Comments on: Am I Still Frugal?

By: The Writer’s Coin » Blog Archive » I got a Wii . . . sort of

The Writer’s Coin » Blog Archive » I got a Wii . . . sort of — Thu, 15 May 2008 10:52:29 +0000

[...] I’m sure I’ll have fun with it, but I’m starting to question my frugality. [...]

By: The Writer’s Coin » Blog Archive » Budget Breaking: Dealing With the Unexpected

Fri, 09 May 2008 12:11:53 +0000

[...] at when the month is over. But lately I’ve been really bad. It’s not because I’ve lost my frugality or because I’ve gone on a spending binge—it’s because I haven’t mastered the [...]

By: The Writer’s Coin » Blog Archive » I Have a New TV

The Writer’s Coin » Blog Archive » I Have a New TV — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 11:15:52 +0000

[...] week I wrote about my feelings regarding the new TV that was given to M and I as a very generous shower gift. I [...]

By: Nut

Nut — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 11:09:45 +0000

Frugal: The Wii is a lot of fun, no doubt about it. M and I bought Guitar Hero and we play that together a lot. When people come over, that’s what they want to play and it can be a blast. Other than that I only have two games (Mario Galaxy and Madden 08) that I haven’t had a chance to play a lot (wedding planning). Is it worth it? For sure. Is it necessary to my happiness the way I thought before I bought it? Of course not.

By: Frugal Dad

Frugal Dad — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 04:25:17 +0000

I don’t consider you a “frugal” trader - but I do agree with the other comments that if you are going to follow through on the television I would get the absolutely best deal possible! Maybe even consider a used one.

By the way, how did the Wii work out? It’s just about the only thing our family really covets and I am constantly battling the inclination to just buy it and get it over with!

By: jb

jb — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 20:55:50 +0000

You need to add money to get atleast 52 inches for your tv. Do not goto Walmart, goto Best Buy. Buy a quality tv. I would also buy a LCD over Plasma.

By: Richer by the Day

Richer by the Day — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 18:23:24 +0000

I think that your dilemma overlaps nicely with a post I just wrote, titled “Being Frugal Means You Can Spend When You Want To”
Different people define being frugal differently. Following the logic in Brendan’s comment, no one who buys a new flat screen can be frugal. I disagree. As I said in my post, “by being frugal most of the time, you create a situation where you can spend a little extra some of the time.” I understand the guilt that you feel. I feel it too when I spend, or desire to spend. That feeling doesn’t mean that you’ve lost your frugal ways, in fact that internal feedback shows that you’re still frugal at heart.

By: Lazy Man and Money

Lazy Man and Money — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 15:40:53 +0000

I wrote about my big screen television purchase. It’s not as crazy as you might think. You can get a cheap couch from Craigslist, but people still want to spend $1000 or so for something nice. If you are going to use it for 10 years or so, I see no problem with that.

I would recommend creating a spreadsheet of all the bigger purchases you have and figure out the cost per year of each item. A hundred a year might seem significantly more frugal - especially if it means you go to the movies 3 or 4 fewer times while you own it (deciding to stay home and pick up something on DVD Play or Redbox).

By: Brendan

Brendan — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 15:05:15 +0000

Its good that you can hear the voice of honesty. You are not frugal with a new, big, flat-screen TV. Frugal would have meant buying used (they are available).

By: Mrs. Micah

Mrs. Micah — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 14:26:55 +0000

I think presents are one way people like to help the frugal have a few luxuries. If it wasn’t your money and if you’re still being frugal elsewhere, then I think you’re not a traitor.