When do you think is Being Frugal too Much??

Johansen8 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-15-2008, 02:11 AM

Bills are always an ugly subject but you can be sitting pretty if they were always taken care of

kork13 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-15-2008, 05:15 PM

You mean "when are you trying to be 'too frugal'"?

For me, it's when you have the means to enjoy yourself but do not because you are too focused on saving that extra dime. I've been there before, and when I catch myself, I relax a little. Yes it's important to live frugally, but not at the expense of making your life (and the lives of those around you) miserable. Sometimes (as in cases of deep debt) a bit of misery through frugality is an unfortunate necessity, but if you can afford to skip it, do so.

Gjowers · #3 (**permalink**) 12-10-2008, 08:30 AM

I'd say it's when you feel deprived. For me, it was sort of a revelation the day I realized that a penny saved truly is a penny earned. To me, frugality is sort of a game. I look for ways to do things for less. Once you start seeing your savings build and get the feeling of accomplishment and security that it brings, it reinforces the frugal choices you've made.

LivingAlmostLarge · #4 (**permalink**) 12-10-2008, 10:43 AM

When you feel as though you are infringing on others because you are too cheap.

Honestly i'm all for frugality but when people consider frugality getting stuff for free like a MEAL at the expense of others (like me ie shorting tip, not leaving enough) then it's cheap.

Ima saver · #5 (**permalink**) 12-10-2008, 12:52 PM

I definately agree with you about tipping. That is what servers live on. I always tip at least 20%.

segmond · #6 (**permalink**) 12-10-2008, 05:03 PM

whatever, i tip based on service, if i don't like your service, you get 0%! If I like your service, you get 10%. Everyone doesn't make a lot of money to tip, so what should we do, not eat out any more? If you live off tipping, hustle for your tip!

Goldy1 · #7 (**permalink**) 12-10-2008, 09:19 PM

well I had a family member with a net value of over a million who would not use tiolet paper and used and reused a rag instead. top that. too bad the heirs blew thier inheritance on designer clothes etc.

LivingAlmostLarge · #8 (**permalink**) 12-11-2008, 06:44 AM

Segmond, YES you SHOULD NOT GO OUT TO EAT if you cannot afford to TIP! That is cheap!

I will leave 0% tip, but I'll also call a manager over and explain why. I waited tables in restauarants and there had better be a darn good reason. And I'll be upfront, not SKULK off without a tip.

Basically I had my order taken and no meal for 1 hour. We walked out and left and I explained why. Another time I had the completely wrong meal and my meal wasn't made. Again no tip.

But hey it sounds like people HUSTLE for you SEGEMOND and you only give 10%.

Don't eat out! I never ate out in college because I couldn't afford to TIP!

MoneyTrev · #9 (**permalink**) 12-11-2008, 03:50 PM

I think i'm frugal at buying dollar things. I just don't buy them and save for something bigger instead.

mommyof4 · #10 (**permalink**) 12-11-2008, 07:14 PM

I think I'm too frugal is I'm considering putting the kids up for sale on ebay.......

Goldy1 · #11 (**permalink**) 12-12-2008, 10:33 AM

yea I have eaten out with a couple we are friends with. My hubbie noticed his tipping is never over 10% and he tries to find a flaw in the server to justify it. It's kind of sad b/c he had a good job and stuff. Get carryout if you are a cheapo. I mean one can say the owners should pay a better wage and eliminate tipping, but guess what? It is not that way so deal with it. lol I rarely get bad service.

click4credit · #12 (**permalink**) 12-12-2008, 07:49 PM

in reply to the thread topic, i think it's too much when you are being frugal even on things that you would really need to spend on (ie, medicines, etc.). Like what I have read in some blogs, sometimes, it is not good to save money when you do not plan to use it on anything (like saving aimlessly). You save money because you plan to use it for something that you need

....and about the tip, I give tips to those who waited on me. It's a tough job and at least I get to ease it up a bit by giving them tip. There are, however, RARE occassions when I really don't give any

rob62521 · #13 (**permalink**) 12-24-2008, 01:42 PM

This is a pertinent question for me. I feel guilty buying things. I'm not talking cars and diamonds. I'm talking every day things. I have a job, our house is paid off, our cars are paid off, I clip coupons, I shop sales. Yet, buying a new purse last weekend (on sale for $19.99) made me feel guilty. Yes, I have other purses, but they are all brown and I wanted a black one. I was pleased until I got home and felt guilty for spending the money. And it's not my spouse who ever complains. It's just my thinking. I watch different shows like Suze Orman and scoff at those folks who want a major purchase and have no savings and lots of debt. But, when does being frugal go overboard? I don't cheat others and take advantage of others to save money. I guess I need a healthy outlook.

vole · #14 (**permalink**) 01-02-2009, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by segmond

whatever, i tip based on service, if i don't like your service, you get 0%! If I like your service, you get 10%. Everyone doesn't make a lot of money to tip, so what should we do, not eat out any more? If you live off tipping, hustle for your tip!

