Definition of Frugal

W

WinstonWolfe

Was listening to Radio National this morning and they were talking about an impending recession and need for frugality. This got me to thinking what one would have to forego to be considered frugal in the 21st Century......What are Somersofter's views on:

mobile phones
broadband
buying books
eating any prepackaged food (commercial biscuits and breakfast cereal, tv dinners, orange juice)
eating takeaway
buying coffee out
having someone sleeping in every bedroom
more than one car per adult couple
recreation
dvd's
cinema
hobbies
sport
exercise (gyms)
craft
clothes
household help
automatic car washers
etc
 
What I could go without....

mobile phones easily go without - especially now I live in a town where there is nowhere to be except the supermarket or a friends place..
broadband - no way
buying books - rarely buy - that why there are libraries!
eating any prepackaged food (commercial biscuits and breakfast cereal, tv dinners, orange juice) -hmm, could go without most things (tv dinners), but not others (weetbix)
eating takeaway - easily go without
buying coffee out - dont do this regularly anyway
having someone sleeping in every bedroom - already do...my kids
more than one car per adult couple - only have one car for the family
recreation - does having a BBQ and a few beers with friends count as recreation? Cant go without that
dvd's - we only get dvds occaisionally
cinema - dont have one
hobbies - I dont have expensive hobbies
sport - could do with some of this
exercise (gyms) see above
craft - see hobbies
clothes - always need clothes :) but dont shop designer
household help - would LOVE some of this
automatic car washers - I cant believe people use those! What happened to washing the car on the lawn? Though I suppose its been banned in some areas - but to me this is a huge waste of money...does it matter if your car is a bit dusty?

Living in a small, remote town has made me realise how easy it is to go without (its not available anyway) and to make your own fun. I enjoy shopping but its easy to abstain if there are no shops...and internet shopping isnt the same :). So the cost of living is higher, but the unnessesary expenditure is way down...

Nadia
 
Being frugal is making the most out of the resources available, the opposite of wasteful.

What you "should" and shouldn't go without is a personal choice and there are no sets of rules that apply to everyone.

Frugality can contribute to wealth creation but I believe that being "cheap" kills wealth creation. One is resourceful and the other is lack mentality which goes against a desire to be wealthy.
 
WinstonWolfe said:
Was listening to Radio National this morning and they were talking about an impending recession and need for frugality. This got me to thinking what one would have to forego to be considered frugal in the 21st Century......What are Somersofter's views on:

mobile phones
broadband
buying books
eating any prepackaged food (commercial biscuits and breakfast cereal, tv dinners, orange juice)
eating takeaway
buying coffee out
having someone sleeping in every bedroom
more than one car per adult couple
recreation
dvd's
cinema
hobbies
sport
exercise (gyms)
craft
clothes
household help
automatic car washers
etc
Click to expand...

I find the question hard to answer since you can have much of the above but still live economically.

Eg a prepaid mobile phone that costs you <$100 pa is hardly extravagent, especially if it's only used for receiving calls and you go to a landline to make them. Broadband isn't that dear now, whereas 5 - 10 years ago it was.

Books, clothes and bits of craft can come from the op-shop. Sport and recreation can cost anything from $0 to thousands, so the absense or presence of it is no guide to frugality.

Broadband, takeaway food, home help and cars can be (financially) justified in some circumstances; the 'frugal' response might save money but come with opportunity costs in income/profits/time foregone.

Frugality is a corrective measure for those whose expenditure outstrips their income and/or they see a need to save to pursue a higher goal (eg charitable, investement or ecological). What is sensibly frugal for one person is cutting one's nose off to save one's face for another.

Every time I see a person with bottled water, I think extravagence without reason or benefit. To me that's the ultimate folly and stupider than any of the things in the above list.

Peter
 
When I think frugal I think of my inlaws. The only things on their list are craft, clothes and recreation, however add regular lunches out (cheapy pub meals) and lots of volunteering (free :eek:). And they recycle everything! They lead busy and happy lives for oldies in their 80's, and are not poor, obviously.

