Is frugal the new normal?

fuddle

When I get to have a ride in it, yes

[Deleted User]

Bless you, anytime pet, anytime!

Goldiegirl

fuddle wrote: »

Goldiegirl it was me that posted about not coming on OS to talk about our new cars or our handbags, floor to ceiling quality curtains etc etc because it was relevant to the topics spoken about on here at that time.

My response was that because I didn't know MrsLurcherwalker had a new car and why should I? We come on here to share the frugal tips. There is no reason for you to take that as a cliquey comment really.

I think this is the thing with forums, a comment can easily be misinterpreted - but it was probably my time to leave the thread anyway, as, at the time, I had said what I wanted to say.


However, the whole 'only talking about OS things' has raised another question in my head.


With any group of people, when they get to know each other well, they start to talk about all sorts of things, which don't necessarily relate to the original purpose of meeting, whether it's work, a committee, an evening class, a special interest group or whatever.


Keeping to OS only, seems to be quite narrow, so I wonder why people don't talk about other aspects of their life?


In the case of a new car for example, why wouldn't this be mentioned to your online friends?


Is is because you don't want to make people feel awkward just in case they can't afford a new car? Although this shouldn't really be the case, as everybody seems to indicate they love their frugal lives.


Or perhaps it's because they feel they'd loose their old style credentials, by buying a brand new, expensive item?


Or is there another reason?


I'll leave it for you all to discuss, if you want to that is

notjustlaura

Goldiegirl wrote: »

...
I regard myself as an average sort of person, who is happy to live reasonably most of the time, so I can afford to buy good quality things that I want or to go on my cruise holidays....

fuddle wrote: »

...
For me being here isn't about having OS credentials at all. It's about learning new things, tips and tricks that I now have for life. I have come and gone through the years with the last year working more hours than I could possibly cope with and not having the time to be as OS that I do now....

I'd like to agree with both of you

I economise in some areas so I can spend in others. And I come on the OS board to learn and share what I've learned.

OS fits well with the kind of person I am, how I think, what I believe. I get a kick out of cooking from scratch with veg I've grown myself. I like knowing I'm tucked up tight with what I need for winter stashed away in my cupboards. But that doesn't mean I didn't buy a bottle of nice perfume last week. It's a luxury - I don't *need* perfume and I could have bought something else cheaper. But it makes me smile and I could afford it because I'm frugal in other ways.

I think there are lots of different reasons for being OS and of doing OS and that is a very good thing

meritaten

I find the OS board one of the nicest and least confrontational boards on MSE. sure some people like to brag a bit about how frugal they are, but that can be forgiven as they are often the most helpful to newbies.
I am also sure that NOBODY wants anyone to feel they aren't frugal or creative enough to contribute to threads either.
it is a shame that some people feel that way and don't feel they can join in.
Most of the posters on here are really helpful, kind people who simply want to share their moneysaving tips and tricks and their life experience of making do or time saving.

armyknife

My chambers dictionary, 20th version, not the one with full archaic details, say "frugal - economical in the use of means,sparing...... "
Given it's root is the Latin for fruit, maybe one way to understand it is to think of it as making the best use of the resources that you have and because fruit is an annual crop, that perhaps implies it's about a long term and sustainable management of what you have.

This would set frugality squarely in opposition to short termism, be it in the form of impulse bought attractively advertised consumer items which you later regret buying, or living beyond ones means.

armyknife

Mr_Singleton wrote: »

<FX:Shakes head> People know the price of everything and the value of nothing.

Which seems to sum up so many posts I've read in this thread

Oh dear, I don't know which is worse, the very basic level of trolling shown here or the inability of most posters not to dismiss it out of hand.

My suggestion, Mr Singelton (does the name say it all?) take the Trolling 101 course and some of our more kind-heart/vulnerable posters go on an anti-trolling bootcamp.

[Deleted User]

We COULD afford to buy our new car BECAUSE we live a frugal lifestyle. If we had lived life to the hilt with every indulgence we thought we wanted we'd not have had the money to buy the new car. Frugal doesn't mean going without and living hand to mouth it DOES mean being careful with what you DO have to enable you to live better in the long run.

suki1964

Aww Goldiegirl, don't be feeling this board is cliquey, it's not

I've been on here years and I'm not a member of any clique. I post where I think I can offer advice but tend to shy away from threads that become too friendly, not because people aren't nice on here, but I don't have the time to keep up with threads and I kind of get lost along the way. By time I'm ready to catch up, everyone else has moved along

I've joined many many threads and drop out after a while. I may still read them but rarely post after a few weeks

[Deleted User]

While I was away looking after the Zebra child earlier this week He Who Knows had a text message from some friends who have recently moved away from the village but who haven't sold the house here yet, leaving us their entire WOOD PILE for the stove!!! He's just been round with the trailer and we've unloaded one solid lot of well seasoned wood and he's popped out for the rest. That's what I call friendship!!!