Comments on: What Does Being Frugal Mean to You?

By: JStone

JStone — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 09:47:01 +0000

Well, the cultural differences between my Chinese wife and I seem to extend into the shower.

I like to use a soap with a pleasant fragrance to it. However my wife and her mother insist on a cake of soap with an odour resembling some kind of harsh industrialised detergent.

I don’t know where they find this soap, but it certainly wouldn’t sell in a Coles or a Woolworths.

Every time I get near it I get an idea of what life would have been like in those concentration camps in China during the cultural revolution. This is really harsh soap that leaves one feeling that their body has been stripped of all vital moisture. It is certainly not a luxury item.

In any case, its always there in the shower, whether I like it or not.

In order to get around this, I recently purchased a bottle of body shampoo, as something that I could use and at least feel like I had a real showever.

The day after I purchased it, the bottle went missing.

When I asked my wife what happened to it, she quickly ran to the bathroom. She returned with an old handwash bottle.

She then proudly stated that her mother diluted the contents of my bottle, and got to fill four old handwash bottles.

When I told her that it was for me to use in the shower, she looked at me strangely and said, “why would you use that in the shower? We already have soap!”

By: Ryan

Ryan — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 19:56:31 +0000

Frugal-freemantles,

I agree 100%! Thanks for sharing.

By: frugal-freemantles

frugal-freemantles — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 03:02:20 +0000

for me being frugal is saving money,saving time,re using items if poss and generally recycling.I think todays society is very money minded and we need to show our kids that the most expensive things arnt always the bestxx

By: jacqueline

jacqueline — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 16:32:21 +0000

frugality for me is using quality items for clothes, shoes and bags so i wont buy frequently

By: living in a frugal way

living in a frugal way — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:46:19 +0000

Excellent article….

I think being frugal goes hand in hand with having a responsibility for nature and the environment. Simply by cutting back on your consumption you are having a less negative effect on the earth…. live long and frugal

By: Frugal Dad

Frugal Dad — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:41:12 +0000

I think we are in agreement on our definitions of “frugal.” One of the things I find myself doing more of now that I am in a “frugal” mindset is not wasting things as much (food, water, even time). I consider those living a frugal lifestyle to be efficient consumers of all resources.

By: Julie

Julie — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 19:19:31 +0000

First time here:)

I have to say being frugal for me is pretty much the way you’ve defined it. “Waste not, want not” comes to mind when I think about how I live a frugal life.

By: Lisa Spinelli

Lisa Spinelli — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 14:13:46 +0000

To me, being frugal needs to be balanced with eating organically, and being socially responsible in some way as well. For example, I cut grocery coupons regularly, but will buy organic (especially dairy) if I can. I always buy free range organic eggs, and free range chicken that has not been treated with hormones.
It’s all what is important to you, I think.
Lisa