Things You Are Stingy On!

[boatbrain]

Awhile back, I used to work with this older gentleman from England, Clive would not throw anything away and would reuse everything.
One day I asked him how come he was saving a 8 inch piece of rusty tie wire. As he was straightening it out and putting up for later use, he told me as a child he grew up in the aftermath of shell out / burned up London and him and his whole family would literally save anything they will be able to get the hands-on.

 

[O C Diver]

I came by my frugal nature naturally, I inherited it. My parents were raised during the depression. Take the scrap of the old bar of soap and bond it to the new bar. Been doing it all my life.

Ted

 

[markpierce]

I came by my frugal nature naturally, I inherited it. My parents were raised during the depression. Take the scrap of the old bar of soap and bond it to the new bar. Been doing it all my life.

Ted

I gotta start doing that. Thanks!

 

[BandB]

I came by my frugal nature naturally, I inherited it. My parents were raised during the depression. Take the scrap of the old bar of soap and bond it to the new bar. Been doing it all my life.

Ted

I think those who grew up during the depression were impacted in ways their parents never realized. We often think kids don't know or we've somehow protected them. Then sometimes they even pass it to their kids. My mother had an intense fear of being broke and valued money and security over anything, including her own happiness. So, either I would grow up with the same values she had or do as I did, rebel against those values.

You see hoarders and often it arose from bad times early in life. In a way, my mother was a hoarder, just had the space and the storage it didn't impact. There was so much stuff in our attic, one of the movers said he sure hoped he never had to move us again.

I remember when I'd finally talked my mother into selling the house, one Sunday I worked on cleaning stuff out of the attic and stuff stored in the basement. I stacked all this stuff on the street for Monday morning's trash collection. I get up to go to work Monday morning and it's all been moved back into the basement. Every single item.

Now, I tried logic. First, "Have you been up to the attic in the last 15 years for anything?" Of course she hadn't so clearly wasn't in need of anything there. We moved on to the electric football game that didn't work and I had to demonstrate the men just bouncing in place. The small gas camping or fishing heater that didn't work and I explained we had no need for it, it could be replaced for $29.99 and I'd gotten a quote for repairing it, $35. Keys were a classic. Piles and piles of keys on various chains. Two questions, "Do you know what any of these keys works?" and "Is there anything you need a key for that you don't have one?" Then she held up a key and said "This is a good car key." I said, "Yes, it's for a Chrysler product and neither you nor I own any Chrysler product today." That's followed by "Someone might have liked to have it." After hours of this, I returned all items to the curb for pickup the following week.

 

[GFC]

My wife is one who firmly believes that no flat surface in our home should be without some sort of decoration on it, and those decorations often change with the seasons or the upcoming holiday, etc. Same thing with walls. Every wall needs a photo of some kind. Blanks space is a waste of good display space. You get the picture.


Before we got married we were selling both of our homes and buying the one we're now in. A realtor was scheduled to come to her house to give a market analysis so before she same I told my fiancé that we needed to get rid of a lot of the clutter on the flat spaces and the walls. She agreed and we boxed up several boxes of "Junk" (my term) until she just couldn't take it any more.


When the realtor arrived she walked through the house looking at everything then her first comment was "Well, I like the house and it should sell quickly but I gotta tell you that you really need to declutter this place."


I still remind her of that from time to time.

 

[O C Diver]

I think those who grew up during the depression were impacted in ways their parents never realized. We often think kids don't know or we've somehow protected them. Then sometimes they even pass it to their kids. My mother had an intense fear of being broke and valued money and security over anything, including her own happiness. So, either I would grow up with the same values she had or do as I did, rebel against those values.

You see hoarders and often it arose from bad times early in life. In a way, my mother was a hoarder, just had the space and the storage it didn't impact. There was so much stuff in our attic, one of the movers said he sure hoped he never had to move us again.

I remember when I'd finally talked my mother into selling the house, one Sunday I worked on cleaning stuff out of the attic and stuff stored in the basement. I stacked all this stuff on the street for Monday morning's trash collection. I get up to go to work Monday morning and it's all been moved back into the basement. Every single item.

