I always order water. (sometimes I will get an ice tea) I don't drink soda. Ever. I don't like it. Anybody who we eat with knows that I don't drink soda, so they don't even think about it.

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I am never ashamed to be frugal! I tell EVERYBODY hey look at my 2.00 shoes,3.00dress pants, 3.00 blouse, 5.00 pocketbook and free panties all brand NEW! I am proud to stretch my husband's money. It's fun! When I save on something I gain something else I need or want. I never care about keeping up with the jones's cause I am too happy with what I got.
And I don't need friends who like me for what I've got or not.

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Crystal Ann

Amen, sisters! I can relate to almost every comment here! I, too, HATE to pay $2 for a soda in a restaurant for my kids, and they only get it if it comes with a kids meal. I tell them I can get a 12-pack of coke for $2.50 or 2-liters for 90 cents. Puts it in context for them. We get water with lemon, and add sweetener! Our own lemonade--HA.

I love to use coupons and know others who say they never use coupons, and I just say why pay more for something your are going to buy anyway?? (Assuming you don't buy stuff with coupons you wouldn't otherwise buy... Unless it's a REALLY good deal). Same with restaurant coupons. Don't think I've ever been to Chick-Fil-A without some type of coupon. Too expensive otherwise. And between the Entertainment book, early bird specials, and coupons, we try to never dine full price.

Another killer for me is the price of drinks (alcoholic) in restaurants. I almost never order a drink out--I prefer to have a glass of wine (or two) BEFORE going (when I'm not DRIVING, obviously--no Lindsay Lohan tricks here!!!) And forget desserts--I tell my kids they can have ice cream or whatever when we get home. They are learning...

I try many generics or cheaper brands, and some are acceptable to us, and some are not. Kids don't seem to mind store-brand cereals or cookies at all. Plus, I've explained to them that all store brands or generics are made by a big-name producer.

I don't go to yard sales or thrift shops, but more due to laziness than anything. I know there are amazing bargains to be had (just judging by what I sell some great stuff for!), but I don't enjoy the searching through lots of junk to find a great deal. But I envy those who do find the great deals out there!

i put my generic fabric softner in empty tide or snuggle etc bottle, because it comes in cartons and i water it down in a 50/50 ratio.

But since moving the the states, I have noticed alot of people are ashamed of being frugal, I love to annouce mine to the world, I love telling people I got the cute outfit thats on my son that they just complimented on for 50c at the thrift store.

I never drink pop, so I have no qualms about asking for water at resturaunts lol

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stay at home mom to my crazy toddler with sensory issues

we grew up with yard sale/thrift store or clearance clothes to, and once my mum and dad had enough to buy new, they had to force me to all I wanted to do was go to the thrift store.

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stay at home mom to my crazy toddler with sensory issues

I grew up in a very poor mid-Western farm family, in a community where frugality was the normal way of life. I thought everyone lived like that. But, I came to Fairfield County, CT (the CT Goldcoast) as nanny 21 years ago. Many, many people here are very wealthy, and a lot more like to pretend they are LOL! I'm primarily a SAHM now. While my DH has a good job that we're very grateful for, we're not wealthy financially. However, the Joneses around here live REALLY large!!!! I quickly learned who appreciates the fact that my kids look cute in hand-me-downs, tag sale, consignment and clearance clothing and who doesn't. I've been embarrassed more than once because I was really psyched about a bargain that I found. I keep my trap closed now and call my family about them instead LOL!

Michelle

My wife has it bad with being embarrassed about being frugal.

Mike

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Sonogram says it's a girl, so we will have one of each. :happy dance:

heck no i'm not ashamed of being frugal or as my dh calls is down right cheap though he is slowly changing his mind. i love the hunt for the great bargain and now i have my shopping snob of a sister slowly converting. i think i'm rubbing off on her!!! never be ashamed of who you are or where you come from.

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Measure wealth not by the things you have, but by the things you have for which you would not take money.

I am proud that I can beat the system. The whole retail system is set up to get consumers to part with their hard-earned money. I consider beating the system something to celebrate. Every dollar that I save or when I work the retail system to my advantage is something to be proud of because I have outsmarted the experts!! No shame here. I also brag when I get good deals because I am proud that I haven't been suckered!:happy dance:

Amen! My DH is totally on board now after getting several bottles of shampoo free with coupon/sale price and started telling his mother about it... even popping open my list of upcoming cvs sales and trying to decipher my shorthand. Her reply? "If you keep doing that you're going to put the stores out of business." Woman, how did you work at Winn Dixie for so many years and NOT know that the store gets paid back the coupon amount plus 8 cents?

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