Sorry to disagree, but if you can't afford to tip, you shouldn't eat out.

There's no entitlement to eating out. It is a type of luxury and if you can't afford it, do without.

Restaurants pay employees low wages with the tips counting as part of what the employee is expected to earn. Bad service deserves a low tip. Otherwise, your tip isn't really discretionary.

I have a sympathy for anyone dealing with the public and I over-tip, sometimes leaving 25% of the bill. Since I don't have much money, I don't eat out often. And if things get worse, I'll eat out less.

-Dave

GREENBACK · #15 (**permalink**) 01-02-2009, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vole

Sorry to disagree, but if you can't afford to tip, you shouldn't eat out.

There's no entitlement to eating out. It is a type of luxury and if you can't afford it, do without.

Restaurants pay employees low wages with the tips counting as part of what the employee is expected to earn. Bad service deserves a low tip. Otherwise, your tip isn't really discretionary.

I have a sympathy for anyone dealing with the public and I over-tip, sometimes leaving 25% of the bill. Since I don't have much money, I don't eat out often. And if things get worse, I'll eat out less.

-Dave

I have to disagree with your statements. When I eat out I expect great service, which means good food and good table service. If you want a great tip for serving me you should act like you want a great tip. Don't expect your typical 15% with poor service. I think there is some entitlement mentality in the service industry. I know their wages are low but they chose the line of work.

Want a tip....earn it! and I'll gladly give it.

Ralph · #16 (**permalink**) 01-04-2009, 09:59 AM

Eating expired foods!

am_vanquish · #17 (**permalink**) 01-04-2009, 10:20 AM

My fiancee and I recently had this exact same discussion. We've recently graduated college and we're trying to set a solid financial foundation. We're trying to find a balance between being frugal and still living comfortably.

For me, I think we should bundle up instead of wasting $$ on a heating bill. We didn't use the Heater/AC unit at all in November & December (bills were $37 & $31 for the months, respectively). My Fiancee feels that this is overwhelmingly cheap because she's not comfortable in her own house. We've agreed to leave the heat setting at 65 while we're home in the day, 60 at night or while we're away.

For her, she thinks that eating ramen noodles & PBJ's is a good way to save. I feel like it's worth a little extra $$ to eat good foods that keep us healthy. We settle on cheap alternatives like canned tuna & buying in bulk.

We're still adjusting, but as we build up our portfolio, we're expanding the scope of our "luxury" items.

Johansen8 · #18 (**permalink**) 01-05-2009, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mommyof4

I think I'm too frugal is I'm considering putting the kids up for sale on ebay.......

LOL

its ok to spend on things you need. I mean if you need something, and you can buy it, then do it, no need to feel guilty. Of course if you're trying to be conservative about your spending, don't go all out. go through the sales racks and find a few simple pieces you can always mix and match.

vole · #19 (**permalink**) 01-06-2009, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GREENBACK

I have to disagree with your statements. When I eat out I expect great service, which means good food and good table service. If you want a great tip for serving me you should act like you want a great tip. Don't expect your typical 15% with poor service. I think there is some entitlement mentality in the service industry. I know their wages are low but they chose the line of work.

Want a tip....earn it! and I'll gladly give it.

I don't think it's reasonable to expect great service. That's the restaurant equivalent of Lake Wobegon's children who are all above average.

Expect average service unless you are going to an upscale fancy restaurant. And then you pay a lot more.

There is an average tip for average service - 15%. People from small towns and those from another country under tip. Because of these people, there are some restaurants that automatically add 15% "gratuity" to the bill.

In general, I feel sorry of waiters and waitresses. I haven't read "Nickeled and Dimed" by Barbara Ehrenreich but I think it portrays how rough it is working for tips.

I wouldn't want to wait on me.

-Dave

Multima$tery · #20 (**permalink**) 01-09-2009, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goldy1

well I had a family member with a net value of over a million who would not use tiolet paper and used and reused a rag instead. top that. too bad the heirs blew thier inheritance on designer clothes etc.

You gotta be kidding me!

You right I don't think anything Tops this WOW!