How are you frugal?
By The Horse
@TheHorse (205831)
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?
45 people like this
53 responses
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• 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
@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
@celticeagle (159105)
• 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
@petatonicsca (7070)
• 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 (215492)
• Chile
4 Sep 17
We don´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
@TheHorse (205831)
• Walnut Creek, California
20 May 18
@marguicha I am looking forward.
3 people like this
@CookieMonster46 (13447)
• 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
@CookieMonster46 (13447)
• United States
11 Oct 17
@TheHorse .I just want to have money to survive on .
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205831)
• 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
@Marilynda1225 (79772)
• 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
@poehere (15126)
• 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
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• 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 (205831)
• Walnut Creek, California
5 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 (74594)
• East Tawas, Michigan
6 Sep 17
@TheHorse Beautiful photo, genuine smiles everywhere:)
1 person likes this
@peachpurple (13884)
• 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 (205831)
• 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 (98834)
• 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
@hereandthere (45651)
• Philippines
5 Sep 17
why did you choose not to buy a blow dryer and a toaster?
2 people like this
@hereandthere (45651)
• 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 (205831)
• 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
@BelleStarr (61047)
• 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 (61047)
• 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 (205831)
• Walnut Creek, California
20 May 18
@BelleStarr What exactly is bread pudding?
1 person likes 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 (205831)
• 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
@Essjayd (1568)
•
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
