Open Mike

Re: Any Single Frugal Folks?!

Pat — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 17:26:33 GMT

littlepitcher:
I come here for the community, not for separatism of any sort.

I think that's why most people come here. Things seem to have a way of sorting themselves out, though... sometimes with a little help.

Re: Any Single Frugal Folks?!

littlepitcher — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 17:22:11 GMT

Thank you, Pat! Spent most of my life single and it's good to see someone cares about the frugal single, whether childless or otherwise. My late mother raised 2 of us alone and I learned so many of my frugality skills from her that it would be purely spiteful to caterwaul about single parents.

Another blog had someone who got nasty about spelling skills, a problem with their attitude. People who had to leave education early to obtain work often have an excellent and unique perspective on frugality. Getting snotty about someone's differences might cost us valuable perspectives.

I come here for the community, not for separatism of any sort.

Re: Any Single Frugal Folks?!

Pat — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 14:03:17 GMT

I'm saddened by it, too, seaturtle, and even more so that the thread was resurrected in such a spiteful way. I had hoped that it would die a peaceful death when I created the new forum for singles (which hardly ever gets used).

Re: Any Single Frugal Folks?!

seaturtle — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 04:01:32 GMT

I'm saddened a bit byour usual friendly forum having this anger in it.

As far as I am concerned, single means without a spouse or SO to help out and/or support. Children are not the common denominator. Having no one to fall back on is.

Pat, thank you for moderating. So much of the board is based on cooperating, helping. Not divisiveness and derision.

Re: Any Single Frugal Folks?!

SusannL — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 19:32:54 GMT

I hear you. Just this month I have had to purchase all new tires, a new battery, a new pump for the septic tank, a major a/c maintenance, a new part for the well, and painted three rooms, mowed the lawn....it never ends.

Re: Any Single Frugal Folks?!

SusannL — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 18:43:07 GMT

OK, I would like to assure you that you haven't been caught holding the bag. You need to make an investment in the younger generation because they are going to be providing services you- and everyone else- needs. I noted a trace of bitterness as though you would have no return on your investment in your taxes to support schools or when working while another employee- who is a parent- is goofing off at the doctors office with their sick child. You aren't dealing with the stress of stretching a limited income to meet the needs of your children. If you buy something for yourself you don't feel guilty. And when the kids hit their teens and college years and become TRULY expensive to raise- that is not your problem. You don't have to pay for their transportation, cell phone plans, higher insurance, or college tuition. So, I hope you feel better! Take heart! You can focus on your specific needs in a way that seems light years away to most families with kids. There is saying, "Life begins with the kids leave home and the dog dies."

Re: Any Single Frugal Folks?!

alecian — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 14:21:03 GMT

Re: Any Single Frugal Folks?!

alecian — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 14:21:03 GMT

Re: Any Single Frugal Folks?!

MarthaMFI — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 18:52:26 GMT

Sounds like a great solution Pat!

Re: Any Single Frugal Folks?!

Pat — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 20:50:41 GMT

Ok, I just created a new forum called "Singles Only," for singles and single parents. It's up to you to separate parents from other singles, but it will give you a place to discuss topics pertinent to being single.

Now... since this thread has been so active, I'm expecting you to all jump over there: http://community.stretcher.com/forums/52.aspx

Fill it up!

Re: Any Single Frugal Folks?!

Pat — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 20:46:03 GMT

Number 4:
Pat,

Is there a way to block the posts of "angry people" that one does not wish to read?

No, I'm sorry, there isn't. Just skip the posts from people you don't want to read. If you'll read below Treasurehunter's post, you'll see that she's moderated right now, so no need to continue the subject.

Re: Any Single Frugal Folks?!

orbisongirl — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 18:51:01 GMT

Although I am not enraged by single parents posting on this board, I can share karenteachers' frustrations. It would be nice if there were some more threads/articles with tips just for single adults without dependents. While there are some similarities between our situations, single, childfree adults tend to have different needs than single parents. Perhaps in the future when we start threads, we could specify whether or not they're targeted for single parents or childfree singles.

Re: Any Single Frugal Folks?!

Number 4 — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 18:02:34 GMT

Pat,

Is there a way to block the posts of "angry people" that one does not wish to read?

Re: Any Single Frugal Folks?!

Number 4 — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 18:01:25 GMT

treasurehunter:
Someone who is single and childFREE lives a totally different life than the 'single mommy'. Their issues aren't our issues. We're feeding, caring for, paying for, ourselves - period.

I'm trying to figure out how a single mother does not fall under the "feeding, caring for, paying for, ourselves" topic. When I was a single parent, my two-year-old did not contribute to the family income.

Re: Any Single Frugal Folks?!

Sandra — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 13:11:21 GMT

I've been divorced much longer than I was married and my kids are adults and out of the house for 7 years. It's much easier to be frugal when you're single, especially if you had an ex like mine . It used to really grind me that I could pinch, save, sacrifice and he would go blow it without a second thought. It wasn't that he was trying to be mean, it was just a different way of looking at things. Now I can have cereal for dinner, keep the heat turned down, or do whatever else I don't mind doing without to save money. Some of the things I do might seem kind of gross even. I admit I don't always wash my dishes everyday. On a work day if I have oatmeal for breakfast, lunch (brown bagged of course) at work and a sandwich and fruit for dinner, it seems more wasteful to fill the sink with hot sudsy water for a few things.

I have learned things from other threads that especially applied to single people. I was impressed by Deborahmichelle's portion control and freezing little bits that I probably wouldn't bother about. One of my pet peeves is how much food I waste. I bought a small (7 cf) chest freezer last week and hope to make good use of it. The best deals for meat are on the family packs but now I have space to invest in several different cuts, individually wrap them and just take out what I need. If you can't tell I'm really excited about the possibilities (and not eating chili every day for a week if I decide to cook).