Comments on: Frugal People Will Suffer Least

By: Lisa

Lisa — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 09:28:58 +0000

Hi! This article has a lot of truth to it. My family farmed for several generations & if people had to pay the true cost of food, most would starve. The government uses price supports & artificial price control on everything in USA. We,ve been living in a fairy tale for years and it’s about to end. The farmer receives the same price or in some instances less than 1950′s prices for crops. For instance in the 1970′s tomatoes sold for $5 for 10 pound basket wholesale, still thesame now. Most farm families work two jobs just to keep the farm & not able to do it even then.

By: » Festival of Frugality #157 at Miss Thrifty! on the Festival of Frugality

» Festival of Frugality #157 at Miss Thrifty! on the Festival of Frugality — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 00:33:17 +0000

[...] Derrick presents Frugal People Will Suffer Least posted at Saving [...]

By: The 157th Festival of Frugality: The Queen

The 157th Festival of Frugality: The Queen — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:46:04 +0000

[...] Derrick presents Frugal People Will Suffer Least posted at Saving Advice. Jennifer argues that if the

By: Jen

Jen — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 06:30:59 +0000

Andrew Bacevich on a past Bill Moyers show on PBS, speaks to this issue. One of the things that keeps the costs cheap is our military around the world. He is from the military, and knows about what which he speaks, so check him out, listen to his interview.
China is a communist country, and can pay their people what they choose to, as little as they want to.

By: Cindy M

Cindy M — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 17:35:51 +0000

I agree with much of what you say and appreciate the article, Jennifer. But go, Audrey. They make fun of me also (I don’t even own a car anymore), but I could care less what anybody says, and it’s great to have that attitude. Who BUYS frickin DVD’s? Good movies are free on the net, check it out. Or new TVs? Please. Sorry all, guess I better find another forum, maybe the dumpster divers? (No, I would probably not eat dumpster food but yeah, have found some great things that way and it’s fun). Anyway, when it comes to any kind of entertainment, I actively search out freebies or that which are nearly so. How much time do I actually have for entertainment, anyway?

By: audrey

audrey — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 13:39:25 +0000

use, reuse, lend, borrow etc. I for one do NOT buy cd’s dvd’s etc. I use Netflix to watch movies, I download music from the internet etc. I do admit that I am one of those people that uses an iPod to workout and I am dependent on it. Cut me some slack I’ve been working out for 30 years, it doesn’t get easier! Consider me one of the frugal ones though people have been making fun of my efforts to conserve and recycle for years. At least I’m having the last laugh.

By: ThiNg

ThiNg — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 13:18:14 +0000

Post #1 was on the money with “economies of scale”. If you have to make one car on your own, the cost is huge, but in mass production the cost becomes less.

All of the examples in your article (cars, washing machines, etc.) became cheaper once the hit the mainstream market.

My first 17″ LCD monitor was $1500, my new 24″ was less than $500. Items which are not mass produced are still expensive (you should see how much the hand made watch my father-in-law got me cost!). That doesn’t mean the real cost for all watches should thousands of dollars.

There is a major logic ‘jump’ in your article. It’s difficult to take that same leap when I read it.

By: TheFrugalCynic

TheFrugalCynic — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 01:46:44 +0000

In this economy the frugal people won’t suffer the least, they’ll just be the last to capitulate.

By: frugalscholar

frugalscholar — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:57:13 +0000

Like those above, I disagree with much of the content here. Yet I was drawn to the post because I agree that, whatever happens in the economy, frugal people will suffer least.

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 17:35:37 +0000

I guess it depends on your definition of “true”.

The real cost is absolutely less than what you pay, otherwise it would not be profitable for a company, corporate or individual to produce and sell the product. The problem is that “green” economies are artificial at best, and an outright scam at worst – think cap & trade. People will not (and should not) pay extra for such artificial concepts as carbon footprints. Let the free market decide what is fair.