Frugal: Where do you draw the line?

[crosses]

There are some things that I draw the line at when it comes to sasving money. I guess in my eyes there are times when you can be too frugal. I have a friend like that. She'll take a double ply roll of toilet paper and seperate it into 2 rolls. For me, that is taking it a bit too far.

I know everyone has their lines. Where do you draw yours and what is going overboard in your mind?

[genchan]

Not flushing the toilet. I remember when I was a child and we had a severe water shortage in CA. We were only allowed to flush when someone went #2, otherwise no flushing.

Since then, toilets need to be flushed each and every time!

[moneyrant]

I draw the line with Margot the frugal gestapo:

Lives down the street. She's the one training her cat to go to the toilet and trying to convince my wife to do the same. Nice lady overall except when it comes to being frugal. Becomes the frugal gestapo then. You know the type. Cuts band-aids in half the long way so a single one can be used twice.

Came over about a month ago and had a hissy cause my wife was throwing away an old bra. Proceeded to explain how the padding had lots of uses, the lace could be used for making this and that, the wires were still good and the hooks and latches could all be reused. Dismantles the whole thing on our kitchen table and when my wife didn't look enthusiastic enough, took everything home to use herself. Somebody else's used bra!

and another incident

Came to our house again today. Was getting ready to throw out a baggie --- peanut butter and jelly all over the inside. Shouts at me why I am doing that. Says that it can be reused.

Look at it, it's a mess inside. Offer it to her.

Turns it inside out and starts washing it. Probably spends more in soap and water cleaning it than a new one costs, but wasn't looking to prolong the incident.

Later am throwing away the plastic wrap around the newspaper (was raining in the morning) and I get the same shout. Get a lecture that there are a hundred uses for it.

"Like peanut butter and jelly?" I ask.

Wife wasn't amused and I was in the dog house that night

[terry1156]

moneyrant -- rofl. I think I would have a hard time with a person like that too.

I love my long morning showers. It is like my coffee for waking up. Military showers just don't cut it.

[Ima saver]

That is too funny. I couldn't stand have all the junk around that that woman must have.

[Lostsoul33]

I'm with you terry, I love my long hot showers in the morning. I really need them to wake up.

[cercis]

Cheap toilet paper. I have to have the soft stuff or I get rashes.

I also don't get the point of unrolling double ply paper, you just fold the single ply and use just as much as the double ply. The only way it would save money is if you haven't taught your kids proper toilet paper management.

Now, PT'ing a cat? I've thought about it and if I ever get another kitten, I'll do it. Why not? Saves me from having to clean that nasty litter box. The money savings would be secondary.

[shelbylovesmelby]

TMI - I draw the line when it comes to hygene. Granted I do it cheaply but I refuse to try something like the diva cup. Sounds gross & the whole af is already just that.

My mil & bil use duct tape to fix everything. There are somethings that the stuff works fine for but they try all the exceptions. My bil used duct tape to intall his ceiling fan in his living room, literally the whole thing was duct taped to the ceiling.
I told mil I was getting a new highchair for #2 as the one prior I got used & the cushion was tearing appart. Now that's something I'd like to be able to toss in the washer w/out it falling appart, even w/ duct tape. My mil if she's not taping she's gluing things. She glued a garden spinner back togeather needless to say it doesn't spin any more & frankly should just get tossed. Have glue or duct tape... it can be fixed.

Making my own clothes..... my mil still makes her own pants! She spends more $ on fabric & time than it would just to go to the store & buy something off the clearence rack. Mind you they usually look like she's wearing some old curtains.

Also I heard about a lady who was on Oprah or Dr Phil & was proclaimed the cheapest woman. She buys used deoderant @ garage sales & cut the tops off & used them. EW!

[PrincessPerky]

I have lots of lines, not lines that no one should cross, just lines that I don't have to cross (yet, or never God willing!)

-one use towels
-real TP
-disposable wipes for child clean up


there are more that I cherish when get annoyed at saving (like my hot shower)

[Ima saver]

I buy the good toilet paper too. Even if I knew how to sew, I think I can buy clothes cheaper. I won't put regular gas in my car even tho the book says I can. It makes the engine ping!

[contrary1]

I don't think I have many lines..........other than personal hygiene type items. I agree with that one.........

I think I save money by being open minded, not drawing a line, so to speak, but at least collecting info, researching and perhaps trying something a different way. I'm old enough now, to know I don't know everything! Many other ways out there to accomplish something.....I just need to be ready to learn them.

Once I try something..........I can either toss the idea or begin to incorporate it into my tool box of money saving ideas. Usually, there is no loss, and often much to gain!

[Ima saver]

I know most won't agree, but I will not buy a used car. I have never had anything but trouble with used vehicles. I like having a reliable car to travel in.

[khorovetsyelena]

I would never buy a new car. You would loose too much money in the first 2 yrs. I preffer a car that is 2-3 ys old with low milleage, and then I keep it for another 2-3 yrs and sell it for almost the same price.
I try to reuse as much stuff as possible, but then I end up having too much jank, so some of it that is just going to take space without being used for the next few months, just gets tossed out. Even though I try to keep everything organized, it still takes too much space. And I don't keep any dirty bags like that old lady with peanutbutter-jelly.
I don't have a meter for my water, so I can use as much cold water as I can, so the toilet gets flashed every time, sometimes 2-3 times after #2. The toilet paper I buy a good one, I usually have coupon for it anyways. Plus, I noticed that with the cheap thin paper, I end up using more of it, so the cheap paper ends up being more expensive.
I don't take shower every day, actually no one in my family does. Every other day or two is good enough. Sometimes I wash my hair under a sink, so it wouldn't look greessy, and it takes me only 3 minutes, compare to atleast 7 min of shower. I have to look clean, I go to work every day.
Yes, I really try to use less hot water. I wash most of my laundry in cold. Some whites in warm. To make sure that detergent is completly dissolved, I put it in a cup with hot watter, mix it like a drink with a spoon and then add it into laundry. That way it dissolves and I don't have to use a lot of hot water.
I discovered a way to use less water when wash dishes. I rince it first, then turn water off, then wash them witsh sponge with dish soap, then rince again with really hot water. That way my water is running about 4x less time than it normally would. And the dishes are clean the same.
The things I wouldn't reuse:
foil of plastic wrap that is dirty wit food on it
any previosly used toiletries, but cleaners are ok
any used underwerars or shoes from a trift strore

[Ima saver]

I spent about $15 a month on sunflower seed to put in the bird feeders. I won't stop dong that because the birds need the food. I also won't give up my hot soaks in the jacuzzi every once in a while even tho I have to turn on 2 hot water heaters to get enough hot water. Besides, it is romantic to be in a hot tub with dh and candlelight and wine!!

[cicy33]

I won't be miserable. I love my cable and I am keeping it! Internet too of course!

[Ima saver]

I agree cicy, we would have no tv if it weren't for cable.

[cicy33]

oh, I also don't scrimp on brand name for food. I do scrimp on the cost of food. but if I like Jiffy i am not buying brand XXXX. In the past I have and I have always regretted it. Peanut butter being the big one! I have bought generic but only on items that I feel are SAFE. Jelly is a good example.

[Ima saver]

I don't scrimp on brand names either. i sometimes try out the generic and switch. I have to have carnation hot choc. mix, it is the only kind my husband likes. we don't drink coffee or tea.

[khorovetsyelena]

I buy brand name only if it is on sale and I have coupon for it, and with all that it will cost me less than the store brand.

[Ima saver]

I won't scrimp on running the a/c when it is hot. I bundle up in the winter, but i have to be cool in the house in the summer time.