Comments on: Guest Post – Five Qualities You Need To Be A Frugal Success http://frugalbabe.com/2009/03/18/guest-post-five-qualities-you-need-to-be-a-frugal-success/ A rich life without a lot of money Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:44:00 +0000 hourly 1 By: Gizimmick http://frugalbabe.com/2009/03/18/guest-post-five-qualities-you-need-to-be-a-frugal-success/#comment-27215 Gizimmick Sun, 22 Mar 2009 17:48:30 +0000 http://frugalbabe.com/?p=853#comment-27215 These are the times when my Ultra Frugal style is envied by others. I, like other frugaholics, am not sweating from recession. Those spending at will- are. Frugality is becoming cool. The media is beginning to tie frugality with enviro-frinedliness. Which is awesome. We were cool before cool was cool. Anyone notice the word 'frugal' showing up in TV ads more and more? These are the times when my Ultra Frugal style is envied by others. I, like other frugaholics, am not sweating from recession. Those spending at will- are. Frugality is becoming cool. The media is beginning to tie frugality with enviro-frinedliness. Which is awesome. We were cool before cool was cool. Anyone notice the word ‘frugal’ showing up in TV ads more and more?

]]> By: FrugalBabe http://frugalbabe.com/2009/03/18/guest-post-five-qualities-you-need-to-be-a-frugal-success/#comment-27202 FrugalBabe Thu, 19 Mar 2009 16:54:21 +0000 http://frugalbabe.com/?p=853#comment-27202 April - that last part made me laugh. I didn't catch it when I read through Courtney's article, but I'm guessing she meant to write "eating out". I would agree that eating outside doesn't tend to be an expensive way to go ;) We have a Big Lots here too, and I've found some good stuff there as well. I make Christmas ornaments for my nieces every year, and last year I made scrapbooks for my mother and MIL for Christmas. They turned out great, but were pretty labor intensive - not something I would do all the time. I can see where Courtney's article could be construed as being a negative take on frugality, but I also think it's pretty realistic. I agree that there are a ton of great ways to be frugal that don't feel like a sacrifice at all (nearly all of our entertainment is free, and we would much rather do the things we do than go out to eat, go to the movies, go to the mall, etc). But sometimes being frugal does involve doing things that one would rather not do - especially if one's frugality is financially necessary rather than a lifestyle choice. I think it's a matter of balancing the two. Eventually, once frugal habits are truly ingrained, they don't feel like work at all. It's been nearly six years since I quit my corporate job and our income took a serious hit. I no longer miss any of the things we used to spend money on, and honestly prefer our current frugal, simple, lifestyle. But that did not happen overnight, and in the beginning it did feel like a sacrifice sometimes. April – that last part made me laugh. I didn’t catch it when I read through Courtney’s article, but I’m guessing she meant to write “eating out”. I would agree that eating outside doesn’t tend to be an expensive way to go ;)

We have a Big Lots here too, and I’ve found some good stuff there as well. I make Christmas ornaments for my nieces every year, and last year I made scrapbooks for my mother and MIL for Christmas. They turned out great, but were pretty labor intensive – not something I would do all the time.

I can see where Courtney’s article could be construed as being a negative take on frugality, but I also think it’s pretty realistic. I agree that there are a ton of great ways to be frugal that don’t feel like a sacrifice at all (nearly all of our entertainment is free, and we would much rather do the things we do than go out to eat, go to the movies, go to the mall, etc). But sometimes being frugal does involve doing things that one would rather not do – especially if one’s frugality is financially necessary rather than a lifestyle choice. I think it’s a matter of balancing the two. Eventually, once frugal habits are truly ingrained, they don’t feel like work at all. It’s been nearly six years since I quit my corporate job and our income took a serious hit. I no longer miss any of the things we used to spend money on, and honestly prefer our current frugal, simple, lifestyle. But that did not happen overnight, and in the beginning it did feel like a sacrifice sometimes.

]]> By: AD http://frugalbabe.com/2009/03/18/guest-post-five-qualities-you-need-to-be-a-frugal-success/#comment-27201 AD Thu, 19 Mar 2009 12:49:24 +0000 http://frugalbabe.com/?p=853#comment-27201 I think this article makes frugality sound like a series of labor-intensive, mundane chores, but I don't think that was the writer's intent. Instead of focusing on the negatives, why not look at the positive solutions? Sure, a shopping trip with big spending friends is going to be hard, so why not think up a free activity and invite your friends to join you? Check out your city guide for free things to do in your town. I have a friend who often has only $5 to her name. I can afford a movie and lunch, but she can't, and I don't mind one bit when she suggests a walk on the hike and bike trail and a cup of coffee afterward. RE: "Fashion gifts out of things that are lying around the house". Unless you are a really crafty person, that could border on being cheap, not frugal. And even crafty people might need to buy some supplies to make a truly nice gift. We have a discount store called Big Lots--not sure if they're regional--but I found a baby shower gift for $12, and it was a organic baby blanket and pjs. I think it's more about thinking through gift purchases, instead of heading to the nearest mall. Also, why do you have to forgo eating outside? I don't get that one. I think this article makes frugality sound like a series of labor-intensive, mundane chores, but I don’t think that was the writer’s intent.

Instead of focusing on the negatives, why not look at the positive solutions? Sure, a shopping trip with big spending friends is going to be hard, so why not think up a free activity and invite your friends to join you? Check out your city guide for free things to do in your town. I have a friend who often has only $5 to her name. I can afford a movie and lunch, but she can’t, and I don’t mind one bit when she suggests a walk on the hike and bike trail and a cup of coffee afterward.

RE: “Fashion gifts out of things that are lying around the house”. Unless you are a really crafty person, that could border on being cheap, not frugal. And even crafty people might need to buy some supplies to make a truly nice gift. We have a discount store called Big Lots–not sure if they’re regional–but I found a baby shower gift for $12, and it was a organic baby blanket and pjs. I think it’s more about thinking through gift purchases, instead of heading to the nearest mall.

Also, why do you have to forgo eating outside? I don’t get that one.

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