When did you first know that people thought you were frugal/cheap?
@happythoughts (4109)
United States
June 26, 2009 10:04am CST
I remember when someone first said something to me that made me realize people noticed me as frugal. I was on a cruise to Alaska, which I got a great deal on, and we were in the casino. My Hubby was doing a texas holdem tournament and I wouldnt do it though I am okay at it. I didnt want to spend the money on the charge to get in. Then I took $20 and went and played video poker. Won $100 and went on to roulette. I took the original $20 and put it in my wallet. I ended up winning another $100 on the roulette table in a matter of minutes. I quit when my Hubby was done. My Father in Law said that he cant believe he saw me part with the first $20 on a machine let alone the $15 bet I placed in roulette. I never spend money on things I dont need so why would I put it in a machine and just send it away. I made over what my hubby spent on his cover charge and used the money to pay for part of the cruise, but those words from my FIL echo in my head when I think about the money I spend.
When did you first get noticed as a frugal person.
4 people like this
8 responses
@peavey (16936)
• United States
29 Jun 09
I've been frugal for so long that almost everyone knows by now. Most of my family know the value of a dollar, and while some of them don't know how to control it, they understand when I say I won't buy this or do that because it's too expensive or more than I want to spend. One or two family members (in laws) think I'm nuts for trying to save on "little things." Those "little things" add up in a hurry!
1 person likes this
@peavey (16936)
• United States
29 Jun 09
Becoming more and more in control of our money is an ongoing process. I don't think anyone is actually ever "there," although some people seem to be quite disciplined. When you're walking more places and have given up sweets, another challenge will present itself! Just keep on doing the best you can.
1 person likes this
@happythoughts (4109)
• United States
29 Jun 09
Those little things do add up so fast both when you are saving on them or when you are spending the money on them. I want to feel completely in control of my money but there is a time here and there when I am not. I should walk more places and give up sweets. I need to get better control of me.
1 person likes this
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
27 Jun 09
I don't know that I was "noticed". Most people I know are frugal. But I did tell people as I've never had a lot of money except when hubby & I were engaged & first married we were doing well. But other than that point in time I've never had a lot of extras, name brands in my life nothing. So I don't mind saying to someone I can't spare the money for this or that because 9 times out of 10 I can't. If they can't understand that then too bad. We all are not as fortunate with our finances as others are or we don't run around trying to put on a "show" + deeper in debt for putting in this "show"
1 person likes this
@happythoughts (4109)
• United States
29 Jun 09
I think that people that have decided they are in control of their money instead of money controling them are better off. I am happier knowing that I might not have the nicest things or the best clothes but I am able to get by and not stress about the things we dont have.
1 person likes this
@lingli_78 (12821)
• Australia
27 Jun 09
i don't think that many people know that i am frugal except my hubby because i don't really show it that much... but i do live a frugal life because otherwise i and my hubby won't be able to survive... especially in a recession time like now... anyway, i also put a limit on my frugality and i don't want to be too frugal as i won't be able to enjoy life if i do that... take care and have a nice day...
1 person likes this
@happythoughts (4109)
• United States
29 Jun 09
At first I was frugal because I needed to and I thought people might judge us for it. I was a stay at home mom and there were a lot of people that thought that I was making a bad choice for my family. I wasnt bringing in money and I needed to use coupons so I was just hurting our family by not bringing in money. It was hard at first but I got used to it. 10 years later I am still at home, we are paying our bills and I use more coupons then ever. I am proud of the money I save and I think that is why a lot of people know I am frugal now.
1 person likes this
@ladym33 (10978)
• United States
26 Jun 09
Actually I don't think our friends and family even think or realize that I am frugal. I buy many of our kids clothes at garage sales or used clothing stores and thrift stores and no one knows that. Almost every piece of furniture in our home has been given to us, or we bought from a friend for very little money, most people do not realize that. My cabinets and pantry are full because I shop really wisely. Everyone thinks I over spend on food, but they don't know how little I actually spend because we have a lot of food in the house. So I don't think people realize that I am frugal.
@happythoughts (4109)
• United States
26 Jun 09
Id love to understand how you hide it. I feel like I dove in so deep when my kids were young that everyone knew. My kids clothes are mostly second hand and the ones that are not are from birthdays. I cant buy a pair of pants for a kid that cost as much or more then a pair of pants for me.
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
30 Jun 09
I was known as a frugal person ever since I knew the value of money, must be way back when I was 6 or 7 years old.
Anyway I'm not the frugal champion in my family, so sad! Some of my cousins save 75% of their income, and they are not high flyers, their income is not even the national average.
I do not have the courage to go all the way cheap, otherwise, I will not need to buy toilet roll oh!
1 person likes this
@gdesjardin (1918)
• United States
27 Jun 09
I went to the grocery store with my mother and I was in there for about 2 hours. She kept complaining that I was in there "forever" I told her I comparison shop. She told me in the middle of the store that I was the cheapest person ever! I told her "you darn right I am and proud of it". She was shocked that I could spend so little for a family of 5 for 2 weeks worth of groceries. I told her my 2 hours at the local Wal-Mart is worth it to save all the money I save. Later that day I told her I buy the kids clothes at the local Goodwill - I was surprised she didn't have a heart attack that day!!!
@happythoughts (4109)
• United States
27 Jun 09
I count my money I save as the money I would make if I had a job that gave me check. I spend hours getting ready to do my shopping but I get our groceries for hundreds less then we would otherwise and that is more then I could make at a part time job. I make our one income feel like two and every time I shop I learn something new.
1 person likes this
@saundyl (9783)
• Canada
29 Jun 09
I dont think its really something out of norm for my family...
In all honesty i grew up in a family that didnt have much money. My mom only purchased necessities that never go on sale (like milk or eggs) and then everything else she wouldnt buy unless it was on sale. I remember at times mom saying ok its time to check the couch for change so we can get a gallon of milk. We had a lot of hand me downs and grew our own garden and alot of things it was if ya cant do it yourself learn or it has to wait til theres money (which most of the time even now money is tight)
I take the sales thing a step farther and combine coupons and every once in a while I'll buy something not on sale but its a rarity...clothing tends to be clearance items or sales...ive purchased things at pawn shops and thrift stores...
@happythoughts (4109)
• United States
29 Jun 09
I wait for the sales to go with my coupons too. I save a lot on my groceries and I love to get a good deal. My Hubbys family and mine as well get what they want when they want it. We live very different then the rest of them. I do splurge once in a while but it is when we can afford it and I know I should be setting that money aside.
1 person likes this
@saundyl (9783)
• Canada
30 Jun 09
I love deals.
I went grocery shopping yesterday had a bunch of coupons for dog food (kinds i use and i needed it) and i was surprised the girl at the till put through all the doubles too...i ended up getting 35 dollars off my bill (and she actually picked up some someone else had left sitting and put them through too - i dont even know if they were items i bought!) I was pretty happy with getting that much off. Usually they quibble and complain about having to put the coupons through there.
@TierrasMommy (125)
• United States
11 Dec 09
People found out I was frugal at the grocery store because it takes forever for all of my coupons to go through just when the cashier things I handed him the very last coupon I end up pulling out ten more which he then has to take the time to type in and people at the other end of the line tend to have to go look for a shorter line due to all my coupons.
