Being frugal vs. being interesting

[feh]

Put me in the camp of "frugality does not equal dullness". I really don't see what one has to do with the other.

One of my favorite activities is having deep, serious conversations with friends and family, perhaps over beers.

[JanH]

The most interesting people I know are the frugal ones. They are the most creative with their lives. But, that just may be the ones I feel most comfortable with. I love hearing about or seeing the interesting things they do to keep life fun. And, most do their own projects around the house and have done some amazing things with their houses and yards. Trips are carefully planned and based on family experiences. I hope to join their ranks one day. My SIL is the most amazing. She has redone her house and yard with cast offs from stores and construction projects. She has a terrific eye and a husband with skills. Their house is beautiful and the yard soothing and wonderful. And their family time is often camping or time on the lake with friends. She has friends that are wealthy and those who are not. But, they don't change their lives to fit either category. They are just frugal. I didn't realize until this thread just how many frugal people I have in my life. Most of them are. Interesting! I should pay more attention on HOW they accomplish it!

[Broken Arrow]

I'm going to take a stand with sweeps on this one.

Before I was re-born as a frugal individual, I was a part of the general self defense community. A community where, for the most part, frugality couldn't possibly be farther from their collective minds. To them, frugality is trying to convince their wives that, yes indeed, my $1500 rifle really do need that $1200 scope and $700 flashlight attachment.

Hey, I'm just telling you the truth as I have seen it.

Since then, I've... lost touch with that community at large. I still share the same interest, but find that I simply can not keep up. Oh sure, I can buy a cheaper scope for maybe $350 if I searched hard enough, but really, it's just an expensive hobby to keep up to begin with. Even if you are a paid professional.

So, in some cases, I would say that yes indeed, being frugal can be very uninteresting.

On the other hand, I am trying to be more involved in activities that doesn't require as much money, and perhaps that will help. This part is still a work in progress, but still, my answer to the question would be, "It depends". As in, it depends on what you want to get into. Being frugal in itself may also be interesting, but I don't think that's always an easy feat to pull off either.

At least, that's been my personal experience so far....

[Aleta]

Some of the people who aren't frugal are in your face about how much they spent on their new toy and by the way "you really do need one of these". They tell you you really need to live. It's always a comparison game. You're never really comfortable around them.

I've always been frugal but more so now and I just don't have the want to hang out with people lwho don't share my values. You definitely can't keep up with them, so what's the point.

I do visit with people that aren't frugal but I just don't hang with them as I would have years ago. My being frugal doesn't bother me but it does to those who don't watch their pennies.

[Broken Arrow]

Aleta:
Yeah, I'm trying my hand now at being around people who may be more financially conscientious. Hopefully that will work out better.

To be fair, there are also self defense folks who are frugal.... Hmm, now that I think about it, I think they are frugal out of necessity, not out of interest being frugal per se. So, they would view frugality more of a necessary evil, than as a subject of interest.... Unfortunately.

But anyways, yes, I'm trying to find a different kind of community that may be more financially aware. I'm sure they are out there. But still working on it.

For what it's worth, *I* find frugality interesting. But I have yet to find anyone in real life that shares that view.

[sweeps]

This thread was kinda like posting a "Do we REALLY need guns?" thread at the NRA forums.

Note when I say "being frugal", I'm not really counting those who call themselves frugal because they make a lot of money and thus can afford to go on lots of vacations and do expensive things. I'm talking about those who truly stick to the necessities and don't do certain things (like go to college or take up skiing or collect stamps or whatever) because they consider it too expensive.

[rob62521]

would argue there is a steep cost to being frugal: Being less interesting. I have found that spending money only on the necessities can make one pretty boring.

Really? I find that the OPPOSITE is true. I think I am more interesting. I now engage in actual hobbies. I learned to play the guitar, i spend more time reading, cooking at home, I have recently learned to play chess and on and on. Before, I did what everyone else did which was go to the mall every weekend and eat out. Frankly, those people are boring. I don't understand how people can stand to shop constantly. I hate shopping. SPending a beautiful, sunny weekend in the mall is an absolute waste! You could be going outside hiking, gardening and doing a zillion things that cost very little but are very enjoyable.

I would have to concur, although hiking and being outside isn't on my top list of things to do. But, I read more and think more and my husband and I talk about ideas instead of things.

[Aleta]

As a child I learned frugality through the hard financial times that my family went through. It's true that growing up I didn't want to hear about saving one more penny or the reason behind why I couldn't have something. So, I can see now that if people would plan their lives and budgets out wisely; the kids and those around them wouldn't feel soured about not having money.

I do believe though that you can learn from mistakes of others and hopefully you'll have a healthier outlook on finances. One that the kids can say, "Hey, Dad was right about this."

[Broken Arrow]

This thread was kinda like posting a "Do we REALLY need guns?" thread at the NRA forums.

Heck ya totally we need it dude!

(But yes, point taken. Try asking most other communities out there, and I can almost guarantee you'll get a different answer.)

[simpleyme]

I would like to point out that although I do not "need" to be frugal i do not need to be frugal only because I am frugal ;-)

a case of the rich keep doing what makes them rich, ditto the poor

[disneysteve]

I would like to point out that although I do not "need" to be frugal i do not need to be frugal only because I am frugal ;-)

a case of the rich keep doing what makes them rich, ditto the poor

Exactly. I know plenty of people who earn as much or more, sometimes considerably more, than we do and are not in very good shape financially. Sure there is a difference between frugal by choice and frugal by necessity, but the end result is the same.

[mrpaseo]

The way I get around this is I alot certain funds to "entertainment", that money can be spent on anything big or small smart of dumb. This allows me to stay in my budget and be somewhat interesting.

$400 per month for wife, daughter and I.

Also, what helps is:

$150 for wife spending money
$200 for my spending money
$40 Allowance for daughter

This money can be spent any way we see fit. Either on the family or on ourselves.

Ray

[rob62521]

Of course being frugal isn't the same as being cheap. I have a friend who is not frugal, but cheap. He spends as little as he can on anything. As a result his car if falling apart, his house is in sad shape, he wears shoes that are over 20 years old and he puts cardboard in the soles to cover the holes. All he does is work and goes to church. Nothing wrong with either of them, but he makes good money, yet all he talks about is wishing he had more or the mistakes he's made. It's sad that he doesn't enjoy what he has and spend some money for a little enjoyment. He would never go wild so that would never a problem.

[Aleta]

rob62521: I know what you mean. I know a person like that and it's not only about money. It's about life itself. They live in the past and are stuck. This person is always talking about the deal they missed and if only they had the money or help from someone. This person was also a workaolic and would literally wear something out before replacing it. These are not interesting people. They will always look at someone else and give a reason for why they have succeeded in life rather than stating the facts.

[FrugalTexan75]

Like BA said, it depends. Some people are frugal because they have no other choice - their finances dictate it. Some people however are frugal for a purpose - they spend as little as possible in some areas which are not important to them, but then are able to spend more in areas that are important to them.

I think that its possible for people in both categories to still be interesting people. There are many things that you can do for free or for very little which will help keep your life interesting.

The main deterrent to a person being interesting who is in the first category (necessity) would possibly be lack of time - IOW they may not have any free time to use on free or cheap activities to keep life interesting because all their time is used on keeping food on the table.