Now, I tried logic. First, "Have you been up to the attic in the last 15 years for anything?" Of course she hadn't so clearly wasn't in need of anything there. We moved on to the electric football game that didn't work and I had to demonstrate the men just bouncing in place. The small gas camping or fishing heater that didn't work and I explained we had no need for it, it could be replaced for $29.99 and I'd gotten a quote for repairing it, $35. Keys were a classic. Piles and piles of keys on various chains. Two questions, "Do you know what any of these keys works?" and "Is there anything you need a key for that you don't have one?" Then she held up a key and said "This is a good car key." I said, "Yes, it's for a Chrysler product and neither you nor I own any Chrysler product today." That's followed by "Someone might have liked to have it." After hours of this, I returned all items to the curb for pickup the following week.

My parents were hoarders. They retired to a home 3 times larger than they needed to have a place for all their stuff, which they never looked at again. I inherited the trait but completed a 12 step withdrawal program to curb the addiction.

Unfortunately, the program had no impact on my frugal tendencies. I still abhor decadent wasteful consumption and refuse to discard containers with remaining useable product without an unjustifiable amount of effort.

Ted

 

[BandB]

My wife is one who firmly believes that no flat surface in our home should be without some sort of decoration on it, and those decorations often change with the seasons or the upcoming holiday, etc. Same thing with walls. Every wall needs a photo of some kind. Blanks space is a waste of good display space. You get the picture.


Before we got married we were selling both of our homes and buying the one we're now in. A realtor was scheduled to come to her house to give a market analysis so before she same I told my fiancé that we needed to get rid of a lot of the clutter on the flat spaces and the walls. She agreed and we boxed up several boxes of "Junk" (my term) until she just couldn't take it any more.


When the realtor arrived she walked through the house looking at everything then her first comment was "Well, I like the house and it should sell quickly but I gotta tell you that you really need to declutter this place."


I still remind her of that from time to time.

Wifey B: We're a lot better at buying or acquiring than getting rid of stuff.

I know they're "just things" but they're not. They're moments, memories. We try to pick up some art from places we travel to and the room where we keep our travelogue collection was well spaced but it getting packed and we're going to have to put stuff elsewhere. We don't take photos when traveling, but we collect things. No, we are not getting rid of any of it. And, anything my hubby has ever bought me, even the smallest, most trivial thing, I could never part with.

I read all the talk about downsizing and simplifying and I praise all who do it, but can't imagine doing it myself. Maybe it's growing up with nothing that did it. I don't know.

It's so easy to fill space with something pretty. How dare you call our precious collectibles "junk".

We turn the Christmas decorating over to the "girls". Yes, those close to us in age from 20 to 30 now and we let them do anything they want. Insanity. There won't be a space in our lower level of our home without decoration as each year they add a room. The trees will have no decorations more than 6" apart. I'm not going to even admit how many trees we now have. Each year they add something. When we lived in NC, we didn't even decorate. The fact they seem to get so much joy out of doing it together and seeing our faces when we return from NC and SC for our Florida Christmas, celebrated each year a few days after Calendar Christmas.

I guess I just get overwhelmed about all these people wanting to gather in our home for the holidays, celebrate as a huge extended family. It's the family neither of us had naturally. I can't say no to anything. And anything any of them have ever given us. We don't allow big presents but even the smallest. I have every "World's Best Teacher" or "Favorite Teacher" Item I've ever been given. Some are, on their own, ugly. But when I remember the kid and the thought, I could never part with one.

I'm sure I'm worse than your wife, GFC. I didn't realize how bad I am until you posted.

 

[Gouchergal]

I'll play.

Toothpaste is one of mine, too. So is hand lotion. To the point that I will turn the old container upside down and drain it into the new container before recycling the old container.

John

OMG! I thought I was the only one who did that! Not only lotion, but Spray N Wash etc.
I use a spatula to get the mayonnaise out of the jar too!
I joke that it's because I grew up in the Depression (no!!) But my husband says it's because I grew up in New England. Waste not, want not!

