Cheap vs Frugal

[Jem]

So I am very frugal, and I hate wasting. But sometimes I wonder if some of my ways of being frugal err on the side of cheap and ridiculous.
For example, toilet paper. My husband will sometimes change the roll when there are still 3-4 squares on the roll. That bugs me because those 3-4 squares is all I need, even if part of the last square sticks to the roll. If you were to add up one bathroom visit per roll over the course of the year, that's quite a few visits and money.
I will also pick up change off the ground.......why not?
I have contemplated but haven't done it yet, which is to save water that I cook with, like boiling potatoes. You save the water let it cool and use it to water your plants of veggies, it saves on water and even adds extra nutrients for your plants!
There are plenty other things I do...but I'll save those for later.

I have watched the show "Extreme Cheapskates" and am appalled by most of what I've seen, so I can't be THAT bad. But I am a firm believer in "every little bit helps" and "it all adds up in the end".

So how about you guys, are you frugal or just plain cheap and where do you draw the line?

 

[susanm9006]

I am frugal but not cheap. I am careful about how I spend money and buy at thrift stores whenever possible. But I also buy little luxuries and things I really want.

 

[Willowy]

It takes mental energy for me to actively be frugal, and I don't always have that energy. But I mostly shop at Costco so as long as I use everything before it goes bad it should be pretty frugal, lol.

I have been meal-prepping lately for work lunches, instead of buying frozen dinners, but that's more to try to avoid eating as much processed food, not necessarily to save money. That's just a nice side effect.

I think it crosses into "cheap" territory when it harms someone. Like not taking your pet to the vet or hitting your kids for not eating whatever nasty salvaged concoction you brewed up (this was a Big Scandal in the tightwadding community way back when!) or screaming at your spouse for adding too much detergent. People (and animals) are more important than dollars, as long as someone remembers that they'll be fine.

 

[debbila]

I am frugal. Just today, after I added liquid detergent to a load of laundry, I swished the cap into water in the bathroom sink to wash my comb and brush.
I don't buy ziplock bags to store food in the refrigerator or freezer. An assortment of glass storage containers that don't absorb odors or become stained like plastic ones, are used for my food.

 

[Tobermory]

My husband will sometimes change the roll when there are still 3-4 squares on the roll. That bugs me because those 3-4 squares is all I need, even if part of the last square sticks to the roll.

YES!! My husband does this, and it drives me crazy. It’s just plain wasteful. Same with paper towels. So when the roll gets near the end, I swap it out for a full one and put the almost-empty on the counter so I can use it all.

I’m frugal, but I don’t think I’m cheap. I was brought up by parents who lived through the U.S. Great Depression of the late ‘20s to ‘30s. We did NOT waste things. Everything got used. If you put food on your plate, you ate it. You wore clothes until they began to look shabby. My mother actually darned socks into her 90s although I never went that far. Socks aren’t that expensive and my time was limited when I was working.

I do love buying things on sale, and even if I want something right away, I’ll wait to see if it goes on sale. If it doesn’t, though, I’ll buy it. Sometimes a bargain isn’t a bargain.

 

[Jem]

I think it crosses into "cheap" territory when it harms someone

Yeah, I won't skimp on necessity or do without if it will be harmful. But even if something is needed, I will still try to find the best deal, or wait till something goes on sale. I also am very mindful of "if it's too good to be true" deals. I don't automatically go for the cheapest option and will always make sure something is done right, I won't "cut corners" when safety matters.

Something else I do is for example when cooking broccoli. I will use the stalk as well, not just the florets. I do discard the woody end, but I know some people who will only cook and consume the florets. The rest of it is still tasty, and tender. You're missing out on 1-2 servings of veggie by discarding the stalk and fresh veggies aren't cheap!

 

[MoonstoneWolf]

I just thought that was the way things were done as both my parents grew up during the depression and picking up pennies, saving a sliver of soap, etc was how we did things here for almost 65 years and much longer. On the old transistor radios, if the back was missing Dad would cut some cardboard and scotch tape that to the back to hold the batteries in. I still do that with stuff that run on batteries. I pull that last shred of toilet paper off and use with the other new roll. I'm also saving empty toilet paper rolls so I can sell on ebay (schools buy them for crafts).

