What are your Thrifty Limits?

Hyaline · November 2013

Inspired by BME's post--where do you draw the line for being thrifty? Sounds like mama cloth and family cloth are no-gos for a lot of us! What else are you not willing to give up or do to save money?

Me: I won't do family cloth. I'd be willing to consider mama cloth or pee rags for myself, but there's no way I'm washing anything that's had even residue of DH poo. Irrational, I know.

I also won't buy gifts for people second-hand. I'll buy everything I own used, lol, but gifts are new.

I won't clean with vinegar. The smell makes me gag, even if I add essential oils, I still smell vinegar. I will use lemon juice and baking soda, though.

misspunky · November 2013

We had made cloth wipes for DD that we don't use, so I've been considering using those as my pee rags. No poo though.

I would NEVER buy undergarments used.

I don't buy gifts second hand unless it's "new".

I wouldn't buy a crib secondhand.

Pokedot · November 2013

No family cloth here either. I can't do it and especially for how much DH poops, no way! I will not buy shoes or undergarmets used either. I don't think I'm very extreme when it comes to penny pinching but I will buy used for B in terms of clothes. I love the consignment shop about 2 hours away from us. I bought him used shoes 2x but they were literally never worn or worn once. I got him a pair of Nike's for $10! Gifts are always new also.

misscheapandchic · November 2013

I had to use mama cloth while pregnant because my skin got so sensitive, also had to make my own natural deodorant,which actually works, unless you're really sweating up a storm (like working out).
My thrifty line stops at family cloth, sorry but toddler poo is bad enough, I'm not dealing with husband poo too!

Cheenomae · November 2013

TheAnne said:

I would go to leaves as TP before I gave up my Viva paper towels.

These are the best. I would almost do anything not to give them up.

Also, I'm not very thrifty, but for some reason family cloth doesn't gross me out. I'm more just too lazy to do that much laundry.

Unknown · November 2013

This content has been removed.

MeatballEsq · November 2013

I couldn't give up my DVR or Internet.

hmp1 · November 2013

Internet and cable. If we were in a tight spot I could give it up but just to save a little extra money a month, nope.

I would rather buy good name brand stuff and sell it in good condition then buy cheap stuff (ie clothes/shoes). I also don't have a problem buying used named brand stuff if it is in EUC.

No used car seats, cribs, mattresses, pillows, sheets, towels, underwear, bathing suits.

There are certain things I will never buy the generic store brand: TP, garbage bags, detergent, toothpaste, Ranch, there is more I just can't think.

I only buy lean ground beef (over 93%).

watercolor5 · November 2013

After using army issued toilet paper at work for years, DH and I decided soft, many-ply TP improved our quality of life, and was something we wanted to prioritize...

The biggest thing I won't skimp on to be thrifty is fresh fruits and veggies at the grocery store... and I'll buy the freshest looking produce whether it's the priciest organic stuff or not...

ETA: and I buy berries all the time... so expensive, but so good, esp in season

MeatballEsq · November 2013

Omg @hmp1 DH came home with 3 generic Ranch bottles the other day. Wtf?! I was pissed. I'm not eating that shit.

Cheenomae · November 2013

tonir319 said:

Omg @hmp1 DH came home with 3 generic Ranch bottles the other day. Wtf?! I was pissed. I'm not eating that shit.

He should be punished for that. It's soul crushing, really. Gross.

Eta: Wait, your DH went grocery shopping? Does jealousy look ugly on me?

Pokedot · November 2013

hmp1 said:

Internet and cable. If we were in a tight spot I could give it up but just to save a little extra money a month, nope.

I would rather buy good name brand stuff and sell it in good condition then buy cheap stuff (ie clothes/shoes). I also don't have a problem buying used named brand stuff if it is in EUC.

No used car seats, cribs, mattresses, pillows, sheets, towels, underwear, bathing suits.

There are certain things I will never buy the generic store brand: TP, garbage bags, detergent, toothpaste, Ranch, there is more I just can't think.

I only buy lean ground beef (over 93%).

This! I'm not a huge name brand person. I went through that phase in Jr. High but I'm over it now. I could care less where it came from as long as it holds up. I do splurge on certain items if I know they will last and for resale purposes are a smart investment. We bought DS's winter boots at a local shoe store. They were North Face. We paid $50. I did my research and thought that by spending $10 more on those than the $40 ones from Payless would be great for resale value.

Also I won't get rid of my DVR ever. I can't go back to not having it!

danabsd · November 2013

Pretty much everything in that thread.
We work hard and like certain luxuries. You know, like toilet paper and 400,000 channels that I watch 4 of.

MeatballEsq · November 2013

Cheenomae said:

tonir319 said:

Omg @hmp1 DH came home with 3 generic Ranch bottles the other day. Wtf?! I was pissed. I'm not eating that shit.

He should be punished for that. It's soul crushing, really. Gross.

Eta: Wait, your DH went grocery shopping? Does jealousy look ugly on me?

No. He has pretty much never grocery shopped, isn't that obvious by his choice?

he was there getting some canned goods to donate and I asked him to pick it up.

