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1/22/08

My Frugal May Not Be The Same As Yours

A lot of you know there are different reasons for being frugal. Some of us have to be, others don’t necessarily have to be but do so by choice, maybe because at one time they had to be, maybe because they enjoy it, whatever the reason is.

At this point in my life, I have to be. Although there have been times where I really didn’t have to be, but did so, because I don’t like shelling out top dollar when I can use different strategies to purchase things/food much cheaper.

Which brings me to one area in particular. Clothing. I am pretty good at shopping frugally in all areas but clothing. My mother is much better at finding clothing at thrift stores than I. I continue to try.

I had mentioned to a co-worker that I would like to have a couple pairs of lined pants/jeans. I also mentioned it to my mother. Mother told me she had a pair my aunt had sent to her for me, to stop by and get them. The pants fit good enough for where I work, at a trash facility. They were a little big, not bad, and a little shorter than what I normally where my pants, but like I said, I work at a trash facility and it’s cold in the office. We rarely come in contact with the public, so it’s me and my co-workers. I wore the pants to work today.

My co-worker that I mentioned that I would like to have some of these pants came in this morning and laid a catalog on my desk. She stated it had the jeans I wanted in it for $25. I told her my aunt had sent me a pair. Her response was “They’re not long enough or heavy are they? Those in the catalog are a really good buy, they are half off.”

Her statement irritated me.

True, the pants are a good price out of the catalog, but they still are not within my budget. She also considers herself a frugal person and does shop thrift stores and such.

But, not everyone’s idea of frugal is the same. Hers is since the pants are half off, that’s frugal enough for her. But they are not frugal enough for me.

9 comments:

  1. I think the remark about them being 'not long enough' was pretty snide. As if you don't know! But like you said, who's seeing it? I think her heart was in the right place as far as the catalog, though. I do have to say, 'half price' isn't exactly thrifty when full price is pretty high to begin with, LOL!

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  2. I was thinking of writing a post on the same topic. I still might in a day or two. I think it's important that we frugalites each decide how frugal we need to be or want to be, without judging or being judged by others who have slightly different ideas.

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  3. Hmmm, she sounded pretty rude if you ask me. Finding something half off doesn't fit my budget either.

    Deb

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  4. Hi, again! Thanks for visiting my blog! I always shred everything that has any information on it. Frankly, I think I spend half my life shredding things...including those stupid 'you are pre-approved' CC notices. Who knows where that guy got my info, but at least it is good to know there are people on the alert.
    Hope you come visit me again!

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  5. mom2fur that's the word I was searching for when writing the post... snide. It was very snide, with a snide tone. And I agree with you, a sale price isnt really all that great for me when the original price was so high to begin with.

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  6. annie I would like to hear your opinion on the subject too. I agree, the degree of frugalness for all of us can be different. I dont think anyone should be judged whether it's on how frugal they are or something else.

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  7. deb I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought she was rude. I'm always asking myself, "are you being oversensitive?" Normally I dont let her get to me, but yesterday it really ticked me off.

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  8. Thanks for everyone taking the time to comment and let me know how you felt on this situation. It brightened my day knowing someone was reading this blog.

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  9. I think that maybe she was a little miffed that she had gone to all the trouble to remember your request, hunt for the item in ? number of catalogues, then bring you the catalog, only to hear you say that you were no longer interested. I'm sure you thanked her for the trouble that she had gone to, in which case her remarks were unwarranted.

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