I actually wash out my ziplock bags and reuse. I wash out my plastic silverware and use that again too.

 

[neely]

Another vote for frugal but not cheap. When we were kids growing up we'd pick up loose change on the ground because we thought it was good luck. I also don't like to waste TP especially with the lack of it during the beginning of the pandemic. I have a junk drawer with plastic silverware from take-out places. When I bring the food I home I prefer to use my own silverware but save the plastic ones that came in the bag.

 

[catapault]

Just think of the connotations we place on these words. Thrifty is something good. You are avoiding waste. Cheap can be somewhat neutral - the price is less than the item is worth. But stingy is definitely negative - unwilling to spend or share.

 

[posiepurrs]

I suppose I am frugal. I don't take things to the extreme. I have an aversion to thrift shopping- especially for clothes. That is all I had to wear growing up since my family was low income. I do however look for sales and mostly only buy sale items, if they are a true deal. There are certain things I buy in the grocery store that I have brand loyalty to that aren't the cheapest, but are better than the cheaper ones. Right now it is driving me crazy to use a shopping service and pay someone else to do it for me. I save by putting leftover vegetables in a bag in the freezer until I make soup. I cut the amount of detergent I use for a load and the clothes are still clean. I compost as much as I can. I consolidate trips but that hasn't been an issue lately with Covid-19. If I can do something myself, I will try, rather than hire someone, but I know my limitations. So no electrical or plumbing work for me.

 

[MoonstoneWolf]

I guess I'm stingy then because the times I shared I never got the item back and had to buy again and these were essential items. And I do without if I can't find a cheap alternative to it, sacrificing taste of my food (not others just mine). Like a cake Mom bought. $15. I would have done without it completely at that price. Or I refuse to buy a $2.99 bag of chips. If I can't get it at Aldi or Dollar Tree price then I don't get. The cats are different. I spend on them but for myself I don't get anything extravagant.

 

[Elphaba09]

I am frugal with a touch of cheap, but I still buy some "frivolous" things here and there. I justify it by saving elsewhere or buy the usefulness of the item or how much happiness it brings. I do my best to save money on those frivolous things, though.

 

[susanm9006]

I am frugal with a touch of cheap, but I still buy some "frivolous" things here and there. I justify it by saving elsewhere or buy the usefulness of the item or how much happiness it brings. I do my best to save money on those frivolous things, though.

That is why I enjoy thrift shopping so much. When the price is right I can pick up something that would otherwise be too expensive or extravagant to buy. My mixer, for example, is a top of the line Kitchen aid hand mixer bought in pretty much new condition with all the accessories, for $5. Could have kept using my old one but every time I take that cherry red mixer out of the drawer it makes me smile.

 

[Elphaba09]

That is why I enjoy thrift shopping so much. When the price is right I can pick up something that would otherwise be too expensive or extravagant to buy. My mixer, for example, is a top of the line Kitchen aid hand mixer bought in pretty much new condition with all the accessories, for $5. Could have kept using my old one but every time I take that cherry red mixer out of the drawer it makes me smile.

Me, too! I am also lucky enough to live close to three great auction places that sell (mainly) Amazon returns and closeouts. I get so many things at amazing prices!

Some items I have gotten:
Brand new scratch and dent Craftsman lawnmower, normally close to $400: $42
Arched floor lamp with three lights, normally just over $100: $20
Stroller and car seat for my Hobbit, normally $189: $54
5 various window air conditioners: Cheapest was $30. Most expensive was $60
New car seat for Hobbit now that he has gotten so big: $26
Three countertop dishwashers (one for my daughter, my niece, and myself): $45-$61
Nailhead coffee table/chest, normally around $170 for my son: $38
Outdoor rug for our front porch, normally $115: $12
New-in-box hybrid mattress for my daughter, normally around $600: $51

I have gotten a lot more, especially Yule gifts that I would never have been able to afford otherwise, but these are the ones I remember the prices of offhand. I am currently on the watch for a new mattress for my honorary son one of his Yule gifts that he will get as soon as I find the right one for him.

