheaper that way.

Your budget dictates frugal...ours is rubbish so yeah, we have learned all about frugal.

This sounds like an episode of "The Good Life"...for those that are old enough to remember.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

alasta

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#1017496 2-Apr-2014 20:12

I take my income, put aside enough to cover depreciation and retirement savings, and spend the rest in whatever way I get the most out of it. I never take on debt or fritter away money on things that provide little benefit, but I'm not afraid to spend what I realistically can because you can't take money with you when you die.

pctek

807 posts

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#1017618 3-Apr-2014 08:03

This sounds like an episode of "The Good Life"...for those that are old enough to remember.

Hah.
Good? Necessary.

Geektastic

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#1017702 3-Apr-2014 10:15

Reminds me of the supermarket in US sitcom 'The Middle' which is called The Frugal Hoosier (Hoosier being the demonym for a resident of Indiana).

gzt

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#1017706 3-Apr-2014 10:23

pctek: Haven't bought a pair of shoes in 3 years. Last ones were from Number One shoe...$20 on sale.

Careful with that one. You might end up replacing your knees or other body components ; ). 99% of the shoes in there are not fit for human use and somewhat evil imho. Better off hunting out good stuff cheap instead of cheap stuff made even cheaper.

Geektastic

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#1017707 3-Apr-2014 10:27

pctek:

went to a Monteith place for dinner on a Monday 2 for 1 special.
I use basically is just web use, email, IM apps, GPS
I am still using my old dSLR for most regular things. When I travel I just need a tidy B&B room or a modest hotel to sleep

Hmm.

We don't eat out.
We buy a takeaway maybe once a year.

I make everything from scratch in the kitchen.

We don't travel unless it's stay with a relative. Even then maybe once every 2 or 3 years.

Camera - bought a new one after 9 years...off Trademe. I think this one is about 6 years old.

Fridge, bought one off TRademe for $50 when old Frigidaire died.

In fact barring PC components I buy most things from Trademe.

Have no credit card debt.

Have no time payments.

Grow own fruit and veges and do the old style preserving stuff with them.

Don't have a smartphone at all.

Don't have a GPS - do have a map book...although I google usually first.

Don't go to pubs. I don't drink at all. Husband makes his own beer.

Don't go to movies.

Do buy books online.

Don't buy clothes often, once a year a couple of replacement things, Warehouse, Kmart, Farmers and the local Indian shop where nothing is more than $30.
(No I am not indian, yes I am female)

Haven't bought a pair of shoes in 3 years. Last ones were from Number One shoe...$20 on sale. Work shoes, no heels.

Own 3 pairs all up, including my jandals.

Never paid more than $5000 ever, for a car. Last one was $3000. Off Trademe.
Yes, it's great, I can check a car actually....

House - DIY almost everything. Painted recently, paved a path recently.

Did hire guys to asphalt the drive though...probably the biggest expensive since buying the house.

Got given a water tank, hooked it up to laundry, loo. Saves on water - well not the last 2 months, but most of the year it does.

Shop mostly where-ever food is cheap - not supermarkets.

Buy pets their food direct from Jimbos, they prefer it and it's way cheaper that way.

Your budget dictates frugal...ours is rubbish so yeah, we have learned all about frugal.

A woman with only 3 pairs of shoes?!!! Now that is simply less believable than the world being created in 7 days by a Sky Fairy.

richms

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#1017767 3-Apr-2014 11:30

I am cheap with food because I see overpriced cafe food that I don't really like en a $6 roll and know that I would get a nicer meal at maccas or an Asian bakery for half the price all up. Worse is when they don't sell coke or Pepsi and only have those overpriced small Phoenix drinks and charlies grotty juice. That puts me off cafes since I want a nice coffee and to have something nice to eat, but all they sell is stuff I don't really like to eat.

Richard rich.ms

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