Me, not frugal, but like value for my money and will splurge occassionally. Do not need to keep up with the Joneses, and will not buy doodads on cc or use personal loans if I can not pay cash.


mobile phones yes
broadband yes
buying books yes, newspapers 7/52 also
eating any prepackaged food (commercial biscuits and breakfast cereal, tv dinners, orange juice) yes but no tv dinners, yuk
eating takeaway sometimes
buying coffee out occassionally
having someone sleeping in every bedroom no
more than one car per adult couple no
recreation yes
dvd's rarely, but do have platinum foxtel :D
cinema yes
hobbies yes
sport is taking my children to theirs 7/52 counted
exercise (gyms) no, have treadmill and bike
craft hope to start art classes soon, just need to find the time first
clothes yes but look for value here
household help no
automatic car washers yes
etc[/QUOTE]
 
mobile phones - don't have one, intend to never have one ever
broadband - would go without a lot of stuff before giving up the 'net
buying books - I have a habit of re-reading the stuff I have, so rarely buy new books. 99% of investment books (or any books, really) are complete crap anyway
eating any prepackaged food (commercial biscuits and breakfast cereal, tv dinners, orange juice) - eating much less of this than I used to, could easily forego if I had to
eating takeaway - again, rarely eat this (not many around where I live, which is great)
buying coffee out - don't do this anymore
having someone sleeping in every bedroom - been there, done that, can afford interest payments standing on my head nowadays, powering through the principal on PPOR
more than one car per adult couple - don't own a car
recreation - what's that?
dvd's - who needs them when the internet provides this for free (sort of)
cinema - rarely go
hobbies - buying records, as with broadband, would sacrifice most things before giving up collecting records
sport - I'm allergic to sport , I break out in sweat
exercise (gyms) - exercise on the way to and from work, doesn't cost a cent
craft - natch
clothes - not an issue
household help - don't use it
automatic car washers - not needed
etc - woud give up everythng, includng food, clothing and shelter before I gve up etc. Etc. is vital to life.

Mark
 
-mobile phones - for me a business necessity. A cap plan which covers calls and text fits well.

-broadband - a business necessity

-buying books - I do buy books. But I wait until my daughter's school has their annual fete. And even then I wait until 1PM when the pickings have been taken- and all paperbacks are $1 each. $30 sees me for a few months. The crap ones I donate back next year- the good ones are friends I will visit again in a few years.

-eating any prepackaged food (commercial biscuits and breakfast cereal, tv dinners, orange juice) - in moderation

-eating takeaway - I eat lots of takeaway. Mostly healthy. And I don't pay for very much of it :) . I do enjoy the product I sell. Still.

-buying coffee out - even if I didn't sell it I would. One cup a day. It costs me too much in time and equipment to have a good cup of coffee at home. Instant is desperation stuff. Even if I bought, I know where to get a very nice $2.50 cup, which I might have twice a week.

-having someone sleeping in every bedroom. We used to. One moved out of home. I dion't think I should move out to a smaller house for that.

-more than one car per adult couple. When each adult has a spearate job on different sides of town.

I'd answer negatives for many of the others.

I am very frugal- I have to be. Our family income has dropped substantially since the business. None of the above items add up to that much.

Most of our "spare" income has gone to our children. Schooling (private school, our choice), plus one daughter to Mexico for seven months. That's a huge expense as against our own living expenses.

The things we cannot do at the moment (which would be good if we could) are big screen TVs, nice new clothes (for MrsW anyway), pay TV, a new computer (the one at home is painful) etc.

MrsW and the girls have travelled. I have not, for many years. I love travel with a passion. This has probably been the biggest sacrifice I have made. And I can't see it changing for a long time.
 
thrashoholic said:
mobile phones - don't have one, intend to never have one ever
broadband - would go without a lot of stuff before giving up the 'net
buying books - I have a habit of re-reading the stuff I have, so rarely buy new books. 99% of investment books (or any books, really) are complete crap anyway
eating any prepackaged food (commercial biscuits and breakfast cereal, tv dinners, orange juice) - eating much less of this than I used to, could easily forego if I had to
eating takeaway - again, rarely eat this (not many around where I live, which is great)
buying coffee out - don't do this anymore
having someone sleeping in every bedroom - been there, done that, can afford interest payments standing on my head nowadays, powering through the principal on PPOR
more than one car per adult couple - don't own a car
recreation - what's that?
dvd's - who needs them when the internet provides this for free (sort of)
cinema - rarely go
hobbies - buying records, as with broadband, would sacrifice most things before giving up collecting records
sport - I'm allergic to sport , I break out in sweat
exercise (gyms) - exercise on the way to and from work, doesn't cost a cent
craft - natch
clothes - not an issue
household help - don't use it
automatic car washers - not needed
etc - woud give up everythng, includng food, clothing and shelter before I gve up etc. Etc. is vital to life.

