Being frugal vs. being interesting

[Broken Arrow]

I agree that being cheap (not frugal) is a sad existence indeed.

To clarify I do think being frugal is indeed very interesting. Still, I just don't think the Joneses would find frugality as interesting as most of of us on here does.

In saying that, I don't think there's anything wrong with us. I think in an ideal world, most people would find frugality interesting.

[PrincessPerky]

Tell yo the truth I find many total joneses really boring...I mean how many conversations can you have about your new toy? unless I get to play with it, I am prolly bored hearing about it.

I have a friend who buys new games weekly, very interesting because he brings them to me to play.

I met several friends in my younger days that bought new games weekly, the computer or game box type, very boring conversations while they twiddle their thumbs manically..

So having money, and spending money are not often interesting to me.

Course there is something about a great trip skiing, or bowling, or whatnot that is interesting, but there are enough free things to do to keep me in friends.

[rob62521]

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.

Aleta, you describe my friend to a "T". What a sad existence for them.

[rob62521]

I have a friend who is not frugal -- he spends money all the time. And then complains how he needs to cut back, but he never does. Sometimes I think he's boring because most of her conversations consist of what he's going to buy and how great it is, or what he's bought and how I should come over and see it. Then when and if I do visit, I have to ooh and ahh for a very long time. A little is heartfelt, but when the bulk of the conversation is supposed to go on and on about this item...it gets lame. This same person when he visits tends to compare things we have to what he has...your T.V. isn't as big as mine and what you only have basic cable? I have satellite and get 300+ channels...and your DVD player isn't Blu-Ray? I'm sorry, but being put down isn't interesting to me in the least. It really hurts my feelings. He in effect told me we were boring this summer. We decided not to go on vacation, but took a couple of days trips. We are saving for a bigger vacation at the end of the year and want to pay cash for everything. He on the other hand went to Florida for two weeks and talked nonstop for over 30 some minutes until he finished what he had to say. After he was done, he terminated our conversation because we had nothing to say that interested him. It's kind of sad and hurtful all at the same time.

[cschin4]

I am somewhat of an oddball because talking about the latest and greatest stuff such as new purse, gadget, car isn't really that interesting. I would much rather have conversations about other subjects. I like to talk of the philosophical/spiritual aspects of life but don't get many takers on that subject for some reason! I also like to listen to people talk about their hobbies or stories of their lives, etc.
And, when I go somewhere I HATE to spend time shopping. I will shop as part of the "fun" if others want to and I make a point to enjoy it. HOwever, it is pretty much the last thing on my list that I want to do.

[GoodBuyGirl]

Money will not make a dull person more interesting. Sure they can buy gadgets that others may be attracted to but then they are only attracted to the gadget not the person.
I feel it is peoples talents that make them interesting. Being able to sing, make people laugh, grilling a mean steak ect...
If you have to buy something in order to have friends then you don't truely have any friends.

[sweeps]

It's not just about gadgets and purses.

It's about taking some more elaborate vacations, going to college at a more expensive school with a richer experience, taking cooking classes, buying a boat, etc.

People that stay home and knit might be saving a lot of money, but may not have much to talk about.

[cschin4]

It's about taking some more elaborate vacations, going to college at a more expensive school with a richer experience, taking cooking classes, buying a boat, etc.

I guess I don't know what you mean. I know people who take elaborate vacations, went to pricey schools, own boats, etc but I really do not necessarily find them any more interesting than anybody else. Perhaps that lifestyle is appealing to you and thus you find it more interesting?

[disneysteve]

It's about taking some more elaborate vacations, going to college at a more expensive school with a richer experience, taking cooking classes, buying a boat, etc.

People that stay home and knit might be saving a lot of money, but may not have much to talk about.

A "more elaborate" vacation doesn't necessarily have to be a more expensive one. We just returned from a week in Washington, DC. We visited art museums, historic sites, saw the Declaration of Independence and Constitution, went to the Holocaust museum, saw our currency being printed, went to the International Spy Museum, went to an art studio where we observed numerous artists at work and spent time speaking with some of them and more. I could tell you all kinds of interesting stuff from that trip, and we spent $1,600, less than many people spend for a week at the Jersey shore where they do little more than sit on the beach all day and drink beer all night. (And we could have spent a lot less had we chosen a cheaper hotel.)

It isn't what you spend or don't spend that makes you an interesting person.

As for college, there is no reason why someone can't attend a reasonably priced state school and participate in interesting activities like sports, theater, arts, various clubs, etc. At the same time, someone could attend a pricey private school and not take advantage of all the great activities surrounding them.

Again, it isn't what you spend that makes you interesting. It is what you do with what you've got.

And I'm sure my wife would disagree with you about the folks who stay at home and knit.

[Coleroo]

I've never connected "being frugal" with "not being interesting"! In fact, I was a little puzzled by your subject title before clicking into this post. The two phrases just don't go together for me.

