frugal habits - Frugal Living - Page 6 - City-Data Forum

chattypatty · 01-14-2010, 07:05 PM

Clothing is such a personal thing, what works for one will not work for another. I mentioned in another thread that I've started checking out Goodwill more and more. I am not working right now so I do not need to spend money on clothing (which doesn't always stop me; I'm embarrassed to admit that I am a bad shopper in that I often make bad judgments about new clothing! but I'm CHANGING and that's the important thing). Not everyone can live in jeans and tee shirts all day.

Some people have jobs that require them to dress nicely even if they don't get paid a very high salary. I second the recommendation for Burlington Coat Factory. I haven't had much luck at Ross's or TJ Maxx, where I find mostly junk. I was in Nordstrom Rack recently though and while I didn't buy anything (honest!) I did see some very nice, high quality tailored and fully lined skirts for around $25, regular price $100. Same with blazers. Same with dress shoes. I think for those who need nice clothes but who can't afford them, Nordstrom Rack might be a good solution.

chattypatty · 01-14-2010, 07:10 PM

Oh, I almost forgot -- does anyone remember The Tightwad Gazette? It was a 3 volume series written by frugal queen, Amy Dacyczn (sp?). She told people not to buy her books, but to check them out from the library instead (hahahaha, bet her publishers loved that!) However, I really would recommend buying them as they will pay for themselves over and over again. These are EXCELLENT books for anyone looking to become more frugal. She has lots of recipes and very specific, workable tips.

http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Tight.../dp/0375752250

jtur88 · 01-15-2010, 09:01 AM

You know, "Frugal Habits" is really the entire secret right there. To be frugal, you need to make the mindset transition from "I want that" to "I don't want to pay for that". Until you make that switch, frugality cannot become anything more than an occasional exercise.

I might have said, ten, twenty, thirty years ago, that there are a lot of things that I want, but I don't want to pay for them. Now, I don't even want them anymore.