Mark
Click to expand...

Brilliantly done Mark!

Saved me saying all the same stuff.

Good name too. ;)
 
WinstonWolfe said:
Was listening to Radio National this morning and they were talking about an impending recession and need for frugality. This got me to thinking what one would have to forego to be considered frugal in the 21st Century......What are Somersofter's views on:

mobile phones..---if you have a family,or several small businesses then i can't do without one..

broadband.---why go backwards..

buying books..---All my books are bought S-H for less that 2 bucks,from the several local opp shops..

eating any prepackaged food (commercial biscuits and breakfast cereal, tv dinners, orange juice)..---We buy everything in bulk anyone with a ABN can do the same..

eating takeaway..---pass..

buying coffee out.---have not had a cup in over ten years..

having someone sleeping in every bedroom..---every room is full ,just depends on how many of the daughters mates sleep over on the weekend.

more than one car per adult couple..pass..
recreation..pass

dvd's..when you can buy new for less that one dollar at the auctions the price is not important..

cinema..only on tuesday night when all are half price..

hobbies.. reading S-H books
..
sport..walking the dogs..

exercise (gyms)..walking the dogs in the local parks-priceless..

craft..pass

clothes..pass

household help..That's been my job for the past 8 years..

automatic car washers..never used one..
etc
Click to expand...
Just have to ask Winston,with a list like this in hard times what is the most important to you..willair..
 
In our family I am the saver and the wife is the spender. As far as the various items :-

mobile phones - all members of family have one paid for by our company on a group plan so calls between ourselves are free. I make the most external calls. Total bill is about $350 pm
broadband - on a $90 pm plan and we have 3 computers using the net
buying books - buy new books on special when I can
eating any prepackaged food (commercial biscuits and breakfast cereal, tv dinners, orange juice) - eat whatever comes along/ wife feeds me
eating takeaway - try not to but most probably 2 per week
buying coffee out - if out and about then there will b e the inevitable cup of coffee somewhere (its just about a ritual:(:D)
having someone sleeping in every bedroom - we only have 3 bedrooms so someone sleeps in each bedroom:confused: will not be downgrading if one of sons were to leave home
more than one car per adult couple - wife and I share her car on weekend we have 3 cars between 4 people
recreation - we try to travel 2-3 times per year within Aust try to get overseas ones a year. Have been very busy this year so a bit short on hols.
dvd's - not intetrested personally so have never bought one, wife does and we have a cupboard full of useless movies but ex rentals.
cinema - went last weekend. the first time in many many months.
hobbies - have tropical fish which cost about $5k per year. I sell the ones I breed which raises about $4k so not overly costly
sport - none
exercise (gyms) - work hard enough don't need extra exercise.
craft
clothes - minimal (as in purchases) but then again wife buys most so really have no idea. Going to Rivers outlet this weekend where I will mist probable buy about $300 worth of clothes. (based on previous visits.)
household help - no
automatic car washers - wife used them but I have finally convinced her that she would benefit from the exercise herself.;)

Buy tools - I prefer to buy any tools that we need rather than rent them as I find that when I rent then it imposes time restrictions on the work we are doing and stresses me. As a result we have a great selections of tools with the most expensive things like demo saw, tile saw that cuts up to 700mm tiles full set of plumbing tools inc oxy, concrete polisher etc. Currently in the market for a 2nd hand trailer mounted cherry picker.

Cheers




 
When things get rough I'd be quite willing to sacrifice the Countach for the 911.

But - if any bugger asks me to give up beluga, well then, I will be jolly depressed.
 
Hiya,

I think Dazz's signature says it all.

And,

Spiderman said:
Every time I see a person with bottled water, I think extravagence without reason or benefit. To me that's the ultimate folly and stupider than any of the things in the above list.
Click to expand...

I'll quite happily pay $2 for a bottle of water. Reason; I'm thirsty. Benefit; solves that problem nicely. So then, I'm not thirsty and that makes me happy. $2 is a small price to pay.

And besides, it costs less than buying something that'd probably rot my teeth anyway.

Cheers

James.
 
I'll drink to that!!!

Spiderman said:
Every time I see a person with bottled water, I think extravagence without reason or benefit. To me that's the ultimate folly and stupider than any of the things in the above list.

