Im Cheap Is That So Wrong?

You are not cheap. You are just being frugal. That will do you well throughout life. When I see something, I ask myself, do I really need (not want) it? If the answer is no, I don't buy it. My husband loves it because when we shop, we go with a reason, get the item and leave. I'm just not cray about shopping. I think my sister soaked up all those genes and I was left with very little. I would much rather save so when I do need something, I can buy it without a financial strain. It would be nice if the green stuff were a reasonable price. If they want us to go green the stuff should be cheaper if it's enviornmentally correct, that way us frugal people would be more apt to buy it.

I do not think you are so cheap as just plain smart. raising a family is expensive enough without going overboard on things and I know that as I have to live on my social security check I have to be cheap or go hungry and i have no desire to do that. i am just plain prudent. as for go green its way to expensive for me too. I think that there are probably inexpensive ways to go green without paying outrageous prices. some charge more just because its marked go green.

Not at all. Times are hard for most of us right now. We have to do what we can to get by. My mom and husband accuse me of penny pinching sometimes but I've had to do it most of my life. To me its just being practical.

These days it's got to the stage where you have to be cheap just to get by. While my partner and I like to go as green as possible, there are some things we just have to compromise on, the costs are just too high. The only way to get through the credit crunch right now is to be as cheap as possible I think

O I hear ya, and with being a homeschooling fam, I get it all the more I think. My kids should have top of the line technology, and blah blah blah. Phoy on them. My kids will do just fine with what they get. I didn't have name brand stuff, and ya know I'm thankful for that, because now that I'm shelling out the money for stuff, I don't feel like I'm missing out on something. As for going green...ugh...its all I can say. Saving the planet should cost less than destroying it. I just bought a book caled Living Like Ed, it is all about how to live eco-friendly, and save money doing it. We do little things that help the planet and help save money too. Like organic gardening. We don't buy fertilizer or pesticides, so that's "killing two birds with one stone". We try to recycle, and buy recycled(when the stuff is on sale). We rarely buy anything new. I love the thrift stores and yard sales!!!You can find some really nice stuff for very little pocket. And when you said you were going generic, thank you!!!More people should do this, maybe it would get those other prices down a bit. I have a rule that we don't spend more than $2 for a box of cereal. This means we either get the store brands, or splurge when a big brand is on sale. When the kids are begging for the princess cereal or mickey mouse, I ask them, do you want the box or the cereal? I don't buy boxes, so if you want cereal you better get the one next to it. They use the same ingredients, and sometimes the generics taste better, and have a better nutritional value. So all-in-all, yeah for you mom!!!

Because going green is political and people use that to make money. Give your baby the best love and care and when they look at their baby pictures they won't see name brands or designer pacifiers, they will see how happy they were. Cheap? that's a misers word, common sense, that's a parents choice. If these "some people" want you to have the best then, hold a baby shower once a month so they can buy the stuff they want you to have.

I don't think it is wrong to be cheap... with the increasing price of all commodities... it is like a battle of survival when it comes to spending money... if you think that is what's best for your family... then so do it... i think a lot of people are doing that... and we can just make up for the green stuff when the inflation of prices mellows down...

Having the "best" doesn't mean it has to cost the most. YOu get what you need and can afford to spend. I see so much stuff these days that is just not necessary for babies and toddlers - I mean that sack/papoose thing that they sling over your shoulder and the baby lays inside so you have both arms free - how lazy! That poor little baby just hangs in there and I always wonder if they will sufficate or get a kink in their necks or something - sure doesnt look comfortable. Put the baby in the carrier from the car seat and put the carrier in the cart! THe car seats I had for mine 25+ years ago - you guys have it so easy these days! These things were like pods that permanently attached to the seat until you took it off - they weren't these kinds with the attachment of hte carrier. And the strollers - they are like a moving home! Do you need that? No. Not saying anything against progress, but sometimes, progress is just to expensive and not even necessary. There is nothing wrong with shopping at thrift stores - good grief, baby stuff is only used a few months! Unless you are a slob, these things don't get "used" much and are in excellent shape and less than half price! YOu can do things like refinish furniture, paint it, add to it... get with other friends nad swap things down with the ages of your respective kids. TGhe prices on these things these days is ridiculous and they can be - they have a captive audience. They can charge whatever they want! YOu just get want you need and can afford and tell those that think less of you cause of it, if it is not good enough for them, you'll be happy to accept their donation!

