Confessions of a Cheapskate

Hi. I’m Jenn, and I’m cheap. I’m not frugal, I’m cheap. There’s a difference.

My husband Derek is frugal. I think most people can learn to become frugal. He rarely impulse buys. He compares the cost vs. quality to calculate value. His buying decisions make sense. For him, shopping is a means to an end.
Man needs boots. Man shops for boots. Man finds brand and style that fit, are comfortable, and sturdy for man. When man needs boots next year, man buys the same pair. Boots are no longer an issue. Boots, once a problem, now solved.

He knows what he wants, he knows where he can get it, and he knows which brand offers consistent quality. He doesn’t waste time later fixing stuff that ain’t broke. Reasonable, eh?

Not I.

I think of shopping as more of an adventure. It is my goal to spend less at nearly all costs. The difference between cheap and frugal is, I will go without rather than full price. I went 15 years without winter bootsand 7 years without a winter coat, and I live in Michigan.

Some ask me to teach them how to shop. Most lose interest once they find out how much work I actually put into it. I think it is possible to help someone to spend than they currently are, especially if they aren’t putting
much effort into it. I think it’s possible to help people lower their grocery budgets or to make small changes and come out money ahead.

Cheap cannot be taught. It’s something one is born with, period. I feel pained to buy something at full price. When I walk into any store, I don’t look at price tags as an absolute; they are all suggested retail prices. I’d rather take the gamble waiting for a markdown, and possibly lose the item I was interested in.

I mean this for everything, clothes, shoes, groceries.  Last year Michael’s had some really cute stoneware mini bread loaf pans and coffee cups for $1 all holiday season, painted with snowmen. I wanted the loaf pans, and I really needed the coffee cups because I owned none. We visit Michael’s nearly every week and I carefully watched after the holiday at the falling clearance prices. 30% off? Pshaw. 40%? Pfft. 50%? Now, we’re getting closer! At 60% I had to take a visual inventory. The store still had several racks. I made a pretty safe gamble and waited it out even longer. 60% came and went. At 75% off, I happily filled my cart with cups and pans to my cheapskate heart’s delight! Every morning when I drink my coffee I feel calm and content knowing that I only paid a quarter for my coffee cup. THAT is what being cheap is like. I saw, I observed, I waited, and I pounced in for the kill. True bargain hunting!

Conversely, had I spent $1 for my cup and then later found them on the rack at even 50% off, I’d feel scorned – every.single.morning.

Cheap is an emotion. Frugal is a lifestyle. I am here to share my cheapskate adventures with you!

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