 

[BruceK]

But not the toilet paper, right?

Are you are using both sides of the toilet paper?

 

[menzies]

Are you are using both sides of the toilet paper?

Yeah, when I fold!

 

[GFC]

Wifey B:

I'm sure I'm worse than your wife, GFC. I didn't realize how bad I am until you posted.

It sounds like you might be just a tad better (or worse, depending on one's viewpoint) at accumulating "stuff".

We now have a garage about half full of her mother's furniture, clothing and assorted other "stuff". She moved into a LTC facility a few months ago and all her furniture was provided by them.

So now we're planning on having a MEGA-yard sale (MEGA, not MAGA) in the spring. Her stuff plus a ton of our stuff will be put up for sale. GW has tentatively agreed to this plan but when the time comes...….

 

[KapnKarl]

I came by my frugal nature naturally, I inherited it. My parents were raised during the depression. Take the scrap of the old bar of soap and bond it to the new bar. Been doing it all my life.

Ted

Just did that this morning.

 

[LaBomba]

Like Ted, I also bond my old bar of soap no matter how small or thin but more than that I hate to have to go the the hardware store for a nut bolt or washer. Therefore , over the years, I have amassed a huge inventory in coffee cans, peanut butter jars and anything else I can find to store more in. My neighbours even come to me first before going to the store. A habit picked up from my dad who even straightened old nails and put them in a jar, bless his heart.

 

[BandB]

So now we're planning on having a MEGA-yard sale (MEGA, not MAGA) in the spring. Her stuff plus a ton of our stuff will be put up for sale. GW has tentatively agreed to this plan but when the time comes...….

Wifey B: Better to hire an estate seller or someone to do it and not be there when it's done, not see your stuff going out the door, undervalued in your mind, not appreciated like you appreciate it.

 

[GFC]

Wifey B: Better to hire an estate seller or someone to do it and not be there when it's done, not see your stuff going out the door, undervalued in your mind, not appreciated like you appreciate it.

MISS THAT???? Hell WB, I wouldn't miss that for all the wrong anchors in Florida. Sitting here right now, still 3-4 months away from a MEGA yard sale my whole body is tingling with the thought of all that stuff finding its way to a new home, and me finding my way to the bank with all the money people were willing to pay for that stuff.

Well, at least to McD's for a bite after the sale is over!

 

[BandB]

MISS THAT???? Hell WB, I wouldn't miss that for all the wrong anchors in Florida. Sitting here right now, still 3-4 months away from a MEGA yard sale my whole body is tingling with the thought of all that stuff finding its way to a new home, and me finding my way to the bank with all the money people were willing to pay for that stuff.

Well, at least to McD's for a bite after the sale is over!

Wifey B: Yes, and it will give her a final chance to grab and say no and take it all back in. You'd never want to miss that.

 

[Ralsy]

Lol, viagra it is. I suck mine for 20 seconds then put it away for next time. Usually last for about 5 sucks which for me is about 1 year. ?

 

[sbu22]

LMAO, Ralsey

 

[boatbrain]

Mary Lou's Christmas List.

It was one of my favorite thrifty Christmas songs

 

[BandB]

Wifey B: Police Benevolent funds calling on the phone who only forward 1% to the actual fund but 99% to the fundraisers.

Actually, at a time of the year of tremendous outpouring of benevolence by so many, I was once so innocent and trusting and hubby taught me to be suspicious and any organization soliciting to check them out before giving. He always required something about them in writing and then would look at their IRS filings.

We give a lot, but say "no" a lot. I'm stingy in that I want anything I give to actually help those it's intended for. Even something as seemingly simple as giving clothing to a non-profit. Check them out and you'll find out while one pays very little to executives and managers, the other just gives the vast majority of revenues to those running things.

I don't want to say no to those in need but I sure don't want to line the pockets of shrewd and slimy businessmen claiming to be charitable.

So much good done by so many during the holiday season. However, many taking advantage of the generosity and love of others. I taught hubby a lot of things, but this was one he taught me, that a 501C label doesn't guarantee anything. Some organizations even have charitable sounding names but are for profit companies.

