I know two frugal women. (A true story)

Amanda (name has been changed) has closets full of clothes, mostly from thrift stores and yard sales. Betty's family has a very simple wardrobe that is made up a few good quality, classic, built to last, nice pieces, bought new from companies that guarantee their products.

Amanda buys toys for her kids at thrift shops and yard sales. She has a toy room that is filled toys, DVD's, games, books, blocks, and puzzles. Betty's kids have a their own little book shelf in their rooms. For Christmas they get one nice toy each. At any other holiday they get a book. Betty's kids have enough toys to keep in their room but no need for a toy room. The toys she does buy for her kids are top of the line, but she doesn't buy much.

Both women spend the same amount of money on clothes for their families and toys for their kids.

Is one woman right?

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Hmmm.....I'm thinking in terms of being simple, Betty has it right (in my opinion). I personally like Betty's lifestyle b/c I don't want a bunch of stuff. I'd rather spend more on quality clothing, than having more for my money.

A perfect example is I spent $16 on a shirt for my daughter at the Gap(I know that's a lot), BUT she now has one nice outfit for summer instead of me spending $4 on 4 shirts and having too many clothes. PLUS, my daughter will probably wear the one outfit all the time and get more use out of it instead of growing out of it before she had a chance to wear it out.

I'm all about having less! Great question!

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All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother- Abraham Lincoln

I don't know that either is really right. It is a matter of personal preferance. I would probaby be in between the two.

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~Happiness is a large family~

I agree with Happymom, in that I don't think either is really right, or wrong for that matter, and that it is all personal preference.

However, I personally lean more towards Betty's choices. I would rather (and do) have less items, but better quality. It also equals less stress when it comes to clean up time, which goes for laundry and toys. So it is a win win situation.

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Stacey

The moment we begin to fear the opinions of others and hesitate to tell the truth that is in us, and from motives of policy are silent when we should speak, the divine floods of light and life no longer flow into our souls. ~ Elizabeth Cady Stanton

I agree w/Happymom. Personal preference, especially since the bottom line is the same. I, personally, would like something in the middle.

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I'm in between!
My kids have so many clothes 3/4 hand me downs/thrift and 1/4 good stuff bought on sale. I love having the variety and experimenting with brands/styles. For instance I'm only buying GAP, Old Navy, TCP pants for my guy. Other brands just don't work on him. Plus having so many 2nd hand clothes makes them disposable. I'm pretty good at getting stains out but no worries if I don't!
As for the toys & books, my kids also have tons of those 1 or 2 new and a lot of 2nd hand from me. TONS of new toys from Grandma at birthdays and Christmas time. I had a big party for each of their 1st b-day and the rest are family only. I'm really trying to whittle down the toys or rotate them. At Christmas & birthday, I'm always suggesting movies and books and craft/creative things.

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Amanda
Mommy to Zack & Emily

I like the way happymom said it, I think I would be somewhere in between. However I do like the idea of having just enough toys for their room so there isn't a need for a playroom, this may be something I will have to try

I'm with Betty, even though I love thrift stores, I can't stand clutter and/or too much stuff, it makes me claustrophobis and jittery when there's stuff everywhere.

I also bet 1 Mom is feeling the need to DECLUTTER and one isn't ...

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Avoid Fruits~N~Nuts....you are what you eat!!!

It is personal preference. I think I am so where between. When I was younger my brother and I had a clothing allowance he went for quality and I wanted quantity. I liked having some many things that I could change my mind on what to wear. Now I realize that I am wearing the same clothes most of the time so I want quality. For my kiddos I want clothes that will last to hand-me-down to the younger one so I need to buy quality .... and plus they get clothes from family for b-days and Christmas.

Interesting question