Peter
Click to expand...
ABSOLUTELY!!!! I couldn't agree more. :D Why anyone living in a country where there is perfectly clean, free-flowing, drinkable water, would opt for an expensive, highly commercialised substitute (benefitting only the health of the manufacturer's wallet) is totally beyond my comprehension!! :confused:
 
JamesGG said:
I'll quite happily pay $2 for a bottle of water. Reason; I'm thirsty. Benefit; solves that problem nicely. So then, I'm not thirsty and that makes me happy. $2 is a small price to pay.

And besides, it costs less than buying something that'd probably rot my teeth anyway.

Cheers

James.
Click to expand...
If you're referring to being on the absolute verge of dehydration, at the point where your body is about to go into lock down because of a severe lack of fluids, then yes $2 is extremely cheap, and I for one wouldn't dream of arguing that anyone has been extravagent in spending this token amount to save theirs or someone else's life!!!

But now let's go back to reality....:rolleyes:

In comparsion to $0 for a quick slurp at any nearby tap, $2 is hardly cheap.

Okay I hear you, there isn't a tap around....then what? :confused: Hmmm.....

This is where innovation kicks in (something that is sadly lacking in the modern age of "convenience")....what did your parents do?? Back in the dark ages when water only came from taps?? Or back further perhaps, your ancestors, when it had to be pailed up from a well?? Or worse, they actually had to find (and probably walk miles) to the nearest stream/damn/river and stick their hand/face in for a mouthful to survive!! :eek:

Come on James, you're smarter than that (I just know it)!! ;)
 
I was standing behind the door when the shopping gene was being handed out. My hubby is not really a spender either. However.... my oldest son has it bad. But he only wants to spend OUR money :p .
 
Nards said:
Living in a small, remote town has made me realise how easy it is to go without (its not available anyway) and to make your own fun. I enjoy shopping but its easy to abstain if there are no shops...and internet shopping isnt the same :). So the cost of living is higher, but the unnessesary expenditure is way down...

Nadia
Click to expand...

Nards, I am moving to a small remote mining town next Jan/Feb, and I can't wait until all the shopping temptations are taken away from me! I have to say that if "stuff" is easily available I can't help but get me some!

I already know that the money I save on not buying clothes, shoes or restaurant meals will be spent on travelling and sightseeing though.

As for the current situation...

mobile phones - have one but average monthly bill is around $9.50
broadband- necessity
buying books - usually go to the library but occasionally buy books. Books are as important to me as oxygen
eating any prepackaged food (commercial biscuits and breakfast cereal, tv dinners, orange juice) - never - too unhealthy and leads to cellulite:eek:
eating takeaway - Thai at least once a week. Restaurants at least once a week.
buying coffee out - my work has a coffee van - $2.00 a cup
having someone sleeping in every bedroom - not if unrelated
more than one car per adult couple - not necessary
recreation - necessary but doesn't have to cost a lot of money
dvd's - occasionally
cinema - occasionally
hobbies - painting and photography. Just spent another $900 on camera gear. I personally reckon that a life without interests or hobbies is another form of death.
sport - shudder
exercise (gyms) - have a personal trainer to help me get in shape. Without him I would never get to the gym.
craft - no
clothes - spend way too much money on clothes and shoes. .
household help - necessary, I don't believe in doing the maid's work for her.
automatic car washers - called rain.
etc - can't live without all my etc.
 
Monopoly said:
ABSOLUTELY!!!! I couldn't agree more. :D Why anyone living in a country where there is perfectly clean, free-flowing, drinkable water, would opt for an expensive, highly commercialised substitute (benefitting only the health of the manufacturer's wallet) is totally beyond my comprehension!! :confused:
Click to expand...

You've obviously never tasted Brisbane water then. Until we got our water purifier I bought a 12 litre cask of purified water simply because I like to drink water - not chlorine, flouride and a host of other toxic chemicals the govmint thinks I need in my system.:mad:
 
natmarie73 said:
You've obviously never tasted Brisbane water then. Until we got our water purifier I bought a 12 litre cask of purified water simply because I like to drink water - not chlorine, flouride and a host of other toxic chemicals the govmint thinks I need in my system.:mad:
Click to expand...

Really? Coming from Melbourne I reckon Brisbane water is great. Melbourne tap water tastes like crap, but I like the tap water up here cause it looks and tastes much cleaner.

Mark
 
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