Local is often best. Local food pantries do so much. OMG, I just love seeing the toys for tots and the collections locally of coats and blankets. Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year (yes, sounds like a song) and far beyond a religious holiday, a time of the year for so much good and sharing and truly thinking of others.

But, unfortunately, it's a time that does bring out the bad as well. Scrooge does exist but under the cloak of those claiming to be otherwise.

 

[MYTraveler]

I try to get several uses out of a piece of dental floss, but resisted the temptation to try to re-use any of today's wrapping paper.

 

[BandB]

I try to get several uses out of a piece of dental floss, but resisted the temptation to try to re-use any of today's wrapping paper.

I knew a lady who would take hours unwrapping presents and unwrap for everyone else present turning the unwrapping of presents into a long event. She would carefully untape each piece and then save every piece of wrapping paper, every ribbon, and every bow and she never bought any wrapping materials herself.

 

[GFC]

So, what did the others present do to bide their time whilst you unwrapped those presents?

 

[BandB]

So, what did the others present do to bide their time whilst you unwrapped those presents?

Wifey B: Wasn't me as I'd rip the paper off and hubby even makes sure we have bags right there to throw it in. I think her family was use to it and just moaned and put up with it.

 

[menzies]

Been challenging those callers for years. I stop them mid-speil and ask "what percentage of what you raise goes to the actual xyz (police, firefighters, etc.)."

All but once they either do not know or are unwilling to answer. I then just hang up.

The one time I got an answer it was, said as strait laced as you like, "100% of all donations goes to fund raising." I swear that he thought I wouldn't be listening to the answer. I roared with laughter - then hung up!

 

[BandB]

Been challenging those callers for years. I stop them mid-speil and ask "what percentage of what you raise goes to the actual xyz (police, firefighters, etc.)."

All but once they either do not know or are unwilling to answer. I then just hang up.

The one time I got an answer it was, said as strait laced as you like, "100% of all donations goes to fund raising." I swear that he thought I wouldn't be listening to the answer. I roared with laughter - then hung up!

When I get a call at home/on my cellular, I simply say "I'm not interested" and hang up, without even listening to a complete sentence. If you called me to solicit, I am never interested.

In business we can't quite be that way, but the answer is always, "We require all requests for donations to be in writing. They should include a way to access your annual reports and 990's. Please submit to: (and we give an address). We get quite a large number of requests and can only respond to a few.

 

[Lou_tribal]

I knew a lady who would take hours unwrapping presents and unwrap for everyone else present turning the unwrapping of presents into a long event. She would carefully untape each piece and then save every piece of wrapping paper, every ribbon, and every bow and she never bought any wrapping materials herself.

I found a remedy for this. This year this is the Christmas gift packaging I did for my wife:



Takes a bit more time but so much more fun and 100% natural, 100% reusable and 100% biodegradable!

L

 

[HopCar]

Lou that’s beautiful. Hand cut dove tails! Does the lid slide? Doesn’t look like a fancy wood but it came out great. I bet your wife liked the box as much or more than what was in it.

 

[Lou_tribal]

Lou that’s beautiful. Hand cut dove tails! Does the lid slide? Doesn’t look like a fancy wood but it came out great. I bet your wife liked the box as much or more than what was in it.

Thank you, indeed the lid slides in (not finished yet on the pic below)



No fancy wood, just simple white pine with bees wax as a finish. I love pine wood, just the smell makes me happy in the shop!

Not sur she will like it, we have our gift exchange tomorrow evening! (A bit late this year due to some getting cold!)

L

 

[BandB]

Thank you, indeed the lid slides in (not finished yet on the pic below)

View attachment 97850

No fancy wood, just simple white pine with bees wax as a finish. I love pine wood, just the smell makes me happy in the shop!

Not sur she will like it, we have our gift exchange tomorrow evening! (A bit late this year due to some getting cold!)

L

Wifey B: Beautiful packaging. Hubby's allergies prevent us from having such items.