Where do you refuse to cut costs?

[Saving_spree]

I just cannot say no to my DD when she sweetly asks for her candy

[PennyPrincess]

I agree with the bras. I'm a big girl, and (in my opinion) either wear a good one that does the job, or don't bother wearing one at all. in which case, please stay home.

[Credit Girl]

I would never be frugal with good quality food because diet is important in directly affecting your health so I believe that if I have good health, it'll cut costs for me in the long-run when my medical bills will not be as high.

[wincrasher]

Toilet paper.

I buy the most expensive, environmentally damaging, softest, most absorbant TP. They cut down old-growth hardwoods, grind it up, bleach it, then triple ply it.

[Guest]

Quality food and high-speed internet.

[Elizabeta]

Definitely toilet paper, and macaroni. I have to have Kraft macaroni!!

[cschin4]

If I have to cut expenses to survive, then anything would go. My priorities would be decent food to eat and heat in my home. I really don't need anything other than that. I certainly could survive with cheaper versions of most anything. I would prefer decent food and decent cuts of meat such as white meat versus dark and better cuts of beef though I could make do. And, I also want electricity. So, if I can eat, stay warm and have light to read by, that;s it. There are plenty of ways I can entertain myself for free.

[wincrasher]

cschin - I think we'd all cut back what we have to in order to survive. The original question is asking about your current budget situation.

So if you are living frugally right now, what is the thing that you aren't so frugal with, or won't compromise?

[Snippa]

toilet paper

I'm with you, Arthur! And it has to be Fred's--which really isn't a splurge, but if it were, I'd still buy it!

My mom used to buy Scott's TP when it was like sandpaper. It is much softer now, I think. And I hated it! I swore I'd always buy soft TP.

Also, we use ONLY Kroger's Supreme coffee and we use as much as we want. I also buy sweetener and creamer for my coffee (though I use generic on those). There are very few things I don't buy generic, but I buy the ones I like.


Dee

[frugalnoggin]

On taste...

I bought some lo-cal Orange Juice (sounds healthy too!) because I had a coupon. I bought 2 gallons. Wow was it BAD! So Despite being lower cost and maybe healthier, not a good buy

[snafu]

if the OJ say 'Lo-cal' chances are they have added an aspartame type sweetener. Check the ingredient list. You can likely salvage your costs by either taking it back...depending on the store policy or cutting it 1/2 x 1/2 with a good quality product. There is much research to suggest that using frozen concentrate OJ and adding your own water is just as good a quality as the name branded product. Be clear that you are buying juice, not drink, or squash or any of the other inventive names for fake stuff.

[lin2009]

I once tried to be very frugal with my money. But that left me very unhappy and always sacrificing happiness. I've found that it is good to have a balance between saving and SMART spending for both enjoying life now and having a comfortable future.

[hausfrau]

Definitely bras! My "expensive" (may not be to other people) victoria secret bras cost me about $50 each and are in great shape after 4 years. My cheap target/walmart bras last me 2 months before a wire pops out or something!

[Radiance]

I once tried to be very frugal with my money. But that left me very unhappy and always sacrificing happiness. I've found that it is good to have a balance between saving and SMART spending for both enjoying life now and having a comfortable future.

There is a difference between frugality and depriving yourself. Frugality comes with a sense of balance and harmony. It is indeed about SMART spending, or like I like to call it, healthy spending.

We can indeed refuse to cut expenses on certain items, if that is a concious decision, thought out, then it can be part of a frugal lifestyle

[wfhouses]

isthisused, sometimes you are actually saving money by buying better quality merchandise that will last longer. Chances are those sheets would outlast 3 of the lower quality sets.