can we be too thrifty

*max*

I agree with some previous posters, there's a difference between being savvy with money and being mean or stingy! A lot of the questions in the test were about the latter really (disappearing before your round in the pub, or putting in less than you should when sharing a restaurant bill...Seriously? That's not being thrifty, that's being a mean !!!!!!).

I got 28%. I do, however, always compare prices before a relatively important purchase, I'm always careful with my electricity and gas usage, and I ALWAYS check to see if there are discount vouchers available before I buy anything online. I would also haggle when it comes to internet or phone contracts. But that's only sensible, not mean, hopefully!

adelight

As long as it's not unhygienic or a really awful substitute(think iceland turkey twizzlers instead of xmas dinner) then I don't see what the problem is in private. I wouldn't be muttering things like that around other people as it could be rude towards them and therefore a little embarrassing.

jetplane

geri1965 When you start blowing your nose on the loo paper just before you use it for it's intended purpose you know you are taking it too far.

Ermm Ive done that

trolleyrun

I got 53% in the test I count myself as being careful with money, but I'm certainly not stingy. I wouldn't round down a tip, leave out money for the restaurant bill (although I know people who do this a lot) or evade my round in the pub (I don't really go to the pub, lol). I am thrifty especially when it only involves me. I'm generous to those who deserve it, ie friends.

There is definetly a difference to being careful with money and just plain mean. It's finding the balance. Many people don't "do" thrifty or understand it, and they'll have to live with that. It's their choice and we have to respect that. Then again, they should respect thrifty people as well. It's a lifestyle choice. Yes, I know that most people who are thrifty do it because they have to, but I've definetly learned a lot on this website. I could be more thrifty if I chose to, but I take it one step at the time.

I think being too thrifty means going without, such as skipping meals because that's saving money. Otherwise, as long as it doesn't hurt anyone - go for it, although maybe quite discreetly

bylromarha

jetplane wrote: »

A couple of times during the run up to xmas I have mentioned the price of something or uttered the immortal words 'I could have got it cheaper'

So how thrifty is too thrifty, should I become a closet thrift, should I just be more discreet. How do you be thrifty without becoming an obsessed scrooge type character open to ridicule?

I think you have the answer yourself. Be more discreet. Don't say things like "I could have got it cheaper"

Through the years my "thriftyness" (what I call savvy shopping) has saved us a fortune and got us amazing buys that we had always wanted but never would have been able to pay full price for. And then there have been things that OH has done which are just loopy money wise - I can think of a particular thing he did which wasted over a grand (in my eyes), but he did it the same way everyone did it (ie the normal way)

I've learnt to bite my lip - a lot - and then at an appropriate time after the event, brought up how things could have been done the same but for a cheaper price.

I've also raved about what an amazing bargain such and such was because I did x + y to get it at a better price.

And we're getting there! OH has FINALLY changed his mobile contract, he's started using comparethemarket and when something financial is coming up, he normally tells me how he's going to do it, and asks if it is the best way.

So show a bit more discretion, keep doing what you're doing, talk up your moneysaving a bit and APPRECIATE what he does do rather than put him down (in his eyes) by telling him you could have done it cheaper (ie better)

All the best.

purple.sarah

Maybe they just don't understand why you are being thrifty, explain to your husband that you agree with him about avoiding debt and your thrifty ways help you do that. Ask him if he'd rather have a wife who overspends irresponsibly and he might see he is lucky! Tell your daughter that making everyday savings helps you save up for treats like holidays. I don't think you are being too thrifty as you do treat your family and they are not going without.

Mara69

Bronnie wrote: »

"Give it to the dog" :eek:

Nothing wrong with that. Saves on dog food and gives the animal a treat. My dogs had a whole pack of Sainsbuy's Taste the Difference sausages for breakfast on Christmas Day.

nicolax

theres being sensible and money saving - which i do but it can go too far.

my mum saw something on tv where when food shopping would check the price of every single item they put in the trolley to see if another supermarket had it cheaper, and if was even 1p cheaper would buy it in the other store. shopping must have taken hours and think must have spent more in petrol going to all the various supermarkets!

Craftyscholar

claire16c wrote: »

I just did that tightness test and got 18% which would suprise people who know me because Im always looking for a bargain and always find things cheaper than them, and will put time in to find it. My DH knows I will be annoyed if he buys a book for example in a shop, when I could have got it cheaper on Amazon.
However, the stuff on that test was more stuff I would find stingy rather than just money saving - like rounding down a tip if the service was good - well I like to tip for good service. And haggling in a charity shop - I think thats plain embarassing not money saving. And I dont reuse tea bags cos I dont like tea :rotfl:
So as much as I like to find things for the best price, and save money where I can, I dont do it at the expense of other people - i.e waitresses or charity shops!
In terms of myself, I have a cheap phone, dont buy pricey furniture, and try to limit our food shop, I do take sweets into the cinema -although cinema visits have gone down as renting dvds with friends is so much cheaper, and me and DH share a car. Which means we can always go on a holiday or two each year. So I try not to waste money on things we dont need.

I got 29% and I agree with you about some of the questions.
I would not think of haggling in a charity shop:eek:

j.e.j.

jetplane wrote: »

So how thrifty is too thrifty, should I become a closet thrift, should I just be more discreet. How do you be thrifty without becoming an obsessed scrooge type character open to ridicule?

I guess 'too thrifty' is when it starts to affect your quality of life, and/or you find yourself becoming one of those 'grabby' miserly people :rotfl: