When do you think is Being Frugal too Much??

[Ralph]

Eating expired foods!

[am_vanquish]

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]

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]

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]

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!

[Multima$tery]

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 agree! Hey I'm all for being generous and giving exceptional tips, but you can't serve me like a piece crap and expect me to tip you! That type of service lowers the customer service quality of the whole industry. Tips are gesture of gratitude, and with me you get exactly what you give. Many people hate their jobs and have to deal with all sorts of BS (I've had my share) and they still smile and do their job with pride - even though they may feel terrible inside. That's their job to SERVE the public. And No Service deserves No Tip! Average Service = Average Tip! Great Service = Great Tip! ...Earn it!

[rob62521]

We tip 20% or more, depending on service. However, if the service is absolutely deplorable (ignoring us, not refilling drinks, etc. when it's not super busy) they may get a tip depending on how bad we thought it was...if they were rude, they get two cents. We frequent many of the same restaurants over and over and usually get excellent service and they get good tips...we know that working as a server is hard work with little pay.

In September we had a retirement party for my dh. We saved up for it. The owner pulled two of our favorite servers to work it. It was basically buffet, and people went to an area to get tea, coffee, soda, or water. However, we gave each server $100 to compensate for the loss of tips of being on the floor, and we gave the person who cleaned up a tip as well. We were treated wonderfully and we wanted to "thank" them for that great service.

[vole]

We tip 20% or more, depending on service.

I tend to go back to the same restaurants and after tipping well the first time, I get great service whenever I go back.

It's really amazing how an extra couple of bucks can make such a difference in behavior of the staff.

-Dave
Affordable Dental Insurance Alternative and Benefits - Employee Dental Vision Health Benefits for Small Businesses

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Vole, do they remember you? I would not expect to even be remembered. Well, maybe if I went back the very next day, but not otherwise.

[wincrasher]

I recently took family and friends out to dinner at a pricey restaurant. When the bill came I was surprised to see 18% added automatically (we had 7 people). There was also a line for "additional" tip.

Well the service wasn't great, which I find is often the case in places that add gratuity automatically for parties of 6 or more.

So of course I didn't tip more.

Now before I get flamed for being cheap - the bill was $360 plus 18% tip on a meal that took 2 hours to complete. So that was $32 an hour plus his regular pay. And my tea ran out repeatedly. Pitiful.

[spacecadet610]

I think you are being too frugal when your actions adversely affect someone's healh or life experiences. Some things are worth splurging on.

[vole]

Vole, do they remember you? I would not expect to even be remembered. Well, maybe if I went back the very next day, but not otherwise.

I leave a very nice tip.