I always tell myself "to each his own". And that theory could be put into practice for yourself certainly. Do not let others tell you how to deal with your life for you are the only one who controls it and truly understand what you are going through. I don't think you are cheap. And just in case others think so, just tell them "So what?" There's really nothing wrong in that and it's not like they feed you or your future baby, right. So I agree with your attitude there and don't bother so much about what people would think or say. I have another theory. People will always talk. Even when you are about to be buried, they might comment that your face looks pale or something. People from centuries ago are known to spread rumors and gossips and this is something that I have become immune of and I definitely don't care about it at all. And yes, I do agree with you that the green stuff is definitely pricey. I really don't think it has to be that way though.

There is not a thing wrong with being cheap. I mean generics (99% of the time anyway) are just as good as the brand stuff. I agree with you on the green stuff. I can't pay the super expensive prices for them.

I think you are being thrifty and practical. Seems that you are thinking all the right things with a baby on the way. Nothing wrong with generic stuff. And I agree that the green stuff is way to expensive for my budget. When I can afford it, I will buy it but in the meantime, count me in as cheapie too! Stick to your ideals, you are not cheap, just sensible!

I won't be problem because your thinking in good way so either that good one or not so there is no problem at all and if we think in different we may get good information so are you from US?

One person cannot ruin the earth anymore than one person can save it. Tell whoever it is that is giving you a hard time to double up their green to cover you until your babies are grown!! Or pay for your babies to grow up so you can "go green". Or tell them to eat more spinach, then they can really 'go green'!!lol

no you are not cheap! you are just being thrifty and i admire you for that. just be sure to still provide the best for yourself and family.

I do not see any problem with what you are doing sweetheart! I don't think more expensive always translates to better and cannot believe that any one thinks you are wrong for basically trying to do the best for your family! i think a lot of the green products that are around now are not all that green and they are charging way over the odds because they know that people will pay through the nose for them because they are so popular! That is so wrong, if something green was at a comparable price to an ordinary item i would go for the green product but not otherwise! You go girl you have the right idea - raising children is expensive enough without paying way over the odds for things! xxx

No it isn't wrong to try and save your money. You're having a baby! You're going to be spending more money then you're used to, you have to start living with a little tighter purse strap. lol. As long as you get stuff that is SAFE for your baby, it doesn't have to be the best "newest" stuff. It just has to be safe for the baby! That's all that should be important to you now! :)

i don't think you're cheap, you are just using your money wisely....why should you buy something that is expensive when you can buy the cheaper one? you are just being practical, so don't worry...

I dont think its wrong to be cheap as long as you arent buying items that risk your family's and your own health. Saving money is smart especially now with things getting so expensive.

Heh. As far as the folks who scream about going green, that is THEIR choice, not everybody's. I'm not meaning to ruffle any feathers here but those who WANT to and CAN should, while those who DON'T want to and can't afford to, or simply DON'T CARE shouldn't ever be harrassed or belittled or made fun of. I see nothing wrong with trying to get a good deal and spending less money for a product that does the job fine for you. Other people have no right to get up in arms about something that is your choice, know what I mean? I have a friend who cloth diapers but she drives an SUV. People have made comments about since she cloth diapers, she should go buy a hybrid car. Um... why? Neither is exclusive, both are choices, it is nobody else's business one way or another. *I* didn't nor would I cloth diaper. Neither would I be able to justify the cost of the 'green' disposables. As far as what I believe on THAT front, once the cost of the environmentally friendly or alternative options is the SAME or LESS than the regular option, then I will buy into it. Until that point, it isn't cost effective or economical, especially for a big family.

I wouldn't call you cheap. I would say smart. Babies grow way to fast to go out and buy all new stuff. As for the "go green" they would have to prove that to me. Congrats on your new bwby and don't worry about what other people say. When my sis, coz, and i were having babies we had a big box of baby and maternity stuff that we all used.