When is good old money saving being tight fisted?

Bargain_Rzl

in_my_wellies wrote:

Tight fisted but other names fit better

I think that's a case of "penny wise, pound foolish" :rolleyes:

chickadee

I agree with most of what has been said already about tight-fisted being when it starts to affect others or when others are effectively being asked to subsidise that person, eg not buying your round in a pub.

I have absolutely no problem if someone is economising, especially if there is a goal in mind at the end of it. Some people need to economise because they are trying to pay off debts or mortgage, etc. If that is the case, I applaud the hoover bag saving. Sometimes though, people can't see the wood for the trees and in their obsession to save a penny or two, fail to see the bigger picture and end up costing themselves more in the long run.

Also, don't forget that being a money-saver isn't always about spending less, it can be about spending the same but getting more value or quality from what is spent. I'm sure I could buy cheaper bread but I like the quality of home-made bread I can get by using my breadmaker. It would cost me much more to buy bread of this quality so I make it myself. Likewise for meals cooked from scratch. I'm sure I could buy a 'value' frozen cottage pie for the same price as my home-made one tonight but a) I know what has gone into it, b) there will be some left over to freeze for another day and c) there will be less packaging used and what is used will be recycled.

I think eccentric people are wonderful, they add to life's rich tapestry; tight-fisted people don't add to it, they take away from it. Interestingly, how often do you hear about really really mean people dying and leaving a fortune untouched in the bank?

Just my comments, feel free to disagree!

flufff

My boyfriend jokingly calls me a scrooge.I'm a divorcee and mum to 4 angels.If I didnt use vouchers or buy drinks before we went out for day or look for discounts we couldnt afford to do the things we do.
He thought at first i was mad checking this forum so regulary.But having been bowling,swimming free.Had a free stereo and ps2 courtesy of Mr.T.Free Pizzas.Buy 1 get 1 free at Alton Towers,clubcard deals for days out.Free weekends accomodation in Wales he knows I'm savvy with money and whole heartedly supports me.
Sadly we cant afford to move in together until his divorce and house sale goes through.

COOLTRIKERCHICK

i think the most tightwad thing that i have done which is at the mo....i was forever buying new cearal bowls and glasses etc.. becuase they were getting broken.... now we only have 2 mugs in the whole house...so we treat them like gold...plus we only have 2 cereal bowls left... so if we all have desert... 2 of us will use empty marge tubs.....i know you can pick these type of things up cheaply.... but at the mo....the couple of quid it will cost to replace them...is going towards getting one of our c.c. down.. plus i have noticed the kids are treating the 2 remaining mugs and bowls with a lot more respect......
and i know if i go to the cheap shop to buy some cheap ones... i will also come out with other stuff......that i dont really want.....

Penelope_Penguin

Judi wrote:

I feel tightfisted because i have seriously cut down the amount of cash i have been giving my 16 year old. I want him to get a part time job because hes got no interest in supporting himself and would prefer to accept handouts.

Judi, that's not tight fisted, that's what mums are there for. Your son will one day have to live in the real world, which won't be giving handouts. Does he help around the house, as his contribution there?

Best of luck, Penny. x

flufff

I used to have to buy 2 or 3 sets of plates at a time........with my brood ive now given up.I picked up a mixture of plates for the grand sum of a £1 from local car boot.I sterilised them first but most were like new.When I'm feeling flush I'll get myself a new set but for best only!

COOLTRIKERCHICK

hi..fluff...i mix and match gone are the days of a full dinner service set.....i used to pick a few dishes here and a few plates there.....but i know if i go to a boot sale or a cheap shop i will buy other stuff that i dont really need....plus at the mo...i think its also teaching the kids ..to look after stuff....and that my purse is not an endless supply of money....so i do feel a bit of a tightwad skinflint...

Bogof_Babe

Get some plastic picnic plates/bowls in Poundstretcher. They can't get broken and only cost a few pence.

Miss-spent_2

COOLTRIKERCHICK wrote:

i think the most tightwad thing that i have done which is at the mo....i was forever buying new cearal bowls and glasses etc.. becuase they were getting broken.... now we only have 2 mugs in the whole house...so we treat them like gold...plus we only have 2 cereal bowls left... so if we all have desert... 2 of us will use empty marge tubs.....i know you can pick these type of things up cheaply.... but at the mo....the couple of quid it will cost to replace them...is going towards getting one of our c.c. down.. plus i have noticed the kids are treating the 2 remaining mugs and bowls with a lot more respect......
and i know if i go to the cheap shop to buy some cheap ones... i will also come out with other stuff......that i dont really want.....

I think your quite right really. We live in such a throw away "It's alright, we can always get another one " society, sometimes it does kids good to want so they appreciate things. Plastic bowls etc are a good idea too, they last forever.

PennyPinchingPrincess

I reuse my hoover bags! I just pull all the fluff out and stick it back on :cheesy: It's getting a bit fragile now though, so I think it might be time to invest in a new one. I don't do it out of stinginess, but because I don't like throwing things out unless I have to; if it can be filled a few times then why not?