Bargains vs. Saving.

[Orfy]

Spending means you are not saving.
Does that make sense?
But when you have/need/want to spend you can save (some)spending!
Does that make sense?

Well any way I got a brand new pair of decent quality Chinos for £5.
Most of my trousers are getting worn and old and the point of being wholey, thread bare or torn. So I could of done a new pair of trousers.

They are the classic style not the crappy baggy arsed tight ankled modern style!
Comfy, hard wearing and very well designed.

[Lillia]

Well, Orfy, when you need to spend, it might as well be on a bargain!

[saint-spoon]

If you take a bargain then you are saving IMO so long as it is something that you need. I always stock up on stuff that we will use if it is on offer, in the long run it saves us having to buy the item for longer.

[pavel131]

Hi
I am probably going off on a slight tangent here. But clothes wise, I adore quality over cheapness. That is why I buy a shirt now and again, jeans, and I have three suits all from http://www.itailor.com/?gclid=CL-a7KeHqK8CFc0htAodK3qjXQ You get Tailored Quality for off the hook prices. AND you can design your own clothes. The drawback is that you have to wait five weeks for delivery, as they are based in the far east.
I know it is not being actually frugal, but if you want to treat your self to an excellent product at very cheap prices, then this is the company for you.
The last shirt I bought cost me £26 or so, and it was from my own design and that is with delivery. All shirts come 100% cotton, so they look superb.
At least check out the site.

[Lillia]

Hi
I am probably going off on a slight tangent here. But clothes wise, I adore quality over cheapness.

I agree that good quality is better than cheap quality.
I shop the charity shops where I get good quality at low cost.

[Richard]

Interesting.

I think we all have something we don't scrimp on. I wouldn't buy cheap on PC's or as an example, my teeth.

Everything else is on a cost effective basis. If paying £10 instead of £5 but it'll last three times longer, that's the best way to go.

I don't buy many clothes, I have a wardrobe full of old Cricket Gear which has a design change every year and most of everything else is a present from someone.

By coincidence, the last item of clothing I brought were some Chino's from Marks and Spencer in the local Designer Outlet. They were £8.99.

I wouldn't buy cheap on walking and cycling clothing either, only then if I can't utilize something else.

Also, don't you think that when you buy cheap on a lot of things, it makes your more expensive quality item a lot more appreciated?

Whatever turns you on as they say

[saint-spoon]

I agree with spending for quality, I still have a pair of boots that I spent £190 odd on, they have lasted over ten years now and are coming to the end of their life but will last another four or five; they are very comfy. They have had a hard time as well. I have two decent pairs of jeans £40 quid each in a sale but they have lasted over five years. T shirts I just buy the cheapest because I don’t walk or sit on them. I don’t spend a lot on clothes but all my work clothes are provided. I am not a follower of fashion.

[Richard]

True. Printers I do buy cheap, it's less expensive to buy a cheap new one with some free ink in it rather than buy the refills. I just give the old one away to a third World Charity.
Mind you, the free inks last me well over a year, don't use them very much.

Boots are a fine example SS. Feet are very important and usually it really is paying for what you get.
I paid just over £100 for mine and religiously clean then straight after use, really care for them.
Not morbid, but they'll see me out !!

[Mrs B]

One man's cheap is another man's dear. I will go into a £shop for instance and think that is a load of tat and not worth £1 but go somewhere else and spend more on a better quality item.

I am not known for my frugality but clothes for instance last me ages and ages because I buy quality. Sandals and pumps I buy dirt cheap because they will be trashed by sandy beaches and such but boots that I know I will keep for years I will spend money on (although I loathe shoe shopping so rarely buy any). Like SS I have boots that are 10 years old and still in use. Skirts I spend lots on but jeans and cargo trousers are usually £8-£15 from supermarket.

I also put a value on my time so I would sooner pay someone £300 and the builder gets the materials sorted and gets the job done in a day rather than Mr B and I spend half a day sourcing materials, another day hanging around for a delivery then it takes us maybe two weekends to get the work done.

[Lillia]

I am not known for my frugality but clothes for instance last me ages and ages because I buy quality. Sandals and pumps I buy dirt cheap because they will be trashed by sandy beaches and such but boots that I know I will keep for years I will spend money on

You see, Mrs B, to ME, what you do IS frugal.
This is what we have to weigh out, in order to be frugal; where will the spending of our money be best invested?
For me, it is wise to spend a fair amount of money on quality shoes that will last me 10 years as opposed to spending only 1/3 as much yet having them last 1 season.
I can get better quality clothing for my money at the charity shops than I can spending that same money on 'new'.
It's all a matter of weighing out our needs and our available spending allowance, and then investing it wisely.

[Lillia]

Hi
I am probably going off on a slight tangent here. But clothes wise, I adore quality over cheapness. That is why I buy a shirt now and again, jeans, and I have three suits all from http://www.itailor.com/?gclid=CL-a7KeHqK8CFc0htAodK3qjXQ You get Tailored Quality for off the hook prices.

By the way, pavel131, these shirts might be something my husband is interested in. He has to dress very nicely for work. Thanks for sharing the link.

[manda]

This is what we have to weigh out, in order to be frugal; where will the spending of our money be best invested?......
It's all a matter of weighing out our needs and our available spending allowance, and then investing it wisely.

Exactly!

[HappyBob]

I think a bargain is only a bargain if its something that you need or was going to buy whether on offer or not, if you didnt need it becomes an impulse buy. I agree that buying quality from new can be deemed frugal if the item bought is destined to be used, worn, or needs to be reliable on a frequent basis so will last longer or be more efficient. Buying cheap items or an item of a lesser quality were it is only to be used ocasionally or will be treated as an expendable item ie a tool that may only be used to a one off job(a specialist tool could also be hired), or t shirts used for work/dit etc, is another way to be frugal and getting value for your money.

[Lillia]

I think a bargain is only a bargain if its something that you need or was going to buy whether on offer or not, if you didnt need it becomes an impulse buy. I agree that buying quality from new can be deemed frugal if the item bought is destined to be used, worn, or needs to be reliable on a frequent basis so will last longer or be more efficient. Buying cheap items or an item of a lesser quality were it is only to be used ocasionally or will be treated as an expendable item ie a tool that may only be used to a one off job(a specialist tool could also be hired), or t shirts used for work/dit etc, is another way to be frugal and getting value for your money.

You are absolutely right!
I have 4 white skirts. I love white skirts...each one is different and I wear them all.
I found 2 new white skirts for £3 and £4 and was so tempted. I even tried them on.
I then had to be realistic and ask myself, "How many white skirts do I REALLY need?" and realized that though the prices were fantastic, it was not frugal for me to buy them!
I actually eneded up buying brand new shoes that I needed, at the charity shop for £5 so I felt better then

[pavel131]

By the way, pavel131, these shirts might be something my husband is interested in. He has to dress very nicely for work. Thanks for sharing the link. [/quote]

The shirts are top quality, 100% cotton, as I have said. If I had had these one's tailored in this country, then I would guarantee you would pay over £100 for.
I will order all my decent clothes from them.
They also do jeans, and are expanding into womes clothes.