To anyone living in NE Ohio: Auctions

Near Columbus: Zipperbuy

This one has locations in a few states and in several Ohio locations: https://www.bidfta.com

The Columbus ones are a bit of a drive, but my son has to go to Columbus for work. I try to plan my pick up days with days he is going to be down that way. With him getting a new house soon, we will be using them much more over the next few months. I wish I had known about them when we bought our house!

 

[Jem]

I'm also saving empty toilet paper rolls so I can sell on ebay (schools buy them for crafts).

Not sure if they do this where you live but around here, many vehicle repair / mechanic shops will buy bags of cut up old T-shits to use for rags (I'm sure sheets would also be acceptable if the fabric is similar and "wipes well"). They go thru so many with all the grease that to buy brand new shop rags can be expensive. Around here they will pay about 10$ for a garbage bag of old rags.
Someone I knew did his and she said you can get 16-20 rags out of one T-shirt, so the bag fills pretty quick. She also volunteered at a clothing pantry for those in need, so she always had a supply of old ratty t-shits from donations.
You'd be surprised how many people would donate clothes, only for most of them to have to be thrown out. I get these people are poor and don't pay for their items, but common, they don't deserve to have to wear clothes with stains and holes.

 

[Willowy]

You'd be surprised how many people would donate clothes, only for most of them to have to be thrown out.

See, I've always wondered if I should or not. I know not to donate ratty stuff to small thrift shops, but I think Goodwill does textile recycling so I always have, I hope they don't hate me. I should probably call to clarify. Their website says they do but doesn't say whether it's just stuff that doesn't sell or if you should drop stuff with them for recycling.



If anyone orders from Amazon a lot, most things can be found on Amazon Warehouse at a discount. Usually just open box/returns, sometimes slight damage, but they're pretty good at describing the damage. I order most durable goods (not food, etc.) from Warehouse.

 

[heyitskevinn]

Oh I'm cheap. SO CHEAP!
I eat expired food, sort everything online from lowest cost to highest; across multiple sites to make sure it's as low as I can score it, routinely "charm" people into getting me things/scabbing off them so as to not spend my own money.. God it's awful
I don't shop locally or at stores because you never know how they might inflate stuff.
Nothing regarding my animals is cheap however, fancy tees, 80$ a month on food PER cat, the best sponge and soap and bowls I can find --- -- (They have their own sponge; dawn dish soap, bowls, utensils, place in the fridge and freezer, rooms, areas, bedding, surfaces, cooking-ware. You name it.)

 

[susanm9006]

See, I've always wondered if I should or not. I know not to donate ratty stuff to small thrift shops, but I think Goodwill does textile recycling so I always have, I hope they don't hate me. I should probably call to clarify. Their website says they do but doesn't say whether it's just stuff that doesn't sell or if you should drop stuff with them for recycling.

I think they do sell whatever can’t be sold in their stores or doesn’t sell on a per pound bulk basis. However, each item that is donated has to be examined and processed so if it is truly unwearable, it is better to trash those than to add onto their processing costs. Plus a lot of the per pound clothing used to go overseas but many countries are now refusing to purchase since it takes away from their own resellers and recycling.

 

[Jem]

I eat expired food, sort everything online from lowest cost to highest; across multiple sites to make sure it's as low as I can score it

My opinion? An expiry date is just a suggestion! LOL! They are there to protect companies from lawsuits...that's it. I've got a good sniffer so I can tell if something has gone bad. And in all my life, I have NEVER had food poisoning.
And to your second point....that's just smart shopping!

 

[heyitskevinn]

My opinion? An expiry date is just a suggestion! LOL! They are there to protect companies from lawsuits...that's it. I've got a good sniffer so I can tell if something has gone bad. And in all my life, I have NEVER had food poisoning.
And to your second point....that's just smart shopping!

Truly, though! I read that they don't even test it, they just slap the date on based on opinion.... We as a society waste so much food, that practice NEEDS to stop! THANK YOU!