How are you frugal?

@TheHorse (218930)
Walnut Creek, California
September 4, 2017 5:07pm CST
I've never been one for a lavish lifestyle. I buy my hair care products from the Dollar Tree. My hair is still shiny and manageable. I use Dollar Tree dish soap in my dishwasher. My dishes still sparkle. I also use dish soap for my laundry. My clothes still look dapper. I buy whatever sneakers are on sale at Big Five Sporting Goods. I've owned the same SUV for 195,000 miles. I get most of my t-shirts at Target. My main hobbies make more money than I spend on them. I don't own a blow-dryer, toaster, or big screen TV. But I DO buy expensive musical instruments when I want to. And I always tip around 20%. How are you frugal? Do you see it as a good thing?
44 people like this
52 responses
• United States
4 Sep 17
I have always been frugal with everything literally. It feels good to know how to do without and survive.
10 people like this
@vandana7 (100300)
• India
6 Sep 17
I haven't had much choice either, and now that I do, it has become such an ingrained thing that I feel guilty going for anything expensive. lol
3 people like this
• United States
5 Sep 17
7 people like this
@marlina (154131)
• Canada
15 Sep 17
@TheHorse Same here.
@RubyHawk (99405)
• Atlanta, Georgia
4 Sep 17
I'm frugal and I see it as a good thing. I shop at Dollar Tree for my cleaning supplies and always look for the best sales on everything I buy. It's the only way to go for me.
6 people like this
@TheHorse (218930)
• Walnut Creek, California
20 May 18
@RubyHawk I feel a trip to the Dollar Tree coming up.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (218930)
• Walnut Creek, California
5 Sep 17
Seems kind of sensible to me.
3 people like this
@RubyHawk (99405)
• Atlanta, Georgia
5 Sep 17
@TheHorse Low prices are my style.
3 people like this
@suziecat7 (3350)
• Asheville, North Carolina
4 Sep 17
I've never owned a new car and never will. I buy good used cars and pay cash so no payments. I buy all my books (and other things) at the thrift store. It's one of my favorite places. ;))
5 people like this
@TheHorse (218930)
• Walnut Creek, California
5 Sep 17
I buy my cars with cash. I don't like to owe anybody anything.
3 people like this
@celticeagle (167070)
• Boise, Idaho
5 Sep 17
I buy from the Dollar Store too. I think there is very little we can't get cheaper if we try. If a person insists on name brands I guess that is up to them and their pocket book. I'm not one of them however.
4 people like this
@celticeagle (167070)
• Boise, Idaho
5 Sep 17
@petatonicsca ......Same here.
3 people like this
@TheHorse (218930)
• Walnut Creek, California
5 Sep 17
Name brands imply (to me) that you're trying to impress someone. But some name brand stuff (Eddie Bauer comes to mind) is better than generic stuff.
2 people like this
• Japan
5 Sep 17
@TheHorse The only time I buy name brand clothes is if I find them in a recycle shop. They usually still have a lot of wear in them because they are good quality.
4 people like this
@marguicha (223118)
• Chile
4 Sep 17
We donĀ“t have a Dollar Tree here. But I cook all my meals and use all leftovers. I take good care of my clothes. My only luxury is to go once a year to a vacation.
6 people like this
@marguicha (223118)
• Chile
5 Sep 17
@TheHorse For me, vacations mean health.
3 people like this
@TheHorse (218930)
• Walnut Creek, California
5 Sep 17
I need a real vacation! It's actually music that has gotten in the way of me getting out of "Dodge" for a couple of weeks.
3 people like this
@TheHorse (218930)
• Walnut Creek, California
20 May 18
@marguicha I am looking forward.
3 people like this
@NJChicaa (119651)
• United States
4 Sep 17
I'm not really frugal.
5 people like this
@TheHorse (218930)
• Walnut Creek, California
5 Sep 17
Are you wealthy? I have decent savngs, but I'm still frugal.
4 people like this
@NJChicaa (119651)
• United States
5 Sep 17
wealthy? No. Well off? Yes.
2 people like this
• United States
6 Sep 17
You can have nice things expensive, and they don't last forever. I learned to live the simple life. I worry about being older and maybe not having enough to live on with everything being so expensive.
2 people like this
• United States
11 Oct 17
@TheHorse .I just want to have money to survive on .
