Being 'tight' or being creative

Prudent

I like to get as much for free as possible. It started when I was a newly a single mum and genuinely struggling. Now it has become more of a way of life. I have a teen daughter who far from being embarrassed by this, is proud of me -not sure if I would have felt this way as a teenager. Now money is easier I will spend it if it is something we really want to do. My dd wanted to see a musical which was quite pricy a few months ago. I took her (after hunting for the best deal on tickets, of course!) because I don't want her to feel she has missed out on things.

I see being frugal as a good ethical choice. Buying from charity shops and boot sales etc is better for the world's resources/ environment. I try not to save money in situation where it is being raised for charity.

Sarahsaver

Creative OF COURSE!
Vouchers, re-use, clothes swaps with friends kids, and its better than being wasteful.
Just been to India and I didn't see anyone being wasteful. They were most definitely creative, not tight!

super41

Years ago I would have thought that OS was being a bit tight (too much like my parents and their values!) With the need for money-saving OS became creative and now I think its just common sense! Its also my little kick-back at the consumer society and the way that many people think you are defined by how much you ear/buy/possess.

mrs_baggins

I got accused by someone I know fairly well of being a tight ar** because I chose to walk 10 minutes instead of paying £5 in a car park when we were doing something. I laughed it off but I thought about it later and it hurt a bit. I suppose I am tight in some respects- i would never put my car through a car wash for instance, or buy coffee at costa coffee as I can do both of these things at home but if I go out with girlfreinds I always pay my way etc with drinks and such. I just class it as not throwing my money away. I guess in the end its a bit of both- being tight and being resourceful!

buxtonrabbitgreen

thriftlady wrote:

The fireworks aren't a particular issue to OH or kids and we will continue to watch for free They were just an example. I was interested to see how creative others are about saving money and whether their efforts were regarded by friends and family as 'great ideas' or just 'being mean'.

My OH definitely thinks I am mean. I had a free diary out of She magazine and he said "who are you giving this to for christmas then you tight wad" Actually I am keeping it for myself. My reputation is now official tightwad of the family.

mookybargirl

mrs_baggins wrote:

I got accused by someone I know fairly well of being a tight ar** because I chose to walk 10 minutes instead of paying £5 in a car park when we were doing something.

OH and me always park in town about 5-10 min walk as we get free parking, even if have friends with us. I don't particularly like the extra walk but why spend money you don't need to. I tell myself it's good for my health too. Don't feel bad about this. £5 is a lot of money to waste for the sake of a 10 minute walk.

dolly_day_dream

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kethry wrote:

on the other hand theres a big difference between being OS and saving where you can, even if it means missing going to the event, and being tight - being tight, to me, would be refusing to spend anything on christmas, a real miserly scrooge, but not willing to give the *time* either. I think if your children can see that OS just means being more generous with time rather than money, and making your money stretch further, it'd be a good lesson for them to learn, if they haven't already. god knows its one i wish i'd learned years ago.

hugggggss

keth
xx

I agree - life is there to be enjoyed. Too many people confuse enjoyment with spending money - a generosity of spirit and time are far more valuable.
Living within your means is a lesson that many people have yet to learn and I am so proud that my daughter came home from her first year at uni with her overdraft intact:A She has been OS all her life. However she was very hurt that her father who had just moved into a large (3 spare bedrooms) house refused to buy any Christmas presents on the grounds that he couldn't afford it. :rolleyes: They even have to pay to visit him cos he won't come and pick them up. That is not being frugal that is straightforward tightfistedness.:mad:

culpepper

We used to watch fireworks from the window of our flat when I was small.
The Sky belongs to noone after all and you have the noise wether you want it or not and so do your pets. May as well make the best of it
We went to a display near us once and the kids were miserable. It was cold, it rained and we couldn't afford the food and drink stalls and didn't want to just go home as it had been expensive to buy the tickets .

My SIL is always talking about having no money which really grates as I dont think she has any idea what 'normal' people's lives are like. She just tells her rich childless sister that she needs this or that and it is provided much to the rest of the family's disgust .

We prefer to be creative and independant and that isn't the same as tight.

Philippa36

thriftlady wrote:

My inlaws are masters of the recycled wrapping thing. They use gift bags with the expectation that the gift bag will do the rounds over and over again Definitely creative, not tight in my book.

My MIL gives me gifts in gift bags and will then request them back once I have opened them! :rotfl:

I much prefer creative to spending unnecessary amounts of money.

hobbesy_2

When I moved back to the area my family are from about 4 years ago we met up with my mum, dad, sisters neice nephew and next door neighbour with his little one to watch the fireworks away from the main area and we still made a donation to the fund. The bonfire and fireworks are in a field which is always totally waterlogged being next to the river, and the parking is awful. On the other side of the river is sainsbury's a car park and benches, etc overlooking the river which was much more suitable for (heavily pregnant at the time) me and the kids. I haven't always got on fantastically with my mum but it was a lovely evening as she brought a flask of hot choc, and the rest of us brought various snacks and treats. And afterwards saving the pennies meant we could all go get a takeaway together

We've since moved over an hour away again but try and get back on bonfire night for the same. So many people now do the same that a few of the stalls now set up on this side of the river and the charity who run the event usually send someone round jangling a bucket (in a not in your face way) which all happily dip a little into as we can afford


As for other things I felt a little tight recently when we went with our kids to an airshow and met up another friend and kids. I had a cooler box full of sarnies, crisps, cold drinks, fruit etc and they had brought nothing. I had a sudden feeling of turning into my mother and felt a little embarassed that they would think i was really tight. Six hours into the event in the blistering sun they were £5 a time for not very good food, and £2 a time for a small bottle of not very cold water and were very appreciative of my apples and juice. We had a fantastic time without having to worry about the money side of things


I'm afraid i'm not very creative though really. I'm fairly new to OS, started as necessity and now carry on because I love it, but still have a LOT to learn. You all inspire me in different ways so thank you -x-