MarisaKathleen · November 2013

IndigoVader said:

misscheapandchic said:

I had to use mama cloth while pregnant because my skin got so sensitive, also had to make my own natural deodorant,which actually works, unless you're really sweating up a storm

**How do you make it?

@IndigoVader, it's just baking soda, coconut oil and essential oil.

I made my own 3 years ago and broke out in such a horrific rash all of the skin under my arms peeled off and I had to go on steroids. My dermatologist said it was a really bad reaction to essential oils, so be mindful if you don't usually put them on your skin.

MarisaKathleen · November 2013

definitely! the baking soda will neutralize any stinkiness. :-) my Mom finished up radiation for breast cancer earlier this year and they told her no deodorant and just to make a paste out of baking soda and water if she felt like she was going to be doing something smell-inducing.

melody921 · November 2013

misspunky said:

We had made cloth wipes for DD that we don't use, so I've been considering using those as my pee rags. No poo though.

I would NEVER buy undergarments used.

I don't buy gifts second hand unless it's "new".

I wouldn't buy a crib secondhand.

EWWW, me either.

Also not a fan of family cloth. I wouldn't buy used car seats, cribs, a mattress or upholstered furniture.

fireflygirl12 · November 2013

I can't give up my daily latte. I have a pretty expensive espresso machine that I used to use to make my own, but it's just not the same. If we were broke, then I'm sure I could give them up, but it's not worth it to me just to put more money in savings.

jenmbott · November 2013

watercolor5 said:

After using army issued toilet paper at work for years, DH and I decided soft, many-ply TP improved our quality of life, and was something we wanted to prioritize...

The biggest thing I won't skimp on to be thrifty is fresh fruits and veggies at the grocery store... and I'll buy the freshest looking produce whether it's the priciest organic stuff or not...

ETA: and I buy berries all the time... so expensive, but so good, esp in season

Us too! I figured my health and DD health was worth it. (DH doesn't eat fruit)

Also we say no to store brand Mayonnaise. Could not give up cable or internet. Won't lower the heat to the point that I'm cold when I'm at home (i.e it will always be at least 64). Won't make my own cleaning products or laundry detergent, just don't have the time and I'm not convinced they work as good as actual cleaning products.

However I'm fine with a used crib. Currently DD's crib is the crib my parents used for all four of me and my siblings when we were babies.

MommaP12 · November 2013

I wouldn't family cloth. :-&
I wouldn't give up cable/Internet/smartphones unless we were really dire.
I wouldn't make my own detergents/cleaners-with coupons and sales stacked I get that stuff very cheap IMO. Dollar Tree sells comet, Palmolive, etc too for a $1

I bought a car seat on CL for MIL car when DS was little - I made sure it wasn't in an accident and wasn't expired. I also bought our car seat from a girlfriend who had only bought one for a vacation - so it was used for a week and she cut me a major deal. Both were Graco Snugrides. I also got our RNP from Craigslist. I scored a sit and stand for $60 that was also a vacation only purchase someone made-it was brand spanking new so a major deal. Most baby items are so expensive and used for a short time so I use CL for a lot.

BillyMollyEmmy · November 2013

I'm pretty thrifty, I'm not so sure there's anything I wouldn't give up - material-wise. I just think it's stuff. I like stuff, I have stuff, but I don't need stuff. I think sometimes it's all about remembering how to differentiate needs vs. wants. I am thrifty but I couldn't give up our car. We need that. I could give up our internet. I want it, but I don't need it in my home. I could use it at work and at the library for free.

there's not really a point to my post other than to say I am super cheap. lol

bonjourbelle05 · November 2013

BillyMollyEmmy said:
I'm pretty thrifty, I'm not so sure there's anything I wouldn't give up - material-wise. I just think it's stuff. I like stuff, I have stuff, but I don't need stuff. I think sometimes it's all about remembering how to differentiate needs vs. wants.

This big time

redneckmomma25 · November 2013

Charmin and bounty.

I didn't think anyone would buy used undergarments.

I'd do family cloth if we had a bedit I think. But I hate laundry. So....I dunno. $25 a month on diapers for the baby is worth not doing laundry.

I wouldn't give up a smart phone.

ktnicole · November 2013

Does anyone buy used underwear?! So wrong. I once *barf* saw a lady returning thong underwear to Walmart. She was upset that she had to have ID. I bought the wrong size once. I tossed them.

I can't/won't spend my time couponing.

Can't NOT ever eat out.

jbBeans · November 2013

While I am considering family cloth, I recently decided that I have used cheap ass toilet paper for too long and will now only buy Cottonelle. The small details...

I don't cheap out on food. I don't care about name brand vs generic for staple items. It's more like meat, produce and that sort of stuff. I buy "friendly" meat and organic of the "dirty" fruits and veggies. I buy the extra old cheddar because it's just fucking good. I really won't sacrifice quality in our food.

misscheapandchic · November 2013

IndigoVader said:

misscheapandchic said:

I had to use mama cloth while pregnant because my skin got so sensitive, also had to make my own natural deodorant,which actually works, unless you're really sweating up a storm

**How do you make it?

I use baking soda, coconut oil and arrowroot. 3 tbsp each. No scents.

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