A confession.........

United States
April 22, 2010 9:20pm CST
I try to be frugal, but the past few years have been difficult. I love leopard and cheetah prints. They have been in style for the past 10 years and I know they would be going out soon. Just two years ago there were several different types of dinnerware available in these prints, but when I could afford to get them they were gone! Just the other day I found some Cheetah print dinnerware. It is more expensive than I would have paid for a dinnerware set in another pattern, but it IS Cheetah. I thought about purchasing it. The next day I went back to the website and voila--it is no longer in stock! However, Overstock has it for a little bit less. I checked the manufactures website again today and the picture of the dinnerware set is GONE!! I panicked and went back to the O and got it. Even though it is not exactly my best choice in that print, but I shall settle. I feel a little guilty both because money needs to be spent elsewhere, and because I already have dishes. I still have the first two sets I purchased when I got my first apartment. I got them on sale, they are pretty but not microwaveable. I do have another set of dishes that are microwaveable though, so I do not need these dishes. I simply want something that reflects my personal flair. Have you ever purchased things because you really like the pattern or color to spread all over your home?
1 person likes this
5 responses
• United States
26 Feb 11
Sure! Absolutely! Back in the nineties I was way into the leopard and cheetah print. I was so impressed with the pattern that I reupholstered my couch and love seat using the cheetah pattern and I had numerous pieces of clothing with the cheetah pattern. Actually I still love the big cat patterns and if I had ANY extra money I would probably have more of it in my closet and house.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (223720)
• Chile
27 Feb 11
Why don´t you buy a big, sheeta sheets (king size) and you just throw it over the couch with some solid pillows over it? In my country upholstering sometimes is more expensive than to buy a new couch.
• United States
2 Mar 11
This is true! Re-upholstering often is quite expensive. I just do not know how to put the fabric on the couch to make it look like it is the couch fabric, and not a sheet covering it. Maybe I should look into that. I have always wanted a leopard chase lounge. lol.
• United States
27 Feb 11
I soo want to have a Leopard couch! Can't see paying the amount they want to re-upholster it though. Instead, there are various throw pillows in the patterns, and a set of sheers. Sheets are very inexpensive, as are towels so I have plenty of those. And of course a Leopard patterned toilet seat. Your house must look awesome!
@marguicha (223720)
• Chile
8 May 10
Even the most frugal people need some luxury in their lives once in a while. I live frugally with my pension but I save every penny I earn online to have wonderful vacations. After a week or two of feeling like a Queen, I can come back to my real life. I wouldn´t be the same if I didn´t have that. Nurture that soft spot and it will help you to be frugal in other, mayor, things
1 person likes this
• United States
27 Feb 11
Wow..........you earn enough online to vacation? You go, girl! Woo hoo! There is no way I would have bought another set of dishes if they were not Leopard or Cheetah print, so usually I am pretty frugal. Have to be, my income for so long has been ridiculously low and currently I am blessed to have a couple of housemates to help with the bills. If it was not so, there is no way I would have spent that amount on dishes. I hope you have a wonderful vacation and make enough to buy whatever you want when you are where ever you go.
• United States
2 Mar 11
lol! That is the problem--once you have a clean space, it just screams I need to be filled! lol. I totally understand........and live it! Growing your own food is a great way to cut costs, especially veggies and fruits. They are so expensive! If you are ever in the mood for hossenfeffer, come on and visit. They are killing my budding plants! There's plenty to eat around here.
@peavey (16936)
• United States
1 May 10
Yes, I've bought things just because I liked them and they went with the other things I had. The key is to try to find those things at the lowest price. I sometimes look for internet coupons for certain things and I've been lucky enough to find some awesome things at thrift stores and garage sales. I love roosters and strawberries for the kitchen, so it's fun to go bargain hunting for those things.
1 person likes this
@peavey (16936)
• United States
28 Feb 11
I brag about my finds, too! A really good price is at least half the fun of it.
• United States
27 Feb 11
It is great to find bargains on things we normally would not purchase because of the price! I love finding bargains and brag about how much I spent because it is usually so much less than the item was originally. It's kind of neat to have something that is a favorite, and keeps friends and family on their toes looking for things. Nice when they think of you when they see it. Now I will think of Peavey when I see Roosters and Strawberries!
• United States
2 Mar 11
Yes! I cannot stand paying full price for something. There are only a few items I have ever purchased that were not on sale. It practically killed me to shell out the money for them!
@redhotpogo (4401)
• United States
1 May 10
I'm going to save you some money by being honest with you. Cheetah, and animal prints were never in style. They make you look gaudy, cheap and trashy. The only people who would think animal prints look good are old jewish women. Stop buying animal prints.
@marguicha (223720)
• Chile
8 May 10
I had to check your profile to see how old were you. From your words, I thought you might be a teenager (my prejudice now, although I know that my teenage grandsons would never say such rude words). But no, you are 32 years old. Old enough to be a father, old enough to vote, old enough to know when to keep your mouth shut if you can´t say nice things. This isn´t nice either, but as I´m old enough to be your mother and more, I feel I can tell you to grow up. You are right that some things are never in style. I feel that Peter Pan should never be in style. Wake up, the real world is welcoming you. Take care!
1 person likes this
• United States
9 May 10
haha act your age blah blah blah. Maybe cheetah print is a good fit for you. Sorry if you're feelings were hurt, wasn't attacking you, just being honest. Hope you figure out your problem soon. take care.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
26 Apr 10
I think that no matter how frugal we try to be there are certain things that we will splurge on from time to time. Of course, I can also tell that you are very much like I am and you feel a lot of guilt after you've spent more in one area than you ought to have spent. Regardless of this, if it is something that makes you happy, I think that you are fine to spend a little bit extra every now and then. If we weren't to do this from time to time, then I think we would be likely to go way overboard too often.
• United States
27 Feb 11
I was in such a financial mess for so long, buying anything was difficult to do. So now that I have a few housemates to help with the bills, there is a little extra that I should be saving to get windows and siding, etc. When the housemates came along it is such a relief to be able to buy something that I like! Even though I know it could be better spent on other things, but it will take so long to get the money needed anyway, throwing away a bit isn't going to prolong the projects by much. I do like the dishes, and the mugs are a perfect size. Being frugal is good, and as you say, it is also good to splurge a bit every now and again. I fear the Leopard is going out of style so whatever I can find that I do not have, I am trying to get.