Apparently we are "froogles"!

chocaholic110

Anyone else read Eve magazine this month?

Just read my trial copy (3 issues for £1) and they have an article in about a new "craze" that is sweeping the USA about saving money instead of spending and it calls the people who do this froogles.

The article suggests that it is not sure if the UK will follow this craze and seemed to me to be a bit disparaging about some of the ideas - as if they were crazy people who would be following the tips, including mentioning freecycle as if it were something no normal person would do.

It also gave money saving tips such as

• take your own lunch to work
• switch your bills to direct debit
• get a PAYG mobile

You think I should e-mail Eve with a link to here??;) I'm sure we could have given much better tips!

evie451

Consumer debt in the US is over a Trillion Dollars I think (i dont even know how much that is actually). Maybe they will cut that down a bit if they try a few Froogle things!:rotfl:

moozie_2

Thanks chocs I could think of worse things to be called so 'froogle' is not bad at all

Rachie_B

isnt it frugal ?? lol

loopyloulou_3

you think they would be encouraging people to spend more wisely and sort their debt out (and get their backsides on this site!!) (although then they wouldnt be buying all the expensive things advertised in the mags!)

If thats what we are then I am a froogle and am proud of it!!

dudleyboy

I did a consumer marketing survey recently (bit of extra money cash in hand as an incentive) and they looked at me in utter bemusement (with perhaps a touch of disdain) when I told them that I wasn't brand loyal, shopped around for the best price, did most of my shopping online, wasn't interested by fleeting consumer fads and trends, and was actively repaying my existing debts rather than accumulating new ones.

I'm not surprised the article was somewhat disparaging. Knowing that consumers are becoming wise to corporate marketing tactics, and are actively taking control of their own finances and lifestyles, is going to hurt their profit margins.

Good! I think it's great that everyone here is tackling their debts and cutting back on extravagances. It's the poor that keep the wealthy in the lifestyles to which they have become accustomed - they're rich because they have our money.

Consumer revenge is great and if they're subtly mocking the notion of money saving and frugality then they're clearly quite concerned.

Looks like Martin's philosophy, and our determination, is having an effect! Well done everyone!
:money: :beer:

Pobby

Well cook at how many people vivit this site.If not saving money they are at least trying to get back into the black.There is change in the air.The big spending spree is coming to an end.Many now are facing up to the fact that debt needs to be paid back.How many here say that once they are out of debt they will never get back into it again.

Also how many say they have spent with little to show for it.

James240

Pobby wrote:

Well clook at how many people vivit this site.If not saving money they are at least trying to get back into the red.There is change in the air.The big spending spree is coming to an end.Many now are facing up to the fact that debt needs to be paid back.How many here say that once they are out of debt they will never get back into it again.

Also how many say they have spent with little to show for it.

Totally agree, the big spending spree is coming to an end, and i for one (just me own view here lol) can see something spectacular happening i.e. house market crash, inflation going wild, etc

im not sure what but if more and more people are getting into debt and then struggling something has to give. Thats my opinion on it any hows

Dr.Lou

Just read that very article just now (my tesco clubcard subscription). Agree, the tips weren't very mindblowing!

Sammz

For as long as I've been on American forums (9 years) there has been Frugal Living boards so hardly a new craze! Some of the money saving ideas are slightly weird though.

chocaholic110

Rachie_B wrote:

isnt it frugal ?? lol

think froogles is a word play on frugal - I didn't just mis-spell it, honestly!!

Reading through the article I was quite pleased to be a frugal. So what if I don't have the latest clothes, home accessories etc - lots of my friends do and they are no happier than I am.

One friend even wanted to know WHY I wanted to be debt free. her logic was you just keep [putting it on your credit cards and when you make a repyament just spend that much again and you never have to pay it off. Hmmm not sure it works like that.

I directed her here but she's not interested.