Where do you draw the line? (sale, value, money)

[RogueMom]

I'm very frugal because I have to be. But some cheap versions of things are not even worth buying.

I won't buy cheap chocolate - the waxy "chocolate flavoured" candy they put out at Easter, etc. Ick.

If I'm going to buy ice cream, I want the GOOD stuff. Ben & Jerrys, Bryers, etc. No cheap store brands of ice cream unless their premium.

I splurge on organic meat. I don't want my meat pumped up with water and who knows what else. I'd rather have a smaller portion of good meat.

We've stopped buying most processed foods also. The real stuff tastes so much better and is so much cheaper.

I also have learned not to buy cheap dishwashing liquid. It's nothing but water and doesn't cut the grease.

[Tesaje]

Organic foods, tho I grow most of my own veggies. TP. Shoes and tires. I don't skimp on tires - they are the only thing between me and road. And tools. Buy good and buy once - I get repaid every time I use them.

I don't buy used food or underwear. Does anyone?

[Kaye02]

Originally Posted by Weedsnake

Just a for what it's worth comment. Those who would never buy a used mattress might consider that when you overnigt in a hotel/motel you are sleeping on a very used mattress.

True, but at least if you discover the mattress in a hotel is infested with something it won't spread through your own home. It's much easier to just go to a different hotel than deal with bugs in my own home. Maybe it's illogical of me but I don't want to bring a used mattress into my house and risk infestation. At least used clothes, appliances, etc., can be immediately washed to help prevent that.

[Greenciti]

Originally Posted by Tesaje

I don't buy used food or underwear. Does anyone?

Used food? I am curious as to what you mean by used food?

[Tesaje]

Originally Posted by Greenciti

Used food? I am curious as to what you mean by used food?

A weak attempt at humor....

[Bugnubs]

Must Haves:

an occasional bone-in ribeye steak
ditto Ben & Jerry's, Godiva or good ice cream....can't stand the cheap stuff so have the good stuff now & then
Cote d'Or chocolate if I can find it....in a pinch Cadbury's or Ritter will do & Junior Mints if I'm desperate!
Seattle's Best coffee
Duke's Mayo (or sometimes Hellman's Olive Oil mayo mix)
Good quality leathergoods
Skippy Super Chunky peanut butter
Good quality preserves/jams with a lot of fruit bits
Ground lense sunglasses (must be optical quality or I can't see)
Barilla dried pasta

Cheap But Good Buys:

Albertson's brand toilet paper, paper dinner napkins & paper towels, Northern 2-ply brand tp also good
Arm & Hammer, Purex Liquid Laundry Soap
Ultrabrite Toothpaste
Ajax Dishwashing Liquid
Pampa brand foodstuffs
Goya brand foodstuffs (much cheaper than competition where I live)
Asian Passage brand coconut milk (tinned)

I shop around for BOGOFs and sales and freeze whatever I can. Certain items, like green curry paste, north African spices & Thai food items I buy in World Market (a specialty shop like Pier 1 but also with some packaged foods/wine/beer) which is much cheaper than the supermarket. I always have enough on hand to make a meal or two from leftovers with a banged-together sauce and perhaps rice. I keep flour, cereals & crackers in the freezer....safe from bugs and never actually freezes. I always buy lower-priced fruits & veg in season, never tinned and only very few frozen. I buy only frozen fish as it's flash frozen onboard ship and therefore fresher than in the market fish case (told to me by a high-end chef, who also cautioned me not to eat Tilapia fish). Make stock from chicken carcasses and freeze for soup. I shop only the outer edges of the supermarket for fresh items and don't go down the inner isles except for coffee, pasta, beans, rice, paper goods, tomato juice, condiments. I buy cheapie catsup which I use only in BBQ sauce or a few recipes. I rarely throw out limp vegs or leftover anything, instead toss them in the soup pot or a casserole and freeze some of it.

I grew up in a house where leftovers were unknown.....my mum threw out everything after a meal and it kills me to throw away food now. Pasta dishes are usually best next day anyway. I'd make bread if I could be bothered but then I'm afraid I'd eat it all in one sitting!

[GloryB]

What I do before any purchase, is to ask myself if I can make it one more week before making this particular purchase. If I don't have to have it.....I'll wait a week. It's amazing how many times I never go back to buy what I originally thought I really wanted on an impulse situation or some decorative eye candy.

[Magnolia Bloom]

Wine, TP and milk- we like organic and it is pricey.

[eofelis]

In our house, bicycle dollars are not the same as real dollars. We do look for sales, deals on second hand bike stuff and do some bartering, but our bikes, gear and bicycling clothes are top notch. We also have really good camping gear, a lot of which we got on super sale deals.

[KonaKat]

Originally Posted by Tesaje

A weak attempt at humor....

It's compost!