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218930)
• Walnut Creek, California
12 Oct 17
@CookieMonster46 Survival in the US can be expensive. I've been told that I could live like a King in the Philippines or India.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218930)
• Walnut Creek, California
8 Oct 17
I think about my later years too. I want to be able to eat Tom Kha Gai at will until I die.
1 person likes this
@pgntwo (22408)
• Derry, Northern Ireland
4 Sep 17
Bah, humbug !
3 people like this
@TheHorse (218930)
• Walnut Creek, California
5 Sep 17
Is it Christmas already? God bless us every one.
2 people like this
@pgntwo (22408)
• Derry, Northern Ireland
5 Sep 17
@TheHorse The season of Scrooge, the miser...
2 people like this
@TheHorse (218930)
• Walnut Creek, California
20 May 18
@pgntwo That would be me. But I am a good tipper.
1 person likes this
• United States
4 Sep 17
I rarely (if ever) buy anything that isn't on sale. I love shopping at the Dollar Tree. However, I do have a toaster, a blow-dryer and a big screen tv
4 people like this
@TheHorse (218930)
• Walnut Creek, California
5 Sep 17
You snob, you!
2 people like this
@poehere (15123)
• French Polynesia
5 Sep 17
I have an organic garden so this means I no longer spend tons of money on veggies at the market. Normally I go fishing so there is always fish to eat with my veggies. I only buy some chicken now and then at the store. We raise chicken and I can kill one and bring it home when I want. Looks like I can live a very frugal life.
4 people like this
@TheHorse (218930)
• Walnut Creek, California
8 Oct 17
I love growing veggies, but I don't have enough space to grow enough to live on. I eat chicken, but I enjoy their company (when they're alive) too much to actually kill one myself.
1 person likes this
@poehere (15123)
• French Polynesia
10 Oct 17
@TheHorse I can't kill one at all. When my BF kills them I normally leave or go and work in a place where I don't have to see this.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
4 Sep 17
We are so opposite, except for the good tipping.
4 people like this
@TheHorse (218930)
• Walnut Creek, California
5 Sep 17
So opposite? You mean you don't sometimes save for really quality things, like a Martin or Collings guitar? Heh.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29820)
• Momence, Illinois
4 Sep 17
Nothing wrong with being frugal. I buy cereal on sale only and certain other items that we use. I buy a lot of our body care products at Dollar Store too.
3 people like this
@TheHorse (218930)
• Walnut Creek, California
12 Sep 17
@fishtiger58 Heh heh.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218930)
• Walnut Creek, California
5 Sep 17
I sniff lotions before I buy them. Some smell good. Some are vulgar.
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29820)
• Momence, Illinois
5 Sep 17
@TheHorse Always
2 people like this
@Kandae11 (55034)
5 Sep 17
I cut corners where and whenever I can. I don't go to hairdressers and beauty parlors - I do what needs to be done myself. I hardly go shopping for clothes - I design and sew my own. If I see something I want that I can't sew - then will I buy.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (218930)
• Walnut Creek, California
6 Sep 17
I don't go to hairdressers or beauty parlors either. I do trim my nails, and the long nails on my right hand (for guitar) become a discussion point for the preschool kids I work with. My hair is the same as it was in this photo from a few years ago.
2 people like this
@kobesbuddy (78882)
• East Tawas, Michigan
6 Sep 17
@TheHorse Beautiful photo, genuine smiles everywhere:)
1 person likes this
@Kandae11 (55034)
6 Sep 17
@TheHorse I love the photo.
2 people like this
@peachpurple (13962)
• Malaysia
4 Sep 17
Oh yes, i buy groceries only when there are sales and members day, can save 10%, use coupons when dinning out and get free drinks, buy clothes once in every two or four years
4 people like this
@TheHorse (218930)
• Walnut Creek, California
5 Sep 17
I don't do coupons, but I do dress fancy once in awhile. This Semester, I've worn only Wrangler shorts and t-shirts for teaching, because it's been so dang hot. But by late September, I will wear $29 Wrangler painters pants, a $39 button-down, and $29 Coleman boots, when I teach. A $100 ensemble, just for college teaching!
1 person likes this
@vandana7 (100300)
• India
6 Sep 17
I would rather pay more taxes than tip that high. Or buy some clothes or spend on their medicals. The poor would waste it on Ganesh idols, music bands (not your type...it is just hammering the drum) that create cacophony well into night till 3 am, and buy sweet worth 25 INR for 8500 INR in auction because they believe, buying it like that will bring them good fortune.
