"It is Chic To Be Cheap" Wow I Am Finally "In" (2009, debt)

[younglisa7]

I have always been cheap but now it is the new "in" thing.

Cheap is chic in recession, NRF chief says | U.S. | Reuters

[LittleDolphin]

I'm with you! It's cool to be chicly cheap--or frugal--or thrifty, or a Simple Living person.

My girlfriends and I love to go thrifting...my latest coup was a Halston jacket in perfect condition--for--are you ready for this--$.50!! My closet's full of Liz Claiborne and other other designer labels--all bought for pennies--I'm the best-dressed poor person you'll ever meet. And my house is nicely decorated with previously owned well-made furniture.

Now if I could just find a source of groceries for pennies, my life would be complete. I do grow a lot of my own veggies in the summer...I'm pretty good at gourmet frugal cooking--the secret's in the spices...

What are other C-D'ers tips and proud frugal moments??

[killer2021]

Yup, way to go. I am frugal as well.

I decided to dump my biggest expense - my girlfriend.

I sure have a lot of extra cash now ;-)

Highly recommend course of action for all men

[Oildog]

I pretty much drink only water, and beer. No more coffee or sodas. Used to eat out 5 nights per week, now I cook twice a week (Im single) and eat leftovers. I watch more TV, dont go to movies (wait for PPV). Calcualted that if gas is over $1.70/gal is cheaper to buy midgrade than cheapest.

[brightdoglover]

I'm not cheap or broke. I just don't like having "stuff," never have. (Could it be from living in one-room apartments until I was 40?) Now I have a house of some 1150 sq.ft. The basement has a shovel and two old dog crates in it. Everyone told me that I'd have more stuff when I had a house, but the storage areas have nothing more than bulk dog food and recycling. The semi-attic is empty.
Now, I spend too much on restaurants. But when I do buy something, I don't look too hard for cheap, because I buy so little and hate shopping/looking. I just buy what I need and forget about it.
Once a co-worker looked at my beat-up sneakers, and said, "Girl, if I didn't know better, I'd think you was poor!" I said, "Larry, I don't drive it or wear it. I've GOT it." (He always drove an impeccable used Cadillac, wore great clothes to a night shift at a psychiatric hospital, and lived in a rental house with a brother).
I guess I could say I LIVE in it. I sure don't have a lot of money lying around, but I also don't have much stuff in my valuable and gorgeous house.

[Takes1 2 Know1]

I consider myself frugal compared to most people. I cook about five times per week and eat out on the weekends. I don't have cable because I'm currently working on certifcations/classes; I only watch football anyways. I'm currently building my own computer instead of buying a new one. This allows me to learn about computers while also saving money.

The only thing I don't skimp on are haircuts and the way that I dress. I like to dress business casual; hopefully there will be some deep discount sales at the mall today.

[HappyTexan]

Wow..who would have thought that living at or below your means is "chic" ?
I guess all those people living high off the hog of debt need to make it "cool" to be poor.

[GloryB]

The best frugal tip I ever got was from my mom. If you don't need anything specifically....stay out of stores. They will trick you with eye candy by thinking your stuff at home isn't good enough or the ever popular excuse "dated". If your blanket still keeps you warm, your fridge still works and your toilette flushes nicely....they aren't "dated"....they work. Don't replace until broken.

[JMadison]

Ah stuff it, I still want a classic Ferrari, LOL!

[Obrero]

All you cheap people are hurting the economy.

Frugal Americans Hurt Economic Recovery

Americans are hunkering down and saving more. For a recession-battered economy, it couldn't be happening at a worse time.

Economists call it the "paradox of thrift." What's good for individuals -- spending less, saving more -- is bad for the economy when everyone does it.

Frugal Americans Hurt Economic Recovery - Presidential Politics | Political News - FOXNews.com