Frugal Attempts Gone Wrong - Page 2

mama_of_twins · 03-30-2007, 01:07 PM

This has happened to me but I get to blame it on my DH.

I gave him a book to return. The library calls me and say that I haven't returned the book. I set there and argue with the lady and tell her that I am absolutely sure that it was returned. My DH cleans out his truck and guess what's under the seat... THE BOOK! I felt so bad for arguing with that poor lady.

Cookie2 · 03-30-2007, 02:14 PM

My story is worse!

When we go to the library, we do a 'quick pick'. DD and I dash into the children's section. She picks out 5 books and I pick out 5 books. We check out and go home.

Well one time, DD got distracted with the video section while I was looking for books. Most of the library's videos are VHS format and we only have DVD players so I haven't really looked at those shelves. But she wanted to check out some videos anyway. So I relented. We found three DVDs to try out of the 5 DVDs available.

I took them home and hubby watched the DVDs with DD. Then hubby left for a business trip and I couldn't locate the DVDs anywhere!!! I think DD liked one of them so much she hid them! Our library allows DVDs to be checked out for 7 days and after that it is a $1 fine per day, per DVD. Ouch! I ended up paying a $29 fine! And we already have Netflix. It isn't like I needed to use the library!

Like others, I figure I pay fines so rarely, I chalk them up to a worthy donation. The library has certainly saved me hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in books I would have purchased instead of borrowed.

KathrynHannah · 03-30-2007, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cookie2

I figure I pay fines so rarely, I chalk them up to a worthy donation. The library has certainly saved me hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in books I would have purchased instead of borrowed.

This is how I try and view the rare fine too even if it just makes me feel better. But I am having trouble with the $2 an hour parking fee at the library. If only it was close enough to ride our bikes .....

Kim · 03-30-2007, 05:51 PM

You're right about the fines being the "price" you pay for getting all that stuff for free. I totally agree. I still *KICK* myself each time it happens though!

blessedwith3boys · 03-31-2007, 06:09 PM

I once and only once bought these garbage bags called Ruffies. I thought great! A whole roll of garbage bags for only a couple of bucks, I'll surely get my money's worth. So did my living room carpet! Mashed potatoes and other garbage spilled all over the living room carpet when the bag ripped!

I'll never buy them again!

Klippy · 03-31-2007, 07:00 PM

Cheap toilet paper!!!! YUCK!!! Some of that stuff feels like sandpaper!!!!

Meghan&Noah'sMom · 04-02-2007, 04:31 PM

Oh my gosh! My list of frugality gone wrong could be a mile long!

There's the generic laundry soaps that I've tried and ended up with stinky laundry. Now I just stick with my favorite- Tide. May be more expensive up front, but I'm not wasting money by throwing it out unused b/c it stinks. Ditto for off brand cleaning and household products.

Then there's my trying to buy cheap/in expensive clothes- for me it doesn't work. I would see something by Tommy Hil or Ann Taylor or and love it but would cringe at seeing the price tag. So I would go to Kohl's or Target and find a knock-off for less only to have it shrink when I washed it, fall apart or just look yucky after a few washes THEN have to replace it, kicking myself the entire time because I have now spent more money than if I had just bought the original item I saw. So, I now just buy clothes from my favorite labels regardless of the price. My clothing bill has actually gone down by doing this.

Oh I could go on and on.....I have learned my lesson in many, many areas!

Kim · 04-02-2007, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meghan&Noah'sMom

Then there's my trying to buy cheap/in expensive clothes- for me it doesn't work. I would see something by Tommy Hil or Ann Taylor or and love it but would cringe at seeing the price tag. So I would go to Kohl's or Target and find a knock-off for less only to have it shrink when I washed it, fall apart or just look yucky after a few washes THEN have to replace it, kicking myself the entire time because I have now spent more money than if I had just bought the original item I saw. So, I now just buy clothes from my favorite labels regardless of the price. My clothing bill has actually gone down by doing this.

I'm starting to live by this philosophy too. I LOVE Ann Taylor Loft. Their stuff is pricey, but I would rather get one of their pieces than 3 or 4 things from Old Navy or Target. They're less trendy and last longer, too.

P.S. I found my missing library book! My daughter had put it with the rest of her books in her bookshelf rather than the library basket. (why didn't I think to look there?)