2 people like this
@vandana7 (100300)
• India
9 Oct 17
@TheHorse Not always. Starting cards, like parents, and parental attitudes are dealt to us.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218930)
• Walnut Creek, California
8 Oct 17
Heh. We make our own luck.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218930)
• Walnut Creek, California
20 May 18
@vandana7 True, but it ain't luck that moves us beyond our beginnings. Well, maybe a pat of it is. If you're a troubled 3-year-old, and you encounter The Horse, then God was on your side. No false humility here.
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
5 Sep 17
why did you choose not to buy a blow dryer and a toaster?
2 people like this
• Philippines
6 Sep 17
@TheHorse yes, mice love hiding in toasters, under the stoves/gas range, even under water dispensers.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (218930)
• Walnut Creek, California
20 May 18
@hereandthere I finally bought a new toaster! But it's still in the truck. I'm going to splurge on some Eggos (toaster waffles) at Safeway and have at it.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218930)
• Walnut Creek, California
6 Sep 17
Well, I don't have enough hair to blow dry, and I was grossed out by the mouse poops in my old toaster, so I held off. But I like instant waffles, so you never know.
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
6 Sep 17
I look for discounted meat at the groery store and I buy day old bread when I can. I think it is a great thing.
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
6 Sep 17
@TheHorse I like to make bread pudding so day old bread works great and I can buy really good cuts of meat for $5 off, I bought short ribs the other day and froze them as soon as I got home. The package of three ribs was over $10 with the $5 off much more affordable.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218930)
• Walnut Creek, California
20 May 18
@BelleStarr What exactly is bread pudding?
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218930)
• Walnut Creek, California
6 Sep 17
I avoid discounted meat and day-old bread (I loves my meat and bread), but I buy generic packaged goods as much as possible, even at Safeway.
2 people like this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
5 Sep 17
I'm so frugal I drool at the things I wish I could have @TheHorse . Dollar General and Family Dollar are my stores. Seriously....I should own one of them by now or at least have 80% stock in one of them. You name it, it's bought there. Some day I might actually be able to go to a 'real' grocery store.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (218930)
• Walnut Creek, California
6 Sep 17
Would the food there be more "real"? Heh.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (218930)
• Walnut Creek, California
6 Sep 17
@nanette64 Real meat is good.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
6 Sep 17
@TheHorse At least I could buy meat. I didn't realize I'd be forced into eating can & boxed food.
1 person likes this
@Meramar (2695)
5 Sep 17
Life doesn't need to be expensive to be good and we don't need (to spend) a lot to be happy!
2 people like this
@TheHorse (218930)
• Walnut Creek, California
6 Sep 17
I agree. Some people spend (on cars and such like) for show. But who are they trying to impress? Who is worth impressing?
2 people like this
@TheHorse (218930)
• Walnut Creek, California
20 May 18
@Meramar I see people trying to impress with fancy cars in both suburbia and the 'hood.
1 person likes this
@Meramar (2695)
6 Sep 17
@TheHorse To impress, that seems to be important for some persons. In the passed, I knew persons having a very small and old appartment with some deficits, but running outside with a big and new car from the last generation.
2 people like this
@Essjayd (1567)
5 Sep 17
We have had to get by too many times on very little so I've learnt to be pretty frugal! We eat pretty well but cook from scratch and leftovers get turned into something else. We never do a huge grocery shop just buy what we need that day so nothing goes to waste. Don't own a TV let alone a flashy big screen one! Only replace stuff in the house if it's beyond repair not because its no longer the latest trend. The things we do blow money on are going out with friends or trips away! Most of my sports gear musical instruments and photography kit are expensive high end items... I still went out of my way to get the best deals and most of it will used for years to come
2 people like this
@TheHorse (218930)
• Walnut Creek, California
20 May 18
@Essjayd Sounds good to me!
@TheHorse (218930)
• Walnut Creek, California
5 Sep 17
Yep, I do look for good deals, even when it comes to my "indulgences," like guitars and vintage stereo gear. I should learn to cook from scratch more. I tend to "enhance" Trader Joe's stuff.
2 people like this
@Essjayd (1567)
6 Sep 17
@TheHorse Hahaha The secret of cooking is chuck it In and see what happens!!! I was a chef for 8 years some of my best dishes came from that theory
2 people like this