Ask:
Is anyone else here secretly frugal? I got tired of all the 'looks' I got when I shared great money saving tips that I stopped telling people just how frugal I am. Just you ladies, my dh and my best friend know my secret. If people ask, I share, but I've stopped openly sharing.
Are you still in the closet when it comes to living the frugal life? I am. (That's why I here so much. It lets me get it all out here!)
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I don't openly share with people about my frugal clothes shopping but I don't lie either. When my MIL asks about one of the girl's outfits I tell her exactly where I got it (consignment or Goodwill).
I did talk about Angel Food Ministries at work and several others started buying the boxes. One coworker was so thankful (her dd is single mom struggling and it helped her so much).
The strange looks some give are outweighed by the thankful looks I get from others.
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Last week my niece was asking me if I had some bottled water and I told her, "no, but I have the bottle that I just finished and I can wash it out and put some fresh cold water in it for you." My sister starts cracking up and says "that's so typical of you." Depending on who I'm giving a tip to, they have made me feel cheap rather than frugal. My dad makes no bones about it, he just calls me downright cheap. I'm like "whatever".
ITA w/you about the looks, or in my case the comments. I have cut way back on sharing ideas because it's been my experience that even though people tell me they want or like my ideas they still aren't willing to give them a try. They won't make the change until they're ready or force into the situation, and when they are they'll know who to come to for ideas.
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It depends on who I'm with. I share with my SIL who just found out she is pregnant, but not her twin who spends money just to get back at her DH.
As far as people that give you strange looks or comments, it's their loss. KWIM? They are the ones that will start asking you questions if they ever get into a bind and ask, "How do you do it?" Depending on past comments from them, then you can choose to tell or not.
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If people ask about things, I tell them, but I don't usually offer up the info.
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This is funny. MY mom and I are like peas and carrots. We share all our frugal tips and stories. But my Grandmother is not. She actualy said she hates people who use coupons. She told me mom she has no friends to shop with becuase they humiliate her when they pull out a coupon. So we hid are coupons binders from her. She would just die if she knew I never bought anything I didnt have a coupon for.
So yes I tend to keep it to myself.
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Many people who know me would be surprised to find out that we live frugally. Our lifestyle has gotten us pretty far and we live pretty well. I feel more like "The Millionaire Next Door" although we're not quite millionaires (yet).
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Originally Posted by Cookie2
Many people who know me would be surprised to find out that we live frugally. Our lifestyle has gotten us pretty far and we live pretty well. I feel more like "The Millionaire Next Door" although we're not quite millionaires (yet).
Yes I agree! That book was eye opening. We live like that too. This is a good book for showing who the real millionaires are rather than who we think they are!
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Originally Posted by Cookie2
Many people who know me would be surprised to find out that we live frugally. Our lifestyle has gotten us pretty far and we live pretty well. I feel more like "The Millionaire Next Door" although we're not quite millionaires (yet).
I FINALLY got my copy of that book back from my brother! I read it a long time ago and just started reading it a second time. Great book!
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I usually don't share tips unless invited. Of course people always inquire why I have Ziploc bags air drying on my kitchen counter. That one gets a lot of odd looks ... I finally just tell people that I'm saving the environment by reusing (which is true) that seems to get a lot more respect than saying, "Have you seen the prices of Ziplocs?"