Being cheap, poor, rich, frugal, extravagant...whatever... does not equate "interesting".

To me, someone who is interesting means that they have a passion for life. Perhaps they love drawing, have a terrific sense of humor, reads books all the time, is quirky, wears awesome clothes, knows how to knit, can name every capital in the world, can paint better than renoir, or can question every answer in jeopardy. "Interesting", to me, is a personality trait and is in no way connected with how a person decides (or previously decided) how to spend money.

[sweeps]

Sure some people are naturally interesting regardless of what they may do, just like some people are naturally healthy even though they may never exercise. Also knitting may be an interesting topic for 40+ year old women, but not for the average guy.

I'm not knocking being frugal by any means-- I'm a moderator at a site called SavingAdvice for crying out loud. But I think this is a valid question in the Real World.

Here's an example of what I'm talking about:
Person 1: I just got back from an amazing trip to Spain! First, we.... [an hour of conversation proceeds] Have you been to Europe?
Person 2: No, but I did put an extra $10,000 in my Roth IRA, and I just caulked all my windows so I'll save lots on my gas bill this winter!
Person 1: Uh, great...

[disneysteve]

sweeps, you are comparing apples to oranges. Person 2 could have also replied like this:

We just got back from a camping trip in New Hampshire. One day, while we were hiking up Cannon Mountain, we saw a black bear on the trail. He was huge. Let me show you some pictures I took. Another day, we rented kayaks on Lake Winnipesaukee. On the way back from there, we stopped at a winery and took a vineyard tour and did some wine tasting. We did a lot of other really fun and interesting things while we were there. Have you ever been to New Hampshire? No. You really ought to plan a trip there some time.

You seem to keep using frugal to mean miserly, not spending any money that isn't absolutely necessary to spend. I don't think it means that at all.

[Gailete]

I think a person is either boring or interesting depending on them and their personality to start with. It wouldn't have anything to do with how much the save and scrimp. Am I less interesting because I check out about 300 books a year from the library to read rather than buy 300 books a year to read? Hardly. Am I less interesting because I can make French onion soup from scratch rather than go to a restaurant and pay $7 for a tiny bowl? I have met many kinds of people in my life, some funny, some not, some interesting, some as boring as watching paint dry and I have never thought it had anything to do with their bank account what their personality was like. Personality is shaped by experiences and and something innate to the person themself.

Gail

[PrincessPerky]

sweeps, you are comparing apples to oranges. Person 2 could have also replied like this:

......

You seem to keep using frugal to mean miserly, not spending any money that isn't absolutely necessary to spend. I don't think it means that at all.

Ditto!

Besides of the folk we know who took 'real' vacations...not one had anything interesting to say about them. Maybe it's cause they didn't go to Spain? Is Spain the only interesting place? and is it really that expensive? I can't even think of one thing I have read that would make me really want to go....though I did read their dinners tend to be very late (siesta in midday and all) , children are rarer and cherished more, though that might be a specific locality.


Personally I would have to tune out of person ones conversation long before they made it to an hour....a description of ones travels is about as boring as the travel channel on radio......

If you really like that sort of conversation, read up on exotic locals, watch the travel channel, and save up for a big vacation with your splurge money, might take 5 years rather than 5 minutes of getting in debt, but you will have a story of your own at the end.

[kork13]

hahaha .... hmmmm.... this string brings up a "problem" i'm having almost exactly... please bear with me as I explain...

I'm not much of a socialite--I generally collect a small, close-knit group of friends, and my idea of 'fun' is just spending time with them. I don't care what we're doing, whether going out for dinner, bowling, hiking, seeing a new movie, whatever.

Now I just moved across the country, got a significant pay raise (new job, you might say...), and am living with a couple roommates with whom I get along, but I don't really hang out with them alot. They go out to clubs and parties, I stay home to read books or read stuff like this on the internet, because what interests me most is what people think, and how they think.

So now, after all of my expenses, I have about $1400 that is completely disposable--nearly 40% of my paycheck. Because I have nothing to do with it, I'm putting close to $1100 into various savings vehicles, but I don't know what to do with the rest. I live very simply, generally buying just what I need, and the occasional thing just for fun. I feel ridiculous saying it, but I just don't know what to do with my extra money. I know that I should use it to do something fun occasionally, but I really am a rather boring person, and I can't bring myself to spend money on anything I'm not certain that I want to do. Until such time as I bring myself to do something, it all gets socked away. While many will say that's a great thing, I feel like I'm wasting my time, being very young and having abounding opportunities.

I guess in all of this, I'm just trying to demonstrate that some people, like myself, just live frugally by nature, and to be "interesting" is.... a challenge. I'm looking to start windsurfing and scuba diving again like I used to before college, but again, there's the inexplicable urge to not bother spending the money. So call me crazy..........