I think you already know this if you’ve glanced through my blog before, but I’ll say it once more: I’m cheap and proud! I think living cheap is beautiful and freeing and tons of fun. But cheapness does have its limits, and there are a few isolated things I won’t skimp on. Here’s a list of those things I generally refuse to buy cheap even though I could:
Cheese. Real cheese is expensive. I recently shelled out $2.50 for an 8 oz. package of sliced store brand cheddar. Ouch! But I just do not like cheese food. If it doesn’t melt, then in my opinion, it really does not deserve to be called cheese. It’s a piece of hardened vegetable oil, and that’s yucky. What do you think? Am I slipping? Do I still deserve to call myself a cheapskate?
Razors. I bought some store brand razors one time and they cut my face to shreds. I’ve never repeated that experience and I now buy Gillette razors (at the flea market). As far as being cheap goes, I draw the line at self-abuse. I don’t think there’s really any question here. Bloodletting for the sake of a couple bucks really is not my thing.
Butter. I buy the real thing. The main reason is that margarine contains trans fat, which, according to the FDA, you should consume as little of as possible. I spun my huge tub of margarine around one day and was surprised to find that it contained this very unhealthy ingredient, and I haven’t purchased margarine since then – although I did finish that big tub of it first…
That’s all I can think of right now. Anything else I’ll take as cheap as I can get, unless it’s obviously flimsy, rotten, expired, etc.
I also won’t do things cheaply when this would waste an incredible amount of time (an example would be taking the bus to see my friends who live in Orange County, particularly when I need or want to stay late) or when the cheaper option seems dangerous (for instance, I bought a new bike helmet at Wal-Mart because I heard that used ones can be damaged in such a way that you can’t tell just by looking).
So what do you think? Am I a real cheapskate, or am I a faker? Are there things that you simply refuse to buy cheap?
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April 30th, 2008 - 3:06 pm
I don’t think you’re a cheapskate (doesn’t the term have negative connotations anyway - like those that don’t tip, etc).
I am a tightwad and I refuse to sacrifice quality in food purchases. I have no interest in any consumer goods and any associated fads in clothing styles or whatever, but I will pay a lot of money for produce at a local farmers’ market if it means I am not paying into an artificially low food market system and I am giving money to my immediate community.
I purchased a safety razor (Merker) for my husband a few months back and he has yet to cut his face with it. I bought about 50 blades to go with it, and at the rate he is going, I don’t think we will ever buy a razor or a blade ever again.
I’m planning a move to L.A. so am glad to have found your blog!
April 30th, 2008 - 4:33 pm
The word “tightwad” has already been claimed by the Tightwad Gazette, which I really like, but I think my view on cheapness is a bit different. (By the way, if anyone reading this comment hasn’t seen the Tightwad Gazette, a pre-internet font of information about living the cheap life, I recommend checking out a compilation from the library.) I support cheapness as not only a way to get by on a small income, but as part of an overall life/investment strategy with financial freedom, ditching your job, and doing what’s really important to you as part of the goal. I guess that’s pretty ambitious, but I’ve found that being ambitious usually pays off!
By the way, thanks for stopping by and commenting. I hope to see you here again.
May 6th, 2008 - 10:06 am
Good words and true!
If I can’t afford real cheese, I just don’t buy cheese. Make that “cheesoid.” It’s amazing that anybody will eat the stuff. Ditto fake butter. If there’s a Trader Joe’s near you, BTW, check the price of butter there. In our parts, it’s lots cheaper than any of the competish.
One of the good things about becoming an old woman is that you rarely have to use a razor any more. But when I did, I used a man’s double-edged razor, which worked better than any of the girly things and (once assembled) seemed a lot less likely to cut up my gorgeous gams.
I also refuse to compromise on my favorite potables, wine, beer, and coffee. Two-Buck Chuck: anathema! If I can’t afford a ten-dollar bottle of wine, I don’t buy wine. All of which goes a long way toward keeping one on the wagon.
May 6th, 2008 - 11:58 am
I have to agree with all of these. And let me add peanut butter. Maybe you don’t mind this as much as I, but I cannot handle cheap peanut butter.
No, you’re not “cheap” as some people like to use as an insult. You are smart and frugal. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!
May 6th, 2008 - 5:41 pm